COUNCILMAN KOPPELL OPPOSES BAN ON SIZE OF SUGARY DRINKS

At the Public Hearing conducted by the Board of Health on July 24, 2012, Council Member Oliver Koppell opposed the proposed ban on the sale of sugary beverages over 16 ounces in all restaurants and theaters, food carts and sports arenas regulated by the Health Department. In his testimony, Koppell said, “The proposed regulation is an obstruction of the rights of New Yorkers to choose for themselves the size of the beverages they want to consume and is a clear overreaching of the government into people’s everyday lives.”

He pointed out that the regulation is arbitrary and capricious insofar as it does not apply to all stores and other outlets serving drinks and it does not cover all high sugar beverages, just a select few, not based on health criteria.  Only the size of the cup is regulated, enabling a customer to purchase two or more 16 ounce drinks. It does not prohibit free refills and does not limit the prohibition to minors who arguably do not have the maturity to make a sound choice.

Comparing this regulation to the ban on smoking in restaurants, Koppell said that tobacco is a much more dangerous substance and, furthermore, the rule was enacted after it was passed by the legislative body elected by the people and then signed by the Mayor.  He pointed out that the prohibition on the ban of oversize sugary beverages, which affects thousands of businesses and millions of consumers, will be promulgated only by the Board of Health, an agency whose members are solely appointed by the Mayor.  )

Koppell acknowledged that obesity is a serious issue in New York and across the country, but said, “This regulation is neither a proper nor effective way of addressing the problem.” People are concerned, he said, that this infringement on the rights of New Yorkers will expand to other areas, such as mandating vegetables at every meal, regulating the size of candy bars or pizza slices or prohibiting bars from serving more than two drinks a customer.

“Many healthy and health-conscious New Yorkers consume sugary beverages as part of countless pastimes such as movies or sports exhibitions and most of the time it is not reflective of an unhealthy lifestyle,” Koppell said.  “Regulation of this consumption will be regarded by many as an intrusion on their individual freedom, an opinion with which I concur.”

In conclusion, he said, “Let the people choose for themselves how much soda they wish to consume.  There are more effective approaches to battling obesity.”

We will add other comments as they come in.


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ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

City Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following on the announcement that same-sex marriage has generated $259 million in economic activity:

“Thirteen months ago our legislators did the right thing and voted to make same-sex marriage a reality, ensuring that New York State was among the leaders in equality. Today’s announcement is simply the icing on the wedding cake.”

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Co-Op City Residents Rally Against 2013 Transit Fare Hike

Co-Op City Residents to Rally Against 2013 Transit Fare Hike

Call For Restoration Of Local Bus Service And Access-A-Ride

Co-Op City residents are tired of being asked to pay more for less when it comes to public transit. To get almost anywhere in New York City, they must transfer from a bus to a subway or even worse, from a bus to another bus before making it to the subway. Since the 2010 service cuts, this has been a fact-of-life in the transit desert that is Co-Op City

The loss of the Bx26 and the Bx28 and unpredictable Access-A-Ride service make public transit unreliable in a neighborhood that is home to approximately 55,000 New Yorkers.

WHEN            July 25, 2012, 7 pm

WHERE          Section One Greenway
                      Co-Op City The Bronx, NY, 10475 

WHO             State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson
                       Assembly Member Michael Benedetto
                       Office of U.S. Representative Eliot Engel
                       Retirees of Dreiser Loop
                       Co-Op City Against MTA Cuts
                       Transportation Alternatives
                       Local transit riders

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

New York State’s Highest Ranking African American Leader: John Sampson
You should know that Senator John Sampson serves as New York State’s highest ranking African American elected official.  While Congressman Charlie Rangel serves in the U.S. Congress, it is John Sampson who serves as New York State Senate Minority Leader and as such, he is officially the highest ranking African American leader.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the National Action Network founded by Rev. Al Sharpton, the National Rainbow Coalition founded by Rev. Jesse Jackson and many other national and local organizations were created with one purpose in common: to fight for, obtain, and protect political, educational, social, and economic equality for the African American community.

You should all know about heroes in that struggle such as Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others who gave their lives to ensure that the African American community would be respected and that the African American community would obtain their fair share in participating in America’s political process.

In regards to John Sampson maintaining his leadership, I have to question: where have these organizations all been?  It seems to me that John Sampson has been abandoned.

All of the previously mentioned African American organizations have allowed Governor Andrew Cuomo and the political establishment to abuse, to make a mockery of, and practically destroy John Sampson.

They have even allowed four “Independent” Democrats to disregard Senator Sampson’s leadership and form their own Committee, creating a force that has practically ignored and disregarded the official political achievements of African Americans and the minority community in the State of New York.

Rev. Al Sharpton and his National Action Network seem to have dedicated themselves to  raising their voices on civil rights issues by engaging in lawsuits whenever there is abuse in the community.  On the other hand, the NAACP seems to have shifted its purpose to using its resources and energy to align themselves with the gay marriage and abortion issues.

