Yeshiva World News

Uber and Lyft are pushing back against a New York City effort to regulate app-based ride-hailing services.

The proposal before the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission would require car services that riders can book with their smartphones to comply with many of the rules that govern the yellow cabs with which they compete.

The proposed rule changes would address fares, the availability of wheelchair-accessible cars and restrictions on picking up passengers at airports.

San Francisco-based Uber and Lyft say the regulations would discourage innovation.

A few dozen drivers in black shirts protested outside the taxi commission’s Manhattan headquarters before a hearing on Thursday. They chanted: “We love Uber!”

(AP)

The former New York Senate leader and his son have been indicted on corruption charges in Manhattan federal court.

The indictment was returned Thursday against 67-year-old Dean Skelos and his 32-year-old son, Adam.

The Long Island men were released on bail earlier this month.

Dean Skelos was New York state’s most powerful Republican when he was arrested on conspiracy and extortion charges. He was accused by prosecutors of taking official actions so his son could receive more than $200,000.

The indictment added to the accusations by claiming that Adam Skelos received more than $100,000 in payments and health benefits from a medical malpractice insurer. The indictment says the insurer provided Adam Skelos with a no-show job while it lobbied his father on legislative matters.

Lawyers did not immediately comment.

(AP)

Volunteers from Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol (Shomrim) and Rockaway Hatzolah are searching for a missing woman in the Far Rockaway / Nassau area, and are asking for the public’s assistance.

Missing is Tovah Rosenbaum 33-years-old. She is described as 4 foot 11 inches, weighs 110 lbs, and has brown hair. She was wearing black/blue skirt, black boots, and a pink wind breaker.

She was last seen on Wednesday morning 5/27/15 at around 10:00AM.

Shomrim and Hatzolah have searched all Shuls and parks in the Rockaway / Nassau area.

She is known to hang out at the local Woodmere parks and in the Long Beach area.

If you see this woman, or have any information which can assist in locating her – please call RNSP at 917-727-7306 or Hatzolah.

(Chaim Shapiro – YWN)

The New York City area’s three major airports rank the worst in the country for the percentage of flights delayed on the tarmac at takeoff and landing, according to the Global Gateway Alliance. The organization advocates for improvements to airports and related infrastructure.

The study found LaGuardia, JFK and Newark were the top three airports in the country during 2014 with the highest rate of tarmac delays lasting between 61 and 300 minutes, the measure used by the FAA.

At nearly 2,500 tarmac delays, LaGuardia had the highest percentage of flights disrupted. JFK saw an even greater number of flights facing the hours-long delays, at 2,660. Newark’s tarmac delays accounted for over 1,600 flights.

The report says about 660,000 passengers were affected.

It urges the Federal Aviation Administration to speed up use of so-called NextGen satellite-based technology to reduce the runway backlog.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

(AP)

Amidst massive transit delays and gridlock due to disrupted A train service this morning between Howard Beach and Rockaway, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D – Howard Beach) is calling on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to immediately investigate alarming security breaches that reportedly allowed thieves to remove copper track wiring and cut service to the line. Goldfeder also blasted the agency for catastrophic breakdowns in contingency transit plans, including reports of buses blocking vital roadways and leaving thousands stranded during their rush hour commute.

“Families in southern Queens and Rockaway have some of the longest commute times in the entire city. On a normal day, our roads, trains and buses are stretched to capacity. Outages like this have devastating consequences for families simply trying to commute to work or school,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. “I am alarmed by reported security breaches along the A train and the failure to put in place effective alternative travel plans for our families. I demand a full investigation by the MTA to ensure that this never happens again.”

In a strongly-worded letter to MTA Chairman Thomas Prendergast and follow up phone call, Goldfeder called on the agency to conduct an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the security breach that disrupted service for thousands of straphangers. According to the letter, the outage caused widespread delays for thousands of commuters in the community, with shuttle buses intended to aid commuters blocking multiple lanes along Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards, adding to delays. The Assemblyman also wrote that the security breach poses serious questions about the security of the region’s transit infrastructure, pointing out the Howard Beach station’s proximity to John F. Kennedy Airport and the potential for terrorists to exploit this situation.

