Saturday, September 12, 2020

Attorney General Letitia James Obtains Refunds for Consumers Who Purchased Simply Certificates Gift Cards

For Over Two Years, Simply Certificates Sold Illegal Gift Certificates to Western New Yorkers

Attorney General James secured refunds for New Yorkers who had purchased gift cards that expired earlier than legally permitted. The court order resolves a lawsuit filed earlier this year in Erie County against gift card company “Simply Certificates,” which profited by selling gift cards to consumers with illegal expiration dates. New Yorkers purchased gift cards from Simply Certificates that expired one year from the purchase date, in violation of New York state law that requires a 5-year period before a gift card can expire.

“At a time when so many are hurting financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recession, this will put money back in the pockets of New Yorkers,” said Attorney General James.“The greedy practices of Simply Certificates are simply unacceptable and illegal. Let this serve as a warning to any company that seeks to steal from New Yorkers: We will hold you accountable.”

Consumers were also charged reissuance fees for expired gift cards — terms which were not disclosed to the consumer at the time of purchase. Simply Certificates has agreed to offer eligible consumers the ability to get a refund or exchange their certificate via mail, free of charge. Additionally, they are also required to pay a penalty of $10,000 to the state of New York.

Eligible consumers must have purchased a certificate any time between December 25, 2016 and August 4, 2020. Consumers may request an exchange at any time, but those seeking a refund must submit their refund request by December 31, 2020. Those that are eligible can access further instructions on Simply Certificates’ website, where a form can be accessed to begin the process of receiving an exchange or a refund.

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $19+ MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS ACROSS UPSTATE NEW YORK

Schumer, Gillibrand Say Federal $$ Awarded To Albany, Herkimer, Niagara, Erie, Cattaraugus, And Steuben Counties Will Invest in Economic Revitalization of Counties

Senators: EDA Funding Will Help Upstate NY Small Businesses Recover

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced federal funding totaling $19,135,194 allocated by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for Albany, Herkimer, Niagara, Erie, Cattaraugus, and Steuben Counties. This funding will help capitalize a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) for counties to provide assistance to small business and entrepreneurs impacted by the pandemic, with additional funding to cover administrative costs for deploying that business assistance.

“In these trying and unprecedented times, the federal government should do everything in its power to support our small businesses and put local economies on track to recovery and that is why I insisted this EDA funding be included in the CARES Act Congress passed to deal with COVID-19,” said Senator Schumer. “This federal funding will begin that process by helping small businesses and entrepreneurs in Upstate New York weather this crisis and help the economy bounce back. I will continue to fight and make sure that small businesses and local New York economies have the tools and support they need to rebuild from this crisis.”

“Communities across New York are hurting from the devastating economic impact of the ongoing pandemic,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This critical federal funding will help Upstate New York recover from the pandemic’s economic disruptions, and will ensure local businesses have the tools needed drive growth and create meaningful jobs. I will keep fighting in the Senate for the resources needed to stimulate the economy and ensure New York communities are stronger than ever before.”

Specifically, Albany County Business Development Corporation will receive $8,755,500, Mohawk Valley Economic Development District in Herkimer County will receive $3,014,000, Niagara County Industrial Development Authority will receive $737,000, Erie County Industrial Development Agency will receive $5,415,694, Southern Tier Enterprise Development Organization in Cattaraugus County will receive $660,000, and Regional Economic Development & Energy Corporation will receive $550,000.

Schumer played an integral role in the Senate to negotiate EDA funding for economic development assistance programs into the CARES Act to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID crisis.

Governor Cuomo Announces 35th Straight Day with COVID-19 Infection Rate Below 1 Percent

0.98 Percent of Yesterday's COVID-19 Tests were Positive

5 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

SLA and State Police Task Force Visits 1,380 Establishments; Observes 7 Establishments Not in Compliance

Confirms 880 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 442,791; New Cases in 48 Counties

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the 35th straight day that New York State's COVID-19 infection rate has been below 1 percent. The number of new cases, percentage of tests that were positive and many other helpful data points are always available at forward.ny.gov.

