Governor Hochul Honors Veterans with Annual Free Fishing Day

On Saturday Nov. 11, Freshwater Fishing License Requirement Waived for Residents and Non-Residents

Free Fishing Day is One of Many Ways New York State Recognizes and Assists Veterans and Active Duty Military in Connecting to the Outdoors

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York will honor veterans on the year's sixth and final Free Fishing Day of 2023 on Saturday, Nov. 11. On Free Fishing Days, the state waives the requirement for a freshwater fishing license, offering the perfect opportunity for beginners to try out the sport for the first time or for skilled anglers to bring along friends and family to experience New York’s world class waterways.

“Fishing is regarded as one of the most therapeutic outdoor activities, making it a perfect pastime for veterans, those currently serving in the military, and all New Yorkers looking to get outside and enjoy nature,” Governor Hochul said. “The Empire State is home to some of the best freshwater fishing opportunities in the world, and on Free Fishing Day we waive the fees for anglers of all skill levels and abilities to explore our abundant lakes, river, and ponds.”

New York's Free Fishing Days program began in 1991 to give those who might not fish the chance to try the rewarding sport at no cost and learn about a new hobby. During the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) designated Free Fishing Days, residents and non-residents are permitted to fish in freshwater for free without a fishing license. While no license is required, all other freshwater fishing regulations remain in effect.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “DEC and our partners are honored to extend this opportunity for New York’s veterans and active military personnel to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family on Free Fishing Day this Saturday, November 11. I deeply appreciate all of those who have defended our nation’s democracy and freedoms, and Free Fishing Day is a perfect time to cast a line and enjoy the stellar fishing opportunities New York State has to offer.”

In addition to Free Fishing Days, there are other opportunities for veterans or active-duty military members to fish for free or at a reduced cost. New York State offers free/reduced fee fishing licenses for active-duty military members meeting certain criteria and for resident veterans with a service-related disability of 40 percent or more.

This past weekend, DEC hosted its 16th annual Veteran Fly Fishing event. During this innovative therapeutic outdoor recreation event, DEC gives veterans a chance to catch and release steelhead on a private portion of the Salmon River as part of a partnership with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) and CompeerCORPS Rochester. PHWFF is a national not-for-profit dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled veterans and disabled active military service personnel through fly fishing and education about fly tying and rod building. CompeerCORPS provides healing friendship to community members living with mental health challenges, while shattering the stigma around mental health conditions. Photos from this year’s event can be found here https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB2fLy, and video coverage from the 2022 event can be found on DEC’s YouTube page https://youtu.be/aNjHQunb6yM.

To locate a spot to fish on Veterans Day, check out some popular locations statewide on DEC’s Places to Fish site or the DEC info Locator Interactive Map. The HuntFishNY mobile app also offers the latest Tackle Box feature listing fishing spots, parking information, boat launches, and more.

What’s Biting?

Fishing action is good in the late fall and early winter months. New York’s Great Lakes tributaries offer opportunities to catch Pacific salmon, steelhead, and brown trout. Across the state there’s a catch-and-release fishing season for trout in inland streams. Tiger muskellunge and muskellunge fishing can also pick up this time of year. As a reminder, muskellunge season closes Nov. 30 for inland waters and Dec.15 for Great Lakes waters. If fishing in western or central New York, check out the weekly fishing hotline reports to get the latest information on what’s biting.

 

Early Voting Check-Ins General Election 2023

 

November 5, 2023 - Day 9

 

• New York - 25,540
• Bronx - 9,134
• Brooklyn - 23,968
• Queens - 22,183
• Staten Island - 5,132

 

Total Number of Early Voting Check-Ins 85,957

*As of Close of Polls – Unofficial and Cumulative

In Honor of Transgender Awareness Month, Governor Hochul Announces Actions to Support Transgender New Yorkers

New Funding Opportunity Issued to Expand the Lorena Borjas Transgender & Nonbinary Wellness and Equity Fund

The Offices of General Services and Employee Relations Take Actions to Strengthen Workplace Inclusion for Transgender State Employees

State Landmarks to Be Lit and Transgender Flag to be Raised at the Capitol in Honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20

Governor Hochul Issues Proclamation Declaring November Transgender Awareness Month

Governor Kathy Hochul today issued a proclamation declaring November Transgender Awareness Month to celebrate transgender, gender non-conforming, and nonbinary communities in New York State and across the country. The Governor also announced that New York State will raise the Transgender Flag at the Capitol and landmarks will be lit pink, white and light blue on Monday, Nov. 20, in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance. The Governor further announced several state actions to support transgender individuals across New York.

