It Appears Even Speaker Quinn Was Unhappy With the City's Response to the Blizzard

    NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn is promising to hold oversight hearings on Jan. 10 to look into the city’s response to the Blizzard of 2010.

    “Yesterday, Members of the Council encountered the true spirit of New York in every corner of the five boroughs as neighbors helped one another overcome the difficulties brought on by the elements. “Council Members also encountered justified anger throughout their districts as New Yorkers were stranded on trains and buses, forced to suffer with a backlog in response to emergencies. New York’s Strongest, the men and women of the Sanitation Department, do an amazing job day in and day out and we are grateful for their service. That said, by all accounts, the collective storm response was not anywhere near up to the standards New Yorkers are accustomed to.

    “This is unacceptable.

    “New Yorkers have serious questions about the City’s snow emergency policy and response. We in the Council will seek forward looking answers on behalf of our constituents.  Therefore, the Council will convene oversight hearings on January 10th at 1pm to examine questions surrounding the City’s response to yesterday’s blizzard.

    “This hearing acknowledges the reality that many New Yorkers are experiencing, that something went wrong. We will conduct a constructive fact finding effort with the goal of preventingit from happening again. As we convene this hearing we must be mindful that the events of the last two days are a stark reminder of the need to protect core public services from potentially life-threatening budget reductions.”‬

    (This comes to us from our friends at State of the Politics Blog)

Some Woes From the Blizzard.

    New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz joins his Senate Colleague Carl Kruger’s rebuke of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s ineffective handling of the blizzard that has hit New York. 

    “It is absurd to know that ambulances and emergency vehicles have been unable to navigate through unplowed streets of New York City.  Days before this storm hit we all knew it was coming.  No one even put chains on the tires of city buses, sanitation trucks or ambulances in preparation for the storm. Senator Kruger rightly pointed out that 'Forecasters predicted this blizzard days in advance. There was clearly insufficient planning, and New Yorkers are paying too steep a price. Someone has to be accountable.' 

    I also read MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann’s twitter: 'NYC littered with w/abanonded City buses and Bloomberg is bitching about people not shoveling their sidewalks. Condescension personified.' What kind of Mayor do we have?

    Mayor Michael Bloomberg actually chuckled at a press conference today that the world is not coming to an end. Maybe the Mayor’s world isn’t. And maybe the shows on Broadway will go on, but there are New Yorkers who rely upon City services that tax dollars are supposed to provide, and some of their lives have been put at risk because of him.

    I have said it before and will say it again, Mayor Michael Bloomberg needs to be held accountable.”

    Here  are a few pictures of Bronx buses stuck in snow.

Sexually Explicit Book of Poems in Brooklyn Elementary School Reported on by WCBS T.V.

    We saw this story on WCBS T.V. on Christmas Eve reported by Marsha Krammer, and had to pass it on to you. The link is at the end of the story to see the video replay.

    The Urban Poetry book called "Atrccia" written by poetry teacher Tylibah Washington has come under fire from parents at Brooklyn's PS 279 in Canarsie. While some of the poems were about people such as Rosa Parks, there was also a poem of how former President Bush loves war so much that he got an erection. Another poem called "Supa Dupa" is about a prostitute performing sex acts (which WCBS had to block out some of the words). Still another talks about addiction to pain killers in a very positive way.

    Councilman Charles Barrons (who happens to be Ms. Washington's godfather) said that the writer is reworking the book to be age appropriate for 10-11 year olds that the writer teaches. 60 of the original books were distributed to fifth grade children at PS 279, and 16 were returned to the school by parents.

    When asked by Ms.Krammer if he had any comment about the book, Mayor Bloomberg asked who wrote it. When Ms. Krammer said that it was the goddaughter of Councilman Charles Barrons, Mayor Bloomberg then asked if Ms. Krammer had any other questions as he left her.

    Here is the link  http://newyork.cbslocal.com/category/news/  then go to the video news section on the right. You may have to click on the past videos to the right until this story cones up.

SoBRO HOLIDAY HELPERS HOLD ANNUAL TOY DRIVE

    On Wednesday, December 22, 2010, the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SoBRO) will hold its annual Toy Drive at the SoBRO Center in the South Bronx. The Toy Drive will feature Santa Claus, hot chocolate and other surprises. SoBRO Holiday Helpers will distribute toys and winter clothing they collected from the community to needy families in the South Bronx, the poorest urban Congressional District in the country.

