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  • New York. Mayor Eric Adams on WBLS : Ground Zero 360, and Help for Bed-Stuy Seniors

    New York. Mayor Eric Adams on WBLS : Ground Zero 360, and Help for Bed-Stuy Seniors

    On WBLS 107.5’s “Hear From the Mayor,” Eric Adams reflected on the 24th anniversary of 9/11 and New York’s resilience, then welcomed retired NYPD inspector Paul McCormack, now legally blind from 9/11 injuries, to spotlight Ground Zero 360—the traveling exhibition he and photojournalist Nicola McLean created, now installed in City Hall’s Rotunda with personal effects from 11 fallen first responders and more than 100 artworks, with hopes to return for the 25th anniversary. McCormack honored Officer Moira Smith and noted that deaths from 9/11-related illnesses have surpassed the initial toll, thanking the Mount Sinai 9/11 health program. Callers raised concerns about Bed-Stuy seniors losing homes due to high property taxes and deed theft; Adams said he’s pushing tax reform in Albany and praised AG Letitia James and DA Eric Gonzalez for aggressive deed-theft prosecutions. The show closed with a call for unity and an invitation for New Yorkers to stay engaged and connect with the mayor online.

    Transcript: Mayor Adams Hosts “Hear From the Mayor” Radio Show

    Gary Byrd: Each and every second Sunday of the month, as you know by now, WBLS is proud to welcome a brother. He’s the 110th mayor of New York City, the second mayor of color and the first hip hop mayor in the city’s history. It’s time for us to hear from the mayor, Eric L. Adams. And the mayor wants to hear from you right here from 107.5 WBLS. Let’s get it started. Good morning, Brother mayor. Good to have you with us as always.

    Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you. Great to be with you also, Gary. And to all the listeners out there. As you tune in to hear from the mayor and your mayor, Eric Adams. If this is your first time tuning in, the purpose is just really to share dialogue with you and other New Yorkers. 

    Listeners should give me a call and hear directly from me or hear some of the things that we’re doing to building a better city. Or you can sign up to hear more from me by visiting NYC.gov/hearfromEric. And you can also sign up on our website to text with Eric and talk with me on WhatsApp. But today, this morning, Sunday, this is a beautiful day out, by the way. Get outdoors and enjoy it. You could also call me at (212) 545-1075. 

    As many of you know, this past Thursday was September 11th, 2025. We reflect on what took place over 24 years ago on September 11th, 2001, when we lost nearly 3,000 people who perished on that terrible, terrible day when two planes flew into our World Trade Center. And it just created so much havoc throughout our country, because, as you know, we also had a plane that flew into the Pentagon. And we saw a plane that crashed in the field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. And the names of those lost during this terrorist attack were read aloud during the testimony and ceremony during the ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial. And so 24 years, we have not forgotten them and we want to keep them in mind. 

    The most remarkable thing I always say is not the tragedy of what happened on September 11th, but what took place September 12th. We got up, teachers taught, builders built, retailers sold their goods. And we showed those who thought they would impact us of our level of resiliency as New Yorkers. And our resiliency cascaded throughout the entire country. And we saw our country stand up and state that we would not be terrorized by terrorists. 

    And one person who really personifies that is my guest today, Paul McCormack. Amazing, amazing individual, former New York City Police Department inspector. He was the CEO of the 13th precinct. And he turned what I like to say, he turned pain into purpose. He didn’t sit back and say, what was me? He said, why not me? Let me be the leader from the front. And when he retired due to his injuries sustained in the line of duty on 9/11, it left him legally blind. 

    He continued to make sure that we would never forget this moment. He’s the CEO of Ground Zero 360. It’s a traveling exhibition honoring the victims of 9/11 and their families. And earlier this week, I had the honor of unveiling the art installation at the Rotunda at City Hall. If you haven’t seen it, please come out and see it. 

    It is an accumulation of 14 years of work that he has put together and moved around the country, visited 60 cities, featuring photography, artifacts, and artwork. It tells the real story of the courage, the loss, and the resiliency. And the exhibition includes personal effects of 11 fallen first responders and 100 artworks reflecting on 9/11. 

    It is really an important exhibit. And I just want to thank him and his wife, his wife, Nicola McLean, a photojournalist who was working in New York City on that terrible day of September 11. And the two of them married and created Ground Zero 360 together. So I want to turn it over to you, Paul. That was a mouthful of what you have done and accomplished. Tell us the concept of your exhibit and how did it come about?

    Paul McCormack, CEO, Ground Zero 360: Well, first off, mayor, thank you for having me here. And thank you for having us at City Hall. It was a tremendous honor and privilege to be there. And very, very kind of you to have us there. As I said, I was the commanding officer of the 41st Precinct on 9/11 in the South Bronx. And my wife was working for the Irish Voice and Irish American Magazine on 9/11. And my wife was down there on the 11th. And when the towers fell, in the days and weeks thereafter, there was a lot of people showing up with missing posters. 

    I think any of your listeners that were around at the time, missing posters started going up everywhere in the city at all of the bus shelters, train stations, hospitals. People were desperately looking to find their lost loved ones. And it was desperately sad. It was really sad. And my wife got really affected by it. She knew then that she wanted to do something to honor the victims and their families. And she and I, she created Ground Zero 360. And as most wives do, she came to me looking for help. What am I going to do? Say, whatever you want, hon, whatever you want. 

    But no, she created an incredible exhibition to honor the victims. And the mission is to keep the memory alive and never forget the sacrifice of so many on that terrible day. And a lot of the pictures that she took, it was on 35mm film, were of messages that were written in the dust from. There was a lot of firefighters. There were 343 firefighters who were lost, 23 members of the NYPD, 37 Port Authority police officers. And there were some, like, really sad messages that were written on the car windshields, on the store windows. And she asked me to track down some of the families that were in the messages, and we did. 

    And as you mentioned earlier, we actually have 13 family members that lost loved ones on 9/11. And I went to the families and asked them if they would be involved in the project, because we wanted to remember their families. And they’re all basically family members of ours right now. We have their personal effects in the exhibition. And it’s an emotional thing, Mr. Mayor, but it’s a privilege to be able to do it every year. It’s a labor of love. And like you mentioned, being a member of the NYPD, you said September 12th it would show the true nature of our country. 

    By God, it did. Like, I remember traveling down from the Bronx to Ground Zero. For three months, I was traveling down there, and the people were lined up in the streets. And I think every American became a New Yorker after 9/11. We became—America became a community. And by God, I was never—and I mean never—as proud to be a New Yorker. I was never as proud to be a member of the NYPD or as proud to be an American as I was at that time. Because there was no left or right, Democrat, Republican. None of that nonsense. We were all a united country. And Jesus, I wish we could get back to that, to that united feeling. 

    But the exhibition for the 10th anniversary, Nicola wanted to do—it was basically going to be a three-week memorial in her hometown in Dublin at the National Museum of Ireland. And that has turned into a 14-year odyssey right now, where you mentioned we have artists from all over the world. Fifteen countries have created pieces of art that they’ve given to us to show their—it affected everybody worldwide. It really did. It was so—so many countries and so many people affected. And, like, I remember for the 20th anniversary, my wife gave me a list of 15 artists. And she said, I’d like you to contact these people to do some art for us. And they were like big names, like Sean Scully and Hughie. And I was like, these guys are going to tell me to go jump in a river. 

    But it was quite the opposite. They were all like, we’d love to do something to honor the victims. And it went from 15 artists to over 100 artists right now. But it’s people like yourself. I remember speaking to you on St. Patrick’s Day this year about this event. And you didn’t even hesitate. You were like, yeah, we’re going to have this in City Hall. And we’re going to give it the right space, the right place to show this. And you didn’t even hesitate. And it’s people like yourself that really make us feel good about what we’re doing, because you make it so easy for us. And thank you so much for just a magnificent venue. Thank you.

    Mayor Adams: No, so true. You know, like they say, we all gave something, but some gave all. And we should remember those who gave all. And as your work, it really allows us to reflect on it through the visual art, which is very powerful. And some of the paintings really reflect the spirit and the energy. What is the next destination for the exhibit?

    McCormack: Well, we’re going to be at City Hall for the next few months. We’re hoping to return next year. The 25th anniversary is probably going to be the biggest anniversary since it happened. And as I said to you on Monday at City Hall, there’s no place like home. So we want to have it in New York again. So God willing, we can have it back at City Hall, because it’s the right venue to honor these victims and their families. And it was a very special. 

    We had a few families there. Jimmy Smith, who lost his wife Moira, was there. Really powerful. Like, I remember being in my office in the 41st Precinct with my executive staff. And my most vivid memory of 9/11 was when the first tower fell. A female police officer came over the radio calling for help. And you know yourself, mayor, as a cop, there’s nothing worse than hearing a fellow officer, especially when it’s a female. Not being sexist, but when it’s a female calling for help, it’s a different call. And there’s nothing more sickening in your gut when there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it. 

    And I remember that female voice was police officer Moira Smith. And Jimmy, who’s a retired cop from the 13th Precinct, Jimmy gave us Moira’s personal effects as part of the exhibition. And one of the paintings right at the bottom of the steps of the rotunda is a painting that Jim Fitzpatrick did of Moira, who is probably the greatest example of courage, selflessness, heroism that you’ll ever find as a police officer. And one example for cops worldwide. Just an unbelievable inspiration for all of us. And something we could strive to be like. She ran in there. Her last picture was taking a bloodied guy out of the towers. And she went right back in afterwards and made the ultimate sacrifice. So for us to be able to honor people like that is just a privilege.

    Mayor Adams: So true, and now due to your work there, you lost your sight. What is your personal story?

    McCormack: Well, I got chemicals in my eyes. So my eyesight deteriorated rapidly after 9/11 to the point where I couldn’t drive and I couldn’t shoot anymore. Not much use as a cop if you can’t do those two things. But I had to retire from the job. I loved being a cop. But I turned, as you said, I tried to turn that into doing things to help people. 

    I started up The Finest Federal Credit Union to help law enforcement in New York City, which is now rolled into New York State. I teach for a promotional school called The Key. You probably know that. I think you were one of our students back in the day, I believe, when you were studying for captain. I think you were one of my students, by the way. 

    So, yeah, but delighted to be continuing helping cops. And I was a big sports person. And one of the things, like, I used to play a lot of golf. And I had to give it up cold turkey for 13 years. And then I got involved with the United States Blind Golf Association. And I didn’t even know that there was such thing as blind golf. Like, people, they say blind golf. What the hell are you talking about, blind golf? But there are so many organizations out there that can help the blind and visually impaired. 

    I wound up joining the [The United States Blind Golf Association,] which gives you an outlet. Being blind and visually impaired can be a very dark and lonely and depressing place. It can. It’s frustrating. I can tell you, if I have five kids and to not be able to see them playing sports from the sideline and see things that other adults and parents can see, it can be depressing. 

    But when you can get involved with organizations like the United States Blind Golf Association, and you get out to outings where you can socialize and meet people, and it’s just a healthy way. It’s healthy for your mind and body. And, like, you represent your country at certain events. And I had the honor of representing New York and the United States at the World Blind Golf Championships in Canada last month. So I was delighted to do that.

    Mayor Adams: You know, it’s a powerful story because sometimes we believe that after the buildings collapsed and the rebuilding, people still had to rebuild their lives. And, you know, oftentimes when you’re going through these difficult moments, it really calls on you. You know, faith is crucial. And hearing your story of how that terrorist attack also impacts your vision, impacts the lives of others. But you have truly turned that pain into purpose.

    McCormack: You mentioned faith, mayor. I grew up a Catholic in Ireland. Went to Mass every week, every weekend. But when, you know, I moved over to America, emigrated to America in 86. I worked construction, joined the Police Department. And you kind of get away from your faith. But it’s amazing how events like that can bring you back and closer to God. 

    I remember Trinity Church was right there beside, still there, and was such a source of inspiration and hope. And I remember going in there and just praying. It got me closer to God, that event. And I remember going in and praying, reflecting, resting. And I think a lot of people felt that way. Sometimes it’s sad to say, but it takes events like that to really get you closer to God and make you realize the important things in life. It makes us reset.

    Mayor Adams: You know, I hear the music, and we’re going to move to a break. Please stay with us. Paul has more to share. And if you have any questions, you could call us again. The number is (212) 545-1075.

    Byrd: The program is Hear From the Mayor. And in addition, the mayor wants to hear from you. As you heard, (212) 545-1075 is the number to call. (212) 545-1075. We’ll come back with the mayor and his special guest right after this. From 107.5 WBLS.

    [Commercial Break.] 

    Byrd: The program is Hear From the Mayor, and the mayor wants to hear from you. Stand by, he’ll be taking your calls in just a moment. Let’s welcome back Mayor Eric Adams and his special guest.

