MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS EIGHT JUDGES TO FAMILY AND CIVIL COURT

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the appointment of two judges to Family Court and six as interim Civil Court judges. These judges have a wealth of experience in the public and private sectors and are uniquely qualified to serve all New Yorkers.

“I am proud to appoint this group of diverse, committed, and impartial judges to serve the people of New York,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I am confident they will work tirelessly in the best interest of all who call this great city home.”

  

The Mayor appointed the following judges:  

FAMILY COURT

Judge Lisa Friederwitzer

Judge Friederwitzer spent the majority of her career, nearly 20 years, with the New York State Unified Court System, serving as a Court Attorney Referee in Supreme Court and as a Support Magistrate and Court Attorney in Family Court. Prior to that, she was a solo practitioner.

Judge Friederwitzer received her undergraduate degree from CUNY, Queens College and her law degree from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. 

Judge Lynn Leopold

Judge Leopold served with the New York City Law Department for nearly 17 years, primarily in the Family Court Division as Senior Counsel and Deputy Borough Chief as well as Senior Counsel in Family Court, Administration. Prior to that, she was with the New York City Housing Authority for 11 years having last served as an Assistant Chief in the Anti-Narcotics Strike Force, and started her career at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Leopold graduated from Cornell University and the University of Bridgeport School of Law (now Quinnipiac School of Law).

CIVIL COURT

Judge Jonathan Shim

Judge Shim was in private practice his entire career, having worked as an associate at several firms before becoming a solo practitioner specializing in family and matrimonial law for the last nine and a half years. Judge Shim received his undergraduate degree from SUNY at Albany and his law degree from Albany Law School. Judge Shim is appointed to Civil Court and will be serving in Family Court.

Judge Michael Hartofilis

Judge Hartofilis served with the Queens County District Attorney’s office in various bureaus for eight years before becoming a solo practitioner specializing in criminal defense for the last 22 years. Judge Hartofilis received his undergraduate degree from New York University and his law degree from Temple University School of Law. Judge Hartofilis is appointed to Civil Court and will be serving in Criminal Court.

Judge Marisol Martinez Alonso

Judge Martinez Alonso was a career prosecutor with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, having served for over 16 years and as Deputy Chief of a Trial Bureau in her last capacity. Judge Martinez Alonso graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and received her law degree from New York Law School. Judge Martinez Alonso is appointed to Civil Court and will be serving in Criminal Court.

Judge Edwin Novillo

Judge Novillo served with the Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice for over 14 years, in both Kings and Queens County. He received his undergraduate degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and his law degree from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. Judge Novillo is appointed to Civil Court and will be serving in Criminal Court.

Judge Ann Thompson

Judge Thompson began her career at two private firms before serving with the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office for over 10 years. She last served as Bureau Chief of the Special Victims Bureau. Judge Thompson received her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and her law degree from Harvard Law School. Judge Thompson is appointed to Civil Court and will be serving in Criminal Court.

Judge Jeffrey Zimmerman

Judge Zimmerman served as a prosecutor for the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District, as well as the New York County District Attorney’s Office. He spent 17 years at Time Warner Cable, having last served as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, before returning to the public sector. Most recently, Judge Zimmerman was the Deputy Director of Crime Strategies and Public Safety for the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. He graduated from Dartmouth College and Columbia University Law School. Judge Zimmerman is appointed to Civil Court and will be serving in Criminal Court.

24th Annual Bronx Parks Speak Up Sat Feb. 24th at Lehman College

Wave Hill Events Feb 23‒Mar 2

Sat, February 24    Family Art Project: Exotic Desert Dwellers

Visit Wave Hill’s Cactus and Succulent House in the Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory and leave winter behind as you dream of warmer places. Spend some time sketching and painting exotic desert dwellers and tropical inhabitants, then, using sand and vibrant tempera paint, make a desert or tropical mirage. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, February 25    Family Art Project: Exotic Desert Dwellers

Visit Wave Hill’s Cactus and Succulent House in the Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory and leave winter behind as you dream of warmer places. Spend some time sketching and painting exotic desert dwellers and tropical inhabitants, then, using sand and vibrant tempera paint, make a desert or tropical mirage. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, February 25    Pre-Concert Tea

