Comptroller Stringer and Investors with $1.1 Trillion Urge General Motors to Join State Agreement on Clean Vehicle Standards

  New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer and a coalition of 25 major investors with $1.1 trillion in collective assets under management today called on General Motors (GM) to join its peers in the compromise agreement with California and other states on clean vehicle standards.

In a letter sent to GM’s CEO Mary Barra, the investor signatories together stressed the urgent need to avoid the significant regulatory uncertainty and litigation delay that would result from President Trump’s proposed rollback of federal clean vehicle standards, as well as the importance of reducing emissions in the near-term from the transportation sector – the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. The investors pointed out that the agreement between the states and automakers provides the best available opportunity to address those needs while also positioning the company for competitive success in a global marketplace that is pivoting to cleaner vehicles.

“We urge you to join this compromise agreement,” said the investor signatories in their letter to the company, “which is consistent with GM’s call for a national solution, continuously improving fuel economy, and its stated goal of moving toward zero emissions.”

Despite GM’s public statements, the company has successfully lobbied the Trump administration, both individually and through its trade organization, to roll back the U.S. Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and greenhouse gas (GHG) vehicle standards. However, in June of this year, after significant investor engagement, the company joined 16 other automakers to write a letter to the President that, citing the need to avoid regulatory uncertainty, expressed approval for a rule supported by California that is stricter than the standards proposed by the Trump Administration – and that helps promote electric vehicles. The compromise agreement provides these elements.

In July, however, GM failed to join Ford, BMW, Honda, and Volkswagen as they reached a compromise agreement with California – supported by 13 states that have adopted California’s standards – that set standards that were not as stringent as the current standards adopted by the Obama administration and the California standards, but still more aggressive than the significantly weaker standards proposed by President Trump. These companies cited the regulatory chaos Trump’s rollback would cause, as states that have adopted California’s standards represent about 37% of the U.S. market, as well as the business case for investing in cleaner vehicles.

“In New York City, we know that a sustainable planet and a secure retirement go hand-in-hand. As an investor in GM and other U.S. automakers, I am deeply concerned with the fallout of President Trump’s proposed rollback because it would undermine the U.S. auto industry, and result in increased emissions at a moment when we need bold action on climate,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “General Motors can choose to help lead the U.S. auto sector into the 21st century, or help President Trump drag it backwards while the rest of the world speeds ahead. I, and many other investors, urge them to stand up for our planet and our future. They should join the compromise agreement, without delay.”

“Our denomination has made clear through policy statements its concern of the transportation sector’s impact on the climate crisis,” said Rob Fohr, Director of Faith-Based Investing and Corporate Engagement at Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). “The compromise solution with California is a step in the right direction, and will enable GM to avoid regulatory uncertainty. We urge GM to follow the lead of Ford, BMW, Honda and VW and join the compromise.”

Bronx Chamber October Events

Conducting a Market Analysis Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2019 Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location: 640 Fordham Road Bronx, NY 10458 Admission: FREE

Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Oct. Meeting

The Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association invites you to our

October 15, 2019 Community Meeting

Our guest this month will be

From the Department of Transportation

Borough Commissioner Nivardo Lopez

Date: Tuesday October 15th 2019
Time: 7:15 PM


Location: Bronx House at 990 Pelham Parkway South

Email us: Pelham ParkwayNA@gmail.com
Also look us up on Facebook!
Sponsored by Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association

(A not-for-profit corporation)

MAYOR DE BLASIO DEPLOYS ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO CHINATOWN AREA TO AID COMMUNITY AND HOMELESS OUTREACH EFFORTS

 Mayor de Blasio announced today that the city is deploying additional resources to the Chinatown neighborhood of Manhattan to aid existing homeless outreach efforts, provide additional social services, and increase security measures. 

"What happened over the weekend shakes the conscience of who we are as New Yorkers," said Mayor de Blasio. “We are sending experts to the neighborhood to provide support during this difficult time, and will continue to assess how to prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future." 

"While our city mourns this horrible and senseless loss of life, I want to remind New Yorkers that the city has experts available to provide support for anyone facing mental health challenges. We’re committed to providing mental health services for all New Yorkers and our mental health outreach teams stand ready to provide support to this community and anyone seeking help," said First Lady Chirlane McCray.

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of the surrounding community, the City will immediately dispatch mental health outreach teams through the Department of Health and Thrive to the designated area. Beginning Monday, mental health support teams will be on-site at community locations throughout the week to provide emotional support and connect people to mental health and other supportive social services. The NYPD has deployed additional officers to patrol the neighborhood.   

