BP DIAZ'S CONSTITUENT SERVICES UNIT HELPED MORE THAN 3,400 BRONXITES IN 2012

   Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has announced his office’s final tally of constituent service’s cases from 2012.

In total, Borough President Diaz’s Constituent Services Unit handled 3,428 different cases last year on a wide variety of issues, including housing, employment, traffic, transportation and other concerns.

“Constituent service has been a top priority of mine for as long as I’ve been an elected official. Each of these cases represents an individual, a family or even a community that came to us for help, and each of them received the full attention of my office. The most basic service of any elected official is helping their constituents with everyday problems, and I am proud that my wonderful constituent service unit was able to help so many Bronxites,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Housing, by far, was the largest area of service in Borough President Diaz’s office, as the Constituent Services Unit handled 1,970 total housing cases in 2012. Cases included rental disputes, New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) issues and applications for new developments, among others.

For the most part, Bronxites who were assisted by the Constituent Services Unit were extremely grateful for the help they received.

“Words cannot begin to express the gratitude that I have for you and your wonderful employees,” said one letter from a constituent who was helped with a Section 8 housing voucher issue. “Your office is the ray of light that the Bronx has been yearning for; to have a political leader that truly cares about his community.”

Borough President Diaz added that while such praise was welcome, his office was not in it for the accolades, but to help everyday Bronx residents improve their lives.

“My office will continue to all those who need our help. Those in need of assistance should feel free to contact my Constituent Services Unit to see what we can do for you,” said Borough President Diaz.

The Borough President’s Constituent Services Unit can be reached at (718) 590-3554.

Proposed Agenda for CFMC Meeting on January 17th

                       

Agenda

Croton Facility Monitoring Committee Meeting

Thursday, January 17, 2013 – 7:00 PM

DEP Office – 3660 Jerome Avenue, Bronx NY 10467 - (718) 231-8470

I  Welcome & Set 2013 CFMC Objectives  --       Bob Fanuzzi, Chair
   

II Consider & Adopt January CFMC Agenda  --    CFMC Representatives


III Consider, Adopt 12/6/12 Meeting Minutes  --   CFMC Representatives

IV Update on Coordination of JPR Jogging Path  --   DEP, DPR

 Design & Construction

V Update on Current and Future Croton-Funded  Parks Projects  --  Steve Des Noyer, DPR

VI Croton Construction Update, Including - Sedgwick Ave, Traffic Stipulations - Status of VCP Green Roof - Check out & Test Plant Equipment -- Vincent Moorehead, P.E., DEP

   
VII Construction Schedule & Costs Report  --  Vincent Moorehead, P.E., DEP

VIII Correspondence Concerning Backup Generator at Croton Filter Plant   --  CFMC Representatives 
                   

IX Croton Jobs and Bronx Purchases  --  Shane Ojar, DEP

Tom Farrell, Construction Mgmt

X   CFMC Discussion & Set Date for Next Meeting  --   CFMC Representatives
 
XI  Adjourn

LIU STATEMENT ON STOP-AND-FRISK RULING

      Comptroller John C. Liu hailed federal Judge Shira Scheindlin’s ruling today, stating the following:

“Judge Scheindlin today ruled what many of us already felt in our hearts — that police subjecting so many people to ‘stop and frisk,’ almost all of whom did nothing wrong, is unbecoming of the free and democratic society that New York City represents.  On this basis alone, even without addressing the racial profiling nature of NYPD stop and frisk, the practice must be abolished.  It’s time to restore trust between the community and police so that New York’s Finest can best keep our City safe, while maintaining the public’s interest in liberty and dignity, as described by Judge Scheindlin.”

Visit www.comptroller.nyc.gov for the latest news, events, and initiatives.
Follow Comptroller Liu on Twitter, YouTube.

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

RE: Federal Court Ruling on Stop & Frisk

“The NYPD needs to reassess and revisit their training methods in order to implement programs that residents find helpful, such as ‘Trespassing Affidavit Program,’ in a manner that does not impinge upon state and federal constitutional rights

“I am opposed to the NYPD’s ‘stop & frisk’ program as it is currently constituted.  Yet I know that my constituents have expressed to my office in our 2011 quality of life survey that greater police presence was a high priority to them. In addition, I hear from constituents all the time that they value the ‘Trespassing Affidavit Program,” which could be greatly affected by today’s ruling.

