Tuesday, February 7, 2012

GOVERNOR CUOMO, MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ ANNOUNCE FRESHDIRECT TO OPEN NEW HEADQUARTERS IN THE BRONX CREATING NEARLY 1,000 NEW JOBS

Company to invest $112 million to build a state-of-the-art facility at the Harlem River Yards that will employ nearly 3,000 workers and serve as its center of regional 


Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., today announced that FreshDirect, a leading fresh food internet grocer, will invest $112.6 million to build its new headquarters and operations center at Harlem River Yards, retaining nearly 2,000 existing jobs and creating almost 1,000 new jobs. The construction of the new facility will also result in the creation of approximately 684 construction jobs in the City.

“FreshDirect is a home-grown success that will now continue to grow and create jobs in New York,” Governor Cuomo said. “Creating almost a thousand new jobs is a real victory for the Bronx and a clear sign that leading New York companies see this state as the place to start, stay and strengthen their businesses.”

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said, “Making sure that companies like FreshDirect can grow and invest in New York City is a key part of our strategy to rebuild and diversify our economy. A thousand new jobs at the Harlem River Yards is great news for the Bronx and a welcome boost to our City’s economy.”

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said, “I welcome FreshDirect to the Bronx with open arms. This iconic company will not only stay in New York where it belongs thanks to this deal, they will bring 1,000 new jobs with them to our borough. More and more companies are discovering that the Bronx is a great place to do business, and FreshDirect’s move to our borough is a major positive step forward for our economy.”

FreshDirect Chief Executive Officer Jason Ackerman said, “From day one, New York has been our home, and we are grateful for the support of Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg in making New York a place FreshDirect wants to stay and grow in, and for Bronx Borough President Diaz welcoming us. With significant growth in our customer base, we need to expand our operations. A new state-of-the-art facility at the Harlem River Yard in the Bronx would allow us to operate more efficiently, maintain our relationships with NYS vendors, local farmers and purveyors and continue our long track record of growth and job creation in New York.”

FreshDirect, founded in 1999 and currently based in Long Island City, New York, purchases produce, meat and dairy from over 60 New York State-based farms and serves a customer base of over 100,000 people with 97 percent of their employees coming from New York State. To meet the needs of its rapidly growing customer base, FreshDirect will invest $112.6 million to construct a state-of-the-art 500,000 square foot facility on a 16 acre parcel at Harlem River Rail Yards in the Bronx. From its new headquarters and operations, the company will dramatically expand its service area to regions surrounding New York City, as well as New Jersey, Connecticut, and Philadelphia.

To encourage FreshDirect to retain and expand their operations in New York City, a package of state and city incentives valued at over $100 million is being provided to augment the company’s private investment including:

New York State:
· $18.9 million in Excelsior tax credits (ESD)
· $9 million capital grant (ESD)
· $4 million in energy grants and incentives (NYPA/NYSERDA)
· $1 million loan (ESD)
· Up to $1 million in vouchers for the purchase of electric vehicles (NYSERDA)

New York City:
· Approximately $74 million in sales tax exemptions, mortgage recording tax deferral, and real estate tax exemption spending approval (NYCIDA)
· $9.5 million to acquire assets to be used at the new facility at Harlem River Rail Yards pending approval (NYCIDA)
· $4.9 million in energy benefits (NYCEDC)
· $1 million loan (NYCEDC)

Bronx Borough President:
· $1 million capital grant

Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation:
· $3 million loan
· $500,000 capital grant

FreshDirect plans to purchase 10 electric refrigerated electric trucks from Smith Electric Vehicles, and five additional electric refrigeration units that can be placed on existing trucks. Smith Electric is a leader in zero-emission, all-electric commercial vehicles, which – through a federally-funded program and with assistance provided by New York City and State - recently announced plans to establish a clean technology manufacturing facility in the South Bronx that will create more than 100 new direct jobs.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, "Thanks to Governor Cuomo’s leadership, a true New York success story is staying in New York. This is another strong signal of how the Governor’s efforts to create a better business environment are paying off in the form of more jobs for New Yorkers."

New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky said, “While New York City is the home to some of the most innovative companies in the world, there are few that have impacted the daily habits of New Yorkers like FreshDirect. Over the next decade, this project will lead to significant investment in the South Bronx, creating thousands of jobs for New Yorkers, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in overall economic activity, and ensuring that this hometown success story is able to continue its tremendous growth right here in the five boroughs where it belongs.”

