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Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Need Help Applying? NYC Small Business Opportunity Fund Explained
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates
Dear Neighbor,
Thank you for joining us for another week in review. This week, we joined with our colleagues in government for Mayor Eric Adams' State of the City Address where he laid out his comprehensive vision for the City, with an emphasis on fairness and equity. His “Working People’s Agenda,” will be successful in seeing our residents and families rebound from the effects of COVID-19 by focusing on jobs, public safety, housing, and healthcare. Click here for my response to Mayor Adams' State of the City. We want to remind everyone that our first-ever digital Community Board application is live and available in both English and Spanish. We wanted to make our application easy and accessible to our community by eliminating the barriers that could keep our neighbors from joining. We encourage everyone to apply - our community boards should reflect the diversity of our great Borough. We also encourage our youth (16 years or older) to join us! We want to hear from you. Help us build the Borough you want to see! The application deadline is March 3rd, 2023. Click here to apply. Tax Season is upon us! Single-filing New Yorkers who earned $56,000 or less in 2022, or families who earned $80,000 or less, are encouraged to file their taxes for free using NYC Free Tax Prep. NYC Free Tax Prep provides free, professional, tax preparation that can help New Yorkers keep their full refund, including valuable tax credits, like the newly enhanced New York City Earned Income Tax Credit (NYC EITC). The new NYC Free Tax Prep for self-employed New Yorkers will also provide income tax services to freelance workers and small businesses. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.
In partnership, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson |
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Thank you Mayor Eric Adams for your commitment to New Yorkers. The State of the City further proved that we are better together.
Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Monthly Meeting Tuesday Feb. 14
The Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association is back with their monthly community event on Tuesday February 14th, 2023 at 7pm at our location 2134 Barnes Avenue on the corner of Barnes and Lydig Avenue Bx, NY 10462. Scheduled to appear are Congressman Ritchie Torres and his Team. Ritchie represents New York's 15th Congressional District. Please join us for this very important and informative session.
Governor Hochul Announces $5.25 Million to Support Addiction Prevention Services in High-Need Communities
Federal Funding Will Allow Six Providers to Establish Substance Use and Prevention Coalitions to Focus on Delivering Services to High-Need Populations
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $5.25 million in awards to establish six substance use and prevention coalitions across New York State. Administered by the State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the funding will enable recipients to focus prevention efforts on priority populations; including Black, Indigenous and people of color; veterans; older adults, individuals with disabilities, and youth with a history of incarceration or other contact with the criminal-legal system.
"Addiction impacts New Yorkers from all walks of life, and my administration remains committed to using every tool at our disposal to help struggling individuals receive the supportive services they need," Governor Hochul said. "This expansion of prevention services will allow us to reach more people in need and ensure we are taking all necessary steps to provide a full continuum of addiction care across New York State."
Prevention coalitions are designed to better engage vulnerable and isolated communities and populations in developing and implementing environmental change prevention strategies. This funding will help these six new coalitions - two in the New York City area and four in the rest of state - to develop culturally appropriate and tailored prevention initiatives for the specific communities and populations they serve.
Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said, "Prevention coalitions are targeted specifically to the communities where they are based and serve an important role in establishing strong prevention services to impact community change. This funding will allow us to further expand these important programs in underserved communities and reach more people with important evidence-based programming, education, and other prevention efforts."
Funding for the expansion was provided to New York State through collaboration with The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. and SAMHSA's Partnership for Success Grant 2022. Each recipient will receive $175,000 per year for five years, for a total of $875,000.
Central New York
- Access To Independence of Cortland County, Inc.
Finger Lakes
- Partnership for Ontario (Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Ontario County)
Long Island
- Family & Children's Association
New York City
- Research Foundation of CUNY on behalf of Lehman College (The Lehman Prevention Collaborative)
- Riseboro Community Partnership (RiseBoro Partnership for Success Prevention Coalition)
North Country
- Mountain View Prevention Services, Inc. (United Prevention "UP!" Coalition of Lewis County)
New York State has instituted an aggressive, multi-pronged approach to addressing the overdose epidemic, and created a nation-leading continuum of addiction care with full prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services. This includes expanding access to traditional services, including crisis services; inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment programs; medication to treat addiction; and mobile treatment and transportation services.
