How Did It go On Primary Day?

  There are still tens of thousand absentee ballots that have to be counted in the Bronx. As long as the envelope is postmarked June 23, 2020 the ballot must count. There were close to 70,000 Absentee ballots requested in the Bronx and over 700,000 citywide. There was a claim that the Board of Elections didn't have enough envelopes for all the requested absentee ballots, and another that not all were sent out on time. At the time of the petition hearings, there were claims that candidates received notices of hearings after the hearings. The answer from the Chief Law Clerk to candidates was that the BOE can not be held responsible if the USPS can not deliver the mail on time. Let's see what happens here.

That said Congratulations to New 15th District Congressman Ritchie Torres who leads by over four thousand votes, and to the Bronx Democratic County organization. If you thought Councilman Ruben Diaz was the county candidate you were wrong. I like many others thought that until I saw the Torres FEC Pre-Primary filing. As for the three now two incumbents money talked in the 14th District. Incumbent AOC had over ten million dollars and even after the absentee ballots are counted, AOC should be close to the election day seventy-two percent mark. In the 13th District, Adriano Espaillat was not as fortunate getting less than sixty percent of the vote against two unknowns. The third incumbent in the 16th District, Eliot Engel is trailing by well over seven thousand votes which should be impossible to beat New Congressman Jamaal Bowman. 

32nd State Senate District, incumbent Luis Sepulveda holds a lead of over three thousand votes, which should hold up after the absentee ballots are counted.

79th Assembly District, this was an open seat due to soon to be former Assemblyman Michael Blake's decision to run for congress. Here Chantel Jackson leads by two-hundred and forty votes over county backed female District Leader Cynthia Cox. Ruben Diaz backed George Alvarez is short of five-hundred votes behind Cox, and the voters weren't as forgiving to forth place finisher Eric Stevenson who will not return to his old seat. Two others finished behind him. There is well over one-thousand absentee votes that were cast in this assembly district, and the question is, can Cynthia Cox get enough of them to beat Chantel Jackson.

In the last race I had mentioned was worth watching, there will be two new district leaders in the 80th A.D. Former Male District Leader Marcos Sierra has regained his position with a lead of four-hundred and fifty votes over soon to be former male District Leader John Zaccaro Jr.. In the open Female District leader race the winner with a lead of well over one-thousand votes is Irene Estrada.

I left out the 78th A.D. where Assemblyman Jose Rivera demolished his opponent, but his votes did not drop down to his running mates. Female District Leader candidate Jasmin Clavasquin-Cruz trails Maria Gonzalez by over seven-hundred votes, while incumbent Male State Committeeman Oswald Feliz trails Emmanuel Martinez by over three-hundred and fifty votes.

The figures stated come from the New York City Board of Elections unofficial election night results. The results will not be official until all absentee, military, and affidavit votes are counted which may take two weeks or more due to the sheer volume of the ballots to be counted by hand. Any ballot can also be challenged in court as to alleged fraud which the Board of Elections does not rule on.

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES PLAN TO REOPEN RECREATIONAL AREAS AND DOG RUNS DURING PHASE 3

New York City is on track to enter Phase 3 on July 6th

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced plans to reopen recreational amenities and outdoor courts in City parks. Once the City enters Phase 3 of reopening, New Yorkers will be able to enjoy soccer fields and basketball, tennis, volleyball, bocce, and handball courts. The City will also reopen dog runs for public use. 

“Our city faced one of the greatest challenges in its history, and because of your hard work, we are pushing through. Soon, New Yorkers will be able to enjoy even more outdoor activities,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“Our parks are hubs for active recreation and we’re excited to welcome all New Yorkers, both human and canine alike, back onto sports courts and dog runs for another safe and fun summer,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “We’re committed to maintaining safe greenspaces for all to enjoy and encourage visitors to wear a face covering, frequently sanitize their hands, and maintain distance between each other while out in parks.” 

