Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Hurricane SANDY UPDATE
Tuesday AM--
THIS IS NOT A SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE
Lower Manhattan was under water.
The East Side was flooded to 1st Avenue.
The West side Highway was under Water.
Electricity below 40th Street in Manhattan was out Monday night continuing into today.
All roads on Long Island were closed.
All Subway and commuter railroads are still not running.
There are subway stations that are still flooded, and tunnels under the East River that are still under water.
A boat landed across Metro North Tracks on the Hudson line in Westchester County.
NYC schools will be closed on Wednesday.
Millions of people are still without power.
Fires ranged out of control in low lying areas that were flooded.
Downed power lines were everywhere.
More as details come in.
Monday, October 29, 2012
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York
A Word or Three about Yellow Journalism
You should know that the Saturday, October 27th New York Post column “State Dems shaking off scandals in polls” used the photos of three minority Senate Democrats: Pedro Espada, Jr., Hiram Monserrate, and Shirley Huntley to highlight corruption in the State Senate.
The New York Post, apparently disappointed with recent polls showing that New Yorkers want the Democrats to take back control of the State Senate, pointed out how Black and Hispanic Democrats have been indicted, belong in jail, or are accused of corruption. This New York Post article includes Senators Malcolm Smith, John Sampson and Eric Adams in their story, despite the fact that none of these Senators has ever been indicted of nor found guilty of anything – except being Black.
New York Post readers need to be wary because the Post somehow continues to overlook the corruption that is, has been, and continues to exist in the Republican Party by those Senate colleagues.
Lawmakers facing corruption charges are not exclusive to Democrats, nor are they exclusive to Black and Hispanic Senators, but the New York Post seems to make believe or ignore these facts. It may be the case that they are using their paper to slant their story or lie to their readers.
There are many ways of lying. You can lie by purposely ignoring the truth or speaking in half-truths. You can lie by only releasing the part of the story that you want to release. You can lie by making people believe that “this” is the whole truth while you knowingly hide the rest. You can lie by slanting the truth.
In this case, the New York Post exposes and accuses only Democratic Senators - highlighting Black and Hispanic Senators – while hiding the truth that there are at least as many among the ranks of the Republicans in the New York State Senate who have been accused of corruption and have been or may belong in jail.
Let’s start at the top.
Republican Senate Leader Joseph Bruno’s corruption was so egregious that it resulted in the Public Corruption Prevention and Enforcement Act. (I have no recollection of any stronger piece of legislation that resulted from the scandalous acts of any Black or Hispanic Senate Democrat.) Judge Gary L. Sharpe chastised Republican Senator Joseph Bruno during sentencing by telling the Republican Senate Leader: “You trampled on the integrity of the State Legislature.”
Disgraced Republican Senator Guy Velella ended his political career in the New York State Senate after he was convicted of bribery and went to prison.
Republican Senator Vincent Leibell is a convicted felon, guilty of taking kickbacks from a charity he founded which was funded with millions of taxpayer dollars. He pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and tax evasion.
Republican Senator Nick Spano pleaded guilty to tax evasion. During his sentencing, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: “When Nicholas Spano took the oath of office, he swore to uphold the law, and yet he did exactly the opposite. There is absolutely no place in government for lawbreakers, and we will continue to do everything within our power to prosecute and punish them.”
There are calls to investigate Republican Senate Deputy Majority Leader Tom Libous about a downstate law firm hiring his son, which, according to a witness in a recent federal corruption trial, was in exchange for the promise of more business.
Let's not forget the story about Republican Senator Jim Alesi, who doesn't exactly make the Republican Party shine. Senator Alesi trespassed on a homeowner's property, fell and broke his leg. Although the owners declined to press charges against him, Senator Alesi proceeded to sue the building contractor, DiRisio Builders. The New York Daily News editorial “State Sen. James Alesi is suing constituents when he should be apologizing for acting like an idiot” began with the following: “Remember the old joke about the kid who murdered his parents, then pleaded for mercy on grounds of being an orphan?”
While there is so much more to share about the Republican Senate, I will stop here, for now.
I ask my readers to always keep in mind that just because something appears in a newspaper, in a tabloid, or on the internet doesn’t mean it’s true. I also ask my friends in the media to keep in mind that just because the majority of New Yorkers want to see Democrats control the New York State Senate doesn’t mean that the New York Post or anyone else should engage in the use ugly racial tactics to try to undercut these hopes.
This is State Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York
A Word or Three about Yellow Journalism
You should know that the Saturday, October 27th New York Post column “State Dems shaking off scandals in polls” used the photos of three minority Senate Democrats: Pedro Espada, Jr., Hiram Monserrate, and Shirley Huntley to highlight corruption in the State Senate.
