News from BX Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr

Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. Addresses

New NYPD Officers

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was joined by Assistant Chief Larry Nikunen, commander of Patrol Borough Bronx, to speak to 186 new police officers at Fordham University's Keating Hall.

The 186 new officers will serve in the borough's 12 NYPD precincts.

"With 1,123 new officers sworn into duty throughout the City of New York, and 186 here in The Bronx, I am very excited to welcome you all to our borough and to share with you what our great borough has to offer," said Borough President Diaz. "The Bronx has seen a growth in many areas, economically with more than 15,000 new jobs created, and housing with more than 20,000 new units.  Even more important to you, the borough has had record lows in crime thanks to the dedication of the NYPD and the partnerships with the community."

Bronx BP Urges Borough Residents to

Apply to Their Local Community Boards

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is inviting Bronx residents to make a difference in their community by joining their local Community Board. The Office of The Bronx Borough President will be accepting applications for all 12 Community Boards from city residents who reside, work or have professional or other significant interests in The Bronx.

 

"Participation on local Community Boards can provide Bronx residents with a forum to share with their community their expertise and talents," stated Borough President Diaz. "There are great things happening in The Bronx that involve the participation of community boards. It is important that community residents participate in the decisions that are building and revitalizing our borough, and our community boards are a great place to do so," said Borough President Diaz.

 

In addition, Borough President Diaz is encouraging young people ages 16 and 17 to apply for community board membership. Last year, the borough president appointed five young people to the community boards, and is working to insure that there is a least one youth member per community board.

 

"I believe that the earlier young people become engaged in community affairs and interact with government officials and agencies, the better they will understand government and become active leaders in their communities. It is important to hear the voices of our youth when planning for our neighborhoods." said Borough President Diaz.

 

Applications are available at the Borough President's Community Board office at (718) 590-3914 or at your local community board office. Interested applicants may also get the application on line at bronxboropres.nyc.gov.

 

The deadline for submission of applications for the next round of appointments is February 5, 2016.

Borough President Diaz Statement on President

Barack Obama's Executive Order on Guns

"Considering the divide that exists in Congress, it took great leadership and courage on the part of President Barack Obama to make this executive decision. I hope this is a first step in spurring Congress into action to work on a comprehensive gun bill that helps prevent the violence seen in our cities every single day, as well as massacres like the one that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School and, more recently, the attack in San Bernardino, California.

"Strengthening background checks for purchasing guns and tightening the loopholes that exempt gun shows from background checks are two common sense approaches that can prevent people, such as those with a criminal past or those who have mental illnesses who should be denied access to such deadly weapons, from committing yet another mass murder that leaves us numb yet again.

"I want to thank President Obama for this bold step. Congress must follow his lead," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Office of the Bronx Borough President | 851 Grand Concourse | Ste. 301 | Bronx | NY | 10451

TONIGHT: Nationwide Town Hall on Gun Control

Friends, I have been invited by CNN to participate in "Guns in America," a nationally-televised town hall with President Barack Obama, tonight at 8:00 PM.   I am honored to represent Brooklyn, America's fourth-largest city, in a nationwide conversation about the role of guns in our society. From Fort Hood to Fort Greene, Blacksburg to Bed-Stuy, San Bernadino to Sunset Park, unchecked gun violence is carving highways of death that have connected our nation in a sad and shameful way. In the face of congressional gridlock and dangerous radicalized rhetoric, President Obama is pushing forward on this issue.   As a former police officer, a current lawmaker and, most importantly, a father, I am interested to learn our country's next steps forward in the face of this growing crisis.   Watch CNN on television tonight at 8:00 PM or online at: CNN Live -Eric

P.S.    Save the dates for these upcoming events, which I am proud to support, at and around Brooklyn Borough Hall; please contact our office for additional information: 2nd Wednesday of Every Month Free Legal Services: Foreclosure Intervention/Prevention   2nd and 4th Thursday of Every Month Free Legal Services: Housing, Elder Law, and Pension Matters Sunday, January 10th Brooklyn Three Kings 19th Annual Parade Tuesday, January 19th Healthy Brooklyn Wednesdays starting February 3rd Brooklyn Crochets for a Cause Wednesday, February 10th Notice of Property Value Workshop Friday, February 12th Golden Couples - Together 50 years or more  Thursday, February 18th Youth Organization Capacity Building Brooklyn Borough Hall | askeric@brooklynbp.nyc.gov | www.brooklyn-usa.org 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Salamanca Receives Key Endorsements from the Bronx County Democratic Committee, But When Was It ?

