15th Council Forum Part Two W/Photos

  By now the audience had swelled to about 150 people.

  The next question was to candidate Thompkins on the scatter site homeless policy currently in place. Thompkins answered that legal aid needs more money to fight for the homeless, to build temporary housing for the homeless in empty lots and brown fields. Rebuttal Agosto- need to change the policy at Dept. of Homeless, and blamed Bloomberg, Batista- Need to support local organizations that provide services, Rivera- Developers that build are not from the area and don't care, Torres- City policy "brain Dead" for paying $3,000.00 to house families, Alvarez- some landlords are slumlords who take in and then evict people.

  A question to candidate Agosto on mayoral control, better educational outcomes, and high stakes testing was answered by candidate Agosto that there needs to be a change in culture at the Department of Education, smaller class size, and more interaction & early intervention. Rebuttal Alvarez- Stop 100% mayoral control, currently have a dictator, Teachers see what is going on, Batista- after taking bar exam knows about high stakes testing and the council needs to be involved, Rivera- more parental involvement, Thompkins- need to create more partnerships with community organizations, and cut class size, Torres- excluding parents reduces students to a scan card.

  A question to candidate Alvarez about the lack of Phys-ed in schools was answered by candidate Alvarez that the space needs to be available parking lots & playground areas need to be used used, and need more sports in the schools. Rebuttal Agosto- partner with local businesses, explorers, and the PAL, Batista- look to support new parks and play streets, Rivera- look at new creative ideas such as dancing - "think outside the box", Thompkins hire more teachers, and bring back competitive sports.

  A question to candidate Batista on "Stop N Frisk" and the Inspector General position was answered by candidate Batista that she is against stop n frisk and in favor of the inspector general position, but crime needs to be targeted where it is happening. Rebuttal Rivera- Mentioned that Comptrollers office had town hall meetings citywide, that he was the only candidate to attend them, Thompkins- Said she is on the 46th pct. council, and Legal Aid lawyer that a balance needs to be kept & cops need tools, Agosto- 100% against stop n frisk, and he is a member of the 49th Pct. council, Alvarez- when he grew up prostitutes were on the corner and it was a rough area, Torres- does not understand the controversy around the inspector general position.

  A question to candidate Rivera about making bodega owners our friends not our enemies was answered by candidate Rivera that he met with 500 bodega owners and got to know them. Rebuttal Thompkins- regulations need to be fair & not fine them to much, Batista- bodegas are a necessity some extend credit, live in the community, pay taxes, and provide jobs, Alvarez- Worked with bodega owners before when some were robbed to get cameras in, Agosto- would set up council of small business and bodega owners, 

  As the question period ended next came closing statements by the candidates. Candidate Torres said that he believes in human rights, economic fairness, and sustainability. Candidate Thompkins said that housing, fresh foods, and schools are important such as getting other choices in the bodega than sugary sodas. A need is to move from poverty to prosperity. Candidate Rivera repeated that when he was fighting for the community at town hall meetings none of the other candidates were there with him. Candidate Batista said that the 15th district is in crisis in all categories, and said that the district has the lowest voter turnout. Candidate Alvarez said that he is running because he has lived in the district his whole life, has been fighting for the community, and he knows how to do it. Last was candidate Agosto who stood up to say that the 15th district is #1 in everything. He has 30 years of community work with others, but now he wants to work for the voters and not someone else, Adding that better schools, housing, and many other things are needed in the 15th district. The forum then ended with the hostess thanking everyone for coming.

