SOLVING CONSUMERS PROBLEMS

When "Mr. C" bought his new car at a local dealership, he was promised a free annual oil change for the life of his car. When the dealership changed ownership, the new management refused to live up to the deal. After Helene Weinstein’s office intervened, the dealership agreed to honor the contract.

WATER BILL HORROR!

"Ms. H" was receiving incorrect bills for water and sewage charges for over a year. The bills continued to grow despite her efforts to have the problem corrected. By the time, Ms. H contacted Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein; she was scared and distraught that her bill had grown to $17,359! Helene Weinstein immediately contacted DEP, demanded an immediate review – following Weinstein’s intervention, Ms. H’s water and sewage charges were adjusted to the correct amount of $1,608!

HELPING SENIOR CITIZENS

"Mr. K," a senior, returned his defective Senior Metrocard to the MTA and never received a new Metrocard. After waiting three months, he visited Helene Weinstein’s office and within a week, he received a replacement Senior Metrocard with his money on it.

SOLVING UTILITY PROBLEMS

"Mrs. D" a widow, had less than seven days of fuel oil in her oil tank and when her fuel oil company refused to make a delivery due to her outstanding balance, she contacted Helene Weinstein’s office for assistance. Within a matter of hours, Weinstein's office arranged for $450 in heating grants to pay off Mrs. D’s balance and an emergency oil delivery from her fuel oil company.

THEY SKIPPED A TRIP TO THE DMV

Hundreds of your neighbors received their Non-Drivers IDs at Helene Weinstein’s Community office. The NYS Department of Motor Vehicles will return to Weinstein’s office in the spring. Please call for more information.

RUSSIAN AMERICAN KIDS CIRCUS ON STAGE

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein invited 200 seniors from local senior centers (Bedford Bay Senior Center, Decatur Senior Center, Glenwood Senior Center, Good Shepherd Friendship Club, Harama Senior Center, Kings Bay Senior Center, Midwood Senior Center, Our Lady Help of Christians and Shellbank Leisure Club) to an intergenerational “Seniors Day” performance by the RUSSIAN AMERICAN KIDS CIRCUS ON STAGE, an acrobatic youth troupe. This free afternoon of pure entertainment was filled with dazzling acts of synchronized unicycling, juggling and of course clowning.

SAMUEL CURTIS PARK RIBBON CUTTING

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein joined Councilman Lewis Fidler, Gardy Brazela, President of the Friends United Block Association, Community Board #18 District Manager Dorothy Turano, New York City Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Brooklyn Borough Parks Commissioner Julius Spiegel, Jean Maynard, President of the East 81st Street Block Association, area children and neighbors at the Samuel Curtis Park Ribbon Cutting.

You too may be entitled to the New York City tax refund, as long as you resided in New York City for even one month last year. Helene Weinstein’s office assisted 365 residents who did not file a regular return in obtaining over $44,400 in refunds by completing the special NYC-210 form (If you file a regular tax return, your tax refund is already included.)

• To be eligible for the tax refund, you must have lived in New York City for part of the year and not be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s federal return.
• Depending on the number of months you lived in New York City, the refund can be as much as $125.00 for a married couple or a surviving spouse.
• You can file for past years - the deadline for 2002 is April 15, 2006.

Contact Helene Weinstein’s Office for help in filing for your refunds.
It’s Your Money, Don’t Forget About it!