Friday, May 31, 2019

14 CHARGED IN SALES OF HEROIN, FENTANYL AND FENTANYL ANALOGS FOLLOWING DRUG OVERDOSES


South Brooklyn Motels and Public Housing Development Served as Trafficking Hubs; Brazen Assault at Staples Store Linked to Drug Dispute

  Guns and drugs seized 
Luxury goods bought with drug proceeds

   Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New York Division, New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill, Acting New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced charges against 14 defendants following a long-term wiretap investigation into sales of heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogs in Brooklyn. The investigation began following a rash of overdoses in 2017.

The defendants are charged in connection with two drug distribution organizations that obtained narcotics from a common source of supply, BRANDICE WILLIAMS, aka “Bee,” aka “Sis.” The investigation, conducted by the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force (NYDETF) Group T-31 and the New York City Police Department (NYPD)’s Brooklyn South Gang Squad and Narcotics Borough Brooklyn South, revealed that members of the organizations were aware of the potentially lethal potency of the narcotics they sold and made substantial profits from these drug sales. Defendant WALDEMAR VALENTIN, aka “Wiz,” the alleged leader of one organization, faces the top narcotics charge of Operating as a Major Trafficker. VALENTIN is also charged with carrying out brazen acts of violence and threats against a witness to protect his lucrative drug business.
Indictments filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor contain charges of Conspiracy, Operating as a Major Trafficker, Criminal Sale of and Possession of a Controlled Substance, Assault and Attempted Assault, Intimidating a Witness, Criminal Possession of a Weapon and of a Firearm, Possession of a Forged Instrument and of a Forgery Device and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez reviewed and submitted wiretap applications for court authorization.
WILLIAMS was arrested in Woodbridge, Va. on May 3, 2018 and removed to New York City for prosecution on charges in two indictments relating to the two organizations. She and four others are scheduled for arraignment today on a superseding indictment before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Abraham Clott, Part 61, 111 Centre Street.
NYDETF Group T-31 is comprised of agents with DEA New York Division, NYPD detectives and the New York State Police investigators.
Valentin Organization
The investigation began following a spike in overdose and deaths in South Brooklyn, including one fatal overdose and one non-fatal overdose linked to fentanyl analogs in Canarsie in June of 2017. Fentanyl analogs are variants of the potent opioid fentanyl, with slightly different chemical compositions, and can be significantly more lethal than fentanyl. While it is illegal to possess or sell fentanyl analogs under federal law, the majority of these substances are still legal under New York State law. Fentanyl and fentanyl analogs are responsible for more than half of all overdose deaths in New York City.
Agents and officers identified the trafficking organization allegedly headed by WALDEMAR VALENTIN, which operated out of rooms at two South Brooklyn motels: the Day’s Inn located on 49th Street and the Harbor Motor Inn located on Shore Parkway. It was part of the conspiracy for the defendants to store, package and sell heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, including fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl and despropionyl fluorofentanyl. The substances were sometimes mixed together and sometimes sold separately. It was also part of the conspiracy for the defendants to physically assault and threaten members and associates of the narcotics organization who undermined VALENTIN.
Members of the organization used coded language to discuss narcotics and set up purchases and sales. VALENTIN and others travelled to Staten Island where BRANDICE WILLIAMS resided in order to receive narcotics. Between October of 2017 and July of 2018, defendants PHILLIP PATSURIYA, aka “Phil,” MICHAEL BACA VELAZQUEZ, ANASTASIA SPIVAK and others allegedly sold narcotics at VALENTIN’s direction at the motels and elsewhere. More than 175 instances of narcotics sales and/or possession were identified during the wiretap investigation.
Conversations between VALENTIN and PATSURIYA indicated they sought out the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl and its variants to sell to their customers. As detailed in the indictment, VALENTIN and PATSURIYA discussed their customers being able to taste the difference between fentanyl and heroin. Once when narcotics they received from alleged supplier WILLIAMS tasted too much like “regular” heroin rather than “fetty,” VALENTIN told PATSURIYA that he was going to “have a talk with the connect.”
In May of 2018, the wiretap investigation revealed a series of mishaps that caused the organization’s narcotics supply to run short. On May 10, 2018, VALENTIN complained in a call to another individual that “wifey” threw out some narcotics “by the school in a black bag.” The following day, VALENTIN told defendant BACA VELAZQUEZ that narcotics had fallen in a sewer. BACA VELAZQUEZ said he would purchase a tool to help retrieve it. Later, BACA VELAZQUEZ informed VALENTIN he had heated and cooled the narcotics to dry it out after being in the sewer. “I did the oven then I did the freezer” and “they said it taste fine,” he said.
On May 13, 2018, PATSURIYA and VALENTIN exchanged a series of text messages about a member of the drug organization whom they suspected of stealing narcotics. PATSURIYA told VALENTIN that one individual they were seeking to assault was hiding inside a Staples store located at 2892 Ocean Avenue. A second individual they were seeking to assault was with PATSURIYA inside his car in the store parking lot. At approximately 3 p.m., VALENTIN approached PATSURIYA’s car with a baseball bat and struck the individual in the face with a baseball bat causing injury. PATSURIYA and VALENTIN then entered the Staples store together and VALENTIN allegedly struck the second individual in the head with the baseball bat causing injury.
After police responded to the Staples store, VALENTIN and PATSURIYA discussed the likelihood of the attack being captured on security footage. VALENTIN told PATSURIYA that if the individual they assaulted inside the store went to the police he would go after him and his family, stating, “I already put my people’s on so they know where he lives who his moms n all that.” On May 16, 2018, VALENTIN indicated he was looking for the individual he allegedly attacked in the store, stating, “I hit him in the head already” and “I’m not finish.”
VALENTIN and PATSURIYA were arrested in June of 2018. On May 6, 2019, VALENTIN was arraigned on a superseding indictment that charges him with Operating as a Major Trafficker, Attempted Assault in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree and Intimidating a Witness in the Third Degree, as well as three counts of conspiracy. PATSURIYA faces charges of Conspiracy, Attempted Assault in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree.
Marlboro Houses

