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HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS # 1 CONSUMER COMPLAINT
Consumer Department recovers record amount on behalf of consumers

Home improvement contractors continue to have the dubious distinction of being Westchester County’s number one consumer complaint.

But all was not lost for many of the complaining consumers – the Department of Consumer Protection recovered an all-time high of $975,000 in restitution for consumers in 2007, an increase of 36 percent over the prior year.

To receive further information or to file a consumer complaint, log onto the department’s website, www.westchestergov.com/consumer, or call (914) 995-2155.

According to Gary Brown, director of Consumer Protection, most of the complaints against home improvement contractors involved firms that were unlicensed, in violation of county law.

“The county takes a zero- tolerance approach with respect to these unlicensed contractors,” said Brown. “Last year we conducted our first-ever undercover sting of unlicensed contractors, in which county police set up a ‘sting’ house, posed as homeowners, contacted unlicensed contractors and invited them to bid on various

projects. Our inspectors also conducted countywide sweeps looking for unlicensed home improvement contractors. And, for the first time, we just seized a vehicle from an unlicensed contractor using the county’s new ‘Seizure/Impound’ law.”

The department also emphasizes prevention by providing the latest consumer tips and advice.

WESTCHESTER’S TOP 10 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS

• Home improvement and repair

• Automobile dealers

• Furniture stores

• Food stores (pricing, scanner accuracy, outdated merchandise, rain checks)

• Department stores

• Professional services

• Utilities

• Manufacturers (consumer products)

• Wireless phones

• Appliance stores

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VIA QUADRONNO HOLDS GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION

Minerva Place Condominiums: Economically Green

Tuesday August 19 th, 2008: Community Housing Innovations (CHI), along with White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino, hosted the groundbreaking for the city’s latest affordable housing development - 14
units called Minerva Place Condominiums.
Community Housing Innovations, Inc., a White
Plains based non profit organization founded in
1991, is the developer.

Minerva Place Condominiums will be the most
energy efficient residence in White Plains,
featuring the city’s first geothermal heating and cooling system. It is the first low-rise new
construction project in Westchester County to
meet all of the requirements of the New York
energy smart multi-family performance program guidelines. During the groundbreaking drilling
began on the first of eight wells for geothermal
power system also known as a ground source heat pump. Each well is 350 feet deep.

“With the Mayor’s support, we set out to show that affordable housing could be built with the option of energy efficiency,” said Alexander Roberts,
Executive Director of Community Housing
Innovations. “With heating oil approaching $5
a gallon, energy efficiency is no longer an option.”

In addition to geothermal heat pumps that use the constant temperature of the earth to heat and cool the building, Minerva Place Condominiums features energy-efficient construction techniques, insulation, plumbing and lighting upgrades that are projected
to save homebuyers about 30% on energy costs,
compared to a typical new development.

The 14 units consist of 11 two-bedroom and 3 one-bedroom apartments with hardwood floors, Corian
and granite countertops in the kitchen, and cultured
stone countertops in the bathrooms. The project architect is Warshauer Mellusi Warshauer Architects,
P.C. The modular builder is Deluxe Building Systems,
Inc. The lender is TD Bank, N.A.

All of the units will be affordable to families with incomes between 80% and 100% of Westchester County’s median income, which is between $73,000 and $91,000 for a family of three. The one-bedroom units are priced from $225,000, and the
two-bedroom units are priced from $265,000. However, for families who qualify, Community Housing Innovations may provide up to $30,000 in down payment assistance from the New York State Housing Trust Fund.

White Plains will contribute donated land and
about $75,000 per unit in subsidy from its Affordable Housing Fund. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will provide about $55,000 to subsidize the energy-saving improvements.

Unlike most affordable developments, which are limited to families earning under 80% of the Area Median Income, Minerva Place Condominiums will appeal to families with two wage earners.
Typically these families are disqualified from affordable housing opportunities.

“The Minerva Place Condominiums appeal to
families entering the home buyers market,” said
Mayor Delfino. “In these difficult economic times,
I am proud to say White Plains has options to elevate families into home ownership. The $265,000 condos will fill a critical workforce housing need.

Frank Zisa, CHI’s Director of Development who is overseeing the project, said “It is a testament to the dedication of the city, our lender and construction professionals that we were able to move forward
with a workforce housing project when it is needed most, especially in an environment of escalating construction costs and tighter lending.”

The condominiums will be ready for occupancy by early Spring 2009.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF NEW YORK CITY TRIATHLON

TO LEAD NEW WESTCHESTER FACILITY

WHITE PLAINS, NY, August 2008 – The Center for Podiatric Care and Sports Medicine, with offices located in Manhattan and the Bronx is pleased to announce its new state-of-the-art White Plains
facility located at 10 Mitchell Place, White Plains
NY. Dr. Josef J. Geldwert, a renowned Board Certified Podiatric Surgeon, will direct the
center.

Dr. Geldwert brings to Westchester his 35 years of expertise in foot care with concentrations in reconstructive foot surgery, biomechanics, and
sports injuries. Dr. Geldwert is a leader in the
field of biomechanics. The Center specializes in treating chronic problems resulting from sports
injuries and active lifestyles. An active runner
himself, Dr. Geldwert understands the importance
of keeping healthy.

Four out of every five Americans eventually suffer from foot problems. These problems can eventually cause discomfort and complications throughout the skeletal structure.

 

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WESTCHESTER LEAGUE KEEPS US CONNECTED WITH UP TO DATE 2008 DIRECTORY OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

The new 2008 League of Women Voters® Directory of Officials is now available. This popular annual publication organizes the contact information for those who serve us in government into one convenient guide.  The Directory provides current names, addresses, and phone numbers of all elected officials and many appointed officials who represent Westchester residents at the federal, state, county and local levels. When possible, web sites, e-mail addresses, organizational structure, meeting days, maps and other useful details are also included.  

            Anyone may purchase a copy of the Directory of Officials by sending a check for $6.00, made out to The League of Women Voters® of Westchester, to 200 Hamilton Ave., White Plains 10601. The $6.00 cost includes postage and handling.  For further information, including rates for volume orders, please call 949-0507, or e-mail at LWVWestchester@verizon.net.

            “The Directory is an important resource for all Westchester County residents,” Mary Beth Gose, LWVW president, said “It is especially useful for people in government, business, library reference departments, nonprofit organizations, the media, and civic and advocacy groups.”           

Printing of the Directory was made possible through a contribution from ConEdison. 

The League of Women Voters® is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization which promotes informed and active citizen participation in government. Membership is open to all citizens over 18; others may join as associates.