Senior Game Day, Tuesday, September 30th

Join us for Senior Game Day! An afternoon of Games, Prizes and Live Entertainment! Games to be played include favorites such as: Dominoes, Various Card Games, Board Games, Cribbage, Prize Wheels Bingo Finale and much more! Tuesday, Sept 30, 2014  2:00pm- 5:00pm  Maestro's Caterers  1703 Bronxdale Avenue  Bronx NY 10461 For More Information: (718) 409-0109  RSVP not needed  (This event is intended for citizens 55 years and up)

 

Assemblyman Dinowitz cuts ribbon on new garden and terrace at Riverdale Senior Services

Assemblyman Dinowitz secured $175K in state funds for new garden and terrace, awning, handicap-accessible lift

   Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz was joined by Riverdale Senior Services Executive Director Julia Schwartz-Leeper, Council Member Andrew Cohen, representatives from the offices of Congressman Engel and State Senator Klein, and dozens of seniors to cut the ribbon on a new garden and terrace for Riverdale Senior Services. Assemblyman Dinowitz allocated approximately $175,000 in state funds for the project, which included new raised garden beds, new steps, new doors, an awning, a seating area, fencing, and a handicap-accessible lift. Students from the Horace Mann School installed the raised garden beds, which will grow a variety of herbs and spices.

“I am proud to secure funding for these improvements to Riverdale Senior Services, an organization that contributes positively to the community in innumerable ways,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “This project closely follows ADA guidelines, including a new lift that will allow seniors in wheelchairs and walkers access to this space for the first time. The beautiful new garden and terrace, named for Julia Blumenthal, a founding member of Riverdale Senior Services, is a place where seniors can stay active, spend time with friends, and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Bronx and Manhattan.”

Julia Schwartz-Leeper, Executive Director of Riverdale Senior Services, said, “The older adults in our community are so thrilled to have a space where they can walk on a safe, flat surface, dig in the dirt or just enjoy some fresh air with friends. We are so appreciative of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz for supporting this dream and helping us create this beautiful space. It is a wonderful addition to our Center on our 40th Anniversary. Thank you also to The Horace Mann School and their Service Learning Team who planted our garden. Without these partnerships we could not provide the extensive programming and services which make RSS such a special community resource.  Just wait until you see the view!”

Riverdale Senior Services, Inc. (RSS) is a multipurpose non-profit agency whose mission is to promote the physical, intellectual, social and emotional well-being of older adults.  Programs and services take place at a community facility and are designed to encourage and enable healthy living and living independently within one’s own community. RSS offers a wide range of educational and health related programs including exercise, bridge, computer classes and health management in addition to delicious homemade meals.  Free membership is available to all residents of New York City over the age of 60. For more information, please call 718-884-5900.

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda Announces Extended Office Hours

Dear Friend, I am excited to share with you that next week I will be introducing extended office hours to better serve our community.  Starting September 30th the new hours will be: Tuesdays and Thursdays  9:00am to 7:00pm Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 9:00am to 5:00pm These extended hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays mean  those who are unable to stop by during regular 9 to 5 hours  will have two extra hours to come in. If you have any questions please feel free to call or stop by my office, located at 1973 Westchester Ave in Parkchester. I hope to see many of you there during extended hours! Your Assemblyman, Luis R. Sepulveda

 

Office of Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda
1973 Westchester Ave
Bronx NY 10462 United States

RELEASE--BRONX UNEMPLOYMENT DROPS TO SINGLE DIGITS

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. praised the news, announced today by the New York State Department of Labor that the Bronx County unemployment rate has dropped to single digits, down to 9.8 percent.

“When I first became borough president, I made it clear that job creation would be a top priority of my administration. Over the past five years my office, in partnership with the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, city and state officials, our business community, no-profits and everyday Bronxites, we have worked hard to create thousands of new jobs in The Bronx. What we are doing is working,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

The borough has had a double-digit unemployment rate since January 2009, when it stood at 10.2 percent, peaking at 13.9 in January 2010. One year ago, in August 2013, the borough’s unemployment rate stood at 12.1 percent.

Since Borough President Diaz took office in 2009, The Bronx has seen $5.768 billion in total development, the creation of more than 13,000 in new units of housing and more than 14,000 new jobs created. Much of this progress is outlined in the office’s annual development report, which can be read at http://on.nyc.gov/1pkMnYS.

With the opening of several new retail centers in recent weeks, as well as major projects such as the Kingsbridge National Ice Center and Freshdirect on the horizon, thousands of new jobs have been created in Bronx County. In addition, a new partnership announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo announced in August between the New York State Department of Labor and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, as part of the “NY Works,” programis placing Bronx residents in these jobs, helping to ensure that new development here benefits everyone, especially Bronxites.

“This massive improvement in our unemployment numbers proves we have had the right approach.  Supporting our Bronx businesses, attracting new ones and partnering with the New York State Department of Labor to work with the new employers and our residents who are looking for work insures that everyone wins,” said Marlene Cintron, president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.

“This partnership between the BOEDC and the Department of Labor is already bearing fruit, and I want to thank Governor Cuomo and Commissioner Peter Rivera for both launching this important program right here in The Bronx and for showing a strong commitment to the future of our borough. This program can be a statewide, if not national, model for job creation and placement. ‘NY Works’ is working for The Bronx,” said Borough President Diaz.

