WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Games People Play

You should know that there are people playing Lieutenant Columbo games in the New York State Senate, and in the process, they have turned the Senate Democratic Conference into a mere rubber stamp for the political gains and purposes of others.

We all remember the television program, Columbo, where Police Detective Lieutenant Frank Columbo used to let people believe they were so smart and intelligent that they were capable of getting away with murder.

You, dear reader, should see how Senator Dean Skelos and the Republican Senate Conference play dumb and allow pieces of legislation such as gun control (just as they did with gay marriage) come to the Senate Floor knowing that every Democrat will vote for it, pass it and approve it – and later, Senator Skelos turned on his Columbo-like dumb-act saying that it was not the Republicans but the Democrats who did it.

You should also know that in the near future, Senator Dean Skelos will be allowing the Minimum Wage Bill and the so-called Reproductive Health Bill to come to the Senate Floor, knowing that the Democrats will be voting for both, and in the process, bringing legalized late-term abortion to New York State.

All of those bills are being allowed by the Republican-controlled Senate – against the will of the Republican voters in the State – but Senator Skelos will reap many benefits from those votes without being blamed for them and without being held accountable.  In the process of using the Democratic Conference as their rubber stamp, you should know that Senator Skelos and the Republicans are keeping the benefits that come with being the Senate Majority.

It was so very interesting to watch, observe and see Senator Greg Ball, a Republican, accomplishing his agenda by including exactly what he wanted into the gun legislation bill, and then – oh, how he played Columbo like a real master, using the Democratic Conference as a rubber stamp! Senator Greg Ball stood up on the Senate Floor, attacked the Governor, spoke and voted against the bill – all so he could make his Republican constituents believe that he was no part of it.

Then, there is Governor Andrew Cuomo, covering himself behind the pretense that he has ended the use of Member Items and Capital Funds.  As you all know, Member Items and Capital Funds were the only way that a State Legislator used to be able to help those struggling groups such as little leagues, senior centers, schools, and not-for profit organizations in their districts.  The Governor got the Senate Democratic Conference and the Democratic Assembly Members to vote against their own community interests and against themselves, while on the other hand, the Governor created his own, private, HUGE Member Items - or should I say, Governor Items and Governor Capital Funds for his disposal, making everyone believe that he did away with the system – and in the process, using the Democrats as rubber stamps.

And finally, there are those “geniuses” and "smart" Senators who were dead set on not accepting Senator Jeff Klein back into our Conference and making him the Majority Leader.  “We're better being in the Minority,” they used to go around bragging.  You should know that those same Senators are the ones now responsible for our own Democratic Conference being used as a tool by Jeff Klein and the Independence Democratic Conference to bring to the Senate Floor and approve a Democratic agenda that gives all the credit and recognition to Senator Klein and the IDC.

The IDC are the ones who get the credit and all the benefits from the Governor while our Democratic Conference – who provide the votes – gets zero, nada, nothing.  We are the ones being used to approve all those pieces of legislation and they all know that without our votes, nothing will get done – and again, we get bupkis, and we get no respect.

Perhaps it would have been better if we had not listened to the “geniuses” in our conference.

Jeff Klein is the one getting all of the credit, using our Democratic Conference and our votes while we are being left out of every negotiation, not being consulted, and being taken for granted by one and all.

Ladies and gentlemen, these are games that people play, and if you don't know how to play them, you’re out of luck because others will play you and make believe they are Lieutenant Columbo, using you however they can and making you just a rubber stamp.

This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

Sen. Jeff Klein Statement on Pelham Parkway South Reconstruction

News from Senator Jeffrey D. Klein

Serving Bronx/Westchester

   “I continue to be very concerned by the reconstruction of Pelham Parkway South that has left the street dangerously narrow and nearly inaccessible to emergency vehicles. This is an ongoing threat to the safety and well-being of the community and I support continued negotiations to return Pelham Parkway South to a safe and reasonable condition. Any failure of Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and other agencies to address the concerns of our community is unacceptable and I stand with the Concerned Citizens of Pelham Parkway South in their effort to resolve this issue.“

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj Swearing In Ceremony

    It was a proud day for Albanian Americans as this was the day for Mark Gjonaj to be sworn in as the first Albanian American elected member of the New York State Assembly from the 80th A.D. in the Bronx. Speaker after speaker said that this was a historic day for the Albanian people, just like it was for the Italians, Jews, Puerto Ricans, Afro Americans and others when the first one was elected to the same position. Mark Gjonaj entered with his family who sat in the first row as Assemblyman Gjonaj took his seat on the stage between Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl E. Heastie, and Judge Douglas E. McKeon who was to administer the oath of office to assemblyman Gjonaj.

