Friday, November 30, 2012

COMPTROLLER LIU PROPOSES INNOVATIVE “GREEN APPLE BONDS” TO MAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE & ENERGY EFFICIENT


   City Comptroller John C. Liu today called for the issuance of Green Apple Bonds to rid all New York City Public Schools of light fixtures housing the known carcinogen Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) by 2015, six years ahead of the Administration’s current schedule and at savings of $339 million.

Liu’s plan would lower the City’s greenhouse-gas emissions to guard against climate change, while at the same time create 3,000 jobs. Green Apple Bonds are a green investment tool that will help the Big Apple’s buildings become safer and more energy efficient, thus reducing New York City’s carbon footprint.

“That the DOE ignores parent concerns for the health of their children does not, unfortunately, come as a surprise.  It is, however, mind boggling that the DOE would ignore the formal warnings issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about PCBs. Our students should learn about PCBs in class, but through their textbooks, not through firsthand exposure,” said Comptroller Liu. “Green Apple Bonds will finance the rapid cleanup of PCBs and the retrofitting of old schools buildings.  Moreover, this plan will save $339 million for our taxpayers.  It will even significantly lower our City’s carbon footprint, something we must do immediately if we are serious about the issue of climate change.”

PCBs are dangerous chemicals found in old light fixtures in many City schools, a remnant of earlier construction codes.  Given that the average public school is over 60 years old, more than 772 school buildings have been targeted for remediation.

The Department of Education (DOE) plans to remove PCB-carrying light fixtures in these 772 school buildings by the year 2021. The federal Environmental Protection Agency has deemed the Administration’s plan unacceptable and recommended more urgent and comprehensive action.

Comptroller Liu’s plan is in step with the EPA’s opinion and the $407 million raised by the sale of these bonds will achieve remediation of the 772 school buildings by 2015. IN addition the timetable of this plan would address a pending lawsuit against the City.

The DOE now consumes the most energy of all City agencies, with bills reaching $291 million a year.  In addition to the removal of the toxins, schools also would receive green upgrades and retrofits such as replacement lighting, new boilers, insulation, and smart-meter technology in order to reduce the City’s carbon footprint and lower the DOE’s drastically high energy bills.  The jobs created through this retrofit are estimated at 3,000.

City Agency Energy Costs
Rank
Agency
Heat, Light & Power



1
EDUCATION
$233,064,036



2
CITYWIDE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
$110,843,543



3
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
$84,664,035



4
TRANSPORTATION
$63,228,498



5
SANITATION
$19,632,483



Other

$229,903,308



Total

$741,335,902



Fuel Oil
Tota

$58,299,101
$291,363,137

$506,443
$111,349,986

$21,000,568
$105,664,603

$278,100
$63,506,598

$2,945,062
$22,577,545

$16,948,235
$246,851,543

$99,977,510
$841,313,412

% of Total
35%
13%
13%
8%
3%
29%
100%

Internal analysis of FMS data
Dollar amounts and percentages are rounded

A third-party auditor would audit these projects to ensure eligibility and quantify cost savings.

Overall, Comptroller Liu’s plan would save taxpayers $339 million through 2021. Under Liu’s plan, the estimated debt service would amount to $380 million through 2021; that cost, however, would be more than offset by an estimated $719 million in savings resulting from reduced energy consumption, lower interest rates, and federal subsidies for energy conservation.

In addition to making schools safer and saving tax dollars, Green Apple Bonds would reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions by 1.4 million metric tons through 2021, 47 percent more than the City’s current plan.

Reducing greenhouse-gases emissions, which contribute to climate change, has become more pressing in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.

“No issue is more important that the safety of our students and staff,”  said United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew. “Getting rid of the PCBs in the lights of hundreds of schools should be a major priority for the system, and I want to thank Comptroller Liu for this creative approach that will dramatically speed up this process, even as it helps make schools more energy-efficient.”

"PCBs in old lighting fixtures continue to be a major problem in old school buildings,” said Judith Enck, Regional Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency.  “The idea of utilizing new green apple bonds is an innovative and smart way to finance much needed energy efficiency improvements in public schools."

