Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Picnic in Bronx Park East

 

It was a normal Sunday afternoon in Bronx Park East off Lydig Avenue, that is until Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her crew had a picnic there. People in orange AOC t-shirts set up a table by the Lydig Avenue entrance, tables of food by the Bandshell area, and put out pumpkins and little red cones on the grass nearby. 

At 3 PM Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez arrived after everything had been set up, and the picnic food was given out. Everyone wanted to say hello to her, and she wanted to say hello to everyone in the park. People stopped the congresswoman to take selfies with her, as she made her way into the park. Her staff had people then line up (socially distanced to take a photo with the congresswoman. Also on hand was local Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez.

 

Above - Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez arrived at Bronx Park greeting her people at the welcoming table.

Below - Assemblywoman Fernandez greets the Congresswoman.

Above - The picnic food that was given out to the attendees.

Below - AOC greets her campaign heads.

Above - The crowd for the picnic.

Below - AOC greets one of her four-legged friends.

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez with Ms. Abilene Salas and Lorenzo, Dante, and Valerie in the dinosaur costume. 

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - OCTOBER 25, 2020

 

Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 3.18 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas is 1.06 Percent      

Statewide Positivity Rate is 1.35 Percent 

12 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  

"To give you an idea of the progress we've made with New York's micro-clusters, the positivity rates in Brooklyn, Rockland and Orange Counties are all down this week. That is great news. It says the focus works, and it says we can get the positivity under control. As we saw with Queens this past week, we get the numbers down and we then open up the areas," Governor Cuomo said. "Context is everything here. We're seeing a real national surge, and we are battling that national surge, that national high tide. We're fighting it because although we like to think we control our own destiny, we still have people coming from around the country into New York. The numbers nationwide are really high and getting higher, so we have to be extra vigilant here in New York and continue being smart." 

The Governor noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 3.18 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 1.06 percent. Within the focus areas, 16,614 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 528 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 104,215 test results were reported, yielding 1,104 positives

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Patient Hospitalization - 1,015 (-30) 
• Patients Newly Admitted - 116  
• Hospital Counties - 44 
• Number ICU - 227 (-4) 
• Number ICU with Intubation - 118 (+5) 
• Total Discharges - 79,092 (+132) 
• Deaths - 12 
• Total Deaths - 25,730  

DEC ACQUIRES 525 ACRES IN WESTERN NEW YORK FOR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

 

Parcel Offers Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, and Wildlife Viewing Along Scenic Clear Lake in Erie County

 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the recent acquisition of 525 acres in the town of North Collins, Erie County, to create the Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The land offers hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife viewing, and other recreational opportunities and becomes the largest State-owned WMA in Erie County.     

"The new Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area will provide outstanding wildlife-based recreational opportunities for visitors while protecting important habitat for many local species,” said DEC Region 9 Director Abby Snyder. “DEC will continue to work with our public and private partners to conserve critical parcels like this that connect our communities to natural resources.” 

Transferred to DEC by the New York State Office of Mental Health, the Clear Lake WMA includes the Clear Lake Reservoir and surrounding scenic property. The 43-acre lake offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and provides important habitat for turtles, salamanders, and waterfowl such as Canada geese, wood ducks, and mallards. The lake was constructed in the 1920s for use as a water reservoir for the former Gowanda Psychiatric Center and was later used by the Collins Correctional Facility. 

OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “The Office of Mental Health is pleased to have helped the Department of Environmental Conservation transform an unused parcel of land into a magnificent wildlife area that will provide outdoor recreational opportunities for people and families in Western NY.” 

An ideal location for wildlife habitat, the parcel’s diverse landscape includes mature forest, wetlands, brushland, and open fields that support a variety of species including ruffed grouse, wild turkey, woodcock, white-tailed deer, beaver, muskrat, raccoon, red and gray fox, and migratory songbirds.     

Clear Lake WMA will be actively managed by DEC Region 9’s Bureau of Wildlife with the primary goal of preserving and enhancing the property’s wildlife habitat and providing active wildlife-dependent recreation. In addition, non-wildlife dependent recreational activities such as hiking, kayaking, and canoeing are also allowed as long as these activities do not impede or interfere with the primary wildlife management usage goals of the area. Prohibited activities at Clear Lake WMA include swimming, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, target shooting, or the use of motorized boats, boat trailers, ATVs, or snowmobiles. Please check on-site signage for authorized activities when visiting. 

Clear Lake WMA can be accessed on the north side of Genesee Road in North Collins, west of Route 75.  DEC recently installed two parking areas to improve public access to the site. The parking area located on the lake’s east side is designated for use by visitors hand-launching small boats, kayaks, or canoes. Please note that use of trailers is not allowed.   

WMAs are lands owned by New York State under the control and management of DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife. These lands are acquired primarily for wildlife reproduction and survival, as well as providing for wildlife-based recreational opportunities. WMAs provide exceptional areas for the public to interact with a wide variety of wildlife species. There are 123 WMAs across the state, comprising approximately 235,000 acres. 

Since the early 1900s, the WMA program established permanent public access to lands in New York State for the conservation and promotion of its fish and wildlife resources. Clear Lake WMA will be maintained by federal funding from the Pittman Robertson Act, now known as Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration, which apportions revenues generated from the excise taxes on the sale of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment to state wildlife agencies for conservation efforts and hunter education programs.    

