Manhattan Borough President Levine - A busy start at the MBPO

 

I’ve now been on the job as your new Manhattan Borough President for about a week and half. What a busy time it's been. I have been focused intensely on the fight against NYC’s ongoing omicron wave. Thankfully it appears we are now plateauing, but the enormous number of New Yorkers still getting sick—and hospitalized—is continuing to disrupt our city in profound ways. That’s why last week I released a 16-point plan to battle omicron. I’m calling for vastly expanding the number of testing and vaccination sites; testing all DOE school students and staff on a weekly basis; extending mandates to redefine being fully vaccinated as having been boosted; and requiring vaccination and a negative test for domestic flights. You can read more about the plan below.  My office will be focused intently on working toward Manhattan’s comeback. In this spirit, this week I announced the creation of our Covid Response Task Force, which will bring together experts in health care, public health, and key industries critical to our economy to identify strategies in our battle against Covid and to lay the foundation for our borough’s recovery. I’m proud to announce that former Manhattan Deputy Borough President Aldrin R. Bonilla will helm the task force as the office’s “Covid Czar.” You can read more about the taskforce below. My team has already been hard at work bringing vital Covid resources to the communities in Manhattan that have been hit hardest. My Northern Manhattan office, at 431 W. 125th St., is now operating a free PCR testing site in partnership with SOMOS Community Care. The site is open Mondays–Fridays, 9 am – 2 pm, no appointment necessary. I am also thrilled that my office has been able to secure and distribute 9,000 at-home rapid tests to our community partners throughout Manhattan. Finally, we’ve begun the annual Manhattan Community Board application process. Community Boards are the ultimate grassroots form of local government, and I hope you’ll apply to represent your neighbors on critical issues like land use, municipal services, and City budget matters. Applications are due Tuesday, March 1. Learn more about how you can apply HERE.  You will find information on all that we have been up to in our first week and a half below.  Stay safe, Mark

Major Collection Of Cambodian And Southeast Asian Antiquities Is Subject Of Forfeiture Action Filed In Manhattan Federal Court

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Ricky J. Patel, the Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Department of Homeland Security (“HSI”), announced today the filing of a civil complaint seeking forfeiture of 35 Cambodian and Southeast Asian antiquities from a private American collection for the purpose of returning the antiquities to their countries of origin.  Antiquities dealer Douglas Latchford sold the collection to its present owner (the “Collector”) with false statements and fake provenance documents intended to hide the fact that the antiquities were the products of looting, and then imported the antiquities through lies on customs paperwork. The Collector has voluntarily relinquished possession of the antiquities.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “This Office continues to trace and recover the many stolen cultural treasures that Douglas Latchford sold and scattered far from their home countries. Through this action, the United States reaffirms its commitment to redressing the wrongs committed by Latchford and other looters who would exploit and profit from the pain and disruption of war.”

Ricky J. Patel, HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge said: “For years, Douglas Latchford operated an illegitimate enterprise by smuggling looted antiquities into the United States with blatant disregard for U.S. Customs laws.  Latchford facilitated this by falsifying customs documentation and providing deceptive paperwork to collectors for sale on the international art market.  Today, we are pleased to see that 35 pieces of cultural property will be repatriated to their rightful setting.  HSI New York will not rest in its efforts to locate all the antiquities related to Latchford’s fraud and see that each piece of history is not just found, but sent home.”

According to the Complaint filed in Manhattan Federal Court on January 7, 2022:

The United States of America seeks the forfeiture of 34 antiquities which Latchford sold to the Collector between in or about 2003 and in or about 2007 (the “Defendants in Rem”).  The Defendants in Rem are bronze and sandstone sculptures and artifacts which originate from countries in Southeast Asia, primarily Cambodia, but also India, Myanmar, and Thailand.  They include a monumental sandstone sculpture of Ganesha from Koh Ker, an ancient capital of the Khmer empire; and bronze sculptures from the vicinity of Angkor Wat. Latchford sold the Defendants in Rem to the Collector as part of a scheme to sell looted antiquities on the international art market.  The Defendants in Rem were either removed illegally from their country of origin; imported into the United States based on false statements to United States Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”), or both.

