Last Weeks 100 PERCENT Column

Here is what you would have seen in last weeks 100 PERCENT column in the Bronx News and Parkchester News papers. The column was bumped for that lovely two page ad from Major World Auto.

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

Klein Wins Big at Ben Franklin Dem Club

     Before I get into what happened at the Ben Franklin Democratic Club endorsement for the 34^th State Senate district, Congratulations go out to Mr. William Rivera the new Chairman of Community Board 9. William has worked hard on CB 9 as the chair of the Public Safety/Housing Committee, and was rewarded by being voted in as the youngest Community Board Chair in New York City.

    Just a few days after Riverdale Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman Andrew Cohen, both Democratic district leaders, and several other prominent Riverdalians endorsed incumbent state senator Jeff Klein for re-election the Ben Franklin Democratic Club met for the purpose of a club endorsement vote for the Democratic Primary. Former Councilman Oliver Koppell had finally announced his candidacy for the 34^th state senate seat so this club vote had three options. Option one, a club endorsement for incumbent State Senator Jeff Klein. Option two, an endorsement of challenger Oliver Koppell. Option three, a vote of no endorsement of either candidate in the race.

     It seemed that the Koppell strategy at the Ben Franklin Club was to have the club not endorse any candidate in the 34^th district. This would seem to be a victory for Koppell as the club as a whole would not carry petitions for Klein. It became evident that during the floor fight of how to vote on the matter of the club endorsing or not that Oliver Koppell was not going to have the club behind him. The vote to endorse a candidate turned out to be 84 Ayes, 23 Nays, and 0 abstentions.

      BFDC President Ellen Feld then went over the rules of how the candidates would speak, answer questions, and then have surrogates speak on their behalf, something she had done many times before. She mentioned that the club usually goes by alphabetical order but that both candidates have agreed to let Oliver Koppell go first.

      Oliver Koppell went over his vast experience in public office. He continued that he had endorsed Jeff Klein in the past against Steve Kaufman, When Kaufman said if he was elected that he would work with the Republicans in the state senate. Koppell then attacked Klein for betraying the Senate Democratic Conference majority by empowering Republican Leader Dean Skellows to stay in power, and ended by saying “Have you no decency Mr. Klein.” Questions were next, and Koppell was drilled on having overturned the will of the people of the city by extending term limits for himself and allowing Republican Mayor Bloomberg to serve four more years. Other questions included just what did you do besides overturning term limits? Koppell answered by saying that in the state assembly he created the “Bottle Bill”, was chair of the City Council Mental Health Committee, opposed term limits when June Eisland was the Councilwoman before Mayor Bloomberg, and ended by saying that Klein has been in office for 20 years now.

     Jeff Klein spoke of growing up in the Bronx. At age 12 his grandfather told him that Democrats are people like us, and that he is the first Democrat to represent the 34^th State Senate district in 100 years. Klein told of traveling the state to help get a Democratic majority a few years ago with many promises made by the Democrats who took over that were never fulfilled. He added that the Democratic majority only created dysfunction and bred corruption throwing out a few names of the De State Senators who have gone to jail after the Democratic takeover. He said that was the reason for the creation of the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC). He said that items such as the money for Pre-K and many other Democratic ideals never came to the senate floor under Republican or even Democratic leadership that have under the IDC co-leadership. Klein was then asked several questions that included how much money he had received from charter school advocates, his pro death penalty stance, failure of the Dream Act, and where he stands on hydrofracking. Klein said he did not know how much or just who donated to his campaign from the charter school advocates, that he is in favor of the death penalty being brought back,.Klein added that it was him who brought the Dream Act to the senate floor, that all IDC members voted for it, but not all Senate Democrats did. Klein closed by saying that he is opposed to hydrofracking adding that the Sierra Club and NCLV have endorsed him. Oliver Koppel;ls wife Lorraine tried to take a shot at Senator Klein by asking him why there were no minority members of the IDC.

