A lovely 1935-1940 postcard with dapper pedestrians and depression era cars taking in the Triborough bridge with Manhattan in the background.
This painting (then turned into a postcard) shows the fashion (and hats) of the day.
Note the hatless man on the right who appears to be the only one without a suit on a warm, sunny day. And while the Manhattan skyline appears to be generalized, Riverside Church stands out on the left-horizon.
The postcard is for sale on Ebay
Marcus Garvey Park’s Little Free Library Has Plexiglass
The doors on the 3 Little Free Library’s in Marcus Garvey Park now have plexiglass on them.
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Property Tax Reform Coming
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Dear New Yorker: The NYC Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform recently announced three new virtual hearings on its 10 preliminary recommendations, scheduled for Queens on June 9, The Bronx on June 14, and Manhattan on June 16. All three hearings will begin at 6 pm. Flyers with additional details about the hearings are available in multiple languages on the Commission’s website here. On January 31, 2020, the Commission released a Preliminary Report with the following 10 initial recommendations aimed at making the City’s property tax system simpler, clearer, and fairer: Moving coops, condominiums, and rental buildings with up to 10 units into a new residential class along with 1-3 family homes. Using a sales-based methodology to value all properties in the residential class. Assessing every property in the residential class at its full market value. Annual market value changes in the new residential class being phased in over five years at 20 percent per year. Creating a partial homestead exemption for primary resident owners with income below a certain threshold. Creating a circuit breaker within the property tax system to lower the property tax burden on low-income primary resident owners, based on the ratio of property tax paid to income. Replacing the current class share system with a system that prioritizes predictable and transparent tax rates for property owners. Current valuation methods should be maintained for properties not in the new residential class (i.e. rental buildings with more than 10 units, utilities, and commercial). A gradual transition to the new system for current owners, with an immediate transition into the new system whenever a property in the new residential class is sold. Instituting comprehensive reviews of the property tax system every 10 years. The Commission was formed by Mayor de Blasio and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson in 2018 with a mandate to reform NYC’s property tax system while ensuring there’s no reduction in revenue used to fund essential city services. An in-person hearing following the report’s release was initially scheduled for March 12, 2020, in Staten Island, but was later postponed due to COVID-19. However, the hearings resumed virtually this past May, with hearings for Staten Island and Brooklyn on May 11 and May 27, respectively. The Commission is soliciting input from the public on the 10 initial recommendations in the Preliminary Report, specifically whether they would achieve the goals of a fairer system, would be improved by certain modifications, or should be enhanced with additional recommendations. The public can submit feedback by emailing it to PropTaxInfo@propertytaxcommission.nyc.gov or uploading it through the Commission’s online portal. The public may also register to testify at the upcoming hearings for Queens on June 9, The Bronx on June 14, and Manhattan on June 16. To do so, speakers must register on the Commission’s website here. Anyone wishing to testify must register no later than 24 hours in advance of the hearing. Following registration, speakers will receive further instructions. Speakers may (but need not) submit their presentations ahead of time. You can testify at any borough hearing, not just the borough where you reside.To request interpretation services please email PropTaxInfo@propertytaxcommission.nyc.gov or call 212-676-3072 by 5 pm three business days before the hearing. For ASL, or to request an accommodation for a disability, please email or call by 5 pm five business days before the hearing. Thank you and, as always, stay safe. In service, New York City Council |
In-Person, Open Mic, Candidates Forums
FORUM ONE – Your chance to see the candidates and to ask them questions
What: NYC Mayoral Debates
When: Saturday, June 5, 2021
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: NYC Madison Square Boys & Girls Club
(155 St. & Bradhurst Ave.)
250 Bradhurst Avenue
NY, NY 10039
Trains: D to 155 St. Station stop
Bus: M10, M3 to 155 St. stop