100 PERCENT Saturday January 23, 2015

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

17th City Council Special Election 

   First, if you have not looked outside the second largest snow fall in the history of NYC fell yesterday. A total of 26 inches, missing the record by only a few snow flakes. So how did it go yesterday? It seems that Governor Andrew Cuomo trumped Mayor Bill de Blasio once again by declaring a State of Emergency for the New York City Metro area, and it seemed that no one gave the mayor advance warning. The Governor also put a travel ban into effect, stopped bus and above ground rail service in the afternoon, and again it looked like the mayor could only confirm what the governor did. Both the Governor and Mayor had several press conferences during the day, and they were always separate from one another. I was waiting to see the Governor's choice to run against Mayor de Blasio at one of his announcements, but that did not happen, or did it? Anyway Mayor de Blasio will come out a loser no matter what he does, and right now he was only able to suspend alternate side of the street parking for Monday. What about school, and will the streets be cleared of snow so school buses can run and safely pick up and drop off children? 

  On to the 17th City Council Special Election. 11 candidates filed petitions by the close of the Board of elections deadline. The names include Rafael Salamanca, Julio Pabon, George Alvarez, Joann Otero, Marlin Molina, J. Loren Russell, John Perez, Carlton Curry, Amanda Septimo, Elliot Quinones, and Helen Hunt. 

  Former Assemblyman turned journalist Michael Benjamin has reported that candidates Curry and Hunt will be thrown off the ballot for not filing an acceptance of the nomination, and that the petition of Amanda Septimo will be thrown out for having the word Democratic on the petition in an non partisan election. 

  I have been told other candidates may also fall as the challenges are heard by the Board of Elections and then the court challenges are heard. The Bronx Democratic County organization under the leadership of Assemblyman Marcos Crespo whose assembly district just happens to be part of the 17th City Council district is heavily involved in the candidacy of Rafael Salamanca the current District Manager of Bronx Community Board #2. Elected officials have maxed out on contributions to Salamanca's campaign. and it looks like there may be some problems as to just when Salamanca was a candidate for the city council, and his use of the community board office for political gain. I am sure the NYC Conflict of Interest Board is looking into this, and I would not be surprised to see an investigation by the U.S. Attorney's office. 

  One question is, Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo may have jumped the gun by announcing on Saturday December 18, 2015, after interviewing candidates who were interested in running for the soon to be vacant 17th City Council Special Election, that the Bronx Democratic County organization has chosen Rafael Salamanca as its candidate. The Bronx Democratic County Executive Director Mr. Anthony Perez later tried to downplay this by saying that the Bronx Democratic County Organization has not officially made its choice. Mr. Anthony Perez is also a member of a Bronx Community Board. 

  Candidate Julio Pabon was also interviewed by the Bronx Democratic County organization before December 18, 2015 for the not yet vacant 17th City Council seat, and it is said that Pabon thought the choice was already made. This are other Conflicts of Interest by Bronx Community Board #2 District Manager Salamanca. Salamanca also was campaigning at various Christmas events held by State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. I attended two such events that were held in Public Schools where Mr. Salamanca was electioneering while still being the District Manager of Bronx Community Board #2. It appears that there are other problems with Mr. Salamanca's campaign, and even Bronx Community Board #2 that needs to be investigated further. I submitted a Freedom of Information Letter to Bronx Community Board #2 requesting six items including minutes of general and Executive Board meeting that are part of Mr. Salamanca's job, but unavailable for viewing, if they do exist. In fact I was able to get hold of the October 29, 2014 minutes of the general meeting that was held at Urban Health Plan 1054 Simpson Street. On Mr. Salamanca's Campaign Finance Disclosure statement are contributions from about a dozen employees of Urban Health Plan. I thank the person who sent that to me. It appears that there needs to be much more investigation into Bronx Community Board #2 District Manager Rafael Salamanca, Bronx Community Board #2, and the Bronx Democratic County organization. I would suggest to candidate Rafael Salamanca that he withdraw from the 17th City Council Special Election now. More in upcoming columns, and there is a candidates forum scheduled for Wednesday January 27th at the Pregones Theater located at 575 Walton Avenue starting at 5:30 PM running until 9 PM. From the look at the listing of topics for questions that Mr. Benjamin posted, it looks to be geared to someone in the position of a Land Use Committee Chairman or Community Board District Manager.  

