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Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj - Follow me on Social Media
CM COHEN INTRODUCES LEG. TO PREVENT DEADLY WINTERTIME COLLISIONS
Councilman Cohen introduced legislation requiring drivers to remove snow & ice from their vehicles before hitting the road
New York, New York - On Wednesday, February 24th, Council Member Andrew Cohen introduced legislation that would require drivers to remove snow and ice from the tops of vehicles after snow storms before driving them. Failure to comply would lead to a traffic infraction punishable with a fine ranging from $150 to $450. Drivers would not be required to stop operating their vehicles as snow or ice is accumulating.
This sort of legislation has been trending among states, including New York State and could impose fines on drivers if snow flying off their vehicles lead to damage or injury. A 2008 study done by the American Transportation Research Institute showed that the deadliest accidents are caused by airborne ice from larger vehicles.
“Combined with the efforts made by the Department of Sanitation to clear roads and sidewalks in the aftermath of a snowstorm, this common sense legislation would promote safety precautions among drivers and reduce vehicle collisions in a way that snow plow vehicles cannot,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Bronx Democratic County Committee - Upcoming Events
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Senator Ruben Diaz announce the celebration of the 6th “Abrazo Garifuna in New York”
Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, in conjunction with New York State Assemblymen Marcos Crespo, Luis Sepulveda, Michael Blake and newly elected City Council Member Rafael Salamanca, will celebrate the 6th “Abrazo Garifuna in New York.” This event will honor the contributions of the Garifuna-Americans to the State and City of New York .
The Abrazo Garifuna, will take place at Maestro’s Caterers located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx, New York, on Friday, March 11 from7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz together with the elected official and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. , will be presenting proclamations to five (5) distinguished members of the Garifuna Community.
For more Information, please call the Office : Michael Blake –718-538-3829, Marcos Crespo 718-893-0202, Luis Sepulveda 718-931-2620 or Senator Ruben Diaz 718-991-3161
MAYOR DE BLASIO’S TENANT SUPPORT UNIT HELPS 1,000 MANHATTAN TENANTS FIGHT HARASSMENT, SECURE REPAIRS
PROTECTING TENANTS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
Part of 10-fold increase in free legal services for tenants under de Blasio administration
Specialists go door-to-door, securing building repairs and bringing free legal help.
Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the newly created Tenant Support Unit resolved its 1,000th tenant case since it launched in July 2015, keeping tenants in their homes and protecting affordable housing in fast-changing neighborhoods.
The proactive unit goes door-to-door in neighborhoods across the city, informing tenants of their rights, documenting building violations, soliciting complaints related to harassment and eviction, and making referrals to free legal support whenever necessary.
The Tenant Support Unit is part of a multi-pronged approach Mayor de Blasio has implemented to fight displacement. It includes a ten-fold increase in free legal services for tenants – totaling $62 million – that will be fully implemented this year. The administration has also pursued an aggressive preservation program, locking more than 26,000 apartments to date into long-term affordability agreements that help low-income families stay in their homes for decades to come.
Evictions by City Marshals have decreased 24 percent since Mayor de Blasio took office, down from 28,849 in 2013 to 21,988 in 2015.
“When it comes to protecting tenants and affordable housing, we don’t wait for a 311 call to come in. We have teams knocking on doors in fast-changing neighborhoods to solve problems then and there. This is a new strategy that’s helping us keep New Yorkers in their homes and fight displacement before it happens,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Modeled after the outreach program for Pre-K for All that successfully enrolled 68,500 children in free, full-day Pre-K, the Tenant Support Unit reaches New Yorkers directly. Since it launched in July 2015, specialists from the unit have knocked on more than 57,000 doors and called more than 23,000 tenants, identifying 2,400 New Yorkers that needed help. 1,000 of those cases have been resolved so far, and agencies and legal service providers are addressing the remainder.
Key efforts of the Tenant Support Unit:
- Know Your Rights: Specialists are trained to educate tenants about their fundamental rights in multiple languages, ensuring tenants are not intimidated or deceived into accepting a buyout offer or illegal surcharges on their legal rent.
- Securing Repairs: Specialists help tenants document complaints about inadequate heat or hot water, infestations and mold, and work directly with HPD’s Division of Code Enforcement to secure necessary repairs.
- Referrals to Free Legal Services: When specialists encounter evidence of harassment or illegal eviction, they refer tenants to a City-contracted, free legal service provider who can represent tenants in housing court. More than 500 such referrals have been made so far. Combined with 311 referrals, the City’s augmented legal services have aided more than 10,000 tenants over the past year.
“Legal services are an essential part of helping tenants stay in their homes, reducing homelessness and preserving affordable housing. The City's free legal services for tenants have already served 10,000 households,” said Human Resources Administration Commissioner Steven Banks.
“The multi-pronged anti-harassment strategy the de Blasio administration has implemented across New York City – which includes the Tenant Support Unit – has been invaluable in helping to protect tenants who are being pressured by bad-apple landlords seeking to push them out through neglect and other tactics. We congratulate the Tenant Support Unit on this impressive first milestone, and their work helping tenants and the City fight property owners who are not playing by the rules,” said Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Vicki Been.
