Senator Klein Honors Hundreds of Bronx & Westchester Veterans at 4th Annual Breakfast

    On Sunday, November 14th, Deputy Majority Leader and State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) hosted his fourth annual Veterans Day Breakfast at Villa Barone Manor, honoring hundreds of veterans from the Bronx and Westchester. 

    Every year, Klein holds the complimentary breakfast before the Throggs Neck Veterans Day Parade to pay tribute to local veterans and their families.

    “This is the fourth year that I've hosted hundreds of veterans with a warm and hearty breakfast at Villa Barone Manor before the Throggs Neck Veterans Day Parade. It is truly my honor to welcome the veterans and their families from throughout the 34th Senate District, to celebrate their deep commitment to our nation and to thank them for their honorable service," said State Senator Jeff Klein.

    Veterans and their families enjoyed a breakfast spread of eggs, bacon, toast, orange juice and coffee. At the breakfast the four Grand Marshals of the Throggs Neck Veterans Day Parade - Tom Costello, Robert W. Booth, Russ Schaller and Bob Branizza - were honored with distinguished service awards. Philip Wise, who served as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, was also honored.  

That's Assemblyman Benedetto (second from the right) also on hand, next to Senator Klein (third from the right).

    

Borough President Diaz Hosted Forum on the Small Business Survival Act

    On Friday, November 12, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC) hosted a special “Legal Review Forum” on the Small Business Survival Act, City Council Int. 0154-2010, to evaluate the legal arguments and the supportive case law dealing with the constitutionality of the proposed law. 

    If passed, the Small Business Survival Act would create a process of arbitration in commercial lease negotiations in New York City, creating rights for small business owners in the lease process that do not currently exist. The forum participants discussed if the Small Business Survival Act is fully constitutional and legally sound to withstand likely court challenges, and recommended changes that would make it stronger to endure those possible court challenges.  

Statement from Borough President Diaz
RE: Appointment to Governor-elect Cuomo’s Transition Team

   “I am proud to serve Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo as a member of his transition team. Challenging times are ahead for New York State, and this transition team will work to put together the best and brightest minds to serve our new governor’s administration and build a talented and diverse new state government. I am honored that my friend Andrew Cuomo has chosen me to be a part of this process,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Bronx BP Diaz Named to Cuomo Transition Team

   

    The two teams announced by Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo yesterday are exquisitely balanced exercises in political correctness -- and the conflicting racial, social and economic interests they represent are so profound that the panels would be hard-pressed to agree on the day of the week.

   

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is a member of Cuomo's economic-development advisory team.

SoBRO CELEBRATES 38 YEARS OF BUILDING A BETTER BRONX 38^TH ANNIVERSARY GALA TO BE HELD AT THE GRAND HYATT IN NYC 

    On Tuesday December 7^th, 2010, the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SoBRO) will hold its 38^th Anniversary Gala at the Grand Hyatt in New York City, located at 109 East 42^nd Street at Grand Central Terminal. The theme for this year’s gala, “Retrain, Renew, Revitalize” embodies SoBRO’s commitment to positively transform the South Bronx through diverse educational and economic development programs. The theme also reflects the honorees’ accomplishments as they share in SoBRO’s mission of “Building a Better Bronx”.

    The SoBRO gala is one of the largest, most festive and highly visible events held by any Bronx organization. It attracts over 500 guests from the business, political and public sectors and members of the press.  The event provides a platform for celebrating the progress SoBRO has made in helping to invigorate the South Bronx economy and gives us the opportunity to shine a light on our honorees, who are the finest examples of what can be achieved through hard work and determination. Every year, the SoBRO gala recognizes outstanding individuals affiliated with the Bronx including Al Pacino, Garry Marshall, Colin F. Powell, Regis Philbin, basketball legend Walt Frazier and the late Tito Puente, among others.

    The honorees this year include: Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill (Community Leadership Award), Jackson Development Group (Developer of the Year Award), Best Buy (Corporate Leadership Award) and Chairman of the New Yankees Stadium Community Benefits Fund, Serafin Mariel (Spirit of the Bronx Award). SoBRO will also give special recognition to Brian Gold of Sultana Distribution Services, Inc. who created the Bernie Gold & Anthony Pellicano Scholarship Fund which supports high school graduates in SoBRO’s Youth Program in pursuing a college education.

    After the cocktail hour, the festivities will kick-off with a special performance by American Idol Finalist, Ian Holmes, followed by a dinner, auction, Text-to-Pledge™ and dancing with live music. The Master of Ceremonies will be DeMarco Morgan, Anchor/Reporter, WNBC4 New York. 

     38^th Anniversary Gala    

      South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation     (SoBRO) 

      December 7, 2010 - Cocktail Reception: 6pm, Dinner, Auction, Text-to Pledge & Dancing: 7pm

        The Grand Hyatt in New York City / 109 East 42^nd Street at Grand Central Terminal     

        CONTACT: Linda Yantz, Development Associate (718)732-7522, lyantz@sobro.org

   

About SoBRO SoBRO is a not-for-profit community development corporation that has been serving the South Bronx since 1972.  SoBRO’s programs include adult education and workforce training, real estate and community development, technical and financial assistance for businesses, and an array of programs for youth. For additional information about SoBRO, please contact us at: (718) 7292-3113 or visit www.sobro.org.

