MAYOR DE BLASIO, COMMISSIONER SILVER AND COMMISSIONER GUTMAN ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR $80M RENOVATION OF JOHN FINLEY WALK

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, and DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman today announced plans to rehabilitate John Finley Walk, the promenade above the FDR Drive between E. 81st and E. 90th streets. The $80 million project will bring needed state of good repair improvements to the 1930s top-level structure. 

“John Finley Walk is an incredible spot to take a stroll and enjoy the waterfront,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “These infrastructure improvements will ensure New Yorkers will be able to enjoy this beautiful promenade for generations to come.”

“Investing in parks and open space is critical as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Laura Anglin. “Repairing John Finley Walk’s infrastructure will ensure all New Yorkers continue to have access to this open space for walking, running, biking and more.”

 

“Our public spaces are critical to the health of our city, and their restoration is critical to our City’s comeback,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development for Vicki Been. “We are proud to announce this investment to rehabilitate the John Finley Walk, a well-loved, waterfront promenade in the Upper East Side. With this investment, we hope that it can serve many generations of New Yorkers!”

 

“John Finley Walk is a treasured part of Carl Schurz Park and an important link to the East River Esplanade, and this project will provide upgrades and make needed repairs to the 80-year-old structure,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FACIP. “Thanks to funding from Mayor de Blasio and project management by the experts at DOT, the promenade will continue to connect the Upper East Side community to the waterfront for decades to come.”

 

"As New York City reopens and recovers, we must continue investing in the open spaces that we all love, including our incomparable waterfront,” said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. "Finley Walk, so popular with Upper East Side pedestrians, runners, and cyclists, is a gem -- and the funding the Mayor has announced today will extend its life by decades, as well as make it safer and more welcoming. We are always excited to work alongside our partners at NYC Parks, and we thank Council Member Ben Kallos and Congressmember Carolyn Maloney for their tireless advocacy of this project."

 

The project, which is being managed by the Department of Transportation on behalf of NYC Parks, will implement structural repairs to the underside of the deck, repair walls along the roadway, and replace concrete girders. It will also make important upgrades, eliminating uneven surfaces, improving drainage, replacing the pedestrian railings, and replacing street lighting and benches along the entire span.

 

Parks and DOT plan to present information to Community Board 8 on June 10. The full project details and timeline will be determined during the design process. 

 

Governor Cuomo Announces Nominations and Appointments to Administration

 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced new nominations, which were confirmed by the New York State Senate, and appointments to his administration.

"Throughout COVID, New Yorkers have proven themselves to be tough, smart, united, disciplined, and loving. They deserve to have a government filled with individuals who personify those same characteristics. I feel confident every nomination here today fits that standard," Governor Cuomo said.

State Board of Elections Chief Enforcement Counsel 

The following individual was nominated by Governor Cuomo and confirmed by the Senate and the Assembly to the State Board of Elections as Chief Enforcement Counsel:

• Michael Johnson

Public Service Commission

The following individual was nominated by Governor Cuomo and confirmed by the Senate to the Public Service Commission: 

• Hon. David Valesky
• John Maggiore
• James Alesi
• Rory Christian

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

The following individual was nominated by Governor Cuomo and confirmed by the Senate to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority:

• Sarah "Sadie" McKeown
• Frances Resheske
• Sherburne Abbott
• Richard Kauffman
• Jay Koh
• Arturo Garcia-Costas

BRONX MEN INDICTED FOR MURDER AND ARSON IN 2018 FIRE THAT KILLED TWO PEOPLE, INCLUDING A 14-YEAR-OLD BOY

 

The Boy’s Mother and 7-year-old Sister Were Critically Injured in Blaze; Two Firefighters Suffered Burns

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that two Bronx men have been indicted on Murder, Arson and additional charges for starting a fire inside a Belmont building in 2018 that killed two people including a 14-year-old boy, critically injured his mother and sister, and left two firefighters with burns. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendants, who are brothers, allegedly started the fire in an apartment because they wanted to hurt two people inside. The fire traveled to the apartment above where a family lived, killing a 14-year-old boy and a 42-year-old man. The boy’s mother and seven-year-old sister sustained terrible injuries, and two firefighters were also injured. We will seek justice for the innocent lives lost and for the individuals who suffered because of the defendants’ malicious actions.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendants, Charlie Garcia, 44, who is currently incarcerated for another incident in Manhattan, and Edward Garcia, 47, who was residing in a homeless shelter, were charged with first-degree Arson, two counts of second-degree Murder, two counts of Attempted Murder in the second degree, second-degree Arson, three counts of firstdegree Assault, two counts of Attempted Assault in the first-degree and four counts of seconddegree Assault. Charlie Garcia was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Michael Gross. Remand was continued and he is due back in court on September 9, 2021. Edward Garcia is awaiting arraignment.