"Transgender Awareness Month is not only a month to celebrate the invaluable contributions that transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary communities have made to our state, but also a time to confront the misconceptions that breed discrimination and violence against transgender people." Governor Hochul said. "My administration remains dedicated to strengthening resources and protections for transgender New Yorkers so that every individual in our state can live free from discrimination and be valued for who they are."

Governor Hochul has been a steadfast advocate for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNCNB) communities throughout her administration. During Pride Month 2022, the Governor signed legislation establishing the Lorena Borjas Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund, allocating $2 million in state agency funding to support organizations that provide critical services for the transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary community.

Earlier this year, Governor Hochul expanded this fund by directing the New York State Office of Mental Health to make an additional $1 million available to support suicide prevention programming for TGNCNB youth. Marking a significant implementation milestone for this initiative, the Governor today announced that the Office of Mental Health is now soliciting proposals for this new funding, which will support community-based supportive and preventative services to underserved youth and young adults identifying as TGNCNB and inclusive of those who are questioning or struggling with gender identity.

Nearly one in five transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide, according to a 2022 report issued by the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ youth. About three-quarters of transgender and nonbinary youth reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety, and nearly two-thirds reported experiencing symptoms of depression, the report found after surveying roughly 34,000 LGBTQ youth between the ages 13 to 24.

This new funding opportunity builds on the Lorena Borjas Transgender and Non-Binary Wellness and Equity Fund and brings the total investment of state agency funding into this initiative to $3 million for FY 2024. Additionally, Governor Hochul announced that the Department of Health will release a funding opportunity later this month in connection with this initiative, prioritizing TGNCNB-led and staffed organizations that provide services to TGNCNB communities and making millions of dollars in state funding available to support critical services for this community.

Additionally, Governor Hochul is taking action to strengthen New York State as a model employer for TGNCNB employees. The Office of Employee Relations is releasing an email pronoun guide to executive agencies, which outlines the importance of pronouns and best practices around their use.

The guide will help state employees include their pronouns in their email signatures, as well as direct employees to OER’s Gender Identity Toolkit, which summarizes best practices for supporting TGNCNB employees in the workplace. The Office of General Services is also issuing guidance, which directs agencies to utilize a new standard sign for single occupancy, gender-neutral bathrooms in state-owned or -operated facilities.

The updated signage focuses on functionality and accessibility, rather than on the gender binary, making bathrooms more inclusive and affirming at state agencies. These actions represent an important step forward in the state's ongoing efforts toward inclusion of all New Yorkers, including those of diverse gender identities.

New York State Chief Diversity Officer Julissa Gutierrez said, "As we honor and celebrate Transgender Awareness Month, I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s unwavering commitment to bolster the rights and recognition of our transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary communities. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving progress to continue making New York State a more equitable, affirming, and inclusive workplace for transgender New Yorkers and a model employer for all.”