  If you have any political information (especially about the 17th City Council special election) that you want to share or have checked out, any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on this blog, you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.   

    

100 PERCENT Thursday December 24,2015

100 PERCENT 

By Robert Press

Tis The Holiday Season

    You would never know that Christmas Eve is today, as the temperature hit a record 70+ degrees. While Chanukah Menorahs and Christmas trees have been lit, and winter has begun not one real snowflake has fallen. Weather predictions are 'No snow until the New Year', and then maybe sometime in mid January if it is cold enough. What will this all mean comes opening day for the 2016 Baseball season? How many opening day games might be snowed out? Will it be to cold to play baseball? We will see the answer to those questions in a few short months. Maybe that is the good news for the New York Yankees.

     As for politics, it is going to be cold days ahead for former New York State Assembly Speaker  (and assemblyman) Sheldon Silver, and former New York State Senate Majority Leader (and state Senator) Dean Skelos as they await their respective sentencing dates after being convicted of corruption. There is speculation as to just who is next on the U.S. Attorney's hit list, and we will probably find out shortly after the sentencing of Silver and Skelos. 

     Locally, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda and Public Advocate Leticia James have been able to hold off a 15 - 19 percent increase in common charges at the Parkchester South Condominium scheduled to take effect after Christmas. That is the increase has been postponed until sometime in February unless other means of income can be found for the Parkchester South Condominium. 

   An IDNYC 'Pop Up Site' has popped up at the Kingsbridge Library on West 231st Street in Kingsbridge. Councilman Andrew Cohen and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz were on hand to show off their IDNYC cards. This PopUp Site opened on December 21st and will be at the Kingsbridge Library until January 15th. Check the posting on this blog titled Councilman Cohen Assemblyman Dinowitz and Commissioner in the archive section on the left for more information and a photo of Councilman Cohen, Assemblyman Dinowitz, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs Sona Rai, and others.

     There seems to be no stopping Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump as he can say whatever he wants to whomever he wants to, and does almost anything he wants to do. It kind of makes me think of Bronx State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. Is he a Democrat or Republican as Senator Diaz and Bronx Community Board #2 District Manager Rafael Salamanca hosted a political toy give away at I.S. 216. Why do I say it was a political event you may ask, and the reason ids that the third person who was named on the banner for the event was New York State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox. It is a well known fact that State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. has worked with the Republican leadership in Albany, but it was a surprise to see Bronx Community Board #2 District Manager Rafael Salamanca so chummy with not only the state Republican Chairman Ed Cox, but also the Bronx County Republican Chairman Mr. John Greaney. I wonder what has happen to the Democrats only that Democratic candidates are suppose to run on, but then again Senator Diaz seems to be grooming Mr. Salamanca in his own image.

     Speaking of State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., the annual Diaz Christmas Party held at Maestro's last week was no disappointment. It may have been a little short of elected officials as in past years, but State Senator Diaz, Bronx County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, New Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, 15th Congressional candidate and former Assemblyman Adam Powell, along with several district leaders were on hand as were the almost 500 people there. 

    Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo made it a point to publicly announce that the Bronx Democratic County organization had held interviews of candidates for the soon to be vacant 17th City Council Seat currently held by Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo. Councilwoman Arroyo announced in early November that she would be stepping down at the end of the year 2015 for personal reasons (still unknown). Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo also announced that the choice of the Bronx Democratic County organization for the not yet vacant seat in the 17th City Council district was Mr. Rafael Salamanca the current District Manager of Bronx Community Board #2. I asked County Leader Marcos Crespo how interviews were done for a not yet vacant seat, and with still undeclared candidates. Crespo said the process was done with those interested candidates and the choice was made. 