The city will also increase frequency of outreach in the area, with HOME-STAT teams proactively engaging homeless New Yorkers, offer services and assistance, and work to gain their trust with the goal of addressing the underlying issues that may have caused or contributed to their street homelessness in order to ultimately, help these individuals transition off the streets. To aid this effort, all street homeless outreach teams have access to:

·         Licensed clinicians who work with clients on the streets, provide on-going case management, and assess each individual for immediate risk/crisis during each encounter

·         Psychiatrists who perform psychiatric evaluations on the streets, as needed, helping understand and how better to meet the individual needs of each street homeless New Yorker

·         Substance use resources, including ability to immediately connect individuals to detox and other rehabilitation programs—and are trained in naloxone administration

At shelters in the community, staff are reminding clients of the availability of mental health support through NYCWELL and will connect clients who may want or need additional services, including mental health services, with qualified professionals and care in the community. DHS will also ensure shelter staff citywide are informing clients of resources available through NYCWell and how to access them.

To remain responsive to the needs of Chinatown residents and community members, the city will continue to meet with local officials and stakeholders and provide updates on the results of these initiatives.

Wave Hill events Oct 17‒Oct 24:

Thu, October 17

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Fri, October 18

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Sat, October 19

Family Art Project: The Walking Snag

Is your bark peeling? Are there bugs at your roots? Is there fungus among us? Which decomposers lurk within? Once a tree has lived its life, it either falls and becomes a log in the forest or a snag—a standing dead tree. Outfit yourself as a snag and cover yourself with fungus, lichens and other decomposers that you create! Join a parade of walking snags to celebrate our decomposer friends. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Scavengers & Decomposers Weekend event.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sat, October 19

Decomposition Central

What do lowly millipedes, mushrooms and land mollusks have in common? They are star players on the decomposition squad that makes life on earth sustainable for all of us. Stop by Decomposition Central to chat with entomologist Lindsay Velazco and naturalist Pam Golben as they de-mystify the de-composition process. Visit the Scavenger and Decomposer Petting Zoo to see and touch some friendly scavengers and decomposers, and observe scavenging dermestid (flesh-eating) beetles at work. Then pick up a self-guided garden scavenger hunt to look for—what else?—scavengers!  Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Scavengers & Decomposers Weekend event.

Wave Hill House, 11AM–4PM

Sat, October 19

The Boneyard

Skulls, bones, teeth, shells, antlers—see what’s left after an animal carcass decomposes. Meet Lawrence Forcella, an oddities expert and bone collector, and learn about osteology, the study of bones and skeletal elements. Team up to try to reassemble a skeleton! Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Scavengers & Decomposers Weekend event.

Wave Hill House, 11AM–4PM

Sat, October 19

Decomposer Detectives Family Walk

Are you curious about worms, insects, fungi, and other creatures that live on the forest floor? Grab a magnifying glass and join us as a Decomposer Detective! Learn all about the activities of the organisms that help break down dead leaves, wood, and other organic matter in Wave Hill’s Abrons Woodland. Please wear closed-toed shoes and appropriate clothing to be out on our woodland adventure! Ages five and up welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. Scavengers & Decomposers Weekend event.

Meet at Wave Hill House, NOON and 1PM

Sat, October 19

Wave Hill History Walk

Discover the fascinating history of Wave Hill’s architecture and landscape on a walk with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Hear about the people who once called Wave Hill home, among them Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, Bashford Dean and Arturo Toscanini. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Sat, October 19

Vulture Culture: A Live Bird Presentation

Often misunderstood, vultures and other scavengers are essential members of nature’s clean-up crew, eating dead animals and halting the spread of dangerous diseases. Observe vultures and other scavenging birds of prey and hear about their adaptive (and somewhat cringeworthy) behaviors with Brian Robinson of Robinson Wildlife Lectures. Free, with admission to the grounds. Scavengers & Decomposers Weekend event.

Wave Hill House, 2PM

Sat, October 19

Gallery Tour

Tour Glyndor Gallery with Wave Hill’s Curatorial Assistant or Gallery Greeter to get an insider’s view of current exhibitions. A flower’s life cycle of budding, blooming and pollinating, as well as its process of decay, strongly echoes the human condition. The exhibition Figuring the Floral features artists who apply this symbolism to their work—touching on race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, aging and other facets of identity. Participating artists are Derrick Adams, Nicole Awai, Bahar Behbahani, Christian Ruiz Berman, Sanford Biggers, Cecile Chong, Max Colby, Abigail DeVille, Valerie Hegarty, Christopher K. Ho and Kevin Zucker, Diana Lozano, Natalia Nakazawa, Ebony G. Patterson, Bundith Phunsombatlert, Lina Puerta, Simonette Quamina, David Rios Ferreira, Alexandria Smith, Katherine Toukhy, Lina Iris Viktor, William Villalongo and Saya Woolfalk. In the Sunroom, Emily Oliveira creates a vibrant, installation using large-scale, textile pieces, sculpture and video to transform the Sunroom into a devotional space for a decolonized, queer utopia 1,000 years into the future. In the Sun Porch, Duy Hoàng creates a sculptural installation inspired by his research and material experimentation. In his laboratory-like setting, Hoàng creates a shelter and uses intersecting Paracords and tree branches to juxtapose found objects, such as fallen plants and photographs of fauna and flora sourced from Wave Hill.  Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 2PM

