UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE SANDY

NEWS FROM... NYS Assemblymember Marcos A. Crespo 85th Assembly District 1163 Manor Avenue, Bronx, NY 10472 Tel. 718-893-0202 – Fax. (718) 842-8731 – Email: crespom@assembly.state.ny.us

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that federal disaster unemployment assistance is now available to all New Yorkers who lost their jobs as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Disaster unemployment benefits are available to provide financial support to anyone who has lost their job and live or work in the Bronx, Kings, New York, Richmond, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Westchester counties.

This assistance will supplement New York’s existing unemployment insurance system and will expand eligibility to include individuals who might otherwise not be covered. The United States Department of Labor has committed to providing additional assistance if needed.

“The physical destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy has been terrible, and the resulting job losses can be even more painful for New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “These federal funds will quickly provide financial assistance to those whose livelihoods have been upended. I urge impacted New Yorkers to apply as soon as possible.”

Department of Labor staff will be deployed to hard-hit communities to help register impacted New Yorkers for Disaster Unemployment Assistance in person.

Anyone unemployed due to Hurricane Sandy is immediately eligible and can submit a claim to the Department of Labor. The criterion for collecting disaster assistance is broader than for collecting regular unemployment benefits. Specifically, an individual can collect disaster assistance in any of the following cases:
•Injured in the disaster and unable to work, whether the person is an employee or self-employed.
•Workplace is damaged, or destroyed, or the person cannot work because of the disaster.
•Transportation to work is not available because of the disaster.
•Cannot get to work because must travel through the affected area, which is impossible due to disaster.
•Planned to begin working, but cannot because of the disaster.
•Derived most of income from areas affected by the disaster, and business is closed or inoperable because of the disaster.

Examples of self-employment include small business owners, independent taxi drivers, vendors, independent commercial fisherman, and farmers.

State Department of Labor Commissioner Peter M. Rivera said, “These people want to work and are unable to because of circumstances far beyond their control. This money will directly help workers who have families to feed and bills to pay. Contact the Department of Labor and we will determine which program you qualify for.”

To apply for unemployment benefits or disaster unemployment assistance, those affected by the storm and have lost their job or income should call the Telephone Claims Center (TCC) at 1-888-209-8124, or 1-877-358-5306 if they live out of state. Applicants should answer the questions to indicate they lost their job due to Hurricane Sandy. In order to receive benefits you must apply by December 3, 2012.  

Borough President Diaz and BOEDC Announce that The Bronx is Open for Business!

  

Bronx Economic Development Corporation is providing support and information to businesses impacted by Hurricane Sandy

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Marlene Cintron, president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, made clear today that BOEDC's office is open to support the area's businesses.

"While my office is working with the residents of the Bronx and the area's infrastructure, BOEDC is working on getting our businesses and its workers back to work," stated Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz.

All Bronx businesses that have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy by loss of property and or loss of business are encouraged to immediately call the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) at (800) 621-3362 or (800) 462-7585 TTY. Those who have access to the internet can register their claim online at www.disasterassistance.gov. There are operators who will assist you from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.

FEMA funds can be used to cover rental payments for temporary housing for those homes that are unlivable, grants for home repairs and replacement of household items as well as unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who have temporarily lost their jobs due to the disaster.

Small Businesses that have registered with FEMA may also apply for disaster loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA) who will provide low interest loans to cover up to $2 MM in loss of property, damage or loss of cash flow. In order to apply for the SBA loans, call (800) 659-2955 or (800) 877-8339 TTY, or register online at www.sba.gov/content/applying-disaster-loan or apply in person at any Disaster Recovery Center.

"If you are overwhelmed and need assistance to get your business back on its feet, contact my office at (718) 590-6252. We will walk you through the process to insure that you get the help you need and get it fast," stated Marlene Cintron, president of BOEDC.

"We have been working with the City of New York and SBS and are very pleased with the response we have gotten on issues we have raised to them," she added.

In addition to the resources cited, BOEDC is providing the following listing that can help Bronx businesses in need:  

Red Cross: Provides assistance to displaced residents. Call (877) 733-2767

New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services: Helps in the recovery of natural disasters as well as other emergencies. The Hurricane Sandy Helpline is (888) 769-7243 or (518) 485-1159  

NYC Office of Emergency Management: Coordinates emergency response and recovery in NYC. For the latest on utility and transportation service restoration, go to  www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/html/home/hurricane_sandy_businesses.shtml or call 311

NYC Small Business Services (SBS): Provides assistance to small business owners post Hurricane Sandy. Call 311

Con Edison: To report down lines, outages and check service restoration status by computer or mobile devices do so at www.coned.com. You can also call (800) 752-6633.

"You are not alone. You are a Bronx business where help is just a phone call away. Call BOEDC for any kind of assistance your business needs," concluded Ms. Cintron.