“Not all stops are misused, but many are. I prefer a return to a ‘stop, question & frisk’ program as we had in the past, as it would provide for greater investigation by our police prior to physical contact. The NYPD needs to address policies that will reconcile the desire for greater police presence without the fear of harassment, and I am prepared to work with our police department on such a plan,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

 

 

C-TOWN SUPERMARKET AND HEALTH PLUS GIVE THE GIFT OF WARMTH TO BRONX RESIDENTS

Free Coats Offered to Neighborhood Residents in Need

The Bronx, NYC (Neighborhood of Belmont)  – on Saturday - January 12^th, the Perez family-owned C-Town Supermarket along with the help of Health Plus, will distribute over 100 coats to Bronx neighborhood residents.  Local residents can collect their coats at the C-Town store on East 187^th Street & Crescent Avenue, where festivities begin at 10am and included health insurance consultations until noon. 

Radame Perez, who represents the third generation in his family’s grocery business, expressed the importance of such an event during these tough economic times.  “It’s very important that we as a community look out and care for each other,” said Mr. Perez.  “While unemployment seems to be on the rise, our winter temperatures are on the decline.  That’s why we felt, as a family-owned business and longtime neighbor, the need to help as many of our neighbors as possible to keep warm this winter.”

The Perez’s C-Town supermarket has been an active neighborhood store in the heart of the Belmont section of the Bronx and has proudly served the residents of “Little Italy” for over 30 years. 

“Partnering with Health Plus in this public gesture of giving seemed obvious, as the effects of the bone-chilling cold weather and subsequent health conditions too often correlate,” said Mr. Perez.  “This type of effort was the least we could do for many of our patrons.”

EVENT INFO:

WHAT: Coat Drive for Bronx Residents

WHO: C-Town Supermarket & Health Plus

WHEN: Saturday, January 12, 2013

TIME: 10am – 2pm

WHERE: C-Town, 668 Crescent Avenue (corner of E. 187^th Street,) Bronx, NY 

Editor's Note:  

     This event last year was a huge success. City Comptroller John Liu attended last year, and you can check the archive section Jan. 14, 2012  or click here   to get to the story from last year.

 

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ URGES BRONX RESIDENTS TO APPLY TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY BOARD

    Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. today invited Bronx residents to make a difference in their community by joining their local Community Board. The Office of the Bronx Borough President will be accepting applications for all 12 Community Boards from city residents who reside, work or have professional or other significant interests in the Bronx.

     “Participation on local Community Boards can provide Bronx residents with a forum to share with their community their expertise and talents,” said Borough President Diaz. “It is important that community residents participate in the decision making process in their communities on important budget, land use and service delivery issues.” 

  

    Applications are available at the Community Board office Room 207 of the Bronx Borough President located at 851 Grand Concourse (E.161st.), your local community board office, or on-line at http://bronxboropres.nyc.gov/communityboards/cb2012application.pdf . The deadline for submission of applications for the next round of appointments is February 8, 2013. Visit bronxboropres.nyc.gov for more information about Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

What You Should Know

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

It is Better to Give than to Receive

   You should know that not only is my Christmas Party the biggest Christmas Party and the “one” to attend every year in the City of New York where elected officials and dignitaries join close to 1000 people to celebrate our Christmas tradition, but also, my Three Kings Day Celebration has become the biggest Three Kings Day Celebration in the City of New York, where close to 1000 children receive free toys and backpacks filled with school supplies.

I was very proud and honored this weekend during the Three Kings Day Celebration to have in attendance three of the candidates for Mayor of the City of New York who not only came to the South Bronx to say hello to the children and their parents, but also to bring some gifts for the children.  Of these three Mayoral Candidates who were in attendance, Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio, Former Comptroller Billy Thompson, and Reverend Erick Salgado, it was Bill DeBlasio who stole the show by bringing the most expensive toys.

The contribution made by Mr. John Catsimatidis, who did not attend because he was with his family in California, was also well appreciated by the organizers.

This year, along with Mayoral Candidates, I had the special honor of being joined by Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins, the first woman elected to Chair the New York’s Democratic Senate Conference; Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz, Jr.; Assemblymen Marcos Crespo and Luis Sepulveda; and Council Members Letitia James and Melissa Mark-Viverito.

You should know about how the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York continues to participate yearly at this Three Kings Day Celebration.  Even though there are very few Chinese people who live in the South Bronx, for the past five years not only has Taiwan's Ambassador Andrew Kao (and former Taiwan Ambassador Kenneth Liao) and the Taiwanese delegation come to the South Bronx for our Three Kings Day event, but they have also been providing backpacks filled with school supplies to the poor and needy children of the South Bronx. Their generosity is greatly appreciated, especially during these times of economic stress in our community.

