Espinal Lauds Vance For Cracking Down On Tow Truck Bad Practices
City Council Member Rafael Espinal (D-Bushwick, East New York), Chair of the Committee on Consumer Affairs & Business Licensing Issues, yesterday applauded Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance on his indictments against 17 individuals alleging fraud and an organized crime scheme regarding the tow trucks business.
The Department of Consumer Affairs, which Espinal oversees, licenses tow truck companies. On Feb. 14, Espinal held an oversight hearing entitled “Regulation of the City’s Towing Industry.”
“I applaud DA Vance for his thorough investigation and the resulting indictments of this alleged egregious scheme. For a long time some bad actors in the tow truck industry have taken advantage of consumers and used aggressive tactics to deceive, overcharge and manipulate New Yorkers. This is already a competitive market and monopolizing the industry in this way will not be tolerated,” said Espinal.
“I will continue looking into ways NYC can regulate this industry, including my legislation to expand DCA’s ability to revoke and refuse to renew tow truck company licenses and increasing disclosure requirements so consumers are aware of their rights,” he added.
Persaud Offers Saturday Constituent Services
State Sen. Senator Roxanne J. Persaud (D- Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetowne, Ocean Hill) announced she will open her district office to constituent services on the first Saturday of each month.
Persaud said she is doing so because she wants to ensure that constituents have access to services they need in a timely manner.
“It is always a pleasure to serve the residents of Senate District 19. This service on Saturday’s will certainly meet the needs of constituents who are not able to come to the office for assistance during the regular office schedule. You Deserve to be Served,” said Persaud.
The first Saturday of the month hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at her district office,1222 East 96th Street in Canarsie. Constituents will need to call the District Office at 718 649 7653 to make an appointment to meet with the case manager available.
Hikind Asks March Of The Living To Cancel Poland Trip
Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Borough Park) is calling upon the International March of the Living to suspend its upcoming trip to Poland in light of that country’s recent denial of its role in the Holocaust.
The International March of the Living is an annual educational program, bringing individuals from around the world to Poland and Israel to study the history of the Holocaust and to examine the roots of prejudice, intolerance and hatred.
“Seeing Poland’s government attempt to whitewash its role in the murder of innocent men, women and children via their despicable Holocaust Denial Law has had a chilling effect on all of us who understand what really occurred in Poland—both before, during and after the war,” said Hikind.
“As the son of Holocaust survivors who lost their families in Auschwitz, I have the greatest admiration for the outstanding work done by the International March of the Living. I believe there’s a chance they can help undo the terrible injustice now occurring in Poland by suspending their upcoming march this April. As vital as their past trips have been, they are in a unique position to make an impact on Poland and especially the many young people who will know of their actions if the March of the Living suspends its trip this year,” he added.
Mosley Responds To Palestinian Protest
Assembly Member Walter T. Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights), an ardent supporter of Israel and on a legislative trip to the country, reported that he and other U.S. officials were evacuated from a meeting with a think thank in Ramallah in the West Bank after Palestinian’s gathered outside the building to protest their presence.
Hostile protesters threw vegetables and eggs at the officials as they exited the building.