Election Day -- The Board of Elections Response

     In a Daily News item by Celeste Katz After Sandy New York officials rush to patch together an election   there is mention of just how things may go on Election day even if there is no power at many poll sites in the outer boroughs.

     “We’ll just have to make do. And it won’t be perfect, but we’re going to have an election,” said Douglas Kellner, Democratic co-chair of the state Board of Elections. “A democracy calls for sacrifice from time to time, and this is one of those occasions” Kellner added.

    

   J.C. Polanco, the Bronx GOP commissioner for the city BOE, said that officials were considering consolidating about 40 poll sites serving residents of hard-hit Breezy Point and the Rockaways in parking lots at Aqueduct Raceway, Jacob Riis Park and Floyd Bennett Field, setting up tents with generators. Meanwhile, Staten Islanders may end up seeing sites consolidated at the Armory.

    There is also mention of having mobil poll sites, and battery operated voting machine which would be required in areas that still would not have power. Then there mention Gov. Cuomo is also considering issuing an emergency proclamation to let people who reside in areas affected by the killer storm to vote by absentee ballot even if they’re in town. 

    We will have to wait and see what happens on Tuesday November 6th to make sure that people who are already disenfranchised by Hurricane Sandy do not get disenfranchised again when it comes to vote.

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This weeks 'Riverdale Report' From the Bronx News

This is a copy of the Riverdale Report from the Bronx News Nov 1, 2012.

Riverdale Report

By Robert Press

Ben Franklin Democratic Club Celebrates

Monday October 22^nd members of the Ben Franklin Democratic Club (of the 81^st A.D.) held a “Watch the Debate” fundraiser at Oregano's restaurant located on Johnson Avenue. All in attendance agreed that President Obama won the third debate, would win the election on election day, and that the food was great at Oregano's. The restaurant was full of happy cheering Democrats, some who commented often during the debate about Obama's challenger Mitt Romney's lack of a vision and experience.

The following Sunday the Ben Franklin Democratic Club held a Pre-Election day victory party at the home of City Council candidate (and Vice-Chair of the Bronx Democratic County Committee) Mr. Andrew Cohen. While Mr. Cohen is waiting until after election day to officially announce his candidacy for current term limited Councilman G. Oliver Koppells seat, it has been one of the worst keep secrets.

On hand were Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer (Mayoral/Comptroller candidate), Congressman Eliot Engel, State Senators Jeff Klein and Gustavo Rivera, 81^st A.D. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, Brooklyn Councilwoman Letitia James (candidate for Public Advocate in 2013), and almost 100 other supporters of the Ben Franklin Club.

Councilman Koppell expressed his view that President Obama has a chance of loosing the popular vote, but winning the all important “Electoral College” that elects the president. Congressman Engel took a swipe at his Republican opponent on election day, by asking Assemblyman Dinowitz if it was the same person Dinowitz soundly defeated two years ago. Yes it is replied Dinowitz. Senator Gustavo Rivera standing near Councilman Koppell thanked him for his over 40 years of public service as an elected official. Senator Jeff Klein said that the election is important as it is between what is right and wrong. Klein added “we have to make sure programs continue, and are not cut or discontinued”. It was said that Councilman Koppell has been a member of the Ben Franklin Democratic Club since 1966. Back then the club was known as “The Ben Franklin Reform Democratic Club”.

Questions I asked – Manhattan BP Stringer – Is it true that you are going to run for Comptroller instead of mayor? Reply by Stringer, I have not made up my mind yet.

State Senator Jeff Klein – In 2016 if Gov. Cuomo runs for president and current Attorney General Eric Schniderman runs for governor, would you run for A.G. Reply by Klein – I don't know, it could be a possibility if what I said all happens, but that is to far away to think about now.

Councilwoman James – Are you afraid of facing Brooklyn Councilman Charles Barrons who has said he wants to run for Public Advocate also. Reply by James – Don't believe what Barrons is saying, he and his wife are going to try to swap positions in the council and assembly. An interesting note was that we both agreed that Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. would not be running for citywide office next year. James said that Diaz Jr. is doing a fine job as Bronx BP, but still has to raise the image of the Bronx and himself more before considering citywide office.

The Riverdale Temple is holding a “Holiday Gift and Craft Sale” on Sunday November 18^th from 9 AM – 3 PM. The Riverdale Temple is located at 4545 Independence Avenue at the corner of West 246^th Street. There is free parking, and the temple has a few spots available for vendors. For more information check my blog or email rivtemple@aol.com or Ritajoshed@aol.com.

For the latest listings of events going on at Wave Hill don't forget to check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com (look in the archive section on the left) to see this and other events in the Bronx.

