Mo Meter - Six More to Go

  Our friends at the 161th. Street Bid are at it again, and this time they have a Mo Meter in front of the picture of Mariano Rivera outside Yankee Stadium. Rivera is only six saves away from being the all time leader in saves, as Trevor Hoffman is currently the leader in all time saves with 601. Rivera is currently in second place with 596 saves, all coming with one team the Yankees. 

  As when Derek Jeter hit his 3,000th  hit, there will be a party on 161th Street, with cake served to celebrate another all time baseball record broken by another career Yankee player. 

  Speaking of Derek Jeter, he has moved into 19th place on the all time hit list passing now #20 Craig Biggio who had 3060 career hits. Jeter now has 3064 hits, and next up is #18 Dave Winfield with 3110 hits. with 26 games left in the 2011 baseball season left Jeter may have to wait until next season to pass Winfield. Also with another season like he had this year, Jeter could wind up #10 on the all time hit list at the end of next season right behind the great Willie Mays.

COUNCILMAN KOPPELL AND CHURCH OF THE MEDIATOR SPONSOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS DAY  

Council Member Oliver Koppell, The Visiting Nurse Service of New York,  Medicare Rights Center, and Big Apple Rx invite you to get----
 

Blood pressure screening, nutritional information, free massages, health information,        benefit screening, prescription assistance, giveaways, entertainment and more.   

 

At The Church of the Mediator 

260 West 231^st Street and Kingsbridge Avenue

 

Saturday, September 10, 2011 11AM to 3 PM.  

                         

 

                        

 

Could There Be an End to The Silk Stocking Congressional District?

  The Daily News has a piece on how the Dominican American National Roundtable would radically change the 14th congressional district to make it possible to elect the first Dominican-American member of Congress. The story has the redistricting hopes of DANR which include changing current Bronx congressional districts also. 

  The 15th Congressional district drawn as a black minority district has changed, and is now more Hispanic than black, as the district lines were drawn. To correct that DANR proposes that the 15th CD extend through the Bronx into Mount Vernon to regain a black majority.

  The 14th CD would then pick up the Manhattan Dominican and other Dominicans from the Bronx to create a new Dominican-American congressional district. Current 14th Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney's district would go from a 2/3 majority of white upper east side Manhattan voters to a district with less than 1/3 of a white vote, and 2/3 Hispanic.

  You can read the whole story by Celeste Katz of the Daily News here.

DIGNITY FOR IMMIGRANTS MARCH

From Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr.

 

Community  Leaders,  churches,  ministers  and the community in general are planning  to rally on behalf of undocumented immigrants, according to State Senator Rev. Ruben Díaz.

Almost four years ago, U.S. Senator Barack Obama, while campaigning for the presidency  of  the  nation,  promised that if he became president he would solve  the problem of the twelve million undocumented aliens that reside in the  United  States. Apparently, once Barack Obama was elected President of the United States he forgot his promise and has not yet found a solution to solve  the problem of the undocumented aliens. On the contrary, the problem has  multiplied  to the point that there have been more deportations in the last  three  years  than in any previous administration. President Obama is always  blaming  the  Republicans  and Congress  for the lack of action on behalf of the immigrants.

Now that the re-election is at hand, President Obama has promised to deport only  those immigrants with a lengthy criminal record and that are a threat to  the nation’s security. He has suggested stopping deportations for those that have minor offenses and those that do not pose a threat to the nation.

This  is  a  great  idea!  This will solve the situation of more than three hundred   thousand   (300,000)   people  that  are  facing  the  threat  of deportation.

This  is  why  a  group  of  religious  organizations, such as Radio Vision Cristiana  Intl.,  Radio  Cantico  Nuevo,  The  New  York  Hispanic  Clergy Organization, Conlico, and community organizations of the Metropolitan area have  decided to conduct a “Dignity for the Immigrants March” in support of the immigrant community.

This  march  will  take  place  on  Sunday,  October 2, 2011 at 12 noon, on Westchester Avenue, between Third Avenue and Bergen Avenue in Bronx County. From  there  we will march to the steps of the Bronx Supreme Court, located at 161st Street and Grand Concourse in the Bronx.

We would like to send a message to President Obama that “we will not accept excuses,  such  as,  blaming the Republicans or members of Congress for not achieving  such a wonderful idea. We will be calling on the President to be true  to his word and to be faithful to the undocumented immigrants in this country.”

