REPRESENTATIVE ADRIANO ESPAILLAT URGES NEW YORK STATE DREAM ACT TO BE RENAMED IN HONOR OF SENATOR JOSE PERALTA

  Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement on the sudden passing of New York State Senator José R. Peralta.  In a letter to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, and New York State Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Rep. Espaillat has urged that the New York State DREAM Act be renamed in honor of Senator Peralta’s legacy and in recognition of his steadfast leadership and unyielding desire to see the DREAM Act passed and signed into law.

“It was my privilege as a fellow Dominican-American to serve with Senator José R. Peralta, who was an honorable steward of the public trust and tireless representative for communities in Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and Woodside,” said Rep. Espaillat (NY-13). “As a main sponsor of the New York state DREAM Act, Senator Peralta believed wholeheartedly that we each have an obligation to ensure equal opportunities for the advancement of all persons.  Renaming the New York State DREAM Act in his honor would be a fitting tribute to his legacy and the work that will continue for generations to come.

“Respectfully, I ask that when the New York State Legislative Session reconvenes on January 9, 2019, that both the Assembly and Senate come together to rename the New York State DREAM Act in honor of Senator Peralta and upon its passage, that Governor Cuomo sign the bill into law recognizing and codifying its most ardent champion, New York Senator José R. Peralta, into the official record.”

Click here to read Rep. Espaillat’s letter to Governor Cuomo and New York State Senate Leadership in its entirety.

News From Councilman Mark Gjonaj

NYC Council Budget Update

Councilman Mark Gjonaj fought to secure $10,490,000 for Legal Services in the Fiscal 2019 Budget! Legal Services for Low-Income New Yorkers: $5,300,000 Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT): $485,000 Legal Services for the Working Poor: $3,205,000  Low Wage Worker Support: $500,000 Prisoners’ Rights Project: $1,000,000  In 2019, the Administration and the City Council’s collaborative efforts to increase access to civil legal services has resulted in an investment of over $115 million for civil legal services. The City Council will provide approximately $10.5 million for civil legal services to low and middle income New Yorkers for services that include: direct legal representation and brief services on matters that may include civil justice; unemployment insurance; supplemental security income benefits; consumer finance, education; employment; class action cases; legal support for individuals, families and juveniles; housing; and employment. This represents an increase of $1.2 million over 2018.

Tree Planting/Pruning Tree Sidewalk Prog Building Maintenance Con Edison Eviction

Results from Our Last Survey

Thank You for Participating!

Councilman Mark Gjonaj's Weekly Survey

The fact that a city – which is accustom to blizzards and frequent storms – was brought to a halt due to 4” to 6” of snowfall is unacceptable. Instances of school children being stranded in school buses until 9:30pm with many parents left to only guess where their children were, finger pointing among City agencies as to which is to blame. New Yorkers deserve answers!

Do you think the City handled the situation effectively  and in a timely fashion? Yes Select No Select

Do you agree it is time for an investigation following  the unprecedented situation? Yes Select No Select

Small Business Saturday on Arthur Avenue

  NYC Small Business Commissioner Greg Bishop joined City Councilman Mark Gjonaj (Chair of the Small Business Committee) on Arthur Avenue to talk with store owners and shoppers on Small Business Saturday. #ShopLocalShopSmart. 

Above - Councilman Gjonaj is interviewed at the entrance to the Arthur Avenue Retail Market for the local television channel about Small Business Saturday.

Below - Councilman Gjonaj brings Greg Bishop the Commissioner of the NYC Small Business Administration to one of the few remaining fresh butcher shops in the Bronx, located on Arthur Avenue.  

Above - Commissioner Bishop buys a cigar cutter at one of the two cigar stores on Arthur Avenue.

Below - Commissioner Bishop shows off his new Bronx cap he purchased from the store behind him, with Councilman Gjonaj and members of the Arthur Avenue Merchants Association. Commissioner Bishop also learned of some of the problems plaguing the Arthur Avenue shopping area, including the lack of parking for customers who come by car. 

Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Meeting

   Councilman Mark Gjonaj, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, and representatives of the 49th Precinct attended the monthly Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association meeting, which was well attended. Members of the community asked several questions about 'quality of life' concerns that have become more apparent in the community. Councilman Gjonaj and Assemblywoman Fernandez answered most of the questions, and Councilman Gjonaj invited residents to sign up for his meet and greet and his weekly newsletter.

Above - Councilman Gjonaj answers a question from a member of the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association. PPNA President Edith Blitzer holds up some small stickers for residents to place on illegally parked cars to give the owners a warning. 

Below - Sonny Vataj owner of Exit Reality thanks Councilman Gjonaj for his service to the community. Mr. Vataj also brought some turkeys to give out to the community.

Later on after the meeting

Above- After the meeting I turned the corner onto Lydig Avenue and after going two blocks I found this. It looks worse than it was.

Below - Firemen can be seen going up crawl spaces from the P & T Laundromat located at 786 Lydig Avenue. Firemen had to go to the roof to make sure the fire was completely out before leaving.

