UPDATE on Elected Officials Announce Agreement with TLC

The following came in from Allan Fromberg the Deputy Commissioner for public affairs at the Taxi and Limousine Commission. 

I read your blog this morning with great interest and very much appreciate your highlighting our policy change.  I was hoping, however, to respectfully clarify a couple of things.

First, I should mention that Vision Zero remains the TLC's first and foremost mission.

Our goal of zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries is a bold and ambitious one, but it is a goal that is well worth pursuing in this city full of children, and quite realistic.  While your blog uses the word "oppressive" with regard to our efforts to enforce safety rules,  I want to share a perspective with you that I hope and believe you will agree with....and it's that we all share the responsibility to make our streets safer, and protect our children's lives, and that we all have a role to play in making that happen.  This is especially true for our professionally-licensed drivers, not only because they carry precious cargo in their work, but also because they are the greatest users of our streets.  It's appropriate that we hold them to a higher standard, and most drivers and industry representatives with whom we speak agree on that, as do the many elected officials, like Ydanis Rodriguez, who partnered with us to make it happen.  This policy change is in no way diminishes of our unshakable commitment to Vision Zero.  Rather, it was a decision reached after positive discussions with Senator Diaz and his colleagues and industry leaders, in the understanding that vehicle owners who receive a camera summons from DOT often pass the summons along to the driver who was driving at the time of the offense.  It was never the TLC's intent that drivers be penalized twice for the same offense, and so we were happy to effect the policy change in the name of fairness.  We look forward to similarly constructive dialogue on other, non-related issues, and we will continue to weigh them with an eye to fairness, but that said, such decisions will never, ever come at the sacrifice of safety.  I strongly encourage you to take a few moments to watch our recently-produced public safety announcement, "Drive Like Your Family Lives Here" -- I am certain you will find it as compelling as others have.  Here's the link:

http://youtu.be/OAnSw3nzj0U

Lastly, your post refers to the potential for some drivers to receive "30 summonses" -- and while I am at the disadvantage of not knowing the circumstances that led to your statement, I assure you, this is not in any way accurate in this context.

Editors Note:

The reference to the 30 summonses was said by Senator Diaz Sr. and other elected officials in which drivers had no knowledge that their vehicles had received red light summonses (most of which I was told were in the Manhattan area where being caught in the intersection is a violation after the light turns red, thus making it a red light summons). 

Jewish American Heritage Month Event By Senator Klein

STATE SENATOR JEFF KLEIN AND ASSEMBLYMAN MARCOS CRESPO CALL ON LEGISLATURE TO PASS ‘CARD HARD’ PACKAGE TO CURB UNDERAGE DRINKING

  Klein, Crespo Push for Passage of Bills to Combat Sale of Alcohol to Minors Ahead of ‘100 Deadliest Days’ for Teen Drivers

Nearly 400 Traffic Fatalities Expected to Occur During Memorial Day Weekend 2015

New Bills Would Allow Businesses to Confiscate Fake IDs, Require Retailers Who Have Served Minors to Buy and Use ID Scanners, and Strengthen Defense for Retailers that Employ Best Practices to Stop Underage Drinking

State Senate Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo today renewed their call for the passage of comprehensive legislation known as the “Card Hard Campaign” to combat underage drinking and crackdown on the use of fake IDs across the state. The call comes as the unofficial start to summer kicks off with Memorial Day Weekend and thus begins the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers -- a period running from May to September that sees a significant uptick in the number of car accidents and fatal crashes involving adolescent drivers.

Senator Klein said: “With school winding down and students eager to enjoy their summer vacation, now is not the time to put the brakes on teen safety. Each year, nearly 400 traffic deaths occur over Memorial Day Weekend -- a striking increase over other weekends throughout the month. In an effort to reduce the incidence of underage drinking and take dangerous drivers off the road, my ‘Card Hard’ legislation will create incentives for retailers to use ID scanners and confiscate fake IDs that come across their doors. These common-sense proposals will work to curb teen drinking and hopefully save lives. ”

Assemblyman Crespo said: “Underage drinking poses a serious problem in our communities and holidays have become paramount periods of such behavior. This Memorial Day Weekend will be no exception. Alcohol use remains extremely widespread among today’s teenagers with nearly three quarters of students (72%) having consumed alcohol. Among underage drinkers, 30.8% paid for alcohol the last time they drank. It is obvious that New York needs to do more to eliminate fake IDs as a tool available to our youth for accessing alcohol.”

