What You Should Know by Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz

 

Senator Dean Skelos should create a Senate Committee to investigate Senator Mark Grisanti.

There are too many versions of what happened the night of February 10, 2012 in the Seneca Niagara Casino. It is being reported that Senator Mark Grisanti was involved in an altercation that resulted in his wife being injured.

There is another story floating around where many people are claiming that Senator Grisanti threw the first punch and that he hit a woman. If this is so, these are very serious accusations.

I completely disagree with Senator Dean Skelos when he said “I believed Mark Grisanti when he said he was attacked.  His wife was attacked. She was knocked down on the floor. They beat her head against the floor. She has a concussion. She has bruises, and I think that was an indication that she was attacked.”

I wish that Senator Skelos and the members of the Senate would have taken Hiram Monserrate and his girl friend Carla at their word and believed them, the same way they are believing Mark Grisanti.

You should know that during the Hiram Monserrate incident there were no witnesses present except Monserrate and his girlfriend Carla. Both of them testified under oath that it was an accident, but Senator Skelos and the members of the Senate did not believe them. They formed their own opinion and decided that they knew better and expelled Senator Monserrate from the Senate.

Today, my dear reader, you should also know that contrary to Monserrate’s case, in Grisanti’s situation there are many other witnesses that testified against Grisanti’s version. Yet Senator Skelos does not believe those witnesses who were not only present, but saw and heard every detail of the incident. Senator Skelos already has decided to believe Senator Grisanti’s account.

You should know, and I want to make it very clear, that I am not saying that Senator Grisanti is wrong or that he is right. I was not there. I am merely stating that justice has to be equal. If the Senate created a special committee to investigate Senator Hiram Monserrate, even when the only two witnesses said that it was an accident, why not create a committee to investigate Senator Mark Grisanti, when there are many witnesses and many different stories?

Justice is supposed to be blind, colorless, racially-less, culturally-less, and conveniently-less.

You should also know that it was the Democratic controlled Senate that created a commission to investigate one of their own (Senator Monserrate), regardless of the consequences to their own majority and party affiliations.

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

The Bronx Youth Empowerment Program

        

                                                   
  

         

Presents

CONNECTIONS

Building Positive Relationships

Between our youth and NYPD

Richard R. Green Middle School

3710 Barnes Ave

Bronx NY 10467

Monday, February 27, 2012

6pm

Interact with our officers

Get the information that will save lives!!!

Share your concerns

BE THERE!!!

For more information contact

Bronx Youth Empowerment Program

718-515-0822

bronxyep@gmail.com

The Bronx Youth Empowerment Program

Salutes Black History Month!

Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Accepts Invitation to Rally for Traditional Marriage in Trenton

 

Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Accepts Invitation to Rally for Traditional Marriage in Trenton

New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) and fellow Ministers from the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization have accepted an invitation to travel to the New Jersey State Legislature in Trenton to join New Jersey ministers in support of Traditional Marriage.  The Pentecostal ministers will depart from the Bronx on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 9AM from the Christian Community Neighborhood Church located at 1437 Longfellow Avenue (between Jennings and Freeman Avenues). 

 

Senator Rev. Diaz stated: “I am honored that Rev. Jose C. Lopez, the President of the Evangelical Pastors Association of Hudson County, has invited me and my ministers to join him along with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, to once again unite in prayer for the protection of the traditional family.”

 

 Also From Senator Diaz The Following-

 

Senator Reverend Diaz Urges Decision on Congressional Lines

New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) has issued the following statement:

“They seem to be playing games about where New York’s Congressional lines should be drawn. When those lines are finally drawn, the opportunity will be open for many people to consider running for Congress. I wish they would hurry up and appoint a federal judge to draw New York’s Congressional lines because as soon as they do, many people like myself will make up their mind to run for Congress or not.” 

According to the census, the Bronx has gained population and I as well as many others are on the waiting list to decide what our options are.  A new congressional seat in the Bronx will give many of us an opportunity to consider moving up.