  My take on this forum- It appeared to be an even forum with no clear winner or loser except for the seventh candidate who did not show up. As for the strengths or weakness that I saw candidate Kenny Agosto wanted to be first to answer every question, gave what was the best closing statement not only by standing up in front of the other candidates, being very passionate, but also very believable in an era when politicians are not trusted. Candidate Alvarez, I expected more from him being the chief of staff to the current councilman for the past 12 years. Candidate Alvarez I felt should have been talking of the experiences of his office, and much more that has been done in the district than he mentioned. Candidate Raquel Batista was very good in her presentation and answers, but I have to believe that being in her ninth month of a pregnancy that she (as it looked to me) had to be very uncomfortable sitting on the stage for over two hours. Candidate Joel R. Rivera seemed to me to try to steam roll over the other candidates by repeating more than twice that he was the only one who attended town hall meeting that the other candidates did not. The voters will have to decide if the aggressiveness of candidate Rivera is good or bad for the district. Candidate Thompkins gave some good answers, but to me showed that she may need more than just a few years of living in a community before running for office. Candidate Torres began the debate well, gave good answers to many of the questions, but towards the end of the forum he seemed to lose interest and had no rebuttal on the last two questions that were asked which was also seen some what in his closing statement.You can click on the photos below to enlarge them.

   












Left - The six candidates from left to right - Kenny Agosto, Albert Alvarez,  Raquel Batista, Joel R. Rivera, Cynthia Thompkins, and Ritchie Torres.
Right - Candidate Raquel Batista answering a question with candidates Alvarez and Rivera also in the photo.

Left - Candidate Cynthia Thompkins standing between candidates Rivera and Torres.
Right - Candidate Kenny Agosto as he stands up to give his closing statement.

15th Council Forum/Debate Part One

   Last night at the Bronx Library Center located on Kingsbridge Road off Fordham Road there was a District 15 Forum on Creating a Healthy Environment. Six of the seven candidates for the 15th council seat attended. Candidates Kenny Agosto, Albert Alvarez, Raquel Batista, Joel R. Rivera, Cynthia Thompkins, and Ritchie Torres were on hand while the seventh candidates Rev. Joel Bauza did not. The New York League of Conservation Voters Education fund, Bronx Health Reach, and Mary Mitchell Family & Youth Center were the sponsors and made up the panel of questioners. Questions from the audience written down on cards were also mixed in during the forum/debate. While there were many empty seats at the beginning of the event those seats began to get occupied as the night went on.

  Candidate Kenny Agosto was first to give an opening statement of three minutes. Candidate Agosto said that he was born and raised in the district as well as the Male District Leader. He told of his 30 years of community activist experience, and 10 years of government experience as Chief of Staff to two assemblymen now working for a state senator also getting in his advocacy for the LBGT community.

  Candidate Albert Alvarez was next. Candidate Alvarez said that he was the Chief of Staff to current 15th Councilman Joel Rivera, and also was born and raised in the district. He seemed a little nervous as he continued with the work of the past 12 years in the district mentioning only a few things that had gotten done by Councilman Rivera and himself. Alvarez later told me that he only had three minutes, and would need much more time than that.

  Candidate Raquel Batista was next. A very pregnant Candidate Batista (nine months she told me later) spoke of her 15 years of work in the community . She added that she was born & raised in the district also coming into this world at Union Hospital. She ended with her work as an attorney on Women's Rights, Tenant's Rights, and said that she would be the strong advocate that the district does not have.

  Candidate Joel R. Rivera was next. Candidate Rivera said that he has been fighting for the community using Stop N Frisk as an example. In 2005 that he started a youth organization, and wants to expand youth programs as more young people wind up in jail rather than going to college.

  Candidate Cynthia Thompkins was next. Candidate Thompkins said that she was from Pittsburg, is a former police officer, and came to the Bronx in 2009 to the Fordham Hts. area. She added that she is a lawyer for civil rights and that violence needs to end.

  Candidate Ritchie Torres was next. Candidate Torres asked if the Bronx is safe when it comes to food saying that there are to many fast food restaurants. He added that to many people live near highways, obesity, diabetes, and asthma are problems in the Bronx, using some family members as examples including himself who as a child had asthma.

