News, updates and more from NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

 

WEEK IN REVIEW 

REOPENING OF THE HUNTS POINT LIBRARY!

 BTS of our newly-renovated Hunts Point Library!

A project 5 years in the making, it was an emotional moment for me to walk through my childhood NYPL The New York Public Library - where both myself and my son, Aidan, got our first library cards - and see firsthand all the positive experiences it will bring to the Bronx.  

Knowing what this institution means to our community, I was proud to have allocated $3.7 million in funding to help make this day a reality for all Bronxites.

*Information on the official ribbon-cutting ceremony in February coming soon*

DISCUSSING FOOD INSECURITY WITH LISA EVERS

 

 Lisa Evers for visiting the South Bronx to discuss the pressing needs we are facing with rising food insecurity

Home to the largest network of food markets, my office will continue partnering with local organizations to ensure that our community has access to healthy and nutritious sustenance

COAT AND TOY DISTRIBUTION WITH BRONX RIVER HOUSES!

A beautiful morning in the South Bronx as Team Salamanca and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)’s Bronx River Houses joined forces to host a community coat & toy distribution! 

 Bronx River Houses TA Norma Saunders for your continued dedication towards your community 

 All together, we distributed 275 coats and 400 toys to Bronx youth

INTERVIEW WITH THE NEW YORK TIMES!

 From my walkthrough interview with The New York Times discussing the staggering opioid use District 17 is facing at Roberto Clemente Plaza

 With our City’s opioid epidemic rising at alarming rates, I will continue bringing attention to all the ways this issue has impacted the Bronx to stress upon Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams our growing need for increased resources to help combat this crisis

INAUGURATION OF ASSEMBLY MEMBER EMERITA TORRES!

Congratulations to our newly sworn-in Assembly Member Emerita Torres. I look forward to working alongside you to Build Back the Bronx!

BELMONT COVE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY

It was an exciting morning in East Tremont as I joined the ribbon cutting ceremony for Belmont Cove - a new 11-story, 100% affordable housing complex in the South Bronx. 

 A project that I am proud to have personally approved back in 2019, these 153 units arrive at a time when the need for housing in our borough has never been greater.

 With our City’s affordable housing crisis rapidly growing, I will continue working to address the housing inequality that has plagued the Bronx at alarming rates.

MEETING WITH THE BRONX PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE BOARD

Thank you to the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade Board for all your successful efforts in bringing the parade back to our Borough!

I look forward to marching with you all in May

3-K & PRE-K APPLICATION DEADLINE

🚨 PARENTS: Have you submitted your 3-K or Pre-Applications for the 2025-2026 school year yet?

🗓️ REMINDER: ALL applications are due by FEBRUARY 28, 2025, and can be submitted in three ways:

💻 Online at MySchools.nyc (http://myschools.nyc/)
😊 Visiting a Family Welcome Center
📞 Calling 718-935-2009 

For help with the admissions process?
Visit: nyc.gov/3k (http://nyc.gov/3k) 
and nyc.gov/pk (http://nyc.gov/ pk)

IN THE NEWS

“It's just total disrespect to the South Bronx,” said City Councilmember Rafael Salamanca Jr., whose district lies just north of the intended site – a vacant building off of Bruckner Boulevard and 141st Street. By his count, the area is already home to 60 shelters serving non-migrant homeless people.

“You're just dumping everything that's bad into the South Bronx, and it is wrong,” said Salamanca, who added that he has received at least a dozen calls and texts objecting to the facility, which the administration says will open by June. It'll serve single men transferred from the sprawling “tent city” emergency site for migrants at Randall’s Island, which is due to close next month.

Visit our District Office at: 
1070 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, New York 10459
(718) 402-6130
salamanca@council.nyc.gov

CONSUMER ALERT: New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Warns New Yorkers to Be Aware of Super Bowl Ticket Scams

 

Ahead of the Big Game on February 9th, Consumers Should Follow Important Steps to Avoid Fake Tickets and Lost Money

Secretary Mosley: “Don’t get intercepted by Super Bowl scams – read our consumer tips and help prevent scammers from ruining the game for you.” 

The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is warning New York consumers to be aware of Super Bowl ticket scams as game day quickly approaches. Unlike other events, Super Bowl tickets are not typically sold to the general public but are distributed to NFL teams, franchises and others who can then resell them. Fans usually get excited about their favorite team and may decide to see them play live to be part of the experience and share in the excitement. This makes the Super Bowl an attractive opportunity for scammers to pose as resellers and steal money from dedicated fans. Consumers should follow important steps to avoid fake tickets and lost money ahead of the Super Bowl on February 9^th.

“With the Super Bowl right around the corner, fans may be scrambling to snag tickets to see their team play in the big game,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “But looking for last minute tickets could make you an easy target for scammers. Don’t get intercepted by Super Bowl scams – read our consumer tips and help prevent scammers from ruining the game for you.”

