Applicants for Middle Class STAR tax rebate Have to Apply Online. Info Coming.

Posted on by

Hits: 0

 WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. May 3, 2007: Linda Levine, Community Liaison with Assemblyman Adam Bradley’s office confirmed to WPCNR today that Middle Class Taxpayers eligible for the newly enacted STAR Middle Class Taxpayer rebates need to apply to the state to receive that rebate.


She said present STAR parctipants receiving the STAR assessment reduction and last year’s STAR rebate check, would be receiving a post card from the state within the next two months, advising them how to apply for the new rebates of  $1.035, (Income less than $120,000), $776 (Income between $120,000 and $175,000), and $517 (income between $175,000-$250,000).



Ms. Levine said property owners presently enrolled in STAR have to apply for the newly passed Middle Class STAR rebates by going to the state tax and finance website. She said the postcard would contain information on how to apply at the website, and how those who do not have online access can apply.


Levine said that seniors over 65 applying for the Enhanced STAR Program, currently in the “IBP Program” will be notified by the  city assessor’s office when the new income level is set by the state in June, but that they then would have to apply for the Enhanced STAR program with the Assessor. She said the figure of $73,800 quoted as maximum for  Enhanced STAR eligibility is incorrect that the figure has not been set yet by the state.  Seniors over 65 receiving an income under the figure set by the state in June could receive the STAR assessment break, the Middle Class STAR rebate as well as Enhanced STAR.

Posted in Uncategorized

City Said County Pipe Was too Small to Handle White Plains Sewer Volume on Bev B

Posted on by

Hits: 0

WPCNR THE SEWER REPORT. By John F. Bailey. May 2, 2007: In a document circulated to the Beverly Road area, obtained by WPCNR, a resident of  Beverly Road is attempting to organize other neighbors in the Beverly- Albermarle Road area victimized by sewerage backups April 15 to seek a solution to the fears of another effluent backup on the next heavy rainstorm.  

The document reports the City Department of Public Works told them the county was responsible because the county sanitary sewer line was too small to handle the city volume. This would appear to mean that the city has known its sewerage pipe is too big, and the county knows it too, according County Commissioner of Environmental Facilities, Anthony Landi in an interview with WPCNR last week.


The resident reports in the document that their basement was filled April 15 to a depth of 3-1/2 feet of sewage, causing a loss of everything in their basement including their furnace.


The surprise is they also report this is not the first time it has happened. They experienced a sewerage back up in the March 2, 2007, heavy rain at which time the city first advised them the county line was too small for the city pipe leading into it. Yet, the city made no fix of the problem, and neither did the county.


To date city hall has not responded to WPCNR questions as to what the city and the county are going do to fix the Beverly Road sewer situation. 


The White Plains Common Council  nor the Mayor’s Office has not publicly shown any interest or concern or sought any accountability from the county or the public works department of either county or city on how to deal with the Beverly Road- Albermarle Road sewer situation so it does not happen again.

Posted in Uncategorized

Surprise Homeowners Must Apply for Mid Class STAR Program

Posted on by

Hits: 0

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. May 2, 2007: The White Plains Public Schools May newsletter featured the new City School District 2007-2008 budget, touting it as the lowest budget increase in Westchester County (up 4.4%). However, the newsletter reveals that the the much-ballyhooed Middle Class STAR Program, much ballyhooed by the Governor and the legislature as tax relief for the property tax sufferers has to be applied for. It is not automatic. It will not be sent to you as manna from Heaven. But how you apply for it is not clear at this time.


A WPCNR reader called the City Assessor’s office (referenced in the district newsletter) and the Assessor’s Office said they did not know the process yet by which residents can apply for their rebates.  The office also said that seniors over 65 with incomes of $73,800 or less are not eligible for an enhanced STAR exemption.


WPCNR contacted Assemblyman Adam Bradley’s office at 10 AM Tuesday morning  for what details on how residents could apply and get the STAR rebate. But at the end of the day the Assemblyman’s office had not gotten back to us. We expect full details will be available Wednesday.


When first introduced just prior to April 1, suffering taxpayers were told by the state they would get an additional rebate of $602 if  combined family income was under $120,000, a rebate of $776 if your income was between $120,000 to $175,000; $517 if you make from $175,000 to $250,000, and no rebates are given if you make over $175,000.


