MLK’s Fight for Economic Justice Inspires Citywide Call for Living Wage  
On Anniversary of Dr. King’s Death, New Yorkers Rally for Living Wage

 On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed while fighting for living wage jobs. Hundreds gathered to honor his legacy as part of the growing citywide movement for a living wage. On this historic occasion, elected officials from the Bronx joined faith leaders, labor leaders, community leaders, and local residents in pushing for swift passage of the Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act, popular legislation that will help create more living wage jobs.

Dr. King’s eldest living son, Martin Luther King III, took the occasion to endorse the campaign, calling for living wage jobs throughout New York City.

“New York City offers a national roadmap for continuing my father’s unfinished work of economic justice… We need the living wage movement to succeed and spread to other parts of the country. Countless stories of the working poor today are about people making impossible choices: food or rent, clothing or electricity. When we pause over those stories, and understand their painful significance, we grasp something fundamental about a country as wealthy as ours: no working person should have to settle for surviving over living. It’s that simple,” he said in a statement.

“In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s fight for equality and economic justice, we come together today to call on the City Council to make the passage of the Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act a reality.  It is time for New York City to join the growing list of communities that promote quality development through living wages.  When developers take heavy subsidies from taxpayer wallets, they must do better by those they employ. We can no long accept business as usual,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. at a rally in the Bronx Pentecostal Deliverance Center. 

“We must honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. not in words, but in deeds: elected officials must ensure that government continues to protect and improve the lives of all working people. That means standing up for a living wage so that countless working New Yorkers no longer feel condemned to poverty, but instead can finally get closer to achieving the kind of economic security they need and deserve,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, UFCW, 

“We are going to make sure developers of mega projects in New York City who expect to receive mega-subsidies paid for by the taxpayers pay their fair share by paying a living wage.  There will be no more negotiations from project to project and the playing field will be level for all those who want to do business using our subsidies,” said City Council Member Oliver Koppell, chief sponsor of the Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act.

The Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act would require employers that receive major public tax subsidies to pay employees at least $10 per hour with benefits, or $11.50 without. The living wage legislation now has 29 City Council co-sponsors.

"I work 40 hours a week for minimum wage and no health benefits. I cannot afford to be self sufficient. I have a message tonight for Council member Vacca: 'Will you stand with the working poor like me to support the Fair Wages for New Yorker's Act?'” said Linda, a middle-aged worker in a fast food chain.

“Just as we teach our people they have a right to spiritual empowerment, they also have a right to be empowered economically.  We as faith-based leaders must be the voice for the voiceless and do everything in our power to make sure this bill is passed for them and the generation that follows,” said Rev. Que English, Senior Pastor of the Bronx Christian Fellowship. 

More than 45 cities have enacted such legislation and have found that these policies create quality jobs for local residents without slowing economic growth or preventing economic development. New York City is behind the times on this issue and, as a result, publicly subsidized developments are keeping people in poverty-wage jobs, rather than providing them with opportunities to get ahead. For more information on the Living Wage NYC campaign, visit http://www.livingwagenyc.org. 

 Bronx Borough President is at the podium speaking, while Councilman G. Oliver Koppell is in the left background of this photo.

IDC, Assemb. Ortiz, Join Young Heart Transplant Survivor to Push for Life-Saving Legislation

'Lauren's Law' to Increase Organ Donation Passed Important Committee Vote Today

  The Independent Democratic Conference and Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, (D-Brooklyn) joined 10-year-old heart transplant survivor Lauren Shields and her family today in a push for life saving legislation.

  The measure, “Lauren's Law,” would prohibit a driver's license application from being processed unless the organ donation section is filled out. Applicants would have to check a box stating “yes,” or “not at this time.”   There currently is an organ donation section on the application, but it is not required to be filled out.

This change would increase organ donation in New York, which is ranked last in the country for the number of new donors.