TIPS TO AVOID SUPER BOWL TICKET SCAMS:

Look for official resellers: Many scammers will try to “resell” fake tickets. Check out the official NFL website for information on how to buy tickets from verified sources. Scammers may also create fake websites that look like official ones, so always double check the URLs to make sure the websites you visit are real.

 

Watch out for fake tickets: Scammers deceive unsuspecting consumers with nonexistent tickets advertised on social media, fake websites and online marketplaces like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and Instagram. They may even send you convincing looking screenshots, barcodes or confirmation emails. Watch out for resellers who request payment from outside an official ticket platform. Reputable ticketing platforms have built-in systems that allow resellers to transfer digital tickets and the consumer to send payment directly through the official website or app. Only buy tickets from sources you know and trust.

 

Know how tickets will be accessed for the event: For this year’s Superbowl, all tickets are mobile and use barcodes which refresh every few seconds for security. Don’t believe a reseller who tries to convince you a screenshot, PDF or paper ticket is a real Super Bowl ticket. Use a strong password for your ticket account so a scammer can’t hack into your account and steal your ticket.

 

Verify the seller: You can also look up the seller on VerifiedTicketSource.com to confirm you are buying from a National Association of Ticket Brokers member resale company, which requires its members to guarantee that every ticket sold on their websites is legitimate.

 

Beware of low prices: Don’t let the excitement of finally finding a good deal on a ticket cloud your judgement. Many scammers use low prices and will try and pressure you into quickly buying the tickets. If it looks too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.

 

Consider paying with a credit card: Credit cards generally offer more fraud protection than other payment methods like debit cards and payment apps if you ever need to dispute a charge. Scammers often want you to pay with payment apps, prepaid gift cards or cash since these payment methods are untraceable and may not allow you to stop payment or reverse a transaction.

 

Want to stream the game instead? Know your rights with free trials: If you sign up for a free trial on a streaming service to watch the game, keep track of when the trial ends and cancel beforehand to avoid paying for an unwanted subscription. New York State law requires businesses that offer automatically renewing subscriptions with free trials to outline how you can cancel the service before you sign up.

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, X and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. 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 dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook.

**Queens Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar Enters Race for Public Advocate**

 

Civil Rights Attorney to Challenge Democratic Socialist Jumaane Williams; 

Will Make History as NYC’s 1st Indian-American Citywide Elected Official

Queens Assemblymember and Civil Rights Attorney Jenifer Rajkumar is officially entering the race for New York City Public Advocate. After meeting with thousands of residents across all five boroughs, one thing is abundantly clear: New Yorkers are sick and tired of their elected leaders behaving like extreme activists and ignoring the kitchen table issues we all care about. As such, Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar is prepared to bring her record of accomplishment and decades of fighting for her neighbors to the office of Public Advocate. From cracking down on dangerous and illegal smoke shops to her work combating hate and discrimination, Assemblymember Rajkumar will be the advocate our city deserves and needs.

“I am stepping up to be the Public Advocate for the City I love” said Rajkumar. “Our City is facing a crisis of governance and can no longer afford the out-of-touch agenda of extremists like Jumaane Williams. Instead, we need proven fighters who will focus on the issues that all New Yorkers care about. From attacking the cost-of-living crisis to restoring public safety on our streets and on our subways, I’m excited to bring bold, results-driven leadership to our City.”

With just under 150 days until the Democratic Primary, Assemblymember Rajkumar enters the race in an extremely strong position. With over 4 times as much cash-on-hand as the incumbent Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Assemblymember Rajkumar is already expected to qualify for over $1,000,000 in public matching funds.

A Stanford Law graduate and civil rights attorney, Rajkumar has built an impressive legislative record, from passing the SMOKEOUT Act that closed thousands of illegal smoke shops across the state to her nationally recognized legislative win granting domestic workers human rights, to her recently introduced comprehension 20 page bill to solve New York’s mental health crisis, The Empire State of Mind Act.  Assemblymember Rajkumar is bringing unprecedented resources, accomplishment, and vision to the Democratic Primary for New York City Public Advocate.

Read her Op-Ed announcement: https://www.cityandstateny.com/sponsors/sponsor-content/2025/01/new-brand-public-service-why-im-running-public-advocate/402508/

To learn more, visit www.jeniferforny.com. Follow on social media @JeniferRajkumar.

Assemblymember John Zaccaro - FREE Tax Prep Services--Book Your Appointment TODAY!

 

Friends & Neighbors, 

I am proud to continue to offer FREE tax prep services to our community for residents who file individually and earn less than $60,000 per year or families earning less than $85,000 per year.

Those who participate will be paired with a qualified licensed tax preparer to help with your filing and answer questions.

This free service would not be possible without our wonderful community partners, Montefiore Mosholu Community Center, to whom we are always grateful.  

To make an appointment please call my community office at 718-409-0109.

Yours Truly, 

John Zaccaro, Jr. 

