Please note that the Baseball Auction & Award night scheduled for Saturday November 3rd has been moved from PS 24 to The College of Mount Saint Vincent. See Below
Friday, November 2, 2012
Henry Hudson Parkway South Back-Up
It is not the AM rush hour, but 1:15 PM on Friday afternoon on the southbound Henry Hudson Parkway. as traffic is backed up past the West 239th Street exit (as you will see in the next photo).
You can see the northbound lanes are empty by exit 20 for West 239th Street. The reason that the southbound lanes are so jammed is that as cars travel under West 232nd Street the roadway is narrowed to one lane and each car is looked at to make sure that they have three occupants or more. Any car with less than three occupants is asked to exit at Kappock Street, the last exit before the Henry Hudson Bridge.
The photos were taken from the West 235th Street pedestrian overpass.
UPDATE --
As of 6 PM the restriction to have three occupants in cars crossing the Henry Hudson Bridge, and other NYC bridges was lifted.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By Senator Rev. Rubén DÃaz
A leap of faith
You should
know that I’ve spent a lot of money and resources this year on different
Hispanic radio stations and media outlets to air a commercial asking for the
Hispanic Community to cast their votes on the Conservative Party line in this
year’s General Election on Tuesday November 6th.
My television
commercial has aired in Puerto Rico and throughout America on WAPA American
TV. For those who would like to see it on WAPA America TV, tune in every
weekday between 6pm - 7pm, and then again between 10pm - 11pm. My commercial,
Ni Democratas! Ni Republicanos! has received great praise in the Hispanic
Community. It has been shared widely on Facebook and on websites,
reaching a multitude of Spanish-speaking voters.
I have
received calls from people in North Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, Connecticut
and of course New York State, and I have been greeted by people who see me in
my community congratulating me, giving me praise, and telling me that they will
join me and vote on the Conservative Party Line.
It is well
known that not too many people vote on the Conservative Party Line in New York
City, and it will be very interesting to see this year’s election results to
see how many Hispanic votes will have jumped over to the Conservative Party
Line - not only in New York State but throughout the nation.
I'd like to
say to all of you experts and pundits out there, get ready to have your eyes
opened to see how many votes are cast on the Conservative Party line. The
results are only days away.
This leap of
faith that I am taking is based upon what I believe the Hispanic community
truly stands for.
This is State
Senator Reverend Rubén DÃaz and this is what you should know.
UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE SANDY
NEWS FROM...
NYS Assemblymember
Marcos A.
Crespo
85th Assembly District
1163 Manor
Avenue, Bronx, NY 10472
|
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that federal
disaster unemployment assistance is now available to all New Yorkers who lost
their jobs as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Disaster unemployment benefits are
available to provide financial support to anyone who has lost their job and
live or work in the Bronx, Kings, New York, Richmond, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk,
Rockland and Westchester counties.
This assistance will supplement New York’s existing unemployment insurance system and will expand eligibility to include individuals who might otherwise not be covered. The United States Department of Labor has committed to providing additional assistance if needed.
“The physical destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy has been terrible, and the resulting job losses can be even more painful for New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “These federal funds will quickly provide financial assistance to those whose livelihoods have been upended. I urge impacted New Yorkers to apply as soon as possible.”
Department of Labor staff will be deployed to hard-hit communities to help register impacted New Yorkers for Disaster Unemployment Assistance in person.
Anyone unemployed due to Hurricane Sandy is immediately eligible and can submit a claim to the Department of Labor. The criterion for collecting disaster assistance is broader than for collecting regular unemployment benefits. Specifically, an individual can collect disaster assistance in any of the following cases:
•Injured in the disaster and unable to work, whether the person is an employee or self-employed.
•Workplace is damaged, or destroyed, or the person cannot work because of the disaster.
•Transportation to work is not available because of the disaster.
•Cannot get to work because must travel through the affected area, which is impossible due to disaster.
•Planned to begin working, but cannot because of the disaster.
•Derived most of income from areas affected by the disaster, and business is closed or inoperable because of the disaster.
Examples of self-employment include small business owners, independent taxi drivers, vendors, independent commercial fisherman, and farmers.
State Department of Labor Commissioner Peter M. Rivera said, “These people want to work and are unable to because of circumstances far beyond their control. This money will directly help workers who have families to feed and bills to pay. Contact the Department of Labor and we will determine which program you qualify for.”
To apply for unemployment benefits or disaster unemployment assistance, those affected by the storm and have lost their job or income should call the Telephone Claims Center (TCC) at 1-888-209-8124, or 1-877-358-5306 if they live out of state. Applicants should answer the questions to indicate they lost their job due to Hurricane Sandy. In order to receive benefits you must apply by December 3, 2012.
