Benjamin Franklin Democratic Club Meeting

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Wednesday, February 27, 2013, 7 pm

At the Clubhouse

304 West 231th Street

AGENDA

1. President’s Report 
2. Guest Speaker

 

Bill Samuels, Founder

The New Roosevelt Initiative

 “An Innovative Proposal for         

State Election Campaign Finance”

  

3. Elected Officials’ Reports 
4. New Business

 

Benjamin Franklin Democratic Club
304 West 231st Street
Bronx, New York 10463
(718) 796-6177      www.bfrdc.org
benfranklinclub@gmail.com

 

BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ DELIVERS FOURTH 'STATE OF THE BOROUGH' ADDRESS

Borough President Diaz says the ‘New Bronx’ has taken tremendous steps towards a brighter future; outlines new initiatives on crime, development and education

Yesterday at the Monroe High School Campus auditorium in Soundview, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. delivered his fourth annual “State of the Borough” address.

During his speech, the Borough President highlighted his administration’s accomplishments over the past year and throughout his first term, outlined his agenda in education, health and economic development and declared the “New Bronx” a borough of economic success and prosperity.

“The Bronx has come a long way in the last few decades. Crime is down, investment is high, our neighborhoods are cleaner and our economy is growing,” said Borough President Diaz.  “The ‘New Bronx’ is a place where we have helped to create or retain thousands of new jobs, and will create thousands more.”

Borough President Diaz also called for the creation of a new gun crime registry, with reporting requirement similar to those as sex offenders.

“The registry would be available online, and would require perpetrators of gun violence to keep updated records with the police regarding their living and employment arrangements. Law-abiding citizens ought to know who among us is responsible for gun violence, and this initiative will do just that,” said Bronx Ruben Diaz Jr.

During his speech, Borough President Diaz emphasized that the Bronx saw almost $1.5 billion of new investment last year and has seen more than $4.5 billion since 2009. Together, new borough projects advanced by Borough President Diaz have created or retained more than 5,000 permanent jobs, in addition to thousands of construction jobs. A full report, outlining the development achievements of the Bronx during Borough President Diaz’s first term so far, is attached to this release.

“We are growing by leaps and bounds. We are seeing significant progress in our efforts to make the Bronx an even greater place to live, work and raise a family,” said Borough President Diaz.

In addition, Borough President Diaz said tourism remains a great way to help small businesses in the Bronx grow. He said this year the Bronx will see an expanded Salsafest!, an even bigger Bronx Week and noted that 2014 marks the 100^th anniversary of Bronx County. In the coming weeks, Borough President Diaz will announce the formation of a commission that will help guide a year of events commemorating this milestone.

In his speech the Borough President also spoke about his commitment for a greener, healthier Bronx, specifically talking about his Solar Thermal Initiative, which kicked off this year to help residential buildings install Solar Thermal Hot Water systems. The Borough President also rolled out his plan to create a Green Development Fund.

“In 2013, we will work with our partners at all levels of government to create a fund that will leverage our capital dollars with existing programs at the federal and state level so more residences can take part in what we are doing.   We have to be smarter with how we spend vital tax dollars so we can create more sustainable housing, so that everyone can recoup the remarkable savings that come over time,” he said.

Borough President Diaz said that he will focus on greening the Bronx’s mass transit system as well by continuing to work with the MTA in their effort to bring the long awaited Metro-North service to the east Bronx.

“Last year, I spoke about how transformative this project would be…how it would open our borough up to new development, employment and housing opportunities. That has not changed.  We need this,” said Borough President Diaz. “This year, we will push for its full funding in the MTA’s upcoming five-year capital plan. The dream of Metro-North service in the East Bronx must become a reality now.”

On education, Borough President echoed President Obama’s call for greater technology education opportunities. He said Bronx children must have access to schools, like P-Tech in Brooklyn which provides students with tools that lead to high-paying STEM careers.

The Borough President also mentioned his work towards making the specialized high school admissions process more equitable, which was outlined in a report released by his office in May focusing on Bronx students’ severe underrepresentation in Specialized High Schools as a consequence of inadequate test preparation and other factors.

