Bronx Arts Ensemble 4th of July Concert in VCP

  It was a hot day but cool afternoon at the Rockwood Drive Circle in Van Cortlandt Park as over 150 people came to hear the Bronx Arts Ensemble's "Holiday Salute to George M. Cohan". Chairs were set up, but people were encouraged to bring their own chairs for comfort so they be put in the coolest place under the shadiest tree. This free concert was one of a series of free concerts performed by different artists, such as today's Jazz and Dixieland favorites with vocalist Cathy Gale sponsored by the local elected officials.

  On hand was Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz a sponsor of the free concert series in VCP who briefly addressed the crowd gathered before the concert began. City Council candidate Andrew Cohen and Mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner were also on hand before the concert and also addressed the audience as you can see in the photos below. The next free Sunday concert in VCP is scheduled for July 14th is "Afro-Tango", by Bandoneon player Raul Jaurena, vocalist Marga Mitchell, and Dancers. On Friday evening July 12th in Pelham Bay Park starting at 6 PM is "All You Need Is Love" by the BAE's Electronic Mosholu Crash Music of the 1960's including Beatles hits. You can go to bronxartsensemble.org or call 718-601-7399 for more information on the Bronx Arts Ensemble free summer concert series. 

 

Left - Ms. Cathy Gale sings the first number played.

Right - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz speaks to the crowd before the concert began.

 

Left - City Council candidate Andrew Cohen listens to a voter as Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz also listens.

Right - Another candidate at the concert Anthony Weiner (running for mayor) stops to say hello to Assemblyman Dinowitz and council candidate Andrew Cohen. Dinowitz and the Ben Franklin Democratic Club endorsed Weiner for mayor in 2005. As of yet there has been no endorsement this year by Dinowitz or the club in the mayors race.

Left - Mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner poses with a family that came to listen to the concert.
Right - Weiner listens to a concern of a concert goer.

And of course there were volunteers from the two candidates campaigns gathering signatures. Here Mr. Allen Fraizer signs a petition for Anthony Weiner as his wife Martha smiles.

JCOPE Publishes NY State Elected Officialls 2012 Financial Disclosure Statements

  The Joint Commission on Public Ethics has released the 2012 financial disclosure statements that are required to be filled by all New York State elected officials. Here is the link to the JCOPE page which lets you see the 2012 financial disclosure statements of the  four state wide office holders (Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and State Comptroller), all members of the State Assembly, and all members of the State Senate. When you go to the JCOPE page you will see the options for either of the four statewide offices, the assembly, and senate. If you choose one of the latter choices an alphabetical listing of each assembly or senate member will appear on your screen. Just click on the elected official(s) financial disclosure statement you wish to view.

  The disclosure statement can be from 14 to 20 pages, with the first page starting with the persons name, title, state agency, office address & phone number, marital status, and spouses name. The other pages (with a coded letter for each amount explained in a table at the end) ask for anything from amount of monies received from other employment & where from, amount of investments & how much, holdings & approximate value, any liabilities & how much, and any other personal gains or employment of the elected official and or spouse. The report includes stating any party positions, what they are, and if any compensation is given. The information is very informative as you can find out just what your elected state official has declared. 

  The financial disclosure statements are from the year ending 2012, and had to be sent during the month of May as you will see the date stamped on page one. Here is the link to the JCOPE page  again.

Items from Comptroller Lohn Liu

LIU ON DEEPENING REPORTS OF E911 PROBLEMS

City Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following about the Daily News article reporting that City officials were aware of problems linked to the new Emergency 911 call system prior to Ariel Russo’s death:

 

“As the Daily News report again demonstrates, the Bloomberg Administration has repeatedly and knowingly put New Yorkers at risk with their botched handling of the emergency call system. Each new revelation makes it even more impossible to believe the Administration’s excuses—and we need a full, honest reckoning immediately. Until that happens, all we can do is pray that lives will not be unnecessarily lost because of this problem-plagued system.”

 

Background
Statement: Liu on E911 Response Times

http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2013_releases/pr13-06-097.shtm

 

Press release: Liu to Mayor: Where’s the E911 Contract?
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2013_releases/pr13-06-091.shtm

Press release: Liu Announces Audit of E911 System
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2013_releases/pr13-06-084.shtm

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 City Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following on the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk data: 

 

“The Daily News analysis of stop-and-frisk data, contradicting Mayor Bloomberg’s claim that whites are stopped too frequently, is the latest sign that his unjust policy is unraveling. More to the point, it is absurd and outrageous that he thinks blacks and Hispanics should be stopped more based on racial profiling of suspects overall. We look forward to Judge Scheindlin’s ruling in the stop-and-frisk suit, and to the day when this civil-rights violation ends once and for all.”

