STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ RE: Mayor Bloomberg's Veto of the 'Fair Wages for New Yorkers' Act

 

“It is unfortunate that Mayor Bloomberg has chosen to ignore the will of the City Council and the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers with his veto of the ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act. This bill will ensure that, when our City’s tax dollars are used to make major development projects work, developers do better by their employees and pay them a ‘living wage.’

“This is an incredibly popular piece of legislation, one that has the potential to give City residents a chance to provide a better way of life for their families. I look forward to both the City Council’s override of this veto and to the day the ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act becomes law,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

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State Senator Rivera & Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Launch Second Year of Bronx CAN Health Initiative

  

State Senator Gustavo Rivera  and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., together with Montefiore Medical Center and other community health partners will launch the second year of the Bronx CAN Health Initiative on June 2nd at St. James Park. The Bronx CAN Health Initiative was launched in response to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's study that showed the Bronx as the unhealthiest county in the state of New York. This initiative will tackle issues of obesity, nutrition, exercise and access to preventative health in the Bronx. The month of June and the June 2nd launch on the initiative will be focused on physical fitness and exercise.

This event is the first in a series of Bronx CAN Health fairs. All events are free and open to the public. 

WHO: Senator Gustavo Rivera, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Montefiore Medical Center and other community partners 

  

WHAT: Launch of the Second Annual Bronx CAN Health Initiative

  

WHERE:  St. James Park- 2530 Jerome Ave Bronx NY 10468

  

WHEN: Saturday, June 2nd 2012 1:30-3:30 PM

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Bronx Week Parade 2012
Highlights of the parade

  Thousands of Bronxites either marched in the parade or enjoyed watching the marchers, and Bronx Walk of Fame Honorees Dr. Valerie Capers, Mr. Sol Negrin, Mr. Tyson Beckford, and Rapper Fat Joe. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. co-hosted the parade with Ms. Bharati Kemraj (of Bronxnet fame).

  Schools from all over the Bronx marched, as this years theme to the Bronx Week Parade was "Education through Music:. below are some if the pictures we were able to get.

Left - Rapper Fat Joe gets greetings from some of the crowd as he arrives to view the parade    Right - is the reviewing stand with the four honorees and BP Diaz. 

Left - is BP Diaz presenting a trophy to the winning soccer team from the Bronx Cup Soccer Game.  Right - is the start of the parade with the painting of the dragons eye, highlighting the connection of China and the Bronx.

Left - are the Clinton High School Cheerleaders.  Right - are members of Bronx Community Board # 7, with its Chairman Mr. Paul Foster on the right. The parade route goes through CB 7.

Left - is the marching band from PS 43.   Right - is PS 121.

Left - is PS 22.   Right - is PS 76. and the t-shirts say "Education through Music.

Left - is Congressman Charlie Rangel and Assemblyman Jose Rivera.    Right - Rapper Fat Joe expressing his thoughts about the parade as BP Diaz and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo stand to the side of Fat Joe. BP Diaz also tried his hand at rapping, but he should keep his day job.

Some more marchers and children.

More cheerleaders and dancers.

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BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF BRONX WEEK 2012

Monday May 7, 2012,

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. officially kicked off Bronx Week 2012, a celebration which pays tribute to the continuing revitalization of the borough’s businesses, educational institutions, cultural sites and civic groups. 

Bronx Week 2012 will take place from Thursday, May 10^th through Sunday, May 20^th. This year’s kickoff event was held at the Bronx County Building’s Rotunda and featured an appearance by 2012 Bronx Walk of Fame honoree Valerie Capers, an award-winning jazz musician and longtime Bronx resident. In addition, the event offered a taste of the great food the Bronx has to offer, featuring samples from Mike’s Deli of Arthur Avenue, Delicioso Coco Helado and the Bronx Brewery.

“We invite Bronxites, New Yorkers, and visitors from all over the world to join us in the Bronx for our annual celebration of what makes the Bronx a great place to live. Bronx Week gets bigger and better every year and has something exciting for everyone. I look forward to seeing you all here,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

During the kickoff, Borough President Diaz also announced the names of the other celebrity and notable Bronxites who will also be included into the 2012 Bronx Walk of Fame: Hollywood cinematographer Sol Negrin, Hip-Hop legend Fat Joe, and supermodel and actor Tyson Beckford.

Bronx Week 2012 is made possible thanks to the support of Montefiore Medical Center, the main sponsor of all the events.  “Montefiore will continue its tradition of giving free health screenings, expert exercise advice, nutritional counseling and other practical guidance to support Bronx residents in their efforts to keep healthy and look forward to a terrific Bronx Week 2012.” 