Participants in higher risk sports including basketball should only partake in individual or distanced group training. To support social distancing, Parks Ambassadors will continue staffing parks and playgrounds, handing out masks and educating patrons about maintaining safe distancing. 

Playgrounds re-opened on June 22nd and NYC Parks continues to re-open skate parks and outdoor fitness equipment. Beaches will open for swimming on July 1st. 

While enjoying these amenities, New Yorkers should maintain social distancing, wear face coverings, and wash their hands frequently. New York City is expected to reach Phase 3 on July 6th.

Ritchie Torres - Thank you

Team, I’m writing to you today incredibly humbled. While I’m not ready to declare victory just yet — there are still thousands of absentee ballots yet to be counted — what’s clear is that our progressive movement sent an unmistakable message Tuesday night. While we wait for every vote to be counted, here’s what I can say: This doesn’t end with winning an election. It’s governing that matters. I’m fighting to deliver results to the people of the South Bronx, and should the final results have me as the ultimate winner, it will be the honor of my life to represent this borough in Congress. I want to thank you, everyone. This grassroots team has been the lifeblood of our campaign. Your support over the past year and change has made historic progress possible. Thank you for contributing your hard-earned money, for volunteering your time and energy, and for reading our emails to stay up-to-date. This campaign is yours, and hopefully I’ve made you proud. I also want to thank my mother. My drive to be the best public servant I can be is rooted in the values she instilled in me at a young age. Without her, I wouldn’t be who I am today. The South Bronx is full of mothers like mine — who have suffered, struggled, and sacrificed, all so her baby boy can have a better life than she did. The opportunity to represent and fight for her and other strong mothers across this borough is the culmination of her dream. I can’t wait for what comes next. Thank you for everything, team! Onward, Ritchie

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES MORE TESTING SITES AND ANTIBODY TESTS FOR NEW YORKERS

New Yorkers should visit nyc.gov/covidtest to find the testing site closest to them 

  With the city now in phase 2 of reopening, Mayor de Blasio announced today that NYC Health + Hospitals will now offer free COVID-19 antibody tests at its 11 acute care facilities and select Gotham Heath sites. In a push to expand testing citywide, the City will also open new testing sites through a partnership with CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort), the emergency relief nonprofit organization co-founded by Sean Penn and Ann Lee, and SOMOS, with a focus on serving vulnerable communities in neighborhoods hardest hit by the virus.

$B!H (BAs we venture outdoors to dine and enjoy the sunshine, we can't forget that widespread testing is still the key to reopening our city safely," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "Getting a test should be simple, fast, and convenient, which is why we are bringing antibody and swab tests to the doorstep of every New Yorker—especially those in communities hardest hit by the virus."

NYC Health + Hospitals will now offer free antibody testing for New Yorkers at its 11 acute care facilities for New Yorkers who have not had COVID-19 symptoms or a positive COVID-19 tests within the past two weeks. Beginning June 29^th, antibody testing will expand to 11 Gotham Community Health Center sites as well.

Tests are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM–4:00 PM on a walk-in basis. Patients will receive their testing results within 24 hours electronically via the public hospital system $B!G (Bs electronic health record system, MyChart. Testing is available free of charge and at no-additional cost to the patient. Patients with insurance will be asked for their insurance information, but will pay no copays.

With an emphasis on serving seniors in partnership with NYCHA and DFTA, CORE will be operating mobile testing units in the Bronx on June 27th, Manhattan on July 2-3rd,  and Queens on July 6-7th. Registering for an appointment is encouraged and can be completed here. Walk- in appointments will be accommodated as well.

