Wave Hill Events March 9-March 16

Find your way to garden bliss at Wave Hill this week. In Wave Hill House, join us for a tranquil meditation and calming sound-bath session. The birds are ready to be spotted—a thrilling Spring Birding opportunity awaits. Take a leisurely stroll with your family and watch the magical transformation of nature as you count different species of birds in the gardens and woodland.⁣⁣ Get creative at the Family Art Project–learn how math connects to the natural world and use flowers and seeds to create your craft.

Family Art Project: Fibonacci Pinwheels 

Sat, March 11, 2023, 10AM–1PM  

Sun, March 12, 2023, 10AM–1PM                                                        Free with admission to the grounds 

Meet at Wave Hill House 

Math is everywhere you look in the natural world, including the amazing Fibonacci Sequence. These numbers in nature will inspire us to craft our own paper-folded pinwheels. Embellish your creation with flowers and seeds and then take it for a spin!   

Registration not required. 

The program takes place indoors in the Kerlin Learning Center located on the lower level of Wave Hill House. Please note the following important COVID-related information to ensure everyone’s safety: 

• Approximately nine families will be able to participate at a time, based on the time each family arrives. 

• If capacity is full when you arrive, we will provide a “come back” card so you will have first entry for the next session. 

• Each family will receive its own set of materials and cleaning will happen in between seating participants. 

• Unvaccinated visitors are encouraged to wear a mask inside. 

Wave Hill House is located along a paved route with moderate changes in grade. The building is wheelchair-accessible. There is an accessible, ground-level entrance at the front of the building with a power-assist door. The restroom on the ground level is all-gender and ADA-compliant. Additional ADA-compliant restrooms are available on the lower level, which can be accessed by elevator.  

Meditation and Sound Bath  

Sat, Mar 11, 2023, 11AM–1PM  

$40; including admission to the grounds. Wave Hill Members save 10% 

Wave Hill House 

With Wave Hill’s majestic and regal Armor Hall space as the setting, dosha healer Sara Hart and sound healer Drew Campbell guides you through a combined sensory meditation and sound-bath experience in celebration of seasonal spring awakenings.  Enjoy the melodious tones and healing vibrations of a variety of musical singing bowls. 

 

Registration required, online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251.  

 

Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call the telephone number and extension above.  

This seated or laying down, restorative-style meditation is held in Armor Hall, a large open room on the main level of Wave Hill House. The House is located along a paved route with moderate changes in grade. The ground floor and lower level of Wave Hill House are wheelchair-accessible. There is an accessible, ground-level entrance at the front of the building with a power-assist door. The restroom on the ground level is all-gender and ADA-compliant. Additional ADA-compliant restrooms are available on the lower level, which can be accessed by an elevator.  

Spring Birding 

Sun, Mar 12, 2023, 9:30–11AM 

$15; including admission to the grounds 

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center  

Welcome migratory birds back to Wave Hill this spring! Explore the gardens and woodlands with birders Paul Keim, Kellye Rosenheim or Gabriel Willow to look for resident and rare birds as they pass through on their northern journey or settle down for the season. Severe weather cancels. A limited number of binoculars, monoculars and walking sticks are available to borrow at the Perkins Visitor Center. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. 

 

Registration required, online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251.  

 

Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call the telephone number and extension above. 

One walk follows a route through woodland trails and mixed-material pathways with varying elevations; the other follows more accessible paved areas within the more central parts of the garden. 

 

HOURS: 10AM–4:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org. 

Riverdale in Brownsville

 

Developers Close On $100M Refinance For Riverdale Osborne Towers In Brownsville, Brooklyn

Daytime view of Riverdale Osborne Towers

The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) and Proto Property Services have closed on a $100 million refinance for Riverdale Osborne Towers, a 525-unit affordable housing complex in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The partners plan to use the financing to complete extensive renovations and facility modernization throughout the complex, which is addressed as 420-440 Watkins Street. The funds will also ensure the property remains financially stable and preserves long-term affordability for residents.

Constructed in 1976, Riverdale Osborne Towers complex comprises four nine-story residential buildings. In addition to affordable units, there is also a preschool, 10,500 square feet of retail space, and a grocery store.