Enjoy Afternoon Tea in the Mark Twain Room prior to today’s concert in Armor Hall. The Café at Wave Hill pairs a classic menu with an assortment of green, black and herbal teas. This traditional tea service includes the four classic elements of savory, scones, sweets and tea. The menu, presented by Great Performances, includes an array of tea sandwiches, scones and bite-sized desserts. Afternoon Tea also includes a glass of sparkling wine. Afternoon Tea Service is $36. Wave Hill Members receive a 10% discount. Advance registration is required online. We will take reservations until 5PM, Thursday, February 22.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, NOON–2PM

Sun, February 25    Winter Workspace Drop-In Sunday

Artists in the Winter Workspace program share their studio practice with visitors on this Drop-In Sunday. Artists in Session 2 of this program are Michele Brody, Tamara Kostianovsky, Athena LaTocha and Maika’i Tubbs. For more about who is in residence on Sundays, visit wavehill.org. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR  GALLERY, 1–3PM

Sun, February 25    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

Sun, February 25    Concert: The Brown-Urioste-Canellakis Trio & Alex Fiterstein, Clarinet

Described as “outstanding” by Albany’s Times Union, the Trio— Michael Brown, composer-pianist; Elena Urioste, violin; and Nicholas Canellakis, cello—is acclaimed for the exuberant communicativeness with which it plays. Recent highlights include the Beethoven Triple Concerto with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Los Alamos Concerts, Merkin Concert Hall, the Vancouver Recital Society, the Ravinia Festival and Chicago’s radio station WFMT. Joining the ensemble is guest clarinetist Alex Fiterstein. The Wave Hill program will be a blend of traditional chamber works by Debussy and Fauré, and a movement from Olivier Messaien’s 20th-century landmark work, Quartet for the End of Time. The centerpiece of the program is the world premiere of a new work by composer-pianist Michael Brown commissioned by Wave Hill. Sounds of nature will resonate inside Armor Hall as the inspiration for these contemporary works. Tickets for this concert are $28 plus admission to the grounds/$24 Wave Hill Member/$12 Children ages 8–18. Order tickets online at wavehill.orgor onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. For additional information, please call 718.549.3200 x251.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2PM

Mon, February 26

Closed to the public.

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–4:30PM, November 1–March 14. Closes 5:30PM, starting March 15.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

25 Members And Associates Of Bronx Gang Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Narcotics Trafficking

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the Police Department for the City of New York (“NYPD”), Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Ashan M. Benedict, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (“ATF”), and James J. Hunt, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced charges today against 25 members and associates of the “Hooly Gang,” a crew operating primarily in the vicinity of Fox Street and Leggett Avenue in the Bronx, New York.  The defendants are charged with narcotics conspiracy in Superseding Indictment S1 17 Cr. 449 (KPF).

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “The defendants are charged with narcotics conspiracy.  What they allegedly did was annex a residential neighborhood, including two playgrounds, and make it a virtual open-air bazaar for dangerous and potentially lethal drugs.  We commend our partners at the NYPD, HSI, ATF, and DEA for working together to restore our neighborhoods to the law-abiding people who deserve to live without fear of gangs and the violence they often bring.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “As alleged, the defendants in this case plied their poison, including heroin and oxycodone, across two Bronx playgrounds, endangering the lives of many in the neighborhood.  Our focus on crime—and violence—is unwavering.  And it is exhibited clearly in today’s action.  I am thankful for the efforts of detectives, agents, and prosecutors whose work resulted in the arrest of dozens this morning and the unsealing of this superseding indictment.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “The individuals arrested during this operation are alleged to sell crack and heroin around playgrounds.  They have a clear disregard for law enforcement and clearly no regard for the communities in which they live.  HSI and its law enforcement partners will continue to arrest and remove gang members, like those today, off our city streets.”

ATF Special-Agent-in-Charge Ashan M. Benedict said:  “The Hooly Gang and its members, as alleged, turned playgrounds into open air drug markets where narcotics were more common than the sights and sounds of children laughing and playing.  Thank you to all of the federal, state and local partners that helped create a force multiplier effect to help rid the streets of violent narcotics traffickers thus sending a message to the community that the rule of law runs the streets. I would like to extend my gratitude to the United States Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting the case.” 

DEA Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt said:  “Allegedly, the Hooly Gang was a feared drug supplier in the Longwood section of the Bronx.  Their products - ranging from crack, heroin, marijuana, and oxycodone - invited gang wars into the surrounding communities and enabled drug addiction.  This unique law enforcement partnership, targeting gang violence in our city, led to today’s arrests.” 

