On THURSDAY, July 3rd, there will be NO WATER AT ALL from Noon to 6 p.m. to permit repair of a main valve.
Please stock up on water that morning or the evening before, and make sure all your faucets are turned OFF - to avoid a flood once the water comes back on.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Hot Water Shut-Down till 2 PM on June 30, 2008
Because plumbing in one apartment line had to be fixed, the main valve had to be shut off downstairs. However, the building staff then learned that the main valve was defective - and that had to be replaced. That means NO HOT WATER until about 2 p.m.
We do have cold water.
There is a second main valve with a similar problem, and that will be replaced later this week. Presumably we will get notified in advance.
We do have cold water.
There is a second main valve with a similar problem, and that will be replaced later this week. Presumably we will get notified in advance.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Sad news
Lillian Marie Raby Smith
who died on June 27, 2008.
We extend heartfelt condolences to her husband Vernon Smith, her daughter Holly Raby, and her mother June West.
The wake will be
- Wednesday, July 2nd
- 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
- Benta's Funeral Home, 630 St. Nicholas Avenue at 141st Street
The Funeral will be
- Thursday, July 3rd
- 10 a.m.
- St. Charles Borromeo R.C. Church, 211 West 141st Street (between 7th & 8th Avenues)
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Monday, June 23, 2008
Talented Tenants Performing . . .
Congratulations to Nasheka Siddell and Dr. Chip Shelton!
(1) This Wednesday, June 25th, Nasheka Siddell (3rd floor, West side
of building) will be performing at the Village Underground:
Location: West 3rd sreet between 6th avenue and Macdougal!!
(2) Jazz performer and orthodontist Chip Shelton has just released a new CD, and will be performing this Saturday, June 28, from 8-11 PM :
8th CD, "Imbued With Memories", on Summit Records was released May, 2008.
http://thejazznetwork.ning.com
Upcoming CD-release-performances are:
(1) This Wednesday, June 25th, Nasheka Siddell (3rd floor, West side
of building) will be performing at the Village Underground:
- June, 25 2008
- The Village Underground: West 3rd street between 6th ave and Macdougal, New York, New York
- Cost : $10.00
Location: West 3rd sreet between 6th avenue and Macdougal!!
(2) Jazz performer and orthodontist Chip Shelton has just released a new CD, and will be performing this Saturday, June 28, from 8-11 PM :
8th CD, "Imbued With Memories", on Summit Records was released May, 2008.
http://thejazznetwork.ning.com
Upcoming CD-release-performances are:
- Sat. June 28, 8-11pm, Creole Jazz Restaurant, 3rd Av at E118 St, NYC - $10 admission; call 212-876-8838 for reservations
- Tues.July 1, 8-10:30pm, Bahai Center, 53 E. 11th St. NYC;
- Fri. July 4, 8-12pm, Cleopatra's Needle, Broadway @ 93 St. NYC;
- Sat. July 12 10pm-2am, Mintons Playhouse, W.118St off AC Powell Blvd, NYC.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
RGB : HUGE INCREASES
The Rent Guidelines Board voted on June 19, 2008 to grant huge increases to landlords.
Rent stabilized tenants in New York City who renew their leases any time from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009 face
Tenants living in rent stabilized apartments for 6 or more years, with a rent of under $1000 get a higher increase: $85 for a 2-year lease, and $45 for a 1-year lease. Since we have not been in rent stabilization for 6 years, we can assert that this does not apply. (We left Mitchell-Lama on January 7, 2005.)
Check the Rent Guidelines Board announcement by clicking here.
We need a change in the RGB! Click here for a flyer explaining the issues and a bill that could help.
The NY Times wrote
The board that regulates rents for New York City’s one million rent-stabilized apartments approved its highest rent increases in years at a raucous meeting on Thursday, angering tenants who said high rents were forcing the poor and working class out of the city.
At a meeting punctuated by ear-splitting whistle-blowing and shouting matches between sign-waving tenants and landlords, the city’s Rent Guidelines Board authorized rent increases of up to 4.5 percent on one-year leases and 8.5 percent on two-year leases.
The board also took the unusual and controversial step of authorizing a supplemental rent increase that affected only tenants who have lived in their apartments for six years or more. Owners of buildings with those tenants have the option of charging them the approved increases, or a $45 monthly increase for one-year leases or $85 for two-year leases, whichever is greater.
Rent stabilized tenants in New York City who renew their leases any time from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009 face
- For a 2-year lease, you pay an 8.5% increase
- For a 1-year lease, you pay a 4.5% increase.
Tenants living in rent stabilized apartments for 6 or more years, with a rent of under $1000 get a higher increase: $85 for a 2-year lease, and $45 for a 1-year lease. Since we have not been in rent stabilization for 6 years, we can assert that this does not apply. (We left Mitchell-Lama on January 7, 2005.)
Check the Rent Guidelines Board announcement by clicking here.
We need a change in the RGB! Click here for a flyer explaining the issues and a bill that could help.
The NY Times wrote
Board Backs Rise in Rent Up to 8.5%
The board that regulates rents for New York City’s one million rent-stabilized apartments approved its highest rent increases in years at a raucous meeting on Thursday, angering tenants who said high rents were forcing the poor and working class out of the city.
At a meeting punctuated by ear-splitting whistle-blowing and shouting matches between sign-waving tenants and landlords, the city’s Rent Guidelines Board authorized rent increases of up to 4.5 percent on one-year leases and 8.5 percent on two-year leases.
The board also took the unusual and controversial step of authorizing a supplemental rent increase that affected only tenants who have lived in their apartments for six years or more. Owners of buildings with those tenants have the option of charging them the approved increases, or a $45 monthly increase for one-year leases or $85 for two-year leases, whichever is greater.