This assistance will supplement New York’s existing unemployment insurance system and will expand eligibility to include individuals who might otherwise not be covered. The United States Department of Labor has committed to providing additional assistance if needed.
“The physical destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy has been terrible, and the resulting job losses can be even more painful for New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “These federal funds will quickly provide financial assistance to those whose livelihoods have been upended. I urge impacted New Yorkers to apply as soon as possible.”
Department of Labor staff will be deployed to hard-hit communities to help register impacted New Yorkers for Disaster Unemployment Assistance in person.
Anyone unemployed due to Hurricane Sandy is immediately eligible and can submit a claim to the Department of Labor. The criterion for collecting disaster assistance is broader than for collecting regular unemployment benefits. Specifically, an individual can collect disaster assistance in any of the following cases:
•Injured in the disaster and unable to work, whether the person is an employee or self-employed.
•Workplace is damaged, or destroyed, or the person cannot work because of the disaster.
•Transportation to work is not available because of the disaster.
•Cannot get to work because must travel through the affected area, which is impossible due to disaster.
•Planned to begin working, but cannot because of the disaster.
•Derived most of income from areas affected by the disaster, and business is closed or inoperable because of the disaster.
Examples of self-employment include small business owners, independent taxi drivers, vendors, independent commercial fisherman, and farmers.
State Department of Labor Commissioner Peter M. Rivera said, “These people want to work and are unable to because of circumstances far beyond their control. This money will directly help workers who have families to feed and bills to pay. Contact the Department of Labor and we will determine which program you qualify for.”
To apply for unemployment benefits or disaster unemployment assistance, those affected by the storm and have lost their job or income should call the Telephone Claims Center (TCC) at 1-888-209-8124, or 1-877-358-5306 if they live out of state. Applicants should answer the questions to indicate they lost their job due to Hurricane Sandy. In order to receive benefits you must apply by December 3, 2012.
Borough President Diaz and BOEDC Announce that The Bronx is Open for Business!
Bronx Economic Development Corporation is providing support and information to businesses impacted by Hurricane Sandy
Bronx
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Marlene Cintron, president of the
Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, made clear today that
BOEDC's office is open to support the area's businesses.
"While
my office is working with the residents of the Bronx and the area's
infrastructure, BOEDC is working on getting our businesses and its
workers back to work," stated Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz.
All
Bronx businesses that have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy by loss of
property and or loss of business are encouraged to immediately call
the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) at (800) 621-3362 or (800) 462-7585 TTY. Those who have access to the internet can register their claim online at www.disasterassistance.gov. There are operators who will assist you from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.
FEMA
funds can be used to cover rental payments for temporary housing for
those homes that are unlivable, grants for home repairs and replacement
of household items as well as unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for
workers who have temporarily lost their jobs due to the disaster.
Small Businesses that have registered with FEMA may also apply for disaster loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA)
who will provide low interest loans to cover up to $2 MM in loss of
property, damage or loss of cash flow. In order to apply for the SBA
loans, call (800) 659-2955 or (800) 877-8339 TTY, or register online at www.sba.gov/content/applying-
"If you are overwhelmed and need assistance to get your business back on its feet, contact my office at (718) 590-6252.
We will walk you through the process to insure that you get the help
you need and get it fast," stated Marlene Cintron, president of BOEDC.
"We
have been working with the City of New York and SBS and are very
pleased with the response we have gotten on issues we have raised to
them," she added.
In addition to the resources cited, BOEDC is providing the following listing that can help Bronx businesses in need:
Red Cross: Provides assistance to displaced residents. Call (877) 733-2767
New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services: Helps in the recovery of natural disasters as well as other emergencies. The Hurricane Sandy Helpline is (888) 769-7243 or (518) 485-1159
NYC Office of Emergency Management: Coordinates emergency response and recovery in NYC. For the latest on utility and transportation service restoration, go to www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/html/
NYC Small Business Services (SBS): Provides assistance to small business owners post Hurricane Sandy. Call 311
Con Edison: To report down lines, outages and check service restoration status by computer or mobile devices do so at www.coned.com. You can also call (800) 752-6633.
"You
are not alone. You are a Bronx business where help is just a phone
call away. Call BOEDC for any kind of assistance your business needs,"
concluded Ms. Cintron.
Election Day -- The Board of Elections Response
In a Daily News item by Celeste Katz After Sandy New York officials rush to patch together an election there is mention of just how things may go on Election day even if there is no power at many poll sites in the outer boroughs.
“We’ll just have to make do. And it won’t be perfect, but we’re going to
have an election,” said Douglas Kellner, Democratic co-chair of the
state Board of Elections. “A democracy calls for sacrifice from time to time, and this is one of those occasions” Kellner added.
