Monday, January 7, 2013

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ URGES BRONX RESIDENTS TO APPLY TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY BOARD



    Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. today invited Bronx residents to make a difference in their community by joining their local Community Board. The Office of the Bronx Borough President will be accepting applications for all 12 Community Boards from city residents who reside, work or have professional or other significant interests in the Bronx.

     “Participation on local Community Boards can provide Bronx residents with a forum to share with their community their expertise and talents,” said Borough President Diaz. “It is important that community residents participate in the decision making process in their communities on important budget, land use and service delivery issues.” 

  
    Applications are available at the Community Board office Room 207 of the Bronx Borough President located at 851 Grand Concourse (E.161st.), your local community board office, or on-line at http://bronxboropres.nyc.gov/communityboards/cb2012application.pdf . The deadline for submission of applications for the next round of appointments is February 8, 2013. Visit bronxboropres.nyc.gov for more information about Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.



What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York


It is Better to Give than to Receive

   You should know that not only is my Christmas Party the biggest Christmas Party and the “one” to attend every year in the City of New York where elected officials and dignitaries join close to 1000 people to celebrate our Christmas tradition, but also, my Three Kings Day Celebration has become the biggest Three Kings Day Celebration in the City of New York, where close to 1000 children receive free toys and backpacks filled with school supplies.

I was very proud and honored this weekend during the Three Kings Day Celebration to have in attendance three of the candidates for Mayor of the City of New York who not only came to the South Bronx to say hello to the children and their parents, but also to bring some gifts for the children.  Of these three Mayoral Candidates who were in attendance, Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio, Former Comptroller Billy Thompson, and Reverend Erick Salgado, it was Bill DeBlasio who stole the show by bringing the most expensive toys.

The contribution made by Mr. John Catsimatidis, who did not attend because he was with his family in California, was also well appreciated by the organizers.

This year, along with Mayoral Candidates, I had the special honor of being joined by Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins, the first woman elected to Chair the New York’s Democratic Senate Conference; Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz, Jr.; Assemblymen Marcos Crespo and Luis Sepulveda; and Council Members Letitia James and Melissa Mark-Viverito.

You should know about how the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York continues to participate yearly at this Three Kings Day Celebration.  Even though there are very few Chinese people who live in the South Bronx, for the past five years not only has Taiwan's Ambassador Andrew Kao (and former Taiwan Ambassador Kenneth Liao) and the Taiwanese delegation come to the South Bronx for our Three Kings Day event, but they have also been providing backpacks filled with school supplies to the poor and needy children of the South Bronx. Their generosity is greatly appreciated, especially during these times of economic stress in our community.

I want to make special mention of the generosity and participation of Mr. Pat Lynch, President of the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association and Mr. Joseph Alejandro, the PBA Treasurer, who has attended this event for the past few years.  I also want to publicly recognize and thank the Hispanic Federation, who for the past few years has contributed toys and has helped to coordinate this event, and to the Principal, Ms. Mary Padilla and administration of PS 5 who has welcome our cultural event there.

Finally, you should know that for the past 10 years, this tremendous humanitarian event – filled with good will and the joy of giving to the poor and the needy – has been sponsored by the Christian Community Benevolent Association, Affinity Health Plan, and the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization.

I am deeply honored and very proud to have the help and participation of all these leaders and organizations because they have a clear understanding of the Biblical mandate that it is better to give than to receive.

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

 

 

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Three Kings Celebration


  The "Annual Three Kings Celebration", by the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr., Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda,and other elected officials was held this past Saturday in the packed auditorium of PS 5. There were however so many children and parents in attendance that the gym was packed with even more children and parents. 

   
The story of the Three Kings was told in Spanish by Senator Diaz, and the English translation was done by Assemblyman Crespo. after telling of the story children were invited up to see if they couldd answer a question about the story, and would receive 20 dollars from the senator if they knew the answer. While the curtain was closed, behind it were hundreds of toys that were donated by various organizations that included the Taiwanese Business Association whose members received awards from Sen. Diaz.

  On hand were the Three Kings, Santa Claus and many elected officials or candidates for office. Some of which you will see in the photos below this is the biggest Three Kings event in the city, and possibly the state.