CORE testing sites will be operating at the following locations and hours:

$B!| (B      Queens	Long Island City High School (Permanent Testing Site) 14-30 Broadway, Queens, NY 11106 Mondays-Saturdays, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM New York Housing Authority $B!G (Bs Ravenswood (Mobile Testing Unit) Circle at the rear of 35-36 21st Street (across from Trade Faire), Queens, NY 11106 Monday-Tuesday, July 6-7, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
$B!| (B      The Bronx	156 W 164th Street, Bronx, NY 10452 (Mobile Testing Unit) Saturday, June 27, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM
$B!| (B      Manhattan	Vladeck Houses (Mobile Testing Unit) 356 Madison Street, New York, NY, 10002 Thursday-Friday, July 2-3, 12:00 PM–4:00 PM

In a partnership with SOMOS, the City will also open 20 testing sites in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. Sites will provide both diagnostic and antibody tests. To encourage more New Yorkers to get tested, sites will operate out of pediatric clinics to encourage families to get tested together, with an additional 30 sites opening over the next few weeks. Clinics will operate from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with some clinics offering weekend hours. Appointments can be made by calling  1-833-SOMOS-NY (#2 to make an appointment) 

$B!H (BAll New Yorkers should get a Covid-19 nasal swab test and an antibody test as this will be critical to providing patients and governments the essential information they need to help the local economies reopen, $B!I (B said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. $B!H (BWe are committed to providing all New Yorkers with necessary information about their health and their potential exposure to Covid-19

Following Election Day Confusion, Assemblyman Dinowitz & State Senator Comrie Call on Legislature to Pass Ballot Tracking Legislation

Elections bill would improve transparency in state’s vote by mail system

  Following a state primary marred by unprecedented confusion among voters seeking to use the state’s vote by mail system, State Senator Leroy Comrie and Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz called on the legislature to pass legislation that will mandate the use of ballot tracking technology for absentee ballots. The bill, S2768, would require the New York City Board of Elections and the various county boards of elections to provide a user-friendly website in which voters who request and submit absentee ballots can track their ballots through the entire absentee voting process.

In states like Massachusetts, Iowa, and Florida, Intelligent Mail barcode and other tracking technologies are used by elections administrators to monitor and display the movements of individual ballots from the moment the ballot is requested until the moment it is counted. However, New York State does not yet have such a system in place, leaving every eligible absentee voter in the dark with regards to the status of their ballot.

Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz said: “As we continue working to expand vote-by-mail options for New York's voters, it is imperative that we have systems in place that ensure confidence and accountability between voters and Boards of Elections. This legislation creates a framework that, if in place for the June 23 primary we just experienced, would have alleviated significant voter stress and empowered them to make educated decisions about how to participate in our democracy. Instead, voters were left in the dark and forced to choose between protecting their health and casting their ballot. That is unacceptable and we must take tangible steps to ensure that never happens again. Thank you to State Senator Comrie for introducing this legislation in the State Senate and I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this reform that will improve our voting process in New York State.”

State Senator Leroy Comrie said: “In the days leading up to Primary Day, it became increasingly clear that we were dealing with a major malfunction of the absentee ballot system. Everyday, I heard from individuals that they never received their absentee ballots after submitting the application. New Yorkers should not have to choose between staying healthy and exercising their right to vote. We absolutely need a system in place that will let voters know when to expect their ballots and when their ballots are counted. This level of confusion cannot stand as a defect in our electoral system.”

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES NEW YORK CITY’S 8 PUBLIC BEACHES WILL OPEN FOR SWIMMING STARTING JULY 1

All beach-goers are reminded to be safe in and around the water this summer, and only swim when lifeguards are on duty

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that swimming will be allowed at the city’s eight public beaches starting on July 1. Lifeguards will be on duty daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Swimming is unsafe and strictly prohibited at all other times. 

“New Yorkers have worked hard to fight back this virus and to put us back on the path to a safe reopening,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This summer is still unlike any in our history, but now, we will all have the opportunity to cool off and swim at our cherished beaches." 