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City Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following in response to former Schools Chancellor Joel Klein’s speech today on charter schools:

 

“Joel Klein’s contention that those who oppose the co-location of charter schools in district schools ‘lack … courage’ and ‘ignore’ charter school families is disingenuous in the extreme. We oppose co-location because it disrupts school communities and makes district-school students feel like second-class citizens when they see in the charter school new equipment and technology that their own classrooms lack. No New York City child should be disrespected in this manner, and shame on Mr. Klein for establishing the policy that made it so.”

Background:

Liu Statement on School Closures and Co-Locations:

http://comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2013_releases/pr13-01-015.shtm
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 City Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following about the new fees for Central Park tours:

“It’s especially galling to hear that the Central Park Conservancy is charging $15 for tours that were once free, because this wealthy, privately funded group enjoys plum arrangements with the City that other parks groups don’t get. Our public parks need better funding, but more importantly they need equitable funding.”

Background:

Two weeks ago, the Comptroller's office rejected a $90 million, 10-year contract the Conservancy is seeking and asked Mayor Bloomberg to restructure the agreement so that it helps level the playing field for parks across the five boroughs:

 

http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2013_releases/pr13-06-093.shtm

Visit www.comptroller.nyc.gov for the latest news, events, and initiatives.
Follow Comptroller Liu on Twitter. To receive Twitter updates via text message,
text “follow johncliu” to 40404.
 View the latest Comptroller’s office videos on YouTube.

 
 

 

Weiner Would Eliminate the Parent Coordinator at Schools

   In a story by Celeste Katz After Job Cut Vow of Parent Coordinator, Union PAC Vows to Take Him Out by splashing Weiner sexting photos. Local 372 of DC 37 of which union parent coordinators belong has begun flashing photos of a topless Weiner, and even has a new website http://stopweiner.com/ with every single article and photo the union could put up on the website. Also are comments from union leaders, a Staten Island Community Education Council 31 member, a couple of NYCPU (New York City Parent Union) members of how great parent coordinators are, and others.

   As a very involved parent leader not only district wide in School District 10, I also represented the district and all the public school children as member of the Chancellor's Parent Advisory Council in 2002. That was when there was real parent involvement, and no need for any parent coordinators. CPAC as a whole wound up questioning then Chancellor Joel Klein on many issues such as changing the promotion criteria of the third grade in the middle of the school year. We later found out that was because the children who would do poorly next year on the fourth grade standardized tests were indiscriminately held back so those fourth grade test scores would be higher the next year. 

  When CPAC was asked their opinion of what a parent coordinator position should entail we told the chancellor that the parent coordinator should be able to help students and their parents get any needed help. That meant tutoring, free lunch, better communication with the teacher or supervisor, a bus ride if needed, any counseling that a child or even their parent may need, wellness assistance, and basically anything that a social worker would do. In fact the stand taken of CPAC was if parent coordinators had to hired we wanted them to be social workers giving Chancellor Klein a list of items the PC should be able to handle. What happened was that then Deputy Mayor Ed Skylar went on television (NY1) to announce that the position of parent coordinator was created because principals were to busy to see parents. When CPAC asked for a kob description of the parent coordinator position we were told that is going to be up to the principal. To this date there is no job description of just what the position of parent coordinator does. It was found out that a few principals had hired relatives to be their parent coordinator, while others took their current parent leaders and hired them. The latter lead to a decrease of parent involvement because these new parent coordinators continued to attend meeting as they had as parents, but the new parent leader did not go leaving it up to the new parent coordinator to filter down any information.

  Don't get me wrong there are many good parent coordinator's who have adjusted to the position, but many others still do not know just what is expected of them. Also CPAC fought hard to keep the word District in Community District Education Council which I see has been lost now by those in the position and the unions. Also the NYCPU was started in 2011 less than two years ago, and did not fight the battles that CPAC fought for parents. It is now a much different playing field for parents who for the past ten years have been told by the Bloomberg administration "Get involved, but stay in your own school".

   DC 37 has endorsed current City Comptroller John Liu for Mayor in the Democratic primary.

  

1199SEIU Endorses Victor Pichardo for 86 A.D.

  1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East today announced their endorsement of Victor Pichardo for the 86th Assembly District in the Bronx.

Mr. Pichardo is part of a new group of community leaders working for a better future in the Bronx. Kevin Finnegan, Political Director of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, said “During the many years Victor has been working as a public servant, he has put the interest of working people first. He has a strong vision for the future of the Bronx, including good jobs, affordable housing, quality education and health care for all.”