NYC Deputy Mayor Robert K. Steel said, “FreshDirect’s decision to expand in the Bronx is a strong statement of confidence in New York City's future. Today’s announcement is the latest sign that more and more businesses want to be in New York City.”

Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation President Marlene Cintron said, “FreshDirect's move to the Bronx will bring much needed jobs to the borough, along with additional business opportunities here and across the region for companies of all types. I look forward to working with them to expand the borough’s economy for years to come.”

Klein Legislation to Protect Domestic Violence Victims Passes Senate

Important legislation by Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester), that would protect victims of domestic violence from their abusers passed unanimously today in the State Senate.
The measure, (S.1031B), requires insurance companies to give domestic violence victims the option of registering an alternative address, phone number, or any other contact information needed to receive bills and claims. In many cases, when a victim seeks medical attention, their insurance policy is under their abuser’s name.
“Divulging details of a domestic violence victim’s whereabouts and sending it straight to their abuser’s mailbox is an unacceptable and avoidable recipe for tragedy,” Senator Klein said. “My legislation closes this dangerous loophole and helps these victims escape the cycle of abuse.”
Senator Klein’s bill would prevent claims and bills from being mailed to an abuser's address and instead be mailed directly to the victim. The bill would allow victims to provide an address where they feel safe such as a family member or friend’s home, a post office box or shelter.
The bill is pending in the Assembly. 

HDC, HPD & NYCHA JOIN MACQUESTEN DEVELOPMENT AND PARTNERS TO CELEBRATE REV. DR. FLETCHER C. CRAWFORD APARTMENTS
An 84-unit Multi-family Development Opens in the Crotona Park East Neighborhood of the Bronx 

 

 The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), The NYC Housing Development Corporation (HDC), The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), and NYS Department of Homes & Community Renewal (DHCR) were recently joined by MacQuesten Development and the Union Grove Baptist Church to celebrate the grand opening of the Reverend Dr. Fletcher C. Crawford Apartments, an 84-unit low-income development in the Crotona Park East neighborhood of The Bronx, located at 1468 Hoe Avenue.

The completion of this development is a positive step for quality permanent rental housing for working families in the Bronx," said Rella Fogliano, President of MacQuesten Development, LLC. "During this project, we provided much needed construction jobs and vital skill development to local residents for future employment opportunities.
  
The Rev. Dr. Fletcher C. Crawford Apartments were created under the Bloomberg Administration’s New Housing Marketplace Plan.  The plan, launched by Mayor Bloomberg in 2003, is a multibillion dollar initiative to finance 165,000 units of affordable housing for half a million New Yorkers by the close of the 2014 fiscal year.

The development is an 82,891 square-foot, eight-story masonry elevator building, constructed on formerly City-owned land that was conveyed by NYCHA to the developer. The building includes seven studio units, 29 one-bedroom units, 40 two-bedroom units, seven three-bedroom units and one superintendent unit.  Seven of the apartments have been set aside for people with impaired mobility, hearing and vision. Additionally, 20% of the units were set aside for formerly homeless households.  Another 25% of the units have been reserved for households referred to by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) from its waitlist.  The 84 units are affordable to tenants who earn less than 60% of Area Median Income (AMI) or what is equivalent to not more than$46,080 (for a family of four).

You can call Cornell Pace at 914-380-8220 for more information.

This came to us from from MacQuesten Development.
 

What You Should Know by Senator Ruben Diaz
32nd Senatorial District Bronx County, New York

 

The government is cutting social services for the poor, to the elderly they are reducing their meals and closing their senior centers, they are cutting our children’s education and turning their backs on the needy… all of this to balance the state’s budget.

My dear reader, you should know that all these aberrations are happening to
the poor in our communities and the governor continues to cut their services. At the same time there are certain institutions that receive billions of dollars at the expense of the suffering poor.

Our hospitals and medical centers receive billions of dollars of public
funds through Medicaid and Medicare in order to improve the health of the poor and the needy throughout the State. They pay the CEOs of these hospitals an exorbitant amount of money, while at the same time they cut important programs and offer terrible services to the poor.

