STATE SENATOR JEFF KLEIN AND ASSEMBLYMAN MARCOS CRESPO CALL ON LEGISLATURE TO PASS ‘CARD HARD’ PACKAGE TO CURB UNDERAGE DRINKING

  Klein, Crespo Push for Passage of Bills to Combat Sale of Alcohol to Minors Ahead of ‘100 Deadliest Days’ for Teen Drivers

Nearly 400 Traffic Fatalities Expected to Occur During Memorial Day Weekend 2015

New Bills Would Allow Businesses to Confiscate Fake IDs, Require Retailers Who Have Served Minors to Buy and Use ID Scanners, and Strengthen Defense for Retailers that Employ Best Practices to Stop Underage Drinking

State Senate Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo today renewed their call for the passage of comprehensive legislation known as the “Card Hard Campaign” to combat underage drinking and crackdown on the use of fake IDs across the state. The call comes as the unofficial start to summer kicks off with Memorial Day Weekend and thus begins the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers -- a period running from May to September that sees a significant uptick in the number of car accidents and fatal crashes involving adolescent drivers.

Senator Klein said: “With school winding down and students eager to enjoy their summer vacation, now is not the time to put the brakes on teen safety. Each year, nearly 400 traffic deaths occur over Memorial Day Weekend -- a striking increase over other weekends throughout the month. In an effort to reduce the incidence of underage drinking and take dangerous drivers off the road, my ‘Card Hard’ legislation will create incentives for retailers to use ID scanners and confiscate fake IDs that come across their doors. These common-sense proposals will work to curb teen drinking and hopefully save lives. ”

Assemblyman Crespo said: “Underage drinking poses a serious problem in our communities and holidays have become paramount periods of such behavior. This Memorial Day Weekend will be no exception. Alcohol use remains extremely widespread among today’s teenagers with nearly three quarters of students (72%) having consumed alcohol. Among underage drinkers, 30.8% paid for alcohol the last time they drank. It is obvious that New York needs to do more to eliminate fake IDs as a tool available to our youth for accessing alcohol.”

The NYPD released statistics showing that 1,791 summonses have been issued for sales of alcohol to minors, with a three-fold increase in DWI-related arrests from Memorial Day 2012 to Memorial Day 2013. Data released from Jacobi and North Central Bronx Hospital showed that in both 2012 and 2013, there was an increase in minors admitted to the hospital with alcohol-related health issues on Memorial Day Weekend.

What’s more, underage drinking has serious economic repercussions. According to the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, teen drinking costs New York residents billions of dollars each year -- an astounding $3.1 billion in 2013 alone. Car accidents involving intoxicated teen drivers represented one of the largest costs to New Yorkers that same year, clocking in around $330 million.

Klein and Crespo’s “Card Hard” legislative package targets the use of fake IDs and works to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors. These measures include:

• S.4086 - Strengthens defenses for those retailers that employ best practices, including having and operating an ID scanner, requiring employees to use scanners, holding a valid certificate of completion of a licensed alcohol awareness program and having a clean record with no violations for at least two years.
• S.1544 - Allows businesses to confiscate fake IDs.
• S.4084 - Requires retailers who have served alcohol to minors to buy and use ID scanners.

Richard Mallow, MADD New York Executive Director said: “Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is focused on tackling underage drinking, a problem that threatens the safety of our kids and endangers entire communities, now and down the road. These legislative measures provide a strong program to crackdown on the problem of underage drinking. Our Power of Parents® program is designed to equip parents with the tools and resources to start ongoing conversations about alcohol with their youth. Our hope is that with good parental messaging, law enforcement and legislation we can prevent underage drinking in New York State.”

Frances Maturo, Executive Director of TNCAP: “Each year, too many of our youth are injured or die from use of alcohol which they purchased with a fake ID. If we are serious about addressing this problem, we must take fake IDs out of the hands of minors. Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo’s ‘Card Hard’ campaign will do just that. The Throggs Neck Community Action Partnership supports this campaign."

In 2013, Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo passed the first piece of the “Card Hard” legislative package, S.4101-A/A.2530-B, which was signed into law and brings New York into greater parity with other states by increasing the community service fines and court ordered alcohol awareness training for all youth who use a fake ID.

Rain Barrel Giveaway on June 6th!

 

Reserve Your FREE Rain Barrel! Saturday, June 6th 9:00am - 12:00pm (While supplies last) P.S. 83 Schoolyard Enter at 1840 Bogart Avenue All homeowners who are interested must contact the 80th Assembly District Office at (718) 409-0109 to reserve a rain barrel.

New York Elected Officials Announce Agreement with Taxi Limousine Commission for Taxi Drivers

   For several months, elected officials including Congressman Charles Rangel, Bronx County Democratic Chair Marcos Crespo (who also presides as the Chair of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force), Senator Adriano Espaillat, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, Assemblyman Jose Rivera, Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, and City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez have been meeting at the office of State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. with Mr. Jose Villoria, Ms. Cira Angeles and Mr. Marcos De La Cruz, leaders from the private taxi industry. We have worked together to find a way to intercede on behalf of the drivers and try to alleviate some of the undue burdens they face. 