    Mayor Adams: Thank you so much, and I’m here with Paul McCormack, retired inspector of the NYPD and CEO of Ground Zero 360. Before we go to calls, Paul, tell me about the continuous death. We hear about the 3,000 on September 11, 2001, but there are many deaths that are taking place even now.

    McCormack: I think that’s something that a lot of people don’t realize, Mr. Mayor. I think there’s more than double the amount that got killed in the attacks, have died since 9/11, of cancers, respiratory diseases, and other illnesses. It’s really sad. 

    I’d like to do a thank you to the Mount Sinai Medical Program for what they do for the sick and injured. Every year, anybody that was down there, probably yourself included, should be getting checked up. But every year we go to the Mount Sinai program, but it’s sad. We have a sergeant that worked for me, Steve Chaffee. We honor him in the exhibition as well. He died of cancers from 9/11, and we’re honored to honor him in our exhibition as well. It’s something that police think and pray for all of the people that work there.

    Mayor Adams: Yes. Before we go to the callers, callers, if you have a question for Paul or myself, Mayor Adams, you’re on the air, caller.

    Question: Good morning, mayor. Good morning. I’m calling on behalf of the senior citizens, especially in Bed-Stuy. Our senior citizens are losing their homes at an alarming rate, primarily because of the taxes. They pay higher taxes in Bed-Stuy than they do in Park Slope. And a lot of our senior citizens are getting to the point where they can’t pay their taxes. 

    Somebody comes along and they offer them a loan, and they get into these predatory loans, and they get into deed theft. Is there anything, a bill, that can be put in place where you can put an abatement on senior citizens so their tax rate won’t be so high?

    Mayor Adams: Yeah, and thank you for that. And I’m one of them. You know, I own property in Bed-Stuy, and I was going to join the original suit that Martha Stark, former finance commissioner, was put in place. I couldn’t join because I was an elected official at the time. But you are right. We have been, one, put in place changes in Albany to do tax reform because one, communities should not be paying higher. The out-tax laws are wrong. 

    They are unfair, particularly to communities like Bed-Stuyvesant and other moderate, middle, low-income communities. And we are going to try to push that legislation through Albany. But two, the Attorney General Letitia James and DA Eric Gonzalez are looking to prosecute those who go after our property owners with deed theft. This is something that has been plaguing the community, and they have been extremely aggressive. It was something I was fighting for even when I was born president. So there’s a combination of the two that we are really looking at this real problem. Caller, you’re on air. 

    Question: Hello? 

    Mayor Adams: Yes, how are you, caller? We have a little amount of time, so we want to get to your question, okay.

    Question: Thank you to the 9/11 Memorial with Officer McCormack there. I am one of the workers from the 9/11 Mount Sinai program. And I just wanted to thank you all for your service. And just share with you that I appreciate Officer McCormack saying that we should, it would be good to get back to a state of unity. You know, because at the 9/11 program, I served previously. I’m not there anymore. 

    But at the time when I served right after 9/11, the actual Ground Zero tragedy, we did not care who the person voted for, what political party they were part of, or what their life choices were. We served everybody, anybody, and we came unified to try to bring some healing and some help and some coordination for everybody that participated, or lived around and was affected by the 9/11 tragedy, either physically there or emotionally or psychologically. And I still have that practice today, that it doesn’t matter who you voted for, what you are.

    Mayor Adams: You’re right, sister. I’m sorry, sister, you’re right. That music is, we’re ending, but we got the spirit of what you were saying. And I thank you so much for what you have done and the energy you’re putting out right now. And I want to thank all our listeners in WBLS for allowing us to communicate with you. Thank you, and have a great, great weekend.

    September 14, 2025

    Sources: NYC.gov , Midtown Tribune News
    Big New York news BigNY.com

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • New York City Joins Coalition Opposing Federal Military Deployment in U.S. Cities

    New York City Joins Coalition Opposing Federal Military Deployment in U.S. Cities

    adams New York News Midtown Tribune USA

    On September 10, 2025, New York City announced its support for California Governor Gavin Newsom’s case challenging the federal government’s deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles. Filing an amicus brief alongside 12 other cities and counties, New York argues that federal military involvement in local law enforcement is unlawful, undermines public safety, and threatens First Amendment rights. Mayor Eric Adams emphasized that New York is already the safest large city in America, crediting its precision policing strategies and effective collaboration with state and federal partners—not military intervention. The coalition calls the troop deployment an unprecedented federal overreach and urges the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold a ruling blocking the action.

    City of New York Takes Action Opposing Federal Government’s Military Deployment in American Cities

    New York City and Coalition Support California’s Case Against Federal Administration . Brief Contends That Cities — Not the Military — Hold Lawful Expertise and Authority Over Domestic Law Enforcement, Are Better Suited to Ensure
    Public Safety While Protecting First Amendment Rights

    – The City of New York — as part of a coalition of 13 localities from around the nation — has filed an amicus brief supporting California Governor Gavin Newsom’s ongoing case against the federal government’s unlawful deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles. In the brief, the coalition urges the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to affirm a district court ruling in Newsom v. Trump, which enjoined the federal government from deploying federal troops in Los Angeles. The coalition calls the federal deployment of armed soldiers on city streets an “unprecedented assault on fundamental American values” that has no basis in law and undermines public safety.

    The federal government has also sent troops to Washington, D.C. and has repeatedly made clear that New York, Chicago, Baltimore, Oakland, and other cities are next. The brief encourages the court to put an immediate end to this unchecked federal overreach and violation of the principles of federalism.

    “New York City is the safest big city in America and home to the best police force in the world, and our results speak for themselves: crime is plummeting across the five boroughs, with major violent crimes reaching record lows,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Collaboration with state and federal law enforcement has always been a key part of our public safety strategy. We do not need a deployment of the National Guard to our city. Instead, we hope to continue to work with the federal government to stop the flow of illegal guns to our city from other cities and states. We remain committed to keeping New Yorkers safe through smart, precision-driven policing.”

    “This brief highlights the risks of allowing the National Guard to become President Trump’s personal police force,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant. “An unlawful military presence trampling on the sovereign rights of cities and undermining local law enforcement efforts should not be tolerated in any of our communities.”

    In June 2025, the Trump administration federalized the National Guard in Los Angeles in response to protests of immigration enforcement operations. On June 12, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that the deployment violated federal law because the president had exceeded the narrow authority granted to him by Congress and violated the Tenth Amendment. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit stayed the district court ruling while it considered the merits of the federal government’s appeal.

    In the amicus brief — prepared by the City of Los Angeles — the coalition argues that the federal government’s appeal provides no legal justification for deploying federal troops in Los Angeles. The coalition asserts that there was no invasion or rebellion directed toward the federal government that would have allowed the federal government to lawfully deploy the National Guard under Title 10 of the U.S. Code (10 U.S.C. § 12406), nor did false claims of “lawless mob violence” permit the federal government’s extreme response.

    Further, the brief highlights how the federal deployment of combat-trained soldiers to Los Angeles impeded the city’s ability to carry out policing activities, sowed chaos, and escalated violence at protests. The brief contends that cities — not the federal government — hold the lawful expertise and authority over domestic law enforcement and are better suited to ensuring public safety while protecting First Amendment rights.

    Joining the City of New York and the City of Los Angeles are the cities of Bell Gardens, Long Beach, Monterey Park, Santa Ana, Santa Monica, Santa Paula, and West Hollywood, California; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; and Baltimore, Maryland; as well as the County of Los Angeles, California.

    September 10, 2025 NEW YORK

    Sources: NYC.gov , Midtown Tribune news ,
    Big New York news BigNY.com

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • New York. Adams Stresses Faith and Record Gains in Address at Hope City Church

    New York. Adams Stresses Faith and Record Gains in Address at Hope City Church

    New York news NYC Mayor Adams Delivers Remarks at Hope City Church

    New York City Mayor Eric Adams, speaking Sunday at Hope City Church, blended personal testimony with a defense of his record. He recounted his upbringing, his reliance on faith, and his recent struggles while outlining achievements such as expanded broadband for public-housing residents, reduced childcare costs, new foster care supports, and record declines in crime. Adams also highlighted job growth and minority business investment, framing the city’s progress as part of a broader message of resilience and divine guidance.

    Mayor Adams Delivers Remarks at Hope City Church’s Sunday Service

    Mayor Eric Adams: Please be seated. You don’t stand for me, I stand for you. You know, I started to tear up when I heard that story because I’m going through some stuff, folks. I’m going through some stuff. And, but God. But God. But God. 

    And I remember that day, as I was sitting there, I remember that day speaking to those young people. Always showed up. Always showed up. That has been my life, showing up for us. Because growing up in South Jamaica, Queens, mommy raising the six of us, no one showed up but God. But God. 

    And, pastor, you know, first of all, thank you for your friendship, your prayers. And we were coming in, I was in his office, and he was telling me that during COVID, I was supposed to come to service, and I got COVID, and Pastor Monrose said, no, “If Eric comes to church with COVID, they’re going to beat him up and write all sorts of things about him.” 

    And pastor said, you know, I started to read it and hear, and he said, Pastor Monrose was just right. No matter what Eric does, they are going to attack him. And you have to ask yourself why, you have to say to yourselves, why we don’t read about anything Eric has done in this city. Because, in your mind, I don’t blame you when you believe that this has been an administration of nothing but corruption. 

    I don’t blame you if you believe that I’m a puppet for Donald Trump. I don’t blame you if you believe that we have done nothing for people of color. I don’t blame you for believing that, because the people who are supposed to tell you the story of what we have done, have done just the opposite. So let me just take a moment to just give you a brief glimpse at what we have done in this city. 

    Who lives in NYCHA? Black and brown people. Do you know we have free high-speed broadband for NYCHA residents? $159-$160 a month now going back into their pockets. Do you know we have, for the first time, NYCHA land trusts because the federal government moved away from NYCHA. And we included NYCHA in our housing plan like no other administration has done before in the history. 

    And I have walked the halls of NYCHA to deal with real issues that’s in NYCHA. And when we did our summer youth jobs, we zeroed in on NYCHA residents and young people in particular. And do you know that crime in NYCHA has finally gone down in NYCHA residences under this administration. 

    Who is in foster care? Who is in foster care? Six to 700 age out every year and they slip through the cracks. Victims of crimes, homelessness, mental health issues. You know what we’ve done? Six to 700 that age out every year. Do you know we’re paying their college tuition and they’re no longer aging out at 18? They’re getting life coaches until they’re 21 years old and we’re giving them a stipend to move on. 

    Who needs childcare? Black and brown. Do you know we dropped the cost of childcare from $220 a month to less than $20 a month? Who needs after school programs? Who’s in the Department of Education? Black and brown students. Do you know we have universal after school programs? And we have expanded pre-K and 3K so that children with special needs, autism, now will have seats. They have been ignored for years, but we’re bringing them in. 

    When I became mayor, Black unemployment and brown unemployment was four times the rates of whites. We dropped unemployment by 20 percent in both areas. Black M/WBEs were not receiving any of the city procurement contracts. We put $19 billion into M/WBEs. Nowhere in the country is doing it. 

    And you know better than I, pastor, who’s the victims of shootings? Black and brown. We took 23,000 illegal guns off our streets. We have witnessed the lowest number of shootings and homicides in recorded history of this city. Who’s on our subway system going back and forth to work every day? Even swiping the metro card and jumping over the turnstile. Black and brown. Crime in our subway system is the lowest in recorded history, when you take out the two years from COVID. 

    More jobs in New York than in the history of this city. More small businesses are operating in the history of this city. Our young people— I have been on Rikers Island folks, more than any mayor in the history of this city. When I got re-baptized, I could have gone to any church in the city. You know where I went to get re-baptized? I went back on Rikers Island and got re-baptized with the inmates. With the inmates. 

    And so, when you talk about Donald Trump, do you know I took the president to court more than any mayor in this country? More than any mayor in the country. And the White House sued me several times. Think about it. They said, well, he had your charges dropped. Please go read my indictment. Please read it. When you read the indictment, you will say to yourself, what is this? 

    I was facing 33 years in prison. For calling the Fire Department, as the borough president, telling them, go do a building inspection. And if you can’t do it, let me know and I’ll manage their expectations. When you read through the indictment and you align it with the fact that I told the federal government, you can’t continue to send 237,000 people into our city at a price tag of $7 billion, I was not a good Democrat. But you know what I was? I was a good mayor for the people of this city. 

    I couldn’t stop the buses from coming in. That was against federal law. I couldn’t allow people to work who came into the city. That was against federal law. City law required me to house, feed, clean and clothe. Everything possible, I had to do according to city law. 