Sun, October 20

Family Art Project: The Walking Snag

Is your bark peeling? Are there bugs at your roots? Is fungus among us? Which decomposers lurk within? Once a tree has lived its life, it either falls and becomes a log in the forest or a snag—a standing dead tree. Outfit yourself as a snag and cover yourself with fungus, lichens and other decomposers that you create! Join a parade of walking snags to celebrate our decomposer friends. Free with admission to the grounds. Scavengers & Decomposers Weekend event.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, October 20

Decomposition Central

What do lowly millipedes, mushrooms and land mollusks have in common? They are star players on the decomposition squad that makes life on earth sustainable for all of us. Stop by Decomposition Central to chat with entomologist Lindsay Velazco and naturalist Pam Golben as they de-mystify the de-composition process. Visit the Scavenger and Decomposer Petting Zoo to see and touch some friendly scavengers and decomposers, and observe scavenging dermestid (flesh-eating) beetles at work. Then pick up a self-guided garden scavenger hunt to look for—what else?—scavengers!  Free with admission to the grounds. Scavengers & Decomposers Weekend event.

Wave Hill House, 11AM–4PM

Sun, October 20

The Boneyard

Skulls, bones, teeth, shells, antlers—see what’s left after an animal carcass decomposes. Meet Lawrence Forcella, an oddities expert and bone collector, and learn about osteology, the study of bones and skeletal elements. Team up to try to reassemble a skeleton! Free with admission to the grounds. Scavengers & Decomposers Weekend event.

Wave Hill House, 11AM–4PM

Sun, October 20

Decomposer Detectives Family Walk

Are you curious about worms, insects, fungi, and other creatures that live on the forest floor? Grab a magnifying glass and join us as a Decomposer Detective! Learn all about the activities of the organisms that help break down dead leaves, wood, and other organic matter in Wave Hill’s Abrons Woodland. Please wear closed-toed shoes and appropriate clothing to be out on our woodland adventure! Ages five and up welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. Scavengers & Decomposers Weekend event.

Meet at Wave Hill House, NOON and 1PM

Sun, October 20

Secret Lives of Scavengers…A Trail Camera Project

What happens to a deer when it dies in the woods? Lots! A parade of scavengers, from common raven to bald eagle to bobcat, recycle the carcass in short order. Using dramatic images captured by motion activated cameras, Dr. Ed McGowan, Director of Science at the Trailside Museums & Zoo, with the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, chronicles the expected and unexpected wild animals drawn to the life-supporting protein of a dead deer. These images captured in NY State Parks reveal the importance of scavenging for regional rarities, such as the golden eagle, and the risks to wildlife from lead poisoning from unrecovered hunter-shot deer. Free with admission to the grounds. Scavengers & Decomposers Weekend event.

Wave Hill House, 2PM

Sun, October 20

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2PM

Mon, October 21

Wave Hill is closed.

Tue, October 22

Gallery Tour

Tour Glyndor Gallery with Wave Hill’s Curatorial Assistant or Gallery Greeter to get an insider’s view of current exhibitions. A flower’s life cycle of budding, blooming and pollinating, as well as its process of decay, strongly echoes the human condition. The exhibition Figuring the Floral features artists who apply this symbolism to their work—touching on race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, aging and other facets of identity. Participating artists are Derrick Adams, Nicole Awai, Bahar Behbahani, Christian Ruiz Berman, Sanford Biggers, Cecile Chong, Max Colby, Abigail DeVille, Valerie Hegarty, Christopher K. Ho and Kevin Zucker, Diana Lozano, Natalia Nakazawa, Ebony G. Patterson, Bundith Phunsombatlert, Lina Puerta, Simonette Quamina, David Rios Ferreira, Alexandria Smith, Katherine Toukhy, Lina Iris Viktor, William Villalongo and Saya Woolfalk. In the Sunroom, Emily Oliveira creates a vibrant, installation using large-scale, textile pieces, sculpture and video to transform the Sunroom into a devotional space for a decolonized, queer utopia 1,000 years into the future. In the Sun Porch, Duy Hoàng creates a sculptural installation inspired by his research and material experimentation. In his laboratory-like setting, Hoàng creates a shelter and uses intersecting Paracords and tree branches to juxtapose found objects, such as fallen plants and photographs of fauna and flora sourced from Wave Hill.  Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 2PM