Between June of 2018 and May of 2019, the focus of the investigation shifted to a narcotic trafficking organization operating in the Marlboro Houses, a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residential complex in Brooklyn, who conspired to sell cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, particularly fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, para-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl and despropionyl fluorofentanyl. Eight members of this organization have been arrested and indicted as part of the conspiracy, in addition to BRANDICE WILLIAMS. WILLIAMS travelled to the Marlboro Houses from her residence in Woodbridge, Va., where she moved in the Fall of 2018, in order to supply narcotics to defendant JAMES SEASE and others.


WILLIAMS, SEASE and three codefendants are scheduled to be arraigned on a superseding indictment today before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Abraham Clott, Part 61, 111 Centre Street. The arrests occurred on May 3, 2019 as a result of a long-term investigation. The indictment charges SEASE and alleged members of the organization in a total of 15 sales of narcotics to undercover NYPD officers and additional charges of drug possession.
The defendants regularly convened in a number of apartments located throughout the Marlboro Houses, where they allegedly packaged and sold narcotics, stored firearms and ammunition, possessed forged credit cards and forgery devices and discussed matters related to the operation. The defendants also allegedly used a nearby deli, Food Corp. on 86th Street, as a location to congregate and store narcotics.
Agents and officers learned that SEASE resided in East Orange, N.J. and regulary commuted to the Marlboro Houses in a Mercedes vehicle. During the investigation, SEASE allegedly spent some of his criminal profits during multiple shopping sprees at high end stores, including Chanel and Bergdorf Goodman. These shopping trips were captured on store security footage. At Chanel SEASE purchased a $5,000 bag with a stack of $20 bills, which he photographed with his phone. At Bergdorf Goodman, SEASE purchased clothing and footwear by the luxury brand Balenciaga.
At the time of his arrest on May 3, 2019, agents and officers conducted a court authorized search of SEASE’s residence, located at 120 Halsted Street, Apt. 301, East Orange, N.J. and recovered approximately $19,000 cash, large amounts of high end luxury goods and 12 counterfeit driver’s licenses. Agents and officers also conducted a series of court authorized searches of apartments within the Marlboro Houses and recovered two loaded guns, quantities of narcotics, drug packing equipment and paraphernalia, fraudulent credit cards and a credit card embossing machine.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan thanked her office’s Narcotics Gang Unit, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Division, the New York City Police Department and the New York State Police.
“This investigation was prompted by the urgent need to identify the source of highly potent drugs that were endangering lives in South Brooklyn. The case posed unique challenges as not all fentanyl analogs are illegal in New York State, despite their lethal nature. Fentanyl and its variations contributed to half of all overdose deaths in New York City last year, and removing these substances from the black market is a top priority for our office,” said Special Narcotics Prosecutor Brennan. “I thank all of our law enforcement partners for their commitment to this successful investigation.”
“The epidemic of opioid use continues to destroy the lives of too many members of our communities and their families. I commend the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor and the New York City Police Department for uncovering these alleged criminal operations. I remain committed to working with my law enforcement partners in holding accountable those who endanger lives by selling these dangerous substances,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
“Fentanyl hasn’t changed how traffickers operate, but it has changed the rates of overdoses nationwide,” said Ray Donovan, DEA Special Agent in Charge. “Twenty years ago, less than 1,000 deaths a year were attributed to synthetic opioids; recent analysis noted nearly 30,000 Americans were killed in 2017. We have prioritized targeting opioid traffickers, like these two organizations, whose violence and drug dissemination have wreaked havoc throughout our city and taken lives prematurely.”
“The NYPD and its partners will be tireless in the pursuit of those involved in narcotics trafficking within our city. These arrests—and the indictments that followed—demonstrate New York City law enforcement’s steadfast resolve in ridding our neighborhoods of these dangerous drugs. I commend the NYPD investigators as well as our colleagues in the DEA, the New York State Police, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, and the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, for their work in building this case,” said Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill.