    And when I went to Washington, I said that $7 billion is coming out of my housing dollars. It’s coming out of the money that should be going to my children. It’s coming out of the money that’s going to my seniors. It’s coming out of the money that should be going to ensure that I can decrease unemployment. They turned a deaf ear. They said, Eric, it’s like a goldstone. You’re feeling pain now, but it was the past. 

    This is what I was fighting against. And so, I want you to know, God is in charge. God is in charge. And I want to end with this. Back when I was a little boy, mommy was struggling to hold on to our house. And every once in a while, she would hit the number. And I would say, mommy, you know, you’re a Christian. You’re not supposed to be playing numbers. And mommy would say, “Baby, God uses who he uses.” God uses who he uses. 

    And so, I don’t know about you. If you knew, you wouldn’t do anything wrong. And if someone comes along and says, on the campaign trail, that’s wrong what they’re doing to that mayor. And made the determination to have their Justice Department look over the case and see what they were saying among each other about me in that Justice Department. And they come along and say, you are not going to face 33 years in prison. And people come up to me on the street and say, well, you should not have allowed that to happen. I tell them, God uses who he uses. That’s what God uses. 

    And so, all I know is that Hope City is the city that I’m the mayor of. And there’s hope in this city. Because your pastor is the pastor of Hope City. And you know what? I’m going to ask every pastor I meet from now on. Do you have Cash App? And I’m not even going to tell them why. I’m just going to say, do you have Cash App? And I’m going to drop the mic. Thank you, church.

    September 7, 2025 Manhattan, New York

    Sources: NYC.gov/mayors-office , Big New York news BigNY.com
    Nidtown Tribune news

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • Adams, CUNY Boss Unveil $12M Bronx Science Hub at Hostos

    Adams, CUNY Boss Unveil $12M Bronx Science Hub at Hostos

    NYC News New-york New Life Sciences Midtown Tribune USA

    Mayor Eric Adams and CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez are pumping $12.3 million into a new life sciences center at Hostos Community College — turning part of the old Bronx General Post Office into a high-tech training ground for future nurses, therapists, and health pros. The $70 million makeover will bring sleek labs, classrooms, and student hangouts to the South Bronx, serving up to 5,000 students a year. City Hall says the project will boost enrollment, create faculty jobs, and give locals a pipeline to high-paying healthcare gigs. Construction kicks off in 2026, with doors set to open in 2028.

    Mayor Adams, Cuny Chancellor Matos Rodríguez Celebrate Funding for New Life Science Facility at Hostos Community College (Video)

    What you should know

    • New State-of-the-Art Life Sciences Facility Will Offer Hands-on Training in High-Demand Health Care Programs, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Home Health Care, and More
    •  Facility Expected to Drive Enrollment Growth, Create Demand for Additional Faculty Jobs, Increase Research Capacity, Help Students Enter High-Paying Careers in Health and Science
    •  Builds on Investments Made in Mayor Adams’ “Best Budget Ever” to Protect $1.4 Billion in Critical Programs Previously Facing Spending Cliffs; Maintain Funding to CUNY, Cultural Institutions, Libraries, and More

     – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and The City University of New York (CUNY) Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez today announced $12.3 million in funding to lease a new space that will serve as a life sciences facility for Hostos Community College in the Bronx. With $12.3 million in baselined funding from the city, developer BPO Owner LLC will embark on an approximately $70-million renovation of a portion of the historic Bronx General Post Office to develop a state-of-the-art facility for health care programs. The city’s investment was made in conjunction with the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Adopted Budget, which builds on Mayor Adams’ FY 2026 Executive Budget, often called the “Best Budget Ever.”  

    “If it’s good enough for Cornell, it should be good enough for CUNY. There’s no reason our CUNY schools shouldn’t have the same level of resources and access to hands-on learning as their peers across the nation, and our administration is proud to help make that happen,” said Mayor Adams. “Today, we are helping CUNY develop further into a world-class institution with the announcement of a brand new life sciences facility at Hostos Community College in the Bronx, which will feature modern instructional labs, classrooms, and student spaces, and serve up to 5,000 students per year. Building on our ‘Best Budget Ever,’ we are investing over $12 million more annually in Hostos to support the college’s growth, expand high-demand programs, and replace outdated labs — all which will drive enrollment, create demand for additional faculty, and give our students the skills they need to enter high-demand careers.”  

    “My story began at CUNY — more specifically, at Hostos Community College. CUNY opened the doors to opportunities and gave me the foundation to pursue my dreams in this city,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “Now, in my role as deputy mayor and as the city’s liaison to CUNY, it is deeply meaningful to be part of this moment. Supporting my alma mater and contributing to its growth means helping thousands of New Yorkers have access to the same opportunities I once had. This new life sciences facility at Hostos is both an investment in the infrastructure of this institution and a commitment to our students — to their future, and to the next generation of health care leaders who will serve our fellow New Yorkers.” 

    “The transformation of the historic Bronx Central Post Office into a state-of-the art science facility for Hostos Community College is the realization of a decade-long ambition shared by the Bronx and Hostos communities,” said CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez. “With more space, we will double the number of students eligible for meaningful careers as medical professionals, creating more avenues to New York’s thriving health care industry and improving access to health services for communities throughout the Bronx. I want to thank Mayor Adams and the City Council for giving this storied building a new lease on life while honoring its identity as a public good.” 

    “Today is a great day for Hostos and for our students,” said Hostos Community College President Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis. “We have been planning for years to build a new Allied Health Building to meet the increasing needs of our community, as more and more students are enrolling in pursuit of careers in health care and various STEM fields. We are so excited to start renovating the building, developing new programs and creating new opportunities for our students to progress socioeconomically. Mil gracias to Mayor Adams, CUNY, and BPO Owner for making this possible.” 

    “I have been working with Hostos for nearly a decade, and I am truly proud to have played a role in making this program and building a reality for Hostos and CUNY,” said Jorge Madruga, partner, BPO Owner LLC. “Bringing a revered Bronx institution like Hostos Community College into the Bronx General Post Office reflects our long-term vision to revitalize this historic landmark for the benefit of the community. We are honored to house their new life sciences facility here, which will open doors for more students to pursue critical education opportunities and higher paying jobs. I want to thank Mayor Adams and CUNY for their support in shaping the future of this important project, and everyone involved in making it a reality.” 

    The new facility — located at 558 Grand Concourse in the South Bronx — is the historic and landmarked former Bronx General Post Office building. Approximately 10,000 square feet will continue operating as a post office, with the remaining approximately 190,000 square feet to be used by Hostos Community College. The new ‘Allied Health and Natural Sciences Life Sciences Center’ will feature modern instructional labs, lab support areas, faculty offices, general classrooms, student spaces, and campus services. It consolidates the allied health and natural sciences departments, improving proximity between faculty and classrooms and fostering greater interaction between students and faculty. With increased capacity, Hostos Community College can introduce additional high-demand health care programs, such as surgical nursing, surgical technology, occupational therapy, and home health care. 

    Currently, over 2,400 students are enrolled in allied health programs, including dental hygiene, nursing, and radiologic technology; and nearly all Hostos Community College students, regardless of their major, are required to complete at least one natural science course as part of the pathways general education requirements. As a result, the new facility is expected to serve up to 5,000 students per semester. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2026, with the program slated for opening in the fall of 2028.  

    The Adams administration is delivering on realizing plans for Hostos Community College that are over a decade in the making. The inspiration for the facility stems from the 2012 Master Plan Amendment, which identified a significant space shortage at Hostos Community College. The approved plan called for a new allied health and natural sciences building to support the college’s growth and expand high-demand programs. Outdated labs and instructional spaces have limited students’ academic growth and hindered the preparation for success in an increasingly competitive job market. 

    Today’s announcement builds on the significant investments Mayor Adams has made in CUNY and the advancement of career-oriented learning. In 2024, Mayor Adams and CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez announced a nearly $12 million expansion towards the CUNY Inclusive Economy Initiative, which leverages CUNY campus resources to create college-to-career pipelines for CUNY students and now exceeds $14 million. In 2023, Mayor Adams announced “Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: An Action Plan for Young Adult Career Success,” a $600-million, forward-thinking roadmap to build inclusive pathways for the city’s young people to discover their passion, receive hands-on career experience, and ultimately enter the workforce.  

    In June 2023, together with CUNY and New York City Public Schools, Mayor Adams announced a partnership with Google as the first tech-anchor employer partner for the FutureReadyNYC initiative that provides meaningful career-connected learning opportunities, including career discovery programming, paid work-based learning experiences, and mentorship from tech professionals. Google is also serving as an inaugural partner for the CUNY Tech Equity Initiative, which expands tech-focused career awareness from the first day on campus, advances curriculum innovation, increases the number of paid internships, and grows employer engagement with campuses. And, established as part of Mayor Adams’ expanded Summer Youth Employment Program, CUNY Career Launch is a paid summer internship program designed to provide students with no prior paid internship experience an opportunity to strengthen their professional skills in key industries, such as health, technology, social services, and education.  

    Under Mayor Adams’ leadership, the city also expanded College Choice, which provides college students in foster care with greater support systems, including financial support so they can attend the college of their dreams without having to worry about a hefty price tag. Through the program, foster care students can attend any college of their choice, including CUNY universities. 

    “Repurposing a part of the historic Bronx General Post Office into a center for learning and exploration shows how we’re reimagining space to empower our Bronx scholars,”said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “In these new labs and classrooms, students will gain the hands-on training they need to enter careers in health and science that are not only high-demand, but life-sustaining for their families. This means more nurses, radiology technicians, dental hygienists, and soon, new programs in surgical nursing, occupational therapy, surgical technology, and home health care. I want to thank Mayor Eric Adams, CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez, Hostos President Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis, and BPO Owner team for their investment in our scholars and our borough.”

    State Senator said: “The newly announced life science facility is an exciting achievement for Hostos Community College and a welcome addition to the South Bronx,” said New York State Senator José M. Serrano. “With state-of-the-art instructional labs, classrooms, and faculty offices all under one roof, this expansion will foster greater learning and collaboration between students and faculty. Expanding high-demand healthcare programs will help to prepare students for successful careers that meet the growing healthcare needs of our community.”  

    “With this new state-of-the-art life science facility at Hostos — which will expand Hostos enrollment, create jobs, and grow research capacity — Hostos is preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals at a time when our hospitals and healthcare workers are most in need —right here in the Bronx,” said New York City Councilmember Eric Dinowitz. “As the City Council’s Chair of Higher Education, I will continue to fight for sustained funding for CUNY and Hostos to ensure our city’s higher education institutions can continue opening doors for students and families across our community and build facilities like this one.” 

    “When we advocate for ‘Rebuilding the Bronx,’ it is exactly moments like the opening of the Hostos Life Sciences Facility at Hostos Community College that we envisioned – It was my pleasure to celebrate this $12.3 million investment towards Bronx education and workforce development alongside Mayor Adams and CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodriguez,” said New York City Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr. “With the increase in research capacity that this facility will offer, we are setting students up for success and perfectly aligning our borough to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation. I am immensely grateful to our city’s leaders for their continued belief, and investment, in this great borough that I’ve been blessed to call my home for my entire life.” 

    September 3, 2-25 NEW YORK

    Sources: NYC.gov/mayors-office , Midtown Tribune news
    Big New York news BigNY.com 

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • Mayor Adams, NYPD Report Crime Down, Address Bronx Shootings and Safety Measures

    Mayor Adams, NYPD Report Crime Down, Address Bronx Shootings and Safety Measures

    NY News Mayor Adams and NYPD Highlight Historic Crime Midtown Tribune News

    Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch appeared live on PIX11’s Morning News at 7 AM September 3, 2025, to review the latest NYPD crime stats. Overall crime in New York City fell nearly 7% year-over-year, with transit crime down more than 22%. Officials noted shootings are still at record lows citywide, though recent Bronx incidents have fueled concern. Adams pointed to gangs and repeat offenders as key challenges, while Tisch highlighted historic gang takedowns, more guns seized, and thousands of new recruits, including school safety officers. Both stressed that New York remains the safest big city in America, with expanded police presence and safety plans in place as schools reopen.

    Transcript: Mayor Adams Appears Live on PIX11’s “PIX11 Morning News at 7 AM”

    September 3, 2025

    Hazel Sanchez: The numbers are in, and they show crime is down across New York City. The NYPD releasing its August data, which shows that major crimes are down nearly 7 percent from this time last year. 

    Dan Mannarino: Transit crime also dropped more than 22 percent year to year. Same for robberies, same for assaults and grand larceny. And while the numbers really tell one story, we’re seeing another, especially in the Bronx, where shootings are actually on the rise. Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, they are joining us now from City Hall this morning with a more detailed look at these numbers. So good to see both of you. Good morning. 