COMPTROLLER LIU"s  STATEMENT ON EDC’S $100 MILLION SUBSIDY TO FRESH DIRECT

“Today’s $100 million subsidy to Fresh Direct was already a done deal from the moment it was announced last week and the reality is that my vote today does not change the outcome.  Nonetheless, I cannot vote for this subsidy in good conscience.  There may be more ways to ensure a better return on this investment.

“For the cost of this benefits package the city could give 4,385 students full, four-year scholarships to CUNY or hire 1,458 new teachers or pay for 350,000 GED test-prep programs or launch a micro-lending program for minority and women entrepreneurs.

“The EDC has not clearly justified why this much money should be used to subsidize this company.  This subsidy seems to give away too much in exchange for the jobs and economic development it promises, despite the rosy numbers provided by the EDC.

“A few months ago, the EDC attracted a world-class university by promising $100 million in capital for a project that by their own estimate will generate 30,000 jobs. Now the EDC is giving close to $100 million to create 962 jobs.  The cost to the City is $93,000 for each new job.

“Fresh Direct does appear to have support from elected officials, labor leaders, and the workers and we understand and concur with the sentiment that to keep jobs in New York City and create jobs in the Bronx are high-priority objectives. 

“This agreement comes on the heels of the city’s decision to have taxpayers fund the estimated $180 million Ferry Point golf course.  That the Fresh Direct deal was announced before the public even had a chance to comment is symptomatic of this badly flawed process.”

Elected Officials And Locals Will Gather At Transit Town Hall In The Bronx

Assembly Member Marcos Crespo Sponsors Forum With Transit Advocates & Riders

Thursday, February 16 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

WHAT         A community forum on public transportation.

WHEN         February 16, 2012, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

WHERE       Bronx River Community Center
                   1619 East 174th Street
                   Bronx, NY

WHO          Assembly Member Marcos Crespo
                   Assembly Member Carmen E. Arroyo
                   Assembly Member Jose Rivera
                   Assembly Member Vanessa L. Gibson
                   Assembly Member Nelson Castro
                   Council Member Maria Del Carmen Arroyo
                   Picture The Homeless
                   Youth Ministries For Peace And Justice
                   

Transportation Alternatives & Local transit riders

WHY           To discuss the challenges facing transit riders in an
underfunded system and to identify solutions.

Background
This forum will be an opportunity for transit riders to talk with elected officials and community leaders about solutions for improving their quality of life through reliable, affordable and efficient transit.

In the Bronx River/Soundview area, 63 percent of local residents use public transit. More than 43,000 daily riders start their commutes at the eight subway stations in the neighborhood, and these numbers don’t include the tens of thousands of riders who rely on local and express bus service.

 

 JASA Annual Event

 

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ, BOEDC & FRESHDIRECT REACH AGREEMENT ON NEW FACILITY

 

Today, in advance of a vote at the Industrial Development Agency on FreshDirect’s proposed relocation to the Harlem River Yards in the Bronx, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and FreshDirect have reached an agreement on best practices to address a number of the concerns that have been raised since FreshDirect’s proposed relocation was made public.

The “memorandum of understanding” includes agreements between the three parties on local hiring, vendor referrals, expanding FreshDirect’s services to new Bronx neighborhoods, accepting EBT benefits, and decreasing the company’s reliance on fossil fuels through the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles.

“I am very excited that FreshDirect will make the Bronx its new home, and that we have come to an agreement with the company that will ensure their commitment to the Bronx for decades to come. FreshDirect’s decision to stay in New York City, right here in the Bronx, is a win-win for everyone. FreshDirect is a real home-grown success that will now continue to grow, creating almost a thousand new jobs in our borough, which is not only a victory for the Bronx but also the entire City,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

 

“We welcome FreshDirect to the Bronx and know that our collaboration will result in a rich environment for them, our residents and the other Bronx businesses that are anxious to provide their growing customer base with additional products made in our Borough,” said Marlene Cintron, president, Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.

“We're thrilled by the opportunity to be a part of the Bronx community. We have historically created a large amount of new jobs and look forward to creating many more hand-in-hand with our new neighbors. Also, we take seriously our shared responsibility to the environment,” said Jason Ackerman, CEO of FreshDirect.

