“Unfortunately, the jury in the trial against Norman Seabrook and Murray Huberfeld was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. We look forward to a retrial where we will present again the powerful proof of how Seabrook allegedly sold his duty to safeguard correction officers’ retirement money to Murray Huberfeld in exchange for cash bribes. Although justice has been delayed, we expect it will ultimately prevail.”
Thursday, November 16, 2017
BRONX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VETERaN HEROES LUNCHEON
Five armed forces veterans were honored today by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding service to their country. Retired Sergeant Sandra Rolon (US Army), Retired Sergeant Nicholas Himidian Jr. (US Air Force), Retired Lance Corporal (US Marine Corps), Retired Corporal Viviana DeCohen (US Marine Corps), and Retired Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salimbene (US Coast Guard) were the five honorees. The photos will tell the rest of the story.
Above - The Color Guard arrived with BCC Chairman Joseph Kelleher Singing the National Anthem as BCC President Nunzio Del Greco stands nearby.
Below - Current Assemblyman, and Councilman-elect Mark Gjonaj made the rounds talking to the veterans who were in attendance.
Above - Assemblyman/Councilman-elect Gjonaj thanks the veterans in the room for their service to the country.
Below - US Army Sergeant Sandra Dolon is presented her award by one of her former trainees Sergeant John Perez. Both are now retired from the army, reside in the Bronx, and are good friends.
Above - Special Agent Anthony Salimbene receives his award from Lance Corporal Patrick Devine, who was also honored by the BCC.
Below - A group photo of the honorees, elected officials, and BCC officials. Front row (l-r) Honorees Anthony Salimbene, Viviana DeCohen, Nicholas HimidianJr., Sandra Rolon, and Patrick Devine. Back row (l-r) Assemblyman/ Councilman-elect Mark Gjonaj, BCC Chairman Joseph Kelleher, Governor Andrew Cuomo's Bronx Liaison Nathalia Fernandez, State Comptroller Tom Dinapoli's representative, and BCC President Nunzio Del Greco.
BCC Chairman Joseph Kelleher thanked everyone for coming, while singing a good bye song.
STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSING TRUMP’S TAX SCAM
“President Trump and his cronies may think they can pull the wool over our eyes, but New Yorkers won’t fall for his tax scam. That’s why Representative Donovan and many other republican representatives from around the state sided with people over party. This plan fills the pockets of the already wealthy, threatens our seniors and steals from working families. New Yorkers won’t stand for that. This fight is far from over. It will take a lot of organizing to stop this scam, but it’s important to remember the repeal of the Affordable Care Act was a foregone conclusion when President Trump was elected. Just this week, a record number of Americans signed up to get affordable health care.”
News From Congressman Eliot L. Engel
Engel: GOP Tax Plan a Scam, Disastrous for New Yorkers
Congressman Eliot L. Engel issued the following statement on the House’s passage of H.R. 1, the Republican overhaul of the tax code:
“This morning, I took to the House floor to once again raise my strong objection to the disastrous tax reform package the GOP has been pushing. In my remarks, I mentioned how someone near and dear to me once said the Republican Party is the party of rich men and women, and the Democratic Party is the party of working men and women. Nothing proves that more than this tax bill scam today.
“The tax bill the GOP just passed, without a single Democratic vote, is one of the worst bills I have ever seen brought to the floor of the House. It raises taxes on millions of middle-class families, eliminates key deductions for state and local income and sales tax, and adds trillions to the debt. All this to give tax cuts to America’s wealthiest families and corporations. This bill will also decimate Medicaid and Medicare, which in turn will create new deficits for these programs, leading to more calls from the right for their privatization.
“New York already sends more money to Washington than it gets back. Residents in New York rely heavily on state and local income and sales tax deductions to level the playing field and provide extra tax relief. These deductions don’t just help the wealthy—they allow folks in the middle class to reduce their tax burden, own homes, and increase their purchasing power. But, if this tax plan becomes law, those deductions would either be eliminated completely or heavily reduced, and New Yorkers would be devastated.
“In addition, the process by which this bill was written was just as disappointing as the final product. House Republicans once again took to writing a huge piece of legislation behind closed doors, without any input from Democrats. And considering what this bill will do to explode the deficit, I’m not sure how any House Republican who voted in favor if it can call themselves ‘fiscally responsible.’
