FOLLOWING AGREEMENT WITH UNITED SANITATIONMEN’S ASSOCIATION, CITY REACHES $722 MILLION IN LABOR SAVINGS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the City has reached $722 million in labor savings in fiscal year 2021, following an agreement with Teamsters Local 831, the Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association, that saves approximately $27 million in fiscal year 2021 and is consistent with deals with the United Federation of Teachers, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, District Council 37 and the Communication Workers of America Local 1180. The City still needs a minimum of $5 billion in federal or state relief in order to avoid drastic action such as layoffs for fiscal year 2022.     

“As chances for a robust federal stimulus rise with the incoming Biden administration, New York City has still gotten to work making tough choices to balance the budget,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I thank Harry Nespoli for coming to the table to find savings and avoid layoffs, and his members for always keeping our city clean and safe.”

 

The agreement with Teamsters Local 831, the Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association includes:  

   

Deferred payment: Payment of retroactive pay, which had been scheduled for October 2020, is deferred to Fiscal Year 2022. There is also an agreement to defer four months of retiree welfare fund contributions until November 2021 and the deferral of a lump sum payment to the annuity fund until December 2021.

 

Commitment on layoffs: No layoffs through June 30, 2021. If the City receives State and Federal assistance of $5 billion or more, the no-layoff pledge is extended to June 30, 2022.  

 

Assemblymember Pichardo & Tenants of Bailey Houses call out NYCHA and Dormitory Authority due to lack of roof repair and unlivable conditions

 

Assemblymember Victor M. Pichardo (D-Bronx) will be joined by the tenants of NYCHA Bailey Houses and Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) as they call on the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) to repair the leaking roof at Bailey Houses. 

Despite Assemblyman Pichardo’s allocation of 3 million in state funding in late November of 2018, NYCHA has recently projected that no repairs can be made to the roof of Bailey Houses. Tenants are growing frustrated as a result of the worsening conditions and are demanding that they be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. 

Bronx COVID-19 Testing Sites 11/116 - 11/22, 2020

 

Thank you Community Board 11 District Manager Jeremy Warneke

Click on it to make it larger.

Claremont Village Book Bag, School Supply, Food, Giveaway

 

It was an afternoon event where over one-hundred people from the community came for a free book bag with school supplies, and other items that any family would need. Female District Leader Latina Jones of the 79th Assembly District had complete control of the event. 

People from the area lined up, were given a cloth shopping bag as they signed in, which they then put hand sanitizer, food, a book bag and more into. On hand were two local City Council members, Vanessa Gibson and Rafael Salamanca, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea with police officers from the Housing PSA 7 and 42nd Precinct, The Male District Leader from the neighboring 77th Assembly District, and a couple of candidates for the City Council next year. 

Above - Female District Leader Latina Jones holding up one of the many book bags filled with school supplies that were given out. 

Below - The large area set up to give out items and information.

Above - A mother and her children stop by the table promoting Plant based foods over animal based foods.

Below - District Leader Latina Jones with Police Commissioner Shea.

Above - District Leader Latina Jones with City Council members Vanessa Gibson and Rafael Salamanca.

Below - A group photo with Police Commissioner Shea, City Council members Gibson and Salamanca, and others who were involved in setting up the event.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - NOVEMBER 15, 2020

 

Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 4.05 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas is 2.45 Percent     

Statewide Positivity Rate is 2.74 Percent

30 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"What we're seeing now as COVID rages across the country and world is what scientists told us time and time again would happen as the colder months arrived," Governor Cuomo said. "But we learned from what we went through in New York and we've been a step ahead ever since. These next few weeks will be challenging as the holidays arrive. We all want to be with our loved ones, especially after this hard year, but we must remain vigilant. We all have COVID fatigue, but we simply don't have the luxury of letting our guard down - COVID isn't tired. If we stay New York Tough and keep up the good work we've been doing, wearing our masks, staying socially distant and adhering to gathering limits, we can manage this global surge of COVID, but these next few weeks are key in maintaining our progress."

