Let #PuertoRico File for Bankruptcy- BP, Pols Say

Let #PuertoRico File for Bankruptcy- BP, Pols Say 

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has issued a letter, in conjunction with over 100 elected officials from across the nation, demanding immediate action from Congress to enact legislation that will allow the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to enter bankruptcy.

The letter can be read here:http://on.nyc.gov/1Wh8Vdz.

“The interests of the Puerto Rican community, whether they are in Puerto Rico, New York, New Jersey, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida or anywhere else are American interests. Congress has an obligation to act and pass legislation that seeks to amend the Federal bankruptcy code and provide Puerto Rico, and its related power authorities and municipalities, access to Chapter Nine Bankruptcy protections,” states the letter.

The magnitude of debt owed by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its associated debt issuing authorities is at a critical juncture. Congress’ failure to address this crisis presents a substantial threat not only to the economy of Puerto Rico, but the United States economy as a whole.

“I am appreciative that so many elected officials from across the United States understand the need for federal action to address Puerto Rico’s ongoing debt crisis and were willing to join forces with my office to push Congress on this issue,” said Borough President Diaz. “I will continue to work with my colleagues to advocate for a remedy to the crushing fiscal crisis facing the commonwealth.”

List of elected officials signing the letter:

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

NYS Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie

NYS Senator Jeffrey Klein

NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito

NYC Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz

Hudson County NJ Board of Chosen Freeholders Chairman E. Junior Maldonado Chairman

Mayor of Hartford, CT Pedro E. Segarra

Mayor of Yonkers, NY Mike Spano

Mayor of New London, CT Justin Finizio

Mayor of Paterson, NJ Jose ‘Joey’ Torres

NYS Senator Tony Avella

NYS Senator David Carlucci

NYS Senator Leroy Comrie

NYS Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz

NYS Senator Martin Dilan

NYS Senator Adriano Espaillat

NYS Senator Michael Gianaris

NYS Senator Jesse Hamilton

NYS Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson

NYS Senator Brad Hoylman

NYS Senator Liz Krueger

NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery

NYS Senator Kevin Parker

NYS Senator Jose Peralta

NYS Senator Bill Perkins

NYS Senator Gustavo Rivera

NYS Senator Diane Savino

NYS Senator Jose M. Serrano

NYS Senator Toby Stavisky

NJS Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez

NJS Senator Nellie Pou

NJS Senator M. Teresa Ruiz

Florida State Senator Darren Soto

NYS Assembly Member Thomas J. Abinanti

NYS Assembly Member Carmen Arroyo

NYS Assembly Member Michael Blake

NYS Assembly Member Michael Benedetto

NYS Assembly Member Marcos Crespo

NYS Assembly Member Maritza Davilla

NYS Assembly Member Michael DenDekker

NYS Assembly Member Erik Dilan

NYS Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz

NYS Assembly Member Herman D. Farrell

NYS Assembly Member Mark Gjonaj

NYS Assembly Member Deborah Glick

NYS Assembly Member Richard Gottfried

NYS Assembly Member Latoya Joyner

NYS Assembly Member Brian Kavanagh

NYS Assembly Member Charles Lavine

NYS Assembly Member Guillermo Linares

NYS Assembly Member Shelley Mayer

NYS Assembly Member Walter T. Mosley

NYS Assembly Member Francisco Moya

NYS Assembly Member Felix Ortiz

NYS Assembly Member Amy Paulin

NYS Assembly Member Victor Pichardo

NYS Assembly Member Diana Richardson

NYS Assembly Member Jose Rivera

NYS Assembly Member Annette Robinson

NYS Assembly Member Robert Rodriguez

NYS Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal

NYS Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright

NYS Assembly Member Luis Sepulveda

NYS Assembly Member Michael Simanowitz

NYS Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon

NYS Assembly Member Aravella Simotas

NYS Assembly Member Michaelle C. Solages

NYS Assembly Member Matthew Titone

NYS Assembly Member David Weprin

NYS Assembly Member Keith Wright

Connecticut Representative Angel Arce

Connecticut Representative Juan Candelaria

Connecticut Representative Matt Lesser

Connecticut Representative Jason Rojas

Connecticut Representative Christopher Rosario

Connecticut Representative Edwin Vargas

NJ Assembly Member Carmelo Garcia

NJ Assembly Member Annette Quijano

NYC Council Member Maria del Carmen Arroyo

NYC Council Member Fernando Cabrera

NYC Council Member Andrew Cohen

NYC Council Member Costa Constantinides

NYC Council Member Laurie Cumbo

NYC Council Member Inez Dickens

NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm

NYC Council Member Rafael Espinal

NYC Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland

NYC Council Member Dan Garodnick

NYC Council Member Vanessa Gibson

NYC Council Member Corey Johnson

NYC Council Member Andrew King

NYC Council Member Karen Koslowitz

NYC Council Member Rory Lancman

NYC Council Member Brad Lander

NYC Council Member Stephen Levin

NYC Council Member Mark Levine

NYC Council Member Alan Maisel

NYC Council Member Carlos Menchaca

NYC Council Member Rosie Mendez

NYC Council Member I. Daneek Miller

NYC Council Member Annabel Palma

NYC Council Member Antonio Reynoso

NYC Council Member Donovan Richards

NYC Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez

NYC Council Member Helen Rosenthal

NYC Council Member Ritchie Torres

NYC Council Member James Vacca

NYC Council Member Jumaane Williams

Detroit City Council Member Raquel Castaneda-Lopez

Philadelphia Council Member Maria Quinones Sanchez

Philadelphia Council Member Blondell Reynolds Brown

Massachusetts State Representative Marcos Devers

#PuertoRico #Bankruptcy

BRONX NEWS: Teen Wounded in Co-op City Shooting

BRONX NEWS: Teen Wounded in Co-op City Shooting: Teen Wounded in Co-op City Shooting By David Greene   BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Police are looking for the gunman who shot and ...

