DEC ANNOUNCES NEW “WHY I HUNT” AND “WHY I TRAP” PHOTO ESSAY CONTEST

 

Deadline for Submissions Jan. 31, 2021

 State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced a new statewide photo and essay contest for hunters and trappers to share stories about why they hunt or trap in New York State. Photos and essays submitted will be used to support DEC’s ongoing efforts to introduce more New Yorkers to hunting and trapping.

“Whether it’s a family tradition, a connection to nature, or to feed your family, DEC would like to hear from New York hunters and trappers about what motivates them to venture afield,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Hunting and trapping benefit New Yorkers and our environment by helping manage wildlife species and providing nutritious meat to our families. Please share your stories and photographs and help encourage more New Yorkers to get outside and enjoy hunting and trapping themselves.”

Participating hunters and trappers may submit photos and essays in one of the following categories:

• Youth (under 17, non-first year);
• First-year hunters (youth);
• First-year hunters (adult); and
• Adults (non first-year).
  

Each contestant may submit up to two photos with their essay entry. DEC staff will select the best photo/essay in each category. Winners’ essays and photos will appear in the 2021-2022 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, which is read by more than half a million people each year.

Contest specifications:

• Essays should be non-fiction, original material (not previously published), and told from a first-person perspective;
• Essays should be no less than 50 words and no more than 500 words;
• Limit of one entry per person;
• Maximum of two photos per entry; and
• Photos must be taken in New York State.
  

Submissions should be made using this link: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/6014045/Why-I-Hunt-Why-I-Trap-photo-essay-contest. The deadline for contest entries is Jan. 31, 2021.

Visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/54055.html for helpful guidelines about how to take photographs that best capture the reasons why you hunt or trap.

DEC is deeply committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness and encourages entries from people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and genders. All photo submissions become the property of DEC and may be used in future DEC publications, electronic, and print outreach materials. In addition, DEC reserves the right to edit essays for content, clarity, length, and style. DEC retains first rights to written submissions and written submissions may also appear in a future issue of Conservationist magazine or other DEC publications, media, and social media.

For more information about the “Why I Hunt” and “Why I Trap” contest, call (518) 402-8963, e-mail hunter@dec.ny.gov, or write to: Hunter Education Program, 625 Broadway, 5th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-4754.

Governor Cuomo Announces Updated COVID-19 Micro-Cluster Focus Zones - NOVEMBER 23, 2020

 

New Orange Warning Zones on Staten Island and in Monroe and Onondaga Counties 

New Yellow Precautionary Zones in Upper Manhattan and Nassau and Suffolk Counties 

Zone Changes Go into Effect Wednesday for Businesses, Thursday for Schools 

South Beach Psychiatric Center Will Be Utilized for COVID-19 Hospitalization Overflow on Staten Island 

Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 4.48 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas is 2.73 Percent      

Statewide Positivity Rate is 3.08 Percent 

33 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced updated COVID-19 micro-cluster focus zones in New York State. Part of Staten Island's Yellow Precautionary Zone will become an Orange Warning Zone. Orange Warning Zones will also be established in Monroe and Onondaga Counties. New Yellow Precautionary Zones will be established in Upper Manhattan and Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Modifications to current focus zones and new focus zones go into effect this Wednesday, November 25 for businesses and Thursday, November 26 for schools.

The Governor also announced that South Beach Psychiatric Center, a new but unopened Office of Mental Health facility on Staten Island, will at the request of the local hospitals be opening as a temporary emergency facility for COVID patients. The facility served as an emergency hospital in the Spring, providing care for COVID patients.

"We need a reality check because these are dangerous times that we're in. The COVID rate, number of deaths, number of hospitalizations, everything we watch all day on TV, is all a function of our actions. There is no predetermined result here. You tell me what New Yorkers do today, I will tell you the infection rate tomorrow. We are in a place now where there is a bad synergy -- a sense of COVID fatigue. Yes, we're only at 3 percent and only Vermont, Maine, and Hawaii are lower than us, but that can change in an instant and we must remember how we got here," Governor Cuomo said. "It's the infection rate in your community that matters, and that's why we talk about micro-clusters. Influence your family's behavior and your community's behavior and be a COVID change agent in your community. We're social beings and it's also the high season of social activity. That is a bad combination, and it is always the combination of events that creates the major issues. Now, Upper Manhattan, basically the Washington Heights area, will become a yellow zone. We're also adding additional yellow zones on Long Island. Parts of Onondaga and Monroe Counties will become orange zones. Staten Island, part is a yellow zone, part is an orange zone. This year, let's think of Thanksgiving as a time to yes, really give thanks to the people who really did phenomenal things this year, and continue to thank them by doing our part and wearing masks, staying socially distant, and practicing safe behaviors."