The Governor noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 4.05 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 2.45 percent. Within the focus areas, 23,488 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 953 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 109,714 test results were reported, yielding 2,696 positives.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 1,845 (+57)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 266
• Hospital Counties - 51
• Number ICU - 378 (+11)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 158 (+12)
• Total Discharges - 81,788 (+203)
• Deaths - 30
• Total Deaths - 26,133

DEC ANNOUNCES TIE FOR STATE RECORD PUMPKINSEED

 

Pumpkinseed Caught in January Recently Confirmed through DNA Analysis

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that the state record for a pumpkinseed has officially been tied by a catch on the Black River earlier this year. 

“It took some time, but I want to personally congratulate Jordan Tontarski, the angler who caught the pumpkinseed last winter in Jefferson County, tying a state record set 25 years ago,” Commissioner Seggos said. “New York has some of the most outstanding year-round angling opportunities in the nation and we encourage residents and visitors alike to enjoy this relaxing and family-friendly sport.” 

Tontarski caught the pumpkinseed last January while ice fishing on the Black River near Watertown. He had a feeling his catch would be a contender in the New York State Winter Classic Fishing Tournament and brought the fish to Chaumont Hardware for an official weigh-in. It came in at 1 lbs. 9 oz., with physical features of both pumpkinseed and the bluegill sunfish species. Tontarski brought the fish to DEC’s Region 6 Office for biologists to examine, but the verdict remained inconclusive. Seeking a final answer, he drove his mystery sunfish across the state to Albany for identification by ichthyologists at the New York State Museum. The recently completed DNA test concluded the fish was a pure pumpkinseed, officially tying the state record set in 1994 by R. Kennard Mosher in Indian Lake, Hamilton County. 

Tontarski submitted details of his winning catch to DEC's Angler Achievement Awards Program, which tracks state record fish. Through this program, anglers can enter freshwater fish that meet specific qualifying criteria and receive official recognition of their catch and a distinctive lapel pin commemorating the achievement. Three categories make up the program: Catch & Release; Annual Award; and State Record. 

A photo of the record fish is posted on the New York State Freshwater Fishing Records page of DEC's website and attached. 

Tontarski’s sunfish joins two other state records set this year: Morgan Fonzi’s 3 lb., 8 oz. white bass caught on May 6 from the Lower Niagara River, Niagara County; and Jason Leusch’s 2 lb. rock bass caught on May 24 from Port Bay, Wayne County. 

For more information about the Angler Achievement Awards Program, including a downloadable application form, go to DEC's website. Program details and an official entry form can also be found in DEC's current Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide. 

For additional information on the Angler Achievement Awards Program, call (518) 402-8891 or email fwfish@dec.ny.gov. 

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - NOVEMBER 14, 2020

 

Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 4.83 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas is 2.57 Percent      

Statewide Positivity Rate is 2.92 Percent 

24 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are seeing a rising tide of COVID nationally and internationally. The rate of increase is less in New York, but it is an increase," Governor Cuomo said. "We don't have the same problem that other states have, but we're seeing an increase and the increase is continuing. We know the factors that contribute to spread, like COVID fatigue, winter, restaurants, gyms, and living room family spread. What's going to happen? Will we shut down and will we have more restrictions? What has worked for New York from day one is it's a pure consequence of science. There's no political decision making, no ideological decision making. Look at the numbers, and if the numbers are increasing and if they're not slowing, then you have to restrict activity. Our actions today determine our positivity rate tomorrow, so follow the public health law - wear a mask and adhere to gathering limits, and localities need to do the enforcement."