On Nov. 20, the Transgender Flag will be raised at the New York State Capitol and 16 landmarks will be lit pink, white and light blue in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance:

• 1WTC
• Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
• Kosciuszko Bridge
• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
• State Education Building
• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
• Empire State Plaza
• State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
• Niagara Falls
• The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge
• Albany International Airport Gateway
• Lake Placid Olympic Center
• MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
• Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
• Moynihan Train Hall
• Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

MAYOR ADAMS BRINGS BACK, EXPANDS POPULAR HOLIDAY SEASON OPEN STREETS IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN

 

This Year Will Break Record Set Last Year for New York City’s Largest-Ever Holiday Season-Specific Open Street

 

2022 Holiday Open Streets Drove $3 Million, 6.6 Percent Increase in Spending at Local Businesses, According to Mastercard Study

 

Adams Administration and “Future of Fifth” Partnership Working to Permanently Reimagine Fifth Avenue From Bryant Park to Central Park as Safer, Pedestrian-Centered Boulevard

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today unveiled plans to bring back and expand the popular holiday season Open Street along Fifth Avenue and around Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan this December. Building on the success of last year’s groundbreaking program, the 2023 version will set a record for New York City’s largest-ever holiday season-specific Open Street — expanding geographically by nearly 25 percent to reach Central Park and running again on three Sundays in December (3, 10, and 17) between noon and 6:00 PM. This year, the iconic Fifth Avenue corridor will be fully open to pedestrians between 48^th Street and 59^th Street, in addition to the area around Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall that will be pedestrianized throughout the holiday season. This dramatic expansion of public space in one of the world’s busiest neighborhoods at this time of year will significantly ease crowding — facilitating access to the iconic holiday window displays and creating a more pleasant holiday environment while also enhancing public safety for New Yorkers and visitors.

 

Mayor Adams’ bold vision for a pedestrian- and family-friendly Fifth Avenue has also proven beneficial to local businesses. During the program in 2022, businesses saw an additional $3 million in spending — a 6.6 percent increase — according to a study conducted by Mastercard, in partnership with the New York City Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) and Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu. To deliver these commercial and safety benefits all year round, the Adams administration is working with the “Future of Fifth” partnership and their core consultant team to permanently reimagine Fifth Avenue as a safer, less congested, pedestrian-centered boulevard. Today, the Future of Fifth partnership launched a new website and a public survey for all New York City residents and visitors to kick off the community engagement and visioning process for the Future of Fifth. The survey takes approximately two to three minutes to complete and will be open through February 2024.

 

“Open Streets are good for people and good for business, and we can’t wait to bring back the iconic Fifth Avenue Open Street this holiday season — bigger and better than ever,” said Mayor Adams. “I felt the energy walking down the middle of Fifth Avenue last year — it was electric. And as we get excited for more of the same this December, we’re moving full speed ahead on permanently reimagining Fifth Avenue, so people can have this incredible experience every day of the year.”

 

“We look forward to welcoming New Yorkers and tourists alike to Fifth Avenue Holidays Open Streets again this year,” said Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack. “These events offer a model of public-private partnership to boost our economy and available open space. We appreciate the significant effort of our city’s agencies — including DOT and NYPD — in making these events happen.”

 

“Here in New York City, our streets are our front yards — and especially during the holiday season, New Yorkers deserve wide-open front yards where they can walk, play, and shop,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “We delivered that this summer with the city’s largest-ever Open Streets and Summer Streets programs in all five boroughs, we’re delivering it again this December with our expanded holiday Open Streets on Fifth Avenue, and we’re going to keep delivering that as we reimagine Fifth Avenue — for good — and transform what it feels like to be outside in the greatest city in the world.”

 

“We are excited that under Mayor Adams’ leadership, we are bringing back the Fifth Avenue Open Street,” said New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Whether you are window-shopping or taking in the Rockefeller Center tree, we are building upon last year’s successful program to add improvements this year that will make the Open Street an absolute must-visit part of the holidays for New Yorkers and visitors. And with expansion of the number of days to include the Sunday of the busy Thanksgiving weekend, we expect the Open Street will be more popular than ever.”

 

“The Fifth Avenue Holiday Street was a tremendous success last year, and I’m delighted that we will be expanding the program and working to design a Fifth Avenue that works for pedestrians and local businesses year-round,” said Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu. “As we learned recently through our partnership with Mastercard, the Fifth Avenue Open Street can result in millions of dollars in additional spending at local businesses, and a delightful holiday experience for New Yorkers and visitors alike.”