You, dear reader, should take a little walk around the emergency room, that
is if you have not done so already, and you should ask the patients the following questions: how long have you been waiting here? Do you think the hospital is clean? What do you think about the services that are being provided? And above all else, you have to ask them about the treatment they receive from the staff.

Meanwhile these abuses get worse each day and medical centers are more
abusive towards the poor population. Medicaid funds, as well as public funds, are paying administrative salaries, in order to supposedly alleviate patients’ pain and suffering. Instead, what they are doing is inflicting pain by providing poor services.

You should know that according to the New York Times, Bronx Lebanon
Hospital paid the chief executive an annual salary of 4.8 million dollars in 2007 and 3.6 million in 2008. At New York Presbyterian Hospital, the chief executive was paid 9.8 million dollars in 2007 and 2.8 million dollars in 2008.  Mount Sinai Hospital paid its chief executive 2.7 million in 2008 and North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System paid its chief executive 2.4 million dollars in 2008.

These hospitals serve the State’s poor communities and they receive
billions of dollars to take care of them. How is it possible to cut service and criticize our people for receiving Medicaid and Medicare, while at the same time they are paying the chief executives these exorbitant salaries?

For example, Bronx Lebanon Hospital mainly serves Hispanics and
  African-Americans of the South Bronx, who stand in lines and wait all day to be treated; meanwhile the CEOs have tremendous offices with air conditioners, secretaries, and limousine services at their disposal.

My advice for these hospitals and medical centers is that instead of paying
huge salaries to these CEOs, they should use the money to hire more nurses, personal care assistants, primary care doctors, and janitors in order to help the patients. Then the patients won’t have to wait so long to be
served and their waiting rooms would look and smell more decent.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.
 

Monday, February 6, 2012

Do Our State Legislators Know The State Boundaries?
Or: When Did  Secaucus New Jersey Become Part Of New York State?

   Here is a resolution to be voted on Tuesday February 7th in both houses of the state legislature. Please note that the state legislators have the name the state of the football team named the Giants who play their home games in the state of New Jersey as a New York team. Is it any wonder why our school children get answers wrong when their elected officials don't even know their own state boundaries.
   New York City School Children must think That the mayor of New York City is Corey Booker, who just happens to be the mayor of Newark, which is in the same state as the Giants. New York State School children must think that the governor of New York is then Chris Christie. I wonder how many school children even know the names of their state assembly member or state senator?
   It was a great win for the New Jersey Giants!



Sunday, February 5, 2012

Heastie Holds Closed Door Public Meeting
Re: Ramarley Graham Shooting

 On Saturday February 4th local elected officials and the Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson held a closed public meeting at Community Board 12 on White Plains Road one block from the shooting of Ramarley Graham in his home. The meeting was open to the public, but members of the press were bared from the meeting in what Assemblyman Carl Heastie would say later that he did not want to create a media circus. I was able to get in for a brief while to see Assemblyman Heastie, Bronx DA Johnson, and the Bronx Borough Police Commander on the stage set up, with other local elected officials in the front row. Once I was recognized by Assemblyman Heastie, he said that he would end the meeting unless I left. Since I left the meeting willingly I can not tell you what went on inside, only what I was told afterward by Assemblyman Heastie. 

  After the meeting Assemblyman Heastie came outside to take questions from the reporters that were assembled. I was able to ask DA Johnson how his office is going to handle the case, but he answered that he would not comment about the case leaving after my question. Assemblyman Heastie answered questions by saying that the police were forthcoming with their answers to the questions from the people, there is an investigation by the DA and police Department, and Heastie added that maybe more sensitivity training is needed not going into any details on what the police department might do. Heastie added that there are many concerns by residents that this could happen again in the community.
  
  Assemblyman Carl Heastie with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz who is in front of Councilman Larry Seabrook and State Senator Ruth Hassal-Thompson speaking to reporters after the meeting that was held inside of Community Board 12. Also in the picture is Father Richard Gorman, Chairman of Community Board #12 with other Community Board 12 members. 

 

BOROUGH PRESIDENT RUBEN DIAZ INVITES YOU....

"State of the Borough Address".

