Croton Filter Plant - January CFMC Agenda & Weekend Traffic Diversion - Goulden Ave

 

January agenda to be  posted.

 

Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Condemns Killing of NYPD Officer Peter Figoski 

   New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) has released the following statement in response to the killing of veteran NYPD Officer Peter Figoski:

“My prayers and deepest sympathies go out to the four daughters, parents, brother, family and friends of NYPD Officer Peter Figoski who was shot in the face and killed in the line of duty in Brooklyn on Monday.

During the past few months, a lot of criticism has been directed toward the NYPD, sometimes with a complete disregard for the real dangers police officers take every day when they respond to calls.  Tragically, NYPD Officer Figoski’s death reminds us of those dangers.

The career criminal who is accused of killing Police Officer Figoski has an outstanding felony warrant in North Carolina – and last month, Lamont Pride was arrested in Brooklyn for drug possession and was released on his own recognizance.

Released on his own recognizance?

Perhaps our attention should turn to the revolving door-policy that seems to exist in too many criminal court rooms.

It is my expectation that our Criminal Court judges will better scrutinize the dangers to the community and the flight risks that this type of defendant poses at the time of his or her arraignment.

And it is my fervent hope that at the end of a trial – when Lamont Pride and all of his accomplices are found guilty – that elected officials and community leaders of all ethnicities and creeds will join me to demand the maximum sentence allowed by law.”

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ NAMES WILFREDO 

PAGAN TO PANEL FOR EDUCATIONAL POLICY

 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. today announced that Wilfredo Pagan has been appointed as the borough’s representative to the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP), which holds approval power over the actions of the New York City Department of Education.

“Wilfredo Pagan is a strong advocate for the children of the Bronx, and he will make us proud in his new role on the PEP. I look forward to working with Mr. Pagan to advance a strong agenda on education for the parents, children and families of the Bronx and the entire City,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“Every child has a voice, and I am deeply honored to be able to represent that voice on behalf of parents, families and the Bronx community. I am thankful to Borough President Diaz for this opportunity, and I look forward to working with his office on the critical education issues that face our borough and our City,” said Wilfredo Pagan.

Pagan, a resident of West Farms, was born on September 14, 1971, in the Bronx, where he has resided his entire life.  He is the youngest of seven siblings, all of whom have graduated from the New York City public school system.  He is the father of six children—four girls and two boys—each of whom have also attended New York City public schools.  His three youngest are currently enrolled in the very school he has volunteered in for the last six years, P.S. 50/The Clara Barton Elementary School, also located in West Farms.

As the President of the parents’ association at P.S. 50 and president of the District 12 President’s Council, Mr. Pagan has represented the parent community in different educational forums that range from Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Councils, public educational hearings, the Citywide Council on High Schools, educational space planning meetings and other activities.

Pagan replaces Monica Major, who currently serves as Borough President Diaz’s director of education and youth policy.

Koch Endorses Quinn for Mayor

   With the race for mayor still almost two years away former Mayor Ed Koch has come out and endorsed Christine Quinn to be the next mayor to be elected in 2013 that is according to the Daily News .

 .

   The story says that Quinn was not Koch's first choice, but when Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told Koch that he was not going to run for mayor in 2013 Koch chose Quinn. Koch said that Quinn's philosophy is similar to his when he was mayor, and that of the Bloomberg administration. Koch said that the other rumored candidates are too liberal, that being DeBlassio, Liu, Stringer, and Thompson. Quin is a "center to left liberal", or "a liberal with sanity" he added. 

  Political pundits say that the Koch endorsement may help Quinn among Orthodox Jewish voters. This may be the first Democrat endorsement in a while for Koch, and we wonder when the Orthodox Jewish voters get wind of Quinn's lifestyle just how many will wind up voting for her. Also could this be the quid-pro-quo for the Ed Koch bridge naming?

Mistrial For Larry Seabrook

  As we told you it looked like Larry Seabrook was going to get off with only "A slap on the wrist", but Seabrook's trial ended in a hung jury. The 8 women, 4 man jury became deadlocked on all counts and could not come up with even one verdict. This means that Councilman Larry Seabrook is now a free man until U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara re-tries him which the U.S. Attornet has said he will do.

  Seabrook was indicted on 12 counts of soliciting bribes, money laundering, and fraud. Many were expecting that Speaker Quinn and Mayor Bloomberg would be called to testify by Councilman Seabrooks defense team. 

That's now two cases in a row that U.S. Attorney Bharara has not won, but it appears that the U.S. Attorney may get Assemblyman Boyland (the first) on other charges. We will have to wait to see the second case against Larry Seabrook if it does come about. This decision has to be only good news for former State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. next up for Bharara.

Bronx CAN Health Initiative Healthy Holiday Party

Senator Gustavo Rivera and Bronx CAN Health Initiative is hosting a healthy holiday party sponsored by Montefiore Medical Center on Sunday, December 18th from 1:00PM TO 4:00PM, located at the Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center (2007 Mapes Avenue, in the Bronx, between 178th and 179th street). There will be food, drinks, music and all around fun! Kids are welcome and encouraged to attend.