I can remember that from time to time, my mother used to give my father grief when he would be out spending time with his friends.  I remember how my father used to tell my mother: “My friends are my friends with their virtues and their defects.”

My humble suggestion to the NAACP, to Rev. Al Sharpton, and to Rev. Jesse Jackson is to wake up and smell the coffee.  It’s time to get behind Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson right now and make sure that the African American community takes action to ensure that he doesn’t lose his leadership in New York State.   I only hope it’s not too late to make them realize what they may have lost already.

Instead of bowing to Governor Andrew Cuomo and others who make a mockery of what the African American community has already achieved, now is the time for the African American leadership nationwide to take a stand and extend to John Sampson, New York State’s highest ranking African American leader, the support he needs.  It’s time to show him the courtesy and respect he deserves and give him everything he needs to maintain his leadership position.

Because ladies and gentlemen, like my father used to tell my mother about his friends, John Sampson with his virtues and defects, is still a friend.

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

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STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

RE: Shooting Death of Four-Year Old Lloyd Morgan

“I am deeply saddened by last night’s incident in Morrisania, where four-year old Lloyd Morgan fell victim to gun violence while playing at a playground where his family and neighbors were enjoying a basketball game and barbecue. My heart goes out to his family through this difficult time as we keep little Lloyd Morgan in our prayers.   These senseless acts being committed in our borough, and in fact across the City and nation must stop.  It is disappointing that our residents can’t relax on a Sunday without fearing their life will be taken by a thug’s bullet. My office will continue to work to take as many illegal guns off of our streets as we possibly can.

I urge all Bronxites with knowledge of illegal guns in their community to call 866-GUN-STOP to anonymously report those guns to the police, a program that my office continues to promote through our ‘Peace in our Streets’ campaign,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

More information on the 866-GUN-STOP program can be found at the following link:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/home/rewards.shtml


Statement from Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo

First and foremost I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the Morgan family for the tragic death of 4 year old Lloyd Morgan. While no words can erase their pain, we must come together as a community and stand together to comfort and support the Morgan family during this difficult time.

I hope that anyone with any information about the individuals or groups responsible for this tragedy come forward and help law enforcement in their efforts for a expeditious investigation and arrest. If anyone has information, I urge them to call 1800 577 TIPS (8477).

Lastly, as the media discusses this case in relation to the debate over stop and frisk policies, it is my hope that our continuous pleas for reform will not get distorted into something they are not. We must proactively use every tool to address illegal guns and criminal behavior in all communities, but tools must be used appropriately. The numbers related to stop and frisk do not support the theory that it has been used effectively or that it has deterred the use of illegal guns.

We welcome and are always willing to partner with law enforcement to eradicate criminal behavior and put an end to this violence. But we will achieve nothing with a war of words and no real discussion. Our communities remain desperate for resources and services to offer alternatives to violence for our youth, and not addressing this very real need serves no one. The loss of after school programs, resources for local volunteer groups, and little education and job placement services must be discussed as part of the answer to go along with law enforcement.

As I stated to Ms. Morgan, I will do my part to support her family, and strongly encourage any witnesses to come forward with information that will lead to the arrest of those responsible.

Statemant from Senator Rev Ruben Diaz:

“I wish I could find a way to offer some comfort to the family and neighbors of 4 year Lloyd Morgan.  My thoughts and prayers are with them. We cannot allow  the killing to continue.  We cannot allow the violence to continue. We cannot continue to tell parents of innocent victims “I’m sorry and I feel your pain,”  while practically giving criminals and thugs a carte blanche to continue with these shootings.

I understand that there are many people that will not go along with my decision to support the Stop and Frisk Policy but if the Stop and Frisk policy can make a difference, then we need to realize that it’s time to support Stop and Frisk,  and that a life such as Little Lloyd Morgan is worth more than  anyone feeling discomfort by being stopped and searched by the police.   

Movie in Seton Park

   The Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corporation presented the movie "Back to the Future" in Seton Park on Saturday July 21st. You can see in the photos below how the event was set up, the pre movie warm up, and as it got darker only the movie. About 250 people and their children attended with many saying how great it was to see a movie in the park, and for free. The list of commercial  sponsors however was read before the movie started, and KRVDC also had a stand set up to sell snacks and merchandise or sign up people to some of the sponsors services. There were also a few giveaways provided by some of the sponsors. 

   Before the movie the Riverdale Children's Theatre put on a performance of three songs from upcoming events that they are having. The song "Everybody Wants to be an Aristocat" by "The Aristocats Kids" was sung first by the younger children in the group, who will be presenting on Monday July 30 and Tuesday July31 Disney's "Aristocats". Next was the theme song from "Legally Blond"  (the musical) to be presented Sunday August 5th (1 & 5 PM), Monday August 6th at 7 PM, and on Tuesday August 7th also at 7 PM. The third song was "Seasons of Love" from the Broadway play "Rent". For more information RCT, location, and any admission charges you can go to www.RIVERDALETHEATRE.ORG..

