A Note From Assemblyman Keith Wright

With the conclusion of this years truly historic legislative session, my staff and I have returned to Harlem full time to focus on the needs and problems of our community. Weve spent the summer months reflecting and studying the impact of our legislative work, participating in various cultural and community events, and working tirelessly to alleviate the troubles that our neighbors and families face everyday in this undesirable economy. Coming home to Harlem in the summertime reminds me that it is a place like no other. Our villages vibrancy and distinctiveness is especially prevalent, and the people of this community are seen out and about, interacting with one another and absorbing the energy of Harlem. Like many of you, my staff and I have been frequenting Harlems infamous block parties, listened and enjoyed as a variety of artists and musicians played right outside of our office building as part of the Harlem Summer Stage concert series, and caught up with our neighbors and loved ones at BBQs and family reunions. My staff and I participated in the 54th annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade and took full advantage of many of the wonderful events of Harlem Week. We also offered two students living in The Riverton generous scholarships to help offset the cost of their educations. Its that time of year again. School is starting up and our kids are given the opportunity to personally and economically advance through their right to education. In this economy more than ever, education is the key to advancement. Our young community members, their parents, and our educators need to work together to establish a strong relationship and understanding of each of our roles. School equates to jobs, and we must emphasize that as we enter a new school year. While the summer is winding down, there are a number of exciting and important events coming up this fall. Harlems tight knit and progressive community is what makes this neighborhood what it is, so be sure to check out our Community Happenings section to stay informed about local events. Get involved, volunteer, and attend the events and meetings that facilitate progress, and compassion for our neighbors and families, especially during dire economic times.

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
The Night of Elegance
Presented by the Central Harlem Senior Citizens Centers, Inc. on Saturday, September 10th, 2011. A Black and White Affair with a Hit of Silver. Dancing and dining, raffle drawing and a silent auction will all take place. For information and ticketing, call 212-926-4465.

TEAM WRIGHT AT WORK

In July, Team Wright had the privilege of attending the Cornell Industrial and Labor Relations Seminar. The seminar spanned four days and was arranged and executed by some of the foremost experts in industrial and labor relations. Kicking off the seminar was Associate Dean Rick Hurd. Professor Hurd gave us a preview as to what we would be going over. Esther Bigler, with all of her pizzazz and energy, followed Rick and gave us extensive background information as to how and why labor unions were formed. We even had the pleasure and opportunity to spend time with the Dean of the Industrial and Labor relations school, Dean Harry Katz. The history of labor unionism is quite interesting, and Team Wright was ready to explore. Being able to attend the seminar at such a prestigious institute was a wonderful privilege. I plan to bring this knowledge of contemporary and progressive labor relations research with me to Albany, to study and expand New Yorks existing labor policies. Team Wright as a whole came out a stronger, more capable office, with more willingness and ability to effectively deal with the labor issues facing our community.

3rd Annual MTA MWDBE Conference

Wednesday, September 14th from 8:00am to 1:00pm at Harlem Hospital. Attendees will be discussing new business opportunities for small business, with an emphasis on minority, women and disadvantaged businesses. Assemblyman Wright will be speaking at the event, so please contact our office for more information at 212-866-5809.

42nd Annual African American Day Parade

Sunday, September 18 , 2011 at 1:00pmFor more information, go to http://www.africanamericandayparade.org. We will also be participating in The African American Day Breakfast preceding the parade. Please contact The African American Day Breakfast Committee, INC. at 347-541-8177.
th

ALBANY UPDATE
This summer, labor has been a hot issue in the press and in the public eye. As the Chair of the Assemblys Labor Committee, it pleases me to see these unions working hard to preserve their rights and fight those who try to challenge these rights. We saw admirable compromise during tough fiscal times between Governor Cuomo and one of the states largest public employee unions, CSEA. We read about and heard the outrage of Verizon employees across the country, and as local as here on 125th Street, who came out in troths to fight back against Verizons attempts to make cuts, freeze and eliminate pensions, increase the costs and reduce the general availability of benefits, and eliminate job security. We are reminded again of the effectiveness of power in numbers, and should commend these men and women who are fighting to maintain their rights and expose the greed that Verizon is exemplifying. Lastly, I strongly encourage you to speak with me and my staff about issues that you think can be fixed through legislation. I am happy to bring your ideas to Albany with me to create, amend and expand laws to offer justice and a better quality of life to the Harlem residents that I represent. Lets talk about how we can do that together!

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Ms. Yolanda Sills came to our office in May for help with a number of problems. Ms. Sills is disabled because of a work related injury and has had financial difficulties due to her inability to work. Being a single mother is hard enough, but Ms. Sills had an extremely hard year as she tried to recover from her injuries. Ms. Cathleen McCadden, Senior Coordinator in our district office was working with Ms. Sills and in a conversation she mentioned that her daughter Penny was graduating from High School. Ms. Sills explained that she felt terrible because her daughter overcame so many obstacles and deserved to feel and look her best on graduation day but Ms. Sills didn't have enough money. Cathleen called her stylist, Nicole Jones, the owner of Three Quarters and A Dime, to see if she could help Ms. Sills and Penny. Nicole and her team of stylists, Daunte and Courtney, were ecstatic to give back to the community and help someone in need. Penny was treated to a day of beauty where she received a full weave and style at no cost! Team Wright thanks Nicole and the entire team at Three Quarters and A Dime for being there for the Village of Harlem. Be sure to support our local businesses that support our community, call 212-222-7768 for more information about the salon.

KIDZ CORNER
Harlem4Kids hosts StoryTime Saturdays every week at the Harlem Police Athletic League at 441 Manhattan Avenue. The program is a fun way for kids, from babies to preschoolers, to combine stories, movement and music to learn in a multicultural way. Its a free program, with donation by choice. For more information visit their website www.Harlem4Kids.com.

USEFUL INFORMATION
Dont forget to vote on Primary Day, Tuesday, September 13th. The polls will be open from 6am to 9pm. For general election and polling information, you can contact the Board of Elections at 212-487-5300, access their website http://vote.nyc.ny.us/, or call our office at 212866-5809. The Abyssinian Development Corporation and the FDNY are hosting a number of information sessions about how to become a New York City Firefighter. There will be detailed explanation of the application and testing process, and it is recommended that anyone interested take advantage of this tremendous career opportunity. The upcoming dates for the information sessions are Monday, August 28th, 2011, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at The Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem; Wednesday, September 7th, 2011 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Ennis Francis Houses Community Room; and Monday, September 12th, 2011 from 6:30 pm to 8:00pm at the same location. For more information and to RSVP, contact Shyla Malloy at: 646-442-6587.

Assemblyman Wright speaking to members of 32BJ in Albany

For more information or if you have any problems we can help solve, please do not hesitate to contact our office directly, we are always here to help. Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright 163 West 125th Street, Suite 911 Albany, New York 10027 212-866-5809- Phone 212-864-1368- Fax wrightk@nysa.us http://www.facebook.com/assemblymanwright http://www.twitter.com/wright4harlem http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=070