NEW YORK CITY AWARDS $26.4 MILLION TO COMPLETE QUEENS MUSEUM EXPANSION

 

Expansion Includes Construction of a New Children’s Museum Space, Space for Collections and Staff, and Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

 Mayor de Blasio, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, City Council, and Queens Borough President’s Office have announced that New York City has allocated $26.4 million to complete the Queens Museum’s expansion project. The expansion will create a dedicated children’s museum space focused on art and culture in Queens, expand the museum’s classrooms, provide secure artwork storage, and improve the facility’s energy efficiency. Together, the improvements will cement Queens Museum’s role as a world class museum and community anchor in the heart of New York’s most diverse borough. 

“The Queens Museum is a world-class institution, and this funding will help them grow and develop their footprint in Queens and throughout the city,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Arts and culture are not just the key to our recovery from COVID-19 – they are the key to nurturing the talent, curiosity, and creativity that will keep New York City the most vibrant city in the world.”

“Queens Museum is an integral part of the communities it serves, a home for amazing arts programming, education, and important civic services – relationships they used to support their neighbors throughout the pandemic,” said NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Gonzalo Casals. “We’re thrilled to make a major investment in this exciting project, which will expand Queens Museum’s ability to connect with and serve audiences, with new space for children’s programming, storage, and energy sustainability upgrades.”    

 

In November 2013, the Queens Museum completed the first phase of its expansion project, bringing an additional 50,000 square feet of galleries, event spaces, educational areas, and visitor amenities, as well as site work and facilities systems upgrades. The second and final phase consists of five distinct elements:

• The creation of first floor and second floor educational classroom/workshop areas;
• A 5,500 square foot intergenerational, multilingual Family Art Lab;
• A 2,600 square foot art storage vault; 
• A reconstruction of the southern wall and window system; and
• Construction of back of house spaces including offices, exhibition prep spaces, an artwork conservation/study area.  

 

Additionally, the project includes the installation of a full-height glass wall system on the mezzanine level and the upgrade of HVAC system. 

 

“New York City’s most diverse borough deserves a world class museum, and the New York City Council is proud to support this expansion with $3 million in FY2022 to make that a reality. This expansion will allow the Queens Museum to make wise investments so it can best serve the community for decades to come: expanding its ability to engage kids and students, allowing it to secure and safely store its growing collections, and improving the energy efficiency of its facilities,” said City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.  

COUNCILMAN YDANIS RODRIGUEZ MUST APOLOGIZE TO All AMERICAN CITIZENS

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz

18 District, Bronx

COUNCILMAN YDANIS RODRIGUEZ

MUST APOLOGIZE TO All

AMERICAN CITIZENS

You should know that there was a time when becoming a Citizen of the United States and becoming an American was part of the American Dream.

Immigrants dreamed and looked forward to obtaining that beautiful blue passport that when presented identified them as a full-fledged American, and they felt that they had acquired part of that American Dream. Acquiring that American Passport gave those who possessed it prestige, liberty and the protections that came with being a citizen of the United States people of other nations could only wish for.

You should know that becoming an American Citizen came with pride and inalienable rights, to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This came with the opportunities and the promise that anyone can prosper and acquire the happiness they seek with a good education and hard work.   As American Citizens we are afforded the right to elect our leaders and representatives on the city, state, and federal levels.  The beauty of America is that when you become an American Citizen all citizens become one people, the American People.  

It is important for you to know that it is painful and disheartening to hear when New York City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez said that if American Citizens, do not like granting the undocumented immigrants the right to vote then “pack your bags and move to another city or to another country.”  Wow!!! What nerve and audacity to say this to American Citizens who have fought for this country and have abide by our country’s laws and New York State Constitution.

Could you Imagine what we have come to! while some have waited in line, sacrificed everything, their lives, their families, their positions to obtain American Citizenship and others such as Puerto Ricans who shed their blood and sacrificed to obtained American Citizenship, Ydanis Rodriguez now tells us, that if we do not agree with him in violating the Constitution, which he swore to uphold, and allow non-citizens or the undocumented who entered this country without authorization, or documents, that we should leave our homes, City, State or even our Nation.

Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, who happens to be a Dominican, knows full well that in the Dominican Republic undocumented Haitians are not allowed to vote, and when found they are immediately deported.  I refuse to believe that Ydanis Rodriguez would have the nerve or the audacity to tell his Dominican compatriots, that if they do not allow the undocumented Haitians the right to vote in the elections of the Dominican Republic, then they should pack up and move to another country.

I think Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez and everyone who agrees with him owes an apology to all the American Citizens and immigrants who abide by our immigration laws and who have waited in line, and who have sacrificed to obtained and become proud Citizens of the United States.

All countries and even in the Bible itself you will find that citizens should submit and comply with the authorities and obey the laws of that land. (Romans 13).

Our Constitution states that only United States Citizens have the right and privilege to vote. This is to be respected and not incentivize people to violate and break our Constitutional Laws.

 

It is important for you to know that I believe that the Constitution of every country such as the United States, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Honduras, San Salvador, Ecuador, Venezuela, etc., etc., shall be respected and complied with.  If there is anything in the Constitution that we don’t like then our struggle and energy must be exercised to amend it, not to violate it.   