The Governor noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 4.83 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 2.57 percent. Within the focus areas, 28,831 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 1,393 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 155,331 test results were reported, yielding 3,995 positives.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 1,788 (+51)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 259
• Hospital Counties - 50
• Number ICU - 367 (+36)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 146 (+9)
• Total Discharges - 81,585 (+195)
• Deaths - 24
• Total Deaths - 26,103

DEC REMINDS OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS TO SHARE THE WOODS SAFELY THIS SEASON

 

Be Seen, Stay Safe, and Show Respect During Fall and Winter Hunting Seasons

With the big game season beginning Nov. 21 throughout much of the southern part of New York State, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos is encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to respectfully share the woods and follow some common sense safety precautions this fall and winter. “One result of the COVID-19 pandemic is an increase in the number of people participating in outdoor recreation as New Yorkers are looking for new adventures,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Since most public lands in New York are open to multiple forms of recreation, outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, including hunters and trappers, will be sharing these lands. Whether you are a hiker, hunter, nature photographer, mountain biker, or trapper, following a few simple measures can make your choice of recreation safe and enjoyable while sharing the outdoors with others.” DEC encourages all outdoor enthusiasts—hunters and non-hunters alike—to wear blaze orange, blaze pink, or another bright color, especially during fall and winter. Doing so will allow these individuals to be seen more easily and from greater distances. In addition, wearing bright colors makes it easier for Forest Rangers, Environmental Conservation Police Officers, and other rescue personnel to find lost, sick, or injured people afield. Pet owners are encouraged to dress their dogs in blaze orange or pink or another bright color vest or scarf. Dogs should also stay leashed at all times. Trapping seasons for many species are open throughout the fall and early winter. Although a rare occurrence, traps set for furbearers like raccoons and coyotes can also capture dogs that are not under control. Trapping is a highly regulated activity and regulations are strongly enforced. Trappers are required to take an educational course before getting a license and DEC works closely with the trapping community to encourage trapping techniques that minimize risks to non-target wildlife and other domestic animals. Keeping dogs on a leash is safer for the dog, for other people, and gives pet owners peace of mind. Hunting is among the most popular forms of wildlife recreation in the state, drawing an estimated 600,000 New Yorkers. Hunting is safe and economically important, helping to manage wildlife populations and promote family traditions, while fostering an understanding and respect for the environment. Hikers should be aware that they may encounter hunters bearing firearms or archery equipment on trails. Hunters should likewise recognize that they may encounter hikers and others enjoying the outdoors. Hunting-related shooting incidents involving non-hunters are extremely rare. Hunters looking for solitude can minimize the disturbance associated with other forms of recreation by following a few tips. Before a season opens, when hunters are scouting for the perfect spot or stand location, take the time to check if the planned location is a popular one. Avoid crowding other hunters and recognize that if a hunting location is near a popular hiking spot, noise can be a factor. If a preferred hunting spot is too crowded, identify an alternative location ahead of time. DEC maintains hiking trails in many areas of forest preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill parks, as well as in state forests, Wildlife Management Areas, and Unique Areas open to hunting. Find recreation options by visiting DEC’s website, or checking out DECinfo Locator. Many trails are accessible to people with disabilities. Check out DEC’s YouTube playlist, with tips for how to plan and prepare for a hike, and DEC’s Hunter Education playlist for more information. Hunting within State Parks The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation offers many places to hunt, including 81 parks, three historic sites, three golf courses and 50 boat launches that provide chances to hunt a variety of different wildlife including big game, small game, turkey, furbearers, waterfowl and migratory bird species. In addition to a valid hunting license, all hunters wishing to take advantage of select hunting seasons within State parks will need to obtain a regional hunting permit for each individual park. Trapping is not allowed in State Parks. For information, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/recreation/hunting/ PLAY SMART * PLAY SAFE * PLAY LOCAL This past summer, DEC and State Parks launched the PLAY SMART * PLAY SAFE * PLAY LOCAL Campaign to encourage all New Yorkers to recreate safely, responsibly, and locally and to always treat fellow outdoor adventurers with respect. During the State's ongoing response to COVID-19, New Yorkers across the state want and need to get outside for a nature break, which is good for physical and mental health. The campaign includes common sense guidelines for smart and safe recreation, incorporating social distancing and wearing a face mask, planning trips ahead, choosing a destination close to home because public restrooms and restaurants may not be open, and visiting at off hours. The agencies are also encouraging New Yorkers to take the pledge and use the hashtag #PlaySmartPlaySafePlayLocal when sharing their outdoor adventures on social media.