     I will have much more on the upcoming special election for the not yet vacant 17th City Council seat in upcoming columns. I am being told that the possible pool of candidates is shrinking since the Bronx Democratic County organization has chosen Mr. Salamanca. It seems though that the MC of this event may have a smelly fish on his hands, as the 'Three Bears' in the pool are going to eat up and then spit out the Salmon in the pool. I will have more details next week in the print edition of the Bronx County News January 1st. 

     If you have any political information (especially about the 17th City Council special election) that you want to share or have checked out, any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on this blog, you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

        

100 PERCENT Saturday November 28, 2015

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

Why Should We Be Thankful?

     Another Thanksgiving has passed, and one has to ask the question 'Why Should We Be Thankful This Year?' There may be a few good reasons why, but it seems that there are many more reasons why not. The two former state legislative house leaders are probably going to jail, and one has to wonder who is going to be next? The city is no better off today than it was one year ago, as the homeless situation has reared its ugly head, The public school system is in its worse shape in years, our beloved mayor is trying to push a one size fits all affordable housing plan for everywhere in the city but Manhattan above 14th and below 125th Streets to name a few reasons. Then there is the possibility of war in the Middle East region as a Russian plane was shot down by Turkey during the civil war in Syria.  

  I thought the Sheldon Silver trial would be over before Thanksgiving so we could give thanks that at least another perceived crooked elected official would be headed for jail, but we will have to wait now until the beginning of December for the verdict. As for the case against Dean Skelos it looks like an open and shut case as both the former State Senate leader and his son Adam should be joining others in Club Fed. Once the Silver and Skelos trials are over 'Which elected official is going to be Next' to be charged by the U.S. Attorney. 

   Bronx City Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo announced recently that she will be stepping down as of the end of this year giving no explaination except for family reasons. Could it be that her mother long time Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo will not be seeking re-election next year also? This means that there will be at a special election to fill Councilwoman Arroyo's seat, and the winner of that race will be able to fill out the remainder of Arroyo's term and go for two full terms in the city council. 

   My spies are telling me that there might be another Bronx elected official leaving before his or her term is up this year, and we will have to wait to see if that is true. I could hint at the name, but I do not want to give out any information that has not been confirmed as of yet. 

   There will be a Blood Drive on Monday November 30th at 2018 Williamsbridge Road with Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj. The hours to give blood are 2:30 - 7:00 PM. 

   The North Bronx Democratic Club will be hosting its first Holiday Party with State Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj on Tuesday December 1st, at Maestro's Caterers located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue beginning at 6 PM and running through 9 PM. The Guest of Honor is Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Honorees include Norman Seabrook (Correction Officers Union President), Beatrice Castiglia Catullo (Founder of RAIN Inc,), Joseph Kelleher (President Metro Properties and Chairman of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce), and Meisha Ross Porter (Superintendent Bronx School District 11). You can call 347-256-8719 or email northbronxdems@gmail.com to purchase tickets or for more information.

    The Committee of 100 Democrats will be hosting their first Holiday Party on Tuesday December 15th, which will also be the release date of the new Bronx County News. More on both in next weeks column. This column and its sister column the Riverdale Report will be featured in the Bronx County News. 

      If you have any political information that you want to share or have checked out, any comments about this column, or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce "Good Scout" Award Reception Wed. Dec. 2, 2015

Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce at  the Bronx"Good Scout" Award Reception  Wednesday, December 2, 2015  6:00 P.M. - 9:00P.M.  Click here to PRINT above forms  For More Information Please Email: Jason Tewes at jason.tewes@scouting.com

Annual Bronx Chanukah Celebration Tuesday December 8, 2015

Save the Date   Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.   Annual Bronx Chanukah Celebration & Menorah Lighting Ceremony   Tuesday,  December 8, 2015   12:30 PM   The Bronx County Building Veteran's Memorial Hall 851 Grand Concourse                      RSVP : jlaufer@bronxbp.nyc.gov 718-590-6116

