STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA, ASSEMBLYMEMBER VICTOR PICHARDO AND COUNCILMEMBER RITCHIE TORRES TO HOST ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION AT TREMONT PARK

   State Senator Gustavo Rivera will host the second of three Back to School events on Friday, August 19th at Tremont Park. The last Back to School event will be held on Friday, August 26th at St. James Park. This event is co-sponsored by Assembly Member Victor M. Pichardo and Council Member Ritchie Torres

This event, which is part of Senator Rivera's Bronx CAN Health Initiative, will have a backpack giveaway, fun activities and free health screenings in an effort to help celebrate a healthy start to the upcoming school year. A limited number of backpacks will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Children between 5 and 13 years old need to be accompanied by an adult while youths between 14 and 18, do not need a parent present.

SCHEDULE OF BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS:

1) What: Back To School Event

Who: State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assembly Member Victor M. Pichardo and Council     Member Ritchie Torres.

When: Friday, August 19, 2016

            2:00 PM-5:00 PM

Where: Tremont Park (corner of E Tremont Avenue and Arthur Avenue)

2) What: Back To School Event

Who: State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assembly Member Victor M. Pichardo.

When: Friday, August 26, 2016

            2:00 PM-5:00 PM

Where: St. James Park (entrance on Jerome Avenue and W 192nd Street)

STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA, ASSEMBLY MEMBER MICHAEL BLAKE AND COUNCIL MEMBER VANESSA L. GIBSON TO HOST A BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

  In honor of the countless contributions that African-Americans have made to our country, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assemblymember Michael Blake and Councilmember Vanessa L. Gibson have partnered with the Montefiore Health System, Metroplus and the Claremont Community Center to host a Black History Month Celebration focused on health on Saturday, February 6th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

 

In an effort to continue promoting good health practices in the Bronx, the event will host a group of local health organizations that will provide participants with important health information, tips on preventative measures and an array of free health screenings that range from blood pressure to HIV/Hepatitis C testing.

 

Throughout the celebration, attendees will also be able to enjoy complimentary African food, participate in raffles and join elected officials in recognizing outstanding members of the community.

 

WHAT:     Black History Month Celebration

 

WHO:        State Senator Gustavo Rivera

                   Assemblymember Michael Blake

                   Councilmember Vanessa L. Gibson

                   Other Elected Officials
 

WHEN:     Saturday, February 6, 2015 

                   12:00 PM - 2:00 PM  

 

WHERE:  Claremont Community Center

                   489 E 169th Street

                   Bronx, NY 10456

 

*This event is free and open to the public. 

STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA, ASSEMBLY MEMBER VICTOR M. PICHARDO AND COUNCIL MEMBER RITCHIE TORRES TO HOST A BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION

  State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assembly Member Victor M. Pichardo and Council Member Ritchie Torres will host a back to school event on Friday, August 21st at Tremont Park.  

 

This event, which is part of the Bronx CAN Health Initiative, will have a backpack giveaway, fun activities and free health screenings in an effort to help celebrate a healthy start to the upcoming school year. A limited number of backpacks will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Children between 5 and 12 years old need to be accompanied by an adult while youths between 13 and 18, do not need a parent present.

 

 WHAT: Back to School Celebration  

 

 WHO:  State Senator Gustavo Rivera

              Assembly Member Victor Pichardo   

              Council Member Ritchie Torres 

 

 WHEN:   Friday, August 21, 2015

                  2:00 pm - 5:00 pm 

 

 WHERE: Tremont Park 

                   Corner of E. Tremont Avenue and Arthur Avenue   

                   Bronx, NY 10457 

                  *Rain Location:

                   Abraham Plaza, Community Room

                   1870 Crotona Avenue

                   Bronx, NY 10457

**This event is free and open to the public. Other organizations participating in the event include our main sponsor, Metroplus, Union Community Health Center, Morris Heights Health Center, FDNY, New York Life Insurance, Bronx Community Board 6, NYPD's 48th Precinct, the Alzheimers' Association and Bronx Lebanon Hospital. 