Even  if  the  Republicans  and  members  of Congress oppose this wonderful initiative  to  deport  only hardened  criminals,  President  Obama  could implement  it  anyway.   If he really wants this to happen, he can do it by just  signing  an  executive order. “Si se puede Mr. President, “Yes we can Mr. President.” Only if you are willing to.

I am State Senator Ruben Díaz and this is what you should know.

Espada's Defense- My Accountants Said it Was Legal

Here is one we found on a Daily News Site titled

"Ex-Sen. Pedro Espada's Defense: My Accountants Said That Petting Zoo Was Totally Fine"

 Celeste Katz of the daily news writes "Espada claims expenses charged to a janitorial company the feds say he controlled - including pony rides and a petting zoo for a family member's birthday party, home repairs and a down payment on a Bentley - were all approved by accountants". 

The article goes on to say that the feds are looking back to 2001 in Soundview Health Centers financial records. You can access the article at this link and see for yourself.

BP DIAZ & NEW YORK YANKEES HOST INAUGURAL 'BOROUGH PRESIDENT'S CUP' LITTLE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and the New York Yankees co-hosted the inaugural “Borough President’s Cup” Little League Championship. The game featured a match-up between the Little League Raiders and the Rolando Paulino Little League, who competed for the title in a game at Yankee Stadium.

The Little League Raiders won the game, defeating the Rolando Paulino Little League 9-7 in extra innings.

To compete for the “Borough President’s Cup,” players for each Little League had to meet a set of requirements unrelated to their performance on the field. Those included a B-average in school, 90 percent or greater school attendance and a demonstrated commitment to community service.

 BP Diaz with little league Raiders presenting BP's Cup to the winner.

“This game is not about showcasing the best athletes in the Bronx, but those students who represent the best of our borough overall: good students who have shown us that they want to make the Bronx a better place,” said Borough President Diaz. “What better way to reward them then to give them a chance to walk in the footsteps of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and all the Yankee greats.”

“The Little League Raiders would like to thank Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and his staff for an outstanding job on putting together the Borough President’s Cup.   It is our pleasure to participate in this tournament. We are very excited to have the opportunity to play the championship game at Yankee Stadium. We would like to thank Mr. Brian Smith, SVP, Corporate/Community Relations and Mr. Rocky Halsey and staff of the New York Yankees organization for allowing us this opportunity. It makes us proud to say that we are from the Bronx,” said Peggy Guzman, director of the Little League Raiders.

“Thank you, Borough President Diaz and the New York Yankees, for this opportunity. The dreams of our players, to play at Yankee Stadium, have become a reality.  This moment will make a difference in the lives of these very promising young people, and we will never forget this game,” said Rolando Paulino, commissioner of the Rolando Paulino Little League.

The “Borough President’s Cup” will be an annual event.

September 11th Tenth Anniversary: The Bronx Remembers

 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

&

The Supreme Court of Bronx County

Cordially invite you to join them and the Bronx community  

as they pay homage to our families, friends and neighbors  

 who perished on September 11, 2001.

  

Thursday, September 15, 2011

12:00-2:00 PM Lou Gehrig Plaza

161st Street, between Grand Concourse & Walton Avenue

Bronx, New York

In partnership with

Bronx Tourism Council 

 

Sponsored by 

Kramer Dillof Livingston & Moore, Esqs.

John C. Dearie, Esq.

Louis Rose, M.D.  

 Trolman Glaser & Lichtman, Esqs.

Plumbers & Gasfitters Local Union No. 1

For Information and to confirm your attendance

please call:  718-590-3522

 

Upcoming Event:Townhall Meeting On Public Safety in Northern Manhattan

New York City Councilmember

Ydanis Rodriguez

10th Council District

&

New York State Senator

Adriano Espaillat

31st Senate District

&

New York State Assemblymember

Guillermo Linares

72nd Assembly District

 

Invite You To Attend A Townhall Meeting

On Public Safety And Meet

The New Commanding Officer of the 34th Precinct

Deputy Inspector Barry Buzzetti

   

Co-Sponsored by:

 

U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel, State Assemblymember Herman D. Farrell Jr.,

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer,

City Councilmember Robert Jackson, Community Board 12, Manhattan,

New York City Parks & Recreation,

Isabella Geriatric Center and the 34th Precinct Community Council

 Date: Thursday, September 1, 2011 /  Time: 7:00pm -9:00pm

Place:   Isabella (Auditorium)

515 Audubon Avenue (On the Corner of W 190th St & Audubon Ave)

 

Representatives of the New York County District Attorney’s Office will be Present

Please call 917-521-2616 for further information. 

