Need contacts for Channel 2, Channel 4 and Channel 7 (On Your Side)

June 18 - Addendum to below post. I have been trying since I received the letter from the town exactly one week ago, to get legal aid or find an attorney as I need someone to advise and hopefully accompany me to the hearing this Thursday.

Despite being on disability, no legal aid group will help me, nor will the public defender. If I was not the owner of the property but a tenant instead, it appears they would help.

If ANYONE knows or is an attorney that can help me, please contact me via private message on Maplewood Online. I am on disability and have limited funds but we can hopefully work something out. I will be checking my messages on and off all day.

Thank you!

______________

Hello!

I have resided in the town of Irvington for over 40 years. I am being pursued by the town to either repair or demolish my house. They sent me a letter earlier this week which does not specify what they want done and they have scheduled a hearing for this coming Thursday at which I must appear.

I am a disabled senior in my 60s as is my brother who resides with me. I tried contacting a number of legal aid groups but have either been turned down or not heard back from them.

I'm being advised how to proceed by a former town employee I know about my situation. I have appointments with a couple of contractors to give me written quotes to bring to the hearing. I am also working on getting a lawyer or public defender to go with me.

My question is -- I've been told I should contact Channel 2, Channel 4 and Channel 7 (On Your Side) about my situation. Do any of you know someone at one of these stations or somebody with contacts at them?

Thanks in advance!

Not an answer to your question; but, a few things to consider:

Is this the first notice you have received from the town indicating there is a problem?  If not, what were you told during prior communication(s)?

Is there any indication in the letter you received now or previously of who to contact to get further information regarding the nature of the problem so you can find out in advance of the hearing of what you would need to do to satisfy the town now?

If finances are an issue in complying with repair needs, have you explored any financial assistance or loan programs that might help you pay for the repairs?  I know my town has a couple, one forgivable the other below market rate that might help our residents and that other towns may have arrangements through sweat equity programs or volunteer groups such as Habitat For Humanity.  I don't know what the offerings, if any, are in Irvington or if there is anything at the County level that could help..  It is well worth exploring this now if you haven't looked into it already.

You will need to provide some or all of this information before reaching out to the media if you want to have a good chance of their taking up this case.

Do you have a way of getting to/from the hearing.? You may want to reach out to Essex County Special Transportation at 973-737-7200 or 973-618-1280 to arrange for free transportation offered seniors 60+ years of age for travel within Essex County.  You will have to register first if you have not already and will need to give them at least two days notice.  Note that they may not get you to the hearing on time so be sure to give them an earlier drop off time than you actually need and be aware that they only operate until 11 pm on weekdays.

The TV networks you mention are NYC, being you’re in Irvington I think Bill Kane from news 12 Nj would be better.

http://newjersey.news12.com/category/323463/kane-in-your-corner

That said, it’s not clear to me what your grievance is exactly, so I think you need to present a more detailed case for Kane or any other news person to be interested.

7 On Your Side- Nina Pineda

Ph: 917 260-7697

Email: 7OnYourSideNina@abc.com

Info:

https://abc7ny.com/business/need-7-on-your-side-contact-nina-pineda-here/126197/

So, you’ve never received any notices or explanation and they start with a hearing immediately? This doesn’t add up. There must have been multiple notifications.

Or delivered to the wrong house.

WNBC Ch. 4

‘Better Get Baquero’

Reach out to Lynda Baquero and her team by calling the Consumer Affairs Tipline at 1-866-NEWS-244 and pressing 2 for consumer. You can also e-mail bettergetbaquero@nbcnewyork.com

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Consumer-Tipline-Lynda-Baquero-151714775.html

At CBS it’s ‘Ask ASA’

E@cbs.COM">mail to:  ASKASA@cbs.COM

Website:  https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/03/29/ask-asa-letters/?_gl=1*t6o8kn*_ga*UFcxZVZsX25rZTRqeHNENk9CVmZoUXlWd2tlNDBRY2VpcGVVZU92cFpZektONFlILU8tNm5vR19nU2hGeUJlMw..

You said you didn't know what they wanted done, yet you are getting quotes from contractors. Why?

Is the house in disrepair?  Any thing that would be considered dangerous?  If the house is that bad and you don't have the money to fix it.....tell it to the judge.  They will give you time if this is the first notice you received.  Go there with a list of things that need to be done and a timeframe.  

If you go to the hearing and they won't work with you....this is when you call the networks.  Make sure you get names and titles.

If you are 62, you can look into a reverse mortgage, but that is not likely if the house is in bad condition.

The NY stations do take NJ cases.  But there are MANY people asking for help, few ever get contacted.

Also see if FIOS 1 (verizon NJ news) has a consumer reporter.

It wouldn't be a public defender, those are only for criminal cases, not code violations.

I know you probably don't want to leave your home, but with all the new affordable housing going  up, start looking into options.  Also check into senior housing.  I don't know anything about Essex county, but I know a couple people in Union County that got into senior housing and only pay 30% of their income.  They were on the wait list for 5 years.  I don't know how it would work if you wanted a 2 bedroom or you could consider each of you getting a 1 bedroom.  Maybe you could share a 1 bedroom when the 1st person gets in until the 2nd gets their own.  Some buildings may take younger people who are on SSDI/SSI.  Unfortunately the section 8 list just closed again a few months ago.  You need a back up plan in case you can't keep the home.  I believe there is a trailer park in the Vauxhall area, but I never see anything about cost or availability there.  That could be a cheaper option.  If you can walk away from selling your land with enough to purchase a trailer...only problem is at other trailer parks rent runs from about 500-800 PLUS all utilities.  There are a lot of senior parks in Monmouth and Ocean County.