Modifications to Current Focus Zones 

Staten Island - Parts of Staten Island Move to Orange Warning Zone - Click Here for Map 

Parts of Staten Island will transition to an orange warning zone based on increasing 7-day positivity rates, number of cases, and hospitalizations that meet the metrics for orange warning zone designation. The remainder of the borough will remain in a yellow precautionary zone.

New Focus Zones

Manhattan - New Yellow Precautionary Zone - Click Here for Map

A new yellow zone will be established in the Washington Heights area, after meeting the metrics for yellow precautionary zone designation including on increasing 7-day positivity rates, number of cases, and hospitalizations.

Monroe County - Click Here for Map

The City of Rochester and surrounding areas will transition to an orange zone after meeting the positivity, new cases, and hospitalizations metrics for orange zone designation. The rest of the existing yellow zone will remain a Precautionary yellow zone.

Nassau County - Links to Maps Below

 Yellow Precautionary zones will be established in and around Great Neck and Massapequa Park, after both areas have seen sustained positivity, new case rates, and hospitalizations that meet the metrics for yellow precautionary zone designation.

Onondaga County - Click Here for Map

The City of Syracuse and surrounding areas will transition to an orange precautionary zone after seeing continued increases in positivity and number of cases, as well as hospitalizations. The existing yellow zone will remain a yellow precautionary zone, and parts of it will be expanded.

Suffolk County - Links to Maps Below

Parts of Suffolk County including Hampton Bays and Riverhead will be designated as Precautionary Yellow Zones after meeting the positivity, new cases, and new hospitalization metrics for yellow zone designation.

The Governor noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 4.48 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 2.73 percent. Within the focus areas, 39,209 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 1,755 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 152,280 test results were reported, yielding 4,151 positives.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 2,724 (+162)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 363
• Hospital Counties - 52
• Number ICU - 545 (+43)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 249 (+15)
• Total Discharges - 83,501 (+194)    
• Deaths - 33
• Total Deaths - 26,390

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING ON NEW BUILDING FOR MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the groundbreaking on the 681-seat school building for the Medgar Evers College Preparatory School in partnership with the Department of Education (DOE), the School Construction Authority (SCA), and CUNY.

 

“When we talk about rebuilding a fairer and more equitable city, education is at the forefront of that vision,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Thanks to this groundbreaking effort, our students will have the resources they need to grow and proposer as future leaders of our city.”

 

The building will replace eight Transportable Classroom Units (TCUs) provided by CUNY that will be demolished prior to construction. The new facility will also include a competition-sized gymnasium with locker rooms for high school use, science labs, and 50,000 square feet of space to be used by CUNY.

 

Design for the 5-story building will start next spring with construction set to begin in 2022. The school building for the Medgar Evers College Preparatory School will be located adjacent to the school’s current site at 1186 Carroll Street with expected occupancy for the start of the 2025 school year.

 

The new building will be a fully air conditioned, accessible facility for students, and will have 22 classrooms, four science labs and programmed space for CUNY. Additional amenities include a resource room, supervisory office, staff lunch/conference room and space for bicycle storage.

 

“This has been a school year unlike any other and I’m thrilled that we’re able to come together to celebrate a great investment in the Medgar Evers school community. Students, staff and families will enjoy state-of-the-art facilities that they’re so deserving of and I’m grateful for the collaborative partnership of all involved,” said New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza.

Governor Cuomo Announces Opening of Robert F. Kennedy Bridge Connection to Harlem River Drive

 

Project Being Completed One Month Ahead of Original Schedule Amidst Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic 

New Route Projected to Avert 2,500 Tons of Greenhouse Gas Emissions While Saving Daily Commuters Nine Hours a Year in Driving Time 

Photos of the Completed Bridge Connection Here

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the opening of a new ramp connecting the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge to the Harlem River Drive, ending a detour through East Harlem streets that has persisted for more than 62 years since the Harlem River Drive's initial segment was opened in 1958. 

