Assemblyman
Keith L.T.
Wright
Reports to
the People

Fall 2009

Inside this Edition:

Assemblyman Wright Honors Local Business people with Hispanic Heritage Month Luncheon
Assemblyman Wright and Attorney General Cuomo Host Community Forum
Census Participation is Key to Harlem’s Recession Survival
The State Assembly and Gov. Paterson Take Steps to Combat Looming Deficit
District Events

The rapist’s final assault happened early on Labor Day morning, after the suspect broke into the apartment of a 28-year old victim on 147th Street and raped her at knifepoint in her own home. It was the fourth of such attacks in the Hamilton Heights area of Harlem since the beginning of the summer. With tips pouring in from throughout the Harlem community, the New York City Police Department increased patrols and eventually found a suspect, Vincent Hayward, who has since submitted to a DNA test.

Assemblyman Wright, Ms. Virginia Montague of the New York Coalition of One Hundred Black Women, Councilwoman Inez Dickens, Councilman Robert Jackson, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, the Guardian Angels and community residents hold press conference to warn area residents about Harlem Sexual Assaults.

According to activist and district leader, Virginia Montague, “We must work together with our elected officials, police and community leaders to ensure that our neighborhoods are safe. This kind of collaboration sends a message to law breakers, that this criminality will not be tolerated in our community.”

In response to these and other crimes in the area, Assemblyman Wright seeks to ensure that a capital project in the amount of $100,000 is included in the State budget to increase street lighting in the Hamilton Heights area. “More lights lead to less crime, this is proven. Therefore, we will install newer and more prevalent street lights in this neighborhood. Our community joins together in times of difficulty and this was no exception, and our residents await the day that this cruel and disgusting criminal is locked away,” said Assemblyman Keith Wright.

ASSEMBLYMAN KEITH WRIGHT HONORS LOCAL
BUSINESSPEOPLE WITH HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH LUNCHEON

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright hosted a business awards luncheon entitled, “Latinos Leading in a Global Society.” At this event, community leaders, businesspeople and their families gathered to honor business leaders of the Harlem Community.

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month long celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Assemblyman Keith Wright pictured with honorees at first Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Luncheon.

The Harlem community honored the following individuals with Proclamations and congratulations; Mr. Rubin Luna, owner of C-Town Supermarkets, who has been a staple in the community for several decades; Mr. Fernando Romero, owner of J&L Dry Cleaners, has provided quality professional cleaning services for over twenty years; Mr. Shamsuddin Riza, owner of D&R Construction Services Inc., who has helped many neighborhood families through direct employment and training and; Ms. Wanda Matos is Branch Director of Banco Popular (145th St & Broadway) who has helped many businesses and families address their banking needs through the use of innovative services created especially for the Harlem community.

“As you may know, small businesses are the engine that drives our economy both nationally and locally. During these tough economic times many businesses have had to close their doors; some for good, and others to open up elsewhere in the pursuit of lower operating costs just to stay afloat. I am overjoyed that there is a faithful cadre of business owners who have made the hard decision of continuing to serve the Village of Harlem, thus preserving and improving the economic fabric of the community around them,” said Assemblyman Keith Wright.

Assemblyman Keith Wright and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo hosted a community forum in an attempt to bring the Harlem community and the Attorney General’s office together. By all accounts, the event was a great success, with many Harlem residents actively participating in discussion with the Attorney General. Issues discussed included: Consumer Fraud, Health Care, Civil Rights and Labor Rights.

In what was one of the biggest turnouts of the Attorney General’s statewide tour, Harlem Hospital played host to this memorable discourse. Many Harlem residents voiced their problems with the healthcare industry and asked the Attorney General what is being done at a Statewide level to combat these abuses. The Attorney General patiently answered questions from the community and informed the many in attendance about their rights under Federal and State laws.

“Bridging the gap between the residents of Harlem and our State elected officials is an important action of the democratic process. Without active input from our neighborhoods, the Attorney General would not be able to do his job and without the Attorney General, thousands of crimes and abuses would go unpunished. This cooperation is necessary and beneficial for the neighborhoods of Harlem and I am proud to have sponsored an event along with our Attorney General,” said Assemblyman Keith Wright

Assemblyman Keith Wright and children from Abyssinian House celebrating Back to School 2009.

The budget enacted in April by the State Legislature assumed no drop in State revenues. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing decline in both employment and consumer spending, New York has actually experienced a 15.9% drop in revenue through September of this year. “Our government needs to make smart and forward looking decisions to get through this financial crisis, we cannot go along thinking that the failed policies of the past will suffice,” said Assemblyman Wright. He continued, “We all agree that cuts need to be made and understand that this will be neither a gentle nor a painless process, but it is a process which our State and City must endure.”

Assemblyman Keith Wright meeting with fiscal analysts in preparation for New York State Assembly Social Services budget debate in the Assembly chamber.

Other States, such as California, have been forced to shutter their State Universities, Parks and Hospitals because of similar deficits. While New York State has not reached that level of budgetary desperation, it is important to make cuts while we can, before we reach a level where our current State infrastructure becomes untenable. “The Governor has reiterated that tax increases are the last thing our residents want or need in these difficult times. We must make the cuts now before our debt spirals out of control and we are forced to make the really difficult decisions, such as, should we close our colleges or our hospitals, when it becomes an either/or situation. Although we will undoubtedly see a great deal of resistance to some proposals from the special interests, I am confident that the State Assembly and the Governor will make the right decisions to lead our State forward out of this crisis and onward towards prosperity,” said Assemblyman Keith Wright.

H1N1 INFLUENZA PREVENTION
TIPS AND RESOURCES

New York State is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address possible cases of H1N1 in New York. H1N1 is different from seasonal flu, although some symptoms are similar, including fever, cough, sore throat, chills and fatigue. H1N1 can be treated with antiviral drugs, so there is no need to panic.

If you have questions or concerns about H1N1, the state has set up a 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-800-808-1987. New York City residents should call 311.

Up-to-date information regarding H1N1, travel warnings and alerts, can be found at the CDC Web site, www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or the NYS Department of Health Web site, www.nyhealth.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/h1n1/.

Stopping the flu is up to you.

The flu is spread from person to person and, occasionally, by touching something with the virus on its surface. Precautionary measures for both seasonal flu and swine flu include:

• Washing your hands often with soap and warm water. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective.

• Avoiding people who are ill.

• Staying home from work or school if you are sick.

• Using a tissue when you cough, sneeze or spit, and disposing of the tissue in a covered trash bin.

• Keeping hands away from your face. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Cleaning shared space more often, such as phone receivers, keyboards, steering wheels, door knobs and office equipment.

• Refraining from sharing personal items such as forks, spoons, toothbrushes and towels.