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Thursday, November 13, 2014
Bronx Borough President Invites You to Celebrate
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
COUNCILMEMBERS, TENANTS RALLY FOR “UNDERLYING CONDITIONS” LEGISLATION
Broad Support For New “Housing Quality Act” Bill That Would Empower Tenants To Bring “Underlying Conditions” Claims Against Landlords
The Mayor’s plan to preserve 120,000 units of affordable housing will require renewed focus on housing quality. On Wednesday, tenants from some of the city’s most troubled housing units – joined by advocates and elected officials – rallied outside City Hall to call for legislation that would give tenants the power to require landlords to fix “underlying conditions” - such as a water leak – rather than merely painting over it.
Council Members Ritchie Torres, Rafael Espinal, and Antonio Reynoso are set to introduce a bill on Thursday that would expand a 2013 law that empowered HPD to bring “underlying conditions” claims. Noting that tenants are the eyes-and-ears on the ground, the new bill would extend to tenants the right to bring such claims against landlords in Housing Court. The bill is part of a broader “Housing Quality Act” package aimed at equipping tenants with the tools they need to ensure that their housing is not just affordable, but also livable.
“In housing – as in life – superficially painting over a problem is not an acceptable solution. Yet under current law, when a landlord fails to cure an underlying problem, such as a water leak, and opts instead to paint over the problem, tenants have limited options. This bill would enable tenants who deal with underlying conditions problems day in and day out, to hold their landlords accountable. This bill would help ensure that housing is not just affordable, but also livable,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres.
“We have some of the highest rent rates in the country and yet too many New Yorkers are living in substandard and unsafe housing conditions," stated Council Member Rafael Espinal. "Often times, necessary work to correct the root causes would be covered up with shoddy patch repairs. This is unacceptable. This bill will give additional teeth to existing law by allowing tenants to take action in housing court and bite down on their negligent landlords to correct these substandard and unsafe housing conditions. It is my hope that this piece of legislation, when enacted, will lead to more New Yorkers living in decent and quality housing."
“Too often, landlords will do only the minimum repairs necessary to correct a violation or issue. This bill seeks to empower tenants to address conditions that lead to recurring problems but remain unaddressed. Our goal with this bill, and the other pieces of the Housing Quality Act, including the expansion of HPD’s Alternative Enforcement Program and the creation of re-inspection fees for HPD inspectors, is to improve quality-of-life for all tenants,” said Council Member Antonio Reynoso.
“This bill gives tenants the power to demand more than superficial repairs from their landlords, by compelling owners and management companies to address the root causes of dangerous and unhealthy apartment conditions. Neglectful landlords have consistently gamed the system by doing the bare minimum. This substandard work has caused tenants across the City to suffer further, problems like leaks and mold are simply covered up and painted over versus being addressed and corrected. I would like to thank Councilmember Torres as well as Councilmembers Reynoso and Espinal for their leadership on tackling this legislative oversight on this issue as well as many other housing concerns that plague NYC tenants,” saidKerri White, Director of Organizing and Policy, Urban Homesteading Assistance Board (UHAB).
"By empowering tenants to compel correction of systemic building problems that result in recurrent housing code violations, this important bill will reduce the need for repetitive litigation which demoralizes tenants and wastes the time and resources of the City and the court system. The bill also discourages landlords from ignoring dysfunctional building systems by increasing the penalties for landlords who fail to correct systemic problems,” said Edward Josephson, Director of Litigation at South Brooklyn Legal Services.
“The Legal Aid Society commends Council Members Ritchie Torres, Antonio Reynoso and Rafael Espinal for introducing this important legislation which will allow tenants to pursue cases against their landlords to repair the underlying conditions in their apartments which caused the housing maintenance code violation. Now tenants can act in partnership with HPD to ensure that New York apartments are kept in safe and good condition. Finally, landlords will be held accountable for repairing the problem and not just re-painting the problem,” said Ellen Davidson, staff attorney at The Legal Aid Society.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Greenway Walk at West 254th Street
The above photo is of the Community Board 8 Special Greenway Committee Chair Phil Friedman walking next to the Hudson River on the water side the Metro North tracks. Mr. Friedman led a tour of over 50 people this past Sunday morning who met in the parking lot of the station. They then went upstairs and over to the southbound platform where towards the end of the platform was a ramp leading to an opening to a short walkway along the Hudson River. The pathway was as long as the train station, and was fenced off (as in the above photo) from track 6 which is a non electrified track that is not in service.