Weekend Traffic Advisory for November 24 - 26 and November 28, 2018

 HOLIDAY SEASON GRIDLOCK ALERT UNTIL JANUARY 2, 2019

                                  Saturday, November 24, 2018

  

STONE STREET PEDESTRIAN MALL (DAILY) (March 16, to November 30, 2018)

Manhattan: 10am - 11pm

Locations:

• Stone Street between Hanover Square and Broad Street
• Mill Lane between Stone Street and South William Street (Pedestrian Streets)

Closure: Same as locations

  

                                  Sunday, November 25, 2018

                                  

                                     NO SCHEDULED EVENTS              

                                  Monday, November 26, 2018

  

WINTER’S EVE AT LINCOLN SQUARE

Manhattan: 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Locations:

• Columbus Avenue between 67th Street and 62nd Street
• Broadway between 68th Street and 60th Street
• Columbus Circle between 60th Street and 58th Street
• 61st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 62nd Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue
• 63rd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 64th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 65th Street between Central Park West and Amsterdam Avenue

Closure: At the discretion of NYPD

                                   Wednesday November 28, 2018

 

ROCKEFELLER TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

Manhattan: At the discretion of NYPD

Locations:

• 46th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 47th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 48th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 49th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 50th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 51st Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 52nd Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• Rockefeller Plaza between 48th Street and 51st Street
• 6th Avenue between 46th Street and 52nd Street
• 5th Avenue between 46th Street and 52nd Street

Closure: @ NYPD’s discretion

NYPD and New York City Police Foundation Unveil Redesigned Substation at Crossroads of the World

High Tech Enhancements Arrive at Times Square Outpost Ahead of Holiday Season

  The NYPD and New York City Police Foundation, together with other dignitaries, marked the beginning of the busy holiday season with the unveiling of the newly renovated NYPD Times Square Substation. A centerpiece in the heart of New York City, the Times Square NYPD Substation is a state-of-the-art building advancing the Department's security efforts for the hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors who pass through the area every day. It will also be a dynamic mechanism from which the Department can share information and engage with the public in a significant way.

The New York City Police Foundation provided funding support for the project, including a generous gift of $1 million from Vornado Realty Trust, made possible by Daryl Roth, Broadway Producer, and Steve Roth, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Vornado Realty Trust. Thomson Reuters and the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation also made major gifts to the New York City Police Foundation in support of the project.

"The NYPD's vastly-improved Times Square Substation enhances our ability to connect with New Yorkers and the millions of visitors to our great city each year," said Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill. "To push violence and disorder down past already record-lows, it is imperative that our cops keep building trust and strengthening relationships with all the people we serve. The New York City Police Foundation is bolstering that mission by funding this important project and supporting our Neighborhood Policing philosophy. I thank the Foundation for its unwavering support of the men and women of the NYPD, and for helping our cops safely protect everyone in an effective, efficient, and professional manner."

"Millions of families and tourists come to Times Square every year to see and experience the bustling metropolis of New York City — the Crossroads of the World," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "This new substation will help keep every visitor safe, and ensure that Times Square remains a popular destination site for years to come."

"This tremendous project is another great example of the strong public-private partnership that exists between the New York City Police Foundation and the NYPD," said Andrew Tisch, Chairman of the Board, New York City Police Foundation. "Together, we were able to complete the renovation and redesign of one of the NYPD's most visible outposts, efficiently and at a reduced cost, all while allowing the NYPD to continue to focus on their important work of keeping everyone who visits and calls New York home safe."

Located on 43rd Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue — at the "Crossroads of the World" — the newly renovated facility serves as the functional base of operations for the NYPD in Times Square. The 1,200 square foot, glass and steel building reflects the new dynamic of Times Square and enhances the business environment, while providing increased surveillance and security. Using modern technologies to further engage with the public, the facility features interactive technologies that will make the police department's presence in Times Square more visible and accessible.

News From New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli

Remember to Read Fine Print on Gift Cards This Holiday Season

State Comptroller DiNapoli is urging New Yorkers to read the fine print on gift cards this holiday season for details about fees and expiration dates. While some gift card sellers have done away with inactivity fees, consumers should still ask whether fees apply.

CITY OFFICIALS CELEBRATE SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY WITH TOURS OF BRONX NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES

  TODAY, November 24th, NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Gregg Bishop will celebrate Small Business Saturday with two commercial corridor tours in the Bronx. The tours will promote shopping small this holiday season and will provide an opportunity for local businesses to ask questions and learn about free resources to help their businesses thrive.

11:00AM - Arthur Avenue Small Business Tour with Council Member Mark Gjonaj, Small Business Committee Chair, and the Belmont Business Improvement District 

Tour will depart from the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, 2344 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

2:00PM - Third Avenue Small Business Tour with the Third Avenue Business Improvement District 

Tour will depart from the Roberto Clemente Plaza, 530 Willis Ave, Bronx, NY 10455

Bronx Metro-North Station Area Study - Morris Park Public Workshop/Open House

Please join us and help plan around coming Metro-North service in your neighborhood! Morris Park Public Workshop and Open House

Join us for a public workshop/open house and help plan around future Metro-North service in your neighborhood! The interactive self-paced event is an important opportunity for the community to join city agencies to plan around future Metro-North service – share your local expertise, hear from your neighbors, contribute your ideas to plan around the station area, consider what the service means for jobs, health, housing, youth and more.  Activities will be self-paced and participants can come when they wish and stay for as long as they are able to.

WHEN Tuesday, December 11, 2018 4PM–7PM (Self-paced activities. Come when you wish and stay for long as you are able to.)

WHERE 1300 Morris Park Ave Lubin Hall Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Light refreshments will be provided. For any questions or special needs, please email bmns@planning.nyc.gov or call 718 220 8500

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