   Senator Jeff Klein was the first of many to speak that afternoon, and said that 18 years ago when he won the 80th Assembly seat that Judge McKeon administered the oath of office to him. Klein added that Mark Gjonaj doesn't have to go up to Albany, be away from his family, work endless days, But that he wants to for the people of the 80th A.D. Congressman Eliot Engel was next, and he said that he wanted everyone to know that it was an honor to be here for his good friend Mark Gjonaj. Engel added that Mark Gjonaj won a race very few people gave him a chance to win, and that Mark is smart, hardworking, and knows how to get things done. Engel also praised Assemblyman Gjonaj for his placement of a Chanukah menorah on Pelham Parkway at White Plains Road, a first. 

   U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer said that he did not ride his bike here, as was the case in yesterday's swearing in of 87th A. D. Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda. Schumer added that Mark Gjonaj got here the old fashioned way "He earned it". Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie (who supported Gjonaj's opponent until the last vote was counted) could only say that he was jealous of Assemblyman Gjonaj, because there was no ambassador at his inauguration like Mark has at his. BP Diaz said that Assemblyman Gjonaj has exhibited the work ethic to help improve his district, and the Bronx in a way to bring people together. There were more elected officials that spoke on Assemblyman Gjonaj's behalf, but an interesting note was that City Council Speaker Christene Quinn who was scheduled as a speaker on the program left early as you will see in one of the photos below. In total there were over 1,000 people in attendance, and even though the event lasted over three hours a good 75 percent remained until the end of the program.   

 

Left - The Explorer Post 2436 Color Guard.

Right - The Gjonaj family stands during the pledge of both the American and Albanian national anthems. 

 

Left - Congressman Engel congratulates Assemblyman Gjonaj.

Right - Are some of the elected officials on stage at the time.

Left - BP Diaz speaks highly of Assemblyman Gjonaj.

Right New York City Comptroller John Liu congratulated Assemblyman Gjonaj as one immigrant to another, as he said while he was not born in Albania that he (Liu) was made in Taiwan. Liu added that he knows first hand the struggles of an immigrant family in America.

Left - There was a dance performance by the Columbus Sharks Triple Threat, Cheer Step and Dance Team.

Right - Mark's mother Rosa Gjonaj speaking in Albanian to the audience as Marks brother Paul with his daughter next to him. Barley visible on the other side of his mother is Marks sister Elsa Lulaj.

Left - Assemblyman Gjonaj being sworn in by Judge McKeon with Marks wife and two sons on stage with him.

Right - After the swearing in Assemblyman Gjonaj finally gets to speak, and he thanked just about everybody who helped him get elected. He asked the 200 campaign volunteers to stand up for a round of applause. 

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda Swearing in Ceremony

   It was his dream come true new Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda said after he was sworn into office by Judge Lucindo Suarez, but that is only a part of the story. Over 600 people including U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Jose Serrano, two mayoral candidates, City Comptroller John Liu, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senators Jeff Klein, Ruth Hassel-Thompson, and Ruben Diaz Sr., many of his new colleagues in the state assembly, several city council members, several local district leaders and state committee members, and a slew of judges that Assemblyman Sepulveda helped on their campaigns to get elected were on hand to help him celebrate. 

   As you will see in the photos below a great time was had by all. 

Left - Assemblyman Sepulveda's lovely wife Elizabeth holds Luis Jr. 

Right - Luis Jr. sitting in his front row seat waits to see his daddy be sworn in as the new assemblyman for the 87th A.D.

