Monday, March 25, 2013

Councilman Koppell Reacts to DOE Decision on Clinton High School


KOPPELL DEPLORES LACK OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN SELECTION OF SMALL HIGH SCHOOLS AT CLINTON
In speaking to Chancellor Walcott at a meeting of the Education Committee, of which he is a member, on March 21, 2013, Council Member Oliver Koppell deplored the lack of community involvement in the selection of the two new high schools to be co-located at DeWitt Clinton High School.
After DOE decided on the concept of co-location in spite of  community opposition, Koppell said, “It would have behooved the Department to consult with the Community Education Council  parents ,and local community  and educational leaders before deciding on what type of school was appropriate for the area.”
According to Koppell, he had not been apprized of the nature of the new schools nor was there a description of the type of schools to be selected in the Impact Statement or at the public hearing held about Clinton’s fate on February 21, 2013   Marvin Shelton, Chair of the District 10 Community Education Council, said, “We were not consulted or given a description of the new schools prior to their being selected. Everyone was kept in the dark.  I believe that not even the Panel for Educational Policy was aware of the nature of the new schools when they voted on the co-location.” Koppell said, “Our students in the Northwest Bronx would have benefitted from a school similar to the Ellis School on the Kennedy Campus devoted to the needs of newly arrived immigrants. One of the reasons Clinton received an “F” on its Progress Report is that it had a disproportionate number of English Language Learners without the resources necessary to meet their needs.”
Koppell said it was unclear why the description of the two new schools at Clinton was kept such a secret and why our community was excluded from having any input into this important decision.  “However,” he said,   “we probably should not have been surprised since this behavior is in keeping with the “top down” philosophy of the Bloomberg  administration.”

Bronx Health & Wellness Summit: Register today!


  The Bronx Health & Wellness Summit

Register for the Bronx Health & Wellness Summit!

On Saturday, April 6, at Fordham University, we will host our first ever Bronx Health & Wellness Summit. We have worked hard to put together a comprehensive agenda, one that we feel offers something for everyone. 

At our summit, you can learn how our health coverage will change with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, how to effectively continue medical care for our adolescents, how mental health issues are handled to ensure public safety or what classes college students should take to pursue a career in healthcare, the borough's number one employer.

The main goal of this summit is to begin to set our work plan for the coming years, a work plan that will reverse our health indicators and ultimately lead to a better overall quality of life for those that live, work and raise their families in the Bronx.  The agenda for the summit has been finalized, so please take a few minutes to register for our Health & Wellness Summit if you haven't already, and sign up for your preferred breakout sessions.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Ruben Diaz Jr.
Bronx Borough President 
Bronx Borough President
851 Grand Concourse
Bronx, New York 10451
718-590-3500

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Sen. Klein Hosts 18th Annual Easter Bunny Breakfast


   State Senator Jeff Klein joined over 300 children and their parents for his 18th annual Easter Bunny Breakfast. The breakfast included activities for children, including a magic show, face painting, a “build-a-bunny” station and photos with the Easter Bunny. Families from Senator Klein’s district were invited to attend. 
Below left - Senator Klein's aides hold up Build a Bunny children received. 
Right -  Jalyssa, Joel, and Seiss take a photo with the Easter Bunny.

 






 













Left - Senator Klein, the Easter Bunny, and children with their parents.
Right - The crowd of children who watched magician Candini The Great.

Left - Candini pulls a rabbit out of his hat.
Right - The rabbit wants to go back into the hat.








Left & Right - Are a few children who came up to help Candini do his magic tricks.




Left - After the magic show children came up to see and pet Candini's rabbit Harvey.
Right - Candini, Harvey (in the hat), and the Easter Bunny wish everyone a Happy Easter.




