Friday, April 22, 2016

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Settlement With Walgreens/Duane Reade For Overcharging Consumers And Misleading Advertising Practices



  Walgreen Co. Will Pay $500,000 In Penalties, Fees, And Costs And Will Reform Its Advertising Practices In New York

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that his office has obtained a settlement with the national drugstore chain Walgreen, Co. and its subsidiary Duane Reade (collectively, “Walgreens”) for overcharging New York consumers and using misleading advertisements.  Walgreens has also agreed to reform its advertising practices. 
“Businesses are required to ensure that their advertisements are truthful and not misleading,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “When consumers purchase products at retail stores in New York, they should be able to rely on the prices displayed in advertisements and on shelf tags and not have to worry about being overcharged when they get to the register.”
“Walgreens has failed to provide the staffing and systems needed to accurately price its products,” said Michael Zucker, Director of Change to Win Research Initiatives. “We’ve seen these deceptive practices in a number of other states, costing consumers and violating the public trust.  We applaud Attorney General Schneiderman for taking strong action and standing up for New York consumers.”
Walgreens operates approximately 251 Walgreens and 214 Duane Reade stores across New York State.  The Attorney General’s undercover investigation found that Walgreens deceptively induced New York consumers to purchase products by:
  • Representing to consumers that they will receive the price published in print advertisements and on store shelf tags, but charging consumers a different price at the register (including shelf tags that remained up after the advertised price had already “expired”);
  • Representing to consumers that a product is a “Smart Buy” or “Great Buy” when the advertised price is the same as the original retail price Walgreens regularly charges for that product;
  • Representing to consumers that a product is a “Last Chance” or “Clearance” item, thus implying that the product is available at a reduced price only for a limited time when such product may actually be available at the reduced price for a significant period of time (in some cases as long as 8-10 months);
  • Implying that consumers will receive an immediate cash discount, when the discount would only be received on a future purchase.  For example, representing that consumers’ purchases are “like paying . . .” or “like buying . . .” a product for a certain price when the item could not be presently purchased for that price.
The Attorney General’s investigation also found that Walgreens failed to provide consumers with clear and consistent information concerning its Balance Rewards Points program, a loyalty incentive program that allows consumers to redeem points toward a discount on future purchases.   For example, Walgreens’ website contained two different charts regarding point redemption.  One chart showed that consumers could redeem points starting at 1,000 points, which is equivalent to a $1.00 discount.  Another chart, however, showed point redemption starting at 5,000 points, which is equivalent to a $5.00 discount.  Furthermore, Walgreens employees did not routinely ask consumers whether they want to redeem their accumulated points toward their current purchases during the check-out process.
In addition to paying $500,000 in penalties, fees, and costs, Walgreens has agreed to several important reforms of its current advertising and business practices in New York.  These include, among others:
  • removing expired shelf tags within 36 hours;
  • restricting the manner in which Walgreens can use “Smart Buy” or “Great Buy” shelf tags;
  • no longer promoting items as a “Last Chance” or a “Clearance” item if the product will remain available for sale for an extended period of time;
  • restricting the manner in which Walgreens can use “like paying” or “like buying" shelf tags;
  • conducting internal and external price check audits in its stores;
  • each store that fails two consecutive external audits will pay an additional $2500 penalty;
  • updating PIN pads in its stores to display consumers’ Balance Rewards Points and, on every fifth purchase, ask consumers if they want to redeem their points.
This matter was handled by Assistant Attorneys General Melissa O’Neill and Stephanie Sheehan, Deputy Bureau Chief Laura J. Levine, and Bureau Chief Jane M. Azia, all of the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau.

Bronx Borough President Invites you to celebrate Cinco De Mayo Sat. May 7th


BP Diaz & Bronx Tourism Council Announce 2016 Bronx Walk of Fame Inductees



   Vincent Pastore, Peter Sohn, Arlene Alda & Eduardo Vilaro make up this year’s class

    Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and The Bronx Tourism Council announced that actor Vincent Pastore, animator & director Peter Sohn, author Arlene Alda and dance pioneer Eduardo Vilaro are the 2016 class of honorees for the Bronx Walk of Fame.

“Once again, we have put together a tremendous class of individuals that represent the best of our borough for induction into the Bronx Walk of Fame,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “These four individuals have seen considerable success in their chosen fields, and throughout it all they have highlighted their strong roots in The Bronx. I congratulate Vincent Pastore, Peter Sohn, Arlene Alda and Eduardo Vilaro on their induction to the Bronx Walk of Fame, and I look forward to celebrating their accomplishments during Bronx Week 2016.”

Vincent Pastore has been a star of screen and stage for decades, and is best known for his role in HBO’s hit series The Sopranos, for which he received a Screen Actors Guild Award for his work in 2001. A City Island resident, Mr. Pastore has appeared in films including Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way, Awakenings, State of Grace, The Godfather Part III and many more.

The first Asian-American to ever be inducted to the Bronx Walk of Fame, Peter Sohn is an award-winning animator and director with Pixar Studios, having worked on numerous hit films including Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Up. Most recently, Mr. Sohn directed Pixar’s 2015 feature hit The Good Dinosaur.