    This year the Jewish Child Care Association (JCCA) and Teenage Services Act (TASA) are partnering with SoBRO by providing access to 45 children and young adults in their care. SoBRO was joined in this year’s holiday initiative by the HUB 3^rd Ave BID, YoungLand, Leroy Pharmacy, Delicioso Restaurant, Ambassadors of Change, Mas Advertising, Modells, Willy Wonka Barber shop and The Butchers Choice Meat Market. 

     2010 Toy Drive     
     South Bronx Overall Economic Development 
     Corporation (SoBRO)
     December 22, 2010 - 3pm
     Contact Linda Yantz, Development Associate 
     (718)732-7522,    lyantz@sobro.org
     for more information
  
  

New York Yankees and Bronx BP Play Santa to Kids

    On Friday, December 17 the New York Yankees, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr hosted the 2010 Winter Wonderland. Over 5,000 kids received toys and enjoyed hot chocolate, cookies and hot dogs while taking pictures with Santa Claus and his elves at Yankee Stadium.

    “We want to make sure all our kids have a great holiday season,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “With this event we want to spread joy and to give a hand to the neediest families in the borough. I thank the Yankees for helping us to put a smile on our children’s faces and for their continued charitable work.” 

 BP Diaz plays one of Santa's Elf's giving out toys to the children.

    

Senator Klein, Senator-Elect Gustavo Rivera and Santa Claus Celebrate The Holiday Season In The Bronx

     State Senator Jeff Klein (D- Bronx/ Westchester) kicked-off the holiday season with his Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Peace Memorial Plaza in Pelham Parkway. Klein was joined by Senator-Elect Gustavo Rivera and Santa Claus, who handed out gifts to children. Members of the community enjoyed complimentary hot chocolate and Christmas carols led by St. Lucy's Choir.

 Senator Klein, and Senator Elect Gustavo Rivera pose for picture with Santa on Pelham Parkway.

JOEL BONDY SUSPENDED, LIU HALTS ALL PAYMENTS TO SPHERION Re City Time

    Subsequent to New York City Comptroller John Liu's call for an emergency session of the Office of Payroll Administration Board of Directors, Comptroller Liu and Mayor Bloomberg have agreed to suspend Executive Director Joel Bondy indefinitely without pay.

    Comptroller Liu also suspended all payments to the vendor Spherion -- effective immediately -- until the City conducts a comprehensive review of subcontracting, consultant billing and record keeping practices.

    Comptroller Liu's office will continue to assist the U.S. Attorney's Office and DOI in their ongoing investigation into the CityTime project.

     Comptroller Liu rejected a $32 million encumbrance on the CityTime project, pursuant to the 9/28/2010 agreement that stipulates the City will not pay any more money until the full and timely completion of the Citytime project.

    New York City Comptroller John Liu had called for the emergency session of the New York City Office of Payroll Administration "OPA" Board of Directors upon yesterday's announcement by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the NYC Department of Investigations of massive fraud and $80 million in misappropriations relating to the CityTime project. Comptroller Liu had stated: "This further underscores the need to more closely monitor expensive outside consultant contracts.

     As recently as last week, the Comptroller's Office has continuously provided series of documents to DOI for their investigation. The Comptroller's Office will continue to assist the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the NYC Department of Investigations in their ongoing investigation into the CityTime project.

Officials and Community Groups Commend Borough President Diaz's Actions on Homeless Shelter Plan

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will be appearing on NY1’s “Inside City Hall” this evening.  The show airs at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Cablevision  channel 1.

   Today, on the steps of City Hall State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, City Council Member G. Oliver Koppell and a wide variety of community organizations and civic leaders joined together to commend and support Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. on his decision to default on the vote of the Muller Army Reserve Center (MARC) LRA. 

     The LRA, which is made up of Borough President Diaz as well as two deputy mayors to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, had put forth a proposal to use the MARC to house a 200-unit homeless shelter for single men, despite widespread opposition to the plan and a glut of new and existing homeless shelters in Community Board #12, a number of which are planned for the area immediately adjacent to the MARC.

    Rather than a homeless shelter, Bronxites have for years asked that the National Guard units that currently occupy space outside of the Kingsbridge Armory be moved to the MARC, freeing up their current space for use as potential public schools. Since the MARC is already used by the military, transferring a different military unit would be an easy, inexpensive way to reuse the MARC. Instead, the Bloomberg administration has chosen to undergo a costly renovation of the MARC for use as a homeless shelter. 

    “We understand that we must help the least fortunate among us. With that said, Community Board #12 is already doing its fair share for the homeless. Adding another shelter to this community is wrong, especially when a viable alternative use for the MARC is on the table. It is shameful that this administration has ignored  the collective voice of the Bronx and pushed forward with this homeless shelter plan," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.