What You Should Know

By Sen. Rev. Rubén Díaz

There Is a Rat Among Us

In an article written by New York Daily News columnist Ken Lovett in the Monday, May 21st edition, I learned that there is a movement in the New York State Democratic Leadership to oust Senate Minority Leader John Sampson.

In his article, Ken Lovett even quoted one of his sources saying: “The writing is on the wall.”
Another Democratic source is quoted as stating: “These bad decisions on top of other ones he made, basically made it clear that John can’t be the leader.”

You should know that Mr. Lovett, without releasing the names of his sources, gave us an indication about who might be behind the so-called next “Coup.”  Mr. Lovett specifically writes: “one high-ranking Dem.”

In El Barrio, Hato Tejas sector La Cuchilla in Bayamon, Puerto Rico where I come from, when a person, man or woman, does this kind of back-stabbing and is not honest enough to release his or her name, we call them rats.

You should know that as soon as I read the article, I went around asking people, “Who do you think is this high ranking source plotting to knock Sampson out?”  It is interesting to see all of the names that people mention, starting with Jeff Klein, Liz Krueger, Mike Ginaris and – now hold on to your hats folks – Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Out of all of them, Andrew Cuomo is the most frequent name mentioned.  Even during our Democratic closed-door Conference, his name was mentioned by most of the Senators.  To many, this plot is an act of desperation by those who already visualize a victory in November by the Democrats when the Republicans (will probably) lose their Majority and control of the Senate.

As you should know, the relationship among Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator John Sampson and the Senate Democrats has become estranged and very ugly, even though in public they all act like nothing has happened.  This ugliness is due to Governor Andrew Cuomo dealing with the Republicans and doing everything possible to see that the Senate Democrats fail. Rumor has it, and all of the politics pundits are speculating, that there is a great possibility that the Democrats will regain control of the Senate and that Senator John Sampson will be back as Majority Leader as one of the maximum authorities in New York politics.

They say that Sampson will be back as Majority Leader with all of the experience and know-how he has obtained by the mistakes committed back when we were in the Majority. He will be a bionic reconstructed man, better, faster, and stronger. Knowing very well now, who are the friends and who are the enemies and that my dear reader will be a threat to the Governor and to those who have been having tons of fun with our Conference.

You should know that here in Albany, sooner or later, everything is known. There are no secrets here that people will not find out.  Therefore, to the rat or rats, I suggest that it is better to be like me.  Speak your mind and don’t be a hypocrite.  Let people know who you are when you have something to say and don’t hide behind anonymity.

For more information on Ken Lovett's article, Please click: (http://www.nydailynews.com/news/columnists?columnist=2.1990)

I am Senator Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

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Bronx Week Parade 2012
Highlights of the parade

  Thousands of Bronxites either marched in the parade or enjoyed watching the marchers, and Bronx Walk of Fame Honorees Dr. Valerie Capers, Mr. Sol Negrin, Mr. Tyson Beckford, and Rapper Fat Joe. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. co-hosted the parade with Ms. Bharati Kemraj (of Bronxnet fame).

  Schools from all over the Bronx marched, as this years theme to the Bronx Week Parade was "Education through Music:. below are some if the pictures we were able to get.

Left - Rapper Fat Joe gets greetings from some of the crowd as he arrives to view the parade    Right - is the reviewing stand with the four honorees and BP Diaz. 

Left - is BP Diaz presenting a trophy to the winning soccer team from the Bronx Cup Soccer Game.  Right - is the start of the parade with the painting of the dragons eye, highlighting the connection of China and the Bronx.

Left - are the Clinton High School Cheerleaders.  Right - are members of Bronx Community Board # 7, with its Chairman Mr. Paul Foster on the right. The parade route goes through CB 7.

Left - is the marching band from PS 43.   Right - is PS 121.

Left - is PS 22.   Right - is PS 76. and the t-shirts say "Education through Music.