When CPC and Proto Property Services acquired the property in 2007, it was reported to suffer from a pervasive rodent problem and had large holes in hallway ceilings, rotting walls, non-working elevators, and other unsafe conditions. The partners were selected by Catholic Charities to redevelop and renovate the property to create more habitable conditions.

“The need for quality affordable homes in New York is critical, and helping to preserve and improve our city’s existing affordable housing is as important as creating new housing,” said Tell Metzger, senior vice president, equity investments at CPC. “We are proud to work with Proto and our other partners on this refinance so that we can continue to provide the Riverdale Osborne tenants with the affordable, high-quality housing they can be proud to call home.”

Physical upgrades include the construction of a new central lobby and on-site management office, modernized tenant kitchens and bathrooms, upgrades to the façade and surrounding grounds, and elevator repairs, among other major facility upgrades. The owners have also removed tenants who were illegally occupying vacant apartments, switched out existing building staff, and enforced new security protocols.

Initial project costs were estimated at $39 million. The $100 million refinance was provided by Rockport Mortgage Corporation as a HUD223(f) loan.

Queens Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Illegally Distributing Oxycodone and Filing False Tax Returns

 

 Daniel E. Russo pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, distribution and possession of oxycodone, and nine counts of filing false personal and corporate tax returns.  The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry.   When sentenced, Russo faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment for each of the drug counts and up to three years’ imprisonment for each of the tax counts.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Stuart M. Goldberg, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA), and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI), announced the guilty plea.

“Russo was a drug dealer in a white coat,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “He abused his pharmacy license and the trust placed in him by the community to illegally distribute enormous amounts of oxycodone, spreading misery in the community and fueling addiction, all to enrich himself.  This Office will continue working with federal and local law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute medical professionals who illegally deal dangerous drugs with the same vigor as those who distribute drugs on the street.”

“At the same time Daniel Russo was illegally peddling oxycodone out of his pharmacy, he was pocketing – and not paying taxes on – income from those sales and others in his business,” stated Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg.  “Everyone is required to pay their fair share of taxes, whether they make their money legitimately or through criminal activity.”

“This plea solidifies the fact that Russo blatantly ignored his role as a medical practitioner in order to line his pockets with cash,” stated DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Tarentino.  “Through this illicit scheme, Russo enabled opioid addiction and misuse throughout Queens and Long Island communities. The DEA Long Island District Office-Tactical Diversion Squad, HHS-OIG, IRS, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York’s partnership exemplifies how investigations like this successfully arrest and prosecute individuals in positions that threaten public safety.”

“Instead of acting within the pharmacist code of ethics to act with integrity, Russo chose to use his position to commit criminal acts.  He chose to distribute highly addictive drugs to the community he served, then failed to report and pay taxes on the proceeds of his illicit sales.  Today, Russo chose to face the consequences of his actions—a good reminder that just like Al Capone, even criminals need to pay their taxes,” stated IRS-CI Special Agent-in-Charge Fattorusso. 

As set forth in the indictment, court filings and in court this morning, Russo owned and operated Russo’s Pharmacy in Far Rockaway, Queens.  Between March 2011 and June 2014, Russo conspired with others, including medical professionals and employees, to fill fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone and dispense thousands of oxycodone pills in return for hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash.  Over the course of the conspiracy, Russo’s co-conspirators delivered hundreds of fraudulent oxycodone prescriptions to Russo’s Pharmacy and would then retrieve the filled prescriptions—written out in various patients’ names—so that they could be dispensed elsewhere.  Russo accepted payment mostly in cash for the prescriptions.  Russo then hid the proceeds from the scheme and filed false corporate income tax returns for his pharmacy for the years 2013 through 2016, omitting the illegal proceeds.  Russo also filed false individual income tax returns for the years 2012 through 2016.  In total, Russo failed to report over $1 million in earnings,  much of it generated from his oxycodone distribution scheme. 

More than a dozen physicians for whom Russo filled prescriptions have since been convicted of crimes related to the distribution of oxycodone.

The government’s investigation was led by the DEA’s Long Island Tactical Diversion Squad, comprising agents and officers of the DEA, Nassau County Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department, Port Washington Police Department and Rockville Centre Police Department.  The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad also worked in conjunction with officers and agents of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General and New York City Department of Investigation. 

