Barron, city retirees temporarily win big in legal battle over Medicare coverage

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

A judge granted city retirees a temporary restraining order (TRO) last Friday, in their ongoing fight against Mayor Eric Adams’ new city Medicare contract. The city council has also introduced legislation in support of city retirees. Judge Lyle Frank of the New York County Supreme Court issued the TRO July 7, ruling that enough evidence was available to prove the new Medicare plan would violate city retiree rights.

“I urge you to support the municipal retirees just as this judge has by supporting/signing on to the retiree bill that was introduced at the last stated meeting. These retirees deserve the support of the legislators who they have put into office in good faith expecting that they would act in their best interest,” said Council member Charles Barron in a statement.

Barron said the greatest reward for people who have served this city is the support needed to not make this about dollars and cents but about common sense healthcare coverage.

In April, Adams decided to ink a five-year plus contract with Aetna to provide a Medicare Advantage plan for the city’s roughly 250,000 retirees, despite immense pushback from city retirees that wanted to keep their established

Victoria Hospitality LLC job fair

Apply in person to work with the Victoria Theater (233 W. 125th Street, Harlem, NY 10027) during the Victoria Hospitality LLC job fair. The event takes place July 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The theater is looking for restaurant/ bar servers, bartenders, bussers, line cooks, restaurant hosts, sous chefs, managers, and bookkeepers.

Anyone who cannot make it to the job fair can email their résumé to Jobs@ VictoriaTheaternyc.com.

healthcare benefits. The city claimed the new plan would save about $600 million.

The New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees

DA Bragg to indict in major finance fraud tied to Mayor Adams’ campaign

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

It’s possible that all is not well in City Hall. Manhattan District Attorney (DA) Alvin Bragg announced last week the indictments of six people and a consulting company in connection with Mayor Eric Adams’ mayoral campaign back in 2021.

“We allege a deliberate scheme to game the system in a blatant attempt to gain power. The indictment charges the defendants with subverting campaign finance laws by improperly structur- ing campaign contributions,” said Bragg in a statement. “The New York City Campaign Finance Board program is meant to support our democracy and amplify the voices of New York City voters. When the integrity of that program is corrupted, all New Yorkers suffer.”

The group is accused of participating in a straw donor scheme, which means a person or entity illegally evaded campaign finance contribution limits. The defendants include Ecosafety Consultants Inc and Harlem’s retired Deputy Inspector Dwayne Montgomery, 64.

“New York City’s public matching funds program makes

Zinerman, Power Peace Walk

By ARIAMA C. LONG

Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

Despite a drop in shooting incidents, statistically, across the city, each life lost can leave a significant hole within a community. Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman and Bedford Stuyvesant community members marched for peace last Friday, July 7, offering outreach.

The afternoon was hot and sticky. Zinerman and supporters loaded up on water bottles at the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Center before heading out into the sun for the walk. The small group was clad in orange, the color for gun violence prevention, and blowing whistles down Nostrand Avenue, Gates Avenue, and Marcus Garvey Blvd, and Marcy Avenue.

They handed out pamphlets QR codes with links to community and mental health services in an effort to get community members better connected to available resources. She said the goal was to share understanding with those on the ground in the community.

“All of us have a responsibility as members of this community to come out and try to touch another soul. We know that people are in pain,” said Zinerman.

She mentioned the recent our local elections more open, transparent, and equitable. The work that the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is doing to protect the matching funds program from fraud and abuse is fundamental to its continued success,” said NYC Campaign Finance Board (NYCCFB) Press

For more info, use @Renaissancenewyorkharlem.

Brooklyn Boro Prez Reynoso launches Disability Pride Month

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Disability Unite launched Disability Pride Month on July 11 at Brooklyn Borough Hall. The event was a celebration of New Yorkers with disabilities and an opportunity to offer disability inclusivity training. Disability Unite (a.k.a. Uniting Disabled Individuals Inc., www.unitingdisabledindividuals.com) advocates for the disability community to be able to have accessibility for all. They will host the Disability Unite Festival on July 16, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in person at Central Park Naumburg Bandshell (Terrace Drive near W. 72nd Street) and online at www.DisabilityUnite. org. The event is a full day of musical performances, art activities, interactive installations, and local community organizations. The event will mark the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Black Winemakers Scholarship for fall 2023

The July 20 deadline is coming up for the Black Winemakers Scholarship Program, a merit-based scholarship created by the United Negro College Fund.

The scholarship is designed to support full-time African American juniors, seniors, or graduate students (M.S. and/or Ph.D.) attending any U.S. accredited, four-year or graduate college or university during the fall of 2023. The $10,000 scholarship is for African American students pursuing a science degree in viticulture and/or enology and similar science programs such as plant pathology.

For more information, visit the UNCF webpage at https://opportunities.uncf.org/s/ program-landing-page?id=a2i8Y00000B GymxQAD or contact wwilson@uncf.org. —Compiled by Karen Juanita Carrillo