   

Senator Rivera Introduces Bill to Tax Electronic Cigarette Cartridges in the State Senate

  Senator Gustavo Rivera introduced a bill in the State Senate that would tax electronic cigarette cartridges as a tobacco product in an effort to continue the pursuit of reducing New Yorker's exposure to nicotine and other damaging chemicals. This bill has also been introduced in the State Assembly by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.     

"In recent years, makers of electronic cigarettes have claimed they are a 'safer' alternative to cigarettes, but the simple truth is that these devices still expose individuals to nicotine and hazardous chemicals," said Senator Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx)."Taxing electronic cigarette cartridges at the same rate as other tobacco products will send a clear message to the public that these products are not as safe as they are advertised to be."

To date, electronic cigarettes have not been sufficiently studied to allow the U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine the long-term health risks associated with their use, including the quantity of nicotine or other harmful chemicals that users inhale.  Furthermore, there is no hard evidence to support the claim that electronic cigarettes are an effective cessation tool.

There is also a growing concern that electronic cigarettes can lead young people to become cigarette smokers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2011 to 2012 the number of students in grades 6 -12 that reported ever having used an electronic cigarette doubled from 3.3 percent to 6.8 percent.

While the FDA has yet to determine how to regulate electronic cigarettes, New York State along with other localities and states have moved forward with legislation to address public health concerns caused by the wide-spread use of these devices.  

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS MARC ACADEMY AND FAMILY CENTER & SOUTH BRONX JOB CORPS TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY AND HEALTHY EATING

  With the holiday season fast approaching and Puerto Rican Heritage Month underway, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, MARC Academy and Family Center and South Bronx Job Corps  have joined together to host the third annual special cooking presentation and tasting in the 33rd Senate District on Wednesday, November 13 at 10:30 am. The presentation will celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the Bronx and encourage healthier eating among parents and children.

The cooking presentation, which will be conducted by Chef Denis Williams, will teach attendees how to prepare healthier versions of household classics and favorites, such as sancocho, collard greens, falafel and much more, by making small alterations to the traditional recipes.

WHO:    NYS Senator Gustavo Rivera

               MARC Academy and Family Center

               South Bronx Job Corps.

  

WHAT:     Food demonstration featuring healthier versions of household classics and favorites

WHERE:   MARC Academy & Family Center

                  2105-2111 Jerome Avenue, 

                  Bronx NY 10453

  

WHEN:   Wednesday, November 13 at 10:30 AM

  

MARC Academy and Family Center, Inc. is a non-profit EarlyLearn NY program providing quality early childhood education, Family Day Care Network and school age support programs to children in the Bronx.

Was There Fraud in the 86th A.D. Special Election

 The above is a compelling photo which shows only levers to pull for the top two of the seven total candidates in this race were in place on this lever voting machine. This along with several accusations by not one or two, but four of the other candidates that fraud did exist in many different has forced the four candidates Hector Ramirez, Yudelka Tapia, Hallie Rivera, and Keny Nunez to call for an investigation of the long list of accusations and even for a new election. Some of the accusations are in a previous posting, but there seemed to be no more than the usual problems with the old machines in 86th A.D.. 

  There were reports of names missing from the enrollment books, as Mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner claimed his name was not in the enrollment book when he went to vote. Mayoral candidate Joe Lhota had to use a paper ballot because the voting machine at his table was not working. There were reports of machines being delivered to the wrong council districts, as well as some of the old problems of levers getting jammed, missing, or breaking off in one way or another. 

  As seems to be the case in the 86th A.D. special election the four candidates questioning the election have said that they were not allowed access to the voting machines prior to the election, found one candidates relatives working at a pole site, found what they have called electioneering by State Senator Gustavo Rivera, and Bronx Democratic County Leader 83rd A.D. Assemblyman Carl Heastie inside poll sites, Poll workers telling voters how to vote, among a list of other items.

