Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - What's Happening in District 13

 

Dear Neighbor,

When it comes to our community, there is much to be grateful for, especially in the new year. In 2022, my office supported 1,100 constituents with varying matters, ranging from housing assistance (rental applications, flooding, and wrongful eviction), traffic surveys, abandoned cars, and so much more. We closed 784 cases last year and look forward to closing out even more by the end of 2023.

As we enter the first weekend of the year, I want to share the importance of balance. Our community offers a variety of resources and supportive services, and it is my job to ensure you have access to them. The balance in our daily lives and among our needs is imperative, and I invite you all to take advantage of the resources available.

In this week’s email, you will find critical information regarding two hearings relating to Admin Code 12-126 and the Proliferation of Smoke Shops. Information about these hearings can be found in the ‘Legislative Updates’ section, along with a link to register or submit personal testimony. If you need assistance registering, contact my office, and a member of my staff will be happy to help you.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like to request an appointment with one of our Constituent Services Liaisons, please call us at (718) 931-1721 or email us at District13@council.nyc.gov.

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez

COMMERCE

New York State Opens First Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensary

On Thursday, New York State opened its first official, adult-use cannabis dispensary in Manhattan, with more to follow in the coming year. With the support of the NYS Office of Cannabis Management, the regulation of cannabis and cannabis-based products are underway to ensure bad actors are held accountable. For far too long, cannabis has prohibited marginalized communities, particularly communities of color, from operating lawful businesses to make an honest living.

The introduction of cannabis across our nation has stimulated economies of several municipalities, and it’s time New York reaps the same benefits. As such, we will be holding a hearing on January 18, 2023; please refer to ‘Legislative Updates’ for additional information. I look forward to working with our city, state and federal partners to ensure cannabis retailers in our comunities are held to the highest standard, eliminating the chance of another K2 epidemic. Consumers deserve legal, quality products without the concern of whether or not their cannabis is synthetic.

If you see a cannabis dispensary, please check for a decal or poster indicating they are a ‘New York State Licensed Cannabis Dispensary.’ There is a scannable QR code on the decal, which can verify their CAURD status; when scanned, their business information will appear on the official cannabis.ny.gov website. If the QR code does not take you to this site or if a business is selling cannabis without the proper license, you may file a report by emailing OCM at licensing@ocm.ny.gov and our office at District13@council.nyc.gov with the subject line: Illegal Cannabis Sales. Please include the name and address of the business in the body of your email.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce: Legal Structures for Your Business

Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, January 11 at 10 AM for a virtual workshop that will focus on the pros and cons of various types of legal forms available for small business owners. You will also learn about other considerations to help determine how to set up your business. This event is free and open to the public.

Register Here COMMUNITY RESOURCES CUNY Citizenship Now On Saturday, January 21, CUNY Citizenship Now will host their next Saturday Citizenship Event in Queens at York College (Academic Core Building Atrium). Appointments are available to NYC residents who wish to determine their citizenship eligibility and complete applications. Appointments are required for this event and can be made by calling 646-664-9400 or 212-652-2071. Community Needs Assessment The Department of Youth and Community Development is collecting feedback from New York City residents and institutional leaders on the service needs and gaps within their communities. To participate in this survey, click below. DYCD Survey Winter Safety Tips Did you know electrical fires are common in the winter, especially during the holidays? Below are five (5) few tips to help you prevent an electircal fire this holiday season. Use extension cords sparingly and only on a temporary basis; overheated wires start one of every sixe home fires. Don’t mend frayed power cords - replace them. Home repairs like this are a common source of fires. Avoid running extension cords under rugs or near walkways. This can prevent fires and are a safety hazard for all ages. Never remove a third-prong from a plug to make it fit into a two-prong outlet. You can experience an electrical shock. Cover unused outlets so children can’t play with them.

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