“With fears running high over tenant displacement by unscrupulous landlords, it is great to know northern Manhattan residents, as well as those across the city, have a dedicated team to back them up,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. “Less than a full year in and the Tenant Support Unit is already showing overwhelmingly positive results. The peace of mind for tenants – knowing they have free legal support to fight back, inspectors to keep them safe in their buildings and a dedicated team fighting to preserve housing affordability – is immeasurable. I urge anyone facing harassment, unsafe living conditions or eviction to contact the Tenant Support Unit right away. Every hardworking New Yorker deserves affordable housing. The de Blasio administration is dedicated to this goal, not just through getting this housing built, but by protecting those who already have it.”
“Legal services are vital in combating the eviction epidemic, reducing homelessness and ensuring the voices of vulnerable New Yorkers can be heard,” said Council Member Mark Levine. “New York City has implemented a comprehensive strategy to change the game for tenants, level the playing field and bring crucial support directly to their doors. I commend Mayor de Blasio and my colleagues for aggressively fighting displacement in our neighborhoods so more hard-working New Yorkers can live comfortably in their homes.”
“The Tenant Support Unit has partnered with my office to great effect. The initiative's focus on linking tenants with the legal services they need has been crucial to helping people stay in their homes. I commend Mayor de Blasio for his work on this initiative,” said Assembly Member Guillermo Linares.
“Since 1979, the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation has been providing anti-displacement services that are key to keeping families and communities intact. NMIC applauds the Mayor's efforts to support legal services, and the allocation of additional funds will increase our capacity to provide much needed eviction prevention services,” said Maria Lizardo Executive Director of the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation.
EDITORS NOTE:
This seems to be great news for Manhattan residents, but what is being done in the Bronx?
Assemblymember Michael A. Blake - Pre-K For All Open Enrollment
The Pre-K for All application deadline for families with four-year-olds born in 2012 isFriday, March 4th! This includes children with disabilities and children whose home language is not English.
Pre-K for All provides free, full-day, high-quality pre-K and will lay the foundation of skills and knowledge to prepare for our children for school and life. All programs create a high-quality learning experience designed to support how young children learn and develop. Apply now! Families who apply will receive an offer letter in early May 2016, more than a month earlier than last year.
How to Apply
Pre-K is offered at NYC Department of Education (NYCDOE) district schools, Pre-K Centers, charter schools, and NYC Early Education Centers (NYCEECs). Pre-K Centers are district-based, NYCDOE-operated programs that serve only pre-K students. NYCEECs (also known as community-based organizations, or CBOs) are private organizations that partner with the NYCDOE to provide pre-K programs.
There are three ways to apply using a single application, available in ten language. Interpretation services are provided in over 200 languages for applications submitted over the phone and in person.
o Online at nyc.gov/prek.
o Over the phone by calling 718-935-2067.
o In person, at a Family Welcome Center.
Explore Your Options
A list of available programs will be provided in the Pre-K Directory, which is accessible on the pre-K website in ten languages. Printed copies of the Directory are available at district schools, NYCEECs, Family Welcome Centers, libraries, and other community centers. For the most up-to-date information, families are encouraged to use Pre-K Finder online.
For additional support, please contact the Pre-K for All Outreach Team at 212-637-8000 or pre-k@schools.nyc.gov.
Regards,
Assemblyman Michael Blake
KRVC - Upcoming Events
KRVC's 2016 Calendar of Events
Thursday, March 31
Community Jazz Concert,7-9:30pm at Kelly Ryan's,
5790 Mosholu Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471
Sunday, April 17
Greenway Day, 1-3pm
at Riverdale Station Park, West 254th Street,
at Riverdale Station Park, West 254th Street,
and the Hudson River, Bronx, NY 10471
Sunday, May 1
South Riverdale Avenue Festival, 1-5pm,
South Riverdale Avenue Festival, 1-5pm,
Riverdale Avenue,
236th-238th Street,
Bronx, NY 10463
236th-238th Street,
Bronx, NY 10463
Saturday, June 4
Boat Rides, Schedule TBA & Movie on the River, 8pm at the College of Mount Saint Vincent
Boat Rides, Schedule TBA & Movie on the River, 8pm at the College of Mount Saint Vincent
Sunday, June 5
Riverdale RiverFest,
12-6pm at the College of Mount Saint Vincent
Riverdale RiverFest,
12-6pm at the College of Mount Saint Vincent
Saturday, July 23
Movie in Seton Park,
7-10 pm, 232nd Street
and Riverdale Avenue,
Bronx, NY 10463
Movie in Seton Park,
7-10 pm, 232nd Street
and Riverdale Avenue,
Bronx, NY 10463
Saturday, September 10Movie in Vinmont Park,
7-10pm, 255th Street
and Mosholu Avenue,
Bronx, NY 10471
7-10pm, 255th Street
and Mosholu Avenue,
Bronx, NY 10471
Sunday, September 18 Johnson Avenue Festival,1-5pm, Johnson Avenue, 235th-236th Street,
Bronx, NY 10463
Bronx, NY 10463