Cliff Stanton Picks Up Endorsement Outside of PS 8 in 11th Council Race


  On Friday afternoon outside PS 8 in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx, candidate for the 11th Council District Cliff Stanton officially picked up the endorsement of a group called NW Bronx Democrats. The group leader of what he has called his "Hired Mercenaries" Mr. Anthony Rivieccio and members of his group officially endorsed Mr. Stanton for the 11th council seat. Mr. Ricieccio said that residents of Bedford Park and Norwood are angry that they have not been supported by the elected officials in the council and state assembly. He said it was the same group that supported current term limited councilman G. Oliver Koppell in 2005 & 2009, but they are going to support Cliff Stanton in 2013. The Bedford Park/Norwood area is represented mostly by Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, and to a small part by Councilman Joel Rivera. The area is served in most in part by Assemblyman Jose Rivera, and in a small part by newly elected Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj who beat the former Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera. Naomi Rivera and Joel Rivera are children of Assemblyman Jose Rivera who is also a former Bronx Democratic County Leader.
   In 2012 Mr. Rivieccio and members of his group worked for two assembly candidates Mr. Mark Gjonaj in the 80th A.D., and candidate Ricky Martinez in the 78th A.D. They endorsed Mr. Gjonaj in the 80th A.D., and in the 78th A.D. supported Mr. Martinez and his opponent Assemblyman Jose Rivera. You can see all of Mr. Riciecio's endorsements in the 2012 Democratic primary here . Below are photos of the endorsement.
  Candidate Stanton is on the right in the photo standing with members of NW Bronx Democrats.
After the announcement on a very cold day candidate Stanton is about to leave.

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Friday, March 22, 2013

SENATOR JEFF KLEIN AND DISNEY LIVE! MICKEY’S MUSIC FESTIVAL VISIT RIVERDALE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE



   Co-New York State Senate Leader, Senator Jeff Klein joined children taking part in an after-school program at the Riverdale Neighborhood House for a performance of Disney Live! Mickey's Music Festival.
 Pictured with Senator Klein are children taking part in an after-school program at Riverdale Neighborhood House stand with Mickie and Minnie Mouse, stars of the Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival performance. 
Our guess is that the characters on either side of Senator Klein are two of Senator Klein's Independent Democratic Conference members, but just which two we can not be sure of. Minnie seems to be holding Senator Klein's arm tight, while Mickey pats Senator Klein on the shoulder for doing another good job of bringing the cheese to the district.




Upcoming special events at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center for April 2013:



   Commemorate the Holocaust with Sol Rosenkranz from the Museum of Jewish Heritage Speakers Bureau on Tues. Apr. 9th at 1:00 PM. Mr. Rosenkranz survived internment in 6 concentration camps. We will also light memorial candles and serve refreshments.
   Celebrate March and April birthdays on Wed. Apr. 10th with Bobby Liggio, dynamic one man band who will play a varied program of dance and listening music. Lunch served at 12:15 PM followed by party at 1:00 PM.
   JASA Art Salon with Amy Gottlieb, poet/writer, will meet on Mon. Apr. 15th at 12:40 PM followed by Michael Ferris Jr.’s Narrative Portrait class.
   Join us on Sunday, April 28th for a delectable lunch followed by an ethnic dance presentation by members of Kalpulli Huehetlahtolli, a Native American group, at 1:00 PM. Performers will share customs and values of their ancient Mexica culture.
   Senior contribution of $3.00 for the meal and $2.00 fee for the event is recommended.  Non-senior fee is $5.00 for the meal and $3.00 for the event. Kindly reserve with the center office at 718-549-4700 by Thurs. Apr. 25th.

Trips: Derfner Judaica Museum on Thurs. Apr. 11th at 10:30 AM. Sands Casino on Thurs. Apr. 18th at 8:45 AM. Fee for the Sands Casino trip is $25.00. For reservations and information, please call the center office at 718-549-4700.
    The center also offers day trips to area casinos, movie theaters and     shopping. For information and reservations, please contact Maritza Silva at 718-549-4700.
    JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center offers Senior Fitness on Mon., Movement on Tues., Meditation on Tues. afternoon, Gentle Exercise and Tai Chi on Wed., Yoga on Thurs. and Tone & Stretch on Fri. Call the center at 718-549-4700 for specific dates and times of these classes.
    All meals at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center are catered by Mauzone  (kosher) Meal Service. We offer a daily alternate choice of main dish.
    We are located in the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center at 3880 Sedgwick Ave. off of Van Cortlandt Ave. West on the Bronx #1 or #10 bus routes. For more information, please call the center office at 718-549-4700.
    JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center is funded by NYC Dept. for the Aging, UJA- Federation of NY and by special grants from Council Member Oliver Koppell and other NYS representatives. 


