November 2010 Community Bulletin

Message from Liz . . .

As expected, this was a difficult election season. But thanks to the support of so many of you, I was reelected with 70 percent of the vote. First, thank you and know that even if you chose not to vote for me, I will do my very best to serve every constituent of the 26th Senatorial District for the next two years.

As I have said time and time again, I need more and better colleagues in the State Senate, and this election brought some marked improvements. In the Bronx, the disgraced Pedro Espada was defeated by Gustavo Rivera, who will bring the kind of principled, progressive leadership that the State Senate needs. In Queens Tony Avella, whose record as a reformer was unmatched during his years in the City Council, defeated a 38-year anti-choice incumbent.

I am also pleased that this election was a step forward in the fight to pass marriage equality in the Senate. Tony Avella’s victory replaced an opponent of marriage equality with a strong supporter. In addition, with the election of Michael Gianaris in Queens, David Carlucci in Rockland, and Tim Kennedy in Buffalo, three other supporters of marriage equality will replace outgoing opponents of equal recognition for lesbian and gay relationships.

Election Day 2010 can now be divided into three parts: the ones we can celebrate, the painful losses and the ones we’ll need to celebrate later, since the winners in three races remain undetermined at this point, and likely will not be for some time (after recounts are completed). The outcomes of races in Nassau, Westchester and Buffalo will have a great impact on our opportunities to advance a progressive agenda in the Senate.

2011 will be the start of a new and challenging session in Albany, likely to be dominated once again by a very difficult fiscal situation. I’m committed to working each day with Governor Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to address tough issues, advance our shared priorities and make you proud of your efforts on my behalf.

I am honored to have the privilege of continuing to represent you.

---------------

Senator Liz Krueger’s Senior Roundtable

A Program for Boomers & Seniors

“It’s 10:00 PM. Do You Know Where Your Parents Are?”

A DISCUSSION ABOUT CAREGIVING

This will be the first of a five-part discussion for caregivers and the older people in their lives.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.*

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House

311 East 70th Street

(between 1st & 2nd Avenues)

With special guest

Commissioner Lilliam Barrios-Paoli

NYC Department for the Aging

*Continental Breakfast will be served

PLEASE RSVP – SPACE IS LIMITED

To RSVP or for further information, contact

alicefisher.nyc@gmail.com or call (212) 490-9535.

Senior Resource Fair:

Last month I hosted my Fourth Annual Senior Resource Fair. Over 500 people attended this year’s event which brought together seniors from across the city with representatives from a variety of government and non-profit agencies specializing in everything from health services to housing assistance to at-home care. You can view a video of some highlights from the fair at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4zpboU5VIlM.

Youth Civics Project:

Are you a high school Junior or Senior interested in learning how government really works? Over the course of five afternoons beginning this December, students will learn about the legislative process and some of the major policy issues facing New York State through a variety of activities and discussions with Senator Krueger and other leaders in State government. In this program, you will learn about the legislative process from a New York State Senator and discuss important State issues that impact YOU every day. The Civics Project culminates in a Mock State Senate in April in the City Hall Council Chambers. To sign up, or for more information, call Holly Emma at (212) 490-9535.

Mammogram Van Coming to the Upper East Side:

On Monday, November 22nd, the Scan Van Mobile Mammogram Program will have a van at St. Stephen’s of Hungary Church, 414 East 82nd Street (between First and York Avenues) from 1PM to 4PM. This program provides mammograms for women 40 and older who have not had a mammogram in the past year. Medicaid, Medicare and other insurance plans accepted and co-payments are waived. The service is free for uninsured women 40 and older. An appointment is necessary. Please call (800) 564-6868 to make an appointment.

Gifted and Talented Placement Testing:

The New York Department of Education is currently accepting applications from families interested in testing their children for eligibility and possible placement in elementary school Gifted and Talented Programs, kindergarten through third grade, in September 2011. To apply you must submit a Request For Testing Form (RFT) by Wednesday November 17, 2010. The Request for Testing Form and the New York City Gifted & Talented Information Handbook 2010-2011 are available at the Borough Enrollment Offices at 333 Seventh Avenue at 29th Street (12th Floor), and on the Department of Education’s website http://schools.nyc.gov/Academics/GiftedandTalented. For more information call (718) 935-2383.

Developmental Disabilities Resource Fair:

The Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council is hosting a Family & Professional Resource Fair on Thursday, December 2nd from 10AM to 2PM at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, 405 West 59th St. at 9th Avenue. There will be workshops on issues facing parents and caregivers, as well as information on services and supports from over 90 service providers. For more information, call Amy Bittinger at (212) 979-9700, ext 707/708.

Comment on 2nd Avenue Subway Ancillary Facilities:

Last month the MTA presented to Community Board 8 on possible colors and exterior treatments for Ancillary buildings the MTA is constructing on 2nd Avenue. The Community Board is seeking public comment on these options. The presentation and options can be viewed online at http://mta.info/capconstr/sas/documents/101012_cp.pdf or at the Community Board office: 505 Park Avenue, Room 620 (at 59th Street). Office hours are from 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday through Friday. The phone number is (212) 758-4340. Please send your comments, suggestions, and opinions directly to the MTA at http://mta.info. On the home page, on the right side of the page, click on FAQs/Contact Us, then scroll down and click on E-MAIL. Also send a copy of your comments to Community Board 8 at info@cb8m.com. Comments are being accepted through December 7th.