The NYPD released statistics showing that 1,791 summonses have been issued for sales of alcohol to minors, with a three-fold increase in DWI-related arrests from Memorial Day 2012 to Memorial Day 2013. Data released from Jacobi and North Central Bronx Hospital showed that in both 2012 and 2013, there was an increase in minors admitted to the hospital with alcohol-related health issues on Memorial Day Weekend.

What’s more, underage drinking has serious economic repercussions. According to the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, teen drinking costs New York residents billions of dollars each year -- an astounding $3.1 billion in 2013 alone. Car accidents involving intoxicated teen drivers represented one of the largest costs to New Yorkers that same year, clocking in around $330 million.

Klein and Crespo’s “Card Hard” legislative package targets the use of fake IDs and works to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors. These measures include:

• S.4086 - Strengthens defenses for those retailers that employ best practices, including having and operating an ID scanner, requiring employees to use scanners, holding a valid certificate of completion of a licensed alcohol awareness program and having a clean record with no violations for at least two years.
• S.1544 - Allows businesses to confiscate fake IDs.
• S.4084 - Requires retailers who have served alcohol to minors to buy and use ID scanners.

Richard Mallow, MADD New York Executive Director said: “Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is focused on tackling underage drinking, a problem that threatens the safety of our kids and endangers entire communities, now and down the road. These legislative measures provide a strong program to crackdown on the problem of underage drinking. Our Power of Parents® program is designed to equip parents with the tools and resources to start ongoing conversations about alcohol with their youth. Our hope is that with good parental messaging, law enforcement and legislation we can prevent underage drinking in New York State.”

Frances Maturo, Executive Director of TNCAP: “Each year, too many of our youth are injured or die from use of alcohol which they purchased with a fake ID. If we are serious about addressing this problem, we must take fake IDs out of the hands of minors. Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo’s ‘Card Hard’ campaign will do just that. The Throggs Neck Community Action Partnership supports this campaign."

In 2013, Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo passed the first piece of the “Card Hard” legislative package, S.4101-A/A.2530-B, which was signed into law and brings New York into greater parity with other states by increasing the community service fines and court ordered alcohol awareness training for all youth who use a fake ID.

Rain Barrel Giveaway on June 6th!

 

Reserve Your FREE Rain Barrel! Saturday, June 6th 9:00am - 12:00pm (While supplies last) P.S. 83 Schoolyard Enter at 1840 Bogart Avenue All homeowners who are interested must contact the 80th Assembly District Office at (718) 409-0109 to reserve a rain barrel.

New York Elected Officials Announce Agreement with Taxi Limousine Commission for Taxi Drivers

   For several months, elected officials including Congressman Charles Rangel, Bronx County Democratic Chair Marcos Crespo (who also presides as the Chair of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force), Senator Adriano Espaillat, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, Assemblyman Jose Rivera, Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, and City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez have been meeting at the office of State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. with Mr. Jose Villoria, Ms. Cira Angeles and Mr. Marcos De La Cruz, leaders from the private taxi industry. We have worked together to find a way to intercede on behalf of the drivers and try to alleviate some of the undue burdens they face. 

    You should already know that under New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's Zero Tolerance Initiative, taxi drivers have been facing serious oppression which include double penalties of points and summonses, license suspension and revocation, exorbitant and cumulative fines, and penalties that threaten to shut down taxi bases. After negotiating with New York City Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Meera Joshi about these issues, our coalition of elected officials has come to an agreement with the TLC. The photos below are of the press conference that took place in front of the K.I.S.S. Car Service on Webster Avenue. 

   State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. was joined by many of the elected officials who were part of the negations with the TLC for fairness to the livery drivers caught in the middle who were being charged for violations that were not their fault. 

Assemblyman Jose Rivera who once was a Livery cab driver knows what today's Livery drivers have to go through. Jose added that "For the 1st time in 46 years, We have a voice and representation for our Livery drivers".

Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo stands with the Livery cab drivers who just want a fair shake.

TLC spokesperson Jeff Roth gives the cities side, and that the city will work with the Livery drivers to clear up what has become a problem to the city and the drivers, that being up to 30 summonses to one car. 

