SENATOR KLEIN, ASSEMBLYMAN DINOWITZ & COUNCIL MEMBER COHEN HOST SCRIE/DRIE & EPIC TOWN HALL

Senator Jeff Klein, joined by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Council Member Andrew Cohen, held a Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE), Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) and Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) town hall at Riverdale Neighborhood House on Monday.

“Helping to make life more affordable for Bronx seniors and individuals with disabilities ensures that all New Yorkers are able to lead long, healthy, happy lives. That’s why I led the fight in Albany to raise the income cap to $50,000 for SCRIE/DRIE, and up to $100,000 for the EPIC program. With these important increases, nearly 50,000 additional New Yorkers are eligible to receive discounts and can get the coverage they need. I’m proud to host this SCRIE/DRIE and EPIC town hall and I look forward to many more productive, informative sessions coming up next month where we can spread the word to Bronxites about these vital programs,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

At the town hall, seniors and individuals with disabilities were able to check their eligibility and sign up for the SCRIE/DRIE and EPIC programs. Both the New York City Department of Health and the New York City Department of Finance were on-hand to answer questions, provide information and enroll participants in the programs on-the-spot.

“My office has helped countless people fill out SCRIE forms over the years to help them receive a rent freeze. Despite that, there are still many people who are eligible for SCRIE/DRIE but who have not applied. Last year we raised the maximum allowable income available for the SCRIE/DRIE program causing many additional people to qualify. Given skyrocketing rents, I strongly urge any senior who thinks that they are eligible for a rent freeze to contact my office and we will help you apply,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz.

“As of November 2014, the Department of Finance (DOF) reported approximately 94,000 eligible seniors and persons with disabilities were not yet enrolled to receive New York City rent freeze programs. These programs are a lifeline for our most vulnerable population. I want to ensure that those who are eligible understand the enrollment process and are getting the help they need. I will continue to coordinate with my colleagues in government and the DOF to host these workshops to make sure anyone who has questions about the process is able to receive an immediate answer,” said Council Member Cohen.  

In 2014, Senator Klein raised the SCRIE/DRIE income cap to $50,000 to help seniors make ends meet. That same year, Senator Klein expanded eligibility for older adults under EPIC by raising the income threshold to $75,000 for individuals, and $100,000 for married couples. Together, these programs offer substantial discounts that can help keep life affordable for seniors living out their golden years in The Bronx.

For more information on upcoming SCRIE/DRIE and EPIC town halls in your neighborhood, please contact Senator Klein’s office at 1-800-718-2039.

Experts on Scrie/Drie and EPIC were on hand to answer any questions, and help fill out the forms for Scrie/Drie or Epic.

Pelham Parkway-Van Nest Library Block Party

   It was The New York Public Library Lion, Spiderman, and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj making a joint appearance at the Barnes Avenue Block Party today. The Block Party was sponsored by the NYPL branch on Barnes Avenue. There were information tables, face painting, balloon figure makers, artists, tenant organizations, the NYFD, and even the NYC Board of Elections on hand as you will see in the photos below.

Above - Chris Pagen a volunteer from the NYPL Barnes Avenue branch and artist illustrated NYPL folders with a personal touch for each child.

Below - Earl the Balloon Man makes a flower out of balloons for a special little girl.  

Above - A young girl gets her face painted.

Below - Some members of the local rent stabilized buildings on Barnes Avenue 'The Barnes Avenue Tenants and Neighbors' complained of a landlord who owns the east side of Barnes Avenue 2146 - 2182 Barnes Avenue who they said was trying to increase the rents of the rent stabilized buildings by not giving the proper services, and harassing many of the tenants, especially those who complained of the said poor building services.   

Above - Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj greets those who came to the Barnes Avenue Block Party.
Below - Spiderman gets ready to climb the wall of the Pelham Parkway Van Nest Library building.

There were representatives from the Board of Elections on hand to register voters for the upcoming September Primary, if there is to be one, and the November General Election this year. Don't forget that next year (2016) is the election for a new president of the United States.

Statement from Senator Rivera on the End of Session

  The following comes from State Senator Gustavo Rivera.

THE BIG UGLY

"I am deeply disappointed on the end results of this legislative session. It is appalling that throughout the negotiation process hardworking New Yorkers were used as political pawns to serve special interest. The policies included in this legislation simply fail to adequately address the dire issues facing New Yorkers in the areas of housing, education, and criminal justice reform."

HOUSING

"The failure to make significant changes to the rent-regulation laws ensures that at least 90 thousand apartments will be deregulated during the next four years, further exasperating our housing crisis and leaving thousands of New Yorkers struggling to afford a home. Furthermore, this deal made little effort to fix the 421a tax abatement that is supposed to encourage the development of additional affordable housing.