  “It is critical that we increase donor enrollment numbers here in New York State,” said the Senate sponsor of Lauren's Law, Senator David Carlucci, (D-Rockland/Orange), “Everyday people are losing their lives due to lack of organ donations. Lauren’s Law will save lives by significantly increasing the number of New Yorkers who chose to become life saving organ donors simply by increasing the number of people who have to make the choice.”

  The bill (S.3885/A.6148) cleared its first major hurdle today, passing the Senate Committee on Transportation today.

  “On March 18, 2009, just when it seemed that all hope was lost, the doctors came in and told mommy that  my donor was found,” Lauren Shields said.  “I had an angel that was willing to give me the gift of life.  I am so thankful for the gift that I received but I know that there are so many other children and adults that are waiting just like I was. As happy as I am that I am able to get back to my regular routine, I can’t help but think about the others that still wait.  I am so grateful that Senator Carlucci and Assemblyman Ortiz are taking a step to help increase donor enrollments.”

  "Organ donation is an issue that is close to my heart.  Like Lauren, my mother was in need of a transplant.  She was one of the lucky ones because she received her kidney from my sister.  Often times, however, that is not the case.  On average, eighteen people die each year while waiting for an organ.  There is a tremendous need for organ and tissue donors throughout our country. I am hopeful that Lauren's Law will be enacted in our state and that more people will choose to pass on the precious gift of life", said Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, Chair of the New York State Assembly Mental Health Committee and Sponsor of the bill in the Assembly.     

   In New York, more than 9,300 people are on the list for organ transplants. However, the state has ranked last in the number of organ donors signed up through their DMV program. In 2009, New York ranked last in the nation, signing up only 11 percent (or 427,562) of the 3.8 million people who received a driver's license or a non-driver's identification. By contrast, Colorado signed up 64 percent of new license holders.

Nationally, there are approximately 110,000 men, women and children waiting for organ transplants. Every 11 minutes, a new name is added to the national waiting list. However, 18 people die every day because of the lack of donated organs.

  “People's lives are literally on the line here,” Senator Jeff Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester), said. “I commend Senator Carlucci and Assemblyman Ortiz for leading the charge on this effort to expand the network of available organ donors and to help more people like Lauren.”

   “April is National Donate Life Month and I can't think of a better way to observe it than to get this critically important legislation passed, and signed into law,” said Senator Diane Savino, (D-Staten Island/ Brooklyn).

   “Lauren’s story is truly inspiring, and I am glad that she, Senator Carlucci and Assemblyman Ortiz are taking the lead on drawing attention to the benefits of organ donation," said Senator David J. Valesky, (D-Oneida).

 

Another Deputy Chancellor Leaved The DOE

   Immediately following ex-Chancellor Joel Klein's resignation in November,  Photeine Anagnostopoulos deputy chancellor for finance and technology, took off. Elizabeth Sciabarra, who founded the Office of Student Enrollment in 2003, also left at that time. Former Deputy Chancellor Eric Nadelstern left the department in January, and now Deputy Chancellor Santiago Tavares has left the DOE. 

  Celeste Katz goes in to detail here about the former Deputy Chancellors 22 year career, and where he plans to go. There were only three Deputy Chancellors when when Joel Klein took over as chancellor, and when he left a few short months ago he needed eight Deputy Chancellors. It was only a matter of time when those who felt slighted by the appointment of Cathie Black as new chancellor would leave, and we wonder what other key DOE people will also leave the sinking DOE now. 

 

Midtown merchants are giving an icy reception to the 34th Street Partnership's $120,000 gift to a proposed skating rink in The Bronx. 

  In an exclusive New York Post article that you can find here this past Sunday veteran reporter Candice Giove asks some 34th Street merchants about their feelings about giving $120,000 dollars to a proposed ice skating rink in the Bronx. 

  Ms. Giove also details the powerful president of the 34th Street Partnership Mr. Dan Biederman, and some of his other ventures.  Mr. Biederman the article reports, says that there is nothing slippery about steering money to the rink, but some merchants want to know why the money is going elsewhere than the 34th Street BID area.

