Assemblyman Marcos Crespo Calls Upon Cathie Black To Withdraw Her Application For School Chancellor

    Assemblyman Marcos Crespo (D-Bronx) is calling upon Cathie Black to withdraw as New York City School Chancellor Candidate. “While I respect Cathie Black’s interest in overseeing the New York City school system that serves 1.1 million children, I respectfully suggest that she withdraw her application. Ms. Black has an impressive resume that may very well be sought after by many media companies, but our education system should not be supervised by anyone who needs to be chaperoned by someone else who has the required education experience."

    “The advisory panel recommended for the State Education Department to deny the waiver for Cathie Black, even though according to reports, some of those panel members are tied to the Bloomberg Administration. 

     Like many of my colleagues and like many parents of children who attend New York City’s public schools, I urge State Education Commissioner David Steiner to deny the waiver as submitted and refuse to circumvent the waiver process by rejecting any modified waiver for Ms. Black. 

    “It is unconscionable to consider that Mayor Bloomberg would resubmit Cathie Black’s School Chancellor application with new conditions - such as being joined with a co-chancellor who has education experience.  The very suggestion that since Ms. Black’s experience does not qualify her to serve, an alternative waiver could permit her to serve with a qualified co-chair does not seem to be within the scope of the law. 

    “Just one year ago, Mayor Bloomberg emphasized why New Yorkers should have more choices when electing their mayor.  I respectfully suggest that the Mayor give himself more choice and select someone who qualifies for the position of School Chancellor and has the experience to serve as required by law.”

Will State Education Commissioner Steiner Give Cathie Black A Waiver Now That His Panel Votes Against It?

    In a four to two vote with two members abstaining the panel of experts set up by State Education Commissioner David Steiner has said no to giving a waiver to Mayor Bloomberg's choice of Hearst Publications President  Ms Cathie Black This now leaves a very big question to the fytyre of Ms. Cathie Black, and just when will Mayor Bloomberg withdraw her as his choice to replace Joel Klein as chancellor of the New York City public schools. 

    Once the panel released their decision there was no comment by Mayor Bloomberg. The two abstaining votes were said to be at this time, and Commissioner Steiner is leaning to have the application resubmitted with a Chief academic officer included.

Friends, Family, and Supporters Celebrate Kenny Agosto's Birthday

    Monday night was the celebration of 80th Assembly Male District Leader Kenny Agosto's 41th birthday. There were many friends, family, supporters, and even a few politicians on hand. New York City Comptroller John Liu said that more people like Kenny Agosto are needed in public office. 78th State Committeeman Ricky Martinez recalled the first time he met Kenny at the Board of Elections when Kenny was running against then Assemblywoman Gloria Davis. Also on hand was newly elected 79th Assemblyman Eric Stevenson, who said that his inauguration was being held on January 8th. 

    While I asked again if he was going to run for the 80th Assembly seat, Kenny again would not commit himself either way. He mentioned redistricting next year, and that he would have to see how the district changes.

NYS SENATOR ERIC ADAMS AND NYS ASSEMBLYMAN MARCOS CRESPO WILL INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO AMEND STATE LAW CONCERNING WAIVERS FOR NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR

NYS Senator Eric Adams and NYS Assemblyman Marcos Crespo will amend State law to require concurrent resolution by the Senate and Assembly for any Commissioner’s waiver of requirements for persons who do not meet educational or professional prerequisites

NYS Senator Eric Adams states: “My legislation (S8512) will amend the Education law to restrict the ability of the Commissioner of Education to issue a certificate for Superintendent or Chancellor to persons who do not meet educational or professional requirements for the position.

“New York State law requires that school superintendents have a minimum of three years teaching experience and done graduate work in ‘school administration.’  The law enables the Regents to grant waivers in the case of ‘exceptionally qualified persons’ whose ‘exceptional training and experience are the substantial equivalent’ of certification in teaching.

 “Requiring concurrent resolution of the Senate and Assembly for waivers will bring a thorough and essential review process and a necessary transparency.  The individual selected as Chancellor must be the most appropriate person for this uniquely demanding position.” 