The design build project, led by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was originally expected to take 15 months to build and as a result of aggressive project management, contractors are completing the project one month ahead of schedule, compressing to just 14 months. The MTA projects the ramp will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in East Harlem by more than 2,500 tons of CO2-equivalent emissions per year, helping to ease pressure on community childhood asthma rates. 

"It is almost unbelievable that a bridge of this magnitude, one of the busiest crossings in the country, wasn't already connected to a major highway like Harlem River Drive," Governor Cuomo said. "Despite the barriers of COVID-19, New York State is building back better for our future. Not only was this project completed ahead of time, but this new bridge connection will improve safety and traffic flow for travelers, as well as provide a higher quality of life in the surrounding community by reducing noise, traffic and air pollution." 

Before the ramp's opening, drivers on the RFK looking to travel North onto the Harlem River Drive - which leads to the George Washington Bridge - had to exit the bridge between 125th and 126th Streets, travel northbound on Second Avenue, then merge onto an on-ramp next to the community playground.  The parallel direct southbound connection from the Harlem River Drive onto the RFK Bridge has been in place since the Harlem River Drive's southern segment opened in February 1958. 

The new route is encompassed by a gently graded 1,400-foot-long ramp supported by 17 vertical concrete piers that carry motorists over 50 feet of height above ground. The new ramp conforms with all modern design standards. Motorists will find a new right-hand exit branching off from the Manhattan-bound span of the bridge. The route rises slightly to clear the Willis Avenue Bridge before gently trending downward until touching down in the left lane of the Harlem River Drive, geographically just north of the northern end of Second Avenue.  

President of MTA Construction and Development Janno Lieber said, "This project shows how - as Governor Cuomo has advocated for some time -- aggressive project management and design-build contracting can allow us to complete major construction projects months ahead of schedule. MTA C & D has gotten a huge amount of work done in the past six months -always with COVID-safe work practices. But the pandemic has wreaked havoc with MTA finances and slowed our rollout of the historic 2020-24 Capital Program. We need the Federal government to finally step up and provide $12 billion in emergency relief to get the MTA through 2020 and 2021 and allow us to continue the improvements we're delivering for the entire MTA system." 

The new ramp, takes motorists high above First Avenue, the Harlem River Drive and Willis Avenue Bridge and is projected to save 17,000 motorists a day an average of over 3 minutes during peak travel times daily, adding up to 150,000 hours per year of total travel time savings, or nine hours a year for a daily commuter pre-pandemic. It was made possible by close coordination between the MTA and the New York City Department of Transportation, which recently realigned the Harlem River Drive to improve traffic flow at the exit to Second Avenue

The project was being overseen by MTA Construction & Development in tandem with MTA Bridges and Tunnels, which owns, operates and maintains the RFK Bridge. The MTA coordinated the work and engineering closely with the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Within days of the COVID global pandemic hitting the New York region, MTA construction sites - which were allowed to stay operational as essential services - implemented a broad range of safety measures that kept the sites active and safe. MTA C&D mobilized quickly to identify the necessary precautions, and collaborated with contractors to implement them consistently.

The MTA partnered with the New York City Department of Transportation to expedite and cost effectively deliver this project. The two agencies have coordinated to ensure the alignment of the DOT's original design for the Harlem River Drive reconstruction project would be able to accommodate the construction of the new connector ramp. For example, the RFK ramp is built on some of the support piers that were part of the DOT's recent reconstruction of the Harlem River Drive. 

The work was performed under a $48 million design-build contract by Judlau Contracting and was funded through MTA Bridges and Tunnel's 2015-2019 Capital Plan. Heavy construction work began in February. 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Absent from the photos is NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio.

MAYOR DE BLASIO PROVIDES ECONOMIC UPDATE AND RELEASES NOVEMBER FINANCIAL PLAN

 

“Federal stimulus works, and New York City needs another, immediately.” – Mayor de Blasio

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today provided an economic update and released New York City’s November Financial Plan Update for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21).