“I am honored and proud to receive the support of 1199SEIU, which has one of the most effective, member-driven political programs in the country. With over 220,000 members in New York City, 1199SEIU’s membership represents the hardworking men and women of the 86^th assembly district,” said Victor Pichardo. He added “I look forward to working with 1199SEIU members, who are very politically active and engaged, to help improve the lives of the diverse communities that live in the district and the Bronx.”

Born in New York City, Victor spent his childhood living in the Fordham Road section of the Bronx and the Inwood section of Upper Manhattan. After graduating from the University at Buffalo in 2007 with a degree in Communications and double minors in English and Sociology, Victor pursued an internship with Senator Charles Schumer in New York City. After completing his internship, Victor became Senator Schumer’s Staff Assistant and was eventually promoted to Community Outreach Coordinator/Latino Liaison.

After serving 4 years in Senator Schumer’s office, Victor expanded his career and became an Associate Director of Public Relations at Mercy College. Although it was a wonderful experience, Victor missed the life of public service and decided to return to his true calling. In 2012, Victor became the Director of Community Affairs for State Senator Gustavo Rivera in the Bronx.

This comes after the State's Largest Grocery Workers Union 

   The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers union,  announced its endorsement of Victor Pichardo in the special election being held to fill the vacant 86th Assembly seat from the Bronx.

"Albany needs young, dedicated individuals committed to open and transparent governing if it is going to ask for public's trust. Victor Pichardo is just that type of individual Albany and most importantly the constituents of the 86th Assembly District, are seeking to bring integrity and honesty to this Assembly seat," said Patrick Purcell, Assistant to the President of UFCW Local 1500.

Friends of VCP's July 2013 Enewsletter

Happy Summer!

We just wrapped up a busy spring and have lots of exciting projects and events taking place in the Park this summer. 

This spring we started working on the expansion of our Garden & Compost Site.  With the support of New York Restoration Project our new raised bed was built and then planted by volunteers from Outdoor Rise.  This summer, everyone is welcome to volunteer with us to woodchip the site, build a compost bin and tend to our vegetables. 

We are happy to announce that the Friends will be running two internships for youth this summer.  The first is our Youth Run Farm Stand Internship thanks to the support of the Partnership for a Healthier NYC and NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets FreshConnect program.   Our second one is a Summer Teen Trail Crew Internship thanks to the support of Lush Charity Pot.

We have lots of other exciting events and programs scheduled for the next few months.  See below for all of our summer events.

See you in the Park!

Christina

Garden Crew
Tuesdays, July 9th -August 27th from 10am-1pm
The Friends are celebrating a brand new extension to our garden during the 2013 season! More space means more to be done. Help care for our vegetable beds (where all of our produce will be donated to local food pantries and sold at our Youth Run Farm Stand), weed, and make compost. Bring water and sunscreen.

Held at Friends of Van Cortlandt Park Compost & Garden Site.  Enter the Park at Broadway & Mosholu Ave.

Youth Run Farm Stands
Wednesdays from 4-7pm from July 10th- August 28th
3965 Sedgwick Avenue Bronx, NY 10463

Thursdays from 1-7pm from July 11th- November 21st
111 E. 210th Street at Montefiore Hospital.  This site is being held in partnership with GrowNYC.

EcoCrafts
Thursdays, July 11th – August 29th from 11am-1pm
Recycle used and natural materials into new creations at Classic Playground.  Projects include wearable crafts, repurposed items, and creative ways to look at nature.

Enter the Park at Van Cortlandt Park South and Gouvernuer Ave.

Volunteer Trails Restoration Crew
Second Saturdays of the Month from July to December 2013 from 10am to 3pm
Want to develop useful skills, while making a significant contribution to the future of Van Cortlandt Park and the Bronx Community?  Crew Members will work alongside trails professionals, developing skills in various areas of trail construction while improving the various trails in Van Cortlandt Park.  Projects include building boardwalks, clearing waterbars and drainage swells and installing drainage dips.  No prior trails experience is necessary.  All crew members must register online by July 10th.

Picnic Supper & Concert in Van Cortlandt Park with the New York Philharmonic
Tuesday July 16^th from 6pm to 10:30pm
The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park are very excited to be partnering with the The Van Cortlandt Committee of The National Society of  Colonial Dames in the State of New York to celebrate and honor Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. and George A. Nelson on the evening of the New York Philharmonic in Van Cortlandt Park.   Our guests will enjoy: Picnic Supper under a tent on the lawn of Van Cortlandt House Museum, Reserved V.I.P. seating on chairs for the New York Philharmonic Concert on the Parade Ground and Round-trip transportation from Manhattan or Free Parking in Manhattan College Parking Garage.  Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.  Please RSVP by Tuesday July 9th.