The Borough President closed his speech by thanking the Bronx for its efforts in helping its neighbors in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. He said that in his next term he will continue to offer a bold, progressive agenda for the future of the borough, and urged Bronxites to continue their hard work on the continuing development of the Bronx.

“Look around you today. Look at how that work has paid off. The seeds we planted so many decades ago are bearing fruit. And it doesn’t stop there,” said Borough President Diaz. “We have to keep going. We must persevere. We must push forward. During the next four years we will—together as ‘One Bronx’—as a New Bronx, bring about meaningful change to our borough.”

A copy of the 2012 Bronx Annual Development Report Summary can be found at: http://on.nyc.gov/UA7TM2.

 

Senator Rivera to host Financial Aid Workshop for Parents

SENATOR RIVERA & CASA  NEW SETTLEMENT TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS  

  State Senator Gustavo Rivera  is partnering with CASA New Settlement to host an important Financial Aid Workshop for Parents of college age students.This workshop will be held at the Theodore Roosevelt Campus located at 500 East Fordham Road this Thursday, February 21, 2013 starting at 6:00 PM.  All are welcome.


WHO: Senator Gustavo Rivera and CASA New Settlement

WHAT: Financial Aid Workshop

WHERE: Theodore Roosevelt Campus-500 East Fordham Road. Bronx, NY

WHEN: Thursday, February 21, 2013 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

 

 

Increasing the Minimum Wage in New York State

From Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda,

I am pleased to announce my support for the Minimum Wage bill in the State Assembly. 

During the State of the Union address, President Obama proposed an increase to the federal minimum wage of $9.00 per hour, and, like the State Assembly's plan, to index (i.e. link) it to inflation--which means the amount will increase on an annual basis according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The State Assembly has decided to adopt this plan (originally set at $8.50) proposed by the President. For too long, many of our families and friends have suffered while working for a minimum wage that, even while working full time, does not adequately meet the needs of living in our city. I look forward to being a staunch advocate for this bill in Albany because I understand the needs of our communities, and how beneficial this increase will be. 

Currently, 16 other states and Washington D.C. have higher minimum wages than New York. It is about time that we caught up, and show how progressive our state can be when we fight for what is right. We hope to have this law in place by January 2014, and the indexing of the minimum wage in place by January 2015.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to stop by my office or call. 

 

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda-87th District
1973 Westchester Ave
Phone: (718) 931-2620
Bronx, NY 10462

 

 

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

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

Who is the real leader? Who is in command?

   You should know that when we, Black and Hispanic elected officials go out campaigning to become elected or re-elected, we promise our communities that we will fight, protect and stand against any and all things that will be detrimental to their benefit and goals.

   That was the reason why in 2009, during the four amigos coup in the New York State Senate, I fought and asked that Blacks and Hispanics were appointed and hired to senior staff positions in the New York State Senate Democratic Conference.

   At that time, all Black and Hispanic Senators were made chairs of committees, and Mr. Angelo Aponte was hired as the first Hispanic Secretary of the State Senate. Senator John Sampson became conference leader and he appointed Blacks and Hispanics as senior staff in the Democratic Conference.

   Those were great achievements for our community and our people. Since then, many things have taken place in the New York State Senate, especially in our Senate Democratic Conference. All those achievements are gone and Black and Hispanic influence and power has evaporated.

   You should know that during this month when we celebrate African American History and this weekend when the Black and Hispanic Caucus of Elected Officials comes to Albany to celebrate Caucus weekend, five people of Black and Hispanic descent functioning as senior staff members in the New York State Senate Democratic Conference have been removed from their positions.  The five who received this St. Valentine’s Day Memo are: Alejandra Paulino, Secretary to the Minority, Tonya Cantlo-Cockfield, Deputy Chief of Staff, Matthew Smalls, Special Counsel, Paul Rivera, Special Advisor, and Anthony Thomas, External Relations.  All of them were appointed and hired as part of the Democratic Conference Senior Staff by Senator John Sampson.