    Mayor Eric Adams: Good to speak with you, Dan, as well. 

    Mannarino: Let me begin with this, Mr. Mayor. Help us make sense of the numbers, right? How the data can show that shootings are at historic lows across the city, but it also shows there’s a 4 percent increase in the number of shooting incidents compared to last year. So how do you kind of explain that one? 

    Mayor Adams: And you’re talking about in the month of August, as you stated, overall crime is down, as well as shootings [being] down for the year. Look, we have some high profile cases. And when you peel them back, you will see that we’re dealing with two elements that we have communicated throughout the entire year, particularly throughout the time I’ve been in office, recidivism and gangs. 

    So when you start dismantling gang databases, when you start allowing a revolving door criminal justice system, this is the result. So we’ve been doing our job in the criminal justice system, but clearly those two components are hurting our public safety movement.  

    Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch: And I would just add that shooting incidents and shooting victims for the first eight months of the year, citywide, are at record lows right now. We’ve continued that each month. In the month of August, shooting incidents citywide were up ever so slightly.  

    But importantly, in the borough of the Bronx, where we’ve had a number of high profile shootings, shooting incidents for the month of August are actually down 20 percent. So this August was actually safer than last August, even in the borough of the Bronx. 

    Sanchez: But what happened in the Bronx just the last couple of days and then after Monday’s parade, how does the data actually account for that too? 

    Police Commissioner Tisch: Well, the numbers are what they are. Yes, we have had a number of high profile incidents in the Bronx, particularly over the past several weeks. But one thing that you should know is that we have deployed over a thousand additional officers to walk foot posts in the Bronx, on the streets and at the times where we know that the shootings occur. And my expectation is that those officers are going to quell some of the violence that we’ve seen over the past two weeks. 

    Mannarino: What are you attributing the rise or the numbers that we’re seeing in the Bronx? Are you attributing it to gang violence? What are you attributing it to? 

    Police Commissioner Tisch: A lot of it, Dan, is gang violence. And the mayor has been very clear with us. He wants us to go after gangs and guns. And we have done that in a big and frankly historic way this summer and this year. We have more gang takedowns this year than we have ever had in NYPD history.  

    More guns off the street over the past three and a half years under the mayor than ever in history. So those two ingredients, going after gangs, going after guns, in addition to having lots of cops out in foot posts, [and] precision policing in the right places, has led to the historic crime declines that we are discussing today. 

    Sanchez: Yeah, I mean, Mayor Adams, we’ve been here before where perception, reality, they’re two different things. But how successful do you really feel, though, that the summer violence reduction plan was? 

    Mayor Adams: Well, as the commissioner stated, the numbers don’t lie and you use the numbers to indicate are you moving in the right direction. Look over this weekend, the number of shootings we had. And then look at cities across America, Chicago, over 50 people shot, over 50 people shot. And so when you look at what we’re doing here, we remain the safest big city in America.  

    And we know these high profile shootings, Franklin Avenue, you saw fourteen people shot. You saw four people shot in the Bronx. We know this plays on the psyche of New Yorkers, but when you look at what this Police Department is doing under this commissioner, you are seeing record lows in crime.  

    Now we need the other parts of the criminal justice system to do their job, and that includes looking at what we did with Raise the Age, looking at what we did with bail reform and these other aspects that’s causing this revolving door. The shooters have records of shootings and records of carrying guns. This is terrible. 

    Mannarino: You mentioned Chicago and the president has now set his sights on Chicago and sending in the National Guard. Commissioner Tisch, I know you met recently with the Attorney General Pam Bondi and expressed to her that you don’t need the National Guard. Was she on board? Have you been assured that New York City will not get things like we’ve seen in LA and now soon to be Chicago? 

    Police Commissioner Tisch: So we had a very polite discussion. And as usual for me, I was very direct in saying to the attorney general that in New York City, we got this and we don’t want or need extra help. Because in fact, in my opinion, the extra bodies here are not helpful. Those people are not trained to be on the streets in New York City to deal with street crime.  

    So I explained that in my opinion, it would be more of a hindrance than a help. And New York City police officers are the best trained in the world and they’re the best cops in the world. Let them do their thing.  

    Mannarino: And the response?  

    Police Commissioner Tisch: We had a nice discussion. Obviously, she wasn’t in a place to make any guarantees, but I think my message was delivered loud and clear. 

    Sanchez: Commissioner, as we head back to school, the NYPD has hired nearly 3,000 new recruits this year. Does that number also include school safety officers? 

    Police Commissioner Tisch: Yes, we’ve done a huge push around hiring school safety officers and we will continue to do that. For as long as I’ve been in the Police Department, there’s always been drama around the number of school safety officers we have. And so we’ve put in place a hiring plan, hopefully to end that drama.  

    But importantly, starting tomorrow, the NYPD school safety plan goes into effect. And we have lots of officers, over 500 officers that are going to work corridors that kids travel to and from school at the times they’re traveling to and from school just to make sure that their pre-school and post-school commutes are nice and safe. We’ve got to keep our kids safe. 

    Mannarino: Absolutely. That is a priority. While we have you, I want to shift gears here and talk about you for a moment. There was a lot of news about you being in Florida yesterday, your trip to Florida. Can you talk about why you went to Florida and if you met with anybody from the Trump administration while you were there? 

    Mayor Adams: The goal of the trip was to get away for a day to deal with some personal issues in Florida. And at the same time, you know, I had a birthday celebrating [my] 65th–  

    Mannarino: Happy Birthday.  

    Mayor Adams: And I had some former colleagues that I was able to see. What I did on my time and how I paid for it was my dime and you know my rule. My time, my dime, my time. 

    Mannarino: So did you meet with anybody from the Trump administration? 

    Mayor Adams: I met with several political figures in Florida while I was there from various parts, including the mayor from Miami administration. 

    Sanchez: Okay. Well, mayor, I know how much you love polls. We’ve talked about this before, but the latest ones have you in third place. Do you think that’s going to change now that independent candidate Jim Walden dropped out? 

    Mayor Adams: Well, we’re going to continue to move forward and just stay focused. I keep bringing it back and sharing with everyone where the Democratic primary winner was at this distance in the race. The goal is not to be distracted. Dan, you heard me say this over and over again, stay focused, no distractions and grind.  

    Mannarino: Never heard that. Mr. Mayor, let me ask you, because you know what the rumors are going to say. You went to Florida. You’re now talking about meeting with political figures that you are looking for some, for an out of the race and that you’re looking for a potential future job. So are you planning to stay in this till November? Can you quell that rumor that you were absolutely saying in this or are you looking for another job? 

    Mayor Adams: Well, I said it over and over again, it didn’t quell it. So what is the purpose of continuing saying the same thing that is not going to quell? Listen, I’m a retired captain in the Police Department, former state senator, former borough president. I’ve never had a problem finding jobs as I transition. And that’s not what I’m looking for right now. I’m looking to continue to serve the people of the City of New York.  

    Mannarino: Just to be very clear, just to be very clear, because I know you’re staying in the race till November– 

    Mayor Adams: Dan, I said that over and over again. It didn’t satisfy you last month. It didn’t satisfy you the previous month. It’s not going to satisfy you this month–  

    Mannarino: Well Mr. Mayor, you know, just to be fair, I did ask you a number of times if you were running as a Democrat and you always said, “Yes, I am.” And then you went independent. 

    Mayor Adams: No, Dan. I’m still a Democrat, Dan. You know, let’s be clear. I’m still a Democrat. I am still a Democrat. And so, again, no matter how many times I answer the questions, you’re going to have to do your job of asking. And I’m going to do my job of answering. 

    Mannarino: It’s my birthday gift to you to keep asking the questions.  

    Sanchez: And you see a path to victory, Mr. Mayor?  

    Mayor Adams: I answered that three months ago. I answered it again last month and I’ll answer it again this month. Yes.  

    Mannarino: All right. Mayor Adams, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Commissioner, by the way, I heard you say earlier that you were direct. You never. Good to see both of you. Thank you so much.  

    Mayor Adams: All right. Take care.  

    September 3, 2025 Manhattan, New York

    Sources: NYC.gov , Midtown Tribune news
    Big New York news BigNY.com 

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • Mayor Adams: NYC Crime at Record Lows, Bronx Shootings Drive Perception Gap

    Mayor Adams: NYC Crime at Record Lows, Bronx Shootings Drive Perception Gap

    Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch joined 1010WINS’ Morning Drive on September 3, stressing that New York City remains the safest big city in America despite summer shootings in the Bronx. NYPD reports show August saw record lows for shootings, burglaries, and shoplifting, with major crime down 7% this year. Tisch pointed to precision policing and unprecedented gang takedowns, while Adams pressed for tougher courts and federal action to stem the flow of illegal guns. Both officials emphasized that crime numbers tell a different story than headlines, underscoring public safety progress under the current administration.

    Transcript: Mayor Adams Calls In for Live Interview on 1010WINS’ “Morning Drive”

    Susan Richard: Shooting, subway crime, and shoplifting are now at record lows in New York City. That is the word from the NYPD, which says new crime stats show the safest August ever in the boroughs. And while the numbers may say one thing, multiple shootings have been making headlines in the Bronx this summer. And so the NYPD has added a thousand more cops to the beat in that borough. Well, joining us live to talk more about this this morning, both Mayor Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Thank you for being here.

    Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you. Great to be on with you

    Richard: All right. Do we have a situation yet once again where perception and reality are not on the same page?

    Mayor Adams: Yes. And we were clear that some of these high profile shootings were multiple victims. It just creates a feeling of [being] unsafe. And we have been focusing on that. But the numbers don’t lie. The city continues to be the safest big city in America. And under the police commissioner and her team, we’ll continue to drive down crime in the city.

    Police Commissioner Tisch: And I’ll just add. Let me tell you what some of the results were overall in August. Major crime was down 7 percent for the first eight months of the year. We have the lowest number of shooting incidents, the lowest number of shooting victims citywide in recorded history. Retail theft is down 22 percent. Burglaries in the month of August, we have never had a lower August for burglaries. We are seeing very good things in terms of the overall crime numbers in the city, despite a number of troubling incidents that we’re addressing.

    Richard: We know, commissioner, that you spoke directly with Attorney General Pam Bondi, but President Trump is still dangling the idea of sending in the National Guard to help with policing here in the city. You have both said emphatically that we don’t need that. Is there any area in which it might actually help?

    Mayor Adams: Yeah, where we could use the federal authorities’ help is stopping the flow of guns in our city. We meet every morning with our local, state, and federal law enforcement officials. But where the help is needed, is not on the ground. It’s stopping the flow of guns on the ground. As we saw, we saw a person come across the country with an AR-15 and shoot four innocent New Yorkers.

    This is where the help is needed. But when it comes down to it, with the rubber meets the road, our numbers are clear and we know these high-profile shooters give the indicator that we’re not moving in the right direction, when in fact, the numbers are showing we are.

    Richard: Well, let’s talk about what’s behind the specific gun violence in the Bronx. Are we talking [about] armed robberies? You’ve mentioned gang violence, that mass shooting in that park, the basketball tournament. What is the plan for tackling whatever the root cause is? And is there one root cause or multiple?

    Police Commissioner Tisch: So, much of the violence that we’ve seen over the past few weeks in the Bronx is gang-related. We know who the gang members are, thanks to our criminal group database, and we know where they operate. And so you can be sure that we have deployed a thousand cops in the borough of the Bronx [and] on the streets in the times we know the crime has occurred.

    We are focused on precision policing, the right blocks, the right time, and we know who the people are that are in these gangs, and we are going after the gangs. This year, we have done more gang takedowns in New York City than we ever have in the past.

    Richard: But here’s the thing, a thousand more cops on the street, they’re not going to be there forever. So once the cat’s away, is the mouse going to start playing again?

    Police Commissioner Tisch: Well, let’s just put this in perspective, okay? This August, when we did have a number of high-profile shootings in the Bronx that were terrible, still, our shooting incidents in the borough of the Bronx are down 20 percent. So yes, we have seen a problem or problematic incidents over the past two weeks, but I don’t want your listeners to feel like everything is completely out of control. The shootings, in particular in the borough of the Bronx, are trending downwards year to year.

    Mayor Adams: But we can stop the cats from playing if the courts and the criminal justice system do their job. The recidivism of those who are shooters, who have shot before, and who have carried guns before, are almost always apparent and present in these shootings. We have to stop the revolving door of our criminal justice system.

    Richard: And I understand what the numbers are saying. I would imagine, and this question really is for both of you, certainly, mayor, you know, you’re the one who’s talking directly to family members. We had that, you know, that teenager who took a bullet lodged behind her eye. I mean, you know, it’s hard for them to hear numbers, you know, these family members of innocent victims.

