Vol. 34, No. 3 First Class U.S. Postage Paid — Permit No. 4119, , N.Y. 10007 March 2004

OVER 900 NYCHA RESIDENTS RECYCLING OF GLASS Groundbreaking For the New Addabbo CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY TO RESUME IN APRIL: A GOOD TIME TO Family Health Center In Far Rockaway MONTH AT ZOO CHECK YOUR By Eileen Elliott APARTMENT TO ed by the Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center Executive REMOVE OLD JARS Director Dr. J.R. Peter Nelson, executives and staff from the New AND BOTTLES LYo rk City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and Addabbo joined elected officials past and present at the corner of Beach Channel Drive By Anthony Solomita and Beach 62nd Street on the morning of February 20th to break ground NYCHA Recycling for a brand new Addabbo Health Center. Upon its completion (estimated Coordinator for Spring 2005), the $10 million, 21,000-square-foot center will house health care services along with education and job training services for Recycling of all glass articles more than 1,800 families of NYCHA’s Ocean Bay Apartments and other such as bottles and jars will residents of the Far Rockaway community. resume in April. For NYCHA residents, no extra effort is NYCHA has committed $1.5 Joseph Farro represented NYCHA required. As of April 1st, sim- million in HOPE VI funds to the at the event. ply drop bottles, jars and other new Addabbo Family Health Cen- “Addabbo is the largest health glassware into a container des- ter as part of its $180 million com- care provider in this area,” said Dr. ignated for other recyclables mitment to the Ocean Bay HOPE Nelson. “The role of Addabbo is such as empty milk and juice VI Revitalization Plan. Initiated in to supply a safety net for this cartons, plastic bottles or jugs, 1992, the federal HOPE VI Pro- community. Last year there were rinsed soda and food cans, alu- gram was created to rehabilitate 63,000 medical visits, 16,000 minum foil, old pots and pans severely distressed public housing WIC visits and 5,000 social ser- and wire clothes hangers. developments. Central to the revi- vice visits.” (WIC stands for the SOUNDS OF AFRICA The NYCHA Youth Chorus, led by talization of the Rockaways has federal Special Supplemental Director Larry Matthew, sang “Lift Every Voice” and an African This might also be a good time been the modernization of Nutrition Program for Women, Swahili song at the Dancing Crane Cafe during Black History for you to survey your apart- NYCHA’sArverne and Edgemere Infants and Children.) Month at the Bronx Zoo. ment to see if you have accu- Houses, newly named Ocean Bay The visits the Dr. was referring he Housing Authority (NYCHA) joined forces mulated any other clutter Apartments last October. to were at Addabbo’s current site with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Bronx which could be removed — NYCHA Chairman Tino Her- on Central Avenue in Far Rock- TCouncil of the Arts to celebrate the achievements of African- you’d be surprised how quickly nandez, Vice-Chairman Earl away, which opened in 1987. Its Americans on February 18th, in honor of Black History Month. Alto- “stuff ” can pile up. For exam- Andrews, Jr., Board Member namesake, Joseph P. Addabbo, a gether more than 900 NYCHA residents, most of them children and ple, if you concentrate all your JoAnna Aniello and Deputy Gen- lifelong resident of Queens, was seniors from 28 Bronx Community Centers and seven Senior Centers, paper goods in one or two eral Manager for Capital Projects (Continued on page 2) gathered at the world famous Bronx Zoo for a day of activities that areas, you’re almost sure to included visits to the World of Birds, Jungle World, the African Exhibit, find stacks of junk mail, old and an Ethiopian Reserve/Somba Village. Residents from two NYCHA newspapers, letters, and maga- developments in Manhattan also attended. zines you’ll probably never Sunlight streamed through the African Burial Ground, which was many windows of the zoo’s Dancing unearthed in 1991 during an exca- (Continued on page 4) Crane Cafe, where everyone gath- vation to build a new government ered to start the day with greetings building at Foley Square in lower by WCS Program Director Charles Manhattan. Needless to say there AS OF APRIL 1st Vasser, followed by a powerful ren- was also a wealth of information dition of “Lift Every Voice” by the at exhibits on