Rent Guidelines Bd Meeting TONIGHT
The Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) is having its final vote this evening, Thursday, June 19th.
Where: The Great Hall - Cooper Union, 7 East 7th St. (at 3rd Avenue in Manhattan)
When: 4:30 - Tenant Press conference
5:30 - 9:30 Final hearing and vote
Landlords are proposing an increase of $50 to $60 dollars on top of a large percentage increase with any lease renewed between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009.
While the RGB considers landlord expenses, it does not consider landlords' actual profits. This year, while fuel costs have gone up, so have landlord profits.
We need changes in the RGB and changes in the rent laws -- all proposed by the Real Rent Reform Campaign.
Where: The Great Hall - Cooper Union, 7 East 7th St. (at 3rd Avenue in Manhattan)
When: 4:30 - Tenant Press conference
5:30 - 9:30 Final hearing and vote
Landlords are proposing an increase of $50 to $60 dollars on top of a large percentage increase with any lease renewed between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009.
While the RGB considers landlord expenses, it does not consider landlords' actual profits. This year, while fuel costs have gone up, so have landlord profits.
We need changes in the RGB and changes in the rent laws -- all proposed by the Real Rent Reform Campaign.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Money to Move?
Stellar Management has offered some rent stabilized tenants money to move out of the building.
What Stellar would gain:
What Stellar would gain:
- At $3,300 per month rent, Stellar would get $36,900 in one year. In 3 years, that would come to $ 112,700. In 10 years, that would be $369,000.
- The amount any tenant would get is subject to about 20% tax. So if you're offered $100,000, you would actually end up with $80,000.
- Where could you live in NYC for $80,000, and for how long ?
- Our building loses more of its diversity and those who have made this a community.
- Once the apartment is vacant and Stellar "improves" it out of rent regulation, the city and state permanently lose another affordable unit.
East Side Elevators
Building manager Hezi Mizrahi says that both East Side elevators should be in service by June 22nd and that fans will be installed on June 16th.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Beat the Heat
In very hot weather, please check on family members and neighbors who lack air conditioning. The lobby of our building is air conditioned, so if your apartment is not, go to the lobby. In addition, the City has set up cooling centers. The ones in our neighborhood are at:
Goddard-Riverside Senior Center
593 Columbus Ave.
Phone: (212) 873-6600
Contact: Erika Teutsch
Hours: 8:00 to 5:00
Wheelchair accessible : Yes
Manhattan Valley Senior Center
135 W. 106th St.
Phone: (212) 749-7015
Contact: Ana Nery Cox-Ramos
Hours: 8:00 to 4:00
Extended Hours: Hours may be extended during a heat emergency.
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Association of Black Social Workers Senior Center
221 W. 107th St.
Phone: (212) 749-8400
Contact: Stephen Adeyinka
Hours: 9:00 to 4:00
Extended Hours: Hours may be extended during a heat emergency.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Cathedral Towers Senior Center
125 W. 109th St.
Phone: (212) 749-1100
Contact: Janet Brannigan
Hours: 11:00 to 2:00
Extended Hours: Hours may be extended during a heat emergency.
NOT Wheelchair accessible
Stay Cool. Check your neighbors. Stay indoors. Drink lots of water.
The City suggests those of us with air conditioners use them - but to avoid power blackouts, we should set them at 78 degrees.
Goddard-Riverside Senior Center
593 Columbus Ave.
Phone: (212) 873-6600
Contact: Erika Teutsch
Hours: 8:00 to 5:00
Wheelchair accessible : Yes
Manhattan Valley Senior Center
135 W. 106th St.
Phone: (212) 749-7015
Contact: Ana Nery Cox-Ramos
Hours: 8:00 to 4:00
Extended Hours: Hours may be extended during a heat emergency.
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Association of Black Social Workers Senior Center
221 W. 107th St.
Phone: (212) 749-8400
Contact: Stephen Adeyinka
Hours: 9:00 to 4:00
Extended Hours: Hours may be extended during a heat emergency.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Cathedral Towers Senior Center
125 W. 109th St.
Phone: (212) 749-1100
Contact: Janet Brannigan
Hours: 11:00 to 2:00
Extended Hours: Hours may be extended during a heat emergency.
NOT Wheelchair accessible
Stay Cool. Check your neighbors. Stay indoors. Drink lots of water.
The City suggests those of us with air conditioners use them - but to avoid power blackouts, we should set them at 78 degrees.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
We Won the Garage Case!
On June 2, 2008, the Appellate Division, First Department ruled unanimously that DHCR was reasonable when it ruled that garage spaces that tenants had under Mitchell-Lama should remain rent stabilized.
DHCR had held (in two separate decisions) that Mitchell-Lama law required the landlord to provide garage spaces for tenants, and the fact that Goodstein - and then Stellar Management - let another company run the space could not be an exception to the rule.
Hurrah for the late Jacques Rose, our attorney! Hurrah for DHCR! Hurrah for all the garage tenants who supported the case!
DHCR had held (in two separate decisions) that Mitchell-Lama law required the landlord to provide garage spaces for tenants, and the fact that Goodstein - and then Stellar Management - let another company run the space could not be an exception to the rule.
Hurrah for the late Jacques Rose, our attorney! Hurrah for DHCR! Hurrah for all the garage tenants who supported the case!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Crane at 808 Columbus shut down
Following the most recent crane disaster and deaths on the Upper East Side (91st St. and 1st Ave.), the city's Department of Buildings has shut down the 4 similar cranes, including the one at 808 Columbus Avenue.
See the NY Times article.
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