 According to the investigation, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on March 5, 2018, in the ground floor apartment the brothers shared in 2381 Hoffman Street in the Belmont section, the defendants used ignitable liquid, disconnected the gas line from the stove, and started a fire that rapidly accelerated. The defendants allegedly started the blaze and fled as two individuals who were staying in the apartment, Alyssa Cooke and Paul Montgomery, slept inside. The fire traveled to the apartment above where Evelyn Aponte, her 14-year-old son Jordan Conde, her seven-year-old daughter and her boyfriend Roberto Cortez were. Jordan and Cortez died of smoke inhalation and sustained burn injuries.

 Aponte sustained third-degree burns on over half of her body and the young girl suffered third-degree burns to her feet, collapsed lungs, and a burned throat due to smoke inhalation. Both were hospitalized for months. 

 Additionally, two firemen who responded to the scene sustained injuries. FDNY Firefighter Ryan Davis suffered second-degree burns to his legs and FDNY Lieutenant Daniel Bocian suffered a second-degree burn to his wrist as well as a hernia.

 District Attorney Clark thanked FDNY Fire Marshals John Szeligowski and Edwin Vega, and NYPD Detective Robert Klein of the Bronx Homicide Squad for their assistance in the investigation

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

NYPD Announces Citywide Crime Statistics for May 2021

 

For the month of May 2021, overall index crime in New York City rose 22% compared with May 2020, driven by a 46.7% increase in robbery (1,182 v. 806) and a 35.6% increase in grand larceny (2,848 v. 2,101). Felony assault saw a 20.5% increase compared to May 2020 (1,979 v. 1,643), and shooting incidents increased to 173 v. 100 in May 2020 (+73%). Burglary was the only index crime to post a reduction – down 21.8% (942 v. 1,205) in May 2021, compared to the previous year. There were 37 murders in May 2021, the same as May 2020.

As the summer months approach, the NYPD remains acutely focused on reducing violence across the five boroughs. Working in tandem with community partners, listening to local concerns and implementing intelligence-driven strategies are all integral to improved public safety. By continually scrutinizing each act of violence, NYPD commanders remain nimble in their deployment of officers to the most impacted areas of the city. At the same time, the court system’s operational capacity continues to broaden – allowing the NYPD and its prosecutorial partners to increasingly hold drivers of violence accountable through the culmination of long-term investigations.

“NYPD cops have shown us time and again they are willing to go in harm’s way on behalf of all New Yorkers,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “It is this commitment to our collective public safety – in tandem with the communities we serve – that will allow our great city to prevail in the challenges we face together.”

Statistics on Index Crimes

	May 2021	May 2020	+/-	%
Murder	37	37	--	0.+%
Rape	110	105	+5	+4.8%
Robbery	1182	806	+376	+46.7%
Fel. Assault	1979	1643	+336	+20.5%
Burglary	942	1205	-263	-21.8%
Grand Larceny	2848	2101	+747	+35.6%
G.L.A.	909	667	+242	+36.3%
TOTAL	8007	6564	+1443	+22.0%

Additional Statistics For May 2021

	May 2021	May 2020	+/-	%
Transit	168	87	+81	+93.1%
Housing	472	393	+79	+20.1%
Citywide Shooting Incidents	173	100	+73	+73.0%

Year-To-Date Hate Crimes Statistics Summary through May 30, 2021
CLASSIFICATION BREAKOUT

Motivation	2021	2020	Diff	% Change
Asian	87	20	+67	+335%
Black	18	10	+8	+80%
Disability	0	0	0	0%
Ethnic	4	0	+4	***.*
Gender	8	11	-3	-27%
Hispanic	3	0	+3	***.*
Muslim	1	2	-1	-50%
Religion	3	3	0	0%
Semitic	86	63	+23	+37%
Sexual Orientation	23	8	+15	+188%
White	5	3	+2	67%
Grand Total	238	120	118	98%

OFFICE OF NIGHTLIFE DROPS FIRST REPORT: OUTLINES INITIATIVES, FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS

 

Comprehensive review of first three years of new office designed to support industry that makes NYC nightlife capital of the world; also includes look ahead   

  The Office of Nightlife at the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment announces the first-ever Office of Nightlife report. The 162-page report offers a record of the activities of the first three years of this new office, including its response to COVID-19, as well as almost two dozen recommendations for the future. (For an overview of the report, please see the Executive Summary on page 14).  