At around 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, the MTA first reported service disruptions due to damaged power cables near the Howard Beach A Train station. Shortly thereafter, the agency confirmed in a news report posted to its website that the disruption was due to a security breach by thieves stealing valuable copper wiring used to supply power to the station. According to the MTA, this stranded train cars in the Rockaway Park yard, disrupting service to both the A and S trains servicing southern Queens and Rockaway.

As an alternative, limited shuttle service was implemented between 88th Street and Broad Channel, as well as limited northbound shuttle bus service between Broad Channel and Rockaway Boulevard in Queens. The MTA also directed commuters to existing bus service along Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards. According to widespread reports, commuters faced 30-plus minute delays on the heavily-utilized Q53 bus between Woodside and Rockaway Park. Limited shuttle buses also reportedly blocked lanes of traffic at bus stations, extending travel times for motorists and causing bumper-to-bumper gridlock in the borough. In his letter to Prendergast, Goldfeder urged the agency to improve its contingency plans for the future.

Assemblyman Goldfeder has long advocated for improved transit options for families in southern Queens and Rockaway. This includes improvements to current subway and bus systems, immediate ferry service and reactivating the Rockaway Beach Rail Line (RBRL), which until 1961 ran between Rockaway and Rego Park. According to a recent report by the MTA’s Transportation Reinvention Commission, reactivating underutilized rail rights-of-way like the RBRL would help improve resiliency by increasing alternative train routes in the event of disruptions like this morning’s incident.

“Our transit infrastructure in southern Queens and Rockaway can barely handle normal service, let alone a disaster like we saw this morning. Simply put, our families deserve better,” concluded Goldfeder.

(YWN Desk – NYC)

The New York Assembly has voted 89-47 for legislation to establish publicly funded universal health coverage in a so-called single payer system.

All New Yorkers could enroll.

With no patient premiums, deductibles or co-payments for hospital and doctor visits, testing, drugs or other care, New York Health would pay providers through collectively negotiated rates.

It would take insurers out of the mix, funded instead through a progressive payroll tax paid 80 percent by employers and 20 percent by employees.

Waivers would be sought so federal funds now received for New Yorkers in Medicare, Medicaid and Child Health Plus would apply.

Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, chief sponsor, predicts it would save New Yorkers more than $45 billion annually.

Assembly Republicans doubt that estimate.

An identical bill hasn’t advanced in the state Senate.

(AP)

At an emergency meeting yesterday, in the offices of Agudath Israel of America, yeshiva menahalim from all over New York State gathered with askonim and legislators to discuss strategies to rally support for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s groundbreaking education tax credit bill.

Chaired by Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel, the meeting underscored the bill’s special benefits for yeshiva parents and called for vigorous community support to ensure it passes the state legislature in Albany next month.

“This is a historic development, a tremendous breakthrough that promises to be a game-changer,” Rabbi Zwiebel told over 50 menahalim from all parts of the state. Noting the decades-long advocacy of Agudath Israel for tuition assistance dating back to when Rabbi Moshe Sherer z’l, led the struggle, he called the current initiative “a brief window of opportunity – just three and a half weeks – that will end June 17.”

“The forces of opposition are already lining up,” he cautioned, citing the teachers unions and liberal media organs that have slammed the bill. There must be a counter effort powerful enough to push the proposal to victory, he said.

Governor Cuomo introduced his proposal, called the Parental Choice in Education Act, two weeks ago. The bill’s novel feature – a provision allowing qualifying parents to receive tuition aid directly from the government as tax refunds – took many by surprise.

“We knew beforehand that the bill the governor was about to introduce was about tax credits but we didn’t know the details. We were surprised at how far-reaching it was,” Rabbi Zwiebel said.

The single largest component of the governor’s bill earmarks $70 million as a tax credit for low-income parents. It awards $500 per child for whom parents pay tuition. The parents receive the money as a tax refund even if they earn too little to pay taxes. For example, a family of five children will get back $2,500 of their tuition payment when they file taxes.