    You should already know that under New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's Zero Tolerance Initiative, taxi drivers have been facing serious oppression which include double penalties of points and summonses, license suspension and revocation, exorbitant and cumulative fines, and penalties that threaten to shut down taxi bases. After negotiating with New York City Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Meera Joshi about these issues, our coalition of elected officials has come to an agreement with the TLC. The photos below are of the press conference that took place in front of the K.I.S.S. Car Service on Webster Avenue. 

   State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. was joined by many of the elected officials who were part of the negations with the TLC for fairness to the livery drivers caught in the middle who were being charged for violations that were not their fault. 

Assemblyman Jose Rivera who once was a Livery cab driver knows what today's Livery drivers have to go through. Jose added that "For the 1st time in 46 years, We have a voice and representation for our Livery drivers".

Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo stands with the Livery cab drivers who just want a fair shake.

TLC spokesperson Jeff Roth gives the cities side, and that the city will work with the Livery drivers to clear up what has become a problem to the city and the drivers, that being up to 30 summonses to one car. 

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, one of the few Latino legislators who is a lawyer played a key role in the negotiations for the Livery drivers.

PLEASE JOIN US Our ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE, MONDAY, MAY 25th at 11:00 AM at Rudy Macina Peace Memorial Plaza

The Morris Park Community Association, The American Legion, The Knights of Columbus and The Morris Park Kiwanis Invite You to attend our Annual Memorial Day Service! On Monday, May 25^th, 11:00AM at Rudy Macina Peace Memorial Plaza (Corner of Williamsbridge Road, Pelham Parkway and Esplanade).

Please join us as we remember and honor those men and women in all wars who have made ultimate sacrifice serving our country. They will live forever in the hearts of all who cherish freedom.

Please remember wherever you are, whether it’s at home or traveling or visiting, please take a moment to Reflect, to Share and to Honor the meaning of Memorial Day with your children, your grandchildren, your family, your friends and your neighbors.

God Bless U.S.A.

And To GOD Be The Glory, Amen!

The Morris Park Community Association, The American Legion, The Knights of Columbus and The Morris Park Kiwanis

ASSEMBLY MEMBER VICTOR PICHARDO RELEASES STATEMENT ON ARREST OF HECTOR RAMIREZ

  "The indictments of Hector Ramirez and his campaign manager for election fraud are another shameful chapter in Bronx politics, yet it's sadly unsurprising.  During both the 2013 and 2014 elections, campaign volunteers witnessed troubling actions perpetrated by Mr. Ramirez and his associates, ranging from the submission of questionable absentee ballots to poll site harassment and other improprieties.  I applaud the District Attorney's office for diligently working to bring Mr. Ramirez and his cohorts to justice for attempting to cheat voters of the 86th Assembly district out of a fair election.

The actions that lead to Mr. Ramirez's arrest are reflective of the dirty and illegal tactics routinely implemented by his campaign during the last two elections and demonstrate both his contempt for the law and his lack of respect for the voters of the 86th Assembly district.  While I am grateful that justice is being served, it is still disheartening to know that there are individuals who believe it is acceptable to deceive voters and circumvent our democratic process. 

  

I continue to be thankful and humbled for the support I have received both during my campaigns and the time I have spent representing my community in Albany.  As always, I remain committed to working hard to deliver results, to fighting for clean and fair elections, and to building a better future for my neighbors."

Editors Note:

After the Nelson Castro Fiasco by the Bronx District Attorney and the U.S. Attorney's office to allow a person accused of election fraud to be elected to the office of the New York State Assembly 86th A.D., then re-elected not only once, but twice before ending the sham that was perpetrated upon the public we have to wonder what ever happened to the charges of voter fraud in the 2013 Special Election for the 86th Assembly district against current 86th Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, 33rd State Senate district Senator Gustavo Rivera, and then Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie.  Three candidates who were in that 2013 special election claimed fraud, so what ever happened? I guess the public is going to have to wait until Jan 1st 2018, four years later to know what the real answer to that question is as no one including the Bronx District Attorney wants to say. All DA Johnson says now is"No Comment".

This seems to be a replay of a 1993 School Board 10 election where the defendant was found innocent. Maybe the Board of Elections should then be arrested instead of the candidates DA Johnson. 

Office Clerk Opening Community Board 6

THE CITY OF NEW YORK

BRONX COMMUNITY BOARD 6

1932 Arthur Avenue, Room 709, Bronx, NY 10457

Telephone: (718) 579-6990 Fax: (718) 579-6875 Email: Brxcb6@Optonline.net

Honorable Ruben Diaz Jr., Bronx Borough President

MS. WENDY RODRIGUEZ - Board Chairperson 

MS. IVINE GALARZA -         District Manager

OFFICE CLERK JOB OPENING

COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD #6, A CITY GOVERNMENT AGENCY LOCATED IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE 

BRONX AND SERVICING THE COMMUNITIES OF FORDHAM, BATHGATE, TREMONT & WEST FARMS, IS SEEKING 

TO HIRE AN OFFICE CLERK TO START IN JULY 2015.

