BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ ISSUES REPORT CALLING FOR NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY REFORM

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has issued a new report outlining a set of recommendations aimed at reforming the New York State Lottery to minimize its adverse effects on low-income communities.

The report, titled “Re-Orienting the Lottery: A Better Lotto for the Poor,” provides four recommendations that aim to prevent the lottery from further disadvantaging the poor and to instead help these communities see the most benefit from the state’s lottery system.

“The lottery has grown exponentially since its establishment and the state regulations overseeing that sector must be adapted to how it exists today. We can’t turn a blind eye to state lotteries targeting low-income and minority communities, and the systems should be changed to help limit the harm that vulnerable people experience because of them,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Recommendations discussed in the report include changing the allocation of lottery funds to further support students living in or near poverty, banning check cashers from selling lottery games, requiring the state to collect information about check cashers’ sales of lottery games and educating the public about the benefits of engaging with the traditional banking system.

Nationally, lower income individuals are more likely to play the lottery than higher income individuals, with some statistics finding that 28 percent of individuals earning under $30,000 per year play the lottery at least weekly as compared with 18 percent of those earning over $75,000. Additionally, low-income individuals spend a disproportionate proportion of their incomes on the lottery.

“Low income communities generate much of the lottery’s revenue but they don’t receive benefits proportionate to their patronage of the system,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “That money should be spent to support low-income students with specific programs in schools that are aimed at the alleviation of poverty in both the short and long terms.”

The full report can be read at https://on.nyc.gov/330OJF5.

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS ROCKWELL CHIN, GUILLERMO CHACÓN AND REVEREND TERRY TROIA TO THE CITY COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

As longstanding and well-respected experts in their fields, the new appointees strengthen the City’s commitment to dignity and respect for all.

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced three new appointees to the New York City Commission on Human Rights: Rockwell (“Rocky”) Chin, Guillermo Chacón, and Reverend Terry Troia join the agency as commissioners.

The New York City Commission on Human Rights, which enforces the New York City Human Rights Law, is helmed by Chair and Commissioner Carmelyn P. Malalis. The Mayor appoints unsalaried commissioners to the New York City Commission on Human Rights in order to advise in addressing issues of bias, harassment, and discrimination citywide.

“The New York City Commission on Human Rights has the duty of enforcing one of the most comprehensive human rights laws in the nation,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio “These new appointments will help us continue to lead in fighting all forms of discrimination. Rockwell, Guillermo, and Reverend Troia, all hail from different backgrounds and expertise, are united in their passion for achieving justice for every New Yorker.”

“I enthusiastically welcome Rocky, Guillermo, and Reverend Terry to the Commission as true examples of community servants,” said Chair and Commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights Carmelyn P. Malalis. “Our new appointees are venerated and respected members of their communities who have worked in coalition across diverse issue areas. They will bring exactly the kind of diversity of experience and thoughtfulness the Commission relies on to tackle issues of discrimination in this City. I look forward to working with them as we continue to make the New York City Commission on Human Rights a venue for justice for all New Yorkers.”

“I am honored for this appointment by Mayor Bill de Blasio to serve on the Commission of Human Rights in our great city, particularly at this moment when our diverse communities are under threat,” said Guillermo Chacón. “I will bring my passion and commitment to ensure that our City’s Human Rights Law remains relevant and protects every single New Yorker.”

"I am fortunate to be living in New York, a city with a rich and fabled history of gutsy, visionary New Yorkers who have embraced and defended immigrants, workers, oppressed communities and marginalized people,” said Rockwell (“Rocky”) Chin. “These New Yorkers have contributed to making the New York City Human Rights Law one of the most comprehensive civil rights laws in the nation today.  It is an honor and privilege to join Commissioner Carmelyn Malalis and my fellow Commissioners in continuing New York’s history of caring and standing up for all New Yorkers."

“The protection of the rights of all peoples to live the most fully human life possible is the most sacred and most urgent of all human action,” said Reverend Terry Troia.  “If one of us is injured and their humanity diminished by discrimination in any form, the whole of us is wounded and all of us diminished.  I will serve to protect the fullness of life for every person in this city.”