Acting New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett said, “Because of the critical partnerships and the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners, we were able to dismantle a dangerous heroin/fentanyl drug trafficking operation. The arrests of these criminals reinforces that we will continue to be vigilant in stopping the flow of these dangerous narcotics into our neighborhoods. The sale of such highly addictive drugs perpetuates a cycle of substance abuse which poses a significant threat to safety and quality of life within our communities, and it will not be tolerated. I commend our members and our law enforcement partners for their hard work in uncovering this illicit operation.”
Defendants: Valentin OrganizationCharges
Brandice Williams, aka “Bee,” aka “Sis”; Woodbridge, VA; 9/15/1983Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; CSCS 2nd – 1 ct
Waldemar Valentin, aka “Wiz”; Brooklyn, NY; 5/23/1985Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 2 cts; Operating as a Major Trafficker – 1 ct; Attempted Assault 1st – 2 cts; Assault 2nd – 2 cts; Intimidating a Witness 3rd – 1 ct
Phillip Patsuriya, aka “Phil”; Brooklyn, NY; 9/5/1994Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; Attempted Assault 1st – 2 cts; Assault 2nd – 2 cts
Michael Baca-Velazquez, aka “Mikey”; Old Bridge Township, NJ; 8/14/1988Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct
Anastasia Spivak; Brooklyn, NY; 8/12/1997
Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct

Defendants: Marlboro HousesCharges
Brandice Williams, aka “Bee,” aka “Sis”; Woodbridge, VA; 9/15/1983Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia – 1 ct
James Sease, aka “Chop Whop”; East Orange, NJ; 9/21/1987Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 2 cts; Conspiracy 5th – 1 ct; CSCS 3rd – 1 ct; Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd – 12 cts
Michael Dixon, aka “Heat Mulah,” aka “Snap”; Brooklyn, NY; 11/19/1982Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 2 cts; Conspiracy 5th – 1 ct; CPW 2nd – 2 cts; Criminal Possession of a Firearm – 2 cts; CSCS 3rd – 13 cts; CPCS 3rd – 1 ct; CPCS 4th – 1 ct; Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia – 3 cts
Braun Gordon, aka “Uncle,” aka “Unc”; Brooklyn, NY; 5/31/1965Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 2 cts; Conspiracy 5th – 1 ct; CPW 2nd – 2 cts; Criminal Possession of a Firearm – 2 cts; CSCS 3rd – 2 cts; CPCS 3rd – 1 ct; CPCS 4th – 1 ct; Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia – 3 cts
Jerome Pippens; Brooklyn, NY' 6/6/1986Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct Conspiracy 4th – 2 cts Conspiracy 5th – 1 ct CPCS 3rd – 2 cts CPCS 5th – 1 ct Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia – 2 cts Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd – 2 cts Criminal Possession of a Forgery Device – 1 ct



The charges and allegations are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

