It Stinks

by Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz

    Kudos to Ms. Joanna Molloy from the New York Daily News for her sharp warning to us in Saturday’s column, New Yorkers rip Bloomberg on crash tax, say he's 'bleeding the middle class' dry.

    Her comparison of Mayor Bloomberg’s intention to allow the FDNY to bill drivers involved in accidents to the Emperor Nero’s tax on urine collectors may sound grotesque.  According to history, Nero’s son complained about the gross nature of that tax.  A gold coin was held high before him and a voice of authority stated: “This doesn’t stink.”  

    Well, my friends, if we hold Mayor Bloomberg’s plan up to the light, it does stink.

    It stinks that people who need help may not call for help.

    It stinks that anyone injured in a car accident where the car goes on fire would have to worry if he or she has an extra $415 in the bank before calling the FDNY for help.

    It stinks that under-privileged New Yorkers could decide to leave the scene of an accident just to avoid paying a $490 ‘crash’ tax.

    It stinks that the number of hit and runs could go up.

    It stinks that taxi drivers and truck drivers would have new worries added to their already difficult lives.

    It stinks that fender benders where the drivers (thankfully) have no injuries and are reported by a third party could cost drivers $365 for the ambulance that shows up.

     It stinks that needy New Yorkers may vow to never call 911 again even in the case of medical emergency because of this preposterous plan.

    The men and women who work in New York’s firehouses, drive emergency vehicles and respond to accidents are our heroes and heroines.

    It stinks to think that Mayor Michael Bloomberg could exploit the relationship between New York’s Bravest and New York residents by sending a bill from the FDNY to accident victims.

    It stinks that our Mayor or anyone could even think of pitting emergency care workers – our heroes and heroines – against the public.

    Back to Ms. Molloy’s reference to Nero … we’ve all heard the expression: “Nero fiddled while Rome burned.”

    Let’s hope that Mayor Michael Bloomberg does not take up the fiddle anytime soon.

    [http://rubendiaz.com/itstinks.html]

 

    

 

 

   

Senator Klein’s Court Watchers Team To Show Solidarity At Bronx Vandalism Case
UPDATE This was postponed, as The case has been adjourned until further notice.

    Members of State Senator Jeff Klein's (D- Bronx/ Westchester) court watchers team will observe the court case of Iyylania Milityk on Friday, taking place at the Bronx Criminal Courthouse. Milityk is being charged a second time for committing vandalism within the 49th Precinct. Klein's Bronx Court Watchers program, which launched in April, is aimed at showing community support and solidarity in calling for tougher sentences for repeat adult graffiti vandals. The program is an extension of Klein's ongoing efforts to eliminate graffiti across the Bronx. As part of the Court Watchers program, volunteers from the community sit-in on repeat, adult offender court proceedings, wearing t-shirts and buttons that express their intolerance for graffiti and desire for a jail-time sentence. To volunteer for the Court Watchers program, residents should call Klein’s office at (718)-822-2049. 

     Observing the Court Case of Iyylania Milityk, who is being charged a  second time for vandalism within the  49th Precinct.  

     FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10^TH AT 9:30AM

     Bronx Courthouse, 265 East 161 Street, Bronx 

     For more information call (718) 822-2049

“BALLET AMBASSADORS” TEACH CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE HOW TO DANCE AND PERFORM THE “NUTCRACKER” 

     On Thursday, December 9^th  at Haven Academy Charter School in the Bronx, 175 students in grades Kindergarten through 3^rd, will learn, rehearse and perform the timeless “Nutcracker” ballet in an engaging, one-day workshop. Children will learn basic ballet steps, practice scenes from the “Nutcracker” and then perform, dressed in costumes, for parents, peers and staff. The workshop will be led by two professional dancers from Ballet Ambassadors, Inc.-- a non-profit organization that gives children and teens in schools, afterschool programs, and homeless shelters the chance to share the stage with professional dancers in costumed adaptations of the ballet classics, original ballets, and world dance productions.

