Tuesday, January 1, 2019

MAYOR DE BLASIO MARKS FIRST DAY OF NEW YORK CITY’S STYROFOAM BAN


     Mayor de Blasio, Department of Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, and Mayor’s Office of Sustainability Director Mark Chambers announced today that the City’s styrofoam ban is in effect, eliminating a major source of petroleum based waste. Now, food service establishments, stores, and manufacturers may not possess, sell, or offer for use single service Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam food service articles or loose fill packaging, such as “packing peanuts.”

"Global warming is threatening our city, and to fight it, we have to change the way we live,” said Mayor de Blasio. “The 60 million pounds of styrofoam New Yorkers throw away each year clog our landfills and fuel the petroleum economy destroying our planet. We’re ending this dirty practice so we can ensure a cleaner, fairer future for our children."

“Foam products cannot be recycled, plain and simple, and they have no place in our daily lives,” said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. “Foam is a source of litter in our neighborhoods, and it clogs our storm drains and pollutes our beaches. We cannot achieve zero waste without addressing the single-use products ubiquitous in modern life. This is our first step. We have fought for four years to ban these products in favor of reusable, recyclable and compostable alternatives. Today, I am proud to say today that we have prevailed and are moving toward a foam-free NYC.”

As a result of the ban, manufacturers and stores may not sell or offer single-use foam items such as cups, plates, trays, or clamshell containers. There is a six month grace period from when the ban goes into effect on January 1, 2019 before fines can be imposed. DSNY, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Department of Consumer Affairs will continue to conduct outreach and education in multiple languages to businesses throughout all five boroughs. During the six-month warning period, businesses that still use foam products may receive a “warning card” reminding them of the ban and directing them to DSNY outreach resources.

“This long-overdue ban will put an end to Styrofoam littering our streets and clogging our waterways,” said Mark Chambers, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. “Now we must build on this progress by cutting out other wasteful, outdated products like single-use plastic bags and plastic straws.”

New Yorkers throw away 60 million pounds of foam products each year. To help educate businesses about the new law, the Department of Sanitation has already contacted over 129,000 retailers and food service establishments. DSNY is also coordinating with elected officials, community boards, business improvement districts, business organizations and other stakeholders to ensure New Yorkers understand how to comply with this law. The Department’s Commercial Outreach team provides free in-person trainings and online webinars to businesses and will be conducting site visits around the city during the six-month warning period. Businesses can request to host a training or sign-up for a scheduled one by visitingnyc.gov/dsnybusinessresources.

Non-profits and small businesses with less than $500,000 in revenue per year may apply for hardship exemptions from the Department of Small Business Services if they can prove that the purchase of alternative products not composed of EPS would create undue financial hardship. Waivers granted will be valid for a one-year period beginning July 1, 2019 and on a rolling basis.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our city's economy - and DCA is committed to helping them thrive," said DCA Commissioner Lorelei Salas. "We are proud to partner with our fellow city agencies and play a role in ensuring zero waste to landfills by 2030 while also making sure businesses are not only aware of, but are operating under the law."

Under the de Blasio administration, New York City has become a global leader on climate change and sustainability. In 2014, Mayor de Blasio committed to reducing New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. In 2017, the Administration doubled down on its commitment to sustainability by delivering the first-ever city plan to align with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting warming to the global 1.5° Celsius target. To protect New Yorkers, the City is also moving forward with a $20 billion resiliency program designed to ensure that our neighborhoods, economy, and public services will be ready to withstand and emerge stronger from the impacts of climate change.

The City is also holding polluters to account by suing the five largest investor-owned fossil fuel companies who have contributed the most to climate change and is standing up for future generations and New York City pension holders by being the first major city in the nation to commit to divesting pension funds from fossil fuels. Building on this commitment, Mayor de Blasio, Comptroller Scott Stringer, and City pension trustees recently announced a goal of doubling New York City’s pension fund investments in climate solutions to $4 billion by 2021. In 2018, the City also launched “Bring It,” a sustainability campaign focused on empowering young New Yorkers to reduce waste and create a cleaner, fairer city.

Who is Covered:
* For-profit or not-for-profit: food service establishments, mobile food commissaries, and stores that sell or use foam items; and
* Manufacturers and distributors of polystyrene foam packaging that are located or operate within any of the five boroughs of New York City.

What is Covered:
* Single-service foam items including cups, bowls, plates, takeout containers and trays.
* Foam loose fill packaging, commonly known as “packing peanuts.”

What is Not Covered:
* Foam containers used for prepackaged food that have been filled and sealed prior to receipt by the food service establishment, mobile food commissary, or store.
* Foam containers used to store raw meat, pork, fish, seafood or poultry sold from a butcher case or similar appliance.
* Foam blocks used as protective packaging in shipping.

