New York City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer's Office Assists its 10,000th Constituent
Before Eloisa Amiama of Woodside reached out to our office she was struggling to keep up with her health care costs after her coverage was terminated without any just cause. Ms. Amiama did not know where to turn. As she continued to incur charges she realized she could not keep up with the constant payments. Then she rang our office. When Deborah Tharrington, Director of Constituent Services, intervened she began working with the New York State Department of Financial Services to see how we could assist. As a result of our intervention we were able to find a solution and restore Ms. Amiama's health care coverage as well as reimburse her for the unnecessary payments she made for an extensive period of time.
While Ms. Amiama's victory may not seem huge to some, it makes all the difference for her - especially when every dollar counted. Ms. Amiama's triumph represents the 10,000th constituent our office has assisted during my first term. Ms. Amiama's case is just one of many that we receive each day as we strive for the same positive results for everyone. These are the types of issues we assist with everyday.
In just just under four years, my office has helped countless constituents with a wide variety of issues, including: illegal drag racing, graffiti on private properties, cleanliness of residential streets, necessary traffic safety improvements, immigration/deportation cases, social services and general quality of life complaints. No issue is too small for our office because we are always here to help.
The glowing faces and bright smiles you see above are just several constituents my office has assisted during my first term as your Council Member. Mixed within the group in the photo are members of my Constituent Liaison Team. Since the beginning, we have kept you at the heart of our operation. (In the photo above, Council Member Van Bramer is joined by (top row l. to r.) Andres Villa, Neil Klein, Deborah Tharrington, Luis Demartino, Nick Gulotta, (bottom row l. to r.) Marlene Ray, Saadia Youssi, Eloisa Amiama, Mannie Wilson, Maria Iozia, Benita Montilla, and Nina Tejeda)
Over the last several years, thousands of people have reached out to our office seeking help on matters big and small. Below are just a few examples of the victories we have achieved on the behalf of our constituents:
- Mannie Wilson (Ravenswood) - Not only was the New York City Housing Authority overcharging Ms. Wilson, a 96 year-old-senior, on her monthly rent but they were failing to address necessary repairs to important fixtures throughout her apartment. Ms. Wilson was unable to properly utilize both sinks in her bathroom and kitchen. Our office was able to step in and get NYCHA to expedite work on both areas within Ms. Wilson's apartment. Today she is able to utilize these fixtures properly. We were also able to correct housing oversights on her monthly payments. NYCHA residents deserve to live in diginity, and as long as I am a Council Member I will ensure I continue to advocate and fight for the proper services all are entitled to.
- Neil Klein (Queensbridge) - For decades Mr. Klein had been living in the Queensbridge Houses paying a rent that was affordable for him. As soon as he realized his rent began to increase he reached out to us for help. We immediately contacted the New York City Housing Authority, clarified his paperwork, and provided him with the reimbursements he deserved. Today, Mr. Klein pays a rent that is affordable for him and his family.
- Saadia Youssi (Sunnyside) - Ms. Youssi's disabled son was experiencing issues with his school bus picking him up regularly by the Department of Education. Unfortunately her son was arriving to school late because of this problem. Due to the chronic lateness of his drop offs he began missing his regularly scheduled medication regime. After interceding we were able to adjust her son's pick-ups times to an hour that was convenient for their family Today her son no longer has to fear missing his regularly scheduled medical treatment and Ms. Amiama has secrurity in the fact that the Department of Education will be picking her son up on
- Neyda Tejeda (Woodside) - After numerous accidents and several near misses by IS 125 Ms. Tejeda made our office aware of the dangerous speeding vehicles driving daily along 48th Avenue in Long Island City. Working with the Department of Transportation my office was able secure two traffic lights as well as a speed bump for the neighborhood. As a result of our advocacy the corridor has experienced a significant decline in accidents. Today, Ms. Tejeda, local students as well as their families are able to cross walk along 48th Avenue with the assurance that this street is safer than it once was.
- Wendy Chan (Long Island City) - 5th Street in Long Island City has been a confusing street for cars, cyclists and pedestrians alike. Ms. Chan reached out to our office to ask for a four way stop at 47th Avenue at 5th. Following nearly two years of advocacy, letters to the Department of Transportation and a press conference where we erected "The People's Stop Sign" we got the DOT to install a four way stop sign clarifying the intersection and making it safer for for everyone.
These are just several cases out of 10,000 where our office has made a difference in the lives of our constituents.
Special Thanks to the Members of My Constituent Liaison Team
Andres Villa (Assistant Director of Constituent Services), Deborah Tharrington (Director of Constituent Services), and Nick Gulotta (Constituent Liaison and Special Projects Coordinator)
Their tireless work ethic and dedication to the residents of our district is inspiring. Every single day they are on the job they continue to reinvigorate my commitment to the people we continue to serve. I thank them for their hard work and ability to provide our constituents with the nurturing care and assistance they deserve.
We work for you. We will never forget it, and will always be grateful for the privilege. If my staff and I can be of any assistance, please contact my office anytime at (718) 383-9566 or email jimmyvanbramer@gmail.com. Also stay connected via Twitter or Facebook.
Jimmy Van Bramer, Council Member - District 26