Each new commissioner brings a wealth of experience from various backgrounds in human and civil rights and will help identify issues of discrimination in their communities as well as encourage and foster positive community relations. Commissioners meet quarterly with the Chair and commission staff to vote on proposed and final rules and provide recommendations to the Commission.

Meet the new CCHR Commissioners:

Guillermo Chacón

Since 2010, Guillermo Chacón has served as President of the Latino Commission on AIDS, where he is a vocal advocate of the Latinx/Hispanic and HIV&AIDS communities. Under his leadership, the Commission has invested in community mobilization programs, which encourage community-based organizations to develop agendas on the top health policy issues affecting the health of Latinos in New York City. Chacón was appointed by Mayor de Blasio to the HIV/AIDS Services Administration and the Committee on City Healthcare Services. Governor Cuomo appointed Chacón to the New York State AIDS Advisory Council and nominated him for the New York State Minority Health Council, where he was later confirmed by the New York State Senate. He also serves on various Boards, including the New York Immigration Coalition, the New York City AIDS Memorial, advisor for the Alianza Americas, and co-chairs the Latino Jewish Coalition in New York.

Rockwell ("Rocky") Chin

Rockwell (“Rocky”) Chin is a retired government civil rights attorney and a current member of the Executive Council of AARP New York since 2016. He previously served as Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity at the New York State Division of Human Rights. Before that, Rocky served in a variety of positions at the New York City Commission on Human Rights. He spearheaded language, immigrant rights and disability rights initiatives in New York as an advocate and as an attorney. Rocky is a founder of the Asian American Bar Association of New York, former Civil Rights Chair of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, past Board Member of MFY Legal Services, Leadership for Asian Pacifics, the Asian American Arts Alliance and Yale Alumni Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force (2016-2017). Rocky has a law degree from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in City Planning from Yale University, and a B.A. in Economics from Lehigh University.

Reverend Terry Troia

Reverend Terry Troia is President and CEO of Project Hospitality, an interfaith effort providing emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing & services to hungry and homeless New Yorkers, where she has worked for the last 35 years.  She is also the minister of the Reformed Church of Huguenot Park in Staten Island. The Reverend is actively involved in racial, economic and social justice work related to health, housing and educational equity, LGBT inclusion, immigrants’ rights and the right to shelter. Troia serves by appointment to the Governor’s Clergy Council, the Mayor’s Clergy Advisory Council, the NYC HIV Health and Human Services Planning Council, the NYPD Training Advisory Committee, the NYPD SI Borough Command Immigrant Task Force, The Richmond County District Attorney Hate Crimes Task Force, the NYC Council Gun Violence Task Force, the New York State Interfaith Immigration Network, and the NYC Supportive Housing Task Force. She serves on the board of directors of the Supportive Housing Network of New York, Homeless Services United, El Centro del Inmigrante, New World Prep Charter School, and Coordinated Behavioral Health. Locally she serves as President of The Staten Island Long Term Recovery Organization and is chair of the Staten Island Tackling Youth Substance Abuse Initiative and serves on the executive committees of the Staten Island Immigrants Council, Communities United for Respect and Trust, Staten Islanders Against Anti-Semitism, the Staten Island Inter-Religious Leadership, Staten Island Council of Churches,  Staten Island Family Health Care Coalition,  New Brighton Coalition of Concerned Citizens and the Port Richmond Civic Association.

The next Commissioner’s meeting will take place from11:30am -1:30pm on November 21^st, 2019, in the Eleanor Norton Holmes conference room at the New York City Commission on Human Rights, 22 Reade Street, 2FL New York, NY 10007.

Samelys López Wins Major Endorsement In Bid for Bronx Seat in U.S. Congress

Samelys López Wins Major Endorsement In Bid For Bronx Seat For U.S. Congress

López announced today that she is being endorsed by The People for Bernie Sanders, a progressive grassroots group with more than one million social-media followers nationwide.
 
