Vol. 31, No. 6 First Class U.S. Postage Paid — Permit No. 4119, New York, N.Y. 10007 June 2001 NYCHA Residents Meet With Congress In Washington, D.C. Modernization and Drug Elimination Cuts, Community Service, Pets Are The Issues By Eileen Elliott n May 24th, 231 New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents braved a six-hour bus ride to Capitol Hill to express O their concerns over the proposed budget cuts, as well as the Community Service requirement and the law allowing pets into public housing. Congressman Barney Frank mittee Chairman James Walsh. of Massachusetts, Ranking The lobbying effort was Minority Member in the House spearheaded by the nine-member Subcommittee on Housing and Council Of Presidents (COP) Community Opportunity, joined which serves a liaison function New York City Representatives between the tenant associations in unanimously urging NYCHA and NYCHA, and the 41-member residents to fight for their issues Resident Advisory Board (RAB), by organizing, registering more which advises NYCHA in the cre- voters from public housing, and ation of the Annual Plan. COP making their votes felt in every Citywide Chair Gerri Lamb level of government. “Our served as moderator. weapon is the vote,” Frank said. “Most of the people here “We need to get everyone regis- are concerned with Community tered and voting so we can turn Service,” said Edmond Barry, this around.” Tenant Association President of Congressman Charles Rangel, South Beach Houses in Staten Is- who grew up in Harlem River land. “But the budget cuts are the Houses and represents the Harlem big thing.” community, drove the message Under the U.S. Department of home when he told the residents, Housing and Urban Development “There’s no point in being (HUD) proposed budget cuts, 700,000 strong if you can’t help NYCHA would stand to lose somebody.” approximately $105 million in One group of public housing modernization funding and $35 DOG DAYS AHEAD? Resident Advisory Board Member Juanita Stokes of Highbridge Gardens asked and Section 8 leaders brought million in drug elimination Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney about pet policy. Congressional members who spoke with NYCHA’s their concerns to the office of the assistance. residents on May 24 are (clockwise from top) Barney Frank, Carolyn Maloney, Charles Rangel, Gregory House Appropriations Subcom- Continued on page 7 Meeks, Nydia Velázquez, Eliot Engel, José Serrano, Anthony Weiner, Jerrold Nadler and Major Owens. Thirty-first Annual Talent Competition By Deborah Williams YCHA’s 31st Annual Talent Search Competition was, as it always is, an eventful night filled with talent, hope and dreams. On May 12th those dreams were set to the sweet sound of Ray Chew and Nthe Crew, which accompanied the performances at the Fashion Institute of Technology Auditorium in Manhattan. NYCHA’s ranking executives were among the enthusiastic audience — Chairman Tino Hernandez, Vice-Chairman Earl Andrews, Jr., Department of Community Operations Deputy General Manager Hugh Spence, and Director of Citywide Programs Deidra Gilliard. The show opened with Ms. La Talent Shows have been delight- Chairman Tino Hernandez Rose Jackson, an employee ing audiences and launching the spoke for everyone when he said, of Haber Houses, Brooklyn, careers of up-and-coming new “Every participant shined. Wher- superbly singing the National stars who reside in public hous- ever their talent takes them, Anthem, followed by Master of ing.” Auditions for this year’s I know they will remember Ceremonies Doug E. Fresh making show began in January 2001, at NYCHA’s 31st Annual Talent his way on stage shouting, “We which time over 22 acts were Search Competition as a night are going to make it hot tonight.” chosen from 100 auditions. As when we shared a very special And hot it was. always, those chosen were sub- experience.” See page 9 for a FUTURE FLAVORS That’s the name of this winning dance troupe from In the words of Ms. Gilliard, jected to a demanding rehearsal list of the winners. Sackwern Houses. Also shown here are (left to right) NYCHA Chairman “For over 31 years, NYCHA’s schedule. Tino Hernandez and COP Chairs Gerri Lamb and Barbara G. Barber. Happy Independence Day! Page 2 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL June 2001 NYCHA’s New General Manager Douglas Apple Message From The Mayor By Allan Leicht Prevention is the Key to a ouglas Apple has been appointed by the Board of NYCHA to Mosquito-Proof New York City serve as the new General Manager. Mr. Apple has significant Dleadership experience in City government extending over 16 ow that Spring is here, New York City has announced its years. His most recent position was as the Deputy Commissioner of comprehensive West Nile Virus prevention and control plan Operations and Detention at the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), N