    Mayor Adams: And it is. And when I partner with individuals like Jackie Rowe-Adams, who lost several children to gun violence, and other mothers who are dealing with this issue, Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E. and others, it hurts. And I feel this personally, not only professionally, because I’m in the hospitals with these families. I’m speaking with them and communicating with them.

    And I ask them, let’s turn our pain into purpose. We must have a criminal justice system that includes the courts, includes our lawmakers, and includes law enforcement to stop this flow of guns and to stop this violence that we’re seeing. NYPD, they’re doing their job under this commissioner. And we need the other components of the law enforcement community to do the same.

    Richard: All right. I have one quick question, a final one for the commissioner. We’re in the middle of a mayoral race. Would you want to stay on as commissioner, regardless of who wins that race?

    Police Commissioner Tisch: So I have been very clear that it is not the place of the police commissioner to get involved directly in political elections. But what I will say is that Mayor Adams and I are completely aligned on public safety policy [and] on sanitation policy. And it has truly been an extraordinary privilege to work under him as police commissioner of the City of New York.

    Richard: All right. Mayor Adams, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, thank you so much for your time this morning.

    Mayor Adams: Thank you. Take care.

    September 3, 2025 Manhattan, New York

    Sources: NYC.gov , Midtown Tribune news
    Big New York news BigNY.com 

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • New York. Adams Taps Doug Lipari to Supercharge NYC Jobs, Pumps Billions into Worker Wins

    New York. Adams Taps Doug Lipari to Supercharge NYC Jobs, Pumps Billions into Worker Wins

    Mayor Eric Adams is doubling down on jobs for New Yorkers, naming Doug Lipari as the new head of the Office of Talent and Workforce Development to drive a fairer, stronger city economy. Lipari, a city government vet with over a decade of know-how, previously kickstarted the Office of Community Hiring, which has funneled over $3.3 billion in city contracts since 2024 to create jobs and apprenticeships for low-income folks and NYCHA residents. Adams also rolled out a slick new digital tool to crack down on wage and labor violations in construction, ditching clunky paper records for good. With National Workforce Development Month on the horizon in September 2025, these bold moves aim to put every New Yorker on the path to a solid paycheck and a thriving career.

    Mayor Adams Appoints Doug Lipari as Executive Director of Office of Talent and Workforce Development, Celebrates Historic Investments in Workers

    What you should know

    • Lipari Brings Over a Decade of Government Experience to New Role,
      Previously Served as Inaugural Executive Director of Office of Community Hiring 
    • Since Launching Community Hiring in 2024, Over $3.3 Billion in
      City Contracts Subject to Community Hiring Requirements, Unlocking Job and Apprenticeship Opportunities for Low-Income New Yorkers and NYCHA Residents
    • Adams Administration Will Also Launch New Digital Labor Compliance Tool to Bolster Enforcement of Wage and Labor Requirements on
      Building Service and Construction Projects

    NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today appointed Doug Lipari as the executive director of the Office of Talent and Workforce Development (NYC Talent) and celebrated historic efforts by the Adams administration to create a more equitable New York City workforce. Lipari previously served as the acting executive director of NYC Talent as well as the executive director of the Office of Community Hiring (OCH) within NYC Talent. As executive director of NYC Talent, Lipari will help lead the city’s extensive workforce development system to prepare New Yorkers for and connect them to good-paying careers. Mayor Adams launched the Office of Community Hiring to work with contractors to identify promising local talent and create job and apprenticeship opportunities for low-income New Yorkers. Since launching in 2024, over $3.3 billion in city contracts have been subject to community hiring requirements, including construction and building services contracts that require a significant portion of labor hours be performed by people who live in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) housing or in a ZIP code where at least 15 percent of the population lives below the federal poverty threshold. Finally, Mayor Adams announced a new digital tool that will track building and construction contracts with prevailing wage requirements, transitioning away from the city’s outdated paper-based process and allowing the city to better enforce wage and labor requirements. Mayor Adams’ appointment of Executive Director Lipari and his additional updates on workforce development efforts come in anticipation of National Workforce Development Month, a nationwide celebration held annually in September to highlight the importance of workforce development to both local cities’ and the nation’s economy.

    “Making New York City the best place to raise a family means making sure that every New Yorker can find a good-paying job. From city agencies to private employers to job seekers, we’re helping align our city’s workforce development system, unlocking opportunity, and creating an economy where everyone can thrive,” said Mayor Adams. “There is no one better to continue leading these critical efforts than Doug Lipari. Doug has the experience, dedication, and skill to keep breaking down silos across our workforce development system and lead ambitious initiatives that help New Yorkers find a job. From making sure that low-income New Yorkers and NYCHA residents are able to find a good job through our Office of Community Hiring to helping lead project labor agreements that make sure New Yorkers are paid a fair wage, Doug has been on the frontlines of the fight for a more equitable economy for a decade, and I know he is the right person to help lead at this moment.”

    “Making New York City the best place to live, work, and raise a family has always been the priority and North Star of the Adams administration,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr.  “Doug Lipari’s dedication to that mission and successful track record overseeing the Office of Community Hiring make him the perfect leader to continue the great work at the Office of Talent and Workforce Development. I am excited to continue working with Doug in this new capacity and am confident that his leadership will continue to move this important work forward.”

    “I am honored to lead the Office of Talent and Workforce Development on behalf of the City of New York and am grateful to Mayor Adams for his trust and ongoing commitment to the career success of all New Yorkers,” said NYC Talent Executive Director Lipari. “I’m excited to continue working alongside the dedicated NYC Talent team to deliver meaningful improvements across the workforce system, through close partnerships with industry, government, labor, nonprofits, education, and philanthropy, so that our local economy thrives.”

    Mayor Adams originally created the Office of Community Hiring in 2023 to use the city’s purchasing power to bolster economic opportunity and connect city vendors with a pipeline of talent. Through community hiring, the city sets workforce goals for vendors to provide employment and apprenticeship opportunities for low-income individuals and those living in low-income communities. Since launching the office, 66 projects worth over $3.3 billion have been released with community hiring goals, helping connect low-income New Yorkers and NYCHA residents to a broad range of careers from construction to building services to social services and more.

    Additionally, to help make sure that workers on city construction and building services projects are paid what they deserve, Mayor Adams announced a new digital tool that will allow the city to more effectively monitor labor and wage requirements, including New Yorkers contracted through community hiring. Starting next year, city agencies administering contracts with prevailing wage requirements will receive and analyze payroll records on a new digital platform, transitioning away from a paper-based process and bolstering the city’s efforts to track and enforce compliance. The digital tool will increase publicly available wage data through a public dashboard and enable the city to track community hiring goals on construction and building service projects.

    NYC Talent works to align the city’s extensive network of agencies, employers, and educational institutions around shared priorities and better connect New Yorkers to good-paying careers. NYC Talent’s work includes:

    ·         Implementing community hiring, which incorporates goals into city contracts to ensure that job and apprenticeship opportunities are made available to low-income New Yorkers, NYCHA residents, and those living in low-income ZIP codes. Once fully implemented, Community Hiring will be the nation’s largest program of its kind.

    ·         Setting young people up for career success by coordinating and championing record investments across agencies in programs like the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development’s Summer Youth Employment Program and New York City Public Schools’ Summer Rising, as well as institutionalizing career-connected learning via initiatives like New York City Public Schools’ FutureReadyNYC and the CUNY Inclusive Economy Initiative, New York City Public Schools’ Summer Rising, as well as institutionalizing career-connected learning via initiatives like New York City Public Schools’ FutureReadyNYC and the CUNY Inclusive Economy Initiative.

    ·         Strengthening partnerships with employers through a reinvigorated New York City Workforce Development Board and a new complementary advisory council to make sure the city’s talent development system is preparing New Yorkers for in-demand skills and occupations, with focused partnership and investment in critical economic sectors such as tech, health, and in other areas where careers will build a more future-focused, more resilient city and infrastructure.

    ·         Making historic progress towards Mayor Adams’ moonshot goal of connecting New Yorkers to 30,000 apprenticeships by 2030, so that proven learn-and-earn models can support diverse, new sectors and occupations and create new good career pathways for students and young people.

    ·         Connecting job seekers to career opportunities and working closely with public and private stakeholders to strengthen New Yorkers’ access to workforce services through deeper community engagement, stronger interagency partnerships, and improved technology solutions, especially for job seekers who face historic employment barriers.

    “The appointment of Douglas Lipari as executive director signals a continued commitment to advancing the mission of the Office of Talent and Workforce Development,” said Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO, Partnership for New York City. “We value our strong partnership with the city and are proud to collaborate in building a workforce system that is responsive to industry needs and expands opportunity for New Yorkers.”

    “Doug Lipari is a proven leader who is deeply dedicated to connecting hardworking New Yorkers with good-paying, union careers, making him an incredible choice for executive director of the Office of Talent and Workforce Development,” said Gary LaBarbera, president, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “As the Mayor’s Office unveils more plans to ensure that blue-collar workers, like our tradesmen and tradeswomen, are given fair and dignified opportunities to pursue the middle class, Doug will offer the leadership and counsel necessary to implement these tools effectively. The Building Trades congratulates him on this new role and looks forward to continuing our collaboration moving forward.”

    “We’re proud to know and work with Doug and see this well-deserved recognition of his leadership,” said Grace C. Bonilla, president & CEO, United Way of New York City. “At a time when our city needs it most, Doug’s stewardship of the NYC Office of Talent and Workforce Development has been instrumental in helping New Yorkers achieve shared prosperity, a goal we share at United Way of New York City, as we unite the power of community with citywide possibility.”

    “On behalf of the entire NYC Workforce Development Council, we enthusiastically support the appointment of Douglas Lipari to lead the Office of Talent and Workforce Development,” said Michelle Adams, senior managing director of external relations and business development, Tishman Speyer. “Doug’s energetic leadership and proven track record within city government, particularly with the successful launch of Community Hiring, have already created significant opportunities for New Yorkers. The Council is eager to partner with Doug to continue strengthening our city’s talent pipelines and building a more dynamic economy.”

    “I’m thrilled to congratulate Douglas Lipari on his well-deserved appointment as executive director of the Office of Talent and Workforce Development. Doug’s deep commitment to collaboration, innovation, and the use of effective, evidence-based practices makes him the right leader at the right time,” said Adria Powell, co-chair, New York City Workforce Development Board; president & CEO, Cooperative Home Care Associates. “I’ve had the privilege of working with him through the New York City Workforce Development Board, and I know firsthand how dedicated he is to building a more agile and equitable workforce system. I look forward to continuing our partnership as we strengthen government coordination, improve service delivery, and sustain the public-private partnerships essential to driving inclusive economic growth for all New Yorkers.”

    “JobsFirstNYC congratulates Doug Lipari on his appointment as executive director of the Office of Talent and Workforce Development,” said Marjorie D. Parker, president and CEO, JobsFirstNYC. “Doug’s leadership will be critical to ensuring that all New Yorkers — especially young adults — have access to career pathways and economic opportunity. We look forward to building on our strong partnership to further strengthen the city’s workforce ecosystem, which supports residents, employers, and the economy.”

    “Douglas Lipari is a steady hand in New York City’s workforce development efforts, and his leadership has already helped deliver real progress through community hiring and the expansion of equitable pathways into quality jobs,” said Gregory J. Morris, CEO, New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC). “His appointment as executive director of the Office of Talent and Workforce Development comes at a pivotal moment for our city. On behalf of our 220+ members who serve more than half a million New Yorkers each year, NYCETC looks forward to partnering with Doug and his team to ensure that our workforce ecosystem continues to grow stronger, more impactful, and more inclusive. Together, we can advance an agenda that delivers lasting opportunity, economic mobility, and prosperity for every New Yorker.”

    “The Adams administration has made a very wise choice in appointing Doug Lipari as executive director at NYC Talent,” said David Fischer, interim executive director, New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP). “Doug is a thoughtful, conscientious, and highly effective public servant who brings a deep understanding of workforce development and its vital importance to the City’s economy. NYATEP celebrates Doug’s appointment and looks forward to continuing our work with him and his team.”

    “Doug Lipari is the right leader for NYC Talent at the right moment. He has already shown what effective coordination can deliver for both job seekers and employers, and as executive director, he will scale those successes with collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based solutions,” said Tom Grech, president and CEO, Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Doug’s focus on measurable results and strong public-private partnerships will strengthen New York City’s workforce system, advancing equity, supporting employers, and keeping our city competitive in a rapidly changing economy.”