 

Triple Shooting in West Farms: Elected Officials Respond

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“It saddens me how some people have no regard for human life.  Yesterday, a shooting occurred while families and young children were enjoying a beautiful evening on E. 181^st and Daly Ave.  This time three people were shot: 20-year old, Ricky Rodriquez, two-year old Patience Boyd and six-year old Jayla Rodriquez. While Ricky and Jayla are in stable condition, Patience remains in critical condition, and may lose her life to a thug’s bullet.

“We cannot afford to lose life after life to senseless gun violence, and even though we have come so far we still have more work to do. My office will continue to work to take illegal guns off of our streets by speaking directly to youth, working to promote gun buyback programs and through our ‘Peace in our Streets’ campaign, which speaks directly to Bronx residents on the need to report illegal guns.  It hurts me greatly that young children cannot simply go outside and play on a nice summer day without fear of being struck down by a stray bullet,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Senator Reverend Diaz, Councilmember Joel Rivera and Community Leader Luis Sepulveda Outraged Over Shooting of Bronx Children

 

New  York  State  Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx), Councilmember Joel Rivera  and  Community Leader  Luis Sepulveda will hold a press conference with  other  activists  on  Wednesday,  August  31, 2011 at 11:30 AM on the corner  of  East  181st  Street  and  Daly  Avenue  in The Bronx to express community outrage over gun violence.


Senator  Reverend Diaz stated:  “The random gun violence that took place on Monday  night  has struck down a 20-year old man along with two of our most vulnerable  citizens – a 2-year old girl and a 5-year old girl.  We hope to offer  some  comfort and compassion for the families and neighbors of those who  were shot, and to also offer comfort for parents in our community who are  afraid that their children may be at the wrong place at the wrong time when some criminal feels free to wreak havoc.  We will remain vigilant with our communities so they can live in safe and healthy neighborhoods.”


Mr.  Sepulveda  stated: “Although we are relieved that a suspect for Monday night’s  shooting has been identified, crime is prevalent in the West Farms community and it can not be tolerated.  How can it be that inside the walls of the Bronx Zoo – which is only one block away from this shooting – is one of  the safest areas of New York State, but outside of those walls crime is rampant?   We will continue to stand with our community and demand that the same  levels  of  safety  and protection that are afforded to guests of the Bronx   Zoo are also provided to Bronx residents who live nearby and should not live in fear.”

For further information, please contact Luis Sepulveda at (347) 582-8173.

 

 

CB 8 Public Hearing Sept 8th Re: Ice Skating Rink CANCELLED

COMMUNITY BOARD NO. 8 BRONX

5676 Riverdale Avenue, Suite 100 • Bronx, New York 10471-2194

Telephone: 718-884-3959 • Fax: 718-796-2763

E-Mail: brxcb8@optonline.net  

Website: www.nyc.gov/bronxcb8

Honorable Ruben Diaz, Jr.

Bronx Borough President

                               Chairperson      Robert Fanuzzi

                              District Manager     Nicole M. Stent

CANCELLED

COMMUNITY BOARD NO. 8 PUBLIC HEARING

CANCELLED

      DATE:    Thursday, September 8th, 2011

                   TIME:            7:30 p.m.

      PLACE:           Riverdale YM/YWHA  
                                  5625 Arlington Avenue, Social Hall
                                      Bronx, NY 10471

    SUBECT:        Proposed Ice Skating Rink in
                Van Cortlandt Park



   

Anyone wishing to speak may sign up at the door at time of hearing

We ask that you read our column 100 PERCENT this Thursday September 1st in the Bronx News or Parkchester News, for our comments. You can also view the column online at The Bronx News Website

clicking on the Bedford Park link on the left. You can also go directly to the column here and scroll down to this weeks column of 100 PERCENT.

Chairperson 

                              

DIANE RAVITCH TO OFFER KEYNOTE ADDRESS

AT FIRST-EVER BRONX EDUCATION SUMMIT

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced today that Dr. Diane Ravitch, widely considered to be the preeminent education expert in the United States, will offer the keynote address at the first-ever “Bronx Education Summit: From Cradle to Career,” to be held on Saturday, October 15, 2011, from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM at Lehman College.