Finally, on Saturday November 3^rd from 5 – 8 PM at PS 24 there will be an “Auction & Awards Night featuring current New York Met player Mike Baxter. The event is to support the local South Riverdale Little League. PS 24 is located on Independence Avenue at the corner of West 235^th Street (two blocks from the Henry Hudson Parkway).

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. 

 

Hurricane Sandy UPDATE Thursday Nov 1st

The number of confirmed deaths in New York City has climbed to 37.

The two biggest challenges remain getting the power grid and transportation systems fully operational again.

All NYC Public Schools will be closed tomorrow Friday.

Tap water is safe to drink.

Do not use generators or grills indoors.  

Con Edison crews have restored power to about 250,000 customers who were affected by the storm. As of 11 a.m., the company was working to restore power to about 650,000 customers still out of service. 

Con Edison said today that based on an assessment of the unprecedented damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, it expects to restore the vast majority of customers who lost power by the weekend of Nov. 10 and 11. The remaining customer restorations could take an additional week or more.  

Those parts of the city with overhead power lines still without service may not have it restored possibly until next weekend. 

There are still approximately 534,000 customers citywide without power, down nearly 100,000 since yesterday, with 38,000 customers in the Bronx still without power. 

Lights ate turning on for many people in South Brooklyn, Staten Island, and some parts of Lower Manhattan.

"Con Ed has set a goal of restoring power to all Manhattan customers by the end of the weekend".

It is intend to reopen public schools for classes on Monday.

Traffic is very heavy in the city, particularly on routes into Manhattan.

The 3-person HOV restriction on Henry Hudson Bridge southbound crossings into Manhattan is still in effect, 6 a.m. until midnight Nov 1st & 2nd.

The Holland Tunnel and the Hugh Carey Brooklyn Battery Tunnel are still closed.

911 should only be used in case of emergencies. 

To report other conditions such as fallen trees and sewer backups, please use 311 Online, text 311 at 311-692, or call 311. 

Power outages and live wires should be directly reported to Con Ed (1-800-75-CON-ED)  

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BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ KICKS OFF THE 2ND ANNUAL "SAVOR THE BRONX" RESTAURANT WEEK

Bronx Restaurants to Serve Up Special Deals

    Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., in conjunction with American Express and the New York State Restaurant Association, kicked off the 2^nd Annual Savor the Bronx! Restaurant Week at the Oregano Bar and Bistro in Riverdale.

Savor the Bronx! Restaurant Week, produced by the Bronx Tourism Council and co-hosted by the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC), showcases the borough’s best eateries by offering special values and discounts, all viewable at www.savorthebronx.com. 

This year’s event is especially significant, given the impact of Hurricane Sandy on our borough’s restaurants and eateries, which lost several days worth of business due to the storm. In addition, the famous Tony’s Pier restaurant on City Island was destroyed by fire on Sunday night.

This 12-day event, which runs from November 5^th to November 16^th, is the perfect opportunity to explore your taste buds and the Bronx.  Foodies can experience various delicious dishes from the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe and Asia, all of which are available in the Bronx.  

 

“I invite everyone to visit and Savor the Bronx. Come to our beautiful borough to try a new restaurant or return to an old favorite. Enjoy authentic Italian food on Arthur Avenue or some fresh seafood on City Island. Now is the perfect time to give our borough’s restaurants a try, when they need the business the most. Take a look at the ‘Savor the Bronx!’ website for participating restaurants and make your own savory choice,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“While our local businesses and restaurants have suffered from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, other boroughs have been hit even harder.  Let’s support our Bronx restaurants by bringing our families and even our friends from other boroughs to the Bronx to share the best of the best with them. This is how we help each other out,” said Marlene Cintron, President of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.

“Visitors are drawn to borough restaurants as a way of experiencing diverse cultures through diverse flavors. What better way to share the Bronx with the rest of the world than through an epicurean experience? And what better way to say we are OPEN FOR BUSINESS than with a good meal?” said Olga Luz Tirado, Executive Director of The Bronx Tourism Council. 

Taste-tempting offers include special values like 15% off the check at Enzo’s Restaurant in Morris Park, Jake’s Steakhouse in Riverdale and the Lobster Box on City Island, as well as pre fixe menus at the Palace of Japan in Riverdale, Havana Café in Throggs Neck, and Montezuma Restaurant that are sure to leave your taste buds craving for more!

Other offers include $16.41 lunch menu, which represents the year Jonas Bronck purchased 500 acres of land that is now known as the Bronx, as well as $20.12 dinner menu representing the year we are in today!

More than 35 restaurants are participating in this year’s Savor the Bronx. For more information on participating Savor the Bronx! restaurants, please visit savorthebronx.com. For more information on what to see and do in the Bronx, visit the Bronx Tourism Council website at ilovethebronx.com.

