BREAKING NEWS
It is being reported that Brooklyn State Senator Carl Kruger will surrender to federal prosecutors tomorrow.
We will have more details as they become available, but this is said to be an ongoing investigation for several years.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
AS STRIKE LOOMS, BRONX APARTMENT BUILDING WORKERS TO RALLY
-- Thousands of Bronx Workers Could Walk Off the Job on March 15th--
-- Thousands of Bronx Workers Could Walk Off the Job on March 15th--
With a potential strike less than a week away, apartment building workers will march and rally in the Bronx to call on the Bronx Realty Advisory Board (BRAB), an industry association representing building owners, to sign a fair agreement before their contract expires at 12:01 A.M. on March 15th.
Contract negotiations between 32BJ SEIU, the union representing the workers, and BRAB have been underway since early February, and several issues, including health care and retirement savings remain, outstanding. The current contract covers building superintendents, janitors, handypersons, porters, firepersons, doormen, elevator operators and garbage handlers. Failure to reach a new contract could trigger a strike of more than 3,000 apartment building workers at over 1,000 residential buildings throughout the Bronx.
Bronx Apartment Building Workers Rally for New Contract
--Thousands of apartment building workers
--32BJ Vice President Kyle Bragg
--Congressman José E. Serrano
--State Senator Jeffrey Klein
--Assembly members Carl Heastie, Vanessa Gibson
--Council members Larry Seabrook, Fernando Cabrera
--Community supporters
Thursday, March10, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.
Franz Segal Park in the Bronx @ 153rd Street & Grand Concourse Take 2, 4, 5 train to 149th Street -- Grand Concourse
With more than 120,000 members, 32BJ is the largest property service workers union in the country. For more information, visit www.
NAACP and Manhattan BP Scott Stringer Weigh in on Rep Peter King's Hearings
Celeste Katz of the Daily News tells us here that the NAACP and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer have both sent letters to Congresssman Peter King to hold off on his Homeland Security committee hearings on the radicalization of Muslims.
The NAACP letter has more of a national theme to it, while Manhattan Borough President Stringer's letter is more geared just to New York City. BP Stringer has announced that he should be running for mayor in 2013. We will take his letter as the first candidate out of the gate on the issue, and await letters from other potential candidates for mayor in 2013.
BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ
BREAKS GROUND AT NEW JETRO FACILITY
This morning, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined Jetro Cash & Carry CEO Stanley Fleishman, Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation President Marlene Cintron, representatives of the Empire State Development Corporation and the New York City Industrial Development Agency, as well as other business leaders to break ground on the construction of a new facility for Jetro in Hunts Point.
The new facility, which will be approximately 200,000 square feet in size, will offer new space for both Jetro and its affiliate, Restaurant Depot. The $50 million construction project will be assisted in part by up to $21 million in tax incentives approved by the New York City Industrial Development Agency. Those credits had been supported by Borough President Diaz.
This environmentally-friendly project, scheduled to be completed in early 2012, will employ nearly 200 individuals in addition to creating a new, user-friendly facility for the thousands of businesses that rely on Jetro and Restaurant Depot’s wholesale food services.
“Jetro Cash & Carry is a major economic engine in the Bronx, and serves as a hub for the food industry throughout the entire region. I am thrilled to see this company invest in the Bronx, and I am proud to have played a role in making this eco-friendly, job creating development a reality. I also want to thank the Empire State Development Corporation, the New York City Industrial Development Agency and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation for their amazing work on this project,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
“The new facility, with a full Jetro and Restaurant Depot, will be a wonderful complement to the Bronx, to our team, to our customers and to the community. It will both help ensure that Jetro and Restaurant Depot remain a leader in low cost food distribution in the most important city in the United States, while also helping to make sure that our small grocery stores and restaurants remain competitive. I am extremely grateful to Borough President Diaz for his leadership and support on this project. In addition, I would also like to thank the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, the Empire State Development Corporation and the New York City Economic Development Corporation for their invaluable assistance,” said Stanley Fleishman, CEO of Jetro and Restaurant Depot.
“When Jetro proposed a plan for the renovation of its distribution center, the State was willing and able to do its part to assist, contributing a $1.5 million incentive package that combines Metropolitan Economic Revitalization Fund and Downstate Revitalization Fund grants,” said Kenneth Adams, Empire State Development President & CEO, designate. “ESD applauds our partners in City government for their generous contribution as well. The expansion of Jetro is a great example of how the state offers assistance to companies that are willing to invest in our communities and remain an important player in our regional approach to economic development. We wish Jetro continued success.”
“Assistance from the New York City Industrial Development Agency was a critical element of this $50 million project, which will generate millions of dollars in private investment,” said New York City Industrial Development Agency Chairman Seth W. Pinsky. “The new facility will allow Jetro Cash & Carry to expand its business and create jobs in the Bronx.”