“Our beaches have long been a key component of a traditional New York City summer.  While the past few months have been incredibly challenging, we are excited to bring our beaches back for the season,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “We want all New Yorkers to enjoy the surf and sand, but more than ever we want everyone to keep safety first. From being water safe and only swimming when a lifeguard is on duty, to adhering to social distancing guidelines and wearing a face covering; it is important that we are cautious and responsible when we hit the beach this summer."

City beaches span a total of 14 miles and include Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Coney Island and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn; Rockaway Beach in Queens; and Midland Beach, South Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, and Wolfe's Pond Park Beach on Staten Island. To stay safe, New Yorkers must follow all directions from NYC Parks staff and beach signage.

To encourage social distancing, NYC Parks Ambassadors will continue to staff the beaches, handing out masks and educating patrons about maintaining safe distancing. If certain sections of the beach become too crowded, visitors will be directed to different less crowded areas. All New Yorkers should continue to wash and sanitize their hands, wear a face covering, and maintain distance between individuals and small groups. 

MAYOR DE BLASIO EXPANDS COOL IT! NYC TO KEEP NEW YORKERS COOL AND SAFE THIS SUMMER

During extreme heat, City will activate 250 new cooling elements and proactively add spray caps to 320 fire hydrants, ensuring no New Yorker in the most heat-burdened communities is more than 1/4 mile away from an outdoor cooling element

  Mayor de Blasio today announced an expansion of Cool It! NYC, a plan to help New Yorkers beat the heat this summer. In addition to installing air conditioners for low-income seniors, the City will expand the number of outdoor cooling elements available for New Yorkers to enjoy during extreme heat and refine existing programs to better serve residents in heat challenged areas.

“This summer will be unlike any other in New York City history, and we're focused on safety first,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “From spray showers to misters to fire hydrants, we’re getting creative with how our families can stay cool during periods of extreme heat.”

The NYC Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI), developed by the NYC Department of Health and Columbia University, uses social and environmental factors to understand how health risks during and immediately after extreme heat events compare across NYC neighborhoods. HVI helps the City identify and direct resources to neighborhoods at higher risk during extreme heat. The City is prioritizing the most heat-burdened communities (HVI 5/4 zones) for new public cooling elements and refining existing programs to serve more residents during extreme heat events.

New Cooling Elements & Cool It! NYC Map

To help New Yorkers stay cool this summer, NYC Parks is adding brand new cooling elements within HVI 5/4 zones, and highlighting the existing 950 cooling elements citywide with a new Cool It! NYC map. Parks has identified locations within HVI 5/4 zones where up to 250 new outdoor cooling elements can be added to parks during extreme heat events to create "community oases." These elements will consist of Parks hydrants and other plumbing fixtures that can be adapted to function as spray showers and misting features. By utilizing the map, visitors will be able to find up-to-date information on the closest sprinklers and water fountains in their neighborhood, and with the Leafiest Blocks and Park Tree Canopy categories, easily find Parks' recommendations for blocks and areas with the most shade to help stay cool this summer. 

As cooling elements go online, the Cool It! NYC map will be updated in the coming weeks and activated as necessary during extreme heat events.

Spray Cap Expansion

During heat advisories, DEP and FDNY will proactively install spray caps on 320 hydrants in HVI 4/5 zones, which will help more New Yorkers in these zones get within 1/4-mile walk of a spray feature.

DEP will partner with NYC Service to engage organizations and volunteers to act as spray shower stewards to help expand access to the program. FDNY will continue to work with community residents to activate hydrant spray showers, while collecting information about the number, location and activation frequency of hydrant spray showers to help inform future iterations of the Outdoor Cooling Plan.

Cool Streets and Street Oases 

Through the Open Streets initiative, the City will designate certain Open Streets as “Cool Streets.” These “Cool Streets” will open up blocks with tree-based shade and hydrants as part of DEP’s Cool Hydrant and spray cap program. The first set of “Cool Streets” will be announced in the coming days.