MAJOR NARCOTICS TRAFFICKERS SENTENCED FOR SMUGGLING COCAINE VIA U.S. POSTAL SERVICE


Postal Box Interior Box and Contents

Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, announced today the sentencing of Puerto Rico-based drug suppliers LUIS XAVIER MELENDEZ SANCHEZ and ELIUD TORRES on top narcotics possession and conspiracy charges. The charges stemmed from a scheme to smuggle large quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico to New York City and elsewhere through the U.S. Mail. Packages of drugs were concealed inside boxes of toys and exercise equipment.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Stephen Antignani imposed a sentence of 11 years in prison followed by five years post release supervision on the charge of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree and one to three years in prison for Conspiracy in the Second Degree for each of the two defendants. The sentences are to run concurrently.
MELENDEZ SANCHEZ and TORRES entered guilty pleas on May 8, 2019 after their trial had commenced. They were among 15 defendants arrested in connection with a conspiracy that ran from August 2015 to February 2017. A total of 21 kilograms of cocaine and heroin (46 pounds), with a combined street value of approximately $4.5 million, was seized during the long-term wiretap investigation, as was approximately $150,000 in cash, $90,000 in jewelry, a rifle and a stun gun.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA’s New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force Group Z-42, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the New Jersey State Police, Trafficking Central Unit.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said, “In the midst of the opioid epidemic gripping our city, we must not forget that cocaine related deaths are also on the rise. The volume of cocaine smuggled into New York City by the Sanchez -Torres organization through the mail, simply concealed in innocent looking packages, is a grim reminder of that sad fact. I thank all of our law enforcement partners who collaborated to bring an extended network of narcotic traffickers to justice.”
MELENDEZ SANCHEZ and TORRES were arrested on February 7, 2017 and February 8, 2017 respectively in San Juan, P.R. after agents and officers identified them as suppliers for the head of Bronx-based narcotic distribution organization, ARIEL LOPEZ ACOSTA.
LOPEZ ACOSTA pled guilty on December 14, 2017 and was sentenced to 8 ½ years in prison for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree and two to six years in prison for Conspiracy in the Second Degree. All of the other defendants charged in the case also pled guilty.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan commended Assistant District Attorneys Erik J. Aho and Christopher Lin of her office’s Special Investigations Bureau for their work on the case, along with Investigative Analyst Michael-Angelo Zummo and Trial Preparation Assistants Cindy Cintron, Whitley Daniels and Sonia Hira, and thanked Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan also commended members of DEA New York Strike Force Group Z-42, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the New Jersey State Police.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers of the DEA, the New York City Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the New York State Police, the U. S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Marshal Service, New York National Guard, the New York Department of Taxation and Finance, the Clarkstown Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Port Washington Police Department and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The Strike Force is partially funded by the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), which is a federally funded crime fighting initiative.
DefendantChargesSentence
Luis Xavier Melendez Sanchez; San Juan, Puerto Rico; 12/1/1987Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; CPCS 1st – 1 ct1-3 years prison; 11 years prison + 5 years PRS
Eliud Torres; San Juan, Puerto Rico; 1/13/1977Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; CPCS 1st – 1 ct1-3 years prison; 11 years prison + 5 years PRS

Attorney General James Sues New York City Property Manager For Illegally Deregulating Hundreds Of Rent-Stabilized Apartments


David Drumheller Allegedly Participated in Scheme to Increase Rent-Stabilized Rents, Took $1.2 Million in Kickbacks from Contractors

  Attorney General Letitia James today announced a lawsuit against David Drumheller and his closely-held company, JBD Realty Services, LLC, for fraud, unjust enrichment, and for repeatedly violating Rent Stabilization laws through manipulation of Individual Apartment Improvements (IAIs). Drumheller worked for many years at Newcastle Realty Services, a property management company that manages approximately 2,500 apartments throughout New York City. 