“This new facility will help us to maintain The Bronx as the City’s leader in providing New Yorkers with fresh and affordable food. This project is a win-win for everyone, and will create dozens of new jobs for Bronxites. The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and Borough President Diaz are truly delighted to be part of this important project,” said Marlene Cintron, president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.
This project was highlighted in Borough President Diaz’s recent “State of the Borough” address.
Steve Smith, owner of the property; Joseph Tazewell, representative of ESDC; Marlene Cintron, president of BOEDC; Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.; Miriam Tannenbaum, representative of Chase Bank; Stanley Sleishman, CEO of Jetro and Restaurant Depot; and Ilir Sadikay, representative of NYCIDA.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ
Re: City Council Hearings on the “Fair Wages for New Yorkers” Act
“I’m pleased that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has committed to host hearings on the ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act, which already has the support of more than half of the City Council. Our bill will require developers who receive heavy taxpayer subsidies for their projects to provide a ‘living wage.’ It is time for New York City to join the growing list of communities that promote quality development through living wages. It is my hope that these hearings will lead to a vote on this important legislation, and that we can begin to change the way we do business in our City,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
The “Fair Wages for New Yorkers” Act, which was introduced by Council Members Annabel Palma and G. Oliver Koppell at the behest of Borough President Diaz, currently has 29 sponsors in the City Council. This is a Continuation of the Senior Center Saga
News from Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz
3107 Kingsbridge Avenue
Bronx, New York 10463
(718) 796-5345
For Immediate Release Contact: Raffi Holoszyc-Pimentel
March 7, 2011 (718) 796-5345
Assemblyman Dinowitz leads the fight to save over 100 senior centers
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging, is fighting tooth and nail to save over 100 senior centers in New York City from closure.
In February, Assemblyman Dinowitz sent a letter to New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver signed by 54 New York City Assembly Democrats calling for the restoration of $25 million in proposed Title XX funding cuts in the 2011-2012 state budget. As a result of these proposed cuts, Mayor Bloomberg has announced that 105 senior centers that serve many thousands of seniors in New York City will close. Assemblyman Dinowitz is fighting to make the restoration of this critical funding and keeping these senior centers open a top priority during budget negotiations.
Assemblyman Dinowitz is calling on Mayor Bloomberg to make keeping these senior centers open his priority as well. Assemblyman Dinowitz said, “Mayor Bloomberg should insist these senior centers stay open. How can the City waste hundreds of millions of dollars on the over-budget Croton Water Filtration Plant, the fraudulent CityTime contract, and the Department of Education’s no-bid contracts and highly paid outside consultants, but when it comes to critical, beneficial funding for senior citizens, they get kicked to the curb?”
On Friday, Assemblyman Dinowitz, along with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senators Ruben Diaz Sr. and Jose M. Serrano, and Assembly Members Marcos Crespo, Vanessa Gibson, Eric Stevenson, and Naomi Rivera, rallied on the steps of the Bronx County Courthouse to oppose Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed closing of the senior centers.
“As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging, I am leading the fight in the Assembly to restore Title XX funding for New York City senior centers. I am confident that the Assembly will insist on this restoration. I will not rest until all of this money is restored, which, among other things, would save the Van Cortlandt Senior Center,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Upcoming Events From Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
1.- Garifuna-American Heritage Month in the Bronx
The Bronx Borough President Office and the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc, will celebrate the proclamation of March 11th – April 12th, 2011 as Garifuna Heritage Month 2011 in observance of the 214th anniversary of the exile of the Garifuna people from St Vincent on March 11th, 1797 and their settlement in Central America on April 12th, 1797.
During Garifuna-American Heritage Month, we will celebrate the great contributions of Garifuna-Americans to the fabric of New York City, and we will pay tribute to the common culture and bonds of friendship that unite the United States and the Garifuna countries of origin.
Friday March 11th --5:30 PM
Bronx County Building - 851 Grand Concourse- Rotunda
RSVP to 718-590-3989
2. – Women’s History Month:
The Borough President will celebrate the courage and contributions of American women during Women’s History Month 2011
Several great women will be honored for their achievements and contribute ons to the Bronx and NYC.
Wednesday, March 16 -- 9:30 am
Frankie and Johnny’s Pine – 1913 Bronxdale Avenue Bronx, NY 10462
3. – Irish Heritage Celebration
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will join members of the Bronx Irish American community in celebration of Irish American Heritage Month 2011.
Borough President Diaz will honor a group of Irish- Americans for their contributions to our community.
Wednesday, March 23 -- 6:00 pm
Rambling House- 4292 Katonah Avenue
To RSVP, please call Sonia Malave 718-590-3989
(Come to the Irish Heritage Celebration to protest Mayor Bloomberg by getting inebriated and hanging out a window) - We are just kidding.