Sen. Jeff Klein, Chancellor Walcott, Release Multi-Pronged Plan to Fight Asthma in the Bronx

Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester), and New York City School Chancellor Dennis Walcott were joined by parents, community leaders, educators, and healthcare professionals to unveil a multi-pronged plan to fight asthma in the Bronx.

Asthma is the most common chronic disorder in children and, in recent years, has become the leading cause of hospitalization among children in New York. The Bronx has one of the highest asthma rates in the country, with an asthma hospitalization rate that is 70 percent higher than the rest of the city and 700 percent higher than the rest of New York State. Educators have also found asthma to be a major cause for chronic absenteeism in New York City schools.

“This affliction has not only taken our children's health hostage, it is holding their education for ransom,” Senator Klein said. “What we have developed is a comprehensive strategy to detect local environmental triggers that cause asthma attacks, educate parents, and keep kids in the classroom.”

"When a student is sick, they either miss class or struggle to learn,” Chancellor Walcott said. “We need to do everything we can to make sure students attend school so that by their senior year they will be prepared for college and career. The NYC Asthma Friendly Schools Campaign was launched to help reduce asthma-related absences and improve asthma awareness, prevention and management.

At Senator Klein's urging, the state Department of Environmental Conservation this past weekend deployed air monitors for the first time ever in North Eastern Bronx. Four separate thoroughfares – Interstate 495/295, the Cross Bronx Expressway, the Hutchinson River Parkway, and the Bruckner Expressway – run through this area, while two near-by bridges – the Whitestone and the Throggs Neck – are used by more than 40 million motorists each year. Senator Klein and Community Board #10 worked with the DEC to have temporary air monitors placed at the Locust Point Civic Association and the Throggs Neck Houses.

Chancellor Walcott recently announced a new citywide campaign to reduce asthma-related absenteeism in schools. Roughly 17 percent of students have been diagnosed with asthma.

The program includes:

Expansion of the American Lung Association's (ALA) Open Airways Program For Schools:

Parent Summits at Schools with High Asthma Rates:

Provide New Training to Physical Education Teachers in Management and Prevention of Asthma among Students.

Family Shelters to Receive New Asthma Prevention and School Attendance Training: 

 

Senator Klein has introduced new comprehensive legislation to fight the spread of asthma and help reduce the skyrocketing healthcare costs associated with asthma related treatment. 

Which includes     

• Provide for a program of asthma disease management and control within the State Department of Health;
• Require teachers in public and non-public school systems across New York State to be trained in identifying and responding to asthma emergencies in accordance with standards to be prescribed by the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health;

• Reduce exhaust exposure to school-age children by expanding a preexisting ban on idling vehicles on school grounds to privately owned automobiles. It would also expand this idling prohibition to private schools.
• Limit the use of chemicals in public buildings and schools known to exacerbate asthma symptoms;
• Expand existing programs designed to combat childhood obesity to also include strategies to curtail incidence of asthma and related conditions.
• Create an asthma tracking program to identify trends in the times, places and demographics of those afflicted with asthma to collect information for the basis of continued addressing of asthma.

Senator Klein will also be sponsoring a training session at the Locust Point Civic Association July 27, from 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m that will help community groups apply for state environmental justice grants, which are offered by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, that can be used for asthma-fighting efforts in their neighborhoods.

Senator Klein, Chancellor Walcott, stand with  parents, community leaders, educators, and healthcare professionals to unveil a multi-pronged plan to fight asthma in the Bronx at the Locust Point Civic Association. If you look to the far right, you will see one of the DEC air monitors that has been placed in North Eastern Bronx. 

 

 

 

 

City investigators shut out of Rep. Eliot Engel's illegal apartment building 

That was the headline in today's Daily News as they reported that Congressman Eliot Engel and an his business partner Harry Bajraktan have ignored six requests to inspect the building they are reported to own located at 1142 Metcalf Avenue here in the Bronx. 

 

The News story goes on to say that Congressman Engel became a 24% partner in Dec. 2008 with $30,000, and quotes Engel saying that was part of what was left to him by his mother in 2007.

 

The story goes on to quoting Engel's partner saying it was the problem of a tenant that he was trying to evict.  

 You can read the entire Daily News story HERE  .