Left - is Congressman Charlie Rangel and Assemblyman Jose Rivera.    Right - Rapper Fat Joe expressing his thoughts about the parade as BP Diaz and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo stand to the side of Fat Joe. BP Diaz also tried his hand at rapping, but he should keep his day job.

Some more marchers and children.

More cheerleaders and dancers.

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Councilman Koppell Endorses Espaillat for Congress

“A new district and a new day demands new leadership”

 

  Today, New York City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell endorsed State Senator Adriano Espaillat for Congress in the newly created 13th Congressional District. Koppell has been a longtime elected official in the portion of the Bronx that was recently added to the Congressional District.

“I am pleased to endorse State Senator Adriano Espaillat in the upcoming Democratic Primary for the 13th Congressional District seat,” said Councilman G. Oliver Koppell. “I appreciate and commend Congressman Charlie Rangel’s long service in the Congress.  However, a new District and a new day demands new leadership.  Adriano Espaillat has been an effective public official in the State Assembly and State Senate. He is committed to job creation, economic development, public education and affordable housing. He will bring the same passion and energy to Congress where he will continue to fight for us and work with President Obama.  He will also be an important role model and advocate for the Dominican and Hispanic communities in my District and beyond.  I endorse Adriano Espaillat.”

“I am proud and honored to receive the support of Councilman Koppell, who understands that important issues of our time and recognizes the need for new leadership to address today’s challenges,” said Senator Adriano Espaillat. “I look forward to campaigning with Councilman Koppell as we talk to voters in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan about bringing bold, new ideas to Congress and moving our communities forward.”

Councilman Koppell’s endorsement comes at a time when Espaillat’s campaign for Congress is enjoying momentum, particularly in the Bronx, where Espaillat has been endorsed by two former Bronx Borough presidents, Fernando Ferrer and Adolfo Carrión; State Senator Gustavo Rivera; Assembly Member Neslon Castro and other local Democratic officials.

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SENATOR RIVERA HOSTS COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON STOP & FRISK

 The Third Workshop in a Series of Public Safety Workshops 

  Senator Gustavo Rivera partnered with 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care to host a community conversation on Stop and Frisk last Thursday, May 17th at 6:00PM. Dozens of Bronx residents engaged in a dialogue about their experiences with law enforcement and about how to proceed if stopped by the police. Some audience members, including Senator Rivera, participated in skits that portrayed both good and bad behavior when individuals are stopped by law enforcement officials.

" I believe the policy of Stop and Frisk as it is has been implemented in New York City, is unconstitutional and discriminatory," said Senator Gustavo Rivera. "I thought the exchange between the community and members of law enforcement was an important first step to addressing community concerns as it relates to this issue. In order for Bronxites and people of color throughout New York City to continue to feel safe in their neighborhood, they need to be able to trust their local police. That is why I decided to hold a workshop with former law enforcement officers to get folks talking about Stop and Frisk: what it is, and ways to avoid escalating conflicts if they are stopped and frisked by the police."

"The problem with 'illegal' Stop, Question and Frisk and the impact it is having on members of the Black and Latino community has become the primary civil rights issues of today," said retired officer and founding member of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, Noel Leader. "As Black and Latino law enforcement officials, we deem it to be very important to educate our communities on how to navigate these mostly unnecessary interactions."

Senator Rivera continues to believe that the policy of Stop and Frisk should be changed and will continue to advocate for changes at the city level. This was the third in a series of Public Safety Workshops, which have been held every Thursday in May.

 All are welcome to attend the next and final workshop on Domestic Violence:

 May 24th from 6:00PM to 7:30PM - Domestic Violence Presented by STEPS to End Family Violence.   2432 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY - 4th Floor

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Bronx Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing Rescheduled for May 31

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce

would like to thank all attendees for registering

for the biggest Golf Event of the year!

UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE GOLF OUTING IS RESCHEDULED UNTIL THURSDAY,

MAY 31ST.

We are proud to announce one of our celebrity golfers, Chris Lemmon showed up at the golf course bright & early and is just as disappointed

as the rest of us.  He will be joining  us

on May 31st as well.