“Thanks to this bill, the middle-class will be directly paying for an upper-class and big corporation tax cut. No fair minded elected official could support that. Hopefully the Senate will scrap this disaster so we can go back to the drawing board and write a bill that treats middle-class taxpayers fairly.”
Engel, Energy & Commerce Dems Call for FCC to Reconsider Proposed Changes to Lifeline Program
Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, joined 22 of Energy and Commerce Democratic colleagues on Wednesday in writing to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai asking that he reconsider proposed changes to the Lifeline program.
The FCC is scheduled to consider proposed changes which would risk cutting off over 7 million Americans from accessing a mobile connection and prevent nearly three-quarters of the Lifeline program’s current providers from participating.
“This is a vital program that millions of Americans rely on for mobile connections,” Engel said. “Lifeline isn’t just some moniker. The individuals who utilize this program truly view it as critical to their way of life. House Energy and Commerce Dems understand this, which is why we are taking action to urge Chairman Pai to maintain the Lifeline program as it currently stands.”
The letter was cosigned by Congresswoman Matsui, in addition to Energy & Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Representatives Mike Doyle (D-PA), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Gene Green (D-TX), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Kathy Castor (D-FL), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), David Loebsack (D-IA), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Joseph Kennedy, III (D-MA), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI).
The full text of the letter can be found below and a PDF copy can be found here.
November 15, 2017
The Honorable Ajit V. Pai
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
Dear Chairman Pai:
Now more than ever, the wake of this year’s natural disasters has shown the critical importance that a mobile connection – a literal lifeline – can play in getting Americans back on their feet. We are concerned that proposed changes to the Lifeline program could potentially strand millions of struggling families with no way to connect. With that in mind, we ask that you reconsider these proposals and instead focus the Commission’s efforts on ways to help these Americans now, when they need it most.
Even when it is not an emergency, the FCC’s Lifeline program is essential every day for millions of Americans who need it to find work, to manage their health, to do their homework, to interact with government, or to simply stay connected with their families. First established in 1985, members of the Reagan Administration noted the goal of the program was not to increase telephone penetration. The aim of both Congress and the Administration was to help low-income Americans through difficult times in their lives. Today, Lifeline remains the only program targeted towards making communications services most affordable for these families, and it has become part of this century’s safety net.
We therefore urge you to consider this history and Congressional direction of the Lifeline program. We are concerned that these proposals would have the effect of converting the only means-tested program that helps low income Americans afford phone service into a duplicative version of existing FCC deployment programs. As you know, non-facilities based providers make up nearly 70 percent of the program.
Without those carriers, over 7.3 million Americans would be simply cut off. Importantly, this risks growing the digital divide and decreasing both access and affordability of these services. Nearly three quarters of the customers who already depend on the program rely on these carriers for their mobile connection.
We are also concerned by the proposal to overturn recent safeguards imposed on the program in favor of an arbitrary cap, despite expert testimony before our committee that has demonstrated that a cap is not an effective mechanism to achieve the goal of curbing any waste, fraud, and abuse that exists in the program. Instead, recently adopted safeguards are more likely to be effective without penalizing otherwise qualified recipients. For example, an arbitrary cap would eliminate the safeguards that ensure those living in veterans’ homes, women’s shelters, or group homes can enroll in the program.
Congress has specifically rejected efforts to cap or end Lifeline’s current structure multiple times. Last Congress, the House carefully considered three bills that closely match your proposals—H.R. 4884, H.R. 266, and H.R. 5525. Yet, after being considered before either the House Energy and Commerce Committee or the broader House of Representatives, Congress instead chose to not move forward with these measures in favor of the FCC’s existing steps to better oversee the program. We urge you to uphold that congressional policy choice.
The National Verifier has the potential to be the Commission’s most important tool towards reducing waste, fraud, and abuse in the program. The 2016 Lifeline Order establishes a minimum benchmark of 25 states or territories by December 2018 and full implementation a year after that. The National Verifier will further improve the program’s integrity as well as our shared goal of ensuring Lifeline is an efficient, effective, and fiscally responsible program. Indeed, the Government Accountability Office testified the National Verifier will resolve most remaining issues. We therefore ask that the Commission fully implement and evaluate the 2016 reforms to the program, including the creation of the National Verifier, before taking further action.