According to the Superseding Indictment[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court and other publicly filed documents:

The Superseding Indictment arises from a joint investigation, beginning in 2017, by the NYPD, HSI, DEA, and ATF into a crew operating in the vicinity of Fox Street and Leggett Avenue in the Bronx called the “Hooly Gang.”  Members and associates of the Hooly Gang operated an open-air drug market in this residential neighborhood – including within and around two playgrounds – and sold, among other things, crack, heroin, oxycodone, and marijuana.  In order to protect its drug turf and advance its aims, members and associates of the Hooly Gang also committed acts of violence, including shootings.

Defendants arrested in New York yesterday and early this morning will be presented later this afternoon in Manhattan federal court.  Defendant MELVIN ALSTON is presently in custody on state charges and will be transferred to federal custody.  Defendants ANTHONY RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Ant,” ROBERTO JORGE, and GIOVANNI TORRES are already in federal custody on related charges.

Each defendant is charged with one count of narcotics conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.  The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by the judge.

The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla. 

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD’s Bronx Gang Squad, HSI’s Violent Gang Unit, ATF’s Joint Firearms Task Force, and the New York Field Division of the DEA, as well as the United States Marshals’ Service and the New York State Division of Parole for their assistance in today’s arrests.  He also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Department of Investigation for their support in the investigation of this matter.

The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment and the descriptions of the Superseding Indictment set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

The Bronx Democratic Party Invites You to Our Annual Winter Reception

Community Board 8 Puts Stagg Developers on Notice

  At what should have been a quiet and short Land Use Committee Meeting of Community Board 8, the last item drew some criticism of Stagg Developers and a surprise resolution on the application for a 421A partial tax exemption. 

  Two of the five items on the agenda were cancelled, and the next two were short matters to houses in the Special Nature Area of CB 8. The last Item was for a 421A partial tax exemption from Stagg Developers for their new building at 5959 Broadway at West 242nd Street. 

 Ms. Kathleen Bradshaw represented Stagg Developers to discuss the request for a 421A tax exemption. She said the six story building would have commercial space on the first floor to which a tenant has not been found yet. The second floor would be occupied by a charter school, not naming which one. She then went on to discuss the 72 units that would be for rent at an average 80% AMI or around $1,292.00 per unit depending on the size. There will be 14 studio apartment ranging from 500 square feet to 520 square feet. 55 one bedroom apartments ranging from 501 square feet to 571 square feet. there would also be 3 two bedroom apartments for a total of 72 units on the remaining four floors. When asked how many parking spaces the building would have the answer was 36. As for the charter school there would be seven or eight classrooms, and the entrance would be separate from the building and on West 242nd Street. 

  CB 8 Land Use Chair Charles Moerdler had some questions which Ms. Bradshaw could not answer. One was if this building which was being presented as a Market Rate rental building would be changed into a homeless shelter as Stagg developers did with a building several blocks down on Broadway. Ms. Bradshaw tried to convince the committee that would not be the case, whereas Chair Moerdler snapped back that he has seen how Mr. Mark Stagg works, and would seek asurrences that this building be a rental building for at least three years.

After several questions by board members and members of the public, Chair Moerdler hesitantly came forth with a proposed resolution whereas the board would approve the 421A application. When he asked for a second to his resolution there were no takers. Chair Moerdler then stepped back and presented a resolution calling for disapproval of the 421 A application. This resolution was quickly seconded, and all but one board member present voted to affirm the resolution. 

It should be noted that there was no quorum of Community Board 8 Land Use members present, but that will not stop the resolution from coming before the full board on Tuesday night to be voted on.

BP DIAZ HOSTS ANNUAL CELEBRATION FOR DOMINICAN HERITAGE IN THE BRONX

On Thursday, February 8, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will host his annual Dominican Heritage Celebration at Grand Slam Banquet Hall, honoring individuals who have contributed to the growth and promotion of their community and culture. 



This year honorees include Fausto B. Pichardo, Assistant Chief of the Patrol Services Bureau of New York City Police Department; Hon. Carmen De La Rosa, New York City Assembly Woman; Estela Vazquez, executive vice president of 1199; and Rodolfo Fuertes, entrepreneur in the supermarket and Real Estate industry.

Yisel Tejada, Investigative reporter for Noticias Univision 41, will serve as the events emcee.

WHAT

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosts his annual Dominican Heritage Celebration                                    

 

WHEN

Thursday, February 8, 2018

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

                                   

WHERE

Grand Slam Banquet Hall - 2nd floor

478 E. Tremont Ave

Bronx, NY 

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES RECORD HIGH GRADUATION RATE

Graduation Rate Rises to 74.3 Percent and Dropout Rate Falls to 7.8 Percent

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that New York City’s 2017 four-year high school graduation rate is the highest on record – 74.3 percent. The dropout rate is now at its lowest ever – 7.8 percent. The graduation rate rose and the dropout rate fell in every borough and among every ethnicity. 