   Today under the leadership of Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, many have gone and the influence and participation of Blacks and Hispanics as senior staff members in our conference has been evaporating little by little.

   You should also know that there was a coup organized by Senator Liz Krueger and Senator Michael Gianaris to substitute Senator John Sampson with Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Since then, one by one, our Black and Hispanic staff, little by little have been disappearing forcing me to ask the following two questions: 1) Who is really in control?  2) Who is the real leader of our conference?

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

Stringer Endorses Cohen for 11th Council Seat

  On Friday in front of the Riverdale YMHA Manhattan Borough President (and leading candidate for city comptroller) Scott Stringer gave his endorsement to Andrew Cohen for the 11th Council Seat currently held by term limited Councilman G. Oliver Koppell. Stringer who said that he will be part of a new government in City Hall next year, and people like Andrew Cohen in the council are also needed. Stringer while he still has one term left to serve as Manhattan Borough President said that he is running for the position of City Comptroller to deal with matters of importance to the entire city not just one borough. In endorsing Andrew Cohen Stringer said that Cohen will be one of his partners in the new government at City Hall.

  Stringer is no stranger to the 11th council district, as his parents have lived in the Riverdale section for many many years. When asked if this endorsement was the work of his mother (as was the case in Councilman Vacca when he voted to change the term limit law), Stringer replied "this was a non mom decision". Cohen thanked Borough President Stringer for his endorsement, and the two went inside to chat with some of the Y's members as you will see in the photos below.

 

Left - Manhattan BP Stringer gives his endorsement to Andrew Cohen for the 11th Council District saying why he chose Mr. Cohen over the other candidates..

Right - Mr. Cohen thanks BP Stringer for the endorsement.

Left & Right - BP Stringer and Mr. Cohen meet some of the people inside.

What You Should Know

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

A Gross Disrespect for the Truth


You should know that the law usually allows people to call names and say all kind of things about elected officials and public figures.  You can call them crooks and just about anything – as long as you don't fall into something called a gross disrespect for the truth, or in legal terms, "a reckless disregard for the truth."  This means that if you knowingly state or publish false statements to damage someone's reputation, it can be a liability for individuals and for news media.

In 1993, when I served as a Commissioner for the Civilian Complaint Review Board, my lawyer, Christopher Lynn filed a lawsuit on my behalf against El Diaro la Prensa newspaper, based upon allegations that they committed a gross disrespect and reckless disregard for the truth about me.  The paper published an apology and we settled for an undisclosed amount of money that I am not permitted to state or disclose here or anywhere.

With that in mind, you should also know that there are some people who, when they fall in love or feel envious, may easily feel rejected.  Any real or perceived rejection could bring them to the edge of absurdity.  Sometimes they even become liars.  This seems to be true in the case of Mr. Gerson Borrero, a reporter, who has issues with me. If you read or hear Mr. Borrero’s writings or commentaries about me, you might think this individual has a deep obsession with me.

You should know that as soon as I started writing my What You Should Know column – and Mr. Borrero saw how well my column was received – he immediately started writing a column under the title Para Que Lo Sepas (For You to Know). You should also know that Mr. Borrero’s column went straight to the bottom of the heap, while my What You Should Know is flourishing! Many people ask me to put them on my email list so they can receive it.  Columnists even tell readers to get on Senator Diaz’s email list.  It seems like everywhere you go, my What You Should Know is being talked about!

Mr. Borrero’s envy of and obsession about me has taken him to the extreme.  He’s clearly in the pits, and he can’t seem to stop himself from throwing poison darts at me. He refers to me as Satan, as Lucifer, as a viper, and has even asked if I am homosexual.  Whoever listens to him might get the impression that he is in love with me.

This past week, Mr. Borrero traveled all the way to the Senate Chamber in the State Capital in Albany with a group of people and reporters from the city to show their support for the nomination of Ms. Jenny Rivera, a Puerto Rican woman whom Governor Andrew Cuomo nominated to fill a vacancy in the New York State Court of Appeals.