100 Percent Saturday November 21, 2015

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

REJECTED

     That was what the Bronx Borough Board said to the two City Planning Commission proposals called MIH and ZQA when the vote was over. All 12 Bronx Community Boards said no to both even after boards 6 and 9 had originally voted in favor of the two CPC proposals. It seems that both CB 6 and CB 9 were somewhat confused by the quickness of the presentation at their board level, and thought that they had to vote on the night of the presentation to them by CPC. After some clarity, and the second presentation at the borough level both boards that were in favor suddenly realized that Bronxites were united from all over the borough that the MIH and ZQA zoning Text Amendments were wrong for the Bronx and for their community board. 

    All city council members with the exception of council member Mark-Vivirito who abstained, and council members Cabrera and Vacca who were absent voted to reject the MIH and ZQA proposals. Then it was Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.'s turn to vote, and he gave a short speech about what is wrong with the CPC MIH and ZQA proposals, and how the city can not make a one size fits all plan when the 51 neighborhoods of the Bronx are of their own character. What may be good for one neighborhood may not be good for another. BP Diaz's full comments can be found in the archive section of this blog
      Newly elected Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark has formed her transition team in order make the change in the office go as smooth as possible. the entire listing of her transition team can be found in the archive section .
    The Bronx Chamber of Commerce held their annual Veterans Brunch along with a Job/Resource fair last week, and over 200 Veterans from the various wars were in attendance. New President and CEO of the BCC Nunzio Del Greco was introduced by BCC Chairman Joe Kelleher, and Executive Director Michelle Dolgow-Christrofaro announced that she would be leaving the BCC to take a position with State Senator Jeff Klein. Photos of the event can be found on this blog.
      Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, and the North Bronx Democratic Club will be hosting their 1st Holiday Dinner (which is sure to become an annual event) on Tuesday December 1st at Maestro's Caterers located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue from 6 - 9 PM. The Guest of Honor is New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and the Honorees include Norman Seabrook, Beatrice Castiglia Catuillo, Joseph Kelleher, and Meisha Ross Porter. For more information and to purchase tickets and/or journal ad, you can call 347-256-8719, or email northbronxdems@gmail.com. The invitation is also on this blog just check the archive section.
    The trial of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is winding down as closing arguments are due next. The U.S. Attorney tried to carve out a scheme in different ways of Silver receiving 'Kickbacks' better know as client referrals on different occasions from different people. Silvers defense team claims that the U.S. Attorney did not prove its case and rested not calling a witness. We should have a verdict in this case before the first snowfall.
      The trial of former State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his son Adam Skelos began with what seems to me to be an open and shut case of what use to be common in the Bronx. The U.S.Attorney claims that the elder Skelos used his influence as Senate Majority Leader to get his son Adam several no show jobs on different occasions. Is it a coincidence or as many have said 'What goes on in Albany Politics' that one of the same witnesses called by the U.S. Attorney for the Silver trial also testified in the Skelos trial.
     Lastly, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has announced that he is accepting applications for membership on any of the 12 Bronx Community Boards. Community Board members serve two year terms, and half the board members are up for reappointment every year. Some members leave, do not reapply, or in some rare cases are not reappointed to their respective community boards so new members are put on in their place. Applications are available at the Bronx Borough President's Community Board office, your local community board office, or online at bronxboropres.nyc.gov . You can call the BP's Community Board office at 718-590-3914 for more information. The deadline for submission of a community board application for the next round of appointments is February 5, 2916.
      Look for a new newspaper that will be coming out in mid December that will featuire this column and my other column the Riverdale Report. More on this new exciting new newspaper in next column and on this blog.
       If you have any political information that you want to share or have checked out, any comments about this column, or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.
        