You can see some of the elected officials on hand. On the far right you can see U.S. Senator Schumer sitting between BP Diaz and Bronx Dem County Leader Assemblyman Carl Heastie.

 

Left - U.S. Senator Schumer dressed for a bike ride said he rode to the swearing in on his bike.

Right - Senator Diaz says that the people now have a state senator, city council member, and two assembly members that they can count on to fight for them.

 

Left - Ms. Margia Shiriti from the Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts waits offstage to perform.

Right - Ms. Shiriti performing onstage.

Left - Assemblyman Sepulveda has his hand on the bible held by his wife Elizabeth, as Judge Lucindo Swarez administers the oath of office.

Right - Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda and his family pose for photo which includes his older son Julian, father, step mother, and aunt who helped raise him.

Left - After the swearing in Assemblyman Sepulveda thanked the many many people who helped him get elected and who worked on his campaign. He thanked BP Diaz for attending, and said that he wants to attend Diaz's swearing in as the first Latino mayor. He added that his constituents come first, because they are the one who enable him to serve them in Albany. Sepulveda finished his joyful, but moving speech with the words "God Bless The Bronx and Let's Get to Work". 

Right - The New York City Housing Authority Choir performed before and after the ceremony.

Bronx-Based KZA Realty Group Closes 5 Commercial Real Estate Deals in The Bronx and Westchester, NY

   Kathy Zamechansky, president and owner of KZA Realty Group, Inc. (KZA) in Bronx, New York, recently announced that her firm brokered 5 deals in the Bronx and Westchester County, NY, totaling approximately 28,084 square feet and valued at more than $7.4 million.  These completed transactions included:

Bronx

1800 Southern Boulevard - 11,700 square feet for a total value of $2.6 million

975-977 Allerton Avenue - 7,200 square feet of a fully leased retail center for $2.4 million

2050 Eastchester Road - 6,424 square feet. Rent over 10 years will be $2,135,674

1833 Hobard Avenue - 600 square feet for a total value of $90,000.00

Westchester
128 Gramatan Avenue in Mt. Vernon - 2,160 square feet for a total value of $242,096

"These deals illustrate the diversity and the resiliency of the Bronx and Westchester business and retail communities," Zamechansky said. "We enjoy bringing people together in these win-win situations.”

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MAYOR BLOOMBERG BREAKS GROUND TO RESTORE THE HIGH BRIDGE OVER HARLEM RIVER

$61 Million Restoration of New York City’s Oldest Bridge – Closed For Decades – Is Part of PlaNYC Vision for Eight Transformed Regional Parks

            Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today broke ground on the restoration of the High Bridge, one of the eight regional parks being transformed under PlaNYC, the City’s long-term plan for a greener, greater New York. The $61 million rehabilitation of the High Bridge will reopen it for pedestrians and bicyclists, while providing a crucial link between Manhattan and the Bronx over the Harlem River. By 2014, the High Bridge will be rehabilitated and reopened for pedestrians and bicyclists, providing an essential link in New York City’s expanding waterfront Greenway. It will allow Bronx residents to reach the Highbridge Pool and Recreation Center, and Manhattan residents to reach the Harlem River waterfront. Regional parks address the need for open space for New York City’s growing population. There are currently 6.3 million New Yorkers who live within a ten-minute walk of a park or playground, an increase of 600,000 since PlaNYC was implemented in 2007. This project is an inter-agency collaboration by the Departments of Parks, Environmental Protection, Design and Construction  and the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The Mayor was joined at the groundbreaking by First Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris, Parks Commissioner Veronica M. White, Department of Design and Construction Commissioner David J. Burney, and Congressman José E. Serrano.

     “Bringing the High Bridge up to modern standards while preserving its historic character is a challenging bit of civil engineering – but one that will pay dividends for generations to come,” said DDC Commissioner David J. Burney.  “I thank Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner White and her team at the Parks Department, and Congressman Serrano for their dedication to improving our city’s green spaces and built environment.  In giving this underused structure a new lease on life and by reopening a key link between neighborhoods, we hope the restored High Bridge will become a ‘High Line’ for upper Manhattan and the Bronx.” 