Governor Hochul was a member of the New York State Heroin and Opioid Task Force, which made recommendations for new, non-traditional services in 2016. These services include recovery centers, youth clubhouses, expanded peer services, and open access centers, which provide immediate assessments and referrals to care, and have since been established in numerous communities around the state to help people in need access care closer to where they live.
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the New York State OASAS website.
If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.
MAYOR ADAMS SIGNS TWO PIECES OF LEGISLATION — TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ENTERING HIGHER EDUCATION, BUILD MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE BY REDUCING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC USE
Intro 660-A Establishes Program to Help High School Students With Disabilities Transition to Higher Education
Intro 559-A Allows New Yorkers to “Skip the Stuff,” Reducing Plastic Utensil Waste When Ordering Take-out, Food Delivery
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today signed two pieces of legislation — the first to support high school students with disabilities as they transition to higher education and a second to reduce unnecessary waste of single-use plastic when ordering take-out or food delivery, helping secure a more sustainable future. On the heels of Mayor Adams’ announcement to expand pre-school special-education seats across the five boroughs for young New Yorkers with disabilities, Intro 660-A builds on the city’s commitment to serving students with disabilities at all ages by focusing on students in high school. Intro 559-A — also known as the “Skip the Stuff” bill — will prohibit restaurants and food delivery platforms from providing eating utensils, extra eating containers, condiment packets, and napkins to customers for take-out and delivery orders unless the customer specifically requests them, reducing unnecessary single-use plastic use.
“I’m proud to sign these two pieces of legislation today. For too long, our students with disabilities have struggled in a system that hasn’t been able to fully meet them where they are,” said Mayor Adams. “Being able to succeed while attending a higher education institution involves more than just being able to attend classes and studying — it means having the available support and accommodation to succeed. Intro 660-A will help provide that support, making it easier for students with disabilities to enter higher learning institutions. This second piece of legislation will help us secure a sustainable future by reducing plastic that ends up in our landfills. Intro 559-A allows New Yorkers to ‘Skip the Stuff’ when ordering take-out or delivery, preventing unused plastic from ending up in our landfills, and making our city greener for generations to come.”
“The transition from high school to higher education can be daunting,” said City Hall Chief Counsel Brendan McGuire. “This law seeks to improve New Yorkers’ access to higher education disability resources, and reflects this administration’s continuing commitment to supporting New Yorkers with disabilities.”
"Today's bill signing moves us another step away from single-use plastics," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. "New York City is the takeout capital of the world, and the removal of unnecessary waste from our takeout orders is a necessary step towards a cleaner, greener city."
“Nearly every New Yorker has it: the dreaded drawer full of old takeout forks, spoons that accompanied forgotten soups, and chopsticks of days gone by. And you know what’s worse than having that plastic take up space in your home? Having it sit for centuries in a landfill — a silent memorial that will outlive the restaurants it came from by hundreds of years,” said New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “The ‘Skip the Stuff’ bill is a small change that will reduce our plastic waste. I want to thank the City Council for passing it and Mayor Adams for signing it into law.”
Intro 660-A — sponsored by New York City Councilmember Eric Dinowitz— establishes a program to help high school students with disabilities who are moving to institutions of higher education obtain accommodations and help them access related supports. This legislation will ensure that New York City’s high school students living with disabilities are supported during their move to higher education, and have the resources they need for a smooth transition.
Intro 559-A —sponsored by New York City Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez — prohibits food service establishments, couriers who deliver food, and food delivery platforms from providing eating utensils, extra eating containers, condiment packets, and napkins to customers for take-out and delivery orders unless the customer specifically requests them. At a time when New York City continues to fight the impacts of climate change, this legislation will reduce the amount of waste in the city’s waste stream and limit the use of single-use plastics.