Over the years, Latchford lied to and withheld information from the Collector in order to conceal that the Defendants in Rem were stolen, and supplied the Collector with false provenance documents and false information about the origin of certain of the Defendants in Rem. After Latchford sold the Defendants in Rem, many of them were then illegally imported into the United States based on false statements Latchford made to CBP and others. 

In 2019, Latchford was indicted in the Southern District of New York with wire fraud conspiracy and other crimes related to a many-year scheme to sell looted Cambodian antiquities on the international art market, primarily by creating false provenance documents and falsifying invoices and shipping documents, including misrepresenting the country of origin of artworks. See United States v. Latchford, 19 Cr. 748 (AT) (the “Indictment”). In September 2020, the Indictment was dismissed due to Latchford’s death.

In 2021, an agent of HSI contacted the Collector about the Defendants in Rem. The Collector promptly cooperated with the Government’s inquiries and allowed the Government to inspect the Defendants in Rem.  After the Collector learned more about the history of Latchford and the Defendants in Rem, including the evidence that the Defendants in Rem were illegally looted and/or illegally imported into the United States, the Collector voluntarily relinquished possession of the Defendants in Rem so that they can be repatriated to their countries of origin.

Mr. Williams thanked HSI for its outstanding work on this investigation, which he noted is ongoing, and praised its ongoing efforts to find and repatriate stolen and looted cultural property. Mr. Williams also thanked the Kingdom of Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts for its assistance with this investigation.

The allegations contained in the Complaint are merely accusations.

KZA Realty Closes $1.8 Million Deal for Commercial Property in Morrisania Section of the Bronx

 

KZA Realty Group has secured the $1.8 million dollar sale of a developmental property located in the Morrisania section of the Bronx. The property, which has been purchased as an investment opportunity by the owner, is located at 1155-1159 Southern Boulevard, between Home Street and & 167th. Plans for the property have not been disclosed of as of yet.

Kathy Zamechansky, alongside Duley Paniagua of KZA Realty Group, represented both the seller, Texas Southern, LLC, and the buyer, 1150 Southern Blvd. Partners during the sale of the developmental property in the Bronx.

The lot spans across 7,500 sq ft. and currently holds two multi-level buildings that are, respectively, 9,500 sq. ft and 4,750 sq. ft. in size. The buildings face the eastern side of Southern Boulevard, which is home to other small businesses in the area. The property is within walking distance to the #2 and #5 subway station at Freeman Avenue and the #6 subway station at Whitlock Avenue.

“As a company who is committed to the development of the Bronx, we are thrilled to help support ventures that breathe new life into our community” said Kathy Zamechansky, President of KZA Realty Group. “The sale of this property shows that real estate in the Bronx is still thriving despite many of the financial hardships brought on by the pandemic.”

Located in the southwestern section of the Bronx, Morrisania is a residential neighborhood known for its unique history and diversity. The area is home to an abundance of cultural organizations, public institutions, like the New York Public Library’s Morrisania Branch at E 169th Street, and community programs dedicated to the neighborhood’s lively music scene.

KZA Realty Group (www.kzarealty.com) is a commercial real estate brokerage and development consulting firm based in New York City. Founded in 1998 by real estate professional Kathy Zamechansky, KZA specializes in commercial planning, project management, community and government relations, finance, marketing, and communications. She may be contacted directly via cell at (347) 386-9452.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JANUARY 11, 2022

 

74,058 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours    

160 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"The data we are seeing on new infections offers a glimmer of hope that New Yorkers' discipline in fighting the winter surge is paying off," Governor Hochul said. "We are getting through this, but we must stay vigilant and not take our hard-won progress for granted. We know what works - make sure you and your loved ones are vaccinated and boosted, wear a mask, and exercise caution in indoor public spaces so we can finally leave this pandemic in the past."