At this time, no publicity from the state or our representatives praising the rebate program indicated this additional rebate had to be applied for. According to the School District newsletter, the rebate must be applied for by November 30. What records have to be supplied? Is their a separate tax return to be filed? What department do you file it?


When this reporter read about this rebate, I as did many people I know assumed this would be an automatic check sent to us by the state based on our tax return.


Thanks to the City School District newsletter we know now this is not the case. One wonders when the state is planning to tell us how to apply for the rebate.


 

Posted in Uncategorized

Low Income Renters Victims of Floods Eligible for Housing Assistance

Posted on by

Hits: 0

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. May 1, 2007:   Low-income renters who lost their homes to flooding from the April 15 storm may be eligible for preference on a list to receive assistance from the federal government’s Section 8 subsidized-housing program.

           Westchester County has been notified that the Department of Housing and Community Renewal, which runs the program, is taking applications to put storm victims on the fast track for housing vouchers that would help them to relocate. Applications can be obtained at any one of three FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in the county:


·        Eastchester Public Library, 11 Oakridge Place, Eastchester


·        .New Rochelle Emergency Operations Center, 90 Beaufort Place.


·        The Senior Nutrition Community Center at the Mamaroneck Town Center, 740 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck.


         


             “We are being told that those who are eligible will be given preference on the list,’’ said County Executive Andy Spano. “We are hoping that this will help people to relocate more quickly and give them the advantage they need to find housing in a very difficult market.’’


                    It’s all part of Westchester County’s efforts to help people connect to the resources they need to rebuild their lives.
                Business owners can also receive extra help at a new disaster recovery center geared specifically to businesses that opened today at the Mamaroneck Village Offices at 123 Mamaroneck Ave., in Mamaroneck. The center is open from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. There business owners can get help in applying for low-interest loans.
         Westchester County has also organized two meetings to help small business owners apply for low interest loans to recover from the storm. The final meeting will be held tomorrow (Wednesday, May 2) from 1 to 3 p.m.
at Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Ave., Greenburgh.


                                                    


 


            Homeowners and renters can get help at these disaster recovery centers: The hours for all centers are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week.


·        Eastchester Public Library, 11 Oakridge Place, Eastchester


·        .New Rochelle Emergency Operations Center, 90 Beaufort Place.


·        The Senior Nutrition Community Center at the Mamaroneck Town Center, 740 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck.


             According to FEMA, 2,415 Westchester residents have registered for FEMA assistance for storm damage.  Disaster Recovery Centers in Westchester received a total of 548 visitors: 347 in Mamaroneck, 95 in Eastchester and 106 in New Rochelle.


            FEMA reported that $1.55 million in grants so far have been approved in Westchester, Rockland and Orange counties. Of those, 652 households have received $1.5 million in either temporary housing assistance or emergency essential repairs. Seventy-four households have been approved for $51,000 for other assistance such as medical, dental, transportation, storage and clothing costs.


 


      

Posted in Uncategorized

Greenburgh Flooding Meeting Scheduled for May 15

Posted on by

Hits: 0

WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. May 1, 2007: Al Regula, Commissioner of Public Works has presented the Town Board and me with a report analyzing the flooding problems on E Hartsdale Ave. The recent flood (April 16 & 17) resulted in nearly 8 inches of rain fall and significant damage to many drainage systems throughout the town. Extensive damage and flood related problems were experienced along E Hartsdale Ave. This was caused by the flooding of the stream located behind and under the properties on the west side of the avenue.

 


This stream serves to provide storm water drainage for the adjacent properties, as well as upstream areas. This stream is located almost exclusively on private properties, and does not have any easement on the part of the town. It is highly likely that floating debris, generated by stormflows, once again contributed to this most recent drainage backup.


The town has the ability of creating a drainage district. The formation of such a district has been accomplished by the town in the past. District formation would allow the cost for any engineering and analysis, as well as the cost for any improvements of the subject drainage system, to be borne by the district and funded by member property owners. The creation of such a drainage district would require legislative action by both the Town as well as approval by the state.