  Questions were then asked of individual candidates with two minutes to respond, with a 30 second rebuttal by any other candidate. To candidate Agosto a question of his sustainability priority in his first 100 days was answered with green housing, renters on the rent guidelines board not landlords. Rebuttals were- Alvarez - Schools and asthma free zones, Torres- mold concerns in housing, Thompkins- have children learn about the environment, Rivera- cost of food in the district, Bautista- healthy food initiative.

   To candidate Alvarez the change of funding to youth centers by Mayor Bloomberg was answered that his office has provided monies to the Mary Mitchell Center, but that the mayor wants to do away with smaller providers in favor of larger one that serve more people. Rebuttals were Agosto- all programs need to be looked at and see which ones are working, Bautista- Council needs to have discretionary funding, Thompkins- believes in small community organizations, because she has one, Torres- local organizations know the needs of the community they serve, Rivera- Spoke of the credits to big business, Bloomberg's friends, and City Time scandal.

   To candidate Rivera a question of childhood obesity was answered that some schools have no gyms, and the disgusting food children are served in schools. Rebuttals were Agosto- need more classroom space to open up gyms that are being used for classrooms, Alvarez- Need obesity prevention programs, Thompkins- have phys-ed more than one day a week, Torres teach better eating habits, Bautista- what are the priorities of the schools?

   To Candidate Thompkins a question of the quality of public housing was answered by there heeds to be more green housing, and that NYCHA needs to fix their public housing. Rebuttals Agosto- Grew up in public housing, 5-6 year wait list, and cameras are needed, Alvarez- NYCHA housing is not for luxury development, Rivera- spoke of town hall meeting he attended, Torres- spoke of a murder at a NHCHA unit.

  A question to candidate Agosto about more fresh food in the district to help prevent diabetes was answered by saying that he was a diabetic and it is important to have fresh food. Agosto added that he fought to have low fat milk in schools. Rebuttals Rivera- the fresh food in the district is rotten and no good, Thompkins- Need more green carts, Batista- need to get the food from Hunts Point into the district, Alvarez- more farmers markets, Torres- said that the Bronx is not getting its fair share.

   A question to candidate Batista about rising rents and falling wages was answered that the Bronx is the "Final Frontier" of affordable housing, and that renovations by owners should not be passed on to tenants. Rebuttals Torres- rents are lower, but so is income making housing less affordable, Thompkins- Build green and provide tax incentive's, Agosto- rent guidelines board is made up of landlords not tenants, Alvarez- coll roofs & rent freeze, Rivera- mentioned this years increases by rent guidelines board and said that people have to decide between rent, food or lights.

  A question to candidate Rivera on fast food restaurants was answered that people need to be educated better on food choices. Rebuttals Agosto- limit Popeyes & Walmart, Alvarez- Spoke of his office wanting a ban of them near schools, Thompkins- asked what is needed in the Bronx, Torres- in city hospitals & schools the food needs to be better.

Response by Assemblyman Dinowitz to Stanton Attack on Him

 

Statement from Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz Calling Upon

Clifford Stanton to Return Strip Club Money

Council candidate Clifford Stanton continues to attack me, despite the fact that I am not his opponent, in an apparent effort to change the subject from the huge amount of campaign contributions he received from the owner of strip clubs.

Both the Riverdale Press and the Riverdale Review reported that Mr. Stanton received large contributions from the owner of Scores, a strip club in Manhattan.  Mr. Stanton stated he is not a friend of this individual.  Since they’re not friends, why is the Scores owner donating and raising so much money for Mr. Stanton?  I certainly hope that we won’t be seeing strip clubs in our community.  After all, we recently had to deal with the problem of massage parlors in the neighborhood.

The owner of the strip clubs donated or raised thousands and thousands of dollars for Clifford Stanton.  These contributions, if and when matched by the City’s public financing system with taxpayer dollars, totals over $9,000.  That is a lot of money and a significant portion of all of the money that has been reported to the Campaign Finance Board by the Stanton campaign.  