Maps and additional information about Clear Lake WMA can be found on DEC’s website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/121437.html. 

Long Lines at First Day of Early Voting

 

Saturday was the first day of Early Voting, and people began lining up at poll sites at 7 AM. The problem was that the Board of Elections was opening the poll sites at 10 AM. When many poll sites opened the line to get in stretched one, two, or even three blocks long. Poll sites closed at 4 PM, but as is the case if you were on line by the time the poll closes you must be allowed to vote no matter how much more time it takes. 

At the Columbus High School poll site, the line went all around the building and field short of meeting at the voter entrance. The line continued to be long because over 1,300 people had come to vote or drop off their completed Absentee Ballot into the Drop Box inside the poll site. This was in contrast to the early voting for the June Democratic Primary where throughout the ten days the poll site was open less people voted. That was why extra help was hired and sent to each Early Voting Poll Site. 

Weekend poll site hours are 10 AM to 4 PM, Monday 10/26 from 7 AM to 3 PM, Tuesday 10/27, and Wednesday 10/28 from 12 PM to 8 PM, Thursday 10/29 from 10 AM to 6 PM, Friday 10/30 from 7 PM to 3 PM. Saturday 10/31 and Sunday 11/1 from 10 AM to 4 PM. 

Above - At the Columbus High School poll site the line stretched  almost entirely around the school and field as you can see where Assemblywoman Fernandez was soliciting votes with her Chief of Staff.

Below - Ms. Gloria Gaston and a few others brought chairs to sit on as they waited for the line to move.

Above - The Drop Box for Absentee ballots.

Below- M. Cynthia Prisco was one of the poll workers who kept things moving inside the Columbus High school gym.

Above - Two pole workers signed you in, as a third poll worker took the printed ballot from the printer. 

Below - Bronx GOP Leader Michael Rendino stopped by with his congressional candidate John Cummings.

Bharati Foundation Comes to Assemblywoman Fernandez's Office For Read-A-Long and Giveaway

 

Books, Book Bags, School Supplies, Face Mask, and Hand Sanitizer was given out Friday afternoon as Assemblywoman read to children outside her office. 

The event was sponsored by the Bharati Foundation with Bharati Kemraj the founder of the Bharati Dance Academy has continued her fathers way of giving to others from the church her father was a Hindu Priest.  

Above - Assemblywoman Fernandez reads to children from one of the many books that were given away to the children.

Below - Assemblywoman Fernandez waves hello to a little girl.

Bhariati Kemraj, Assemblywoman Fernandez, and others who helped on the afternoon Read-A-Long and giveaway.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - OCTOBER 24, 2020

 

Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 2.58 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas Included is 1.13 Percent     

Statewide Positivity Rate is 1.31 Percent  

11 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday   

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.   

"As new cases climb across the country, in New York we are continuing our strategy of aggressively targeting micro-clusters whenever they pop up and implementing measures to stop any potential spread quickly," Governor Cuomo said. "We are able to be surgical in our approach because we have developed such large testing and contact tracing programs. The news from around the country is another reminder that while we have come a long way, this pandemic is not over and we must remain vigilant: wear a mask, wash your hands, socially distance and be New York Tough. The only way to beat this thing is through compliance of public health law and by taking care of one another." 

The Governor noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 2.58 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 1.13 percent. Within the focus areas, 19,799 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 511 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 137,141 test results were reported, yielding 1,550 positives. 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:   

• Patient Hospitalization - 1,045 (+22)  
• Patients Newly Admitted - 152   
• Hospital Counties - 43  
• Number ICU - 231 (+8)  
• Number ICU with Intubation - 113 (+4)  
• Total Discharges - 78,960 (+106)  
• Deaths - 11  
• Total Deaths - 25,718   

New York City Pharmacy Owner Sentenced To 2½ Years In Prison For Committing Multimillion-Dollar Health Care Fraud

 

 Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that SAJID JAVED, an owner and operator of a number of pharmacies in the New York City area, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for using his pharmacies to submit more than $7.1 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid.  JAVED previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud before U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick, who imposed today’s sentence.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Sajid Javed fraudulently billed Medicare and Medicaid more than $7 million for drugs that were never actually dispensed, inducing others to forego their prescription medications in return for kickbacks.  Javed contributed to the multibillion-dollar theft of federally funded public health care subsidies.”

According to the Complaint, the Superseding Information to which JAVED pled guilty, court filings, and statements made in public court proceedings:

While owning and operating a number of pharmacies located in Brooklyn and Queens, JAVED conducted a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid programs by seeking reimbursement for prescription drugs that were not distributed to customers.  Specifically, from January 2013 through December 2014, JAVED obtained more than $7.1 million in reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid for prescription drugs that his pharmacies never actually dispensed to customers.  JAVED defrauded Medicare and Medicaid into providing him with these reimbursements by obtaining prescriptions from other individuals, who were willing to forego delivery of the medications in exchange for a share of the reimbursed proceeds, in the form of kickbacks.  JAVED offered to pay, and did actually pay, kickbacks in furtherance of this scheme.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Broderick sentenced JAVED, 49, of Fresh Meadows, Queens, to three years of supervised release and ordered JAVED to make court-ordered restitution in the amount of $6,040,451.32 to Medicare and $1,150,562.16 to Medicaid, and imposed forfeiture in the amount of $7,191,013.48.

Ms. Strauss praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General.