I wish I could have gotten to the Bronx 1 Pride event today to see U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. I hear that he had two interns stand around for over an hour until he came so they could walk around with signs Senator Schumer supports the LGBTQ community.
Hey Bill this is how you do it. Have one intern on either side of you holding signs that you support the LGBTQ community.
There was no LGBT Pride Celebration in 2020, and in 2021 the celebration was held outdoors of the Riverdale Y in Riverdale. The crowd was smaller than in the past when the event was held at Billy's Sports Bar on East 161St Street, but everyone who attended was glad there was a celebration this year. On a sad note this will be the last LGBT event that Bronx BP Diaz Jr. will be hosting (due to term-limits), and many said they hope the celebration begun by Diaz Jr. continues with the next Bronx Borough President.
Two of the five candidates running to replace Diaz Jr, were in attendance. Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez and Councilwoman Vanesa Gibson. Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark and Councilman Eric Dinowitz were also in attendance.
(L-R) Assemblywoman Fernandez, Councilman Dinowitz, Honoree Michael Beau Ivory, and Justin Sanchez of BP Diaz's office.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Hank Gutman today announced both immediate and long-term safety improvements to McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn, where teacher Matthew Jensen was recently killed in another instance of traffic violence. The City will fully redesign the corridor, including immediate safety enhancements and a full corridor redesign in 2022, with a commitment of $39 million in capital funding.
Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity is 0.47%—Has Declined for 67 Consecutive Days
Statewide Positivity Yesterday was 0.37%
90,801 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours—Statewide Vaccination Rate is 69.2%
709 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide
11 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combatting COVID-19.
"New Yorkers are getting vaccinated in greater numbers every single day, and that means we can take action to reopen the economy, put people back to work and resume normal lives," Governor Cuomo said. "More shots in more arms is the key to our future, and we're offering exciting incentives to encourage New Yorkers across the state that today is the day to get their shots. I encourage everyone eligible who hasn't yet been vaccinated to take advantage of a free $20 lottery ticket or chance to win a SUNY or CUNY Scholarship—let's put this pandemic in the rear view mirror for good."
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
AG’s Office Will Troubleshoot Voting Issues During Early Voting and on Election Day
“New Yorkers should be able to exercise their right to vote with confidence and ease," said Attorney General James. “As some states move to limit voting rights, we are doubling down on voter protection and support. This hotline will address any challenges voters face across the state and provide guidance for those casting a ballot. My office is committed to ensuring New Yorkers are able to vote safely and effectively and will do everything in its power to protect fair and equal elections.”
Attorney General James urges voters experiencing problems to call the OAG’s Hotline at 1-800-771-7755, submit complaints online, or email election.hotline@ag.ny.gov to request election-related assistance in advance of the election. The hotline and digital forms are accessible in multiple languages. The hotline will open on Saturday, June 12, 2021 and will run between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM through Sunday, June 20, 2021 for the entire early voting period, and between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 (Election Day). Written requests for election-related assistance may be submitted at any time through the online complaint form. Hotline calls and written requests for election-related assistance are processed by attorneys and staff in the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau.
The OAG has operated the voter access hotline since November 2012. During previous elections, the OAG fielded hundreds — and sometimes thousands — of complaints from voters across the state and worked with local election officials and others to address issues.
Attorney General James reminds all registered voters that they have the right to accessible elections. In addition, all registered voters have the right to vote free from coercion or intimidation, whether by election officials or any other person.
Saturday June 12th begins Early Voting for Primary Day 2021, which will run nine days and end on Sunday June 20th. Primary Day where more than eighty-five percent of the voting occurs is Tuesday June 22nd. This year Rank Choice Voting will be used in all but the race for Judges in the Bronx. Rank Choice voting allows the voter to rank up to five candidates in their order of preference, but you can still only rank just one candidate. As was in the special elections the candidate(s) at the top of the ballot in each race have an advantage over candidates lower in the listing.
This year there is a Republican Primary for Mayor between Curtis Swila and Fernando Mateo.
There are thirteen candidates running for mayor on the Democratic line, and the media has been ripping many of the top choices. One had two women now come forward about unwanted sexual advances, one has had residency doubts cast, another who calls for less police lives in a 2.7 million dollar home with private security, another has her campaign fall apart due to her campaign workers wanting to unionize, then there are the candidates who are long on talk. but short on the issues facing the city in the next four years. My prediction is that when all the dust settles we may have our first woman mayor, and a Latina at that in Kathryn Garcia.
The Public Advocate race has only three candidates, and it looks like the current Public Advocate Jumanne Williams should breeze to an easy victory.
