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January 17, 2024

BRONX, NY – ASSEMBLYMAN DINOWITZ SECURES TOLL REBATE ON THE HENRY HUDSON BRIDGE FOR BRONXITES

My Henry Hudson Bridge Toll Rebate Program for Bronxites will take effect on February 3rd, 2024. I negotiated this program into the state budget in 2019, which was scheduled to take effect in 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will be funded through the Outer Borough Transportation Account, established in 2018, to enhance transportation resources in the outer boroughs. Under the program, Bronxites with passenger cars registered in the Bronx and a funded EZ-Pass account will get an instant rebate every time they cross the Henry Hudson Bridge. The bridge is one of the shortest bridges in the city, and the toll on the bridge has always irked people. It used to be known as the "10-cent bridge" years ago. Currently, the toll on the bridge is $8.25 one way without an EZ-Pass and $3.18 one way with an EZ-Pass. Under this program, your account will be charged and instantly credited for the same amount (in essence, free) for Bronxites.

I worked hard during the budget negotiations to make this available for all Bronxites. It is only fair that residents of the Bronx are not subjected to an extra toll when crossing this particular bridge into Manhattan, especially given that every other bridge providing access to Manhattan from the Bronx is toll-free. Currently, many people avoid this toll and drive into Kingsbridge and Marble Hill, causing additional congestion and pollution in these neighborhoods. Once this program takes effect, some people will save hundreds, even thousands of dollars annually. I am very proud that I could get this in the state budget, and I am thankful to Governor Hochul and the MTA for implementing this fantastic idea.

I joined hundreds of people at the Riverdale Y’s Rise Against Hunger for Martin Luther King Jr.’s Day of Service to help Pack 20,000 lbs of meals to address food insecurity locally and globally.

Top picture (from left to right): Community Leader Michael Heller, Congressman Ritchie Torres, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Volunteer Matt Altman.

Middle Picture (from left to right): Community Mobilizer Amira Mintz-Morgenthau and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

Bottom Picture: I am pictured with Congressman Ritchie Torres, Community Leader Michael Heller, and several community volunteers.

VCPA has learned about a series of muggings in the park, concentrating on the following trails: Bike path from Dickinson Ave to the Golf House, Putnam Greenway, and Old Croton Aqueduct. 

Please be extra cautious when out in the park, especially later in the day as it grows darker. 

Follow these tips to increase safety in the park:

• Walk or run in a group–especially in the early or late hours of the day
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times 
• Do not wear headphones 
• Keep your phone out of sight
• Leave valuables at home 

Van Cortlandt Park is still the best place in the Bronx to enjoy nature, play sports, and get some fresh air. We ask you to be cautious during these times.

Renewal of mainline track switches north of the Nereid Ave Station on the White Plains Line will be beginning on Friday, January 12th, 2024, and ending on Sunday, February 4th, 2024. 

The scheduled working hours will be as follows: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Friday for preparatory work, which consists of, but is not limited to, the staging of street cranes, track panels, and related materials at the crane sites listed below, and 5:00 AM -9:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, for track removal and installation.   

NYCT will have a maximum of two cranes placed adjacent to the elevated structure to hoist and lower track panels and materials at the locations listed below.

Crane Locations & Road Closure

• E. 239th St, between White Plains Road & Furman Ave (Friday from 6 am - 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday from 5 am - 9 pm)
•  Furman Ave, between Nereid Ave & 240th St (Saturday & Sunday from 5 am – 9pm)
•  W. Plains Rd, between Nereid Av & 240 St (Reduced to (1) Lane in each direction) (Saturday & Sunday from 5 am – 9 pm)  

NYCDOT-approved flagging and traffic devices will be utilized for public safety. Parking will not be allowed on (White Plains Road, between Nereid Ave and 240th St) and (Furman Ave, between Nereid Ave and 240th St). Parking will also be restricted to 150 ft. along each curb lane at each Crane location to allow the placement of a Crane and materials.

About Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR

The School Tax Relief (STAR) and Enhanced School Tax Relief (E-STAR) benefits offer eligible New York State homeowners property tax relief.

Who Can Apply

Homeowners not currently receiving the STAR exemption who meet the program's eligibility requirements may apply for the STAR tax credit with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. If you qualify for the credit, it will be issued to you in the form of a check. More information is available at www.tax.ny.gov/star or (518) 457-2036.

You may apply for the Basic STAR or Enhanced STAR tax exemption with the NYC Department of Finance if:

• You owned your property and received STAR in 2015-16 but later lost the benefit and would like to apply to restore it. Your income must be $250,000 or less to be eligible for Basic STAR.
• You currently receive Basic STAR and would like to apply for Enhanced STAR. You may be eligible for Enhanced STAR if you are 65 or older in the calendar year you apply. The total income of all owners, resident spouses, or registered domestic partners cannot exceed $98,700.

If you qualify for the exemption, it will be applied to your property tax bill. You will not be issued a check.

How to Apply

Suppose you meet the criteria above to apply for the Basic STAR or Enhanced STAR tax exemption with the NYC Department of Finance. You may submit your application online or download the application form (Click "How to apply for the STAR exemption" and download the paper application) at the Property Tax Benefits for Homeowners page.

You may also be eligible for other property tax exemptions.

Exemption or Credit?

If you currently receive STAR or E-STAR as a property tax exemption and earn $250,000 or less, you can register for the STAR credit to receive a check instead. You may receive a more significant benefit with the credit, as the amount of the STAR credit will increase in the future, but the value of the exemption will not. To learn more, visit www.tax.ny.gov/star or contact the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance at (518) 457-2036.

Each week, we provide new streets and their histories, all reprinted from John McNamara's "History in Asphalt," which gives in-depth origins of how current and former Bronx Streets got their name! I picked the two streets for this week from Riverdale: Johnson Avenue and Kappock Street.

Johnson Avenue: It is named in honor of the Johnson family, who ran an iron foundry on half of a 13-acre peninsula in the Harlem River, although purists might argue it memorializes the founder, Isaac Gale Johnson. He and his four sons manufactured shots and shells for the Union armies during the Civil War. The five Johnson mansions were built on the Spuyten Devil promontory. In 1890, the Johnson family now expanded to five sons, bought the rest of the peninsula for rolling mills. In 1938, the buildings were razed.

Kappock Street: Opened in 1895 on Spuyten Duyvil Hill, it was first called Warren Avenue. It is believed that Thomas H. Edsall, the eminent historian of that area, was the man responsible for having the street renamed to preserve its Indian past. "Shorakkappock" was the Algonkian name of a settlement on that height, and meant "Sitting Down Place."

Health advocates are intensifying their efforts to compel the White House to enact a nationwide prohibition on menthol cigarettes, emphasizing the significance of a looming deadline. They are pressing President Biden to decide by Saturday, given that the FDA, responsible for the proposed ban, has indicated a one-year timeframe for complete implementation. Notably, a 2022 study suggests that implementing a menthol cigarette ban could save over 650,000 lives in the United States within 40 years.

Last week, I asked, "Should Airline companies be more transparent about when they find issues with their planes?"

Yes — 87%

No — 10%

Other / No opinion — 3%

» Van Cortlandt Park Alliance — Events throughout January 2024

Trail Work Wednesdays

Every Wednesday in January - Meet at 10 am

Miles of trails traverse the natural areas of Van Cortlandt Park, and they are in need of regular maintenance. Volunteers will assist with maintaining the cross-country course and other trails throughout the park. 

Work includes water bar and checkstep maintenance, corridor clearing, raking, etc. Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants; bring water and a snack.

RSVP Now

Meet at VCPA Garden & Compost Site.