Finally, it is regrettable that you did not mention these proposals at the October 25 Oversight Hearing before this Committee despite several questions about the Lifeline program. Public confidence requires transparency between this committee and those it oversees, yet you chose to avoid telling us that you planned to release this proposal within hours after the hearing concluded, leaving the impression that you are trying to evade congressional oversight. To restore public trust and allow Congress to exercise its oversight responsibility, we therefore ask that you do not take any final actions on your plan—on tribal lands or anywhere in the country—until you have another opportunity to testify before our committee on the impacts of this proposal.
For these reasons, we urge the FCC to immediately reconsider its proposal to set aside the Lifeline program as appropriate under the law.
Local Elected Officials React to NYCHA Lead Paint Scandal
BP DIAZ CALLS FOR STATE MONITOR OF PUBLIC HOUSING
In a letter to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has called on the State government to appoint a monitor to oversee the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).
“More than 400,000 New Yorkers call our city’s public housing developments their home. This latest report only reinforces the mistrust that many residents already have in the New York City Housing Authority,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “A State-appointed monitor is the only credible way forward to provide for the safety and well-being of our city’s public housing residents.”
Borough President Diaz’s letter comes on the heels of a damning report from the New York City Department of Investigation (NYCDOI) which found that NYCHA had failed to conduct mandatory testing for lead contamination within their apartments, but since 2013 has submitted false documents to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) indicating that all required testing had been completed and that the housing authority was in compliance with federal law.
Previous reports issued by the NYCDOI have found that NYCHA has neglected to provide working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to residents, has not maintained elevators properly and has failed to prevent convicted criminals from living within public housing developments..
In its current report the NYCDOI calls for a monitor to oversee NYCHA, a position Borough President Diaz wholeheartedly agrees with. However, given the City’s current position supervising NYCHA, as well as the federal government’s apparent distaste for public housing and overall incompetence, the borough president believes that only the state has the ability to appoint a credible monitor to examine NYCHA at this time.
“The families who call our City’s public housing developments home deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. It is now plainly clear that a State-appointed monitor is the only way to make that happen,” said Borough President Diaz.
Read the full letter at http://on.nyc.gov/2zJt2Ox.
Assemblymember Pichardo: NYCHA’s failure to perform lead inspections puts countless families at risk
“The revelation that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) failed to perform mandatory annual lead inspections on thousands of apartments, needlessly putting the health and well-being of residents at risk, is deeply troubling. To make matters worse, NYCHA apparently tried to hide its negligence by filing false reports with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“I commend the city’s Inspector General’s office for bringing this wanton disregard for our families’ safety to the public’s attention. NYCHA’s actions appear to violate both local and federal laws requiring annual lead paint inspections.
“I call on city leaders to immediately answer as to how this degree of negligence could have possibly occurred in the first place, let alone over a four-year period. Those who are responsible must be held accountable to ensure the safety of all public housing residents and to show that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.”
STATEMENT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER ANDY KING ON NYCHA’S FAILURE TO PERFORM LEAD PAINT VISUAL ASSESSMENTS
"As a Council Member who has been very supportive of NYCHA and has allocated funds to improve and sustain these communities, I am appalled on behalf of the residents of the five NYCHA developments in my district that for years, the Housing Authority has lied to the federal government and to New Yorkers on testing for lead paint. With thousands of families lives affected, heads must roll and we can never again allow a city agency to foster the distrust now created. I welcome an outsider monitor, as proposed by the Department of Investigation, to enable a renewal of trust in this agency and to help fix this broken agency."
Assemblyman Sepulveda and Sanitation team that aided in Puerto Rico hurricane relief distribute turkeys to those who fled to New York
Members of the NYC Sanitation Department team recently returned from performing relief efforts in Puerto Rico joined Bronx Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda's staff on Thursday, Nov.16 to distribute turkeys to several families forced to flee the devastation on the island and other nearby islands from Hurricane Maria.
"Seeing the destruction in photos and on TV, I can't imagine the suffering these families and others went through, and are still going through. I hope these turkey at least help to bring some holiday cheer," said Sepulveda.
"I applaud the work of this Sanitation Department team, whose expertise was critical to the recovery effort," he added.