 

  

Senator Rivera Hosted Bronx CAN Health Initiative Check-In Focused on Nutrition

Bronxites participated in a Healthy Cooking Demonstration, Spoke to Nutritionists  

“ There are several factors as to why the Bronx is the unhealthiest county, including less healthy options than other boroughs, but we can take ownership of our personal health habits and behaviors,” said Senator Gustavo Rivera. “I live in the same community and walk by the same fried chicken spots and pizza parlors, but I have made a commitment to lead a healthier life and to help educate my neighbors about the importance of developing healthy habits that will last a lifetime.”

Senator Gustavo Rivera (D, Bronx) on, Saturday, July 16^th, 2011, hosted the first Bronx CAN Health Initiative Check-In focused on nutrition and healthy eating habits at the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center. At the kick-off of the Bronx CAN Health Initiative in June, Senator Rivera committed to losing 20 pounds by October 24^th, the last day of the Bronx CAN Health Initiative. Today, he weighed in at 293 lbs. down six pounds from 299 lbs in June. 

“I want to thank Senator Gustavo Rivera for asking me to participate in the Bronx CAN Health Challenge,” said Kenny Agosto, District Leader in District 80 and Bronx CAN Health Challenge participant. “I know I didn’t gain all this weight overnight and that I won’t lose it all overnight, but with Senator Rivera’s help I am getting on track to having a healthy lifestyle and have already lost ten pounds. 

The event included a healthy cooking demonstration from the Nutrition and Health Program Cornell University Cooperative as well as the opportunity for Bronx CAN Health participants to sit down with nutritionists to discuss how to make healthier choices in their daily lives. Participants also received free healthy recipes cookbooks and Green Bucks coupons for NYC Green Carts.

Opposition to Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz’s Bill Making Prostitution Near a School an A Misdemeanor

Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) has released the following statement:

“I’m sharing this information for everyone to see that unfortunately, people are still protecting crimes against children in New York.  Senate Bill 1313B was passed in the Senate and the Assembly, but for some reason there is an effort underway to derail it.  This law would help shield school children from witnessing open and notorious acts of prostitution as they walk to and from their schools.

Here is a tweet against my bill that was retweeted by others:  “Take a moment to stop State Sen. Ruben Diaz's attempts to persecute sex worker! Gov. Cuomo has till Monday to... http://fb.me/DYw0D3g9”

The page linked to that tweet contains their position against my bill and their petition letter (shown below) against my bill.

I’d like to know who else is as disgusted by this effort as I am.”

First here is the link for Senate Bill S1313B that was introduced by Senators Adams, Diaz, Kruger, and Sampson, that passed 62 - 0.

Second here is the link for Assembly Bill A2264B that was Introduced by M. of A. CRESPO, MENG, RAMOS, CAMARA, ARROYO, BRONSON, REILLY, LINARES, GIBSON, M. MILLER, and Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. CERETTO, CONTE, CROUCH, FINCH, GABRYSZAK, KATZ, LOSQUADRO, McLAUGHLIN, MONTESAN, and passed 128 - 10.

OVERVIEW OF THE OPPOSITION

In the modern era, most sex workers who work on the street are engaged in sex work out of desperate need. They face widespread physical and sexual violence, especially from the police. For these women, men, and children, the criminal justice system is merely a “revolving door” that hinders rather than helps their chances of stopping sex work. More convictions only make it harder for sex workers to transition out of sex work into the mainstream economy, because they are rejected from jobs, denied work authorization, can even be evicted from their homes for these convictions.

But a bill now on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's desk would increase the penalty for vulnerable street-based sex workers.

The bill increases prostitution to a Class A Misdemeanor when it occurs on or adjacent to school grounds. The legislation was inspired by worries about sex work occurring too close to a school in West Farms, yet many community members in that very neighborhood have expressed concerns that such punitive measures will not address the root causes of the problem – addiction, exploitation and poverty – but will in fact, result in a cycle of recidivism that could have been prevented by a less punitive approach.

West Farms is a community that has seen the worst of the economic crisis, including cuts to social programs, increasing rates of incarceration, entrenched poverty, failing schools, and homelessness. Raising prostitution one offense level will not protect children nor the victims of poverty.

