“Brunch Bill” Vote Explained

   Assemblyman Dinowitz Statement on Nay Vote for “Brunch Bill”

   “New York State’s Blue Laws are archaic, outdated, and frankly, biased against those communities that don't observe their Sabbath on Sundays. Though I believe we must update these laws to more equitably treat those who observe the Sabbath on any day of the week, I simply don’t feel it is our job as legislators to be in the business of encouraging activities such as drinking early on Sunday mornings, or on any other day for that matter.”

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj - Morris Park Gas Main Project

MORRIS PARK GAS MAIN PROJECT 2016 On Wednesday June 1, 2016, employees from ConEd met with the Morris Park Association to explain the work being done in the Morris Park area.  They explained that the work being done is part of a Gas Main Replacement Program which is part of a green energy program and will assist in converting from oil heat to gas heat and replace the existing piping to plastic piping, which is more durable and has a longer life. The work being done is targeted to areas based on historical data that has been shown to have leaks. The piping in these areas are being updated, even if there have been no leaks, in an effort to prevent leaks in the future. The primary focus of these updates will be from Williamsbridge Road to Bogart Avenue, which can be seen on the map below. The area highlighted in the blue is the "Accelerated Main Project" where the most significant amount of work has and will be done.  The area highlighted in green indicates the "Non Prone Leak Pipes" which has already been completed, while the red highlighted area shows additional piping that will be replaced. The entire area may take up to one year to complete with 6 months to a year total time to convert to the use of natural gas. Each project area will take 3 weeks to one month to complete, depending on the amount of homes on each block. We do not have dates in which the work will be done in each area; however, we will update the community when that information becomes available. We ask that you be patient during the time in which this work is being done. THANK YOU!!!

WILLIAMS RESPONDS TO INDICTMENT OF THREE-QUARTER HOUSE OWNER, ASSOCIATE

  Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings, reacted to the arrest and indictment of Yury Baumblit, along with his employee, Edwin Elie, on charges that the duo illegally evicted tenants who lived in 3/4 houses between April 2014 and March 16, 2016. The defendants allegedly unlawfully evicted at least 10 tenants who occupied rooms for over 30 days - even though landlords cannot evict a tenant who occupies a room or a bed for 30 consecutive days without a court order.

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS 

 

"No landlord in New York City should be able to take advantage of our city's most vulnerable residents - whether they are seniors, disabled citizens, low-income families, or those living in transitional housing, such as three-quarter houses,"said Council Member Williams. "Any owner who doesn't think that law enforcement officials, along with elected legislators, aren't watching you and ready to respond should you abuse your tenants, are sorely mistaken. The Committee on Housing and Buildings intends to consider several pieces of legislation in the coming months that cracks down on the exact behavior that Mr. Baumblit and Mr. Elie are accused of in the Brooklyn District Attorney's indictment. We know that we have many tools in the toolkit to protect tenants, and I thank Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson for using one of these tools. I look forward to working with him, along with Speaker, and the administration to ensure that where the City can act, it will."

Kingsbridge Library Reading Hour

   Library Reading Hour sponsored by Rotary Club of Riverdale

  Youngsters 3-12 years old are invited to participate in the Reading Program on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at the Kingsbridge Library, 291 W. 231st St., 1-1:45.  (The Library is closed the prior weekend for July 4th holiday.)  Readers will be grouped by skill level and encouraged to read, helped with pronunciation and word understanding and, for those without reading skills, interpret pictures.  There is no charge for participation.  Enjoy the beauty and air conditioning comfort of our newest area library.

The Rotary Club of Riverdale is part of Rotary International and sponsors the library reading project as a local community service.

 

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - 2016 Business & Health Expo

  The people who were involved in this years Bronx Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business and Health Expo which was held at 'The Mall at Bay Plaza'. 

  It was only on the first floor of the three floor mall so when you entered the Mall at Bay Plaza everything was on one level. There were stores on all three levels, with the food court on the third level.

Dozens of merchants and service providers were on hand in the awesome Mall at Bay Plaza, in this photo taken from the third level of the mall. 

Above - The Dodge Boys from Eastchester/Riverdale Dodge/Jeep were on hand, as they hold up one of many booklet filled with facts about Dodge and Jeep vehicles. 

Below - The People from TD Bank were on hand, and while they had many free gifts for those who attended no money was handed out. It has to be earned at one of TD banks many Bronx branches.

Above - The owner of POSTNET a Bronx based company shows off his wares.

Below - The Master Greeter from Joe's Crab Shack explains what Joe's Crab Shack is all about to someone who is just out of the photo.

Above - Nunzio Del Greco President and CEO of The Bronx Chamber of Commerce (right) stands by the Simone Visionary Development table. Simone Development has built many important projects around the Bronx and neighboring Westchester County. 