 “Investing in a safer and better learning environment for students and educators, and doing it in the most cost-effective way possible, is a priority we in the unionized building and construction trades have long supported.  It is precisely this approach that led to project labor agreements with the School Construction Authority that have improved public school buildings and saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in the last decade,” said Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, representing 100,000 members in local affiliates of 15 national and international unions.  “There is too much work to be done to ignore innovative and fiscally responsible approaches like Green Apple Bonds to make classrooms safer and more conducive to educational excellence for students in our public schools.”

“Despite the huge challenges presented by Superstorm Sandy, we are ready and able to get the job done within two years. Just give us the green light for greener schools,” said NYC Central Labor Council President Vincent Alvarez.  “We fully support Comptroller Liu’s plan to raise $407 million for eligible capital projects through the creation of tax-exempt Green Apple Bonds. This initiative will allow the city to speed up its removal of PCBs in school light fixtures, a vitally important step to protect the health and safety of children and school employees, and create an estimated 3,000 stable, good-paying jobs.”

"For too long, the city has made investment in our school facilities a low priority," said Hector Figueroa, President of 32BJ SEIU, which represents the 5,000 cleaners and handypersons in the city's schools. "Now we see results of that neglect, including hazardous and aging PCB light fixtures that in some cases have leaked toxins onto children or floors or furniture in schools. The city must speed up its timetable, and remove these light fixtures from our schools as soon as possible. It must invest in our schools to ensure they provide an environment that is safe, healthy and conducive to learning."    

"The members of Local 891 support any initiative which would speed the removal of dangerous toxins from the public schools,” said Robert J. Troeller, Business Manager/President, I.U.O.E., Local 891. “Unfortunately, Custodian Engineers and their staffs must at times work with potentially hazardous materials and equipment but there is no reason to wait ten years to remove a known threat. All light fixtures containing PCBs should be removed as soon as quickly as possible.”

"In 2008, PCBs were discovered at PS 199, a public school in my district.  Since then, nearly 800 public school buildings have been identified as potentially containing toxic, PCB-laden lighting ballasts, and I have been outspoken in my advocacy and my opposition to the City's ten-year timeline to remediate all public school buildings,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan). “Given the City's recalcitrance to prioritize PCB remediation, I introduced legislation that would require remediation of all schools within two to three years.  All options should be on the table when it comes to removing PCBs from public schools, and Comptroller Liu's creative funding approach should help move the City closer toward full PCB remediation.”

“It is most important to protect students and staff from known hazards.  Removing all PCB light fixtures in a systematic and timely fashion throughout the school system will go a long way in providing a safer environment for everyone,” said Dr. Jacqueline Moline, Chair of the Department of Population Health for the Hofstra- North Shore LIJ School of Medicine.

“Our goal has always been to safeguard children and school staff from the toxic and highly dangerous PCB light fixtures currently in New York City schools,” said Christina Giorgio, Staff Attorney, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest who is representing parents in litigation to shorten the 10-year remediation timeline.  “We applaud Comptroller Liu for introducing a remediation plan that, if implemented, will not only protect children and staff from PCB exposure but also will save taxpayers millions of dollars in energy costs while reducing our City’s carbon footprint.”

“We are thrilled that, unlike the Mayor who is more concerned about the dangers of soda than toxic chemicals in our schools, the Comptroller is coming through with a plan that would eliminate toxic PCB-filled lights from our schools in 2 years,” said New York Communities for Change member Regina Castro, parent of a child who went to PS 56 and now attends PS 77 in Brooklyn.  “Considering that we started the school year with PCBs dripping onto our in children and teachers in Staten Island, Queens and Brooklyn, it is encouraging to parents like me that something might be done sooner rather than later. Instead of wasting time on sugary drinks, it is a pleasure to know that a really terrible health issue is closer to being addressed.”