Backed by a diverse coalition of community activists, López launched her campaign for New York’s 15th congressional district seat in late September. Longtime Democratic Congressman Jose Serrano is not seeking re-election due to health issues.
 
"Samely's dedication to this movement is unparalleled. There are people that say they believe in a working-class movement, Samely's has dedicated her life to building it. She is pragmatic and results-oriented. Her savvy and focus will deliver results for the district and I am humbled by the opportunity to endorse her," said Kat Brezler. "The People for Bernie Sanders has a shared history with Samely's and an emboldened vision for the future because of her."
 
López says Washington isn't doing enough about the income inequality and housing insecurity faced by countless oppressed people in the Bronx. She is pledging to fight for a Homes Guarantee, the Green New Deal, and Medicare for All.

"I am honored to have been endorsed by People for Bernie. I have supported Bernie since 2016 and will continue to do so because he has always fought for transformational change and putting the needs of working-class communities first." said candidate Samelys López. "Bernie inspired me to get involved in building an independent grassroots movement throughout the Bronx. I am committed to fighting for a working-class revolution that centers the lived experiences of my people in the South Bronx."

The People for Bernie Sanders was founded in 2015 by participants in the Occupy Wall Street movement to back the Vermont senator’s presidential campaign and now also supports progressive candidates across the nation.

Samelys co-founded Local Democrats of NY, supporting grassroots candidates for elective office, and is a co-founder of Bronx Progressives, a local chapter of the New York Progressive Action Network and Our Revolution. She named as one of The Hispanic Coalition of New York's Rising 40 under 40 Latino Stars in 2016 and was recognized this year in City & State’s Bronx Power 100. She is a graduate of Barnard College and holds a master’s degree in urban planning from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service.

López will seek the Democratic nomination for NY CD-15 in the Party’s primary, which will be held on June 23, 2020.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

While this may seem like a certain presidential candidate is endorsing Ms. Lopez there is no mention that said presidential candidate is endorsing her. Kat Brezler who endorses Ms. Lopez is no Bernie Sanders.

Ms. Lopez we are still waiting for our interview of you which was promised by your consultants on the day you announced your candidacy. What are you afraid of Ms. Lopez, or should I say Mr. Beltzer?

Temple Hatikva Special Service:

Temple Hatikva

Please join us on Friday Nov.22 at 7:30 pm at Bronx House 990 Pelham Parkway South for our Shabbat Service. The theme for this service will be a service of Thanks in honor of Thanksgiving.

Temple Hatikva is a Reform / Conservative synagogue serving all those of the Jewish faith. We invite you to join us for our traditional, yet modern services, and regular Adult Education sessions.We promise that you will have a meaningful experience . All religious services and Adult Education sessions are FREE to attend.

On SUNDAY Nov 23 at 10:00 am at Bronx House will be our Monthly Adult Education Series with a delicious Breakfast sponsored by the Shalom Funeral Home. Please join us for BOTH community events.

What is the Truth About 2500 Williamsbridge Road, and When Did the Community Board Know the Deal Was Axed?

 There was a proposal by Carnegie Hill Institute for a drug treatment center at the vacant 2500 Williamsbridge Road site previously occupied by Eastern Abstracts. At the Community Board 11 Leadership Committee meeting of October 17th  it was determined to have a Town Hall meeting on Thursday November 7th. The place to hold the Town Hall meeting would be the nearby Institute for Special Education located at 999 Pelham Parkway North.

 On the way to the November 7th Town Hall meeting a couple of things happened. Certain people associated with one Community Board 11 member said not to worry that there would be no drug treatment center at 2500 Williamsbridge Road. Councilman Mark Gjonaj was quoted on October 25th "The Deal was killed" regarding the 2500 Williamsbridge Road site in a Bronx newspaper. Gjonaj was quoted again "Now they want to put it on Esplanade" referring to a long vacant Jewish Synagogue and community center at 2440 Esplanade Avenue. No  official agenda for the Town Hall meeting ever went out from Community Board 11. 