     The surrogate speakers were next, and Koppell's wife called Klein a racist for not having a minority member of the IDC. Several Koppell supporters said that Klein is not a real Democrat and has let the Republicans stay in power in the state senate. 33^rd State Senator Gustavo Rivera who has been at odds with Klein in the state senate gave a lukewarm speech at times praising Klein, but ended asking the club to endorse Oliver Koppell in the 34^th district.

      On the Klein side Councilman Cohen spoke of how Senator Klein has helped him in dealing with some problems in his council district. Others who spoke for Senator Klein spoke of his experience and compared Klein to getting rid of the gridlock that had been holding things up in Albany, including having an on time state budget for the past four years. The clincher was the last speaker Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz who answered the calls of his disloyalty to Koppell by saying “Where was Oliver Koppell at the Paradise Theater when all but two of the Ben Franklin Club members were supporting him to become the new Bronx Democratic County Committee Chair?' Dinowitz then said as he was being assaulted in the back Oliver Koppell and his wife were on stage with Jose Rivera, Maria Baez, and Larry Seabrook trying to keep them in power over me and the eventual winners that night. As Dinowitz continued and one could hear by his voice that he did not want to say what he was, but it was Oliver Koppell who wanted Loyalty and Democratic values over a very effective legislator. Dinowitz continued that in the 2009 mayors race Oliver Koppell did not endorse the Democratic candidate Bill Thompson. That Koppell choose to sponsor legislation to extend his term and the term of Republican Mayor Mike Bloomberg, and then endorsed the Republican candidate Bloomberg over the Democratic candidate. Dinowits ended by saying if it was an open seat things would be different, but Senator Jeff Klein is doing an excellent job and deserves to be re-elected.

      The final vote was Klein – 96, Koppell – 38, with 11 votes for no endorsement. Senator Klein said that he now has the endorsement of all the Democratic clubs in his district. Lorraine Coyle Koppell said “It is a sad day for the Ben Franklin Club, it has lost its reason for its existence.” Check my blog for photos of the endorsement meeting.

      Former Governor David Patterson has taken over as New York State Democratic Party chair, and has said that taking over control of the state senate is not his number one priority, party unity is.

     Lastly Saturday June 7^th is Family Day 2014 at Vidalia Park from 12 – 5 PM. The park is located on East 187^th Street between Daly & Vyse Avenues. There will be food, fun, games, and musical entertainment by toby Rivera.

      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.

Croton Filtration Monitoring Committee Meeting 5 - 28

This is a recap of the CFMC meeting of May 28th where the DEP did show up and afterwards is this weeks Riverdale Report from the Bronx News.

   Father Richard Gorman the 2014 Chair of the CFMC had 9 items of business on the agenda with items 4, 5, and 6 being the meat and most important. Item # 4 was a presentation by the DEP on DEP's "Water For The Future." This was presented by Associate DEP Commissioner Matthew Mahoney. 

   Mr. Mahoney began with a history of how the New York City Water supply came about before and after World War II. The Catskill/Delaware system supplying most of the NYC water goes through the limestone and is steel reinforced in certain sections. However at the time of WW II steel became precious in the war effort. He then mentioned that the system has to be repaired very soon due to several leaks in the supply line. Mr. Mahoney said that a several mile by-pass is being built so that one major leak can be repaired in Ulster County. With other leaks that will also have to be fixed NYC could loose up to 50% of its water supply. To make up for this water shortfall The DEP is going to use ground wells in Brooklyn and Queens where they will use up to 30 million gallons a day filtering the water at various scattered sites in the two boroughs since that water had not meet federal drinking water standards many years ago.

   The DEP will also use the Croton Water System which has not been used for consumption for many years due to a federal mandate to filter that water, once the Van Cortlandt Park Water Filtration Plant is completed, soon he said. While this is all going on the Jerome Park Reservoir will go through some badly needed maintenance including repairing the east wall that DEP has said is crumbling. Questions of why the JPR maintenance was not done the past several years as it lay empty waiting for the construction of the VCPWFP were answered by Assistant DEP Commissioner Matthew Mahoney simply, "I Don't Know." Mr. Mahoney also said that this work must be done by 2022. 

