Assemblyman Dinowitz and Council Member Cohen Announce Defeat of Proposed Shelter in Wakefield

    Council Member Andrew Cohen and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz announced today that following their strong opposition, and the fierce advocacy by local community leaders, the plans for a proposed shelter on the northern end of Bronx Boulevard are dead.

       The plans for the proposed shelter, which originally planned to house 90 individuals who are diagnosed with HIV, were proposed by the non-profit organization Comunilife, and faced considerable opposition from members of the community. Assemblyman Dinowitz and Council Member Cohen held several meetings with both community leaders and Comunilife representatives over the last several months, to express their concerns regarding the oversaturation of shelters in the Wakefield community. Just four blocks from the proposed Comunilife shelter already stands the Project Renewal homeless shelter, which houses 100 single men, and around the corner is the site of the proposed Muller Center homeless shelter, which plans to house over 200 single men.

      On June 27^th of this year Assemblyman Dinowitz and Council Member Cohen held a town hall meeting at Community Board 12 where they voiced their strong opposition to Comunilife’s plans, and were unanimously joined by community members and leaders from all over Wakefield. Following the town hall meeting, Mayor de Blasio’s administration determined that the proposed location would not be appropriate. 

“I am thrilled that I was able to help stop this plan for 4747 Bronx Boulevard by working together with Council Member Cohen, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Mayor de Blasio’s administration,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. We stood together with our Wakefield community and listened to their concerns. The local elected officials, Community Board 12, and neighborhood leaders worked together and had a significant impact. I am grateful that Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Banks heard our voices, and I thank Speaker Heastie for his leadership on this issue. Now we must all work to ensure nothing inappropriate is ever brought to that site.” 

“This news is a win for the Wakefield community. While we need to do more for the homeless, the Wakefield community is already oversaturated with numerous shelters currently operating in the neighborhood,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.  “I am pleased that the Mayor listened to the local elected officials and community leaders and made the right determination that this facility is not appropriate for the community.” 

Department of Social Services Commissioner Steve Banks said, “After careful consideration, we have determined that 4747 Bronx Boulevard is not a viable location for a temporary residence or shelter facility. We thank Speaker Heastie, Council Member Cohen, Assembly Member Dinowitz, Congress Member Engel and their staffs for working collaboratively with the administration and we look forward to identifying alternative uses that will effectively meet the community’s needs.”

News From Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman

Ending Deceptive Practices At Tanning Salons Across NY

The Attorney General reached a settlement with Total Tan that prohibits the company from making misleading claims about the health risks of indoor tanning. Despite the clear dangers of tanning, the company downplayed the risks, while also asserting that tanning prevents an array of diseases. This agreement is the latest in the Attorney General’s effort to educate the public about the harms associated with indoor tanning, and those who are considering going to their local salon should consult the office’s tips so they can get the facts about the risks.   

Consumer Protections for Synergy Fitness Club Members

If you are a consumer at Synergy Fitness Clubs in New York City or Long Island, you may be in for a refund. The Attorney General announced a settlement with six Synergy clubs for illegal and deceptive practices that included charging New Yorkers fees that were not disclosed in membership contracts, unfairly applying cancellations policies and engaging in improper billing. Those who believe they had been charged services after they cancelling their membership can now apply for restitution. Remember to check out the Attorney General’s tips when a considering a health club so you can avoid being scammed. 

Conviction and Jail Sentence For Doctor Who Sold HIV Meds on Black Market 

The ringleader of a scheme that sold black market HIV medications to patients now faces up to 25 years in prison following a jury trial in Suffolk County. Ira Grass helped perpetrate a scheme that billed Medicaid $274 million for HIV medication illegally obtained from the black market—exposing patients to potentially dangerous drugs. Gross himself profited over $25 million from the fraudulent dealings. 

$100 Million Settlement For New York in Barclays Bank Case

The Attorney General’s office led a multi-state coalition that negotiated a $100 million settlement with Barclays that holds the bank accountable for artificially manipulating interest rates. Government and non-profit entities were defrauded out of millions as a result of Barclays actions, but the settlement provides restitution to those affected. Attorney General Schneiderman believes there must be one set of rules for everyone—not matter how rich or powerful, and that includes big banks and financial institutions.  

Have a question, comment, or complaint? Click here. You can also learn more about the various initiatives of the Attorney General's office by visiting our website atag.ny.gov. You can also call our General Hotline: 800-771-7755.

Sotheby's on Riverdale Avenue Sunday After Car Crashes Into Store Front

   This is what the front of Sotheby's located at 3732 Riverdale Avenue looked like after a car jumped the curb crashing into the storefront.

