Bronx Redistricting City Council Meeting

   A photo can be a thousand words, but in this case of the City Council Bronx Redistricting hearing Held on Thursday August 23rd at Lehman College. You could almost count the Bronxites in the audience on you fingers and toes. In fact you could count the number of Bronx speakers at hearing on both of your hands and still have one finger left over. 10 people signed up to speak with one person who did not speak. Two of the speakers spoke for elected officials not present and  there was one city council member and one possible future council member (in 2013) in the sparse audience. After the 9 people spoke the chair of the hearing asked if there was anyone else who did not sign up, but who wanted to say something, and 3 more people came forward to speak of either Queens or Brooklyn. The chair then said that the commission would be taking a 15 minute break, and resume the hearing to see if anyone else who may have come late had anything to say. After about 20 minutes they returned, but there were no more speakers to be had. The hearing was then adjourned less than one hour after it started including the 20 minute break that was taken.

    After going over the numbers that were given out I noticed that according to the figures provided after adding and subtracting that there was a large net loss of people citywide. By borough the Bronx however gained over 75,000 people or about half the size of a district, while Manhattan and Staten Island both showed gains of over 1,000 people per borough. Brooklyn lost almost 40.000 people.and Queens lost about 160,000 people, the size of a council district. According to the figures provided the two council districts that lost the most people were the 10th (upper Manhattan including Marble Hill) loosing 23,507 people, and the 45th (Brooklyn, Flatbush & Flatlands) loosing 19,890 people. The two districts that gained the most population were both in the Bronx. The 17th (covering Mott Haven, and Melrose) gaining 20,437 people, and the 16th (Morrisania, Highbridge, and Morris Heights) gaining 17,131 people.The only Bronx council district to show a loss of people was the 14th (Fordham, Kingsbridge Heights, and West Bronx) of 1,044 people.

     We spoke to a couple Bronx council members who said that the Bronx delegation is looking for another Bronx City Council seat or at least a majority section of one that covers a part of the Bronx such as the 8th council district which has about 40,000 Bronxites in it.The Marble Hill area which is part of the Bronx mainland, and receives police, fire, EMS, schools, and other Bronx services, could also be easily part of a new Bronx council district. 

   September 5th is the City Charter mandated deadline for this redistricting commission to release its preliminary plan, and have public hearing on it between October 2nd and 11th of this year. November 5th it goes to the city council, and the council has until November 26th to consider the plan, present any suggestions for the January revised plan, where public hearings are held again before the final plan is submitted to the City Clerk who then submits the revised plan to the Justice Department for pre-clearance early in March of 2013.

Wave Hill Events September 7–September 14

SAT, SUN, SEPTEMBER 8, 9    HONEY WEEKEND

Join us for this signature event featuring demonstrations, projects and tastings that are fun for the whole family. Drop in at the Family Art Project to craft wings, antennae and a pollen cup, then grab a kazoo to buzz around the grounds like a bee. Follow the journey of honey, from the bee to the hive to your tummy, at a honey extraction demonstration. Don beekeeping gear and explore a hive at an information session. Stop by The Shop at Wave Hill to sample the complex and different varieties of honey, then purchase your favorites for home. Free with admission to the grounds.

ON THE GROUNDS & ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒4PM

SAT, SEPTEMBER 8   FAMILY ART PROJECT—BE A BEE

Be a Bee/Sea una abeja

Live the life of a bee! Outfit yourself with wings, antennae, a pollen cup and a kazoo to buzz with. Buzz around in a hive of six-sided cells and forage in the flowers. At 1PM, join in a bee parade and dance in a cardboard hive (weather permitting). Honey Weekend event. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, SEPTEMBER 8    TAI CHI CHUAN

Quiet like a mountain, moving like a river, Tai Chi is a sequence of gentle movements based on images found in nature. Short and long form classes are led by Irving Yee, an active member of the William CC Chen Tai Chi School. Sessions are held outdoors only and are weather dependent. Call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8AM on the day of the class for weather updates. Session fee: $15 Member/$23 Non-member. Registration opens onsite at 9:30AM.

