Nos Quedamos - Jane's Walk Tour 2023: Historical Melrose Commons: May 6, 2023 ~ 11am-12:15pm

 

Join Nos Quedamos and the Abigail Project—in partnership with the Municipal Art Society—as Jane's Walk makes its triumphant return since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a special guided tour of Melrose Commons facilitated by renown architect and urban planner Petr Stand! Saturday, May 6, 2023 ~ 11am-12:15pm (approx) Meeting at: Yolanda García Park East 159th Street & Melrose Avenue, South Bronx The urban design of the Bronx is a response to both the physical and cultural nature of the borough. The topography and the memory of former towns, as seen in the differing patterns of street layouts, neighborhood scales, and the unique ways in which these patterns come together, tell the story of New York City’s northernmost division. The streets, parks, public spaces and buildings have sheltered and supported generations of people from distinct and different global cultures. Residents (homeowners and tenants), business and and gardeners formed Nos Quedamos, “We Stay,” in order to preserve their community and encourage appropriate and sustainable development in the neighborhood. The work of Nos Quedamos and the legacy of Yolanda García continue in Melrose Commons. With over a million square feet of affordable housing (across different typologies and scales) and close to 100,000 square feet of new retail developed and occupied over the last 20 years, the work has just begun. We look to the past to provide the context for the present and, working within that context, we grow to the future. Tour stop locations include: Learn why the outcome of the Melrose Commons Urban Renewal Plan is studied around the world as you take in the legacy on the very streets where history was made. Click or Scan below for full event details & tour map. Event Info / Tour Map Click map for directions to event.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT AHEAD OF THE RENT GUIDELINES BOARD PRELIMINARY VOTE

 

"Last year’s rent hike was already historic and horrific, contributing to the fact that half of all families in New York can’t afford the minimum cost of living in our city. Yet landlords are still pushing for an even more extreme increase, which will force even more families from their homes. They attempt the same disingenuous argument every year, and I fear that with this administration’s appointees and priorities, the board will listen to them.

"Don’t be fooled by the strategy – if the board considers even a fraction of the absurd increase landlords are pushing, it would not be a compromise or a reasonable stance. It would be a devastating attack on New York’s tenants by an industry that routinely puts profit over people. The answer to any real financial struggles that some owners face cannot be demanding more money from tenants who don’t have it, which would only deepen the crisis. 

"New York is the most expensive it’s ever been, and building conditions are deteriorating as rents continue to rise. Before even beginning a discussion about raising rents, we should be discussing how to hold bad landlords accountable for their repeated failures to maintain basic living standards, and how to protect tenants from dangerous conditions and costs."

DiNapoli & Lander's Proposal Calling on Wells Fargo Board to Report on Efforts to Prevent Discrimination and Harassment Wins Majority Support from Shareholders

 

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and New York City Comptroller Brad Lander called on Wells Fargo & Co.’s board of directors to publicly report on the company’s efforts to prevent harassment and discrimination in the workplace following a majority shareholder vote in favor of a proposal filed by the New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund) and the New York City Pension Funds. DiNapoli serves as the trustee of the Fund and Lander serves as fiduciary to the city’s five public pension funds. “Wells Fargo employees are one of the company's most valuable assets, however, recent scandals have led to doubts about the company’s workforce management,” DiNapoli said. “Workplace abuse, harassment and discrimination can result in substantial costs to companies and affect shareholder value. Investors have now spoken. It is the time for the board to act." “Shareholders have sent a loud and clear message to Wells Fargo that harassment and discrimination have no business in the workplace,” Lander said. “The support for our proposal reflects investors’ growing focus on worker rights and their increasing demand for portfolio companies to be transparent on issues that jeopardize long-term value and the wellbeing of their workforce.” Shareholders of Wells Fargo, one of the largest U.S. banks, approved the proposal at the company’s annual meeting on April 25 with 55% support, excluding abstentions. The proposal requested an annual public report on the effectiveness of its workforce management and suggested the board consider disclosures such as: the total number and aggregate dollar amount of disputes settled by the company related to abuse, harassment or discrimination in the previous three years; the total number of pending harassment or discrimination complaints the company is seeking to resolve through internal processes, arbitration or litigation; the aggregate dollar amount associated with the enforcement of arbitration clauses; the number of enforceable contracts which include concealment clauses that restrict discussions of harassment or discrimination, and the aggregate dollar amount associated with agreements which contain concealment clauses. The proposal noted that Wells Fargo’s hiring practices came under scrutiny when the company was alleged to have conducted interviews of diverse candidates for positions that were already filled and subsequently retaliated against those employees who complained about the sham interviews. News outlets have also reported that the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York is investigating possible violations of federal laws by the bank after those allegations surfaced. New York State Common Retirement Fund The New York State Common Retirement Fund is one of the largest public pension funds in the United States. The Fund holds and invests the assets of the New York State and Local Retirement System on behalf of more than one million state and local government employees and retirees and their beneficiaries. It has consistently been ranked as one of the best managed and best funded plans in the nation.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Join Us for Our Cinco de Mayo Celebration!