Left - Senator Diaz shaking  hands of many of those in the audience.
Right - You can see the packed auditorium, but there were as many people waiting in the gym also. 


Left & Right - are some of the children who won twenty dollars for knowing the answer to their question about the story of the Three Kings.


Left - Members of the Taiwanese Business Association receive awards for their help in the event.
Right - Mr. Anthony Robestello hands a check from mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis for the event to Sen. Diaz. 

Left - Santa came in to say hello to the crowd.
Right - Santa joined the Three Kings on stage. 


  Left - Democratic Conference Leader Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins was addressing the crowd about her good friend Sen. Diaz, but must have asked Santa Claus why she was not the Senate Majority Leader. 
Right you can see the hundreds of toys that were given out to the children who were in attendance. 

 
 
   

MTA Track Work on Broadway # 1 Line


    The MTA has scheduled the replacement of elevated track on the # 1 subway line along the stretch of Broadway from the terminus at West 242nd Street down the line to at least West 231st Street. This track work started recently with very little (if any) notice to the community or merchants. It has been hell to residents, drivers, and merchants on or near Broadway from West 238th Street to West 234th Street for now as the MTA has done basically whatever it wants to do according to Ms. Katherine Broiher the Executive Director of the Kingsbridge Business Improvement District (BID). She also told me that the MTA was going to move down to the West 231st Street area next, even while they still work between W.236th and W.234th Streets. As you will see in the photos below, I visited the work site, took a few photos, and spoke to who I was told was the person in charge.
 Here you can see that at West 236th Street that MTA has blocked half of Broadway taking away any and all parking spaces on Broadway. There is no one guiding traffic just metal barricades and yellow "Do Not Cross" tape all over. The Broadway entrance to the Stop and Shop parking lot is completely off limits to southbound drivers, and exiting traffic must go north only. The manager of Stop and Shop said no notice was given, and that this was hurting sales at the supermarket.
In this photo you can see how the MTA just taped up a new "No Parking" sign over the old sign that has dates before work started in this area. I was told by MTA workers in BLUE hats that the worker with the WHITE hat was in charge. When I asked questions if the community or DOT have been notified, I was told by the WHITE hatted MTA worker "We don't have to tell the DOT", and that the no parking signs went up the day before. 
 Here you can see how just how bad traffic gets during the track work above Broadway, as the fire engine sits waiting to move.
Here you can see just how the MTA works, as sections of track are placed on top of each other in the street while they sit sometimes for days until the track sections are needed.

    Final comments are that the MTA needs to communicate better with the community, needs to be more respectful of the merchants who are losing much needed business, and where are the local elected officials on this issue. 


LDA Meeting New Date & Time.



 
LIBERTY  DEMOCRATIC  ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING &
ELECTION OF OFFICERS -2013-2015 TERM
NEW DATE
SUNDAY JANUARY 20, 2013 @1PM
JANEL TOWERS-801 NEILL AVENUE
COMMUNITY ROOM

NEW YEARS CELEBRATION @3PM
HOT FOOD & REFRESHMENTS SERVED

RSVP-----MIRIAM SCHWARTZ--------: 718-829-3041
FREE FOR MEMBERS, INSPECTORE,& COORDINATORS
ALL OTHERS $10
 
 



Saturday, January 5, 2013

Carrion Has Daughter on Payroll for Mayoral Bid


 

    In an article from Crain's New York Insider former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr. in his bid for the Republican nomination for mayor has hired his daughter to work on the campaign. Crains says that an expenditure for $1,000.00 stands out for Carrion's daughter Raquel on his mayoral financial report for consulting on Dec. 11, 2012. Crains adds that it is not uncommon to have relatives working on a candidates campaign such as in the case listed where former House Majority Leader Tom Delay's wife and daughter were paid $500,000 over several years. Crains however says that the NYC Campaign Finance Board while allowing relatives to be hired for campaigns, says that they must be paid out of privately raised funds not public matching funds and said payments must be designated as such. They add that Ms. Carrion had worked as a paid communications intern on the 2009 Bloomberg mayoral campaign, and is now Vice-President of Metrofutures LLC her fathers company which Crains credits to a social media page.

   Carrions campaign finance report can be found here in which he has already spent $117,589.58 since November of 2012. 