ON THE GROUNDS, 10AM Beginners, 11AM Intermediates

SAT, SEPTEMBER 8    HONEY TASTING

You’ll be amazed at the complex flavors of different varieties of honey! Sample a few, then purchase your favorite to take home. Honey Weekend event. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

THE SHOP AT WAVE HILL, 11AM−4PM

SAT, SEPTEMBER 8    HIVES & HONEY INFORMATION STATION

Try on beekeeping gear, peek inside an empty hive and learn fascinating facts about honeybees. Honey Weekend event. Free with admission to the grounds.

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 1−4PM

SAT, SEPTEMBER 8    HONEY EXTRACTION DEMONSTRATION

How do bees make honey? How do we collect it? Help us extract and bottle honey from our resident honeybees and sample honey straight from the hive. Honey Weekend event. Free with admission to the grounds.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 2PM, 2:30PM, 3PM

SAT, SEPTEMBER 8    GALLERY TOUR

Join an exhibition interpreter for one of our regularly scheduled tours of Wave Hill’s fall exhibition Foregrounding the Palisades, sculptural installations by artists Isidro Blasco, Blane de St. Croix and Paula Winokur that focus on the cliffs across the Hudson River, a quintessential feature of Wave Hill’s vista—and history.  In the Sunroom, Crystal Z. Campbell and Yeon Ji Yoo fill the space with site-specific works inspired by local social and natural history. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 9    BIRDING WALK

Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of bird species and behaviors on these walks through the gardens and woodlands of Wave Hill. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Severe weather cancels. For weather-related updates, call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8AM the

day of the walk. Free with admission to the grounds. (NYC Audubon Members enjoy two-for-one admission.) Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 9:30AM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 9    FAMILY ART PROJECT—BE A BEE

Be a Bee/Sea una abeja

Live the life of a bee! Outfit yourself with wings, antennae, a pollen cup and a kazoo to buzz with. Buzz around in a hive of six-sided cells and forage in the flowers. At 1PM, join in a bee parade and dance in a cardboard hive (weather permitting). Honey Weekend event.  Free with admission to the grounds.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 9   HATHA YOGA

Release stress and find refuge from city life by practicing seasonal yoga, surrounded by the beauty of Wave Hill. Hatha Yoga involves the use of physical postures, breath control and meditation to create a supple, strong and relaxed body-mind. Classes are led by Neem Dewji, certified in Hatha and Therapeutic Yoga from The Yoga for Health Foundation in Bedfordshire, England, and The Integral Yoga Institute in NYC. Participants should bring a mat, dress in loosely fitting clothing and come to class with breakfast well digested. All levels welcomed. Sessions are held outdoors only and are weather dependent. Call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8AM on the day of the class for weather updates. Session fee: $15 Member/$23 Non-member. Registration opens onsite at 9:30AM.

ON THE GROUNDS, 10–11:15AM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 9    HONEY TASTING

You’ll be amazed at the complex flavors of different varieties of honey! Sample a few, then purchase your favorite to take home. Honey Weekend event. Free with admission to the grounds.

THE SHOP AT WAVE HILL, 11AM−4PM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 9    HIVES & HONEY INFORMATION STATION

Try on beekeeping gear, peek inside an empty hive and learn fascinating facts about honeybees. Honey Weekend event. Free with admission to the grounds.

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 1−4PM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 9  GARDEN 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

SUN, SEPTEMBER 9   HONEY EXTRACTION DEMONSTRATION

How do bees make honey? How do we collect it? Help us extract and bottle honey from our resident honeybees and sample honey straight from the hive. Honey Weekend event. Free with admission to the grounds.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 2PM, 2:30PM, 3PM

TUE, SEPTEMBER 11    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

TUE, SEPTEMBER 11    GALLERY TOUR

Join an exhibition interpreter for one of our regularly scheduled tours of Wave Hill’s fall exhibition Foregrounding the Palisades, sculptural installations by artists Isidro Blasco, Blane de St. Croix and Paula Winokur that focus on the cliffs across the Hudson River, a quintessential feature of Wave Hill’s vista—and history.  In the Sunroom, Crystal Z. Campbell and Yeon Ji Yoo fill the space with site-specific works inspired by local social and natural history. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

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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 until noon September Tuesdays.  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 242^nd 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.