Borough President Diaz added, “As I have said before, what we are doing is working. Positive news like today’s unemployment statistics show us that we are on the right path. We still have a great deal of work to do, but it is clear that our ‘New Bronx’ agenda is showing real progress.”

Council Member Torres Announces Unprecedented Investment in Public Housing

WHO            Council Member Torres, NYCHA Chair Shola Olatoye, Parkside Resident Council, 49th Precinct, Community Board 11  

WHAT          City Council Member Torres (D-Bronx) and NYCHA Chair Shola Olatoye will announce record investment in the New York City Housing Authority citywide, including $1.5 million dollars for security cameras and layered access controls at Parkside Houses.

WHERE       Parkside Houses, Bronx Park East and Arnow Avenue.

WHEN          Monday, September 29, 2014, 10:00 AM

Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and Families for Excellent Schools Unveil Community Mural in the Bronx As Part of Larger Effort to End Low Academic Achievement in NYC Schools

Artists from Acclaimed Tats Cru Group Paint Mural in Sign of Growing Support for Bold, Urgent Solution to Crisis

  Thursday, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and parent advocacy group Families for Excellent Schools unveiled a community mural in the Bronx as part of a broad grassroots movement to push for a solution to the persistent failure of New York City’s schools. The mural, painted by graffiti artists from acclaimed, Bronx-based Tats Cru group, is part of a larger effort by the Coalition for Education Equality to ensure that no child is forced to attend a failing school. The unveiling of Thursday’s mural adds growing momentum ahead of a rally on the courthouse steps of Foley Square on October 2nd, expected to be attended by thousands of parents from district and charter school families.

The mural—painted on a wall in Assemblyman Crespo’s district on Simpson St. and Westchester Ave. in the Bronx—serves as a reflection of the growing urgency in the community for a bold solution to a failing schools crisis that strips more than one hundred thousand children of a high-quality education. The mural will be followed by more neighborhood art and activities across all five of the city’s boroughs and parent organizing efforts through social and digital media efforts in the run-up to the rally.

In the Bronx alone, there 82 elementary and middle schools where roughly 9 out of 10 children can't read and do math on grade level.  

“The response that this mural has already received in my district makes it clear that our parents want bold action to strengthen our schools,” said Assemblyman Marcos Crespo. “It’s a beautiful work of art that should spur us all to action to end educational injustice.”

"The folks in this community are frustrated with a failing school system that steals the promise of possibility from too many children in the Bronx. Our #DontStealPossible mural builds on the growing movement for change in this community," said the Bronx-based muralist collective Tats Cru.

"Parents from all over the Bronx are demanding a quality education from their schools. These kids are our future and we refuse to settle for less," Yvonne Guillen, Bronx parent and Families for Excellent Schools leader.

“We are going to see more and more community-centered calls for change like this mural as folks realize how deep the persistent failure of our  schools actually is,” said Jeremiah Kittredge, CEO of Families for Excellent Schools. “Parents want quality schools for their children, and they are tired of waiting.”

Pichardo Statement re: 86th Assembly Seat Recount

ASSEMBLY MEMBER VICTOR PICHARDO RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER BOARD OF ELECTIONS RECOUNT

  Yesterday, the Board of Election completed the manual recount for the primary election in the 86^th Assembly District, with preliminary results pointing to Assembly Member Victor Pichardo holding the lead. Assembly Member Victor Pichardo issues the following statement in response to the preliminary recount results:

"The voters of the 86th Assembly District deserve to have their representatives elected in a fair and honest process and I am confident that, after the manual recount concluded yesterday, my neighbors once again chose me to be their representative in the Assembly.

I am incredibly thankful for the support and encouragement my campaign and I received - from my neighbors and beyond - in our efforts to ensure that the outcome of this election was both fair and honest. I look forward to the Board of Elections certifying theses results next week."

  We have been told that Assemblyman Pichardo holds a 2 vote over challenger Hector Ramirez after the recount.

  There has been no comment from Hector Ramirez.

STATEMENTS FROM BP DIAZ and Senator Klein re: MTA Capital Plan

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

RE: MTA Vote to Approve Proposed Capital Plan

“The MTA’s inclusion of the East Side Metro-North expansion in its capital plan is another major step forward for our borough, and I am thrilled that the MTA board has voted to support this expansion and send it to the State Legislature for final approval. I like to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for his strong support of this project, as well as State Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein for his tremendous advocacy on this issue. I would also like to thank our two MTA board members from The Bronx—Fernando Ferrer and Charles Moerdler—for their unwavering support of this proposal.

“As we make our final case to the State Legislature to approve the funding for this expansion, Albany will see an entire borough united in support of this revolutionary project. These four new Metro North stations—Co-op City, Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park and Hunts Point—will not only be amazing new amenities to the communities they serve, but will help transform the entire region.

“This is my highest priority, and I look forward to discussing this proposal’s merits with my friends in the State Legislature. No project is more important to the future of The Bronx than the East Side Metro-North expansion,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Statement from State Senator Jeff Klein on MTA Board approval of capital investments for new Bronx Metro North stations

"I've long championed increased Metro-North access in the east Bronx and today's MTA Board approval of a $743 million capital investment to construct four new stations along the New Haven line into Penn Station is an important first step as we move towards a victory for our borough. This will put residents in transportation deserts like Co-Op City, Morris Park, Hunts Point and Parkchester, where the stations are proposed, on track for quicker commutes and better job opportunities.  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and I, who worked to push this plan forward, found that this major transportation development will also act as an economic engine for the Bronx."