The New York Post, apparently disappointed with recent polls showing that New Yorkers want the Democrats to take back control of the State Senate, pointed out how Black and Hispanic Democrats have been indicted, belong in jail, or are accused of corruption. This New York Post article includes Senators Malcolm Smith, John Sampson and Eric Adams in their story, despite the fact that none of these Senators has ever been indicted of nor found guilty of anything – except being Black.
New York Post readers need to be wary because the Post somehow continues to overlook the corruption that is, has been, and continues to exist in the Republican Party by those Senate colleagues.
Lawmakers facing corruption charges are not exclusive to Democrats, nor are they exclusive to Black and Hispanic Senators, but the New York Post seems to make believe or ignore these facts. It may be the case that they are using their paper to slant their story or lie to their readers.
There are many ways of lying. You can lie by purposely ignoring the truth or speaking in half-truths. You can lie by only releasing the part of the story that you want to release. You can lie by making people believe that “this” is the whole truth while you knowingly hide the rest. You can lie by slanting the truth.
In this case, the New York Post exposes and accuses only Democratic Senators - highlighting Black and Hispanic Senators – while hiding the truth that there are at least as many among the ranks of the Republicans in the New York State Senate who have been accused of corruption and have been or may belong in jail.
Let’s start at the top.
Republican Senate Leader Joseph Bruno’s corruption was so egregious that it resulted in the Public Corruption Prevention and Enforcement Act. (I have no recollection of any stronger piece of legislation that resulted from the scandalous acts of any Black or Hispanic Senate Democrat.) Judge Gary L. Sharpe chastised Republican Senator Joseph Bruno during sentencing by telling the Republican Senate Leader: “You trampled on the integrity of the State Legislature.”
Disgraced Republican Senator Guy Velella ended his political career in the New York State Senate after he was convicted of bribery and went to prison.
Republican Senator Vincent Leibell is a convicted felon, guilty of taking kickbacks from a charity he founded which was funded with millions of taxpayer dollars. He pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and tax evasion.
Republican Senator Nick Spano pleaded guilty to tax evasion. During his sentencing, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: “When Nicholas Spano took the oath of office, he swore to uphold the law, and yet he did exactly the opposite. There is absolutely no place in government for lawbreakers, and we will continue to do everything within our power to prosecute and punish them.”
There are calls to investigate Republican Senate Deputy Majority Leader Tom Libous about a downstate law firm hiring his son, which, according to a witness in a recent federal corruption trial, was in exchange for the promise of more business.
Let's not forget the story about Republican Senator Jim Alesi, who doesn't exactly make the Republican Party shine. Senator Alesi trespassed on a homeowner's property, fell and broke his leg. Although the owners declined to press charges against him, Senator Alesi proceeded to sue the building contractor, DiRisio Builders. The New York Daily News editorial “State Sen. James Alesi is suing constituents when he should be apologizing for acting like an idiot” began with the following: “Remember the old joke about the kid who murdered his parents, then pleaded for mercy on grounds of being an orphan?”
While there is so much more to share about the Republican Senate, I will stop here, for now.
I ask my readers to always keep in mind that just because something appears in a newspaper, in a tabloid, or on the internet doesn’t mean it’s true. I also ask my friends in the media to keep in mind that just because the majority of New Yorkers want to see Democrats control the New York State Senate doesn’t mean that the New York Post or anyone else should engage in the use ugly racial tactics to try to undercut these hopes.
This is State Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Ben Franklin Club Celebrates Obama Pre-Victory
In a gathering of almost 100 people the Ben Franklin Club had an early celebration of President Obama's win on election day at the home of City Council Candidate Andrew Cohen. In what has become one of the worst kept secrets, Mr. Cohen has said that he will make a decision after election day about running for term limited City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell's seat. Cohen was elected as a Vice-Chair of the Bronx Democratic County Committee, and has filed with the city's campaign Finance Board as a candidate.
In attendance were Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer,
(Mayoral/Comptroller candidate), Congressman Eliot Engel, State
Senators Jeff Klein and Gustavo Rivera, 81st
A.D. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman G. Oliver Koppell,
Brooklyn Councilwoman Letitia James (candidate for Public Advocate in
2013).
Councilman
Koppell expressed his view that President Obama has a chance of
loosing the popular vote, but winning the all important “Electoral
College” that elects the president. Congressman Engel took a swipe
at his Republican opponent on election day, by asking Assemblyman
Dinowitz if it was the same person Dinowitz soundly defeated two
years ago. Yes it is replied Dinowitz. Senator Gustavo Rivera
standing near Councilman Koppell thanked him for his over 40 years of
public service as an elected official. Senator Jeff Klein said that
the election is important as it is between what is right and wrong.
