Primary Update Saturday August 4th

  Since cameras were not allowed in the courtroom I must repeat the photo of election lawyer Stanley Schlein talking to another election lawyer about billing the client by the hour. 

 So what happened on Friday?

 There was a question of current 84th A.D. District Leader withdrawing from the Assembly race for the 84th A.D. Mr. Israel Martinez claimed that the letter of withdrawal was a fraud, and that he had not withdrawn as a candidate for the 84th assembly. That matter was moved to Monday. 

 In the case of the challenge to the petition of Amanda Septimo, the challenge was withdrawn. That leaves candidate Amanda Septimo on the ballot for the September 13th primary in the 84th A.D.

 Counselor Anthony Grimaldi who was absent from court on Thursday arrived Friday morning to represent his clients Elliot Quinones and Pamela Stewart-Martinez. Mr Quinones is challenging incumbent Assemblyman Marcos Creespo, and Ms. Stewart-Martinez is challenging incumbent State Senator Luis Sepulveda. Word is that both matters will be closed out on Monday.

 As for the court challenge to the petition of Karines Reyes in the 87th Assembly District, there was an agreement after evidence of fraud on the Karines Reyes petition was admitted into the record by the court appointed referee. Sergeant John Perez (running for the vacant 87th Assembly seat) withdrew his challenge after the acceptance of evidence of fraud on the Karines Reyes petition. Candidate Sergeant John Perez said he wants to bring the community together after the triple homicide in Castle Hill, and the loss of a very dear friend who he grew up with Ms. Geraldine Lamb.   

Prime Healthcare Services and its CEO Agree to Pay $65 Million to Settle Medicare Overbilling Allegations at 14 California Hospitals

  LOS ANGELES – Prime Healthcare Services, Inc.; Prime Healthcare Foundation, Inc.; Prime Healthcare Management, Inc.; and Prime’s Founder and chief executive officer, Dr. Prem Reddy, have agreed to pay the United States $65 million to settle allegations that 14 Prime hospitals in California knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare by admitting patients who required only less costly, outpatient care and by billing for more expensive patient diagnoses than the patients had (a practice known as “up-coding”).

   Under the settlement agreement, Reddy will pay $3.25 million and Prime will pay $61.75 million.

  Headquartered in Ontario, California, Prime Healthcare Services and the not-for-profit Prime Healthcare Foundation constitute one of the largest hospital systems in the nation, with 45 acute-care hospitals located in 14 states.

 The following 10 hospital defendants owned by Prime Healthcare Services are parties to the settlement agreement: Alvarado Hospital Medical Center, Garden Grove Medical Center, La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, Desert Valley Hospital, Chino Valley Medical Center, Paradise Valley Hospital, San Dimas Community Hospital, Shasta Regional Medical Center, West Anaheim Medical Center and Centinela Hospital Medical Center. Four other hospital defendants owned by Prime Healthcare Foundation are also parties to the settlement agreement: Sherman Oaks Hospital, Montclair Hospital Medical Center, Huntington Beach Hospital and Encino Hospital Medical Center. Prime Healthcare Management, a subsidiary of Prime Healthcare Services, provides management, consulting and support services to hospitals owned and operated by Prime.

 The settlement resolves allegations that, from 2006 through 2013, Prime engaged in a deliberate, corporate-driven scheme to increase inpatient admissions of Medicare beneficiaries who originally presented to the Emergency Departments at the 14 Prime hospitals in California. The government claimed that the inpatient admission of these beneficiaries was not medically necessary because their symptoms and treatment needs should have been managed in a less-costly outpatient or observation setting. Hospitals generally receive significantly higher payments from Medicare for inpatient admissions as opposed to outpatient treatment; therefore, the admission of beneficiaries who do not need inpatient care, as alleged here, can result in substantial financial harm to the Medicare program.

  The settlement also resolves allegations that, from 2006 through 2014, Prime engaged in up-coding by falsifying information concerning patient diagnoses, including complications and comorbidities, in order to increase Medicare reimbursement.

 “Patients and taxpayers who finance health care programs such as Medicare deserve to know that doctors are making decisions solely based on medical need – and not based on a corporate desire to increase billings,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Wilkison. “The Justice Department is committed to preserving the integrity of public health programs and preventing improper billing practices.”

