Monthly Archives: February 2010

Statement from Melissa on Announcement that Governor Paterson Will Not Seek Re-Election

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The following is a statement from Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito on Governor Paterson’s Announcement that he will not seek re-election:

The Governor’s decision to drop out of the gubernatorial race should not distract us from what is really at stake here. The facts surrounding this case demonstrate clearly that we have a crisis of confidence in government and not just a political crisis.

Police Superintendent Harry J. Corbitt’s admission that the officers’ intervention in the case was not out of the ordinary, despite the fact that the State Police has no jurisdiction whatsoever into such matters, is deeply troubling.

The lack of any acknowledgement of the gravity of the State police’s handling of this case speaks to serious doubts about the ability of the Department to act responsibly in safeguarding the safety and well being of those who are victims of domestic violence.

I call on Governor Paterson to fire Superintendent Corbitt and begin to rebuild his cabinet to one where the leader of this state can regain the trust of the people. Any action short of this is not acceptable, will put into question any continued support for the Governor, and cast doubt on his ability to continue to govern our state.

Statement from Melissa on Proposed W. 107th Street Transitional Housing Shelter

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The following is a statement from Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito on the proposed W. 107th Street transitional housing shelter:

I am opposed to the current proposal to open a transitional housing shelter at 237 & 239 W. 107th Street, based on the information I have learned about the history of this building and its owner.  I have contacted the Department of Homeless Services to express my deep concerns with the plan as it stands and to request a meeting with the Commissioner where issues raised by the surrounding community can be heard and addressed.

Commissioner Hess has requested a one-on-one meeting with me on Monday to discuss the proposal and we will be organizing a subsequent meeting with community representatives.  As has been reported, the non-profit provider, Help USA, has pulled out of the plan.  I will continue to monitor this situation closely.

Statement from Melissa on Allegations Against Paterson Administration

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The following is a statement from Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito on allegations raised in today’s New York Times against the Paterson Administration.  Click here to view the statement in PDF.

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

Statement from NYC Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito on Allegations Against Paterson Administration

As a woman, I am extremely concerned by the reports of possible misconduct of State officials and disturbed by the allegation that public servants in positions of power would attempt to use their influence to deter a victim of domestic violence from pressing charges.

The domestic violence advocacy community, and particularly the courageous survivors of abuse have fought long and hard, over many years and encountering much resistance, to have authorities be more responsive and sensitive to incidents of domestic violence. It takes great courage and strength for survivors to seek assistance and help from a system that historically has not taken their claims seriously.

The set of circumstances outlined in today’s New York Times article will only serve to discourage those who find themselves in similar circumstances to seek help, fearing reprisal and intimidation by the very authorities that are supposed to exist to protect them. The chilling account given by this woman and her attorney, if determined to be true, serves as an example of what countless women in abusive relationships suffer everyday in New York State and throughout our nation and world.

I welcome Governor Paterson’s call for Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo to conduct an immediate investigation into these very serious allegations. All investigations in this matter must be thorough and transparent, and ensure that the public gets clear answers about the role played by each of the parties involved, including the Governor himself.
But calling for an investigation is not enough. Police Superintendent Harry J. Corbitt’s admission that the officers’ intervention in the case was not out of the ordinary, despite the fact that the State Police has no jurisdiction whatsoever into such matters, is troubling and raises greater concerns. As such, the Governor should immediately request his resignation.

With the rash of high profile domestic violence cases in recent times, it is critical that we handle each of these incidents with great seriousness, particularly those involving government officials.  The Paterson administration in all of its actions going forward must send a message that domestic violence on the part of any individual will simply not be tolerated.

Parks Committee Hearing Held Today: Regulating Tree Removals and Replacements

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Melissa convened her first Parks and Recreation Committee hearing as Chair this afternoon.  The topic of the hearing was Intro 4, a piece of legislation that will regulate tree removals and replacements on City property.

The legislation will set up a permitting process for City agencies to remove trees from public property, require these agencies to either replace the trees or to pay a fee to the Parks Department to do so, and ensure that the replacement trees planted collectively add up to a caliper size that is comparable to any of the mature trees that are removed.

At the hearing, the Parks Department as well as representatives from the business and advocacy communities provided testimony on this bill.

Intro 4 is expected to be voted on by the committee and get to the floor of the Council soon.

For a calendar of all City Council hearings, please click here.