Dr. Ravitch is Research Professor of Education at New York University and a historian of education. In addition, she is a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. Her most recent book, The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education (2010), is a critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller.

“The goal of our education summit is to bring together the best minds in education, from all sides of the issues, to put forward a clear vision for the future of education in the Bronx. With that in mind, we are extremely grateful that none other than Diane Ravitch, one of the most important voices in the national debate on education, is coming to the Bronx to participate in this historic event,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

The topic of Dr. Ravitch’s address will be "Improving Education for the Children of the Bronx." Dr. Ravitch’s complete biography and curriculum vitae can be found at dianeravitch.com/vita.html.

All educational stakeholders are invited to attend the Summit, including parents, teachers, students, and policy makers. 

The day will begin with greetings from Borough President Diaz, Dr. Pedro Noguera of New York University, and Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott of the New York City Department of Education, followed by Dr. Ravitch’s keynote address.  After the morning workshop, the summit will host eight breakout sessions covering a variety of topics, such as special education, English Language Learners, and parent involvement. 

The event concludes with a VIP Policy Panel composed of some of the city’s most influential educational figures, including Ernest Logan president, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators; Monica Major, Bronx representative to the Panel for Educational Policy; James Merriman chief executive officer, New York City Charter School Center; Michael Mulgrew, president, United Federation of Teachers; Dr. Betty Rosa, New York Board of Regents, and Shael Suransky, deputy chancellor, New York City Department of Education.

 Throughout the day, participants can visit tables staffed by employees of dozens of educational and social service organizations to learn more about the resources available to parents, students, and teachers in the Bronx and citywide. 

The “Bronx Education Summit: From Cradle to Career,” is only the first step in creating a new education agenda for the Bronx.  A number of follow-up activities are being planned in conjunction with the summit to continue these important conversations about improving educational outcomes for all Bronx students. 

For more information about the Bronx Education Summit or to register, please visit www.bronxeducationsummit.org or call 718-590-6116. 

THE SHOW MUST GO ON. SENATOR JEFF KLEIN PRESENTS: TONY ORLANDO

Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/Westchester), announced that singer Tony Orlando's free summer concert will still be going on as planned.

Klein said the concert, which is part of his Summertime Symphonies series, was especially important in the aftermath of Irene.

“This was a scary and stressful weekend for many in the greater Bronx and Westchester area,” Senator Klein said. “I'm proud to have Tony Orlando come to our community and I am looking forward to this free, family friendly, and lighthearted concert.”

WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2011

WHERE: Loreto Park (between Haight & Tomlinson Aves.)

                 Morris Park, Bronx, NY.

                 (Rain Location: P.S. 105 725 Brady Ave., Bronx)

The Bronx Council of the Arts and Arts Westchester are also co-sponsoring these Summertime Symphonies.

Tony Orlando, the winner of three American Music Awards and a People's Choice Award, is best known for his hits, “Knock Three Times,” “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” and “Sweet Gypsy Rose.”

Could Speaker Quinn Be Bloomberg's Choice to Replace Him in 2013

By SAM ROBERTS 

Published: August 28, 2011 

In The New York Times.

 

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, an independent, and the City Council speaker, Christine C. Quinn, a Democrat, on an East River ferry in June. Their spokesmen say that she has not asked for an endorsement and that the mayor has not promised one.

 

It is the worst-kept secret in City Hall. Michael R. Bloomberg has told almost everyone who asks — but only privately, so far — that he hopes the City Council speaker, Christine C. Quinn, will succeed him as mayor in 2013.