 
   

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ TO HOST FORUM ON

THE SMALL BUSINESS SURVIVAL ACT

    Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC) will host a special “Legal Review Forum” on the Small Business Survival Act, City Council Int. 0154-2010, to evaluate the legal arguments and the supportive case law dealing with the constitutionality of the proposed law. 

    If passed, the Small Business Survival Act would create a process of arbitration in commercial lease negotiations in New York City, creating rights for small business owners in the lease process that do not currently exist. This forum will try to determine if the Small Business Survival Act is fully constitutional and legally sound to withstand likely court challenges, and to recommend changes that would make it stronger to endure those possible court challenges.

    Business owners and entrepreneurs from across the City will have the opportunity to present their view on the constitutionality of the Small Business Survival Act and to offer any recommendations for changes to the proposed.  Panel members will be attorneys of law with backgrounds involving the legal issues of this proposed legislation.  

     Friday, November 12, 2010  10:00 am to 12:00 pm

   851 Grand Concourse- Bronx Borough Hall Rotunda- 1^st floor

       

TEAMWORK FOUNDATION, INC  HOSTS 3rd ANNUAL PREP SCHOOL FAIR  NOVEMBER 12, 2010 - GAUCHOS GYM

    Teamwork Foundation, Inc., a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization, will host their 3rd Annual Prep School Fair Friday November 12, 2010 at Gauchos Gym. The Prep School Fair is a free event, from 6 to 8pm, and is open to the general public. Gauchos Gym is located in the Bronx at 478 Gerard Avenue. 

    Teamwork Foundation’s Prep School Fair is an opportunity for middle school and high school students in the New York City area to meet with admissions officers from top prep schools in the Northeast and learn about the complete boarding school experience from campus life and athletics to financial aid and college prep.

    This year, the fair will host a number of schools including: The Hotchkiss School, Phillips Exeter Academy, St. Mark’s School, Loomis Chaffe School, Taft School, Trinity Pawling, Deerfield Academy, Berkshire School, Peddie School, Suffield Academy, St. Paul’s School, The Kent School, Salisbury School, Millbrook School, and Lawrenceville School.

    About Teamwork Foundation Inc.
Teamwork Foundation Inc., located in the Bronx, New York has been providing high quality after-school and summer basketball programs to inner city boys and girls for more than 40 years! With more than 80% of program graduates receiving at least one year of college tuition through scholarships the program has benefited more than 11,000 kids. More than 200 of Teamwork Foundation alumni have gone on to play in Division I colleges and a select few have reached NBA distinction.  

    For more information call  Siri Larkins  718 665 6951 e-mail  siriscottlarkins@gmail.com 

Mayor Bloomberg Announces Schools Chancellor Joel Klein Resigns

     It is official New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein has resigned his job as schools chancellor to take a position with News Corp the owners of the New York Post, television stations channels 5 and 9 among the many vast holdings of the Murdoch empire. Could it be that Klein has been tapped to negotiate the deal with Cablevision, or will he now run the Fox Sports Department, but it is said that Klein will be an executive vice president in the chairman’s office. 

     Bloomberg said that it was time for Klein to go, and no one deserves more credit for turning around a dysfunctional school system then Joel Klein. Klein had initially said that he would serve only two four year terms as schools chancellor, not knowing that the Mayor would get the City Council to change the term limit law so they could serve a third term in office. 

    Ms. Cathie Black the current Hearst Magazines Chairwoman will replace Joel Klein as the new chancellor as announced by Mayor Bloomberg. Ms. Black is right out of the Klein mold, as schools chancellor Klein was chairman and chief executive officer of Bertelsmann, Inc. one of the world’s largest media companies.

    We have no doubt that Ms. Black will be just like Joel Klein, and continue most if not all of his policies.  We see no improvement in parent relations, lower test scores (now that the inflated scores were revealed as false), and we look for a teacher strike when the UFT contract runs out.It is rumored that Ms. Black is an advocate of Charter Schools.

    Welcome to the New York City education system Ms. Black
Statement from Borough President Diaz

RE: The appointment of Cathie Black as new chancellor of the Department of Education

“I welcome Cathie Black as the new chancellor of the Department of Education. This is a very challenging time for public schools in New York City. We have seen State test scores drop dramatically at schools across the five boroughs, stagnant graduation rates at our high schools, and schools closed without any meaningful input from the community. In many ways Bronx parents and parents throughout the city have lost confidence in the Department of Education, and I am hopeful that Ms. Black will usher in a new era of collaboration and community responsiveness at the DOE while we work together to improve our public schools for the 1.1 million children who rely on them,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.