 “This settlement reflects our ongoing commitment to ensure that health care providers appropriately bill Medicare,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Chad A. Readler of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Charging the government for higher cost inpatient services that patients do not need, and for higher-paying diagnoses than the patients have, wastes the country’s valuable health care resources.”

 Prime also entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) requiring the company to engage in significant compliance efforts over the next five years. Under the agreement, Prime is required to retain an independent review organization to review the accuracy of the company’s claims for services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries

 “When health care companies try to boost their profits by billing federal health care programs for more expensive services than they needed to provide, the Office of Inspector General will ensure they are held accountable for their deceptive schemes,” said Christian J. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge for the HHS-OIG’s, Los Angeles Regional Office.

 “Those who engage in health care fraud, including corrupt doctors and medical professionals driven by greed, exploit helpless or unwitting patients in violation of the oath they took to protect us – and often American taxpayers are the victims,” said Paul D. Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “By reaching this settlement, the FBI and our partners are holding Prime Healthcare accountable for exaggerating patients’ needs and inflating the severity of their symptoms while handsomely lining their pockets. This case should send a clear message to others who intend to engage in similar schemes that rout the American healthcare system.”

This settlement resolves a False Claims Act (FCA) lawsuit filed in federal court in Los Angeles by Karin Berntsen, the former director of performance improvement at Alvarado Hospital Medical Center in San Diego. Under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the FCA, private citizens are permitted to bring lawsuits on behalf of the United States and obtain a portion of the government’s recovery. The FCA also permits the government to intervene and take over the lawsuit, as it did in this case as to some of Ms. Berntsen’s allegations. Ms. Berntsen will receive $17,225,000 as her portion of the settlement amount.

 Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

  The settlement was a result of a coordinated effort by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Los Angeles Field Office, FBIHQs Major Provider Response Team, and HHS-OIG.

   The case is United States ex rel. Karin Berntsen v. Prime Healthcare Services, Inc., et al., CV11-08214-PJW (C.D. Cal.). The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

Member Of The Genovese Family Of La Cosa Nostra Charged In 1997 Murder-For-Hire Of Richard Ortiz

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Charles Gardner, the Commissioner of the City of Yonkers Police Department (“YPD”), announced the arrest of JOHN TORTORA JR., a/k/a “Johnny T,” on charges of racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and murder for hire.  The murder charges arise out of TORTORA’s role in the November 11, 1997, murder of Richard Ortiz, 29, in Yonkers.  TORTORA was arrested this morning in Yonkers by FBI agents and Yonkers PD detectives.  TORTORA will be presented later today before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein at the United States Courthouse in Manhattan.  The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Sidney H. Stein.  An initial pretrial conference is scheduled for August 14, 2018, at 3:00 p.m., before Judge Stein.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said:  “As alleged in the indictment, the defendant was responsible for the stabbing death of Richard Ortiz over 20 years ago.  Today, thanks to the remarkable dedication and perseverance of the FBI and the Yonkers Police Department, the defendant faces charges for his crimes.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “The arrest of John Tortora should remind everyone that justice delayed is not justice denied.  Whether a crime was allegedly committed decades ago or just days ago, the FBI will maintain the same tenacity and we will be relentless toward ensuring those who commit violent crimes be held accountable for their actions.  The FBI New York Office never does these investigations alone, and we want to thank the Yonkers Police Department for their help in successfully solving a case from more than 20 years ago.”

Yonkers Police Commissioner Charles Gardner said:  “This arrest for the 1997 murder of Mr. Ortiz demonstrates the resolve and commitment of law enforcement to hold those accountable for their actions and serves as a warning to all members of La Cosa Nostra engaging in violent criminal activity in our communities.  We will continue to work with our federal partners to aggressively target alleged criminals and criminal enterprises operating in our City. 