Legal Aid (LSNJ) is a joke, all they do is tell you how to represent yourself...and the income cut off is very low...when I tried it was about 14K/year for a single person, like someone making 15K a year--with no section 8 or other financial help--- can pay a lawyer 300/hour.

these are affordable housing sites:

https://www.affordablehomesnewjersey.com/

http://www.piazza-and-associates.com/afhousing.php

just be aware that in many of these utilities (heat/hot water are not included...that can easily add a couple hundred per month.  they also tend to be central air so you can't just run 1 small AC in 1 room...and that gets expensive.  One I looked at charged $100 for parking if you have a car.  so they aren't always as affordable as they appear.  might actually be cheaper to rent a regular apartment in Irvington that includes heat and hot water.

joan_crystal said:
Not an answer to your question; but, a few things to consider:
Is this the first notice you have received from the town indicating there is a problem?  If not, what were you told during prior communication(s)?
Is there any indication in the letter you received now or previously of who to contact to get further information regarding the nature of the problem so you can find out in advance of the hearing of what you would need to do to satisfy the town now?
If finances are an issue in complying with repair needs, have you explored any financial assistance or loan programs that might help you pay for the repairs?  I know my town has a couple, one forgivable the other below market rate that might help our residents and that other towns may have arrangements through sweat equity programs or volunteer groups such as Habitat For Humanity.  I don't know what the offerings, if any, are in Irvington or if there is anything at the County level that could help..  It is well worth exploring this now if you haven't looked into it already.
You will need to provide some or all of this information before reaching out to the media if you want to have a good chance of their taking up this case.
Do you have a way of getting to/from the hearing.? You may want to reach out to Essex County Special Transportation at 973-737-7200 or 973-618-1280 to arrange for free transportation offered seniors 60+ years of age for travel within Essex County.  You will have to register first if you have not already and will need to give them at least two days notice.  Note that they may not get you to the hearing on time so be sure to give them an earlier drop off time than you actually need and be aware that they only operate until 11 pm on weekdays.

Excuse the brief answers. This has been ongoing since December and has encompassed three different departments.

The letter does NOT tell me who to contact prior to the hearing and does not specify what needs to be done to comply with the town.

I HAVE applied TWICE with the town for a Federal Repair grant in the past 3 years and nothing has happened with that despite being told I qualify and was next once funds were received. It never happened. 

I have a much more detailed summary of what has happened with the town which I have already sent to a few news outlets. I DO understand I may hear nothing but even one responding will help me.

I have no problem getting to the hearing location. I would walk there despite my stiff legs if I had to as its only three blocks away.

Thank you for your comments. I am considering everything and have a couple of knowledgeable people advising me.

Smedley said:
The TV networks you mention are NYC, being you’re in Irvington I think Bill Kane from news 12 Nj would be better.
http://newjersey.news12.com/category/323463/kane-in-your-corner

That said, it’s not clear to me what your grievance is exactly, so I think you need to present a more detailed case for Kane or any other news person to be interested.

 Thank you for the contact info for Kane in your corner. I have a very detailed summary I am sending to news outlets containing a lot more information than I would post on this forum.

flimbro said:
7 On Your Side- Nina Pineda
Ph: 917 260-7697
Email: 7OnYourSideNina@abc.com



Info:
https://abc7ny.com/business/need-7-on-your-side-contact-nina-pineda-here/126197/

 Thank you, I have sent her my information and hopefully will get a response.

conandrob240 said:
So, you’ve never received any notices or explanation and they start with a hearing immediately? This doesn’t add up. There must have been multiple notifications.

 There have not been multiple notifications nor does the letter specify what actually needs to be done to the property. There appears to be something odd going on here. Thanks for your comment.

EricBurbank said:
Or delivered to the wrong house.

 It is addressed to me but I have previously  indeed been the victim of mistaken identity and sent to court for a property offense a neighbor had. They had a number missing on their door from their house address and the inspector mistakenly put it down as mine. Had to go to court twice before it was dropped. That was crazy!

flimbro said:
WNBC Ch. 4
‘Better Get Baquero’


Reach out to Lynda Baquero and her team by calling the Consumer Affairs Tipline at 1-866-NEWS-244 and pressing 2 for consumer. You can also e-mail bettergetbaquero@nbcnewyork.com


https://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Consumer-Tipline-Lynda-Baquero-151714775.html







At CBS it’s ‘Ask ASA’
E@cbs.COM">mail to:  ASKASA@cbs.COM



Website:  https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/03/29/ask-asa-letters/?_gl=1*t6o8kn*_ga*UFcxZVZsX25rZTRqeHNENk9CVmZoUXlWd2tlNDBRY2VpcGVVZU92cFpZektONFlILU8tNm5vR19nU2hGeUJlMw..

 Thank you for the information.

elshell said:

conandrob240 said:
So, you’ve never received any notices or explanation and they start with a hearing immediately? This doesn’t add up. There must have been multiple notifications.

 There have not been multiple notifications nor does the letter specify what actually needs to be done to the property. There appears to be something odd going on here. Thanks for your comment.

Yes, for sure then. They’d have to send multiple notifications and detail,what is wrong before they can get to the point of making you leave your house. 

I don't get it, you say this has been going on since December, but you just got a letter in the last week, but you say there have not been multiple notifications...but it seems you would have had to be notified of something in December, just not a summons.

You write that you have been dealing with three different municipal departments prior to receiving this letter.  Who were you dealing with in each department?  Individually or collectively, these contacts should be able to tell you either who to contact now or what they would want you to do to satisfy their concerns.