STREET CO-NAMED IN HONOR OF NYPD OFFICER ERIC HERNANDEZ

Here is a reminder of a tragic incident. Hopefully the street sign will help console the police officer’s, family and friends.

Gregory

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At the request of Council Member Oliver Koppell, on February 29, 2012 the Council approved the co-naming of the Southwest corner of East Mosholu Parkway North and Webster Avenue as “Police Officer Eric Hernandez Memorial Corner.”

Police Officer Eric Hernandez, 24 years old and a member of the 52^nd Precinct, died on January 28, 2006 after being assaulted by six men at a White Castle restaurant in the Bronx while off-duty and subsequently shot by a fellow police officer in a tragic case of mistaken identity.

Detective Marie Shea (Retired 52^nd PCT) championed the co-naming of the corner, on which the 52^ndPrecinct is located, collecting numerous letters and hundreds of signatures in support of dedicating this area to the memory of P.O. Hernandez as a lasting tribute to his decency and courage. “Eric brought out the best in people, he put smiles on faces and he had a warmth about him that you don’t see in many officers during their tour of duty. I am proud to have served with him” Detective Shea said.

Police Officer David Alvarado, P.O. Hernandez’s partner said “Eric was very charismatic. He had a great personality. He was always willing to go out of his way to help others. He was respectful, patient and kind. Everyone loved him. I believe that Eric’s character and life was a great reflection of how any police officer’s should be.”

Police Officer Marc Rios, a 14 -year veteran of the NYPD said, “Eric was not just a good cop but a great friend. He distinguished himself very early in his short career. His integrity and character were well received by the community. Everyone with whom Eric interacted always left feeling better about themselves and the NYPD, even those whom he arrested. No matter the reason for needing the help of a police officer, the community felt they were treated with patience, respect and genuine empathy.”

Koppell said, “Co-naming the street corner on which the 52^nd Precinct is located in honor of Police Officer Eric Hernandez, who died too young under such tragic circumstances, will serve to preserve his memory and be a reminder to the community of his dedicated service.”

NYC COUNCILMAN OLIVER KOPPELL LAUNCHES TOY DRIVE FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

Here is another opportunity to participate in a Toy Drive for local youth.

Gregory

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Council Member Oliver Koppell launched his toy drive this holiday season by distributing over 100 toys on December 8, 2011 to children at the Little Angels Head Start Program on Hull Avenue in the Bedford Park/Norwood section of his district. These toys were among the 300 donated to Koppell by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and Bronx Toys, a toy manufacturer, to give to children in need in his district.

Koppell also selected Mosholu-Montefiore, Marble Hill and Kingsbridge Heights Community Centers to be the recipient of toys because many of the families the centers serve are suffering during these harsh economic times and cannot afford to give their children a holiday present.

A number of children who attend PS 8 live in the nearby homeless shelter and Koppell provided the school with toys to give to these children, who are among the neediest in his district.

“I am grateful to the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and Bronx Toys for their generous donation of toys to brighten the holiday season for children in my district, many of whom would go without gifts because of the economic hardship their families are experiencing.”

If you wish, you can contribute to Koppell’s toy drive by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy at his district office, 3636 Waldo Avenue, Bronx/Riverdale phone # (718) 549-7300.

COUNCILMEMBER OLIVER KOPPELL, BRONX COMMUNITY BOARD 8, AND BRONX SMOKE-FREE PARTNERSHIP HOST SMOKE-FREE HOUSING FORUM

There is a push to ban smokers from smoking in their own homes. I see both sides of the argument but would love to see where Bronx residents stand on this issue. I can understand it when a co-op or condo agree to the condition in their by-laws, but I find it surprising that starting in September of 2012 all public housing in Boston will be "smoke free". If you’re a smoker or someone trying to avoid second hand smoke I think this is worth reading and again would love to read your comments on the topic. Is this a civil liberties issue or a health issue?

Gregory
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Smoke-Free Policies are Legal for Multi-Unit Dwelling, Improve Property Values, and Protect Bronx Families from Dangerous Secondhand Smoke

October 16th, 2011—BRONX, NY— Councilman Oliver Koppell joined the Bronx Smoke-Free Partnership and Bronx Community 8 today in Riverdale for the Bronx Smoke-Free Housing Forum, “Laying the Foundation for Healthy Living.” The forum is hosted by the Riverdale YM-YWHA and aims to educate landlords, property owners, realtors and tenants about the economic and health benefits of smoke-free housing and how one can make their building smoke-free.

