Carpenters Recruit Apprentices

 

The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the New York City District Council of Carpenters will conduct a recruitment from June 1, 2022 through May 3, 2023 for 25 carpenter apprentices, the New York State Department of Labor announced today.

Applicants must obtain a lottery card in person at the New York City District Council of Carpenters Training Center (NYCDCC Training Center), 395 Hudson Street (Clarkson Street entrance) New York, NY 10014 on the first Wednesday of each month, excluding December 7, 2022 and January 4, 2023, during the recruitment period. Lottery cards will be available from 7:00 am - 7:30 am until minimum lottery cards have been distributed or whichever comes first. There will be no admittance after 7:30 am. Only the applicant will be allowed to complete the lottery card. Lottery card applicants must provide a valid government issued picture identification.

Once the lottery card is fully completed, the applicant will place the lottery card in a locked box. Applicants who complete a lottery card will be randomly selected from the lock box as demand for carpenter apprentices is anticipated. Applicants who are selected will be mailed a letter to attend a four-hour orientation. Applicants must arrive on time, or they will be disqualified from further consideration.

At the start of initial orientation, applicants will be given an application that must be completed and returned before the end of the orientation. At the conclusion of the orientation, applicants will be scheduled for an interview at a future date and will be provided with an instruction sheet which will include a list of documents that will be required if they are accepted into the program. Applicants who do not arrive on time to their scheduled interview will be disqualified from further consideration.

As apprentices are requested by signatory contractors, the top-ranking candidates will be notified to attend a final orientation. Applicants must arrive on time to the final orientation with proper documentation. All applicants must bring originals of all of the verification documents. Those that do not comply will be disqualified from further consideration. A conditional offer of employment will be made to all attendees of the final orientation.

The Committee requires that applicants:

• Must be at least 17 years old at the time of application.
• Must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (such as TASC or GED). Proof will be required after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.
• Must be physically able to perform the work of the trade without posing a direct threat to the safety of themselves or others.
• Must pass a substance abuse screening, at the expense of the sponsor, within 48 hours of selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship, at a designated collection site designated by the JATC. Applicants that do not pass the substance abuse screening will be notified and disqualified from further consideration.
• Must provide proof of any trade-related experience, certification, or education, after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or have the legal right to work in the United States. Proof will be required after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.
• Must have reliable means of transportation to and from various job sites and classes at the approved school.
• Must provide DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, if applicable, after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.  

For further information, applicants should contact New York City District Council of Carpenters at (212) 727-2224. Additional job search assistance can be obtained at your local New York State Department of Labor Career Center (see: dol.ny.gov/career-centers)

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Local Sales Tax Collections Up 21% in First Quarter of 2022

 

Local government sales tax collections grew by 21.1%, or $901 million, in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period last year, according to a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Collections for the three-month period totaled nearly $5.2 billion, with growth at least partially driven by inflation, which hit a 40-year-high in March.

“Local sales tax collections continue to come in strong. While local governments are collecting more, they are also dealing with some of the same increased costs that consumers and private businesses are,” DiNapoli said. “With prices rising, we’re watching closely to see what impact the rate of inflation and economic volatility is having on New York’s economic recovery.”

New York City’s collections in the first quarter grew by 28.5% compared to the same period last year and exceeded pre-pandemic levels for the second straight quarter after remaining below pre-pandemic levels for most of 2020 and 2021. The city’s collections have taken longer to recover from the effects of the pandemic compared to the rest of the state.

Outside New York City, nearly every county had double-digit growth in the first quarter. Broome County saw the highest growth at 24.3%, followed by Yates County (22.2%), and Schuyler and Columbia counties (21%). Sullivan County had the lowest growth at 6.6%.

Of the cities that impose their own sales tax (not including New York City), Norwich saw the biggest jump in the first quarter at 30.8%, followed by Johnstown (29.2%) and Ithaca (28.6%). Gloversville had the lowest growth at 4.6%.

The report notes that the recently enacted state budget provides for a partial suspension of certain state taxes on gasoline from June to December 2022, amounting to a reduction of 16 cents per gallon.

