NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT URGE NEW YORKERS TO PREPARE FOR EXTREME COLD ON THURSDAY

Temperatures forecast to be in the low to mid-20s with wind chill values as low as single digits

Spectators can text THXGIVING18 to 692692 to receive important alerts and notifications about the parade and cold weather

   The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Health Department are urging individuals to prepare for extremely cold temperatures during Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day parade. According to the National Weather Service forecast,temperatures Thursday will be in the low to mid-20s with wind chill values as low as single digits. Cold weather can cause or worsen health problems. Certain individuals are at an increased risk for injuries, illness or death, such as those who drink heavily or use drugs and becomes incapacitated outdoors. Parade spectators, including older adults and infants, are encouraged to dress warmly. Wear hats, scarves, gloves, and layered clothing. Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered.  To learn more about winter weather safety, visit the Health Department’s interactive online infographic.

Prolonged exposure to cold can lead to frostbite – which often results in red and painful or pale skin – and hypothermia.  Symptoms of hypothermia include:

·         Intense shivering

·         Dizziness

·         Trouble speaking

·         Lack of coordination

·         Sluggishness or drowsiness

·         Confusion

·         Shallow breathing

If you see symptoms of hypothermia or frostbite, call 911 and follow instructions, or go to the emergency room.

“With the low temperatures and even lower wind chills on Thursday, make sure you bundle up if you plan to attend the parade,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “If you’re at increased risk for injury or illness due to the extreme cold, significantly limit your time outdoors, and check in on elderly family members and neighbors.”

“This Thanksgiving Day’s weather is expected to be frigid and potentially very dangerous,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “While everyone is at risk for hypothermia, certain individuals are at an increased risk for injuries, illness or death, such as those who are homeless and those who drink heavily or use drugs and become incapacitated outdoors. Take care to bundle up warmly if you are planning on attending the parade, and if you or your loved ones have symptoms of hypothermia, like intense shivering or dizziness, seek medical attention or call 911.”

Code Blue

A Code Blue Weather Emergency notice is issued when the temperature is forecast to drop to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m., including National Weather Service calculations for wind chill values.  No one who is homeless and seeking shelter in New York City during a Code Blue will be denied. Should you see an individual who appears to be homeless and in need out in the cold, please call 311 and an outreach team will be dispatched to offer assistance. During Code Blue Weather emergencies, experienced outreach teams work to connect homeless New Yorkers with the following resources:

·         Shelters: During a Code Blue, shelter is available system-wide to accommodate anyone who is reasonably believed to be homeless and is brought to a shelter by outreach teams. Accommodations are also available for walk-ins.

·         Drop-in centers: All drop-in centers are open 24-hours per day, including when Code Blue procedures are in effect, and will assist as many people as possible for the duration of the emergency. Drop-in staff and the dedicated outreach teams they work closely with each and every day can also make arrangements for homeless individuals at other citywide facilities.

·         Safe havens and stabilization beds: Chronically homeless individuals may be transported directly to these low-threshold housing programs.

·         Street homeless outreach: Teams will contact vulnerable individuals on their Code Blue Priority Lists a minimum of once every four (4) hours beginning at 8 p.m. during Code Blue Alerts and once every two (2) hours beginning at 8 p.m. for Enhanced Code Blue Alerts to encourage them to accept services, including transportation to a shelter placement. DSS coordinates borough-level Code Blue efforts directly with partner City agencies, including but not limited to NYPD, DSNY, and the Parks Department.

New Notify NYC Short Messaging Service (SMS)

NYC Emergency Management is making it easier for New Yorkers and visitors to “get notified” about the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Notify NYC, the City’s official emergency communications program, today launched an opt-in short message service (SMS) for those attending Thanksgiving Day festivities in New York City on Thursday. New Yorkers and visitors can text the keyword THXGIVING18 to 692692 (NYCNYC) to receive alerts and updates on weather, road closures, traffic delays and more. Message and data rates may apply.

“With Notify NYC’s new short code messaging, anyone attending the Thanksgiving Day parade can receive key alerts and information in the palm of their hands, with a simple text,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “This service adds to the utility of the Notify NYC program, making it even easier for us to communicate with the public.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Notify NYC to keep spectators easily informed on developments related to the Macy’s Parade. With millions of spectators joining us in celebration, this tool enhances the already incredible communication and safety measures in place to ensure that everyone has a fantastic experience on Thanksgiving Day,” said Susan Tercero, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

More than 3.5 million spectators are expected to attend the 92^nd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which kicks off at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 22, stretching 2.5 miles through the city streets from 77th Street and Central Park West to 7th Avenue and 34th Street.