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Governor Hochul Joins President Biden to Announce Federal Investment in the Hudson Tunnel Project
Governor Hochul: "...this Gateway project, has been talked about a long time. We need this done. This is the lifeblood of not just our region, but the entire nation's economy."
Hochul: "I'm going to take advantage of this almost $300 million in funding to be a catalyst to get this project going - the first demonstrative step to make this historic project a reality. And let's not forget, we love infrastructure, moving people, all this. 72,000 jobs are associated with this project."
What a spectacular day to be here. Anytime the president comes to visit, he knows he's welcome. The First Lady is always welcome. Some may have noticed that the Empire State Building was lit up in the colors paying tribute to the First Lady's favorite team - okay, that is how I am going to spin that one.
But it is great to be here with our President who you will be hearing from shortly, but also the Governor of New Jersey who has been a staunch ally, a great partner, Phil Murphy. Our Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg - we had a great conversation about, when you have a lot of experiences, you can talk about what it is like to raise one year old twins. That's extraordinary. So, he's been tested in many ways. You know our Mayor Eric Adams is here as well. We have been to many events, many events this week, including the opening of the first train station in 67 years in the nation, Grand Central Madison, we got that done. We have our Senator - Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has joined us, you will be hearing from him shortly. Our Senator Kirstin Gillibrand, members of congress have joined us, Senator Bob Menendez I know is also here as well.
And if I could just give a special shout out to the people that make everything happen when it comes to transportation - Rick Cotton, the Executive Director of the Port Authority, Rick Cotton, thank you for all you do. Janno Lieber, the chair of the MTA, Stephen Gardner, the CEO of Amtrak, Anthony Coscia, the Chairman of the Board of Amtrak, and all of our great partners, and the men and women of labor - thank you. Thank you.
Well like I said, it's great to have the President back. He has been here for such extraordinary, life changing announcements. It wasn't that long ago we announced that New York State was able to win over a project known as Micron that the rest of the nation wanted, but we landed them right here in New York with 50,000 jobs, and that's just getting started. So the President was an important part of that. Majority Leader Schumer was an important part.
So that's what we do. We talk about the jobs that are coming here. We did IBM jobs, we do infrastructure projects. But as the President said yesterday when he was in Baltimore, to have the best economy in the world, you need to have the best infrastructure in the world. And the gateway project, this gateway project, has been talked about a long time. We need this done. This is the lifeblood of not just our region, but the entire nation's economy.
And any further delays put us in danger because you never know what could happen. My God, a hurricane hitting New York - how foreign was that a decade ago, except my first week on the job a year ago, we had two hurricanes. So we have to be prepared for circumstances that you never would've expected in your wildest dreams. We need to have the redundancy - backups - to make sure that this region is never ever paralyzed, because that's exactly what would happen.
So the Northeast Corridor is the most used rail line in the country. It's not just an economic driver for New York and New Jersey, which is very important to us. That should be good enough. But there's the rest of the country that's also relying on this, and our members of Congress who need to get back and forth to their jobs in Washington. I see Congressman Goldman in the front row there, worried about getting back.
So, we also know that the more we can entice people to use our train system, we're promoting a cleaner, better environment for our children and our grandkids. And that's what's so important to us. So, today, we announce the concrete casings. We're celebrating. Only people in this room get excited about concrete casings, I assure you. But we do. We're excited because this is a milestone. This means things are starting to happen. No more talk. We had four presidents, five governors, had a lot of talk. That's just in our state.
Now, things are starting to happen, and you are all here to witness this - the beginning of something that's going to be extraordinary that people years from now will say, "It was bold. It was audacious and not for the faint of heart." But just like we do in New York, in New Jersey, we said, "We go boldly into projects like this because it's an essential episode that must happen." And if we don't do this, if we fail future generations, we'll be scorned upon should anything happen to this critical lifeblood of our region.
So, we know the great potential. We're going to make this investment. But this federal money, thank you, President Biden, for understanding how important this is. We cannot do this alone. The Secretary knows this. He's always being asked all the time for money. It's like when I'm walking around Albany, the Mayor, they've always got their hands out. I understand this, but now it's my chance to have my hands out, and I'm going to take advantage of this almost $300 million in funding to be a catalyst to get this project going - the first demonstrative step to make this historic project a reality.