EDITORS NOTE: 
  On December 18th Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo announced the person that the Bronx Democratic County organization will be supporting in the non-partisan special election for the 17th City Council seat of Maria Del Carmen Arroyo.  I asked Assemblyman Crespo about the selection process, and was told that he reached out to candidates that had committed to running for the seat. When I asked how a selection could be done when there is no vacancy yet, and even several people who may enter the race, Crespo said that he did not want to wait.  

Below - Community Board 2 District Manager Rafael Salamanca (left next to Assemblyman Crespo) was announced as the choice by Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo in the 17th City Council District Special Election (at that time still unannounced). State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda join in the celebration after Bronx Democratic County Leader Crespo announces the Bronx Democratic County organization support of Bronx Community Board #2 District Manager Salamanca for the not yet vacant 17th City Council seat on December 18, 2015.

   The Press release below was sent out today by Salamanca for city council.   

Today, the Bronx County Democratic Committee, as well as State Senator Ruben Diaz, Assembly Member Luis Sepulveda and Councilwoman Annabel Palma announced their support for Democrat Rafael Salamanca for City Council, where he is running in the special election to replace former Council Member Maria Del Carmen Arroyo in the 17th District.

“Our Council Member needs to be a strong leader who can fight passionately for residents to help create more jobs, a leader who will work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for his/her neighbors, a leader with a proven record of getting things done and with a vision for moving the district forward,” said Assemblyman and Bronx County Democratic Committee Chair Marcos A. Crespo. “I have no doubt that Rafael Salamanca Jr. is that leader that we need in the 17th City Council district.”

Councilwoman Annabel Palma noted that “Rafael Salamanca has consistently demonstrated his commitment, advocacy, and leadership for the South Bronx, through his work as District Manager of Community Board 2. I am pleased to join the growing list of my colleagues in the city and state, in supporting his candidacy for Council Member of district 17.”

“I am delighted to endorse Rafael Salamanca for the City Council. Rafael has proven himself to be a courageous and effective fighter — for public safety, for enhancing the overall quality of life in our Bronx neighborhoods, and for making government more responsive to community needs. He is exceedingly bright, passionately committed to making a difference, and I know he will be a terrific champion for his constituents,” said Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.

Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., whose district overlaps with over 80% of the 17th Council District said, “Rafael Salamanca has remained dedicated to the people who live and work on our community here in the South Bronx, and I am very proud to support his decision to step up to represent the 17th Council District.”

Salamanca stated that he was incredibly grateful to have the support of such trusted leaders of the community and the entire Bronx Democratic Committee.

“The Bronx is lucky to have such dedicated public servants working on their behalf,” said Salamanca. “I look forward to being able to work alongside all of them as a member of the City Council to improve our schools, create more affordable housing and make sure our streets are safe.”

Democrat Rafael Salamanca is running on the Community First party line for the seat vacated by Council Member Maria Del Carmen Arroyo. The non-partisan special election for the seat will be held on Tuesday, February 23rd.

Democrat Rafael Salamanca Announces Special Election Campaign for City Council District 17

 Bronx Community Board #2 District Manager Rafael Salamanca, Jr. today announced his candidacy for the vacant 17th District New York City Council seat for the special election on Tuesday, February 23rd. Salamanca, a lifelong Democrat and Bronx resident, is currently the District Manager of Bronx Community Board 2, representing Hunts Point, Longwood and Morrisania. For the non-partisan election, Salamanca will be running on the Community First party line.

“I’ve lived in this district my whole life. I saw my parents sacrifice so their kids could have a better life and I’ve dedicated my career to making our community better, safer and stronger,” said Salamanca.  “I’m running for City Council so my children can inherit a better Bronx with stronger schools, safer streets, and better jobs.”

As a community activist and advocate, Salamanca has effectively fought to improve the quality of life for Bronx families.  In early 2011, after witnessing the crime, violence and prostitution related to strip clubs in the Hunts Point community, Salamanca worked with the community board, the NYPD and local elected officials to shut down all 5 establishments.

A lifelong neighborhood resident, Salamanca works to increase transparency to improve police-community relations as President of the 41st Precinct Community Council since 2013.  Salamanca also sits on the boards of the Community Healthcare Network and the Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation.

Rafael Salamanca, Jr. was born and raised in the Longwood section of the South Bronx to first generation parents from Puerto Rico. He has been a member of Bronx Community Board #2 for more than a decade and served as Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee from 2008 to 2010. Since 2010, Salamanca has served as District Manager for Bronx CB 2.

In addition to all of his community work and activism, Salamanca has spent over a dozen years working to expand access to quality health care in underserved communities in the South Bronx and across New York City.

Rafael Salamanca is an experienced leader who knows how to build effective coalitions to improve the quality of life in his community. Salamanca currently resides in the Longwood section of the Bronx with his wife Jessenia, stepson Justin, and 17 month old baby Aidan.

Editors Note:

We were the first to post about the December 18th State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. Christmas Party Where Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo announced "After interviewing interested candidates for the 17th City Council District, the Bronx Democratic County organization is to support the candidacy of Bronx Community Board #2 District Manager Rafael Salamanca in the special election for the 17th City Council District. We wonder what then took Bronx Community Board #2 District Manager Salamanca so long to announce his candidacy, and we have many other interesting questions for Mr. Salamanca. Check back to this blog for those questions, and what the answers were. 

Here is the link 

http://www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com/2015/12/team-diaz-holds-christmas-party.html

Banks steal $16 million from homeowners: IDC unveils “The Next Great American Bank Robbery”

  Report details extensive costs of abandoned, decaying bank-owned properties dragging down neighborhoods - with $2M stolen directly from New York City taxpayers

Senators Jeff Klein, and Diane Savino, stood with victims and housing advocates today to unveil “The Great American Bank Robbery,” a distressing report detailing the multi-million dollar price tag abandoned and vacant properties cost communities throughout New York City. Joined by foreclosure and legal advocates, they called for a two-step legislative plan to hold banks accountable while ensuring that decaying properties are maintained.

The investigative report revealed neighborhoods where cars with missing plates rot in driveways, doors lay broken in front yards and garbage is strewn throughout decrepit unlocked houses. These vacant properties abandoned by banks stain entire communities, with $14.2 million lost in home value depreciation. Major banks skipped paying thousands of violations issued to these properties by Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Department of Buildings (DOB), and Environmental Control Board (ECB), costing New York City taxpayers $2 million in unpaid fines.

Although current law requires banks to maintain foreclosed properties that they currently own, as of 2015, 200 bank-owned properties remained in the outer boroughs, with the majority failing to comply with New York State law. The report found that these abandoned properties had accumulated over $2 million in nearly 1,800 unpaid violations, while they cost another $14.4 million in depreciating home values. Queens County residents suffered the most, accounting for $7.4 million dollars in house price value depreciation.

“While foreclosure was the first great American bank robbery, the decrepit unmaintained properties that have resulted in its wake have become the next great American bank robbery, stealing money from taxpayers and value from homeowners. This report clearly illustrates the importance of passing my bank-owned property and zombie property bills - we must increase transparency so that banks are held accountable, and ensure that vacant properties are maintained from the moment we know they are abandoned. There has been enough damage done to our state and to our communities, and I am committed to working to make sure New Yorkers are no longer robbed of their property values and their quality-of-life,” said Senator Klein.

“Brooklyn and Staten Island were hit hard by the first foreclosure wave, and now struggle to recover while big banks drag down communities through their negligence. It is simply unacceptable for the banks to leave homes in these fetid conditions. As Chair of the Senate Banking Committee, I will ensure that we fully examine this issue and the detrimental effects it has on our  working- and middle-class homeowners. I am proud to stand here with Senator Klein and call for the passage of these critical pieces of legislation that would hold banks accountable, increase transparency, and ensure that we are addressing abandoned properties before they cost our communities,” said Senator Savino.

The worst bank offender was Deutsche Bank, with nearly $400,000 in unpaid violations, with U.S. Bank following close behind. Midfirst Bank rounded out the top three with over $200,000 in penalties owed to New York City.

Many banks left homes with open violations. The worst offender is Wells Fargo with a total 367 open HPD and DOB/ECB violations.

The investigation additionally found that the cost of these decaying houses disproportionately affects minority communities and communities with high poverty rates. Eighty-one percent of bank-owned properties with open HPD, DOB, and/or ECB violations are located in Hispanic and black communities. Thanks to these decrepit houses, the report estimated that 2,500 private homeowners have experienced a decrease in quality of life. Of the 2,500 private homeowners, 2,000 are located in communities of color and 950 in areas with high poverty rates.

Studies show that when a home is left in disrepair it impacts surrounding property value within a 300-foot radius by 1.3 percent. As a result of the banks’ neglectful behavior, on average New York City homeowners lost $5,000 each. In total the IDC analysis found that homeowners in the City lost a total $14.4 million in home value.

Senators Klein and Savino proposed a two-step legislative package. The bank-owned property bill would increase transparency by creating a registry of vacant and abandoned properties in the state for the disposal of municipalities and the Office of the Attorney General, and grant the Attorney General the right to impose fines and initiate legal proceedings against financial institutions violating of the law. The zombie property legislation would require mortgagees and their loan servicing agents to maintain vacant properties from the point they are discovered to be abandoned, create a statewide registry of vacant and abandoned properties, and require the attorney general to set up a toll-free hotline for neighbors and community residents to report properties that they believe to be vacant and abandoned, report problems, as well as to find out information regarding the foreclosure status of these properties.

“I commend Senator Klein for his leadership on pressing banks and other lending institutions to maintain distressed vacant and abandoned properties, which impose a tremendous burden on neighborhoods all across New York State. My office will continue to work with Senator Klein, the legislature, and the administration to pass comprehensive legislation to address this issue. My office is prepared to utilize all available enforcement tools to force banks and lenders into compliance and to rebuild and revitalize New York communities,” said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

“We applaud Senator Klein for his persistence in addressing the profound impact that vacant and abandoned homes continue to have on the quality of life in our neighborhoods, especially communities of color and those with high levels of poverty. The lack of effective property maintenance rules is not just dragging down property values – it is putting vulnerable New Yorkers at greater risk of crime and unsafe living conditions and severely impacting the economic and social vitality of our communities,” said Beth Goodman, President and Attorney-in-Charge of the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG).

“Neighborhood home values have depreciated greatly in our neighborhood. These properties not only bring crime into the area, but also rats, mosquitoes, people dumping garbage, and worse. We've seen fires before, and we're at risk of having entire blocks burned to the ground, because of a lack of interest in these bank-owned homes. Let's not have the Bronx burned down again - let's stop this cycle of abandonment,” said Elbin Mena, President of the Harding Park Homeowners Association.

STATEMENT FROM BP DIAZ RE: President Obama’s Executive Order on Guns

   “Considering the divide that exists in Congress, it took great leadership and courage on the part of President Barack Obama to make this executive decision. I hope this is a first step in spurring Congress into action to work on a comprehensive gun bill helps prevent the violence seen in our cities every single day, as well as massacres like the one that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School and, more recently, the attack in San Bernardino, California.

“Strengthening background checks for purchasing guns and tightening the loopholes that exempt gun shows from background checks are two common sense approaches that can prevent people, such as those with a criminal past or those who have mental illnesses who should be denied access to such deadly weapons, from committing yet another mass murder that leaves us numb yet again.

“I want to thank President Obama for this bold step. Congress must follow his lead,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Broadway McDonalds Manager Killed in Early Morning Stabbing

  The night manager of the McDonald's at Broadway and West 236th Street was stabbed repeatedly this morning and was later pronounced dead at the hospital where he was taken. The 50th Precinct House is right across the street from this McDonald's, and police were on the scene within minutes, but the suspect got away. Police reports have the suspect as a homeless man wearing a hoodie and jeans. It has also been reported that this homeless man was a frequent visitor to this McDonald's, and was said to often ask for money from customers. As you can see in the photos above and below police units were all around the McDonald's looking for any clues, and in the morning a police helicopter was looking for the suspect for hours to no avail. As of now this koller is still at large, and you are warned to be on the lookout for him.

STATEMENT FROM BP DIAZ RE: Gov. Cuomo’s Call for a Statewide Minimum Wage Increase

  “Governor Cuomo’s clarion call to increase the statewide minimum wage to $15 an hour is a game changer. We continue to create jobs and put people to work in The Bronx, but we need to do more as a society to ensure that all jobs are helping people rise out of poverty and make a better life for themselves and their families. Today’s proposal will help do just that.

“I am proud to join the Mario Cuomo Campaign for Economic Justice and to lend my voice to the fight for a $15 minimum wage across New York State. New York has always been a leader in the fight for economic fairness, and today’s announcement is the next logical step in that ongoing fight. I look forward to working with Governor Cuomo and elected leaders from across the city and state to make a fair minimum wage of $15 an hour a reality for all New Yorkers,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.