While Mr. Bloomberg brings unprecedented personal resources to his political agenda, few other New York City mayors have succeeded in anointing a successor.
Mr. Bloomberg, in fact, was the only mayoral candidate in recent memory for whom an endorsement by the incumbent proved instrumental, even if it was a begrudging, last-minute nudge from Rudolph W. Giuliani.
Mr. Bloomberg, an independent, has refrained from specifying an heir publicly, since he seems to prefer to keep Ms. Quinn, a Democrat, and other prospective candidates as compliant as possible in the two years remaining before the next mayoral election.
Jamie McShane, a spokesman for Ms. Quinn, said, “She has never asked for nor has he offered his support.”
A spokesman for Mr. Bloomberg said the same.
Still, the mayor has made it plain in private conversations with other politicians and civic leaders that he prefers the City Council speaker.
“There’s no question in my mind that of all the candidates, he sees Chris Quinn as far better for the city of New York,” said former Mayor Edward I. Koch, who has spoken to Mr. Bloomberg about the race to succeed him.
A mayor is typically well situated to place a potential successor in the spotlight. “He can arrange events, he can promote her for the next two and a half years, he can make her the ‘vice mayor’ so people will think she’s the No. 2 person in city government, which, to some extent, she is,” said Henry J. Stern, a Koch confidant and the director of New York Civic, a government watchdog.
On Saturday, he trotted out Ms. Quinn, who unlike his commissioners has no operational authority, during a Hurricane Irene update at the city’s emergency command center, introducing her as the “great” Council speaker.
How much clout would Mr. Bloomberg’s endorsement carry? According to a New York Times/CBS News poll released earlier this month, his approval rating has sunk to a six-year low, and nearly as many Democrats disapprove of his performance as approve.
And while self-financed candidates can spend whatever they want to on a mayoral campaign (Mr. Bloomberg spent a total of about $250 million in three elections), they can give no more than $4,950 to someone else in the 2013 campaign.
Mr. Bloomberg, however, could wield enormous influence as a fund-raiser (his approval ratings are highest among New Yorkers who make more than $100,000), although Ms. Quinn has already raised close to the public financing system’s spending limit for a Democratic mayoral primary.
“You cannot anoint; you can influence; you can impact,” Mr. Koch said. “It is not an overriding endorsement that assures you of success.”
Most of Mr. Bloomberg’s predecessors in the 20th century were ill situated to anoint a successor because their parties’ nominees were chosen by party leaders with their own agendas or were challenged in Democratic primaries.
In addition, many mayors were so unpopular by the end of their terms that they wielded little influence.
Legend has it that in 1945, during the era of ethnically balanced tickets, Democratic leaders supporting William O’Dwyer chose his running mate for City Council president by searching the index of the Green Book, the official city directory, for the longest Italian name they could find. Five years later, their designee, Vincent R. Impellitteri, became mayor when Mr. O’Dwyer resigned.
Nearly two decades earlier, Mayor James J. Walker succeeded in appointing his predecessor, John F. Hylan — not as mayor again, but to a judgeship, accompanied by a backhanded compliment. Naming Mr. Hylan a judge in Children’s Court, Mr. Walker declared, “The appointment of Judge Hylan means that the children can now be tried by their peer.”
In 2001, Mr. Giuliani’s belated endorsement of Mr. Bloomberg was generally considered crucial.
“When Rudy put his arm around Mike, literally, that was the campaign,” David Garth, a media consultant who brokered the deal, once recalled about their embrace on the steps of City Hall.
The television advertisement featuring the endorsement was taped in a suite at the Waldorf-Astoria that had been decorated to look like Mr. Giuliani’s old office in City Hall.

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ RE: Hurricane Irene & Its Aftermath

(Along with our comment at the end)

 

“Now that the worst of this crisis is behind us, I would like to thank Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Cuomo, the City’s Office of Emergency Management and all City agencies for their hard work keeping my staff and all Bronxites informed about this storm, its effects and how to stay safe. This administration clearly learned from this past winter’s blizzard, and we are grateful to them for their strong response to Hurricane Irene. During the coming days my office will work with OEM and other agencies, as well as Con Edison, to help Bronxites clean up in the aftermath of this storm. I urge all Bronxites to stay safe, be mindful of their surroundings, and not to hesitate to report storm-related issues to my office or 311,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

 NOTES & TIPS

·         The Office of the Bronx Borough President can be reached at (718) 590-3500.

·         911 should only be used for EMERGENCY calls. For all other issues, such as reporting fallen trees and branches, call 311

·         To report downed power lines, power outages and other electrical issues, call (800) 75-CONED. Con Edison’s power outage map can be found at http://apps.coned.com/weboutageinfo/stormcenter/default.aspx.

·         Updated, borough-specific information on the storm and its aftermath will be shared at facebook.com/bronxbp or on Twitter @rubendiazjr

·         Property damage can be reported through nyc.gov.

We however must add that we saw a huge downed tree sitting on power lines and a pole with a large transformer on it with wind gusts still going on, and called 311. We could not get through, but on our second attempt were transferred through the voice mail system to Con Ed whose voice mail after a few transfers and long wait then came on to say call back later.  We then called 911 thinking this was now an emergency, and were told to call 311. 

We can only say that you have some ******* system Mayor Bloomberg, and if anyone gets hurt we will bear witness to it.