The complaint alleges that, while at Newcastle, Drumheller and other agents jointly schemed to illegally deregulate rent-stabilized apartments by manufacturing and inflating costs used to claim IAIs, a mechanism by which landlords can raise rent-stabilized rents in excess of regular annual rent increases. Additionally, the complaint alleges that Drumheller and an associate at Newcastle accepted $1,200,000 in kickbacks from contractors who performed renovations on Newcastle-managed apartments.
“Engaging in fraud with respect to renovations is a decades-old, devious practice designed to take advantage of tenants throughout New York," said Attorney General Letitia James. “Knocking hundreds of rent-stabilized apartments off the market by illegal schemes is immoral and unacceptable. My office will work to reregulate the units lost to this fraud, and to ensure that individuals like Drumheller are no longer in a position to abuse the rent regulation system.” 
The lawsuit details a years-long scheme to abuse the IAI system set forth in the Rent Stabilization laws in order to rapidly deregulate rent-stabilized buildings, sell them, and turn a profit. When landlords and managing agents are able to claim enough costs to push the rent over the “high rent” deregulation threshold, apartments become market-rate, which exponentially increases the value of buildings. Under the Rent Stabilization laws, the State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR) does not approve IAIs and therefore does not receive receipts from a landlord unless a tenant brings an overcharge case.
The complaint alleges that Newcastle implemented a strategy to gut-renovate vacant rent-stabilized apartments, count the cost of the renovations as IAIs, and then claim that the apartments were exempt from rent stabilization when a new tenant moved in. It is alleged that, in order to carry out this plan, Drumheller, without speaking to any contractor, first determined how much money it would take to deregulate a unit, and then dictated the labor cost to the captured contractor regardless of the true and fair cost of the renovation. Further, he used false change orders when his calculation fell short. This practice resulted in discrepancies in the claimed cost of labor. For example, $14,500 would be claimed in construction costs to renovate a one-bedroom apartment; whereas, $95,000 would be claimed in construction costs to renovate a studio in the very same building at the same time. Drumheller and others at Newcastle assigned these labor costs to apartments based exclusively on the amount of IAI necessary to deregulate each unit and not the actual value of the work. However, because Drumheller created checklists and other paperwork to make these costs appear legitimate, it was virtually impossible for HCR or incoming tenants to uncover the fraud.
Additionally, the complaint alleges that Drumheller secretly syphoned money from payments to Newcastle contractors, and he included those kickbacks in claimed IAIs.  Contractors paid Drumheller in cash and checks, and Drumheller and his associate together took more than $1.2 million from the contractors hired to do Newcastle renovations. Some contractors paid Drumheller and his associate directly, and others paid for their expenses, such as country club dues, Porsche payments, and home improvement projects.
In the filing, the Attorney General seeks an injunction against Drumheller and JBD Realty Services, LLC, disgorgement of all kickbacks, restitution for tenants affected by their conduct, and that the Court bar Drumheller and JBD Realty Services, LLC from engaging in any business related to management or ownership of rent-stabilized property in the State of New York.
“We commend the Attorney General for her continued efforts and national leadership on behalf of New Yorkers. The Governor’s Tenant Protection Unit within HCR continues to work closely with the Attorney General’s office to uncover illicit schemes that defraud hard-working, law-abiding New Yorkers, and joint AG and TPU investigations have successfully resulted in civil actions against Zara Realty and settlements against Marolda,” said HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. “Working together in real-time is how we create a force-multiplier to identify illegal overcharges and schemes to protect tenants. Through its audits and investigations, to date the TPU has returned more than 77,000 improperly deregulated apartments to rent regulation and recovered approximately $5 million in overcharged rent for unsuspecting tenants.”
The Attorney General, in coordination with HCR, is continuing its investigation into the loss of rent-stabilized apartments through Drumheller’s scheme. Any tenants who believe they have been overcharged can file an overcharge complaint with HCR.

VAN NEST NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE–MONTHLY MEETING–MONDAY JUNE 3, 2019–7:00PM–MONSIGNIOR FIORENTINO APTS–1830 AMETHYST STREET, COMMUNITY ROOM


Monday June 3, 2019 is our last meeting before summer recess!
We resume in September. That doesn't mean we stop being
the eyes and ears of Van Nest! We are on-call 24/7!
Monday, June 3, 2019
7:00 PM
Monsignor Fiorentino Apts Community Room
1830 Amethyst Street


Bronx, NY 10462

New Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Upcoming Events



Monroe College offers a special 20% tuition discount
to Bronx Chamber of Commerce Members!
Bronx Community College Foundation 2019 Scholarship Gala
Wednesday | 6:00-10:00pm | June 5, 2019

This year’s honorees include Joseph Kelleher, President, Simone Metro Properties; Chairman, Bronx Chamber of Commerce. The Bronx Community College (BCC) Foundation Scholarship Gala is the college’s leading fundraising event in support of BCC students with their greatest financial needs to stay in school, graduate and put them on the path to transforming their lives and that of their families.
Admission: See flyer.
Location: Tribeca Rooftop, 2 Desbrosses Street, New York, NY 10013.
BMAR invites you to A Subway Ride to the Ballgame
Monday | 5:00pm | June 10, 2019
The Yankees vs. Mets Subway Series
Be part of the team and go to bat as a sponsor!