EDUCATION

At a time when our public schools are struggling, this legislation uses public resources to assist private schools and allows charter schools to continue to determine their admissions process without requiring that they serve an adequate portion of high need students in the communities they are in. It also extends Mayoral Control for only one year, leaving New York City's educational system exposed to the political whims of next year's legislative session.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

It is truly unbelievable that given the current climate criminal justice reform was not addressed during this legislative session.  This legislation completely omits any measure that would help make our criminal justice system more balanced and just - whether we are talking about the implementation of an independent prosecutor for cases involving a police officer that result in the injury or death of a civilian, decriminalizing syringes or raising the age of criminal responsibility.

Editor's Note:

   It seems very interesting that Senator Rivera has adopted the "Our Public Schools are Struggling", instead of admitting that Mayoral Control has done nothing to end or even slow down the fact that more public schools are failing than before Mayoral Control. That is the reason parents, especially those with students who achieve higher scorers on the state tests are looking for a better education system than the public school system.
   As for the other issues Senator Rivera, admit that Speaker Heastie did little if anything, and was outflanked by Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and Governor Cuomo.  Until then you can stand on your soap box and yell at the top of your lungs, but no one will listen to you.

   See the statement from Assemblyman Pichardo that I have placed below.
Which one of the two are correct Senator Rivera?

Assemblymember Pichardo: Rent regulations agreement enhances tenant protections

“My neighbors in the Bronx and families across New York State can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the vital rent laws that help them stay in their homes and neighborhoods will not only be extended, but improved. The final agreement includes a four-year extension of rent regulations, ends loopholes that were detrimental to renters and increases the vacancy decontrol threshold while requiring that it be indexed to future increases.

From day one, the Assembly has been an unflinching advocate for tenants’ rights and I’ve long supported efforts to bolster the laws that protect renters and increase access to affordable housing. We refused the extreme proposals that would have shortchanged tenants and worked to find a compromise because the more than 29,000 families who live in rent-regulated units in my district deserve peace of mind knowing that they will not be forced from their homes. Moving forward, I will continue to be a staunch supporter of pro-tenant measures that protect my constituents and renters across the state.”

Pelham Parkway-Van Nest Library Block Party

  The Pelham Parkway- Van Nest Library will host its second annual Summer Kick Off Block Party on Saturday, June 27 from 12:00pm - 4:00pm, on Barnes Avenue between Lydig Avenue and Pelham Parkway South. The event is co-sponsored by Health First, Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, Senator Jeff Klein and Councilman James Vacca.

The event kicks off the summer season with a family friendly community resource fair and block party featuring music, BBQ, free raffles, Bounce House, youth activities and much more. All are welcome to attend to enjoy as we welcome the summer.

STATEMENT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER ANDY KING, ON BEING CHOSEN TO CHAIR SUBCOMMITTEE ON LIBRARIES

  "I am humbled and honored to be chosen by my colleagues to chair the Subcommittee on Libraries at this historic time in which the #investinlibraries campaign has forced  us to confront how important these facilities are in our neighborhoods. As a member of the Cultural Affairs Committee, since I entered the City Council in 2012, I have been working on how we, in the Council, can effectively fund and promote the important work our city's three library systems do in our communities every day. I am a Bronx native who grew up going to the New York Public Library and it has helped to make me who I am today. I promise I will remain committed to ensuring our libraries remain the beacons of light they have been for over a century," said Council Member Andy King, the third-ever council member to hold the position.

Simone Developers Celebrate Grand Opening of Marriott Residence at Metro Center Atrium Complex

Left - Simone Development Vice-President Joe Kelleher. 

Right - Simone Developers President Joe Simone. As both stand in front of the new Marriott Residence Inn at the Hutchinson Metro Tech Center. 

Both were very energetic about the new Marriott Residence Inn that is owned by Simone Developers as a franchise from Marriott International. The new Marriott Residence Inn is located in the heart of the Hutch Metro Center just off the Hutchinson Parkway, and within 200 feet of the newly proposed Metro North Station for the Morris Park section of the Bronx. The new Metro North Station when completed will allow residents of this Marriott Residence Inn to get to Midtown Manhattan by rail in less than 30 minutes. Mr. Simone added that people who stay at this Marriott Residence will be able to visit the Bronx Zoo, Bronx Botanical Gardens, Yankee Stadium, and the new Donald Trump Golf Course, all world class destinations for anybody among the other finer things the Bronx has to offer.

Above - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., City Councilman Jimmy Vacca, and Father Richard Gorman (who gave the invocation, and blessing for the new Marriott Residence Inn) were among those on hand.

Below - Senator Jeff Klein and Assembly members Mark Gjonaj & Michael Benedetto were still up in Albany, as you see representatives sitting in for them. 

Above - The ribbon is about to be cut by Mr. Joe Simone as BP Diaz and others await the ribbon cutting.

Below - At last the ribbon is cut to officially open the new Marriott Residence Inn at the Hutch Metro Center. A tour of the hotel and a small buffet of delicious appetizers followed. 

Tentative Albany Deal on Rent Regulations, 421A, Property Tax Cap, and Mayoral Control, but Little Details

   A tentative deal has been agreed upon by the 3 men in the room, Governor Andrew Cuomo, State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. This deal however is subject to ratification by the members of the State Assembly and State Senate.

