Councilman Koppell Reacts to DOE Decision on Clinton High School

KOPPELL DEPLORES LACK OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN SELECTION OF SMALL HIGH SCHOOLS AT CLINTON

In speaking to Chancellor Walcott at a meeting of the Education Committee, of which he is a member, on March 21, 2013, Council Member Oliver Koppell deplored the lack of community involvement in the selection of the two new high schools to be co-located at DeWitt Clinton High School.

After DOE decided on the concept of co-location in spite of  community opposition, Koppell said, “It would have behooved the Department to consult with the Community Education Council  parents ,and local community  and educational leaders before deciding on what type of school was appropriate for the area.”

According to Koppell, he had not been apprized of the nature of the new schools nor was there a description of the type of schools to be selected in the Impact Statement or at the public hearing held about Clinton’s fate on February 21, 2013   Marvin Shelton, Chair of the District 10 Community Education Council, said, “We were not consulted or given a description of the new schools prior to their being selected. Everyone was kept in the dark.  I believe that not even the Panel for Educational Policy was aware of the nature of the new schools when they voted on the co-location.” Koppell said, “Our students in the Northwest Bronx would have benefitted from a school similar to the Ellis School on the Kennedy Campus devoted to the needs of newly arrived immigrants. One of the reasons Clinton received an “F” on its Progress Report is that it had a disproportionate number of English Language Learners without the resources necessary to meet their needs.”

Koppell said it was unclear why the description of the two new schools at Clinton was kept such a secret and why our community was excluded from having any input into this important decision.  “However,” he said,   “we probably should not have been surprised since this behavior is in keeping with the “top down” philosophy of the Bloomberg  administration.”

Councilman Koppell Endorses Espaillat for Congress

“A new district and a new day demands new leadership”

 

  Today, New York City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell endorsed State Senator Adriano Espaillat for Congress in the newly created 13th Congressional District. Koppell has been a longtime elected official in the portion of the Bronx that was recently added to the Congressional District.

“I am pleased to endorse State Senator Adriano Espaillat in the upcoming Democratic Primary for the 13th Congressional District seat,” said Councilman G. Oliver Koppell. “I appreciate and commend Congressman Charlie Rangel’s long service in the Congress.  However, a new District and a new day demands new leadership.  Adriano Espaillat has been an effective public official in the State Assembly and State Senate. He is committed to job creation, economic development, public education and affordable housing. He will bring the same passion and energy to Congress where he will continue to fight for us and work with President Obama.  He will also be an important role model and advocate for the Dominican and Hispanic communities in my District and beyond.  I endorse Adriano Espaillat.”

“I am proud and honored to receive the support of Councilman Koppell, who understands that important issues of our time and recognizes the need for new leadership to address today’s challenges,” said Senator Adriano Espaillat. “I look forward to campaigning with Councilman Koppell as we talk to voters in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan about bringing bold, new ideas to Congress and moving our communities forward.”

Councilman Koppell’s endorsement comes at a time when Espaillat’s campaign for Congress is enjoying momentum, particularly in the Bronx, where Espaillat has been endorsed by two former Bronx Borough presidents, Fernando Ferrer and Adolfo Carrión; State Senator Gustavo Rivera; Assembly Member Neslon Castro and other local Democratic officials.

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Ben Franklin 52nd Annual Dinner

  On Wednesday May 2nd the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club held its 52nd Annual Dinner. Club President Ellen Feld welcomed everybody, and Ms. Delores Dixon sang "God Bless America". The elected officials then came up beginning with Former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson. See the photos below for the  elected officials in attendance.

  The Honorees were Ms. Marcia Allina (former State Committeewoman) receiving the "Jonathan B. Bingham Award" presented by 81st A.D. District Leader Bruce Feld. Ms. Lillian Roberts (Executive Director of DC37) receiving the "Labor Leadership Award" presented by 81st A.D. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. Mr. Dirk McCall (Director GMHC) receiving the "Timothy R. Sullivan Community Service Award" presented by Congressman Eliot Engel. Ms. Sarah Gund (Riverdale Neighborhood House) receiving the "Lee Heimlich Community Service Award" presented by Councilman G. Oliver Koppell.

  During the evening comments ranged from Congressman Charlie Rangel's "The way the state legislature drew the district lines it did not allow for input by the people", to Rangel's opponent Current State Senator Adriano Espaillat who thanked the Ben Franklin Club for helping elect him as a state senator, and hoping that they can help him be elected to congress. The best line of the night had to belong to Manhattan Borough President (and mayoral candidate in 2013) Scott Stringer, who said that he stayed for the entire press conference that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn walked out of last week. Below are photos of the dinner. Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Left- Ms. Marcia Allina receives the Jonathan B. Bingham Award from District Leader Bruce Feld.   Right- Ms. Lillian Roberts receives the Labor Leadership Award from Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

 Left Mr. Dirk McCall receives the Timothy R. Sullivan Award from Congressman Eliot Engel.  Right Councilman G. Oliver Koppell between his wife Lorraine Coyle Koppell (left) and CB 8 member Rita Pochter Lowe (right).

Left- Congressman Eliot Engel speaking to Congressman Charlie Rangel before the dinner started.  Right- State Senator (and Congressman Rangel's opponent)  Adriano Espaillat sitting with fellow State Senator Gustavo Rivera and staff members.

Left- Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.  Right- Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz with CB 8 Traffic & Transportation Chair (and possible City Council candidate in 2013) Mr. Dan Padernacht.

Left Congressman Eliot Engel greets Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, as former District Leader Mr. Michael Heller looks on.   Right State Senator Jeff Klein poses for the photo with Manhattan Borough President Stringer, both are former colleagues in the State Assembly.

New York City Comptroller John Liu and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer (Both probable 2013 candidates for mayor) pose for photo.

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STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ, COUNCILMAN KOPPELL, 

RE: Cambridge Avenue Shooting

 

Bronx Borough President Diaz said,

“I am deeply saddened by this morning’s shooting on Cambridge Avenue in Riverdale, where a 26 year-old hard working man, Hwang Yang, was shot to death over his iPhone.

“My heart goes out to Hwang Yang’s family as we keep them in our prayers. It is extremely disappointing to see such senseless, cowardly acts being committed in our borough.  It saddens me to hear of the callous disregard for human life among these criminals who think it is ok to take someone else’s life.

“I know I speak for all Bronxites in condemning this despicable act. My office will continue to work with the police, our district attorney, elected officials, and other community organizations to take as many illegal guns off of our streets as we possibly can.

“I urge all Bronxites with knowledge of illegal guns in their community to call 866-GUN-STOP to anonymously report those guns to the police, a program that my office continues to promote through our ‘Peace in our Streets’ campaign,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

More information on the 866-GUN-STOP program can be found at the following link:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/home/rewards.shtml

Councilman G. Oliver Koppell  (in whose district the crime occurred)

  Expressed his deep regret and concern over the robbery and murder of a Hwang Yang on Cambridge Avenue in Riverdale early this morning. He urged the police to do everything possible to apprehend the criminal who perpetrated the senseless and tragic attack.

Koppell also urged the police to establish special patrols in the Spuyten Duyvil and South Riverdale neighborhoods to deter any further crime. “We have learned that suspicious activity has been observed in the Ewen Park area in recent weeks. Therefore, it is more than appropriate the police pay special attention to the area in the weeks and months to come” Koppell stated.

Koppell expressed his deepest sympathy to the family of Hwang Yang. “Your son was obviously an exceptional young man” Koppell noted.  We have lost a fine neighbor and our community and the City have been deprived of the contributions he would certainly have made if this terrible event had not taken him from us.”

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