Multiflora Rose Removal Volunteer Days

Every Friday in January - Meet at 10 am

Saturday, January 20 - Meet at 10 am 

Tackle the stubborn and pervasive multiflora rose in the Northwest Woods.

Together, our efforts will focus on uprooting this invasive species, clearing the way for native wetland biodiversity to thrive.

RSVP Now

Meet at VCPA Garden & Compost Site.

» New York Public Library — Literacy in Community, Reading Everywhere Pajama Night, January 25th - March 28th

• Thursdays at 4:00 PM on January 25th, February 29th, and March 28th, Located at Kingsbridge Library (291 W 231st Street, Bronx, NY 10463).

• Let's get cozy! PJ Night is a magical reading program that transforms storytime into a world of dreams and imagination for your little ones. With music, dance and play, this program is about creating cherished moments with your child. Slip into your coziest pajamas and snuggle up together! Designed for families with children 0-5 years old, all ages welcome!

• Sign-up link: bit.ly/lincpj

• For more information, contact Araceli Farciert at [email protected]

» KRVC — GALLERY 505 Presents "Daylight Tibbetts En Plein Air," A Solo Exhibit By Noel Hefele, January 4th - March 29th

• Art Exhibit located at Gallery 505 (505 W 236th St, Bronx, NY).

• Opening Reception: Thursday, January 2024 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

• Gallery Hours are Friday from 2:00 PM-4:00 PM, viewings by appointment

• For more information, contact [email protected] or visit KRVC

» KRVC — Community Karaoke at KRVC, January 2024

• Fridays from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Gallery 505 (505 W 236th St, Bronx, NY).

• All ages and all languages are welcome. Bring your snacks and support your local food spots.

• For more information, contact [email protected] or visit KRVC

» NYC Parks — The BE BOLD Afterschool Dance Program, February 12th - May 1st, 2024

• Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM at the Willliamsbridge Oval Recreation Center (3225 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, NY).

• NYC Parks, in partnership with the Misty Copeland Foundation, invites children ages 6 - 13 years to enroll in the BE BOLD afterschool Dance program, which is a fun introductory ballet class with live music. The BE BOLD program offers a new approach to afterschool dance education, and our core values are Leadership, Curiosity, Kindness, Knowledge, Persistence, and an Appreciation of Dance and Music. Please register with [email protected] or call (718) 543-8672.

• Participants must have an NYC Parks Recreation Center Membership. Membership is free for youth and young adults 24 years and under.

• For more information, call (718) 543-8672, [email protected], or visit nyc.gov/parks. Contact [email protected] or (212) 360-1430 for more information regarding accessibility.

» E-ZPass NY — 24/7 E-ZPass NY Account Access!

• Preparing for a trip or already on the road? Forget to add that new license plate before your vacation? Want to check your balance? Is your account balance low? No worries! Use our Tolls NY Mobile App.

• Real-time payments and account updates are made without speaking to a representative.

• Scan the QR code or click the link below to easily download the app from the App Store or Google Play today!

Please visit our YouTube channel to learn more by clicking here.

» NYC Department of Environmental Protection - Change in Water Supply

• DEP is preparing for a multi-month shutdown of the Delaware Aqueduct later this year

• DEP has slowly started introducing water from the Croton system into the city's supply of tap water

• Residents may detect a slightly different taste in water sourced from different reservoirs due to different mineral contents

• All water used in New York's tap water system is highly tested (2,000 times per day)

• Any concerns about tap water quality should be reported to 311 so DEP can investigate

• For more information about the city's tap water and sources, visit: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/water/current-water-distribution.page

• For more information about the Delaware Aqueduct repairs, visit here: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/news/21-006/600-feet-below-hudson-river-final-concrete-lining-completed-1-billion-water-tunnel#/0

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Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz

3107 Kingsbridge Avenue

Bronx, New York 10463

Phone: 718-796-5345 | E-Mail: [email protected]