In addition, the bill provides for $50 million in tax credits for donations to scholarship funds benefiting low and middle income nonpublic school students.

In an atmosphere charged with the sense of a momentous opportunity for the entire yeshiva community, speakers urged all menahalim to mobilize their respective parent bodies in a powerful advocacy effort. They emphasized that the current bill would represent a critical step in governmental empowerment of parental choice in education. To squander this opportunity would carry negative repercussions for the Torah community far beyond the current initiative.

Assemblyman Dov Hikind explained the urgent need for pro-activism, stressing that a grassroots campaign in the form of a massive stream of telephone calls, emails and letters could tip the balance in Albany, producing the numbers needed to pass the bill. He called on all yeshiva parents to make their voices heard. “Give your assemblymen the ammunition they need to fight for this bill,” he exhorted those in the room.

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, joining the conference by phone, noted that a similar tax credit bill aimed at easing the tuition burden of needy families had failed in March due to being linked with the controversial Dream Act that would grant illegal and undocumented immigrants the same access to government scholarships as citizens.

“Coupling” the two pieces of legislation doomed the tax credit bill, he said. De-coupling them is imperative and will clear the way for mustering more support in Albany for this bill. “Our political representatives in Albany must get the clear message from us that the tuition relief bill stands alone,” he advised.

Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz, also participating by phone, addressed the “militancy” of a vocal minority of 18-20 Assembly Democrats who oppose the bill. “We need our supporters in Albany to be more vigorous in their advocacy,” he said. “The only way to counter the forceful opposition is for our allies to be even more passionate about supporting it.”

The speakers noted the paramount role Yeshivas and parent populations can play in determining the fate of the bill by pouring energy into an advocacy campaign in Albany, where the Senate has already approved the bill and the Assembly is poised to vote on it in the coming weeks

“We’ve never seen such an opportunity before and we may never see it again,” urged Chaskel Bennet, member of Agudath Israel’s Board of Trustees. “There should be no mosad in Klal Yisroel and no parent who fails to act to take advantage of this Heaven sent opportunity.”

He reiterated the call for a massive email and phone campaign “minaar v’ad zakein, from across the religious spectrum,” to political representatives in Albany, demanding they come through for their constituents with passage of the historic bill.

(YWN Desk – NYC)

A 10-week-old infant was found dead in her stroller in a Queens park Wednesday afternoon, police said.

On Wednesday at approximately 12:30PM, police officers responded to a 911 call of an unconscious baby inside of a park located at Borage Place and Burns Street in the Forest Hills section of Queens – within the confines of the 112th Precinct.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a 10 week old female to be unconscious and unresponsive. EMS also responded and transported the infant female to North Shore Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The Medical Examiner shall determine the cause of death and the investigation is ongoing.

The deceased has been identified as Zoey Kaplan, 10-weeks old of Dartmouth Street in Queens, NY.

Chesed Shel Emmes is working with the family and authorities to ensure proper Kavod Haniftar.

(Source: Breaking911.com)

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer says city residents are paying an “invisible fare” of $130 a month per household to run the MTA.

Stringer said Tuesday that in addition to the $5.3 billion city residents paid in fares and tolls last year, New Yorkers paid $4.8 billion in taxes, subsidies and direct expenditures to the MTA.

The $4.8 billion includes taxes and fees levied on city residents such as the 50-cent-a-ride taxi surcharge as well as $612.5 million for debt service payments and policing the subway system.

Stringer said New York City contributed 68 percent of the MTA’s operating budget in fiscal year 2014 while New York state paid just 4 percent or $603.5 million.

He said the state and federal governments need to do more to support mass transit.

(AP)

City Hall – Today, Councilman David G. Greenfield, 20 New York City Council Members, and Public Advocate Letitia James held a school safety rally alongside students from Beth Jacob of Boro Park, Barkai Yeshiva, Al-Madinah School, Razi School, Al-lhsan, St. Saviour Catholic Academy, Queen of Rosary Catholic Academy, and Queen of All Saints. In addition, representatives of the following organizations were present: United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York, Agudath Israel of America, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations, Islamic Schools Association, Archdiocese of New York, Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, Sephardic Community Foundation, Catholic Community Relations Council, and Jewish Community Relations Council.