Report
First Quarter 2022 Sales Tax Report

Regional/County-by-County Data
Regional Excel Table

Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 4/25/22-4/29/22

 

Dear Community,

On Tuesday, I was incredibly proud to host a rally in Albany in support of my bill with Assemblymember Anna Kelles, the Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act (S7428/A8352). This bill would require apparel and footwear companies that make over $100 million/year in gross earnings that do business in New York State to map their supply chains, disclose environmental and social impacts, and set goals in accordance with Science Based Targets. Ultimately, this bill has the power to lower carbon emissions globally and force global companies to change how they operate world-wide. 

I’d like to especially thank Assemblymember Anna Kelles, the New Standard Fashion Institute, members of our Fashion Act coalition, and advocates for joining us for this incredible rally. If we are to truly transform the fashion industry and hold it accountable for its impact on people and the planet, then we must work together to pass this crucial legislation. 

I am also excited to announce that I was featured in a segment of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee to discuss the Fashion Act. Watch the segment here. 

To learn more about the Fashion Act or get involved with our coalition, visit our website. 

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

Attorney General James Announces 60 Guns Turned in at Kingston Gun Buyback

 

First OAG Gun Buyback This Year AG James Has Taken More Than 2,700 Firearms Out of Communities Since 2019

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that 60 firearms were turned in to law enforcement at a gun buyback event hosted by her office, the Kingston Police Department, and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) accepts — with no questions asked — working and non-working, unloaded firearms in exchange for compensation on site. Today’s event — which marks the first OAG gun buyback this year — is a part of Attorney General James’ initiative to vigorously combat gun violence and protect New Yorkers throughout the state. To date, Attorney General James has taken more than 2,700 firearms out of communities through gun buyback events and other efforts since taking office in 2019.

“Gun violence is one of the biggest public health crises we face, and it continues to endanger our communities,” said Attorney General James. “Gun buybacks, such as the one we hosted today, are a critical part of our efforts to combat this violence and save lives. Every gun that is turned in today is one less weapon that can be of harm to anyone, and I thank our partners in law enforcement for their invaluable support and collaboration in keeping our residents safe.”

Today’s community gun buyback resulted in the collection of 60 guns, including 26 long guns, 20 handguns, six assault rifles, and eight non-working guns. Since 2013, the OAG has hosted gun buyback events throughout New York state and has successfully collected more than 4,700 firearms. To date, Attorney General James has taken a total of more than 2,700 guns out of communities since 2019.

In exchange for the firearms, OAG offered monetary compensation, in the form of prepaid gift cards, when an unloaded gun was received and secured by an officer on site.

U.S. Attorney Announces Extradition Of Colombian National For Narco-Terrorism, Firearms, And Drug-Trafficking Charges

 

Carlos Fernando Melo Allegedly Conspired with Foreign Terrorist Organizations to Provide them Firearms and Explosives for the Purpose of Facilitating Attacks in Colombia, Including a Potential Kidnapping and Murder of a DEA Agent and Bombing of the U.S. E

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Anne Milgram, the Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced the extradition of CARLOS FERNANDO MELO, for narco-terrorism, firearms, and drug-trafficking offenses. MELO, a Colombian national, was taken into custody by Colombian authorities on April 20, 2021 at the request of the United States, extradited to the United States, and arrived in the Southern District of New York yesterday from Colombia. MELO is expected to be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott. The case is assigned to United States District Court Judge Sidney H. Stein.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “As alleged, Carlos Fernando Melo attempted to broker deals for machine guns with known narco-terrorist organizations, with the stated mission of murdering a DEA agent abroad as a ‘trophy.’  Unbeknownst to him, the individuals Melo believed to be arms traffickers were, in actuality, DEA confidential sources.  Melo’s extradition today ensures that he’ll be held accountable on U.S. soil for allegedly targeting DEA Special Agents committed to fighting the illicit drug trade.”