"Bringing our infrastructure up-to-date is essential to the health of the economy. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, that couldn't be clearer,” said Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres, a sustainability advocacy nonprofit that works with investors, companies and policymakers to advance sustainability initiatives.  “Comptroller Liu's plan will put people to work saving energy and money, while also protecting the safety and health of children in New York City's public schools. Investors must play a role in improving New York City's environmental performance, and Green Apple bonds are another way to encourage that process

Background:

The EPA has found that PCBs cause cancer and a number of non-cancer health effects in animals, including damage to the immune system, reproductive system, and nervous system. Studies in humans have suggested that PCBs also can cause learning deficits. In addition the EPA has stated that the City’s current plan is inadequate and too long of a process.
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/pcbs/pubs/ballasts.htm#ballast01  

In February 2011, then-Schools Chancellor Cathie Black, then-Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott, and then-Deputy Mayor Stephen Goldsmith announced a plan to raise environmental quality in 772 school buildings over the next decade at a cost of $843.9 million.
http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/mediarelations/NewsandSpeeches/2010-2011/energyeffandenviroqualityrelease22311.htm

On July 20, 2011, the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest filed a federal lawsuit against the DOE and the School Construction Authority (SCA) under the federal Toxic Substances Control Act. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of New York Communities for Change (NYCC), an organization whose membership includes thousands of parents across the city. The suit alleges that thousands of light fixtures across New York City are leaking highly toxic PCBs in violation of federal law and are thereby endangering the health of NYC schoolchildren.
http://www.nylpi.org/images/FE/chain234siteType8/site203/client/TSCA2011Complaint_Release.pdf

Last month, Comptroller Liu joined Mayor Bloomberg and Speaker Quinn to announce the acceleration of capital projects throughout the City.  As part of the plan, roughly 100 schools would receive expedited PCB removal.  The issuance of Green Apple Bonds would ensure that all City Schools have their PCB lighting fixtures removed by 2015.
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2012_releases/pr12-10-110.shtm

As was the case with Capital Acceleration, Comptroller Liu stands ready to work with the Administration to expedite the issuance of Green Apple Bonds.



Thursday, November 29, 2012

This weeks Riverdale Report "Its Official"


Here is this weeks "Riverdale Report" that did not male it into the Bronx News due to limitation of space for the full page ad of this Sundays Riverdale Avenue Street Festival.

Riverdale Report
By Robert Press

It's Official

    While we told you a few weeks ago that Community Board # 8 Aging Committee Chair Andrew Cohen was going to be running for the term limited city council seat currently occupied by Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, it is now official. The announcement came on  Tuesday at City Hall as Mr. Cohen was joined by Congressman Eliot Engel, State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Council member James Vacca and Council member Koppell (whom he hopes to succeed). You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to read more about Mr. Cohen, what the elected officials had to say about Mr. Cohen running for the city council seat of Councilman Koppell, and a photo of Mr. Cohen, Congressman Engel, State Senator Klein, Assemblyman Dinowitz, and Councilman Koppell.
    Mr. Cohen now joins Cliff Stanton as official announced candidates for Councilman Koppell's seat to be vacant at the end of 2013. Mr. Ari Hoffnung who ran in 2005, was the front runner in 2009 for Koppells seat until the term limit law was overturned by the City Council and Mayor. Mr. Hoffnung has expressed interest in running again, but told me that he would be waiting until the new year to make a decision. An Assistant Comptroller currently Hoffnung could become Deputy Comptroller at the beginning of the year, as the current Deputy Comptroller Simka Felder was elected to a Brooklyn State Senate seat. Another deciding factor could be the relationship between Mr. Hoffnung and the new leading candidate for comptroller current Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.
    NYC Parks Commissioner Veronica M. White thanked those on hand for attending the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink. On hand were Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman G. Oliver Koppel, members of the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, Community Board #8 members, and skaters from the Ice Theater of New York who gave several special ice skating performances. You can go to my blog to see photos of the different skaters from The Ice Theater of NY, and the ribbon cutting at center ice. It was interesting to hear BP Diaz, Councilman Koppell, and Assemblyman Dinowitz all compliment the new ice skating rink, as all three put in a plug for the ice skating proposal at the Kingsbridge Armory during their speeches that they have endorsed.
Sunday December 2nd is the Riverdale Avenue Street Festival. Riverdale Ave. from West 236th to West 238th Streets will be closed to traffic from 12 – 4 PM to allow for street activities such as pony rides, a petting zoo, live entertainment, and more. We will have photos on my blog, and a recap of the event in next weeks column.
    Finally, Saturday was the unveiling of “Frank Durkin Way” at the corner of West 240th Street and Tibbet Avenue right in front of the Gaelic Park field. Mr. Martin Lyons opened the ceremony by telling those assembled the history of Mr. Frank Durkin. On hand to pull the covering of the sign was Monica and Mary Durkin, but they had a little trouble as the rope broke as they started to pull on it. There were some laughs from those assembled, and a few said that it was a sign that Frank is here with us. Mr. Lyons also said that this will be only the third person of Irish Descent with a street sign. He said former TWU head Mike Quill and former City Council Speaker (and relative to Frank Durkin) Paul O'Dwyer were the other two.
State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Ms. Annie O’Connor (chief of staff for Councilman Koppell, who was out of town), Community Board #8 Traffic and Transportation Chairman Dan Padernact, and about 200 other people were on hand for the ceremony. Senator Klein read from a proclamation that November 24th is to be known as Frank Durkin Day. You can see photos of the event on my blog.
Don't forget that you can find the latest listing of weekly events going on at Wave Hill on my blog by checking the archive section on the left.
    If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press. 