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 261,620
• Total Positive - 48,686
• Percent Positive - 18.61%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 20.91%
• Patient Hospitalization - 12,540 (+518)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 1,642
• Patients in ICU - 1597 (+45)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 831 (+39)
• Total Discharges - 245,667 (+1,020)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 160
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 49,785
  
  
  The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only. 

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 62,458
  
  
  This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings. 

• Total vaccine doses administered - 34,514,106
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 74,058
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 644,206
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 89.8% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 81.0% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 83.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 78.8%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 70.4% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 85.5% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 72.6%

Assemblymember Nathalia Fernandez - Free PCR Testing at District Office!

 

Greetings,

Our office is happy to announce that we will be hosting Free PCR Testing, in partnership with SOMOS Health, January 10th - January 14th between 9:00am - 2:00pm at The District Office, 2018 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, New York, 10461.

No Appointment Needed! - Walk-Ins Are Welcome & No Insuarnce is required! Please Provide Photo ID.

We encourage you to invite your families, friends, and neighbors as we continue to practice COVID-19 Safety Guidelines and do our parts to keep the community safe through this pandemic. 

Best Regards,

New York State Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - News from BP Gibson: COVID-19 Resources

 

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Information and Resource

Get a free COVID-19 vaccine or test in MTA stations throughout New York State.   Visit one of our pop-up sites to get a COVID-19 vaccine, booster, or test.   Just drop in, no appointment needed.   Here’s the schedule and what to expect:   COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters:   Times Sq-42 St, passageway When: Monday-Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Grand Central Terminal When: Monday-Sunday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.   COVID-19 PCR testing   Times Sq-42 St When: Monday-Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Grand Central Terminal When: Monday-Sunday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.   Penn Station, West End Concourse When: Monday-Sunday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.   E 180 St When: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Jackson Hts-Roosevelt Av When: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Jamaica-179 St When: Monday-Friday 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.   Starting Tuesday, January 11:   Bedford Park Blvd When: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   125th St When: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Starting Wednesday, January 12:   Coney Island-Stillwell Av When: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m . Queens Plaza When: Monday-Friday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.   What to expect:   1. Stop by the station You don’t need to make an appointment. Visit any of our pop-up sites at the times and locations listed above.    2. Check in You’ll check in with the team on site and show your ID (this may include a government-issued ID, like an IDNYC, driver's license, passport, Permanent resident card, Certificate of Naturalization). If you have any questions or concerns, our partners will be there to help answer them. You can read more about the vaccine here. Team members will be there to help translate or connect you with translation services.    3. Get your vaccine or test  You’ll meet with the nurse or doctor who can answer any other questions you have. Then, you'll get your shot or test.    4. If you've been vaccinated, wait 15 minutes To make sure you’re ok, you’ll be asked by the medical team to wait 15 minutes.    5. Pick up your CDC vaccination card and go.

Governor Hochul Announces $230 Million in Additional Food Assistance for New Yorkers in January

 

All SNAP Households to Receive the Maximum Level of Food Benefits 

More than 2.77 Million New Yorkers Rely on the Supplement to Make Ends Meet 

Traducción al español

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for January. All households participating in SNAP —including those already at the maximum level of benefits —will receive a supplemental allotment later this month, bringing in roughly $230 million in federal funding into the state's economy.

"As we continue to endure the difficulties of the pandemic, too many New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet,” Governor Hochul said. "These additional food benefits will play a critical role in eliminating food insecurity throughout the state. As the cold weather puts pressure on family budgets, these additional SNAP funds will provide much-needed relief.”

The emergency assistance supplement is provided to households that do not ordinarily receive the maximum allowable benefit per month on SNAP – a federally funded program overseen by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Those households already near or at the maximum benefit level --$835 for a household of four –will receive a supplemental payment of at least $95.