100 PERCENT Saturday November 14, 2015

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

Follow The Money 

    

       In the latest corruption trial against a New York State elected official it is Follow the Money. Did former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver receive what is being called 'Kick Backs' for client referrals. It seems that is what U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara is trying to prove to a jury. The U.S. Attorney started out by trying to prove Silver steered money for cancer research, by collecting fees for referrals to a private law firm.   The U.S. Attorney then went after a real estate company that was doing business with the state also saying that Silver received referral fees. However the crushing blow to Silver may come early next week as the U.S. Attorney is expected to call Mike Whyland who served as Silver's spokesperson when Silver was the Assembly Speaker. By the way Mike Whyland now is working for the current Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. 

   Bronx Councilman Andy King has been fined $17,000.00 and ordered to repay $26,971.00 in matching funds by the NYC Campaign Finance Board. The CFB said that in 2013 the King campaign payed his wife $7,000.00 without filing the proper paperwork to justify the expense which was filed almost one year after the election. King also charged his campaign $3,568.70 for a Verizon phone line at his house, while he also had billed the campaign for a separate office phone line. 

   As we mentioned in two previous postings, why is it so important that the mayor's Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, and Zoning for Quality and Affordability City Planning Commission Text Amendments be rushed through and jammed down the throats of the people of New York City? Follow the Money, and you will find that some of New York City's largest players have joined together to help the MIH and ZQA along. So what's in it for them you may ask? If the two zoning text amendments are passed there may be no control of what your neighborhood may look like in a few years. One chapter in the book 'Follow the Money'  is that owners of senior housing that was built under the HUD 202 Program which mandated a certain amount of parking requirement would be able to build on said parking lots if the MIH and ZQA text amendments get adopted. What that means is that the Hebrew Home of Riverdale would be allowed to build a major senior residence in an R1-1 zoned area which is zoned for only one family homes. Mind you this senior housing would be out of the price range of the majority of New York City residences costing as much or more than some of the luxury housing in Riverdale. The next step would be since the Hebrew Home could build in an R1-1 zone, so would the Schervier Home in Community Board 8 which is also in an R1-1 zone. By the way in anticipation of MIH and ZQA text amendments passing the Schervier Home has purchased a one family home on the adjoining lot next to its parking lot that they would then build a large scale facility, just like the Hebrew Home. 

    Now you know why the MIH and ZQA zoning text amendment changes are so important to certain people. There are 39 such HUD 202 senior homes citywide where this would happen providing 2,000 new senior units. That is the key word 'Senior' not affordable as CASA said at the Bronx Borough meeting on the MIH and ZQA proposals. It is not housing that is affordable to all, but a wolf in sheep's clothing, and I say that wolf is named Bill deBlasio.

     In the upcoming events Department - Tuesday November 17th Community Board 6 is going to revisit their quick approval of the MIH and ZQA text amendments by the City Planning Commission. It seems that after the Bronx Borough meeting on MIH and ZQA some of their unanswered questions to CPC were answered by others, and they are going to hold another meeting to discuss the two issues, and then vote to either reaffirm or like 10 0f the 12 Bronx Community Boards vote to disapprove the MIH and ZQA text amendments. That could leave Bronx Community Board 9 as the only Bronx CB voting in favor of MIH and ZQA, and I would believe that Community Board 9 may be doing the same thing as CB 6 is doing.

   Thursday November 19th is Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr,'s Puerto Rican Heritage Month Celebration at Salsa con Fuego from 12 - 3 PM. Salsa con Fuego is located at 2297 Cedar Avenue (right next to the Northbound entrance to the Major DEEgan Highway at Fordham Road). 

     Tuesday December 8th at 12:30 in the Bronx County Building Veterans Memorial Hall located at 851 Grand Concourse will be Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.'s Annual Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting Ceremony. 

      If you have any political information that you want to share or have checked out, any comments about this column, or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on this blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press. This column will be back in print in less than a month. 