For more information, visit: nyc.gov/foamban.

About EPS:
* Expanded polystyrene is a plastic resin manufactured into consumer products such as “foam” cups, containers, trays, plates, clamshell cases and egg cartons.
* EPS is a major source of neighborhood litter and hazardous to marine life. EPS foam is a lightweight material that can clog storm drains and can also end up on our beaches and in New York Harbor. EPS containers can break down into smaller pieces, which marine animals may mistake for food. The environmental assessment prepared for the bill found that expanded polystyrene particles can wind up in the harbor, and in the floating gyre of non-biodegradable plastic debris that has been found in the Atlantic Ocean – creating a hazard for marine life such as sea turtles and fish.
* EPS is already banned in cities across the country, including Washington, DC, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Oakland, Portland, Albany, and Seattle. In total, more than seventy cities have banned foam and businesses large and small have shifted to alternative products that are biodegradable or otherwise recyclable.

Monday, December 31, 2018

Mayor de Blasio to Push the Button at 11:59 PM


Mayor de Blasio, First Lady McCray and Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists Joel Simon will push the button at the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.

Image result for new year in times square 2019 photos

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Parkchester Kwanzaa Celebration



  It was the 52nd Anniversary of Kwanzaa at St. Helena's Church in Parkchester. Nubia Leader was the Mistress of Ceremony, various holiday entrainment performed, the lighting of the Kwanzaa Candles, Parkchester 87th Assembly District Leader John Perez along with 79th Assemblyman Michael Blake (also a candidate for the vacant Public Advocate office), and lots of vendors made this a wonderful evening. 


Above - The lighting of the Kwanzaa Candles by Ms. Nana Zakia.
Below - Mr. Hilliard Greene on the Bass Fiddle.




Above - Mr. King Lagee and Ms. Sarah Thomas are with event organizer Debra Oguamah.
Below - Parkchester District Leader John Perez speaks with Ms. Ogusmah.




Above - Some more entertainment.
Below - Assemblyman (and candidate for Public Advocate) Michael Blake address the large crowd.


Christ Disciples International Ministries Food Pantry Saturday Mission



 Over 500 people came to the Christ Disciples International Ministries Food Pantry this past Saturday to pick up some much needed fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, and other food that a family needs but can not afford. This is a weekly occurrence by a few greatly appreciated donors such as Western Beef, Shabbir Gul, the Albanian American Open Hand Association, and the many volunteers who assist in handing out the free food.


Assemblyman Jose Rivera was on hand to capture some of the 'act of kindness' as he interviews Shabbir Gul a Bronx business owner and Mr. Aleksander Nilaj of the AAOHA. The fourth person is one of the volunteers. Also on hand was 87th A.D. District Leader Sergeant John Perez. No photos of the people receiving food were taken to uphold their dignity. About a full truckload of food was distributed. 

NYPD Outlines Security Measures for Security on New Year's Eve in Times Square



Hundreds of Thousands Expected to Safely Gather in Times Square to Ring in 2019

  The New York Police Department announced today security measures for the annual New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill were joined by other top officials at the announcement, which was held at NASDAQ. The New York Police Department continues to maintain a robust overlay of police officers to ensure the safety of the celebrators.