“I am pleased to introduce the concept of smoke-free housing to residents, landlords and property managers in Riverdale by presenting this forum with the Bronx Smoke-Free Partnership, Community Board 8, the Riverdale YM-YWHA and my fellow elected officials who represent this community,” said Bronx City Councilmember Oliver Koppell. “Surveys show that more than 65% of New Yorkers are interested in living smoke-free.”

Thomas Durham, Chair of Bronx Community Board 8 Housing Committee said, “As the superintendent of a building in the Bronx, I know firsthand the health risks and added costs that smoking in a building cause. Cigarettes are a leading cause of deaths in residential fires. Costs to rehabilitate an apartment where a resident has smoked increase dramatically over the apartment of a non-smoker.”

According to Deidre Sully, Borough Coordinator of the Bronx Smoke-Free Partnership, “There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, a Class A carcinogen. Condos, co-ops and apartments around the state are voluntarily adopting smoke-free policies.”

The Bronx Smoke-Free Partnership is working with landlords, property owners and tenants to establish voluntary smoke-free housing policies in multi-unit dwellings. A growing public awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke, combined with an aggressive campaign to combat Big Tobacco’s marketing to our youth in our communities, has led to increased interest in living in smoke-free buildings in the Bronx and throughout the country.

Beginning September 2012, all public housing in Boston will be smoke-free and in Oregon, landlords with residential policies are required to notify renters of smoke-free policies in leases. Smoke-free policies are legal and encouraged by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

· A 100-percent smoke-free multi-unit dwelling means higher property values, lower fire risk and lower insurance quotes;

· A no-smoking policy can reduce property damage;

· The costs of rehabilitating a residential unit for occupancy are significantly higher when the previous tenant was a smoker. A 2009 study of public and subsidized housing units by Smoke-Free Housing New England found the cost of rehabbing a unit previously occupied by a heavy smoker was $3,515 compared to $560 for a non-smoker, with the biggest cost differentials attributed to handling the impact of smoke-infestation on flooring, appliances, bathrooms and painted walls.

· Secondhand smoke in multi-unit dwellings cannot be fully contained with ventilating systems, exposing non-smoking residents to toxic smoke. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to more frequent asthma attacks in asthmatic children in the Bronx.

The Bronx Smoke-Free Housing Forum, “Laying the Foundation for Health Living,” is the first in a series of such forums throughout the Bronx. The Bronx Smoke Free Partnership, Councilman Oliver Koppell, and Bronx Community Board 8 hope that today’s forum will inspire further discussion with decision makers and community members about how smoke-free housing policies in multi-unit dwellings can save money for landlords and property owners and improve the health of Bronx residents.

COUNCIL APPROVES RESOLUTION URGING RE-CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE LINKING EXPOSURE TO GROUND ZERO TOXINS AND CANCER

It seems unbelievable many 9/11 survivors suffering from cancer are being told their sickness is not connected to their exposure to toxins on 9/11. Councilman Koppell is leading a fight in the City Council to make sure this injustice is corrected.

Gregory
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COUNCIL APPROVES RESOLUTION URGING RE-CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE LINKING EXPOSURE TO GROUND ZERO TOXINS AND CANCER

At its meeting on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, the Council passed a Resolution, supported by Council Member Oliver Koppell, calling upon Dr. John Howard, Administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program, to examine new evidence indicating a link between exposure to Ground Zero toxins and cancer and reconsider adding coverage for cancers under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (Zadroga Act).

The Zadroga Act provides for medical monitoring and treatment for damages to first responders, area residents, workers, students and others affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks who suffer from illnesses on the list of approved World Trade Center-related health conditions

Cancer is not currently on the list of World Trade Center-related health conditions. However, in its Resolution, the Council cited evidence that city employees and others who were exposed to, and inhaled, cancer-causing toxins because of their presence at the World Trade Center on 9/11 or shortly thereafter were more likely to develop cancer than individuals in the general population.

The Resolution referenced A Case Series on Multiple Myeloma in the World Trade Center Responders that confirmed at least 16 cases of multiple myeloma, a cancer of the white blood cells, out of approximately 28,000 responders. On average, fewer than 7 cases per year are expected for every 100,000 people in the U.S. In addition, an unusual number of responder cases, occurred under the age of 45.