This year’s Bronx week 2012 highlights include the first annual solar conference, 2^nd annual Agricultural Tour, a centenarian celebration, as well as some of the favorite events from years past, which include the Bronx Trolley, the Business Breakfast, the Health Fair and the annual Bronx Food, Arts and Music Festival and Bronx Week Parade. All the events are organized by the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and the Bronx Tourism Council.

Bronx Week will close with the annual Bronx Parade and Food & Arts Festival on Mosholu Parkway on Sunday, May 20, 2012. In addition to dozens of food and arts vendors, as well as the borough’s biggest parade showcasing “Bronx Pride,” the annual concert will feature performances by hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh, salsa stars Los Hermanos Morenos and many more.

This week of amazing Bronx events is organized jointly by the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and the Bronx Tourism Council. For more information on Bronx Week 2012, visit ilovethebronx.com.

Congressman Charlie Rangel was on hand for the Bronx Week 2012 Kick off.  Left- Congressman Rangel poses with Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene.   Right Rangel praising BP Diaz, and the Bronx.

One of the Bronx Week 2012 Honorees Dr. Valerie Capers speaks to those gathered for the Bronx Week 2012 kick off.

Left- is Mr. Damian Brown (Head Brewer) of the Bronx Brewery with special container of Bronx Beer.  Right- is BP Diaz sampling some of the brew.

After his career in politics BP Diaz can always get an ices cart, as he puts the finishing touch on a flavor of  Coco Helado being sampled at the Bronx Week 2012 Kick Off as Deputy BP Greene looks on..

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Assemblyman Marcos Crespo Letter To 

NYS DOT Commissioner McDonald

Re: Bronx River Parkway Accident 

And Response by Commissioner McDonald

May 1, 2012

Joan McDonald

NYS Department of Transportation

50 Wolf Road

Albany, NY 12232

 Dear Commissioner McDonald,

I am writing to officially join Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and many of my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate in calling for an expeditious and thorough investigation and review of the safety conditions of our city and state roadways, particularly the sections of the Bronx River Parkway where the most recent and tragic accident took place last weekend.

I have lent my support to the Rodriguez family, who reside in my Assembly District, as they mourn their loved ones and seek assistance from the public for the tremendous cost of properly burying their deceased family members. Additionally, as their State Assemblyman, I see a greater responsibility on my part to assist in any effort we can undertake as State officials to review the circumstances that led to this and other accidents on the Bronx River Parkway, to consider more appropriate safety measures along our roads, especially in sections which are adjacent to steep drops, and the immediate installation of any additional safety measures.

Hopefully, we can take action in our State and help prevent another tragedy like the one that occurred last weekend.  As we begin this effort to study the safety conditions of the Bronx River Parkway, I expect that we will further this effort throughout our State roads and transportation infrastructure.

As a member of the Assembly Transportation Committee, I respectfully urge your consideration of this request and I look forward to working closely with your office in this effort.

Respectfully,

Marcos A. Crespo

85^th Assembly District

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STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER JOAN MCDONALD ON THE BRONX RIVER PARKWAY

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald said today: “The New York State Department of Transportation shares community concerns about the safety of the Bronx River Parkway in the wake of the tragic crash that claimed the lives of seven family members on April 29.

“Since Sunday’s accident, we have been working on interim actions that will be implemented on the parkway beginning this morning.

“For the viaduct over the Bronx Zoo, as well as two other similarly constructed viaducts south that cross over East Tremont Avenue and Amtrak respectively, NYSDOT will install concrete barriers along the outside (right hand) travel lane so that these barriers will abut the viaduct curbing on both the north and southbound lanes. 

“Beginning today, NYSDOT crews will be installing signage and will be striping the approaches and decking of the three BRP viaducts in question.

“During the installation of the barriers on each of these viaducts, motorists will be informed that they will be traveling through a construction zone, which will limit their legal speed to 35 mph.

“We are working cooperatively with the New York Police Department on enhanced enforcement activities in the area to help raise driver awareness and reduce travel speeds.”

Assemblyman Marcos Crespo said:  “As a member of the Assembly Transportation Committee, I am proud and grateful for the expeditious response from the State Department of Transportation.  We are paying our respects in part through this timely effort to improve safety measures along the Bronx River Parkway as we continue to mourn the tremendous loss of three generations.”

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said: "I am grateful that the State Department of Transportation has heard our calls for safety improvements on the Bronx River Parkway. We must do everything we can to avoid a similar tragedy in the future, and this announcement is an important first step towards the goal of an improved Bronx River Parkway that is safer for drivers and the community alike. I thank the State Department of Transportation for moving quickly to address these issues, and I look forward to assisting them in the implementation of these improvements in the future.”

Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera (in whose district the accident occurred) said:  “I'm extremely pleased that the State Department of Transportation has responded swiftly and in a meaningful way to the calls for new safety measures on the Bronx River Parkway. Drivers on the parkway will immediately be safer as a result of the State DOT's actions today. 