 

I am Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is What You Should Know. 

100 Days and Counting - How Did I Catch COVID After Getting My Second COVID Vaccination Shot, Mayor de Blasio

On August 31st I received my first dose of the Pfizer COVID vaccine at Jacobi Hospital. I chose Jacobi Hospital, because I wanted to be vaccinated at one of the top NYC hospitals, where I knew a professional would be administering the vaccine. The first vaccination went perfect, as I did not feel anything, and had no after effects. 

My second vaccination was for September 21st three weeks after the first vaccination. For my first vaccination the needle was all set, and I was out One, Two, Three. For my second vaccination the nurse who was giving me the shot took the needle and drew the vaccine from a bottle. My first vaccination was quick, but the second shot seemed to linger longer than the first vaccination. I went home, and then things went downhill. I was told to hydrate myself, and drink plenty of water, 

My head became very hot, and I experienced the symptoms of COVID. It got so bad that I thought I was going to die at some point. The fever broke on the second day, but I still could not walk to the bathroom without bumping into a wall. I could not breath through my nose, and my senses of taste and smell were gone for half the day. 

All I want to know Mayor de Blasio, What was in that second shot that made me feel as if I was going to die? Was it too much vaccine, too little vaccine, or something else?

Booths were set up, and you went into the one when your name was called.

This was the table you checked in at and were given forms to fill out. Even though it was a free vaccination, your insurance information was requested, so your insurance company would be charged for the vaccination.

Building 4 was where the COVID vaccination shots were being given at Jacobi Hospital.

Espaillat Hosts President Abinader During Hispanic Heritage Month Event, Introduces Series of Proposals to Help Strengthen Dominican-U.S. Relations

 

Espaillat Urges Dominican President Luis Abinader to Lower Taxes on Dominican Flights

 This weekend, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month program recognizing the significant impact of community leaders, non-profits, and elected officials of the Dominican diaspora in the United States with special guest, the Honorable President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader.

During this event, Rep. Espaillat presented President Abinader with a series of proposals aimed at further strengthening the relations between the United States and the Dominican Republic while utilizing the vast resources of the diaspora and the needs of the Dominican population here in the U.S. The report  consisted of recommendations addressing four main areas of impact: Productivity, Governance, Education and Health.

 
"The Dominican diaspora, especially here in the United States, represents the largest reserve of the intellectual, economic and socio-political heritage of the Dominican Republic," said Rep. Espaillat. “The communities that live abroad and that in turn identify themselves as a functional and active diaspora, are right between the third and fifth generation, where historically it has been shown that their influences, social, intellectual, economic and political resources they have already reached levels of important projection and incidence, and which, in turn, are complemented by a sincere emotional debt of wanting to be useful to the nation of origin.

"I was honored to host President Abinader and share with him the proposals of interest to Dominican-Americans and throughout the diaspora, and in particular to address lowering taxes of Dominican flights to help families in their ability to travel between our two countries at greater ease. I am especially grateful to the hundreds of residents from my congressional district, who joined this weekend's event to honor the presence of Dominican-Americans in our community and look forward to continuing my efforts in Congress to highlight the contributions of Dominicans to help strengthen our communities around the nation." 

 

Participants in the event included: the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC), Catholic Charities, the Dominican Lawyers Association, the New York Dominican Officials Organization (NYDO), and the Association of Dominican-American Supervisors (ADASA).
 
As well as representatives of the City University of New York (CUNY), Hostos Community College, local doctors, elected officials from various states of the United States, and representatives of the Dominican Consulate in New York, the Dominican Embassy in Washington, and the Dominican Government.
 

The proposals presented during the event addressed: Productivity, Governance, Education, and Health based on recommendations offered during a series of meetings and conversations with leaders of the Dominican diaspora in the United States, which were convened by Rep. Espaillat earlier this year with the aim of identifying the connection points between the vast resources of the diaspora and the needs of the Dominican population.

The document, entitled "First Comprehensive Cooperation and Development Agenda: Dominican-American Diaspora & Government of the Dominican Republic," aims at establishing a bilateral comprehensive agenda to address the concerns and help benefit the lives of Dominican communities in the United States and abroad.

Currently, the Dominican population in the United States exceeds two million people.

 

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE CALLS FOR CITY, STATE PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE ELECTIONS AND EXPAND VOTING RIGHTS

 

 Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams today called for partnership between New York City and New York State government to improve election administration and expand voting rights to marginalized communities. In testimony to the New York State Senate Committee on Elections, the Public Advocate detailed several areas where improvement is clearly necessary, as illustrated by perennial issues in management, administration, and implementation, as well as recent issues spotlighted during elections in 2020 and 2021. He emphasized that in order to make meaningful change, commitments are needed from both city and state agencies and elected leaders.

"It seems like after every election, we have the same conversation," argued Public Advocate Williams. "We identify the multitude of problems that voters faced and yell at the Board of Elections, but when the next election rolls around, the dysfunction remains. Rinse and repeat. We owe it to New Yorkers to end this toxic cycle now. I’m confident that with the leadership of this committee as well as the welcome change in the executive branch, we can build on the important legislative reforms of the last few years and make necessary fundamental changes in election administration."

