From the desk of Errorless Egidio eptember 18, 2014. OPEN LETTER TO: Hon. Jeffery Klein, New York State Senator; Hon. Michael Benedetto, New York State Assemblyman; Hon. James Vacca, New York City Councilman. We the Pelham Bay Committee to Save Our Community, respectfully requesting your support on behalf of our Community to intervene via an investigation of a DRUG REHAB CENTER WITH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING program illegally moved in the Pelham Bay Community. The NYS Senate, NYS Assembly, and NYC City Council, all empowered with oversight investigation powers to review the actions of ASCNYC and that of Community Board #10; and other actions you deem necessary to take in resolving our opposition to DRUG REHAB CENTER WITH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. As you are aware, A.S.C.N.Y.C., a privately held corporation has affiliated itself with Pelham Grand located at 1870 Pelham Parkway and moved an illegal DRUG REHAB CENTER WITH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING program through misinformation and public relation scams. However, the misinformation cannot hide the fact that ASCNYC does not have a signed contract (RFP) for an approved qualified program with New York State Department of Health, New York City Department of Health, New York City Human Resource Department or New York City Department of Homeless Services for 1870 Pelham Parkway. Thus, without a approved qualified contract ( RFP) for this location, ASCNYC is occupying the building illegally and is in violation of the law. Even if they were paying with private non-public money, it still would be a violation due to the lack NYC or NYS agencies approved supervised qualified program, also a violation and a violation of the NYC Zoning Laws. Ultimately, they would be in violation of the law with both scenarios. In addition and unfortunately, your staff have been disseminating misinformation to the residence that call to complaint to your offices. While the Pelham Grand owner has the right to develop his property in any manner, in accordance to the zoning laws, the Public, Community Groups, Community Boards, and our Elected Officials have the right to speak and influence the process were tax-payers money is being allocated. Furthermore, In order for ASCNYC to legally occupy the property, a contract (RFP) must be authorized signed after a public review process and this is where the action of Community Board # 10 ( CB#10) are illegal and against the will of the people in Pelham Bay. Chairman Martin Prince of CB#10, at a presentation by ASCNYC, on August 15, 2014, refused three public requests that I made for CB#10 to have a public hearing in Pelham Bay on this matter. Obviously, I objected in the strongest words on behalf of our community of ASCNYC’s proposal and the lack of a public hearing in Pelham Bay. The denial by Chairman Prince was that he did not want the people of Pelham Bay out with their “PITCH-FORKS.” The people of Pelham Bay, despite Chairman Prince’s remarks have organized and have been meeting, signing petitions against the program and protesting in front of Pelham Grand. These remarks were insensitive and lack respect for the hard working families in Pelham Bay and of their right to be heard as tax-payers and Community members. In addition to the insult, Community Board Chairman Martin Prince initiated and now has created, reported in the Bronx Times, a COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD of ill advised people to assist ASCNYC in moving their program forwarded and to project a public relation face of a Community supporting this project, which is far from the truth. Pelham Bay Community is united 100% against this DRUG REHAB CENTER WITH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. This is an illegal violation by the Chairman and the Board without a contract (RFP) issued by a Government Agency and contrary to the wishes and hopes of the people of Pelham Bay against a DRUG REHAB CENTER WITH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING in their Community. In fact, this COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD, if instituted by Chairman Martin Prince, will damage our community opposition to a DRUG REHAB CENTER WITH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING by their mere existence. Also, this will be used by ASCNYC as part of the eventual submission in acquiring a contract (RFP) from NYS and NYS Agencies, which require community and public participation as a requirement for public funding availability. This is a public relation scam and meant to trick the Community. As stated before, the ill-advised community members who have agreed to participate on a COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD for ASCNYC, have not been properly informed of the liability and possible consequences of their legal fiduciary responsibilities when accepting a task of policymaking body or the lack of action derived from their participation. The six community members, who are working against the community’s interest, can personally be sued from the actions of ASCNYC’s clients, which according to ASCNYC 2013 annual report are 71% active or recovering substance abusers, which collectively mean future problems in Pelham Bay and the surrounding Community. We already have seen a few loitering in Pelham Bay asking for money and selling loose cigarettes. Imagine 100 people, who are active or recovering substance abusers and do not work loitering throughout Pelham Bay. These statistics make this project a DRUG REHAB CENTER WITH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING and these are some of the requirement for SUPPORTIVE HOUSING: Eligibility Requirements: 1) HASA medical eligibility; 2) Cash assistance from government; 3) mental illness and/or substance disorder; 4) Chronically homeless (DEPARTMENT HOMELESS SERVICES, HASA emergency housing). The residence and neighboring areas of Pelham Bay are united in opposition to any DRUG REHAB CENTER WITH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. The Community have had a public community meeting rally at Saint Theresa Church on August 20 after being denied by Community Board #10, protest in front of Pelham Grand on August 24, another protest in front of Pelham Grand on September 6, and a scheduled third protest for October 5. With hundreds of residents protesting and united, the will of the people must be respected and their request honored in not having this in their Community. Accordingly, we need your assistance and support for all the stated reasons. Immediate intervention is required before ASCNYC acquire a contract (RFP) for a DRUG REHAB CENTER WITH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING in Pelham Bay and dismantlement of the Community Advisory Board created by Community Board 10. Thank you for your anticipated intervention and support of our Community. Egidio Sementilli, Patrick Stranzl, Community organizer, Community organizer, Pelham Bay Committee To Save Our Community Pelham Bay Committee To Save Our Community 646-271-2933 / egidiosementilli@yahoo
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 01:53:33 +0000
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