the Congo, an Ethi- NYCHA Will Have A NYCHA Youth Chorus. opian Reserve/Somba Village, the NEW EMERGENCY NYCHA Chairman Tino Her- World of Birds and others. SERVICE NUMBER nandez, Bronx Borough President Staff from NYCHA’s Harbor- for Maintenance Adolfo Carrion, Jr., African Burial view Arts Center, as well as the Ground Project Director Dr. Sher- Bronx Council of the Arts and Emergencies that occur after 4:30PM rill Wilson, Bronx Council of the Bronx Zoo volunteers assisted with (left to right) Arts Development Director Kim individual drawing instruction, as and before 8:00AM Dr. Peter Nelson, Hamilton-Shikir, and NYCHA’s the children sketched the animals on weekdays, and former Queens Edenwald Community Center they saw on their travels. around-the-clock Borough President Executive Director Ken Mercer all Lunchtime brought more enter- on weekends Claire Schulman, and encouraged everyone to take ad- tainment by the NYCHA Youth and holidays: Tino Hernandez at the vantage of the many educational Chorus performing a traditional groundbreaking. opportunities the day had to offer. African song, and P.S. 176 718-707-7777 At right, a These educational opportuni- F.E.G.S. Beacon Program African rendering of the ties included a slide show on the (Continued on page 2) new Addabbo Center. March Is Women’s History Month Page 2 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL March 2004

Message From The Mayor BRONX ZOO (Continued from page 1) New Pilot Program Will Deliver Drummers and Dancers. There State-of-the-Art Forensic and Counseling was even a scavenger hunt. Services To Rape Victims At Public Hospitals Community Operations Deputy General Manager Hugh Spence ate last month I announced a and Bronx Borough Director Dei- groundbreaking pilot pro- dra Gilliard were also on hand to gram that will deliver state- L join in the fun. of-the-art forensic and counseling The Bronx Zoo is the flagship services to every sexual assault vic- of the largest network of metro- tim seeking treatment at any Bronx politan zoos in the country and is public hospital within one hour of a home to the Wildlife Conservation victim’s arrival. The new Bronx Society, which also maintains the Sexual Assault Response Team Central Park, Queens and (SART) will provide around-the- Prospect Park Zoos. clock coverage for North Central Bronx, Jacobi, and Lincoln Hospi- tals, ensuring that every rape victim receives care from a specially trained forensic examiner and a rape crisis advocate quickly. The rapid one-hour response time will minimize the risk that critical evi- dence will be lost, damaged, or overlooked. Groundbreaking The new Bronx Sexual Assault Response Team will allow our hos- (Continued from page 1) pitals to deliver critical services to victims more quickly and effi- elected to Congress to represent ciently than ever before. The result will be less trauma for the victims, the 6th district in 1960 and was better forensic evidence, and more certain justice for the predators reelected 12 times. He is known who commit these despicable crimes. We expect success from this for having supported legislation pilot program and look forward to expanding it to hospitals Citywide. that aided seniors, veterans, edu- Currently, every rape victim who seeks treatment at a City hospi- cation, small business and eco- tal receives a forensic examination designed to collect physical evi- nomically depressed areas. Mr. dence. However, not all victims are examined by dedicated, specially Addabbo’s son, Joseph Addabbo, trained Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFEs) and many are Jr., represents the Rockaways on not examined within one hour. The longer the wait, the more diffi- the City Council. cult it is on the victim and the more likely that valuable evidence will “All of us in the community be lost. SART will provide a team of health care professionals ded- want the same things,” Dr. Nelson icated solely to the treatment of rape victims in order to guarantee continued, “to raise families, to that every victim gets the best possible care and that no victim is have security, opportunity and forced to wait for it. The new SART pilot program will be tested in respect. Our institutions — New York City Police Department the Bronx and rigorously evaluated. If successful, the program will schools, health care — are very Toll-Free Terrorism Hotline be expanded to