Sweet Spirit: A Performance Presented by the Harlem African Burial Ground Task Force

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We are pleased to announce that the Harlem African Burial Ground Task Force is sponsoring a special dance, drama and song performance entitled Sweet Spirit.  The performance is inspired by the Burial Ground and has been created by two members of the Task Force.

The performance will be held on Sunday, February 28th at 3:30 pm at Elmendorf Reformed Church (171 E 121st Street between Lexington & 3rd Avenues).

The Harlem African Burial Ground Task Force is made up of a group of concerned citizens who are working to restore and memorialize the Burial Ground, which is located at 1st Avenue, between 126th and 127th Streets.  Melissa serves as Co-Chair of the Task Force.

We hope you will join us for this exciting performance where you will also have an opportunity to learn more about the Burial Ground and how to get involved with the efforts of the Task Force.  Please see the flyer below for more information.

Press Conference on Multiple Dwelling Registration Bill Held Today

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About 100 members of Make the Road New York and the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (ANHD) joined Melissa and Council Member Chin on the steps of City Hall today to call for the passage of the soon to be re-introduced multiple dwelling registration bill.

(c) William Alatriste, NYC Council

This legislation, which was first introduced by Melissa last term, will help tenants of those buildings owned by LLCs to more easily reach their landlords when problems with their housing arise.  Under this legislation, corporate owners would have to provide the City with the names and contact information of their principal partners, information which, for some tenants, is currently only learned through legal action.

At the press conference, tenants and advocates spoke about the difficulties they faced in trying to get housing issues resolved when the only information they had for some landlords was a P.O. Box number.

Here are more photos from the event.  Click each one to enlarge.

(c) William Alatriste, NYC Council

(c) William Alatriste, NYC Council

(c) William Alatriste, NYC Council

(c) William Alatriste, NYC Council

NY1′s New Yorkers of the Week: Hoops by the River in East Harlem

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We would like to congratulate the founders of Hoops by the River, Willie Kelly II and Willie Kelly III on being named New Yorkers of the Week on NY1.  Hoops by the River is an East Harlem-based youth basketball program.

Click here to view the video, which began airing on NY1 this weekend.

To nominate someone to be New Yorker of the Week, send an e-mail to nyer@ny1.com describing their qualifications.

Tomorrow: Council Members, Advocates and Tenant Leaders Stand in Support of Multiple Dwelling Registration Bill

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Tomorrow, February 17th, Council Members, housing advocates and tenant leaders will hold a press conference in support of Melissa’s multiple dwelling registration bill, which is soon to be reintroduced.  The event will take place at 1:00 pm on the steps of City Hall.

The multiple dwelling registration bill will require LLC owners of apartment buildings to disclose the names and contact information of the corporation’s partners.  Under the current law, tenants of such buildings often do not have access to their individual landlords’ contact information, making it more cumbersome to resolve any housing problems that may arise without legal action.

See the media advisory below for more information on tomorrow’s event.

Take Action Against MTA Service Cuts & the Phasing Out of Student MetroCards

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The MTA has proposed a number of serious cuts and service reductions on buses, trains and Access-A-Rides throughout the city, as well as the phasing out of free MetroCards for NYC students.

These service reductions will lead to an increase in waiting times and crowding on our subway and bus lines, and the cuts to student MetroCards will only further increase the financial hardship already weighing so heavily on our city’s families. Meanwhile, cuts to Access-A-Ride service and eligibility will gravely impact the city’s disabled and senior populations.

We must take action against these cuts. Click here to sign the City Council’s online petition, calling on the MTA to look for alternate solutions to resolving their budget deficit, such as using capital and stimulus funding to avoid service and MetroCard cuts.

You can also voice your opposition at one of the MTA’s public hearings on this matter, which will be held during the first week of March. See the document below for more information on what you can do to fight these cuts.

Click here for a detailed list of service cuts from the MTA.

City Council Holds Hearing on the Loss of Section 8 Vouchers

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The City Council’s Public Housing and General Welfare Committees held a joint hearing yesterday on the recent cuts to Section 8 vouchers which is impacting thousands of NYC families.

Melissa and the other committee members heard testimony from New Yorkers who have lost their vouchers as a result of these cutbacks, as well as advocates and legal service providers.  Without the Section 8 vouchers, many of these New Yorkers will be left with few options but to go into the shelter system.

Various Council Members have called on the City to use stimulus funds allocated for homelessness prevention to restore the cuts to the Section 8 program.

Click below for coverage of the hearing by Telemundo:

Click to open video.