STATEMENT ON MAYOR ADAMS’ PUBLIC SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

 

The following is a statement from New York City Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy on New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ limited public schedule this week due to numerous doctors’ appointments and medical tests: 

 

“Over the last few days, Mayor Adams hasn’t been feeling his best. As a result, this week, the mayor will have a number of doctors’ appointments and undergo routine medical tests. While Mayor Adams will continue to communicate constantly with staff and ensure city business continues undeterred, during this time, the mayor will have a limited public schedule. 

 

“New Yorkers can rest assured that their local government will continue to deliver for them every day as our committed workforce at City Hall, and more than 300,000 employees at dozens of city agencies, continue to show up on the most important issues. 

 

“Like every other New Yorker, Mayor Adams has a right to privacy when it comes to personal matters, but we will continue to communicate in the unlikely event he is unable to fully discharge his duties on any particular day.” 

The New Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Missed Our Friday Extra? Catch Up Today!

 

Missed our Friday Extra? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Check out the video below for the latest and greatest   updates in Bronx business, upcoming events, and   resources to help your business thrive.

Stay Connected & Get Involved!

Thank you for being a part of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce  community. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting news coming  your way! For more information or questions, feel free to reach out to us at  events@bronxchamber.org for event related questions and  membership@bronxchamber.org for membership related questions.

Permits Filed for 2309 Hunter Avenue in Baychester, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 2309 Hunter Avenue in Baychester, The Bronx. Located between Boller Avenue and Stillwell Avenue, the lot is near the Pelham Bay Parkway subway station, served by the 6 train. Peter Sheri is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 40-foot-tall development will yield 5,068 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have seven residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 724 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a penthouse and a 31-foot-long rear yard.

Chi Wai Chung of Prime Zone Building Consulting is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Attorney General James and Acting Tax Commissioner Hiller Announce Conviction of Capital Region Car Dealership Owner for Failing to Pay Over $160,000 in Taxes

 

Guy Kennedy Nicolas and His Business, G&A Auto Care, Inc., Sentenced for Stealing Over $160,000 in Sales Tax Owed to New York by Underreporting Sales 

New York Attorney General Letitia James and Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) Amanda Hiller announced the sentencing of Guy Kennedy Nicolas of Colonie, New York and his business, G&A Auto Care, Inc., for stealing over $160,000 in sales tax by underreporting more than $2 million in taxable sales. An investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that Nicolas failed to file annual sales tax returns for his car dealership business for all but two years from 2013 to 2023. Nicolas and his company pleaded guilty to felony charges in November 2024 and yesterday judgments were entered against them requiring them to pay back the full amount of the stolen sales tax. Nicolas was also sentenced yesterday to five years of probation.

“When New York businesses fail to pay taxes, they cheat New Yorkers out of critical resources that support education, health care, transportation, and other essential services,” said Attorney General James. “Guy Nicolas and his business violated the law and failed to pay over $160,000 in sales tax, and he was ordered to pay back what he owes. My office will continue to hold anyone accountable who attempts to defraud the tax system and cheat hardworking New Yorkers.”

“We appreciate the efforts of the Attorney General’s office in prosecuting those who seek to evade tax laws,” said Acting Tax Commissioner Amanda Hiller. “This case and others like it will help level the playing field for honest business owners across the state.”

“The sentencing of Mr. Nicolas sends a strong message that dishonest business practices will not be tolerated in New York State,” said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. “This sentencing demonstrates that collaborative work among law enforcement partners is vital in reaching the same goal: holding those who break our laws accountable. I thank the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Taxation and Finance for their shared commitment to investigating those who deceive others for their own gain.”

“Having a license to operate a car dealership in New York carries a responsibility to follow the law in the process of running that business, including paying your taxes,” said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “I am pleased that our team was able to assist in this case and I applaud the efforts of the Office of the Attorney General and partner agencies to hold this business accountable on behalf of all New Yorkers.”

As the owner of G&A Auto Care, Inc., Nicolas was the sole person responsible for sales tax at his business. Nicolas was required to report all taxable sales, including sales of cars, from his dealership and file sales tax returns on at least a yearly basis. A joint investigation by OAG, DTF, and the New York State Police (NYSP), with assistance from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) found that from at least 2013 through 2023, G&A Auto Care, Inc. and Nicolas failed to file all but two annual sales tax returns. According to an audit conducted by OAG, between June 2013 and March 2023, Nicolas failed to report more than $2 million in total sales and stole over $160,000 in sales tax due.

In November 2024, Nicolas and his business pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony. Yesterday, G&A Auto Care, Inc. and Nicolas were sentenced in Albany County Court before Judge William T. Little. Nicolas was sentenced to five years of probation, and G&A Auto Care, Inc. was sentenced to a three-year conditional discharge. As part of their sentences, both defendants admitted to the full amount of sales tax owed and had judgments entered against them requiring them to pay back the $160,000 owed to the state. 

Attorney General James thanks DTF, NYSP Financial Crimes Unit and Special Investigations Unit, and DMV for their invaluable assistance on this case.