Klein added “we have to make sure programs continue, and are not
cut or discontinued”. It was said that Councilman Koppell has been
a member of the Ben Franklin Democratic Club since 1966. Back then
the club was known as “The Ben Franklin Reform Democratic Club”.
Questions
I asked – Manhattan BP Stringer – Is it true that you are going
to run for Comptroller instead of mayor? Reply by Stringer, I have
not made up my mind yet.
State
Senator Jeff Klein – In 2016 if Gov. Cuomo runs for president and
current Attorney General Eric Schniderman runs for governor, would
you run for A.G. Reply by Klein – I don't know, it could be a
possibility if what I said all happens, but that is to far away to
think about now.
Councilwoman
James – Are you afraid of facing Brooklyn Councilman Charles
Barrons who has said he wants to run for Public Advocate also. Reply
by James – Don't believe what Barrons is saying, he and his wife
are going to try to swap positions in the council and assembly. An
interesting note was that we both agreed that Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr.
would not be running for citywide office next year. James said that
Diaz Jr. is doing a fine job as Bronx BP, but still has to raise the
image of the Bronx and himself more before considering citywide
office.
Left - Manhattan Borough President Stringer is flanked on his right by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and left by City Council candidate Andrew Cohen.
Right - State Senators Jeff Klein and Gustave Rivera with Assemblyman Dinowitz.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Riverdale Temple Holiday Gift and Craft Sale
HOLIDAY GIFT & CRAFT SALE
“EARLY BIRD” SPECIALS! Beat the holiday rush!
BRAND NEW ITEMS!
SPONSORED BY: WRJ OF RIVERDALE TEMPLE
When: SUNDAY - NOVEMBER 18, 2012
Time: 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM
Where: RIVERDALE TEMPLE
4545 Independence Ave.,Bronx, NY 10471
FREE PARKING/INDOOR/OUTDOOR/RAIN OR SHINE!
Great refreshments! Kids’ activities!
**VENDOR SPACES AVAILABLE FOR THE DAY - First come, first served!
$ 60.00 PER 6’ TABLE or $ 80.00 PER 8’ TABLE- with your own table
$ 10.00 extra if you do not have your own table!
Questions?
Please contact:
Deb: rivtemple@aol.com (718) 548-3800 ext. 0 or 1
Wave Hill Events November 9–November 16
SAT, NOVEMBER 10 FAMILY ART PROJECT—PRINT THE PALISADES
Print the Palisades/Impreciónes de la naturaleza
Spot
the glowing leaves across the river and sketch the shapes and sizes of
leaves and trees outdoors. Using the eye-popping colors of fall foliage,
make bright and vibrant collage prints. Free, and admission to the
grounds is free until noon.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM
SAT, NOVEMBER 10 GALLERY TOUR
Join an exhibition interpreter for one of our regularly scheduled tours of Wave Hill’s fall exhibition Foregrounding the Palisades,
sculptural installations by artists Isidro Blasco, Blane de St. Croix
and Paula Winokur that focus on the cliffs across the Hudson River, a
quintessential feature of Wave Hill’s vista—and history. In the
Sunroom, Gail Biederman suspends a net-like map of commercial and
handmade felt reflecting local topography. Tours take place Tuesdays and
Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.
GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM
SUN, NOVEMBER 11 BIRDING AT WAVE HILL
Naturalist
Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of bird species and
behaviors on these walks through the gardens and woodlands of Wave Hill.
Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Severe weather cancels. For
weather-related updates, call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8AM the
day
of the walk. Free with admission to the grounds. (NYC Audubon Members
enjoy two-for-one admission.) Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 9:30AM
SUN, NOVEMBER 11 FAMILY ART PROJECT—PRINT THE PALISADES
Print the Palisades/Impreciónes de la naturaleza
Spot
the glowing leaves across the river and sketch the shapes and sizes of
leaves and trees outdoors. Using the eye-popping colors of fall foliage,
make bright and vibrant collage prints. Free with admission to the
grounds.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM
SUN, NOVEMBER 11 GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM
SUN, NOVEMBER 11 MEET THE ARTIST: GAIL BIEDERMAN
Gail
Biederman is interested in mapping, topography and patterns of growth,
whether natural or artificial. For her Sunroom Project, Biederman
creates a net-like map made of commercial and handmade felt that
reflects the topography of the Bronx and is suspended from the ceiling.
Referencing the local environment, the handmade felt incorporates
natural elements, such as leaves, vines and sticks from Wave Hill’s
gardens. The piece transforms the typical flatness of maps, altering the
urban streets of the Bronx into a vibrant and evocative form. Free with
admission to the grounds.