    Item # 5 was on the scope work already done at JPR including the removal of over 150 trees on the earthen berm of the reservoir that DEP said was compromising the integrity of the berm and had the Parks Department remove. DEP is now reneging on its verbal promise to replace the trees, and says that the Parks Department is now responsible for some since the trees were on Parkland and not DEP land. I asked Mr. Mahoney if all the work on the berm was done, or might we see more trees cut down. His answer was that DEP will have to check the site to make sure, and he could not rule out any more trees being cut down. 

   Item # 6 was on the new entrance to VCP that DEP wants to construct at East 213th Street and Jerome Avenue for use by their vehicles, and the possible need for "Alienation of Parkland due to Closure of Access Road in VCP." DEP claimed that it is a shared roadway for the golf course that is being rebuilt, and also for the Parks Department so the DEP can close the current entrance at Bainbridge Avenue. The construction by DEP has already started on the new road, and there is a large healthy tree right in the middle of the entrance that will have to be removed by the DEP. The next CFMC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday June 20th 7 PM at the DEP office located on Jerome Avenue opposite the site of the Van Cortlandt Park Water Filtration Plant. 

Caribbean-American Heritage Month 2014

Register for Boat Rides for Riverdale RiverFest 2014

This comes from the folks at the Riverdale Riverfest.

Riverdale RiverFest 2014

Sunday, June 15th, 12-6pm, College of Mount Saint Vincent

A Project of the Friends of the Hudson River Greenway in the Bronx

Sail on the Hudson River on June 14th and June 15th! The boat rides are what sets  Riverdale RiverFest apart from all the other special festivals and events held in our community. This year, boat rides are offered throughout the weekend. For Riverdale RiverFest 2014, boat riders have three great ships to choose from! Click here to register for your boat ride today!   AJ Meerwald Tall Ship AJ Meerwald Sail Times & Info: Saturday June 14 (pre-festival) Special pre-festival discounted sails Saturday on the A.J. Meerwald. Enjoy the River without the festival crowds!   Adults: $20; Children (infant - age 14): $10 Saturday, June 14 11:00 am (~2-hour sail) Saturday, June 14 1:30 pm (~2-hour sail)   Sunday June 15 Adults: $25; Children (infant - age 14): $15 Sunday, June 15 11:00 am (~2-hour sail) Sunday, June 15 1:30 pm (~2-hour sail) Sunday, June 15 4:00 pm (~2-hour sail)    John j. Harvey Fireboat  John J. Harvey Fireboat Sail Times & Info: Adults: $20 Children (infant - age 14): $10 Sunday, June 15 3:00 pm (~1-hour ride) Sunday, June 15 4:30 pm (~1-hour ride)       The Mystic Whaler Mystic Whaler Sail Times & Info. Adults: $25  Children: (infant - age 14): $15 Sunday, June 15 9:45 am (~2-hour sail) Sunday, June 15 12:15 pm (~2-hour sail) Sunday, June 15 2:45 pm (~2-hour sail) Click here to register for your boat ride today!   Riverdale RiverFest - on Sunday, June 15th from 12 to 6 p.m. on the riverfront campus of the College of Mount Saint Vincent - celebrates the waterfront   Special thanks to the College of Mount Saint Vincent for hosting this event for the 5th year in a row!

ABRAZO BORICUA IN NEW YORK INVITATION

The Dirty Tricks Some Landlords are Playing to Feed on the Pain and Suffering of Our Community

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

You should know that there are many landlords who are forcing people out of their homes so they can make more money by using those apartments as cluster-site housing for homeless families, and my Senatorial District has become a hot spot for this scam. These landlords are playing very dirty tricks, and this is ruining many people's lives and making our neighborhoods unstable.  

You should know that when these landlords get their current tenants to move out and convert their apartments to cluster-site housing, they charge the city $100+ per night/per apartment, which is comparable to a hotel nightly rate.  (And the price they charge comes nowhere near the level of service any hotel might provide.)  Cluster-site contracts are reported to have cost the city an estimated $77.8 million last year.