Notify NYC is the City’s free, official source for information about emergency events and important City services. The opt-in SMS service is just one of many ways people can stay informed with Notify NYC. New Yorkers can download the Notify NYC mobile application, which is available for free download from iTunes or Google Play. To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC , call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115), or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter. For up-to-date parade tips, text THXGIVING18 to 692692.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr - Bronx Jewish Hall of Fame's 2018 induction

The Bronx Jewish Historical Initiative (BxJHI) and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Invite you to The Bronx Jewish Historical Initiative’s Celebration of the Fourth Annual Induction Bronx Jewish Hall of Fame Class of 2018 Renee Wexler Taylor Bologna         Hon. Betty Weinberg Ellerin Ethan Geto Charley Rosen Rabbi Levi Shemtov Michael Spierman Emcee: Michelle Divon, Bronx TV 12 News Anchor with a Special WWI Centennial Recognition of Sergeant William Shemin The Bronx Jewish community's sole WWI Medal of Honor Recipient WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018 5:30-7:30 PM (doors open at 5:00 PM) The Bronx Museum of the Arts 1040 Grand Concourse (at 165th Street) Admission Complimentary Light Refreshments   RSVP Required: TheBronxJewish@gmail.com (Please leave name, e-mail, telephone and number of guests) See our website www.thebronxjewish.org

RSVP

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO THE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD

  Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the appointment of six members to New York City’s Veterans Advisory Board, an independent advisory council of military service veterans.This eleven-member Board works in partnership with the Department of Veterans’ Services, veteran service organizations, and individuals across the City to better understand and address the issues facing veterans and their families. More information on the board can be found here.

“The Veterans Advisory Board ensures the voices of those who bravely served our country are heard,” said Mayor de Blasio. “These appointees are exemplars of service, both as military veterans and advocates for their communities. New York City is fortunate to gain the perspective and wisdom these distinguished veterans will provide over the next three years.”

“Our City is only as strong as the people who call it home,” said Deputy Mayor J. Phillip Thompson. “The men and women appointed to the Veterans Advisory Board exemplify the strengths, capacity for leadership, and commitment to public service that define New Yorkers. I commend the appointees for their service to our nation and their continued service to the people of our City.”

“We’re thrilled at the Mayor’s selection of appointees, who are as diverse as the City itself, representing different eras of military service and educational and professional backgrounds,” said Commissioner Loree Sutton, MD, Brigadier General (US Army, ret.). “This brings a diversity of perspectives that will most effectively represent the interests of the City’s veteran population. As always, we thank the Veterans Advisory Board for their leadership within the veteran community and look forward to continuing a strong, collaborative working relationship with the VAB in this new term.”

Todd Haskins, Chair of the Veterans Advisory Board said, “I am personally honored to be re-appointed to the New York City Veterans Advisory Board.  As Chairman, I am thrilled to have so many citizens step forward to support New York City in its quest to develop the most effective local veteran policies of any large city in the nation.” 

Mayor de Blasio appointed four new members including:

Tiffany Daughtery (US Army): Tiffany is the Head of Military Employment for First Data Corporation, where she is charged with driving the strategy for veteran and military spouse hiring, retention, internal mobility, and community engagements. Since Tiffany joined First Data, the team has won several national awards, including being ranked as the #1 “Best for Vets: Employers” in 2017 by Military Times. Tiffany began her career as a US Army Air Traffic Controller, serving in the US as well as the Republic of Korea. Prior to First Data, Tiffany spent four years at the Wounded Warrior Project, serving as both a regional and then national employment program manager. She holds a Masters of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling from Assumption College and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies from Austin Peay State University.