 The report arrives as New York reopens from the pandemic, which shuttered or severely limited nightlife businesses and showed just how important this industry is to the city’s identity, the daily lives of New Yorkers, and the local economy. A groundbreaking 2019 analysis by the Office of Nightlife found that New York City’s nightlife industry included 25,000-plus venues and approximately 300,000 jobs generating around $20 billion in economic impact per year.  

“From keeping the industry safe and informed during the height of COVID-19, to resolving community disputes, to providing a trusted voice in City government for one of this city’s most iconic economic engines, the Office of Nightlife has made a powerful impact in its first three years,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “As we build a recovery for all of us, I know this office will continue its innovative work to bring back the nightlife that makes New York City the most vibrant city in the world.”  

“Our City’s Office of Nightlife has gone above and beyond during the COVID-19 Pandemic to connect with, inform, and support our nightlife industry,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. “Their comprehensive report both captures the major successes and challenges of the past three years and sets forth a compelling vision for how to ensure safe, robust and diverse nightlife as New York City reopens fully. I commend the Office of the Nightlife and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment for all the work they are doing to ensure that the City’s recovery prioritizes our iconic nightlife.” 

The report details the first three years of efforts by the office, including:  

• Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the state of the industry, including a five-borough listening tour, focus groups, and economic study 

• Creating an ambitious agenda to support businesses; improve quality of life; promote safety, equity and harm reduction;  elevate nightlife culture 

• Fulfilling that agenda with a range of initiatives including: 

• Convening first interagency nightlife working group 
• Helping to create MEND NYC, a free mediation service to resolve conflicts between residents and venues 
• Sustaining multi-pronged effort to keeping venues informed and supported during pandemic  
• Implementing Quality of Life Improvement Plan for Lower East Side 
• Producing first-ever report on Multi Agency Response to Community Hotspots (MARCH) activity 
• Rolling out first substance use harm reduction campaign for nightlife 
• And more  

 

The report also includes recommendations to support NYC nightlife in the future including: 

• Offering a one-stop-shop approach to licensing venues 

• Reforming how complaints are assessed 

• Creating incentives for improved soundproofing 

• Promoting consent awareness and harm reduction programs 

• Creating programs to support DIY venues and events  
•  
• Creating a nightlife museum

  

To read the entire report, please visit: http://on.nyc.gov/NightlifeReport2021. 

“We’re proud to present the first-ever report by our Office of Nightlife,” said the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Anne del Castillo. “This report tells the story of how our team created this new office and its groundbreaking work, before and during the pandemic crisis, to preserve a critical piece of the city’s identity.” 

 

“Creating a dedicated Office of Nightlife was essential to support the depth and complexities of this vital industry. said Ariel Palitz, the Senior Executive Director, of the Office of Nightlife at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. “This report is a record of how we laid the foundation, established priorities, and set the trajectory for a strong future. We know this office will continue to fulfill its important purpose and thank everyone who contributed, especially those devoted to the art of hospitality and the magic of life at night.”  

 

“OATH has seen firsthand the hard work and dedication put forward by the Office of Nightlife.  The Office has been a pivotal program partner with OATH as our Center for Creative Conflict Resolution administers Mediating Establishment and Neighborhood Disputes (MEND NYC), a mediation program to help settle quality of life disputes between businesses and neighborhood residents which is an issue that the Office of Nightlife has been dedicated to solving since its inception,” said Commissioner and Chief Administrative Law Judge Joni Kletter. “Ariel Palitz and her team are hard-working, enthusiastic and creative problem solvers and we look forward to our continued partnership.” 

 

“From boosting sanitation services on Sunday mornings in areas with concentrated nightlife to keeping our streets clean and safe as we transitioned to Open Restaurants, New York's Strongest are proud to support this important industry and all who enjoy evening entertainment and culture. The New York City Department of Sanitation looks forward to ongoing collaboration with the Office of Nightlife as we work toward our shared mission of maintaining a safe, clean and vibrant city,” said Edward Grayson, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation. 

 

 “Nightlife is essential to New York City’s cultural identity and economic growth is inextricably linked to our world-renowned nightlife. It's absolutely vital that we help this sector of our economy recover from COVID-19. The Department of City Planning is glad to do its part by exploring the removal of outdated zoning rules that still ban dancing in many areas of the city. Let's get to work – and back on the dance floor!” said Marisa Lago, Director, NYC Department of City Planning. 