I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI for their invaluable support and efforts in this investigation.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment[1] and statements made in court:

From in or about 1997 up to and including in or about 2018, TORTORA, an associate and later a member of the Genovese Crime Family, along with other members and associates of La Cosa Nostra, committed a wide range of crimes, including murder, extortion, gambling, and narcotics trafficking.  In particular, TORTORA hired others to kill Richard Ortiz in order to further the goals of the Genovese Family.  As a result, on November 11, 1997, Ortiz was brutally stabbed multiple times, causing his death.

TORTORA, 61, of Yonkers, New York, is charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, and murder for hire.  A chart showing the charges and maximum penalties for each count of the Indictment is below. The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

COUNT	CHARGE	MAXIMUM PENALTY
1	Conspiracy to commit racketeering	Life in prison
2	Murder in aid of racketeering	Mandatory life in prison or the   death penalty
3	Murder for hire	Mandatory life in prison or the death penalty

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, the Yonkers Police Department, and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

National Night Out Against Crime Tuesday August 7th

National Night Out Against Crime

Join the NYPD and city officials at more than 70 locations citywide on National Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday, August 7th.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to help make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. It seeks to strengthen the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement, fostering a true sense of community.

Enjoy barbeque and bounce houses, face painting, food, and fun. Meet leaders and personnel from your local precinct and interact with neighbors, community members, and local businesses with the common goal of partnership and safety.

There will be games and activities for kids, and lots of information on ways to work with the NYPD to keep your neighborhood safe. 

40th Precinct

Location: Brook Avenue & E. 138 Street

Time: 3:00 PM - TBD

41st Precinct

Location: PAL Center, 991 Longwood Avenue, between Southern Boulevard & Beck Street

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

42nd Precinct

Location: Jennings Street, between Prospect & Union Avenues

Time: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Location: Morris Houses, 169th Street between 3rd and Park Avenues

Borough: Bronx

Time: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

43rd Precinct

Location: Bruckner Commons, 970 White Plains Road

Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Location: Monroe Houses, ball field, Taylor Avenue between Story and Lafayette Avenues

Borough: Bronx

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

44th Precinct

Location: East 169th Street, between Walton and Jerome Avenues

Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

45th Precinct

Location: 140 Benchley Place, Rear

Time: 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Location: Pelham Bay Park Subway Station, Bruckner Expressway and Westchester Avenue

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

46th Precinct

Location: Grand Concourse and East 181th Street

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

47th Precinct

Location: Granada Place, between Ely and Laconia Avenues

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

48th Precinct

Location: Hughes Avenue, between E. 187th and E. 188th Streets

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

49th Precinct

Location: Comras Park

Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

50th Precinct

Location: West 234th Street, between Broadway & Bailey Avenue

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

52nd Precinct

Location: Poe Park, Grand Concourse between West 192nd Street and Kingsbridge Road

Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Note: There is no 51st Precinct in the Bronx. 

Times differ so elected officials and police brass can attend more than one event.

A.G. Underwood And I.G. Nestor Announce Indictments Of Port Authority Official

While Working at JFK Airport, Marlene Mizzi Allegedly Took Gifts and Benefits from Joseph Jourieh and Others in Exchange for Providing Special Treatment – Including to the Qatari and Other Foreign Governments

Mizzi Charged with Multiple Counts of Receiving a Reward for Official Misconduct, Receiving Unlawful Gratuities, and Official Misconduct; Jourieh Charged with Rewarding Official Misconduct

  Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood  announced grand jury indictments charging Port Authority official Marlene Mizzi, 54, of Wantagh, with three counts of Receiving a Reward for Official Misconduct in the Second Degree, a class E felony in violation of Penal Law Section 200.25, and Joseph Jourieh, 58, of Staten Island, with two counts of Rewarding Official Misconduct in the Second Degree. Mizzi is also facing multiple misdemeanor counts of Receiving Unlawful Gratuities and Official Misconduct. Mizzi has been suspended from her job.

According to the indictments and other documents filed in Queens County, Mizzi is alleged to have accepted numerous benefits from Jourieh and other individuals for having violated her duty as a public servant as a Port Authority Official at John F. Kennedy Airport. The defendants each face a maximum sentence of up to four years if convicted on the top counts. The indictments stem from a joint investigation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General and the Port Authority Inspector General’s Office.

