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Letter I sent on June 19th, Still no response......

Fran Brunelle

840 Main Street

Peekskill NY, 10566

(914) 737-3400

fbrunelle@cityofpeekskill.com

June 19, 2014

Re:                   living conditions / recertification / need to move

Good Morning Fran,

In  your email dated June 18, 2014 you state:

I have asked you several times when can we do your annual inspection?  If you do not understand why this is imperative I would suggest you call our office I will explain.  We have tried to have our inspector check the hot water issue and you refused him access.  We talked to your landlord about this as well.

In order to continue with the Section 8 program we must complete the re-certification which you have not.

I too have spoken with the landlord, Bruno Gonzalez, about the hot water issues, I was told by him, his employees and his son if I want hot water I can pay my rent, rent you have withheld that was sent via Susan MacNammee of Hudson Section 8 office.  Audio of one occasion of this statement here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bOd817ZUi8&list=UUmy-CCCAg10LOSbNsIGmrbg

Resolving the hot water issues does not require entry and I have offered cooperation and suggestions on how to resolve , the same method used in February 2012 via Inspector Godbee after I had been without hot water and told I was not.  In an email sent to and responded to by you on June 5^th  states

“Inspector Godbee stated he and the owner would call from the basement and call while the hot water is being worked on, That was two weeks ago and I have not gotten a response and have not had hot water for four months, the mail is still dropped at the store downstairs and I want to move.

What is the purpose of inspecting the unit if I am moving?  Am i now being denied the ability to move with the grant? “

Lack of hot water has been a chronic issue since I moved in with the explanation section 8 doesn’t do hot water and that Jerry, the co-owner says I do have hot water.  Documents attached that show the hot water was an issue for other tenants in February and March 2014, two of the months I was also without.  The other three apartments now have hot water, I do not. In addition to the sanitation issue this dynamic exascerbates, it was explained to me by a plumber I consulted last year that the circulation valve is tampered with, hot water that I am paying for is being produced but it can not get into the apartments pipes and goes into BnD deli downstairs.  I can not afford that nor is it legal for me to.

Re: recertification

Further attempts to understand your approach to recertifying that differs from the HUD regulations as posted online and cooperate with that process followed including and email sent to and responded toby you on June 6^th, 2014 which states:

“According to the research I've done the inspections are to show that the apartment is livable for the next year.  I will comply with having it inspected, it just seems as though that would commit me for year.  Please send me the regulation and policy regarding this process, y'all are going about it very different than what I found online, Id like to read your policies so I understand the process.”

Another email I sent on June 6^th, 2014 states:

 “Please send the policies to review ASAP and include times  the inspector available.

Please note that I need to read the policies to allow me to be fully informed before I can sign anything and understand why the process is proceeding as it is.

  Once I read them we can schedule a time. “

I have requested the policies that explain your process and attempted work with you numerous times.  It is you, through haphazard draconian application and non-application of policies that have denied me a proactive recertification process.  The stress and looming homelessness seem intentional in response to numerous complaints of un-sanitary and unsafe living conditions that dynamics state and federal laws and regulations prevent. 

Clearly this is not a good fit and I need to move! 

Though I have diligently worked to cooperate with your approach to recertification and inspections the reality is the unit does not pass inspection before you get to the front door; Tenant mail is not put in our mailboxes but instead handed to whomever is the closest employee resulting in violation of privacy guaranteed via NYS tenant law and federal regulations governing mail handling and delivery.  In addition the employees and family loudly hang in our backyard and walkway areas at night and garbage is store in piles and the venilation for the kitchen and drums of rotting oil emits putrid oders un mine and another unit.

It is an immediate need to  relocate and be permitted to be self-sufficient; if you are not going to help me, please stop throwing up obstacles which amount to harassment and allow me to pursue proactive solutions. 

It is important to note removing actions put in place via CCDSS, an agency with the stated mission of preventing the poverty would eliminate the need for ‘assistance’. 

The payment plan set up by CCDSS as to collect the alleged debt of $72,000 with a stated principle growing by $300 monthly in interest labeled as child support payable to NYS with zero dollars going to my child is not payable and set up to be with me till death:

- $125 monthly payments + no interest accruing = paid off in April 2063   I will be 96 years old

- $125 monthly payments  + interest accruing = 2063 balance of $5 million payable to NYS

- no payments +  interest accruing = 2063 balance of $6.5 million payable to NYS 

In addition as part of the actions to collect the debt my drivers license, passport and bank accounts have been seized and any earned income is garnished at a rate of 65%.  These restrictions continue until this un-payable debt is paid.

It is also important to note that not a dime of this ‘child support’ goes to my children, it goes to NYS.  Also and their father, who signed them into care and relinquished his rights owes $0 and has zero restrictions. 

I need to be allowed to earn the income I a drilled about every year during recertification.

It is clear working together is not possible.  When I moved from Hudson to Peekskill at the time of recertification I processed the paperwork in Peekskill since that where I was planning to reside.  It is appropriate to follow the same protocol in this case allowing me to move, as I have requested for nearly three years.  Please provide with me with any documents etc I need to move with the grant to a safer more suitable location until such time I can negate the need for assistance. 

Thank you for your time and attention to these issues, lets resolve them and amicably part ways.

Sincerely,

Michelle I. Mayer

CC:            Susan MacNammee- Section 8 Hudson (via email)

Judge T Langan – Peekskill City Court (via fax)

Judge R. Johnson - Peekskill City Court (via fax)

Paul Mossman – Commissioner CCDSS (via email)

Pat Graton – Columbia County Supervisors Chair (via email)

Carole Osterink – Gossips of Riverton/ former Hudson Alderman (via email)

Charlie Hoag - Columbia County ADA (via email)

Gary Godbee - Peekskill Section 8 Inspector  (via email)

Richard Cohen - Peekskill Section 8 Inspector  (via email)

Sara Sterling - Columbia County Supervisors – Supervisor (via email)

Ellen Thurston - Columbia County Supervisors – Supervisor (via email)

Melanie Wadsworth – fellow tenant at 916 Main Street (via email)