WHO: Senator Gustavo Rivera our Bronx CAN Health Initiative partners

WHAT: Bronx CAN Healthy Holiday Party

WHERE: Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center - 2007 Mapes Ave.

WHEN: Sunday, December 18, 2011 - 1:00PM - 4:00PM

 

 

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

RE: Proposed School Closures by DOE

 

“While I understand that the Department of Education must make difficult decisions when public schools underperform, the DOE must acknowledge the fact that these closings have a considerable effect on parents, educators and students. The DOE must ensure that those who remain in these schools during their phase outs are not left behind. I have previously asked the DOE to monitor these students in these schools, which they have agreed to do, and we will continue to monitor that process.

“However, the factors that have led to these proposed closings did not occur overnight. The DOE has not provided these schools and others with the appropriate resources to succeed, and that must change. My office will closely watch these closings to both ensure that the proper process is followed and that the voices of the parents, students, educators and the community as a whole are heard,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

STATEMENT ON CITY COUNCIL OVERRIDE OF MAYORAL VETO OF LOCAL LAW 35

  City Comptroller John C. Liu today released the following statement on the City Council’s vote to override a Mayoral veto of Local Law 35:

“Today’s actions will help prevent runaway spending on high priced consultants and other outside contracting. By expanding the universe of City agencies and contract provisions that will be exposed to more scrutiny, the Council has taken a key step towards rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in the contracting process. While the previous system allowed large city contracts, such as CityTime, to balloon due to poor oversight and incessant contract renewals and extensions, these new measures will help protect our workers and taxpayers from further costly boondoggles.”

 

 

KOPPELL LAUNCHES TOY DRIVE FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

 

Council Member Oliver Koppell launched his toy drive this holiday season by distributing over 100 toys on December 8, 2011 to children at the Little Angels Head Start Program on Hull Avenue in the Bedford Park/Norwood section of his district. These toys were among the 300 donated to Koppell  by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and  Bronx Toys, a toy manufacturer, to give to children in need in his district.

Koppell also selected Mosholu-Montefiore, Marble Hill and  Kingsbridge Heights Community  Centers to be the recipient of toys because many of the families the centers serve are suffering during these harsh economic times and cannot afford to give their children a holiday present.

A   number of children who attend PS 8 live in the nearby homeless shelter and Koppell provided the school with toys to give to these children, who are among the neediest  in his district. 

“I am grateful to the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and Bronx Toys for their generous donation of toys to brighten the holiday season for children in my district, many of whom would go without gifts because of the economic hardship their families are experiencing.”  

If you wish, you can contribute to  Koppell’s toy drive by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy at his district office, 3636 Waldo Avenue, Bronx/Riverdale phone # (718) 549-7300.

 

RE: Selection of 13 Bronx projects as priorities by

Gov. Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council

 

Today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. praised the Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council for selecting 13 Bronx and borough-related projects as top development priorities for the City and the State. 

More than half of the $66.2 million, almost $37 million, allocated by the Regional Economic Development Council for New York City will go to the Bronx. This includes $29.5 million that will be used for the redevelopment of the Hunts Point Produce Market, as well as smaller grants for other borough projects.

“I am extremely gratified that both Governor Cuomo and our State’s economic development leadership understand the importance of the Hunts Point Produce Market not only as a transformative economic engine for the Bronx, but for the entire region. Investing in the market and building a new 21^st century facility will both preserve and create jobs here in the Bronx while also expanding opportunities for upstate farmers.

“Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to maintaining and growing one of the largest industries of the Bronx.” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Other projects selected include $1.125 million to the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation for the St. Mary’s Recreation Center “Green Streets & Green Roots” project, as well as $1 million each for the Praxis affordable housing development on White Plains Road and an affordable housing development on East 144^th Street.

“These grants today show just how important the State considers the Bronx and the role our borough will play in the future economic growth of New York State. I look forward to continuing to work with the City and the State to foster positive economic development in the Bronx,” said Borough President Diaz.

Tax Reform Plan Passes; Puts More $ in Middle Class Pockets 

Reform Package to Spur Job Creation; Includes Klein Initiative to Help Parochial Schools

Senator Jeffrey D. Klein,  last night voted to bring a more fair and progressive tax system to New York that will cut taxes for middle class taxpayers and have the wealthy pay their fair share.

“This plan puts more money in the pockets of hard-working middle class New Yorkers and creates a common-sense tax structure where a billionaire will no longer get taxed at the same rate as his butler,” Senator Klein said. “The other members of the Independent Democratic Conference and I are proud to have worked with our partners in government to place progress over partisanship and help put New York back on the right track.”

The new tax structure – which is similar to a plan Senator Klein developed in 2009 – was part of a larger reform package aimed at getting New York's economy moving again.

Part of this initiative includes Senator Klein's legislation to put parochial schools on equal footing with public schools by holding them harmless them from the MTA payroll tax.