The City Comptroller race to replace Scott Stringer has ten candidates on the ballot lead by soon to be former City Council speaker Corey Johnson, along with former AOC challenger and MSNBC Financial analyst Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, Councilman Brad lander and seven others. Those three are the leading candidates, and we will see how Rank Choice Voting affects this race.
Bhe Bronx Borough President race has five candidates: two City Council members, one Assemblywoman, one state Senator, and one novice to politics. All signs are pointing to Councilman Fernando Cabrera as the next Bronx Borough President, but there are forces trying to have Assemblywoman Nathailia Fernandez put Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson as her #2 choice.
Bronx City Council Races.
11th - Incumbent Eric Dinowitz should breeze to an easy win much like in the special election. It will be a close race to see who comes in second between special election 2nd place finisher Mino Lora, and Abigail Martin who sat out the special election. 80th A.D. District leader Marcos Sierra is really mad that he did not get the endorsement of the Bronx Democratic Party, especially since he seconded the nomination of State Senator Jamaal Bailey for County Leader, mentioning what great friends they are, or were. Mino Lora has the endorsement of State Senators Alessandria Biaggi and Gustavo Rivera again, and it would be a blow to them if she was to come in third.
12th - Can Kevin Riley hold off his two challengers as the Bronx Democratic Party will be stretched thin this year with challenges to all their Bronx Democratic Party candidates.
13th - It appears to be Marjorie Velazquez's to lose with AOC's endorsement, but candidate Velazquez is apparently getting help from a building developers PAC, which is a No No for anyone with an AOC or her PAC;s endorsement.
14th - Too wide open to call, but it may come down to Yudelka Tapia and Perrina Sanchez, The AOC Pac has endorsed candidate Sanchez and candidate Abreu in this race.
15th - We would love to see Special Election winner Oswald Feliz lose, but he is doing everything he can to lose by not showing up for community meetings. He has missed two Community Board 11 meetings, and apparently the same is true for CB 6. With Elisa Crespo out of the race, Ischia Bravo who came in second should be the winner especially since current Councilman Feliz has a much weaker lead in candidate in the number one spot to drop votes down to him.
16th - Althea Stevens the Bronx Democratic Party candidate or Male District Leader Yevs Filus which the Party chose not to endorse, going with Ms. Stevens instead,
17th - Incumbent Rafael Salamanca should win in the first round, but former candidate Lattinad Brown is mounting a write-in campaign after being thrown off the ballot by the Bronx Democratic Party.
18th - It looked like easy sailing for repeat candidate Amanda Farias until Community Board 9 District Manager William Rivera entered the race. Now it looks like a slam dunk for what may be the former District manager. That's even with the AOC PAC endorsing Farias and also repeat candidate Michael Beltzer who got the endorsement of his good friend Samelys Lopez who ran for Congress with the backing of AOC.
This political column is the opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the view of this newspaper. Any questions about this column should be sent to 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com Mr. Robert Press.
Margaret Garnett, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced the arrest today of an Inspector with the City Department of Buildings (“DOB”) in connection with the undisclosed secondary employment of the Inspector while on approved leave from the DOB, collecting both his City pay while on leave and pay from secondary employment. DOI initiated an investigation after the DOB referred this matter to DOI. The investigation was worked in partnership with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and DOB.
KEVIN MORONEY, 52 of Brooklyn, N.Y., was charged today with one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony. Upon conviction, a class D felony is punishable by up to seven years in prison.
DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said, “This defendant not only concealed that he was working another job, while he told the City he was unable to perform his City position, but took a second job in the very industry in which he had oversight, according to the charges. Working for a company in the construction industry, while a City Buildings Inspector, is not only prohibited but compromises the very integrity of that role. DOI was pleased to work with the Buildings Department and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office on this investigation.”
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance said, ““Our relentless focus on corruption in construction and development continues with this indictment of a Buildings Inspector who stole from the City and violated the public trust amid a fiscal crisis and rising unemployment. Thanks to innovative partnerships like our Construction Fraud Task Force, our office continues to hold those who engage in fraud, wage theft, and safety violations accountable, and we encourage anyone with information about these practices to contact us on WhatsApp at (646) 712-0298. I thank Commissioner Garnett and our colleagues at DOI for their meticulous investigation and continued collaboration.”
City Buildings Commissioner Melanie E. La Rocca said, “Our inspectors are expected to uphold our values of safety and integrity, and we have zero tolerance for employees who violate the public trust. I want to thank DOI for their thorough investigation on behalf of the people of New York City."