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207705_PrimaryLogo
 


Friday, January 4, 2013

LIU: TIME TO BRING CLOSURE TO TRAGIC AND COSTLY ‘CENTRAL PARK FIVE’ CASE


    Citing the decade-long litigation that has resulted in escalating legal fees and tied up valuable City resources, City Comptroller John C. Liu today called for the New York City Law Department and the lawyers representing the “Central Park Five” in their $250 million civil-rights lawsuit to break their stalemate and conclude a settlement as soon as possible.

At a press conference in Harlem, Liu offered the legal expertise of his office and the around-the-clock use of his boardroom to help the parties to come together and work out a settlement for the five young men, who were wrongfully sent to prison for an April 1989 crime.

Following are Comptroller Liu’s remarks, as prepared for delivery:

“Nineteen Eighty-Nine was a painful period in New York City’s history. That year, the City recorded nearly 2,000 murders, countless other violent crimes, and was suffering the devastating effects of a national crack epidemic.

“On April 19th of that year, a 28-year-old female jogger was brutally attacked and raped in Central Park. Almost immediately after this heinous crime, police investigations began to focus on a group of five African American and Latino youths, aged 14 to 16, who came to be known as the ‘Central Park Five.’

“Following lengthy interrogations, the five teenagers – Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise – confessed to the crime. The following year, the five were convicted
and sentenced to terms ranging from 5 to 15 years.

“In early 2002, Matias Reyes, a convicted murderer and rapist, confessed that he alone was responsible for the attack on the Central Park jogger. On December 19, 2002, on the recommendation of Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, the five convictions were vacated by Justice Charles Tejada.

“Since 2003, the ‘Central Park Five’ and the New York City Law Department have been engaged in complex and costly litigation that has yet to be settled. As of now, multiple causes of actions are pending in this federal case, including malicious prosecution, racial discrimination, and lack of due process.

“Both as a New Yorker and as the Comptroller, I am deeply troubled by the fact that this civil-rights case remains unresolved more than a decade after these convictions were vacated and nearly a quarter of a century after the occurrence of the crime that another individual has confessed to committing. These five kids may not have been angels, but that does not change the fact that they were imprisoned for a crime perpetrated by another person. Collectively, they spent more than 30 years in prison. While no monetary award could fully repay them for this imprisonment, the City must make an effort to correct this tremendous injustice, which robbed them of their youth.

“Their imprisonment also wreaked havoc on their families. Parents not only lost their sons to prison, but also had to live through the indignity of having their children compared to vicious animals, as the press labeled them with such racially charged expressions as ‘wilding’ and ‘wolf pack.’  They endured multiple trials: first by the tabloid media, which jumped to judgment, and then by prosecutors, who screened what later proved to be false confessions in the courtroom.

“The Comptroller’s Office has the authority and extensive experience settling claims before litigation and approving settlements proposed by the Law Department post-litigation. Last fiscal year, the City paid out $550.4 million for the settlement of claims and payments of judgments; $185.6 million of which were against the NYPD and an additional $84 million of which involved a variety of civil-rights violations.

“As the financial steward of the City, my goal is to ensure that we strike a delicate balance between making those with meritorious claims whole while minimizing taxpayer costs. In the case of the ‘Central Park Five,’ I am extremely concerned that the longer we wait, the more the legal bills mount, and more valuable City resources are claimed. When the City loses a case, it is often required to cover all of the plaintiff’s legal expenses. While each case is different, based on our best estimates, a decade or more of legal fees for five plaintiffs could easily be in the seven or eight digits and this amount increases with every day that passes.

“Moreover, in many instances, the inability to arrive at a negotiated settlement, before a judge or jury renders a verdict, means higher costs for taxpayers. So I am urging the Law Department and the plaintiffs to sit down and negotiate immediately. Those involved need to contain the strong emotions engendered by this case and engage in meaningful discussions. All parties must come to the table – now. I will even provide the table; the Law Department and plaintiffs’ attorneys are welcome to use our boardroom around the clock until they reach a settlement.

“Again, my office stands ready to facilitate this process in any way. Enough is enough. The time has come for the City and these men and their families to put this behind them and heal.

“This troubling case has spanned the administrations of four Mayors – Edward Koch, David Dinkins, Rudolph Giuliani, and now Michael Bloomberg. In the last year of his third term, Mayor Bloomberg has an
historic opportunity to provide closure to all those involved.