This case is the latest in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York as part of the Prescription Drug Initiative.  In January 2012, this Office and the DEA, in conjunction with the five District Attorneys in this district, the Nassau and Suffolk County Police Departments, the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police and other key federal, state and local government partners launched the initiative to mount a comprehensive response to what the United States Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Preventions called an epidemic increase in the abuse of so-called opioid analgesics.  To date, the initiative has brought over 160 federal and local criminal prosecutions including the prosecution of 20 health care professionals; taken civil enforcement actions against a hospital, a pharmacy and pharmacy chain; removed prescription authority from numerous rogue doctors and expanded information-sharing among enforcement agencies to better target and pursue drug traffickers.  The initiative also is involved in an extensive community outreach program to address the abuse of pharmaceuticals.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce hosts Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez

Register - Click Here

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Bronx NYS Executive Budget Presentation by the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul. Robert Rodriguez, Secretary of State for NYS, will outline the Governor's budget and policy priorities and how they impact the Bronx, New York City and New York State. The 2023 New York State of the State message included 147 initiatives to create a more affordable, more livable and safer New York – including the “New York Housing Compact”, a strategy to address New York’s housing crisis which includes the vision to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade; a transformational plan to strengthen mental health care; a plan to increase capacity for inpatient psychiatric treatment by 1,000 beds and add 3,500 housing units serving individuals with mental illness; and major public safety initiatives and investments to drive down gun and violent crime.   The presentation will highlight the Governor’s efforts to raise the minimum wage annually and index to inflation, her desire to help New Yorkers address rising cost of living, the launching of the cap-and-invest program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Chairperson Wright will also speak to the Governor’s plan to provide $165 Million in relief to more than 800,000 utility customers and plan to make child care More affordable, accessible, and fair in New York.   Please join us in welcoming Secretary Rodriguez as he shares the 2024 New York State Executive Budget & Policy Proposal.

For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our website events calendar link in your browser - new events are added weekly!

Friday, February 24 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm Building Business Operations Many businesses fail not because of a bad business idea, but because there was no system that standardized, measured, and improved its operations. The goal of this course is to help you translate your business concept into an efficient operation that continuously improves and raises your bottom line. Click HERE To Register Wednesday, February 22 at 10:00am Coffee & Conversation w. NYC Councilmember Amanda Farias Chair, Economic Development Bronx Chamber President Lisa Sorin, and Legislative & Policy Chair, Michael Brady moderate a discussion with Councilmember Farias, on Bronx economic development, workforce development, women's health and wellness, and merchant organizing. Click HERE To Register

Purchase Tickets and Sponsor  - Click Here

 

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

 

Be sure to follow Council Member Salamanca on social media: CM Salamanca @SalamancaJr80 NYC Council CMSalamancaJr

COUNCIL MEMBER RAFAEL SALAMANCA, JR. CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH RSVP'S ARE STILL BEING ACCEPTED Email Council Member Salamanca Visit our District Office at:  1070 Southern Boulevard Bronx, New York 10459 (718) 402-6130 salamanca@council.nyc.gov

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Local Sales Tax Collections Grew by Over 9% in January Compared to Last Year

 

Local sales tax collections in New York state increased by 9.2% in January compared to the same month in 2022, according to an analysis released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Overall, local collections totaled $1.89 billion, up $159 million compared to the same time last year.

“As we head into a new year, local sales tax growth remains quite strong,” DiNapoli said. “Consumer spending and a strong labor market have buoyed sales tax growth even as prices remain elevated.  Local governments should budget cautiously as this growth may level off sooner than they expect.”

New York City’s collections totaled $844 million, an increase of 8.8%, or $68 million, over January of 2022. Every county experienced some year-over-year growth in January collections, with Delaware County seeing the largest increase at 26%, followed by Schenectady and Cayuga counties at 24.1% and 20.6%, respectively. Onondaga County had the lowest growth at 0.6%.