According to the indictment and DOI’s investigation, the defendant was a Construction Inspector assigned to DOB’s Construction Safety Compliance unit. As a Construction Inspector, the defendant’s duties included inspecting construction sites to ensure compliance with the Building Code and all applicable construction-related rules and regulations. On or about September 15, 2020, the defendant went on approved leave citing, among other things, difficulty with walking and lifting heavy objects. Under the terms of his approved leave, the defendant was prohibited from any secondary employment while out on leave, and as a DOB employee, the defendant was prohibited from working in any capacity within the construction industry, at any time. On or about January 6, 2021, during the course of a routine DOB inspection of a construction site located in Brooklyn, the defendant was observed on the site, while he was on approved leave at the time. The investigation found that on or about August 28, 2020, the defendant was hired by Royal Home Improvements, Inc., to identify potential construction violations on their sites and that he was working for Royal Home Improvements in that capacity during the January 6, 2021 inspection. Additionally, the investigation found that while the defendant was working as an employee of Royal Home Improvements, the defendant continued to collect his DOB salary, a value of approximately $5,489.
MORONEY has been employed at the DOB since December 2018 and receives an annual salary of approximately $61,800. DOB has served MORONEY with termination papers.
Commissioner Garnett thanked Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., and his staff, for their partnership on and prosecution of the case. Commissioner Garnett also thanked DOB Commissioner Melanie E. La Rocca and her staff for their cooperation on this investigation.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty
Thank God It's Friday, right Charlene? I've cut my workweek down to four days a week, and since July 4th falls on a Sunday we have a four day de Blasio weekend.
Let's stay indoors until all those ATF agents get to New York, and clean up the city of all the violence. Who cares what Maya Wiley says about me, I still was her boss. Now Katheryn Garcia did everything I told her to do, and she did it well, as a matter of fact she probably was one of my best workers, no better yet my best commissioner.
Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity is 0.47% - Has Declined for 66 Consecutive Days - Lowest in the Nation per Johns Hopkins University
104,488 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours - 11 Million New Yorkers Have Now Received at Least One Dose - Statewide Vaccination Rate is 69.2%
State-Run Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Sites Demobilizing as Demand for Testing Drops 88% from January to May
9 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combatting COVID-19.
Governor Cuomo also announced the demobilizing of state-run drive-through COVID-19 testing sites across New York State beginning Friday, June 11. These testing site closures follow historically low positivity rates and an 88 percent decrease in drive-through testing demand from January to May 2021, allowing the State to focus its resources on getting more New Yorkers vaccinated. As New York State rapidly approaches the goal of a 70 percent vaccination rate, and with the abundance of various testing options in all areas of the State, the dependence on drive-through testing has dramatically decreased.
"New Yorkers have embodied the spirit of what it means to be New York Tough and it is because of their determination to defeat COVID-19 that we are able to demobilize these testing sites," Governor Cuomo said. "Since our nation-leading testing program began in March 2020, over 57 million tests have been conducted in New York State, with 1.6 million at our drive-through sites. This incredible effort was made possible through partnerships with our State agencies, their dedicated workforce, health care providers and the National Guard and I cannot thank them enough for their service to New Yorkers. I encourage all who are eligible to get vaccinated so we can continue our work to return to normalcy and reimagine a stronger, better and healthier New York."
As drive-through testing sites begin to demobilize, no current drive-through testing appointments will be impacted. Demobilization will begin tomorrow with the following state-run drive-through sites:
Friday, June 11
Bronx - Lehman College
2925 Goulden Avenue
Bronx, New York
Brooklyn - Brooklyn Developmental Center
888 Fountain Avenue
Brooklyn, New York
Erie County - Buffalo Sabres Lot
Buffalo Sabres Lot
125 Perry Street
Buffalo, New York
Nassau County - Jones Beach State Park
Roosevelt Nature Center
1 Ocean Parkway
Wantagh, New York
Oneida County - Griffiss International Airport
Griffiss International Airport
800 Ellsworth Road
Rome, New York
Staten Island - Staten Island Seaview Avenue
OMH South Beach
777 Seaview Avenue
Staten Island, New York
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
· Test Results Reported - 139,492
· Total Positive - 566
· Percent Positive - 0.41%
· 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 0.47%
· Patient Hospitalization - 758 (-19)
· Patients Newly Admitted - 105
· Patients in ICU - 190 (-5)
· Patients in ICU with Intubation - 113 (-7)
· Total Discharges - 183,346 (+96)
· Deaths - 9
· Total Deaths - 42,833
· Total vaccine doses administered - 19,820,785
· Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 104,488
· Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 594,115
· Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 66.9%
· Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 59.3%
· Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 69.2%
· Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 60.3%
· Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 55.2%
· Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 48.2%
· Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 57.2%
· Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 48.9%
NYC PARKS TO REOPEN 13 RECREATION CENTERS TO MEMBERS MONDAY, JUNE 14, WITH NEW HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES
Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP announced that on Monday, June 14, the first phase of recreation center reopenings will begin with the opening of 13 centers to existing members; two additional recreation centers will reopen to members on Wednesday, June 23. To ensure proper social distancing and prevent overcrowding, initially, recreation centers will only be open to members who were active as of March of 2020.
