STATE SENATOR JEFF KLEIN, THROGGS NECK HOUSES RESIDENTS’ COUNCIL & COMMUNITY BOARD 10 HOST FIRST EVER SPRING COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP DAY IN THE BRONX

Klein, Local Volunteers, Police Service Area #8 Explorers Join Together to Beautify Throggs Neck Houses

State Senator Jeff Klein together with Assemblyman Benedetto, the Throggs Neck Houses Residents’ Council, Community Board 10 and volunteers from the Police Service Area #8 Explorers, today held the first ever spring community clean-up day at the Throggs Neck Houses in the Bronx. Senator Klein co-sponsored the event, joining in the fun with local volunteers as they collected trash and debris, cleared walkways and picked up after the long winter.

“Today, we are facing a crisis of affordable housing in New York City – not only is there limited availability for New Yorkers in need, but our public housing has been left in a state of disrepair and neglect,” said Senator Klein.  “By working together in the spirit of community to clean up the Throggs Neck Houses, we are providing local residents with a cleaner, greener place to call home. A special thanks to Assemblyman Benedetto, the Residents’ Council, Community Board 10 and all the volunteers who came out, joined in the fun and got their hands dirty for our spring cleanup.”

The Department of Sanitation, in partnership with Community Board 10, donated garbage bags, brooms, rakes, shovels and an array of cleaning supplies for the event. Volunteers kicked off the morning at the Residents’ Council’s office with donuts and coffee and departed to one of the 29 buildings in the complex shortly after. Everyone broke for lunch at noon, munching on hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and cupcakes. All attendees participated in an exciting raffle, with a chance to win fun prizes like a brand-new bike and gift cards to target.

"By hosting our first ever Throggs Neck Houses community clean-up day, we are encouraging residents and volunteers to get involved and make a difference right here at home," said Monique Johnson, President of the Throggs Neck Houses Residents' Council. "The simple fact is, a cleaner community creates a unified community, stronger community and a loving community. Thanks to Senator Klein, Assemblyman Benedetto, Community Board 10, Resident Engagement and the Police Service Area Explorers we are ready for spring!"

As New York City’s public housing stock has faced a significant decline in recent years, community beautification projects play a vital role in ensuring NYCHA developments are safe, secure and sanitary. In this year’s state budget, Senator Klein secured $100 million in funding for New York City public housing, representing the largest investment in NYCHA in more than 15 years.

“Bedtime Story Time” at the Morris Park Community Association with State Senator Jeff Klein

  

  Friday night State Senator Jeff Klein visited the Morris Park Community Association to see many pajama clad children waiting for the senator to read them a few stories. This is a revival of an old storytelling idea that the MPCA had in the past, and will have on the last Friday of each month. In the photos below Senator Klein gave a short overview of what is going on in the political world in Albany, and what his goals are for this legislative session. He read to the children, and presented the MPCA a check to help cover the costs of the holiday lights this past holiday season. 

 

Left - Senator Klein is speaking about what he will be doing in the new session of the legislature in Albany.

Right - Senator Klein is showing the children a picture from the book that he is reading to them.

Left - A group photo of children, parents, MPCA members, and Senator Klein.

Right - Senator Klein gives a check for $250.00 to help pay for the holiday lights that were put up by the MPCA. Tony Signorile, Chris Alessandro, and Al D'Angelo of MPCA are in the photo with Senator Klein.

Senator Klein Graffiti Clean up in 45th Pct.

 State Senator Jeff Klein & 45th Pct. Commander Capt. James R. McGeown in their regular attire.

  However as you will see in the photos below both were dressed in jeans along with the Chairman & District Manager of Community Board 10, and many others volunteers who helped rid the 45th Pct. of some of its graffiti. 

  Gallons of paint, cans of graffiti remover, boxes of gloves, dozens of paint brushes and rollers, greeted the volunteers at the 45th Pct. when they met and Senator Klein addressed the problem . Klein said that as soon as graffiti is put up photos must be taken for evidence to ID the person who did it. The next step is to get rid of the graffiti, and go to the District Attorney for prosecution of the offender. Sen. Klein added that his court monitoring program then sits in on cases to let the judge know that the community wants more than just a slap on the wrist to the offender, they want that person off the streets in jail.

  Senator Klein presented citations to Mr. John Rebetto and Mr. Sidney Flores for their excellent work in helping to rid the community of graffiti. 

  

 Left - Senator Jeff Klein stresses the importance of wiping out graffiti as soon as it appears.

Right - Senator Klein, 45th Pct. Captain James R. McGeown with Mr. Flores and Mr. Rebetto.

 

Left - the paint and supplies that greeted the clean up volunteers - Right.

 

Left - Senator Klein mans the wall roller as he paints over some recent graffiti on an underpass of the Cross Bronx Expressway.

Right - CB 10 District Manager Kenneth Kearns puts the roller to the wall.

 

Left - CB 10 Chairman John Marano climbs up along the highway to paint over this graffiti.

Right - What the wall now looks like after being painted over.