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STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ RE: Deadly Accident on Bronx River Parkway

  “My prayers, as well as those of my office and all Bronxites, go out to the families of the seven victims of today’s accident on the Bronx River Parkway. Our thoughts are with them as they try to grasp the horrific tragedy that has befallen them today.

  “For the second time in a year, an accident on the Bronx River Parkway has led to a car falling off the highway to the streets below. In the coming weeks my office will reach out to the appropriate agencies to examine the safety issues on the Bronx River Parkway and to discuss potential solutions, such as road condition and barrier/fence height, to this issue. 

 UPDATE APRIL 30th:

Statement from Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo:

My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the Gonzalez family for the devastating loss of seven family members. While the circumstances surrounding the incident continue to be investigated, it is important that as a community we come together and lend our moral and financial support to the family.

I will be making a personal contribution of $500 to the Gonzalez family to assist with the cost of the funeral arrangements. I am also publicly urging our Bronx residents and all New Yorkers to consider lending their support to the Gonzalez family as they cope with this tragedy.

Donations can be made to: 

Bank----------------------------------Chase 

Account Name ---------------------Jaun D. GonZalez

Mailing address-----------634 TaylorAvenue

If you require additional information, call my office at 718-893-0202.

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BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ  HOSTS ANNUAL ISRAELI INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

  On Thursday, April 26, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., in partnership with the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, Health Plus and the Bronx Tourism Council, hosted the annual Bronx Israel Independence Day Festival, “Exploring Israel—You Don’t Have to Leave the Bronx to Experience Israel for a Day!” The fun-filled event offered games, food, rides and fun activities for the whole family. It  also featured a performance by Dafna & Shir Fun All Stars, a popular Israeli-American Hebrew music recording artist. In the picture with Borough President Diaz are Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and State Senators Jeffrey Klein and Gustavo Rivera. The event took place at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale.

Here are just a few photos of the event.

Rabbi Weiss greets Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

BP Diaz signs condolence card to be given to the family of Hwang Yang.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and State Senator Jeff Klein (who will represent all of Riverdale) join BP Diaz for a brief discussion.

A group shot of the elected officials with Rabbi Weiss and Rabba Sara Hurowitz the first woman ordained as an orthodox rabbi.

 

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The Bronx PUSH 4 PEACE

 

HOT 97 Street Soldiers

(Featuring Lisa Evers-Hot 97 Street Soldiers’ Host & Fox 5 News Reporter)

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

&

President of COBA - Norman Seabrook

PRESENT

THE BRONX PUSH 4 PEACE

Festival & Hot 97 FM Live Show

Saturday, April 28, 2012   (1-5 p.m.)

Hostos Community College (CUNY)

500 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY

Featuring:

Live Hot 97 DJ-

Artist Open Mic Competition,

Info Fair,

**Hot 97 FM Street Soldiers Town Hall Live Show Discussion,

Free Prizes & Free Refreshments
Celebrity Guests: Hip Hop Artists and Sports Stars……..

 Click Here To Download Flyer: http://bit.ly/HxIAny

 

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BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ ALERTS BRONXITES TO    DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE TAX LEIN ASSISTANCE

 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is urging borough property owners who may have unpaid property taxes, water, sewer or other charges to take advantage of an upcoming tax lien assistance session hosted by the Department of Finance. The event is co-sponsored by his office and the City’s Department of Environmental Protection.

Property owners whose names appear on the Department of Finance’s 90 Day Notice of Lien Sale list may attend the assistance session, to be held on Monday, April 23, 2012, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will take place at the City Department of Finance’s Business Assistance Center, located at 3030 Third Avenue, 2^nd Floor, Bronx, NY, 10455.

Representatives from the City’s Departments of Finance, Environmental Protection and Housing Preservation will be on hand to offer property owners assistance at the information session. Borough President Diaz will also record a robocall to effected property owners, alerting them to the upcoming session and how they can get assistance.

In addition, eligible seniors, veterans or individuals with a disability may be able to be removed from the lien sale. For more information on the event or the lien sale, Bronxites are urged to contact Borough President Diaz’s office at (718) 590-7093.

“My office wants to make sure that as many Bronxites as possible are able to take advantage of the City’s assistance before their liens are sold and this help is no longer available. Those Bronxites who may be part of this lien sale should take advantage of these opportunities to get help, before it is too late,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

In the Bronx, a total of 2,727 properties are included in the lien sale. By Bronx Community Board, the liens break down as follows:

Community Board #1—179                          Community Board #2—160

Community Board #3—226                          Community Board #4—176

Community Board #5—185                          Community Board #6—193

Community Board #7—144                          Community Board #8—85

Community Board #9—344                          Community Board #10—215

Community Board #11—228                        Community Board #12—569

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