    

100 PERCENT SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2015

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

85 Percent

   85 percent was the number I said in my pre-election day column that Democratic Bronx District Attorney candidate Darcel Clark would need, and it was 85 percent of the vote  that Darcel Clark received as she glided to victory on as the new Bronx DA on election day. It was all smiles at the victory celebration that night after the  polls closed, but not everyone was at the Eastchester Manor to help celebrate the victory. Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo was already in Puerto Rico as the Chairman of the Somos El Futuro convention that was to begin the next day. With the county leader was Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and several other Bronx elected officials, This however did not make the celebration of new Bronx DA Darcel Clark's victory any less as there were enough people including New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Bronx Democratic County Committee Chair Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, Councilman Andy King (and his lovely wife), the winning team of Bronx County Judicial candidates and many district leaders. Check the blog archive for photos of the celebration.

    The trials of both former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and former State Senate Leader Dean Skelos got underway this past week. If all go the U.S. Attorney's way I expect to see more indictments coming down, and it is not going to be pretty. 

    Speaking of something getting ugly, the 13th Congressional race is getting more ugly each day as more candidates are jumping into the race to succeed Charlie Rangel. Rangel has thrown his support behind Manhattan Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Keith Wright, but that has not stopped anyone from throwing their name into the race. As of now those in the race with Assemblyman Wright are former Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell, State Senator Bill Perkins, Clyde Williams (candidate in 2014), State Senator Adriano Espailliat (candidate in 2012 and 2014), Manhattan Assemblyman Guillerrmo Linares, Susan Cook (former Clinton official), Mike Gallagher, and probably one or two more as the petition process begins next year. 

    The season of holiday parties will soon begin. and on Tuesday December 1st the North Bronx Democratic Club will be hosting its first holiday party at Maestros located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue from 6 - 9 PM. The Guest of Honor will be Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, with the Honorees to include NYC Corrections Union President Norman Seabrook, RAIN Founder Beatrice Castiglia Catullo, Bronx Chamber of Commerce Chairman and Metro Properties President Joseph Kelleher, and School District 11 Superintendent Meisha Ross Porter. You can call 347-256-8719 or email northbronxdems@gmail.com for more information on purchasing tickets, and/or to place a journal ad. The North Bronx Democratic Club is on Williamsbridge Road and is the club of State Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj. 

    Upcoming events include - 

   On Wednesday November 11th beginning at 11 AM there will be a Veterans Day Memorial at the Rudy Macina Peace Memorial Plaza located at the North corner of Williamsbridge Road and Pelham Parkway. 

   On Thursday November 12th there will be a Bronx borough Public Hearing on the proposed City Planning Commission Zoning for Quality and Affordability, and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Text Amendments at the Bronx County Building located at 851 Grand Concourse (at East 161st Street) Room 600 from 6 - 8 PM. 

   On Wednesday November 18th The Bronx Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Veteran's Brunch and Job & Resource Fair at Maestro's located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue. The veteran's Brunch will be at 10 AM with the Job and Resource Fair beginning at Noon. 

      On Thursday November 19th Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will be hosting his celebration of Puerto Rican Heritage Month at SALSA Con Fuego located at 2297 Cedar Avenue (between West Fordham Road and Landing Road next to the Deegan Highway) from 12 - 3 PM.  You can check this blog archive listing for October and November for more details on each upcoming event and more as they come in.

    I hope to be back in print in a few short weeks in a major new newspaper, but If you have any political information that you want to share or have checked out, any comments about this column, or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

 

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Veterans Brunch - Job and Resource Fair- November 18th, 2015

Please Join The 

Bronx Chamber of Commerce

at our Veterans Brunch

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Brunch - 10:00AM

Job and Resource Fair - 12:00PM

*Those interested in a complimentary interview table for our resource fair, please email Michelle@bronxchamber.org*

For More Information Please Email:

EVENTS@BRONXCHAMBER.ORG

100 PERCENT - SPECIAL Election Day Tuesday November 3, 2015

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

ELECTION DAY SPECIAL

   Tomorrow is the General Election day for the year 2015. Normally this would have been a non event as it has for the year when the only major election in the Bronx is for Bronx District Attorney. In the past several elections I can't remember when soon to be former Bronx District Attorney (and new State Supreme Court Judge) Robert Johnson faced a primary challenger. DA Johnson never faced a real opponent in the General Election either, as he had the Republican and Conservative party lines in addition to the Democratic Party line. 