  

On Thursday, May 31st there will be a

complimentary warm-up and Golf Clinic at 9 AM

located at

Turtle Cove Golf Center 

1 City Island Road

Bronx, NY 10464

After the warm-up and Golf Clinic

golfers will proceed to

Pelham Split Rock Golf Course

for registration at 11 AM.

Shot Gun will be taking place at 12:30 PM.

We look forward to a wonderful day of golf.  Thank you again for all of your support.

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LIU REPORT: NYC’S INCOME GAP TWICE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE

Top 1% Takes One-Third of NYC’s Income

City Comptroller John C. Liu today released a report that details the income disparity in New York City. The study found that the top 1% of income tax filers receive one-third of all City personal income, a share that is almost twice the national average.

“Such a wide income gap has financial consequences for the City,” Comptroller Liu said.  “Income inequality can weaken or destabilize the local tax base, reinforce patterns of racial and economic segregation, and undermine the vibrant social, cultural, and economic mix that is the foundation of New York City’s identity. It also threatens the very fragile economic recovery we are now experiencing.”

The report found that New York City tax filers in the top 1% accounted for 32.5% of the City’s entire reported income in 2009, based on the most recent micro-data available from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. By comparison, the top 1% across the U.S. accounted for 16.9% of income.

The income gap is further highlighted by the concentration of income among the very wealthiest. The most affluent 15,000 New York City households (the top 0.5% of filers) took in 26.7% of the City’s income.  The top 2,000 households (the top 0.05% of filers) accounted for 18.9% of all income reported in the City.

Unequal gains in good years

The top 1% of earners ended the past decade with an average income of $2.2 million, the same level at which they started in 2000. This reflects the volatile nature of investment income earned by the ultra-wealthy. However, the gains made by these top filers in the boom years (2003-2007) illustrate the speed with which income disparity grew in New York City.

During the good years, New Yorkers in the 99% of income earners made gradual gains that raised their average annual income from $41,000 to $50,000.  In those same years, the income of the top 1% skyrocketed, more than doubling from $1.5 million to $3.9 million. From 2007 to 2007, 66% of the income growth citywide went to the top 1% of tax filers.

“We must not repeat the pattern of the last decade when a few gathered enormous wealth, while the vast majority of New York families were left behind or saw very modest gains,” Comptroller Liu said.

Background

“Income Inequality in New York City” was produced from research by the Comptroller’s economic advisory team led by Dr. Frank Braconi, Chief Economist in the NYC Comptroller’s Office. 

Download the full report here: http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/bureaus/cac/pdf/NYC_IncomeInequality_v17.pdf
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13th Congressional Race Mr. Clyde Williams

    Redistricting has changed the once majority black district into a majority Hispanic district. While Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood remain as part of the district 200,000 Bronx voters have been added to the district. The mostly Hispanic communities of Bedford Park, Kingsbridge Heights, Van Cortlandt Village, and most of Kingsbridge were placed in the new 13th Congressional District. A date of June 26th was also place as the date of the new congressional primary.

   Charlie Rangel has claimed to be the incumbent in this new district as most of it came from his old 15th Congressional District. Rangel has the backing of the Manhattan and Bronx Democratic county machines (and we said that both Democratic county leaders were looking at the proposed district lines for a possible future run). State Senator Adriano Espaillat announced his intention to run in the now majority Hispanic 13th C.D. Senator Espaillat has nothing to loose if he does not get elected to congress, as he can still run for his state senate seat in the September Democratic primary.

   We sat down last week with Mr. Clyde Williams, who is another candidate in the 13th Congressional race.  Mr. Williams is concerned how the district has problems that have not been addressed by Congressman Rangel. High unemployment, lack of jobs, poor public education, lack of accountability, and high oil prices are high on his priority list of things to get done. How can Clyde get that done, I asked. Mr. Williams who first praised Congressman Rangel for the good things that he did in the past, and said that there are new problems now then there were in the past. He went on to say that there are huge health care disparities and education gaps.