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LIU STATEMENT ON NYC FAST-FOOD WORKERS


   City Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following on New York City fast-food workers’ efforts to organize:

    “Too many New York City fast-food workers don’t earn enough to put food on their own tables, and they have every right to organize and demand decent wages. It’s a shame that many fast-food workers have to rely on public assistance when the corporations they work for are among the wealthiest in the nation and their CEOs earn millions. Jobs that don’t pay a fair wage contribute to the City’s widening income gap, which hurts the economy as a whole. This is a fight that matters to us all.”


Visit www.comptroller.nyc.gov for the latest news, events and initiatives.
Follow Comptroller Liu on Twitter, YouTube.


South Riverdale Avenue Merchants' Riverdale Holiday Festival


 This Sunday! * December 2, 2012 * 12-4 pm
 Riverdale Avenue * 236th-238th Street * Bronx, NY 10463
Petting Zoo * Pony Rides * Live Music * Bronx Culture Trolley * Face Painting * Magic Show * Clowns, Food Specials * Business Exhibits * Raffles & More!

This festival is organized by:








This festival is sponsored by:
Baby It’s You * Salvatore’s of Soho * Yo Burger * 236th Street Riverdale Realty * Chase Bank * Citibank * OX-3620 LLC * TD Bank * Corner Café * Country Bank * DJ Drugs * Ginger Grill * Greek Express * John’s Botany Bay * Halstead * Larry the Locksmith * Palombo’s Bakery * River City Grille * Riverdale Crossing * Tin Marin * Dr. Steven Odrich, Dr. Marc Odrich, Dr. Kenneth Greenberg * Ha-Makolet * Hudsons * Kidaroo * Pretty Please * Riverdale Hebrew Books & Gifts * Salon Zoe * State Senator Klein * Tiny’s Diner * Wells Fargo * Whole You Spa * Classical Café * Curves * Designer’s Corner * PMTC * Riverdale Veterinary Group * Rolen’s Bagels * Target Car Service * Weichert Realtors, House & Home
More Festival Details:
Petting ZooLook for the goats, sheep, llamas, donkeys and rabbits in the middle of the block!!
Pony RidesLook for the ponies near 236th Street.  We will have two ponies available for rides all day!
Live Music—Main Stage Schedule
12:15 - 12:45 - RKA Middle School Chorus
1:00 - 1:45   - Steve Oates, Guitarist
2:00 - 2:45   - Tony Grova as Elvis!
3:00 - 3:45   - Moakland - The Irish Music Trio
The Bronx Culture Trolley will Loop through Riverdale, Kingsbridge and Marble Hill from 11am—4pm making the following stops:
Skyview Shopping Center, 259th Street and Riverdale Avenue
 Van Cortlandt Park Ice Rink, Broadway and 242nd Street
 St Stephen's Church, 228th Street a& Marble Hill Avenue

* Clowns, Face Painting, Magic Tricks, Children’s Projects, Food Specials, Business Exhibits, Raffles and more!! *
* Special thanks to Bronx Community Board 8, all our Elected Officials & the 50th Precinct for their help and support for this festival for our community.

