Sunday, April 14, 2019

Bronx River Art Center - Spend Spring Break at BRAC








1087 E. Tremont Ave., Bronx, NY 10460
BronxRiverArt.org  (718) 589-5819

Hanging around for Spring Break?
Looking for a place to stay for the day?

REGISTER FOR ART WORKSHOPS
At BRAC from 11:00am to 1:00pm 
all week April 22-26, 2019

Click the Button Below to Register at
for a fun-filled week of Art Adventures at the 

WORKSHOPS RUN ALL WEEK LONG 
FROM 11:00am-1:00pm
with supervised art time afterwards 
and regular afternoon classes from 4:30-6:30.

Special Screening event of Student Digital Animations 
and Photography on Friday from 11-1pm
followed by the Documentary Film
with an invitation to join our Cultural Immigrant 
Initiative Dance Party featuring Masks by 
Seniors and Students from Council Member 
Ruben Diaz Sr. District 18 in Soundview at the 
Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community Center
1000 Rosedale Ave at 3:00pm!

Bronx Park East Community Meeting



  Wednesday night was the monthly meeting of the Bronx Park East Community Association where a panel discussion was held with representatives of the local elected officials who represent the Bronx Park East community. The discussion was moderated by BPECA resident Diana Finch. representatives from State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, State Senator Jamaal Bailey, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocassio-Cortez, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, and Assemblyman Jose Rivera were present to speak about current events, the state budget, and answer a few questions during the meeting.



Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Meeting



Tuesday Night April 9th was the monthly meeting of the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association. Pictured above are (R - L) PPNA President Edith Blitzer, PPNa Treasurer Steven Glosser, and guest speaker Hazel Miura Director of Housing and Community Development for Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation. 

Ms. Miura spoke about tenant rights, rent laws due to expire in June, and what the state legislature is trying to do to strengthen the current rent laws that are on the books. 

Health Fair Saturday at IS 192



  After the rain stopped and the ground dried up the play yard at IS 192 became an informational yard with many tables set up for a Health Fair. Various health providers such as Montefiore Hospital were present as well as several other organizations and groups with advice or free gifts for the public to have. 


Above - There was allergy testing available to see if you were allergic to any one of many things people are allergic to. 
Below - Effie Ardizzone, Bronx Borough Coordinator for the NYC Department of Environmental Protection Department is joined by Christian Amato of State Senator Alessandria  Biaggi's office.




Councilman Mark Gjonaj Holds Prom Dress Giveaway



  There were some very fancy Prom dresses available to young ladies to have for free at Friday's Prom Dress Giveaway by Councilman Mark Gjonaj. One young lady who came with her girl friend said that she already had a dress for her prom which she bought online for $850.00 dollars. 

  Young ladies came in with several choosing the Prom Dress they liked. There was an office that was turned into a fitting room so the dresses could be tried on. Also several accessories that included shoes, jewelry, and other items a girl needs for the prom that were also given away by Councilman Gjonaj. 



  Councilman Gjonaj with some of the young ladies who came in to pick a Prom Dress, and one of his staffers who helped the young ladies, and even donated the Prom Dress she wore for the event 

Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. Announces his Candidacy For Congress



In a letter given out at the Hispanic Clergy of New York meeting Saturday Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. announced his candidacy for the Congressional seat of Jose Serrano in 2020. The letter written in Spanish is below as hundreds of people gathered for the luncheon cheered loudly when Councilman Diaz Sr. announced that he would be running for Congress. 



Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. now becomes the second announced candidate for the 15th Congressional District after current Congressman Jose Serrano announced that he would not be seeking re-election due to advancing Parkinson's Disease. It is expected several other candidates will announce that they are also running. With the new June primary that has placed all federal and state primaries together any NY State elected official would have to give up their current seat to run for congress. That fact may influence some current elected NY State officials not to run for the soon to be open 15th congressional seat.

Saturday, April 13, 2019






IMPORTANT LEGISLATION PASSED IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS
A456 (Rosenthal L) requires the board of directors of residential cooperative corporations and not-for-profit corporations to provide tenants with changes to the by-laws in writing. This legislation renders the tenants with rights to be given notice of such changes.
A1148 (Gottfried) requires every general hospital to have a community advisory board. This legislation will allow for communities to establish their needs while also providing vital information and programs.
A3002 (Solages) requires each industrial development agency to live stream and post video recordings of all open meetings and public hearings. This legislation allows for constituents to view live streams and recordings at all times. Therefore, it increases transparency and allows for communication
with the whole community.

A3471 (Zebrowski) decreases the amount of alcohol in a person's system necessary to be considered to be intoxicated while hunting. This legislation makes it unlawful to be above the 0.8% BAC while hunting. It lowers the risk of any accidents while hunting and protects the people from harm due to intoxication.
A6188 (Lentol) protects the tenant with rights towards any kind of harassment and eliminates the need to prove a physical injury, therefore protecting victims of harassment.
A3077 (Gottfried) – simplifies the process by which physicians and other health care professionals are credentialed by health care plans and hospitals, as well as to standardize the referral forms that primary care physicians use to facilitate care for a patient by a specialist physician.
A2653A (Dinowitz) increases the applicability of the plain language law to consumer contracts involving amounts up to $250,000.
A4275 (DenDekker) authorizes a study that will review the rate of the fees and charges being assessed to residents of assisted living facilities. Residents of assisted living facilities should not have to worry about affording their stay in these facilities as a result of fees and charges.

  
Assemblywoman Fernandez stands in support of the NY Truth Act, that would require the release of NY income tax returns for statewide elected officials, including the President.

Assemblywoman Fernandez speaks in support of the SCAR Act, A1436A, which identifies where the children separated at our countries borders are, holding us accountable to bring families together.

Assemblywoman Fernandez allocated fund to our local libraries last year. The Allerton Branch used the funding for their new Kids Corner and Meet-the-Author program. Children attendance at the library has almost doubled since!

IMPORTANT RESOLUTION PASSED IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS
K216 (Joyner) memorializes April 2019 as Oral Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York.
K221 (DeStefano) memorializes April 2019 as Bullying Prevention Month in the State of New York.
K230 (Lupardo) memorializes the week of April 7-13, 2019 as Crime Victims' Rights Week in the State of New York.
K234 (Barrett) memorializes proclaim March 29, 2019 as Vietnam Veterans' Day in the State of New York.
K235 (Rosenthal L) memorializes 8:30pm-9:30pm on Saturday, March 30, 2019, as Earth Hour in the State of New York.


Young Professionals Happy Hour
Friday, April 26th from 5-8pm at Lexa Bar and Grill (357 E.204th Street)
Join me and Senator Jamaal Bailey as we host a happy hour for Young Professionals. Come, meet, and network with like-minded people!






Prom Beyond Expo
Saturday, April 27th from 11am-4pm at North Central Hospital (3424 Kossuth Ave 17th floor)
We, alongside Lady Pamela Damon's Talitha Cumi Urban Etiquette & Leadership Academy and Senator Jamaal Bailey, are hosting a Prom Giveaway.

DISTRICT OFFICE
2018 Williamsbridge Road Bronx, NY 10461
(718) 409-0109

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S THREAT TO RELEASE DETAINED UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN NEW YORK CITY

 

“President Trump has yet again proven that the only constant in his immigration policy is cruelty. He uses people like pawns. New York City will always be the ultimate city of immigrants – the President’s empty threats won’t change that.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

  We thank Vice-Presidential candidate Bill de Blasio for his statement, but say "Bill de Blasio - Where are you?"