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, one of the few Latino legislators who is a lawyer played a key role in the negotiations for the Livery drivers.

PLEASE JOIN US Our ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE, MONDAY, MAY 25th at 11:00 AM at Rudy Macina Peace Memorial Plaza

The Morris Park Community Association, The American Legion, The Knights of Columbus and The Morris Park Kiwanis Invite You to attend our Annual Memorial Day Service! On Monday, May 25^th, 11:00AM at Rudy Macina Peace Memorial Plaza (Corner of Williamsbridge Road, Pelham Parkway and Esplanade).

Please join us as we remember and honor those men and women in all wars who have made ultimate sacrifice serving our country. They will live forever in the hearts of all who cherish freedom.

Please remember wherever you are, whether it’s at home or traveling or visiting, please take a moment to Reflect, to Share and to Honor the meaning of Memorial Day with your children, your grandchildren, your family, your friends and your neighbors.

God Bless U.S.A.

And To GOD Be The Glory, Amen!

The Morris Park Community Association, The American Legion, The Knights of Columbus and The Morris Park Kiwanis

ASSEMBLY MEMBER VICTOR PICHARDO RELEASES STATEMENT ON ARREST OF HECTOR RAMIREZ

  "The indictments of Hector Ramirez and his campaign manager for election fraud are another shameful chapter in Bronx politics, yet it's sadly unsurprising.  During both the 2013 and 2014 elections, campaign volunteers witnessed troubling actions perpetrated by Mr. Ramirez and his associates, ranging from the submission of questionable absentee ballots to poll site harassment and other improprieties.  I applaud the District Attorney's office for diligently working to bring Mr. Ramirez and his cohorts to justice for attempting to cheat voters of the 86th Assembly district out of a fair election.

The actions that lead to Mr. Ramirez's arrest are reflective of the dirty and illegal tactics routinely implemented by his campaign during the last two elections and demonstrate both his contempt for the law and his lack of respect for the voters of the 86th Assembly district.  While I am grateful that justice is being served, it is still disheartening to know that there are individuals who believe it is acceptable to deceive voters and circumvent our democratic process. 

  

I continue to be thankful and humbled for the support I have received both during my campaigns and the time I have spent representing my community in Albany.  As always, I remain committed to working hard to deliver results, to fighting for clean and fair elections, and to building a better future for my neighbors."

Editors Note:

After the Nelson Castro Fiasco by the Bronx District Attorney and the U.S. Attorney's office to allow a person accused of election fraud to be elected to the office of the New York State Assembly 86th A.D., then re-elected not only once, but twice before ending the sham that was perpetrated upon the public we have to wonder what ever happened to the charges of voter fraud in the 2013 Special Election for the 86th Assembly district against current 86th Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, 33rd State Senate district Senator Gustavo Rivera, and then Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie.  Three candidates who were in that 2013 special election claimed fraud, so what ever happened? I guess the public is going to have to wait until Jan 1st 2018, four years later to know what the real answer to that question is as no one including the Bronx District Attorney wants to say. All DA Johnson says now is"No Comment".

This seems to be a replay of a 1993 School Board 10 election where the defendant was found innocent. Maybe the Board of Elections should then be arrested instead of the candidates DA Johnson. 

Office Clerk Opening Community Board 6

THE CITY OF NEW YORK

BRONX COMMUNITY BOARD 6

1932 Arthur Avenue, Room 709, Bronx, NY 10457

Telephone: (718) 579-6990 Fax: (718) 579-6875 Email: Brxcb6@Optonline.net

Honorable Ruben Diaz Jr., Bronx Borough President

MS. WENDY RODRIGUEZ - Board Chairperson 

MS. IVINE GALARZA -         District Manager

OFFICE CLERK JOB OPENING

COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD #6, A CITY GOVERNMENT AGENCY LOCATED IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE 

BRONX AND SERVICING THE COMMUNITIES OF FORDHAM, BATHGATE, TREMONT & WEST FARMS, IS SEEKING 

TO HIRE AN OFFICE CLERK TO START IN JULY 2015.