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said:  “DEA’s central mission is targeting the most dangerous, most ruthless drug-traffickers who threaten our communities for their own profit.  Carlos Fernando Melo is alleged to have not only supported and participated in violent narco-terrorism, but also sought to have a DEA agent murdered.  DEA will relentlessly pursue narco-terrorists and drug traffickers who threaten the safety and health of Americans.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint and Indictment charging the defendant, which were unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

Between approximately September 2019 and December 2019, MELO attempted to purchase explosives and firearms, including machine guns, from individuals MELO understood to be arms traffickers for use by two organizations then designated by the Department of State as Foreign Terrorist Organizations: the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (“FARC”) and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (“ELN”). Unbeknownst to MELO, the arms traffickers with whom he was negotiating were, in actuality, DEA confidential sources.

During these meetings, a confidential source posing as a weapons broker introduced MELO to two other confidential sources who claimed to be weapons dealers. These confidential sources, in turn, introduced MELO to an undercover law enforcement officer who purported to be a member of the terrorist organization Hizballah with access to explosive material and firearms. In the meetings, MELO reiterated that he was seeking to broker weapons deals for the FARC and ELN, which he claimed to have done in the past. MELO provided the sources with a coded list of weapons that the FARC and ELN wanted to purchase. MELO also represented that he had spoken with leadership in the FARC and ELN regarding their interest in acquiring weapons and explosive material. Ultimately, MELO requested more than 300 machine guns for the FARC as well as explosive material and mercury for the ELN. While MELO initially suggested that the FARC would pay for their weapons in cocaine, MELO later told the confidential sources that the FARC would pay cash for their arms, and that MELO had another contact who would sell cocaine to the confidential sources for importation into the United States.

MELO also explained during these meetings that he sought to purchase the firearms and explosives because the FARC and ELN wanted to conduct attacks in Colombia. He detailed particulars of these planned attacks, which included the possible kidnapping and murder of a DEA agent in Colombia and the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia. MELO said that killing a DEA agent would be a “trophy” for the FARC or ELN and that he had a particular assassin in mind who could carry out the murder.

In furtherance of these plans, MELO enlisted a co-conspirator to take photographs of the U.S. Embassy in Bogota. When this co-conspirator called MELO expressing concern about the security at the Embassy, MELO instructed the co-conspirator to take the photographs on a single day so as to not arouse any suspicion.

MELO, 58, a Colombian national, is charged with: (1) participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy, which carries a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of life in prison; (2) conspiring to import cocaine into the United States, which carries a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of life in prison; and (3) conspiring to possess machine guns and destructive devices during and in relation to the narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracies, which carries a maximum of life in prison.

The potential mandatory minimum and maximum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit. Mr. Williams also thanked the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, Judicial Attachés in Bogotá, Colombia, and the Counterterrorism Section.

The charges contained in the Complaint and Indictment are merely allegations, 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 Complaint, and the description of the Indictment and the Complaint set forth herein, constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Governor Hochul Plants a Tree in Celebration of Arbor Day

 

Governor Kathy Hochul planted a tree in celebration of 150th anniversary of Arbor Day.  

Permits Filed For 1254 Fteley Avenue In Soundview, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 1254 Fteley Avenue in Soundview, The Bronx. Located between Westchester Avenue and East 172nd Street, the lot is near the St. Lawrence subway station, serviced by the 6 train. Eduard Haxhari of REK Realty LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 51-foot-tall development will yield 10,786 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 16 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 674 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar, a 36-foot-long rear yard, and eight open parking spaces.

Node Architecture Engineering Consulting PC is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Permits Filed For 3029 Godwin Terrace In Kingsbridge, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a five-story mixed-use building at 3029 Godwin Terrace in Kingsbridge, The Bronx. Located between West 230th and West 231st Streets, the lot is one block from the 231st Street subway station, serviced by the 1 train. Galaxy GC Group is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 70-foot-tall development will yield 24,263 square feet, with 20,613 square feet designated for residential space and 3,650 square feet for community facility space. The building will have 24 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 858 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar, a 35-foot-long rear yard, and 12 open parking spaces.

Jonathan Kirschenfeld Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.