You should know that there are constituents from my Senatorial District who tell us that they are being harassed by their landlords to move out of their buildings. They say that the landlords offer them $5000 to $7000 dollars incentive to vacate their homes so the landlord can make money from these apartments by charging the City of New York a lot more money to let homeless families live there.  While $7000 might sound like a lot of money, people on fixed incomes will find themselves homeless in no time if they take these incentives - and it's a small investment for landlords who will profit greatly.

These families who are being forced out of their buildings by their landlords often have no place to go, especially if they are on fixed incomes. They cannot afford to move or rent elsewhere, and if they stay, their living conditions quickly deteriorate, some landlords won't renew their leases, and make life impossible for them to live there.

You should also know that to add insult to injury, the management companies that are being subsidized by New York City to provide maintenance services to these buildings have been neglecting their responsibilities.

These management companies ignore the residents' complaints about deplorable conditions. Rats, mold, debris, holes in walls and floors, leaky roofs, sparking electrical outlets, unreliable heating, and broken fire escapes are common complaints in cluster-site housing buildings in my district. Families and children should not be living in these conditions.  No one should.

Families who reside in buildings where their landlords are converting these buildings to cluster-site housing tenants are not even allowed to have their personal mail delivered to their buildings. Instead, they must go to the local US Post Office and wait on line just to pick up their mail.

Families who reside in these buildings must suffer in silence.  Of course they can join the ranks of other New Yorkers who call 311, but the complaints of cluster-site housing families are somehow not put on the same level as others who call 311 and ask for help.

Ladies and gentlemen, I hope that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Lilliam Barrios-Paoli take notice, pay attention and work to put an end to those greedy landlords who come to our community to feed themselves on the needs and suffering of our people. No more!

This is New York State Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

  

Wave Hill Events Jun 13–Jun 20

  SAT, JUNE 14   FAMILY ART PROJECT: MARK TWAIN GARDEN ADVENTURE
Go on a grand scavenger hunt, as Wave Hill’s illustrious resident Mark Twain did on his world comedic tour. Gather “passport” stamps from each garden area, as well as notes and images, for your own personal booklet and adventure story. Share your story with others or package it as a gift for Dad! Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Illustrious Residents event.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, JUNE 14    TAI CHI CHUAN

Quiet like a mountain, moving like a river, Tai Chi is a sequence of gentle movements based on images found in nature. In this beginner-level class, Irving Yee, a member of the William CC Chen Tai Chi School, introduces students to the internal martial arts and promotes an awareness of its benefits. Sessions are held outdoors; indoors in inclement weather. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11AM

SAT, JUNE 14    COLD PROCESS SOAP-MAKING WORKSHOP: SERENITY WITH LAVENDER
Kensico Soap Bar co-founder and certified soapmaker Kirsten Nagashima leads this fun, hands-on soap making workshop using organic lavender and good-for-you ingredients. Come discover why particular butters and oils are used as we create soap from scratch. You'll also learn about how to use essential oils in soap making. Students will create several lavender-scented soaps that will gently cleanse your skin and relax your entire body. Don’t forget to include a stroll through the gardens to check out Wave Hill’s collection of lavender in full bloom! Space is limited. Ages 12 and older welcome with an adult. Space is limited. $55/$45 Wave Hill Member per project. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x251 or at the Perkins Visitor Center.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 9:30AM–12:30PM

SAT, JUNE 14    COOKING DEMO: FLAVORSOME FLORA—LAVENDER
Join us for a summer-long celebration of aromatic herbs. Sample dishes prepared by chefs from Wave Hill exclusive caterer Great Performances, then stroll in the garden with a horticultural interpreter to see the featured ingredients in their summer glory. Often associated with soaps and potpourri, lavender can be a delightfully unexpected ingredient when used in sweet dishes. Taste lavender-laced treats, then follow your nose to the lavender border to enjoy our diverse collection of lavender in full bloom. Free with admission to the grounds.
ON THE GROUNDS, 1PM

