If you are a restaurant, please fill out this survey ASAP. It will remain open until January 31st, 2012.

The survey seeks background information about the food establishment and solicits views on DOHMH’s inspection process and the letter grading system, and requests details about violations issued during each inspection from 2008 to the present, along with costs accrued in connection with the payment of fines, consultants and improvements.

The survey results will provide a foundation for an upcoming oversight hearing, where the Committees intend to further explore the inspection process and possible areas for reform.

If English is not your preferred language, you can also find the survey in:

Spanish (www.surveymonkey.com/restaurantinspection_spanish);
Chinese Traditional (www.surveymonkey.com/restaurantinspection_chinesetraditional);
Russian (www.surveymonkey.com/restaurantinspection_russian);
Korean (www.surveymonkey.com/restaurantinspection_korean);
Italian (www.surveymonkey.com/restaurantinspection_italian); and
Haitian Creole (www.surveymonkey.com/restaurantinspection_haitiancreole).

Don’t forget to comment!

PFAW Panel: Constitutional Remedies to Overturning Citizens United

By Justin | January 24, 2012 – 6:47pm

People For the American Way’s Marge Baker moderated a panel discussion on Capitol Hill about the necessity of a constitutional amendment to address out-of-control corporate spending on elections made possible by Citizens United. A rapidly growing constellation of elected leaders, grass roots organizations and by a 48 point margin Americans believe that deep-pocketed corporations should not be able to overpower the will of the American people. Supporters of constitutional remedies to restore the balance of power to the people have reached a “movement moment”: ten constitutional amendments have been introduced in the 112th Congress, and dozens of state and local resolutions opposing the decision have been adopted in towns, cities and states across the country.

Marge Baker, Executive Vice President of People For the American Way, was joined by Senator Tom Udall, Representative Ted Deutch, Representative Keith Ellison, Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin, New York City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito and Colorado Activist Elena Nuñez for the discussion.

“Money, lobbyists and special interests have too much influence and we’ve got to get control of it.” –Sen. Tom Udall

“At this moment, we have to amend the constitution to clarify that for-profit corporations cannot spend their money, every dollar of which they raised for commercial purposes, to influence the outcome of elections.”–Rep. Ted Deutch

“I introduced my constitutional amendment because I believe America should be a democracy, not a plutocracy.” –Rep. Keith Ellison

“This is not an anti-business thing. We want corporations to thrive, but we don’t want them to govern.” –Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin

“Money can drown out our voices…we have to take it out of the court’s hands and give it back to the people – and now is the time to do it.” –NYC Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito

“Once people understood that there was something we could do, that a constitutional amendment was a way to regain the people’s voice…people really gravitated to it.” –Elena Nuñez, Colorado Common Cause

 http://video.msnbc.msn.com/dylan-ratigan-show/45991377

“Tonight, New York State Republicans will hold a fundraiser for Scott Walker, the union busting Governor of Wisconsin.  At a time when people across Wisconsin prepare to submit petitions for the recall of Governor Walker, it is disheartening that Republican New Yorkers would gather to support him in an effort to subvert the democratic process.  Governor Walker’s efforts to strip public sector unions of their collective bargaining rights, which were infamously bankrolled by the Koch Brothers, have made him the poster child for the austerity movement in the United States.

“While Governor Walker claims to have created ‘thousands’ of new jobs as a result of his economic policies, the Los Angeles Times reports today that ‘Non-farm employment grew by 4,500 jobs between November 2010 and November 2011, up just 0.2% — one of the worst performances among the states.’

“It is officials like Governor Walker that have inspired the kind of historic push back from communities across the United States – from the protests in Madison to the Occupy movements that emerged around the country, and continue to organize and galvanize around issues of income disparities.

“I express my grave disappointment that our state’s Republican Committee is bolstering the governor’s attempts to stifle the voices of Wisconsin residents and raise my voice in solidarity with those who seek to fight Governor Walker’s anti-union agenda.”

Earlier this year, we began expanding the services of our office to this growing community in our district.  Now join us as we celebrate the Chinese New Year with Chinese food and drink, as well as music and dance performances by the Hamilton-Madison House City Hall Senior Center Chorus!

The event is not a religious ceremony. It is a celebration of Puerto Rican cultural heritage. We hope you can join us.

Welcome to the inaugural “Winners and Losers,” your guide to the week’s heroic and villainous actions in tri-state transportation and smart growth.

This week’s winners (who did things we like):

Senator Chuck Schumer— New York’s stalwart Senator is leading the fight to restore the federal transit tax benefit, which lapsed at the end of 2011. Currently, public transit commuters can spend up to $125 per month in pretax income on their commute, while drivers can spend up to $240 in pretax income on parking at their job. Chuck Schumer sees the insanity of such an arrangement.

The Genting Group— the Wall Street Journal reported that the private backers of Governor Cuomo’s proposed convention center would “work with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to fund uninterrupted subway service between Midtown Manhattan and the proposed convention center.” The jury’s still out on the plan itself, but we can get behind developers that think seriously about transit access (are you taking notes, Triple Five?)

Melissa Mark-Viverito— the NYC councilwoman wrote a editorial for the New York Daily News in support of an East Harlem bike lane. We’re all fans.

Not everyone won Tri-State’s praise. Check out the losers here: Winners and Losers.

The NYC Department of City Planning announced earlier this week the initiation of public review on a series of proposed zoning regulations that aim to protect the vibrant retail character of the Upper West Side community.  An original version of the proposal did not include the Manhattan Valley portion of the Upper West Side in these zoning protections.  However, after advocacy by local community leaders, CB 7 members, small businesses and Melissa’s office, City Planning has agreed to extend these protections to parts of Amsterdam Avenue in my district from W. 96th Street to W. 110th Street.  For details on these zoning protections, click here. 

“We must do all that we can to ensure that diverse retailers continue to define the distinct character of the Upper West Side,” said City Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito. “I am thrilled that part of the Manhattan Valley neighborhood which I represent is being included in this proposed zoning change, so that it can also be protected from the increasing dominance of banks and retailers that tend to occupy a large ground floor footprint, leaving little room for the diverse small businesses that fuel our local economy. I applaud Commissioner Burden and my colleagues for their leadership on this zoning change and look forward to voting for it in the City Council.”

These new zoning changes aim to slow down a trend that we are seeing in many parts of our city, whereby banks and chain stores are leasing exceedingly large ground floor commerical spaces.  This practice reduces the diversity of our streetscape and retail corridors and does not provide opportunities to the local small businesses that make the Upper West Side the vibrant neighborhood that it is. 

The zoning protections being proposed by City Planning will include restrictions on frontage space for stores, banks and residential lobbies, and once adopted, will apply to new developments as well as alterations, conversions and changes in use in existing buildings.

UPDATE: Sign this new online petition at Change.org to demand an apology from ABC!