The rally for school safety featured Councilman Greenfield’s legislation, Introduction 65, guaranteeing non-public schools a NYPD school safety agent at the school’s request. The bill would only cost $50 million for protection of 230,000 kids whose private schooling saves the city $5 billion annually. For more information about the bill – and how to support it – visit www.schoolsafety.nyc

“We’re here for a very simple reason: we want to make sure that every single student of New York City that goes to school, whether they go to public school or religious school, is safe. That’s why we’re here. And this is a very simple initiative. The reality is in the last year in New York City hate crimes against religious people are up 20 percent. That’s a scary statistic. School violence across the country is up. We want to make sure every child, regardless of where they go to school, is protected,” said Councilman Greenfield.

Introduction 65 has received overwhelming support from both the community and a super majority of the Council: as of today, 46 of 51 members have signed onto Greenfield’s bill. The bill has received additional support from Public Advocate Letitia James, Comptroller Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, the Catholic Community Relations Council, the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens, the Archdiocese of New York, the Muslim Community Network, the Islamic Schools Association of New York and the NYS Association of Independent Schools.

Greenfield’s legislation would require the NYPD to assign a school safety agent to any school, public or private, that requests one. Although school safety agents are unarmed, they are trained by and work for the NYPD in full uniform and are equipped with police radios that give them a direct link to the NYPD.

“I wholeheartedly support Intro 65 because I believe that protecting our children must be our first priority as a society. The 250,000 students who currently attend schools without access to school safety agents are in unnecessary danger. We need to unite to ensure that this unacceptable status quo is challenged, and the necessary resources are allocated to protect these children,” said Councilman Fernando Cabrera

“All parents who send their children to school whether private or public have an expectation that their children will be safe. Public safety is a city responsibility. This legislation helps to ensure that every effort is made for children to be safe while in their classroom,” said Councilman Maisel.

“The Orthodox Union applauds Council Member David Greenfield for his leadership on this crucial issue. We owe it to all our children to ensure that they are safe at school, regardless of the school they attend. This bill is simply a matter of fairness and we call upon the entire City Council to pass Intro 65 as quickly as possible. The OU will continue to work with our allies in the Council to see this legislation approved,” said Jake Adler, Director of Policy at the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America Advocacy Center.

“The city must ensure that every child – whether they go to a public or nonpublic school – has a safe learning environment,” said Council Member Rory I. Lancman. “It’s vital that we provide all schools with an NYPD school safety officer before a tragedy occurs.”

“With passage, Intro 65 will safeguard all of New York’s students, regardless of the school they attend and help ensure the safety and security of all students and their teachers. UJA-Federation of New York is proud to support this important legislation, “said Elana Broitman, Senior Vice President for Agency Relations of UJA-Federation

“There are thousands of children attending Islamic Schools in New York City and they deserve to be in a safe school environment. ISA supports Intro65 because safety of our children is of utmost importance regardless of them attending public or private schools,” Rafeek Mohamed, President of the Islamic Schools Association of New York

“The City has an obligation to keep all of our kids safe, and it doesn’t matter where they go to school,” said Council Member Dan Garodnick. “We already support private and parochial schools with public dollars in a number of ways, and nothing is more fundamental than safety.”

“Every child, no matter what school they attend, should have a safe and secure learning environment. Providing all schools with the option to request a school safety agent will help ensure students feel protected and are able to thrive in the classroom,” said Councilman Ritchie Torres.

“Safety officers play a critical role at New York City schools,” said United States Congresswoman. Grace Meng, Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Kids Safety Caucus. “They serve as a deterrent to potential crime and ensure quicker response times to emergencies. Students at public schools benefit immensely from the protection that these officers provide, and non-public school students deserve access to this critical safety link as well. The City cannot risk leaving these schools unprotected. As a mother of two young children, I recognize the importance of creating a safe environment for all students in New York City schools. I call for the passage of this bill, and I applaud Councilman Greenfield and other sponsors of this legislation for working to keep all of our kids safe.”