THE OFFICE CLERK WILL ANSWER TELEPHONES, PROCESS COMPLAINTS TO 311 AS WELL AS TO CITY AGENCIES,

SCHEDULE MEETINGS, CREATE AGENDAS, MAINTAIN ACCURATE RECORDS, FILE, HAVE THE ABILITY TO WORK IN 

A HECTIC ENVIRONMENT, MULTI TASK, AND ATTEND MEETINGS.

QUALIFIATIONS: 

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR ITS EQUIVALENT; KNOWLEDGE OF MICROSOFT OFFICE; VERBAL, READING, WRITING 

COMPREHENSION AND COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS ARE A MUST! BILINGUAL IS A PLUS.

SALARY: COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE 

BENEFITS: HEALTH/DENTAL, VACATION /SICK TIME AND COMP TIME ACCRUALS

HOURS: 35 (9 TO 5 MONDAY THRU FRIDAY)

ALL RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS SHOULD BE E-MAILED, FAXED OR MAILED TO THE COMMUNITY BOARD 6’s

OFFICE, NO LATER THAN JUNE 12, 2015.

COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD#6

1932 ARTHUR AVENUE, ROOM 709

BRONX NY 10457

BRXCB6@OPTONLINE.NET, FAX # 718-579-6990 

ATT: MS. IVINE GALARZA, DISTRICT MANAGER

Major Drug Bust in Riverdale

  It appears to be the largest drug bust in New York State history as Federal DEA agents arrested 2 people who lived in a 5th floor 3 bedroom apartment located at 210 West 251st Street. The building is called the Deauville, and the apartments are still rental apartments. Jose Mercedes and Yenci Cruz were identified as the 2 people arrested by the DEA, who said that 70 Kilos of heroin, $2 Million dollars in cash, and a gun were confiscated from the apartment and 2 vehicles that were used to transport the drugs. The heroin seized was estimated to have a street value of over $50 Million dollars. 

  Local residents including the owner of a building across the street from the Deauville siad that this has been going on for years, and want to know why this was not stopped long ago. One woman said that the community is going downhill, while one man said that the Deauville is full of Section 8 tenants who do not care about the neighborhood. Another said that loud music comes from the nearby Van Cortlandt Park area at night, while cars park at hydrants and double park while the local police department does nothing when residents call and complain.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ANDREW COHEN & RITCHIE TORRES CALL ON THE CITY TO ASSIGN SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICERS IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

  This morning, Council Members Andrew Cohen and Ritchie Torres called for the passage of legislation that would require the NYPD to assign school safety agents to any public or private school that requests one. Introduction 65, a bill submitted by Council Member Greenfield addresses the most basic need for all students attending school in New York City: a safe learning environment. Council Members Cohen and Torres spoke at Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy, with Principal Rabbi Krauss and students of SAR.

School safety agents are trained by and work for the NYPD. Funding for school safety guards comes from the Department of Education. School safety agents are unarmed, but are equipped with police radios that give them a direct link to the NYPD. Greenfield's legislation would require the NYPD to assign a school safety agent to any school, public or private, that requests an agent.

Introduction 565 has the support of 46 of 51 New York City Council Members. The Committee on Education has held a hearing on the bill, which will be voted on in Committee and then presented to the entire Council for a vote. 

“Every child in New York City deserves to be in a safe school environment. As members of City government we have an obligation to ensure that the educational environment of New York City’s Schools is maintained while protecting the safety of each student. This safety measure is an essential step towards safeguarding our children as we cannot ignore the vulnerability of our schools, public or non-public,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

“Safety is a fundamental right for students attending school in New York City, regardless of whether their school is private or public,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres. “Today we are calling on the city to provide basic safety for the 230,000 students attending non-public schools in New York City. This legislation will likely pass a vote in the City Council, but the Council and Mayor must then allocate funds to hire these additional school safety agents.”

To my question of how this will not violate the separation of Church and State provisions, the answer was that placing School Safety Officers in non-public schools would not be in violation of that provision. To my question of how much the cost to place School Safety Officers in all schools would be, Councilman Torres estimated around $50 Million Dollars. These School Safety officers would also be stationed at the main entrances, and not patrol the hallways or classrooms unless there was an emergency. 

Councilman Andrew Cohen tells why he supports Intro 65. As he stands in front of the main entrance to Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy, a non-public school in his district. 

Councilman Ritchie Torres answers one of my questions as to the cost of this program citywide.

Rabbi Krauss Principal of S.A.R. thanks both council members for their support of Intro 65, as he has said many times recently that the tines have changed in the world. S.A.R. is undergoing a small renovation that will add to the security of the school, but an NYPD School Safety officer would be a welcome addition.