“Recreation centers sit at the heart of so many communities, providing New Yorkers of all ages the chance to participate in athletics and a variety of other programming,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “As we take these steps to reopen safely, I encourage everyone who isn’t vaccinated already to get their shot today.”
“As our city continues to take great strides in recovering and reopening, we are thrilled to begin the process of reopening our recreation centers for New Yorkers to enjoy,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “While we are excited to begin reopening our centers, we urge everyone to get vaccinated and continue to follow mask and social distancing guidance, so that we may fully emerge, together, from this pandemic.”
NYC PARKS RECREATION CENTER REOPENINGS:
June 14, 2021: Hunts Point (BX), Brownsville (BK), Hansborough (MN), Alfred E. Smith (MN), Highbridge (MN), Rec Center 54 (MN), Thomas Jefferson (MN), Tony Dapolito (MN), Al Oerter (QN), Lost Battalion Hall (QN), Greenbelt (SI), Lyons (SI), Faber (SI),
June 23, 2021: McCarren (BK), and Ocean Breeze (SI).
As a precaution due to COVID-19, several new policies are being implemented to keep recreation members safe. The reopened centers will operate at reduced capacity, and mask wearing is required for all. Recreation center equipment has been arranged to promote social distancing and shared equipment will be cleaned frequently. Indoor pools remain closed to the public at this time.
Parks recreation centers were closed in March 2020 as a result of the pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, recreation centers were repurposed in support of COVID-19 related services including youth education and childcare services, COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and mask and food distribution hubs.
Since 1910, the NYC Parks has provided the most affordable and extensive network of recreational services throughout New York City. Parks’ 36 recreation centers offer facilities such as indoor pools, weight rooms, basketball courts, and dance studios, art studios, game rooms, and libraries. All recreation centers also offer a range of programs for people of all ages.
Hours of operation vary - please visit Parks’ Recreation Center page for more information: nycgovparks.org/facilities/
Includes Pending Cases and Bench Warrants
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that the Supervising Judge of Bronx Criminal Court, George A. Grasso, granted her Office’s motion to dismiss more than 6,000 cases that involved the charge of misdemeanor marijuana possession or sale, during a proceeding today in the Bronx Hall of Justice.
District Attorney Clark said, “The Legislature has de-criminalized the possession and sale of small amounts of marijuana to right the wrong of disproportionate enforcement and arrests in communities of color like the Bronx. We had long stopped prosecuting these offenses because they were not a threat to public safety, and they gave people a criminal record that had negative collateral consequences on employment, housing, education, and immigration.
“Our application today is part of my Office’s pursuit of justice with integrity. There is no purpose in spending prosecutorial and judicial resources on conduct that the Legislature has decriminalized. Since Article 221 has been repealed, there is no longer any basis to continue the prosecution of open cases that contain a sole charge of misdemeanor marijuana possession and/or sale, or keep active warrants related to these matters, so we have moved to dismiss 6,089 cases.”
Administrative Judge Grasso said, “Today is a historic day in Bronx Criminal Court. Our Criminal Justice System has responded swiftly to the actions and intent of the New York State Legislature with respect to over six thousand pending and closed matters relating to Marijuana charges. This means that thousands of individuals (many who are young people of color) can now go about their business without being under the cloud of a criminal matter. I take pride in our Court’s continuing partnership with the Office of the District Attorney and the Defense Bar in our efforts to effect fair and impartial justice in Bronx County!”
Peter Jones, Attorney-In-Charge of the Bronx Trial Office at The Legal Aid Society, said, “We thank DA Darcel Clark for agreeing to dismiss thousands of marijuana cases for expungable offenses, and appreciate her recognition that continued prosecution for matters that have been legalized is unjust. For decades, our clients shouldered the brunt of marijuana prohibition, losing years of their lives ensnared in the criminal legal system and denied meaningful employment, housing and other opportunities. These dismissals are critical for our clients, the majority from communities of color, who can now move on with their lives.”
District Attorney Clark appeared before Judge Grasso in his courtroom today to declare, “In the furtherance of justice, the People move to dismiss 6,089 cases with sole charge of misdemeanor possession or sale of marijuana.” This total includes 2,441 summonses, 1,998 pending cases with 1,974 open warrants, and 1,650 cases in which a plea was entered and there is an open warrant based upon the failure to complete a sentence.
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