Jacob Ostreicher’s Freedom: Facts vs. Rumors

It’s wonderful how excited everyone gets when there’s news about Jacob Ostreicher.  And the news lately has been very promising. But there’s also rumors flying regarding Jacob’s imminent release that are unnecessary, and which only make it harder for the Ostreicher family because they have to correct the mistruths.

The fact is we are very hopeful that there will be additional positive developments regarding Jacob’s situation soon.

My staff and I are in constant contact with Miriam Ostreicher and we promise to share the news as we receive it. In the meantime, I urge everyone to continue praying for Jacob’s immediate release from Bolivia; continue thinking positive thoughts for the family. Tracht gut vet zein gut.

HIKIND HOSTS FEMA OFFICIALS TO EXPEDITE COMMUNICATIONS PROCESS

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

November 20, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

973-945-4903 (cell)

HIKIND HOSTS FEMA OFFICIALS TO EXPEDITE COMMUNICATIONS PROCESS

DEADLINES ARE APPROACHING BUT MORE THAN 50%
OF SANDY VICTIMS HAVE NOT FILED

In an on-going effort to aid New Yorkers impacted by Hurricane Sandy, Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) and his staff met with six FEMA officials yesterday to better ensure effective, accessible information to Hurricane Sandy victims who may be eligible for post-disaster financial relief.

“Many people are still confused about FEMA’s process and what they can offer,” said Assemblyman Hikind, who last week announced the addition of Jeanie Silver, a former FEMA employee, to his staff. “People should file with both FEMA and their insurance companies immediately. There are multiple resources available through FEMA that many are unaware of. Anyone who has suffered any sort of damage to their home, car, business, non-profit organization, or anything else may be eligible for a wide range of assistance programs, including low-interest SBA loans, personal property disaster relief, rental assistance, unemployment, medical and dental assistance. The important thing is that you must apply to find out what’s available, and you should be conscious of the deadlines, which are fast approaching.”

Currently, the deadline for individual assistance is December 30, 2012 and the deadline for SBA is December 31, 2012.

There are multiple ways to apply for FEMA assistance:

• Apply Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• Apply via a smartphone at m.fema.gov
• Apply by phone by calling  (800) 621-3362; people with speech or hearing disabilities should call TTY (800) 462-7585.
• Apply directly at a Disaster Recovery Center. DRC’s are one-stop centers that allow you to see many agencies at once and to get face-to-face assistance with your application.

FEMA’s role is to help people return to safe, sanitary and functional homes.

Those in need of assistance or guidance in dealing with FEMA can contact Assemblyman Hikind’s office at 718-853-9616 and ask for Jeanie, or email jeaniesilver2012@gmail.com.

Assemblyman Dov Hikind and staff member Jeanie Silver with FEMA officials.

HIKIND CALLS ON PARKS DEPT. TO CUT DANGEROUS TREES, BRANCHES BEFORE NEXT WEATHER EVENT

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

November 19, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release
973-945-4903 (cell)
 

HIKIND CALLS ON PARKS DEPT. TO CUT DANGEROUS TREES, BRANCHES
BEFORE NEXT WEATHER EVENT

“TAKE THIS IMPORTANT OUNCE OF PREVENTION
BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST”

Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is calling on the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation to remediate the many trees that were damaged by Sandy but have not fully fallen yet. They are disasters waiting to happen, said the Assemblyman.


“This super storm has taught all of us hard lessons,” said Assemblyman Hikind, “not the least of which is an ounce of prevention is genuinely worth a pound of cure. In a proactive effort to prevent further power outages and, indeed, save lives before the winter is upon us, my staff surveyed Borough Park and Flatbush and found many potentially dangerous and some obviously hazardous trees and tree branches, many damaged by the hurricane and now poised to fall and wreak further havoc with the next big weather event.”


Assemblyman Hikind called on Veronica M. White, NYC Parks Commissioner, to immediately make remediation of the dangerous trees and branches the department’s number one priority. “Before the winter is upon us and the heavy snows fall, I am requesting that the Department of Parks survey the city for the types of hazardous tree situations that my staff has observed,” he said. “The remediation of these problems should be an immediate priority—certainly ahead of planting new trees—as lives can be saved by acting promptly.”

Bill Thompson, Rabbi Bender and Simcha Felder... This Sat. Eve

This Saturday Evening on The Dov Hikind Show please join us as we host:

• NYC Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson
• Rabbi Boruch Bender (Yeshiva Darchei Torah and Achiezer
• NYS Senator elect Simcha Felder

The Dov Hikind Show airs on WMCA 570 AM, Saturday evening, 11:00 PM-12:00 AM

Jacob Ostreicher: Update

We continue to receive constant inquiries regarding Jacob Ostreicher’s situation and welfare. Please know that we are in constant touch with Miriam Ostriecher, Jacob’s wife; that many efforts are being taken to bring Jacob home. We continue to work towards and pray for good news.

HIKIND SUPPORTS FELDER

“We shouldn’t castigate an elected official for being independent. We should praise him!”

Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is outraged at talk about expelling fellow Democrat, Simcha Felder from the party after the State Senator-elect announced he would caucus with the Republicans.

“The hypocrisy of this discussion is almost beyond belief,” said the Assemblyman. “Simcha Felder is an honorable man who has not sold out in any way. He made no campaign promises that I am aware of other than to faithfully serve the best interests of his constituents, which is what he is doing by aligning himself with the party that best represents his constituents’ philosophical preferences. While many of his constituents may be Democrats, they also clearly supported Republicans.

“Every Democrat is good for the people? That doesn't make sense. Every platform that the party takes suits every district, every voter? Being an elected official should never imply knee-jerk allegiance to a party. Simcha would have won this election regardless of whether he ran on the Republican line or the Democratic line. People voted for his experience and his integrity and that’s what he’s already delivering. He has never been dishonest with the people.”

Assemblyman Hikind pointed out that many Democrats supported Mayor Michael Bloomberg when he ran for re-election on the Republican line in 2005 and 2009.

“We shouldn’t castigate an elected official for being independent,” said the Assemblyman. “We should praise him!”

Assemblyman Hikind will be discussing this issue on “Fred Dicker Live From the State Capital” on Talk Radio 1300 AM, today at 10:35 am.

Dangerous Trees in Boro Park, Flatbush? Let Me Know!

We may not have another hurricane again (please G-d) but even a typical snow storm may easily bring down an already damaged tree or dangerous, heavy branches.

If you see a tree that looks like a potential danger, please email my office ASAP at Hikindpress@gmail.com. Make sure to include the address or intersection where the tree is located. If possible, include a photo of the tree, which you can take with your phone.

Thank you for helping us protect our community!

Former FEMA Employee Joins My Staff

I'm pleased to announe that Jeanie Silver will be joining my staff effective immediately. In addition to being a former staff member of mine, Jeanie has over ten years of experience with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Jeanie is also a community member and her experience working with disaster victims will be enormously helpful to the rest of our team as well as people throughout the communities that have been devastated by the hurricane. Jeanie will be available full-time to consult with individuals as needed.

Having visited communities in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, I’ve seen the hurricane's devastation first hand. Two weeks later, people still have questions and we want to be as helpful to them as possible. Having someone like Jeanie in our office will be useful to the many people who still have questions about how to best work with FEMA.

I urge those in need of disaster assistance resulting from Hurricane Sandy to contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362. Those in need of assistance or guidance in dealing with FEMA are encouraged to contact my office at 718-853-9616 and ask for Jeanie, or to email Jeanie directly at  jeaniesilver2012@gmail.com.