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Friday, May 20, 2016
NBDC Petition Training Meeting- June 2, 2016
News From KRVC - Orleans to Headline RiverFest thanks to State Senator Jeff Klein!
ORLEANS ...is best known as the 70s Pop/Rock band that brought you the iconic hits "Still the One", "Dance With Me" and "Love Takes Time". Now entering it's 41st year of live performances, Orleans has produced a body of work spanning 16 albums and several DVDs. The band continues to be in great demand domestically and internationally for live shows, as they have been for four decades.
In the summer of 2012, Orleans experienced a tragedy in the sudden passing of co- founder Larry Hoppen. While there is no replacing Larry, the decision was made to somehow continue to perform the remaining shows of the year's calendar. Co- founder/brother Lance Hoppen, along with long-standing members Lane Hoppen, Fly Amero and Charlie Morgan were rejoined by co-founder John Hall (who had been on sabbatical as a US Congressman) in order to finish with dignity and integrity what had been started 40 years prior.
With more than a dozen successful shows under their belt, the band finds that they are more than ready, willing and able to forge ahead into year 41.
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Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj - Bronx Day in Albany is Almost Here
The Best of the Bronx in Albany is
"Where Upstate meets Down State!"
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Tuesday May 24, 2016 - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. State Senator & IDC Co-Leader Jeff Klein & Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, with BOEDC & The Bronx Tourism Council, proudly present the 4th Annual Bronx Day in Albany taking place in the Hart Theather Lounge at the Egg.
The day begins with a Small Business Luncheon beginning at 12pm, featuring presentations from NY Small Business Development Center and the NYS Dept of Finance & Taxation. Small business owners and entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend and partake in an open panel to follow with attendees and thier legislative officials.
The 'Best of the Bronx' Reception, sponsored by Anheuser Busch will be a grand celebration of the Bronx and all it's treasures. Guest will enjoy entertainment by Exciting Pop/Classical Tenor Elio Scaccio and rocking tunes from the Jumpin' Dragons Band. Additional sponsors include: Hutch Metro Center, Wildlife Conservation Society- Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Garden, Montefiore Hospital, New York Yankees, Eastchester Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Health First, Affinity Health and D&J Ambulette.
Delicious Bronx foods and desserts are sponsored by Hunts Point Produce Terminal Market, Nebraskaland Meats, Mike's Deli in Arthur Avenue Market, Teitel Brothers, Borgatta Noodles from Little Italy, A1 Food Distributors, Golden Globe Cookie Factory, Don Coqui Restaurant- City Island, Golden Crust Caribbean Bakery & Grill, and Coco Delicioso Helado.
The best of the Bronx's bakeries will compete in a Best of the Bronx Cannoli Contest! Participants include: Gino's Pastry Shop, Conti's Pastry Shoppe, Artuso's Bakery, Dufour Bakery and more. Attendees will also have the chance to enter in a raffle with a chance to win a 2015 Jeer Renegade from Eastchester Chrysler Jeep Dodge! You do not want to miss this event!
For more information, please contact the office of Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj,718-409-0109.
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Benjamin Franklin Democratic Club 56th Annual Dinner
Last night was the 56th Annual Benjamin Franklin Democratic Club dinner, and the photo above should say most of the story as Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz welcomed Mayor Bill de Blasio when he arrived. The mayor presented the club's Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Lewis Goldstein, an executive Committee member of the New York State Democratic Committee, and longtime political activist.
Ben Franklin Club President Mr. Daniel Johnson did an excellent job of moving the program along, and announcing all the dignitaries who were present. The list included Public Advocate Letitia James, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Bronx County Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo, Manhattan Democratic County Leader Keith Wright, Congressman Eliot Engel, State Senators Jeff Klein and Gustavo Rivera, as well as other Bronx Assembly members, and current or former elected Democratic Party officials and judges.
The honorees included Michael Mulgrew (President of the United Federation of Teachers who received the Jonathan B. Bingham Award, Dr. Betty Rosa (Chancellor New York State Board of Regents) who received the Lee Heimlich Community Service Award. Anthony Creany (Community Board 8 member, and Disabled Veteran) along with Herb Barret (Jewish War Veteran Society) who received the Timothy R, Sullivan Award. Lewis Goldstein (New York State Democratic Committee Executive Committee member) who received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The photos below will tell the rest of the story.
Above - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Manhattan Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Keith Wright who is also a leading candidate for congress to replace Charlie Rangel.
