Senator Klein, Senator-Elect Gustavo Rivera and Santa Claus Celebrate The Holiday Season In The Bronx

     State Senator Jeff Klein (D- Bronx/ Westchester) kicked-off the holiday season with his Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Peace Memorial Plaza in Pelham Parkway. Klein was joined by Senator-Elect Gustavo Rivera and Santa Claus, who handed out gifts to children. Members of the community enjoyed complimentary hot chocolate and Christmas carols led by St. Lucy's Choir.

 Senator Klein, and Senator Elect Gustavo Rivera pose for picture with Santa on Pelham Parkway.

JOEL BONDY SUSPENDED, LIU HALTS ALL PAYMENTS TO SPHERION Re City Time

    Subsequent to New York City Comptroller John Liu's call for an emergency session of the Office of Payroll Administration Board of Directors, Comptroller Liu and Mayor Bloomberg have agreed to suspend Executive Director Joel Bondy indefinitely without pay.

    Comptroller Liu also suspended all payments to the vendor Spherion -- effective immediately -- until the City conducts a comprehensive review of subcontracting, consultant billing and record keeping practices.

    Comptroller Liu's office will continue to assist the U.S. Attorney's Office and DOI in their ongoing investigation into the CityTime project.

     Comptroller Liu rejected a $32 million encumbrance on the CityTime project, pursuant to the 9/28/2010 agreement that stipulates the City will not pay any more money until the full and timely completion of the Citytime project.

    New York City Comptroller John Liu had called for the emergency session of the New York City Office of Payroll Administration "OPA" Board of Directors upon yesterday's announcement by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the NYC Department of Investigations of massive fraud and $80 million in misappropriations relating to the CityTime project. Comptroller Liu had stated: "This further underscores the need to more closely monitor expensive outside consultant contracts.

     As recently as last week, the Comptroller's Office has continuously provided series of documents to DOI for their investigation. The Comptroller's Office will continue to assist the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the NYC Department of Investigations in their ongoing investigation into the CityTime project.

Officials and Community Groups Commend Borough President Diaz's Actions on Homeless Shelter Plan

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will be appearing on NY1’s “Inside City Hall” this evening.  The show airs at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Cablevision  channel 1.

   Today, on the steps of City Hall State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, City Council Member G. Oliver Koppell and a wide variety of community organizations and civic leaders joined together to commend and support Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. on his decision to default on the vote of the Muller Army Reserve Center (MARC) LRA. 

     The LRA, which is made up of Borough President Diaz as well as two deputy mayors to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, had put forth a proposal to use the MARC to house a 200-unit homeless shelter for single men, despite widespread opposition to the plan and a glut of new and existing homeless shelters in Community Board #12, a number of which are planned for the area immediately adjacent to the MARC.

    Rather than a homeless shelter, Bronxites have for years asked that the National Guard units that currently occupy space outside of the Kingsbridge Armory be moved to the MARC, freeing up their current space for use as potential public schools. Since the MARC is already used by the military, transferring a different military unit would be an easy, inexpensive way to reuse the MARC. Instead, the Bloomberg administration has chosen to undergo a costly renovation of the MARC for use as a homeless shelter. 

    “We understand that we must help the least fortunate among us. With that said, Community Board #12 is already doing its fair share for the homeless. Adding another shelter to this community is wrong, especially when a viable alternative use for the MARC is on the table. It is shameful that this administration has ignored  the collective voice of the Bronx and pushed forward with this homeless shelter plan," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

 

MASSIVE FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES RELATING TO CITYTIME PROJECT

     New York City Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following in response to questions about today's announcement by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the NYC Department of Investigations of massive fraud and $80 million in misappropriations relating to the CityTime project:

    "These charges will be another stain on the checkered history of the CityTime project. This further underscores the need to more closely monitor expensive outside consultant contracts."
     Comptroller Liu has called for an emergency session of the New York City Office of Payroll Administration "OPA" Board of Directors.