Arlene Alda, who grew up in Williamsbridge and graduated from Evander Childs High School, is an award-winning photographer and author whose work has appeared in numerous books, newspapers, magazines and galleries. Mrs. Alda is the author of 19 books, most of them children’s books featuring her words and illustrations. Her latest book, Just Kids from The Bronx: Telling it the Way it Was, An Oral History, consists of stories about growing up in The Bronx based on interviews with over 60 accomplished and proud Bronxites.

First generation Cuban-American Eduardo Vilaro became artistic director of Ballet Hispanico, the nation’s first and oldest Latino dance organization, in 2009. He is only the second person to head the company since it was founded in 1970. In 2015, Mr. Vilaro took on the additional role of Chief Executive Officer of Ballet Hispanico. Mr. Vilaro has been part of the Ballet Hispanico family since 1985. As a dancer with the Ballet Hispanico company, he performed throughout the United States, Latin America, and Europe for an audience of nearly 3 million while assisting founder Tina Ramirez with the development of dance education residencies.

“I love living in The Bronx,” said Vincent Pastore. “This borough is a great mixture of cultures and ethnic groups—a true cross section of today’s America. And my home, City Island, is growing each year. It’s New York City's very own Martha’s Vineyard.”

“I am so proud to be honored in this way.  The Bronx is a part of me in so many ways, in how I was formed and how my family was formed,” said Peter Sohn. “My father came to the United States from Korea with nothing and he started our family in The Bronx.  And just like all those other families that would come to my dad’s vegetable store it became a community of immigrant families that were all just beginning and helping each other out. My career as an artist in film started here as well.  There were several years of study and drawing at the Bronx Zoo that helped me fill up my portfolio to get a job in animation.  And the stories and memories of my youth here have fueled so much of the work I do at Pixar today.  So thanks Bronx.  Thanks for taking care of me and my family.” 

“I am a first-generation American, and so to be inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame is especially meaningful to me. I feel the special connection to the current generation of first generation immigrants in The Bronx, now. It is a deep honor I do not take for granted,” said Arlene Alda.

“I have been blessed with a special life. I create art and impact young people with the arts education and my culture. When I look back and think of what in my DNA made me strong enough to contend with the challenges I had to face, I know it is because I grew up in the Bronx,” said Eduardo Vilaro. “The Bronx gave me the strength and determination to excel and succeed. Growing up in a tough neighborhood wasn't just about learning to stand up for yourself. It was about community and the neighbors who watched out for you—the helping hand when one of your own was in trouble. We learned the respect and dignity of hard working adults. Behind the often described gritty face The Bronx, there is a community that is full of pride and a beautiful soul that welcomes everyone.”

“Witnessing our hometown heroes take their rightful place on The Bronx Walk of Fame is one of my favorite events for Bronx Week. It fills me with pride to honor these sons and daughters of The Bronx!” said Olga Luz Tirado, Executive Director of The Bronx Tourism Council.

Mr. Pastore, Mr. Sohn, Mrs. Alda and Mr. Vilaro will be officially inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame as part of the 45th annual Bronx Week, a program of The Bronx Tourism Council.

Bronx Week 2016 is a highly-anticipated 11-day event where the entire borough, including government, business, and the community-at-large, come together to celebrate “The Best of The Bronx” through festivals, concerts, health fairs, parades, performances and a host of other activities. It will take place from May 5th – May 15th.

At the end of the 11-day celebration, these four hometown heroes will be honored with induction into the Bronx Walk of Fame, where their names are emblazoned on a street sign to reside on the historic Grand Concourse forever.

For more information about Bronx Week 2016, visit www.ilovethebronx.com.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ & ASSEMBLY MEMBER CRESPO HOST “DAY OF SOLIDARITY” FOR ECUADOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS



   In the wake of the powerful earthquake that recently devastated Ecuador, with a death toll of over 600 victims and still rising; Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.; New York State Assembly Member Marcos Crespo and members of the Ecuadorian community will host a “Day of Solidarity” press conference to highlight ways to provide aid to Ecuador.

WHEN:          Monday, April 25, 2016

WHERE:       Steps of The Bronx County Building (Grand Concourse side)
                        851 Grand Concourse at East 161st Street
                        The Bronx, NY
                        
TIME:            10:00 a.m.

Assembly Member Luis Sepúlveda and Senator Rubén Díaz to Announce Push for Key Voter Registration and Elections Reforms



    Assembly Member Luis Sepúlveda and Senator Rubén Diaz will hold a news conference to announce they will introduce legislation to make it a felony for boards of elections to dump or archive voters from registration rolls, requiring that such removals only be made upon confirmation either of the death of a voter or the out-of-state relocation of a voter, and to require boards of elections to notify voters by email, whenever possible, of changes in in polling sites. Sepúlveda and Diaz will also announce their support of legislation to provide for automatic registration of voters when they apply for or renew their driver’s license or non-driver ID (with the option for persons to opt out of becoming registered) and to allow voters to change party registration as easily and under the identical criteria applicable for new voter registration. 