As you will see in the photos below this area between the Hudson River and Metro North tracks could be the starting point for the Riverdale link to the north and south to complete the Hudson River Greenway. There are two more tours of this area will be Sunday Nov. 16th from 2 - 3 PM with assembling at 1:45 PM in the West 254th Street Metro North station parking lot, with a third site visit planned for sometime in December. The next meeting of the CB 8 Special Greenway Committee meeting will be on Monday Dec. 1st starting at 7:30 PM at a location to be determined. You can call the community board office at 718-884=3959 in 1 - 2 weeks for the location.
Left and Right - People assembled in the parking lot of the West 254th Street Metro North Station.
This was the view south as you walked over the station bridge. Track 6 is to the right, and the blue bridge is to the Riverdale Yacht Club only.
This is taken from track 6 looking back at the platform. on the left side is a ramp leading down to the crossing over of track 6.
The path over track 6 to the waterfront park area.
Left - Two people are fishing in the forground.
Right - One of the two overlooks of the Hudson River.
Community Board 8 Chair Dan Padernacht explores north of where the pavement ends as seen in the bottom of the photo.
Here the group is at the bottom end of this path, with the Riverdale Yacht Club in the foreground and track 6 can be seen at the bottom.
Mr. Rob Spalter shows just how much space there is in this section of the waterside area. This however is over a storm sewer overflow pipe that leads into the river.
The empty path next to the water on the other side of the West 254th Street Metro North Station, which is NYC Parks property.
This photo with people on the path.
Memorial Grove at VCP Rememberance
This is one of 37 trees in the Memorial Grove Section of Van Cortlandt Park that has a remembrance of a soldier who fought overseas for the United States in Korea or WWII. There are there three other trees each bearing a plaque for FDR, the Gold Star Mothers, and the VFW Post 8646. In all there are 40 trees that have memorial plaques like this
Over 100 people showed up on Sunday to remember those fallen soldiers and all the others who gave their lives so we could live as we do today. Mr. Herb Barret A veteran of the Korea War has continued his fighting for the restoration of the Memorial Grove in VCP, and that was finally accomplished last year by the Parks Department. He led the Memorial Day remembrance, along with some help as you will see in the photos below. The flag used for the ceremony had only 48 stars on it as was the flag when the soldiers fought.
There was help from the North Riverdale cadets led by Ms. Kay Porcher.
Left - The Color Guard.
Right - The singing of the National Anthem.
Left - Assemblyman Dinowitz says a few words.
Right - Community Board 8 Chair Dan Padernacht.
Councilman Andrew Cohen also addressed the crowd.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
What A Difference 2 Months Makes
The above photo was taken on September 4th 2014 at the opening the new Aldi market on Broadway in the Broadway Mall at West 230th Street Bronx.
The photo below was taken on November 6th 2014 at 3:30 PM in the very same Aldi Market in the Broadway Mall.
The grapes on the left were in the Aldi circular listed as 99 cents a pound in 2 pound bags. When I arrived at the store on Thursday at 3:30 PM I picked up one bag that had a few moldy grapes in it to the manager, who then threw the bag into the garbage. when I asked her if there were more she told me to come back tomorrow after the truck come in since there were no more grapes in the store. I then asked for a 'Rain Check' to purchase the item next week, and was told Aldi does not issue rain checks.
Upon seeing other shoppers in the Aldi Market I asked them about their shopping experience. Half of the people said that they were not coming back to Aldi, while the others said that they like Aldi. This was my first experience to return to Aldi as a shopper, and it will be my last.
Put your comments about your Aldi shopping experience down, and they will be posted.
Friday, November 7, 2014
NYC Speed Limit Now 25 MPH
Starting today November 7th, the speed limit on all New York City streets will be 25 mph unless otherwise posted. This new speed limit will be enforced by the NYPD and with speed enforcement cameras. By getting New York drivers to slow down, we will prevent crashes, protect New Yorkers from injury and save lives. Lowering the speed limit to 25MPH is one aspect of the Mayor’s comprehensive Vision Zero Action Plan to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries.
On average, every two hours, another New Yorker is killed or seriously injured in a traffic crash. And speeding is the leading cause of fatal crashes.