J.C. Polanco, the Bronx GOP commissioner for the city BOE, said that officials
were considering consolidating about 40 poll sites serving residents of
hard-hit Breezy Point and the Rockaways in parking lots at Aqueduct
Raceway, Jacob Riis Park and Floyd Bennett Field, setting up tents with
generators. Meanwhile, Staten Islanders may end up seeing sites consolidated at the Armory.
There is also mention of having mobil poll sites, and battery operated voting machine which would be required in areas that still would not have power. Then there mention Gov. Cuomo is also considering issuing an emergency proclamation to let
people who reside in areas affected by the killer storm to vote by
absentee ballot even if they’re in town.
We will have to wait and see what happens on Tuesday November 6th to make sure that people who are already disenfranchised by Hurricane Sandy do not get disenfranchised again when it comes to vote.
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Thursday, November 1, 2012
This weeks 'Riverdale Report' From the Bronx News
This is a copy of the Riverdale Report from the Bronx News Nov 1, 2012.
Riverdale
Report
By
Robert Press
Ben
Franklin Democratic Club Celebrates
Monday
October 22nd
members of the Ben Franklin Democratic Club (of the 81st
A.D.) held a “Watch the Debate” fundraiser at Oregano's
restaurant located on Johnson Avenue. All in attendance agreed that
President Obama won the third debate, would win the election on
election day, and that the food was great at Oregano's. The
restaurant was full of happy cheering Democrats, some who commented
often during the debate about Obama's challenger Mitt Romney's lack
of a vision and experience.
The
following Sunday the Ben Franklin Democratic Club held a Pre-Election
day victory party at the home of City Council candidate (and
Vice-Chair of the Bronx Democratic County Committee) Mr. Andrew
Cohen. While Mr. Cohen is waiting until after election day to
officially announce his candidacy for current term limited Councilman
G. Oliver Koppells seat, it has been one of the worst keep secrets.
On
hand 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), and almost 100 other supporters of the Ben Franklin Club.
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.
The
Riverdale Temple is holding a “Holiday Gift and Craft Sale” on
Sunday November 18th
from 9 AM – 3 PM. The Riverdale Temple is located at 4545
Independence Avenue at the corner of West 246th
Street. There is free parking, and the temple has a few spots
available for vendors. For more information check my blog or email
rivtemple@aol.com
or
Ritajoshed@aol.com.
For
the latest listings of events going on at Wave Hill don't forget to
check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com
(look in the archive section on the left) to see this and other
events in the Bronx.
Finally,
on Saturday November 3rd
from 5 – 8 PM at PS 24 there will be an “Auction & Awards
Night featuring current New York Met player Mike Baxter. The event is
to support the local South Riverdale Little League. PS 24 is located
on Independence Avenue at the corner of West 235th
Street (two blocks from the Henry Hudson Parkway).
If
you have any comments about this column or would like to have an
event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail
us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com
or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.
Hurricane Sandy UPDATE Thursday Nov 1st
The number of confirmed deaths in New York City has climbed to 37.
The two biggest challenges remain getting the power grid and transportation systems fully operational again.
All NYC Public Schools will be closed tomorrow Friday.
Tap water is safe to drink.
Do not use generators or grills indoors.
Con
Edison crews have restored power to about 250,000 customers who were
affected by the storm. As of 11 a.m., the company was working to restore
power to about 650,000 customers still out of service.
Con
Edison said today that based on an assessment of the unprecedented
damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, it expects to restore the vast
majority of customers who lost power by the weekend of Nov. 10 and 11.
The remaining customer restorations could take an additional week or
more.
Those parts of the city with overhead power lines still without service may not have it restored possibly until next weekend.
There are still approximately 534,000 customers citywide without power, down nearly 100,000 since yesterday, with 38,000 customers in the Bronx still without power.
Lights ate turning on for many people in South Brooklyn, Staten Island, and some parts of Lower Manhattan.
"Con Ed has set a goal of restoring power to all Manhattan customers by the end of the weekend".
It is intend to reopen public schools for classes on Monday.
Traffic is very heavy in the city, particularly on routes into Manhattan.
The 3-person HOV restriction on Henry Hudson Bridge southbound crossings into Manhattan is still in effect, 6 a.m. until midnight Nov 1st & 2nd.
The Holland Tunnel and the Hugh Carey Brooklyn Battery Tunnel are still closed.
911 should only be used in case of emergencies.
To report other conditions such as fallen trees and sewer backups, please use 311 Online, text 311 at 311-692, or call 311.
Power outages and live wires should be directly reported to Con Ed (1-800-75-CON-ED)
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