Kingsbridge National Ice Center at the Armory Supported by B.P.Diaz and Others.

  With six proposals submitted in the second round to develop the Kingsbridge Armory they were reduced down to only two. One proposal for nine regulation hockey rinks led at the Armory led by  former New York Rangers superstar Mark Messier along with 2002 Olympic Gold Medalist (in women's figure skating) Sarah Hughes. The second proposal is for a variety of items including a Business Incubator that Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank said "Looks a lot like a flea market" when Mr. Axelbank did a show recently on the two proposals. 

   Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. along with several local elected officials gave their endorsement to the proposal submitted by The Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC). Diaz said that the Bronx has the  "Greatest baseball team, a top-flight golf course and tennis center under constructed, and with this plan perhaps the greatest ice sports center in the nation". Diaz spoke of a similar project done in an inner city area of Philadelphia that has resulted in better academics and positive attitudes of at risk students who have participated in the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Program. Diaz also said that KNIC has said that up to the 1,000 construction and hundreds of permanent jobs created would be "Living Wages". 

   Rangers great Mark Messier said "If approved this could change the sport as well as New York City". He also stumbled a moment as he could not remember if it was 6 or 7 years since he retired for the sport of Ice Hockey. Sarah Hughes spoke of the opportunities that the children could have like she was able to have. The local elected officials then spoke. Councilman G. Oliver Koppel who 15 years ago wanted to have a sports center at the armory said "It is almost a dream come true" to him if the KNIC proposal is chosen by the city Economic Development Corporation. Senator Gustavo Rivera said  he lives one and a half blocks away, and that he would like to be a part of the development committee if this proposal is chosen by EDC. Assemblyman Nelson Castro said that the armory may not be in his district, but it is a great opportunity for creation of new jobs. Assemblyman Jose Rivera spoke of the 27 million dollar cost to repair and renovate the armory building in 1996, and to me it seemed that the assemblyman was trying to take credit for something he didn't do.

   When asked about demand for the ice rinks B.P.Diaz told of the ice skating rink in Van Cortlandt Park, the request for one at 161st Street, Bronx schools could now have ice skating or hockey teams, and finished with the old baseball saying "If you build it they will come". Diaz then thanked the mayor, and said we should know in a month or two which proposal is chosen.

   After the press conference I was handed a sheet of paper (from a woman) with a statement from the other developer Youngwoo Associates Inc. We spoke for a few minutes and I said that the KNIC proposal does not replicate any business in the ares, and would bring new business to the area around the armory also, where as the Youngwoo proposal looks like a giant flea market, will be in direct competition with current merchants, and would not be paying living wage jobs, some thing that was on the sheet of paper she gave me. 

   I agree with B.P. Diaz on his choice of the KNIC proposal. As we mentioned above it does not replicate any business in the neighborhood, will bring new jobs along with new businesses in the area, and other new jobs.  Below are a few photos.

   

Left- BP Diaz and Mark Messier.

Right - A group shot.as BP Diaz speaks.

Left - Another group photo as BP Diaz speaks.

Eight - A mock up of what the armory would look like with this proposal.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

BRONXTALK 87th A.D. DEBATE

  You can see by the photo above Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank is on the left, with 87th A.D. candidates Daniel Figueroa III (center), and Luis Sepulveda (right) as all are smiling before the debate took place. As  the countdown to air time approached Mr. Axelbank broke the tension by telling some of the highlights of the 35 previous debates that were held on the show. No phone calls to the show are allowed during a debate, as one year there were several callers attacking one candidate in what appeared to be staged by the other candidate. 