"New York's ability to beat back COVID-19 and slow the spread depends on what we do. That's why it's so important to wear a mask, socially distance and wash your hands, and why local governments are critical partners in enforcing state guidance," Governor Cuomo said. "When informed citizens stay safe and play by the rules, 35 straight days with an infection rate below 1 percent is what you get. Now we have to stay New York Tough and maintain a vigilant attitude so we don't go back to the hell we experienced."

Yesterday, the State Liquor Authority and State Police Task Force visited 1,380 establishments in New York City and Long Island and observed 7 establishments that were not in compliance with state requirements. A county breakdown of yesterday's observed violations is below:

Manhattan - 1
Nassau - 1
Suffolk - 5

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

Patient Hospitalization - 474 (-8)
Patients Newly Admitted - 68
Hospital Counties - 32
Number ICU - 120 (+0)
Number ICU with Intubation - 54 (-1)
Total Discharges - 75,649 (+65)
Deaths - 5
Total Deaths - 25,382

Friday, September 11, 2020

District 13 Clean Up 9/17 and Food, Face Mask, and Hand Sanitizer Giveaway 9/15

Bronx Jewish Community Council - Pelham Parkway Jewish Community Needs Your Help

The hard pressed remaining synagogues in the

Pelham Parkway neighborhood are facing

unprecedented challenges in reopening for

High Holiday services.

Some need to rent space because their existing

sanctuaries are too small to accommodate synagogue

services while enforcing Social Distancing rules.

All need to do greater measures of cleaning and

disinfecting. Masks and hand sanitizers have to be

readily available.

The synagogues have all appealed to the Council for help in meeting

these needs. Our goal is to have $7200 available for these

new emergency costs.

Please help us meet our goal.

Donate Here

Please put Pelham Parkway in dedication

Donate

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Bronx Jewish Community Council

2930 Wallace Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES SEVEN MORE WEEKEND OUTDOOR DINING LOCATIONS

Open Streets: Restaurants initiative is now on 87 streets citywide each weekend, joining more than 10,000 participating Open Restaurants

Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced seven new locations for car-free weekend outdoor dining as part of a City initiative that combines the Open Streets and Open Restaurants programs. The “Open Streets: Restaurants” program expands socially distant seating options onto car-free streets along select corridors throughout the weekends. Today's additions bring the citywide total to 87 participating streets, along with nine pedestrian plazas.

“As we prepare for the return of indoor dining on September 30th, we’re proud to continue supporting businesses by expanding car-free outdoor dining in neighborhoods across the city,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Open Restaurants has been a popular program from the beginning, and Open Streets: Restaurants has expanded options even further while changing the way we think about our streets. We look forward to continuing to expand it.”

“In just over three months, our Open Restaurants initiative has saved more than 90,000 jobs, with more than 10,000 businesses now participating across the five boroughs, and this weekend new car-free locations are coming to more neighborhoods – including New Dorp on Staten Island, Williamsburg and the Lower East Side,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “Mayor de Blasio’s vision and the dedication of our agency and community partners have transformed the cityscape, allowing us to use street space and pedestrian plazas to strengthen our local economy and quality of life during the COVID-19 crisis.”

Most of the new locations will begin weekend closures the evening Friday, September 11^th. Earlier this month, Mayor de Blasio announced that the partner organizations managing these streets can also apply for hours of weekday street closures. As of last week, the Open Restaurants initiative, which began in June, now has over 10,000 participating businesses.

New Open Streets: Restaurants Locations:

Organization On street From Street To Street Borough

Gerlie Grand St. Marcy Ave. Roebling St. BK

Restaurant LLC

KioRestaurant Duane St. Hudson St. West Bway. MN

LLC(dba Khe-Yo)

Restaurant Reade St. West Bway. Greenwich St. MN

Marc Forgione

Ray's Bar Rivington St. Chrystie St. Bowery MN

St. Marks St. Marks Pl. 1st. Ave. Ave. A MN

Business Center

Times Square W.47th St. Broadway 8th Ave. MN

Alliance

New Dorp BID 9th St. New Dorp Ln. Rose Ave SI

The hours of operation for Open Streets: Restaurants corridors are generally from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday nights, and noon to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Some hours will vary by location.