THE OFFICE CLERK WILL ANSWER TELEPHONES, PROCESS COMPLAINTS TO 311 AS WELL AS TO CITY AGENCIES,

SCHEDULE MEETINGS, CREATE AGENDAS, MAINTAIN ACCURATE RECORDS, FILE, HAVE THE ABILITY TO WORK IN 

A HECTIC ENVIRONMENT, MULTI TASK, AND ATTEND MEETINGS.

QUALIFIATIONS: 

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR ITS EQUIVALENT; KNOWLEDGE OF MICROSOFT OFFICE; VERBAL, READING, WRITING 

COMPREHENSION AND COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS ARE A MUST! BILINGUAL IS A PLUS.

SALARY: COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE 

BENEFITS: HEALTH/DENTAL, VACATION /SICK TIME AND COMP TIME ACCRUALS

HOURS: 35 (9 TO 5 MONDAY THRU FRIDAY)

ALL RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS SHOULD BE E-MAILED, FAXED OR MAILED TO THE COMMUNITY BOARD 6’s

OFFICE, NO LATER THAN JUNE 12, 2015.

COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD#6

1932 ARTHUR AVENUE, ROOM 709

BRONX NY 10457

BRXCB6@OPTONLINE.NET, FAX # 718-579-6990 

ATT: MS. IVINE GALARZA, DISTRICT MANAGER

Major Drug Bust in Riverdale

  It appears to be the largest drug bust in New York State history as Federal DEA agents arrested 2 people who lived in a 5th floor 3 bedroom apartment located at 210 West 251st Street. The building is called the Deauville, and the apartments are still rental apartments. Jose Mercedes and Yenci Cruz were identified as the 2 people arrested by the DEA, who said that 70 Kilos of heroin, $2 Million dollars in cash, and a gun were confiscated from the apartment and 2 vehicles that were used to transport the drugs. The heroin seized was estimated to have a street value of over $50 Million dollars. 

  Local residents including the owner of a building across the street from the Deauville siad that this has been going on for years, and want to know why this was not stopped long ago. One woman said that the community is going downhill, while one man said that the Deauville is full of Section 8 tenants who do not care about the neighborhood. Another said that loud music comes from the nearby Van Cortlandt Park area at night, while cars park at hydrants and double park while the local police department does nothing when residents call and complain.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ANDREW COHEN & RITCHIE TORRES CALL ON THE CITY TO ASSIGN SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICERS IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

  This morning, Council Members Andrew Cohen and Ritchie Torres called for the passage of legislation that would require the NYPD to assign school safety agents to any public or private school that requests one. Introduction 65, a bill submitted by Council Member Greenfield addresses the most basic need for all students attending school in New York City: a safe learning environment. Council Members Cohen and Torres spoke at Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy, with Principal Rabbi Krauss and students of SAR.

School safety agents are trained by and work for the NYPD. Funding for school safety guards comes from the Department of Education. School safety agents are unarmed, but are equipped with police radios that give them a direct link to the NYPD. Greenfield's legislation would require the NYPD to assign a school safety agent to any school, public or private, that requests an agent.

Introduction 565 has the support of 46 of 51 New York City Council Members. The Committee on Education has held a hearing on the bill, which will be voted on in Committee and then presented to the entire Council for a vote. 

“Every child in New York City deserves to be in a safe school environment. As members of City government we have an obligation to ensure that the educational environment of New York City’s Schools is maintained while protecting the safety of each student. This safety measure is an essential step towards safeguarding our children as we cannot ignore the vulnerability of our schools, public or non-public,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

“Safety is a fundamental right for students attending school in New York City, regardless of whether their school is private or public,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres. “Today we are calling on the city to provide basic safety for the 230,000 students attending non-public schools in New York City. This legislation will likely pass a vote in the City Council, but the Council and Mayor must then allocate funds to hire these additional school safety agents.”

To my question of how this will not violate the separation of Church and State provisions, the answer was that placing School Safety Officers in non-public schools would not be in violation of that provision. To my question of how much the cost to place School Safety Officers in all schools would be, Councilman Torres estimated around $50 Million Dollars. These School Safety officers would also be stationed at the main entrances, and not patrol the hallways or classrooms unless there was an emergency. 

Councilman Andrew Cohen tells why he supports Intro 65. As he stands in front of the main entrance to Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy, a non-public school in his district. 

Councilman Ritchie Torres answers one of my questions as to the cost of this program citywide.