   The first question was about being a Bronx Democrat that both candidates answered similarly. On the question of what makes a good elected official Sepulveda mentioned his good working relationship with elected officials such as Bronx B.P. Ruben Diaz Jr., Senator Jeff Klein, Councilwoman Anabel Palma all who cover parts of the 87th A.D. Figueroa countered by saying "elected officials are not doing the best job that they can". Sepulveda spoke of the 21 years of his community service helping many people at no cost in matters of law, giving the example of the renovation of the #6 Parkchester elevated subway station that was done without full handicap access, and how he is suing the MTA for an elevator. Figueroa claimed that it has been only two years that Sepulveda has been doing that.

   On the question of the non reappointment of 14 members of Community Board #9 Figueroa said they were active in the community who voted against a project that B.P. Diaz wanted passed. Sepulveda replied by saying that one would have to ask B.P. Diaz that question not him. Figueroa then said that Sepulvedas Communication Director Kenneth Thomas was appointed to CB9, and that would be a conflict of interest. Sepulveda countered by saying Mr. Thomas is highly qualified for the community board, sent in an application, and was placed on the board. I became a little puzzled when Figueroa reiterated that it would be a conflict of interest by Mr. Thomas, or was he saying that he knew that Sepulveda is going to win and is going to hire Mr. Thomas as an assembly staffer?

   On the question of "Gay Marriage" Sepulveda tried to skirt the question by saying that Gay Marriage is already a law in New York Where as Figueroa tried to go after Sepulveda by saying that two years ago Sepulveda did not take a position on the issue. Figueroa said that he was was Pro Gay Marriage, and Sepulveda countered that he has helped many people in the gay community, and that the Stonewall Democrats have endorsed him.

   On the question of low voter turnout Figueroa said that 9 out of 10 people in the district do not vote, and there is a huge disconnect between the voters and their elected officials. Sepulveda said that you have to register people to vote, get to know the voters in the district, and that he has knocked on over 15,000 doors.

   In what turned out to be brief closing statements Figueroa said that he has been in the district for 25 years, knows all the parts of the district, and the issues. Sepukveda said that he is a person that gets things done, mentioned some union, a few elected officials, and the Bronx Democratic organization who have endorsed his candidacy, and ended by saying that he wants to bring new jobs to the district by bringing new businesses to the district.

   It appeared to me that candidate Figueroa was more the aggressor and candidate Sepulveda was more laid back and professional, especially when Figueroa tried to go after one of Sepulveda's campaign workers by saying that he has a conflict of interest when it does not exist. After the debate I spoke to each side who felt they were the winner in the debate.

   To see the 87th A.D. debate from Monday Night click here  , and decide for yourself. 

Next Mondays debate of the candidates from the 80th A.D. has been rescheduled, and we will have the date and time for you as soon as we get it.

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CELEBRATE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

CELEBRATE THE 75^TH ANNIVERSARY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 22, 2012

10;30AM TO 12 NOON

In the Rotunda Bronx County Building

Grand Concourse at East 161st Street

(The 4 train or D train to 161st Street)

 

Light breakfast and birthday cake to be served

For More Information call:  212-807-0555

 

STATE AG & BRONX DA NOW INCESTIGATING ASSEMBLYWOMANRIVERA

The New York Post in the third straight daily story (and second front page story) now reports that Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera is being investigated by the New York Attorney General and Bronx DA concerning her ties to a  Bronx non for profit. the link to the story is below.

Tuesday's front page is titled "SHEETS HIT THE FAN", and the story is  "Naomi's Hire Love is Probed 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Is Governor Cuomo Involved in Local Bronx Politics?

You should know that Governor Andrew Cuomo has been apathetic about getting involved in the 2012 New York State political races and supporting candidates.  His indifference has gotten to the point where there are many State Senators complaining about the Governor’s refusal to support Democrats, leaving Senate Democrats in jeopardy by possibly allowing the Republicans to remain in the Senate Majority.

