8 THE QUEENS COURIER • DECEMBER 15, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM Photos by Suzanne Monteverdi/THE COURIER Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks to senior residents in Bayside. Mayor de Blasio comes to Bayside to talk about the ever-increasing cost of living BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI smonteverdi@qns.com @smont76 Mayor Bill de Blasio visited the Selfh elp Clearview Senior Center in Bayside last week to discuss city cost of living concerns with senior residents. “Let’s face it,” de Blasio said at the discussion on Dec. 8. “It’s hard to make ends meet in New York City, correct? Not just for a few people: for millions of people.” Th e mayor fi rst spoke about a water and sewer bill credit the NYC water board approved in April which would have granted each eligible homeowners a one-time $183 credit. Th e credit was meant to repay what the mayor called a “hidden tax” in the water bill — a charge marked as a “rental payment.” “People were spending money on the water bill, and it was going to things that had nothing to do with water,” de Blasio said. “I said, ‘If you pay a water bill, you should just pay for the water.’” According to the mayor, the credit was later turned down in a ruling by the New York State Supreme Court that determined the water board exceeded its authority by granting the credit. Th e court petition was fi led by the Rent Stabilization Association and three Brooklyn real estate companies. “We’re gonna fi ght them,” de Blasio said. “I believe we’re gonna win in the end.” Th e mayor also discussed senior housing cost concerns. According to de Blasio, almost 80,000 seniors and disabled individuals are eligible for a rent freeze through the city’s Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) programs and are not getting it. “We are now sending our teams of people all over the city to fi nd people who are eligible for these programs and get them signed up,” de Blasio said. More information about both rent stabilizing programs can be found here and here. “If anyone knows anybody who might be eligible, we want to get them those forms,” de Blasio said. Local representatives Councilman Paul Vallone and Councilman Costa Constantinides were also present for the mayor’s appearance. ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������� ������������������������������ ���������������� SEE US FOR BLACK FRIDAY WEEK END SPECIALS �������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������ *FREE Eye Exam with the purchase of glasses. Contact Lens Exam and fitting add’l. *See store for details. ���������� ������������������������������ �������������������� �������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������� Select frame with select clear plastic no-line bifocal lenses\ +/- 4 sph., 2cyl. up to 2.50 add. Not valid with any other offers, sales, vision plans or packages. Must present prior to purchase. Some restrictions apply, see store for details. Offer valid at this location only. Expires 12/22/16 ������ �������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� ���������������������������������� Clear Soft brand clear sphericalLenses/ *Contact lens fitting additional. Not valid with any other offers, sales, vision plans or packages. Must present prior to purchase. Offer valid at this location only. Some restrictions apply, see store for details. Expires 12/22/16 ���������� ���������������������� �������������������� �������������������������������������� Select frames with clear plastic, single vision lenses+/- 4 sph., 2 cyl. Not valid with any other offers, sales, vision plans or packages. Must present prior to purchase. Offer valid at this location only. Some restrictions apply, see store for details Expires 12/22/16 ���������������� Buy 1 Pair of Prescription Glasses and GET 2nd Pair FREE ������������������������������������. (From select group) Some restrictions apply. See Store for details. In stock items only. Expires 12/22/16 ������������������������������������ ������������������������ ������ Includes polycarbonate lenses, plastic and metal frames. Select frames with clear plastic single vision lenses +/- 4 sph, 2 cyl. Must present prior to purchase. Offer valid at this locationonly. Not valid with any other offers, sales, vision plans, or packages. QC QC QC QC Expires 12/22/16 QC
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