CM James Comments on Interfaith Medical Center Hospital Recently Announced Plans to Declare Bankruptcy If Funding Is Not Secured

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
 DECEMBER 3, 2012

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081

Council Member Letitia James Comments on Interfaith Medical Center Hospital Recently Announced Plans to Declare Bankruptcy If Funding Is Not Secured 

(New York, NY)— On Sunday, December 2, 2012, officials representing Interfaith Medical Center announced plans for the hospital to declare bankruptcy if necessary funding is not secured. Interfaith Hospital, which provides service to the Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights communities, has experienced significant financial hardship in the past few years, and has depended heavily on New York State aid.

In January 2012, the Medicaid Re-design plan (Berger Commission report) laid-out a number of existing issues in Brooklyn hospitals, and placed the bulk of the blame on hospital boards and management. The report found hospital boards failed to properly evaluate financial and clinical performance, or set strategic goals. In response to the findings, Wyckoff Hospital, Interfaith Medical Center, and Brooklyn Hospital Center (three of the hospital identified as ‘vulnerable’ in the report) seeked to agree to terms that would initiate a merger. Interfaith Hospital has expressed their interest in reconfiguring organizational operations to address current issues. However, Interfaith was not able to establish a reconfiguration plan that allowed them to maintain control over their functioning and leadership, and officials are deeply concerned that a merger that effectively folds one hospital into another will lead to the closure of Interfaith and the loss of those health resources in the Central Brooklyn community.

Interfaith needs New York State to guarantee an estimated $20 million in what is called ‘debtor-in-possession financing’ to underwrite its operating costs during the reorganization. According to media reports, hospital officials have stated that the State Dormitory Authority, which holds $130 million of the hospital's debt, refused to provide the financing unless Interfaith would first sign an agreement to merge with Brooklyn Hospital.

“New York State needs to step up and secure the $20 million needed to guarantee another year of health services for Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights residents,” said Council Member Letitia James. “Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, I believe a merger that incorporates the vision of Interfaith can be established. It is imperative that we move towards that goal to save this comprehensive hospital, and the 1,600 jobs that would otherwise be eliminated.”

New York State requires vulnerable hospitals seeking to apply for public funding or merge to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining the terms of the agreement.

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ATTENTION: Chase Bank Presents Homebuying Seminar

On February 8, 2011, Chase Bank will be hosting a free homebuying seminar. Topics to be discussed include--

-Preparing for bomeownership
-Affordable mortgage programs
-Questions and answers with mortgage specialists

WHEN: February 8, 2012
6:30PM- 8:00PM

WHERE: Bed-Stuy Restoration Plaza
1380 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11216

Seating is limited. Please RSVP at (718) 230-1284 by February 2.

Small Business Workshop On Creating Business Pitch

BOC Women's Business Center presents "Scoring a Home Run with the Perfect Pitch." You are invited to join this FREE creative workshop to work on creating your winning pitch.

Date: October 18, 2011
Time: 6:00 PM -7:30 PM
Location: Citibank
1398 Fulton Street
(between Brooklyn and Marcy Avenues)
Brooklyn, NY 11216

This event is presented by BOC in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Citibank. To RSVP call (718) 625-1276.

Job Opportunity- Chase Holding 2nd Job Fair To Hire Customer Service Representatives

Chase Bank is holding its second job fair to reach its goal of hiring 1,000 new customer service professionals in Brooklyn to work in its home lending business.

WHEN: September 28, 2011
10:00AM- 6PM

WHERE: The Brooklyn Bridge Marriott
333 Adams Street
Brooklyn, NY

The bank filled 450 jobs at its job fair in Brooklyn last month and plans to add at least 600 more.

All candidates interested in the jobs listed below are encouraged to apply online at www.chase.com/careers and enter the accompanying requisition numbers:
Customer care research specialist- 110077685
Customer care letter editor/writer- 110077704
Customer care supervisor- 110064435
Customer care manager- 110066389

UPDATE: Regarding FG Chase Bank Robbery

A suspect is in custody following a recent robbery at the Myrtle Avenue branch of Chase Manhattan Bank. Fortunately, no one was hurt during this incident. According to the New York Times- Local blog,
"Devon Stevens, 34, was arrested...and charged with robbery, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, menacing and harassment." [NYT- Local]

CM James Urges Witnesses To Come Forward With Info About Recent Burglaries in FG/CH

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
August 17, 2011

Contact: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191

COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES URGES ALL WITNESSES, OR ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT RECENT BURGLARIES IN THE FORT GREENE-CLINTON HILL AREA OF BROOKLYN TO COME FORWARD

(Brooklyn, NY) “It has come to light that an increase in burglaries has taken place in the Fort Greene-Clinton Hill area recently. I want to make the community aware of incidents that have occurred; business owners and residents should be alert and take precautions during these desperate times.

At 9:55 am this morning (on August 17) a black male described as 5’5”, possibly in his 40’s and wearing a black baseball cap displayed a firearm at CVS Pharmacy in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, left with approximately $100 from the cashier, then fled. Also, on Monday, August 15, at 9:48 am a black male, described as 6’0” and in his 30's, wearing a Baltimore Orioles cap and orange shirt handed a teller a note at the Chase bank branch located in Clinton Hill, and fled with approximately $1,000. Fortunately, no one was hurt during these incidents, but my office will help to provide any assistance needed.

I am requesting the 88th Precinct increase patrols on Myrtle Avenue, and I have spoken with these businesses about safety precautions. I ask if anyone has information that may lead to the arrest of these suspects to contact the NYPD. Tips can be left anonymously with the 88th Precinct police at (718) 636-6511.”

- Council Member Letitia James, 35 CD, Brooklyn

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Crimestoppers- http://a056-crimestoppers.nyc.gov/crimestoppers/public/index.cfm

Job Opportunity- Chase Hiring Customer Service Reps in BK

Chase bank plans to hire 1,000 new customer service staff in Brooklyn in the coming months.

The bank is hosting a job fair on August 11, 2011 from 11AM- 7PM at 4 Chase MetroTech Center.

More information is here, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply online at www.chase.com/careers (requisition number 110064425).