 

Fifth Avenue: On December 3, 10, and 17, from noon until 6:00 PM, Fifth Avenue will be open only to pedestrians between 48^th Street to 59^th Street. In addition, throughout the entire holiday season, moveable barriers will be placed on the east and west sides of Fifth Avenue, between 48^th Street and 52^nd Street. On days the street is not designated an Open Street, beginning in the early afternoon on weekdays and in the morning on weekends, these barriers will be used to repurpose a lane of traffic on each side of the avenue as additional pedestrian space. To accommodate high pedestrian traffic, westbound vehicle right turns will be prohibited from Fifth Avenue onto 47^th Street, 49^th Street, or 51^st Street.

 

On the designated Sundays, Open Street visitors will be able to enjoy a range of performances and other forms of entertainment on multiple stages, along with street activations. Food and beverage vendors will also serve the area, and public seating will be provided.

 

Rockefeller Center: Starting with the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree on Wednesday, November 30, through January, the city will pedestrianize the streets surrounding Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall, using movable barriers to partially or fully close streets to cars and alleviate foot traffic along sidewalks. With the support of Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and New York City Councilmember Keith Powers, West 49^th Street and West 50^th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue, will be open only to pedestrians during the most congested hours, between 11:00 AM and 12:00 AM every day. The New York Police Department will help ensure that vehicle traffic does not enter those streets.

 

Details on Open Streets programming along Fifth Avenue will be announced in November. More information about DOT’s Open Streets program is available online.

 

In addition to the Fifth Avenue Association — the Adams administration’s close partner on the holiday season Open Streets initiative — the “Future of Fifth” public-private partnership includes the Grand Central Partnership, Bryant Park Corporation, and Central Park Conservancy, three key business improvement districts and civic organizations engaged in the neighborhood. These joint efforts to make Fifth Avenue safer and more welcoming deliver on recommendations in Mayor Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s “Making New York Work for Everyone” action plan. They also build on Mayor Adams’ $375 million investment in creating new, vibrant public spaces across all five boroughs, outlined in his “Working People’s Agenda,” as well as bold, innovative public space initiatives to bring car-free Summer Streets to all five boroughs and provide more than 100 car-free “Trick-or-Streets” locations this Halloween.

 

“Every year, Fifth Avenue transforms into an elegant winter wonderland, and this year, Open Streets will once again turn the avenue into a roomy pedestrian haven for visitors to enjoy our Gift of Fifth holiday lineup, featuring festive performances, unique food and shopping experiences, and famously beautiful décor,” said Marie Boster, president, Fifth Avenue Association. “As Fifth comes alive with seasonal spirit and some of the most famous window displays in the world, the Open Streets initiative shines a spotlight on the businesses and retailers that the city and region have come to rely on. We are grateful to Mayor Eric Adams, the Doris Duke Foundation and our members for championing Fifth Avenue this holiday season and encourage everyone to jingle all the way to the Gift of Fifth this year.”

 

“I look forward to the return of this year’s Fifth Avenue Open Street, which will provide a more pedestrian-friendly experience and entryway into Central Park this holiday season,” said Betsy Smith, president and CEO, Central Park Conservancy. “Our team works year-round to care for Central Park, and we look forward to welcoming New Yorkers and visitors during this wonderful time of year.”

 

“Fifth Avenue remains one of the most popular destinations in the world during the holidays,” said Fred Cerullo, president and CEO, Grand Central Partnership. “With the sidewalks of Fifth Avenue teeming with shoppers, tourists, and visitors during the holiday shopping season, the return of the Holiday Open Streets program on three successive Sundays this December will be an experience everyone can enjoy.”

 

Four States Join Justice Department’s Suit Against Agri Stats for Organizing and Managing Unlawful Information Exchanges Among Chicken, Pork, and Turkey Processors

The Attorneys General of Minnesota, California, North Carolina and Tennessee joined a civil antitrust lawsuit filed by the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division against Agri Stats Inc. for organizing and managing anticompetitive information exchanges among broiler chicken, pork and turkey processors. The Antitrust Division and the state Attorneys General filed an amended complaint in the District of Minnesota.