There is also information from the NYPD that the common denominator in the array of cancers contracted by 263 police officers since the attacks was their work related to 9/11. Another recently published study conducted by the NYC Fire Department showed that male firefighters who worked at Ground Zero had an elevated risk of melanoma, thyroid and prostate cancers and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“It is now clear from numerous studies and reports that those individuals who worked and volunteered at Ground Zero in rescue, recovery and rebuilding efforts were exposed to a higher risk of cancer. However, at the present time, those who develop cancer are not entitled to compensation under the $2.7 billion James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. It is imperative, therefore, that Dr. Howard examine the new evidence and reconsider adding coverage for cancers under the Act”, Koppell said.

KOPPELL SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING IMMEDIATE CLEAN-UP OF #1 IRT LINE ELEVATED STATION AT 231st STREET & BROADWAY

Here are results from Oliver Koppell intervening to clean up the MTA station on 231st and Broadway. With cuts looming everywhere and our MTA chairman jumping ship, it's good to see our elected officials picking up the phone and forcing agencies to make sure our transportation system at the very least, hygienic.

Gregory
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KOPPELL SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING IMMEDIATE CLEAN-UP OF #1 IRT LINE ELEVATED STATION AT 231st STREET & BROADWAY

Council Member Oliver Koppell succeeded in getting the MTA to immediately clean-up the #1 IRT elevated station, northbound, at 231st Street and Broadway after a constituent called to his attention the mess that pigeons had created on the handrails, steps and throughout the station.

After being informed about the situation on August 1st, Koppell contacted the MTA’s train division and demanded that they clean the station promptly since the pigeon droppings are not only unsightly, they are also unsanitary. The MTA indicated that they would remove the filth the very same day and, if necessary, power wash it that night.

“I am gratified that the MTA responded quickly to my complaint. However, I was dismayed by the build-up of filth, which straphangers should not have to endure, and I have called for the MTA to monitor and clean the station on a more regular basis.”

Kingsbridge Library Conducts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on New Facility

(Ribbon Cutting)


(Green Roof)

The Kingsbridge Library had it's grand opening today. The new facility is located on the corner of 231st and Corlear Ave. Today's events included music, food, crafts and shows. The brand new 12,625-square-foot branch boasts state-of-the-art reading spaces for adults, teens and children, as well as an outdoor garden, a multipurpose room and NYPL’s first-ever green roof. It will hold over 20,000 books and nearly 40 computers with free internet access and wi-fi. Books, computers and green roofs; sound like a winner all around. Dignitaries present included Councilman Koppell and Assemblyman Dinowitz.

Gregory
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TAX LIEN ASSISTANCE OUTREACH SESSION SCHEDULED AT KOPPELL’S OFFICE ON JUNE 13, 2011

Here is some help available for property owners who are behind on tax payments and are at risk of having their tax debt sold to third parties. I believe the policy to sell tax debt to third parties was part of the recent bill passed by the NYC Council to collect tax funds due to NYC, without getting involved in costly or lengthy litigation. I also assumed the litigation would be used as a measure to prevent apartment buildings from falling to far into disrepair before aggressive litigation would be started by “parties” that can take possession and better provide livable housing stock for NYC residents.

In any event it looks like we will get to see how the bill is implemented and what the actual implications are for city tax rolls, property owners, renters and speculators purchasing these liens. Will the tax lien sale to private third parties spur an industry of private individuals or corporations seeking to acquire properties by securing tax leans and then aggressively perusing litigation to take possession of the property? Will NYC collect additional, much needed, tax revenue while savings on administrative expenses? Will housing stock in NYC be improved?

If any one has any insight on this issue please do inform us via a comment or separate email to BoogieDowner@gmail.com. For anyone who finds themselves on the list please do review the post sent by Councilman Koppel’s office.

Gregory
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TAX LIEN ASSISTANCE OUTREACH SESSION SCHEDULED AT KOPPELL’S OFFICE ON JUNE 13, 2011

Council Member Oliver Koppell has scheduled a tax lien assistance outreach session at his district office, 3636 Waldo Avenue, Riverdale on Monday, June 13, 2011 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for constituents whose tax liens are on the list to be sold.
This sale is the transfer of the lien to a single authorized buyer who hires a collection agency. It is not a sale of the property, but if the taxes and/or charges are not paid or resolved, the lien holder can begin a foreclosure proceeding in court.

