Save the Putnam Trail Song

  The Save the Putnam Trail campaign, based in the Bronx, now has an anthem written for them by the amazingly talented musician/songwriter Patryk Larney and posted on YouTube.  The original lyrics go like this:

Hail, Hail The Putnam Trail!
Don't cover up what's left of the old railroad.
Let her people carry through.
Save the pavement for Madison Avenue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk9yXbBxne4&feature=youtu.be

The musician, Patryk Larney, originally hails from New Jersey and is widely appreciated for his lyrical content and congenial storytelling in the tradition of James Taylor, Paul Simon, and Tom Petty.

His discography includes soul-infused rock with his band Naked Underneath and with his younger brother in The Larney Brothers.  "Fifty Miles from Hope," 2004; "Larney Brothers," 2009; "Hello to Farewell," 2010. 

 

Save the Putnam Trail Campaign
www.savetheputnamtrail.com

www.facebook.com/saveputnamtrailnow

 

 

First Drone Legislation Bill in the NYS Assembly

This comes in from Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda 87th A.D. Bronx.

I just had my first piece of drone legislation published (#A06244); it focuses on limiting how law enforcement can utilize the technology to conduct surveillance.

I conducted a survey recently in my district to ascertain how the general public feels about drone activity. Most of the data suggests that the public is not fully aware of the technology and its implications, domestically. Only 18% of those surveyed knew what drones were. Though once they were informed, over 96% had concerns about their use, with a similar percentage feeling that drones could infringe on their privacy. Nearly 97% suggested that there be clear restrictions placed on drones.

This bill is the first of a series of comprehensive pieces of legislation initiated to address the lack of information on drones, and their attendant activities. Succeeding bills will focus on: Banning drones from being armed; clearly defining what constitutes a drone; restricting the use of drones by private citizens; and streamlining the mechanisms to secure permits for responsible drone usage concerning its commercial applications.

I have been at the forefront of pushing for more transparency and regulations concerning this phenomenon; assessing the trends, I feel it's incumbent upon the NYS Legislature to seize this issue before it takes on a life of its own. I don't want the technology to get ahead of the law, and hopefully, the legislation that I am putting forth, will be the catalyst for us as legislators to take hold of this issue.

 

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

 

Councilman Koppell Reacts to DOE Decision on Clinton High School

KOPPELL DEPLORES LACK OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN SELECTION OF SMALL HIGH SCHOOLS AT CLINTON

In speaking to Chancellor Walcott at a meeting of the Education Committee, of which he is a member, on March 21, 2013, Council Member Oliver Koppell deplored the lack of community involvement in the selection of the two new high schools to be co-located at DeWitt Clinton High School.

After DOE decided on the concept of co-location in spite of  community opposition, Koppell said, “It would have behooved the Department to consult with the Community Education Council  parents ,and local community  and educational leaders before deciding on what type of school was appropriate for the area.”

According to Koppell, he had not been apprized of the nature of the new schools nor was there a description of the type of schools to be selected in the Impact Statement or at the public hearing held about Clinton’s fate on February 21, 2013   Marvin Shelton, Chair of the District 10 Community Education Council, said, “We were not consulted or given a description of the new schools prior to their being selected. Everyone was kept in the dark.  I believe that not even the Panel for Educational Policy was aware of the nature of the new schools when they voted on the co-location.” Koppell said, “Our students in the Northwest Bronx would have benefitted from a school similar to the Ellis School on the Kennedy Campus devoted to the needs of newly arrived immigrants. One of the reasons Clinton received an “F” on its Progress Report is that it had a disproportionate number of English Language Learners without the resources necessary to meet their needs.”

Koppell said it was unclear why the description of the two new schools at Clinton was kept such a secret and why our community was excluded from having any input into this important decision.  “However,” he said,   “we probably should not have been surprised since this behavior is in keeping with the “top down” philosophy of the Bloomberg  administration.”

Bronx Health & Wellness Summit: Register today!

  The Bronx Health & Wellness Summit

Register for the Bronx Health & Wellness Summit! On Saturday, April 6, at Fordham University, we will host our first ever Bronx Health & Wellness Summit. We have worked hard to put together a comprehensive agenda, one that we feel offers something for everyone.  At our summit, you can learn how our health coverage will change with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, how to effectively continue medical care for our adolescents, how mental health issues are handled to ensure public safety or what classes college students should take to pursue a career in healthcare, the borough's number one employer. The main goal of this summit is to begin to set our work plan for the coming years, a work plan that will reverse our health indicators and ultimately lead to a better overall quality of life for those that live, work and raise their families in the Bronx.  The agenda for the summit has been finalized, so please take a few minutes to register for our Health & Wellness Summit if you haven't already, and sign up for your preferred breakout sessions. I look forward to seeing you there! Ruben Diaz Jr. Bronx Borough President

Bronx Borough President
851 Grand Concourse
Bronx, New York 10451
718-590-3500

Sen. Klein Hosts 18th Annual Easter Bunny Breakfast

   State Senator Jeff Klein joined over 300 children and their parents for his 18^th annual Easter Bunny Breakfast. The breakfast included activities for children, including a magic show, face painting, a “build-a-bunny” station and photos with the Easter Bunny. Families from Senator Klein’s district were invited to attend. 

Below left - Senator Klein's aides hold up Build a Bunny children received. 