My question is to ask if the Governor is indirectly and perhaps surreptitiously involved in local politics by getting at least one of his Commissioners to actively support a  candidate  of his choice while the Governor remains silent.

A case that shows this point is what we see on a palm card for the Democratic Primary 2012 that shows how Peter M. Rivera, New York State Labor Commissioner, is indeed electioneering in a primary race for the seat he left open when he stepped out of the New York State Assembly and entered the Cuomo Cabinet.

As you can see on the attached palm card, Commissioner Peter M. Rivera is endorsing his longtime chief of staff, Danny Figueroa.

The questions we must ask are: Is New York State Labor Commissioner Peter M. Rivera doing this on his own or is he doing this at the behest of Governor Andrew Cuomo? Is the office of the Governor involved directly or indirectly?

Like all elected officials in New York State, I am well aware of the limits we have and how we cannot use our public office for politics.  If there is any sense that we are using our public offices improperly, we run the risk of having an investigation by the Ethics Commission.

I must ask to which point is it correct for this Governor to have his Commissioner Peter M. Rivera officially involved in local politics and in a primary election?

Either/or, it doesn’t seem right.

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

Senator Ruben Diaz
whatyoushouldknow@aol.com

_____________________________________________________ 

We must add that the palm card looks like Peter Rivera is running for his old assembly seat (especially by the old photo), and could wind up confusing many voters for Mr. Figueroa as they may write in the name of Peter Rivera instead.

UPDATE 
In a statement for Commissioner Perter Rivera it is said that Peter Rivera did not authorize the use of his name or title on  the above palm card.

 

ANOTHER "BOY TOY" in the 80th A.D.

   Here we go again, here is the link to the New York Post front page story titled "SUGAR MAMA" about another "BOY TOY" of 80th A.D. Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera by Post reporter Candice Giove.

    Here is the link to the Monday follow up story  by the New York Post, which includes that the Department of Education is looking into "BOY TOY #2 as to his hours worked in the Brooklyn school.

Willie Colon Concert at Lehman College

     It was more than ten years since Bronx born Salsa star Willie Colon performed at the Lehman College Center for Performing Arts, and last night he returned to give a fantastic sold out show called "La Historia".  

    The Willie Colon concert is part of a Salsa and Jazz program that the Center has scheduled for this fall, and after a brief description of the series of concerts the show began. 

    Mr. Gerson Borrero a "Veteran Journalist", and close friend came out on stage to give the audience a little background of Mr. Willie Colon. From the days of growing up in the South Bronx (as it was called then), learning to play the trumpet at age 14, and then going on to become one of the worlds best known musicians. 

    After Mr. Borrero left the stage the curtain opened on the 16 piece Colon band, and Willie Colon came out to open the concert with one of his hit songs "I'm Dreaming". After the song Willie spoke a little about the other people that he has worked with in the past, and then told some jokes (that were really great stories) about his early days in show business. His next song was "Time to Kill" which included a vivid background on the large screen behind him and the band.

    Willie explained the next song by saying that he was an activist on issues that no one wanted to talk about at the time. He added that a lot of people were mad at him for his next song, but the song was #1 in Latin America for ten weeks in a row. The song was "Summer of Simon" about a boy who was very sick, and later died of what was found out to be AIDs.

    One of Willie's jokes (sounding much like an old vaudeville routine) was about sex. He said sex is great, but you also need romance. He went on to say that he goes out with his wife of 34 years to a charming restaurant twice a week. Willie said that she goes on Tuesdays, and he goes on Thursdays.

    After a few more songs there was a short intermission, where as Willie Colon continued his songs, jokes and remembrances. One of the famous parts of a Willie Colon concert is the "Dueling Trombones" that was done more than once last night. The last song was in memory of those who have worked with or for him that have passed away over the years. 

    I was fortunate to go backstage after the show to see Willie Colon who is an old friend of mine, and below is a photo of  another old friend of Willie, Ricardo "Ricky" Martinez.

    You van visit Willie Colon at his homepage  or tweet him at williecolon@twitter .