The tax plan includes a tax break for some 4.4 million middle class taxpayers. A breakdown is below:

Income Level	Previous Tax Rate	New Tax Rate
$40,000 to $150,000	6.85%	6.45%
$150,000 to $300,000	6.85%	6.65%
$300,000 to $2 million	7.85% - 8.97%	6.85%
Over $2 million	8.97%	8.82%

Among other elements, the plan includes:

• Creating New York's first-ever infrastructure fund to inject more than $1 billion in job creating investment.
  

The accelerated state funding will leverage $10 billion in direct capital investment to create thousands of direct jobs by rebuilding roads and bridges; parks, dams and flood control projects; upgrading water systems and educational facilities; and investing in energy efficient improvements to commercial and residential buildings. The plan will focus on projects that support regional Economic Development Plans in the transportation, energy, environment and public facilities sectors. The accelerated infrastructure fund investment is within the state's debt ceiling. 

• Enacting an Inner City Youth Employment Program and Tax Credit
  
  The Governor and the legislative leaders agreed to create an inner-city youth employment program and a $25 million tax credit for employers who hire unemployed youth between 16 and 24 years of age over the first six months of 2012. The program and credit would be available to employers in businesses such as clean energy, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and conservation. Eligible employers would receive up to $3,000 for a six month training period and an additional $1,000 if they retained their workers for an additional six months. 
  
  Nearly $37 million in funding will be provided to critical jobs programs for inner city youth. This includes $12 million in support grants to youth providers for work readiness training, occupational training, placement or job matching, workplace mentoring and follow up services to increase retention. Participating youths will be provided with up to three monthly stipends of $300 each to cover costs associated with transitioning into the workplace. An additional $25 million will be appropriated for workforce skills training and support programs including digital literacy, basic education and occupational training, summer youth employment, job search and placement, and facilitated child care enrollment. 

• Reducing the MTA Payroll Tax
  
  The payroll tax would be eliminated or reduced for 294,900 taxpayers overall. The tax would also be eliminated from an additional 415,000 taxpayers by raising the self-employment income exemption.

In addition, private elementary and secondary schools, as well as parochial schools, would be exempt from the tax. The State would compensate the MTA for the $250 million in lost revenue.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ AND THE BOEDC HONOR 10 BRONX BUSINESSES

 

Today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation honored ten Bronx businesses as part of the 2^nd annual “Tribute to Bronx Businesses” luncheon.

Borough President Diaz awarded the businesses with proclamations in recognition for their achievements and contributions in helping drive economic success in the borough.

The businesses honored included Bronx Brewery, the Bronx/Manhattan North Association of Realtors, Dufour Pastry Kitchens, G.A.L. Manufacturing Corp., Gabrielli Truck Sales, Johnson Security Bureau, Just Bagels, Paper Enterprises, Skyline Windows, and the Anheuser-Busch Companies.

“Our businesses are what drive our borough’s economic engine, and each of these companies has displayed a strong commitment to helping build up the Bronx and work toward a stronger future for our borough. I am proud to have acknowledged these business leaders for their hard work not only to strengthen their own businesses but our entire borough as well,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“We are glad to honor these businesses. The BOEDC has been providing great assistance and financial support to our local businesses. I am delighted to see how hard our business community is working towards helping us build a brighter economic future for The Bronx," said Marlene Cintron, president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.

The luncheon was held at F & J Pine Restaurant on Bronxdale Avenue in Morris Park.

 BP Diaz with all the honorees. Click the photo to enlarge.

Rangel On 2012 Primary: ‘It’s On!’

   That is the headline of the story listed here on Capital Tonight  about the fundraiser for his 21st term in congress by Congressman Charlie Rangel. The story goes on to say that one of Rangels opponents has already spent tens of thousands of dollars on polling. That refers to Clyde Williams, a former adviser to President Bill Clinton, and the poll shows only a 35% recolonization of Congressman Rangel. 

 

    There are many other potential challengers to Rangel next year from his 2010 opponent Adam Powell IV, to Manhattan Democratic county leader Assemblyman Keith Wright, and then some. 

   Also don't forget that the current 15th Congressional District will change by the next election due to redistricting. So who knows what to expect as the district may go up to Mount Vernon or even have the Riverdale section of the Bronx in it.

 

LIU STATEMENT ON PROPOSED TAX REFORMS

City Comptroller John C. Liu today issued the following statement in response to questions concerning the announcement of proposed tax reforms:

“The proposed tax reform agreement announced today looks promising, as it would cut taxes for the middle class, retain taxes on the wealthy, and generate new revenue for the State. Under the plan, the State’s income tax would be more progressive in the middle brackets -- making a greater distinction between those earning $40,000 a year and those earning $300,000 -- which is reasonable and warranted. Overall the plan would benefit our State’s working families, whose financial health is vital to our economic recovery. I applaud Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Silver for their leadership on this important issue and look forward to reviewing the proposal further.”