COMPTROLLER LIU"s  STATEMENT ON EDC’S $100 MILLION SUBSIDY TO FRESH DIRECT

“Today’s $100 million subsidy to Fresh Direct was already a done deal from the moment it was announced last week and the reality is that my vote today does not change the outcome.  Nonetheless, I cannot vote for this subsidy in good conscience.  There may be more ways to ensure a better return on this investment.

“For the cost of this benefits package the city could give 4,385 students full, four-year scholarships to CUNY or hire 1,458 new teachers or pay for 350,000 GED test-prep programs or launch a micro-lending program for minority and women entrepreneurs.

“The EDC has not clearly justified why this much money should be used to subsidize this company.  This subsidy seems to give away too much in exchange for the jobs and economic development it promises, despite the rosy numbers provided by the EDC.

“A few months ago, the EDC attracted a world-class university by promising $100 million in capital for a project that by their own estimate will generate 30,000 jobs. Now the EDC is giving close to $100 million to create 962 jobs.  The cost to the City is $93,000 for each new job.

“Fresh Direct does appear to have support from elected officials, labor leaders, and the workers and we understand and concur with the sentiment that to keep jobs in New York City and create jobs in the Bronx are high-priority objectives. 

“This agreement comes on the heels of the city’s decision to have taxpayers fund the estimated $180 million Ferry Point golf course.  That the Fresh Direct deal was announced before the public even had a chance to comment is symptomatic of this badly flawed process.”

Elected Officials And Locals Will Gather At Transit Town Hall In The Bronx

Assembly Member Marcos Crespo Sponsors Forum With Transit Advocates & Riders

Thursday, February 16 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

WHAT         A community forum on public transportation.

WHEN         February 16, 2012, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

WHERE       Bronx River Community Center
                   1619 East 174th Street
                   Bronx, NY

WHO          Assembly Member Marcos Crespo
                   Assembly Member Carmen E. Arroyo
                   Assembly Member Jose Rivera
                   Assembly Member Vanessa L. Gibson
                   Assembly Member Nelson Castro
                   Council Member Maria Del Carmen Arroyo
                   Picture The Homeless
                   Youth Ministries For Peace And Justice
                   

Transportation Alternatives & Local transit riders

WHY           To discuss the challenges facing transit riders in an
underfunded system and to identify solutions.

Background
This forum will be an opportunity for transit riders to talk with elected officials and community leaders about solutions for improving their quality of life through reliable, affordable and efficient transit.

In the Bronx River/Soundview area, 63 percent of local residents use public transit. More than 43,000 daily riders start their commutes at the eight subway stations in the neighborhood, and these numbers don’t include the tens of thousands of riders who rely on local and express bus service.

 

 JASA Annual Event

 

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ, BOEDC & FRESHDIRECT REACH AGREEMENT ON NEW FACILITY

 

Today, in advance of a vote at the Industrial Development Agency on FreshDirect’s proposed relocation to the Harlem River Yards in the Bronx, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and FreshDirect have reached an agreement on best practices to address a number of the concerns that have been raised since FreshDirect’s proposed relocation was made public.

The “memorandum of understanding” includes agreements between the three parties on local hiring, vendor referrals, expanding FreshDirect’s services to new Bronx neighborhoods, accepting EBT benefits, and decreasing the company’s reliance on fossil fuels through the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles.

“I am very excited that FreshDirect will make the Bronx its new home, and that we have come to an agreement with the company that will ensure their commitment to the Bronx for decades to come. FreshDirect’s decision to stay in New York City, right here in the Bronx, is a win-win for everyone. FreshDirect is a real home-grown success that will now continue to grow, creating almost a thousand new jobs in our borough, which is not only a victory for the Bronx but also the entire City,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

 

“We welcome FreshDirect to the Bronx and know that our collaboration will result in a rich environment for them, our residents and the other Bronx businesses that are anxious to provide their growing customer base with additional products made in our Borough,” said Marlene Cintron, president, Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.

“We're thrilled by the opportunity to be a part of the Bronx community. We have historically created a large amount of new jobs and look forward to creating many more hand-in-hand with our new neighbors. Also, we take seriously our shared responsibility to the environment,” said Jason Ackerman, CEO of FreshDirect.