    The New York Foundling, one of the City’s oldest and largest child welfare agencies, developed Haven Academy Charter School to address the obstacles to educational achievement that plague students growing up in poor, underserved, urban communities and particularly those in the child welfare system. The school enrolls one third children in foster care, one third children with families receiving preventive services and one third children from the general Mott Haven community, the poorest Congressional district in the country.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Haven Academy students perform “Nutcracker” ballet

Haven Academy Charter School, 170 Brown Place, Mott Haven, Bronx

CONTACT:       Abby Ross, LAK PR 212-329-1404/479-283-3505 or aross@lakpr.com

     

  

 

Riverdalian Charles Moerdler named to MTA Board

   Prominent labor lawyer and Riverdale community leader Mr. Charles Moerdler has been named to the MTA board. It is unclear just whom Mr Moerdler will replace on the MTA board as there are several members who are holdover  members beyond the expiration of their terms. With his extensive labor background it is suspected that Mr. Moerdler will represent either the  Transit Workers Union, or the Metro North Railroad Unions. 

    There are 17 members of the MTA board appointed by either the Governor, Mayor of New York City, 7 surrounding county executives serviced by the MTA, employee unions, and New York City Transit Riders Council. The 17 member MTA board is headed by Mr. Jay Walder, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

The Battle For Control Of The State Senate May Not Be Over
   

    Newsday is reporting that former Democratic State Senator Craig Johnson has filed a notice of appeal Monday of a judge's ruling certifying Republican Jack Martins as the winner of the election in the 7th State Senate District, his attorney said. "We are optimistic that justice will be served on appeal". 

    Johnson believes that a hand count of all 85,000 ballots is needed to unearth votes for him that were missed by the new electronic voting machines.  Currently Republicans have a 32-30 margin in the State Senate, but should the full hand recount change the results in this race the State Senate would become deadlocked at 31-31.

Bronx Annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony

    On Monday, December 6, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and the Bronx Jewish Community Council hosted the Bronx Annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony at the Bronx County Building. The event, attended by elected officials, Jewish community leaders and dozens of residents, featured a live musical performance by Dafna, a world-renowned recording artist, performer, educator, and music therapist.

     “The Bronx Annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony is a great opportunity to both celebrate the holiday season with our borough’s Jewish community and to renew the bonds of solidarity and friendship in faith that bind our residents together. Once again, Bronxites of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds join with communities across the world in commemorating the Festival of Lights,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

       Above Bp Diaz lights Menorah with Rabbi Greenblatt inside borough hall.
         They then went outside to light the giant Menorah on the steps of borough hall below.

 

It's Official Democrats Loose Control of State Senate

    

     With new voter ballot scan machines, it took over one month to finally count all the ballots and declare all the winners in the State Senate races. The result is, after all that hard work in 2008 to finally win the majority (after 40 years of Republican control) State Senate Democrats have given back control of the State Senate to Republicans 32-30. Not only did they loose control; of the state house, but Democrats reelected the man who lead them to defeat Brooklyn Senator John Sampson as their leader.

     Some will say it was Pedro Espada Jr that caused the loss to Republicans, while others will point to the AEG scandal at Aqueduct Race Track, and others will say it was newly elected governor Andrew Cuomo who did not do enough to help senate Democrats either win more seats or get reelected. As we predicted there were three new Democratic State Senators elected this year, one in Queens, one in Hudson Valley, and one in Buffalo. The flip side however was that Democratics lost five seats while gaining only three for a net loss of two seats, and control of the State Senate.

     This will mean a loss of millions of dollars in member items to senate Democrats, as well as chairmanships of committees, as the party in power controls who gets what committee. Worse is that Republicans in the State Senate will control redistricting in 2011 on how State Senate districts will change. We have already heard that the 34^th State Senate district (D-Jeff Klein) may change to include some of the area of former State Senator Frank Padavan's Republican stronghold, while dropping some heavy Democratic areas of the Bronx. This would then give Senator Klein a reason to run for that new proposed East Bronx congressional seat that may open up after redistricting

Croton Facility Monitoring Committee Meeting

    Wednesday December 15th at 7PM in the DEP community office 3660 Jerome Avenue is the next meeting of the CFMC. The agenda includes a brief update by DEP on M/WBE subcontracts of Schiavone & Skanska. A construction update and report on a recent smoke condition at the Jerome Park Reservoir & status of the forve main. Public acess to JPR and schedule for the next meeting.