A representative from the NYC Department of Finance will be available at the June 13th session in Koppell’s office to meet one-on-one with homeowners with tax liens to help them avoid the Lien Sale by discussing eligibility for exemptions from the sale or ways of resolving the lien.

In order to prevent the sale of a lien on property, the debt must be resolved by August 1, 2011 through one of the following methods:

Pay your outstanding debt in full;
Enter into a payment agreement;
Apply to receive an exemption that will exclude the property from the Lien Sale;
Dispute the charges by filing a formal dispute with DEP or Finance.

Individuals in Koppell’s district who have been sent a legal claim against their property for unpaid taxes, or whose property was on a published lien sale list, are encouraged to attend this outreach session to obtain advice and to take the necessary steps to prevent the sale of their lien The Finance representative will provide assistance in developing payment agreements, resolving billing disputes and helping complete Exemptions applications for those who qualify.

Koppell said, “My office has sent out invitations to this session to those of my constituents whose tax liens are in danger of being sold. I strongly urge these individuals to come to the session in order to obtain the help they need to avoid the sale, which can have serious consequences in the future.”

If you plan to attend, it is necessary to RSVP to Drew Gabriel in Koppell’s district office, (718) 549-7300 or dgabriel@council.nyc.gov to schedule an appointment.

Assemblyman Dinowitz, Congressman Engel, Council Member Koppell, and State Senator Klein Announce Town Hall Meeting set for Thursday May 27th

The following elected officials are conducting a town hall meeting tonight. Anyone interested in expressing themselves or hearing about pertinent neighborhood issues please do review the information posted below.

Gregory

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Assemblyman Dinowitz, Congressman Engel, Council Member Koppell, and State Senator Klein Announce Town Hall Meeting

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Congressman Eliot Engel, Council Member Oliver Koppell, State Senator Jeff Klein, the SAR High School, and the SAR High School’s Political Action Alliance will host a town hall meeting to discuss critical issues such as the federal, state, and city budgets, neighborhood school funding, senior citizen concerns, the expiration of tenant protection laws, the MTA, parking and transportation issues, job creation and economic development, as well as many other important matters. They are eager to hear their constituents’ concerns and opinions.

WHO: Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Congressman Eliot Engel, Council Member Oliver Koppell, and State Senator Jeff Klein

WHAT: Town Hall Meeting, open to members of the public

WHEN: Thursday, May 26th, 7:30pm

WHERE: SAR High School
503 West 259th Street (at Riverdale Avenue)
Bronx, NY 10471
(718) 548-1717

CARLA KOPPELL NAMED SENIOR COORDINATOR FOR USAID’S NEW OFFICE OF GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

Here is news on a position secured by NYC Councilman Oliver Koppell's daughter, related to gender equality and women's empowerment. Don't women have all the power already? All joking aside, good luck to Carla Koppell in her new position.

Gregory
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CARLA KOPPELL NAMED SENIOR COORDINATOR FOR USAID’S NEW OFFICE OF GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

Carla Koppell, daughter of Council Member Oliver Koppell, has been named Senior Coordinator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s new office of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. USAID is an agency, separate from the State Department, that is responsible for handling the distribution of all U.S. assistance to foreign nations.

The purpose of the office is to help bolster the role women play in developing countries. The office will give greater support to female entrepreneurship, scale up initiatives designed to enhance women’s ownership of key assets like land and housing and work to reduce gender gaps in access to new technology and infrastructure.

In making the announcement of Carla Koppell’s appointment, Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator of USAID, said, “Carla will accelerate our efforts to integrate gender equality as cross-cutting throughout the agency. She will provide our leadership with expert advice and guidance, having most recently served as Director of the Institute for Inclusive Security and the Washington office of the Hunt Alternatives Fund where she worked extensively with women and civil society leaders from conflict areas around the world including Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq, the Middle East and Sudan.

“I am very proud that Carla will play an important role in helping to harness the power, creativity and energy of women and girls to deliver meaningful results for the developing world,” Council Member Koppell said.

Bronx Political Figures Photographed Kicking off 2011 Little League Season

Here are some photos sent of Bronx elected officials supporting local little leagues by attending opening day celebrations. Good luck to all the little league players out there.

Gregory
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Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman Oliver Koppell and Senator Klein with kids from the North Riverdale Little League on Opening Day, April 2, 2011.


Senator Klein addressing the Pelham Bay Little League, Saturday April 2, 2011.