   Mr. Williams spoke of putting people to work in the jobs that are needed, such as nursing, auto mechanics, electricians, and other good paying jobs. when I asked about the Empowerment Zone that Congressman Rangel set up, Mr. Williams said most are out of business by using the funds for the community, but that "the Harlem Empowerment Zone still has lots of money left". Mr. Williams said that up to 5,000 new jobs could be created right now if tourism was set up not only for lower Manhattan, but the rest of the city. New Hotels and restaurants could be built for tourist to stay over rather then come for an hour or two, or to see the Yankee game then leave.

  When I asked Mr. Williams what his qualifications for congress were, he said that he knows the D.C. area very well, the president, and how congress works. He added that he worked for both President Clinton and President Obama in high level positions. Mr. Williams believes like others do that in this election the Bronx will play a key role in determining who the representative from the 13th Congressional District will be. He is making important connections in the Bronx, and plans to keep them. when asked if he is doing all this to set up for a run for office when Congressman Rangel decides to retire possibly in 2014 or sooner, Mr. Clyde Williams said "I am in this race to win this race".

Mr. Clyde Williams stands in front of the Kingsbridge Armory with two of his supporters

.

Here the trio stand by the Kingsbridge Road Subway station of the   # 4 subway line. On Mr. Williams left is Mr. Ephraim Cruz of Bronx For Change, and Mr. Anthony Rivveccio of NWBD on his right.

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K.A.L.E.A.C Honors 50th Pct. Officers

  The Korean-American Law Enforcement Advisory Council came to the 50th Precinct to bestow honors upon the police officers and Captain Kevin J. Burke for the swift apprehension of the two individuals that killed 26 year old Hang Yang on his way home for his I Phone. Mr. Yang was shot at the corner of Cambridge Avenue and West 232nd Street, and died a short time later.
  

  Mr. Joo Tae Yoo President and Mr. Yeon S, Hong Vice-President of K.A.L.E.A.C. said that their organization tries to bridge the gap between citizens and the police department. The organization also raises money for fallen hero's and provides scholarships to their children. Both thanked the officers of the 50^th Precinct for the swift apprehension of Mr. Yang's killers. Also  on hand were Mr. Yang's mother and sister who conveyed the same message. 

   

  Captain Kevin J. Burke, Lieutenant John Gogarty, Sergeant Lucas Miller, Detective James Campbell, and Detective Joseph K. Oneil all received awards from. K.A.L.E.A.C. Captain Burke in speaking about the case said “it was the fine police work that his detectives and officers did to crack the case, and the arrest of the two killers”. The two men identified as Dominick Davis and Alejandro Campos (when they were arrested) tried to sell the I Phone on Craigslist. “Have 2 I Phones 4 sale Inwood/Washington Heights” the ad read, and the detectives took it from there. 

 

  Local Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Councilman G. Oliver Koppell also presented awards to the police officers. Assemblyman Dinowitz commented "that there had never been an incident such as this in Riverdale, and the community was outraged. Dinowitz added that these two men must be tried and sent away to jail for a long time. Mr. Adam Sandler of Councilman Koppell's office said that crimes like this will not be tolerated in our neighborhoods and that Councilman Koppell hopes that the swift apprehension of these killers will deter any similar events in the future. 

Left - Captain Kevin Burke explaining the details of the crime, and how officers apprehanded the two men responsible for the crime. Next to Captain Burke are Mr. Joo Tae Yoo President and Mr. Yeon S, Hong Vice-President of K.A.L.E.A.C. Right- Assemblyman Dinowitz presenting award to one of the officers as Captain Burke looks on.

Left - Assemblyman Dinowitz is between Mr. Yoo and Mr Hong from K.A.A.E.A.C., with Mr. Sandler of behind the officers and Captain Burke (Sergeant Miller was not at the ceremony, and is not in the photo).  Right - Community Affairs officer Mindy Ramos stands in for Sergeant Miller in this photo.

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