   In this photo you can see large pieces of glass hanging until Friday when an insurance adjuster came from Connecticut to see the damage. By the way I was told that the insurance adjustor received a parking ticket for not feeding the Muni Meter. 

   Here is what Sotheby's looks like today. The two broken front windows are covered over, and will be replaced sometime next week. It was lucky that the car hit the side wall between Sotheby's and the store next door, or the car could have wound up inside Sotheby's. It was also lucky that it happened in the summer when the crowd of children were not on this sidewalk like they would have been if school had been in session. 

   Was it this piece of broken curb that was the cause of this accident. The street was milled and repaved in March, and the city Department of Transportation was well aware of this and many other sections of the curbs on Riverdale Avenue were broken during the Milling of the street.

COMPTROLLER STRINGER: CITY ECONOMY SLOWS DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2016

City added 13,400 private-sector jobs, the second smallest increase in six years

The City’s economy grew 1.7%, the slowest rate in two years, but still outpaced the national economy

In 2015, average real wages grew 3.3 percent for employees in low-wage industries

   Weak economic indicators such as falling venture capital investment and disappointing job growth contributed to the first tangible signs of a potential slowdown of the City’s economy during the second quarter of 2016 according to a Quarterly Economy Report released today by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. The report found that the City’s economy, while continuing to outpace the nation’s, grew an estimated 1.7 percent between April and June of this year – the slowest rate since the end of 2013.

“Our City’s economy is still growing – but in 2016 we’ve gone from a sprint to a jog,” Comptroller Stringer said. “For the first time in a number of years, several important economic indicators are pointing toward weaker growth. While the residential real estate market remains strong and the wage gap has narrowed, this report confirms that our recovery is no longer gaining steam.”

Released every quarter, the Comptroller’s Quarterly Economic Update examines a broad range of indicators that reflect the City’s current conditions in the national economic context.

Findings include:

The City’s overall economic growth slowed, but still outpaced the nation’s

•   Real Gross City Product grew at an estimated annual rate of 1.7 percent in the second quarter of 2016, the slowest pace since the fourth quarter of 2013, but faster than national Gross Domestic Product growth of 1.2 percent.

•   The U.S. economy was dragged down by the third consecutive quarter of contractions in business investment amid global economic uncertainties and decreased demand from businesses in the energy sector. Gross private domestic investment fell 9.7 percent, the biggest drop in seven years.

Private-sector job growth dropped significantly, but wages improved

•   In the second quarter of 2016, the City added 13,400 private-sector jobs, a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 1.4 percent – a substantial drop from growth of 4.6 percent in the first quarter. Despite recent trends, the vast majority – 85 percent – of these jobs were in medium-wage industries such as hospitals, and arts, entertainment and recreation.

•   Mirroring national increases in consumer spending, local industries like education and health services and leisure and hospitality saw the greatest private-sector job gains.

Wages in low-wage industries improved in 2015

•   Reversing a six-year trend, the gap between low-wage, medium-wage, and high-wage earners shrank last year. In 2015, average wages, adjusted for inflation, grew 3.3 percent for low-wage industries, 3.1 percent for mid-wage industries, and fell 0.9 percent for high-wage industries.

•   However, since the end of recession in 2009 through 2015, the average wage in low-wage industries is still flat in real terms.

Slower growth in personal income

•   Year-over-year, personal income tax revenues fell 5.7 percent in the second quarter of 2016. Personal income taxes withheld from paychecks rose only 0.5 percent during that same time period.

•   Estimated tax payments, which reflect trends in taxpayers’ non-wage income, including interest earned, rental income, and capital gains, fell 16 percent compared to quarterly collections from last year. In June alone, estimated taxes were down about 20 percent.

•   The average hourly earnings of all private New York City employees fell to $33.48 in the second quarter – the first year-over-year decline in nearly seven years. National average hourly earnings, on the other hand, grew 2.8 percent during the same period, the biggest increase in seven years.

•   The slight decline in average city private-sector earnings is in part due to a loss of high-paid jobs. In the second quarter the number of private-sector city jobs in high-wage industries shrank by 4 percent, equal to the loss of 500 jobs. Professional and business services lost 1,400 jobs, and the financial sector lost 1,100 jobs.

Labor force participation declined

•   In the second quarter, unemployment in New York City fell to 5.2 percent, while the U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.9 percent.

•   The decline in the City’s unemployment rate was due to a contraction of the City’s labor force by 34,200, the biggest quarterly decline on record. A shrinking labor force may signal that the City’s discouraged job seekers are leaving the labor market. However, the decline follows an unprecedented increase of 32,000 in the first quarter of this year.