***************************************************************** 


Wave Hill Events December 14–December 21


FRI, DECEMBER 14    MEDITATION AT WAVE HILL: A HOLIDAY RESPITE
During this busy holiday season, take a moment to release stress, breathe and reconnect with your inner self. Whether sitting on the floor or a chair, learn simple meditation techniques, training your mind to be more focused and aware. Each session includes instruction in simple techniques like watching the breath, mantra repetition, and awareness-training followed by 20 minutes of meditation. Led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and instructor and long-time meditator Lea Tenneriello. $15 Member/$23 Non-member. All levels welcomed. Registration recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. Continues December 15, 21 and 22.
GLYNDOR HOUSE, 10‒11:15AM

SAT, DECEMBER 15    FAMILY ART PROJECT—SPARKLE AND SHINE
Sparkle and Shine/Brillo y luz
Visiting artist Esperanza Cortes helps us ornament soft, fragrant pine boughs with shiny foil, glittery beads and natural objects, like cones, dried herbs and spices. Tie up a small sachet to create your own glowing, deliciously scented decoration. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, DECEMBER 15    MEDITATION AT WAVE HILL: A HOLIDAY RESPITE
During this busy holiday season, take a moment to release stress, breathe and reconnect with your inner self. Whether sitting on the floor or a chair, learn simple meditation techniques, training your mind to be more focused and aware. Each session includes instruction in simple techniques like watching the breath, mantra repetition, and awareness-training followed by 20 minutes of meditation. Led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and instructor and long-time meditator Lea Tenneriello. $15 Member/$23 Non-member. All levels welcomed. Registration recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. Continues December 21 and 22.
GLYNDOR HOUSE, 10‒11:15AM

SUN, DECEMBER 16    FAMILY ART PROJECT—SPARKLE AND SHINE
Sparkle and Shine/Brillo y luz
Visiting artist Esperanza Cortes helps us ornament soft, fragrant pine boughs with shiny foil, glittery beads and natural objects, like cones, dried herbs and spices. Tie up a small sachet to create your own glowing, deliciously scented decoration. Free with admission to the grounds.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, DECEMBER 16    GARDEN AND CONSERVATORY HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, DECEMBER 17
Closed to the public.

FRI, DECEMBER 21    MEDITATION AT WAVE HILL: A HOLIDAY RESPITE
During this busy holiday season, take a moment to release stress, breathe and reconnect with your inner self. Whether sitting on the floor or a chair, learn simple meditation techniques, training your mind to be more focused and aware. Each session includes instruction in simple techniques like watching the breath, mantra repetition, and awareness-training followed by 20 minutes of meditation. Led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and instructor and long-time meditator Lea Tenneriello. $15 Member/$23 Non-member. All levels welcomed. Registration recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. This series concludes December 22.
GLYNDOR HOUSE, 10‒11:15AM

 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—4:30PM. Closes 5:30PM, March 15—October 31.  
ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day Tuesdays in December. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Program s 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 3o 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 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.
 
 

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Responding to Community Needs


This came in from 11th District City Council candidate Cliff Stanton-

  
Now that President Obama's re-election victory has been sealed, I have turned my attention back to matters of local importance. Here are some of my recent community initiatives: 
4 Wheels for Good Launch
4 Wheels for Good launch drive
the day after Hurricane Sandy.
In October, I launched 4 Wheels for Good, a free volunteer transportation corps for seniors in the Northwest Bronx. My aim is to address a gap for older adults who cannot readily access transportation services and/or cannot afford the fare to medical appointments, senior centers, grocery shopping, the hair salon, recreation, and the like.
The service is modeled both on a Westchester-based service
4 Wheels for Good San Antonio Trip
Delivering groceries to homebound seniors in
San Antonio, Texas with Jefferson Outreach.
and on a long-established service in San Antonio, Texas with which I consulted and subsequently visited in early October.   