“New York City is showing that when we invest in our students, they rise to the challenge and do better and better. Our kids are graduating high school and going to college at record rates, while dropping out less than ever before. If we are going to make New York City the fairest big city in America, it starts with giving our kids the education they deserve, and we are executing this vision every day,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. 

“Our graduation and dropout rates continue to improve steadily and show that we’re on the right track,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “This is a day to recognize the incredible impact our educators have on our children’s lives, and to celebrate their dedication to their craft. We need to keep improving, redoubling our commitment to our Equity and Excellence for All agenda to ensure that every child gets a high-quality education.”

The rates below are the graduation and dropout percentages among the cohort of all students who entered 9^th grade in the fall of 2013. All percentage point changes are comparisons to the previous year.

·       The graduation rate rose to 74.3 percent, a 1.2 point increase.

·       The dropout rate fell to 7.8 percent, a 0.6 point decrease.

Graduation rates improved across all ethnicities:

·       Black students’ graduation rate increased to 70.0 percent, a 1.3 point gain.

·       Hispanic students’ graduation rate increased to 68.3 percent, a 1.0 point gain.

·       Asian students’ graduation rate increased to 87.5 percent, a 1.8 point gain.

·       White students’ graduation rate increased to 83.2 percent, a 0.9 point gain.

Dropout rates fell across all ethnicities:

·       Black students’ dropout rate fell to 7.9 percent, a 0.9 point decrease.

·       Hispanic students’ dropout rate fell to 10.7 percent, a 0.6 point decrease.

·       Asian students’ dropout rate fell to 4.0 percent, a 0.6 point decrease.

·       White students’ dropout rate fell to 4.4 percent, a 0.3 point decrease.

Graduation rates increased and dropout rates fell in every borough. The largest improvement in graduation and dropout rates was in Queens:

	Graduation
	2017 # Cohort	% 2017 Grad	% 2016 Grad	Pt. Diff
Bronx	13730	66.3	64.9	1.4
Brooklyn	20096	74.4	72.8	1.6
Queens	19417	77.8	76.1	1.7
Manhattan	15280	74.9	74.7	0.1
Staten Island	4631	80.3	79.5	0.8

	Dropout
	2017 # Cohort	% 2017 Dropout	% 2016 Dropout	Pt. Diff
Bronx	13730	11.7	12.7	-1
Brooklyn	20096	7.4	7.6	-0.2
Queens	19417	6.4	7.7	-1.3
Manhattan	15280	7.3	7.4	-0.1
Staten Island	4631	6	6.4	-0.4

Graduation rates also increased at the City’s 28 Renewal high schools. The graduation rate increased to 65.7 percent, a 5.7 point increase. The dropout rate was 16.4 percent, a 2.2 point decrease. 

The Class of 2016 4-year graduation rate reflects an updated rate of 73.0 percent instead of 72.6 percent as previously reported due to a data revision by the New York State Education Department.

Earlier this school year, Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Fariña announced:

The highest-ever postsecondary enrollment rate – 57 percent of the Class of 2016. The highest-ever number of New York City students taking and passing Advanced Placement exams in 2017, with a 9.9 percent jump in students taking at least one AP and 7.5 percent jump in students passing at least one AP over the previous year. The highest-ever college readiness rate – 47 percent of all students, and 64 percent of graduates, in the Class of 2017 graduated high school on time and met CUNY’s standards for college readiness in English and math. The highest-ever number of high school juniors taking the SAT – 61,800 students. All juniors are now able to take the SAT free of charge during the school day. Elementary and middle school students also continue to make gains on State English and math exams. City students have now outperformed their New York State peers in English for the second year in a row.  Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Fariña’s Equity and Excellence for All initiatives will continue to build on the progress, ensuring that, by 2026, 80 percent of students graduate high school on time and two-thirds of graduates are college-ready. EDITOR'S NOTE: While we applaud Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Farina, we have to ask however why are Bronx schools performance at the lowest levels of the five boroughs.  There is a marked eight percent gap between the gradation of students in Bronx high schools, and students in citywide schools. There is also a marked just under four percent in the dropout rate in Bronx high school when compared to citywide numbers, and the Bronx remains the only borough in the City of New York with a double digit dropout rate.