Saturday, July 23, 2022

Morrisania Band Project Returns To Our Lunchtime Concert Series With Special Guest

 


Our lunchtime concert series continues next Tuesday, July 26 with Morrisania Band Project making another appearance at Joyce Kilmer Park (955 Walton Avenue). This time they’re bringing dance instructor Reina Onorato with them for some fitness fun. Join us at Noon next Tuesday!

161st Street Business Improvement District 
900 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
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SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA'S WEEKLY UPDATE

 

GOVERNMENT HEADER

SENATOR RIVERA'S WEEKLY UPDATE

SENATOR RIVERA RESPONDS TO THE MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK IN NYC

 

New York City announced that new appointments for the monkeypox vaccine went live Friday, July 22 at 6PM. If you are eligible, you can make an appointment here. 


The mass vaccination site at the Bronx High School of Science will open on three days: July 24, 30 and 31. The Bronx will finally get a second vaccination site at Lincoln Hospital while community-based organizations will also be able to administer the vaccine to the populations they serve. 


Senator Rivera is thankful to Governor Hochul and the State and City Health Departments for addressing the concerns in his statement on Tuesday where he highlighted the evident disparities of the vaccine distribution in our City. Senator Rivera called on our government partners, especially at the federal level, to focus the efforts in those hard-to-reach neighborhoods like the ones he represents.


Go to nyc.gov/monkeypox for more information about monkeypox.

SENATOR RIVERA URGES GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO SIGN FIRST OF HIS BILLS TO END MEDICAL DEBT

Senator Gustavo Rivera released a statement urging Governor Hochul to sign his bill, S.6522A/A.7363A, which would protect New Yorkers from suffering from medical debt. In times like these, no New Yorker should have to deal with losing their hard-earned wages or their homes due to an outrageous medical bill. This is one of three bills Senator Rivera sponsors that aim at ending predatory practices associated with medical debt in New York State. 

OUT IN THE COMMUNITY

SENATOR RIVERA HOSTS FREE HOUSING ASSISTANCE EVENTS IN HIS DISTRICT OFFICE

This week, Senator Rivera hosted a series of housing assistance events at his district office to connect residents of Senate District 33 to critical housing services. As New York City’s severe housing crisis continues to deepen, Senator Rivera recognizes that it is critical for his constituents to have access to housing resources and free legal assistance in order to keep them in their homes. 


Senator Rivera's office partnered once again with the New York City Department of Finance (DOF) to sign up eligible Bronxites to their rent freeze programs, SCRIE and DRIE. Senator Rivera also partnered with the Neighborhood Association for Inter-Cultural Affairs, Inc. (NAICA), a local organization that provided housing assistance and free legal services to help constituents with rent arrears, eviction prevention, and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).


Senator Rivera will continue to host similar events in the month of August.

SENATOR RIVERA MEETS MORRIS PARK COMMUNITY LEADERS TO DISCUSS DANGEROUS SINKOLE

Senator Gustavo Rivera sat down with Community Board 11's Chairman Yahay Obeid, Vice Chairman Al D'Angelo, District Manager Jeremy Warneke, and board member Tiz Nastasio, NYC DEP's Effie Ardizzone, and Morris Park Business Improvement District Executive Director Dr. Camelia Tepelus to discuss the terrifying sinkhole on Radcliff Avenue after torrential rain hit the Bronx last Tuesday. 


While Senator Rivera is very grateful to our City's rapid response teams, he knows we can't plan for an emergency response after every heavy rainfall. He believes we must upgrade our infrastructure to prevent sinkholes, subway flooding, water main damage, and stormwater overflow. The climate emergency is here and these events will become more frequent if we don't take appropriate action.

SENATOR RIVERA ATTENDS B.R.A.G. ANNUAL BBQ IN KINGSBRIDGE

Senator Gustavo Rivera attended Good Shepherd Services’ B.R.A.G's (Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence) Annual BBQ in Kingsbridge. B.R.A.G. is courageously addressing the gun violence epidemic in his district.


Anti-violence programs help young people make the right choices to keep all of our neighbors safer. Senator Rivera delivered $30 million for gun violence prevention programs across New York in this year’s budget, including tens of thousands of dollars for B.R.A.G.  

SENATOR RIVERA ATTENDS THE

YEMENI-AMERICAN BUSINESSES EXPO

Senator Gustavo Rivera attended the Yemeni-American Businesses Expo in Bedford Park. Senator Rivera took the opportunity to thank the Alliance of Yemeni-American Businesses and its President, Yahay Obeid, for his efforts to empower the many Yemeni American small business owners based in New York City and especially in The Bronx. 

BEAT THE HEAT: HEAT WAVE IN NY THIS WEEKEND

UPCOMING EVENTS

FILE UNCLAIMED FUNDS AT SENATOR RIVERA'S OFFICE 

Senator Gustavo Rivera's office is partnering once again with the Office of the New York State Comptroller to help eligible constituents file an unclaimed funds claim. Call Senator Rivera's district office at 718-933-2034. 