Negro Baseball League Exhibit at the Bronx Museum
  

    In conjunction with opening day at Yankee Stadium the 161st Street BID held its own opening weekend list of events to showcase the 161st Street business area. Thursday morning before opening day at Yankee Stadium a concert was held in Ruth/Gehrig park. On Friday it was the opening day of "The Negro League Exhibit" at the Bronx Museum. Then on Saturday former Yankee great Roy White, along with Negro league player Jim Robinson signed free autographs for hundreds of Yankee fans in front and inside of a packed Stan's Sports Bar on River Avenue. Roy and Jim then went to Mullaly Park just north of Yankee Stadium to sign autographs for the many kids who play little league baseball sponsored by the Grand Slam foundation. 

    After he finished signing autographs Roy White walked over to the Bronx Museum to view the Negro League exhibit on display. He met Ricky Martinez (who loaned part of his private collection for the exhibit) and the two looked at every item while Mr. Martinez explained the history of each item on display. Ricky Martinez explained that the Negro Leagues were made up of black and what are now called Hispanic players, such as his grandfather Rudolpho "Rudy" Fernandez. Ricky added that it was his grandfather that got him started collecting Negro League memorabilia when he was seven years old. 

    There were autographed baseballs, hats, bats, photos, plaques, and even an original uniform, with names such as Willie Mays, Leroy "Satchel" Page, Roy Campanella, James "Cool Papa" Bell, Josh Gibson, Lionel Hampton, Buck Leonard, Jackie Robinson, and many others that were not so famous, but played and enjoyed the game. 

    The Negro Leagues were established in the 1920's as an alternative to Major League Baseball, for non-white baseball players that could not play in the major league due to the color barrier. Jackie Robinson broke that color barrier on April 15th, 1947, and as other Major League baseball teams removed the color barrier by 1960 the Negro Leagues were history. "All that remains is the stories and memories of those who played the game of Black Baseball". The Negro League Museum is located in Kansas City Missouri.     

DEP to CFM "We are not going to say anything more tonight"

    We were glad to see Father Richard Gorman back after a brief health issue that sidelined the now 40 pounds lighter Community Board # 12 Chairman, but that may have been the only good news at the March Croton Filtration Monitoring Committee meeting.

    The DEP went over the updated costs of the Croton water filtration plant being built in Van Cortlandt Park, which showed that consultants Metcalf & Eddy/Hazen and Sawyer, JV current contract amount to be at $257,957,640 million dollars, an increase of 463% over the original contract price of $44, 226,000 million dollars. This as the completed costs to finish building the water filtration plant approach the 3 billion dollar level for completion in 2013, almost 20 years after first being proposed at an estimated cost of 600 million dollars by the Giuliani administration. There were also continued questions of the way the water is to be filtered as newer cheaper methods have come about in the past 20 years. 

    As for the report on the percentage of Bronx workers at the plant, DEP said that it is now at 16%. (a 2 1/2 year low), and Councilman G. Oliver Koppell upon hearing such a low percentage said that was not good enough, and wanted to know why the number was so low. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (who was in the audience) then said that our community was lied to by DEP Commissioner Ward and that DEP has lied throughout the entire process. There was also a question of how many workers were taking mass transit to the site, as that was a selling point for this site being at the end of the # 4 subway, and along several bus routes including some from Westchester Count. 

    When it came to the update of siting an alternate route for the force main for waste water to flow to the treatment plant in the South Bronx, it was said that the report was not ready as there was not enough information yet to make that determination.

    The "Dumb Deaf and Silent" act by Mark Lanaghan of DEP came when the subject of public access to the Jerome Park Reservoir then came up. Mr. Lanaghan stated that there was a report sent to the Bronx Borough President about the subject, and that he nor any one else from DEP was not going to take part in, listen, or even speak any more. As Mr. Lanaghan sat in his chair he then pulled out his Blacberry phone (as most city agency heads do in meetings), trying to ignore what was going on. For the rest of the meeting no one from DEP uttered a word, and it seemed as though Mr. Lanaghan turned into a figure that one would see in a wax museum. 