Still in the pilot phase of 4 Wheels for Good, I currently transport seniors on Tuesdays from 10 am to 2 pm and Thursdays from 2 pm to 4 pm. If you know a senior who needs a ride, or would like to join the transportation corps as a driver, please call: 877.718.2338

4 Wheels for Good Neighborhood Watch Logo
In response to a series of gunpoint robberies, a stabbing, and multiple car break-ins in Riverdale, I expanded the 4 Wheels for Good program to include
4 Wheels for Good NW Launch
Cliff heading out for Neighborhood Watch patrol.
Neighborhood Watch, which will enable us to look out for our neighbors and feel empowered by an active response to a frightening situation. I consulted with Captain Burke at the 50th Precinct to discuss how the neighborhood watch could best complement the efforts of the police department and how to train prospective volunteers. The response has been encouraging. If you are interested in volunteering, please call me at: 917.699.5241. I will coordinate the time and location of your patrol, discuss best practices, and provide you with a car door magnet for the duration of your watch.

Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

It was inspiring to see the response of the PS 24 community to
Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort
Organizing Far Rockaway relief efforts.
the Parents Association's request for donations for victims of Hurricane Sandy. We loaded four minivans with food, water, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and clothing and delivered the items to a distribution center and nearby church in Far Rockaway.  

Within moments, people were selecting items to help them through this crisis. I was moved by the scenes of devastation and the resilience of our fellow New Yorkers who are suffering an immeasurable loss.
 
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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Housing Court Forum


   Community Board # 8's Housing Committee held a Housing Forum last night. The moderator of the forum was Civil Court Judge Elizabeth Taylor, and the members of the panel were Housing Court Judge Marian Doherty, Peter Lubell Esq. (who represents landlords), and Howard Baum Esq. of Legal Aid. CB 8 Housing Committee Chairman Steve Balicer thanked the almost 100 people who attended, and thanked his Vice-Chair Patrica Mullen and CB 8 member Paul Ellis Esq. for putting the forum together for the committee. Also in attendance were State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. Both spoke briefly on housing problems, and said to contact the local elected officials if any problems between tenants and their landlords can not be solved. 
   Judge Taylor introduced the panel members, and then went into the program. The first subject was that of trying to avoid going to housing court. Mr. Lubell spoke from a landlords point of view, while Mr. Baum spoke from a tenants point of view. While both differed somewhat there was agreement by both that the best policy is to resolve any problems without going to housing court. As you will see in one of the photos below Housing Court Judge Doherty has her hands folded as she watches Mr. Lubell speak on the subject. Both lawyers agreed that the judge has to be impartial while hearing the case, and that receipts and other good record keeping needs to be done by both parties. 
   Housing court can be costly to landlords who have to pay their lawyers, while the matter may take several visits and consume several hours a day on each appearance by the tenant. Judge Doherty said that "here in the forum I can give you advice, but when it comes to my court I must be impartial". She also added that it could be time consuming, and without good record keeping she has no other way to rule on some cases. 
   Judge Taylor then took several questions for the panel, and again it was said to have good record keeping to be able to have evidence to prove your side of the case. Judge Taylor thanked the panel members and Community Board 8 for having this forum. She also introduced newly elected Civil Court Judge Eddie McShan who was in the audience. 
 Left to right are Civil Court Judge Elizabeth Taylor, Housing Court Judge Marian Doherty, Legal Aid lawyer Howard Baum, and Landlord Lawyer Peter Lubell.
Above - Housing Court Judge Doherty listens as Landlord lawyer Peter Lubell talks about what happens inside Housing Court.
Below - Judge Doherty gets to say that she must be impartial at the hearings before her.

Assemblyman Dinowitz and Senator Gustavo Rivera talk about a few things before the Housing Forum.

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