The Commissioner of Public Works has prepared a draft RFP for professional services for watershed analysis and engineering studies. These tasks would be initially required to determine what improvements, if any, are feasible for the drainage facilities located in the East Hartsdale Ave area.  The creation of a district is only one option. Other approaches that the town could/should take will be discussed at this meeting.


In recent days I have met with Congresswoman Nita Lowey ,State Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins  & County Legislator Tom Abinanti.  They toured the avenue with me and have expressed interest in working with the town to come up with long term and short term mitigation measures.

Posted in Uncategorized

Who Knows What Evil Lurks in the City Sanitary Sewer? Beverly Road Knows.

Posted on by

Hits: 0

WPCNR’S The Daily Bailey. By John F. Bailey. May 1, 2007: Last week, WPCNR asked a logical question.


What is City Hall doing about the sewer pipe diameter mismatch down on Beverly Road that has existed for some time and been blamed by the county for the Beverly Road sewage backups. I asked Paul Wood, the Mayor’s Executive Officer this question and Mr. Wood has yet to get back to me.


 Since the Commissioner of Public Works knew about the 20 inch – 16 inch discrepancy between city and county sewer pipes, which County Commissioner of Environmental Facilities Anthony Landi  says was responsible for the effluent backing up into homes in the Beverly Road area, can we get an answer about what’s being done so this does not happen at the next downpour?  It will because backups have occurred before the April 15 deluge. An answer please, Mr. Wood? What steps are the county and the city taking immediately to make sure this does not happen again?


 If I’m a homeowner and it happens to me again because of this action or lack of action, what do you think I am going to do? My property value has been compromised, my quality of life put at risk, my belongings and possessions ruined. Other than the great job the Department of Public Safety did pumping out basements, the city has shown no interest in these victims of infrastructure ineptitude – on a preexisting condition the city knew about.


To our knowledge, the residents down there never even received the benefit of political figures surveying and smelling the damage.


And where is Dennis Power, the councilman who works for the County Department of Environmental Facilities? He should be on top of this issue for those poor people? Where is the rest of the Common Council on this matter?


Could this mismatch in diameter between two sewer pipes be being aggravated by too much effluent coming from JPI, the City Center apartments and Trump Tower — as well as illegal connections blamed by the White Plains Commissioner of Public Works? 


Shoudn’t the  Common Council get to the bottom of this with both the County and the City?


 

Posted in Uncategorized

Bradley on Earth Day

Posted on by

Hits: 0

WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley, 89th District. May 1, 2007: There is a Native American proverb that says “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors – we borrow it from our children.” Earth Day represents an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our stewardship of the planet we’re leaving for them. The Assembly marked this year’s celebration of Earth Day Monday by addressing longstanding environmental issues in our state and country with proactive legislation to protect our planet for our children and grandchildren.

 


 


The legislative package takes positive steps toward protecting our natural resources and ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment. I’ve long been an advocate for a more comprehensive environmental policy that guarantees future generations will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of our communities.


 


Our Earth Day package included legislation I authored to allow individuals the power to protect our environment and challenge, through legal court proceedings, those who cause ecological harm (A.1435). Under current law, an individual can be prohibited from bringing forth a lawsuit if he or she witnesses environment abuse. That’s not the way the system is supposed to work. We need to permit these important legal challenges; everyone should have the right to question the findings of State Environmental Quality Review Act proceedings.


 


We also passed several measures to improve our state’s environmental regulations and promote smarter, healthier and greener standards for everyone, including business, residents and government. Specifically, the legislation tackles global warning by promoting energy efficiency, keeping our waters clean and curbing pollution. The measures would:


 


·        establish the Climate Change Solutions Program and Fund to direct money from the auction of emissions allowances associated with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) toward increasing energy efficiency, encouraging the development of clean, renewable sources of energy and advancing other air quality goals (A.7365 and A.7366);


 


·        require that all new construction and renovation of state buildings must comply with the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver Rating levels by using energy, water and land more efficiently and effectively (A.2005);


 


·        mandate the testing of drinking water from private wells when a property is sold or transferred – reducing the risk that new property owners will unknowingly drink contaminated drinking water (A.7231); and


 


·        require that state infrastructure funding be consistent with smart growth principles, with priority given to existing infrastructures and projects that are consistent with local governments’ plans for development – instead of new, expansive, and expensive infrastructure that harms the environment and is costly to taxpayers (A.7335).