SAT, JUNE 14    GALLERY TOUR
Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of three current exhibitions. In the main gallery, Gregory Crewdson’s Fireflies series is being shown for the first time in its entirety. Crewdson’s photographs capture the fleeting light of these nocturnal creatures. Experience the natural landscape from the comfort of a domestic interior in Marek and Kristyna Milde’s Sunroom Project, an installation of planters shaped as couches and chairs. In the Sun Porch space, listen to With Hidden Noise, a traveling exhibition featuring evocative sounds, some recognizable from traditional instruments and field recordings, and others masked through electronic processes. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

SUN, JUNE 15   FAMILY ART PROJECT: MARK TWAIN GARDEN ADVENTURE
Go on a grand scavenger hunt, as Wave Hill’s illustrious resident Mark Twain did on his world comedic tour. Gather “passport” stamps from each garden area, as well as notes and images, for your own personal booklet and adventure story. Share your story with others or package it as a gift for Dad! Free with admission to the grounds. Illustrious Residents event.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, JUNE 15    HATHA YOGA

Reduce stress, increase your energy and bring strength and flexibility to mind, body and spirit with a yoga practice. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. Ms. Dewji is certified in Hatha and Therapeutic Yoga from The Yoga for Health Foundation, England, and The Integral Yoga Institute, NYC. All levels welcome. Sessions are held outdoors, indoors in inclement weather. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11:15AM

SUN, JUNE 15    MEDITATION

This spring, take a moment to release stress and reconnect with your inner self while practicing meditation. Each session includes instruction in simple techniques followed by 20 to 30 minutes of meditation. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. All levels welcome. Sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11:30AM‒12:45PM

SUN, JUNE 15    GARDEN 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, JUNE 16

Closed to the public

TUE, JUNE 17    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

TUE, JUNE 17    GALLERY TOUR
Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of three current exhibitions. In the main gallery, Gregory Crewdson’s Fireflies series is being shown for the first time in its entirety. Crewdson’s photographs capture the fleeting light of these nocturnal creatures. Experience the natural landscape from the comfort of a domestic interior in Marek and Kristyna Milde’s Sunroom Project, an installation of planters shaped as couches and chairs. In the Sun Porch space, listen to With Hidden Noise, a traveling exhibition featuring evocative sounds, some recognizable from traditional instruments and field recordings, and others masked through electronic processes. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

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 until noon on Tuesdays in June. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs 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 30 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 242^nd 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.

 

City, State and Federal Legislators Announce Citywide Coalition Against Predatory Equity in Housing

  Council Members Dan Garodnick, Ritchie Torres, and Jumaane Williams announced the formation of a coalition to fight one of the major threats to New York's affordable housing stock: predatory equity.

The Coalition Against Predatory Equity (CAPE) already boasts over 40 elected officials and scores of advocates and is expected to grow considerably. They have organized around 4 principles that will protect affordable housing from being purchased in overleveraged deals that put tenants in the crosshairs. Such deals have endangered affordable units in places like Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village, the Three Boro Pool portfolio, the Urban American Portfolio, and many others. 

CAPE’s organizing principles are:

1) We need a commitment from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that they will not lend money in any residential housing deal that puts affordable housing at risk. These mortgage giants play an enormous role in securitizing mortgages for home sales, but their charge should be kept to helping Americans afford a home, not helping drive Americans from those homes. This standard should apply to them making an investment directly or through any affiliate.  Their balance sheet should have no exposure to plans that weaken our city.

2) Responsible investment of City and State pension funds.  Some recent over-leveraged deals designed to harm tenants were supported by the investment of pension funds around the country.  We must invest responsibly to ensure pension fund growth, while also avoiding deals that do harm to our affordable housing stock.

3) No subsidies for deals that create risk for affordable housing.  We want to end any special protections from government -- either through tax breaks or subsidies -- that enable the reduction of affordable housing.  Government help may exist to promote development, or to renovate apartment units, but with such benefits should also come an obligation to keep housing affordable to the maximum extent.

4) Legislative solutions defending tenants.  We will seek opportunities to support legislation that helps to limit the abuses of predatory equity, and assists tenants in over-leveraged buildings.

