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Monday, January 30, 2023
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - Spend Time with VCPA in February
Councilmember Rafael Salamanca - News, updates and more from NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.
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 SENSELESS GUN VIOLENCE IN THE SOUTH BRONX "Our community is in pain." Council Member Salamanca attends the vigil of Josue Lopez-Ortega, 15, who was killed by senseless gun violence. Over the last year, three beautiful souls, teens who had their whole lives to live, have been taken from us because of gun violence in the South Bronx. To heal, we came together as one to remember their lives, and demand change & justice in their names.
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ICYMI: DEC Commissioner Seggos and NYSERDA President and CEO Harris Op-Ed in the Buffalo News: Energy Affordability is at the Forefront of New York’s Climate Agenda
On Sunday, the Buffalo News published an op-ed by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos and NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen Harris about New York’s nation-leading climate agenda to reduce pollution, combat climate change, and ensure energy affordability for all New Yorkers. Text of the op-ed is available below and can be found online at the Buffalo News website.
It’s easy for New Yorkers to lose track of the number of severe weather events labeled “once in a generation.” In the past decade, there have been many, including Hurricanes Irene and Lee, Superstorm Sandy, the record droughts of 2022, and the “once-in-a-generation blizzard” that dumped 80 inches on Buffalo in five days.
Climate change caused by carbon emissions has increased the frequency and severity of these “once-in-a-generation” storms, both here in New York and across the nation. Since 1980, the U.S. has sustained 310 weather and climate disasters with a cumulative cost exceeding an estimated $2.15 trillion.
That’s why Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent State of the State address prioritized several climate actions that will pave the way for critical investments in a clean energy future, while tackling affordability.
New York State is home to one of the most ambitious climate laws in the country. To build on that strong foundation, Gov. Hochul announced an economy-wide Cap-and-Invest Program that establishes a declining cap on greenhouse gas emissions, generating revenue directly from those responsible for pollution, while limiting the impacts to consumers. The program will limit potential costs to economically vulnerable New Yorkers, invest proceeds to reduce pollutants across communities in an equitable manner, and ensure industries thrive in New York.
DEC and NYSERDA will design a regulatory program setting an annual cap on pollution that will be set lower each year to align with our climate goals, further protect the health of New York’s citizens, and safeguard our environment for years to come.
The revenue will be used to invest in clean, affordable energy across the state, prioritizing the communities that have disproportionately felt the effects of climate change. Money will support the state’s critical investments in climate mitigation, energy efficiency, clean transportation and other innovative projects.
We are also establishing the EmPower Plus Program to help 20,000 low-income families update their homes by adding insulation, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, and switching from inefficient fossil fuel heating to clean, efficient electric alternatives. New Yorkers that participate will also have access to an Energy Affordability Guarantee, so they never pay more than 6% of their incomes on electricity.
These initiatives demonstrate Gov. Hochul’s commitment to avoiding the costly impacts of climate change, lowering energy costs for hardworking New Yorkers, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing harmful emissions to improve air quality and public health for all.
For more information about the Climate Action Council Scoping Plan and New York’s climate agenda, visit the Climate Act website.
MAYOR ADAMS HELPS NEW YORKERS SAVE UP TO $150 MILLION ON OVERDUE WATER BILLS
Limited Time Only Program Offers Relief to Nearly 200,000 Customers With Unpaid, Late Water Bills to Avoid Enforcement Actions
$1.2 Billion Owed Poses Threat to NYC’s Water Infrastructure and
Could Lead to Additional Rate Hikes
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala today launched a temporary water bill amnesty program to help New Yorkers save up to $150 million of interest when they pay their overdue water bills. The limited time program will forgive up to 100 percent of interest when customers pay a portion or all of their outstanding water bills. With nearly 200,000 customers owing a combined $1.2 billion in water bill charges to DEP, this program will help New Yorkers both clear their debt and save money, while ensuring that the city can continue to invest in and maintain the city’s critical water infrastructure.
“As New Yorkers continue to recover financially from the pandemic, we are helping almost 200,000 of our city’s water customers keep up to $150 million in their pockets when they resolve their debts through this water bill relief program,” said Mayor Adams. “This water amnesty program will enable property owners to settle their debts at a reduced cost, while providing the Department of Environmental Protection with the necessary funds to operate the city’s vital water supply and treatment system. I encourage all eligible customers to take advantage of this limited-time savings program we’re proud to offer.”
“This water bill amnesty program gives people the breathing room needed to make back payments manageable.” said Deputy Mayor of Operations Meera Joshi. “These payments are also critical to supporting our overall water system that provides clean water and the infrastructure to protect the entire water system in the face of climate change.”