In addition to the MOU, Borough President Diaz’s office has also created a new Facebook group, “Bronxites for FreshDirect,” designed to illustrate to the company just how many Bronx residents are willing to not only use their service, but have the technical capabilities to do so.

“A critique of FreshDirect has been the company’s unwillingness to deliver to most areas of the Bronx. Through this Facebook page, we are prepared to show FreshDirect that Bronx residents are ready to use their service, if it is offered to them,” said Borough President Diaz.

That page can be found at facebook.com/BronxitesForFreshDirect.

 

NEW YORK CITY COMPTROLLER JOHN C. LIU APPOINTS RICARDO MORALES AS FIRST DEPUTY COMPTROLLER

- Promotes Valerie Budzik to Deputy Comptroller for Legal Affairs / General Counsel -

  City Comptroller John C. Liu today announced the appointments of Ricardo Elias Morales to the position of First Deputy Comptroller and Valerie Budzik to the title of Deputy Comptroller / General Counsel.  Morales will be replacing current First Deputy Eric Eve as he departs the office to join strategic global communications firm RLM Finsbury as Partner, while Budzik assumes the role currently held by Morales.

Morales and Budzik will begin their new responsibilities immediately. First Deputy Comptroller Eve will depart the office effective February 24th, and will work with Morales closely to ensure a seamless transition.

“Ricardo and Eric have been key advisors and close confidants, and they have opined on nearly every decision we have made over these past two years,” Comptroller Liu said.  “I wish Eric the best and thank him for his countless hours of work as the chief of my leadership team and look forward to seeing the great things that Ricardo will bring to the table as he assumes this new role.”

“I look forward to using my expanded role and experience in government to build upon the significant achievements of Comptroller Liu’s administration,” Morales said.  “I am deeply honored to have Comptroller Liu’s continued trust and confidence, and am proud to undertake this new role.”

Prior to joining Comptroller Liu’s administration, Ricardo Morales served as General Counsel and Interim Chairman to the New York City Housing Authority, the largest public housing authority in North
America with a $3.2 billion annual budget and 11,600 employees.  At NYCHA, Morales was the principal architect of the NYCHA Audit Committee and was selected to receive the Ethics in Government Award by the NYC Conflicts of Interest Board for establishing a model ethics program.

Morales holds a J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law Center and received his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College. He and his wife reside in the Bronx.

“Ricardo has served as a linchpin of my administration since I first took office and continues to demonstrate extraordinary leadership and keen guidance,” Comptroller Liu said. “His new role will further leverage his deep knowledge of City government and enable our office to deliver on the commitment I made to City residents early on: to expand opportunity, increase transparency and root out waste, fraud and abuse.”

In elevating Valerie Budzik to Deputy Comptroller for Legal Affairs / General Counsel, Liu said “Valerie has been integral to the smooth and efficient functioning of this office.  I know she will continue to perform at the very highest levels and move our vigorous agenda forward.” Ms. Budzik holds a J.D degree from Fordham Law School and received her bachelor’s degree from Fordham University.  She and her family reside in Brooklyn.

Background:
As Deputy Comptroller for Legal Affairs / General Counsel, Morales currently oversees the Bureaus of Legal Affairs, Law and Adjustment and Labor Law.  In this capacity he also serves as advisor to the Comptroller on all legal matters that impact the mission and operations of the Comptroller’s office.  In the Comptroller’s role as investment advisor to the City Pension Funds, Morales provides legal advice and support on issues such as proxy solicitation matters, shareholder initiatives and securities litigation.  In addition, Morales works with Bureau of Contracts to ensure city agencies are in legal compliance for contract registration, the Bureau of Public Finance in structuring and negotiating bond sales, as well as the Bureau of Audit to review any legal issues or findings that may emerge as a result of ongoing audits. Ms. Budzik will now assume these responsibilities.

As First Deputy Comptroller, Morales will now be responsible for managing a staff of more than 700 employees and an operating budget of $74 million.

In addition to overseeing the day to day to operations of the Comptroller’s office, he will supervise the City’s audits of municipal agencies, its settlement of claims, accounting procedures and contracts, and its enforcement of prevailing wage laws. He will also act as the agency’s Chief Procurement Officer.