      As recently as last week, the Comptroller's Office has continuously provided series of documents to DOI for their investigation. The Comptroller's Office will continue to assist the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the NYC Department of Investigations in their ongoing investigation into the CityTime project.

Elevation of Judge Edgar Walker to Justice of the Supreme Court

    Tuesday afternoon Judge Edgar Walker was sworn in as the next Bronx Supreme Court Justice. Many were on hand for the occasion including Bronx elected officials such as Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Congressman Eliot Engel, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., and Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie.

 Also in the picture are 81st A.D. District Leaders Bruce Feld and Randi Martos, along with Bruce Weitz chief of staff for Congressman Engel, and new Supreme Court Judge Edgar Walker..

Espada Indicted  US Attorney
UPDATE

   NEW  Pedro Esapda charged with fraud and embezzlement of $500,000.00 from the Soundview Medical Center. His son has also been incited on similar charges it is reported. Both could face up to ten years in jail on these counts alone.

   We have just heard word that the US attorney will indict current State Senator Pedro Espada on five counts.

We will have the details as they are announced.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ HOSTED THE 5^th ANNUAL ‘A TASTE OF THE BRONX’ FOOD SHOW

    On Sunday, December 12, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and The Bronx Tourism Council gave food enthusiasts the chance to taste the best of the Bronx cuisine. Residents who purchased tickets to the production of “A Bronx Messiah” by Handel at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, received free admission to “A Taste of The Bronx” Food Show, an event created to draw attention and business to the borough’s array of fine restaurants.

    "With a record number of Bronx restaurants being recognized by publications like Zagat Survey and the Michelin Guide, it's an especially good time to celebrate some of the best eateries in our borough.  Our residents don’t have to go far to enjoy a good meal, The Bronx is full of excellent restaurants,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. 

        BP Diaz getting the first tasting of the food on display.

It Stinks

by Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz

    Kudos to Ms. Joanna Molloy from the New York Daily News for her sharp warning to us in Saturday’s column, New Yorkers rip Bloomberg on crash tax, say he's 'bleeding the middle class' dry.

    Her comparison of Mayor Bloomberg’s intention to allow the FDNY to bill drivers involved in accidents to the Emperor Nero’s tax on urine collectors may sound grotesque.  According to history, Nero’s son complained about the gross nature of that tax.  A gold coin was held high before him and a voice of authority stated: “This doesn’t stink.”  

    Well, my friends, if we hold Mayor Bloomberg’s plan up to the light, it does stink.

    It stinks that people who need help may not call for help.

    It stinks that anyone injured in a car accident where the car goes on fire would have to worry if he or she has an extra $415 in the bank before calling the FDNY for help.

    It stinks that under-privileged New Yorkers could decide to leave the scene of an accident just to avoid paying a $490 ‘crash’ tax.

    It stinks that the number of hit and runs could go up.

    It stinks that taxi drivers and truck drivers would have new worries added to their already difficult lives.

    It stinks that fender benders where the drivers (thankfully) have no injuries and are reported by a third party could cost drivers $365 for the ambulance that shows up.

     It stinks that needy New Yorkers may vow to never call 911 again even in the case of medical emergency because of this preposterous plan.

    The men and women who work in New York’s firehouses, drive emergency vehicles and respond to accidents are our heroes and heroines.

    It stinks to think that Mayor Michael Bloomberg could exploit the relationship between New York’s Bravest and New York residents by sending a bill from the FDNY to accident victims.

    It stinks that our Mayor or anyone could even think of pitting emergency care workers – our heroes and heroines – against the public.

    Back to Ms. Molloy’s reference to Nero … we’ve all heard the expression: “Nero fiddled while Rome burned.”

    Let’s hope that Mayor Michael Bloomberg does not take up the fiddle anytime soon.

    [http://rubendiaz.com/itstinks.html]