WHEN: 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 26 

WHERE: City Hall steps (NYC) 

EDITOR'S NOTE:
Neither of these two elected officials candidates in the New York State Presidential Primary was victorious. 

State Senator Gustavo Rivera Launches Senior Centers Tour in the 33rd Senate District



     On Wednesday, April 20th, State Senator Gustavo Rivera launched a tour of senior centers located throughout his district. The tour started with consecutive visits to the William Hodson Senior Center and the Arturo Schomburg Center and will continue next week with stops at the SEBCO Mt. Carmel Center, RAIN Tolentine Center, Bronxworks Morris Innovative Senior Center and Fort Independence Senior Center. 
 
The purpose of this tour is provide seniors citizens in the 33rd district with valuable and relevant information, resources and services on important topics such as elder abuse prevention, fire safety, public safety and housing assistance. Senator Rivera's office has partnered with a number of local health providers and city agencies, including the New York City Fire Department, the New York City Police Department, the Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention, the New York City Department to the Aging, the New York City Department of Finance and the St. Barnabas Health System.
 
In anticipation of this tour and Older Americans Month in May, Senator Rivera's office has also created a useful senior resource guide which is now available at his district office. 

SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING VISITS: 

1) Center: SEBCO Mt. Carmel Center
    Location: 2405 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458
    Date: Monday, April 25, 2016
    Senator Meet & Greet: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
    Event Time: 11:30 AM-1:30 PM
 
2) Center: RAIN Tolentine Center
    Location: 2345 University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468
    Date: Tuesday, April 26, 2016
    Senator Meet & Greet: 11:00 AM -12:00 PM
    Event Time:  11:00 AM -1:00 PM
 
3) Center: Bronxworks Morris Innovative Senior Center
    Location: 80 E 181st Street, Bronx, NY 10453 
    Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2016
    Senator Meet & Greet: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
    Event Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
 
4) Center: Fort Independence Senior Center
    Location: 3340 Bailey Ave., Bronx, NY 10463
    Date: Friday, May 13, 2016
    Senator Meet & Greet: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
    Event Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

EDITOR"S NOTE:
This year State Senator Gustavo Rivera is up for re-election.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj's Taffic & Moving Violations Forum



Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj's
Legal Series Forum  
Join us for our first Legal Forum on

 Traffic & Moving Violations

Thursday, May 12, 2015
6 pm to 8 pm
Bronx House
990 Pelham Parkway South
Bronx, N.Y. 10461
For more information, please contact the office of
Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj
 

You & Clean Power Plan May 11 from 6-8 pm



Wednesday May 11, 2016 from 4:30 pm to 8 pm 
Future Plans for Harlem River Working Group
BCEQ Board Meeting
Conversation NYS Clean Power Plan 

HOLD THE DATE

We hope to be holding a series of meetings tentatively at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse at 165th Street. Room TBA  WE NEED TO CONFIRM
  • The Harlem River Working Group will disucss updates on the Harlem River and plans for the year. 4:30 pm
  • BCEQ will hold a brief Board meeting to discuss Educational and Environmental Awards. 6 pm
  • A conversation with Department of Environmental Conservation on the State's Clean Power Plan 6:15 pm.  
These meetings are open to the public, but a reservation is necessary.  TBA

Harlem River Working Group (HRWG)

IMG_2581The HRWG will be meeting to discuss our successes, updates, and future plans.  
  • Fall Festivals (Roberto Clemente and VCP) and Wilderness Inquiry Canoemobile
  • Workshops on the Harlem River Long Term Control Plan
  • What's next along the Harlem River Greenway
  • Tibbetts Brook Daylighting
  • BCEQ's Step 2 of the Harlem River Brownfield Opportunity Area Program
  • City of Water Day Activities

A Conversation on the State's Clean Power Plan

The Clean Power Plan is a new rule set by President Obama and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to cut carbon pollution from large power plants – the biggest source of carbon pollution in the United States. The Clean Power Plan will reduce the pollution causing climate change and its impacts on New York. 

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) needs to develop a state plan to meet the goal that EPA has set for New York and would like your input. New York is better situated than most states to comply with the Clean Power Plan because it has reduced emissions substantially over the past decade.  Governor Cuomo’s clean energy programs will reduce these emissions even more. 

New York is working to develop strategies to provide broad benefits to communities - particularly low-income and communities of color – by reducing carbon pollution from power plants and doing so in a way that focuses on cleaner energy.  

They are looking to you to provide the vision for these strategies. 

NYS has the flexibility on how to meet the goals of the Clean Power Plan.  Help the state choose among various approaches, while also hearing about how the Clean Power Plan works with other air pollution and clean energy programs.


HEAD'S UP:
Look for an invite to a discussion for the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary Program Workshopsthe second week in July before the City of Water Day.  We are planning to hold the Proposed 2-Hour Workshop at Manhattan College Lower Campus during the day.
 
We also plan a 30 minute brief presentation in the evening at another location.