I want to make special mention of the generosity and participation of Mr. Pat Lynch, President of the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association and Mr. Joseph Alejandro, the PBA Treasurer, who has attended this event for the past few years.  I also want to publicly recognize and thank the Hispanic Federation, who for the past few years has contributed toys and has helped to coordinate this event, and to the Principal, Ms. Mary Padilla and administration of PS 5 who has welcome our cultural event there.

Finally, you should know that for the past 10 years, this tremendous humanitarian event – filled with good will and the joy of giving to the poor and the needy – has been sponsored by the Christian Community Benevolent Association, Affinity Health Plan, and the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization.

I am deeply honored and very proud to have the help and participation of all these leaders and organizations because they have a clear understanding of the Biblical mandate that it is better to give than to receive.

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

 

 

Three Kings Celebration

  The "Annual Three Kings Celebration", by the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr., Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda,and other elected officials was held this past Saturday in the packed auditorium of PS 5. There were however so many children and parents in attendance that the gym was packed with even more children and parents. 

   

The story of the Three Kings was told in Spanish by Senator Diaz, and the English translation was done by Assemblyman Crespo. after telling of the story children were invited up to see if they couldd answer a question about the story, and would receive 20 dollars from the senator if they knew the answer. While the curtain was closed, behind it were hundreds of toys that were donated by various organizations that included the Taiwanese Business Association whose members received awards from Sen. Diaz.

  On hand were the Three Kings, Santa Claus and many elected officials or candidates for office. Some of which you will see in the photos below this is the biggest Three Kings event in the city, and possibly the state.

Left - Senator Diaz shaking  hands of many of those in the audience.

Right - You can see the packed auditorium, but there were as many people waiting in the gym also. 

Left & Right - are some of the children who won twenty dollars for knowing the answer to their question about the story of the Three Kings.

Left - Members of the Taiwanese Business Association receive awards for their help in the event.

Right - Mr. Anthony Robestello hands a check from mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis for the event to Sen. Diaz. 

Left - Santa came in to say hello to the crowd.

Right - Santa joined the Three Kings on stage. 

  Left - Democratic Conference Leader Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins was addressing the crowd about her good friend Sen. Diaz, but must have asked Santa Claus why she was not the Senate Majority Leader. 

Right you can see the hundreds of toys that were given out to the children who were in attendance. 

 

 

   

MTA Track Work on Broadway # 1 Line

    The MTA has scheduled the replacement of elevated track on the # 1 subway line along the stretch of Broadway from the terminus at West 242nd Street down the line to at least West 231st Street. This track work started recently with very little (if any) notice to the community or merchants. It has been hell to residents, drivers, and merchants on or near Broadway from West 238th Street to West 234th Street for now as the MTA has done basically whatever it wants to do according to Ms. Katherine Broiher the Executive Director of the Kingsbridge Business Improvement District (BID). She also told me that the MTA was going to move down to the West 231st Street area next, even while they still work between W.236th and W.234th Streets. As you will see in the photos below, I visited the work site, took a few photos, and spoke to who I was told was the person in charge.

 Here you can see that at West 236th Street that MTA has blocked half of Broadway taking away any and all parking spaces on Broadway. There is no one guiding traffic just metal barricades and yellow "Do Not Cross" tape all over. The Broadway entrance to the Stop and Shop parking lot is completely off limits to southbound drivers, and exiting traffic must go north only. The manager of Stop and Shop said no notice was given, and that this was hurting sales at the supermarket.

In this photo you can see how the MTA just taped up a new "No Parking" sign over the old sign that has dates before work started in this area. I was told by MTA workers in BLUE hats that the worker with the WHITE hat was in charge. When I asked questions if the community or DOT have been notified, I was told by the WHITE hatted MTA worker "We don't have to tell the DOT", and that the no parking signs went up the day before. 

 Here you can see how just how bad traffic gets during the track work above Broadway, as the fire engine sits waiting to move.

Here you can see just how the MTA works, as sections of track are placed on top of each other in the street while they sit sometimes for days until the track sections are needed.

    Final comments are that the MTA needs to communicate better with the community, needs to be more respectful of the merchants who are losing much needed business, and where are the local elected officials on this issue.