“Today’s figures make one thing clear: Federal stimulus works, and New York City needs another, immediately,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “From ramping up testing to investing in safe schools to feeding everyone in need, our priorities are clear: public health will drive our recovery. The federal government must do its part and pass a stimulus package that ensures our recovery can continue full speed ahead."

 

Economic Update:

In February, New York City had a record low unemployment rate (3.4%) and 4.7 million jobs. In March and April, as the first wave of the pandemic struck and shutdowns began, the city lost approximately 900,000 jobs. From May to October, New York City recovered approximately 300,000 jobs, or one third of jobs lost in March and April. The unemployment rate as of October was 13.2%, down from 20.3% in June.                                                                                                                                    

Federal fiscal stimulus has been critical to the recovery of both New Yorkers and New York City. Expiration of the stimulus, as well as the rapid spread of the virus, threatens the recovery. From April to September, New Yorkers received approximately $40 billion in stimulus benefits, including stimulus checks, unemployment benefits and Paycheck Protection Program loans to employers. But the benefits of stimulus are running out and private sector job growth is slowing: New York City's private sector gained 100,000 jobs in June, but only 15,000 in October.

 

November Plan:

 

Based on initial federal stimulus and its impact on revenue, the FY21 budget is now $92.0 billion and remains balanced. The budget includes the recognition of $3.2 billion in federal funds, $2.8 billion of which is COVID-19 related ($1.5 billion FEMA grants, $1.3 billion stimulus), and critical investments in school reopening and COVID-19 related programs.

 

The Plan achieves $1.3 billion in savings across Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022, and budget reserves are at $2.8 billion.

 

Budget growth is driven by FEMA reimbursable costs and other federal COVID-19 relief grant funding that the City used to save lives and keep New Yorkers healthy and safe, including:

• Enhancing testing and contact tracing efforts of the City's Test & Trace Corps
• Purchasing life-saving medical equipment, ventilators, cleaning supplies, and PPE for medical providers and first responders, and funding testing
• Ensuring no New Yorker goes hungry by providing food relief through GetFood NYC.  At its peak over 1.5 million meals were distributed every single day, with well over 140 million meals total since late March

 

The City avoided deeper declines in tax revenue collections over the first quarter of FY21 because of the beneficial effects of the first rounds of federal stimulus, which included unemployment benefits, tax rebate checks, and business loans.  Specifically, the Budget recognizes $748 million in better than expected collections, primarily in personal income tax and business taxes.

 

The budget gap for FY22 is now $3.8 billion and must be balanced in the upcoming Preliminary Budget.

 

$1.3 Billion in Savings

The Administration has remained focused on savings and achieved $983 million in debt service savings over, $224 million in agency savings, and $116 million in central savings over Fiscal years 2021 and 2022.

 

Labor Savings

The City has reached $722 million in labor savings in FY21. These funds are not included within the two-year savings plan.

 

New City Spending

New City spending of $767 million in FY21 and $10 million in FY22 is offset by $1.3 billion in savings across those same years and supports investments in school reopening and COVID-19 related programs. FY21 investments include: 

 

Making Sure New Yorkers Have Access to Food

 

• City funded portion of the emergency food delivery program ($113 million)

 

Maximizing Learning Opportunities and Keeping Students and Staff Safe

 

• Add funding to support staffing needs to enhance and increase in-person learning capacity ($80 million)
• Provide COVID-19 related needs for schools citywide including cleaning supplies, PPE, barriers, air purifiers, and signage ($80 million)

• Establish the Learning Bridges Program which supports childcare and early education services provided by non-profits and DOE operated programs ($45 million)
• Establish a situation room to increase DOE’s capacity to monitor, track, coordinate and respond to COVID-19 related incidents ($10 million)

 

Promoting a Fair and Equitable Recovery

 

• Outreach to promote commercial lease legal assistance for small businesses that face the challenge of staying in their neighborhoods ($1.5 million)

• Support programs that will increase participation of Black and Latinx entrepreneurs in government contracting by providing consulting, mentoring, and networking opportunities ($1.8 million)

 

Helping More New Yorkers Access Mental Health Support

 

• Additional funding to cover the increase in call volume received by NYC Well so all New Yorkers in need have access to free, confidential, and multilingual 24/7/365 mental health support ($7.5 million)

 

Read the November Financial Plan Update here.

 

Raise a Seltzer for Beltzer

 

We normally don't do this for political candidates, but this man is going to need all the gas he can get.