cover all five boroughs. much a part of establishing that The Bronx SART will be the City’s first mobile sexual assault way of life.” Reports may be made anytime to: response team. It will consist of a group of 12 to 14 SAFEs whose In addition to providing health activities will be coordinated by a dedicated project director working and social services, the three-story 1-888-NYC-SAFE out of North Central Bronx Hospital. Its team members will be avail- facility will also house class- 1-888-692-7233 able 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to provide high-quality rooms, a day care, commercial forensic examinations to every rape victim presenting at all three establishments, and a program to All calls will be kept confidential. Bronx public hospitals. Within one hour of their arrival, victims – encourage homeownership, as regardless of the time of day – will be seen by both a SAFE-trained mandated by the HOPE VI grant. professional and a rape crisis advocate to provide emotional support On the count of three, everyone and referrals to appropriate counseling and social services. The SAFE dug, tossing heaps of dirt into the The Housing Authority forensic examination will include a thorough physical examination, air for the symbolic beginning of the collection of potential DNA evidence, and the documentation of 70years the building’s construction. of Public Housing both internal and external injuries with state-of-the-art photography. “I think this is a good thing,” Journal In New York City The members of the Bronx SART will also be available to testify said Leonard Smalls, who was one as expert witnesses in criminal prosecutions involving their patients. of the observers. Mr. Smalls is an ESTABLISHED 1970 • CIRCULATION 200,000 In order to enhance the effectiveness of their testimony, team mem- Addabbo employee and lifelong bers will undergo an intensive training program designed and imple- resident of Arverne Houses. “It Published monthly by the New York City Housing Authority mented by the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office. Training will Department of Public and Community Relations will bring jobs to the community.” 250 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10007 focus on clearly articulating the basics of the forensic examinations Also present at the event were Tel. (212) 306-3322 • Fax (212) 577-1358 and the nature and significance of the physical evidence discovered. Queens Borough President Helen Michael R. Bloomberg...... Mayor The Bronx suffers from a disproportionate number of rapes. Marshall, Congressman Gregory Tino Hernandez...... Chairman While the borough contains 16% of the city’s population, it has 26% Meeks and his wife Simone Earl Andrews, Jr...... Vice-Chairman of the rapes. As with all criminal justice initiatives, SART is focus- Meeks, and Primary Care Devel- JoAnna Aniello...... Board Member ing on problem places and devoting resources where they are needed opment Corp. Executive Director Frank Marín ...... Secretary most. The Bronx SART will be funded by a Crime Lab Improvement Douglas Apple...... General Manager Rhonda Kotelchuck. Sheila Greene...... Director of Public and Community Relations Program grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, National Insti- Following the groundbreaking, Howard Marder...... Public Information Officer tute of Justice and a Violence Against Women Act grant adminis- a celebratory luncheon was held at Eileen Elliott ...... Editor tered by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. the nearby Beach Club. “I can’t Allan Leicht ...... Staff Writer Both grants together total $400,000. The Bronx SART will begin Deborah Williams ...... Staff Writer believe we’re here,” said former Peter Mikoleski, Kevin Devoe...... Photography operating on April 1. It is estimated that the team will provide ser- Queens Borough President vices to approximately 200 sexual assault victims during its first Claire Schulman. “This health If you are interested in placing an advertisement in the Journal, please year of operation. care center was on our agenda for call our marketing representatives in Marketing and Revenue Operations at (212) 365-5090. The inclusion of any advertisement in this Journal We want women in New York to know that violence against them many years. I hope to be here and simply will not be tolerated. Call 911 or 311 and we’ll be there for you does not constitute any endorsement by the Housing Authority of the help you cut the ribbon. Many advertiser or its products or services or any other representation by the every step of the way. thanks to everyone. The current Housing Authority with respect to such products or services. Michael R. Bloomberg borough president, Helen Marshall, has much to be proud of.” Page 4 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL March 2004

