In Memoriam of Mary Clare Bergin.
It is with sadness that we must report the very recent passing away of former long-time President and board member, Mary Clare Bergin. Mary Clare (as she was known to those who knew her even passing well), was a fount of ideas and knowledge about everything SAC and Sutton Place related. In the words of State Senator Liz Kreuger, uttered this past June in a meeting with myself and a few board members: "I like Mary Clare, I learned a lot from her about the Sutton Place neighborhood". By profession an interior designer and decorator, Mary Clare was for over ten-years the President of SAC. Mary Clare is survived by her husband of 39 years Fred Specht, also a long-time SAC member, a brother and a niece and other relatives. Neary’s bar and restaurant on East 57th Street, one of her favorite hang-outs, will seem empty and forlorn without her presence.Sincerely,Charles Giovanni Vanzan Coutinho, Ph.D.PresidentSutton Area Community
CONGESTION PRICING A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
With the passage by the legislature and the governor, congestion pricing after a long and hard struggle has finally come to New York. Unfortunately, while many people, indeed many SAC members have heard something relating to congestion pricing, few people seem to know all the facts and consequently, there is a good amount of confusion about what exactly 'congestion pricing' does and does not entail. In order to bring some light to this matter, we at SAC bring you the following primer.
a) Congestion Pricing - what is it exactly?
The congestion pricing law(officially called "The Central Business District Tolling program"), as passed, mandates that the MTA charge for entry by motor vehicles into Manhattan south of 60th Street beginning in January 2021. This will be done along the lines of the existing 'E-Pass' system. And it does not require that one be an existing 'E-Pass', customer or not. Cameras will take photographs of vehicle licenses and will invoice the registered owner of the vehicle in question.
b) How much will it cost to enter into the zone in question?
So far we do not know what the fees will be. It has been suggested that the one-time a day fee, will range from 10 to 14 dollars for cars and 20 to 25 dollars for trucks.
c) Who if anyone will be exempt from paying the fees?
So far (and the list might or might not be extended - we will not know until much closer to January 2021), the list of those exempted from paying include:
1) those who drive on the West Side Highway and the FDR Drive but do not attempt to leave those highways;
2) Emergency vehicles and those vehicles transporting people with disabilities are exempt;
Manhattan residents who live within the so-called Central Business District and who make less than $60,000 per year will be exempted from the fee. So (and this has been a rather popular question from SAC members), if you currently reside on say 25 Sutton Place South, as you full-time residence, and you take your car for a drive north of 60th Street, and then return, you will indeed be liable for paying the fee. Unless of course you fit one of the already mentioned categories which have been ruled as being exempt. We will report back to our members if and when the congestion pricing law becomes further fleshed out. Please do feel free to write with any question that you might have about this matter.
Sincerely,
Charles Coutinho, Ph. D.
President
Sutton Area Community
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In 1976 a small group of residents got together, with the desire to preserve the Sutton neighborhood's character, and incorporated two years later as a non-profit (501c3) organization using volunteers to serve as a catalyst for change.
SAC's volunteers continue to help preserve a high quality of life for those residing and working in the area between 52nd to 59th streets, Second Avenue to the East River.?
Our mission at SAC is to actively engage residents and business establishments in efforts to maintain and enhance the quality of life in the Sutton Area Community.
Acting as watchdog and advocate, SAC is a voice for the community: SAC monitors city services such as police, sanitation, fire and transportation; watches over zoning and development; looks after parks and sidewalks; supports local merchants, fosters historic preservation; and, through its website, mailings, and First Avenue bulletin board, informs the community about what is happening in the neighborhood.
Traffic concerns continue to be paramount. SAC is closely monitoring the New York State Department of Transportations five-year project to reconstruct the FDR Drive from 54th to 63rd Streets. We are committed to keeping the community informed about its past, present, and future.
We publish Bulletins periodically which are distributed to members as well as government agencies and elected officials, to keep them abreast of our positions and concerns. ? Ever-mindful of the importance of the areas rich history, SAC has always been interested in collecting and sharing archival information and artifacts through publications, exhibitions, and walking tours.
Join Sutton Area Community!
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Our mission is to actively engage residents and business establishments in efforts to maintain and enhance the quality of life in the Sutton Area Community
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What we do:
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Sutton Area Community Memberships
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Each membership is tailored to your and/or your families' lifestyle. The membership fee is nominal but goes a long way in helping enhance this already beautiful community. Memberships are good for one (1) year from date of payment, and you will receive a membership card that unlocks discounts through our footprint and beyond.
Senior Individual Membership.:
$45.00
Individual Membership.:
$50.00
Senior Couple Membership.:
$55.00
Family/Couple Membership.:
$60.00
Merchant/Business Professional Membership.:
$100.00
Building/Co-op Membership.:
$500.00
Looking to give a little more? A little goes a long way! Donations to Sutton Area Community are accepted year-round!
Do You Wish To Join Premium Sac Merchant Membership?
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Well if You Do. You Are In Luck: Sutton Area
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In Short SAC'S Premium Merchant Membership is Something That Is Right Up The Alley For those Merchants Who Wish To Stand Out Just a Little Bit From The Crowd. For More Information, Please Contact Agnes Our Office Manager At sacsuttonarea@gmail.com
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MERCHANT Membership.:
$350.00
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