for 2001. The plan is preventive in orientation and empha- where he provided policy direction to the operations of the Depart- sizes tracking the virus, eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and ment’s 17 detention facilities. educating the public. In less than two years, New “This is a tremendously efficient at the development level. York City has developed a state- talented organization and I’m “I am very much aware of the of-the-art program to protect the very proud to have been given this vital role NYCHA plays in the city from West Nile Virus and opportunity,” Mr. Apple stated. “I lives of people.” other mosquito-borne diseases. am very impressed with the exec- Mr. Apple said he will also Since the first appearance of the utives here. They’re veterans. keep a wary eye on the effect of Virus here in 1999, the City’s And I mean at every level — there federal budget issues on NYCHA. Health Department has worked is a great depth of talent from the “It’s too early to tell, but there closely with Federal, State and executives through to the superin- could be changes in Washington other City agencies to effectively tendents at the developments.” and we must work closely with monitor and control this disease. Asked how his experience at the affected agencies — with our General Manager The Centers for Disease the DJJ will compare to his new friends in the Capitol. The nation- Douglas Apple Control (CDC) praised the City duties at NYCHA, Mr. Apple al economy is slowing down; it’s on its activities last spring, even said, “Juvenile Justice is smaller not the same game anymore and determining policy. His early before the recurrence of the and, of course, different, but like it’s my job to be concerned — not experience with the departments West Nile Virus. Through our preventive measures, the CDC NYCHA it’s a Citywide agency worried, just concerned.” of Police, Correction, Probation, believes that we kept down the number of people who were infected — and quite complex. Also, as we But Douglas Apple sees his Juvenile Justice, the City’s with the Virus last year. This year, the City will continue and even do here at NYCHA, we built and most immediate task as bringing District Attorneys’ Office and the enhance the preventive work it carried out last year and will again maintained facilities, so my expe- stability to the office of General Court System will undoubtedly be emphasize the importance of breeding site reduction and treating rience in the construction area Manager and working closely of practical benefit to NYCHA. areas of standing water with larvicides. should transfer very well. I’m a with NYCHA’s executive staff in The Health Department will collaborate with elected officials, manager. I respect the expertise of other agencies and large property owners to eliminate standing the people around me and help water in empty lots, tire piles and other containers. This will be make it possible for them to do The Journal is beginning a new policy of printing augmented by applying larvicide to potential breeding sites where their jobs as best they can.” water cannot be eliminated, including waste water treatment plants, Mr. Apple also described his letters from its readers. All letters must be signed parks, sewers and 150,000 catch basins across the City. entry into public service in his With 346 developments on more than 2,521 acres of land, the native Pittsburgh with the Pitts- and include the writer’s name, address and a day- burgh Public Housing Authority. New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) plays an important time telephone number. Names will be withheld on role in preventing the West Nile Virus. Working with the Depart- “That was right after college at ment of Health, the Housing Authority began treating its 5,000 Boston University,” he said. He request. The Journal reserves the right to edit letters catch basins with larvicide last month, and will continue to add then attended the Wagner School more larvicide to each catch basin every 30 days until West Nile is of Public Administration at New for style and space considerations. Write to: Eileen no longer a threat. York University. He was drawn to A large-scale public information campaign (Mosquito-Proof New York by the opportunity as Elliott, Editor, The Housing Authority Journal, 250 well as by a Brooklynite, who NYC) will urge residents to reduce mosquito breeding sites around Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10007. homes and businesses, and to report major potential breeding sites. became his wife. Both kept him in Unclogging roof gutters, emptying unused swimming pools, town and made him a New Yorker. discarding old tires, buckets and other containers that hold water, He still lives in Flatbush with his and changing bird baths at least once a week will significantly help wife and children.