City of Water Day in Van Cortlandt Park
Saturday July 20^th, 2013 from 10am-1pm
Join the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park as we participate in the Metropolitian Waterfront Alliance’s city-wide event celebrating the waterfront.  At Van Cortlandt Lake, we will have hands-on activities: using dipnets to collect aquatic invertebrate, craft projects and a hike around the lake.  Outdoor fun for all ages! 

Enter the park at Van Cortlandt Park South and Bailey Avenue and meet us near the Van Cortlandt Golf House. 

LIU ON RISE IN STUDENT LOAN RATES

   Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following today on the rise in federally-subsidized student loan rates and the impact on New York City:

“Our City needs Congress to get back together right away and craft a fix that will cancel the doubling of federally subsidized student-loan rates. The rise in rates on new loans will hurt many struggling young New Yorkers. Our analysis, based on federal data, shows that about 912,000 New York City residents owe an average of $29,800 in student loans. Assuming a third of new student loans are federally subsidized, a permanent rise in interest rates could cost City borrowers roughly $40 million in the first year.

“With higher rates, that amount will rise rapidly – further constricting disposable incomes in a City that is a magnet for the country’s college graduates.”

 

Notes:

 

Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York show that, even at the lower interest rate, many New Yorkers are struggling to keep up with their student loan payments:

 

For additional economic analysis, visit our new blog 1 Centre Street: http://1centrestreet.com/

 

DeBlasio Returns to Parkchester

  On  Sunday April 21st current Public Advocate  and candidate for mayor in the upcoming Democratic primary Bill DeBlasio came to Parkchester to receive an endorsement for mayor. That was the first endorsement of a mayoral candidate by a Bronx elected official, and it was made by 87th A.D. Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda. Since then Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. endorsed Bill Thompson as did the Bronx Democratic County organization. State Senator Gustavo Rivera endorsed Christine Quinn, State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. endorsed Erick Salgado, and the powerful Ben Franklin Democratic Club of the Northwest Bronx led by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz has not endorsed any candidate for mayor as of yet.

   When he came to Parkchester to receive Assemblyman Sepulveda's endorsement DeBlasio said that this would not be the only time the voters of Parkchester would see him. DeBlasio returned this past Saturday to Parkchester, and his first stop was the Roselyn Johnson Democratic Club of the 87th A.D located on Castle Hill Avenue. He went inside to discuss the walking tour from Castle Hill Avenue to the heart of Parkchester, telling State Committeeman and Community Board #9 member William Rivera that he wanted to meet as many people that he could.

   The walking tour started across Castle Hill Avenue onto Starling Avenue. On Starling Avenue DeBlasio stopped for every person to introduce himself and ask a question of the concerns of the person he was talking to. Before he left Deblasio kindly asked for the persons vote in the upcoming Democratic primary. He went into several stores to talk to the owners and patrons again asking questions and listening to the answers. The walking tour then went onto Unionport Road to the heart of Parkchester. Again as he was doing Deblasio wanted to speak to as many people as he could. He would stop to hear the concerns of newly registered voters, parents, senior citizens, and anybody who had anything to say to him. Some of what was said can not be printed as it was not aimed at DeBlasio, but the current mayor. 

   Parkchester has a lot of union people living in its vast development. While DeBlasio was happy to hear 1199 union people tell him they were voting for him because their union had supported DeBlasio, that was not always the case when it came to other union members. He ran into several members of the United Federation of Teachers who said their union had endorsed another candidate and that was who they were voting for. The same happened when he ran into some members of the union DC 37 who had endorsed a different opponent of DeBlasio.

   The walking tour finally reached its destination in front of Macy's where there was a table set up and dozens of volunteers collecting signatures of registered Democrats to put DeBlasio on the ballot to run for mayor. Below are a few photos of candidate DeBlasio and his return to Parkchester.

 

Left - Mayor candidate Bill DeBlasio stands in front of the Roselyn Jackson Democratic Club on Castle Hill Avenue in the 87th A.D.

Right - DeBlasio goes over the walking tour with State Committeeman and CB 9 member William Rivera.

 

Left - DeBlasio poses with some newly registered voters on Starling Avenue.

Right - Inside Parkchester DeBlasio listens to a fathers concerns, and tells of his education plan.

Left - DeBlasio listens to the concerns of Margret Walsh former head of Parkchester South.

Right - DeBlasio poses with many of the volunteers who were gathering signatures for him outside Macy's. Julian Sepulveda (on DeBlasio's left) stands in for his father Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda who was out of town.