This comes from Council Member Letitia James and really seems to be a sign of the times:

Council Member Letitia James Sponsors a Lien Sale Help Session this Thursday

[This] information pertain[s] to a notice sent recently from the Department of Finance, advising property owners that the City may sell debts owed on New York City property taxes and/or water/sewer charges in a lien sale if payment arrangements are not made by May 1st, 2009

On Thursday, April 16th, Council Member Letitia James has arranged for representatives from both the Department of Finance and the Department of Environmental Protection to hold a lien sale help session in the 35th Council District, for property owners to make arrangements to begin payment plans on outstanding debts. Also, please be aware that if you are a senior, or disabled, you may be eligible for a property tax reduction that could prevent the sale of a lien on your property. Properties owned by active duty military personnel may also be removed from the lien sale. Representatives of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development will provide information on low-cost loans as well. The details are as follows:

LIEN SALE HELP SESSION
April 16th, from 4:00pm - 7:00pm
at PS 20
225 Adelphi Street

(Between Willoughby & DeKalb Avenues)

If you have any questions, please contact Alfred Chiodo at (718) 260-9191.

We bail out AIG and Bank of America so they can have Superbowl parties, buy private jets and give themselves huge bonuses...but where's the help for average citizens?