Governor Hochul, Secretary Fudge, Senator Schumer, and Representative Bowman Announce Approval of Loan Refinancing to Maintain Housing Quality and Affordability for Co-op City

 

State and Local Government Backing Supports Refinancing to Provide Immediate Injection of $124 Million to Make Repairs and Upgrades for 45,000 Co-op City Residents

Refinance Will Help Ensure Quality Housing in World's Largest Housing Cooperative

Governor Hochul: "Here we have this historic partnership We have to protect long-term affordability in places like the Bronx for not just a forty-five thousand people call Co-op City home, but everywhere, because that is a basic human right."

Hochul: "This is a magnificent place to live and the spirit that is here is so powerful. And that's why we're going to continue, not just today - this is a long-term investment in not just buildings, not just at a place, but in the people. That's what I love about announcements like today and I want to congratulate all of you."

 Good morning, everyone. What a spectacular day here in Co-op City, long overdue. You finally get everything to work again, elevators working. Can you imagine the transformational possibilities of things just working? Wow. You've waited a long time for this, and this is what we celebrate here today.

I am here with some amazing leaders who made this happen. Chuck Schumer, our Senator, Majority Leader. No, no, I'm not done. You wait a minute. We're sharing a little news here, because I just became a grandma, but he was telling me that there's nothing as amazing as being a grandparent, but we both agreed that fixing Co-op City might be right up there as number two. He has worked so hard for this. Thank you, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for putting your heart and soul into this project, because I know this meant so much to you and your constituents here.

It also doesn't hurt to have a congressperson who's so engaged, who cares so deeply about this community. And that is our Congressman Jamaal Bowman is here. Let's give him a round of applause as well.

And one of my true allies and friends in our state Senate, Jamaal Bailey, we are here to give out - we were here together, giving out turkeys a few months ago. So, he's done an amazing job. What a great individual, just personally, the integrity he has. I love working with him as well. Yes, he is the best, you have the best. Thank you for electing the best. I mean, you are responsible for these individuals.

RuthAnne Visnauskas is my Commissioner of HCR, Housing and Community Renewals. She is out there every single day, making sure people have the dignity of a good home over their heads. Let's give her a round of applause.

And all of our partners in the Adams administration and NYC Housing Development Corporation for their partnership, because this is what it's all about. Do we know that word partnership? You hear it a lot, right? What does it really mean? You know how rare it's been when you get the federal, the state and the local and the local stakeholders, all working together? Just imagine the possibilities if this was the norm. My friends, this will be the norm with the team behind me and the elected officials you have, because we're going to change people's perceptions of their government now. Let them know that we do care and we do deliver. That's what this is all about.

So here we have this historic partnership. This number is so big I can barely say it.$621.5 million, a refinancing agreement that'll do two things. It provides affordable home ownership across, and I'm going to get this number, 15,372 Mitchell-Lama units for the next - you want to hear this - next 35 years. It also, and you've been waiting for this, provides a transformative injection of money for repairs improvements and upgrades. And that'll be $124 million over the next 10 years. So let's get that done. Let's make sure that happens. And this is going to happen because of city and the state's credit backing as well. You'll hear about the federal role from the Senator in a couple of minutes.

This allows us to modernize Co-op City without raising maintenance costs. How does that sound? How does that sound? We have to protect long-term affordability in places like the Bronx for not just a forty-five thousand people call Co-op City home, but everywhere, because that is a basic human right. Is it not a basic human right to be able to afford a place to live in dignity with your friends, your community? This is why we're so proud of what has occurred here with HUD, our Senator, as well as our Congress Member as well.

So, Co-op City is your home. You love it. This is a place - you love this place. I can feel it. Every time I've come here, I sense that sense of pride, but it started with a little bit of a rebellious spirit. You know the history here. Yeah. Yeah. You're all a bunch of rabble-rousers, aren't you? Okay. That's fine. That's how I started. It's how it all starts, but also, you know, 1975, were any of you born back then? You all look too young. When they started messing around with mismanagement and defaulting on their loans, what did the residents do? Did they sit around and complain? Oh no, this is awful. No, they stood up and they fought back and they withheld their money, their rent money, for over 13 months. That's the power of the people. That's the power that's in the DNA of everybody who lives here. So longest strike of its kind. It was unique, but that says something about the people who call this great place their home.

So, we're going to continue working on this project, continue making sure that everyone knows. I read some language from a poem - did you know there is a poem written about Co-op City? Nobody wrote a poem about my hometown. I think this is pretty neat. Nina Wohl wrote in her poem, "Ode to Co-op City," Ode to Co-op City, that's pretty neat. "From every road it comes into view/Rising up like mountain ranges do/Swinging round like a Chinese Wall/In masses hold all eyes in thrall."