Rabbi Krauss Principal of S.A.R. thanks both council members for their support of Intro 65, as he has said many times recently that the tines have changed in the world. S.A.R. is undergoing a small renovation that will add to the security of the school, but an NYPD School Safety officer would be a welcome addition.

SENATOR RIVERA & ASSEMBLYMAN BLAKE INTRODUCE THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE DISCLOSURE ACT

Proposed Legislation Would Identify Companies Who Heavily Rely on Taxpayers to Subsidize Their Business

  Today, Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblyman Michael Blake announced the introduction of a bill that would require employers to disclose how many of their employees depend on public assistance in an effort to inform New Yorkers of companies who rely on taxpayers to support their business. The bill would require the Department of Labor to identify and disclose on their website the names of employers with 50 or more employees who work 26 weeks a year or more and ten hours a week or more and who receive public assistance. 

"Hard working New Yorkers should not have to rely on public assistance to cover basic living expenses and New York taxpayers should not have foot the bill for thriving businesses," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "At a time when we are fighting to establish a decent minimum wage across New York State, this bill will call attention to how low wages are keeping working families in poverty and leaving taxpayers to pay for companies who are not appropriately compensating their employees."

Cost of living increases and poverty-level wages have left millions of working families across New York State reliant on public assistance to cover their basic necessities. A report by the University of California/Berkeley's Center for Labor Research and Education found that on average 52 percent of what states' spent on Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program, Temporary Aid to Needy Families, SNAP and Earned Income Tax Credit went to supporting families with jobs. In New York, $3.3 billion of taxpayer money went to providing public benefits to working New Yorkers. 

"The best way to improve economic equality is through having a quality job with quality wages. But when a hard working New Yorker also needs public assistance to get by in life, it is our job to ensure that everyone knows about who employs our people in need in large number so we don't let up until they have better wages, better opportunities and better services," said Assembly man Michael Blake.

On May 7th, Governor Cuomo directed the labor commissioner of New York State to convene a Wage Board to examine wages in the fast-food industry and make a recommendation on establishing an adequate wage. If passed, the Public Assistance Disclosure Act could help identify other industries in our state that use public assistance at an alarming rate to subsidize the cost of their workforce. 

The Public Assistance Disclosure Act is modeled after a law in California that will be implemented in 2016. California spends $3.7 billion on public assistance to support working families. 

Senator Klein & Assemblywoman Weinstein call on Legislature to pass “zombie properties” act

State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) and Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein (D-Brooklyn) called on their colleagues today to pass the Abandoned Property Neighborhood Relief Act (S.4781/A.6932), which would require bank and mortgage companies to prevent residential properties in foreclosure from falling into disrepair — and would carry penalties for companies that neglect these homes.

The renewed call from Senator Klein and Assemblywoman Weinstein, who sponsor the legislation, comes on the heels of an announcement today by Governor Andrew Cuomo that 11 bank, mortgage and credit unions will voluntarily comply to maintain “zombie properties.”

“While today’s announcement by Governor Cuomo that major mortgage companies have agreed to adopt a set of best practices to combat zombie properties is a step in the right direction to ridding neighborhoods of the blight left by these vacant homes, we must pass legislation that carries real penalties for financial institutions unwilling to comply.  I'll continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate and the Assembly to pass the Abandoned Property Neighborhood Relief Act, which will ensure that banks and financial institutions are held fully accountable under the law, and our communities are completely protected,” said Senator Klein.

“Today’s agreements are a welcome step towards combating the rampant problem of vacant and blighted properties thought New York State. Still, there is much more to be done to help our communities. The Abandoned Property Neighborhood Relief Act would provide the Attorney General and local governments with the necessary statutory authority for enforcement. I look forward to working with the Governor, the Attorney General and my colleagues in the Assembly and the Senate to enact this important legislation,” said Assemblywoman Weinstein.

“Today’s agreements are a welcome step forward in our fight to stop the epidemic of vacant ‘zombie homes,’ which have burdened our communities with maintenance costs, lowered property values, and crime,” said Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman. “I will continue to work with my colleagues in government across the State to pass our Abandoned Property Neighborhood Relief Act, a legislative solution that will codify today’s reforms into law, provide meaningful enforcement, and give municipalities the resources to take back their streets. I applaud Superintendent Lawsky for moving the ball forward on this crucial issue.”