And let's not forget, we love infrastructure, moving people, all this. 72,000 jobs are associated with this project. I think that gets a round of applause because as I was coming here, I was thinking about what does 72,000 jobs look and feel like? We have about 1,500 towns and cities in the State of New York. I only have 25 that are bigger than 72,000. I mean, that's bigger than most of the towns in the State of New York. The number of people - Gary LaBarbera is excited about this.
We're going to be putting so many men and women to work, and we're going to train them and help lift them up and out of their circumstances. That's what the power of these projects is all about. It's not just about the future - that's important - but today, people need these jobs and that's why we are acting with such urgency.
And I'll also say one more thing. It's great to have a tunnel. Not a lot of people are actually going to see this. Let's talk about what they're going to actually see. Let's talk about a revitalized, brand-new Penn Station because we have gone too long in the darkness, my friends. I've described this as the seven levels of Hell.
I dropped my little girl off and I say, "Hope I see you again, darling." It's not that bad, everybody. But the reality is, our President when he was Vice President pointed out that LaGuardia years ago - a third-world country, that might be insulting to the third-world countries. I don't know. But you think about that today, we don't have what this community, this state, this region, this country deserves in Penn Station.
And that's why with support from the federal government, support from New Jersey, we're working as partners to make sure that the experience is uplifting and beautiful for everyone who comes through that station. Because when I was a much younger staffer for Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan in Washington, he said the demolition of Penn Station was one of the greatest crimes, greatest civic crimes ever committed in our history. Well, we have a plan to solve that crime, Senator Moynihan, we're going to fix it. We're going to get it right. And so, we'll have a project that's worthy of this community, worthy of our neighbors in New Jersey and everyone who visits.
So, I'm excited. I love projects like this. I must have played with a lot of Legos when I was a little kid, and I definitely had a train set because this is energetic. This says we're moving forward. We're not stagnating in the past or the COVID world that paralyzes for too long. We're reaching out in the future and seizing it with gusto, and I'm energized, excited. I'm so proud to be here today with President Joe Biden.
U.S. Promoter of Foreign Cryptocurrency Companies Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for His Role in Multi-Million Dollar Securities Fraud Scheme
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, John DeMarr was sentenced by United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall to 60 months in prison for his participation in a cryptocurrency and securities fraud scheme. The Court also ordered DeMarr to pay $3,513,305.41 in forfeiture. In July 2021, DeMarr pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Kenneth A. Polite Jr., Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Donald Alway, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office (FBI), and Tyler Hatcher, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles (IRS-CI), announced the sentence.
“DeMarr took advantage of those who trusted him, persuading them to double down on their investments when he knew that his cryptocurrency companies and their dubious celebrity endorsements were scams being used to fund his lavish lifestyle,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “The victims ultimately lost everything, so it is appropriate that DeMarr lose his freedom for concocting this fraud.”
“Cryptocurrency schemes are on the rise. The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners are working diligently to identify and investigate criminals who perpetrate these schemes, like John DeMarr,” stated IRS-CI Special Agent-in-Charge Hatcher. “DeMarr, a promoter of several digital asset-related companies, conspired with others to defraud victims and made misleading representations for significant profits. DeMarr diverted funds into accounts he controlled and spent the money to maintain a lavish lifestyle. Those who line their pockets with profits from these schemes should know they will not go undetected and will be held accountable.”
According to court filings, DeMarr, a promoter of several digital asset-related companies, conspired with others to defraud investor victims by inducing them to invest in their companies, “Start Options” and “B2G,” based on materially false and misleading representations. Start Options purported to be an online investment platform that provided cryptocurrency mining, trading, and digital asset trading services. B2G was purportedly an “ecosystem” that would allow users to trade B2G tokens, provide digital wallet staking, and trade digital and fiat currencies “on a secure, comprehensive platform.” Both Start Options and B2G, however, were fraudulent.