   As for Rent Regulations there could be a 4 year extension with some higher threshold for vacancy decontrol which was not announced. It also includes a higher threshold landlords need for MCI increases, but again no numbers were announced. 

  The 421A deal is a 6 month extender contingent upon the real estate industry and labor unions agreeing on a prevailing wage during the 6 months. If that happens the 421A program will be extended to 4 years and be tied to Rent Regulations. If there is no agreement on a prevailing wage in 6 months the 421A program will end.

    As for the Property Tax Cap no details were announced, just that there was a deal for a $1.3 million dollar property tax rebate for homeowners outside New York City. 

   Mayoral Control will be extended for another year with no details, with $250 million dollars will go to private schools for reimbursement of mandated services, again no details of what services.

   It is now up to each individual state legislature to vote on the agreements by their respective leaders. It looks like some state legislatures will have to have this deal shoved down their throats to get it passed over objections of said state legislatures, but it should be able to be passed by both houses since there were items specific to one house of the state legislature over the other put in.

PILOT ACCESS COMING TO JEROME PARK RESERVOIR

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is praising a decision by the City’s Department of Environmental Protection to expand public access to the Jerome Park Reservoir.

“This is incredibly welcome news, and something my office has advocated for over the past few years. Jerome Park Reservoir is a historic gem of the Northwest Bronx, yet for too long access to its paths has been denied to the public for a variety of reasons. The announcement by Emily Lloyd, commissioner of the City’s Department of Environmental Protection, to begin the process of expanding public access to the Jerome Park Reservoir is incredibly welcome, and I look forward to helping plan and implement access for the reservoir in the fall,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Borough President Diaz added, “It is my hope that this announcement is the first step towards greater, permanent access to this incredible amenity.”

At a meeting of the Filtration Monitoring Committee on Monday, June 22, Commissioner Lloyd announced the creation of a task force that will convene this summer. That task force will plan a three part pilot access program for the reservoir this fall, which will include walking tours of the reservoir; a two-hour open session where people can access the reservoir inside the existing security fence and an educational curriculum developed for local schools. 

Access to the Jerome Park Reservoir has been a high priority for Borough President Diaz since he took office in 2009. In May 2011, the borough president hosted a press conference with elected officials and community leaders to call for improved access to the Jerome Park Reservoir, and in June 2011 he hosted a public hearing to solicit greater input from Bronxites on the future of public access to Jerome Park Reservoir. In June 2014, Borough President Diaz joined State Senator Jeff Klein and Assembly Jeffrey Dinowitz to support legislation that would declare Jerome Park Reservoir a public park.

“Improved public access to the Jerome Park Reservoir will not only create new recreation activities in our borough, it will help unite communities across the Northwest Bronx. I congratulate the elected officials, community boards and dedicated activists whose work has helped make this announcement possible, and I look forward to walk around the reservoir this fall,” said Borough President Diaz. 

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) issued the following statement:

“After meeting with DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd last night I am pleased that DEP has announced a pilot program for access to the Jerome Park Reservoir. As a long-time activist for Jerome Park Reservoir this is extremely welcome news and I hope it is the beginning of a long-term access plan so that Bronx residents can enjoy one of the city’s most beautiful resources now and in the future. It is great to see that DEP has listened to the community in agreeing to this pilot project, just as they agreed to the pedestrian bridge project in Van Cortlandt Park recently. I have worked for many years on both of these issues and I'm thrilled to see that the hard work of so many people and elected officials has paid off,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz.

Council Member Andrew Cohen Applauds the Decision to Make the Grounds of the Jerome Park Reservoir Accessible to Members of the Community

 At a meeting of the Filtration Monitoring Committee on Monday, June 22^nd, Emily Lloyd, Commissioner of the City’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), announced the creation of a task force that will commence this summer. That task force will plan a pilot program for public access to the reservoir this fall. The pilot program will include the use of the perimeter path around the reservoir, an educational tour of the site and its facilities for local schools, as well as a two-hour open session where people can access the reservoir inside the existing security fence. Council Member Andrew Cohen applauded this decision to make the grounds of the Jerome Park Reservoir accessible to members of the community.

“I have been a long-time advocate for Parks and public access to open green space throughout The Bronx. Members of our community have advocated for a public access plan to the Jerome Park Reservoir since 2006, which makes this pilot program a welcomed opportunity. This will increase the amount of recreational space that is available for residents of The Bronx in an open-air landscape without having to leave the City. I look forward to continuing my work with the DEP to implement access to the Reservoir and hope to see this become a permanent amenity for my neighbors,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

The Jerome Park Reservoir is a 93-acre open air reservoir that was placed in service in 1905. Since September 11, 2001 the entire Jerome Park Reservoir site was off-limits to the public for both security and operational reasons. Understanding that the role of the reservoir would change once the Croton Filtration Plant began operating, Bronx civic leaders asked the DEP to commit to making the reservoir accessible to the public after that time.