“Let’s hope that 2013 is the year when all parties help close this terrible chapter in our City’s history, so that New Yorkers can finally put an end to the tragic ‘Central Park Five’ saga.”

Visit www.comptroller.nyc.gov for the latest news, events, and initiatives.
Follow Comptroller Liu on Twitter, YouTube.


Tenth Annual Awards & Scholarship Banquet!! New Postponed Date!! February 28, 2013!! MUST RSVP!!

      
Join us for our
Tenth
Annual Awards
& Scholarship Banquet

Celebrating over a century of service to the Bronx
Recognizing our Accomplishments of the Past Ten Years And
Honoring our Distinguished Award Recipients

*Portion of Proceeds will benefit the Hurricane Sandy Reform*

Thursday, February 28, 2013
Marina del Rey
One Marina Drive
Bronx, NY 10465

Cocktails from 5:30 to 7:00 pm
Dinner Immediately Following

Tickets - $175 per person (Non-Profit)
$250 per person (all other guests)

Entertainment by Alive n' Kickin' / Business Attire

For more information or to RSVP, call 718-828-3900
or click here to go to our website.


Thursday, January 3, 2013

Swearing In Ceremony - NYS Assembly Member Nelson L. Castro



Swearing In Ceremony  
 
 

Wave Hill Events January 17–January 24


Our annual horticulture lecture series is a high point for Wave Hill, a chance to hear experts share their passion for the field―a wonderful counterpoint to the serene, quiet winter gardens―in one of Manhattan’s most elegant venues, the New York School of Interior Design. We’ve got close connections to Samuel Untermyer’s magnificent estate just north of Wave Hill. I hope you’ll join us to hear all about ongoing efforts to recover its gardens.

Then come back to Wave Hill for more layers of artistry, in Glyndor Gallery and at a spicy cooking demo.

Happy 2013 indeed!

SAT, JANUARY 19    FAMILY ART PROJECT―FREEDOM PILLOWS
Freedom Pillows/Almohadas de libertad
Draw from the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King and traditional African American quilts to display your own personal dream of freedom. Choose from a wide array of cloth, yarn and felt to embellish a pillowcase for your dream-time wish. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, JANUARY 19    COOKING WITH GINGER
The ginger family, Zingiberaceae, includes spicy ginger, cardamom and turmeric. Assistant Director of Public Programs Laurel Rimmer shares a sampling of these tropical herbs and their ornamental kin, while a chef from Wave Hill caterer Great Performances demonstrates various ways to cook with fresh and dried members of this aromatic plant family. Free with admission to the grounds.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 2PM

SUN, JANUARY 20   FAMILY ART PROJECT―FREEDOM PILLOWS
Freedom Pillows/Almohadas de libertad
Draw from the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King and traditional African American quilts to display your own personal dream of freedom. Choose from a wide array of cloth, yarn and felt to embellish a pillowcase for your dream-time wish. Free with admission to the grounds.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, JANUARY 20    WINTER WORKSPACE: VISTAS IN MOTION—LOW-TECH ANIMATION WITH MANUEL ACEVEDO
Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Manuel Acevedo’s creative process and explore the winter landscape as a source of inspiration. Acevedo discusses his work and explains methods of animation, such as stop-motion, flipbooks and optical devices. Participants will then explore the transformation of Wave Hill’s winter landscape using basic animation techniques. Art materials are provided unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended, at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Free with admission to the grounds. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. This program also takes place on February 3.
GLYNDOR GALLERY & ON THE GROUNDS, 1–4PM

SUN, JANUARY 20    GARDEN AND CONSERVATORY HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, JANUARY 21
Closed to the public.