    “The Jobs Council is proud to partner with the city and welcome Doug Lipari as the new executive director of the Office of Talent and Workforce Development,” said Kiersten Barnet, executive director, New York Jobs CEO Council. “Doug’s commitment to public-private partnerships and industry engagement will strengthen our shared efforts to connect New Yorkers to meaningful career opportunities. We look forward to continued collaboration with the NYC Talent team under Doug’s leadership.”

    “I am very happy to congratulate Douglas Lipari on his appointment as the new executive director of NYC Talent. Here at the NYU School of Professional Studies, one of our missions is to prepare our students to be leaders in their industries. With Doug’s appointment today, we have gained an invaluable partnership toward that endeavor,” said Angie Kamath, Harvey J. Stedman dean, NYU School of Professional Studies. “As the rise of artificial intelligence creates a moment of change across a multitude of workforces, I am excited to partner with Doug, who I have known to be a skillful leader and responsible steward of workforce development.”

    “We at WPTI warmly congratulate Doug on this appointment. His vision and commitment to collaboration and innovation come at a pivotal moment for New York’s workforce,” said Sherazade Langlade, CEO, Workforce Professionals Training Institute (WPTI). “We are excited to partner in building a stronger, more coordinated system that delivers equity, opportunity, and shared prosperity for all New Yorkers.”

    “The BTEA is pleased to see the appointment of Douglas Lipari as executive director of NYC Talent. Mr. Lipari has played a key role in ensuring that New Yorkers from diverse communities benefit from access to skilled, unionized jobs,” said Elizabeth Crowley, president and CEO, Building Trades Employers’ Association (BTEA). “Our contractors, who build and continue to rebuild New York City, applaud his promotion and look forward to collaborating further to create meaningful opportunities that connect vulnerable New Yorkers with strong, sustainable career pathways in the building trades.”

    “NYC Talent plays a critical role for the city, helping to ensure that public-private partnerships work efficiently and effectively for both New Yorkers and employers,” said Saskia Traill, president and CEO, ExpandED Schools. “We are thrilled that Doug Lipari, a seasoned city leader, has been appointed executive director, and we look forward to working with him in this important role.”

    “As a member of the New York City Workforce Development Board, I know how essential strong leadership is to building a responsive and inclusive workforce system,” said Linda Baran, president and CEO, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. “Doug’s appointment as executive director of NYC Talent is an important step in advancing collaboration and creating pathways that connect New Yorkers with opportunity.”

    “Mayor Adams has made an excellent choice in appointing Doug Lipari. He is the right leader to ensure New York City’s workforce development strategy meets the needs of our modern economy,” said Jessica Walker, president and CEO, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. “His commitment to innovation and collaboration is clear, and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with him to connect New Yorkers to meaningful careers and power our city’s economic engine.”

    “Subcontractors Trade Association congratulates Doug Lipari on his appointment as executive director of the Office of Talent and Workforce Development. Doug has been a true partner to the construction industry: accessible, collaborative, and deeply committed to ensuring that workforce programs meet the needs of all stakeholders,” said Felice Farber, executive director, Subcontractors Trade Association. “His leadership in launching community hiring has shown how government and industry can work together to create opportunity, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with him to strengthen both New York’s workforce and its construction sector.”

    About Doug Lipari

    Before being appointed executive director of NYC Talent, Lipari was the inaugural executive director of the Office of Community Hiring team within NYC Talent, where he led the successful launch of Community Hiring. Lipari will continue to lead that work along with NYC Talent’s broader portfolio of strategic initiatives related to apprenticeships, industry partnerships, and addressing barriers to employment. Lipari also plays an instrumental role in negotiating the city’s Project Labor Agreements, which cover several billion dollars of city capital construction projects.

    Before joining NYC Talent in 2023, Lipari was the deputy general counsel of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services. Lipari has over a decade of city government experience and a clear understanding of the city’s role in driving economic mobility for New Yorkers. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duquesne University and a Juris Doctor from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

    Lipari will report to Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr..

    August 29, 2025 Manhattan, New York

    Sources: NYC.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com
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  • New York City Bolsters CDL Training for Formerly Incarcerated

    New York City Bolsters CDL Training for Formerly Incarcerated

    New York news People in New York Humor style

    New York City Mayor Eric Adams unveiled a major expansion of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program targeting justice-involved individuals, aiming to train 300 participants in 2026—a 15-fold increase from the 2025 pilot. In partnership with Emerge Career, the initiative has already shown strong results, with all 2025 graduates landing trucking jobs offering salaries of $78,000 to $124,800. Addressing a 60% unemployment rate among formerly incarcerated individuals and a national shortage of over 60,000 truck drivers, the program provides tuition-free training and job placement, boosting economic stability and curbing recidivism. The move underscores Adams’ focus on workforce development as a public safety strategy.

    Mayor Adams Announces Major Expansion of Big-Rig Training Program for Justice-Involved New Yorkers

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=UJLUBuMKaYc%3Ffeature%3Doembed

    What you should know

    • Innovative Partnership Between MOCJ and Emerge Careers Produced Job Offers in High-Demand Trucking Industry for Every Graduate of Inaugural 2025 Program
    • Starting Salaries Range From $78,000 to $124,000 for Population That Typically Faces 60 Percent Unemployment Post-Incarceration
    • Newly Announced Expansion Will Increase Participation 15-Fold from Inaugural Class, Putting 300 More New Yorkers on Pathways to New Careers and Financial Stability

    NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) Director Deanna Logan today announced a massive expansion of its successful Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program for justice-involved individuals. The multi-million-dollar investment with reentry workforce development partner Emerge Career will ensure hundreds of New Yorkers will benefit from the life-changing training, personalized coaching, and job placement offered through the program next year — a dramatic increase from 2025’s initial pilot program.

    The innovative program addresses two critical needs: financial stability for individuals with a history of criminal justice involvement and filling workforce gaps in an industry facing significant labor shortages. The average unemployment rate for Americans getting out of incarceration is 60 percent — 12 times the overall national average. However, every single graduate of the 2025 program secured a full-time CDL job offer, with starting salaries ranging from $78,000.00 to $124,800, demonstrating both the program’s life-changing impact and its cost-effectiveness for the city’s workforce pipeline.

    “One mistake should not destroy a person’s life because a bend in the road should not be the end of a road,” said Mayor Adams. “Today, we are driving second chances in New York City by expanding our Commercial Driver’s License training program. This innovative program provides formerly justice-involved New Yorkers with the skills they need to earn a CDL and connects them with meaningful employment opportunities in an industry facing significant labor shortages. By providing upstream solutions to downstream problems, we are shifting up a gear to prevent recidivism, keep our city safe, and put justice-involved New Yorkers on a path to build their American Dream in the greatest city in the world.”

    “Research has taught us that one of the easiest ways to improve community safety is to help New Yorkers find financial stability,” said MOCJ Director Logan.  “The data is also showing us that our investments in Emerge Career are paying immense dividends, in real second chances and wealth creation for some of our city’s most disadvantaged communities.”

    “This partnership with the City of New York shows what’s possible when government embraces bold, human-centered technology to truly uplift its people,” said Zo Orchingwa, co-founder and co-CEO, Emerge Career. “We’re deeply grateful for the city’s trust in our vision and its commitment to those too often left behind. While this expansion marks a significant milestone, it’s only the start — our goal is to create lasting high-wage careers for every disadvantaged New Yorker and to transform reentry workforce development — establishing New York City as a leader in innovative, data-backed reentry workforce solutions.”

    “What sets Emerge apart is our deep collaboration with the broader community,” said Gabriel Saruhashi, co-founder and co-CEO, Emerge Career. “Our all-in-one workforce development platform gives case workers, emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, and supervision agencies real-time visibility into participants’ journeys — which is how our participants succeed at rates 50 percent higher than national averages and earn nearly twice as much as the typical graduate. This expansion will bring in $24 million in new wealth for their communities and the city.”

    According to the American Trucking Association, the U.S. is facing a shortage of more than 60,000 drivers. CDL training provides a fast, accessible path to high-wage, stable employment in a critical industry that urgently needs talent — making it especially well-suited for ideal justice-impacted individuals who are often excluded from licensed professions. 

    After providing tuition-free training to 20 participants in 2025, MOCJ will expand the program to 300 participants in 2026, with additional expansions planned in the future.  The announcement builds on the Adams administration’s broader commitment to investing in upstream solutions to public safety and economic mobility.

    MOCJ — and its Community Innovations team — relies on data to guide its outreach efforts. Research consistently shows that poverty and limited access to vocational training and education are major contributors to incarceration and recidivism. According to a 2018 Brookings study, more than 80 percent of incarcerated men were jobless and had no income in the year prior to their incarceration. After release, only 20 percent reported earning at least $15,000 in their first year back in the community. By contrast, newly employed graduates of the city’s CDL program have secured positions with starting salaries ranging from $78,000 to $124,800.  

    Today’s announcement continues to build off Mayor Adams’ different investments in diversion programs and upstream solutions, including through recent investments in the city’s Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget, which continues Mayor Adams’ ‘Best Budget Ever.’ Investments include:

    • Funding to invest in alternatives to incarceration services, including case management, substance abuse programming, group counseling, housing placement assistance, health care, and other services for adults charged with a crime ($7.6 million).
    • Covering the indirect rate for non-profits that provide re-entry services, indigent defense, supervised release, and other criminal justice programming that was previously funded with stimulus dollars ($6.5 million).
    • Helping to stabilize recently decarcerated individuals with re-entry services, including job readiness training; mental, physical, and behavioral health care; counseling; housing assistance; and mentoring ($4.7 million).
    • Supporting “Project Restore,” a community-based gang violence intervention program that addresses barriers to personal growth, including economic insecurity, disconnection from education and employment, a lack of role models, and unhealed trauma ($2 million).
    • Funding to create the South Bronx Community Justice Center, which will provide programming for gun violence prevention initiatives, crisis intervention, and high school equivalency education ($2 million).

    “Having a job is the pillar of living a productive life – and an essential component of rehabilitation and re-entry into society after a prison term,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “The expansion of this training program will afford this foundational opportunity to many more people returning from incarceration. This is exactly the type of intervention that helps reduce crime by offering people a better path, so I commend Mayor Adams and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice for this promising initiative.”

    “Providing justice-involved individuals stable, good-paying jobs can help them get back on their feet and on the pathway to success, and I thank the mayor and his administration for their commitment to expanding this important initiative,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr. “This program can be life changing for New Yorkers who are re-entering into their communities.”

    “Securing a job is key to avoiding recidivism,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. “The city’s commercial driver’s license training program has proven to be a success in providing employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. I thank Mayor Adams for expanding this valuable program that will provide gainful employment opportunities for those reentering the workforce.”

    August 27, 2025 Manhattan, New York

    Sources: NYC.gov . Big New York News BigNY.com
    Midtown Tribune News

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • New York. Adams Rebukes National Guard Talk, Cites Crime Gains and Housing Push

    New York. Adams Rebukes National Guard Talk, Cites Crime Gains and Housing Push

    NYC News Mayor Eric Adams Pushes Back on National Guard Threat

    New York City Mayor Eric Adams, in an interview on Bloomberg’s Businessweek Daily, dismissed federal threats to deploy the National Guard, arguing crime is down and the city is already collaborating closely with federal partners. He highlighted more than 23,000 illegal guns removed and falling shootings and homicides, while casting blame on former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s bail and cannabis policies for public safety setbacks. Adams rejected progressive rival Zohran Mamdani’s proposals to defund the police and shutter Rikers, defended limited bail reform, and sought to reassure parents that ICE will not appear in schools. Campaign controversies, he said, won’t overshadow his record on jobs, tourism, and his “City of Yes” housing initiative, which he calls the most ambitious rezoning effort in city history. Adams pledged to stay in the race despite weak polling, saying only election-day votes will matter.

    Transcript: Mayor Adams Appears Live on Bloomberg’s “Businessweek Daily”

    Myles Miller: And we’re sitting down with the mayor here in Gracie Mansion. And the first thing we want to talk about with the mayor is the National Guard. You know, Donald Trump said just yesterday, if these mayors can’t control their streets, we will. And he listed New York among the cities under review for National Guard deployment. Do you believe this is a real threat to New York?

    Mayor Eric Adams: Well, the partnership between the federal government and the city and state governments is extremely important. And I think there’s a role we need. My role is to make sure New Yorkers are safe and the numbers are showing we’re doing that. And the partnership of making sure guns don’t come into our city. And that’s what we want to continue to do with the federal government. We already collaborate with the federal government every morning, 10 a.m. [inaudible] city, state and federal authorities to go after shooters and those who bring guns into our cities.

    Miller: When he talks about the National Guard potentially coming here to New York and in the event that that happens, is there anything you can do to counteract that? I mean, you know, what would it look like if National Guard members you saw in D.C., 2,000 of them on the streets of Washington, if they were here, you know, on 90th Street?

