De Blasio wants Mansion tax on $2MM and up home sales – middle class!

http://ny.curbed.com/2017/1/31/14453366/bill-de-blasio-mansion-tax-affordable-housing

http://nypost.com/2017/01/30/de-blasio-makes-another-push-for-mansion-tax

De Blasio makes another push for ‘mansion tax’

By Yoav Gonen

 January 30, 2017 | 12:24pm | Updated January 31, 2017 | 12:15pm

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Bill de Blasio Getty Images

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday called for introducing a so-called “mansion tax” that would hit all residential property sales of $2 million or higher with an extra 2.5 percent levy.

Testifying on state funding for the city’s fiscal 2018 budget in Albany, Hizzoner said the revenue from such a tax — which would require approval from state lawmakers — would go toward creating rent subsidies for as many as 25,000 low-income seniors.

He said such new models for creating affordable housing were necessary at a time when federal funding for these initiatives is uncertain.

“The people who would be affected can certainly afford this additional tax,” the mayor told lawmakers.

City Hall officials said the additional 2.5 percent rate would only apply to the part of the sale price that’s over the $2 million mark.

Such a tax would raise around $336 million in fiscal 2018, according to estimates from the Office of Management and Budget.

The proposal will almost certainly be opposed by Republicans who control the state Senate.

A similar measure sought by the mayor in 2015 was rejected.

Andrea Peyser

  

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East Village Honors Explosion Victims and Pledge Safeguards

A solemn press conference took place Sat., Mar. 26, 2016 to remember the tragedy of the East Village explosion a year ago. Sponsored by Council Member Rosie Mendez, the press event drew local politicians, residents, city agencies, first responders and volunteers together again. The sunny day was a backdrop for the grim memory of the explosion that took the lives of two young men, Nicholas Figueroa and Moises Locōn. Photos and tributes were taped to the wire fence that surrounds the plot of land where the buildings once stood, reminders that they died early and preventable deaths.

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Council Member Mendez, along with State Senator Brad Hoylman, Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis of nearby Middle Collegiate Church, Public Advocate Letitia James and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer were among those who vowed to legislate measures to insure this does not occur again. This explosion was an unfortunate similarity to the East Harlem gas explosion in March 2014. According to the speakers, both incidents were caused by building owners who tampered with gas lines to circumvent safety protocols and connection fees.

The speakers assured the crowd of community residents, business owners and others that those involved will be held accountable. Sen. Hoyland further informed the gathering that the lot on which the buildings once stood is on the market for upwards of 10 million dollars. He has therefore sponsored legislation that will prohibit anyone whose negligence caused such a disaster from profiting from the sale of the land or property affected. According to several speakers, this was a working class neighborhood besieged by developers, speculative realtors, and increasing tenant harassment to chase after higher rents commercial and residential.

In addition to thanking the NY Fire Department, NY Police Department, Lower East Side Ready (LES Ready), Red Cross and The Salvation Army, all of the speakers extended special thanks to  NY Emergency Department’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) for their dedicated assistance to the first responders and residents. CERT teams deployed from all over the city, and those present at the conference represented Community Boards 1, 3, 4&5, 6, 9, 10N and Brooklyn. NY’s Emergency Department trains CERT volunteers to assist them in this and similar disasters around the city.

CERT volunteers at East Village Explosion press conference 3.26.16

Council Woman Mendez invited all to attend the memorial service held later that evening at the Middle Collegiate Church. The emotional event signified that New Yorkers will support each other during and after such tragic events. It is hoped that the pledges to prevent another incident that was clearly a result of greed and illegal practices will prove successful.

Inez Hater Journalist

Councilwoman Inez Dickens Gets $36,000 Pay Raise, Despite Lackluster Record

 https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160207/central-harlem/councilwoman-inez-dickens-gets-36000-pay-raise-despite-lackluster-record

By Gustavo Solis | February 7, 2016 4:35pm

Inez Dickens and her colleges in the city council gave themselves a $36,000 raise Friday. Their base salary will be $148,500. View Full Caption

Facebook/Inez Dickens

HARLEM — Councilwoman Inez Dickens deserves a $36,000 raise because she pays for her constituents’ funerals and groceries.

That is the justification she presented to a commission two days before City Council members gave themselves a 32 percent pay raise Friday.