James Hendon (Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Reserve): James is the Director of the NYU Veterans Future Lab, a small business incubator for practicing and aspiring entrepreneurs who are US Military Veterans or Veterans’ Spouses.  A Veteran entrepreneur himself, James is also the CEO of the Energy Economic Development Corporation, an organization that helps communities and small businesses take advantage of energy-related advancements. Before entering the civilian workforce, James spent seven years in the US Army as an Active Duty Infantry Officer where he deployed as a Mortar Platoon Leader and Battalion Public Affairs Officer to Iraq (2005), worked as an Admissions Officer for West Point (2006-2007), and served as the Senior Advisor to the Afghan Border Police in Afghanistan (2007-2009). James is a 2002 graduate of West Point, a 2012 graduate of Harvard Kennedy School and Columbia Business School, and a 2015 graduate of the Earth Institute’s Program in Conservation and Environmental Sustainability. As a drilling US Army Reservist, James serves as the New York City Lead for the 75th Innovation Command. 

Peter Kauffmann (US Navy): Peter is the founder and principal of Bluejacket Strategies, a public affairs firm based in New York City. He is Vice Chair of VoteVets, a progressive advocacy organization representing 500,000 veterans. Prior to starting Bluejacket, Peter was Communications Director for the Governor of New York, Press Secretary for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Deputy Press Secretary at the Democratic National Committee. During his military service, Peter spent five years on active duty as a Naval Intelligence Officer and was part of the 2005 tsunami relief operations in the Pacific Rim. Peter earned his Bachelors of Arts in Government at Franklin & Marshall College, is a member of the Board of Advisors for the VetVoice Foundation, and a Truman National Security Project Fellow.

Annette Tucker Osborne (US Army Reserve): Annette served as Chief of Clinical Operations from 2009-2013 at the 8th Medical Brigade, Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island and is now a doctoral candidate at Walden University. Having devoted 29 years of service to the US Army Reserve, Annette held numerous positions of increasing authority in both general and combat support hospitals and deployed to Kuwait in 2011 as Chief of Clinical Operations at the rank of Colonel. Annette received fifteen separate commendations for her service, including the Legion of Merit. Previous employment includes positions at the New York City Health + Hospitals Corporation, United States Department of Health & Human Services, and the Visiting Nurse Services of New York. Annette is a registered nurse and holds a Masters Degree in Professional Studies, as well as certifications as a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and Legal Nurse Consultant.

Mayor de Blasio reappointed two members:

Todd Haskins (US Marine Corps):  Todd serves as Chairman of the Veterans Advisory Board, a position he has held since 2015.  He is currently a principal at Reverence Capital Partners, a private investment firm focused on thematic investments in leading financial services businesses.  Previous employment experience includes over twelve years with Goldman Sachs Group Inc as a Managing Director where, among other roles, he served co-chair of the Goldman Sachs Veterans Network and was actively involved in the leadership of Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS).  Todd holds a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering from Rice University, where he was a Naval ROTC student.  

Charles Greinsky (US Army; New York Army National Guard): Charles has represented Staten Island on the Veterans Advisory Board since 2015. He served for a total of ten years in the US Army and New York Army National Guard and holds a number of military commendations. Charles currently serves as Commander of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, Staten Island Post 80. He also serves as Chair of the Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame. Charles was a board member of the Civilian Complaint Review Board from 1993 to 2003. He holds a Bachelors of Arts from Touro College.

REP. ADRIANO ESPAILLAT RENAMES HARLEM POST OFFICE IN HONOR OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

  The United States Postal Service has renamed a Harlem post office facility in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American pilots who fought in World War II, following passage of a bill by Rep. Adriano Espaillat, which was signed into law earlier this year.  A ceremony was held Monday at the post office on Macombs Place, which will now be known  as the Tuskegee Airmen Post Office Building.

“Renaming this post office facility after the Tuskeege Airmen is a fitting tribute to honor their memory and contributions to this country,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat.

Congressman Espaillat was joined by city and state leaders, and recognized the service of Wilfred R. DeFour, Sr. who served as a Tuskegee Airman and recently celebrated his 100^th birthday.  “Mr. DeFour is a lifelong New Yorker and returned to New York City after his military service to work for the U.S. Postal Service for 33 years where he demonstrated extraordinary pride in his work for the people of Harlem as evidenced by his ascendance to Superintendent of Special Delivery and Parcel.  His contribution to our New York City community is omnipresent, and it is my personal honor to highlight his life of achievement and service to our nation, honoring him and each of the Tuskegee Airmen during today’s renaming ceremony,” Congressman Espaillat concluded.