"The NYPD routinely does a great job of planning and securing large-scale events around New York City," Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill said. "Simply put, this is what we do — and New Year's Eve, when the eyes of the world are on us, is certainly no exception. Nothing in our profession is done alone, however, and our members work hand-in-hand with our law-enforcement partners — including the FBI, the New York State Police, the MTA Police, and many others — all throughout the year in preparation. This unrivaled collaboration allows us to carry out our shared mission of delivering the safest and most enjoyable event possible, up to and through the ball-drop in Times Square."
"New Yorkers have much to be thankful for and celebrate this year," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We're on track to becoming yet again the safest big city in our nation thanks to the women and men in blue who defend and protect our city every day. Our officers are fostering connections with community leaders and neighborhood organizations to build on our neighborhood policing progress and make New York City not just safest, but fairest big city in America."
As in years past, those attending the celebration in Times Square will be screened. Backpacks, large bags, umbrellas, and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Property may not be left checkpoints. At approximately 11 a.m., attendees will be directed by police officers to gather in separate viewing pens. As the pens get populated, the entertainment from 43rd Street between Sixth and Eighth Avenues will continue to move north up to Central Park, due to the ball drop from the southern end. Please note, attendees who leave before the ball drops will not be able to regain entry to their original viewing area.
Beginning at 4 a.m. on Monday, December 31st, 2018, Times Square will be closed to vehicular traffic. People should avoid all cross-town streets from 34th to 59th Streets, as well as Sixth and Eighth Avenues. A traffic advisory with a comprehensive list of street closures is available on our website.
Mass transit is strongly encouraged due to expected heavy traffic delays and parking restrictions. Remember, large backpacks, lawn chairs, umbrellas and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Anyone who sees suspicious activity should alert a police officer or call 911. The NYPD's terrorism hotline is 888-NYC-SAFE.
The New York Police Department announced today security measures for the annual New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill were joined by other top officials at the announcement, which was held at NASDAQ. The New York Police Department continues to maintain a robust overlay of police officers to ensure the safety of the celebrators.
"The NYPD routinely does a great job of planning and securing large-scale events around New York City," Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill said. "Simply put, this is what we do — and New Year's Eve, when the eyes of the world are on us, is certainly no exception. Nothing in our profession is done alone, however, and our members work hand-in-hand with our law-enforcement partners — including the FBI, the New York State Police, the MTA Police, and many others — all throughout the year in preparation. This unrivaled collaboration allows us to carry out our shared mission of delivering the safest and most enjoyable event possible, up to and through the ball-drop in Times Square."
"New Yorkers have much to be thankful for and celebrate this year," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We're on track to becoming yet again the safest big city in our nation thanks to the women and men in blue who defend and protect our city every day. Our officers are fostering connections with community leaders and neighborhood organizations to build on our neighborhood policing progress and make New York City not just safest, but fairest big city in America."
As in years past, those attending the celebration in Times Square will be screened. Backpacks, large bags, umbrellas, and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Property may not be left checkpoints. At approximately 11 a.m., attendees will be directed by police officers to gather in separate viewing pens. As the pens get populated, the entertainment from 43rd Street between Sixth and Eighth Avenues will continue to move north up to Central Park, due to the ball drop from the southern end. Please note, attendees who leave before the ball drops will not be able to regain entry to their original viewing area.
Beginning at 4 a.m. on Monday, December 31st, 2018, Times Square will be closed to vehicular traffic. People should avoid all cross-town streets from 34th to 59th Streets, as well as Sixth and Eighth Avenues. A traffic advisory with a comprehensive list of street closures is available on our website.
Mass transit is strongly encouraged due to expected heavy traffic delays and parking restrictions. Remember, large backpacks, lawn chairs, umbrellas and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Anyone who sees suspicious activity should alert a police officer or call 911. The NYPD's terrorism hotline is 888-NYC-SAFE.

A.G. Underwood And State Police Superintendent Beach Announce Indictment Of Brooklyn Couple For Year-Long Mortgage Fraud And Money Laundering Scheme To Obtain Over $1.3 Million


