On the Road Again
Robert, a disabled senior has his motorized wheelchair replaced every 5 years. His wheelchair broke, and after 6 months of waiting for his new one he approached Assemblywoman Weinstein. The Assemblywoman contacted his doctor, who had not submitted supporting documents, resulting in the denial from Medicare—the issue was sorted out and he received his new motorized wheelchair.

Robert thanked Assemblywoman Weinstein for the replacement of his scooter.

Cutting through Utilities’ Red Tape
The C.’s asked the Assemblywoman for help after Verizon insisted the couple pay to remove a utility pipe that went right through the middle of their backyard deck so they could build their new deck without the obstruction. Not only was the Assemblywoman able to have Verizon remove the pipe without cost, she also coordinated with several utilities to move a transformer that posed a possible danger.

Parking Permit Problem
Mr. G. applied for a disabilities parking permit and during his health review was informed that his supporting documentation was out of date. After securing up-to-date documentation, the City agency still denied his request and closed the case. Contact by the Assemblywoman uncovered that the City mistakenly issued the denial on the same day the documents were requested. The case was reopened and shortly thereafter, Mr. G. was approved for a new parking permit.

Con-Ed Concedes
Mrs. M. approached Assemblywoman Weinstein after Con-Ed failed to take responsibility for damages to her garden retaining wall several years ago. After bringing this delay to Con-Ed‘s attention, her case was expedited and a check to compensate Mrs. M. for the damages was sent out within days.

Cutting Bureaucratic Red Tape
Mr. L. graduated with a medical technology degree and, immediately after, received his federal license. In order to work in New York though he required a NYS license, yet after three months of inquiries he could not even get a status update from State Education. Assemblywoman Weinstein was able to call, contact the appropriate staff at the agency, and expedite approval of his license for the very next day.

Mr. L. came into the Assemblywoman’s community office to thank her for resolving his State licensing issue. (See story above)

Sidewalk Snafu
Mrs. S., a local homeowner, approached the Assemblywoman after receiving a notice from the New York City DOT, based upon a past violation, that she replace 286 square feet of sidewalk. She didn’t recall receiving a violation, and believed her sidewalk in good repair. The Assemblywoman rescheduled a sidewalk inspection resulting in DOT agreeing that their first assessment was wrong and reducing the needed repairs to only 15 square feet. A cost of $225 compared to DOT’s original cost estimate of $4,301.

Food Stamp Fiasco
Mr. and Mrs. K., an older Russian-speaking couple, were shocked when, on two separate occasions, someone had used their Food Stamp pin for purchases totaling $316 dollars. The Assemblywoman’s Russian-speaking staff member assisted them, referring them to free legal assistance for a fair hearing, where a decision was made to reimburse them for the stolen money.

Canceling Improper Hospital Charges
Ms. L. was in Community Hospital being treated for a liver problem. Because of complications, she had to be transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital. Soon after her recovery, she was billed for ambulance transport. After a collection agency demanded payment, Assemblywoman Weinstein spoke with representatives at Community Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital. A short time later Mount Sinai accepted responsibility and covered the ambulance costs.

Assemblywoman Weinstein welcomed a new Passport Application Center to the Kings Highway Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library along with BPL President Linda Johnson.

The new facility includes:

• Five agents to assist with processing;
• Passport pictures;
• Document copying;
• Accessibility for people with disabilities;
• Russian and Spanish translation.

Following numerous complaints, Assemblywoman Weinstein convened a site visit at Nostrand Avenue and Gravesend Neck Road with DOT Borough Commissioner Joseph Palmieri and MTA representatives, resulting in the relocation of the southbound bus stop to a safer location, and restoration of five much-needed parking spaces.

Administrators and students at Strivright Auditory/Oral School thanked the Assemblywoman for bringing bollards to the accident-prone Fraser Square.

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein often works with the NYC Department of Transportation to repair and improve dangerous and hazardous street conditions that negatively impact the quality of life and the safety of you and your neighbors. Some examples of the improvements made after intervention from the Assemblywoman this past year are:

• Placement of speed-curbing bollards on the Fraser

• Square roundabout

• Installation of a left-turn signal at the accident-prone intersection of Foster Avenue and Kings Highway

• Removal of unfair parking restrictions in front of homes
  on a mostly commercial block

Types of conditions we can help with include:

• Traffic signal and stop sign installations

• Speed-bump installations

• Sidewalk re-inspections

• Street light installation and repair

• Pothole and street repairs

• Improve visibility at intersections

You can report hazardous conditions by contacting Assemblywoman Weinstein’s community office.

If you have Basic STAR, but now qualify for the higher Enhanced STAR exemption -- 65 years or older with adjusted gross income below $81,900 – first register to renew your Basic STAR, and then file an application for Enhanced STAR.

Current Enhanced STAR recipients do not need to register – your benefits continue automatically.

The Assemblywoman’s office can assist you in registering online, checking your exemption status, or applying for Basic or Enhanced STAR.