MAINTENANCE AND MODERNIZATION COMMITTEE

WHERE IS THE HEAT?

NO HEAT IN THE DEVELOPMENT

Attention, we are aware that there is and has not been any heat in the development THIS WEEK. I am working on it as of this posting. In a letter to the general manager of NYCHA:
Sir,

I am contacting you to express my concern and anger at the ongoing heating issue and it is only in the first month of the heating season; specifically
the authority CCC staff continues to argue with residents when th

ey call to report lack of heat, the staff is stating "well, its only 50 or 51 degrees out." This is not acceptable as the city heat regulations require heat to be provided if the temperature is below 55 that's BELOW 55 meaning 54 degrees or less. 

This morning at 6:00 AM the temperature was 45 degrees and is still below 55 degrees and there is no heat and has not been any heat.
There are new HPT staff here in the development every few hours and none of them are familiar with Lafayette Gardens or heating operations it would appear, judging by the consistent lack of service.

 A suggestion would be to abolish the jobs of those ESD employees who are sitting outside idling in the NYCHA vans all night doing nothing and replace them with full time permanent HPT staff at developments.

Our Association suggested earlier in the summer that the system be tested and worked on to avoid these types of issues now that the weather has changed. Is our equipment functioning properly; why are we not seeing better results after the installation and implementation of this new centralized and automated heating system; why didn't someone sitting at the control panel in LIC see that there is and has been no heat in our development?

Many senior and older residents are using there ovens and stove tops as heating devices; this is extremely dangerous and not safe for any residents living in the apartment, on the floor or in that building.
There has been no response to the reports or tickets and it is predicted to be colder for the remainder of the week.

The frustrations are wide spread. The residents do not have heat, the development staff is catching the brunt of the anger, development and borough management are caught in the middle and the administration is mute and absent. This is not acceptable and will not be tolerated by the residents and families of Lafayette Gardens.
Essentially, there are major issues and flaws within the NYCHA Heating services and they cannot be blamed on Sandy as they existed well before the storm and most likely will prevail long after.I would appreciate and feel the residents are entitled to an explanation because if our rent were this inconsistent and flawed we would be facing eviction and and sanctions; why shouldn't the authority face the same?

Concerned,
TYree Stanback,President

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

ANNOUNCEMENT

ALL INTERESTED PARTIES BE NOTIFIED

In September 2012 we will begin the election process for officers of The Resident Association of Lafayette Gardens executive Board as stipulated in our by-laws as follows:

September 2012 - Formation of Selection Committee

October 2012 - Nominations

November 2012 - Elections

December 2012 - Inauguration

All offices are up for election

• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Financial Secretary
• Sergeant at Arms

To be elected to an office, you must be a paid member and have attended 7 out 10 meetings in the past 12 months. If you need more information, contact TYree in the Resident Office.

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

AFFORDABLE AND FREE LEGAL SERVICES

>

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

"THE SUPER COMMITTEE"

Many times, we as working class citizens and the less fortunate often times fail to pay close or any attention to the inner workings of Washington. This has to stop immediately.

Many critical and life changing proposals and pieces of legislation are being enacted and voted upon without opposition and input by those it will effect most, that being "US" residents of public housing.

The lawmakers and elected officials are proposing severe and radical cuts and in some cases the elimination of all federal funding for public, subsidized and assisted housing in the United States. The New York City Housing Authority "NYCHA" the largest in the country would be devastated by such swift and dramatic cuts.

At the heart of the matter is federal funding for "Operations and Capital Projects & Development", two of the hardest sheets to balance financially. Simply put, we need money to operate the buildings, services and grounds. It is critical to update, replenish and modernize the properties.

This is more difficult than ever with cuts and decreases in funding coming from all levels city, state and federal sources. The results can be felt and seen in crumbling infrastructures of developments, reductions in quality and frequency of services and the difficulty in response time by the authorities.

On November 16th, a large delegation of Resident Leaders from the New England States ascended on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC to demand continued Federal Funding for Public, Subsidized and Assisted Housing. The leaders met with allies and foes presenting the facts and stories of what and how it will effect lives across the country.

Lafayette Gardens is specifically effected because federal funding is needed for rehabilitation of the roofing on more than half of our seven residential buildings. Replacement of the sewage system under three of the buildings that smells horrendous anytime the temperature rises above 70 outside.

Everyone has felt the pinch of not having enough staff on hand to complete some of the most basic tasks in and around the development including the lack of proper cleaning supplies for the few employees we do have on board.