Wed, October 23

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Thu, October 24

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Thu, October 24

On Site Opera Presents The Turn of the Screw: Ticketed Dress Rehearsal   *SOLD OUT*

Just as the chill of fall permeates the air, the acclaimed On Site Opera stages three performances of Benjamin Britten’s haunting tale The Turn of the Screw in October. This roving opera takes guests from the Great Lawn and on to Wave Hill house to watch as a terrified governess struggles to comfort her two young charges. This psychological thriller hurtles to a chilling conclusion as guests follow performers into Mark Twain Room and Armor Hall. In addition to today's dress rehearsal, The Turn of the Screw will be presented at Wave Hill on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 25, 26 and 27. All  performances are sold out. $60 for dress rehearsal; Wave Hill Members save 10%.  

On the Grounds & Wave Hill House, 7:30PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS – Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM, March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION – $10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES – Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

 

Attorney General James Sues NYCharities.org For Missing Funds

NYCharities.org Failed to Turn Over Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Contributions to New York Charitable Organizations

 Attorney General Letitia James today sued NYCharities.org, an online fundraising platform, for failing to distribute more than $750,000 in contributions to charities throughout New York.

“I will not allow greed to profit off of the generosity of New Yorkers without a fight,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “Leaving New York charitable donors uncertain if their donations will ever make it to their intended cause is unacceptable. My office is committed to maintaining the integrity of New York’s charitable sector and protecting those who contribute to it.”  

The lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court today, follows an investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, which received more than 125 complaints from New York State charities. The complaints allege that those charities, which had entrusted NYCharities.org;to collect contributions on their behalf, have not received those contributions since May 2019. The claims of unpaid contributions range from $200 to more than $100,000.

The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction freezing NYCharities.org’s bank accounts, an accounting of all funds collected on behalf of New York charities, and appointment of a receiver to oversee payment of those funds to the charities to which they belong. The Attorney General is also seeking to bar NYCharities.org permanently from conducting any activity in New York.

AG James Files Motion To Oppose Purdue Pharma's $38 Million In Bonus Payments To Company Executives

 

  New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with a coalition of 24 additional attorneys general from around the nation, today filed a “joinder” in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York to formally oppose Purdue Pharma’s decision to pay out $38 million in bonuses to company executives, despite the fact that the company has filed for bankruptcy.

“As Purdue Pharma argues in court that they cannot afford to pay creditors what they owe, the company wants to hand out $38 million in bonuses to their top executives,” said Attorney General James. “The company needs to be held to account, not be allowed to recklessly spend what they claim are limited funds. Our broad coalition of attorneys general is taking action today to stop this waste from proceeding.”

The attorneys general filed a joinder to the United States Trustee’s objection to Purdue’s authorization request for their multi-million dollar incentive, bonus, and severance plans. Purdue submitted this request just two weeks after declaring bankruptcy in the face of multi-billion dollar liabilities for their role in engineering the opioid epidemic.

Joining Attorney General James in filing today’s joinder to the U.S. Trustee’s opposition filing are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Bronx Man Sentenced To Life Plus 75 Years In Prison In Connection With Murders Of Marvin Harris

  

  Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JAMES FELTON was sentenced today to life plus 75 years in prison for the June 11, 2016, murder of Marvin Harris, whom FELTON shot 13 times, and the December 11, 2016, murder of Jose Morales, whom FELTON shot in the head.  FELTON’s sentence also encompassed his participation in a drug conspiracy and firearms offenses.  FELTON was convicted on June 19, 2019, after a jury trial before U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley III, who imposed today’s sentence. 

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “James Felton murdered two people in cold blood and attempted to murder two others.  The sentence imposed today is a just punishment for a brutal, unrepentant killer.  We thank our partners at Homeland Security Investigations and the New York City Police Department for their outstanding work on this case and for their dedication in bringing Felton to justice.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment and evidence at trial:

Between 2010 and 2017, FELTON was a member of a long-running narcotics conspiracy centered around 240 East 175th Street in the Bronx, New York, as well as a criminal enterprise consisting of members of his family and other associates.  On June 11, 2016, at the corner of East 175th Street and Monroe Avenue, FELTON shot Marvin Harris 13 times after Harris insulted FELTON and challenged FELTON’s status within the drug territory.  Six months later, at the corner of East 175th Street and Weeks Avenue, one block away from the scene of the Harris murder, FELTON shot rival drug dealer Edwin Romero four times, attempted to shoot Romero’s girlfriend, and shot Jose Morales in the head, killing him.

In addition to the prison term, FELTON, 50, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to five years of supervised release. 

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York City Police Department.