Tell Gov. Cuomo to veto this bill and look for real solutions to the economic problems facing our communities.

Petition

VETO Bill S1313B/A2264B

Dear Governor Cuomo

On July 8, 2011, a bill introduced by Senator Ruben Diaz was delivered to your office. This bill, S1313B/A2264B, raises prostitution to an A Misdemeanor for sex workers arrested on or adjacent to a school. While we understand the need to protect children, we are writing your office to voice our concern regarding the bill’s civil and human rights implications for the most vulnerable in our society.

Sex workers who work on the street are often engaged in sex work out of desperate need to meet basic survival needs for food and shelter, not out of a desire to commit crime or harm the community. There is widespread physical and sexual violence street-based sex workers experience. For these women, men, and children, the criminal justice system is merely a “revolving door” that hinders rather than helps their chances of stopping sex work. More convictions only make it harder for sex workers to transition out of sex work into the mainstream economy, because they are rejected from jobs, denied work authorization, can even be evicted from their homes for these convictions. Studies also show that when sex workers are more frequently arrested, they are less able to negotiate safer sex with their clients, and more likely to be violently assaulted.

This bill was proposed as an answer to a situation near West Farms Elementary School in the Bronx where sex workers sometimes work on the street in view of students. However, even this current situation is itself the result of prior police crackdowns on prostitution. Sex workers were forced out of a nearby hotel and, with no other place to go and no other options to survive, they began to work on the street.

Those from communities such as West Farms have a right to be upset. These communities have seen the worst of the economic crisis, including cuts to social programs, increasing rates of incarceration, entrenched poverty, failing schools, and homelessness. However, raising prostitution one offense level will not solve these problems, or eliminate street based prostitution from the south Bronx and other poor neighborhoods. Even in West Farms, some community members have expressed concerns that such punitive measures will not address the root causes of the problem – addiction, exploitation and poverty – but will in fact, result in a cycle of recidivism that could have been prevented by a less punitive approach. A higher offense level will make it more likely that sex workers will be incarcerated for longer periods of time, making it harder for them to rebuild their lives and find work other than sex work when they are released.

We urge you to veto this bill. Before passing this kind of legislation, we encourage you to engage in conversation with parents, service providers, lawmakers and sex workers, about how to protect children while ensuring safety and survival for all.

Thank you for your consideration regarding this important matter.

Dave Valentin at Orchard Beach Sunday July 17, 2011

 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is proud to announce Jazz Legend and Grammy Award-Winning Flutist  Dave Valentin will perform  at Orchard Beach this  Sunday July 17th  Time 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM

Important information on upcoming Lien Sales from Comptroller Liu

         The Department of Finance lists 17,547 properties across the city as potential candidates for the August 1, 2011 lien sale.  By borough, these properties break down in the following fashion:

o   Manhattan – 1,338

o   Bronx – 2854

o   Brooklyn – 7749

o   Queens – 4290

o   Staten Island – 1316

·         The dollar amounts owed to the City by property owners range from millions to the low thousands of dollars.  

·         The city only sells liens to a single authorized buyer and not to the general public.  The lien sale is the transfer of the lien to the single authorized buyer which hires collection agencies.  It is not a sale of the property, but if the taxes and/or charges are not paid or resolved, the lien holder can begin a foreclosure proceeding in court.

·         If the property owner does not make arrangements with the new lien holder who purchased the packaged liens, a foreclosure can commence within 6 months after the lien sale date.

·         The City’s last lien sale was July 29, 2010 when there were 5,416 liens listed.  After some taxpayers made payments, the total number of liens was reduced to 4,736.  It is important to note that the number of auctions in connection with foreclosures as a result of the city’s lien program for 1996-2010 has been quite small – on 315 family dwellings.

·         In all probability, only a subset of 17,547 properties on the current list will be packaged together for the lien sale on August 1 to the single buyer.

·         It is hard to say with certainty how many of the 17,547 properties are owned by individual homeowners versus real estate companies and other businesses, although a sample of 100 properties in Brooklyn showed 37 of the 100 were owned by individual homeowners.  In Bronx, the number was 33 out of 100.  However, when going to CB 12 in Queens – an area hit hard by the foreclosure crisis – the number was 62 out of 100.