    Mayor Adams: Well, the goal is the relationship between the federal government and D.C. is different than the relationship between New York City and the federal government. And again, our communications with the federal government is we got this. We removed over 23,000 illegal guns off our streets. We see it. We’re witnessing record levels of decreasing crimes, homicides and shootings in the first six months and shooting victims in the first seven months. 

    And so we are very clear, always have been. I have never moved away from the public safety as the prerequisite to our prosperity. And we’re going to continue to do an amazing job. And if the federal government wants to communicate with us and ask us to go to other municipalities and help them see what we’re doing, we’re willing to do that because the safe America is a safe New York City and we want to help any way we can.

    Miller: You know, I want to ask you about [the] November election as it relates to that. You know, one of your opponents, Andrew Cuomo, has said, if Mamdani gets in office, then Trump takes control of New York City. Then Trump does put the National Guard here. Do you think that could happen?

    Mayor Adams: Andrew would say anything to anyone to get elected. He created this. He passed the cannabis laws. I had to close down 1,500 cannabis shops because of the failed law he passed. He did the bail reform. That’s the revolving door criminal justice system that we’re looking at. He closed psychiatric beds. So every time you see someone push someone on the subway track because of severe mental health illness or stab three innocent New Yorkers, you have to ask yourself, why do we close those beds? 

    Raise the Age. We’re seeing young people are victims of crimes more and more and they’re shooters as well. These are all of his bills. I had to fix his mess. And so Mamdani’s call to defund police, his calls to legalize prostitution, his calls to cause the empty Rikers Island, they’re two of the same people. New York has come too far to go backwards with either one of them.

    Miller: When I heard the president talk yesterday about cashless bail, you know, I immediately thought of you because you have been one of the people who has talked about bail reform. Your police commissioner talked about bail reform on Friday with the friendly fire incident involving the officer. The president signing an executive order directing DOJ to look at these jurisdictions that have done cashless bail. What’s your take on that?

    Mayor Adams: Well, I have been clear and I don’t believe if someone steals an apple that we should hold them in jail because they can’t afford to get out. But if you are possessing an illegal weapon, you commit one of the seven major crime categories in our city. [And] you are repeatedly an offender. We need to look at the criminal justice system that allows you to continue to go back and you repeat the crime. 

    We saw what happened with the Customs Border Patrol agent. These are repeated offenders. We just had a shooting over the weekend. The individuals involved had several gun arrests. That just can’t continue to happen. And so using bail appropriately, I think it would help us deal with the public safety issue we’re facing in the city.

    Miller: The president said, you know, crime has continued to rise when they have cashless bail. Is that something that’s happened here in the city?

    Mayor Adams: When you remove bail on those who commit serious crimes, it will impact your public safety. We are witnessing that over and over again.

    Miller: The school system comes back next week. Should parents fear for ICE to be in their schools? You know, in Washington, that was a big fear as they went back to school yesterday when ICE saying that they may come to some students’ schools. We saw a student in Queens, six years old, deported by ICE with her mother.

    Mayor Adams: With her family. And so we want to be clear. ICE has not been in our schools. ICE only way they could come into the schools with clear judicial warrants or if they are looking at a condition where someone is fleeing, running into the school, a dangerous person. But that’s the role of our police officers to do so. We have been extremely consistent around this. 

    Children should go to school. They’re not going to be fearful of having ICE come into their schools. Their directives indicate that as well. People should go to the hospital if they need medical care. They should call the police if they need police assistance. And I know personally what happens when you fail to do that. 

    My rookie year as a police officer, I had a Chinese immigrant that was afraid to call the police when he was being robbed. I took action while I was off duty, but he was extremely fearful. People can’t live in the shadows. That creates disorder. And we don’t want that.

    Miller: Let’s go back to your career in the transit police. It’s where you met Ingrid Lewis-Martin’s husband, obviously someone you’ve known a long time. I just– you know, we heard from you on Friday. But when you hear some of the allegations in the indictment and, you know, indictments just show a piece of what is being alleged, what did you make of some of the allegations that you heard?

    Mayor Adams: Well, first of all, let’s think about this for a moment. Like I said, Ingrid’s like a sister to me, and I’m pretty sure you have close relationships in your life. And the worst thing you want to do is not allow people their due process. And when you’re dealing with criminal cases, every word you say could harm that person who’s dealing with that case. 

    And I’m not going to do anything to harm someone that’s like a sister to me. I’m very clear. She’s in my prayers. She has an attorney. And anything that’s dealing with that case should be brought to her attorney. I would not do anything that’s going to be harmful to someone that’s like a sister to me.

    Miller: How would you say your week was last week? Because you had the situation with Ingrid, Jesse Hamilton as well. And then you also had the situation with Winnie Greco. What are your thoughts on what happened with Winnie Greco? And then also, you know, I saw by Friday, it was a week.

    Mayor Adams: Yeah. No, not to me. I had 237,000 migrants and asylum seekers. I inherited COVID. I inherited a city that was [inaudible] with jobs. I had thousands of illegal guns on our streets, ghost cars on our streets. Cannabis shops are open. People rode off New Yorkers. Not only was I dealing with those who were committing crimes, I had to deal with rats everywhere. Everywhere that we dealt with, we got up every day and we did the job. More jobs in our city– 

    Miller: But the red envelope in a potato chip bag. I mean, when you heard about this, what did you think of it?

    Mayor Adams: First, I want to go back more jobs in our city’s history. Twelve months of tourism, twelve months of Broadway, the best in the city’s history. Unemployment drop, crime drop, illegal vehicles off our street, all of those things. I’m not going to be judged by a red envelope in a [potato chip] bag. I’m going to be judged by how I improve the lives of New Yorkers. It was a stupid thing to do. I don’t understand the conversation you had with the reporter. 

    I don’t have the history of it. It’s not something that we would do in our campaign. I made that clear. I don’t know what that was about. And now she’s no longer volunteering or she was never an employee of the campaign and she [is] no longer in City Hall. So only the reporter and Winnie can explain to us exactly what that was about. I don’t know what it was about and it’s not acceptable behavior on my part.

    Miller: Let’s talk [about the] campaign, because we’ve talked about the campaign plenty of times. Private meetings, public meetings, you know, where have you. You’re polling in the single digits behind Mamdani. You know, I’ve heard you talk about, you know, the state of the race when you were running last time, but that was sort of during the primary. Now we’re in the general election. Tell me, so what’s your strategies to win in November and how you how you think you could pull through?

    Mayor Adams: Well, a couple of things, as I said over and over again, when you look at this distance from the primary to the election, the same time period, Mamdani was at one percent. No one called for him to step out of the race. And if we did, we would have been premature because he won the primary. And we need to be clear that that seems to be a fact that everyone is missing. [We’re] also missing the fact that I was in third place in 2021 behind Andrew Yang, who was beating me by double digits. 

    Some polls have me in double digits. Some polls have me in single digits. Polls had Andrew Cuomo up by 10 percent before the election. He lost by 12 percent. He was up 36 percent. So when you start to talk about the polls, the only poll that matters [is] on election day, who’s going to have the most votes? 

    I must do what I’m good at doing, campaigning, getting my information out to the public so they can see the success of where we were and where we are. This city has turned around. I mean, if we want to be honest about it or not, and I have to explain that to the voters.

    Miller: So the message is Eric Adams is staying in no matter what? 

    Mayor Adams: Yes. 

    Miller: You’re not signing any pledge?

    Mayor Adams: Yes. I’m staying in no matter what. Who created the pledge? Andrew. One candidate that was at 1 percent in the poll, all of a sudden said, whoever’s up by a certain number in September should win. That’s all Andrew’s creation. Trust me when I tell you, he creates these scenarios so that people can believe he’s doing the right thing. He lost the race, $35 million, up by double digits, didn’t get out in campaign, and he lost the race. People heard his message already.

    Miller: Let’s get to some Bloomberg topics here. One of your biggest accomplishments that you’ve stated has been City of Yes. Just tell me what it took to get that through, housing [is] a big issue for voters and for people who own homes here, who want to own homes here. You have a lack of places to put homes, but the City of Yes changed that. Just explain how that’s worked out.

    Mayor Adams: In so many ways, many people talk about affordability, but never use their offices to actually produce affordability. Like I said, five people running for office, three people don’t have a record. One person is running from his record. I have a record. City of Yes is going to produce housing throughout the city, because housing New Yorkers is not just Manhattan or Brooklyn or areas that were gentrified. It’s the entire city. Never before have we witnessed this most comprehensive of housing and rezoning policy in the history of our city. 

    We have built, renovated, and planned rezoning for 426,000 units of housing in the next decade. I mean, this is unbelievable when you think about it. We did it in three and a half years. That number is larger than twelve years of Bloomberg, eight years of de Blasio combined in three and a half years. We are the most housing forward administration in the history of this city. 

    And we got projects off the ground that many have tried, like Willets Point, 2,400 units of affordable housing. Flushing Airport, hundreds of units of affordable housing, union built. And so City of Yes is part of the overall package that we’re doing. Five rezonings in each borough, 50,000 units of housing that’s coming out of that. So we know New Yorkers must be housed. But you’ve got to match housing with using the resources of [the] city to make the city affordable. Decreasing the cost of child care, universal child care, no income tax for low income New Yorkers, none at all. What we have done– 

    Miller: Well, that sounds like no income tax for low income New Yorkers sounds a lot like a Mamdani proposal. And you know that that requires going to Albany to get that done. People may say, you’ve been in office for nearly four years. How come you haven’t been able to get that done? Just make the case for how you could get that done with four more years.

    Mayor Adams: Well, no, we already got it done. There is no income tax for low income New Yorkers. And then what you do is each year you go to Albany, they call it the Tin Cup Day for a reason. You go up there to beg for your proposal. But look at each year. Each year we got exactly the things we asked for. 

    Mayoral control, we got the no income tax, we got housing reform, renovating our office spaces into permanent housing, low income housing. We got the public safety initiative. We got the involuntary removal. So you’re seeing each year we brought back what we needed from the city. So in three years and eight months, we’ve done a great job of partnering with our Albany lawmakers.

    Miller: And that’s Mayor Eric Adams talking directly to Bloomberg Terminal customers and listeners all around the world.

    August 26, 2025 Manhattan, New York

    Sources: NYC.gov , Big New York News BigNY.com

    Midtown Tribune News

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • CLUBHOUSE CURE! Adams touts 13 new mental-health hubs on WBLS, blames NYCHA receivership for 5K empty apartments, vows fix for trash-pail blues

    CLUBHOUSE CURE! Adams touts 13 new mental-health hubs on WBLS, blames NYCHA receivership for 5K empty apartments, vows fix for trash-pail blues

    On Aug. 24, 2025, Mayor Eric Adams hit 107.5 WBLS’s “Hear From the Mayor” to hype the clubhouse model—free, open 365 days, and aimed at jobs, housing, and belonging—with 13 newly contracted sites citywide targeting 6,600 members by 2027. Joined by Venture House Bronx’s Faqueni Ravel, Adams praised recovery-through-work while callers torched City Hall over more than 5,000 vacant NYCHA units; he said control is limited under receivership and an ~$80B repair backlog. Another listener griped about disappearing DSNY pails, and Hizzoner vowed to crack down and get bins put back where they belong.

    Transcript: Mayor Adams Hosts “Hear From the Mayor” Radio Show

    Gary Byrd: As you know, each and every second Sunday of the month, normally WBLS is proud to welcome the 110th mayor of New York City and second mayor of color, first hip-hop mayor in the city’s history. But we’re on an extended schedule this month and proud to bring back our mayor, Mayor Eric Adams on 107.5 WBLS. Mr. Mayor, good morning and welcome.

    Mayor Eric Adams: Hey, thank you, Gary. And yesterday was a really somber but powerful moment for a good brother, Brother Lloyd Williams. And he just meant so much to so many people in general, but specifically he meant a lot to me. And so I was happy just to celebrate a life well lived. So I want to say to the audience, welcome back. 

    This is Hear from the Mayor, your mayor, Eric Adams, and if this is your first time tuning in, the purpose of this show is just to have a dialogue and hear directly from you. So listeners should give me a call and hear directly from your mayor on what we are doing to build a better New York. And you can sign up to hear more from me by visiting nyc.gov/HearFromEric. You can sign up on our website to text with Eric and talk with me on WhatsApp. 

    For today, though, please feel free to call in 212-545-1075. I want to say happy Sunday to everyone. And really, this is such an important topic that we’re going to have today. I have an amazing sister here, Faqueni Ravel, director of Venture House Clubhouse in the Bronx. And many people say, what is a clubhouse? What does that mean? And I didn’t even know what it was until I got into the Mayor’s Office. 

