Senator Pedro Espada Jr. Reacts to Calls For His Ouster From the Democratic Party

On Monday July 12^th Senator Pedro Espada Jr. (D-33^rd State Senate District) responded to calls for his ouster from the Democratic party by displaying (what he called) ten thousand Democratic signatures on a Democratic petition for him to run in the 33^rd State Senate District Democratic Primary this September. Espada added that he welcomed his opponents to the Democratic Primary, and that he was not going anywhere nor can you disenfranchise him or his supporters. “The prosecution will continue to try to silence us, reporters have misused their power to assassinate my character, violate my family, and trespass on my property” Espada added. Senator Espada said that he was the highest ranking Hispanic elected official in the state, that he is a Christian, has god on his side, and that every time he gets knocked down with the help of his family and supporters he will bounce right back up.

Bronx State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. was on hand to support “my friend and colleague Senator Espada”, and added that it is Governor Paterson who is a bad Democrat by cutting senior centers, health services, education aid, and other forms of services needed by many people, and not Senator Espada who is fighting these cuts for our community with him. Diaz then held up the New York Post Headline of Bad Bidness, the story of how the employer of the wife of Governor Paterson got a 279 million dollars state contract. Espada supporters then chanted re-elect Senator Espada, re-elect Senator Espada.

Senator Espada To Address his future with Democratic Party ...at a Press Conference Mon July 12,2010 at 1:30PM

This just came in to us from Senator Pedro Espada Jr. in a press release.

New York State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. (Dem.-Bronx, 33^rd District) will hold a press conference at 1:30PM on Monday July 12, 2010, outside the Bronx Board of Elections Office, 1780 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York, 10457  to address his future with the Democratic Party.

Engel Supports Espaillat in 31Senate District

Just one block from his Riverdale district office Congressman Eliot Engel endorsed Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat for the soon to be vacant 31st district State Senate seat. Eric Schniderman is the current State Senator from the 31st district, and he is running for the soon to be vacant seat of New York State Attorney General. Engel was joined by  Riverdale Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, District Leaders and State Committee members from the 81st Assembly District in his endorsement. Riverdale Councilman G. Oliver Koppell has also endorsed the Espaillat campaign, but was unable to make the Engel Announcement.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $37 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR BRONX ORGANIZATIONS

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced today that his office has allocated $37.6 million in funding for projects across the Bronx as part of his FY2011 budget requests. The funding will go to help improve schools, upgrade borough infrastructure and make the Bronx a greener place.

“Once again, I am proud to show my financial support to dozens of worthy institutions across the Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “The rebuilding and improvement of the Bronx is a top priority of mine, and with this funding my administration has continued its commitment to providing first-class amenities for Bronxites in every corner of our borough.”

The highest percentage of funding this year, like last year, from the office of the Bronx Borough President went to education, for a total of 33 percent ($12,227,000). Projects funded include the construction of a green house on the roof of P.S. 71, technology upgrades at the Leadership Institute High School, a library upgrade at Samuel Gompers High School and many other important projects.

“Nothing is more important than the education of our youth, and my office will continue to do everything that it can to make sure that Bronx students have the best possible facilities in which to learn,” said Borough President Diaz.

Borough President Diaz has also allocated 25 percent ($9,582,000) of his funding to housing, 12 percent ($4,690,000) to parks, and has provided funding to Bronx libraries, cultural institutions, and other important services in this year’s budget.

Projects include renovations at the Woodlawn Heights, Castle Hill, West Farms, Westchester Square and Soundview library branches; upgrades to the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, construction of a new borough facility for the New York Junior Tennis League and energy efficient upgrades at the Riverdale Neighborhood House.