Sepulveda, in a statement, joined with First Deputy Sanitation Commissioner Steven Costas, who was on hand to help distribute the turkeys outside the Assemblyman's Parkchester district office, in thanking the Municipal Credit Union for its financial donation for the turkeys., who was on hand to, also thanked the Municipal Credit Union’s support.
Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Davis said in a statement: "The DSNY PREMA 31 team spent three weeks on the island assisting the residents of Puerto Rico in recovering from the storm. Today, they are proud to help distribute these Thanksgiving turkeys to those in need," she said. "We appreciate Assemblyman Sepulveda’s help in identifying the families receiving these donations and wish them all a great holiday and speedy return to their beloved homeland.”
The team members who attended Thursday’s turkey event performed crucial damage assessment on the hurricane-ravaged main island and on its nearby islands of Vieques and Culebra.
Their work allowed local and federal response to better assess the personnel and heavy- and light-duty equipment needed to deliver supplies, remove debris and assist in rebuilding. The team also assisted in distributing supplies.
Along with the turkeys from the Department of Sanitation, Montefiore Medical Center and the National Supermarket Association also contributed turkeys, which will be distributed to local churches, food pantries, senior centers and other organizations.
Sepulveda continues to collect relief supplies for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other affected islands at his district office. He also just began a coat drive for those who fled the islands for New York City.
While praising his early efforts, the Assemblyman called on Gov. Cuomo to help those who have fled the devastation of Hurricane Maria who have a number of critical issues when they arrive in New York, including housing, education, and transferring different health insurance and Medicaid plans.
Assemblyman Sepulveda represents the 87th Assembly District covering Parkchester, Castle Hill, West Farms, Van Nest and Stratton Park.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Senator Jeff Klein and ShopRite host turkey giveaway for residents of Sack Wern Houses and Clason Point Gardens
ShopRite representatives announced they expect to open their Bruckner Plaza store by mid-2018
Senator Jeff Klein, joined by ShopRite officials, hosted a turkey giveaway for residents of the Sack Wern Houses and Clason Point Gardens on Monday night. More than 80 turkeys were donated to residents of both housing developments less than two weeks before Thanksgiving.
“The holiday season is all about giving back to those in need, so as Thanksgiving nears I’m proud to partner with ShopRite to provide turkeys for residents of Sack Wern Houses and Clason Point Gardens,”said Senator Jeff Klein. “I’m thankful for ShopRite’s assistance in organizing this important event, and I look forward to the much-anticipated opening of their store in my district.”
“ShopRite cares deeply about the communities we serve, so we are excited to get a head start by providing Thanksgiving turkeys to local families ahead of our anticipated mid-2018 opening in Bruckner Plaza.” said Perry Blatt, third generation owner and operator of Village Super Market ShopRite stores. “We cannot wait to bring the fresh product offerings and great value that ShopRite is known for to Bronx residents.”
During Monday’s turkey giveaway, ShopRite officials revealed their Bruckner Plaza store is expected to open by mid-2018. The supermarket will provide produce and other healthy eating alternatives to a Soundview community that currently lacks many other options.
HOUSING NEW YORK 2.0: MAYOR DE BLASIO RELEASES NEW ROAD MAP TO BUILD AND PRESERVE 300,000 AFFORDABLE HOMES
Plan accelerates and expands production, fights tenant displacement, creates more homes for seniors and working families and new homeownership tools
Mayor Bill de Blasio today released his “Housing New York 2.0” plan laying out new tools and programs to build and preserve affordable homes for 300,000 New York families – up from the previously announced goal of 200,000 homes. Under the accelerated and expanded plan, the City will boost the number of affordable homes for seniors and families to an unprecedented 25,000 per year, while also increasing resources and strategies for affordable homeownership programs and not-for-profit organizations purchasing rent-regulated buildings to preserve affordability.
Housing New York 2.0 introduces a suite of initiatives that will help create 200,000 affordable homes two years ahead of schedule, by 2022, and reach a new goal of 300,000 homes by 2026. The City’s upgraded housing plan was announced at New Settlement Apartments in the Bronx where nearly 900 affordable homes, across 15 buildings, are being preserved as affordable for another generation of New Yorkers.