    I was hearing about it when I was campaigning and just really impressed with clubhouses. And we’re going to let sister Ravel just share with us the foundation of it. But let me say this. Everyone is going through some form of mental concern, I would like to say. Some is more severe than others. All of us feel a level of sadness sometimes, a level of depression sometimes. Some is more severe. And we need to be there for our fellow New Yorkers as they experience a level of mental illness. 

    But it’s nothing to be ashamed about. And you should not feel as though you cannot communicate with those who understand how to cycle us out of those moments. And that is what we believe clubhouse, the model, is one method that should be used. So I want to really celebrate this administration and what we have done. 

    We opened the first time in nearly 30 years, we’ve opened up a process for new clubhouses to be opened. And as a result, our administration has opened 13 newly contracted clubhouses across the five boroughs to serve adults living with severe mental illness. And the numbers are impressive, 6,600 members by 2027 is our goal. And our guest today is going to really break this down for you. So Faqueni, can you just first tell us, what is a clubhouse? The ABCs of a clubhouse.

    Faqueni Ravel, Director, Venture House Bronx Clubhouse: ABCs. Well, good morning, everybody. I’m excited to be here. Thank you, Mayor Adams, for inviting us over and for your leadership in New York. We’re proud and we’re very excited to be here and to talk about the best kept secret, right? It’s been the best kept secret for such a long time until the Mayor Adams administration has put a spotlight on it. And the clubhouse model is good news for people with mental health issues. 

    It’s like the gospel of it. It’s a community-based model that helps individuals work side-by-side and gain access to employment, housing, civic engagement, the arts. They work and help us run the clubhouse side-by-side. We have units devoted with goals, a mission, and a vision. We have a commercial kitchen where members come and they work with us. 

    You have the administration unit, you have an education and employment unit, and the clubhouse model is to help focus on the strengths rather than the illness, right? So members are much more engaged and they’re able to apply their talents in the work that they like to do. So it is rooted in the concept that work is restorative. 

    So there’s conventional ways of treatment and therapy and that helps, right? We want to get our therapy, we want to take our prescribed medications, but then what happens later when a person leaves their psych office and doesn’t have a place to be? So they come to the clubhouse.

    Mayor Adams: And that’s what I enjoyed about the clubhouses that I have visited. And I think the best way, in my layman analysis, is that when you’re dealing with severe mental health illness, you go to your medical professional for your help. And then when you leave that medical professional’s office, who is there to support you as you find your way to continue being part of society. 

    So when you walk inside the door of a clubhouse, you’re not judged, you’re not afraid to state what you’re going through to help you get through what you’re facing. And that’s what I saw. When I was up in the Bronx, at Venture, I saw people who came in shy, afraid to talk about their mental health illness. But then the clubhouse, all of a sudden, said, you’re not alone. And you do it in a creative way, such as cooking. How does that help people reintegrate themselves?

    Ravel: Absolutely. So like I said before, when they walk in, and thank you, Mayor Adams, for saying that, they walk in sometimes highly medicated, right? Or sometimes they walk in and do not want to speak with anybody. And once they feel the energy, the clubhouse, each clubhouse has its own culture. And they’re introduced through a tour. And once they start working in a unit, first, in their minds, they’re stigmatized. They’re also marginalized. 

    They have been told that they’re unable. And once they start working in something that’s meaningful, and they start connecting with others that have, they might have the same diagnoses. So they’re working side by side with a member and a staff. They’re able to not just reintegrate into the clubhouse overall, and they start running and they start taking initiatives. They start taking leadership. They become stakeholders of every work that we do there. And they start to have that voice that was taken away from the mental health issue that they might be living, right? 

    So they speak on these things, and the recovery is seen throughout their attendance and their participation in the clubhouse community. And they just slowly but surely, organically, they integrate. And it shows, and it equals to recovery overall. When someone is out there, I mean, you could be completely sane and not have a job, and you feel like you’re coming down with something, right? So the minute that you feel that you have purpose and you have value, and you’re able to identify your own strength and be attached to a specific meaningful task, then that’s recovery, that’s reintegration.

    Mayor Adams: You know, it is as though when I visit the clubhouse, particularly up in the Bronx, it is as though people are invited and they’re saying, it’s okay not to be all right, because we’re going to help you be all right. You know, and finding ways to do that. 

    Now, I know I saw the cooking, they were preparing their own meals, and the food was excellent. What are some of the other things that they do to take a person from that shyness, that feeling as though that no one understands what they’re going through, to, okay, you’re fitting, you have a home here?

    Ravel: Absolutely. So we tried, this is a person-centered care approach. And the first thing we want to let the individual know is that we know that you’re here, we’re all in this together, let’s work together. So besides the commercial kitchen that we run, there are other units devoted into certain tasks, like education and employment. And we have members there that are seeking employment and helping other members to seek employment and seek education. 

    We have members helping other members, you know, seek housing and obtain housing as well through these units. We have members working in the newsletter, publishing the outcomes that are happening in the clubhouse, spreading the news, right, presenting the model also to other CBOs and other entities, spreading the good news of this psychosocial rehabilitation model. 

    So they’re getting engaged. They’re also building these meaningful relationships, which helps members find themselves, right? And they’re able to say and apply what they have learned and also apply their strength in making sure that the clubhouse is working in a sense that that brings recovery overall and rehabilitation.

    Mayor Adams: And you know, I think about that song, I never thought I’d be quoting Barry Manilow, but I think about that song, I made it through the rain. And basically, I got my respect from those who made it through the rain too. And so people who are in the clubhouse, the senior members or members who have been there and made that transformation, they made it through the rain. And now they’re helping others make it through the rain too. And it means a lot. Absolutely.

    Ravel: Absolutely. Because you have these people that it’s hard for them to sustain relationships. It’s hard for them to make friendships. It’s hard for them to keep a job. It’s hard for them to have a job. So when they come and they make it through the rain, right, and they see someone else that came out of that rain, they build that connection. And membership is for life. 

    So with membership being for life, it’s a clear indication that their relationship might be for life, right? And usually people that are living with mental health issues, right, because you hear voices or you’re depressed, statistics show that it’s really hard for them to sustain a relationship, right? 

    So some members just come in and they don’t want to do work. And they just, I just want a place to be. I just want to be here. And we make sure that we help them feel wanted, expected, and needed. And they are needed because we are unable to run the clubhouse without their help. And we’re understaffed on purpose. If we do the work, then we’re taking recovery from them. 

    So we promote the sense of urgency that, and then they say, okay, you know what? I’m good at cooking. I’m going to go cook. And you know what? I’m good at speaking. I’m going to go speak about this model. I’m good at doing administration things. You know what? I’m going to be a receptionist. And they welcome the other members. And we all, if the cloud rains on one member, it rains on all of us, right?

    Mayor Adams: I love that. And that energy. Now, let’s say if we were to remove our clubhouses, then a person is home, often home alone, or sitting in a dark place somewhere, not feeling as though they have a purpose. And so absence of the clubhouse, you are dealing with a lot of the issues of loneliness. Loneliness is a very important social determinant to help when people feel lonely. And so we’re going to be back. 

    We’re going to take a break now. But we’ll be back to field your calls. You can ask anything you want about the clubhouse or any other topic that we’re hearing. Faqueni is here to really share that experience. So you can call 212-545-1075, 212-545-1075. We’ll speak to you on the other side of the break.

    Byrd: The program is Hear From the Mayor. And as you hear, the mayor wants to hear from you. 212-545-1075 is the number to call. Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Long Island, Staten Island, Westchester, wherever you are, 212-545-1075. We’ll come back right after these messages from 107.5 WBLS.

    [Commercial Break.]

    Mayor Adams: And we’re back. We’re looking forward to hear from you and get your thoughts. 212-545-1075. So let’s go to the first caller. Caller, you are in the air. Caller, you’re in the air. Okay. So while we [wait] for our caller, why don’t we dig into the clubhouse model a little more. Tell me, Faqueni, what are the hours of operation?

    Ravel: Great question. So Venture House in particular, Venture House Inc. has been around for over 37 years and we have steps to schedule. We’re open 365 days of the year. And I don’t know if I mentioned that membership is free. And we’re open Monday through Friday for a work order day task. We’re open 9 to 4, 9 to 5 rather. And we have social programming and we’re open from 9 to 8 p.m. We’re open on Saturdays from 10 to 3. And on Sundays, we’re also open for the same time frame.

    Mayor Adams: You know what I learned in my policing days that the highest number or one of the highest periods of suicides occurs around holidays, you know, because people are not with family. There’s a great level of sadness. Are you open during the holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, all of those holidays?

    Ravel: Actually, Thanksgiving is actually the day that we serve the membership. We, it is a tradition for us to make the meal and serve the members. It brings joy. It brings– it actually helps us become more integrated as a family. 

    This is how you see those individuals that do not have anybody, they come to Venture House and they sit and have a meal with us. So we’re open 365 days a week. Yes, every Christmas, we’re there sending them letters. And for those who are not coming, we’re not able to see them. We are reaching in and reaching out so they can come in for Christmas, Thanksgiving. We celebrate every holiday. We have the members and staff working. But it’s amazing.

    Mayor Adams: I think we got a caller on. Caller, you’re in the air. I’m here with Faqueni. If you have a question for me or our clubhouse, please feel free.

    Question: Yes. Good morning, Mayor Adams. My name is [Joe Gonzalez.] I’m calling from Brooklyn, New York. You often speak about housing issues. And it was recently developed that there are in excess of 5,000 empty apartments in the New York City Housing Authority developments. And unfortunately, many people believe that that’s part and parcel of a plot to just wipe out public housing. And so can you speak to the pain of people who believe that? And second, can you with specificity reveal when those 5,000 apartments going to start getting filled with needy people? Thank you and have a good day.

    Mayor Adams: Yeah, thank you so much. One of the most disappointing aspects of our NYCHA situation is how little control the mayor has over NYCHA. When you look at the fact that it is in receivership and there’s a special monitor that’s in charge, hiring and firing is not within my scope because, trust me, when I looked at some of the things that happened over at Riis Houses when there was a water scare, I stepped up and said, listen, we need to take immediate actions. And they said, Eric, you don’t have the authorization to do that. 

    We need to give control back to the mayor and let the mayor be held fully responsible like we did with our school system. And so when you talk about those housing, all those housing units should be repaired. Some of them are taking longer than others. They have to be led abatement. Our NYCHA stock is a stock that has been ignored far too long. It has almost an $80 billion capital deficit. We need help on the federal and the state level. 

    They’ve walked away from NYCHA. We have done successful things. We included NYCHA in our housing plan, which has never been done before. We’ve also were able to go to Albany and get what’s called their housing land trust. Sheepshead Bay was one of the first areas where the tenants voted on the improvements in NYCHA. We must do something differently, get those units back online. But we have to repair NYCHA, not with a Band-Aid, but with real ideas that we have presented to rebuild our NYCHA stock. Thank you for that call. Caller, you’re in the air.

    Question: Good morning, Mr. Mayor.

    Mayor Adams: Good morning.

    Question: I just have one issue. Is there anything that you can possibly do when sanitation comes around after they take the garbage, if they can put the garbage pails back in front of the property? I’ve lost two brand new garbage pails, and they’re quite expensive. Every week, I have to stay up until two, three o’clock in the morning. I have to walk sometimes a block away. Your garbage pail cannot be found. They don’t put it back in front of the property. Is there anything you can possibly do? I’m begging.

    Mayor Adams: Yes, yes, yes. Those pails are expensive. I’m going to speak with the commissioner and just reinforce the policy of putting the pail right back in front. Just basic etiquette on how to do it correctly. Our DSNY members are doing an amazing job. But thanks for that feedback. And I will share it. I’ll share it.

    Question: But then I got to get up to walk. Sometimes they come at two in the morning. I have to stay up to go just bring it back inside. I’ve lost three. They’re like up to $54, $55. I’m a senior. I can’t afford that anymore.

    Mayor Adams: Yes, and we don’t want that to happen to you. So I’m on top of it. Callers, that music is telling us that the lady is singing, so the show is concluding. But I look forward to being back on with you in the next few weeks. And again, we want to thank our guest that’s here today. Thank you so much for your input.

    Ravel: Thank you, Mayor Adams, for your exemplary work. Thank you for taking the initiative and bringing clubhouses [out from] under the rug and making it not just the best kept secret anymore. Right now, there’s been a spotlight. And that’s thanks to your administration from bringing it from awareness to results. You’ve done it under your leadership and Venture House, and all the other clubhouses, want to thank you for bringing clubhouses to our local neighborhood communities.

    Mayor Adams: Thank you. Thank you. 

    August 24, 2025

    Sources: NYC.gov , Big New York News BigNY.com
    Midtown Tribune News

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York