3520 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11229 Assemblywoman Helene E. Weinstein ![]()
Making a Difference in Brooklyn and Albany
Winter 2007
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A Report To The Residents Of The 41st Assembly District |
HELENE WEINSTEIN’S COMMUNITY OFFICE GETS RESULTS! I believe that one of my most important responsibilities is to listen carefully, answer questions and help solve your problems. Along with my experienced community office staff, I can assist you with a variety of important services and help you apply for government programs.
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SOLVING UTILITY PROBLEMS Ms. T. called Assemblywoman Weinstein after being notified by her gas provider that her service would be shut off due to an outstanding balance. Ms. T., a homeowner and caregiver for a disabled sibling living in the same house, could only afford to pay a set amount with her current income. Assemblywoman Weinstein was able to call her home heating provider and arrange for a low payment plan that suited her special needs.
WATER BILL PROBLEM Ms. N. came to the Assemblywoman seeking help in lowering her outstanding water bill that she felt was extremely high. The Assemblywoman immediately contacted the Department of Environmental Protection to investigate the matter. Erroneous charges were discovered and Ms. N. saw her water bill reduced to $800 from the original $1,100. HELPING SENIOR CITIZENS When Mr. H.’s Medicaid card arrived in the wrong name, he came to Assemblywoman Weinstein for assistance. She contacted the Medicaid office and expedited the name change. The problem then continued for his wife, who uses her maiden name – she received a new card with her husband’s last name. Another call was placed, resolving the second problem. SOLVING CONSUMER PROBLEMS Assemblywoman Weinstein was contacted by several constituents after a furniture store, having taken their deposits, abruptly went out of business before delivering their furniture. After much effort, Assemblywoman Weinstein located the store owners and obtained a return of their deposits. CUTTING BUREACRATIC RED TAPE Ms. K. contacted Assemblywoman Weinstein after her own efforts to resolve financial issues with her co-op purchase, were unsuccessful. She was being billed by DEP and ECB for the entire co-ops violations and fines of over $10,000. In addition, NYC Finance was threatening to put a lien on her property since there was no record of real estate transfer tax being paid, despite having given the check at closing. After Assemblywoman Weinstein contacted the attorney, he determined the title company had never paid the tax. It was then promptly paid. Helene Weinstein also resolved the billing mistakes with DEP and ECB and Ms. K.’s credit was restored. |
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Help for Small Property Homeowners and Tenants
Small Building Part Opens in Kings County Housing Court The new court part is the first trial court in the state devoted solely to handling litigation between landlords and tenants of one and two family homes. The goal of the Small Building Part is to directly address the unique factors that lead to disputes between tenants and owners of one and two family homes by proactively attending to the complexities of these cases. The possibility of a homeowner losing their primary source of income, as a landlord of a small building, or losing your home, as a tenant can be both stressful and frightening. This new part was created to give special attention to these issues, and to meet the particular needs of these tenants and owners.
PROTECTING CO-OP RESIDENTS This November, Assemblywoman Weinstein co-sponsored a town hall meeting to address concerns residents of Philip Howard, Mansfield Gardens and Kings Village have regarding control and management of their co-ops. Representatives from the State Attorney General’s office and HPD attended and we are now working on problem solving. Additionally, Assemblywoman Weinstein, as chair of the Assembly’s Judiciary Committee is sponsoring legislation to increase staffing at the New York State Attorney General’s Real Estate Finance Bureau (REFB) to increase their ability to respond to complaints, enforcement and redress for housing consumers. Due to the increase in new co-op and condo plans, REFB has re-assigned attorneys and paralegals previously handling enforcement and mediation matters to review new filings.
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE CRISIS – Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein along with Councilman Lewis Fidler and other local elected officials sponsored a town hall meeting on predatory lending and the mortgage foreclosure crisis to help homeowners protect themselves. Earlier this year, Assemblywoman Weinstein convened the first of several Assembly hearings examining subprime lending practices, ways the state can help those facing foreclosure, and necessary steps to prevent a similar crisis in the future.
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WEINSTEIN SECURES You too may be entitled to a New York City tax refund, as long as you resided in New York City for even one month last year. Helene Weinstein’s office assisted 622 residents who did not file a r egular return in obtaining over $84,500 in refunds by completing the special NYC-210 form. (If you file a regular tax return, your tax refund is already included.)
Contact Helene Weinstein’s office for help in filing for your refunds. It’s Your Money, Don’t Forget About it! |
Weinstein Helps Launch Met Council's Legal Services
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, Judiciary Committee Chair, spoke to attendees at the launch
of Met Council’s Legal Services Program, which provides pro-bono legal help to poor New Yorkers.
Met Council CEO William Rapfogel thanked Assemblywoman Weinstein and Assembly Speaker
Sheldon Silver, who were instrumental in securing funding for this vital program.
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Assemblywoman Weinstein’s Office
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![]() Assemblywoman Recognizes Auxiliary Police
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein joined 67th Precinct Community Council President
Pat Reddock, Auxiliary Captain Jean Hughes Pierre, and Auxiliary Police Coordinator
Police Officer Sigue in honoring the men and women who give their time and service to
the Auxiliary Police Force. Assemblywoman Weinstein is providing state capital grant
monies to cover the purchase of Auxiliary Patrol vehicles for both the 63rd and 67th
Precincts.
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![]() Community Council President Honored
Captain Vincent Stella, Commanding Officer, 61st Precinct, joins Assemblymembers Helene
Weinstein and Alan Maisel as they present a NYS Assembly Citation to Joe Foy, congratulating him
for his four years of service as President of the 61st Precinct Community Council.
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ASSEMBLYWOMAN WEINSTEIN HELPS YOU SAVE MONEY |
![]() Assemblywoman at Community Board 15
Assemblywoman Weinstein attends Community Board 15’s meeting informing participants
about the new Anti-leafleting Law. The law, cosponsored by the Assemblywoman, prohibits
companies soliciting business from leaving flyers on properties that have a sign posted
prohibiting leafleting.
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HELENE WEINSTEIN CAN HELP YOU OBTAIN A SENIOR HALF-FARE METROCARD Helene Weinstein brings the MTA's Half-Fare MetroCard Bus to the community office at 3520 Nostrand Avenue on the third Thursday of every month.
Upcoming dates: Apply now for a senior (65+) or Disabled Half-Fare MetroCard. |
![]() Assemblywoman Visits Good Shepherd Friendship Club
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein visits senior centers in her district, listens to members
concerns and informs them of upcoming programs of interest. On a recent visit to the Good
Shepherd Friendship Club, the Assemblywoman reminded members about free flu shots.
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![]() Visiting Senior Centers
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein visits the newly formed Philip Howard Senior Center to
inform them of programs offered through her community office. Pictured with the
Assemblywoman are Philip Howard tenants, Lillian Joyce, Barbara Miner, Sadie Grant and
Anna Hernandez.
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![]() Community Office Programs Keep You Healthy!
Assemblywoman Weinstein sponsors a number of health and consumer programs at her office,
year round. Recently the Assemblywoman concluded the annual flu shot program, in partnership
with Beth Israel and Coney Island Hospitals.
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![]() Tackling Traffic Issues
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein discussed traffic issues along Kings Highway with Thomas
Hernandez, Vice President of Fraser Civic Association and Raphael Treitel, NYPD Clergy Liaison
and local resident, at the Fraser Square ribbon cutting.
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