STAFF PRESENTS PRELIMINARY REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CHAIR OF THE 2010 CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION

Report will serve as the basis for further discussion and action by the Commission

      At the request of Chair Matthew Goldstein, the Charter Revision Commission staff has prepared a Preliminary Report that will serve as the basis for further discussion and action by the Commission. The Report addresses several topics that correspond to issue areas researched and analyzed by staff, including term limits, voter participation, public integrity, efficiencies in government, and other issues.  The Report follows three months of extensive public outreach, public hearings, and Issue Forums where the operations of City government were critically analyzed by the Commissioners and experts

Following the Report’s release, the Commission will hold another series of public hearings and engage in a public discussion of the staff report’s findings, its recommendations, as well as other topics for further consideration.  The recommendations contained in the report will be debated by the Commissioners and the public in the coming months, after which the Commission will vote on a final set of proposals for consideration by New York City voters.  

View the report at www.nyc.gov/charter

Bronx Borough President Kicks Off the Farmer’s Market Season in The Bronx

On Thursday, July 8, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., along with City Harvest, New Settlement Apartments and Montefiore School Health Program, kicked off the Harvest Home Farmer’s Markets Season in The Bronx.

Harvest Home operates ten farmers’ markets in the borough, offering the opportunity to obtain fresh, good quality products to Bronxites who have limited access to local farm fresh fruits and vegetables.  The markets will be open until the beginning of November. For a full calendar, please visit www.harvesthomefm.org

“Farmers’ markets are a perfect way to preserve regional farmland, reduce the fossil fuels required to ship food from far distances, and encourage environmentally friendly growing methods. They are also a convenient source of healthy, fresh, local foods for Bronx residents, who are ready to eat better,” said Diaz Jr.

               Above Bronx Borough President Diaz checks out some of the produce available.

Coming up on Bronxtalk

On July 12, BronxTalk will present an interview with State Senator Jose M. Serrano and on July 19 Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz will be the guest. On July 26, BronxTalk will focus on conditions on the Cross Bronx Expressway, the city's new pedestrian malls, alternative fuels, summer vacations, and a myriad of other travel issues with the AAA.

Viewers can call in with comments or questions at 718-960-7241.

For more than fifteen years, BronxTalk has been seen live each Monday night at 9:00pm on Bronxnet's Cablevision channel 67. It's also on Verizon Fios channel 33 and streamed live at bronxnet.org. Produced by Jane Folloro, BronxTalk is repeated each day at 9:30am, 3:30pm, and 9:00pm. Archives are available at blip.tv; search for "BronxTalk."

NARAL Pro-Choice New York Endorses Eric Schneiderman for Attorney General

Major Statewide Advocacy Organization Cites Schneiderman’s Lifelong Record of Fighting For Reproductive Freedom

In a major boost to his campaign for Attorney General, NARAL Pro-Choice New York today endorsed lifelong progressive Eric Schneiderman at a rally in midtown. In making its endorsement in the Attorney General’s race, NARAL cited Schneiderman’s long record of fighting for reproductive freedom for all New Yorkers. NARAL Pro-Choice New York joins the growing list of over 90 elected officials, labor unions and progressive organizations that are supporting Schneiderman's campaign for Attorney General.

“NARAL Pro-Choice New York is proud to endorse Eric Schneiderman for Attorney General of New York State. During his decade of service as a state senator, Eric has been a vocal and absolute advocate for women’s reproductive health and rights,” said Kelli Conlin, President of NARAL Pro-Choice New York. “As a senator, Eric has been a sponsor of every pro-choice piece of legislation in New York. As a friend and ally, he has stood with NARAL Pro-Choice New York at every rally and event. Eric has truly defined himself as a longstanding leader on an issue that is of the utmost importance to New Yorkers. We know that as Attorney General he will do everything in his power to protect and advance reproductive rights. Eric will be a strong leader, a staunch ally, and a champion for New York’s women and families.”

“I am so honored to receive the support of NARAL Pro-Choice New York. For years, NARAL has been fighting for equality, for privacy, for justice in innovative and creative ways. From taking the fight to court, to the ballot box and to the legislature, you have been leading this movement. I will absolutely continue our fight as Attorney General,” said Eric Schneiderman.

For more information on the campaign, please visit: www.EricSchneiderman.com