“We have zero tolerance for those who violate the public trust for personal benefit,” said Attorney General Underwood. “As we detail in the indictment, the defendant used her position at the Port Authority for personal gain, accepting gifts and benefits from individuals working for foreign governments in exchange for special treatment. We’ll continue to work with our partners in government to hold accountable those who jeopardize the integrity of our government agencies.”

Michael Nestor, Inspector General for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said, “The defendant is alleged to have violated her position of public trust and used her position for personal gain.  In this case, the defendant chose to enrich herself and tarnish the reputation of the agency by allegedly accepting cash, travel, meals and other things of value from representatives of foreign governments. The Port Authority will not tolerate employee misconduct or corruption of any kind. Today’s indictment will serve notice to all Port Authority employees that the agency will not tolerate violations of the public trust or any other corrupt acts. The Port Authority Office of Inspector General and its Law Enforcement partners will aggressively identify, investigate and bring to justice those who corrupt the integrity of the agency.”

As alleged in the indictment, Mizzi has been an employee of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for 35 years and, prior to her suspension earlier this year, worked as an Assistant Airport Duty Supervisor at John F. Kennedy Airport (“JFK”). Jourieh operates a company, East Coast Concierge, which works on behalf of the Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations, arranging transportation and other services when government officials travel to New York.

During the annual United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan, with airport security at a heightened state, Port Authority rules clearly state that foreign state aircraft must depart JFK within two hours of arrival and there is no overnight parking of foreign state aircraft. However, the Attorney General alleges that, from 2014 until she left the Port Authority in June 2018, Mizzi would unilaterally grant exceptions to these rules without proper approval, for certain foreign countries, most notably Qatar. During these years, Mizzi authorized numerous Qatari diplomatic planes to stay overnight during the United Nations General Assembly, sometimes for multiple days – allegedly in exchange for gifts and benefits from Jourieh. In 2014 and 2015, Jourieh arranged free limousine rides and meals for Mizzi, and provided her with a gift of a watch. In 2017, Mizzi received bottles of wine and other gifts from another foreign state’s representative in return for the same overnight parking privilege. 

Mizzi also allegedly received other gifts, including bottles of wine, from other foreign countries for her work at JFK. On numerous occasions, representatives from foreign countries would personally deliver gifts to Mizzi on JFK property. The Port Authority Code of Ethics has a strict zero tolerance policy on the acceptance of payments, gifts, free meals, or transportation from vendors or anyone with whom the Port Authority does or is likely to do business.

The Attorney General thanks the Office of the Port Authority Inspector General for its assistance in this investigation.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Comptroller Stringer Report: Local Residents Left Behind in Gentrifying Neighborhoods

Twenty-four percent job growth in gentrifying neighborhoods far outpaces the rest of the city, but too few jobs are going to long-time local residents

Stringer calls for renewed affordability and jobs strategy to combat employment disparities and residential displacement

Report includes first-ever analysis of economic and demographic trends across all 188 New York City neighborhoods

  Amid explosive economic growth across New York City, Comptroller Scott M. Stringer today released an updated 2018 edition of his “Neighborhood Economic Profiles” report finding that local residents in gentrifying neighborhoods are largely being left out of recent economic expansion. The analysis found that in the 24 neighborhoods identified as gentrifying, just one-third of net new jobs in these areas were filled by people of color, who represent the vast majority of local residents. To bridge the gap, Comptroller Stringer is calling for renewed investment in workforce development – including strengthened engagement between the City, local businesses, and job seekers – as part of a holistic affordability strategy.

The new gentrification analysis accompanies updated economic snapshots of New York City’s 59 community districts, first published last year, as well as a first-ever analysis of economic and demographic trends across all 188 New York City neighborhoods.

“The economic growth in our neighborhoods is good news, but only if it means real opportunities for the working families, seniors, and immigrants who built these communities in the first place. This report clearly shows that local residents are getting left behind as already struggling New Yorkers are finding it harder than ever to afford living here,” said New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer. “We need to fully fund workforce development programs, build community partnerships, and prepare local residents with the necessary skills and training so that they can thrive in their growing neighborhood economies.”