GLYNDOR GALLERY, 1:30PM
TUE, NOVEMBER 13 GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM
TUE, NOVEMBER 13 GALLERY TOUR
Join an exhibition interpreter for one of our regularly scheduled tours of Wave Hill’s fall exhibition Foregrounding the Palisades,
sculptural installations by artists Isidro Blasco, Blane de St. Croix
and Paula Winokur that focus on the cliffs across the Hudson River, a
quintessential feature of Wave Hill’s vista—and history. In the
Sunroom, Gail Biederman suspends a net-like map of commercial and
handmade felt reflecting local topography. Tours take place Tuesdays and
Saturdays at 2PM. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day.
GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM
A
28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River
and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and
legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views,
and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs
in horticulture, education and the arts.
HOURS Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM—4:30PM. Closes 5:30PM, March 15—October 31.
ADMISSION $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free until noon October Tuesdays, and all day Tuesdays in November. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.
PROGRAM FEES Program s are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.
Visitors
to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer.
Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the
gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/
DIRECTIONS
– Getting here is easy! Located only 3o minutes from midtown Manhattan,
Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate
and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the 242nd
Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available
for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with
continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot
and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.
Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
More Affordable Housing in the Bronx with Intervale Senior Residences Ribbon Cutting on November 2nd
Affordable Housing in the Bronx
Intervale Senior Residences
Ribbon Cutting Scheduled for November 2, 2012 11:00 A.M. 1115 Intervale
Avenue Bronx,
NY
The project is comprised of one eight-story mid-rise residenti
The
development also includes a
Funding
provided by:
New York City Housing and Development Corporation
NYC Department of Housing Preservation and
Development
Capital
funds provided by:
Bronx Borough Presidents Office
City Councilmember Maria Del Carmen Arroyo
Bronx Borough Presidents Office
City Councilmember Maria Del Carmen Arroyo
Developers:
Azimuth Development
SEBCO Development
Ron Shulman
Project
Consulting:
Best Development
General
Contractor:
Joy Construction
Architecture
and Planning:
Aufgang Subotovsky
Brokers:
Kathy Zamechansky, KZA Realty Group -
Represented Azimuth Development
David Simone, Masey Knackel Broker – Seller
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
LIU STATEMENT ON US ATTORNEY’S MORTGAGE FRAUD LAWSUIT AGAINST BANK OF AMERICA
City Comptroller John C. Liu released the following statement on the $1 billion lawsuit filed by the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan against Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) for fraudulent mortgage practices:
“We
support the U.S. Attorney’s efforts to hold Bank of America accountable
for its questionable mortgage practices. It is truly unfortunate
and damaging for homeowners, investors, and the general public that it
has come to this,” Comptroller Liu said. “Every foreclosure is not only
a family losing a home, but also a dent in our City’s economy.
Moreover, as investors, my office and our City Pension
Funds have repeatedly requested since 2010 that the bank correct
systemic flaws in its mortgage and foreclosure procedures. At each
turn, the bank has rebuffed shareowners. Bank of America and others are
required to enact
reforms under their settlement with the
state Attorneys General, but as shareowners we remain concerned that
Bank of America’s board has yet to correct the flaws in its mortgage
pipeline.”
Background:
The City Comptroller serves as the investment advisor to, custodian, and trustee of the $122 billion New York City Pension
Funds. The NYC Pension Funds own 27,412,938 shares of Bank of America valued at $256,585,099.68.
Links to shareowner proposal efforts:
March 23, 2011:
www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/
March 14, 2011, SEC ruling against bank’s attempt to block shareowners’ proposal:
http://www.sec.gov/divisions/
November 18, 2010:
www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/
November 16, 2010:
www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/
STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ RE: New York Islanders Moving to Brooklyn
STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ
RE: New York Islanders Moving to Brooklyn
“This
is great news for our City, and shows that ice sports have tremendous
room for growth in the five boroughs—demonstrating yet again that the
right choice for the Kingsbridge Armory is the Kingsbridge National Ice
Center.
“The
KNIC proposal will bring nine rinks and a 5,000 seat arena to the
Northwest Bronx, dramatically increasing the amount of available ice in
our City while providing ‘living wage’ jobs and education opportunities
for the people of the Bronx. Today’s announcement that the New York
Islanders are coming to Brooklyn shows us the great potential for
success KNIC will have at the Kingsbridge Armory, and I continue to be
proud to support that project.
“I
congratulate Mayor Bloomberg, Borough President Markowitz, the
Islanders and the Barclays Center management on today’s announcement,
and I look forward to working with our partners to expand ice sports to
the Northwest Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.