Community Board 9 Social Services Committee Meeting re: Men's Shelter 2008 Westchester Avenue

  The main item on the Social Services Committee agenda Tuesday may 7th was the proposed men's shelter at 2008 Westchester Avenue. Representatives of Samaritan Village and the Department of Homeless Services were on hand to answer questions by committee members. 

District Manager William Rivera went through the timeline which began on February 22th 2019. The various meetings with and without the elected officials. CB 9 Chair Nick Himdian, had many questions for DHS representative (and former Councilwoman) Annabelle Palma, some of which she could not answer. One question was the cost to the city of the nine year contract with Samaritan Village, That question is very important because Samaritan Village said that it would have seventy-one workers at the men's shelter, and former Councilwoman Palma should of had that information for the board and the public. She also could not answer two other questions looking unprepared for the meeting with CB 9. It appeared Palma was getting no help from Samaritan Village representatives as they only answered questions that were directed at them. 

Why State Senator Luis Sepulveda was involved when the proposed shelter many wanted to know, since the proposed shelter is in State Senator Alessandra Biaggi's district. Senator Biaggi was not involved in any meetings, and only issued a statement of support for the shelter. The next and last step in the process will come at the full Community Board 9 meeting Thursday May 16th, the location has not been announced as of yet.

Above -  L - R BXCB 9 Chair Nick Himdian, CB9 DM William Rivera, and Social Services Chair Rosemary Ordonez-Jenkins.

Below - A totally unprepared Annabelle Palme and DHS staff.

Bronx Week Health Day Event - May 11

BP DIAZ KICKS-OFF BRONX WEEK 2019

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. opened Bronx Week with Bronx Hall of Fame inductee Boxing Champion Iran Barkley. The other inductees are Singer-songwriter Regina Spektor, and Planetary Scientist Carolyn Porco to the 2019 Bronx Walk of Fame.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was joined by proud Bronxites and Bronxites-at-heart today for the official kick-off of “Bronx Week 2019” at The Lit. Bar, a newly-opened independent bookstore in Mott Haven. 

During the celebration, Borough President Diaz announced that singer-songwriter Regina Spektor, championship boxer Iran Barkley and planetary scientist Carolyn Porco would be honored as the newest members of the Bronx Walk of Fame.

“Bronx Week is a chance for our borough to come together and celebrate what an incredible community we have here,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “The Bronx is recognized by the whole world as a rainbow of culture, talent, and spirit and today we host our annual homecoming for some of our best and brightest stars. This year’s honorees are role models for their achievements in their respective fields and they show that, if given a chance, a child from The Bronx can become a world-renowned pianist, a champion boxer or even a planetary scientist. I am proud to welcome them back to the Boogie Down.”

 “Bronx Week is one of the most, if not the most anticipated events of the year. This is the time where the entire borough celebrates the best of the best!” says Olga Luz Tirado, executive director of The Bronx Tourism Council.

The 2019 Bronx Walk of Fame Inductees are:

REGINA SPEKTOR was born in the Soviet Union and began studying classical piano when she was six. Her family emigrated to New York City in 1989 and Spektor made her recorded debut in 2001 with the self-released 11:11, a collection of songs heavily influenced by jazz and blues.

Spektor’s commercial breakthrough came in 2006 on her fourth LP, Begin to Hope. The gold-certified album included the singles “On the Radio,” “Better” and “Fidelity.” Spektor’s fifth album, Far released in 2009, and sixth album, What We Saw From the Cheap Seats released in 2012, both debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In September 2016 Spektor released her seventh album, Remember Us To Life. 

Spektor’s songs have appeared in TV shows and movies including Orange Is The New Black, Grey’s Anatomy, Weeds and How I Met Your Mother. 

IRAN BARKLEY was born on May 6, 1960 in The Bronx, New York. He lived with his parents, and his seven siblings in the Patterson Houses. His older sister was a professional boxer and introduced Iran to boxing thirteen years old. As an amateur boxer, Barkley won several medals between the yeas 1981 and 1982. In 1981, he participated in the New York Golden Gloves and won the Silver Medal. Later that year he won the Gold Medal in the Empire State Games. In 1982, he also won two medals: a Bronze Medal in the Copenhagen Box Cup and another Bronze Medal in the World Championships in Munich.

Barkley won the WBC Middleweight title in 1988 by knocking out Thomas Hearns in the third round; it was voted, by The Ring magazine, as the biggest upset of that year. The year after, he lost his title in the “Fight of the Year” to Roberto Durán in a split-decision. Barkley participated in more fights afterwards before he had to take a year off from boxing due to requiring surgery to reattach a retina; an injury he sustained after fighting Nigel Benn. Barkley retired in 1999.