Monthly sales tax distributions made to counties and tax-imposing cities are based on estimates by the state Department of Taxation and Finance. In the third month of each calendar year quarter, these distributions are adjusted upward or downward, so that the quarter as a whole reflects reported sales by vendors. The next quarterly numbers (for January to March) will be available in April. DiNapoli’s most recent annual report covered the October-December quarter and calendar year 2022.

Table

Monthly Local Sales Tax Collections by County and Region (for a detailed monthly breakdown)

Report

Local Sales Tax Collections Grew by 12.7 Percent in 2022 

Comptroller Lander, Mayor Adams Hail Fitch Ratings Upgrading New York City’s General Obligation Bond Rating to AA

 

Upgrade Affirms the Administration’s Strong Fiscal Management, City’s Strong Job Growth, Budget Oversight and Transparency, and Increased Ability to Withstand Economic and Fiscal Headwinds

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and New York City Mayor Eric Adams hailed Fitch Ratings for upgrading the city’s bond rating to AA from AA-. The upward revision comes just one year into their terms and reflects the administration’s strong fiscal management, which has placed the city in a significantly stronger position to weather future economic storms. The rating agency also highlighted that the city has now recovered 90 percent of jobs lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by substantial growth in 2022, and that the city has resumed its role as a leading international and domestic tourist destination.

“New York City stands on solid financial footing coming out of the pandemic, thanks to the vibrancy and resiliency of our economy and the support of federal aid. Fitch Ratings’ upgrade of their credit rating on our General Obligation bonds recognizes the strong steps the City of New York has taken to shore up our reserves with the largest deposit yet in our rainy day fund, as well as our ‘exceptionally strong’ budget oversight and fiscal management. As we face uncertainty in the global economy in the coming months, the City of New York is well positioned to sustain services, invest in our infrastructure, and foster better shared economic opportunity for New Yorkers,” said Comptroller Lander.

“Since day one, fiscal discipline has been a hallmark of our administration,” said Mayor Adams. “Last year, Fitch Ratings raised our General Obligation Bond credit outlook in recognition of our strong fiscal management and the record reserves we have set aside, and, today, we’re proud to be announcing that they’re raising the rating because of the hard, but necessary choices this administration was willing to make. We will continue to build an equitable recovery and use taxpayer dollars wisely as we continue to ‘Get Stuff Done’ for New Yorkers across the city.”

Fitch praised the administration’s fiscal management, noting actions to increase reserves and achieve savings. Budget reserves are now a record $8.3 billion. Achieving savings is a priority of this administration, which is why the mayor implemented Program to Eliminate the Gap (PEG) initiatives in Fiscal Years 2022 (FY22) and 2023 (FY23), including a PEG initiative in the FY23 November Plan. Most recently, the Adams administration implemented savings measures in January’s Preliminary Budget which streamlined city operations and increased citywide savings since last June to more than $3 billion over FY23 and Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24). Fitch also commended the city’s success in controlling employee headcount as a means of managing spending and achieving savings.

Further, as rating agencies continue to elevate the importance of environmental sustainability and resiliency, Fitch noted the city’s substantial investment in environmental resiliency efforts, and having gone further than most coastal communities in its efforts to fight the impact of climate change. The Adams administration will reveal the expansion of its sustainability agenda in April 2023’s update to PlaNYC, which will include a new, first-of-its-kind climate budgeting process.

In January, Mayor Eric Adams released New York City’s $102.7 billion Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2024. The budget reflects the mayor’s ongoing commitment to promoting an equitable recovery by making investments in affordable housing, keeping city streets clean, ensuring the safety of communities, and promoting a greener, healthier city. The Preliminary Budget also doubles down on Mayor Adams’ commitment to fiscal responsibility by spending limited city resources wisely amid the ongoing economic and fiscal challenges facing the city, state, and nation, and maintaining the city’s budget reserves at a record level of $8.3 billion.

The Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Comptroller’s Office jointly issue bonds to finance city infrastructure including the city’s roads and bridges, schools, water and sewer infrastructure, parks, libraries, and climate resiliency infrastructure. Since January 1, 2022, the city has sold $6.14 billion in refunding bonds, achieving $917 million in debt service savings in challenging bond markets. In October 2022, OMB and the Comptroller’s Office collaborated to issue New York City’s first social bonds, securing $400 million in financing for over 3,000 units of deeply affordable housing.