Game Time: 7:05pm
Admission: $215.00 (includes Yankees baseball hat, food, beer and soft drinks)
Location: Yankee Stadium

VISIONS Celebrity Bartending Event
Thursday | July 18, 2019 | 6:00-9:00pm

This year’s celebrity bartenders include Ed Angelino, Power Express; John Bonizio, Metro Optics Eyewear; Bruce Eagel, Eagel Sports; John Marano, Community Volunteer; Frank Marciano, Ensign Engineering; Tommy Messina, Community Advocate; Anthony Mormile, Orange Bank & Trust Company; and Andrew Squitieri, DJ Ambulette. Proceeds support VISIONS FREE Services for blind people in the Bronx.
Admission: Included in link above 
Location: Residence Inn by Marriott, 1776 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461

MAYOR DE BLASIO, SPEAKER JOHNSON, CHANCELLOR CARRANZA AND NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCE SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY-BASED EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROVIDERS


  Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Corey Johnson and Chancellor Richard A. Carranza today announced addenda to the Birth-to-Five RFP and Head Start/Early Head Start RFP that will support community-based early care and education providers with greater financial stability. Written in partnership with the City Council and after hearing extensive feedback from advocates and community-based providers, these addenda will raise the funding floor for awarded providers, support indirect costs and cost increases over the contract term, and strengthen the partnership between the Department of Education and community-based providers.

“I’ve put early childhood education front and center as Mayor because it’s our first tool for improving the lives of every New Yorker and making this the fairest big city in the country,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We’ve heard the voices of community advocates and the Council and are committed to ensuring early childhood education providers have the stability and funding they need to put our kids on the path to success inside and outside the classroom.”

“This is a huge win for our city,” said Speaker Corey Johnson. “Community-based early care and education providers helping to raise a new generation of New Yorkers. They deserve all the support we can give them and nothing less." 

“Pre-K and 3-K for All would not be possible without the phenomenal work and dedication of our community-based providers,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “We’ve met with and listened to numerous advocates and providers, and we’re excited to strengthen our partnership with these providers and continue to work together to provide high-quality early care and education to New York City children and families.”
  
The specific changes to the RFPs include:

·         To make it easier for providers to meet their programmatic needs, and help fill seats, DOE has increased the up-front payments providers receive by January of each school year to three-quarters of their contract value, a 10% increase over the original RFP. Providers that have enrollment greater than 75% will receive an enhanced payment, and those with at least 93% enrollment will receive their full contract value.
·         Additionally, the DOE will continue to provide extensive enrollment support to all CBOs to ensure that programs are able to fill seats and families are able to receive high-quality care that meets their needs. This includes: 
o   Access to a multilingual outreach team that reaches thousands of families every year and will partner with providers to reach out to families specifically in their communities;
o   Support for families, including a mobile-friendly application, in-person support at 12 Family Welcome Centers, and application support available in over 200 languages;
o   Outdoor and digital advertisements with targeting based on neighborhood language;
o   Marketing materials for programs like palm cards, posters, and banners;
o   One-on-one support to under-enrolled programs.

·         Consistent with policy developed by the Nonprofit Resiliency Committee in partnership with nonprofits and the City Council, providers may budget for up to 10 percent of indirect costs if that is what is required within the budget and program model. That number may be higher if approved by the federal government or verified by a CPA. 
·         Providers’ cost increases during the contract term will be addressed if and when the city certifies that industry-wide labor costs increase, or if the individual provider demonstrates reasonable increases in occupancy cost. 
·         Contracted providers can propose to offer 8-10 hour-per-day, year-round programming, and the City will award as many of these seats as possible, pending available funds.
·         DOE has synchronized the deadline for providers to respond to both the Birth-to-Five RFP and the Head Start RFP, extending the Birth-to-Five deadline so that both are on June 13.

“Our community-based providers have been essential to the success of Pre-K and 3-K for All and integral to communities across this City,” said Deputy Chancellor of Early Childhood and Student Enrollment Josh Wallack. “We’ve listened to their concerns, and we’re excited to take this step forward in partnership with them and with the support of our Mayor, our Chancellor, and the City Council. We’ll continue to partner with our CBOs to provide high-quality programs for New York City children and families.”