BRONXTALK 87th A.D. Debate Tonight 9 PM

  Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank will moderate a debate between the candidates running for the open 87th Assembly District seat tonight. The candidates are Sergeant John Perez, Ms. Farah Despeignes, and Ms. Karines Reyes. 9 PM tonight, and the debate will be rebroadcast all week long. It is available on -

Optimum Cable channel 67

Fios Cable channel 33
also streaming live at https://www.bronxnet.org/watch/shows/bronxtalk/

WHERE DOES AMANDA FARIAS LIVE?

The Karines Reyes petition states that Amanda Farias lives at 1500 Thieriot Avenue in the 87th A.D.

Why is it that the address on the check given to Amanda Farias is 769 Arnow Avenue and not 1500 Thieriot Avenue? 

769 Arnow Avenue is in the 80th A.D., not the 87th A.D.

AUG-24-18 07:26 PM FRIENDS OF KARINES REYES Page 1

NYS BOARD OF ELECTIONS FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT

Filer ID: A22224 2018 32 DAY PRE PRIMARY (A) SCHEDULE: F EXPENDITURES/PAYMENTS

07/14/18 AMANDA FARIAS 769 ARNOW AVENUE BRONX NY 10467 CHK1004 $11.00 REIMB AUG-13-18 03:24 PM

07/14/18 H & H HARDWARE 1171 CASTLE HILL AVENUE BRONX NY 10462 1004R $0.00 R-DET MEMO: $11 AUG-13-18 03:24 PM

What is going on here? Where does Amanda Farias live? The 87th A.D. or 80th A.D.? 

News from Senator Luis Sepulveda

HELPING FLOOD-DAMAGED NYCHA TENANTS

Myself, Assemblyman Michael Blake and City Councilmember Vanessa Gibson are working with the New York City Housing Authority to help tenants after major flooding at the Morrisania Air Rights Complex on Park Ave. by E 158th St. in Melrose. 

Water pipes burst there on Sunday and Monday, sending water cascading down from the 20th and 17th floors, flooding tenants’ apartments.

Service on the 20-story building’s two elevators was also knocked out, forcing tenants, many of them elderly and infirm to use the stairs.

We hope to see the city quickly begin repairs and provide compensation to tenants to help them replace destroyed furnishings.

We also need to make sure there is a thorough examination of the building’s other water pipes to make sure this was only a one-time occurrence.

I, along with Assemblyman Blake and Councilmember Gibson toured the building on Monday, and I returned the next day to survey cleanup efforts and personally pitched in to mop floors in some elderly tenants’ apartments.

We all want to help in any way we can to see these tenants return to their normal lives as quickly as possible.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF CECILIA HERNANDEZ

ENGEL STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF SENATOR JOHN S. McCAIN

Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, this evening released the following statement:

“Pat and I join in the heartbreak of Americans across the country tonight learning of the loss of John McCain. History will record Senator McCain as one of the great Americans of the 20th and 21st centuries. His legacy is one of dignity, integrity, and tireless service to the country he loved.

“John and I worked closely on national-security issues for decades. He embodied the old axiom that politics should stop at the water’s edge. He acted not out of partisan or political concern, but in our country’s interests as he saw them. He was a hero, a statesman, and a friend to all who knew and worked with him.

“My heart goes out to his wife, Cindy; his mother, Roberta; his children; and all his family in this difficult time.”

Wave Hill Events September 6‒September 13

Thu, September 6

Art Workshop: Master Class in Watercolors with Asuka Hishiki

Held just prior to the opening weekend of the American Society of Botanical Artists’21st Annual International, an exhibition in Glyndor Gallery, this exclusive master class is an exploration of botanical art in watercolors led by Asuka Hishiki, 2012 Wave Hill Winter Workspace artist and 2018 ASBA exhibiting artist. Absorb the beauty of Wave Hill’s fall bounty and study scientific details as you paint. Morning coffee and boxed lunch included. Some experience painting botanicals required. $200. Registration required, at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Wave Hill Members save 10%.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 9:30AM–4PM

Sat, September 8

Family Art Project: Plant Morphology

Be inspired by the botanical illustrations in the exhibition opening in Glyndor Gallery this weekend. Observe living specimens of plants, fruits and flowers up close, then make drawings inspired by their shape, size and structure. Use watercolor pencils and paints to illustrate your plant or combine it with collaged plant images. Consider the importance of biodiversity on our planet while you conserve species in two dimensions. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, September 8

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Sat, September 8

Fall Exhibitions Opening

Meet the artists and curators of our fall exhibitions. In a new collaboration, Wave Hill is partnering with the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) to produce and host ASBA’s 21st Annual International. ASBA’s mission is to provide a thriving, interactive community dedicated to perpetuating the tradition and contemporary practice of botanical art. This juried exhibition consists of two-dimensional, original botanical art, including some specimens found at Wave Hill. In the Sunroom Project Space, Ashton Agbomenou’s new project stems from his time in Wave Hill’s 2018 Winter Workspace. Seeking synchronicity in the African diaspora, Agbomenou constructs visual mementos through his collage-like, layered-painting process, drawing inspiration from Wave Hill’s natural resources. Bronx-born, Dominican-American artist Yelaine Rodriguez works on a new series for the Sun Porch. Using photography, video and performance, Rodriguez creates a unique narrative that examines self-identity and draws inspiration from the colors and textures in nature and from her experience of Wave Hill’s landscape during the 2018 Winter Workspace program. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2–4:30PM