 


I’m dedicated to improving our environment and ensuring its integrity for future generations. As Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of the Department of Environmental Conservation, I have a professional commitment to the environment.  But I also have a duty to reach out to elected officials, business leaders and New York residents to encourage decisions that contribute to improving our quality of life. That starts with protecting one of our most valuable resources – our environment.


 

Posted in Uncategorized

Layers of Raw Emotions All Generations Feel Richly Rendered by Lucy Kaplansky

Hits: 0

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey.  April 29, 2007: Westco Productions continues to be the leader in presenting artists who connect viscerally with Westchester audiences. Producer Susan Katz proved that again Friday evening at The Irv (Irvington Town Hall Theater) delivering the impossible-to-forget, can’t-ignore-it, compelling stylings of a real folk singer with 2007 savvy, Lucy Kaplansky. She held the audience from first chord to last lilting tribute to her father,  backed by the cascading diamonds of sound created by  her sideman, Duke Levine, whose marvelous riffs echo and reinforce Ms. Kaplansky’s words. 


.



Westco Producer Susan Katz, left with Lucy Kaplansky after Ms. Kaplansky’s performance Friday evening.



From the  so-true lyric, she and her husband wrote for her daughter  I will be with you when you remember me, to the  intimate richly sexual depth she and Levine give to the simplistic Ring of Fire, Ms. Kaplansky shoves the knife edge of feeling deep into you, recalling those wild feelings in our lives that drive us to do the things lovers, parents, and children do—the irrational romantic fascinations, the heroic sacrifices, the self- destructive, to self pity with an edge — softened by  Ms. Kaplansky’s  vocal delivery. 


Kaplansky’s dark intense eyes and her ramble of hair personifies honesty of feeling without apology accompanies herself on one big guitar.  Her multi-faceted blunt, get-into-your-head contralto goes from murmur to hurt to triumph with modulation that you go with. Her voice plays your heart.  


Her singing is embellished by guitarman Levine’s laying down beds of the most involving guitar enhancements for a vocalist I’ve heard in years and The Irv’s great acoustics just gets the sound into your soul and heart. Kaplansky herself said after the concert The Irv delivered just incredible sound


 Levine and Kaplansky are in harmony of feeling – looking at each other and playing their feelings into each other


. Kaplansky  paints the words that cut, wound, warm, slash, stroke and soothe like a sculptress’s  hands while Levine on four different guitars and a mandolin enhances the feelings in the listener softening, and swelling her voice’s  words.  You paid attention to every song in this concert. The Irv audience hung on her every phrase, absorbing and surrendering to the feelings Kaplansky brought to the surface in them once more. From her first song Born Again by Woody Guthrie to her last a tribute to her father, her songs put into feelings our lives.


She introduces feelings you’ll remember: the fascination with a lover: “I just like hearing you talk.” (I mean, I remember feelings like that.)  Over the Hills, the ballad that describes a child growing up hits home with every parent and had parents in the audience understanding thinking and tear-ing up. Her ballad about her grandmother, Molly, describes a time when a woman’s choices were different produced a whole range of sadness, resentment,  bitterness,and chronicle of change.  But it makes you feel good.


Kaplansky’s concerts are strong, involving emotionally hard to take music that make you wake up and feel again, sometimes a little too much than you want to and make you remember a lot more than you want to. 


 It’s folk music again – Kaplansky painting the picture of the human condition — the only thing missing is the cigarette smoke and some espresso, to complete the picture, and some guys with goatees and berets in shades – nodding their heads and saying, “Yeah, man. Cool. Solid. Out of sight.”


There was no song in the 2 hour show that did not move you, and that is way unusual. Kaplansky uplifts you as you explore her own personal journeys in song. Her patter in between songs lets you into her heart and personal life. Her ability to make the audience feel like a group of intimate friends of long-standing, builds an emotional rapport that shines up  our  seldom used emotions and validates our ability to feel again.  



Ms. Kaplansky stayed after the show, signing scores of CDs for her fans in the near sellout crowd. Ms. Katz and Peter Katz look on.