DeMarr and others falsely claimed that investor funds would be invested in digital asset mining and trading platforms that would earn them massive profits. In reality, the funds were never invested and instead diverted to accounts controlled by DeMarr and others and used for various personal expenditures, including the purchase of a Porsche, jewelry, and the remodeling of DeMarr’s home in California.
Start Options also purported to feature celebrity endorsements to promote its securities offerings. For example, a professional athlete purportedly endorsed Start Options and his name and likeness were used without his consent. Based on this and other fraudulent promotional materials, investors sent millions of dollars’ worth of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and fiat currency to financial accounts, including cryptowallets, controlled by DeMarr and others in the United States and abroad. In late January 2018, rather than permitting Start Options investors to withdraw money from their accounts after the requisite time period, DeMarr and others required investors to roll over their accounts into an unregistered “initial coin offering,” or ICO, of B2G. Investors never actually received any digital tokens, and funds from the offering were not used to develop the B2G platform.
Additionally, DeMarr and others also paid various promoters, including an actor famous for martial arts films made in the 1980s and 1990s, to serve as a promoter and celebrity spokesperson, falsely claiming that B2G could generate an “8,000%” return for investors within one year, and that he was a participant in the ICO. DeMarr and others also created false press releases and whitepapers about B2G, fabricated B2G account statements, and refused to allow investors to withdraw their money.
CONSUMER ALERT: The Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Warns New Yorkers of Credit and Debit Card Skimming Scams
During Identity Theft Awareness Week from January 30 – February 3, Consumer Protection Offers Tips to Help Spot a Potential Skimming Scam
Secretary Rodriguez: “I urge all New Yorkers to stay informed and pay close attention for signs of tampering when using an ATM, gas station pump or other card reading machine to help protect themselves against these scams.”
How Can Consumers Protect Themselves? Video Here
During Identity Theft Awareness Week, the Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection today warned New Yorkers of credit and debit card skimming scams where thieves place “skimming” devices at ATMs, gas station pumps and other unattended payment terminals to steal card information. Scammers place these hidden devices over or inside card reading machines at legitimate retailers to directly copy card and PIN information, and then use the stolen data to withdraw funds, make illicit purchases or commit other forms of fraud. According to the FBI, it is estimated that skimming costs financial institutions and consumers more than $1 billion each year.
“Countless New Yorkers use credit cards and debit cards for everyday purchases, and they should not have to worry about unscrupulous individuals stealing their information or their hard-earned money,” said New York Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez, who oversees the Division of Consumer Protection. “I urge all New Yorkers to stay informed and pay close attention for signs of tampering when using an ATM, gas station pump or other card reading machine to help protect themselves against these scams.”
“According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, skimming costs financial institutions and consumers more than $1 billion each year,” said Acting New York State Police Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli. “While our highly trained investigators and specialized units deploy sophisticated techniques to catch these criminals and stop them from defrauding New Yorkers, it’s important for consumers to be aware of their surroundings and the steps they can take to protect themselves. I urge all New Yorkers to be vigilant in taking precautions to safeguard their identities.”
TIPS ON HOW TO HELP SPOT A POTENTIAL SKIMMING SCAM:
- Inspect the card reading machine for an overlay device. Check for unusual set-ups including abnormal bulkiness, any residues, different color, material or shape. Check to see if it’s loose around the card reader. If it moves, consider using another machine.
- Check the keypad. Thieves may place a phony keypad overlay to store keystrokes. If the buttons look or feel different, don’t use it.
- Choose your ATM location wisely. Machines located inside banks or indoor locations are much more secure than an ATM located on the street where anyone can access it.
- Look for any hidden cameras. Thieves often place cameras near the vicinity in order to record PIN numbers. The camera may be mounted at the top or in the ceiling of a terminal. Protect yourself by shielding the PIN pad when entering a PIN number. Use your hand and/or body to cover your PIN when you type it in.
- Review your bank and credit card statements regularly. Victims are often unaware of fraudulent charges or activities until the next attempted purchase or account review. It’s important to frequently monitor your accounts for unauthorized charges.
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers on identity theft prevention and mitigation, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-
For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division on social media at Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.