“We’re on the street and therefore we get people who come into our offices when their children have been murdered and they have no insurance and we write the checks to help with burying them,” she said Wednesday at a public hearing.

“We get families that come in and we give them money out of our pockets in order for them to eat. I can personally give you a count of how often I have had to write checks.”

Her chief of staff did not respond to an email asking for that count.

In terms of legislative output, Dickens introduced one piece of legislation in 2015, records show. The only Council member who submitted fewer bills was The Bronx’s Maria Del Carmen Arroyo, who resigned at the end of 2015.

In terms of how much money she brought to Harlem, Dickens distributed $1.1 million in discretionary funds to 150 organizations, records show. The numbers put her on par with her colleagues in the City Council.

An independent commission recommended raising council members’ base pay 23 percent — from $112,500 to $138,500. But elected officials instead raised their own salaries to $148,500 a year.

The extra money is to make up for new restrictions prohibiting members from earning outside income by getting a second job, according to the City Council.

However, that outside income ban only affects 10 percent of City Council members. All members are still able to receive “passive income” from book royalties, renting apartments or investments, according to the commission.

Before the vote, Dickens told the commission that she shouldn’t be “penalized” for choosing to become a “public servant.”

“I don’t feel I should be penalized on my salary because the last time I looked, we still pay the same rent,” she said Wednesday. “We have the same high cost of living as our constituents do.”

Median household income in Harlem was $36,112 in 2012.

Financial disclosure forms from 2014 show the councilwoman has 50 percent ownership in four buildings in Harlem that are worth more than $2 million.

Forget Snow-zilla- Make that Sled-zilla! Harlem Comes out to play after the storm

It was almost the storm of the Century in New York City, and it felt like it. The 26.8 inches of snow officially tallied in Central Park was one tenth of an inch from the record. But who knew that when the blizzard was at it’s height with driving winds and sheets of snow piling up? Mayor De Blasio and Gov. Cuomo declared all commuter rails, city buses and finally all vehicles except emergency transport were to be off the roads. By 6 PM Friday, the city streets were empty except for Department of Sanitation plows doggedly salting and clearing roadways.

The storm blew itself out by Saturday night, leaving a sparkling night sky with a brilliant Venus and full moon. Sunday was as blue and sunny as the day before was gloomy and gray. And that’s all housebound New Yorkers needed – a calm after the storm. Streams of parents with eager youngsters headed for the appealing snowed over hills of St. Nicholas Park in Central Harlem. Every age and manner of sled was in full swing for most of the day.

It was a day to be free of gale winds and stinging snow, to just accept the seasonal event – a Snow Day Sunday.

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RENTAL AVAILABLE $1800 PER MONTH 208 W. 136th Street – Open House Sat. 11-12 noon

 Open House Sat. 11-12 noon

Elegant 208 W. 136th St. Brownstone

http://www.elliman.com/new-york-city/208-west-136-street-gardenapt-manhattan-nkhrfwd

Harlem Blooms!

Rough winter, slow to leave, is finally slipping off into its deserved rest. And all around the City every park and flower plot is eager to take over. Just a few of the newest blooms in Harlem’s St. Nicholas Park.

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And that’s not all – more to come for Harlem’s Spring.

Photos by GHazard

Harlem is Blooming

Spring is set to dress our long bared trees and landscapes, and what a welcome site it will be! Some early risers brighten the Harlem scene till then.

Morning sunlight on spring flowers

Cheery sign of spring in St. Nicholas Park

Early spring riser photo by GHazard

And then there are the buds, unfurling behind every rain. What are you becoming for us?

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Photos by GHazard

CERT NYC Welcomes It’s Largest Graduating Class

New York City just acquired a record 192 volunteers who eagerly trained to become their newest helping hands in citywide disasters. Under  the NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM), volunteers from all five boroughs underwent a comprehensive 10-11 weeks of training from NYFD/EMS and NYPD to aid first responders. After graduation, the new recruits will join their neighborhood Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) to educate their neighbors on the importance of emergency preparation before and when disasters strike. Present at the ceremony were OEM Comm. Joseph Esposito, NYFD Chief of  Department James Leonard, NYPD Chief of Patrol Carlos M. Gomez, NYC Chief of Service Paula Gavin, and Ms. Abby Solomon, representing the family of John D. Solomon.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of team leaders in each borough who showed above and beyond service to emergency preparedness in their communities. In Harlem, JoLinda Ruth Cogen, Team Chief of Central Harlem CERT 10North, received the John D. Solomon Award as the Manhattan finalist. JoLinda was instrumental in organizing the first Harlem CERT after she saw the horrific aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in mostly poor neighborhoods. She leads her team tirelessly in the goal of making Harlem residents ready for emergencies and ready to help others, too.