  In the past there had been only reports of irregularities by one candidate at one or two poll sites in any race, not by four different candidates in the same race at so many different poll sites.

  I found out that after the election (as in the past) most lever voting machines were kept at the poll sites, and all due to be back in the Board of Elections care by midnight Thursday September 12th. Friday September 13th said voting machines were to be opened up and re canvased. Since only a plastic zip lock strip was used to secure the voting machines front I decided to visit the Bronx Board of Elections to see just what condition the voting machines were in when they came back. As you will see in the photos below ALL of the voting machine were placed in lines and the plastic zip lock strips on the front were broken before the re canvassing so it was not known if any came back with any broken front seals. . 

Left & Right - The lever voting machines are lined up for the re canvassing with all of the front plastic zip lock seals having been broken beforehand. You can even see some doors are open on a few machines. Click on a photo to enlarge it.

  I have reached out to Senator Gustavo Rivera and to Bronx Democratic County for comments on this matter. Senator Rivera's staff said that they would forward me a copy of a statement by Senator Rivera which I have not received yet, and did not get a call back from County Leader Heastie or any statement from him. I will be exploring this matter further in my column of "100 PERCENT" that can be found in next weeks editions of the Bronx News. Parkchester News, and Coop - City News. 

Senator Rivera Reminds Constituents That They Still Have Representation in the Legislature

  With the resignation of 86th A.D. Assemblyman Nelson Castro State Senator Gustavo Rivera wants to remind people in the 86th A.D. the following.

    In light of Governor Cuomo's decision to not hold a special election for the Bronx Assembly seat, Senator Gustavo Rivera wants to reassure constituents that he is committed to serving the community and his office is available to those in need of assistance.

"I want to assure all of my constituents that they have the full resources of my office at their disposal to address any concerns that may arise," said Senator Gustavo Rivera. "While it is unfortunate that the Governor's decision will leave the community without representation in the Assembly for seven months, that does not mean that they are without resources or representation."

Senator Rivera encourages all constituents that had a case pending with former Assemblyman Nelson Castro's office to please contact his office.

"I have experienced firsthand the consequences that develop in a community which has lost faith in the system. I will work tirelessly to rebuild that trust and ensure that all constituents are receiving the representation they deserve," said Senator Rivera.

Senator Rivera's office holds constituent service hours from Monday through Thursday from 12 p.m.  to 4 p.m. at 2432 Grand Concourse, Suite 506, Bronx, NY 10458 (across the street from the old Lowe's Paradise Theater). For more information, you can call Senator Rivera's office at 718-933-2034.

State Senator Rivera Hosts Bronx CAN Health Initiative Event Focused on Nutrition

SENATOR RIVERA HOSTS BRONX CAN HEALTH FAIR

The focus of Saturday's Health Fair is Nutrition and Healthy Eating

     State Senator Gustavo Rivera, along with Montefiore Medical Center and other community health partners will host the second Bronx CAN Health health fair of the summer on Saturday July 7th  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. The month of July as well as the July 7th health fair will be focused on nutrition and ways to eat better. 

  

WHO: Senator Gustavo Rivera, Montefiore Medical Center and other community partners 

  

WHAT: Bronx CAN Health Initiative Second Health Fair

  

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

  

WHEN: Saturday, July 7th, 2012 1:30-3:30 PM

This event is the second in a series of Bronx CAN Health fairs. All events are free and open to the public. The last Bronx CAN Health fair will be on August 4, 2012 at St. James Park from 1:30PM to 3:30PM and will focus on access to affordable health care.

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

  

  State Senator Gustavo Rivera along with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Montefiore Medical Center and other community health partners launched the second year of the Bronx CAN Health Initiative on June 2nd at St. James Park. Dozens of Bronxites participated in Saturday's health fair, taking advantage of blood pressure screenings, a free yoga class and the advice of health care professionals.