The NYCHA “Not Wanted” List

n this issue we continue our editorial policy of publishing the names What’s happening in … the Bronx? In an effort to keep NYCHA residents informed about improvements in their developments, of individuals who have been permanently excluded from our pub- I the Journal runs a regular column on recently awarded modernization contracts. lic housing developments. Listing the proscribed persons is part of the effort to keep residents informed of NYCHA’s ongoing efforts to New Steam Heat System for Marble Hill Houses improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers in public housing and A new underground steam heat distribution system will be installed at Marble Hill Houses in the to allow the peaceful and safe use of our facilities. Here follows a list Bronx under a $1,047,000 contract. The contract was awarded to Maric Mechanical, Inc. and is of the people excluded after hearings were held on expected to take six months to complete once work begins. January 29, and February 5, and 15, 2003. REMEMBER, IF “This work is necessary to ensure that the 3,433 residents of Marble Hill will continue to have YOU SEE ANY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS ON HOUSING heat in their homes when needed during the cold winter months,” NYCHA Chairman Tino Her- AUTHORITY PROPERTY, PLEASE CALL YOUR MANAGE- nandez said. “It is in keeping with our overall goal of constantly improving all of our 346 devel- MENT OFFICE OR THE POLICE! THIS LIST IS PROVIDED TO ALL POLICE SERVICE AREAS. opments so they continue to provide safe, decent and affordable housing for future generations,” he added. Prohibited as of January 29, 2003 Marble Hill Houses, completed March 3, 1952, consists of 11 buildings, 14 and 15-stories tall. Abel Barroso Case 150/03 formerly associated with the The 16.64-acre complex with 1,682 apartments is bordered by Broadway, Exterior, West 225th seventh floor of 130 Humboldt Street, and West 230th Streets. Borinquen Plaza Houses, Brooklyn. Major Electrical Upgrade At Polo Grounds Towers Luis Tirado Case 126/03 formerly associated with the A major electrical upgrade is set for Manhattan’s Polo Grounds Towers under a recently awarded seventh floor of 1115 F.D.R. Drive, Riis $3.4 million contract. The new electrical system is the latest step to end problems that have plagued Houses, Manhattan. Polo Grounds Towers since August 2002 when feeder cables providing power to the development Jermaine Armstrong Case 56/03 formerly associated with the failed because of overloading. second floor of 710 Euclid Avenue, Temporary emergency generators were used to supply adequate power to the complex while Cypress Hills Houses, Brooklyn. four existing transformers were replaced. However, the new transformers did Prohibited as of February 5, 2003 not increase available power to the development. To overcome the Romell Davis Case 228/03 formerly associated with the problem, Con Ed provided four new sets of feeder cables — one for fifth floor of 305 Fountain Avenue, each building — to replace the two damaged lines. Since then, Cypress Hills Houses, Brooklyn. NYCHA has installed four additional transformers and new switch- boards to control the updated power supply which will more than dou- Edward Martinez Case 2574/03 formerly associated with ble the available current to each building. the seventh floor of 327 East 112th Street, Jefferson Houses, Manhattan. Stasi/Dallas Electrical Contracting, Inc. was awarded the contract which is expected to take one year to complete once work begins. Malisha Blyden Case 3398/03 formerly associated with Under the contract, a new transformer building will be built and the ninth floor of 1348-50 Webster Con Ed underground vaults and feeder cables will be extended to Avenue, Butler Houses, the Bronx. each of the four buildings. Bernard Mercedes Case 164/03 formerly associated with the fifth floor of 1410 Park