"We are not going to just sit back and watch as properties get ravaged and tenants get harassed repeatedly in this city, " said Council Member Dan Garodnick, who represents Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village, and released a report about the dangers of over-leveraged housing last month.  "This is a broad and determined coalition, and together we are determined to fight to end these predatory practices." 

“One of enduring lessons the recent housing collapse taught us is that there are certain investors who will take out risky mortgages with no solid plan to avoid default. When defaults occur, tenants suffer from unlivable conditions and are often constructively evicted from their homes. Those engaged in predatory equity not only threaten the homes that people have lived in for decades, but they help deplete this city of desperately needed affordable units,” said Council Member Williams. “As chair of the council’s Committee on Housing and Buildings, I’ll do everything I can to end this dangerous practice and protect tenants and income-targeted housing. I am proud to stand with Council Members Garodnick and Torres on this effort.”

“ We cannot allow bad-actor landlords to overleverage the value of our homes and threaten the city’s already limited availability of affordable housing. In forming this coalition we are taking a stand against the degradation of a vital public resource,” Said Council Member Ritchie Torres, a leader in the fight against predator equity.

"I am proud to join this coalition and its mission to protect and preserve our city's affordable housing.  Nothing was more shocking about the Tishman Speyer - Stuy Town/Peter Cooper transaction than finding out that the federally-chartered Government-Sponsored-Enterprises tasked with expanding affordable housing were actually investing in a deal that could only succeed by converting as many affordable units as possible into  luxury rent apartments.  I introduced legislation at the time to reform these agencies and I will be introducing my bill again this week to send a message that these GSEs cannot game the system and fail to comply with their affordable housing responsibilities. I would like to thank Council Members Garodnick, Torres and Williams for their leadership on this issue," said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12).

“I commend Council members Garodnick, Williams and Torres for creating this coalition, which will serve as an important tool to address the problem of risky, predatory investment in New York City’s affordable housing stock," said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. “Too often, high-leverage deals have led to disturbing reports of tenant harassment and high levels of disinvestment. Recently, for example, my office confronted the owners of a 1700-unit portfolio - where landlords were resorting to illegal tactics to salvage a bad business deal - and forced them to respect the rights of tenants and compensate renters for their hardship. My office will continue to keep a close watch on these deals as they evolve, and I look forward to working with the coalition to enforce the laws protect New York City’s renters."

"Too many New Yorkers are in desperate need of affordable housing throughout our city. We can no longer sit idly by as big banks and big-money investors engage in over-leveraged deals that put our economy and limited housing stock at risk. As a trustee of NYCERS, I am committed to taking a closer look at these deals to ensure that the City is not using pension monies that adversely affect New Yorkers. I am proud to stand with the members of the Council as we call for new policies to protect against predatory equity transactions," said New York City Public Advocate Letitia James.

“New York’s families can’t afford to see their access to quality affordable housing undermined by the purveyors of predatory equity financing and our families need creative solutions that will expand the pool of capital that is invested in meeting the housing needs of all New Yorkers,” Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson said. “Innovative initiatives such as strengthening the Community Reinvestment Act to encourage lending to responsible building owners, ensuring that government subsidies result in the creation of truly affordable quality housing and expanding the investment of City and State pension funds in the affordable housing market are essential measure that will go a long way toward making housing more affordable for the families I represent in the Bronx.”

“The practice of predatory equity investing is the worst thing to hit the NYC housing market since the 2007 crash! The practice is dangerous to our affordable housing market and the working people of New York City, creating a ‘lose-lose’ situation. In order for investors to profit, rents must be raised and the old tenants must move out. If this doesn’t work, the owners disinvest from the buildings, forcing the tenants to live in substandard living conditions. This is unacceptable and it must end. I commend Council Members Daniel R. Garodnick, Ritchie Torres and Jumaane D. Williams for bringing this issue to the forefront and working to put an end to this practice our city,” said Council Member Andy King, Co-Chair, Black, Latino and Asian Caucus.