John F. Iacono and Shpresa Gjekovic Allegedly Stole Over $460,000 and Attempted to Steal Over $860,000 More from Financial Institutions Throughout New York
Iacono and Gjekovic Allegedly Grossly Overstated Their Income and Assets, Forged Cashier Checks, and Falsified Bank Statements, W2s, Paystubs, and Tax Returns in Order to Secure Financing on a Schoharie County Property 
  Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood and State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II announced the unsealing of a 19-count indictment charging John F. Iacono, 46, a/k/a Vito Yodice and Shpresa Gjekovic, 32, a/k/a Hope Gjekovic a/k/a Hope Iacono a/k/a Hope Yodice a/k/a Shpresa Hadzovic, with defrauding banks throughout New York State and laundering those criminal proceeds to further their scheme. A joint investigation by the Attorney Generals Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau and the New York State Police revealed that Iacono and Gjekovic allegedly utilized shell companies, provided fake bank statements, W2s, paystubs, and tax returns, and forged cashier checks in order to solicit over $1.3 million in loans from multiple banks across the upstate region. Both defendants were arrested on a 19-count indictment, including charges of Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Second Degree, Grand Larceny in the Second and Third Degrees, and Money Laundering in the Third Degree.
“As we allege, these defendants grossly inflated their assets and forged a number of documents in order to defraud multiple New York banks and attempt to steal over a million dollars,” said Attorney General Underwood. “We have no tolerance for those who try to defraud New Yorkers in order to line their own pockets.”
Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “This couple concocted a series of devious schemes to knowingly defraud financial institutions out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. I commend the Attorney General’s Office, our State Police Financial Crimes Unit and other law enforcement partners for their hard work in exposing this fraud. This indictment should serve as a reminder that those who seek to carry out such deliberate scams will be held accountable for their crimes and brought to justice.”
According to the indictment and statements made by the prosecutor at arraignment, between April 2016 and March 2017, Iacono and Gjekovic allegedly applied for mortgages, a construction loan, personal lines of credit, personal loans, a commercial loan, a debt consolidation loan, and a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) by grossly overstating their income, assets, and source of funds – all supported by fraudulent documentation. The couple also allegedly created entities, including but not limited to JF Iacono, LLC and Iacono, LLC, and purported to have worked for them for years. In reality, these companies were created just days prior to their submission of applications for hundreds of thousands of dollars in bank funds. In total, the couple stole over $460,000 from three financial institutions, and attempted to steal over $860,000 in additional proceeds from five financial institutions.
The investigation further revealed that Iacono and Gjekovic allegedly supplied over $125,000 in counterfeit cashiers checks to financial institutions, law firms, title companies, and the sellers of a Schoharie County property in order to secure financing and establish residence in the area. Iacono and Gjekovic allegedly intended to turn the Schoharie County property into a swingers club, but after obtaining the property, instead rented it out as a hunting cabin and purported to raise money for children in need. The couple allegedly utilized online postings, including on Facebook and Airbnb, to advertise the rental property.
In addition, Iacono and Gjekovic allegedly concealed from financial institutions outstanding judgments against them totaling in excess of $1.4 million. Moreover, the couple allegedly laundered fraudulently obtained loan proceeds to fund deposits and cash to close on the real estate transactions, utilizing at least five financial institutions during the course of the year-long scheme.
The defendants also allegedly created a personal financial statement showing net worth in excess of $1.1 million, with cash on hand of $400,000, while in reality their account balances were in the negative. The defendants allegedly supplied false bank statements showing the purported assets to support this claim. The balances on these statements were allegedly grossly inflated, as the couple never had more than a few thousand dollars in the accounts – the vast majority of which was from other loans.
Iacono and Gjekovic are each charged in the Attorney General’s indictment with the following 19 felonies: Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Second Degree, a class C felony (one count); Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony (two counts); Money Laundering in the Third Degree, a class D felony (two counts); Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony (one count); Attempted Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Second Degree, a class D felony (one count); Attempted Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class D felony (three counts); Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, a class D felony (four counts); Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a class E felony (four counts); and Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony (one count).
Iacono was arraigned on December 20, 2018 before Schoharie County Court Judge George R. Bartlett, III. Bail was set in the amount of $175,000 cash or $350,000 bond. Gjekovic was arraigned on December 24, 2018 before Hon. Bartlett and bail was set in the amount of $75,000 cash or $150,000 bond. The defendants are scheduled to appear back in court January 16, 2019.
If convicted of all counts, Iacono and Gjekovic could each face up to 10 to 20 years in state prison. 
The charges are merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Attorney General Underwood thanks the New York State Police Financial Crimes Unit, as well as Schoharie County District Attorney Susan J. Mallery, for their valuable assistance on this investigation.

Throggs Neck Houses Community Day With Police Commissioner O'Neill



  It was the Throggs Neck Houses Community Day where the residents and the police officers that protect them were able to celebrate the holidays together. A special guest arrived to help Tenant Leader Monique Johnson, as Police Commissioner James O'Neill came to show his support for the Housing Officers of PSA 7 and PSA 8, and the Explorer Programs at the 43rd, 45th, and 47th Precincts. 



Above - Throggs Neck Houses Tenant Leader Ms. Monique Johnson escorts NYPD Commissioner O'Neill into the room.
Below - Captain Ramsey (commanding officer of PSA 8) introduces NYPD Commissioner O'Neill.




Above - Students enrolled in the NYPD Explorers Program from the 43rd, 45th, and 47th Precincts competed in a drill competition.
Below - Commissioner O'Neill with some of the Explorers.





Above - Bronx District Attorney Darcal Clark (r), and Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson.
Below - Councilman Andy King.




Above- Councilwoman Gibson and Captain Ramsey got down with the Explorers and police officers.
Below - Councilman Andy King showed off his moves with residents of the Throggs Neck Houses.




Above - Commissioner O'Neill was interviewed by Fox 5 reporter Lisa Evers.
Below - Assemblyman (and candidate for Public Advocate) Michael Blake with Captain Ramsey.




Councilwoman Gibson and Councilman King (both of whom are considered to be candidates in 2021 for Bronx Borough President) with PSA 8 Captain Ramsey, and PSA 8 Community Affairs officer Stephanie Batista-Fernandez.

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON THE SPECIAL ELECTION FOR PUBLIC ADVOCATE


  “With New York Attorney General-elect Tish James’ upcoming inauguration, it is my pleasure to announce the special election for Public Advocate will take place on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. This date will help maximize voter turnout, and my Administration will work around the clock to make sure every New Yorker is encouraged to exercise their right to vote.”