The Resident Association recommends everyone focuses on what is happening politically in Washington and our local community as we are in for a very long, rough and rocky road ahead and it is going to require all of us to advocate and mobilize to survive.

NLIHC CONFERENCE DAY THREE

HARD CORE TACTICS AND LESSONS

The conference seemed to take on a very serious and hardcore atmosphere today. The sessions some of the best designed topics of the conference took place today. Topics covered today featured:

1. Using Resident Participation Regulations to Build and Sustain Resident Organizations.
Public housing and voucher residents have the right to organize; so do residents of HUD-assisted multi-family developments. Learn what rights you have as a public housing resident under “part 964” regulations: why it is important to elect local resident councils, the type of support PHAs must provide residents, and how to keep your council recognized by the PHA. Also, learn how residents in Boston are developing a peer-led training institute to build and sustain resident organizations. Residents of HUD-assisted multi-family homes can learn about the “part 245” regulations providing for resident organizations.

Speakers: Annette Duke, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Boston, MA
Jim Grow, National Housing Law Project, San Francisco, CA
Peggy Santos, Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants, Dorchester, MA
Moderator: Matt Gerard, Minneapolis Highrise Representative Council and
NLIHC Board of Directors, Minneapolis, MN

2. How to Develop Relationships with Elected Officials.

Hear about strategies that residents can use to engage elected officials in the issues that matter most to them and to build long term lines of communication with officials. A resident and a resident organizer will share experiences in building these relationships between elected officials and individual residents and resident groups.

Speakers: Daisy Franklin, Public Housing Resident Network, Norwalk, CT

Sara Shortt, Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

Moderator: Melissa Quirk, NLIHC, Washington, DC3. Employment from HUD Projects: Section 3 Opportunities and Limitations.

Get an overview of Section 3 hiring and contracting requirements, followed by highlights of recent or anticipated FHEO policies and actions pertaining to Section 3. Hear about advocates’ concerns and suggestions for improving Section 3 policies and practices.

Speakers: Catherine Bishop, National Housing Law Project, San Francisco, CA Rafi q Munir, Program Analyst, Economic Opportunity Division, Offi ce of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC

Moderator: Marcie Cohen, NLIHC Board of Directors, Washington DC

The morning plenary with Congressman Barney Frank was informative, inspiring and realistic for the audience, economic climate and legislation being proposed. It set the stage for the luncheon address by a young fiery & progressive Congressman Keith Ellison whom I was unfamiliar but I know who he is now and I like what I heard.In my opinion today's sessions were among the real meat and bones of the conference for Resident Leaders and Activists. The presenters were top industry leaders and professionals who have been around and heard a few things so they knew what they were talking about.

The materials they shared in class were real working documents that I used the first day back from the conference. I learned so much, it was absolutely amazing.

The conference provided my first opportunity to fellowship and partner with the full Resident Leadership body of NYCHA. I gained valuable insight into our strengths and weaknesses as a body and individual leaders. The experience was very enlightening, it reinforced my understanding of my strongest attributes and why; gave me a reality check that all resident leaders ARE NOT equal in knowledge, enthusiasm and skills.

I established the foundation for some very strong partnerships, resources and alliances down the road."Some personal observations and lessons learned"

- Not everyone has the skills necessary to eat in public!

- Some people have absolutely no clue what is acceptable or appropriate conversation at a dinner table of co workers and guests.

- Breeding and intellect are learned and practiced for some, a piece of clothing that just doesn't fit others.

EXECUTIVE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

"THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF LOW INCOME HOUSING"

DAY ONE Registration and "DAY TWO"

This week March 27 - 30Th "The National Low Income Housing Coalition" held it's annual conference in Washington D.C.. The event was well represented by numerous organizations and activists from New York including a huge delegation representing NYCHA City-wide.

The conference itself is getting mixed reviews for everything from the Location, Presentations and Substance.

The conference is being hosted at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, an old classic lady of grandeur from the past. It feels like stepping back into the opulence and luxury of The Titanic. The hotel is huge and chic in the sense of a museum. Some of the only modern conveniences are the flat screen televisions and computers.The housekeeping, front desk and concierge staff are extremely helpful. Each time I encountered one of them they spoke and offered assistance. The wake up calls were prompt, personal and a live person. The morning paper and beverage arrived promptly as promised.