In addition to the MOU, Borough President Diaz’s office has also created a new Facebook group, “Bronxites for FreshDirect,” designed to illustrate to the company just how many Bronx residents are willing to not only use their service, but have the technical capabilities to do so.

“A critique of FreshDirect has been the company’s unwillingness to deliver to most areas of the Bronx. Through this Facebook page, we are prepared to show FreshDirect that Bronx residents are ready to use their service, if it is offered to them,” said Borough President Diaz.

That page can be found at facebook.com/BronxitesForFreshDirect.

 

NEW YORK CITY COMPTROLLER JOHN C. LIU APPOINTS RICARDO MORALES AS FIRST DEPUTY COMPTROLLER

- Promotes Valerie Budzik to Deputy Comptroller for Legal Affairs / General Counsel -

  City Comptroller John C. Liu today announced the appointments of Ricardo Elias Morales to the position of First Deputy Comptroller and Valerie Budzik to the title of Deputy Comptroller / General Counsel.  Morales will be replacing current First Deputy Eric Eve as he departs the office to join strategic global communications firm RLM Finsbury as Partner, while Budzik assumes the role currently held by Morales.

Morales and Budzik will begin their new responsibilities immediately. First Deputy Comptroller Eve will depart the office effective February 24th, and will work with Morales closely to ensure a seamless transition.

“Ricardo and Eric have been key advisors and close confidants, and they have opined on nearly every decision we have made over these past two years,” Comptroller Liu said.  “I wish Eric the best and thank him for his countless hours of work as the chief of my leadership team and look forward to seeing the great things that Ricardo will bring to the table as he assumes this new role.”

“I look forward to using my expanded role and experience in government to build upon the significant achievements of Comptroller Liu’s administration,” Morales said.  “I am deeply honored to have Comptroller Liu’s continued trust and confidence, and am proud to undertake this new role.”

Prior to joining Comptroller Liu’s administration, Ricardo Morales served as General Counsel and Interim Chairman to the New York City Housing Authority, the largest public housing authority in North
America with a $3.2 billion annual budget and 11,600 employees.  At NYCHA, Morales was the principal architect of the NYCHA Audit Committee and was selected to receive the Ethics in Government Award by the NYC Conflicts of Interest Board for establishing a model ethics program.

Morales holds a J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law Center and received his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College. He and his wife reside in the Bronx.

“Ricardo has served as a linchpin of my administration since I first took office and continues to demonstrate extraordinary leadership and keen guidance,” Comptroller Liu said. “His new role will further leverage his deep knowledge of City government and enable our office to deliver on the commitment I made to City residents early on: to expand opportunity, increase transparency and root out waste, fraud and abuse.”

In elevating Valerie Budzik to Deputy Comptroller for Legal Affairs / General Counsel, Liu said “Valerie has been integral to the smooth and efficient functioning of this office.  I know she will continue to perform at the very highest levels and move our vigorous agenda forward.” Ms. Budzik holds a J.D degree from Fordham Law School and received her bachelor’s degree from Fordham University.  She and her family reside in Brooklyn.

Background:
As Deputy Comptroller for Legal Affairs / General Counsel, Morales currently oversees the Bureaus of Legal Affairs, Law and Adjustment and Labor Law.  In this capacity he also serves as advisor to the Comptroller on all legal matters that impact the mission and operations of the Comptroller’s office.  In the Comptroller’s role as investment advisor to the City Pension Funds, Morales provides legal advice and support on issues such as proxy solicitation matters, shareholder initiatives and securities litigation.  In addition, Morales works with Bureau of Contracts to ensure city agencies are in legal compliance for contract registration, the Bureau of Public Finance in structuring and negotiating bond sales, as well as the Bureau of Audit to review any legal issues or findings that may emerge as a result of ongoing audits. Ms. Budzik will now assume these responsibilities.

As First Deputy Comptroller, Morales will now be responsible for managing a staff of more than 700 employees and an operating budget of $74 million.

In addition to overseeing the day to day to operations of the Comptroller’s office, he will supervise the City’s audits of municipal agencies, its settlement of claims, accounting procedures and contracts, and its enforcement of prevailing wage laws. He will also act as the agency’s Chief Procurement Officer.