Below - Young Bronx Democrat 83rd A.D. Male District Leader Jamal Bailey is with longtime 80th A.D. Joe McManus. Mr. Bailey is a candidate for the 36th State Senate District which will soon be vacant, and may be getting a few pointers from Mr. McManus.
Above - Mr. Anthony Creany, and Below Mr. Herb Barret receive their awards from Congressman Eliot Engel.
Above - Mayor Bill de Blasio praises the Ben Franklin Club on the constant year after year efforts of the club in getting candidates elected. The mayor is probably looking towards next year for support from the Ben Franklin Club in his re=election bid.
Below - The mayor presents Louis Goldstein with the club lifetime award for Mr. Goldstein's tireless work for the Democratic Party over the many past years. Lou must have thought he was getting an Oscar as he thanked almost everyone, and was the hit of the Dinner with his tireless speech.
Above - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz presents the Lee Heimlich Community Service Award to Dr. Betty Rosa, Chancellor New York State Regents.
Below - A group photo of honorees and elected officials. Left - Right, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, his son Eric the male District Leader of the 81st A.d., Congressman Eliot Engel, Honoree Herb Barret, Honoree Louis Goldstein, Honoree Anthony Creany, Councilman Andrew Cohen, and Ben Franklin Club President Daniel Johnson.
News From Congressman Engel
Engel and House Democrats Win Key Vote to Restrict Confederate Flags in National Cemeteries
Congressman Eliot Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce, voted in favor of a Democratic proposal yesterday to limit the display of Confederate Flags in national cemeteries. House Democrats plus a minority of House Republicans joined to approve the measure with a vote of 265-159.
“The Confederate Flag is a symbol of hatred and bigotry that only serves as a reminder of our country’s darkest days,” Congressman Engel said. “Displaying the Confederate Flag is divisive, especially in national cemeteries – sacred ground for Americans of all creeds and colors. It’s time we confined the Confederate Flag to history, where it belongs. I’m disappointed that so many of my Republican colleagues opposed this measure, but the fact that it passed shows that the vast majority of Americans are ready to retire this terrible symbol, and I hope the vote spurs even more jurisdictions across the country to end its use as an official government display.”
Engel Blasts Republicans For Anti-LGBT Vote
Congressman Eliot Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement in response to today’s shameful maneuvering by Republicans to defeat a Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney Amendment to a spending bill that would have barred federal contractors from getting government work if they discriminated against the LGBT community:
“The Republican majority should be ashamed of themselves. The House of Representatives stood ready to fight back today against discrimination targeting LGBT workers, but the majority bullied, twisted arms, and used procedural tricks to change the outcome of a fair vote in real time on the House Floor.
“Republicans seem unable to help themselves. At every turn, they go out of their way to strip rights away from LGBT Americans. It’s obvious where their priorities lie. I’m tremendously disappointed they decided to go to such extreme lengths today to make life that much harder for so many Americans.”
City Island Memorial Day Parade and Wreath-Laying Ceremonies
CITY ISLAND MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND WREATH-LAYING CEREMONIES TO HONOR THOSE WHO SACRIFICED FOR OUR NATION
The United War Veterans Council (UWVC) — organizers of the New York City Veterans Day Parade — calls on Bronx residents to remember this Memorial Day Weekend those who have sacrificed for us by participating in the City Island Memorial Day Parade and other events on Monday, May 30.
The Parade begins 1:45 p.m. at City Island Ave. & Belden St. Prior to the parade UWVC will participate in two wreath-laying ceremonies in the area: the first, 10:30 a.m. at Bicentennial Veteran Memorial Park (Throgs Neck Expressway at Pennyfield and Elisworth Aves.); and the second, 11:15 a.m. at Throgs Neck Memorial Post – American Legion (1456 Shore Dr.).
The UWVC is working with community groups throughout the metropolitan area to help organize and promote memorials, parades and other Memorial Day-related events.
WHAT: CITY ISLAND MEMORIAL DAY PARADE & WREATH-LAYING CEREMONIES
WHEN: MONDAY, MAY 30
WHERE: 1:45 P.M. (PARADE)
CITY ISLAND AVE. & BELDEN ST.
10:30 A.M. (WREATH-LAYING)
BICENTENNIAL VETERAN MEMORIAL PARK
THROGS NECK EXPRESSWAY AT PENNYFIELD/ELISWORTH AVES.
11:15 A.M. (WREATH-LAYING)
THROGS NECK MEMORIAL POST – AMERICAN LEGION
1456 SHORE DR.
BRONX, NY
COST: FREE
BP DIAZ RE: Compromise on Puerto Rico’s Debt Crisis/PROMESA
“After more than a year of negotiation and advocacy by my office and many others, I am pleased to see an important first step between the White House and Congress on the future fiscal health of the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, H.R. 5278, the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA).
