Dear Editor;
I’m sure all building maintenance contractors applaud Michael Wolfe’s article "Spring Cleaning 2000" [May, 2000]. We know that the annual checklist is an essential tool for providing cost effective maintenance. I am surprised though, that he did not include the equipment that maintains indoor air quality. It is no coincidence that after exchanging compactors for incinerators and installing airtight windows, the incidence of asthma is epidemic. Servicing and especially cleaning compactor chutes and ventilation systems should be on the top of every building manager’s annual maintenance checklist.
Paul Coburn
Chute Master Environmental Services
To All the Wonderful People at NYARM,
I cannot begin to thank you for all your generous donations - both time, money gifts and energy on behalf of the children of Brooklyn Blue Feather. You are all very special people and we are truly blessed by your kindness and love.
Our children will thrive and know the joy of romping and jumping in their very own playground.
May God bless all of you from the bottom of my heart and the hearts of the children we serve!
With much love, hugs and kisses from the kids.
Christina Mucciola
Director of Educational Services, AHRC
Dear Donna,
I want to thank you, NYARM and Richard Howard for the honor that you bestowed on me and my family.
It was a great day to have the Blue Feather Playground dedicated to Ellen, it was a terrific honor. Thank you for all your help and love during this time for me and my family.
Again my sincerest thanks to you all,
Wayne
Dear Ms. Klein,
I am writing in reference to your article entitled "Water Board Seeks Rate Increase" in your May 2000 newspaper. While your article accurately reflects the Water Board's proposed changes for the period 7/1/00-6/30/01 and the statements made by Michael Lockhart at the hearing, we believe that Mr. Lockhart's comments misrepresent the current status of the water/sewer billing operation at the Environmental Protection (DEP).
We believe that Mr. Lockhart has made false and misleading statements in his testimony and in other forums under the guise of the Water Bill Justice Coalition. He represents the Coalition for Water Bill Justice (the Coalition) as a "grass roots organization created to advocate for fair billing practices for water customers in New York City." In reality, he is soliciting business for his company, American Telephone & Utility Consultants, Inc., which charges customers as much as 50% of any reduction in their bills.
He has stated that 80% of water bills are overcharged. It is incomprehensible that he would distort the efforts of DEP to improve billing. Estimated bills have been cut from 42% in July 1996 to 16% currently. Further, since the customers with over-estimated bills have been the ones coming forward with complaints, the remaining customers with estimated bills most likely represent accounts that have been underestimated. Our efforts to address real and perceived billing problems is obviously taking business away from auditors, like Mr. Lockhart, and he is reacting to his loss of potential future income.
In respect to the two-year limitation, he fails to recognize that this change was only for bills issued after July 1, 1999. The regulation makes no change to the period for which an adjustment could be made, only the time frame for submission of an inquiry about either a specific bill or the account in general. This either shows his lack of understanding of the regulation or he is purposely distorting the facts. In reality, the period of the refund is in no way impacted by the change in the regulation. The period of adjustment would be for the entire six year period, provided that a complaint is filed anywhere at DEP or the Water Board within two years of the issuance of the bill. Once the complaint or inquiry has been lodged, the customer reserves his or her rights with regard to the bill in question and any eligible adjustments would be retroactive beyond the two year period, if appropriate. We do not believe that our customers need two years to identify a problem. To the contrary, we find that within days of the receipt of a bill, customers will call, write or visit one of our offices if they believe there is an error. Once an inquiry has been lodged, the customer has reserved his/her rights for appropriate adjustments, for a period of up to six years. I again reiterate that the two year complaint filing period only applies to bills issued after July 1, 1999.
Mr. Lockhart alleges on the Coalition's website that the Water Board's 1999 regulation to shut off water for non-payment jeopardizes the elderly and the handicapped residing in nursing homes and apartment buildings. Once again, this is clearly an effort to alarm people for no reason and to discredit the Water Board. The Water Board publicly noted in 1999 that the intent of the shut-off regulation was to address non-payment issues from commercial accounts. Further, had he read the regulation, he would have seen that no shut-off will be implemented where there are "customers who are elderly, blind or disabled" without extraordinary measures.
In conclusion, DEP seeks to be responsive to all inquiries from our customers or their designated representatives to address possible water/sewer billing issues. The more that DEP does to address our customer's issues, the more likely that the auditors will have to look for their high commissions someplace else.
Sincerely,
Lawrence Schatt
Deputy Commissioner, Department of Environmental Protection