Dear Neighbors,
With the holidays fast approaching I hope you'll consider making a donation to our annual Toy Drive for children on the Upper West Side. New, unwrapped toys are being accepted at our District Office (563 Columbus Avenue) until December 13th.
Please note that we are unable to accept used toys and other miscellaneous items. Please donate them to the Salvation Army on W. 96th Street, off West End Avenue, and/or the wide variety of religious institutions in our community. Thank you for your generosity!
Stay Fire Safe This Holiday Season!
The winter season brings about many changes in our homes. Heating systems are in use and we celebrate the holidays by decorating, lighting candles, and cooking large meals. More than one-third of home fires occur during the months of December, January and February -- most of these fires and injuries are preventable by taking simple precautions. Click here for tips from the FDNY that will help keep you and your family safe.
Town Hall on the Future of Local Businesses
I hope you will join me and other elected officials next Thursday (12/5) as we discuss how to best support our local businesses and maintain vibrant commercial corridors on the Upper West Side. We will discuss City and State public policy options, as well as dramatic changes in consumer habits. Thank you to UWS Save Our Stores for bringing us together for this important conversation.
Public Safety on the Upper West Side
At the most recent 20th Precinct Community Council meeting, Dep Inspector Malin spoke about a disturbing uptick in petty larceny in our area (theft of cell phones and wallets, street harassment, etc.). This is an issue throughout Manhattan apparently, and the NYPD is developing a coordinated response for the borough. I am working closely with the 20th Precinct, and am committed to ensuring they have stable and consistent resources in order to fully address these crimes.
Upcoming Events for Tenants
Do you have questions about a recent rent increase, or feel that your rent is suspiciously high? Met Council on Housing is hosting a Rent Overcharge Clinic, with attorneys present, on Tuesday, December 3rd, from 6:15 to 8:30pm. Location: YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood, 54 Nagle Avenue. (A train to 190th St or 1 train to Dyckman St.) Please direct any questions to Johanna at [email protected] or (212) 979-7204.
My office's next Monthly Housing Clinic takes place on Wednesday, December 4th, from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Location: Bernie Wohl Center, 647 Columbus Ave, between W. 91st and 92nd Sts. Our December discussion topic is how to get repairs done. Attorneys will be available for free consultation with residents (Bilingue: Español). For any disability accommodations, please contact my office at (212) 873-0282.
Free Immigration Legal Services
Please spread the word that FREE immigration-related consultations and application assistance are available now on the Upper West Side. These services are provided by CUNY Citizenship Now! and supported by City Council funding. Please call (212) 652-2071 to make an appointment.
NEWS FROM CITY HALL
Under my leadership, the Committee on Women & Gender Equity conducted an oversight hearing today about access, resources, and support for transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary—or TGNC/NB—New Yorkers.
The information conveyed during the hearing is an important step toward improving the City’s ability to hear all voices and serve all of its diverse populations, regardless of gender identity. Data collection regarding TGNC/NB New Yorkers has been limited, sometimes for reasons related to privacy and consent, other times for a lack of understanding of the lived experiences in the community.
We had enormous interest in this hearing, especially from students across the five boroughs, and over 50 people submitted testimony. We also heard from the City's Human Rights Commission and the First Lady's NYC Unity Project, which supports transgender and gender non-conforming youth. Watch the hearing here.
In 2019, I have introduced bills which seek to address pressing weaknesses in City treatment of transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers. My legislation creating a new Board of Correction Task Force to review the treatment and housing of trans people in City jails, was passed by the Council in June. The task force will bring people with lived experiences to the table, as well as experts in transgender policy. It was enacted following the death of Layleen Cubilette-Polanco, an Afro-Latinx transgender woman, while incarcerated on Rikers Island.
I have also introduced legislation mandating that the City's Dept of Social Services report publicly about outreach and services for transgender and gender non-conforming people in domestic violence shelters. Better information is urgently needed regarding how well survivors of all genders are being served by the City.
As always, don't hesitate to contact my City Hall (212-788-6975) or District (212-873-0282) offices with any questions.
My warmest wishes to you and yours for a happy and restful Thanksgiving.
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