In the 24 neighborhoods identified as “gentrifying” in the report, local employment jumped by an average of 24 percent, nearly triple the growth rates in “low-rent, non-gentrifying areas” and far outpacing those in “high rent neighborhoods.” The fastest growth was found in Claremont-Bathgate in the Bronx, Williamsburg and Crown Heights South in Brooklyn, and Central Harlem South in Manhattan, where the number of jobs rose by over 40 percent since 2010.

High levels of job growth, especially for young employees and those in higher wage jobs, exemplify why gentrifying neighborhoods should be spaces of economic opportunity for local residents. However, the analysis found that new jobs often failed to reach local residents of color who make up the vast majority of both residents and job seekers. Additionally, these wide disparities in job outcomes suggest that gentrification may have a stronger effect on the labor market than the residential market.

To address these disparities and help combat residential displacement, Comptroller Stringer’s report provided several recommendations for connecting long-time residents to local jobs and investing in workforce development. Those recommendations include:

• The City should honor the goals set in its Career Pathways plan, which are currently far off-track. While the City promised to invest $60 million per year in “bridge programs” pairing academic instruction with workforce development services by 2020, as of FY 2017, only $7.5 million was budgeted.
  • For example, the New York Basic Education and Skills Training (NYBEST) program at LaGuardia Community College has placed hundreds of New Yorkers in healthcare jobs. Non-profit providers like The Door and Per Scholas — whose TechBridge partnership offers IT certification, English-language training, and other supports — have also produced impressive results. These programs should be emulated and expanded throughout the city.
• The City should empower the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, allowing it to set policy and funding priorities for the more than one dozen agencies that engage in skills-building and job placement. As a first measure, an Executive Director should be appointed, filling a position that has sat vacant for more than six months.
• The City should develop stronger ties between local community boards and nonprofits to ensure that any business or new development that comes before the Boards is referred to job placement and training organizations.
• The City should also encourage stronger partnerships between local workforce development organizations so that they can provide better end-to-end support services and work together on job placements.
  • In last year’s “The New Geography of Jobs” report, Comptroller Stringer highlighted the work of the Lower East Side Employment Network—a partnership of seven lower Manhattan workforce development providers and Community Board 3—and encouraged similar partnerships across the city. Since that time, similar collaborations have taken root in the South Bronx and Flushing, Queens.
• The City can help preserve longstanding neighborhood businesses by developing a “re-entrepreneur” program and online portal, similar to efforts in Barcelona and Quebec. These programs connect retiring small-business owners with aspiring entrepreneurs and provide guidance for transferring and reinvigorating local businesses. Introducing a Re-Entrepreneur program – as well as more effective entrepreneurship programs – can help preserve neighborhood anchors and maintain some continuity along New York’s fast changing business corridors.

To read the full report, including economic snapshots on New York City’s 188 neighborhoods and 59 community districts, click here.

Admission for Chamber Members is Free!

Phil Cardone

Events, Communications & Grants Director

Bronx Chamber of Commerce

"The Network for Business Success"
1200 Waters Place, Suite 106
Bronx, NY 10461
718-828-3900

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ RE: PR Gov. Ricardo Rossello $15-Per-Hour Minimum Wage for Public Works

  "With the devastation that Hurricane Maria left behind, this increase in wages for public construction workers in Puerto Rico is a big victory for the people who rebuilding the island,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “While Puerto Rico continues to face struggles, in the aftermath of such a natural disaster, this will pump more money into the economy, help solidify the middle class with good union jobs and will help stabilize the Island as we rebuild. I salute LIUNA and thank Gov. Ricardo Rossello for this agreement and this important step in revitalizing the economy of the island," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

MAYOR ANNOUNCES NEW UPDATES FOR IDNYC, FURTHER EXPANDING ACCESS FOR NEW YORKERS

 Now, New Yorkers age 10 through 13 can get thir very own IDNYC; New tech upgrades streamline enrollment

  Mayor de Blasio announced updates to the rules governing the City’s official municipal identification card, IDNYC, that make the program more accessible than ever before. Now even more youth can enroll in the program as the age of eligibility is reduced from 14 years of age to 10 years of age. In addition, thanks to new technological upgrades, IDNYC can now help city residents who receive services from select City agencies more easily apply for the card. Over 1.2 million New Yorkers can already unlock opportunity across the five boroughs as IDNYC cardholders, and now even more New Yorkers will be able to enjoy the great benefits the card has to offer.