Avenue, , Manhattan. Jason Mendez Case 165/03 formerly associated with the seventh floor of 310 East 102nd Street, RECYCLING... (Continued from page 1) ARRESTS Metro North Plaza Houses, Manhattan. (Continued from page 1) look at again. Bundle them up and deposit them in your development’s Jose Sauri Case 166/03 formerly associated with the his Whitestone, Queens home. paper recycling container. first floor of 510-512 East 156th Street, From February 1, 2002 until Your reward will be a much neater apartment and less clutter. So, Bronxchester Houses, the Bronx. September 1, 2003, NYCHA paid instead of thinking of recycling as a nuisance or an extra chore, think of Terrance Mason Case 180/03 formerly associated with the Vaccaro a total of $18,484 in rent it as an aid to keeping your apartment clutter-free and more organized. second floor of 160 Lamport Blvd., South subsidies for Mateo’s rent. At the With those bottles and old food jars out of the way and those Beach Houses, Staten Island. same time he received NYCHA piles of papers removed, you’ll also find your have more space than money he had also rented the Edward Moultrie Case 182/03 formerly associated with the you realized. apartment to another individual first floor of 230 Clinton Street, La What’s more, when you recycle all your glass, metal and paper, Guardia Houses, Manhattan. who was not a Section 8 tenant, you’ll be saving expensive space in landfills for refuse that cannot be for $900 a month. Gil Santiago Case 183/03 formerly associated with the recycled. You’ll also be helping to preserve our natural resources such These arrests are part of an first floor of 2465 Third Avenue, as trees and metals. ongoing Citywide crackdown by Patterson Houses, the Bronx. So you see, when you recycle, everybody wins. Also, did you know the NYCHA OIG, the DOI, and Jermaine Brooks Case 199/03 formerly associated with the that recycling is the law?! sixth floor of 710 Tinton Avenue, John the District Attorneys which since Adams Houses, the Bronx. 1995 has resulted in the arrests of 297 NYCHA residents. Alexis Rodriguez Case 203/03 formerly associated with the “The City will not be deceived fourteenth floor of 1465 Washington SPEAK OUT by those who do not qualify for Avenue, Morris Houses, the Bronx. AGAINST FRAUD AND CORRUPTION! scarce subsidized housing. These Alex Pitre Case 280/03 formerly associated with the If you or anyone in your family is aware of any fraud or defendants have learned the perils twelfth floor of 1020 Trinity Avenue, corruption committed against the New York City Housing of greedy behavior. Housing Forest Houses, the Bronx. scams do not work. DOI will con- Authority (NYCHA) by any NYCHA employee, Prohibited as of February 12, 2003 tinue to investigate housing fraud contractor, vendor, or resident, we urge you to call the Kenneth Anderson Case 272/03 formerly associated with the so that tax payers’ money is not twelfth floor of 180 Powell Street, Seth NYCHA Inspector General (IG) at 212-306-3355. The IG wasted and so that those who do Low Houses, Brooklyn. is supervised by the New York City Department of need and qualify for affordable Andre Sumpter Case 303/03 formerly associated with the Investigation (DOI). Although the DOI and the IG initiate public housing will receive it,” first floor of 1250 Sutter Avenue, Cypress and develop their own investigations they encourage and said DOI Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn. Hills Houses, Brooklyn. rely upon NYCHA employees, residents, people who do The charges in the complaints Lavar Moore Case 316/03 formerly associated with the business with NYCHA, and the public at large, to report are merely accusations and the seventh floor of 2525 Linden Blvd., fraudulent and corrupt activity they see or hear. Cypress Hills Houses, Brooklyn. defendants are presumed inno- TO REPORT FRAUD AND CORRUPTION CALL cent until proven guilty. To make Edwin Medina Case 391/03 formerly associated with the complaints about someone rip- sixteenth floor of 20 Catherine Slip, THE IG at 212-306-3355, or ping off the City, call 311 or DOI Smith Houses, Manhattan. DOI at 212-3-NYC-DOI or 212-825-5959. at (212) 825-5959. Page 6 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL March 2004 Page 8 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL March 2004 Page 10 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL March 2004