  After the primary process was over and Bronx DA Robert Johnson was the candidate of the Democratic Party without having to go through a primary once again something strange happened this year a few weeks afterwards. After denying rumors that he was going to seek a judgeship at the Bronx County Judicial Convention Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo nominated Bronx DA Robert Johnson for a vacant Supreme Court Judgeship. Robert Johnson accepted the nomination and will be one of the names on the ballot tomorrow for a supreme court judgeship.

  Since the Bronx Democratic County organization now was presented with the vacancy for the position of Bronx District Attorney. It took about one hour for the Bronx Democratic County organization to replace Robert Johnson with the name of Darcel Clark as the candidate for Bronx District Attorney on the Democratic ballot line. There was a lot of calls of backroom dealing by a former Bronx Democratic County leader now the State Assembly Speaker after the indictment of former State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, but that is another story as Assemblyman Silver's trial began today.

     So let's see just how many people come out to vote for Bronx DA, in what has traditionally been the lowest election turnout since School Board elections were eliminated. I know that I will be going to the poll to vote, and I expect to be very lonely when I do. I am not going to tell you who to vote for, but I will say that if Ms. Darccl Clark does not receive over 85 percent of the vote, Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo might just have the first real Democratic primary for Bronx District Attorney in four years, that is if he is still the Bronx Democratic County Leader.

  

REP. CHARLES B. RANGEL - BRONX TOWN HALL MEETING - CONSTITUENT SERVICE DAY - Monday, November 9, 2015

REP. CHARLES B. RANGEL INVITES YOU TO A BRONX TOWN HALL  MEETING Monday, November 9, 2015 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. CONSTITUENT SERVICE  DAY 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Congressman Charlie Rangel knows you are busy. That is why he is bringing his congressional office  to you. Congressman Rangel and staff will be available to  meet with youto address your questions and  concerns about Washington and federal benefits. Bronx Library Center 310 East Kingsbridge Rd,  Bronx, NY 10458 RSVP:  http://rangel.house.gov/BronxEvents Questions?  Visit RANGEL.HOUSE.GOV  or Call 212-663-3900

'100 PERCENT' OCTOBER 15,2015

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

The Demise of the Bronx News

   

     By looking at the headline you may be asking yourself, why is he writing about the demise of the Bronx News when this column appears in the Bronx News? Well my dear readers after over 7 years of a happy union of the Bronx News and myself the owner of the Bronx News has decided to move the paper in another direction. That being one of getting away from giving you the news and information of the Bronx to one of meeting advertising commitments by printing something that resembles a shell of what the Bronx News once was, and probably folding the Bronx News as was done with the Parkchester News. This column has not appeared in the Bronx News for the past two weeks, and the editor of the Bronx News Mr. Dan Gesslein was fired last week without notice. The column 100 PERCENT will be appearing on this blog until a new home (which is in the works) is found. It will be the same column that will pull no punches, and tell it as it has for the past 7 years. Now on with the column.

     After the second of two infants was thrown from a different Bronx building by their mothers to their deaths the question of the day has to be "What are you waiting for Mayor Bill de Blasio", an epidemic of infant deaths as was the case in the Legionnaires Disease outbreak where it took 10 deaths for the city to act to correct the problem. One death is one to many, where is ACS on the matter. 

    Another item in the news is that the city wants to have the police force handcuff suspects in the front instead of the back as part of the 'Revision of the Patrol Guide regarding the use of Force'. For the last 100 years suspects have always been handcuffed in the rear, except for the time reported where a suspect was handcuffed in the front in a Queens Police precinct. The result was that the suspect was able to get his hands on a gun and shoot two officers. Is this new handcuff policy better policing, politics, or lunacy?