 

“My team and I have been honored to work side-by-side with the Office of Nightlife, led by the indomitable Ariel Palitz, over the past 15 months in our efforts to help guide NYC hospitality businesses through the COVID pandemic and, hopefully and thankfully, out the other side.  Our mutual belief in the creativity, spirit and tenacity of hospitality owners and operators kept us believing that these businesses, and our City, would come through the pandemic bruised but not defeated. We look forward to continuing our partnership with ONL in working to make doing business with the City of New York a more collaborative and supportive experience for Food & Beverage, and all other hospitality and nightlife, businesses across our city,” said Steven Picker, Executive Director, NYC Food and Beverage Industry Partnership at the NYC Dept. of Small Business Services. 

 

 

About the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment  

The mission of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) is to ensure New York City continues to be the creative capital of the world by supporting film, television, theatre, music, publishing, advertising and digital content and ensuring those industries work for New Yorkers. In 2019, the creative industries account for more than 500,000 local jobs and have an economic impact of $150 billion annually. MOME comprises four divisions: The Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting; NYC Media; the Office of Nightlife; and educational and workforce development initiatives.  

 

About the Office of Nightlife at the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment 

The Office of Nightlife, at the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, is a non-enforcement liaison for New York City's nightlife industry and community to all City agencies. The Office works to establish and coordinate systemic solutions to support the nighttime economy, culture, and quality of life.

...

AS FIRST-EVER CITYWIDE RANKED CHOICE VOTING ELECTION APPROACHES, MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES ‘RANK YOUR PIZZA’ CHALLENGE

 

 As New Yorkers prepare to vote in the first-ever citywide Ranked Choice Voting election, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chief Democracy Officer Laura Wood today announced ‘Rank Your Pizza,’ an interactive challenge that educates New Yorkers on the new system by encouraging voters to rank their favorite pizza toppings in a ranked choice system. The mayor demonstrated the new system by ranking his own favorite toppings:

 

1. Green peppers
2. Olives
3. Sausage
4. Mushrooms
5. Pepperoni

 

New Yorkers can participate in the challenge, and preview the new voting system, at www.nyc.gov/votepizza. Early Voting for the June Primary Election begins on Saturday, June 12th. New Yorkers interested in voting by absentee ballot must request their ballots at https://nycabsentee.com/ by Tuesday, June 15th. Election Day will be Tuesday, June 22nd.

 

“This year, democracy gets an upgrade in New York City. But any new system takes time and practice to get it right. That’s why we’re calling on every New Yorker to rank their pizza toppings this week – it’s a fun, interactive way to demonstrate Ranked Choice Voting and get New Yorkers excited to cast their ballot this year,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

 

“Ranked Choice Voting will make New York City elections fairer and more inclusive, and I’m proud to support fun, engaging ways to educate New Yorkers about this new system,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives J. Phillip Thompson.

 

"Ranked Choice Voting will give New Yorkers more of a say in elections," said Chief Democracy Officer Laura Wood. "This year, as you are making your voting plan, make sure you are prepared to vote by practicing Ranked Choice Voting with our Pizza Topping Challenge, and help spread the word by sharing the ballot with your family, friends, and neighbors. And don't forget: Early Voting starts this Saturday."

 

Ranked Choice Voting is a new system of voting that allows voters to rank up to five candidates in order of preference. With so much at stake in local elections and the implementation of a new system of voting, public education is even more important than ever this year, which is why Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a $15 million voter education campaign in April. With support from this funding, DemocracyNYC is educating New Yorkers through multilingual workshops, Get Out the Vote programming, community engagement, phone banking, tech tools, print and digital media campaigns, and more.

 

"If there's one thing that brings New Yorkers together it's that our City has the world's greatest pizza! But which toppings are the best? We encourage all New Yorkers to get prepared for the upcoming election, learn how to use Ranked Choice Voting, and make their voices heard, by practicing with the Rank Your Pizza Challenge,” said Dr. Sarah Sayeed, Chair & Executive Director of The New York City Civic Engagement Commission.

 

“Early voting is a critical tool for overcoming obstacles that can keep people from exercising their democratic rights," said May Malik, Deputy Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. "All New Yorkers have a right to vote early, and have a right to bring an interpreter with them to the ballot box. MOIA is proud to work closely with our agency and community-based partners to educate communities and ensure that New Yorkers' voices are fully represented in our democracy.”

 

"Ranked Choice Voting is a simple, proven election reform that empowers voters, encourages positive campaigning, and is more inclusive and representative. In implementing Ranked Choice Voting, New Yorkers can vote independently, confidently, and securely," said Community Affairs Unit Commissioner Roberto Perez.