Career Help through New York Public Library:

The New York Public Library is home to a new initiative, Job Search Central, which prepares New Yorkers for existing jobs and helps to create new jobs in the metro area. Since Job Search Central opened at the Science, Industry, and Business Library in April 2009, its career coaches have assisted over 14,000 job seekers with resume renovation, interview prep, alternative career exploration, and trend-spotting opportunities in sectors like healthcare, green technologies, biotech, and new media. The library's powerful job search portal provides entry to hundreds of career and sector-specific websites where job seekers can scan posted openings that match their credentials, aptitudes, and interests. Trained staff roves through the JSC to help applicants with resume templates and online job boards. I encourage anyone interested to visit the Science, Industry, and Business Library at 188 Madison Avenue or go to http://nypl.org to learn more about this program.

Affordable Housing Opportunities in Manhattan:

Douglas Park is now accepting applications for 69 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments under construction at 300 West 128th Street in Harlem for low and moderate income individuals and families. Rents for these units will be $511 to $1127 depending on unit size and income. To be eligible, applicants must have incomes between $19,337 and $55,140, depending on unit and family size. Applications will be selected by lottery. Applicants who submit more than one application will be disqualified. Preference will be given to New York City residents. Applicants residing in Community Board 10 will receive priority for 50% of the units. In addition, visually/hearing impaired applicants will receive priority for 2% of the units, applicants with mobility impairment will receive priority for 5% of the units, and applicants who are New York City municipal employees will receive preference for 5% of the units. To request an application, DOWNLOAD from: www.douglassparkNYC.com or mail a POSTCARD to: Douglass Park c/o Richman Property Services, Inc., 1010 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 301, New York, NY 10018. Completed applications must be returned by regular mail only (no priority, certified, express or overnight mail will be accepted) to a post office box listed on the application, and must be postmarked by December 21, 2010.

Genesis FSLM Partners LLC is now accepting applications for 85 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments under construction at 311 West 141st Street, 203-205 West 119th Street, and 2078-2080 Frederick Douglass (112th Street) in the West Harlem Section of Manhattan for moderate income individuals and families. Rents for these units will be $872 to $2186 depending on income and unit size. To be eligible, applicants must have incomes between $31,680 and 134,400, depending on unit and family size. Applications will be selected by lottery. Applicants who submit more than one application will be disqualified. Preference will be given to New York City residents. Applicants residing in Community Board 10 will receive priority for 50% of the units. In addition, visually/hearing impaired applicants will receive priority for 2% of the units, applicants with mobility impairment will receive priority for 5% of the units, and applicants who are New York City municipal employees will receive preference for 5% of the units. Applications may be requested by regular mail to Genesis FSLM Partners LLC c/o PO BOX 666, Triborough Station, New York, NY 10035 or by online at www.Genesisapts.com. Please be sure to include a self-addressed envelope with your request for an application. Completed applications must be returned by regular mail only (no priority, certified, express or overnight mail will be accepted) to a post office box listed on the application, and must be postmarked by December 27, 2010.

Heat Season Rules:

The City Housing Maintenance Code and Multiple Dwelling Law requires building owners to provide heat and hot water to all tenants. Building owners are required to provide hot water 365 days per year at a constant minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Between October 1st and May 31st, a period designated as "Heat Season," building owners are also required to provide tenants with heat under the following conditions:

• Between the hours of 6AM and 10PM, if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees, the inside temperature is required to be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Between the hours of 10PM and 6AM, if the temperature outside falls below 40 degrees, the inside temperature is required to be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tenants who are cold in their apartments should first attempt to notify the building owner, managing agent or superintendent. If heat is not restored, the tenant should call the City's Citizen Service Center at 311. For the hearing impaired, the TTY number is (212) 504-4115. The Center is open 24-hours a day, seven-days a week.

Housing for People with HIV/AIDS

Last month I joined advocates and other elected officials at an event protesting Governor Paterson’s decision to veto a bill (A.2565/S.2664) that will lead to more New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS becoming

homeless. The bill, passed by both the Senate and Assembly, would establish an affordable housing protection for clients of the HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) so that they pay no more than 30% of their disability income towards their rent.

The 30% rent cap is already the standard in other low-income housing programs in New York, so this legislation is designed to correct an inequity that treats people who qualify for housing assistance because they have HIV/AIDS differently from others eligible for such assistance.

Low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and their families enrolled in HASA’s rental assistance program are required to pay upwards of 70% or more of their disability income towards rent, resulting in high rates of housing loss. An independent fiscal analysis by Shubert Botein Policy Associates found the bill would pay for itself by reducing shelter placements and arrears.

I am terribly disappointed that Governor Paterson chose to take such a short-sighted view of this matter and veto a bill that would have provided long-term stability and relief to thousands of New Yorkers living with AIDS. By vetoing this bill the Governor is opening up New York to other costs, including increased homelessness, while also adding pain to a group of people who are already suffering enough. I will be working with my Senate colleagues to override this ill-considered veto.