The opening plenary featured nationally acclaimed and noted Washington Post columnist and author "Michelle Singletary" who ruled the house with her soul stirring and invigorating address "Press on so many will not be Priced Out". The speech directly called us to task and challenged us to stop accepting just anything that is thrown our way but to ask and demand what we need! She had the audience fired up and invigorated like a good Sunday morning sermon as we chanted "NO MORE CRUMBS" NO MORE CRUMBS!She very eloquently illustrated why we need to "press on and press hard" in our right to fair and equitable Affordable Housing as the constitution promotes the general welfare for all. There are far too many wealthy politicians and power brokers who are arrogantly wealthy and have no clue what it means to need or be poor. They create and promote billions of dollars in Municipal Bonds for ballparks and nothing for the basic right to live in a comfortable dwelling.

She reminded us that the millions of people who are forced into "backpack living" should shame us all that a highly prosperous and industrialized nation refuses to help it's own.

I was so excited and motivated by her words that I forgot everything on the breakfast buffet was COLD. She made cold oatmeal and eggs seem just right.

The remainder of the day had very few highlights. The luncheon was cramped, not handicap accessible and understaffed. The service was horrible and slow. The keynote address by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan was interesting and moved the guests to a standing ovation.The majority of sessions in the Resident Track were uncomfortable, disorganized and rushed. The room that I attended several sessions had an occupancy of maybe 20 but actually had 40 - 50 people crammed in. The first 20 minutes were spent collating and distributing the handouts. They then discovered there were not enough materials for everyone. This turned out to be played out at the next two sessions.

The best session of the day and conference thus far for me, was session #3 "Enforcement". Presenters Catherine Bishop (National Housing Law Project), Eric Crawford (Resident Leader) and Diane Yentel (HUD) really hit it on the nail. Making the absolute best of their presentation and engagement of the participants. The information and materials they shared was current, effective and organized captivating and holding the participants interest in totality. They worked and complimented each other beautifully and timed themselves just right. Participants had ample time to ask questions and receive answers that were sincere and not rushed.The registration, information and resource area was excellent with a team of resource professionals and services directly related to the conference. Materials provided by the NLIHC at registration were very well prepared and relevant, including the directory of all participants.The cocktail party in the evening was great. It was more like a working buffet with several carving and specialty stations. It provided an opportunity to engage presenters and network up close and personal.

EYE ON OUR COMMUNITY with "OLA"

NOTEWORTHY AND IMPORTANT IN OUR COMMUNITY!

***In honor of Women's History Month, Special Recognition to all of the Women in the 57th Assembly District and beyond for all that you do to make our society a better place to live and work.

- FREE TREES!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

10am - 12pm

Putnam Triangle - Fulton St. & Grand Ave.

***First come, first served while supplies last. Over 300 free trees will be given away.

For more information contact tree@greenfgch.org or 718.643.6555. Rain DATE: Sunday, March 27, 2011.

See the flyer attached for more information.

- Click on the links below to review the following:

1) Proposals Approved by the New York State Medicaid Redesign Team.

http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/

2) "ANALYSIS: Why Unions are Worth Fighting For."

NOTE: With all that is happening in Wisconsin and across America concerning Union workers, collective bargaining agreements, budget deficits and economic sustainability, the article is an excellent and balanced overview of why we must support organized labor.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/dailybeast/12650_wisconsinprotestswhyunionsareworthfightingfor

3) A NY1 story about the late Edward Carter along with clips from his funeral service.

http://www.ny1.com/content/134635/brooklynites-bid-beloved-community-leader-farewell

***This past Monday I was deeply honored to join our city's largest Public Employee Union, District Council 37 for their Black History Month closing ceremony. Let's continue to celebrate the contributions that so many people of African descent have made to America and recognize the ongoing efforts that continue to be made.

Finally, you may remember me informing you several months ago that I was proud to accept an opportunity to join parents and community advocates to participate in a working group on a quarterly basis with the United Federation of Teachers (UFT). Our responsibility is to develop action plans to address many of the issues that affect our New York City Public School System. I share this with you because this month, I will be participating in three events with the UFT and my hope is that you will forward me your concerns with our public school system so that I may share them with our group.

______________________

"You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas." - Shirley Chisholm

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- Congratulations to the following in the 57th A.D.:

The Teen Challenge Center on the celebration of their 53rd anniversary.

Rev. Clinton M. Miller, Pastor of Brown Memorial Baptist Church on the celebration of his 10th anniversary.

Crown Heights artist Otto Neals who was recently featured in the New York Daily News. Click on the link below for the article.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_artist_80_is_master_of_many_mediums.html

- Condolences to the family of George Desdunes, who was a Cornell University student from Clinton Hill and who recently passed away.

_______________________

- The Cumberland Diagnostic & Treatment Center will host their annual Legislative Forum, "The Future of Healthcare in Brooklyn."