     “Today’s groundbreaking represents a remarkable milestone in our evolution into a greener, greater city,” said DEP Commissioner Carter Strickland. “The High Bridge was an important feat of engineering in the history of our water supply, and today demonstrates once again Mayor Bloomberg’s leadership in laying the foundation for an even brighter future for New York City. DEP is proud to have contributed financial and structural support to this landmark undertaking.” 

      “Though it has been a while coming, the start of this project is particularly gratifying,” said Congressman José E. Serrano, who provided more than $5 million in federal funding for the project in 2005 and 2006.  “The City and neighborhood groups deserve special praise for taking the seed money that we were able to pull together more than seven years ago, and adding to it and bringing us to today’s groundbreaking.  Our borough has often been symbolically disconnected from the rest of the City, and so the High Bridge will rebuild a great connection.

    The High Bridge is the oldest remaining bridge in New York City.  The bridge spans the Harlem River, connecting the neighborhoods of Highbridge in the Bronx and Washington Heights in Manhattan.  First opened in 1848 as part of the Old Croton Aqueduct, the 1,200–foot–long, 116-foot-tall High Bridge walkway first brought fresh water to New York City from Westchester County and fueled the city’s northward expansion. It was closed to regular public use around 1970.

    

 

HALF OF PARK PROJECTS FINISH BEHIND SCHEDULE

Audit Finds Months-Long Delays, Millions in Cost Overruns In Park Construction Projects

   City Comptroller John C. Liu today announced that the Parks Department’s failure to monitor its capital construction projects had allowed almost half of those projects to finish late and 10% to go significantly over budget in Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011.

“New Yorkers and visitors alike love our parks.  Repairs and upgrades must be better managed not only to reduce wasteful spending, but also to minimize the duration of park closures,” Comptroller Liu said. “The Parks Department can do better.”

In FY2010-FY2011, the Parks Department completed 315 capital construction projects, at a cost of $496.3 million.   Comptroller Liu’s audit found that:

·         149 (47%) of those projects finished late.  The projects were 218 days late on average. These late projects were supposed to have been complete within 284 days on average, so the delays resulted in almost doubling the length of time planned for completion.

·         30 projects combined to rack up $10 million in cost overruns, over and above the additional $8.6 million in contingency allowances for overruns that they burned through.  The projects had been budgeted at a combined cost of $69.6 million.

·         Despite spending $4 million to correct consultants’ design errors and omissions on various projects, the Parks Department did not use its right to try and recoup the money.

 

Comptroller Liu’s Audit Bureau launched the audit in response to numerous complaints from New Yorkers, including calls to the Comptroller’s 212-NO-WASTE hotline, and after independently assessing that an examination of the agency’s capital projects was warranted.

 

The audit recommended several steps that the Parks Department should take to better ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.  For example, the audit recommended that the Parks Department flag projects for priority completion so that delayed work can be expedited.

Today’s audit is available for download here: http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/bureaus/audit/yearlyview.asp?selaudyear=2013

The complete list of projects that were delayed or overbudget is available in the audit’s appendix. 

Parks Projects That Were Significantly Overbudget And Delayed

POE PARK VISITORS CENTER	Bronx
SOUNDVIEW PARK - CONSTR OF	Bronx
EDENWALD PLAYGROUND	Bronx
CHARLTON GARDEN PLGD	Bronx
SCHOOLYARDS @ PS105K, PS 112, PS 205, PS  247	Brooklyn
KAISER PARK - REC BLDG	Brooklyn
ROBERT E. VENABLE PARK	Brooklyn
ROBERT E. VENABLE PARK	Brooklyn
RIVERSIDE PARK	Manhattan
PAVEMENTS, SIDEWALKS	Manhattan
UNION SQUARE PK - CONSTR OF	Manhattan
SCHOOLYARDS @ PS 129Q, PS 79, JHS 25, PS 159	Queens
SCHOOLYARDS @ PS 116Q & IS 238	Queens
CONSTR OF TUSCAN GARDEN & LEMON HOUSE, SNUG HARBOR	Staten Island

Visit www.comptroller.nyc.gov for the latest news, events, and initiatives.
Follow Comptroller Liu on Twitter, YouTube.

Wave Hill Events January 25–February 1

SAT, JANUARY 26   FAMILY ART PROJECT―GIVE A WINTER BIRD A HOME OR A FEEDER

Give a Winter Bird a Home or a Feeder/Casitas y comederos para los pajáros del invierno

Using recycled materials like plastic bottles and juice cartons, learn how to make a bird home or feeder. Decorate it with natural materials to welcome in your new feathery friends. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, JANUARY 26    BEGINNING BEEKEEPING WORKSHOP

Thriving beehives exist in community gardens, backyards and on rooftops throughout New York City. Share the joys and challenges of urban beekeeping with Bronx beekeeper Sara Katz. Learn what you need in order to start a hive ––including equipment, start-up costs and where to obtain bees––and to decide if urban beekeeping is for you. $25 Member/$30 Non-member. Registration required, at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center when you next visit.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 1:30−4:30PM

SUN, JANUARY 27   FAMILY ART PROJECT―GIVE A WINTER BIRD A HOME OR A FEEDER

Give a Winter Bird a Home or a Feeder/Casitas y comederos para los pajáros del invierno

Using recycled materials like plastic bottles and juice cartons, learn how to make a bird home or feeder. Decorate it with natural materials to welcome in your new feathery friends. Free with admission to the grounds.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, JANUARY 27    WINTER WORKSPACE: THE BODY AS INSTRUMENT—URBAN AND NATURAL SPACE

Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Zachary Fabri’s creative process and explore the winter landscape as a source of inspiration. Fabri guides participants through exercises that utilize the body as a tool for creativity. Each participant will develop and present a movement to the group. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended, at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Free with admission to the grounds. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. This program also takes place on February 3.

GLYNDOR GALLERY & ON THE GROUNDS, 1–4PM

SUN, JANUARY 27    GARDEN AND CONSERVATORY HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, JANUARY 28

Closed to the public.

MON, JANUARY 28    MEMBERS DAY TRIP: DIA: BEACON−A HAVEN FOR ART IN THE HUDSON VALLEY

Exclusive offer for Wave Hill Members!

It’s that time of year again to venture forth on an art excursion along the Hudson River to visit DIA: Beacon, a remarkable museum occupying a former Nabisco box printing facility. Within 240,000 square feet of naturally-lit exhibition space resides large scale works by some of the most significant artists of the 1960s and 1970s such as Sol LeWitt, Joseph Beuys, Louise Bourgeois, Richard Serra and Agnes Martin. Throughout the day, learn about the diverse artistic processes involved in creating two and three dimensional works of art. After an artist-led tour of the permanent collection and lunch, visit local artists’ studios and engage in intimate discussions about their artwork, from its concept to production. This special member’s trip is led by artist and Wave Hill staff member Gisela Insuaste. $50 Member. Includes transportation and tour fee; lunch additional. Registration required; call 718.549.3200 x305. Space is limited.

MEET AT VISITOR PARKING LOT, 9AM−5PM

TUE, JANUARY 29    WINTER WORKSPACE: NATURE THROUGH GLASS—SNOW-GLOBE JARS

Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Maria Hupfield’s creative process and explore the winter landscape as a source of inspiration. After exploring the gardens with the artist, participants create a snow globe as a personal souvenir inspired by the winter landscape.

Art materials are provided unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended, at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits.

GLYNDOR GALLERY & ON THE GROUNDS, 10AM–1PM

TUE, JANUARY 29    WINTER WORKSPACE: PRESERVING FLOWERS THROUGH ART

Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Linda Stillman’s creative process. Stillman introduces various methods for preserving the fleeting beauty of nature. Participants create their own collages and drawings using techniques such as rubbings, flower pressing and using petals as pigment. Art materials are provided unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended, at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. This program also takes place on February 5.

GLYNDOR GALLERY & ON THE GROUNDS, 1–4PM

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. Closes 5:30PM, March 15—October 31.  

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day Tuesdays in January and February. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Program s 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 3o 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 242^nd 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