Below - Mr. Phil Cardone Director of Events for the Bronx Chamber of Commerce is on the left of, Ms. Maranda Ashkar the Executive Director of the Mall at Bay Plaza, Councilman Andy King, and Mr. Nunzio Del Greco President and CEO of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce pose as they are talking about next years Bronx Chamber of Commerce Business and Health Expo. Next year I was told the expo would be on all three levels of the Mall at Bay Plaza, and include several workshops. There is a lot of work to be done by all to make that happen.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

We Condemn California Pastor’s Message That Rejoices In Orlando Massacre

You should know that Sacramento California Pastor Roger Jimenez of the Verity Baptist Church in Sacramento, California, has been reported in the media as rejoicing in the massacre that took place this weekend at the Orlando gay nightclub.

It is very important for you to know that as the President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, my fellow ministers and I condemn his rejoicing in those killings.  We condemn Pastor Jimenez’s statements: “The tragedy is that more of them didn’t die,” and “I’m kind of upset he didn’t finish the job because these people are predators.”

Pastor Jimenez’s message is deplorable, and any preacher who shares that mindset does not understand the Bible.  Pastor Jimenez should realize that all of the victims of the Orlando shooting are human beings, and any preaching to harm their lives is un-Christianly.

As Christians, the Members of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization know that all human life, at all of its stages of development, is sacred. This is why we are pro-life, and work to protect the lives of the unborn. This is why we are against the death penalty. Only God, the Creator of all life, can decide when a life can be taken.

You should already know that my ministers and I have joined the Bangladesh community in solidarity in my district when they have been targeted and assaulted, and we have joined with churches, mosques and synagogues when members of their communities have been singled out for attack. We have condemned all acts of violence.

My fellow ministers and I will continue to keep the victims and the families of this awful massacre, as all of the Orlando community who grieve and fear, in our thoughts and prayers.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA AND ASSEMBLYMEMBER LUIS SEPULVEDA'S TRANSLATION SERVICES BILL PASSES THE NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE

  Assemblymember Luis Sepulveda and State Senator Gustavo Rivera's bill (A5548/S992), also known as the Translation Services bill, passed the New York State Assembly. This bill, which seeks to ensure due process for incarcerated individuals whose first language is not English and who are hearing impaired by providing a certified translator at parole board interviews, passed the Senate last week and has now been sent to Governor Cuomo's desk for signature.

"How can we expect an incarcerated individual to answer questions about their potential release when they are not addressed in a language they understand?  The implementation of this common sense measure will grant incarcerated individuals the opportunity to fully understand and participate in their parole board interviews. While this is a simple measure, it is necessary if we are to make the parole process more equal for all New Yorkers, regardless of their origin or disability. I urge Governor Cuomo to join the Legislature in enacting this bill into law," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera.

"Echoing my colleague, state Senator Gustavo Rivera, this Translation Services bill, a result of hearings that I held in the Assembly as chair of the subcommittee on Transitional Services, with testimony from several former parolees, simply makes sense.

As with any due process measure, whether in the courts or before a parole board, the right to a fair hearing, with all the necessary procedures and safeguards, is fundamental - or should be - to the American system of justice," said Assemblymember Luis Sepulveda. 

Approximately 35 percent of the incarcerated population in New York State prisons are of either Hispanic origin or foreign born, with many of them not being to fully fluent English. In order to address this reality, this bill will require Department of Correction and Community Supervision's (DOCCS) employees to determine if an incarcerated individual requires an English language interpreter and inform the respective parole board accordingly. In addition, this bill aims to codify into law the existing practice of providing deaf language interpreters for those incarcerated individuals in need of such services.

A.G. Schneiderman Reminds New Yorkers Of His Guide To Protect Consumers From Summer Scams

Schneiderman Urges New Yorkers To Report Home Improvement And Vacation Scams To His Office At 1-800-771-7755

   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman reminded New Yorkers today of common scams that occur during the summer and offered tips to protect against abuse. Scam artists are known to prey on New Yorkers, particularly during summer months, as consumers embark on home improvement projects and plan family vacations. The Attorney General urged New Yorkers to notify his office of any summer scams designed to dupe unsuspecting consumers.

“As the temperatures rise in the summertime, consumers should proceed with caution in regards to unsolicited offers,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Unscrupulous scammers prey on families seeking vacation or timeshare deals, seniors looking to escape the heat, and homeowners working to improve their property. It’s vital that consumers report seasonal scams to the proper authorities so that we may hold these criminals accountable for their actions and prevent them from victimizing others.”

This year, the most common summer scams were related to unsolicited home improvement projects, such as weatherproofing and paint jobs. Other common scams that target consumers include vacation rental and timeshare fraud. Attorney General Schneiderman continued to urge consumers who believe they have been victimized by a summer scam to contact the Attorney General's Consumer Complaint Hotline at 1-800-771-7755 or online at ag.ny.gov.

Below is the Attorney General’s guide to protecting New Yorkers from summer scams. It is also available online here. 

HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAMS

The Drive-Bys

"I'm painting a house (or a barn or a garage) in the neighborhood. I am paving a driveway (or patching a roof) around the corner. I have material left over and can do yours for next to nothing."

Too often this kind of offer results in a watered down stain instead of paint, inferior shingles on half the roof, or a thin smear of blacktop on the driveway. These scammers typically demand a payment upfront and, if they actually finish the job, it probably won't last through the next rainstorm. Their guarantee? Good luck finding them. 

"I was passing by and noticed you had some branches down…your trees really need a trim."

Frequently, the branches are down because the scammer broke them off. If hired, they do work on "unexpected problems" that run up exorbitant charges.  Too often, the scammers threaten consumers if the extra charges are disputed, and sometimes follow the owners to the bank for cash payments.

Weatherproofing Scams: $15,000 Solutions to $150 Problems

“Free Basement Inspections!”When a community has been hit by a series of rainstorms, you can bet the offers for "free basement inspections" will start rolling in. The answer? It's usually an expensive pump or excavating the foundation to waterproof, when the problem was really clogged gutters or a drain blocked by root growth.

"Free Chimney Inspections!"

Same thing. This money saving coupon will usually result in a recommendation for a new chimney or a "cleaning" that involves the sweep spreading soot around to make it look as though the work was done.

Tips To Protect Yourself

• Be suspicious about any unsolicited offer to work on your home. Remember, there is no problem so serious it can't wait a day or two for you to do some research.
• Checkout the contractor with the local Better Business Bureau.
• Get references, particularly about jobs done a while ago.
• Use local companies whose addresses you can verify.
• Get more than one written estimate that includes details about the materials.
• Check with your town or city to see if permits are required. Don't let a contractor work without the necessary permits.
• Don't assume the lowest estimate is the best deal. Check the quality of the materials.
• Be clear that you won't pay for any work not included in the estimate, unless it's agreed upon in writing.
• Always be sure the contractor has valid insurance.
• Always report a scam to local law enforcement and the Attorney General's Office.

VACATION SCAMS

Whether it's to escape the heat of summer or the chill of winter, everyone considers finding a good deal on a vacation a big win. Except when the good deal isn't so good. Vacation fraud is on the rise, and as consumers troll the internet looking for a good price on a dream vacation, scammers are trolling for victims to make a quick buck.

Here are some common vacation scams, and what you can do to make sure you're not caught in the net.

Vacation Rental Scams

The setup: It's just what you wanted! A cottage overlooking a quiet lake; a beachfront condo; an apartment in the heart of the city.  The problem?  It doesn't really exist. Especially prevalent on listing sites like Craigslist, consumers are drawn in by a great deal, they pay upfront and arrive to find that no such address exists.

Tips To Protect Yourself

• Make sure the seller has a valid address and phone number.
• Use a mapping website to verify the address exists and looks like the photos.
• Ask for references before signing any agreements or making a payment.
• Use verified payment sources such as PayPal or a major credit card, which can be traced in the event something goes wrong.
• NEVER make a payment using a wire transfer service such as Western Union or Money Gram.

Vacation Certificate Scams

The set up: you buy a certificate entitling you to deep discounts on flights, hotels or other vacation opportunities. The problem?  There are many. You are paying in advance for a vacation at an unspecified time. The companies frequently are out of business before you use the voucher, or there are so many restrictions that it is nearly impossible to make reservations. And, use of the certificates is often dependent upon using specific, high-priced facilities that negate any other savings, or the facilities are not the five-star resorts they claim to be.

Tips To Protect Yourself

• Check to see if the seller is registered with NYS and with the Better Business Bureau for complaints.
• Check out reviews of the facilities available to the certificate users.
• Read the purchase agreement carefully, looking for cancellation policies and making note of blackout dates and other restrictions.

Timeshares and Vacation Club Scams

Although a timeshare or vacation club may be a legitimate enterprise, the marketing techniques frequently involve high pressure sales that trap people into long term financial commitments they can't afford and may not use.

The set up: Firms offer free vacations if you agree to attend a presentation.  Potential buyers are offered "discounts" if they sign up "right now" for a multi-year membership. The problem? The supposed discounts are frequently more expensive than regular offerings, the advantages and protections offered in the pitch are not the same as what's in the contract, and future costs and fees can escalate without notice.

Tips To Protect Yourself

• Never consider this an "investment." There is little market demand for resale and you will almost certainly lose money on it. In addition, the resale market place is rife with fraud.
• Never sign a contract for a multi-year commitment on the day of the pitch. Take the time to read it carefully, perhaps asking a lawyer to review it.
• Look carefully at how costs can change over the life of the membership or ownership.

 If you believe you have been victimized by a summer scam, please contact the Attorney General's Consumer Complaint Hotline at 1-800- 771-7755 or online atwww.ag.ny.gov.