November 7th came with an estimate of 700 people attending on a rainy night. There had to be two sessions due to the capacity of 300 people. The outcome of the Town Hall meeting was that the 2500 Williamsbridge Road site was not going to Carnegie Hill Institute, and Councilman Gjonaj said that he wants to restore 2440 Esplanade to a community center. Since Councilman Gjonaj was quoted saying 2500 Williambridge Road was not going to happen weeks before, why was 2440 Esplanade all of a sudden added to the meeting, and why did the Town Hall happen if the property was killed weeks prior to the Town Hall. Why was the meeting not cancelled? 

Upon checking with the District Manager of CB 11 his answer was that the community board was not notified of any change in 2500 Williamsbridge Road only to find out at the Town Hall meeting. He said 2440 Esplanade was a rumor to which the DM could not remember when the board was told, adding since there was no formal notice to the board. Also that the flyer with a different CB 11 member on it which I received at the board office was from a private citizen and not the community board.

UPDATE: After the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood meeting November 12th Councilman Gjonaj told me that CB 11 knew about 2500 Wiliamsbridge Road two weeks before the town hall meeting. Members of the community want to know why Community Board 11 held the Town hall meeting when they were told the outcome by Councilman Gjonaj two weeks ahead of the meeting? 

PUBLIC ADVOCATE WILLIAMS RESPONDS TO BLOOMBERG 'STOP AND FRISK' COMMENTS

"Forgive many of us for questioning apologies a decade late and on the eve of a presidential run. It is not nearly enough to erase the legacy of the systemic abuses of stop, question, and frisk on the people whose lives were harmed by over-policing, nor the communities criminalized by it. 

"As recently as this year, Mayor Bloomberg was defending this position, and while apologizing for wrongs is a necessary quality in strong leadership, a more meaningful action would include developing and advocating a real plan for restorative justice in those communities and aiding officers whose careers and lives faced challenges because of their public opposition to the policy. As I said in fighting the abuses of stop and frisk, in ultimately overriding the Mayor's veto, we can have better policing and safer communities at the same time, and the years since then have proved it. 

"Stop and frisk was just one of many tactics pursued by the Bloomberg administration which had a detrimental impact on lower income New Yorkers and communities of more color. On housing, on education, and more, the question of those years is not just 'were they good policies' but 'who were they good for.' I expect a deep reflection on those policies in the coming weeks and months."

Drug Dealer Sentenced To More Than 17 Years In Prison For Selling Fentanyl That Caused Overdose Death Of Public School Teacher In The Bronx

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that KASHAWN LYONS was sentenced to 210 months in prison in connection with his sale of the fentanyl that resulted in the death of Matthew Azimi, a public school teacher in the Bronx.  LYONS pled guilty to narcotics conspiracy on January 14, 2019.  As part of his guilty plea, LYONS stipulated that he sold the drugs that resulted in the death of Mr. Azimi.  U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr. imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Kashawn Lyons admitted to selling a fatal dose of fentanyl to Matthew Azimi, a public school teacher in the Bronx, who overdosed inside of his schoolhouse at the age of 36. The tragic death of a public educator is a reminder of the pervasiveness of the opioid epidemic and its destructive effect on our society. Today’s sentence serves as a reminder that lengthy prison terms will result from dealing deadly opioids.”

According to court documents and statements made in open court:

On November 30, 2017, Matthew Azimi, age 36, was found dead inside a faculty bathroom at a special education public school in the Bronx (the “School”) where Mr. Azimi was a teacher.  The New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) responded to the School and began investigating Mr. Azimi’s death.  An autopsy conducted following Mr. Azimi’s death revealed that he died from a lethal dose of fentanyl.  NYPD officers recovered a syringe and a pink glassine bag with no stamp or other distinctive marking next to Mr. Azimi’s body.  NYPD also recovered Mr. Azimi’s cellphone.