Additionally, DOT will work with their established partners to add new outdoor cooling features to their popular Plaza, Seasonal Streets and Weekend Walks programs. DOT will prioritize sites within high Heat Vulnerability Index zones for new cooling elements.

Reusable Bottle Distribution

DEP will create a reusable water bottle distribution program to promote reusable bottles and remind New Yorkers to stay hydrated. The City will provide 15,000 bottles to elected officials, community boards and partner organizations to distribute citywide. 

Update On Air Conditioners

The City reached out to close to 330,000 eligible seniors, and more than 37,000 seniors opted-in to receive an air conditioner, including 23,200 seniors in private homes and 14,000 seniors in NYCHA buildings. The City has installed a total of 18,274 to date, including 10,362 in private homes and 8,597 in NYCHA buildings. The City’s daily installation rate is close to 1,500 per day.

"As the summer heats - and New York City continues to reopen - we need to give New Yorkers all the resources and opportunities to stay cool and safe these next few months," said Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin. "Whether it's providing thousands of air conditioners to our senior citizens or more spray showers for our children in playgrounds and parks across this city, this Administration will ensure all New Yorkers have plenty of options to beat the heat."

“As the summer heat quickly approaches, and New Yorkers increasingly look to our parks and greenspaces to keep cool, we’re committed to providing new, innovative ways to meet this need,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. "Our brand new Cool It! NYC map highlights existing cooling features, our city’s extensive tree canopy, and new outdoor cooling elements that will be activated during heat emergencies. With our new map, it will be easier than ever for New Yorkers to stay safe and beat the heat!”

“NYC water is cool, refreshing and healthy – and this summer we are working with elected officials, community groups and partner agencies to ensure all New Yorkers can benefit from the champagne of tap water,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza.  “Reusable water bottles will help keep people hydrated while the popular fire hydrant spray cap program provides a safe way to stay cool while also maintaining adequate pressure in our water mains for firefighters and hospitals.”

“Opening hydrants without a sprinkler cap can dramatically lower the water pressure needed to fight fires and save lives, which is why we are partnering with NYC DEP to identify hydrants across the city and install sprinkler caps during periods of extreme heat this summer,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro. “Water is the most important resource our Firefighters have to battle fires in our city, and this program will ensure New Yorkers can stay cool without impacting the safety of our members and those they serve.”

“The City is taking a multifaceted approach to ensure our most vulnerable New Yorkers are prepared to beat the heat this summer. From expanding the spray cap program to adding new cooling elements in parks and creating street oases, we are dedicated to providing equitable access to safe cooling options in communities that are mostly at risk of the adverse effects of extreme heat,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell.  

“Hot weather can kill and these cooling initiatives are critical to keeping people safe through the summer,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “I also encourage New Yorkers to check on family, friends, and neighbors who are at risk of extreme heat—especially those with chronic physical and mental health conditions—and help them get to a Cooling Center or another cool place if needed.”

“Whether it is opening our streets to pedestrians, distributing free air conditioners to our vulnerable seniors or fighting for utility bill relief for those that need it most, addressing the imminent threat that heat vulnerable neighborhoods face this summer is a critical part of climate leadership that must shape a just transition out of this pandemic,” said Mark Chambers, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability.

"This summer will be unlike any other. We've come prepared with a plan that puts climate justice into action by prioritizing our most heat-vulnerable communities, many of which have already been hit hard by the pandemic," said Jainey Bavishi, Director of the Mayor's Office of Resiliency. "By taking a multi-pronged approach that includes both indoor and outdoor cooling options, we are maximizing the ways New Yorkers can stay safe, comfortable, and hydrated this summer." 

“Healthy communities are stewarded by residents who look out for their neighbors and care for their environment,” said NYC Chief Service Officer, Anusha Venkataraman. “We are excited to partner with community leaders to expand the cooling programs and keep New Yorkers cool this summer.”