“We are pleased that our state law enforcement partners in Minnesota, California, North Carolina and Tennessee are joining our efforts to address these serious allegations,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “We look forward to working closely with state Attorneys General to litigate this important case, which affects food prices for consumers across the country.”

Anyone with information about collusion in agricultural industries, competitors sharing competitively sensitive information (including price or compensation information) or any other violations of antitrust laws is encouraged to contact the Antitrust Division’s Citizen Complaint Center at 1-888-647-3258 or antitrust.complaints@usdoj.gov. Information about anticompetitive practices in livestock and poultry markets can also be submitted to the USDA and Justice Department’s Agricultural Markets Enforcement Partnership at www.farmerfairness.gov

View the filing here. 

Assemblymember John Zaccaro Jr., Community Newsletter #7

 

Friends and Neighbors, 

It has been a busy fall and I am so proud of our community for the work we have done.  We had successful back-to-school giveaways across the district where we had hundreds of children and their parents come out to receive free backpacks and school supplies provided by my office and our community partners.  

And we closed out the month of October with a slew of successful Halloween events like the one at MS80 where we were joined by more than 300 students and their parents who came out to show off their costumes. 

These events are what make our dynamic community one of the best in New York City. Thank you to everyone who joined us and a debt of gratitude to our community partners without whom these events would not be possible. 

The Community That Comes Together, Stays Together: 

As we know, some in our community need our help and my office has been hard at work holding free food giveaways throughout our district. I know firsthand what it is like to be food insecure.  It is why I work hard to organize multiple free food giveaways each month.  

As we begin the month of November, I am proud to say that my community office, in partnership with community organizations and numerous elected officials, will be holding a Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway. We are still in the midst of finalizing the details and ask that you pay attention to our social media and future correspondence about dates, locations, and times. 

Honoring another important element of the season, I’m also proud to announce that our office will serve as a location for you to drop off your gently worn winter coats to be donated for those in need.  As you clean your closets and come across a coat you no longer wear or coats  that your kids have grown out of, please consider donating them to our office and our office will distribute them to those who can use them. 

Housing Assistance Services

The first Monday of every month, my office hosts a housing specialist through our partners the Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation (NIDC). This service is by appointment only and is for housing related issues ONLY.  If you’d like to make an appointment, please reach out to our community office at 718-409-0109.

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Smoke Shops 

In the month of September, I along with my colleagues in the City Council and in partnership with the New York City Sheriff’s Office, Department of Worker and Consumer Protection, and NYPD, began an ambitious task of holding illegal smoke shops in our district accountable for their blatant circumvention of the law. To date, we have successfully completed three raids that have resulted in numerous arrests, hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, and many many pounds of illegal tobacco and cannabis products being seized. 

My office teamed up with Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez's office to hold a town hall on illegal smoke shops. There, the community heard from our offices, the Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Worker and Consumer Protection, and the Office of Cannabis Management.  Like you, we too are frustrated that each time these agencies conduct a raid, these shops are reopened within hours. 

To find a more efficient and effective way to combat these illegal shops infecting our communities, I am leading a bi-partisan coalition of Assembly colleagues from across the state urging the Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management to provide temporary authority to close illegal smoke shops while they move through the judicial process. If we are serious about paving the way for legal and licensed cannabis shops, we must arm agencies like the Sheriff’s Office with the necessary tools to close illegal shops for more than a few hours. 

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While the start of the 2024 legislative session is fast approaching the work in Albany does not stop. Bills are signed into law, new laws take effect, grant funding is made available and the People's business continues. 

Co-sponsored Bills Signed Into Law

On October 25, 2023 bill A4942 was signed. Named “Mel's Law,” in honor of Melquain Jatelle-Anderson, a CUNY student from Brooklyn who was tragically shot and killed at a bus stop in 2017, it will require the SUNY and CUNY boards of trustees and boards of trustees of community colleges to establish a policy for awarding posthumous degrees. 

It also requires that such policy waive any remaining credits for enrolled matriculated students who die and would otherwise have been eligible for graduation had they been able to complete their academic career. 