Venture capital investment fell year over year

•   Venture capital investment in the New York Metro Area experienced the first second quarter year-over-year decline since 2012. Investment fell to $1.4 billion from $2.4 billion in the second quarter of 2015.
•   During this time period, total venture capital investment in the U.S. fell 12.2 percent as investment in Silicon Valley fell 9.6 percent.

Residential real estate remained strong, while commercial leasing showed signs of cooling

•   Average housing prices continued to rise on a year-over-year basis, growing 8.4 percent in Manhattan to $2 million; 3.6 percent in Brooklyn to nearly $817,000; and 16.5 percent in Queens to $527,000.
•   New commercial leasing in the second quarter of 2016 totaled seven million square feet, 15.6 percent lower than this time last year. The Manhattan office vacancy rate, however, stayed level at 8.8 percent.

“New York City’s economy continues to grow, but has begun to feel the impact of national and global uncertainty,” Stringer said. “My office will keep a close eye on the City and global economies as the year progresses.”

Assemblyman Michael Blake - Join me in Martha's Vineyard next Wednesday

Please join us for a reception

in support of Michael Blake

Assemblyman of New York State’s 79th District

RSVP HERE  http://bit.ly/2bmpC6j​
Time: 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Date: Wednesday, August 17th
Location: 9 Huntington Ave, Oaks Bluff

Have a question? Contact Britney Whaley at bwhaleynyc@gmail.com

EDITOR"S NOTE:

Assemblyman Blake left out the state, that being Massachusetts..

Things to visit in Oak Bluff Massachusetts -

Yankee Stadium - NO

Bronx Borough Hall - NO

The Bronx Zoo, or Bronx Botanical Garden - NO

The Bronx Hub on 149th Street - NO

Anything Bronx - NO

But you can find  Lola's Martha's Vineyard, the Flying Horses Carousel,

The Ritz • Martha's Vineyard, The Barn, Bowl & Bistro, 

and 

Sand Bar Martha's Vineyard to name a few.

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce invites you to enjoy a summer evening of Twilight Golf

Nutrition and Music Presentation by Sylvia Elbaz, MS, CNS on Aug. 24th

JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center 

3880 Sedgwick Ave., First Floor 

Enjoy a delectable lunch at 12:15 PM followed by a nutrition talk and original music by Sylvia Elbaz, MS, CNS, host of Health’s Kitchen, a cable TV cooking show on Wed. Aug. 24th at 1:00 PM.  

Ms. Elbaz, who has a Master degree in nutrition, has taught at Nassau Community College and Kingsborough Community College. An accomplished guitarist, she has composed many original songs, some of which she will share with us along with international selections.

Ms. Elbaz taught science courses for ten years in New York City Public Schools.  In addition to her private practice as a nutritional consultant, she lectures frequently at health clubs and for community organizations.

Menu: Beef Moussaka or Breaded Pollack Fillet, garden salad, roasted eggplant, orange. Refreshments will be served.

Recommended senior contribution is $2.00 for the meal and $1.00 for the event.  Non senior fee is $5.00 for the meal and $2.00 for the event.   Kindly call the senior center office: 718-549-4700 for meal reservations by Mon. Aug. 22nd. 

SENATOR JEFF KLEIN HOSTS CONCERT FEATURING THE BRONX WANDERERS

  Senator Jeff Klein hosted The Bronx Wanderers, as they performed their last Bronx show on Thursday night at Veterans Memorial Park. Hundreds of Bronx residents enjoyed an amazing concert and said farewell to The Bronx Wanderers before  their residency kicks off at Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in the fall.

“We have been happy to enjoy The Bronx Wanderers for years, and as we send them off, I was thrilled to host one last performance. Bronx families came together to enjoy this farewell show, as part of my Summertime Symphonies series, and they did not disappoint. While we’ll miss them right here in The Bronx, I want to wish everyone’s favorite father-sons group a great stay in Las Vegas,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

The home-grown group, a father with his two sons, has long rocked audiences with their blend of hand-picked oldies from the 50’s through the 70’s. Over the past 14 years, The Bronx Wanderers have performed in over 35 states.

“For me, it all started here, and as we are getting prepared to leave for an extended stay in Las Vegas, I can never thank Senator Jeff Klein and his entire staff for allowing us one final show for all of our friends from The Bronx and Westchester. We are thrilled to be coming home,” said Vinny Adinolfi, The Bronx Wanderers.

This free concert is part of Senator Klein’s Summertime Symphonies series. For more information on Senator Klein’s Summertime Series, please call Senator Klein’s office at (718)822-2049.