MARBLE HILL TENANTS STILL WITHOUT GAS SINCE SUMMER; THANKSGIVING IMMINENT

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz decried the slow restoration of gas service for tenants of the Marble Hill Houses, many of whom have been without gas since July and August, as they face the possibility of cooking Thanksgiving dinner on temporary hot plates.

  The woes of NYCHA tenants continue to stack up, this time for residents of four buildings in the Marble Hill Houses which straddle the border of Manhattan and the Bronx. Despite a recent letter from Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman Andrew Cohen, and five other elected officials who represent Marble Hill Houses expressing vital concern about the lack of gas service in four buildings, there are still dozens of families without gas with the Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner.

Gas service was first disrupted at 5360 Broadway on July 31, followed by 125 West 228^th Street on August 16 and 69 West 225^th Street and 210 West 230^th Street on August 24, as NYCHA is in the process of installing new stoves for residents of Marble Hill Houses. A similar disruption of gas service plagued residents last year, also impacting Thanksgiving plans, as part of the same stove installation process. Last year, NYCHA officials indicated that as stoves were being installed workers noticed that the gas lines had frequently been altered improperly which necessitated the shutting off of each line until repairs could be made.

NYCHA officials stated at a Tenants’ Association meeting on October 18 that they had permits from Department of Buildings for 5360 Broadway and were in the process of acquiring permits for the other three buildings. However officials from the Department of Buildings indicated that there remained only the one permit as recently as November 16. The Tenants’ Association has also requested that no further stove installations are undertaken until after the winter holidays in anticipation that future gas disruptions will occur during the process. NYCHA officials acknowledged that the Tenants’ Association request made sense, and also indicated that gas service should be restored at 5360 Broadway before Thanksgiving, but have not responded to repeated inquiries regarding the other three buildings with gas-less tenants.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said: “The situation for these tenants is absolutely unacceptable. We are days away from Thanksgiving, a holiday for which many families spend multiple days together preparing huge meals, and NYCHA doesn’t even have permits for the work to begin. It has been four months without gas for dozens of families – what has NYCHA been doing? Why didn’t they anticipate these problems after we went through the exact same song and dance last year? Something’s got to give and people have every right to be furious.”

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES 62,000 NYCHA APARTMENTS TO RECEIVE COMPREHENSIVE REPAIRS

Innovative public private partnerships will address nearly $13 billion for critically needed repairs while maintaining rent and rights for 140,000 residents

  Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a commitment from the New York City Housing Authority to bring repairs to 62,000 apartments. These comprehensive upgrades, which will address nearly $13 billion in repairs, will be made possible through public-private partnerships, including the Rental Assistance Demonstration program. All 62,000 apartments will be converted to Section 8 funding and remain permanently affordable. Maintenance and ongoing operations will be provided by quality private managers. The approximately 140,000 residents in these units will retain all their rights as public housing residents, pay rent limited to 30% of their income, and remain in their buildings during the renovations, which will include new kitchens and bathrooms; replacing windows, elevators, boilers and roofs; and improved common areas.

Renovations have already been completed at the 1,395 apartments at Ocean Bay. There are currently nearly 8,900 units in NYCHA’s preservation program in resident engagement, predevelopment, or development for comprehensive capital repairs. All 62,000 units will be completed on a rolling basis by 2028.

“This is a turning point for tens of thousands of NYCHA residents. We have an opportunity to undo decades of neglect and mismanagement, and we have to take it,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “These partnerships are one of our best-proven tools to deliver critical repairs. We look forward to working with officials, residents and advocates on this and other new strategies to make a concrete difference for the 400,000 people who call NYCHA home.”

“We’re proud to be here today as we convert Betances to the Section 8 program, which will enable us to bring significant improvements for the hundreds of families who call Betances home through our PACT program,” said NYCHA Interim Chair and CEO Stanley Brezenoff. “As our properties need $32 billion worth of repairs, a new and radical approach is absolutely necessary to tackle that enormous figure. This is why we are announcing a major expansion of PACT to transform 62,000 NYCHA apartments across the City by 2028, benefitting approximately 142,000 New Yorkers – more than a third of our residents – with nearly $13 billion of renovations and major repairs to their homes. With the support of Mayor de Blasio, who knows the vital role of public housing in New York City, PACT is the way of the future for NYCHA, as we work to improve residents’ quality of life while contending with the harsh reality of declining federal funding.”