"As an elected official that represents part of the Bronx, I was extremely concerned to learn that our borough the unhealthiest in the state and that there are higher rates of childhood obesity, diabetes and other preventable diseases in the 33rd Senate District,"  said Senator Gustavo Rivera.  "That is why last year when we launched the Bronx CAN Health Initiative, I pledged to make myself an example, losing over 27 lbs. since last June. This year I have pledged to continue to lose between 10-15 lbs. adhering to long-term goals that will ultimately have an enormous impact on my overall health. I encourage all Bronxites who haven't already joined me, to join me in taking the  Bronx CAN Health Challenge this year so that together we can make the Bronx healthier."

"I am delighted that the Bronx CAN Health Initiative is beginning its second year of education, inspiration and motivation for healthier lifestyles.  This year we will again launch the CAN Health Challenge, led by Senator Rivera, encouraging Bronxites to set some strategic wellness goals for the summer months.  We are also putting the finishing touches on a CAN Retail Challenge that is aimed at educating our Bronx retailers on the minor but significant adjustments they can make to provide healthier food options to their consumers," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.  

"I am thrilled to join Senator Rivera and Borough President Diaz in the launch of the Bronx CAN Health Initiative" said Steven M. Safyer, MD, President & CEO of Montefiore Medical Center. "Our community leaders set tremendous examples for us, as does the partnership behind this important initiative. Montefiore is committed to furthering these efforts to promote physical exercise and healthier eating-choices crucial to reducing the rates of obesity and diabetes and to advancing the health of our borough.

"The Committee of interns and Residents is pleased to be partnering with the Bronx CAN Initiative for the second year in a row, " said Dr. Yusef Williams, Family Medicine Resident at Bronx Lebanon Hospital.  "As physicians practicing in the Bronx, we understand the importance of community projects like the Bronx CAN Initiative to empower Bronxites to make healthier choices.  We applaud Senator Rivera's and the Borough President's commitment to making the Bronx a healthier borough and we look forward to supporting the initiative."

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.

Upcoming Bronx CAN events:

• Saturday, July 7, 2012 - 1:30PM-3:30PM - Health Fair focused on Nutrition
• Saturday, August 4, 2012 - 1:30PM - 3:30PM - Health Fair focused on Preventative Health & Health Screenings

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SENATOR RIVERA HOSTS COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON STOP & FRISK

 The Third Workshop in a Series of Public Safety Workshops 

  Senator Gustavo Rivera partnered with 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care to host a community conversation on Stop and Frisk last Thursday, May 17th at 6:00PM. Dozens of Bronx residents engaged in a dialogue about their experiences with law enforcement and about how to proceed if stopped by the police. Some audience members, including Senator Rivera, participated in skits that portrayed both good and bad behavior when individuals are stopped by law enforcement officials.

" I believe the policy of Stop and Frisk as it is has been implemented in New York City, is unconstitutional and discriminatory," said Senator Gustavo Rivera. "I thought the exchange between the community and members of law enforcement was an important first step to addressing community concerns as it relates to this issue. In order for Bronxites and people of color throughout New York City to continue to feel safe in their neighborhood, they need to be able to trust their local police. That is why I decided to hold a workshop with former law enforcement officers to get folks talking about Stop and Frisk: what it is, and ways to avoid escalating conflicts if they are stopped and frisked by the police."

"The problem with 'illegal' Stop, Question and Frisk and the impact it is having on members of the Black and Latino community has become the primary civil rights issues of today," said retired officer and founding member of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, Noel Leader. "As Black and Latino law enforcement officials, we deem it to be very important to educate our communities on how to navigate these mostly unnecessary interactions."

Senator Rivera continues to believe that the policy of Stop and Frisk should be changed and will continue to advocate for changes at the city level. This was the third in a series of Public Safety Workshops, which have been held every Thursday in May.

 All are welcome to attend the next and final workshop on Domestic Violence:

 May 24th from 6:00PM to 7:30PM - Domestic Violence Presented by STEPS to End Family Violence.   2432 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY - 4th Floor

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

 

  You should know that some Members of the New York State Legislature are pushing hard to prevent McDonald’s and certain restaurants from giving out toys to children when they receive their meals unless those meals meet certain standards.