This is a magnificent place to live and the spirit that is here is so powerful. And that's why we're going to continue, not just today - this is a long-term investment in not just buildings, not just at a place, but in the people. That's what I love about announcements like today and I want to congratulate all of you.

One more thing - Metro North is coming here, too, by the way you guys look, let's get that done. That'll cut our commute - hold on. That'll be another announcement. I'm very excited about this. We can't do it all at once. Okay. Then I get all the other parts of the state all jealous. I'm a mom of a big state as well as a grandma now. So I have to roll out our announcements, but we're very excited about that as well.

I am very, very proud at this point to introduce someone who's - I know he's our Senator, but the national stature to have the highest ranked individual in the entire United States Senate is our own hometown Senator. That is extraordinary. That's how we have the money for projects.

WYSK Who or what is the cause of crimes against the Jews

Rev. Ruben Diaz

What You Should Know

Who Or What Is The Cause For Hate Crimes Against The Jewish Community? 

You should know that hate crimes against the Jewish Community rates the highest in the State of New York. 

Among all ethnic and racial groups in New York City, it is the Jewish people who receive the most physical, verbal, intimidating and discriminatory attacks, more so, than any other racial or ethnic groups. 

According to "The Jewish Anti-Defamation League," in the past year hate crimes and persecution of the Jews has increased by an alarming 24% in New York State and City.   The State of New York, according to this report, rates higher than any other state in the nation for the most Hostile and Violent against members of the Jewish community.  

This report includes 183 cases of Racial Harassment.  Nearly the same amount for vandalism of Jewish property, including synagogues and residences.   The report also indicates that last year there were 51 cases of physical assaults against Jewish children, youth and elderly in New York City.  Most of these Anti-Semitic Crimes occurred in the Borough of Brooklyn where the vast majority of Orthodox and Hasidic Jews reside.

 

It is important for you to know, my dear reader, that this report does not mention Who are the individuals or groups committing these Hate Crimes against the Jewish Community.  It does not point out the racial makeup of the group or criminal element that is targeting the Jewish Community, and committing these Heinous, Hateful Crimes against them.  It makes us wonder, who is targeting these people and why?  Are these attacks coming from us the Hispanics, or are it the African Americans, or is it the Asians, or is it the Whites?  Who or what ethnic group is purposely targeting and going out to attack a specific segment of our society?   

Unfortunately, the News Media doesn’t report and tends to hide the race or nationality of the person or people, who are targeting and committing these crimes.  This, in my view, does not help identify the perpetrators of Hate Crimes, and it does nothing to help us prevent and put an end to this hateful act.   

One way to fight this war on crime is to begin identifying and publishing the race and identity of the criminals.  This will awaken our leaders from their slumber. Elected officials were elected to represent our communities and must therefore devote more time and resources to identify the Root causes for Hate Crimes.  Our leaders must work toward identifying the root cause, then provide the needed education, guidance, and tolerance, as a deterrent in our quest to end this violence. 

For too long our leaders have helped fester these crimes, by hiding the nationality, race and origin of the person committing crimes, under the guise that certain groups are racially profiled.   By hiding the race, and nationality of the criminals, our leaders clearly fail to see a need for prioritizing and focusing on the root cause of hate crimes instead of blaming others for the rise in crime especially when it’s against a specific ethnic, or religious group. 

We know that by publishing who or what is disturbing the Peace, Tranquility and Life of the Jews and other ethnic groups, will bring, if not greatly reduce, Racial Attacks and Hate Crimes in New York City. 

Publishing and unmasking the race and nationality of criminals is Not Pro-filing or an act of discrimination as they would have us think.  Identifying the Race, and Nationality of the Perpetrator, or Perpetrators, is essential if we are to get to the root causes that motivate these Hate Crimes against innocent individuals, and against an innocent group of people.   This will help us stamp out Hate Crimes, but its root causes must be identified, by first identifying the perpetrators. 

  

I Am the Rev. Ruben Diaz, and this is What You Should Know. 

 

Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Tuesday May 10th 7 PM

 

Please join us as the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association has their monthly community  meeting  on Tuesday  May 10th, 2022 at 7pm  at our new location 2134 Barnes Avenue on the corner of Barnes and Lydig Avenue.   We will welcome special guests from Con Edison"s Community Relations Department .Please join us for this very informative session. This is your opportunity to bring your community issues, questions and concerns and problems  to this meeting. Involvement from the community  is essential  to having a safe ,clean, and graffiti  free neighborhood.  Its time to get  involved in your community  and stay involved .Your  problems get addressed and action is taken. Show  up  and speak up! All are welcome.