 
The Honorable Ruben Diaz Jr. President, Borough of the Bronx
cordially invites you to
The State of the Borough Address
Thursday, February 23, 2012
11:30 a.m.
Harry S. Truman High School Auditorium
750 Baychester Avenue
The Bronx 

RSVP

Saturday, February 4, 2012

 NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANK

Customer Appreciation Day Feb. 14

 

NorthEast Community Bank’s Arthur Avenue Branch at 590East 187th Street (@ Arthur Avenue) will hold its annual customer appreciation day this February 14, Valentine’s Day.


Light refreshments will be served from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.  Everyone is welcome to come in, have a snack, and chat with their local bankers. 

“We’ll have hot drinks and eats for our customers and look forward to speaking with them individually. This gives us a chance to say thank you to our customers and ask what more we can be doing to serve their needs,” said Betty Giordani, Branch Manager.

The website for NorthEast Community Bank which include branch hours is www.necommunitybank.com

 

Friday, February 3, 2012

Black History Month Celebration

 



2012 Black History 




Celebrating African-American Culture

Black History Month Celebration

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
5:30 pm 
at
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
1040 Grand Concourse at East 165th Street

Keynote Speaker
Carolyn Carter-Kennedy
Author of "The Lucille Armstrong Story"  

2012 Honorees
 Leroy "Archie" Archible
Korean War Veteran & Community Leader

Reverend Frederick Crawford
Pastor Union Grove Baptist Church

Bernel Arthur Richardson
Chairman United Leadership of the Bronx

Hon. Elizabeth Taylor
Justice. Bronx County Supreme Court

Enjoy an evening with  
musical entertainment provided by the Karl Browne's Smooth Improvisation Band,
a special performance of the "The Creation" by JASA's Drama Bunch Co-op City Seniors and delicious dishes provided by Chef Paul of Z'Novia 

Seating Limited. RSVP required.  Please call 718-590-3522
or email lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov 

 

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ
RE: Police Shooting in the East Bronx
 
“We have a problem, not just in the Bronx but across the City. In the past week we have seen a well-publicized video documenting apparent police brutality, the attempted murder of a police officer in Brooklyn, and, this afternoon, a young, unarmed man saw his life end by a police officer’s bullet.

“I’ve had enough, on all sides. I cannot and will not tolerate incidents of police misconduct. It is especially disturbing that a young man, who did not have a gun and was in his own home, could see his life end in such a sudden manner at the hands of those charged with his protection. This is especially disturbing given that we are approaching the anniversary of the unfortunate death of Amadou Diallo. A great deal of work has been done since that time to improve police-community relations, and tragic incidents like this have the potential to undo years of good work. A full investigation into this incident must occur, and immediately. 

“Our police officers must be better trained to deal with the communities they work in, to better respect the lives of those they are charged with protecting and serving. We can no longer tolerate our young men and women falling victim to excessive violence at the hands of our police, or worse yet, lose their lives unjustly.

“At the same time, Police Officer Kevin Brennan lays in a hospital after a gun-toting thug attempted to take his life. The violence on our streets must come to an end. We must respect the hard work of our police department, those men and women who put their lives on the line to protect law-abiding citizens each and every day, and continue to fight to curb illegal gun violence in our streets. I myself have been harassed by the police. I am also the brother of an NYPD sergeant. I understand both sides of this issue, and I know that something must be done to put an end to this violence,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

COMPTROLLER LIU STATEMENT ON MAYOR’S PRELIMINARYY BUDGET

 

City Comptroller John C. Liu statement on the Mayor’s FY 2013 Preliminary Budget:


“We commend the Mayor on a balanced budget that avoids layoffs in this difficult environment.  However, the use of short-term financial maneuvers doesn’t reduce real cost but simply defers costs to future administrations. My office will issue our full analysis in the coming weeks.”

 

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Next Croton FMC Meeting will be Thursday, February 16 at 7 PM at the DEP Community Office

 

The next Croton Facility Monitoring Committee meeting will be on Thursday evening, February 16th at 7pm at the DEP office, 3660 Jerome Avenue.

The Agenda will be released shortly.


 

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ RE: Vidalia Park Basketball Court Shooting

 

“I am very disappointed by last night’s quadruple shooting at the Vidalia Park Basketball court in West Farms. It is unacceptable that, despite the efforts of my office the police department and our district attorney to take as many illegal guns off our streets as possible, these senseless acts of gun violence continue to plague our borough.

