SENATOR KLEIN, ASSEMBLYMAN SEPULVEDA, ASSEMBLYMAN CRESPO, COUNCILWOMAN PALMA & CASTLE HILL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCE STOP WORK ORDER for “HOT SHEET MOTEL”

 Standing in front of a construction site at 2338 Bruckner Blvd. State Senator Jeff Klein, Assembly members Luis Sepulveda & Marcos Crespo, Councilwoman Annabelle Palma, and local community leaders voiced their displeasure about a proposed 60 unit "Days Inn" motel which they said would be a "Hot Sheet' Motel. 

  “I continue to have serious concern over the development of a Days Inn Motel that would provide day rates, creating the potential for a “hot sheet motel” at 2338 Bruckner Boulevard. We know from multiple past experiences that these types of establishments breed not only illicit but potentially illegal activity and hurt otherwise strong communities. I am pleased that the NYC Department of Buildings has issued this stop work order and is taking the matter under careful review,” said State Senator Jeff Klein.

“I commend the of Department of Buildings for their responsiveness to this issue in our community.  The residents of Castle Hill have shown that they will not let unscrupulous businesses into their neighborhood without having a seat at the table.  This stop work order shows that when communities and elected officials work together we can have a serious impact on decision making,” said Assemblyman Sepulveda.

“The Castle Hill Neighborhood Betterment Association is elated that our hard work is paying off and that a stop work order has been issued against the motel. We will continue addressing all issues affecting our community,” said Castle Hill Betterment Association member and resident Fernando A. Panate.

The announcement comes on the heels of a letter Senator Klein sent to the NYC Department of Buildings Bronx Borough Commissioner, dated September 29, 2014, stating that he believed the approved plans for construction of a hotel at the 2338 Bruckner Blvd site were made in error. On October 1, 2014 the NYC Department of Buildings notified Klein’s office that a stop work order had indeed been issued on the property.

Left - Heavy machinery lays idle due to stop work order.

Right - Construction work is almost right next to the neighboring house.

The stop work order that took effect on 10/01/2014.

Senator Klein, the New York Knicks and Liberty hold Basketball Clinic for Soundview Students

 

  State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein held a basketball clinic with New York Knickerbockers alum John Wallace and Liberty legend Kym Hampton at Soundview Academy Thursday. The former professional athletes were on hand to show more than a 100 students the ropes in shooting hoops, running pro-style basketball drills and performing conditioning exercises. “Anytime such spectacular pro-athlete talent takes the time to meet with students it not only lifts up their school day but could very well be the seed to big dreams that may someday grow into their own professional sports career. John and Kym are such powerful role models and their enthusiasm and commitment to the sport of basketball and the lessons learned both on and off the court are a great inspiration for the students at Soundview and throughout New York City.  Sports are always a great vehicle for keeping our children on the right track to leading healthy and happy lives,” said Senator Klein.

"Going out into the community with the Knicks and the Liberty has always been an honor and a privilege for me," said Wallace "It's an important responsibility to give back and I want to help positively influence these children's lives. The group today worked as hard and as diligently as any group we've ever had the privilege of helping," said Wallace.

"It's really important for the New York Liberty and Knicks to be out in the community," said Hampton. "These young kids are our fans and our future. We get a kick out of coming out and teaching them skills and letting them know that if they work hard, anything can be achieved."

"We are grateful to Senator Klein for securing major basketball legends to participate in a fun fitness day with our students. Days like this one are special, and having the experience of shooting hoops with basketball stars is a memory that our ​scholars will carry with them for years to come. ​Soundview Academy from its inception has stressed the holistic education of our scholars, including robust physical education and health education. We appreciate the recognition this event brings to our program and other similar middle schools making the education of the whole child their priority,"  said Soundview Academy Principal William Frackelton.

Wallace was a first round draft pick of the Knicks in 1996, selected 18th overall. Hampton was drafted by the New York Liberty in the first round of the WNBA elite draft of 1997 and went on to be named to the team’s Ring of Honor in 2011.

Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Senator Klein’s Bill to Increase Penalties for Religious Vandals

Following a rash of break-ins and burglaries targeting houses of worship in the Northern Bronx earlier this year, State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) today announced the passage of legislation to stiffen criminal penalties for those who steal or damage property in churches, synagogues or any other religious institution. The measure passed by a vote of 60-1. Corresponding legislation is being carried by Assemblyman Rory Lancman in the New York State Assembly.   