VAN NEST NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE (VNNA) IN-PERSON MONTHLY MEETING–MAY 2, 2022– 7PM

 

May Monthly Meeting Monday May 2, 2022 — 7:00 PM

Guest Speaker — Dan Kaminsky on City Council Redistricting

DEC REMINDS ANGLERS OF SPECIAL FISHING REGULATIONS IN EFFECT FOR UPCOMING FISHING SEASONS Logo

 

Opening Day for Many Cool Water Species Opens on May 1, Except in Border Waters

  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today reminded anglers to always consult the fishing regulations guide to ensure they are complying with the seasonal restrictions and waterbody-specific rules before heading out onto the water. Fishing regulation changes implemented earlier this year replaced the floating "Saturday" season openers in most – but not all - locations with a fixed May 1 date, in addition to other improvements to enhance fishing opportunities across the state.

 

Special regulations often apply to border waters such as the Delaware and West Branch Delaware rivers, Greenwood Lake, Lake Champlain and its tributaries, and Indian Lake (NY/CT). For instance, the walleye season for Lake Champlain and its tributaries will continue to open on the first Saturday of the month each year, which is May 7 in 2022.

 

For more information about DEC’s fishing regulations, go to: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7917.html

BRONX CHOREOGRAPHER ALETHEA PACE PREMIERES NEW WORK IN THE 2022 BOOGIE DOWN DANCE SERIES AT BAAD!

 

THE BRONX’S LONGEST RUNNING CONTEMPORARY DANCE FESTIVAL CONTINUES THROUGH MAY 27

The Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance springs forward with the 21st annual BOOGIE DOWN DANCE SERIES that began Saturday, April 23 and continues to Friday, May 27 at BAAD!, 2474 Westchester Square in the Westchester Square section of the Bronx.  Alethea Pace, a Bronx-based award-winning dancer/choreographer premieres “Here Goes the Neighborhood,” a multimedia performance work that conjures Bronx memories born from turmoil and resilience. The festival also includes the inaugural event igniting the year-long 10th anniversary celebration of Dancing While Black (DWB). All events are in-person with select events also available via livestream. Ticket prices vary from free to $20.  BAAD! offers discounts to BAAD! members, BCA cardholders and NALACqueros, and free admission to residents of 10474 and 10461 zip codes. Ticket offers cannot be combined.  Call 718-918-2110 or visit website: www.BAADBronx.org for tix, info and additional directions.  The Boogie Down Dance Series receives specific funding from the New York State Council on the Arts, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Mertz Gilmore Foundation. 

The schedule for the shows and events is as follows:

Friday and Saturday. May 6 & 7 | 7:30PM | $20

ALETHEA PACE: HERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD

This multimedia performance installation conjures Bronx memories born from turmoil and resilience and elevates the wealth of knowledge we hold in our bodies, memories, and histories. Created, directed and performed by Alethea Pace with featured performances by Alexander Diaz and Irungu Mutu, the work includes a video installation created in collaboration with Katherine Miranda that features over 20 people from across NYC expressing memories through movement. 

Friday and Saturday, May 13 & 14 | 8pm | $20; [also offered via livestream 0$-$20]

This Dancing Futures Artist is presented by PEPATIÁN & BAAD!

REBECCA GUAL | HUM IN THE HOLLOW

Gual professes that “Bodies can be of the moment and guardians of the past. They contain highways of flowing information…”  In this piece, two bodies share a disposition as they travel the highways of their respective states together and via a shared history make their way through their bodies in search of a release.

Thursday, May 19 | 7:30pm | Free [also offered via livestream]

Presented by PEPATIÁN & BAAD!​

DANCING FUTURES: MEET THE ARTISTS & MENTORS!

Meet the artists who have been selected to participate in the ninth annual residency project, Dancing Futures, a unique collaboration between  Pepatian and BAAD! Three artists selected by a competitive panel process, receive rehearsal space, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. This evening the artists present a sample of their work, and they’ll  return to BAAD! in November to present a full evening of work.

Friday, May 20 | 8pm | $20; [also offered via livestream 0$-$20]

Presented by by PEPATIÁN & BAAD!​

DANCING LA BOTANICA

Dancing La Botanica features performances from Bronx-based dance groups - Curet Performance Project, Bombazo Dance Company, and ReDi Dance. Post-show conversation moderated by Leenda Bonilla. 

Saturday, May 21 | 10am-6pm | Free

Presented by by PEPATIÁN & BAAD!​

BRONX GROWS DANCE: A Bronx-focused and Youth-led Conference

Bronx Grows Dance is a day-long live and interactive dance that centers the question: How could our youth re-imagine the future of dance if given space and time to gather and ignite? Youth from the Bronx and uptown communities gather, learn, exchange and present to collectively begin shaking up the future ways of thinking of and knowing dance.   