“This program allows customers to save money and start fresh in the new year,” said DEP Commissioner Aggarwala. “At the same time, it should serve as a reminder to those who have chronically delinquent accounts and have been withholding payment — that won’t be allowed to continue.”
The amnesty program, authorized by the New York City Water Board, will only run for 90 days, from Jan. 30, 2023 to April 30, 2023. To receive amnesty and confirm eligibility, or for more information, customers should visit DEP’s water amnesty website or call (718) 595-7000.
There are nearly 200,000 DEP customers with delinquent water bills, owing a combined $1.2 billion, and approximately 85 percent of that debt is from residential properties. For customers with a seriously delinquent balance of more than $1,000 for over a year, DEP will offer three amnesty options:
- If 100 percent of the principal bill is paid, 100 percent of interest will be forgiven;
- If 50 percent of the principal bill is paid, 75 percent of interest will be forgiven; or
- If 25 percent of the principal bill is paid, 50 percent of interest will be forgiven.
Customers who owe less than $1,000 are still eligible to receive amnesty on 100 percent of their interest if they pay their total bill. All customers who participate in the water amnesty program and leave a remaining outstanding balance will be required to enter into a payment agreement with DEP. Data shows that 85 percent of customers who set up a payment plan stay on it and successfully clear their debt.
To help low-income customers that already participated in New York State’s Low Income Homeowner Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), DEP is offering up to an additional $30 million to assist these homeowners with forgiveness of up to $5,000 of their remaining delinquent balances.
“Nearly one in four customers is behind on their water bill. This program gives those New Yorkers who fell behind during the pandemic a way to catch up and save money,” Alfonso L. Carney Jr., chairman, New York City Water Board. “The money collected from this program is critical to helping us pay for the vital operation and maintenance of the city’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, as well as funding the critical investments and upgrades we need.”
DEP supplies more than 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water and treats 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater for more than 9 million New Yorkers every day. The water system’s expenses — which include maintenance, repairs, and capital upgrades — are directly funded by revenue collected from water bills. DEP is facing a growing receivable balance of delinquent accounts, threatening the operations and capital needs of a service the city could not survive without. Customers pay about $0.01 per gallon in both water and sewer charges, and the average New York City household uses about 70,000 gallons of water per year.
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Long Island Contractor Indicted for Multi-Million Dollar Fraud in Connection with Hurricane Sandy
Homeowners Paid the Defendant Approximately $2.5 Million Which He Allegedly Used to Purchase Luxury Cars, including a Lamborghini, a Porsche and a Jaguar
Alexander Almaraz, the owner of Design Concepts Group LLC (DCG) in Freeport, New York, has been charged in a 20-count indictment with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and attempted wire fraud in connection with a scheme to induce individuals to hire the defendant and pay DCG to lift their Hurricane Sandy-damaged homes. Almaraz is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court in Central Islip before United States Magistrate Judge Lee G. Dunst.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Anne T. Donnelly, Nassau County District Attorney, announced the arrest and charges.
“In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the defendant took advantage of distressed homeowners who were desperate to rebuild their homes and their lives,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “The criminal charges announced demonstrate that despite the passage of time, this Office and our law enforcement partners will prosecute fraudsters who prey on disaster victims and use government relief programs as a piggy bank to enrich themselves.”
Mr. Peace also thanked New York Rising (NYR) within the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery for their assistance with the investigation.
“As our fellow community members attempted to restore their lives following the cataclysmic destruction of Hurricane Sandy, the defendant exploited the opportunity to operate a years’ long scheme. As alleged, rather than complete the promised contract, Almaraz stole his victims' money to pay for his lavish personal expenses. The FBI will continue to investigate fraud and abuse of government relief programs and hold the scammers accountable for their schemes,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.
District Attorney Donnelly said: “Dozens of New Yorkers – in their hour of need – were left homeless, and with their homes in ruin, due to the alleged actions of Alexander Almaraz. For nearly four years, this contractor allegedly promised families that he’d repair their homes, but instead he used disaster relief money to buy exotic sports cars and property in another state. I thank our partners at the US. Attorney’s Office and the FBI for their diligent pursuit of this defendant, who has left a trail of destruction in his wake.”
On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy struck New York and New Jersey, causing catastrophic damage to low-lying and coastal areas, including many neighborhoods in the Eastern District of New York. Individuals whose homes were damaged were eligible to receive funding from the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery through the NYR program.