“Our city has an obligation to keep every one of our children safe, regardless of what kind of school they attend. The frightening rise in religiously motivated attacks in New York City and around the world has made sectarian schools more vulnerable than ever, and this bill would provide students at such institutions a measure of much-needed protection,” Said Council Member Mark Levine.

“All of New York City’s school children deserve protection. School safety agents are in public schools; they must be placed in nonpublic schools as well. Intro 65 has overwhelming support in the City Council and to ensure the safety of all of New York City’s school children, we urge its immediate passage,” said Joseph Rosenberg, Director of Catholic Community Relations Council.

“Every child deserves to be safe, regardless of where they go to school,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. “Any school should be able to request a safety agent to protect students. I am proud to support Council Member Greenfield in his efforts to keep our children safe.”

“It’s our responsibility to keep all school children safe, whether they attend a public school or a private school, they all deserve the chance to learn in a safe environment. We live in uncertain times, with school violence on the rise nationwide, this measure will give parents and students peace of mind that they are safe at school,” said Councilman Vincent Gentile.

“Government has an indisputable responsibility to protect children from physical harm. In today’s violent and uncertain times, it is an imperative that we protect children in their school, irrespective of the status of the school,” said Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz.

The rally took place prior to this week’s Stated meeting. Last month the bill was heard at the City Council’s Public Safety Committee. It is awaiting a vote. To learn more information about the bill and help pass it, visit www.schoolsafety.nyc.

(YWN Desk – NYC)

Mayor Bill de Blasio is signaling some support to offer amnesty to New York City residents who have outstanding warrants for low-level offenses.

De Blasio said Tuesday that he could be open to the idea, which was floated by Police Commissioner William Bratton last week in an interview with The Associated Press.

New York’s court system has 1.2 million open warrants for sometimes decades-old infractions for low-level offenses such as drinking in public or disorderly conduct.

Those warrants do not expire, so an individual could be subject to arrest and spend time in jail.

Both Bratton and de Blasio stressed that amnesty would only be for low-level offenses.

It is not clear what an amnesty program may entail. De Blasio said discussions would occur over the coming months.

(AP)

“While trees can often help beautify our neighborhood, stumps that are left behind after a tree has been removed present an unsightly and often dangerous obstruction to homeowners and pedestrians,” said Senator Felder. “As part of the Senator On Site program, I make every effort to visit homes and help the owners resolve any issues they may have.”

Senator Felder was joined by homeowners Martin and Sonia Rosenbaum who, together with the Brooklyn Parks Commissioner and representatives from Brooklyn Forestry, helped to remove the unsightly tree stump in front of the Rosenbaum’s property. The Senator was also joined by the crew of Dom’s Tree Service, who operated the machinery used during the removal.

“This tree stump has caused so many problems,” said Mr. Rosenbaum. “I am so happy that Senator Felder was able to coordinate the removal, and help make our block look cleaner and be safer.”

“I am thankful to Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Jeffrey, as well as Brian LaBelle and Director Andrew Ullman from Brooklyn Forestry, for working with us to help beautify homes and make our sidewalks safer,” said Senator Felder, who was visiting homes on Tuesday to facilitate tree stump removals. “With each tree stump removed, we take one more step towards creating a cleaner and safer neighborhood for all residents.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)

Hundreds of parents and children from Jewish, Catholic, Muslim and other non-public schools joined together today on the steps of City Hall with dozens of City Council members to demonstrate that all schoolchildren—public and non-public alike—deserve to be safe at school. The group rallied for the passage of Intro 65, a bill now before City Council, which will provide the same uniformed NYPD School Safety Agents to a non-public school that a public school receives.

Intro 65 is sponsored by Council Member David Greenfield and has 46 co-sponsors in the Council.

“When it comes to the safety of our children, it doesn’t matter what their religious beliefs are or whether they go to public or non-public schools,” said Council Member Greenfield. “The reality is that there is a need for public safety for our children.”

Allen Fagin, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Orthodox Union, noted that the entire non-public school community has united around the issue of school safety. “The safety of our children is not a political issue; it’s an issue of basic decency and fairness. We stand together to demand that that the City Council passes Intro 65 to protect all of our children.”