Among the areas of action proposed by the Public Advocate in his Tuesday testimony are:

• Restructuring the Board of Elections
• Enfranchising Incarcerated Individuals, and Non-Citizens in Municipal Elections
• Effective Implementation of Ranked Choice Voting
• Improving Vote By Mail
• Expanding Staffing and Sites for In-Person Voting
• Enhancing Voting Accessibility
• Modifying and Expanding the Campaign Finance System
• Reforming the Board of Elections' Contracting Process
• Protecting the Rights of Non-Major Parties
• Conducting Greater Public Outreach on Ballot Measures

The Public Advocate's full testimony can be downloaded here.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

 

39,453 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

41 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"The way out of this pandemic is to get as many New Yorkers vaccinated as possible, and New York continues to take steps to put more shots in arms," Governor Hochul said. "We're launching new mask requirements and pop-up sites to help children and their families stay healthy, especially in under vaccinated communities. Getting your shot is safe, free and effective, and it's the best tool we have to defeat this pandemic for good, so don't delay and get your shot immediately." 

  

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 143,765
• Total Positive - 5,242
• Percent Positive - 3.65%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.98%
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,402 (+69)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 266
• Patients in ICU - 547 (-10)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 325 (-2)
• Total Discharges - 198,353 (+188)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 41
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 44,238

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 56,309

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 24,745,580
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 39,453
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 358,037
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 80.3%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 72.4%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 82.8%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 74.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 67.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 61.0%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 70.1%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 62.7%

Attorney General James Releases Statement on Visit to Rikers Island

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement after touring Rikers Island jail complex with Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, along with a delegation of state legislators who were present, including: Assembly members Brian Barnwell, Latoya Joyner, Al Taylor, and Clyde Vanel:

“Today, I visited Rikers Island with District Attorneys Clark, Katz, and Gonzalez, and I was deeply disturbed by what we saw. For years, Rikers has been plagued by dysfunction, neglect, and violence, and it’s clear we’ve reached a breaking point. These conditions have led to an unprecedented and devastating number of deaths, and action is desperately needed. I am examining all of my office’s legal options to immediately address this dire situation.”

Attorney General James has long advocated for substantive reforms to our jail and for-profit prison systems. As Public Advocate, she fought for reforms at Rikers Island, including comprehensive changes to address the rampant sexual assault and violence against detainees, and called for the closure of the jail complex.

Doctor Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Conspiring To Distribute Millions Of Oxycodone Pills Illegally

 

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that RUVIM KRUPKIN, a former New York state-licensed doctor, was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in prison for conspiring to distribute medically unnecessary oxycodone unlawfully.  KRUPKIN pled guilty on September 24, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres, who also imposed yesterday’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Dr. Ruvim Krupkin wrote medically unnecessary prescriptions for millions of oxycodone pills.  He ignored his patients’ serious medical needs and his medical training, instead turning his medical clinic in Brooklyn into a pill mill, where he doled out oxycodone prescriptions in exchange for cash.  Krupkin put his own greed before his duties as a medical professional, and for that he will now spend a lengthy term in federal prison.”

According to the Indictment and other court documents, as well as statements made in public court proceedings:

KRUPKIN, a former licensed internal medicine doctor with specialties in oncology and hematology, practiced at a medical office in Brooklyn.  From 2006 to July 2017, KRUPKIN prescribed over four million oxycodone pills to individuals he knew had no legitimate medical need for the pills.  KRUPKIN charged each patient $200 in cash for each visit, payable directly to him.  

As a hematologist, KRUPKIN treated patients who had, or claimed to have, sickle cell anemia – a medical condition that can cause pain for which oxycodone, in conjunction with other treatments, may be legitimately prescribed.  However, KRUPKIN wrote thousands of prescriptions for large quantities of oxycodone to patients, knowing that they in fact had no legitimate medical need for the prescriptions.  KRUPKIN generally performed little to no physical examination on these patients; indeed, the medical notes for each patient were largely the same from one visit to the next.

KRUPKIN typically issued patients prescriptions for large doses of oxycodone.  KRUPKIN’s patients filled their prescriptions at pharmacies throughout New York, and in certain cases, sold the oxycodone pills they received to drug dealers, who in turn re-sold the pills at high value on the street.  KRUPKIN knew that certain of his patients were diverting the oxycodone pills he was prescribing, but he nonetheless continued writing prescriptions of oxycodone for such individuals.

KRUPKIN, 70, of Summit, New Jersey, pled guilty to one count of conspiring to unlawfully distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.

In addition to the prison term, KRUPKIN was sentenced to one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $500,000 fine and forfeit $124,000.

In imposing yesterday’s sentence, Judge Torres said: “Krupkin had a moral and ethical obligation to do no harm.  Instead, he prescribed staggering amounts of medically unnecessary pills of oxycodone.  He capitalized on the pain and desperation of poor New Yorkers.”

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI-NYPD Health Care Fraud Task Force.  Ms. Strauss also thanked the New York City Human Resources Administration for its work on the investigation.