“An assault on a house of worship is an assault on our entire community,” Senator Klein said. “It’s time that these assailants learn that we mean business. I believe that this legislation will send that message and will better protect our communities’ sacred houses of worship. I'm pleased that an overwhelming number of my senate colleagues agree.”

Senator Klein’s legislation would:

·         Increase the penalty for theft, or the intentional damage to a scroll, religious vestment, vessel, any other item used in connection with religious worship in any building of worship to a Class D Felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. These crimes would be classified as third-degree grand larceny and second-degree criminal mischief. Currently, these charges would only apply in cases where items worth more than $3,000 have been stolen, or where items have sustained more than $1,500 in damages.

·         Expand the definition of second-degree grand larceny to include the theft of any scroll, religious vestment, vessel, any other item used in connection with religious worship in any building of worship that are worth more than $250. This would be a Class C felony punishable by up to five to 15 years in prison.   

·         Strengthen the penalty for any intentional damage to house of worship-owned property a Class E felony punishable by up to four years in prison. Currently, this applies to damage worth more than $250. 

In recent months there has been a disturbing pattern in the area, which includes:

·         In the Waterbury-LaSalle Community, Our Lady of Assumption Roman Catholic Church parishioners noticed a laptop and approximately $400 were stolen from their school. Additionally, a door leading to the chapel was broken.

·         In Pelham Bay, Zoodohos Peghe Greek Orthodox Church was victim to about $50 being taken from donation box and the destruction of an intricate wood carving in the Church.  Additionally, two months prior at St. Theresa Catholic Church their gift shop was broken into and cash was stolen from the register.

·         On City Island, Police found windows and doors smashed and broken at Temple Beth El Synagogue and silver Torah crowns and Kiddush cups missing. They estimate $5,000 to $10,000 worth of items were stolen.

If enacted into law, this legislation would build upon Senator Klein’s past legislative accomplishment of increased criminal penalties for those who desecrate and vandalize church property.  That bill was signed into law by Governor Paterson in 2010 and was strongly championed by a wide range of religious leaders including Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan.

 “A crime against a religious institution is a crime against a community at large” said Monsignor. Anthony Marchitelli of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church.

“It is urgent that all people of good will stand together against violence that target our houses of worship. We thank Senator Klein and his colleagues for their leadership in helping lift us up so that all of our brothers and sisters of faith can congregate and worship in safety and piece.” said Rabbi Shohama Wiener of Temple Beth El Synagogue.“ said Rabbi Shohama Wiener of Temple Beth El Synagogue.

Those who have any information on these recent burglaries against religious institutions are urged to contact the 45^th Precinct Detective Squad at (718) 822-5414 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-8447.

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Assemblyman Dinowitz and State Senator Klein Sponsor Legislation Prohibiting Employers from Demanding Facebook Password in Interviews

  

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) and State Senator Jeffrey Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) are sponsoring new legislation that would prohibit employers from demanding login information, including usernames and passwords, to popular social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter as part of their hiring process.  Assemblyman Dinowitz has introduced the bill in the Assembly (A.9654), and State Senator Klein will soon introduce the legislation in the State Senate.  The legislation would also protect the privacy of current employees.

Employers are beginning to use various new tools in decisions concerning the hiring, promotion, and discipline of prospective and current employees.  Recently, there have been reports of employers demanding login information, including usernames and passwords, to popular social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as to email accounts and other extremely personal accounts.  This information is being used as a condition of hiring, promotions, and lateral movement within companies, and in matters relating to disciplinary action including firing of individuals.

This type of request can lead to unfair and discriminatory hiring practices and constitutes a serious invasion of privacy by the employer.  Employees have the right to make their social media public or private through the individual websites, and they should have every right to maintain this level of privacy in their workplace or during an interview.  In this economy, many people cannot walk away from a job and are forced to submit to employers’ requests for passwords for fear that they will not be hired otherwise.  This bill would remedy this serious issue, maintaining prospective employees’ right to privacy and reducing the risk of unfair and discriminatory hiring practices by employers.

“This legislation will address a terrible and growing abuse by certain employers.  Employers should not be snooping on social media communications that are private, and they certainly should not be given passwords that are supposed to be kept secret.  It’s like an employer asking for a copy of your house keys so they can have a look around your home,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz.  “The right to privacy and protection from coercion and discrimination must be maintained.  I urge all of my colleagues in the State Legislature to protect the rights of job seekers and support this bill.”

“Even in this digital age, turning over your password to an employer is a bridge too far,” said Senator Klein.  “I’m proud to stand with Assemblyman Dinowitz in taking this stand to protect an individual’s privacy.”

 

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