Friday, March 4, 2011

Cumberland

100 North Portland Ave.

10am - 12noon, 4th Fl. Auditorium

Bklyn

You may RSVP at 718.963.8640

- The Queen of All Saints Church in Clinton Hill will partner with the St. Vincent De Paul Society for a Clothing Drive. Please bring your clean, new or gently used items.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

9am - 12noon

Queen of All Saints

300 Vanderbilt Ave. at Lafayette Ave.

Bklyn

- Attention Merchants & Residents! Come out and hear the Department of Transportation's Safety Plans for Washington Ave (b/w Atlantic Ave. & Eastern Parkway)

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

9:45am - 11am

Hope City Empowerment Center

650 Washington Ave. (b/w Dean & Bergen Sts.)

Bklyn

- Join New York City Council Member Al Vann for the 8th Annual Harriett Tubman Day celebration and commemoration.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

9am - 11:30am

Boys & Girls High School

1700 Fulton St.

Bklyn

Guest Speaker: Ms. Laurie Cumbo, Founder/Director of MoCADA

______________

OLANIKE "Ola" ALABI
State Committeewoman / District Leader
57th Assembly District

MAINTENANCE AND MODERNIZATION COMMITTEE

Tenants in Clinton Hill endure sporadic heat since holiday

BY JAKE PEARSON
DAILY NEWS WRITER

Monday, December 6th 2010, 4:00 A

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/12/06/2010-12-06_their_cold_thanksgiving_tenants_endure_sporadic_heat_since_holiday.html#ixzz17OMU8BtG

More than 800 residents in a Clinton Hill public housing complex have been without heat since Thanksgiving.

The New York City Housing Authority's heating system is on the fritz at the Lafayette Gardens Houses, where heat went out the day before Thanksgiving and was briefly restored for only a day.

"On Thanksgiving, we had no heat or hot water," said Tyree Stanback, 51, president of the tenants' association at Lafayette. "It keeps coming on and going off."

Stanback said nearly 200 residents complained to him about their cold apartments over four days last week.

He said he's been calling NYCHA officials at the Centralized Call System and Emergency Services Department offices in Long Island City, Queens, but none of their fixes seem to stick.

"It's been sporadic," Stanback said.

Lafayette is one of 184 city housing projects that use a heating system that is controlled by a NYCHA office in Long Island City, officials said.

The heat level increases in Lafayette Gardens apartments depending on the temperature outside - but Stanback said there are many problems coordinating the four boilers in the complex with the computerized monitoring system in Queens.

"The system is nice on paper, but in reality it's not good," he said.

"Each development has its own inherent problems ... and someone sitting at a switchboard can't see the details of your development."

NYCHA officials said last week plumbers were fixing a broken valve in the hot water tank at Lafayette Gardens.

Officials also said extra staff was assigned to the Long Island City plant to keep tabs on temperatures at the Brooklyn complex.

But resident Deborah Henry said whatever solution NYCHA implements needs to happen fast: Her pregnant daughter is ready to deliver twins any day now, and she can't bring the babies home to her frigid Classon Ave. apartment.

"My pipes are the same temperature they've been since Thanksgiving - ice cold," said Henry, 52, who lives in a four-bedroom apartment on the 18th floor.

"I'm using comforters, blankets, sheets and I'm using my stove," Henry said.

"I take a pan, fill it up with water and put my oven on so that it makes some mist, and we definitely can't bring those babies here with that."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/12/06/2010-12-06_their_cold_thanksgiving_tenants_endure_sporadic_heat_since_holiday.html#ixzz17OME6lDW

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

"A NEW CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP"

Please join me in welcoming our new Housing Manager, Rejice John. Mr John, a native of India, was promoted to his new position after a long and intense search.

Mr. John has been with NYCHA for 15 years and most recently served as the Assistant Manager of Unity Plaza in East New York. He is an avid reader, writer and family man.
He feels LG is a great Place! "I want all residents living in safe and secure atmoshere, mutual respect, we all, I mean residents and management work as ONE TEAM for the betterment of our LG Community and the neighboring communities. All residents have a right to live in a quiet and decent place. We try our 101% best to keep the buildings and grounds clean and in good sanitary conditions. Residents should cooperate with us, I hope and dream."

Mr. John joins Raymond LaSalle, Sean Chavez and the rest of our great team. We wish him the best from the entire Lafayette Gardens Family.

You can personally meet and greet Mr. John at the Resident Association General Meeting on October 5th at 7:00 PM in the Community Center.