Right -  Jalyssa, Joel, and Seiss take a photo with the Easter Bunny.

 

 

Left - Senator Klein, the Easter Bunny, and children with their parents.

Right - The crowd of children who watched magician Candini The Great.

Left - Candini pulls a rabbit out of his hat.

Right - The rabbit wants to go back into the hat.

Left & Right - Are a few children who came up to help Candini do his magic tricks.

Left - After the magic show children came up to see and pet Candini's rabbit Harvey.

Right - Candini, Harvey (in the hat), and the Easter Bunny wish everyone a Happy Easter.

Cliff Stanton Picks Up Endorsement Outside of PS 8 in 11th Council Race

  On Friday afternoon outside PS 8 in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx, candidate for the 11th Council District Cliff Stanton officially picked up the endorsement of a group called NW Bronx Democrats. The group leader of what he has called his "Hired Mercenaries" Mr. Anthony Rivieccio and members of his group officially endorsed Mr. Stanton for the 11th council seat. Mr. Ricieccio said that residents of Bedford Park and Norwood are angry that they have not been supported by the elected officials in the council and state assembly. He said it was the same group that supported current term limited councilman G. Oliver Koppell in 2005 & 2009, but they are going to support Cliff Stanton in 2013. The Bedford Park/Norwood area is represented mostly by Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, and to a small part by Councilman Joel Rivera. The area is served in most in part by Assemblyman Jose Rivera, and in a small part by newly elected Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj who beat the former Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera. Naomi Rivera and Joel Rivera are children of Assemblyman Jose Rivera who is also a former Bronx Democratic County Leader.

   In 2012 Mr. Rivieccio and members of his group worked for two assembly candidates Mr. Mark Gjonaj in the 80th A.D., and candidate Ricky Martinez in the 78th A.D. They endorsed Mr. Gjonaj in the 80th A.D., and in the 78th A.D. supported Mr. Martinez and his opponent Assemblyman Jose Rivera. You can see all of Mr. Riciecio's endorsements in the 2012 Democratic primary here . Below are photos of the endorsement.

  Candidate Stanton is on the right in the photo standing with members of NW Bronx Democrats.

After the announcement on a very cold day candidate Stanton is about to leave.

************************************************************

SENATOR JEFF KLEIN AND DISNEY LIVE! MICKEY’S MUSIC FESTIVAL VISIT RIVERDALE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE

   Co-New York State Senate Leader, Senator Jeff Klein joined children taking part in an after-school program at the Riverdale Neighborhood House for a performance of Disney Live! Mickey's Music Festival.

 Pictured with Senator Klein are children taking part in an after-school program at Riverdale Neighborhood House stand with Mickie and Minnie Mouse, stars of the Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival performance. 

Our guess is that the characters on either side of Senator Klein are two of Senator Klein's Independent Democratic Conference members, but just which two we can not be sure of. Minnie seems to be holding Senator Klein's arm tight, while Mickey pats Senator Klein on the shoulder for doing another good job of bringing the cheese to the district.

Upcoming special events at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center for April 2013:

   Commemorate the Holocaust with Sol Rosenkranz from the Museum of Jewish Heritage Speakers Bureau on Tues. Apr. 9th at 1:00 PM. Mr. Rosenkranz survived internment in 6 concentration camps. We will also light memorial candles and serve refreshments.

   Celebrate March and April birthdays on Wed. Apr. 10th with Bobby Liggio, dynamic one man band who will play a varied program of dance and listening music. Lunch served at 12:15 PM followed by party at 1:00 PM.

   JASA Art Salon with Amy Gottlieb, poet/writer, will meet on Mon. Apr. 15th at 12:40 PM followed by Michael Ferris Jr.’s Narrative Portrait class.

   Join us on Sunday, April 28th for a delectable lunch followed by an ethnic dance presentation by members of Kalpulli Huehetlahtolli, a Native American group, at 1:00 PM. Performers will share customs and values of their ancient Mexica culture.

   Senior contribution of $3.00 for the meal and $2.00 fee for the event is recommended.  Non-senior fee is $5.00 for the meal and $3.00 for the event. Kindly reserve with the center office at 718-549-4700 by Thurs. Apr. 25th.

Trips: Derfner Judaica Museum on Thurs. Apr. 11th at 10:30 AM. Sands Casino on Thurs. Apr. 18th at 8:45 AM. Fee for the Sands Casino trip is $25.00. For reservations and information, please call the center office at 718-549-4700.

    The center also offers day trips to area casinos, movie theaters and     shopping. For information and reservations, please contact Maritza Silva at 718-549-4700.

    JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center offers Senior Fitness on Mon., Movement on Tues., Meditation on Tues. afternoon, Gentle Exercise and Tai Chi on Wed., Yoga on Thurs. and Tone & Stretch on Fri. Call the center at 718-549-4700 for specific dates and times of these classes.

    All meals at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center are catered by Mauzone  (kosher) Meal Service. We offer a daily alternate choice of main dish.

    We are located in the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center at 3880 Sedgwick Ave. off of Van Cortlandt Ave. West on the Bronx #1 or #10 bus routes. For more information, please call the center office at 718-549-4700.

    JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center is funded by NYC Dept. for the Aging, UJA- Federation of NY and by special grants from Council Member Oliver Koppell and other NYS representatives.