Additionally on September 6, 2023 bill A154A was signed. This law adds wage theft to the type of activities included in the crime of larceny. It will provide prosecutors with the tools to pursue stronger penalties against employers who engage in wage theft, whose victims often are vulnerable members of society. 

Both laws shall take effect immediately and I am proud to have co-sponsored these important bills in the People's House. 

New Laws Taking Effect – November 2023

November 1, 2023 – This law requires each state board to maintain a website that includes public information, including board membership, contact information and meeting minutes and agendas. 

November 3, 2023 – This law authorizes community behavioral health clinics to provide coordinated, comprehensive behavioral health care, including mental health and addiction services, primary care screening and case management services. 

November 10, 2023 – Directs the Department of Veterans' Services to develop a searchable database of veterans memorials located within the state and authorizes public requests for information from any county, city, town, or village desiring to have a memorial located within their municipality listed within the veterans memorial registry 

November 24, 2023 – Provides that every public utility shall provide the commissioner of public service an affidavit annually, that no call centers or other facilities providing customer service have been closed without notice and hearing before the commission. 

November 26, 2023 – Requires information concerning services for human trafficking victims to be posted in lactation rooms in Port of New York Authority terminals. 

November 28, 2023 – Include “deep fake” images created by digitization within the definition of unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image. 

Grants Action News

NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports, Harm Reduction Services Funding

This funding will support community-based organizations in enhancing harm reduction services. The focus areas include:

• Increasing access to treatment and recovery support reducing the stigma associated with substance use and supporting harm reduction strategies
• Providing overdose prevention and education
• Providing outreach and engagement services 
• Building connections for individuals using substances or with substance use disorder (SUD) by providing overdose education information, counseling and health education
• Referring individuals to treatment for transmissible infections such as HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and viral hepatitis. 
• Encouraging individuals to take steps to reduce the negative personal and public health impacts of substance use or misuse

■ Eligible Applicants: Not-for-profit entities

■ Deadline: December 4, 2023, 4:30 PM ET

■ Total Funding: $4.5 million

■ Award Ceiling: $100,000

■ Number of Awards: Up to 15

■ Contact: Wendy Fioravanti

■ Contact Email: OASAS.sm.Grants@oasas.ny.gov

■ Link to Additional Information: https://oasas.ny.gov/request-applications-22110

 

NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH), Enhanced Housing for Young Adults with Serious Mental Illness Funding

This funding will be used for the development and operation of seven Enhanced Young Adult Housing programs located throughout New York State for young adults with a serious mental illness (SMI). Each opportunity consists of apartment treatment units (five or ten) and twenty scattered-site supportive housing units.

The target population for all seven programs is young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 with serious mental illness who are coming from an institutional setting or community residence, leaving foster care or are homeless. Some individuals may have a co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) and be at various stages of recovery.

The Enhanced Young Adult Housing program is intended to improve access to behavioral health and community resources; pursue vocational/educational goals; and develop real-world skills.

■ Eligible Applicants: Not-for-profit entities

■ Deadline: November 16, 2023, 2 PM ET

■ Contact: Jeremy Rossello

■ Contact Email: jeremy.rossello@omh.ny.gov

■ Links to Additional Information:

1) https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/2023/ehyasmi/ 

2) https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/2023/ehyasmi/tay_housing_rfp.pdf 

If you have any questions, comments or would like to discuss any legislative matters in more detail please contact our Albany office at 518-455-5844. 

On Older New Yorkers’ Day 2023, State Office for the Aging Honors Older Adults for their Volunteer Efforts, Civic Contributions

 

November 3, 2023 Virtual Event Recognized Older Adults Who Have Made Incredible Contributions in Their Community Through Civic Engagement And Volunteerism

The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) recently honored over 90 older adults for their volunteerism as part of NYSOFA's annual Older New Yorkers' Day celebration presented during a November 3 livestream.

Awardees were nominated by New York's 59 county Offices for the Aging and their partners who identified older adults making substantial contributions in their communities through volunteering and civic engagement. The livestream and other program materials are available on NYSOFA’s website, including a program book profiling all of the awardees, organized by county. 

NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said, “It is my distinct honor to recognize this year’s nominees who make the state a better place to live and age for all New Yorkers through their decades of volunteerism, civic engagement, and selflessness. We often don’t think of older New Yorkers as an economic and social powerhouse, but that is exactly who they are, and it is our honor to recognize these contributions and showcase their incredible value. I also thank our 59 county offices for the aging and the Association on Aging in New York for their daily efforts serving millions of older New Yorkers.”

This year’s honorees are from 55 counties in every region of the state. They are recognized for their support of charitable causes, their work with local health care and human services organizations, grassroots civic contributions, volunteer work with emergency management corps, local fundraising activities, and so much more.

Awardees also include volunteers for two statewide NYSOFA-administered programs: The Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (or HIICAP) and the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. These volunteers assume specialized roles that demand many hours of training, intricate problem-solving, and coordination with local organizations to help older adults.

Collectively, this slate of awardees has more than 5,500 years of life experience, more than 4,000 years of family experience, has volunteered for a combined 2,568 years, and raised 298 children, 295 grandchildren, 101 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Please read the program book here to find awardees from your region.

Governor’s Exemplary Service Award

During the program, NYSOFA also presented the 2023 Governor's Exemplary Service Award to Russell E. Diethrick, Jr. of Chautauqua County. This award is presented to an individual who is a standout among the nominees for Older New Yorkers’ Day.

A veteran of the U.S. Army reserves, Mr. Diethrick has served on the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging Advisory Board since its creation in 1973. He has received many awards for his professional work and volunteer contributions, including work with the county's Council on Alcoholism, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, United Way, Boys and Girls Club, and many other organizations.

Contributions of Older Adults

Each year in New York, nearly 1 million volunteers age 60 and over contribute 495 million hours of community service at an economic value of $13.8 billion. Beyond volunteering, New York's 4.84 million older adults provide pivotal intellectual, social and economic capital to our state. They are responsible for most volunteering, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and donation activities in the U.S. out of any demographic group. Meanwhile, 64% of individuals age 60 and over own their own homes and have no mortgage, contributing directly to the local tax base. Adults 50 and over are also responsible for approximately $1.8 trillion in federal, state and local taxes, a figure that will quadruple by 2050. They support almost 7 million jobs and represent 63% of the state's GDP ($700+ billion). Visit NYSOFA’s website for more data.

In recognition of older adults, New York Governor Kathy Hochul this year declared May 2023 as Older Americans Month, saying, “We honor New York's older adults for their contributions and further our commitment to continue providing for older adults as they age, helping them maintain independence and a good quality of life." Furthermore, in November of 2022, Governor Hochul initiated the Master Plan for Aging (MPA), which coordinates existing and new state policies and programs for older adults and their families and those living with disabilities. A major goal of the MPA is to help individuals successfully age in place and continue to be active and engaged in their communities.

Background About Older New Yorkers’ Day

Each year, since 1963, federal, state and local governments recognize Older Americans Month in May. New York State goes a step further, additionally holding a special observance of Older New Yorkers’ Day by collecting nominations of exceptional older adults from county-based offices for the aging. While traditionally held in May, Older New Yorkers’ Day has recently been held in November as a virtual event, due to COVID-19. The November program coincides with National Family Caregivers Month as a special spotlight on the contributions of older adults. NYSOFA is planning to resume its in-person celebration of Older New Yorkers’ Day in 2024.

Release of Body Camera Footage from an Officer Involved Shooting that Occurred on December 21st, 2022 in the confines of the 79th Precinct.

 

The NYPD is releasing today body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on December 21, 2022 in the confines of the 79th Precinct.

The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.

All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras. The benefits of cameras are clear: transparency into police activity, de-escalation of police encounters and accountability for police officers, through an independent account of interactions between the police and the citizens they serve. Body-worn cameras serve as a vital part of ongoing efforts to increase trust between the police and all New Yorkers.

You can find the video here