“The expansion and acceleration of RAD is a game changer for public housing in NYC. We know from experience that RAD is a reliable, scalable strategy that resolves deferred maintenance while keeping rents affordable - now, we're able to bring these improvements to more than 140,000 NYCHA residents,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen.

The Mayor made today’s announcement at Betances Houses, a 1,088-apartment complex in the Bronx that officially converted to Section 8 through RAD this past Friday. Starting next month, the 2,683 Betances residents will begin seeing comprehensive capital repairs, including new kitchens and bathrooms, new flooring, replacing all boilers with new energy efficient boilers and hot water heaters, upgrading elevator machinery and equipment, and installing a new security system by late 2021.

Betances is NYCHA’s third conversion closing, after Ocean Bay (Bayside) in 2016 and Twin Parks West last month, meaning 7,600 residents are seeing immediate repairs in their homes.

RAD is an innovative tool from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that lets public housing authorities permanently preserve public housing developments as affordable homes and make necessary repairs. In New York City, RAD includes collaboration between the Authority, NYCHA residents, development partners, and community and housing advocates, and it is a key part of NextGeneration NYCHA, the Authority’s long term strategic plan to create financial stability and improve residents’ lives. 

NYCHA announced 2,400 new apartments undergoing RAD conversions this past summer, and the RFP is expected to be released for these 21 developments across Manhattan and Brooklyn next month:

Manhattan sites: 

·             335 East 111th Street 

·             Manhattanville Rehab (Group 2)

·             Manhattanville Rehab (Group 3)

·             Park Avenue-East 122nd, 123rd Streets

·             Public School 139 (Conversion)

·             Samuel (MHOP) I

·             Samuel (MHOP) II

·             Samuel (MHOP) III

·             Washington Heights Rehab (Groups 1&2)

·             Washington Heights Rehab Phase III

·             Washington Heights Rehab Phase IV (C)

·             Washington Heights Rehab Phase IV (D)

·             Fort Washington Avenue Rehab

·             Grampion

Brooklyn sites: 

·         Armstrong I

·         Armstrong II

·         572 Warren Street

·         Berry Street-South 9th Street 

·         Marcy Avenue-Greene Avenue Site A

·         Marcy Avenue-Greene Avenue Site B

·         Weeksville Gardens

New York City is using innovative strategies to generate revenue for repairs in public housing. There are currently nearly 8,900 NYCHA RAD and unfunded apartments in resident engagement, predevelopment, or development for comprehensive capital repairs. These unfunded developments have had no consistent funding stream since the State of New York divested them in 1998. In the NextGeneration NYCHA plan, the City committed to renovating 15,000 apartments through RAD and that the approximately 5,000 unsubsidized apartments receive subsidy by 2025, and today’s announcement expands that to 62,000 apartments in total.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It should be noted Congressman Gregory Meeks was at this event to talk about the Arverne/Edgemere Rockaway projects that are now called Ocean Bay, and not Bayside. Bayside is an upper middle class neighborhood in Northern Queens while Ocean Bay is on the Rockaway Peninsula in South Queens. 

Because NYCHA was developed for struggling working class people and senior citizens many years ago mismanagement has caused the current problems which were passed down from mayor to mayor. With no real plan or money to correct the problems at NYCHA houses in the city this piecemeal approach is being undertaken.  

Happy Thanksgiving! From Bronx Chamber of Commerce

Bronx Chamber of Commerce "The Network for Business Success" 1200 Waters Place, Suite 106 Bronx, NY 10461 - 718-828-3900

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party: Make OUR Holiday Party YOUR Holiday Party!

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party & Toy Drive Wed | Dec 12 | 5:30pm | Villa Barone Manor Let OUR Holiday Party be YOUR Holiday Party! An excellent opportunity for large and small businesses to host their office, department or company party as part of ours. Buffet | Wine | Beer | Music | Dancing Ugly Sweater Contest Raffles and Prizes Fun Photos with Santa Everyone gets a souvenir photo to take home Donated Toys will be distributed to Children in Need by Unique People Services It will be an evening of fun and memories We hope to see you there! Information or to RSVP: 718-828-3900 or phil@bronxchamber.org.      Phil Cardone Events, Communications & Grants Director Bronx Chamber of Commerce "The Network for Business Success" 1200 Waters Place, Suite 106 Bronx, NY 10461