March 2013 - In this issue:

Victory: A New Middle School Opens in September 2014 Important Update for Co-Op and Condo Owners New Legislation to Allow the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to Use Blue Lights Free Mammography Screening: The Scan Van is Coming to the UES on Thursday, May 2nd New York City Parks Is Hiring Lifeguards For The Summer Free Monthly Legal Clinic For Tenants
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Visit my website: www.MicahKellner.com

Victory: A New Middle School Opens in September 2014

For the longest time there was an elementary school overcrowding crisis in our neighborhood. That is why I worked to create three new elementary schools in the Upper East Side. We were then faced with a middle school overcrowding crisis so I, along with parents, worked together to fight the middle school madness. WE DID IT! Together we have convinced the Department of Education to open a new public middle school (and not a charter school) in the PS 158 Annex starting September 2014. The space in PS 158s Annex will provide well over 300 middle school seats which is just what our community needed. Thank you for all your support in rallying and fighting hard to open a much needed middle school in the neighborhood. Last year, after delivering over 2,000 petitions to Chancellor Dennis Walcott to Stop the Middle School Madness, he responded by stating in Our Town: were going to be conscious of hearing what the parents have to say We are grateful to Chancellor Walcott for keeping his promise to listen to us. Together we can achieve outstanding results like this. Over the years I have worked tirelessly to provide quality education for the children of our community. I, along with my East Side colleagues, have opened three new elementary schools and now a new public 1

middle school to relieve the overcrowding. We have the best schools in the city and my goal is to continue doing everything I can to help keep it that way. To read the OurTown article, please see the attached copy at the end of this newsletter.

Important Update for Co-Op and Condo Owners:

You may have recently received a letter from the New York City Department of Finance with the subject line Re: Change In Your Cooperative Tax Abatement or Re: Change In Your Condominium Tax Abatement, which also contained a tax abatement residence verification form. The language in this letter is confusing, which is why I have addressed it in my most recent Community Bulletin. The letter implies that your co-op or condo is being phased out of the previously existing tax abatement program because it is not your primary residence. This is only reflective of the Department of Finances records but it is not a final ruling. If your co-op or condo is your primary residence, you can easily correct the problem by filling out and submitting the form included with the original letter. The previous deadline to submit this form was April 1st, but it has been extended to April 12th. Your unit will only be phased out if it is not your primary residence and/or if this form is not properly filled out and returned by April 12th.

I have attached an example of the letter from the NYC Department of Finance at the end of this newsletter for your review.

New Legislation to Allow the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to Use Blue Lights
I have recently introduced legislation (A.6076) which permits the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to use blue lights on buses. Until recently, the select bus service (SBS) in New York City had been using blue lights to signal passengers. However, it was discovered that under the current law only volunteer fire and emergency medical technician (EMT) services are permitted to use blue lights on vehicles. In compliance with the law, the MTA removed the blue lights. Removal of the lights has caused SBS passengers to experience unnecessary delays as passengers cannot differentiate the select bus from the standard bus service. My office has received many complaints from constituents about the issue. It is important to know when the bus is coming because unlike normal MTA buses, the select bus service does not utilize metroCards. SBS require special tickets to be purchased from vending machines prior to boarding. When passengers cannot see the bus approaching from far away, they do not know to purchase the tickets ahead of time from vending machines. This causes unnecessary delays. This legislation will remedy the issue by permitting the use of blue lights on buses once again. Passengers will be able to recognize the vehicles once again from afar and riders will be able to reach their destinations on time. The select bus service will actually be able to fulfill its purpose as a faster alternative to traditional MTA buses. I will do my best to ensure swift passage of this bill and will continue to create legislation that improves the quality of life for all New Yorkers. You can read more about my legislation by entering this web address: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A06076

Free Mammography Screening: The Scan Van is Coming to the UES on Thursday, May 2nd
My office, in partnership with Project Renewals Scan Van program is coordinating a free mammography screening program on Thursday, May 2nd, 2013, starting at 8:30 a.m. at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, located at 331 East 70th Street. The mobile mammography van will be parked on First Avenue between 70th and 71st Streets. Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in the United States. According to the National Cancer Institute, it is estimated that 226,870 women were diagnosed with and 39,510 women died of breast cancer in 2012. While there are treatments, early detection of breast cancer is the best way to prevent its worst consequences. I hope that by providing this service, women who may not have been able to get a mammogram in the past will see this program as an opportunity to take the first steps towards protecting their health. This service is available for any woman over 40 years of age who has not had a mammogram in the past 12 months, regardless of whether or not they have insurance coverage. Space is limited and appointments are necessary, so women who would like to take advantage of this opportunity should schedule their appointments as soon as possible by calling Project Renewal at 1-800-564-6868. All appointments must be made by May 1st. If you schedule an appointment, on the day of your visit, it is recommended that you wear a two-piece outfit, and refrain from using any oil, powder, deodorant, or perfume. If you have Medicare, Medicaid or other health insurance, you must bring your card with you, though you will not be charged a co-pay. If you do not have health insurance, your services will be paid for by the New York State Cancer Services Program. The results of your mammogram will be sent to you will be sent to you within 10 business days. These professional medical services will be provided by Project Renewal Scan Van. 2

New York City Parks Is Hiring Lifeguards for the Summer

Do you want to spend your summer at the beach and get paid for it? Try out for New York City's Lifeguard Training Program. The City Parks Department is expanding its recruitment efforts this year to find lifeguards for its 55 outdoor pools and eight beaches throughout the five boroughs. Working as a lifeguard provides young people with the chance to be a part of a large public organization committed to public safety. The minimum qualifications to enter the training course are that participants: be at least 16 years old at the time of employment have eyesight no worse than 20/30 in one eye and 20/40 in the other eye be able to swim 50 yards in 35 seconds with proper form Those who qualify will enter the training program, which consists of swimming and rescue techniques, first-aid and CPR. The program is not only free, but candidates who successfully complete the course will be paid for their time spent in training once they begin working as a lifeguard. First year lifeguards

will earn at least $13.57 an hour. Most lifeguards will work six days a week during the season. The City needs excited, energetic young people to protect the swimmers at our pools and beaches. You can read more about the application process and apply for training on the Parks Department's website by entering this web address: http://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/jobs/lifegu ards

Free Monthly Legal Clinic For Tenants

I continue to work with Eviction Intervention Services to offer a free monthly legal clinic for tenants. If your landlord is harassing you or threatening you with eviction, or is refusing to make necessary repairs, and you can't afford to hire a lawyer, come consult one of our volunteer attorneys. The clinic is held the first Monday of every month at 1233 Second Avenue (between East 64th and 65th Streets) with appointments from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The next clinic will be on Monday, March 4th. The clinic is by appointment only. Please call my office at (212) 860-4906 to schedule an appointment.

Contact My Office: District Office of Assembly Member Micah Z. Kellner 1365 First Avenue New York, NY 10065 T: (212) 860-4906 F: (917) 432-2983 Hours: M-F 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Email me: KellnerM@assembly.state.ny.us Visit my website: www.MicahKellner.com