 

Dear Neighbor,

Join us for an afternoon of music, dancing and celebration of Mexican culture and victory during our Cinco de Mayo event on Wednesday, May 3rd at 2:30PM at Bronx Borough Hall, 851 Grand Concourse.

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

U.S. Attorney Charges Former Westchester County Board Of Legislators Employee With Attempted Enticement Of A Minor

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ANAND SINGH was arrested and charged with one count of attempted enticement of a minor.  The Complaint charges that SINGH communicated with an individual, who he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, on Hily, a dating application, and via text message and made plans to meet the individual at an apartment building to engage in sexual activity.  SINGH was presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court and detained pending a bail hearing on Wednesday.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “33-year-old Anand Singh allegedly attempted to entice an individual, who he believed to be a 14-year-old, to meet for sexual purposes, via dating and text apps.  This arrest is a reminder of the inherent danger the internet could potentially pose to our youth and the critical importance to protect them from online predators.”

As alleged in the criminal Complaint:[1]

In December of 2022, SINGH, then an employee of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, used a mobile dating application called “Hily” and text messages to entice an individual posing as a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity with him.  SINGH used the screen name “Anon” to communicate with the individual on the Hily application.  During these communications, SINGH repeatedly expressed, in graphic and unambiguous terms, his desire to engage in sexual activity with the individual and made a plan to meet her at an apartment building in Newark, New Jersey, for the purposes of engaging in sexual activity.  In the early hours of December 17, 2022, SINGH went to the location where he and the individual posing as a 14-year-old girl planned to meet.

ANAND SINGH, 33, of Tarrytown, New York, is charged with one count of attempted enticement of a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. 

The statutory minimum and maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (“FBI”) Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force.  He also thanked the Westchester County Police Department and Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for their participation and support in this investigation. 

The investigation is ongoing and there may be other victims of this alleged conduct.  If you have information to report concerning ANAND SINGH, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

The allegations contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein are only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation Into Civilian Death in Queens

 

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of a civilian in Queens, who died on April 26, 2023, in a motor vehicle incident involving an off-duty member of the New York City Police Department (NYPD).  

On the morning of April 26, a civilian was standing on the shoulder of the Grand Central Parkway between Exits 9 and 10, when he was struck by a vehicle driven by an off-duty NYPD officer. The individual was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident. 

These are preliminary facts and subject to change. 

MAYOR ADAMS LAUNCHES SECOND SERIES OF COMMUNITY TOWN HALLS, ‘TALK WITH ERIC’ SLATED TO START THIS MONTH

 

‘Talk With Eric’ Series is Administration’s Second Town Hall Series, Following Eight Successful Community Conversations on Public Safety Last Year

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the launch of “Talk with Eric” — the administration’s second series of neighborhood-specific community conversations. This series of at least nine town halls follows 2022’s highly successful series of eight “Community Conversations on Public Safety,” where Mayor Adams and dozens of leaders in the Adams administration engaged in dialogues with community members in each of the eight New York City Police Department patrol boroughs. “Talk with Eric” community conversations will be neighborhood-specific and allow New Yorkers to engage with members of the Adams administration on a wide variety of issues. The series will kick off later this month and continue through 2023.

 

“I always say I’m an on-the-ground mayor, and engaging with everyday New Yorkers is how I’m able to hear about the issues that matter most to the people who make New York the greatest city in the world,” said Mayor Adams. “I’m excited to launch our second series of town halls and talk to thousands of New Yorkers about the issues affecting them every day. Our team will continue to make sure that this is the most accessible mayoral administration in city history.”

 

“The Community Affairs Unit is eager to expand the community conversation series so New Yorkers can discuss all the issues that are most important to them with the mayor and city government leadership,” said Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit Commissioner Fred Kreizman. “We look forward to continuing to engage with our neighbors across all five boroughs.”

 

Mayor Adams and administration officials plan to host at least nine town halls as part of the series this year, beginning later this month. The town halls will be held in neighborhoods in all five boroughs.

 

Mayor Adams’ series of eight “Community Conversations on Public Safety” last year were hosted in each patrol borough — Bronx, Brooklyn South, Brooklyn North, Manhattan South, Manhattan North, Queens South, Queens North, and Staten Island. In total, more than 70 administration officials, including the mayor, engaged with approximately 2,000 members of the public.

 

Housing Lottery Launches For Senior Apartments At 883 Bryant Avenue In Hunts Point, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 883 Bryant Avenue, an eight-story mixed-use building in Hunts Point, The Bronx. Developed by Greg Harvey of Masani Holding Company Corp. and designed by Gerald Caliendo, the structure yields 40 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 40 units for residents at 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $52,286 to $85,440.

Amenities include a shared laundry room, common area Wi-Fi, recreation room, and a security guard. Units come equipped charging outlets with USB ports, smart controls for heating and cooling, intercoms, air conditioning, patios or balconies, and name-brand kitchen appliances, countertops, and finishes. Tenants are responsible for electricity.

At 80 percent of the AMI, there are 40 studios with a monthly rent of $1,448 for incomes ranging from $52,286 to $85,440.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than June 26, 2023.