CAROLYN PORCO is a planetary scientist who is responsible for many of the discoveries and stunning images from the Voyager and Cassini missions. While still a graduate student, Porco analyzed data on Saturn’s ring system sent by the Voyager 1 spacecraft, making several significant discoveries about the planet’s ringlets and its magnetic field. 

Over her career Porco has participated in producing some of the most iconic photos of space, such as the Pale Blue Dotimage of Earth taken by Voyager 1. She has also served as a science consultant on such productions as the 1997 movie Contact and the 2009 movie Star Trek. In 2012, she was named one the 25 most influential people in space by Time magazine. Since 2015 Porco has been a visiting distinguished scholar at the University of California, Berkeley.

The Bronx Tourism Council will also present the Annual Tourism Award to The Bronx Zoo. This award is presented to institutions that have made a significant impact in making The Bronx a tourism destination for visitors from around the world.

In addition, the event served as the official unveiling of the official Bronx Week 2019 Spotify playlist. The playlist includes music by artists from The Bronx, including past Bronx Walk of Fame inductees Ms. Spektor, Fat Joe, Prince Royce, Willie Colon and Dion DiMucci. Sunday May 19th Bronx Week ends with the Bronx Week Parade, Bronx Week International Food Festival, and the Bronx Week Music Festival all on Mosholu Parkway. 

The Bronx Week 2019 Spotify Playlist can be found here: https://spoti.fi/2PJWadX.

The event also included samples of some of the best food, drink and swag The Bronx has to offer, including the Bronx Native, Bronx Brewery, Ceetay and Gino’s Pastry Shop.

Now in its 48th year, Bronx Week is the annual celebration of everything that makes The Bronx a great place to live, work and raise a family.

For more information about Bronx Week 2019, visit www.ilovethebronx.com.

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS MELANIE LA ROCCA AS COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS

  Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the appointment of Melanie La Rocca as Commissioner of the Department of Buildings. As Commissioner, she will intensify efforts to ensure the safety of workers by regulating the city’s real estate and construction industries, and enforce the agency’s laws to protect tenants from construction harassment. The New York City Department of Buildings regulates and promotes the safe and lawful use of nearly 1.1 million buildings and more than 45,000 active construction sites in New York City. She will begin June 3.

“Construction workers are the backbone of our growing city, and the Department of Buildings is the City’s frontline defense to ensure safety on every job site,” saidMayor de Blasio. “I am confident that Melanie La Rocca’s experience and strong ties in our community will ensure she continues strengthening the Department’s role as an agency that looks out for the safety of all New Yorkers.”

“As a life-long New Yorker, I understand how the construction industry plays a key role in ensuring New York City adapts to the changing needs of our business and local communities,” said Commissioner La Rocca. “I know first-hand what it takes to deliver a high-quality project in a fast-paced environment, and I understand the need to connect with all stakeholders, especially with members of the community. I want to thank Mayor de Blasio and Deputy Mayor Anglin for the opportunity to lead the agency and continue its mission to strengthen protections for workers while building bridges with key stakeholders in one of the City’s biggest industries.”

“The Department of Buildings plays a critical role in the development of New York City, and it is necessary to have a leader there who understands all the moving parts,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Laura Anglin. “Melanie La Rocca’s experiences managing complex projects have given her a bird’s eye view of the construction industry, which will be essential to helping her ensure the Department of Buildings continues to guard the safety of every worker on every jobsite across the city.”

La Rocca currently serves as Vice President of Development and External Affairs at the School Construction Authority (SCA), where she oversees the Real Estate Group and all site development, as well as Design and Construction Services and special projects. In this role, she works closely with key stakeholders – including the Department of Buildings and other groups within the construction industries – to identify potential school sites and develop plans to construct new facilities for New York City students. Over the last eight years, the SCA has never missed a school opening.

Through this work, she has developed a deep understanding of the construction industry and its fast-paced nature, as well as the critical role served by the Department of Buildings. As Buildings Commissioner, she will continue expanding the agency’s modernization efforts to develop systems that better reflect the needs of the industry it serves.

“I have known Melanie for many years and I have always been impressed with her intelligence, passion, and dedication to public service. I am confident that she will bring all of those qualities and more to her new role. This is an exciting new chapter for the Department of Buildings,” said New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance May Meeting

  While the usual neighborhood news about the Van Nest area was discussed, and there were reports from the local elected officials the main topic of discussion was the mail in zip codes 10460, 10461 and 10462. Bronx Postmaster Scott Farrar, Area manager Frances Paulino and customer service representatives from the three post offices tried to answer questions from the audience. 

Questions raised about the post office varied from getting mail at 6 PM or later, getting the wrong mail, not getting ones mail, the long wait at branch offices, employee rudeness, and where to park when going to the 10460 post office. Bronx Postmaster Farrar said that there are 65 positions currently open in the Bronx, sometimes new mail carriers make mistakes because they are not as familiar with the routes as the regular mail carriers, the rudeness will be addressed, and he suggested that mail not be placed in boxes after the last pick up time. 