Although Mr. Stanton continues to attack me and one of the newspapers that reported these very questionable contributions, at no time did he deny the accuracy of the reports in either newspaper (including the newspaper against whom he launched a boycott when he first contemplated running for the Council.)  He owes the voters of the Bronx’s 11th council district an explanation for these contributions to his campaign.

It is Mr. Stanton who has repeatedly raised the issue of the impact of a $250 contribution made by a reputable community leader to the Andrew Cohen campaign.  Therefore it’s only fair to question what Mr. Stanton’s obligation is to an individual who helped pump over $9,000 into his campaign and how that would affect the neighborhoods of the 11th Council district.  It is clear what needs to be done.

I call on Clifford Stanton to do the right thing and return all of these questionable campaign contributions immediately.

Weiner Continues Issue Discussions During His Keys to the City Tour with Idea #32

  Anthony Weiner visited Riverdale Senior Services to discuss a proposal from his book, Keys to the City - 64 Ideas to Keep New York the Capital of the Middle Class, that would provide much-needed relief to those who care for the elderly or long-term ill in New York City.

Weiner’s proposal reduces the financial burden on caregivers by providing a city exemption for those who provide care to their loved ones at home. 

Today, there are over 1 million New Yorkers who provide care to older family members with chronic illnesses and about 200,000 of them live with their dependents.  This number is expected to rise as the number of New Yorkers over the age of 65 grows by an estimated 47% between 2005 and 2030.  The average national expenses for family caregivers – on items such as household goods, food, transportation, medical co-payments and pharmaceuticals – is $5,531 a year. 

Idea #32 – Subsidize New Yorkers Who Are Caregivers at Home – By providing a “Caregiver Tax Exemption,” burdens so that families no longer have to make choices between providing care for their family members or the basic life necessities. Weiner’s proposal would:

• Double the existing federal tax relief for at-home caregivers by providing a $7,800 exemption from the filer’s personal income tax burden at the city level.   
• Save 104,000 middle-class New Yorkers who provide at home care an average of $250 per year, easing burdens so they can now more easily buy necessities like a tub chair, which costs $280, or a motion sensor, costing $325, to turn off the stove automatically. 

Claimants must receive the Federal Dependent Exemption be a full-time resident of New York City, live with their dependent, and not have an income of over $100,000. Those who qualify would simply check a new box on the state tax form, lowering the amount of income on which the city would levy personal income tax. Weiner’s proposal is expected to have a positive impact on the wallets of over 100,000 New Yorkers

“Many middle class New Yorkers and those struggling to make it are trapped in a vice, caring for children on one end and elderly relatives on the other,” said Mr. Weiner. “As more of us face these realities, the City can send a message that caregivers are providing a valuable service and no longer have to choose between food and medicine.”

Weiner Visits Riverdale Senior Services

  Candidate for mayor Anthony Weiner came back to Riverdale once again to talk with seniors at the Riverdale Senior Services Center located on Netherland Avenue. He brought with him his story of Grandma Weiner when she lived on Waldo Avenue. The WG stood for Grandma Weiner and not Waldo Gardens he said Grandma Weiner told him.  

  After the ice breaker candidate Weiner spoke of Obama Care and his role in helping pass it. Weiner went into several other items  that were geared for the mainly senior citizen audience he was standing in front of. After finishing speaking Weiner took some questions from the audience. When asked who he might vote for if not running, Weiner said someone who is a supporter of the middle class like himself, has a history of fighting for seniors, and was a nice guy. 

  When it came to funding for seniors that seems to be decreasing each year under Mayor Bloomberg (he was told) Weiner said that he would fight for more funding for senior centers, and "keep the money coming from the Department For The Aging" (DFTA). Weiner then mentioned that all the democratic candidates spent a night in public housing, decrying the New York City Housing Authority management, and calling for the unemployed laborers to help fix up the NYCHA housing.