As alleged in the indictment, Almaraz entered into contracts—alternatively as the owner of DCG and fraudulently posing as the owner of a different company—with homeowners who qualified to receive funds from NYR. As part of these contracts, Almaraz agreed to lift the victims’ homes and set them down on a temporary support structure, which allowed demolition of the foundation, and then install a new foundation, lower the home, and reconnect appliances. Between October 2015 and June 2019, Almaraz agreed to lift the homes of at least 20 customers that had received NYR funding and who collectively paid him approximately $2.5 million. Almaraz convinced many of these homeowners to move out of their homes and pay him rent to live elsewhere, all the while neglecting their projects and causing greater loss. Additionally, instead of performing the agreed-upon work, Almaraz used the homeowners’ monies to pay for personal expenses, including credit card bills, land purchased in Kansas City, Missouri, and luxury automobiles, including a Lamborghini, a Porsche and a Jaguar. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum term of 30 years’ incarceration on each count in the indictment.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and Almaraz is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - Free Performance of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1
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Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine - NYC must remove the names of two notorious Nazi sympathizers from one of our most cherished public monuments...
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Wave Hill Events February 16-February 23
Come enjoy the wintry grounds on a walk. Be sure to stop in Glyndor this Sunday for Open Studios. Meet all six Winter Workspace Artists, tour their studios in Glyndor Gallery and see what they've been up to the past six weeks. At this week’s Family Art Project, take inspiration from the gardens and create and decorate silhouettes of trees.
Family Art Project: Winter Silhouettes
Free with admission to the grounds
Meet at Wave Hill House
As winter lingers on, light dims at our homes, use lanterns to cast the shadows of seasonal trees. Draw their silhouettes, add textures and then decorate them using washable paint, conifer cones, dried flowers and leaves.
Registration not required.
Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call 718.549.3200 x251.
The program takes place indoors in the Kerlin Learning Center located on the lower level of Wave Hill House. Please note the following important COVID-related information to ensure everyone’s safety:
Approximately nine families will be able to participate at a time, based on the time each family arrives.
If capacity is full when you arrive, we will provide a “come back” card so you will have first entry for the next session.
Each family will receive its own set of materials and cleaning will happen in between seating participants.
Unvaccinated visitors are encouraged to wear a mask inside.
Wave Hill House is located along a paved route with moderate changes in grade. The building is wheelchair-accessible. There is an accessible, ground-level entrance at the front of the building with a power-assist door. The restroom on the ground level is all-gender and ADA-compliant. Additional ADA-compliant restrooms are available on the lower level, which can be accessed by elevator.
Winter Workspace 2023: Open Studios
Sat, Feb 18, 1–4PM
Free with admission to the grounds
Glyndor Gallery
The Winter Workspace is a program that takes place over two, six-week sessions and provides artists with free studio space, a financial stipend, and access to Wave Hill’s living collection. Session One takes place from January 9 to February 19, 2023. Since its start 14 years ago, the Workspace has supported more than 150 artists. During the Winter Workspace, artists have intimate access to the greenhouses, as well as horticultural and curatorial staff. Experimentation is encouraged and artists expand their practices while working on site. Artists also engage with Wave Hill visitors through Drop-In Sundays, Open Studios, as well as adult or family workshops. At the core of the Winter Workspace is the recognition that creating art within the context of a garden is a unique experience.
During this Open Studios event, meet the artists participating in Session One of the Winter Workspace and see what they've been working on over the last six weeks. Visitors can learn about the artists' practice, sources and materials. Explore each artist studio, see new and in-process work inspired by Wave Hill and created on site, and meet other art-lovers.
This event is family-friendly, and we welcome visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to attend. A Discovery Guide for families is available at the gallery desk, offering a fun way to engage with the artwork on view.
Registration encouraged but not required for this drop-in event; register online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call the telephone number and extension above.
Glyndor Gallery is wheelchair-accessible. There is an accessible, ground-level entrance at the front of the building with an elevator that provides access to the gallery level. The Sunroom Project Space can be accessed with an ADA-compliant ramp. The restroom on the gallery level is all-gender and ADA-compliant.
Garden and Conservatory Highlights Walks
Sun, Feb 19, 2023, 2–2:45PM
Free with admission to the grounds
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide–come back for an encore; each walk varies with the Guide leading it. This walk lasts a half-hour to 45 minutes. Severe weather cancels.
Registration is not required for this drop-in event. Public Garden Walks are most appropriate for adults or young adults. Not intended for groups; groups should sign-up for Private Garden Tours.
Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call 718.549.3200 x251.
Garden Highlights Walks follow a variety of routes along mixed-material pathways and varying elevations. Accessible routes are available as requested; please indicate your need to Wave Hill staff at the Greeter Desk in the Perkins Visitor Center.
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HOURS: 10AM–4:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday.
Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org.