“The promise of IDNYC is that it’s a card that connects all New Yorkers – to City agencies, to cultural institutions, and to one another,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “It shows that no matter where you’re from, if you live in the five boroughs, you’re a New Yorker. Now even more of the city’s youth can take advantage of the card and its many benefits.”

“Since the inception of the IDNYC program, over 1 million New Yorkers have become cardholders,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson. “I’m thrilled that more of our younger New Yorkers—age 10 and up—can now enjoy the benefits, services and programs of being a cardholder. The success of this program, spearheaded in 2014 by the Council in collaboration with the Administration, reaffirms that this is a city for all New Yorkers. With the new tech upgrades, it’ll be even easier to apply for the program, without compromising security. I’m proud to live and work/serve in a city that is inclusive to all New Yorkers from all walks of life and I thank the Administration and Commissioner Mostofi for working to make this a program that more New Yorkers can enjoy.”

IDNYC is already a great tool for families to explore the city, and now even more family members will be able to enjoy its myriad cultural, entertainment, fitness, and other benefits. New Yorkers age 10 and up can get their own IDNYC today, enabling hundreds of thousands more New Yorkers to obtain their IDNYC. In addition, the IDNYC program now accepts residency documents for students living in college and university housing here in the city. As New Yorkers return to school, more middle school and college students will be able to get their IDNYC and take advantage of free 1-year memberships at museums, zoos, and theatres, as well as discounts on movie tickets, entertainment options, and much more.

IDNYC’s innovations have helped cities across the country and around the world develop their own municipal identification programs, and the latest technological updates will aid New Yorkers applying for their IDNYC. To apply for IDNYC, New York City residents must provide documents proving identity and residency – a full list of documents are available on IDNYC’s website. IDNYC is now able to utilize existing records from several City agencies in order to verify residency and identity information for some applicants who otherwise may not have sufficient documentation to apply. This new capability will help simplify IDNYC applications for New Yorkers who are clients of the Department of Homeless Services, the Human Resources Administration, the Department of Finance, and the New York City Housing Authority – specifically, applicants who:

·         currently receive Cash Assistance;

·         reside in NYCHA housing;

·         are the primary recipient of a Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption;

·         currently receive services from the Department of Homeless Services; or

·         were born within the five boroughs of New York City.

Applicants will still be required to present an accepted photo ID. The City is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all IDNYC cardholders and applicants. New Yorkers applying for their IDNYC are advised to bring all of the necessary documentation to prove identity and residency. This new tech update will help more New Yorkers become proud IDNYC cardholders and continues the program’s progress as an ID card for the 21st century.

For more information on eligibility criteria, benefits, enrollment centers across the five boroughs and more, applicants can visit NYC.gov/IDNYC or call 311. Information on the final rule change that enabled the IDNYC program to complete these updates is available here.

“Our kids are our future, and now even more of them can have an IDNYC,” said J. Phillip Thompson, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives. “By bringing the youth in and upgrading our back-end tech, IDNYC is better than ever and I encourage all New Yorkers to apply.”

“IDNYC’s accessibility has been key to its success from the very start, and these updates continue our forward momentum,” said Bitta Mostofi, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. “More New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, will be able to demonstrate eligibility for their IDNYC card, opening doors throughout the five boroughs. We look forward to continuing to work across NYC’s communities and with our sister agencies so that more New Yorkers can proudly carry their own IDNYC.”

“IDNYC is the most successful municipal ID program in the nation and now even more New Yorkers will be eligible to get the card and all the benefits that come with it,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks. “We are proud to help make it easier for families and individuals to get the convenience and security of an official ID card that also provides access to services and to some of the most important cultural institutions in New York City.”

“With access to IDNYC at a younger age, the City is empowering more young people to engage in educational and culturally enriching opportunities across New York,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “Free memberships to places like museums and theaters can be transformative experiences for students and their families, and I’m thrilled the City is expanding this critical program.”