Teen Wounded in Co-op City Shooting

Teen Wounded in Co-op City Shooting

By David Greene

 

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Police are looking for the gunman who shot and wounded a teenager on a basketball court in Co-op City.

 

According to police officials, a 15-year-old male was shot one time in the vicinity of 120 Donizetti Place at 9:15 p.m. on August 9.

 

EMS confirmed that the unidentified victim was transported to Jacobi Hospital in stable condition, but could not immediately say where on the body the young victim had been shot.

 

Police have not yet made and arrest in the case, but continue to investigate the incident.

#NYPD #CoopCity

BRONX NEWS: New Bill Hopes to Curb Future Legionnaires’ Outbre...

BRONX NEWS: New Bill Hopes to Curb Future Legionnaires’ Outbre...: New Bill Hopes to Curb Future Legionnaires’ Outbreaks BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Mayor de Blasio, New York City Council Speaker Melis...

New Bill Hopes to Curb Future Legionnaires’ Outbreaks

New Bill Hopes to Curb Future Legionnaires’ Outbreaks

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Mayor de Blasio, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and New York City Council Members announced a proposal for legislation to regulate cooling towers in order to protect New Yorkers and reduce the risk of future Legionnaires’ outbreaks.

 

The legislation is the first in the nation to provide for detailed requirements and oversight, including mandatory registration, testing and inspections of cooling towers, and sanctions for failure to comply with new standards. Its provisions are designed to ensure adherence to industry standards for maintenance, cleaning and testing for microbes, and reporting of samples that present a serious health threat to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

 

“We are confident the Legionnaires’ outbreak in the South Bronx has been contained, and are working with our partners in the City Council to protect the entire city in the long-term through stringent new regulations for building owners,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “New York is the first major city in the nation to propose new registration, inspection, and enforcement standards for the cooling towers which harbor Legionnaires’ bacteria. This action reflects our chief priority: to safeguard the health of New Yorkers.”

 

“This legislation will create new registration, maintenance and inspection requirements for cooling towers and will give the City the information and tools it needs to enforce them. The City, under Dr. Mary Bassett, and state and federal governments, have all been working together during this outbreak and this legislation is a critical part of our efforts to proactively combat such outbreaks in the future,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

 

“Our city must do everything we can to fight the Legionnaires’ outbreak, which is why legislation requiring regular inspections and testing of cooling towers is extremely important. Without proper maintenance, cooling towers can accrue an overgrowth of legionella, causing what has proven to be a fatal outcome for far too many New Yorkers. As Chair of the Council’s Housing and Buildings Committee, I am proud to work with our administration to solve this crisis, and look forward to discussing this legislation during tomorrow’s hearing,” saidCouncil Member Jumaane D. Williams.

 

“We must do all that we can to prevent outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “By proposing unprecedented standards and oversight for cooling tower inspections, we are leading the way in reducing the risk of future outbreaks. This legislation is an important step we can take to further protect the health of New Yorkers.”

 

“This strong proposal will greatly help reduce the risk of another mass outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City,” said Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler.

 

“The Department launched an online cooling tower registration portal over this weekend and we are encouraging all property owners and managers to register their unit. Signing up takes only a few moments and will help our public health officials fight back against Legionnaires’ disease.”

 

In advance of the legislation, the City has developed a registration database for buildings with cooling towers and evaporative condensers in order to make sure they are properly maintained and cleaned. Voluntary registration can be done online at NYC.gov/buildings. The Department of Buildings will provide assistance to property owners during the voluntary registration sign-up period.

 

The proposed legislation will require the following:  

 Registration and Certification

 Registration of cooling towers with the Department of Buildings prior to initial operation.

 Registration of existing cooling towers with DOB within 60 days of the law taking effect.

 Annual certification to DOB by owners or operators that cooling towers have been inspected, tested, cleaned and disinfected in accordance with DOHMH regulations.

 Notification to DOB within 30 days of removing or permanently discontinuing cooling towers, with a statement that the cooling tower was cleaned and sanitized in compliance with DOHMH requirements.

Maintenance, Inspections and Testing of Cooling Towers

 Development of a maintenance program and plan that is in accordance with the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standard by building owners.

 Inspections and testing of cooling towers by qualified persons on a quarterly basis when a building’s cooling tower is in use, and within 15 days before the initial use during any year. Inspections must include a test for the presence of microbes in the water of the cooling tower. 

 Establishment of acceptable methods of testing and laboratory analysis by DOHMH rule, including the acceptable methods of cleaning and disinfecting cooling towers, the levels of microbes in cooling towers that require mitigation to prevent health risks, and the levels of microbes that present a serious health threat and require immediate reporting to the Health Department, and cleaning and disinfecting.

Enforcement

 Failure to register, notify discontinuance of use, or submit annual certification to the Department of Buildings shall be a major violation, punishable by a penalty to be established by DOB rule.

 Health Department will inspect cooling towers and levy significant penalties for violations. In cases where an owner fails to disinfect or otherwise remediate as ordered, the Health Department will clean the tower and bill the owner.

Reporting

 DOHMH, in collaboration with DOB, would be required to provide an annual report for the next 10 years that includes data on compliance with this law.

 DOHMH would also be required to provide recommendations concerning the expansion of these requirements to other water systems and equipment and the need for changes or updates to the maintenance and planning standards referenced in the law.

 

 

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