JoLinda Ruth Cogen earns John D. Solomon Award

 

OEM urges New Yorkers to get involved in planning for emergencies. Check the website:  http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/get_prepared/ready.shtml for ways to safeguard yourself and your family. Then consider becoming involved by applying for membership in your local CERT so that you can also learn how to help others in your area. When disasters strike, you need to be ready to carry on until help can get to you. The best time to prepare is before the emergency – Are You Ready?

   

What’s Your Plan?

 

 

WE NEED A LOT OF CHRISTMAS NOW

With all the tensions around us and within us, this is the perfect time to take that breath. This is THE season that grants unconditional permission to enjoy and embrace and celebrate our existence. It’s that time when we realize (again) that Christmas is not a reason for discount sales but for hope that things will be better; that people will regard each other in friendship and sharing of good will.

Even with the tide of emotional forces threatening to swamp us in enmity and violence, it is within each of us to stop it. To paraphrase a famous starship captain, all it takes is to say: TODAY, I will  not be a hater. TODAY I will respect others. TODAY I will find another way to right a wrong.  It’s Christmas – when is there a better time? It’s not just  saying Merry Christmas, it’s feeling that spirit of hope and yearning for peace and wanting to share it with all around us.

                        SPREAD THE PEACE 

We need a LOT of Christmas right now. Let’s bring it!

For we need a little music, Need a little laughter

Need a little singing Ringing through the rafter

And we need a little snappy “Happy ever after!”

We need a little Christmas now!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A PEACEFUL 

NEW YEAR TO ALL

Lyrics for  “We Need  a Little Christmas Now” from  MAME.  Paraphrase from Star Trek, the TV series: A Taste of Armageddon. Kirk: “We can admit that we’re killers, but we’re not going to kill today. That’s all it takes. Today, we’re not going to be killers.“

Sunday Morning at The Edge

This past Sunday, a sparkling autumn morning, a stroll up lower Edgecombe Avenue became more interesting. There was a handsome dark-paneled frontage with stylish signing of The Edge right on the corner of 139th Street. This eatery replaced a former bodega on this site.

Inside was warm and modern, a nice mix achieved with bared brick, wood dining tables, black ceilings and glazed cement floor. I sat at a table on one of the leather padded benches along the window just before the official brunch started at 11 AM. The friendly waitress took my order promptly. The café had four other patrons besides me, so it was a good time to soak in the quiet, the sun coming in the front windows, and the jazzy vocal standards playing in the background. Locals stopped in for take-out as well.

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Chic, cozy ambiance aside, the highlight of course came when my order of bagel with cream cheese and a cup of coffee arrived. After one or two bites of their incredibly light and lightly toasted bagel, I had to inquire if they baked them on site. The waitress said they get their bagels from a French bakery. As a native New Yorker, I am fond of our local chewier variety, but this bagel was an instant favorite. It was so light one almost had the urge to eat it quickly or it would float away! Fanciful, yes, but next time I will ask for cream cheese on the side so I can appreciate it even more.

I met two of my neighbors as I was finishing. They were also eager to sample the newest coffee shop in Harlem’s Strivers’ Row area. The Edge is the second coffee shop on lower Edgecombe, with the popular Manhattanville Coffee Shop 2 blocks north which opened about a year ago. Starbucks holds court further up, on 145th Street and Bradhurst Avenue.

I will be returning to The Edge soon, as it becomes the local favorite it’s destined to be. I didn’t notice if there was wi-fi but truly I hope not. Let it be the unique cafe that caters to those who actually want a place to eat good food, drink good coffee and chill with a friend for a spell.

And I’m thinking to try more on the menu; the jerk cesar salad sounds quite appealing…

Poem on wall at The Edge. photo GHazard