Only Westco’s  impresarios, the Katzs, Susan and Peter Katz are bringing performers of this sophisticated caliber to the county. From Judy Collins, to Livingston Taylor, and now Ms. Kaplansky, Westco this season has had the Merrick Touch.  The popular concerts Westco produces help to fund their performances for local hospitals, schools and their programs for the handicapped and youth theatre programs.



Susan Katz on stage after the show on the Irvington Town Hall Proscenium — the best sounding little theatre in Westchester — that performers just love to perform on.


Next up for Westco is the Irish artist, Maura O’Connell at The Irv on June 17 – who not only does Irish fare but repertroires  all over the musical landscape.

Posted in Uncategorized

FEMA Opening 2 More Disaster Centers in County

Hits: 0

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From County Department of Communications. April 29, 2007: The Federal Emergency Management Agency has opened its second Disaster Recovery Center in Westchester, with the county’s Department of Social Services and Community Mental Health there to help local residents and business owners recover from the storm.

The new center is at the Eastchester Public Library, 11 Oakridge Place. A third center is  at the New Rochelle Emergency Operations Center, 90 Beaufort Place.


The first center opened earlier this week at the Senior Nutrition Community Center at the Mamaroneck Town Center, 740 W. Boston Post Road. The hours for all centers are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week.


At these centers, storm victims can get help filling out applications and work with representatives of FEMA and the Small Business Administration to get information about disaster aid. The county Department of Social Services is there to help storm victims apply for food stamps and receive any other assistance. Counselors from the Community Mental Health are also there to provide counseling referrals and help people cope with the losses they suffered during the storm.


         


“FEMA and SBA will provide some money that local residents and businesses desperately need to begin to recover from the storm,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “And Westchester County will help fill in the gaps, to make sure that storm victims have food, shelter and counseling, if they need it.”


On Thursday, 80 people came to the center that opened in Mamaroneck, and 1,135 people in Westchester have already registered with FEMA for aid. FEMA is expected to open other centers in Westchester within the next few days in other hard hit areas of the county.


                                                         


While there are some phones at the centers for storm victims to use, FEMA is encouraging individuals and businesses to register first by phone or online before coming to the center.  


To register with FEMA, call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) (hearing/speech impaired ONLY- call TTY: 1-800-462-7585) between the hours of 8 am to 8 p.m. or go to FEMA’s web site at www.fema.gov.  If you need additional help, you can visit the Disaster Recovery Center in your area, but you do not have to go to a center to apply for aid.


When you register, remember to:


1) Write down your case number. When you register, FEMA will provide you with a case number. Write that down and keep it in a safe place. An inspection of your home will probably be required. The inspector will call you and give you his name and set a time and date for the appointment. To prevent possible fraud, please check this information with anyone who comes to your door claiming to be from FEMA.   Don’t let the person in unless they are able to give you the case number.


2) Fill out the SBA application.  After registering with FEMA, you will receive a packet and a loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration. To receive any aid, the loan application must be filled out, regardless of whether you are a homeowner, renter or business and even if you are want a grant and not a loan. The loan application must be filled out and sent back to be eligible for any aid.  Individuals are eligible for up to $28,200 in grants or up to $200,000 in small business loans to repair property and up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property such as belongings. Businesses are eligible for up to $1.5 million in loans.


 


County meetings to help small business owners


 


Westchester County has also organized two meetings to help small business owners who suffered storm damage. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Disaster Assistance, will provide information and instructions to help small business owners apply for low interest loans to recover from the storm.


Small business owners can expect to learn:


·        The various types of loans that may be available, including physical disaster loans, economic injury loans, military reservists’ loans and home/personal property loans


                                                    


·        The type of financial information needed to submit applications


·        The difference between an “LLC” and a “Corporation” for application purposes, and


·        The variety of supporting documents needed


This is an informational and instructional meeting only as the application process for business owners is complex.  No applications will be accepted on site.  The SBA Disaster Assistance team members will be available at the end of the presentation for questions.


Seminars will be held:


Monday, April 30th


1 to 3 p.m.


Rye City Hall


1051 Boston Post Road


Rye, NY, 10580


 


and


 


Wednesday, May 2nd


1 to 3 p.m.


Greenburgh Town Hall


177 Hillside Avenue


White Plains, NY, 10607


 


For the latest updates, visit www.westchestergov.com  or visit www.fema.gov for more information about applying for aid.  For information on how to donate to charitable organizations or where to receive goods if you are a storm victim, call the United Way’s 211 information line or visit www.westchestergov.com.