“The Orthodox Union applauds Council Member David Greenfield for his leadership on this crucial issue,” said Maury Litwack, Director of State Political Affairs for the Orthodox Union. “We owe it to all our children to ensure that they are safe at school, regardless of the school they attend. The Orthodox Union will continue to work with our allies in the Council to see this legislation approved.”

At the end of April, OU Advocacy-Teach NYS, the nonpartisan public policy arm of the Orthodox Union, launched the New York City School Safety Coalition to support school safety for all of New York City’s schoolchildren. The Coalition, which specifically backs Intro 65, includes the UJA-Federation of New York, the Archdiocese of New York, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and the Islamic Schools Association of New York.

(YWN Desk – NYC)

[VIDEOS & PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) addressed an Isru Chag Emergency Tax Credit Meeting on Tuesday afternoon to advise members of Agudah Israel of America and its affiliates regarding steps that need to be taken in hopes of achieving education tax credits this legislative session. Hikind was joined by his colleagues Assembly Members Phillip Goldfeder and Michael Simanowitz, along with heads of Agudath Israel and numerous New York yeshivas.

The meeting was called to build support for NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed new law, the “Parental Choice in Education Act,” which would represent a breakthrough for the yeshiva community. If passed, the law would provide a $500 per-child tax credit to parents who pay tuition for their children in yeshivas and other nonpublic schools. In addition, it would set aside $50 million in tax credits for contributions to scholarship funds for needy nonpublic school students.

“We have this week and three more weeks,” explained Hikind. “This is when things get done. Here’s what I think needs to be done: You have to set up a war room… and not just Agudath. If you do it by yourself, we’re not going to succeed. You must work with all the others involved in this issue, and let everyone take a certain responsibility in terms of centering in on 20 [Assembly Members]. There are [Members] who are not going to support this bill regardless. If G-d comes down and tells them to support it, it won’t matter. We know who they are. Forget about them. Agudah has to take a list of people and not go to the same people again. Meet with those people, explain it to those people. The arguments that have been made [opposing this] are ludicrous and dishonest. The radio ad that’s running from the teacher’s union that I responded to very strongly said this is for the rich. That’s shecker. It’s the Big Lie.”

Hikind, an early proponent of these tax credits, has remained a stalwart, vocal supporter of the need for these measures in New York State. The Assemblyman recently introduced Governor Cuomo to a huge crowd at Yeshiva Shaare Torah in Flatbush when the Governor came to address the community regarding his new law.

(YWN Desk – NYC)

A person was shot dead on Newkirk Avenue in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, Tuesday night.

The NYPD tells YWN that at approximately 9:3-0PM, police responded to a 911 call of a male shot in the vicinity of East 17 Street and Newkirk Avenue – within the confines of the 70 Precinct.

Upon arrival, officers observed a 27-year-old male lying unconscious in front of 1710 Newkirk Avenue, after being shot at least one time in the torso. EMS also responded to the location and transported the victim to Kings County Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.

The deceased has been identified as Kurton, Raphael – of Ocean Avenue.

(Chaim Shapiro – YWN)

Mayor Bill de Blasio is touting the success of his Vision Zero program to reduce the number of pedestrian and traffic fatalities in New York City.

De Blasio said on Tuesday that from January 1 to May 25 in 2013, there were 65 pedestrian fatalities.

He said that last year, after he took office and some Vision Zero safety measures were put in place, that number fell to 47 over the same period. This year, it’s 44.

The mayor said overall traffic fatalities have also fallen from 95 at this point in 2013 to 91 last year and 81 this year.

But he acknowledged that the “work of Vision Zero never ends” and that further safety improvements and tougher enforcement were needed.

(AP)

Councilman David G. Greenfield is teaming up yet again with New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) to get his constituents free legal help. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27th, the NYLAG mobile van will be parked outside the Councilman’s district office (4424 16 Avenue, Boro Park) to offer assistance to residents who seek legal guidance but cannot afford an attorney. Anyone interested in taking advantage of these free services is encouraged to call Councilman Greenfield’s office at (718) 853 2704 to schedule a 45 minute legal assistance appointment. Attorneys will be on hand to provide free confidential legal advice pertaining to issues residents have with government programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, housing and other public assistance programs.