Below are some photos of the Savor the Bronx! Restaurant Week kick off at the Oregano Bar and Bistro in Riverdale.

Mike of Mike's Deli serving BP Diaz at 'Savor The Bronx' Kick off.

Left - BP Diaz holding up Mikes Deli Sign.

Right - Diaz with Chef Claude from Oregano Restaurant Bistro, host to the Kick Off of 'Savor the Bronx'.

Left - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz of Riverdale area  host Restaurant Oregano watches BP Diaz enjoy the food.

Right - Assemblyman Dinowitz gets a plate of his own to enjoy.

COMPTROLLER LIU ISSUES NYC’S COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FY 2012

    City Comptroller John C. Liu today released his Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year 2012. The report shows that, despite difficult economic circumstances, for the 32nd consecutive year New York City completed its fiscal year with a General Fund surplus, as determined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The report is due on Oct. 31st each year, as required by the City Charter.

“We are pleased to present the city’s financial report on time, notwithstanding Hurricane Sandy,” said Comptroller Liu. “The City’s budget is balanced for fiscal 2012. We expect some economic and revenue growth over the next few years, but must be vigilant aboutlooming deficits, the cost impact of the hurricane, and the potentialfiscal cliff requiring Washington’s action.”

Among other important economic findings, the report contains updateson New York City’s finances, including:

City pension funds, which paid benefits totaling $11.5 billion duringfiscal year 2012 funded from the sale of investments. Employer andemployee contributions to the City pension funds were $9.1billion and$1.0 billion, respectively.

As of June 30, 2012, the City pension funds had aggregate investmentassets, excluding cash from the settlement of pending purchases andsales, of $122.1 billion representing an increase of $2.1 billion from the June 30, 2011 value of $119.9 billion. During the fiscal year, the market value of the assets ranged from a low of $108.1 billion to a high of $123.8 billion.

Notable securities litigation developments in fiscal year 2012 included the appointment on December 28, 2011 of the City pension funds as lead plaintiffs in the securities class action pending against Community Health Systems, Inc.; and a derivative lawsuit against officers and directors of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in connection with their alleged failure to properly investigate and remedy a reported bribery scheme in Mexico. In a securities class-action lawsuit against Wachovia Corp. in which the City pension funds were lead plaintiff, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York granted final approval on June 12, 2012 to a $75 million cash settlement of the action, which related to that company’s alleged failure to disclose problems with its residential mortgage loans.

In Fiscal Year 2012, the Comptroller’s Bureau of Audit issued 92 audits and special reports. Many of these audits focused on the effectiveness and service quality of City programs. Others focused on financial issues, identifying approximately $304.3 million in actual and potential revenue and savings. Reviews of claims filed against the City identified another $25.6 million in cost avoidance.

In fiscal year 2012, the City paid $588.6 million in settlements and judgments (tort and non-tort), representing a 3% increase from the prior year. These cases ranged from trip and fall to medical malpractice, police action, property damage, and contract claims.

In fiscal year 2012, the City and its Blended Component Units issued $10.10 billion of long-term bonds to finance the City’s capital needs and to refinance certain outstanding bonds for interest savings. The New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority (Water Authority) issued $3.51 billion of long-term bonds to finance the City’s capital plan and to refinance certain of its outstanding bonds for interest savings. Conditions were ideal for refinancing outstanding bond issues. The City issued a total of $4.28 billion of refunding bonds
through the General Obligation, New York City Transitional Finance Authority (TFA), and Water Authority credits. This accounted for 31% of the total issuance for these credits and generated a total of $523.88 million in present value savings.

BRONX EMERGENCY BLOOD DRIVE-- THIS FRIDAY!!!

PLEASE DONATE & HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

   ATTENTION BRONXITES:   

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!

The New York Blood Center (NYBC) has lost approximately 4500 units of blood due to cancellations Mon – Wed.  They anticipate that they will continue to be forced to cancel blood drives throughout the weekend and perhaps even into next week. 

 

Monday, 10/29, NYBC operated just 5 of 45 Sites (45 Operations - A  combination of Donor Centers and Community blood drives).

 Tuesday, 10/30, NYBC operated just 4 of 45 Sites (45 Operations - A   combination of Donor Centers and Community blood drives).

Wednesday 10/31, NYBC are operating just 10 of 45 Sites.

 

NYBC hopes to be at 50% of capacity Thursday and perhaps 75% by Friday and the weekend.

  

In all, NYBC will likely have lost 6000 or more donations, and types O-, B- and platelets are in extremely short supply.

Anything you can do to help would be really appreciated.

BRONX EMERGENCY BLOOD DRIVE

This FRIDAY, November 2^nd, 2012

9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Bronx County Building

851 Grand Concourse-Veterans Memorial Hall -1^st Floor Rotunda.

 

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