“I am deeply saddened that our kids cannot play a friendly game of basketball without looking over their shoulder because of gun violence. I know I speak for all Bronxites in condemning this despicable, cowardly act. My office will continue to work with the police, our district attorney, elected officials, and other community organizations to take as many illegal guns off of our streets as we possibly can.

“I urge all Bronxites with knowledge of illegal guns in their community to call 866-GUN-STOP to anonymously report those guns to the police, a program that my office continues to promote through our ‘Peace in our Streets’ campaign,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

More information on the 866-GUN-STOP program can be found at the following link:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/home/rewards.shtml


 

Senate Passes Klein Bill to Crack Down on Auto Insurance Fraud

Legislation sponsored by Senator Jeffrey D. Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) that would impose tougher penalties on those who commit auto insurance fraud passed the State Senate today.
 
The measure (S.578) would make it a felony to forge an auto insurance card, or certificate of insurance. In New York State, these documents are necessary to obtain government issued documents --  such as a vehicle registration -- that are required to legally operate a motor vehicle.

It's law-abiding New Yorkers who ultimately have to pay the price of auto insurance fraud,” Senator Klein said. “With this commonsense legislation, we will help punish those who seek to game the system, lower auto insurance premiums, and make New York's roads safer.”

Forged insurance cards and documents are often used to fraudulently register cars so that owners may operate them without paying auto insurance premiums. Klein’s bill also makes the selling of 10 or more false insurance cards or documents a felony.

The bill is pending in the Assembly.


What You Should Know 

by Senator Rev. Ruben DIaz

 

   Assemblyman Denny Farrell shows no respect for Bronx residents, for Bronx elected officials, and especially no respect for the Bronx’s growing Hispanic population.
“You must understand, for the last 40 years, whatever district Charlie Rangel wants, we give it to him. I say, ‘Charlie, we can’t draw anything else in the state till we draw you.’ That’s always been our position — we do you and then everything. He’s the dean. He’s the No. 1.”

These words expressed today in a Daily News column by Bill Hammond titled ‘Albany's Gift to Charlie Rangel’ practically confirmed to the world what I have been asking all along about our representatives in Albany: Are they are all a bunch of sell-outs or do they have the best interest for our community as their top priority?
Today, my dear reader, Harlem is a very different community. Charles Rangel and Keith Wright may have brought “progress” to Harlem with great business proposals, 125th Street is thriving with stores and businesses, and people now go to Harlem to shop, but there is one big problem. They pushed their residents out – especially the African American community. They did not protect Harlem residents.

There are not enough African American residents in Harlem to keep Charles Rangel in his position, and there is no one to blame but Charles Rangel himself – and his colleagues. They allowed African Americans to lose Harlem to others communities. In other words, today Harlem is owned by others – not by African Americans as it used to be.

We cannot deny, and you should know, that Charlie Rangel is a legendary figure in the African American community and that whatever he wants for Harlem he has always gotten.
We also have to note that the historical beauty of Harlem has been their residents, their struggle for survival and their history. Harlem was a strong political power for the African American community in the eyes of the nation, until their leadership, led by Charles Rangel, sold them out to former President Bill Clinton and his business associates.

Now Charles Rangel, Denny Farrell and Keith Wright – after losing Harlem – want to come to the Bronx and without respect or consideration to the leadership, to the people of the Bronx, and to all of us who have fought to keep our community intact, contrary to what they did in Harlem. Remember Denny Farrell’s words, “Charlie, we can’t draw anything else in the state till we draw you … we do you and then everything.”

What a joke! What a farce! What a lack of respect to Sheldon Silver, to the rest of the Assembly members and to the people of the Bronx!
We in the Bronx have built housing to protect the Black and Hispanic community from leaving us. The census verified that the Bronx did not lose people – the Bronx gained residents because the Bronx leadership has been responding to the needs of its community and has not allowed others to come and push our people out.
We do not need Charles Rangel to come to the Bronx. We have enough people to get two congressional districts independent and apart from everything else, to take over our struggles and our fight.

When I hear Denny Farrell practically say that the Assembly will not do anything until “we do” Charles Rangel. I must wonder who is the real Speaker, Sheldon Silver or Denny Farrell. I also wonder how my Bronx colleagues will respond to this insult. I’d like to know how they can allow themselves to be disrespected like that.

I am Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.