“People call my office everyday looking for legal support, but do not have the money for a consultation with an attorney. I am proud to provide my constituents with this invaluable and free service through the New York Legal Assistance Group,” said Councilman Greenfield. “This service was hugely successful last year, servicing many of my residents. I look forward to the same outcome this Wednesday.”

Councilman Greenfield is committed to expanding legal assistance in his district. He hosted the community’s first ever NYLAG mobile legal assistance day with great success in the spring of 2013 and the fall of 2014. Additionally, the Councilman has sponsored free immigration-related legal services in a partnership with the City University of New York Citizenship Now! project and free mortgage-related legal services through the Brooklyn Housing and Family Services. Any resident interested in accessing immigration services and mortgage advice is encouraged to call the Councilman’s district office to schedule an appointment.

The NYLAG mobile van will be parked outside Councilman Greenfield’s office at 4424 16th Avenue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Wednesday. Interested residents should immediately contact his office at (718) 853-2704 for more information about the types of services that will be provided or to schedule an appointment. Appointments are first come, first serve. Residents should bring identification and any relevant paperwork or documents to their appointments.

(YWN Desk – NYC)

Another poll says New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s favorability and job performance ratings have hit the lowest point of his tenure as governor.

Tuesday’s Siena College survey put the Democratic governor’s favorability rating at 53 percent, down from 63 percent in June 2014. His job performance rating is 41 percent, down from 49 percent in June of last year.

The findings are similar to those in a Marist College poll earlier this month.

Ninety percent of respondents in the Siena poll said Albany corruption remains a “serious problem” following the arrest of two top lawmakers this year. But those surveyed said education and jobs and the economy should be higher priorities for lawmakers.

The telephone poll of 695 registered voters last Tuesday through Thursday has a 3.7 percentage point margin of error.

(AP)

A reactor that was shut down during a transformer fire two weeks ago at a suburban New York nuclear power plant has returned to service.

Plant owner Entergy Nuclear said Tuesday that Indian Point 3 went back online Monday. The transformer that was destroyed in the May 9 fire has been replaced.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. And a cleanup continues of oil from the transformer that leaked into the nearby Hudson River.

In addition, federal regulators are looking into the accumulation of water near electrical safety equipment after the fire.

The other reactor on the site was unaffected. Together the reactors generate about a quarter of the power used in New York City and Westchester County.

The facility is about 30 miles north of midtown Manhattan.

(AP)

NYPD officers shot and killed a man in Brooklyn Tuesday morning hours after police say he allegedly killed an ex-girlfriend in a casino parking lot.

The following details are via Breaking911:

On Monday, May 26, 2015 at 2:20AM, police responded to a 911 call of a person shot at Resorts World Casino in Queens (110-00 Rockaway Boulevard), within the confines of the 106 Precinct. Upon arrival, officers found a 55-year-old female with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. EMS responded and transported the victim to Jamaica Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. A preliminary investigation determined the identity of the suspect sought in connection with the homicide fled the scene in a white Dodge Charger.

At 5:53AM, personnel assigned to the Queens Warrant Squad, a sergeant, detective, and police officer, all in plain clothes, operating a white unmarked department van, located the vehicle fitting the description in a parking lot in front of 875 Pennsylvania Avenue in Brooklyn – within the confines of the 75 Precinct. As they approached the vehicle, a male suspect inside of the vehicle displayed a firearm and began to fire toward the unmarked van at the officers. All three of the members of the service discharged their firearms in the direction of the armed suspect, striking him multiple times about the body. The suspect was transported via EMS to Brookdale Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. A .380 caliber semi-automatic firearm and additional ammunition were recovered at the scene. All three members of the service were not injured and went to Jamaica Hospital for tinnitus. The investigation is ongoing.

The identity of the deceased suspect is pending family notification.

(Source: Breaking911.com)