NYS Assemblyman Marcos Crespo states: “I will introduce legislation in the NYS Assembly to modify existing Education law to require concurrent resolution of the Assembly and Senate when the State Education commissioner grants a waiver to any individual who does not possess the stipulated requirements for the position of public schools Chancellor.
“It is imperative that any decision on the issuance of a waiver for someone seeking ‘exceptionally qualified person status’ undergo a careful and comprehensive review process to ensure that the selectee is the most qualified individual available.
 “A compelling alternative argument is required in support of anyone who has no background in or commitment to public education; the elected representatives of the people of New York State must review any such selection.”

Sunday, November 21, 2010 – 1:30PM  On the steps of Tweed Courthouse

THE BRONX CELEBRATED PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH 2010

    On Thursday, November 18, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Comité Noviembre celebrated Puerto Rican Heritage Month 2010 honoring an important group of Puerto Rican leaders.  

     The annual event highlights the positive impact the Puerto Rican community has made on virtually every sector of life in The Bronx.  During the celebration, which was attended by more than 250 Bronx community leaders from the fields of academia, community service, the arts, healthcare, business and communications, Borough President Diaz honored the outstanding careers of Marcus Solis, ABC Network reporter, and Angel Rodriguez, well known musician. The keynote speaker for the evening was Nicholasa Mohr, author of numerous acclaimed books for children and adults. 

 Caption: From left, Marcus Solis, Nicholasa Mohr, Borough President Diaz, and Angel Rodriguez.

Did Donald Trump Convince Mayor Bloomberg to Appoint Cathie Black Chancellor?

    If you watched the "Apprentice", Donald Trump's television show last night you saw that the reward for the winning project manager was a meeting with a highly skilled, professional, executive of a major corporation. Since the current season of the Apprentice is filmed weeks in advance, Donald Trump when saying  the title of the person that the winner was having their meeting with only said Ms. Cathie Black President of Heart Publications. 

    I almost fell out of my seat when Donald Trump mentioned Ms. Blacks name, and then realized that if Mayor Bloomberg needed someone to replace Joel Klein, Donald Trump probably suggested that he hire Ms. Cathie Black, some one who Mr. Trump has great admiration for. 

    Now if only Mayor Bloomberg would only admit that he took Donald Trumps advice we could see how she was ever thought of for the position of chancellor. 

   New York State Education Commissioner David Steiner has announced an eight-member screening panel to review Mayor Bloomberg’s waiver request for Ms. Black. Three members are former employees of Joel Klein that left before he did. 

    Mayor Bloomberg said that it would be very difficult for him to find another choice for chancellor if the waiver for Ms. Black is denied. 

TRIM FAT AROUND CITY CONTRACTS BEFORE RESORTING TO LAYOFFS AND SERVICE CUTS

    New York City Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following in response to questions about the Mayor's proposed layoffs and service cuts:

    "Layoffs and cuts to essential city services aren't the only options for closing a daunting $1.6 billion budget gap.  Especially now, there must be a concerted effort across city agencies to identify and trim any fat around city contracts. Specifically, agencies should be questioning whether all contracts are truly necessary, and should also be asking for reasonable cost concessions from its major contractors the way even the MTA has recently and successfully done.

    "In Fiscal Year 2010, my office identified $157.4 million in potential savings through audits of city agencies alone.

    "Working with the Mayor, we will continue to seek additional savings through audits and contract reviews to improve efficiency in city agencies and ensure that each and every dollar available is maximized. In the coming weeks, we will issue our review of the Mayor's budget, including options to consider before resorting to service cuts and layoffs."

Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz to Distribute Thanksgiving Turkeys to Seniors

    New York State Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, Chair of the Senate Aging Committee, will distribute Thanksgiving turkeys on Friday, November 19, 2010 at two senior citizen centers in The Bronx.

    At 11:30 am, Senator Reverend Díaz will join senior citizens at the Sue Ginsberg Center located at 975 Waring Avenue to distribute turkeys to every member who is present at that center.

    At 12:00 noon, Senator Reverend Díaz will join senior citizens at the RAIN Boston Road Senior Center located at 2424 Boston Road to distribute turkeys to every member who is present at that center.

     “I thank God for all of our senior citizens and wish them all a blessed and happy thanksgiving day”, stated Senator Reverend Díaz.

     Senator Reverend Díaz will be distributing turkeys (or vouchers for turkeys) at eighteen more senior citizen centers in his district before Thanksgiving Day.