 

"Personally, my ranking is as follows: 1. Sausage 2. Peppers 3. Onions 4. Mushrooms 5. Canadian Bacon. Democracy NYC has developed fun, creative ways to engage and educate New Yorkers on our new form of voting.  This contest, along with our investments in hyper-local Ranked Choice Voting education, will ensure that New Yorkers from Coney Island to Baychester understand how to rank their votes," said Jordan Stockdale, Executive Director, the Young Men's Initiative.

 

"Ranked Choice Voting is important because gives more opportunities for our communities to share our preferences. Bridge Philanthropic Consulting (BPC) is pleased and proud to support the City of New York DemocracyNYC's dedicated efforts to educate voters in every borough across our great city. In partnership with our diverse network of community-based organizations, we are on the front lines every day, conducting much needed outreach and education. Supporting the City of New York's efforts to allow consensus to emerge through Ranked Choice Voting is one of the most meaningful initiatives affecting our communities today," said Dwayne Ashley, Chief Executive Officer, Bridge Philanthropic Consulting.

 

"Ranked Choice Voting gives you the chance to rank your candidates from who you like the most to least, giving candidates who may not be able to raise the most money a chance to win. We are proud to partner with DemocracyNYC to educate our neighbors and peers who live on over policed blocks about the importance of voting and how to vote. Through our partnership we are able to bring the information and knowledge directly to the block - ensuring ALL New Yorkers are part of the democratic process," said Jahlil Allah, Crew Count founder.

 

“In the last year, we’ve partnered with over 750 organizations and conducted nearly 500 trainings, reaching almost 1 million New Yorkers in our education efforts.” said Sean Dugar, Rank the Vote NYC's Education Campaign Program Director. “Ranked choice voting gives voters more opportunities to have a say in who represents them. I have no doubt New Yorkers are ready to rank.”

 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

To show how little the Mayor's office understands Rank Choice Voting, they forgot to put a write in choice option as is on the official RCV ballot.

206 Days and Counting - Segregation is Alive, Well, and in New York City/State for Vaccinated, and Non Vaccinated People

 

If you thought Donald Trump and those Rednecks were bad, here in New York City/State we are going back to the days of Segregation. By that I mean that the people who were able to be vaccinated will have preference over the poor people like those in the Bronx NYCHA Houses who have not been vaccinated yet. 

The Macy's 4th of July fireworks will go on, those who were vaccinated, they will get the best viewing area while those people like those from Bronx NYCHA Houses who haven't been vaccinated will have to watch it somewhere else with all the non-vaccinated people. 

The same is for Citi-Field and even Yankee Stadium. Those people you see in the worse seats are the people who are not vaccinated, which most likely are people from Bronx NYCHA Houses. So you see the City/State can now can legally segregate people under the name of vaccinated and non vaccinated for COVID-19. 

Two Mayoral Candidates Make Campaign Stops the Bronx

 

Tuesday afternoon Mayoral candidate Maya Wiley stopped by Montefiore Hospital to rally with the New York State Nurses Union to get a better program for the 200,000 non insured New Yorkers. 

Candidate Wiley wants all New Yorkers to have health care, and said the New York Cares Program set up by her former boss Mayor de Blasio does not go far enough leaving out many poor and undocumented immigrants. 

Candidate Wiley wants to defund the police department, and when I asked her what she thought of Mayor de Blasio calling in federal ATF police to go after the proliferation of guns, and the violence and shootings that have made crime soar in the city. Candidate Wiley's answer was that there are more than enough police to keep the city safe.

Wednesday afternoon, Mayoral candidate Kathryn Garcia was outside Virginia Playground in the Parkchester section of the Bronx to talk about child care and what a parent must do to obtain care for their children. 

 Garcia spoke of a parent who was going to be with her to explain how hard it is to obtain child care due to restrictions on income by the city, but she had to watch a friend's child while that mother went to work. Garcia wants to raise the cap from $40,000 to $70,000 so more parents can qualify for child care from the city. Garcia then spoke about her children growing up, and the problems that she often had with child care for her children.  

Mayoral candidate Garcia would then talk of her experience as Sanitation Commissioner, temporarily being placed in charge of NYCHA, and her last role in Government as the Food Czar where she was called on to make sure no New Yorker went hungry. She added that she is the best qualified person in the race because of her diverse roles in government. 

I asked candidate Garcia about the current mayor's lack of having a plan when he came into office, and if she would keep some of the past mayor's staff as Mayor de Blasio did. Her answer was that she would begin developing a plan and finding people that she wanted in her administration after she wins the June 22nd Democratic Primary.