The NYPD was able to trace the last three completed calls that Mr. Azimi made before he overdosed on November 30, 2017 to a cellphone used by LYONS.  Through surveillance, the NYPD learned that LYONS continued to sell fentanyl and heroin in the vicinity of the School.  In February 2018, the NYPD made undercover buys of fentanyl and heroin from LYONS in close proximity to the School.  The fentanyl and heroin purchased from LYONS was packaged in the same unique pink glassine bags as the one that was found next to Mr. Azimi’s body.

In addition to the prison term, LYONS, 33, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.   

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD in this case.

Leaders And Members Of Mafia Family Convicted Of Murder, Racketeering, And Other Crimes

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MATTHEW MADONNA, STEVEN L. CREA, CHRISTOPHER LONDONIO, and TERRENCE CALDWELL, were convicted today, after a six-week jury trial, of murder, conspiracy to commit racketeering, and other felonies.  Fifteen other defendants have previously pled guilty to related charges.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “The violent and disturbing acts of these four organized crime figures included the brutal murder of associate Michael Meldish. Fittingly, all four defendants have been found guilty of their heinous acts of fraud, extortion, and murder on the six-year anniversary of Meldish’s death. Thanks to the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and NYPD, we will continue our commitment to making organized crime a thing of a bygone era.”

According to the evidence presented at trial, and other court documents:

Until his arrest in this case, MADONNA was the Acting Boss of the Luchese Family of La Cosa Nostra, one of the “Five Families” that constitute the Mafia in the New York City area.  In 2013, MADONNA became displeased with Michael Meldish, a longtime organized crime associate who had refused to collect debts owed to MADONNA.  MADONNA ordered Meldish killed, leading to Meldish’s murder on this date six years ago.  As the Acting Boss of the Family, MADONNA also received payments from a host of other illegal activities, including the extortion of labor union members, loansharking, illegal gambling operations, and drug-trafficking.

CREA is the official Underboss, or second-in-command, of the Luchese Family.  As the Underboss, he participated in MADONNA’s decision to kill Meldish, and relayed the order to lower-ranking members of the Family.  As a member of the Family’s leadership, or “administration,” CREA also profited from the same illegal activities as MADONNA.  CREA was personally involved in several criminal schemes, including fraud and extortion in a large construction project at a public hospital, the extortion of one of his subordinates, and ordering the assault of a relative.

LONDONIO is a made member of the Luchese Family.  Acting under the orders of MADONNA and CREA, LONDONIO helped setup Meldish—a personal friend of LONDONIO’s—to be killed, and acted as the getaway driver for the murder.  LONDONIO also carried firearms and other weapons, beat an associate of a rival crime family with a baseball bat, and personally participated in extortion, operating illegal gambling businesses, and drug-trafficking, among other crimes.

CALDWELL is an associate of the Luchese Family, who participated in its crimes but was not formally inducted as a member.  On May 29, 2013, CALDWELL ambushed a member of the rival Bonanno Family in Manhattan.  CALDWELL fired several shots into the victim’s car at close range and struck him once in the chest, but the victim survived.  On November 15, 2013, CALDWELL carried out MADONNA’s and CREA’s orders to kill Michel Meldish.  CALDWELL met Meldish and drove with him to a Bronx neighborhood to meet LONDONIO.  As Meldish got out of his car, CALDWELL shot him once in the head, killing him instantly.  CALDWELL then drove off with LONDONIO.

MADONNA, 84, of the Bronx, New York; CREA, 72, of Crestwood, New York; LONDONIO, 45, of Hartsdale, New York; and CALDWELL, 61, of Manhattan, New York, were each found guilty of one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison; murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison; and use of a firearm in furtherance of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

CREA was acquitted of one count of attempted murder and assault in aid of racketeering and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of attempted murder and assault in aid of racketeering. 

LONDONIO was also found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, which carries a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison.  LONDONIO was acquitted of one count of attempting to escape from the Metropolitan Detention Center.  

CALDWELL was also found guilty of one count of attempted murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison, and one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of attempted murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, the NYPD, the Department of Homeland Security Homeland Security Investigations, the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, and the Bureau of Prisons.