“This bipartisan compromise, while certainly not perfect, is a tremendous step forward and offers many of the solutions that I and others have been advocating for. Although access to bankruptcy courts would have been preferred, we are encouraged by the bill’s provision to allow Puerto Rico to reduce repayments to creditors. However, the process for appointing members of the proposed control board must ensure that the individuals selected protect the best interests of the Puerto Rican government and its people.
“There is still much work needed to be done by Congress to update and revise the Puerto Rican economic regulatory framework. Health care must be delivered more effectively, import costs reduced and infrastructure investments made so that Puerto Rico has greener energy solutions and is prepared for the dramatic changes already being produced by climate change.
“I thank the White House and Congress for taking the concerns of the Puerto Rican government, its citizens and their advocates on the mainland seriously and working towards this agreement. I especially want to thank those who have worked assiduously on this compromise, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand; and Reps. Nydia Velázquez, Jose Serrano and Luis Gutiérrez.
“The people of Puerto Rico are American citizens, and they deserve the same rights and protections as their countrymen,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW - CHARLES BARRON IS RIGHT: OUR CHILDREN CAN’T TAKE 3 MORE YEARS OF FAILURE
BY Senator Rev Rubén DÃaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York
You should know that in 2002, when I was elected to the New York City Council, I was one of the first Councilmembers to work to support Mayoral Control of New York City’s public school system under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
After years of seeing our public school education system fail our children, especially our Black and Hispanic children, I have decided that this Mayoral Control should not be allowed to continue.
You should also know that Assemblyman Charles Barron, a Democrat from Brooklyn, made one of his most passionate speeches during the Assembly Session on May 17, 2016. His speech was followed by a round of applause from his colleagues.
Charles Barron pleaded for the Assembly to stop giving total control to Mayor de Blasio for a school system of 1.1 million children and a $24 billion dollar budget. He said that Mayor de Blasio wants to be held accountable, but Charles Barron says the Mayor is already accountable, insisting that the reason Mayor de Blasio really wants the control is for the billions of dollars in contracts.
“Contracts … contracts,” repeated Charles Barron, “people are making millions of dollars off of a failing school system.” He detailed how “test taking companies get multi-billion dollar contracts to make these tests” that do nothing for our children and their families except to cause stress.
Charles Barron reminded everyone of one excuse being used to push this legislation through: “Bloomberg had control so why not de Blasio?” He asked how we could give “one single man who is clueless about education” this kind of power, citing to Bloomberg’s choice of Cathy Black as an example of someone “so incompetent.”
It is important for you to know that while Charles Barron agreed that the Department of Education’s Chancellor Fariña is an educator, he qualified that fact by saying how “she is implementing the same policies as Bloomberg.”
You should know that Charles Barron stressed how our children are not being prepared for college: “If a Black child doesn’t get an education, their pipeline is going to be to prison,” and “the diplomas our children are receiving are not worth the paper and ink they are on.”
He continued by explaining how 78% of New York City public high school graduates, if they attend any of the New York City CUNY Colleges to continue their education, “need remediation because they were not properly educated.”
Another fact that Charles Barron presented to his colleagues is: “In New York City, the #1 city in the world, where we brag about democracy, parents have no control of the budget of what happens to their children.”
I completely agree with Charles Barron and his insistence that the Legislature only extend Mayoral Control for one year, and to include a Commission that would let experts review the current system and devise a way to let our children be properly educated so they could attend college or a trade school and compete in our global economy.
As my colleagues in the Senate, especially my Black and Hispanic colleagues, examine the merits of extending Mayoral Control of Schools in the New York City school district, I urge them to carefully consider what Charles Barron says, and to take his recommendations very seriously.
Our children cannot take 3 more years of failure.
I am Senator Reverend Rubén DÃaz, and this is what you should know.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
It seems that State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. is right on the money here, and I rarely if ever agree with Councilman Charles Barrons, but they are both right when it comes to Mayoral Control of the public schools.
Why is it that charter schools can operate better on lower budgets? The answer is they are accountable to their Board of Directors, the state, parents, and do not have the bureaucracy of the New York City Department of Education. The mayor must admit that Mayoral Control is a failure, and try to come up with a system of school governance that involves everyone, and that will make all schools better.
That is 'What You Should Know'.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Bronx Democratic County Committee - Upcoming Events
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In solidarity,
The Bronx Democratic County Committee
1640 Eastchester Rd.
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