  Weiner lambasted the Rent Guidelines Board when asked about rent stabilized housing saying that unless something is done in 2013/2014 that in 2015 people from outside the city will determine the rent increases again. Weiner also said that the Erstead Law need to be revised since times have changed since that law went into effect. Weiner then took individual questions from the seniors gathered, and toured the Riverdale Senior Services Center with Executive Director Julia Schwartz Leeper.

 

Left and Right - Mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner uses his arms to help get his point across to the audience gathered to hear him at the Riverdale Senior Services Center.

Weiner also spoke to many individual people after he finished his talk to the group .

Mark Gjonaj Fundraiser

  Next year recently elected Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj will be up for re-election. To run a successful campaign like he did last year Assemblyman Gjonaj has already started to raise funds for next years campaign as you see below. Just the right border is cut off to enlarge the print.

FREE mammography screenings this Monday

  This came in from Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.

In the interest of helping to stir conversation and awareness concerning women's health, next week, there will be FREE mammography screenings for uninsured or under insured females 40 and over.

Date: Monday, July 22, 2013

Time: 9:00am-1:30pm

Location: E. 180th Street (Between E. Tremont and Van Nest Avenue)

Appointments necessary. Please call 718-931-2620 to reserve your spot now.

Bronx Democratic County Committee Dinner

  Wednesday night July 17th was the annual Bronx Democratic County Dinner. Before you entered the driveway however were protesters (from the Freedom Party) who were complaining about political corruption. Public Advocate candidate Lettita James (endorsed by the BDCC) greeted you at the door. In the main ballroom there was not an open space to be had as tables and chairs were set up to the max. I was told that over 1,000 people were expected during the course of the night, and that being with the Bronx Democratic County organization already having endorsed candidates in what seems to be a large field in almost every race. 

  BDCC Chairman Carl Heastie had lots of help from 77th A.D. Male District Leader Venancio "BENNY" Catala, BDCC Executive Director Ischia Bravo, and all of those who participated in the preparation of the dinner. There were lots of politicians in the house as Bronx BP Ruben Diaz might say. Citywide only Democratic candidate for mayor Bill Thompson (endorsed by the BDCC) was on hand, as well as current Manhattan Borough President and candidate for City Comptroller (endorsed by the BDCC) Scott Stringer, and  current Brooklyn Councilwoman and candidate for Public Advocate (endorsed by the BDCC) Lettita James.

   Statewide Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Attorney General Eric Schniderman, and Comptroller Tom Dinapoli were in attendance. Almost every Bronx current City Council member and State Assembly member also attended. I did not see however any of the four members of Congress in attendance, but did see reps of a couple. It was good to see Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj at this years dinner after being shut out of last year because he ran against a BDCC backed candidate. I won't go into what we both said, but we had a good laugh.

  I almost forgot to mention the Honorees at the dinner. Mr. Mitchell Draizin of Longview Capital Partners, Ms. Sandra Erickson of Sandra Erickson Real Estate inc., SEIU BJ32 President Hector Figueroa, Mr. Kenneth Knuckles of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, Mr. Michael Mcguire of the Mason Tenders District Council, and Mr. George Miranda President of Teamsters Joint Council 16.

 

Left - Father Richard Gorman Chair of Community Board 12 gives the invocation as 77A.D. Male District Leader Venancio "BENNY" Catala and BDCC Executive Director Ischia Bravo stand with BDCC Chairman Heastie.

Right - BDCC Chairman Assemblyman Carl Heastie welcomes everyone.

 

Left - Could New York State Attorney General Eric Schniderman and Comptroller Tom Dinapoli be giving Manhattan Borough President and candidate for City Comptroller some advice in his race now against former Governor Elliot Spitzer, or just fixing Stringers tie.

Right - Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver addressing the audience.

Left - Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. poses with Deputy BP Greene.

Right - Bronx BP Diaz with his good friend Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson.