Sign Up: Town Hall in Parkchester on May 30

 

Join Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Parkchester for an in-person town hall on Thursday, May 30 at 6 pm.

REGISTER HERE

The Congresswoman will provide legislative updates, followed by a Q+A with the audience. Several community partners will be tabling with resources for constituents, so we encourage you to come early to check them out. Doors open at 5 pm.  

 

To join virtually, visit @RepAOC on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube. Spanish and ASL interpretation will also be available. CART open captions can be accessed here.  

 

If you have any questions, call us at 718-662-5970.  

 

We hope to see you there! 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Ask the Congresswoman why she won't debate her opponent in the Democratic primary.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR NEW MEMORIAL HONORING FALLEN POST-9/11 SERVICE MEMBERS

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) Commissioner James W. Hendon today announced plans to build a new memorial honoring the 99 fallen post-9/11 service members from New York City who made the ultimate sacrifice during their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. As America's longest military conflicts, these wars have claimed the lives of a total 7,057 brave souls nationwide.

 

The memorial will be built on the waterfront in the Whitestone neighborhood of Queens, the borough home to the largest number of post-9/11 service members who were killed in action. Queens is also the borough with the highest population of living veterans. The new memorial is part of the Utopia Parkway Seawall Replacement and Street Improvements project led by the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) that will incorporate a bike path, pedestrian walkway, and rebuilt bulkheads to revitalize the area and mitigate storm risk for the surrounding neighborhood.

 

“I love this city and this country, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom deserve to be memorialized now and forever,” said Mayor Adams. “With this new memorial, we will honor a new generation of souls who gave their lives far too early in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while simultaneously paying tribute to the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who have served our country in these wars. I hope all New Yorkers will take the time to reflect on the sacrifice these brave men and women made. God bless their memories.”

 

Funding for the project will be sourced from private donations and public capital project allocations to cover design, construction, and long-term maintenance costs.  

DVS — in partnership with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ (DCLA) Percent for Art program — will lead a public artist selection process to ensure the memorial appropriately reflects the bravery and sacrifice of the fallen service members from this generation. To ensure community input and support, a committee of veteran stakeholders has been assembled to guide artwork design and support the artist selection process.

 

A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will open on Monday, June 3^rd, 2024, that will invite artists to submit qualifications and letters of interest to be considered for panel review and the opportunity to be considered as finalists for the commission of this permanent artwork. This project is open to all artists and collaborative artist teams, based locally, nationally, and internationally. A special emphasis will be placed on reviewing proposals from veteran and military community artists and design teams. The RFQ will be open through July 10^th, 2024. Artists interested in applying can do so online.

 

“In honoring the 99 fallen service members from the post-9/11 generation who called this great city home, we erect more than just a monument — we raise a lasting tribute to their unwavering commitment and sacrifice,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Though they are no longer with us, they remind us of who we are as a city and as a nation in these difficult times, where unity, honor, resilience, and reverence for our heroes define our spirit.”

 

“Set along the peaceful waterside, far from the city's hustle and bustle, this monument site provides a place of serene reflection,” said DVS Commissioner James Hendon. “In this setting by the water's edge, we honor the bravery and selflessness of our post-9/11 service members, ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten. The enthusiasm for this project is infectious, as we eagerly anticipate the development of a monument to honor those who gave their lives in service to this nation.”

 

“This memorial will serve to remember the service men and women who made extraordinary sacrifices for their country following 9/11,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We are honored to be able to reimagine the city’s public space for this tribute as part of our critical infrastructure repairs in northeast Queens, reminding future generations of these heroes and their selflessness.”

 

“This new memorial will serve as a symbol of bravery, sacrifice, and way to honor to the 99 fallen heroes of the post 9/11 generation who served this country abroad,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “Through this memorial, future generations of New Yorkers will be reminded of the great heroism of New Yorkers who served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice. NYCEDC is honored to play to a role in realizing this long overdue tribute and looks forward to working with our city partners and veteran stakeholders on building a monument that properly pays respect to these heroes.”

 

“To the New Yorkers and all service members who gave their lives for our country, we owe a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid,” said DCLA Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “But what we can do is create a memorial to their sacrifice that keeps their memories alive, gives their friends and families somewhere to gather, commemorate the lives lost, and reminds us every day of the selflessness and service on which our country is built. We look forward to working to commission an artwork worthy of their sacrifice.”

 

“Our nation must never forget the service and sacrifice of those who stepped up to serve in our nation's wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere as part of the Global War on Terror”, said Allison Jaslow, CEO, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “New York City's families and communities lost 99 men and women in the prime of their lives to these wars. I applaud Mayor Adams and his team for ensuring that their memory will be honored, not only in words, but in a lasting memorial that will stand as a testament to the ultimate sacrifice these individuals made for our country. May we all be inspired to live lives worthy of the sacrifice of each and every one of them.” 

Mott Haven Marketplace Opens At The Estela In Mott Haven, Bronx

 

Locally owned deli and grocery Mott Haven Marketplace has opened at The Estela, a two-building residential development in Mott Haven, Bronx. Designed by S9 Architecture and developed by Domain Companies, the property is located at 414 Gerard Avenue and 445 Gerard Avenue and yields 544 units, with 164 designated for affordable housing. The 1,950 square foot marketplace is located at 445 Gerard Avenue.

The Estela hosts a variety of amenities across its two buildings, including lounge spaces, a pet spa, and fitness centers. Both buildings feature brick façades. 414 Gerard’s façade is made up of a dark grey brick, and 445 Gerard’s façade is made up of a more traditional red brick.

“With each of our projects, it is a priority for us to consider the needs of the surrounding community while also creating a bustling community where residents have everything they need to thrive,” said Matt Schwartz, CEO of the Domain Companies. “Mott Haven Marketplace will offer Estela’s residents and the community a convenient place to get high-quality food or grab a snack as they go about their day. We welcome Mott Haven Marketplace to Estela.”

Rendering of The Estela. Designed by S9 Architecture

Both buildings at The Estela are located a short walk from the 149th Street-Grand Concourse subway station, which is served by the 2, 4, and 5 trains.

Permits Filed For 1410 Vyse Avenue In Crotona Park East, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 1410 Vyse Avenue in Crotona Park East, The Bronx. Located between Freeman Street and Jennings Street, the lot is a short walk from the Freeman Street subway station, serviced by the 2 and 5 trains. Moses Ostreicher under the 1410 Vyse LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 54-foot-tall development will yield 7,709 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 15 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 513 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a penthouse, cellar, a 30-foot-long rear yard, and two open parking spaces.

Oleg Ruditser of Engineering Professional Service is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

TODAY: AOC on NY1, 1010 WINS, PIX11, News12

 

TODAY: AOC on NY1, PIX11, 1010 WINS, News12

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will be on the following morning shows to discuss the Trump rally in The Bronx:

• NY1 Mornings on 1 airing at 8:30 AM ET
• PIX11 Morning News airing at 9:15 AM ET
• 1010WINS airing at 10 AM ET
• News12 The Bronx airing at 4 PM ET

EDITOR'S NOTE:

So why won't you debate your Democratic opponent Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez?

CHARGES FOR BOTH LIQUOR STORE OWNER AND TWO ALLEGED SHOPLIFTERS AFTER INCIDENTS ON WYCKOFF AVENUE

 

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Edwin Poaquiza and Kevin Pullatasi are charged with petit larceny for allegedly stealing two bottles of liquor from Franja Wine and Liquors on Wyckoff Avenue. Separately, store owner Franscisco Valerio is charged with assault for allegedly discharging his weapon when attempting to pistol-whip a man on the sidewalk outside his liquor store.

District Attorney Katz said: “Two crimes, inside and outside a liquor store, resulted in three people being charged in this case.  As alleged, brazen thieves stole merchandise from a neighborhood liquor shop.  After the store was targeted by these shoplifters, the stolen merchandise was recovered and the two men were escorted out of the store.  At that point, the store owner was physically attacked by one of the men.  Unfortunately, as alleged, that led to a reckless shooting by the store owner on a public street in broad daylight.  All three of the defendants in this incident will have to answer charges against them.”

Francisco Valerio, 53, of Brooklyn, New York, was arraigned last night on charges of assault in the second and third degrees, reckless endangerment in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Judge Anthony Battisti ordered the defendant to return to court July 29. If convicted of the top count, Francisco Valerio faces up to seven years in prison.

Defendant Edwin Poaquiza, 20, of Brooklyn, New York was separately arraigned last night on a charge of petit larceny. Judge Battisti ordered the defendant to return to court on July 24. If convicted, Poaquiza faces up to 364 days in jail.

Defendant Kevin Pullatasi, 20, of Brooklyn, New York remains in the hospital for treatment for a gunshot wound and criminal charges against him are pending.

According to the charges and statements made in court

• At approximately 7:40 p.m. on May 20 inside the Franja Wine and Liquors at 785 Wyckoff Avenue, Luis Valerio, the owner’s brother and store employee, observed Pullatasi take a bottle of Ciroc vodka from the shelf and conceal it under his jacket.

• Luis Valerio then confronted Pullatasi.

• At that point, store owner Francisco Valerio observed Poaquiza take a brown liquor bottle from a store shelf and place it inside his jacket.

• Luis and Francisco Valerio then had Poaquiza and Pullatasi return the bottles of liquor while inside the store.

• Poaquiza and Pullatasi indicated that they wanted to purchase the alcohol.

• The Valerios asked the two men to leave and a verbal argument started. They then demanded that the men leave and pushed them out of the store.

• The Valerios remained in the doorway of the liquor store and Poaquiza and Pullatasi went outside the store and were on the sidewalk.

• Once outside the store, Poaquiza and Pullatasi engaged in a heated verbal argument with the Valerios.

• On the sidewalk, Poaquiza and Pullatasi turned and walked away from the owner and the employee.

• The employee continued to verbally engage Pullatasi and then Pullatasi ran back toward the doorway of the liquor store where the employee and owner were still standing.

• When Pullatasi got to the doorframe, one of the two men from store kicked Pullatasi.

• At that point Pullatasi kicked both men, punched them and tried to slam the door on their hands.

• Francisco Valerio – who has a concealed carry permit – took out his firearm, which had been concealed in his rear waistband.

• Francisco Valerio shot Pullatasi when attempting to strike Pullatasi with his gun.

• Pullatasi was shot once in the abdomen and was transported to a local hospital where he is being treated for internal bleeding as the result of the gunshot wound.

• Responding officers recovered a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol from Francisco Valerio.

• Francisco Valerio and Poaquiza were taken into custody. 

The investigation was conducted by Detective Paul Palminteri of the New York City Police Department’s 104th Precinct.