The faster a vehicle is travelling, the more time a driver needs to stop when something unexpected happens – meaning collisions are more likely. And crashes which happen at higher speeds are more deadly- a pedestrian struck by a vehicle travelling at 25 mph is half as likely to die as a pedestrian who is struck by a 30 mph vehicle.
The new 25MPH speed limit will affect all NYC streets, except those where a different speed limit is posted. The speed limits on our highways will remain the same. Some big streets, which have been designed to accommodate faster speeds will remain at 30MPH. Other streets, particularly streets near schools, may have a lower speed limits posted. AfterNovember 7th, 2014, all streets that do not have a posted speed limit have a speed limit of 25mph.
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000 IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000 IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
Improve a park? Make a street safer?
Buy new technology for your local school?
Council Member Andrew Cohen
Is asking YOU to help decide how to spend $1 million of taxpayer money for community improvements.
Join an upcoming neighborhood assembly to brainstorm ideas.
Bedford Park Neighborhood Assembly
Monday, November 10th, 2014 – 7:00pm
Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College
250 Bedford Park Blvd
Refreshments will be provided.
To RSVP or for more info,
Call 718-549-7300 or email
dajohnson@council.nyc.gov
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
What You Should Know
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District
Senator Jeff Klein and IDC are the losers of the week
You should know that Election Day has passed and for all of us in the New York State Senate, the dust has settled. In one of my earlier columns “Who will be the “Cappo di tutti capi” of the New York State Senate?” I mentioned different scenarios about how Senator Dean Skelos, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, or Senator Jeff Klein could be winners and losers.
I made sure to mention how Senator Dean Skelos could be the Comeback Kid of the Year, and last night’s election results proved me right. Senator Dean Skelos has become the Comeback-Kid and the “Cappo di tutti capi” of the New York State Senate.
You should also know that Governor Andrew Cuomo, with all of his power of incumbency, along with the millions of dollars he spent in commercials promoting himself, the $30 million dollars he raised, the support of every Democratic official (except for me) and the support of some Republican elected officials and contributors – he just barely won the election with 54% of the vote.
Westchester County Executive Mr. Robert Astorino, even after being rejected by some of his own Party leadership and the Governor of New Jersey – and with no money – won 41% of the vote. This has sent a strong message to Governor Andrew Cuomo and to everyone that 41% of New York State voters are against his radical agenda.
Governor Andrew Cuomo should rethink his statement that those people don’t have a place in New York. Last night’s election results have proven to me that YES, we have a place. Millions and millions of New York State conservative residents are demanding their place AND to be heard!
You should know that the biggest losers in New York’s 2014 Election are Senator Jeff Klein and the Independent Democratic Conference, known as the IDC – and its Members Senators Diane Savino, David Carlucci, David Valesky and Tony Avella.
As you know, earlier this year when people gave up on the New York State Senate Republican Control as political has-been, Dean Skelos needed the support of Jeff Klein. It was then that Jeff Klein and the IDC practically abandoned the Republican Leader, promising to caucus with the Regular Senate Democratic Leadership after the election.
My dear reader, we all can see that between then and now, things did not come out as planned. Senator Dean Skelos and his Senate Republicans have won 32 seats, and they also have Senator Simcha Felder in their Conference, making Senator Jeff Klein and the IDC not so relevant. I don’t think Jeff Klein will get back from the Republicans the same power and decision sharing to stop bills from coming or not coming to the Senate Floor. I don’t think that by abandoning the Republicans when they were down, the IDC and its Members will be given back what they once had. Jeff Klein and the IDC will probably get something, but it will not be the full authority they had before.
On the other hand, some Members of the Regular Democratic Conference don’t want Jeff Klein back. And so, Jeff Klein and the IDC could find themselves in a situation where they will not be trusted by the Republicans nor by the Democrats.
My dear reader, this is why I think the 2014 election results have made Jeff Klein and the IDC the biggest losers, and Rob Astorino the biggest winner.
You should know that Rob Astorino is the biggest winner because he has taken the mantra of the Republican Party and used it to become the frontrunner for the Republican Party to become Governor of the State of New York in 4 years.
The other winners will be the DREAM’ers because now Governor Andrew Cuomo has been forced to put the DREAM Act into his Budget and fight for it.
This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.