NEW YORK CITY EXPANDS NATION-LEADING OPEN STREETS PROGRAM WITH 23 MORE MILES IN AREAS HIT HARD BY COVID-19 CRISIS and MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING REFORM

New streets bring total to 67 miles, across all five boroughs, in under two months; Additions include nine new miles of protected bike lanes

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today added another 23 miles to New York City’s nation-leading Open Streets program, bringing the citywide total to 67 miles – two-thirds of the way to the 100-mile goal laid out in late April. The new Open Streets, which are located primarily in neighborhoods hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, include nine miles of temporary protected bike lanes.

The Administration is also prioritizing the most heat burdened communities with plans to designate certain Open Streets as “Cool Streets.” The City will open up blocks with tree-based shade and hydrants as part of DEP’s Cool Hydrant and spray cap program. The first set of “Cool Streets will be announced in the coming days.

“As the school year ends and a hot, challenging summer begins, New Yorkers will need more options to play outside,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “New York City now offers more car-free street space than any other city in the country, and we’re proud to build on that progress in all five boroughs.”

Google has added the previous 40-plus miles of Open Streets into Google Maps, allowing drivers using online navigation to steer clear of these streets; today’s new Open Streets will also be added to Google Maps in the coming days.

The nine new miles of bike corridors, like the first nine miles of temporary lanes announced in May, will be phased in throughout the summer using markings, barrels, signage, and other barriers, to implement both permanent and temporary projects along with critical connectors from already-established protected lanes. During the rollout of these bike lanes, DOT will also be implementing new Green Wave signal timing changes on DeKalb and Lafayette Avenues in Brooklyn, in addition to existing Green Wave corridors to help speed bike commutes.

“With summer now in full swing, and the City slowly reopening, we’re excited to bring new Open Streets to more communities, from the North Shore of Staten Island to Far Rockaway in Queens, along with new protected bike connections to Central Park and the Queensboro Bridge,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “Thanks to the hard work of Mayor de Blasio, our sister agencies, BIDs and other community groups, Open Streets continues to grow, helping more New Yorkers who’ve been cooped up for so long get out and keep moving while maintaining social distancing.” 

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING REFORM

  Mayor de Blasio and Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia today announced the end of twice-weekly street cleanings, the most dramatic reform to Alternate Side Parking (ASP) in decades. Beginning Monday, June 29, the City will resume ASP regulations for one week. Going forward, residential streets will be cleaned no more than once per week.

Amended rules pertain to residential “side streets” and not to commercial areas. Streets with multiple ASP days would be cleaned on the last day of the week, as posted on each street’s currently posted sign. For example, a street with ASP regulations posted on Tuesday and Friday will now be cleaned on Friday only. Daily sweeping regulations in metered areas will not change, and DSNY will continue cleaning streets with posted No Standing, No Stopping and No Parking regulations as needed.

The City will enforce these amended regulations on a week-by-week basis and will assess conditions throughout the summer. The City will determine whether to extend, or modify the new regulations over the course of the summer.

“New Yorkers will no longer need to move their cars more than once per week when Alternate Side Parking rules are in effect,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “As our city reopens and fights back against the COVID-19 crisis, we’re proud to offer more convenient options for working New Yorkers.”

“Alternate Side Parking is a fact of life in New York City, and it is one of our best tools to keep our streets clean,” said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. “We are excited to test this new approach that will make life easier on New York City drivers, while also giving us the space we need to keep our City healthy, safe and clean.”

This change is the most dramatic change to ASP regulations since 2000, when the City reduced the duration of sweeping windows from 3 hours to just 90 minutes. The City has also reduced sweeping frequency in several neighborhoods, including in Brooklyn Community Board 6 (Park Slope & Red Hook), Brooklyn Community Board 7 (Sunset Park), and Manhattan Community Board 12 (Washington Heights & Inwood). Alternate Side Parking has been in place in New York City since the mid-1950s, and regulations are currently in place on nearly 2,300 miles of New York City streets.