SNAP households in all counties outside of New York City should see these benefits posted between Wednesday, Jan. 12, and the end of the day Friday, Jan. 21. Those SNAP households in the five-county New York City region should see their benefits post between Saturday, Jan. 15, and the end of the month.

Struggling New Yorkers continue to rely heavily on SNAP as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact everyday life. In the first months after the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, New York saw a substantial increase in SNAP enrollment. 

The initial spike has remained sustained, and recipient counts remain about where they were at the end of the initial surge, which is substantially higher than pre-pandemic levels. As of November 2021, there were nearly 1.6 million households totaling 2.77 million New Yorkers that were receiving SNAP benefits.

OTDA Acting Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, “The tremendous impact these food benefits have had for New York households cannot be overstated. The additional benefits SNAP households have received since the onset of the pandemic have helped millions of New Yorkers to avoid food insecurity and make ends meet during the ongoing public health emergency.”  

As with the prior months, the payments will be delivered directly to recipients' existing Electronic Benefit Transfer accounts and can be accessed with their existing EBT cards. Like regular SNAP benefits, the supplemental benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores. Any unused SNAP benefits will automatically carry over to the following month.   

SNAP benefits also play an important role in New York’s economic recovery, with every federal dollar invested generating up to $1.54 in economic activity, according to a federal study quantifying the impact of SNAP on the U.S. economy. The study also found that an additional $1 billion invested in new SNAP benefits could support roughly 13,560 jobs nationwide.  

Find more information on the emergency supplemental SNAP benefits, including answers to frequently asked questions, here. New Yorkers can check their eligibility for SNAP and apply online by visiting mybenefits.ny.gov. 

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES INGRID LEWIS-MARTIN AS CHIEF ADVISOR TO THE MAYOR

 

 Mayor Eric Adams announced Chaplain Ingrid Lewis-Martin as chief advisor to the mayor, a role which will have her working in partnership with the first deputy mayor, chief of staff, and all direct reports to the mayor to support operations at City Hall and advance the administration’s strategic policies and priorities. Chaplain Lewis-Martin most recently served as deputy Brooklyn borough president.

“We are building a team that knows how to ‘Get Stuff Done,’ and my chief advisor has a proven track record of getting stuff done for New Yorkers left behind by government for far too long,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “This is a 24/7/365 administration, working around the clock to make this city a safer and greater place to raise healthy children and families, and leading a robust and equitable revival that lifts up every one of us.”

 

A proud daughter of Barbadian and Panamanian heritage, Chaplain Lewis-Martin was born and raised in Brooklyn. Prior to her role as deputy Brooklyn borough president, she served for more than five years as then-State Senator Adams’ senior advisor and for seven years as his chief of staff.

 

“It is an honor to serve this city and continue working in partnership with Mayor Adams, who has been a great champion for New Yorkers,” said Chief Advisor to the Mayor Chaplain Ingrid Lewis-Martin. “We will get stuff done in a truly historic way, reaching out to every corner of our communities and delivering common-sense leadership that will unlock government’s full potential.”

 

Chaplain Lewis-Martin’s political career started in 1983, first volunteering on the re-election campaign for the late Representative Major R. Owens and later serving as deputy campaign manager. After receiving her license from the New York City Board of Education, Chaplain Lewis-Martin was hired as a middle school teacher in English and social studies at I.S. 320 Jackie Robinson, her alma mater. She taught at the school from 1984 to 1992, also serving as dean of students, graduation coordinator, as well as a teacher of modern and African dance in the after-school programs. Chaplain Lewis-Martin was later hired by Medgar Evers College first to work as an instructor in one of its programs geared at assisting women on welfare earn their high school diploma and college degree, and subsequently to be director of their Progressive Adolescent Vocational Exploration (PAVE) program, which allowed high school students to earn a maximum of 12 college credits within four years. She has also served as a part-time staffer for former Assembly Member Roger Green.