“IDNYC is a safe, reliable form of identification which offers opportunities for all New Yorkers, particularly for low-income and vulnerable populations, like those who rely on NYCHA for housing,” said NYCHA Interim Chair and CEO Stanley Brezenoff. “Expanding IDNYC to more New Yorkers is a great way to introduce our younger residents to New York City’s premier cultural institutions.” 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The last comment by the Interim NYCHA Chair leads us to believe  this is so children in the dilapidated NYCHA housing units  will spend more time outside their apartments, and not be exposed to elements that have continued to be hazards which have not been fixed.

Wave Hill Events August 16‒August 23

Thu, August 16   Stories in the Garden

Each week, Wave Hill educators share some of their favorite nature stories. These stories—classics and more—will come to life through interactive book readings, sing-alongs and movement. Programs are held outdoors. Rain cancels. Ideal for children ages three to six with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds.

ON THE GROUNDS, 11AM

Sat, August 18    Family Art Project: Fishy Fun

Focus on friends with fins, especially those popular goldfish swimming in Wave Hill’s Aquatic Garden. Turn colorful paper bags into fantastic 3-D fish that can swim through the air and flutter home with you. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, August 18    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Sat, August 18    Wave Hill History Walk

Discover the fascinating history of Wave Hill’s architecture and landscape on a walk with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Hear about the people who once called Wave Hill home, among them Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, Bashford Dean and Arturo Toscanini. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 1PM

Sat, August 18   Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. Ecological Consciousness: Artist as Instigator continues Wave Hill’s efforts to examine the ways that artists engage in ecological projects that present a call to action. The exhibition documents environmental art that explores persistent problems throughout New York City. In the Sunroom Project Space, Priyanka Dasgupta and Chad Marshall’s installation uses traditional landscape architecture, such as a conventional English garden maze, to expose the instability of identity in the United States. Working collaboratively since 2015, Dasgupta and Marshall’s work explores the dichotomy of the sanctuary—its ability to protect as well as restrict. In the Sun Porch, Katie Westmoreland’s presentation of kinetic tapestries responds to the space’s architecture, evoking the patterns cast by sunlight through trees and plants. Her immersive installation utilizes the passing light and shadow patterns of the day as active mediums in her work, calling attention to the sun’s enduring, inspirational qualities. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, August 19    Family Art Project: Fishy Fun

Focus on friends with fins, especially those popular goldfish swimming in Wave Hill’s Aquatic Garden. Turn colorful paper bags into fantastic 3-D fish that can swim through the air and flutter home with you. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, August 19    Cooking Demo: Summer Panna Cotta

Panna cotta is a rich Italian dessert that pairs perfectly with seasonal ingredients. Wave Hill exclusive catererGreat Performances Executive Chef Robert Valencia demonstrates a simple panna cotta recipe, then amps it up with ripe, summer fruits and fragrant herbs. Sample several creative combinations, then go home with recipes for your own decadent desserts. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2PM

Sun, August 19    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

Mon, August 20

Closed to the public

Tue, August 21    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Tue, August 21    Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. Ecological Consciousness: Artist as Instigator continues Wave Hill’s efforts to examine the ways that artists engage in ecological projects that present a call to action. The exhibition documents environmental art that explores persistent problems throughout New York City. In the Sunroom Project Space, Priyanka Dasgupta and Chad Marshall’s installation uses traditional landscape architecture, such as a conventional English garden maze, to expose the instability of identity in the United States. Working collaboratively since 2015, Dasgupta and Marshall’s work explores the dichotomy of the sanctuary—its ability to protect as well as restrict. In the Sun Porch, Katie Westmoreland’s presentation of kinetic tapestries responds to the space’s architecture, evoking the patterns cast by sunlight through trees and plants. Her immersive installation utilizes the passing light and shadow patterns of the day as active mediums in her work, calling attention to the sun’s enduring, inspirational qualities. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Thu, August 23   Stories in the Garden

Each week, Wave Hill educators share some of their favorite nature stories. These stories—classics and more—will come to life through interactive book readings, sing-alongs and movement. Programs are held outdoors. Rain cancels. Ideal for children ages three to six with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds.

ON THE GROUNDS, 11AM…..

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM,  March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.