Left - The movie projector is being set up.  Right - The KRVDC stand.

Left - The RiverDale Children's Theatre get ready to sing.  Right are the children performing before the movie.

Left - some of the crowd.     Right - The movie "Back to the Future" begins.

Left - as the sun goes down it becomes better to view the movie.     Right - The sun is completely down.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Bronx Democratic County Committee Dinner

    On Thursday July 19th The Bronx Democratic County Committee held their annual dinner. The room at Marina Del Ray was filled with Loyal Bronx Democrats as those Bronx Democrats who are challenging current Bronx Democratic County organization supported candidates were told "Do Not Attend". Even though their names were read at the dinner at least two State Committee members were not at the dinner as they are either running against or running with candidates that are challenging incumbents assembly members that are being backed by the Bronx Democratic County organization. It was said over and over who the Bronx Democratic County organization is endorsing, but not why, only because they are incumbents. Several people at the dinner told me that they were not happy that people were told not to come to a dinner that is suppose to be inclusive to all democrats. 

    While the room may have been filed we did not see several elected officials such as all three or four (depending on how you count them) members of congress that represent one part of the Bronx or another. We will say however that Congress was in session so all were in Washington, and had staff members standing in for them. We saw only State Senator Gustavo Rivera who stayed for a while, but no other state senators such as Senators Ruth Hassel-Thompson, Jeff Klein, Adriano Espaillat, Jose Marcos Serrano, and Ruben Diaz Sr. We also did not see some Bronx City Council and State Assembly members who may have come and gone quickly. We will say that we saw former Governor David Paterson and former Bronx Borough President Adolpho Carrion, and Bronx DA Robert Johnson.

   The honorees were Mr. Simon Bergson (President and C.E.O., Manhattan Beer), Mr. Fernando Brinn (President, Nandicarm Ltd.). Ms Marlene Cintron (President, BOEDC), Mr. Gregory Floyd (President Teamsters Local 237), Mr. Ernest Logan (President of the CSA), and Ms. Kathryn Wylde (President and C.E.O., Partnership for NYC). It was Mr. Ernest Logan who may of had the best line of the night when he said "Do not let people who know nothing about your children educate and make decisions for them" referring to Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of Education.

   Other highlights were the announcement by Chairman Heastie that he and the BDCC were supporting assembly candidate Luis Supelveda in the open 87th A.D. race. Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. said that the Bronx is getting one of the only five new Macy's Department stores to be built in the country, Fresh Direct coming to the Bronx, Donald Trumps new golf course in the Bronx, the debate for a "Living Wage" began and ended in the Bronx, and that outer borough taxi's happened because of Chairman Heastie and the Bronx delegation. Diaz then predicted that the Yankees would win again, in 2013 the Bronx will have a say in the elections that year, Gillabrand and Obama will be re-elected, and that all Bronx incumbents will be re-elected, 

  With the Yankees having a huge lead, the race for president at almost 50/50, some Bronx incumbents having what looks like very tough races, and with City Council Speaker Quinn and Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio (two of the top candidates for mayor in 2013) not in attendance we wonder if BP Diaz should leave the predicting to us. However we do agree with BP Diaz on three of his predictions. Below are a few photos of the event, and if the photos appear a little dark that is due to the low lighting in most of the room.

Left - State Comptroller Tom Di Napoli with 85th A.D. Marcos Crespo.   Left City Comptroler (and candidate for mayor in 2013) John Liu addresses the crowd while Chairman Heastie looks on.

   

Left - Ms. Marlene Cintron of BOEDC.   Right - Former Bronx BP Adolpho Carrion. 

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Colorado Movie Theater Shooting

Below are statements that are coming in about the Colorodo Movie Theater Shooting
(More will be added as they come in.)

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

“I, along with all 1.4 million residents of the Bronx, would like to extend our most heartfelt condolences to the victims of last night’s deadly movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado.  It is absolutely shocking that someone would look to hurt hard working individuals who wanted to do nothing more than relax and watch a movie with friends and family. 

“I and the residents of the Bronx will keep the victims of this devastating event, as well as the entire state of Colorado, in our prayers,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. 

Mayor Bloomberg has stepped up security by stationing NYC police officers at theaters where the Dark Night movie is being shown in New York City. Bloomberg has also called for stricter gun laws, and for both presidential candidates to make gun control a major issue in the presidential election.

From 87th A.D. Assembly candidate Luis Sepulveda  
“Whether it occurs on the streets of the Bronx, or in a crowded movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, the scourge of violence perpetrated by guns is an egregious affront to a civilized society. In solidarity with the victims and their families of last night’s mass shooting, I extend my heartfelt condolences. Hopefully, we can take something away from this, so that the untimely deaths of these people will not be in vain.”

As more statements come in we will add them to these. feel free to add your comment.