Sunday, May 22 | 3pm | Free

Angela’s Pulse presents

DANCING WHILE BLACK: STORY CIRCLE

In the spirit of Sankofa, join us in honoring the past, present and future of Dancing While Black. This yearlong Anniversary celebration is co-choreographed by DWB founder Paloma McGregor, Kayla Hamilton (2017-2018 DWB Fellow), Marguerite Hemmings (2015-2016 DWB Fellow) and Joya Powell (2016-2017 DWB Fellow). The Sankofa Story Circles will open DWB's season of public programming that is rooted in deepening community building, resource sharing and, of course, celebration.

Friday, May 27  | 7pm | Free [also offered via livestream]

DANCING TOGETHER!

Having performed nationally and internationally, the master instructors of BAAD!’s AATT Academy take to the stage in a dance compilation that goes from Capoeira to Vogue, featuring performances from Carlos Borge, Jose Cintron, Violeta Galgarza, Cesar Valentino, Rudy Van Daele, and more!  

MAYOR ADAMS, PARTNERS URGE ALBANY TO AID CREATION OF AFFORDABLE, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

Action From Albany Would Unlock a Critical Tool to Help Tackle Homelessness and Affordable Housing Crises

 

Coalition Push Follows Campaign Pledge From Mayor Adams to Repurpose Underutilized Hotels as Much-Needed Permanent Housing, Recent Executive Budget With Record Housing Investment

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today led a coalition made up of city and state government leaders and union members urging Albany to unlock a critical tool to tackle the city’s housing affordability and homelessness crisis in an effort to create new affordable and supportive housing for thousands of New Yorkers. Mayor Adams and the group highlighted the importance of S.4937/A.6262, which would make it easier for the city to convert underutilized hotels into affordable and supportive housing.

 

“We are facing a homelessness crisis and an affordable housing crisis, but, with the help of our partners in Albany, we can work to tackle them both with one tool,” said Mayor Adams. “By repurposing underused hotels, we can create supportive housing faster and cheaper. We can make affordable, permanent housing available to families, seniors, and any New Yorker in need, including our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Let’s get this done.”

 

Sponsored by New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh and New York State Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz, S.4937/A.6262 would ease the process by which underutilized and vacant hotels can become permanent housing. With the right rules in place, hotel conversions could be a critical tool for creating the affordable and supportive housing the city needs — affordable apartments can be created for about two-thirds of the cost and in one-third of the time through conversions than through ground-up construction. Passed in 2021, the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act made $100 million available to help facilitate these conversions.

 

This effort follows a campaign proposal from Mayor Adams to reimagine vacant and underutilized hotels and repurpose them for permanent affordable and supportive housing. It also follows the mayor’s recently announced executive budget, in which he committed $5 billion in new capital funding to create and preserve affordable housing, bringing the city’s total housing investment in the 10-year capital plan to $22 billion, the largest housing investment in the city’s history.

 

“We have to get creative when it comes to solving our housing shortage,” said New York City Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “Hotel conversion to housing is a simple but vital part of the housing solution. We can take these units, and permanently house New Yorkers. And I am proud that our friends in Albany are pushing a bill forward to do just that.”

 

“Our housing crisis and our homelessness crisis go hand in hand. That’s why I believe investing in hotel conversions to repurpose underused hotels to give our most vulnerable New Yorkers the opportunity to gain permanent housing,” said New York City Department of Social Services Commissioner Gary Jenkins. “I look forward to working with both the mayor and Albany to pass this very necessary legislation to help support our clients.”

 

“The city’s housing crisis demands creativity and new tools to build and preserve more affordable homes,” said New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Adolfo Carrión, Jr. “This legislation is a necessary first step to unlock the potential for more hotel conversions that can expand the supply of affordable and supportive housing.”

 

“Paring back cumbersome regulations and cutting through red tape is critical to our economic recovery and our ability to address pressing challenges like the housing affordability crisis,” said New York City Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick. “We need creative and bold solutions like this to meet the moment.”

 

“Good hotels create good jobs. They are responsible neighbors and elevate the reputation of the tourism industry by attracting more visitors,” said Rich Maroko, president, New York Hotel Trades Council. “But failing hotels provide only poverty-level jobs, bring crime to local communities, and tarnish the reputation of New York City’s tourism industry. Converting these hotels into much-needed housing is a smart and effective way to help the city protect the safety of our neighbors, support tourism recovery, and safeguard good jobs. I commend Mayor Adams for his leadership and look forward to working with the state bill sponsors and legislative leaders to get this done.”