    You can check this blog archive for a report on the 'Dirty Dozen' buildings by State Senator Jeff Klein. It seems that government subsidised buildings are the worst offenders of mold and pest violations with the Bronx having more than its fair share. Also check the archive section for the latest listing of events being presented by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. The Bronx Democratic County organization which for a fundraiser for Bronx District Attorney candidate Darcel Clark at Maestro's Caterers on Monday October 19th from 6 - 8 PM. Ms. Clark's position paper appears on this blog, and you can join her and the Bronx Democratic County organization Monday night. Go through the archive section to find out many different events that are going on all over the Bronx including next Sunday's Tour De Bronx. Click on the posting to find out how you can register to participate in the Tour De Bronx. There are two different bike rides available the 25 mile tour around parts of the Bronx, or the full 40 mile ride around the entire borough of the Bronx. 

     Finally, I would like to answer Mr. Mike Nieves from a City and State item where he is quoted. It seems the story I wrote that former 80th Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera now a resident in the 78th A.D. could be in line for a possible run for her fathers seat was picked up by City and State. Mr. Nieves has been Assemblyman Jose Rivera's campaign manager for many years now, and he is quoted as saying that the elder Rivera has no plans to retire, and that whoever is spreading the rumor that she will replace her father is a jerk who should call him. Well Mr. Nieves I am that so called Jerk you are talking about, and Assemblyman Jose Rivera told me that his daughter Naomi Rivera was living with him in Fordham Hill and not in another apartment in Fordham Hill I had mentioned. By the way Mike, what then is the address of Ms. Naomi Rivera? I have a petition when she ran for the 80th Assembly seat with the address of 601 Pelham Parkway North. 601 Pelham Parkway North is now in the 78th A.D. and no longer in the 80th A.D. Will wonders never end Mr. Nieves, and by the way check your voice mail because the mailbox is full so I could not call you as you suggested. Who feels like a Jerk now Mike?

     If you have any political information that you want to share or have checked out, any comments about this column, or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

Annual Wakefield Symposium Conference on Endometriosis and Uterine Cancer v3, Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Montefiore Medical Center

Invites you to the

Annual WAKEFIELD Symposium Conference

On Endometriosis and Uterine Cancer v3

Tuesday, May 19 2015, 2:00 – 4 pm & 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Sponsored by

Wakefield Community Advisory Board

COUNCIL MEMBER KING AND THE SAFETY NET PROJECT HOST KNOW YOUR RIGHTS SERIES ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015, 9:30 AM

NYC Council Member Andy King and The Safety Net ‘Project will host their second in a series of “Know Your Rights” trainings on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. at Bay Eden Senior Center, 1220 East 229^th St., Bronx.

The session will focus on issues and safety net programs critical to many Bronx residents in District 12.   Legal staff will be on hand to answer questions regarding NYCHA tenant rights, accessing SNAP (food stamp) benefits and public assistance.

Residents are invited to meet with advocates and attorneys from the Safety Net Project to discuss any issues they may be experiencing regarding a denial, sanction or reduction in their public assistance and /or food stamps case. In addition, attorneys will be available to answer questions for NYCHA residents interested in seeking advice as to recertification, succession rights and how to obtain repairs. All legal services are free.

The Safety Net Project is New York City’s advocate for economic justice, protecting the rights of low- and no-income New Yorkers through direct legal services, litigation, research, and policymaking. It ensures access to the safety net, ensuring government accountability for vital programs that lift families out of poverty.

“This event is open to everyone in the community. In these tough economic times, there are people in need of assistance for food and housing. This forum is geared to help all those in need,” said Council Member King.

According to Denise M. Miranda, Esq., Managing Director of the Safety Project at the Urban Justice Center, “District 12 is home to five NYCHA development and countless families that rely on safety net programs. There is an urgent need for NYCHA residents and low-income families to have access to free, high-quality legal services and we are proud to partner with CM King to fill this void.”

The Safety Net Project is committed to protecting due process rights and providing direct legal services for low and no-income New Yorkers while engaging the greater community in casting a wider, finer safety net for economic justice and human dignity. For further information, visit www.safetynetproject.org.

For more information dial 646-602-5640.