State of the Borough Address - Thursday , February 23, 2012 - 11:30am -

 

Please join Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. for the 2012

State of the Borough Address on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 11:30am at

Harry S Truman High School.

RSVP to sotb@bronxbp.nyc.gov or 718-590-6116

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32^nd Senatorial District Bronx County, New York

It is a never-ending story. All we need to do is open a newspaper to find that bad news is being reported everywhere.  Here are some highlights from the past two weeks:

In the Bronx, a defenseless 18 year-old man, Ramarely Graham was fatally shot by a New York City Police Officer. Mr. Graham was cornered in his bathroom in his own home. You should know, dear reader, that Mr. Graham’s case is regrettably similar to the case of Amadou Diallo, another unarmed Bronx resident who was shot and killed by four NYPD officers thirteen years ago. And like the fatality of Amadou Diallo, elected officials, religious and community leaders, friends and neighbors continue to offer sympathy and support to Mr. Graham’s family. You should know, dear reader, that we also continue to demand justice in our communities.

President Obama has mandated under Health and Human Services regulations that Catholic churches and religious institutions throughout the United States must provide and pay for abortion services, sterilization and birth control devices. You should know that by doing this, the President of the United States is strangling religious liberty by mandating policies that violate some core religious principles.

The Ninth Circuit Court in California has decided to overrule Proposition 8, a ballot measure that added a provision to the California Constitution that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California”. You should know that this Ninth Circuit Court panel of unelected judges has decided that they know better than the will of more than half of California’s population.

In New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has expelled churches from worship services in public school buildings when the schools are empty. Naysayers insist that religion has no place in school buildings - even empty ones. You should know that this same Mayor prevented any member of the clergy from participating at the official 10 year Memorial Service of the 911 World Trade Center Terror Attacks.

The Susan B. Komen Foundation – famous for their pink ribbon to support breast cancer awareness - has bowed to the intense political and reflexive media pressure on behalf of Planned Parenthood and reversed their decision and will again contribute money to America’s largest abortion providers. The original reason the Komen Foundation gave to bar funds to Planned Parenthood this year was because their by-laws disallowed funding groups under federal investigation.
You should know that Planned Parenthood is under federal investigation by a Florida Congressman. You should also know that Planned Parenthood refers much of their breast cancer screening requests instead of providing those services themselves.

These are just some of the more publicized injustices from the past two weeks. People often ask me how I cope with all of the chaos that surrounds us. I tell them that as a Christian, I am not afraid. I know that no matter whatever trials and tribulations life presents to any of us, I trust the Lord.

This does not give me nor anyone else the right to sit back and do nothing. We live in a participatory democracy, and we have a responsibility to raise our voices, fight for justice, fight for our religious beliefs and use our right to vote and elect public officials that will represent us.

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

 

Senator Rivera Hosts Community Meet and Greet with Other Bronx Elected Officials
Assembly Members Gibson, Castro and Stevenson as well as Council Member Joel Rivera will Attend 

State Senator Gustavo Rivera (D,WF-Bronx) is hosting a community meet and greet tomorrow, Saturday, February 10^th at 11:00AM, with Assembly Member Vanessa Gibson (D-Bronx), Assembly Member Nelson Castro (D-Bronx), Assembly Member Eric Stevenson (D-Bronx) and Council Member Joel Rivera (D-Bronx). This meeting is an opportunity for members of the East Tremont, Mount Hope, Fordham Heights and Bathgate areas of the Bronx to meet and talk about concerns and ideas about how to make the Bronx better directly with their local and state representatives.

WHO:  Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assembly Member Vanessa Gibson, Assembly Member Eric Stevenson, Assembly Member Nelson Castro and Council Member Joel Rivera

WHAT: Community Meet and Greet with representatives from the East Tremont, Mount Hope, Fordham Heights and Bathgate areas of the Bronx

WHERE:  St. Simon Stock Church, 2195 Valentine Avenue, Bronx, NY

WHEN: Saturday, February, 10^th from 11:00AM – 1:00PM

*Refreshments and snacks will be served.