“I applaud Governor Cuomo for taking this important step in combatting Zombie homes.  Now, the State Legislature must pass Attorney General Schneiderman’s plan to create a market-wide solution and provide the critical enforcement tools we need to fight this epidemic,” said Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano.

“The New York State Conference of Mayors welcomes today's agreement between the State of New York and the mortgage companies.  It represents an important starting point to address the plague of zombie properties that are blighting New York cities and villages. The next step in halting this scourge on our communities is to adopt Attorney General Schneiderman's Abandoned Property Neighborhood Relief Act of 2015.  The Attorney General's proposed legislation will provide the missing tools that local officials need to address the negative impacts zombie properties are having on our communities.  As a result, NYCOM calls upon the New York State Legislature and the Governor to adopt the Abandoned Property Neighborhood Relief Act of 2015,” said Peter A. Baynes, Executive Director of the New York State Conference of Mayors.

49th Precinct Council Annual “Fellowship Breakfast”.

The 49^th Precinct  Community Council

Council President, Joseph Thompson

Commanding Officer, Captain Timothy McCormack

49^th Precinct CouncilAnnual “Fellowship Breakfast”.

Friday, May 22^nd, 9:00 a.m

Maestro’s Caterers at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue

List of Honorees for the 

49^th Pct. Fellowship Breakfast

1-   *Cop Of The Year:                                             

Police Officer Joshua Marte, Shield # 4923

2-    Police Administrative Aide:                         

S.P.A. Akeisha Neely

3-    Auxiliary Police Officer Of The Year:       

A.P.O. Omar Valencia, Shield # 16914

4-    Explorer Of The Year:                                    

Kerryann Moreno

5-   Tom Twyman Citizen Award:                      

Ostacio Negron

6-   Business Fellowship Award:                       

Maestro’s Caterers

7-   *Citizen Appreciation Award:                     

Detective  Victor DiPierro, Community Affairs

Special Recognition Acknowledgement: P.S. 83, P.S.108,P.S 105, Van Nest Academy, Cub Scouts Pact 162, 49^th Pct. Explorers and The Solano Family for Holiday Food Contributions ($1,200 in food vouchers from a family collection) and Joseph Bombace for Fund Raising Contributions.

We would appreciate if you can confirm that you will or will not attend.

We thank you for your cooperation and look forward to seeing you.

God Bless,

Joseph Thompson

President

49^th Precinct Community Council

2121 Eastchester Road

Bronx, New York 10461

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/precincts/precinct_049.shtml

Debbie Bowden Way

   Council Member Andrew Cohen, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, State Senator jeff Klein, Several Community Board 8 Members, friends and family of Debbie Bowden were on hand for the  co-naming of Independence Avenue between West 235th Street and West 236th Street Debbie Bowden Way. Ms. Bowden was a Bronx Resident and served her community for over 50 years in Council District 11, Community Board 8, and the neighborhoods of Riverdale, Kingsbridge, and Spuyten Duyvil. She passed away on January 30, 2012.

   Debbie Bowden left an enduring and lasting legacy of good acts in many sectors of life: aging, education, environment, public safety, transportation and zoning. She cared passionately about the people (young and old), organizations (schools, houses of worship, governing bodies), and businesses (merchants, stores, cultural institutions).

  As an exemplary citizen of the Bronx, this street co-naming honors Ms. Bowden’s passion for civic engagement and improving her community said Councilman Cohen. 

  The Bowden family is joined by Councilman Andrew Cohen and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz as Ms. Bowden's sons Brad and Brett hold a duplicate sign Debbie Bowden Way.

Above - State Senator Jeff Klein proclaims this day Debbie Bowden Day in New York.
Below - Debbie Bowden's son and long time friend Sylvia Alexander (who took over as CB 8 Education Chair) start to pull the covering off the street sign.

Above - The new street name is appearing.

Below - The corner of Independence Avenue at West 236th Street is now known as Debbie Bowden Way.

Call it a coincidence, but the very next corner up on Independence Avenue is known as Herb Liebman Way. Mr. Liebman was a fellow Community Board 8 member, and Ms. Bowden fought hard to have the corner renamed for her friend and fellow community board member.