    After lengthy a discussion about the access to the reservoir (without DEP input)  Father Gorman asked for a meeting to be run by the Bronx Borough President along with all the stakeholders in the community on the issue of access, since DEP had answered his query on the subject. A question arose from the audience on the subject of playing golf on top of the completed plant (as proposed that the previous golf course would be replaced above the plant) when there was such a great deal of importance for security reasons to keep people away from the Jerome Park Reservoir, which did not get answered.   

    The next meeting of the Croton Water Filtration Committee was the n scheduled for Wednesday April 27th.

Town Hall Meetings

  On Sunday April 10th at 11AM at the Van Courtlandt Jewish Center (located at 3880 Sedgwick Avenue) there will be a town hall meeting with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (81 A.D.), Congressman Eliot Engel, Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, and State Senator Gustavo Rivera (33 S.D.). The elected officials want your input on federal, state, and city issues, such as housing, city rent laws, senior citizen concerns, MTA issues, education matters, and others. 

  For more information on this town hall meeting in the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center you can call Assemblyman Dinowitz's office at 718-796-5345. 

  On Saturday April 16th at 2PM at the Bedford Park Senior Center (located at 243 East 204th Street, one block from the Grand Concourse) there will will be a town hall meeting with Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, Assemblyman Jose Rivera (78 A.D.), and State Senator Gustavo Rivera (33 S.D.). The elected officials will address issues and participate in an dialogue on matters of importance to the Bedford Park-Norwood area, such as senior citizen concerns, housing, rent laws (set to expire June 30th), MTA,  and education matters to name some.

  For more information on this town hall meeting in the Bedford Park-Norwood area you can call 78th Male State Committeeman Ricky Martinez at 646-509-7166.

  This came in from Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. which talks about "Conference of Somos Uno" , the annual function for Hispanic legislators to meet, and discuss ways in which they can use their power to defend political abuses and resolve the disadvantages they have as Hispanics. This ends by saying that the black and hispanic elected officials whom voted yes on the budget turned their backs on their communities, to win favor with Governor Cuomo.

     Are We One or Are We the Shame?

This weekend, the Legislative Conference known as Somos Uno or “We are One”, which is comprised of all the Hispanic Legislators of the State Legislature, will gather in Albany, the State Capital to find ways in which Hispanic elected officials can protect, defend and stand up for the Hispanic community all across New York State.

This Conference of Somos Uno began its’ annual functions more than 30 years ago under the name Somos el Futuro or “We are the Future,”  under the guidance of the late Assemblyman Angelo del Toro.

This weekend, from Friday to Sunday, all will gather in Albany where there will be workshops and conferences to discuss ways in which we can use our power to defend political abuses and resolve the disadvantages we have as Hispanics.

The problem  is that these same elected officials were the first ones to give up and trade our community, sometimes for a pittance.

Last night, those same legislators, almost all, voted in favor of the budget which will practically devastate our people.

If all the elected officials, both Hispanic and African-American, would have come together in favor of the poor, the elderly, the children and the needy, we would have defeated the budget and forced the Governor to include the Millionaires Tax and/or extend Rent Control.

Yes my dear friends, we have the power to morally send a message, with our “No” vote,  Governor Cuomo will not be able to continue cutting services to the people that we are supposed to defend.

Instead, one by one, our own legislators and those who will meet this weekend to try to form new methods to defend our people, were the first to fail and lost the opportunity to tell Governor Cuomo “enough is enough.”

Some of them may tell you that they had no other alternative, that if they did not it would cripple the government, or they would have offered some other type of political spin to defend their actions.

I say that there is always an alternative. The alternative to vote with courage and determination. The alternative to defend our community and not say one thing publicly and do another privately with the Governor.

I am afraid that this is not the first nor the last time our elected officials will turn their backs on our community to win the favor of the Governor.

I am afraid that this is not the first time that We are One or We are the Future has become “We are the Shame.”

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.