Dear Friends, I wanted to thank all those who have supported this campaign so far. We have been able to connect and support the community in several ways thanks to your support. As we move forward into this second wave and holiday season, we will be working directly with the community to meet material conditions while empowering our neighbors to stand up and fight for what they've earned.  I also want to invite you to my 35th birthday toast and roast of me! Raise a Seltzer for Beltzer! will be hosted by Roman "The FunnyLatino" Suarez on Zoom and people are encouraged to bring their favorite hard seltzer! More information and tickets are available by clicking below. Yours in Service,

Bronx County Chair Jamaal T. Bailey hosts Rally for 12th Council District Candidate Kevin Riley

 

Bronx Democratic County Leader State Senator Jamaal Bailey brought out a large group of elected officials from the Bronx and other boroughs led by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee, State Senators Brian Benjamin, Kevin Parker, and Zellnor Myrue, Bronx Assembly members and Assembly members elect, many Bronx District Leaders, Bronx Councilman (and undeclared Bronx Borough President candidate) Rafael Salamanca, and three mayoral hopefuls, Current NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Maya Wiley, and Shaun Donavan, for a show of support to the favorite candidate in the upcoming December 22nd Special Election to replace former Councilman Andy King who was expelled from the City Council on October 5th. 

Speeches of support for current District Leader Kevin Riley to replace Andy King ranged from knowing candidate Riley from when he was a little kid, to having him as a valued member of Assemblyman Carl Heastie's office. Those speaking were New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Bronx Democratic County Leader State Senator Jamaal Bailey, Assembly members Diana Richardson and Michael Benedetto, and the candidate Kevin Riley, who was so taken back by the outpouring of support for him that tears prevented him from starting his thank you speech. 

There are two other candidates in the December 22nd special election. They are Pamela Hamilton Brown (who has run against former Councilman Andy King), and Neville Mitchell. Early voting begins on Saturday December 12th and runs through Sunday December 20th. The hours for each day can be found on the Board of Elections site, along with information on the application for an absentee ballot. https://vote.nyc/page/12th-city-council-special-election-bronx.

Above - New York State Attorney General Letitia James with candidate Kevin Riley.

Below - Bronx Democratic County Leader State Senator Jamaal Bailey talks of his friendship with, and why he thinks candidate Kevin Riley is the best choice.

Above - New York State Attorney General Letitia James speaks about why she endorses Candidate Kevin Riley for City Council.

Below - Candidate Kevin Riley speaks after overcoming tears from the huge showing of support for his candidacy.

Above - Mayoral candidate Maya Wiley gets a few words in with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

Below - A group photo of the attendees who came to show their support for the candidacy of Kevin Riley in the December 22nd Special Election for the 12th City Council seat.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - NOVEMBER 22, 2020

 

Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 4.39 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas is 2.29 Percent      

Statewide Positivity Rate is 2.74 Percent 

30 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday 

 The post-holiday increase is purely a function of what we do and New Yorkers have already proven their toughness, but as Thanksgiving and the holiday season approaches, we need to stay the course. Governor Cuomo.

"Between now and January, there will be increased social interaction, and the consequence, I believe, will be an increase in the rate of cases. The only question of how much and how fast is up to you," Governor Cuomo said. "You can change what you do, and you can change how your community acts. We have several communities across the state in the warning track to yellow zones or become red or orange zones this week and while a vaccine is expected to come in December or January, we cannot let our guard down. The vaccine will be first distributed for high-need populations, but it will be six months at a minimum before it is widely available, so we simply cannot afford six months of a sustained increase in cases. The post-holiday increase is purely a function of what we do and New Yorkers have already proven their toughness, but as Thanksgiving and the holiday season approaches, we need to stay the course. If we all continue to wash our hands, wear our masks and avoid gatherings, we will be able to keep our infection rate down and keep New Yorkers safe."

The Governor noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 4.39 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 2.29 percent. Within the focus areas, 42,198 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 1,853 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 154,410 test results were reported, yielding 3,538 positives.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 2,562 (+119)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 391
• Hospital Counties - 52
• Number ICU - 502 (+35)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 234 (+22)
• Total Discharges - 83,307 (+276)
• Deaths - 30
• Total Deaths - 26,357