KOPPELL-SPONORED BILL PLACING AUXILIARY POWER UNITS IN AMBULANCES PASSED BY COUNCIL

This came in from Councilman Oliver Koppells office.
 

   At its meeting on August 22, 2013, the City Council passed a package of legislation to make city vehicles cleaner and greener by reducing harmful emissions. One bill, sponsored by Council Member Oliver Koppell, authorizes a pilot program that would place auxiliary power units in ambulances to supply cooling, heating and electrical power while the vehicle’s engine is turned off.

“Every day, the city parks more than 300 ambulances on city streets while they wait for emergency calls.  All these vehicles keep their engines running to cool or heat the attendants or to cool medical supplies.  The diesel exhaust emitted from these idling vehicles is a significant contributor to the city’s air pollution,” Koppell said.    

 The adverse health effects of breathing polluted air have been well documented.  These include respiratory diseases, changes in lung function and asthma attacks, resulting in increased mortality, hospitalizations and lost days from school or work. Everyone is harmed by poor air quality, but children and the elderly are the most adversely affected.

“This pilot program will demonstrate the value of providing auxiliary power to waiting ambulances by eliminating the need for idling and will pave the way for equipping the entire ambulance fleet with this technology, which will have a positive impact on air quality in the city,”  Koppell stated.

Editors Note:  It would have been better for the 51 members of the city council led by Speaker Christine Quinn to have pushed for a pilot program of "Electric Powered Ambulances", which could be built in the Bronx by Smith Electric.

 

John Liu Visits Tracy Towers

  Mayoral candidate John Liu visited Tracy Towers to speak with the residents. 80th A.D. Male District Leader Kenny Agosto introduced the current comptroller, and like the appearance of Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson last week it took a little time for residents to come down after a long day of hard work. District Leader Agosto made his endorsement of John Liu for Mayor official. Agosto added that this mayors race is the most under polled and under estimated race. That was said last week by mayoral candidate Bill Thompson.

  Mayoral candidate John Liu spoke of his work as City Comptroller, and how he has saved the city millions of dollars in his audits of many different agencies and contracts. Liu added that he is proud to be the most investigated person himself, because when you do what he has done you make enemies who want you out of office. Liu continued with the issues such as Stop N Frisk, education, housing, transportation, and others ending by saying that "Change is needed to get the city back in the hands of the people".Liu then took several questions from the audience. 

  A question about summer youth work was answered that this year was the highest number of applications, but the lowest number of positions. On NYCHA housing Liu said where was Mayor Bloomberg his first 11 years, and now he wants to sell off parts of NYCHA. To a question of negotiating city worker contracts Liu said that the city budget went up 10 billion dollars last year, but rather than settle union contracts Mayor Bloomberg spent the money elsewhere. Liu finished by saying that Bloomberg has been a failure when it comes to education. All that Bloomberg has done was play the old shell game with the students in closing schools, and that he was proud of his record as city comptroller. 

Left - 80 A.D. Male District Leader Kenny Agosto introducing Mayoral candidate John Liu to the Tracy Towers audience.

Right - Liu and Agosto pose for this photo.

Left - Early on you can see the sparse crowd that grew as Mayoral candidate John Liu spoke. 

Right - A photo op with members of the Tracy Towers Tenants Association, Kenny Agosto, and Mayor al candidate John Liu.

CYNTHIA ASKS RITCHIE TORRES TO EXPLAIN HOUSING INCONSISTENCIES

(This came in from the Cynthia Tompkins for the City Council campaign of the 15th council district.)

CYNTHIA THOMPKINS

Cynthia for Change

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Rob Giuffre (347) 538-6231

CYNTHIA ASKS RITCHIE TORRES TO EXPLAIN HOUSING INCONSISTENCIES

BRONX – Cynthia Thompkins implores the local Bronx media to ask Ritchie Torres to explain how he can claim he is a candidate of the people and a public housing advocate while simultaneously accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars from the real estate developer super-PAC “Jobs for New York.” 

The New York Daily News recently ran a story that quoted the following: “It’s disgusting that this is happening.  The money is a corrupting influence on anyone who is running for office.” – Jaron Benjamin, executive director of the Met Council on Housing.  (http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/pac-flexes-major-muscle-council-races-article-1.1433324)

“Ritchie Torres is taking the script from the Tea Party and accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars from real estate tycoons who want to make sure the housing status quo stays in place.  Housing is not affordable and the people funding “Jobs for New York” are about as interested in making housing affordable as Ritchie Torres is in running an honest campaign.  In reality, both Torres and “Jobs for New York” are interested in only two things: protecting their own interests and advancing their own agenda,” said Ms. Thompkins.

LIU ON PASSAGE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY ACT

  Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following today on the vote in the City Council’s Committee of the Whole to override the Mayor’s veto of the racial profiling bill, the passage in the full body of which is now a foregone conclusion:

“The Council is doing the right thing in overturning the Mayor’s veto and standing up to his bullying. Ultimately, stop and frisk should be abolished. In the meantime, we need protections against racial profiling by police. Police should be working with communities to keep everyone safe, instead of treating innocent New Yorkers as if they are criminals.”