TUE, JANUARY 22    WINTER WORKSPACE: NATURE THROUGH GLASS—SNOW-GLOBE JARS
Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Maria Hupfield’s creative process and explore the winter landscape as a source of inspiration. After exploring the gardens with the artist, participants create a snow globe as a personal souvenir inspired by the winter landscape. Art materials are provided unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended, at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Free with admission to the grounds. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. This program also takes place on January 29.
GLYNDOR GALLERY & ON THE GROUNDS, 10AM–1PM

WED, JANUARY 23    HORTICULTURAL LECTURE #1― STEPHEN F. BRYNS & TIMOTHY TILGHMAN: UNTERMYER, AMERICA’S GREATEST FORGOTTEN GARDEN
Wave Hill Horticultural Lectures are devoted to landscape design and the meaning of our interactions with plants and the natural world. This year’s distinguished lecturers offer a walk down memory lane. But these presentations are not simply an indulgence in nostalgia, because the past strongly informs the present in the three subjects we address. Before Samuel Untermyer’s death in 1940, his gardens in Yonkers, New York, were among America’s most celebrated. Spearheading the rebirth of this estate are Untermyer Gardens Conservancy chair and former Wave Hill board member Stephen F. Byrns and former Wave Hill Gardener Timothy Tilghman, Untermyer’s horticulturist. (Marco Polo Stufano, Wave Hill’s founding Director of Horticulture, is adviser to the project.) Byrns, an award-winning partner at BKSK Architects, has published widely. He joins Tilghman, an acclaimed horticulturist whose experience ranges from Missouri to the Hudson Valley, in painting a bright picture of the recovery of this magnificent estate. The second in this series takes place February 27. Series: $48 Member, Student/$60 General. Individual lectures: $20 Member, Student/$25 General. Reservations recommended, online at www.wavehill.org or by calling 718.549.3200 x216.
NEW YORK SCHOOL OF INTERIOR DESIGN, 170 EAST 70TH STREET, MANHATTAN, 6PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM—4:30PM. Closes 5:30PM, March 15—October 31.  
ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day Tuesdays in January. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Program s are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 3o minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.
 
 

MWBE Bidding Opportunities & NYPD

(Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises) 

   


The New York City Department of Education (DOE) has announced many opportunities for MWBE business. If applicable, please review the DOE's current solicitations online:

Request for Proposals:

Request for Bids:

Multiple Task Award Contract:

DOE Vendor Portal: We encourage vendors to sign up for the Vendor Portal at https://vendorportal.nycenet.edu.

By signing up, vendors can have DOE solicitations emailed to them directly. In order to download complete DOE bids and solicitations, vendors must register for an account on Vendor Portal.

DOE Vendor Hotline: Vendors are also encouraged to call or email the DOE Vendor Hotline if they need assistance registering for Vendor Portal, downloading required documents, or if they have other questions.
Vendors can contact Vendor Hotline at (718) 935-2300 or email VendorHotline@schools.nyc.gov. A live representative is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

DOE Commitment to Equal Opportunity: The New York City Department of Education (DOE) has contracts with vendors to purchase the goods and services necessary to ensure that students receive the quality education they deserve. The agency strives to give all businesses, including Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), an equal opportunity to compete for DOE procurements. The agency casts a wide net in search of talented vendors, seeking qualified suppliers from all segments of the community. The DOE's mission is to provide equal access to procurement opportunities for all qualified vendors including MWBEs.

The DOE works to enhance the ability of MWBEs to compete for contracts and DOE is committed to ensuring that MWBEs fully participate in the procurement process.

Please call 718-828-3900 or email Michelle@bronxchamber.org  for any additional information or if you have questions regarding MWBE certification.

Also... 

The New York City Police Department has launched a new application for your Apple devices (iPad and iPhone). This application is called "NYPD" and it is free of charge. It provides its users with interface icons for each of the following:

  • Wanted Posters
  • Submit Tips
  • Crime Videos
  • Breaking News
  • NYPD Facebook
  • Inside NYPD Videos
  • Crime Statistics
  • Precinct Boundaries
  • Join NYPD

The NYPD is continuously exploring methods to expand the availability and collection of information to assist in our crime fighting efforts. We recognize that community members are our partners in the reduction of crime and improvement of the quality of life in our neighborhoods.  Technology is a vital tool that connects law enforcement with its communities around the world to help improve safety and security.

We invite everyone to take a minute and download the application through the Apple store direct to your device, so that you can began to enjoy the many benefits this application has to offer its users. In addition, we encourage everyone to pass the word around your community of this new application.





Wednesday, January 2, 2013

LIU: WHAT THE CLIFF COMPROMISE MEANS FOR NEW YORK CITY


City Comptroller John C. Liu offered the following statement on the Congressional agreement to avoid the so-called Fiscal Cliff and its effect on New York City taxpayers:

“We will have to wait and see how this agreement fits into the coming debt-ceiling negotiations but, like any compromise, the deal to avoid the so-called Fiscal Cliff has some bright spots and dark patches for New York City taxpayers.

“Thousands of struggling New Yorkers will not find their extended unemployment benefits abruptly and cruelly cut off.  And some 900,000 New Yorkers can breathe a sigh of relief now that the Alternative Minimum Tax has been permanently fixed.  
   
“We must properly fund Social Security and unfortunately the 2% increase in the Social Security Payroll Tax will cost four million hard-working New Yorkers, on average, more than $800 out of pocket this year, taking more than $3 billion out of the City’s income stream.

“Finally, Congress has taken steps to avoid the cliff, but millions still face a steep plunge because the House of Representatives failed to approve aid for those who lost their loved ones, homes, and possessions in Hurricane Sandy.  Families hurt by Sandy have been left out in the cold by Congressional bickering.”


                          Estimated Cost of 2% Increase in Social Security Payroll Tax

Borough
# of Workers Affected
Estimated Cost
Average Increase
Bronx
630,000
$425 million
$674
Brooklyn
1,135,000
$875 million
$770
Manhattan
995,000
$1.12 billion
   $1,125
Queens
980,000
$800 million
$816
Staten Island
230,000
$220 million
$956
TOTAL
3,970,000
$3.44 billion
$868















Source: Security Administration; Bureau of Labor Statistics; NYC Comptroller’s Office.




Liberty Democratic Association Annual Meeting


The Liberty Democratic Association

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
And Election of Officers for 2013-2015

Will take place on ---
 
 SUNDAY, JANUARY 13,  2013 @1 P.M.
 
JANEL TOWERS- 801 NEILL AVE.
Community Room

New Years’ CeleBration
AT 2:30 P.M.
Hot Food and refreshments will be served.

RSVP: Miriam Schwartz: (718) 829-3041



Cost is $10

Free:  Members, Inspectors and Coordinators


If you have any questions, please contact Ritchie Torres at 
(914) 648-0616 or Monica Major at (917) 208-3886



More on SLOW ZONE Speed Bumps


     Apparently the DOT has painted street markings at two of the three speed bumps that were placed on Independence Avenue between West 232nd and West 237th Streets. However as you will see in the photos below Dot has not put up a warning sign before the speed bumps, as there is only one sign that is marked "Speed Bump 15 MPH" as you hit the speed bump (in one photo you can see that the one warning sign has either bent over due to the wind or has been backed into by a parking car). Also one has to wonder at what speed these speed bumps can be taken at. In the presentation by the DOT Bronx commissioner she said that motorists can safely take these "Speed Humps" at 20 MPH as would be the speed limit in the area of the SLOW ZONE. The signs by the new speed bumps (humps) say 15 MPH, or do all of them. I found one bump on West 239th Street with signs of 20 MPH on them, and also with a sharp left turn sign on one below the speed bump sign. Another placement of one of these speed bumps is at the top of a hill on West 237th St. the side of RKA (141) where buses park to pick up students, and block any warning sign. Lastly as you will see in one photo that the speed bump on Independence Avenue right in front of RKA has already been damaged during the last plowing a few days ago.  More to come.

Left - You can see pavement markings by DOT now in place in front of two of the speed bumps on Independence Avenue by Seton Park.
Right - However you can see the one warning sign is bent over due to either the wind or being hit by a car backing into a space.

Left - there are no road markings at the speed bump in front of RKA (141), and you can see the damage that plowing from only one snowfall has done to the speed bump.
Right - You can barley make out the one speed bump sign on the right in between the trees on West 237th Street as you come up the hill. This view is of  the side of the street where school buses for RKA  park to load and unload students which will block the sign.

Left - A close up of the damage to the speed bump in front of RKA. It now seems that emergency vehicles are turning left at West 237th Street to the HHP service road rather than going over the three speed bumps on Independence Avenue.
Right - You can see how cars are parking on the speed bumps that go to within a foot of the curb.

Left - You see that this speed bump sign says 20 MPH here.
Right - You see the other side of the street also with the 20 MPH sign, but also note there is another sign  warning  that the road turns left ahead.