The five representatives of the United States Postal Service with the executive board of the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance.

“Rev. Ruben Diaz Democratic Club” Will Open Its Doors - Thursday, May 9th

  You should know that a new Democratic Club named “Rev. Ruben Diaz Democratic Club” will open its doors this Thursday, May 9^th at twelve noon. The club will be located at 1748 E 172^nd St Bronx, NY 10472 (Corner of Rosedale Ave & E 172^nd St).

“Rev. Ruben Diaz Democratic Club” has been organized with a purpose to register new voters, recruit, train, and educate those individuals interested in running for public office.

It it important for you to know that we have many people in our community full of desire and aspirations to get involved in government. Many of them would love to run for public office one day. However, they need to be oriented and learn the different facets and obstacles that a candidate may face. Such as: requirements, how to design and collect petitions, how to pack petitions appropriately for the Board of the Elections, how to register his/her candidacy, how to file periodical reports, and many other technicalities that could decide if a person will be a candidate or not.

We are inviting all those who are interested in becoming volunteer members of the “Rev. Ruben Diaz Democratic Club” to attend the opening ceremony this Thursday, May 9^th at twelve noon where more information will be provided.

For more information, please call Mr. George Alvarez-President or General Coordinator Lic. Pedro Aguiar at 917-342-2926.

NYC Public Advocate WILLIAMS' FIVE BOROUGH HOUSING TOUR: THE BRONX

  Public Advocate Jumaane Williams enters 214 East 164th Street. The 129-unit building has more than 100 violations, according to the Department of Buildings. After years of watching building maintenance services diminish and conditions deteriorate, tenants are taking action and have filed a case in Bronx Housing Court. 

"I was extremely troubled to see the issues so many residents at Concourse Village face," Williams said. "One tenant has lived with a rodent problem for nearly a decade, yet the landlord has been completely unresponsive. Others have also experienced egregious rent hikes because the landlord's abuse of preferential rents. Albany can and must address these issues by strengthening our rent laws before they expire next month." The building was recently sold, and the new owner is fixing apartments that become empty and raising rents. 

Above - The area where rats dig their way through the wall is covered up by toys.

Below - Public Advocate is with tenant Ann Marchena who says her daughter is afraid to go to sleep because she fears a rat coming into her room. 

Above - The compactor chute is sealed, and a basket with a plastic bag is used for tenants to throw their garbage on each floor.

Bekow - Public Advocate Williams decries the conditions of this and many other buildings that need new tougher rent laws that are set to expire June 30th in Albany.

Bronx Man Sentenced To 39 Months In Prison For Participating In Scheme To Take Over Ride-Sharing Driver Accounts

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that LOUIS PINA was sentenced to 39 months in prison for participating in a scheme to defraud drivers of two ride-sharing companies (“Company-1” and “Company-2”) by accessing those drivers’ accounts without authorization in order to divert driver funds to bank accounts controlled by PINA and other members of the scheme (the “Scheme”).  PINA previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff, who imposed today’s sentence.  PINA is the eighth defendant to have pled guilty in this case.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Louis Pina was a leader of a criminal consortium that deceived the drivers of two ride-sharing companies, enabling the criminals to access drivers’ accounts and steal millions of dollars.  Hard-working men and women who worked long hours to make a living had their accounts hacked into and their hard-earned money stolen.  Now Louis Pina is going to prison for his crimes.”

According to the Complaint, the Indictment to which PINA pled guilty, court filings, and statements made in public court proceedings:

PINA and his co-defendants defrauded livery drivers and ride-sharing companies using mobile ride-sharing applications.  The Scheme targeted drivers associated with Company-1 and Company-2.  Scheme members called Company-1 and Company-2 drivers posing as Company-1 and Company-2 representatives, and deceived the drivers into providing unique personal identifiers and other information that was then used to obtain unauthorized access into the online Company-1 and Company-2 driver accounts.  Once members of the Scheme logged into Company-1 and Company-2 driver accounts without authorization, they altered information in those compromised accounts and diverted driver funds to bank accounts they controlled.  PINA personally called Company-1 and Company-2 drivers to obtain their login credentials, hacked the accounts of Company-1 and Company-2 drivers, and recruited others into the Scheme. Scheme members compromised hundreds of Company-1 and Company-2 driver accounts and stole millions of dollars from Company-1 and Company-2 driver accounts.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Rakoff ordered PINA, 24, of the Bronx, New York, to make court-ordered restitution in the amount of $198,663 to Company-1 and $243,112 to Company-2.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the United States Secret Service.  Mr. Berman further thanked the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance and cooperation throughout this case, and also thanked the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force for their assistance.