				The Comptrollers office just updated its website yesterday to include need to know information on the upcoming lien sales (it’s center page, under featured news), http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/. They are  working with Bronx Councilman Fernando Cabrera on this.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ CALLS ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE IN MULLER DISPUTE

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has issued a letter to the both the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Office of Economic Adjustment of the United States Navy outlining the specific falsehoods the Bloomberg administration has put forward to justify its contention that a vote on the future of the Sgt. Joseph E. Muller Army Reserve Center in Wakefield took place in November 2010.

This contention flies in the face of all evidence, including the fact that the administration held a public hearing to comment on the impending vote in June 2011, seven months after they claim the vote actually happened.

“The mayor’s office has also failed to explain why they would hold a public hearing to comment on the submission in June 2011 and then claim that a vote on that same submission took place seven months earlier.  I, my staff, and most importantly my constituents remain flabbergasted at this twisted logic, which at best represents a misunderstanding of the LRA process or, at worst, is an outright lie,” wrote Borough President Diaz.

Borough President Diaz closed his letter by noting that if this matter could not be resolved, his office would pursue legal action.

 

 

Bronx Community Board No. 8's

Grand Opening

Kingsbridge Heights Youthmarket

Friday, July 15, 2011 at 1:00PM

located at West Kingsbridge Road & Reservoir Avenue

Open Fridays, 12:00PM to 6:00PM

through October 28th.

The Youthmarket has healthy, fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables available including peaches, squash, corn, onions, collard greens, cilantro, and much more. All grown by New York area farmers!

Easy access to good fresh food can have a positive health benefit for so many residents in the Bronx Community Board 8 community.

Participate in a fun event. Bring your family, bring your neighbors and bring your friends!

To learn about our Network of Farmer Youthmarkets, visit www.nyc.gov/bronxcb8

BXCB8 NETWORK OF FARMERS' YOUTHMARKETS:

Kingsbridge Heights, Marble Hill & Riverdale Youthmarkets!

Bronx Community Board No. 8 (BXCB8) has created a network of farmers' youthmarkets in partnership with GrowNYC. Youthmarket is an innovative program of GrowNYC which brings fresh food into underserved areas.

The Kingsbridge Heights Youthmarket, located on West Kingsbridge Road and Reservoir Avenue at Barnhill Square, will operate on Fridays from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, July 15 through October 28. This is the second youthmarket that Bronx Community Board 8 has opened.

The first market that opened 3 years ago, is the Marble Hill Youthmarket located on West 225th Street and Broadway in front of the Target Center and will operate on Fridays from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM, July 8 through through October 28. This market begins its third successful year in partnership with RNH.

Riverdale Youthmarket operated by RNH located at 5521 Mosholu Avenue, between West 254th Street and Riverdale Avenue is alos a part of BXCB 8's network of farmers' youthmarkets. It will operate on Thursdays from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, July 8 through October 27.

Easy access to good fresh food can have a positive health benefit for so many in the Bronx Community Board 8 community.

Youthmarket is an innovative program of nonprofit GrowNYC, and is part of a network of urban farm stands operated by teen entrepreneurs bringing fresh produce into low-income communities, which are disproportionately affected by diet-related health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The Youthmarkets bring healthy foods such as fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, all grown by New York area farms.

Funding for both Kingsbridge Heights and Marble Hill Youthmarkets was provided by Bon Secours New York Health System/Schervier. Bon Secours works closely with community partners Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC) and Riverdale Neighborhood House (RNH). KHCC and RNH employ the students that operate the markets with guidance and training from GrowNYC. All students have been recruited from the neighborhoods surrounding the Youthmarkets. Bronx Community Board 8 initiated the two Youthmarkets, organized the community partners and provided logistical support.
The Kingsbridge and Marble Hill Youthmarkets will also have a registered dietitian, courtesy of Bon Secours New York Health System/Schervier, and feature youth cooking demonstrations and nutritional programs throughout the summer.

Bronx Community Board No.8 (BXCB8) plays an important role in improving the quality of life for the communities it serves. BXCB8 is a vital liaison and advocate for the community in dealing with New York City government, elected officials, municipal service delivery, land use and zoning issues, community and business development, the City budget and many other matters relating to the community’s health, safety and welfare.