Senator Klein Hosts Annual Veterans Breakfast

  It was a warm up to the annual Bronx Veteran's Day Parade that goes through the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx Sunday Morning at Villa Barone where State Senator Jeff Klein hosted a breakfast for over 200 Veteran's of the many past wars the country has been involved in. Veterans from the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, Korea, and even from WWII were on hand to celebrate Veterans Day with Senator Klein and the four honorees Joseph Chabriel, James E. Connell III, Eugene Lynch, and Johnnie H. Williams Jr. 

  The New York City Transit Pipes and Drums Crop played for the presentation of the colors. Mr. Pat Divine gave a short speech on Veterans day and introduced Senator Klein who thanked the veterans in attendance for their service to the country. Klein said that young people need to be educated on how veterans of wars have given of themselves so the young people of today can enjoy the freedoms they currently have. Klein added that the unemployment rate of returning veterans is to high so he has introduced legislation to give any business in New York State a $5,000.00 credit for hiring a returning veteran. 

  Klein added that only two days earlier he was at the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Veterans Luncheon where he had the honor of being with several members of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen of World War Two. Klein said that these were Black soldiers who could not fight by their white counterparts due to the segregation of the times, but these men formed their own unit to go on to become famous WW II hero's.

  The four honorees Joseph Chabriel, James E. Connell III, Eugene Lynch, and Johnnie H. Williams Jr. were then given citations from Senator Klein. There was a moment of silence as Albert Nicotina (Bugler) played taps to honor the many fallen soldiers. Lois Salveggi from the Theodore Korony post 253 then sang God Bless America. After a few closing remarks it was out side to line up for the Bronx Veterans Day parade. 

 

Left - The New York City Transit Pipes and Drum Corp play. 

Right - The colors are presented. 

 

Left - A photo of one of the many tables of Veterans enjoying the breakfast.

Right - Mr. Pat Devine introduces Senator Klein.

 

Left - One of the attendees was 95 year old WWII Veteran Mr. Dominic Macchia.

Right - Mr. Luis Salveggi sings "God Bless America".

 

Left - Senator Klein with the four Honorees.

Right - A Photo of other veterans standing with two of the Honorees.

 

Left - Another group of Veterans posing.

Right - After the breakfast it was outside to line up behind this fire engine for the Annual Bronx Veterans Day Parade

1,000 Attend Dionne Warwick Concert in Seton Park

   Estimates of about or more than 1,000 people in attendance at last night's Dionne Warwick concert that was held in Seton Park in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The politicians and those running for office were also there. Both candidates for city Comptroller Eliot Spitzer who left early, and Scott Stringer who arrived shortly after Spitzer left. Public Advocate candidate Dan Squadron, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, 11th City Council District candidates Andrew Cohen and Cliff Stanton (who handed out free ice cream on the hot night). The concert was one of a series being sponsored by State Senator Jeff Klein throughout his senate district in the Bronx and Westchester County.

   Ms. Warwick arrived as the elected officials were speaking, and went right into song even before they left the stage that was set up for her in the park. Ms. Warwick sang hit after hit, and roamed across the large stage so people could see her and take photos from many different angles. The concert ended at 9PM and the crowd was thanked for coming by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who said that he was a big fan of Ms. Warwick. People came from all over the Bronx to see the Dionne Warwick Concert, with some saying to me they attend every concert that Senator Klein has scheduled. Below are some photos.

 

Before the Dionne Warwick Concert began in Seton Park the elected officials were there.

Left - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (left), State Senators Dan Squadron (candidate for Public Advocate center), and Jeff Klein (right).

Right - Manhattan Borough President and candidate for City Comptroller Scott Stringer stumping for votes.

11th City Council candidates Andrew Cohen and Cliff Stanton were at the event.
Left - Stanton is handing out free ice cream.
Right - Cohen is just enjoying a great evening with the people.

Left - You can see just how large the stage set up in the park was.
Right - A close up of Ms. Warwick.

 

Left - One shot of the huge crowd that came to Seton Park to hear Ms. Dionne Warwick. 

Right - Some of the ice cream wrappers found on the ground after the concert.

New Woodlawn Weekend Van Service

  From left to right are , New York City Taxi & Limousine Commissioner David Yassky, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Mr. Carl Gromes (owner of the van service) State Senator Jeff Klein, Monsignor Barry of Woodlawn is behind Senator Klein, Ms. Christine Sheridan (President of the Woodlawn Taxpayers Association), and Mr. Jim Ellis of the Woodlawn Cemetery  who are  standing in front of the new "Woodlawn Weekend Group Ride Van Service".

  "This all came about when the MTA cancelled the weekend bus service on the BX34 bus to Woodlawn in 2010" said Senator Jeff Klein. He added that in conjunction with NYC TLC Commissioner David Yassky, and the Dorcel Edenwald Bus Service that the weekend van service would operate on the weekend where the BX34 bus use to. The van service will run every half hour between 9 AM and 9 PM with a fare of $2.00.

  Mr, Gromes of the van service said that his company came into existence ten years ago during a similar circumstance when the old BX14 bus was eliminated. He added that the van can carry up to 14 passengers, and that there have already been requests that he extend the service up Bainbridge Avenue past the #4 train to the D train on East 205th Street. Check the local stores for the schedule of the new van service. 

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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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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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