  Senate Bill 6386, sponsored by Senator Gustavo Rivera, and Assembly Bill 7662, sponsored by Assembly Member Felix Ortiz, both Hispanic and Puerto Rican, are calling for a law to dictate which restaurants may or may not distribute toys or as they call them, “incentives,” to children, especially poor children in our communities, when their parents take them to McDonald’s or any other restaurant to purchase a meal.

  It does not make sense! It is disturbing to see these same elected officials fight tooth and nail to give a woman the right to kill an unborn baby, because according to them, it is a woman’s choice to do what they want with their bodies. Gustavo and Felix have no problem in being part of the “American Holocaust” and by being pro-choice by giving a woman a right to murder an unborn baby, but they have problems and are willing to take away the right of the mother and father or child to eat whatever they want.

  Don’t get me wrong, I believe that obesity is a problem and that people should be more careful with what they eat, but if people want to be fat and eat hamburgers or anything they want, it is their right to allow them to eat whatever they want. I think that it is a lot better to be fat than to terminate the life of an unborn, innocent baby. Does anyone believe that people are elected into office to regulate what food and drinks moms and dads can serve their children?

  Do these same elected officials who fight for any woman to have a supposed right to choose to kill her unborn baby realize that they are way out of line to try to assume authority over moms by taking away their right to choose what to give their children to eat or drink?

  When pro-lifers like me state the obvious that abortion affects two lives and that the fetus is a life, and that to crush their skulls with forceps or to use saline water to be disintegrated, the proc-choice, pro-abortion politicians argue back with that old cliché “my body, my choice”. I’m pretty sure that Assembly Member Ortiz and Senator Rivera would stand by their side.  

  How can these same two officials think they have the right to tell moms how they should feed their children or what to what restaurant they should take them?

  Parents struggle to do what’s best for their children, and at least so far, in this country parents are not dictated to by local elected officials about how to feed their children.  If they want to cook at home, they can. If they want to go out and eat, they can.

  You should know that there are important issues before us in the Legislature, and we sure don’t need Senator Rivera and Assembly Member Ortiz to divert our attention by creating a Nanny State in New York and much less deny McDonald’s or any other restaurant to give a free toy as an incentive. It is their right! It is their choice! And it is their money!

  I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.
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Riverdale Festival of the Arts

  The 2012 edition of the Riverdale Festival of the Arts took place on Sunday with hundreds of people enjoying the event. Ms. Lisa Cooper (owner, Elisa Contemporary Art), Ms. Linda Manning (Linda Manning Productions), and Ms. Tracy Shelton (Executive Director KRVDC) were the driving force behind putting this years event together on Johnson Avenue in the Riverdale Section of the Bronx. In all Ms. Shelton said that between the merchants of Johnson Avenue, local service providers, and others there were around 70 different tables set up on Johnson Avenue. We are going to let the photos that we took show you some of the action that occurred. Click on any photo to enlarge it.   

Left is Johnson Avenue at 10 AM one hour before the start of the Festival of the Arts 2012.  Right is the stage area at the corner of Johnson Avenue and West 236th Street.

Left is Ms. Lisa Cooper with some of her art displayed in front of the Capital One Bank on Johnson Avenue.   Right is Adam Auslander Street Performer who grew up a few blocks from Johnson Avenue.

 

Left is Chef Claude Solliard of the New Restaurant Oregano's located at 3522 Johnson Avenue handing out samples of the fine food available at Oregano's.  Right is food that was for sale at Nam Thai Restaurant across the street from Oregano's.

Left is a demonstration of a new solar panel skylight made by New York City Daylight.   Right are Congressman Eliot Engel and State Senator Gustavo Rivera.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz is speaking to the crowd as Congressman Eliot Engel, and State Senators Gustavo Rivera and Jeff Klein look on as the band takes a break while the elected officials talk.

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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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