“Building on the incredible affordable housing accomplishments of our first term, Housing New York 2.0 commits us to creating 25,000 affordable homes a year and 300,000 homes by 2026. Making New York a fairer city for today and for future generations depends on it,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Housing New York 2.0 requires an additional $150 million a year in the current 4-year financial plan. This will bring the City’s investment in achieving the 100,000 more homes – or 300,000 total homes – to about $1.3 billion per year over the next nine years. Future financial plans will reflect the commitment.
“Housing New York 2.0 sets a new bar, one that reflects the urgency of the needs on the ground, and builds on the incredible progress that has been made over the past several years. Through innovative new programs and far-reaching policies, we are delivering affordable housing at a clip that hasn't been seen in decades while doing more to protect tenants and ensure the quality and safety of their homes. Looming threats on the horizon demand that we be more resourceful with underused sites and new technologies; more targeted in preserving the affordability of neighborhoods experiencing rapidly rising rents; and more creative in serving our seniors and expanding opportunities for affordable homeownership. I want to thank the Mayor, my team at HPD and HDC, and our many partners for helping us build a stronger, more equitable city today and for generations to come,” Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer said.
“This Administration has made remarkable progress towards achieving Mayor de Blasio's vision of a more affordable and equitable New York City. Building on that momentum, our recalibrated housing plan will deploy critical resources and new initiatives to preserve and create even more affordable housing opportunities for New Yorkers,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “I thank the Mayor for his leadership, and I commend our many colleagues in the public and private sectors for their continued partnership as we take Housing New York to the next level.”
Department of City Planning Executive Director Purnima Kapur said, “Our housing agencies have been indispensable partners as we work with stakeholders in neighborhoods throughout the city to plan for a more equitable and vibrant future with housing for all New Yorkers. Building on the considerable success of the last four years, Housing New York 2.0 is enhancing the toolkit to address the needs of residents today and in the future. From increasing the City’s commitment to preservation in collaboration with local non-profits, to providing pathways to affordable homeownership, to serving our growing senior population, and pioneering new models of affordable housing, the expansion of the housing plan will go even further to help achieve the goals of a more affordable and equitable New York. City Planning is proud to be part of this critical multi-agency effort.”
“New York City is addressing the housing shortage with an unprecedented investment in affordable housing,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. “Under NextGen NYCHA, our long-term strategic plan, we’re proud to play our part in providing seniors with affordable homes through Housing New York 2.0.”
Today’s unveiling of Housing New York 2.0 was made at New Settlement Apartments, which were built during the Koch Administration. With City financing, the buildings are being rehabilitated and affordability will be extended for all 893 apartments for an additional 60 years. System wide upgrades include the installation of solar panels and energy efficient boilers at each building.
In partnership with the City, the not-for-profit affordable housing developer Settlement Housing Fund also rehabilitated a playground and initiated the new construction of 60 affordable apartments on a once vacant lot within the portfolio. The 11-story building, where families will start moving in as early as next month, creates 60 new homes for households earning between $20,000 and $53,00 a year, as well as for formerly homeless families.
Since Housing New York launched in 2014, the City has financed the creation or preservation of affordable homes for more than 78,000 households across New York City. This puts the City on track to secure more affordable housing in the first four years of the Administration than in any comparable period since 1978.
Under Housing New York, the City has tripled the share of affordable housing for households earning less than $25,000, and doubled funding for housing construction and preservation.
Building on this foundation Housing New York 2.0 will:
• Create more homes for seniors by setting aside underutilized public lots for new affordable senior housing, and make new and preserved affordable housing accessible to seniors and people with disabilities.
• Build a firewall against displacement in fast-changing neighborhoods by helping non-profits purchase as many as 7,500 traditional rent-stabilized apartment buildings and keep them affordable to current residents.
• Protect affordability at Mitchell-Lama buildings, which represent some of the last already existing affordable homeownership opportunities.
• Unlock affordable homeownership to help low- and moderate-income New Yorkers build equity, improve the quality of their homes, and stabilize New York City neighborhoods by financing construction of coops and condos for first-time home buyers and by offering home repair loans.
• Unlock the potential of vacant lots long considered too small or irregular for traditional housing with innovative smaller homes, and develop more affordable housing on lots long used for parking at existing Mitchell-Lama and federally regulated senior affordable housing complexes.
• Capitalize on advances in technology and innovative design to expand modular building and micro-units that can lower the cost of construction, build new homes faster, and respond to the city’s changing demographics.