                    

Posted in Uncategorized

Report on the Flood Aftermath in Mamaroneck. Habitat for Humanity A Blessing.

Hits: 0

WPCNR County Clarion-Ledger. By Linda Fava. April 29, 2007: As the river rolled through Mamaroneck using the train tracks and Interstate 95 as its banks it destroyed in its path the memories and belongings of hundreds of homes and businesses and left behind complete despair for those who are left to find their way back to a normal life.

 

As I go door to door every day until late evening asking who still needs help and to take down a list of their needs, I find no end to the disaster that began two weeks earlier. There are so many stories and so much sadness. I keep thinking we need to take the most disastrous first, but so many are the most disastrous.

 


A residence with its contents drying out Thursday.


 Photo for WPCNR News by Paula Piekos


 Last evening, I entered another home with a man in his 70’s who still has a finished basement that has not been touched for clean up after being flooded with nearly 5 feet of water. It is now being taken over with black mold creeping up its walls and if not removed will take over his home and make him terribly ill. Most of the elderly are lost with what to do or where to turn to for help. It has touched my heart in a way I cannot explain and is the reason I have dedicated myself to helping the Mamaroneck residents who have suffered from this terrible disaster.

 

Many have no idea which direction to turn to for help with getting their gas, electric and phone’s back on. Some need help with direction to get someone in to fix gas leaks from water heaters, oil leaks from heating systems, getting their plumbers to show up, what to do if landlords have left them to live with the destroyed home they are paying rent for. It’s frightening to think what will become of the people who will leave their homes in the damaged and waterlogged conditions they are in. If not taken care of properly Mamaroneck will have many sick people on their hands in another couple of months. This is where I thank Mamaroneck for being blessed with Habitat for Humanity for gracing us with their presence. If not for them there would be no hope for the extensive repair that needs to take place and many of our community neighbors would be lost as those were in the wake of Katrina.

 

Through the help of Habitat for Humanity and the wonderful volunteers who have shown up from all over even coming from as far as Vermont giving up their vacation in Mexico using their Spring Break to instead help those who really need them, Habitat for Humanity has given hope to the residents whose lives were literally turned upside down by a raging river.

 

Habitat for Humanity has now been in nearly 100 homes clearing out the moldy residue and preparing to restore Mamaroneck’s river wrecked homes. Unfortunately, 100 is only a small percentage compared to what still needs to be done. Habitat for Humanity resources has been severely taxed and could use the generosity of those who would like to help.

 

My husband and I have been heartbroken at the devastation in the neighborhood surrounding our building and have donated one of our storefront spaces at 602 Mamaroneck Avenue which is sandwiched between our also water-damaged Allstate office and my Glass Art Gallery that I only opened a few months prior to the flood, to  Habitat for Humanity to set-up their command center. It brought tears to my eyes to see the damage the water had brought to my gallery I worked so hard to put together. My kiln I used to create my glass art was filled with muddy river water and probably never able to use again. Instead of crying I have thrown myself into helping those who have suffered a greater loss, their homes, and their families memories that were taken from them by this vicious flood. I ask those who can to please help as well.

 

When I go home at night, in tears, I find it heart wrenching that I cannot help more and worry more and more that we cannot get to as many homes as needed before the residents become sick from the mold. It is critical that the homes that had wet walls and floors have the area and 1 foot above removed as even if they appear on the outside to have dried the water is still behind and unseeingly, the mold is beginning to take over their homes.

 

The Habitat for Humanity Mamaroneck Flood Project that will be ongoing for several months can use ongoing volunteers including experienced construction workers to show up at the Command Center. Habitat for Humanity is also in serious need of construction materials, sheetrock, tools, monetary donations and even appliances for the residents who had them destroyed to help keep this project going. There have been many generous donations but this project is extensive and needs many resources. I reach out to those who are able to help in any way they can to please come forward and help the residents of Mamaroneck. All of those who have helped so generously already please know that the people you have helped are so appreciative. One woman I visited yesterday to tell her Habitat will come in and help her, broke down in tears and said “I didn’t know people could be so good, thank you so much”.

Posted in Uncategorized