Ladies and gentlemen, you should have seen Mr. Borrero.  Not only is he trying to imitate me in his column with his writings, but also – walking through the New York State Senate hallways with a cowboy hat perched on his head – he’s now trying to imitate my dressing style! I guarantee you that his obsession with me made him the laughing stock of Albany when everyone in the Senate came running to me to tell me:  “You have to go outside and see for yourself how Borrero is trying to be like you!” and “Borrero’s trying to imitate you by wearing a cowboy hat!”

Finally, my dear readers, you should know that Mr. Borrero has reached one of his  lowest points of desperation (and absurdity) when he – with full knowledge and premeditation – lied straight into the TV camera this week, directly into the eyes of the public who were watching the NY1 program Road to City Hall.  This past Wednesday, February 13th, Mr. Borerro not only called me a viper, but also lied on two times about me during that segment.

First, he said that in my speech during the Senate Confirmation hearing for Ms. Jenny Rivera, that I named some Hispanic judges who were better prepared than Ms. Jenny Rivera, and that I did not mention a single woman – that I only mentioned men.  (I, in fact, mentioned several qualified women.) Mr. Borrero was there, he listened to my speech, and I am including a youtube link to my speech so you can judge for yourself and see what a liar this guy has become. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-sL6ZFjZJA&feature=share)

As for lie number two for that day, Mr. Borrero said that I was the only Democrat who voted against Ms. Jenny Rivera.  In the official Senate video, I never said that I was voting against her.  She won, and since the vote was a voice vote, nobody knows who voted for and who voted against. There is a clear difference between a voice vote and a roll call vote.  It’s time for someone to try to educate Mr. Gerson Borrero and tell him that it was a voice vote and not a roll call vote, and suggest to him that the next time, he should pay less attention to his obsession with me, and more time to what I actually say, and what I write.

My advice to Mr. Gerson Borrero and to some news media that allows this kind of thing to happen in their newspapers and other forms of media, be careful!

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

 

Assembly Amends Bill to Increase Minimum Wage to $9 Per Hour

Change mirrors President Obama’s proposal to increase the minimum wage and index it to inflation

Over a year ago, the Assembly Majority introduced legislation to raise the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $8.50 per hour and index it to the rate of inflation in order to help hardworking South Bronx families get ahead. In his State of the Union address on Feb. 12, President Obama announced a proposal to increase the federal minimum wage to $9.00 per hour and, like the Assembly Majority’s plan, index it to inflation. In light of this development, the Assembly amended its legislation (A.38-A) to match the president’s proposal.

The amended bill calls for the minimum wage to increase to $9.00 per hour in January 2014. Beginning in 2015, the minimum wage will be indexed, requiring an increase each year to adjust for inflation according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The measure also sets wages for food service workers who receive tips at $6.21 per hour.

While the national attention to this vitally important issue is encouraging, it is essential that we do not wait for Washington to take action. With overwhelming public support to increase the minimum wage here in New York State, we have to act now.

For too long, families living on minimum wage salaries have been forced to make do with inadequate wages. New Yorkers are working harder than ever for pay that makes it difficult to put food on the table or keep a roof over their families’ heads. By increasing the minimum wage, working families will see a rise in their purchasing power and are likely to spend the money from their hard-earned paychecks at local businesses, helping strengthen our economy. 

Currently, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and 16 other states have higher minimum wages than New York State. In addition, 10 other states have already passed legislation indexing the minimum wage to inflation. The minimum wage in New York has increased just 10 cents per hour in the last six years and was raised with the most recent federal minimum wage increase from $7.15 to $7.25 an hour in 2009. That is simply not good enough.

It is time to get this done for hardworking South Bronx families and help provide them with a better quality of life. I urge our partners in state government to work with the Assembly Majority to pass a robust minimum wage increase into law as soon as possible – and index it to inflation. As always, please feel free to contact me about this or any other important community issue at 718-893-0202 or via email at Crespom@assembly.state.ny.us. 

 

This has come from New York State Assemblyman Marcis Crespo of the Bronx.