BP O'Diaz Irish Heritage Celebration


   In what gives him great joy Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. became Ruben O'Diaz for the BP's celebration of Irish Heritage Month. It was a grand old evening at the Rambling House in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx as BP O'Diaz honored three fine Irish Bronxites. The honorees were Ms. Noreen Lydon O'Donoghue, Mr. James McQuade, and Mr. Frank Walsh. On hand also was the Consul General of Ireland in New York Mr. Noel Kilnenny, Mr. Michal Fogarty (who sang the Irish National Anthem), and recording artists Shanna Mahoney & Laurence Broderick (who sang the American National Anthem & their song "The Irish Blessing"). The Mistress of Ceremony was WPIX TV Reporter Magee Hickey. As you will see from the photos below a good time was had by all who attended.

Left and right BP O'Diaz poses for some photos with honorees and friends outside the Rambling House. On the left note the New York State Courts Pipes & Drums unit as they prepare to open the celebration.


 













Left - You can see the crowd in the new party room at the Rambling House, with Mistress of Ceremonies Magee Hickey in the front row facing the camera.
Right - Mr. Michael Fogarty sings the Irish National Anthem. In back of the photo are BP O'Diaz (by the American flag), local Assemblyman Jeffrey O'Dinowitz, the BP's Communications Director John DeSio, and the Counsel General of Ireland in N.Y. Mr. Noel Kilnenny.

 













Left - Shanna Mahoney & Laurence Broderick as Ms. Mahoney  sings the American National Anthem. 
Right - The Duo are singing a second song, "The Irish Blessing".










Left - Irish Counsel General Noel Kilnenny (left), BP O'Diaz (center), and Mr. Joe Carty owner of the Rambling House (right).
Left - Honorees Frank O'Hara (left), James McQuade, BP O'Diaz, MS. Noreen Lydon O'Donoghue, and Assemblyman Jeffrey O'Dinowitz.


Public Advocate DeBlasio Introduced "Borough Bias" Study


   Thursday morning at the corner of Walton Avenue and East 183rd Street New York City Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio addressed the issue of what he is calling "Borough Bias" report in the number of inspections, violations, and higher fines by the New York City Health and Consumer Affairs Departments of small businesses in the four outer boroughs. DeBlasio came complete with charts of information showing that over the 11 years of the current Bloomberg administration inspections, violations, and fines have increased in the outer boroughs while decreasing in the borough of Manhattan. 
   From the year 2002 - 2012 DeBlasio claims that small businesses in Manhattan have seen a net decrease of 14%, while the four outer boroughs have seen a net increase with the Bronx as the high with an 8% net increase of the categories from the Department of Health. When it came to the Department of Consumer Affairs the net decrease of fines was 18% in Manhattan while all four outer boroughs experienced an increase of fine by the DCA with the Bronx again leading the way with an increase of 7%. 
   The report also detailed how the number of inspections by the DOH has gone up from 33,254 in 2002 to 98,176 in 2012. The number of violations has increased from 130,279 in 2002 to 311,465 in 2012. The increase of total fines went from 12.6 million dollars in 2002 to 66.2 million dollars in 2012. In the end the DeBlasio Report shows that in the past three years that DOH inspections went up by 55%, violations up by 73%, and revenue from the fines up by 90%. Figures for the DCA were higher at inspections up by 66%, violations up by 153%, and revenue from the fines up by 102%. 
   The DeBlasio Report also quotes Bronx Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson as saying that the city needs to administer a fair system for all five boroughs, and our small businesses need all the fiscal support they can get without having to worry about how to pay fines. A quote from Councilman Fernando Cabrera says the practice of the city making profit at the expense of small business has to stop. The city should be a facilitator of economic stability rather than eventually pushing entrepreneurs out of business. Assemblywoman Gibson was in Albany, and the event was held in Assemblyman Nelson Castro's district who was also in Albany, but Assemblyman Castro did have his Chief of Staff attend the event. There was no one from Councilman Cabrera's office at the event.

 










Left - Assemblyman Nelso Castro's Chief of Staff is dwarfed by Public Advocate DeBlasio as she stands next to him with a group of local business people, and merchant association leaders.
Right - DeBlasio points to an enlarged chart of the escalating amount of fine collected during the Bloomberg administration.
 
 













Left - DeBlasio points to the decreased percentage of inspections to businesses in Manhattan.
Right - DeBlasio points to the increased percentage of inspections in the Bronx.