Do you you have an unclaimed fund? Visit osc.state.ny.us/ouf to find out if there's money you are owed. 

IN THE PRESS

SENATOR RIVERA IN THE GOTHAMIST

Senator Gustavo Rivera's bill protecting patients against wage garnishment and liens gained recognition in the press this week. Read this article to learn more about how Senator Rivera is working towards eliminating unnecessary medical financial burdens. 

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Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for Long Island and New York City Metro

 

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In Effect for Saturday, July 23, 2022

 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the Long Island and New York City Metro regions for Saturday, July 23, 2022.   

The pollutant of concern is: Ozone 

The advisory will be in effect 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. 

DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern. 

OZONE 

Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of photochemical smog. Automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources are the primary sources of ground-level ozone and are the most serious air pollution problems in the northeast. This surface pollutant should not be confused with the protective layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere. 

People, especially young children, those who exercise outdoors, those involved in vigorous outdoor work and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma) should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity when ozone levels are the highest (generally afternoon to early evening). When outdoor levels of ozone are elevated, going indoors will usually reduce your exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing should consider consulting their doctor. 

Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized during daylight hours by curtailment of automobile travel and the use of public transportation where available. 

New Yorkers also are urged to take the following energy-saving and pollution-reducing steps: 

  • use mass transit or carpool instead of driving, as automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities; 
  • conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary motor vehicle trips; 
  • turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas; 
  • use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats at 78 degrees; 
  • close the blinds and shades to limit heat build-up and to preserve cooled air; 
  • limit use of household appliances. If necessary, run the appliances at off-peak (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters; 
  • set refrigerators and freezers at more efficient temperatures; 
  • purchase and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label; and 
  • reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and attempt to minimize indoor sources of PM 2.5 such as smoking. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) has been established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest Air Quality situation.  
Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website. To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up for DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service. 

The Saturday, July 23, Air Quality Health Advisory regions consist of the following: Long Island, which includes Nassau and Suffolk counties and New York City Metro, which includes New York City, Rockland, and Westchester counties.  

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Inspector General Vows to Continue with Ongoing and Unprecedented Commitment to Transparency by Releasing Contemporaneous Letters, and Past Historical Findings

 

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State Inspector General Lucy Lang today made public a number of letters, recent and historic, arising from investigations undertaken by her office. These letters, which the Inspector General sends to public officials and agencies regarding allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing, provide information on the ultimate investigative findings by the Inspector General.

Recent letters being released today include:
Inspector General Lang also made public the remainder of investigative letters issued in 2012 and announced that going forward, every subsequent year’s previously non-public investigative letters will be provided in accordance with the agency’s Transparency Initiative, on a year by year basis.    

Inspector General Lang said: “New Yorkers deserve to know how our State is working for them, and what is being done what it isn’t. The publication of these historical letters is another step towards peeling back the veil that has shrouded New York government for far too long. The outstanding public servants of the Offices of the Inspector General will continue to make sure that New York is living up to its ideals of transparency, equity, and integrity.”

Letters released today from 2012:These letters to state agencies and commissions outline relevant investigatory findings and recommendations on matters that were referred to the office. The materials are now available on the “Public Information” page of www.ig.ny.gov (note the filters for “Reports” and “Letters” on the left-hand column).

The Office of Inspector General is charged with the mission of monitoring, investigating, and combating fraud, waste and abuse with jurisdiction over more than one-hundred New York State agencies, authorities, and commissions. The ongoing proactive publication of such materials is part of the Inspector General’s Government Transparency Initiative, as mandated by Governor Kathy Hochul. Portions of the records have been redacted due to privacy concerns and exemptions from disclosure as mandated by New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).

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Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 7/18/22-7/22/22

 

Senator Alessandra Biaggi

Dear Community,

This week, I was proud to witness the implementation of New York State’s new hotline for reporting workplace sexual harassment. It is gratifying to finally see the rollout of this resource after the legislation I championed to establish this hotline was signed into law in March.

Sexual Harassment Hotline: (1-800-HARASS) (1-800-427-2773)

This toll-free, confidential hotline will serve as a meaningful tool for any employee who has faced sexual harrassment, connecting them with experienced pro-bono attorneys who can inform them of their legal rights and provide guidance on their specific case.

Sexual harassment is a historically pervasive issue that has run rampant in the workplace. Unfortunately, only 30% of victims of workplace sexual harassment report the harassment to an official channel– largely due to the lack of options available for them to receive the proper help they need.

My hope is that this new hotline will make a difference, and provide those who have experienced workplace sexual harrassment the opportuntity to speak their truth and seek proper guidance. I look forward to continuing the work to allow survivors to openly seek justice and to make New York a safer, harassment-free place to work.

I also want to mention that this week’s newsletter will be the last correspondence that you will receive from my office until after the August primaries on August 23rd. All elected officials running for office in the upcoming primary are required to participate in a media blackout until the elections to avoid any conflicts of interest. I look forward to speaking with you again following the election!

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

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