Sun, September 9

Fall Birding

Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of bird species and their behaviors on these captivating walks. Wave Hill’s garden setting, overlooking the Hudson River, provides the perfect habitat for resident and migrating birds. Birders of all levels welcome. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Severe weather cancels. Free with admission to the grounds, NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 9:30AM

Sun, September 9

Family Art Project: Plant Morphology

Be inspired by the botanical illustrations in the exhibition opening in Glyndor Gallery this weekend. Observe living specimens of plants, fruits and flowers up close, then make drawings inspired by their shape, size and structure. Use watercolor pencils and paints to illustrate your plant or combine it with collaged plant images. Consider the importance of biodiversity on our planet while you conserve species in two dimensions. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, September 9

Family Nature Walk

Join naturalist and educator Gabriel Willow on a family-friendly walk through the gardens or woodlands. Registration not required. Ages six and older welcome with an adult. Severe weather cancels.

MEET AT WAVE HILL HOUSE, 1PM

Sun, September 9

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, September 9

Cooking Demo: Cooking with Figs

Growing figs in New York City often evolves from a garden pastime into a garden passion. Fruit expert and Senior Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day discusses the best fig varieties for containers and offers tips for cultivating figs (Ficus carica) in urban gardens. A chef from Wave Hill exclusive caterer Great Performances shares samples of seasonal figs and demonstrates figgy recipes for your anticipated backyard bounty. An optional walk to the Herb Garden follows, to see Wave Hill’s fig trees in situ. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2PM

Mon, September 10

Closed to the public.

Tue, September 11

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Tue, September 11

Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. In a new collaboration, Wave Hill is partnering with the American Society of Botanical Artiststo produce and host ASBA’s 21st Annual International. ASBA’s mission is to provide a thriving, interactive community dedicated to perpetuating the tradition and contemporary practice of botanical art. This juried exhibition consists of two-dimensional original botanical art, including some specimens found at Wave Hill. In the Sunroom Project Space, Ashton Agbomenou’s new project stems from his time in Wave Hill’s 2018 Winter Workspace. Seeking synchronicity in the African diaspora, Agbomenou constructs visual mementos through his collage-like, layered-painting process, drawing inspiration from Wave Hill’s natural resources. Bronx-born, Dominican-American artist Yelaine Rodriguezworks on a new series for the Sun Porch. Using photography, video and performance, Rodriguez creates a unique narrative that examines self-identity and draws inspiration from the colors and textures in nature and from her experience of Wave Hill’s landscape during the 2018 Winter Workspace program. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty To Conspiring To Take Bribes To Smuggle Contraband Into The Metropolitan Correctional Center

Correctional officer Victor Casado conspired to take bribes from a federal inmate in his custody in exchange for smuggling contraband into the jail

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the guilty plea of VICTOR CASADO to his role in a scheme to smuggle contraband into the Metropolitan Correctional Center (“MCC”), a Manhattan detention facility that houses federal inmates, in exchange for cash bribes.  CASADO, a former federal correctional officer, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and to introduce contraband into prison before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Sullivan.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As a correctional officer, Victor Casado’s duty was to ensure the security of the Metropolitan Correctional Center and the safety of inmates in his care.  Instead of honoring that duty, he betrayed it, taking bribes to smuggle contraband into a jail that houses federal inmates.  This Office will continue to stop the corruption of our criminal justice system by those entrusted with supervising incarcerated individuals and keeping them safe.”

According to the Information and Complaint filed in this case, other public filings, and statements made during the plea proceeding:

CASADO was employed as a correctional officer at the MCC from 2012 until his resignation in July 2018.

On multiple occasions in 2016 and 2017, CASADO smuggled cellphones, alcohol, over-the-counter medications, and food into the MCC in exchange for bribe payments from inmates.  These bribes were funneled to CASADO by non-incarcerated relatives or associates of the inmates, either in cash or by wire transfer.  For example, on multiple occasions, CASADO received bribes from an inmate (“Inmate-1”), transferred by one of Inmate-1’s attorneys, totaling more than $25,000, in exchange for smuggling alcohol and cellphones, among other contraband, into the MCC for Inmate-1.  Additionally, CASADO also requested and received thousands of dollars in payments from another inmate (“Inmate-5”), which were delivered to CASADO by Inmate-5’s relatives and a paralegal who represented him.  Inmate-5 paid CASADO at CASADO’s insistence, ostensibly to fund travel by CASADO to the Dominican Republic.

CASADO, 35, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and to introduce contraband into prison.  The charge carries a maximum term of five years in prison.  CASADO is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Sullivan on January 11, 2019.  The maximum potential penalty is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. 

Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General.

Correctional Officer Arrested For Accepting A Bribe To Smuggle Cellphones Into The Metropolitan Correctional Center

Correctional Officer Dario Quirumbay Accepted a Bribe from a Family Member of a Federal Inmate in Exchange for Smuggling Cellphones into the Jail

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Guido Modano, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (“DOJ OIG”) announced today the unsealing of a criminal Complaint in Manhattan federal court charging federal correctional officer DARIO QUIRUMBAY with taking a bribe in exchange for smuggling contraband into the Metropolitan Correctional Center (“MCC”), a Manhattan detention facility that houses federal inmates. QUIRUMBAY was arrested this morning and will be presented today before Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged, Dario Quirumbay abused the trust placed in him by the Department of Justice and used his position to enrich himself by smuggling prohibited contraband inside a correctional facility in exchange for cash. Now he finds himself on the other side of the law.”

DOJ OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Guido Modano said:  “Corruption has no place in our federal correctional system and will not be tolerated.  The OIG is committed to investigating allegations of corrupt employees within the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice.”               

According to the allegations in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

QUIRUMBAY has been employed as a correctional officer at the MCC since 2016.

QUIRUMBAY, in exchange for approximately $1,000, agreed to smuggle two cellphones into the MCC and also provided an inmate with alcohol.  QUIRUMBAY met with a relative of one of the inmates in his custody to retrieve his cash bribe and two Apple iPhones, which QUIRUMBAY then delivered to an inmate inside the MCC. 

QUIRUMBAY, 29, of Jersey City, New Jersey, has been charged in the Complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and to provide contraband in a prison, which carries a maximum prison term of five years; one count of bribery, which carries a maximum prison term of 15 years; one count of providing contraband in a prison, which carries a maximum prison term of one year; one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum prison term of 20 years.  The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the DOJ Office of the Inspector General in this investigation.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES NEXT STEP IN TRANSFORMATION OF GOVERNORS ISLAND INTO YEAR-ROUND HUB FOR EDUCATION, INNOVATION AND RECREATION

  Today, the de Blasio Administration officially initiated the public review process for a rezoning of the southern half of Governors Island. This effort has the potential to unlock up to 4.5 million square feet of commercial, academic, cultural and institutional development that would complement and financially sustain the Island’s popular park, public programming, and cultural amenities. This rezoning will draw on the City’s work to repurpose historic buildings with a focus on new development areas to support the job producing industries that represent the future of the City.

“Governors Island’s 43-acre park has made it the jewel of New York Harbor,” said Mayor de Blasio. “The Island is now set to dramatically expand its role in our city’s economy as we turn its southern half into a center of innovation and education.”

"Thanks to almost a decade’s worth of substantial city and philanthropic investment, Governors Island is already a destination for recreation, relaxation and culture for nearly a million visitors annually. This rezoning represents the next step in marrying the Island’s rich history with its future role as a global hub for convening, the arts, tech, and education," said Alicia Glen, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development.

The proposed rezoning covers 33 acres on the southern half of Governors Island, across two zones previously established for new development as part of a 2010 Park and Public Space Master Plan. The sites include a 7 acre parcel on the western side of the Island with sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty and an expansive 26 acre parcel on the Island’s eastern shore that together have 4.5 million square feet of development potential.

The process outlined today paves the way for new development to be integrated into the southern half of Governors Island that is targeted to support the City’s efforts to further diversify its growing economy. Each development has the potential to allow unique and flexible floorplates to support new industries that represent the City’s future, such as life sciences, media and technology companies. New structures will be predominantly low and mid-rise.

While a federal deed restriction established as part of the 2003 transfer of the Island to New York precludes any full-time residential uses on the Island, this plan will make way for more academic and institutional uses that will complement the Island’s existing character as a popular recreational and cultural destination. All revenue streams from future development will support park operations, maintenance and expanded access to the Island’s open spaces.

Governors Island has grown in popularity among New Yorkers, with a 65% increase in visitorship since 2014. Since the new park was completed in 2016, the Island has expanded from a four month season to a six month season, and late nights on Friday and Saturdays were introduced this year. With over 50 historic buildings on the northern section of Governors Island, the Island currently is home to two year-round tenants: the New York Harbor School and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Art Center. Several new tenants are also preparing to move into buildings on the Island year-round, including Spaceworks and the Billion Oyster Project.

With input from Manhattan Community Board 1 and the Governors Island Community Advisory Committee, guiding principles for future development were established:

·         Complement and enhance the park and public spaces and respond to environmental conditions

·         Connect and establish a harmonious relationship with the park, esplanade and Historic District

·         Retain and frame views within the Island, and towards New York Harbor, Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn waterfront

·         Activate building edges along public spaces

·         Promote innovative design approaches to achieve a high level of resiliency and environmental sustainability

·         Encourage flexibility to accommodate a wide range of building types and a mix of uses

Environmental review and scoping for the South Island rezoning will begin this September. A public hearing will be held on September 26, 2018 at 6:00 PM at the Battery Maritime Building located at 10 South Street in Lower Manhattan.