 

 

Wave Hill Events September 6–September 13

 

SAT, SEPTEMBER 7    FAMILY ART PROJECT—GO OUTDOORS WITH VAN GOGH

Vincent van Gogh is famous for saying “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” With plenty of beauty to behold, follow his lead, take a brush and paint your favorite Wave Hill scene. Explore the inspiration of nature with an adventurous spirit and a variety of watercolor media. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, SEPTEMBER 7    TAI CHI CHUAN

Quiet like a mountain, moving like a river, Tai Chi is a sequence of gentle movements based on images found in nature. In this beginner-level class, Irving Yee, a member of the William CC Chen Tai Chi School, introduces students to the internal martial arts and promotes an awareness of its benefits. Sessions are held outdoors only and are weather dependent. Call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8AM on the day of the class for program updates. Session fee: $23/Wave Hill Member $15. Registration opens onsite at 9:30AM.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11AM

SAT, SEPTEMBER 7    GALLERY TOUR

Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of Wave Hill’s summer exhibition, Bronx Calling: the 2nd AIM Biennial, which features the cutting-edge artwork by NYC-area emerging artists, as well as an installation in the Sunroom Project Space, where Jarrod Beck translates geologic processes into drawing. Mounted sculpturally, these large-scale works create an immersive environment. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM.  Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 8    BIRDING WALK

Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of bird species and their behaviors on these captivating walks. Wave Hill’s garden setting overlooking the Hudson River flyway provides the perfect habitat for native and migrating birds. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Birders of all levels welcome! Severe weather cancels. For weather-related updates call 718.549.3200 x 245 by 8AM the day of the walk. Free with admission to the grounds. (NYC Audubon Members enjoy two-for-one admission.) Registration recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 9:30AM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 8    FAMILY ART PROJECT—GO OUTDOORS WITH VAN GOGH

Vincent van Gogh is famous for saying “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” With plenty of beauty to behold, follow his lead, take a brush and paint your favorite Wave Hill scene. Explore the inspiration of nature with an adventurous spirit and a variety of watercolor media. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 8    HATHA YOGA

Find refuge from city life by practicing seasonal yoga. Decrease stress and increase your energy by focusing on your posture, your breath and your mind/body/spirit. Classes are led by Neem Dewji, certified in Hatha and Therapeutic Yoga from The Yoga for Health Foundation, England, and The Integral Yoga Institute, NYC. All levels welcome. Sessions are held outdoors only and are weather dependent. Call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8AM on the day of the class for program updates. Session fee: $23/Wave Hill Member $15. Registration opens onsite at 9:30AM.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11:15AM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 8    MEDITATION

This fall, take a moment to release stress and reconnect with your inner self while practicing meditation. Each session includes instruction in simple techniques followed by 20 to 30 minutes of meditation. Led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other qualified instructors. All levels welcome. Session fee: $23/Wave Hill Member $15. Registration opens onsite at 9:30AM.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11:30AM‒12:45PM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 8    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, SEPTEMBER 9

Closed to the public.

TUE, SEPTEMBER 10    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

TUE, SEPTEMBER 10    NO GALLERY TOUR

Glyndor Gallery is closed until the opening of the fall exhibitions on September 15.

THU, SEPTEMBER 12    WAVE HILL GARDENERS’ PARTY

Wave Hill closes at 2PM to dress for the party.

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM—5:30PM. Closes 4:30PM, November 1—March 14.  

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free until noon on Tuesdays in September. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 3o minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the 242^nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

Car Hits Light Pole on Busy Riverdale Street

  

  On busy narrow two way Kappock Street in Riverdale at noon time a northbound 2006 Lexus came to rest on a utility pole on the opposite  side of the street. Minor damage was done to a parked car (in the photo) that was also struck by the Lexus. EMS and police responded to the scene, and could not give out any details about the accident. Witnesses including the owner of the car hit could not explain what the driver of the Lexus was doing. The driver was taken away in an ambulance for what seemed to be precautionary measures.

  

Bronx LGBTQ Candidates Forum

 Wednesday August 20th The Bronx LGBTQ Center held its first Candidates Forum on LGBTQ issues. While this was a poorly attended event by both the candidates and the community one reason could have been a late change of location from St. Barnabas Hospital to the Bronx Public Library on Kingsbridge Road. Two public Advocate candidates started things off. Cathy Guerriero and Sidique Wai were the only candidates to show, but Ms. Guerriero came out in her usual advocating role and was the big winner here. 

  The city council races came next with three of the four candidates including the incumbent Councilwoman Mellisa Mark-Viverito. In the 11th District Mr. Cliff Stanton was alone, and left early due to another commitment. In the 15th District only candidates Albert Alvarez and Cynthia Thompkins showed, and there was a statement read after the two candidates finished from candidate Raquel Batista regretting not showing due to having her newborn daughter a few days ago. Both candidates in the 17th district showed, but at different times, and only Victor Pachardo and Kenny Nunez attended from the field of seven candidates. 

  Current City Comptroller John Liu was the only major candidate for Mayor to show as one minor candidate not even being listed in the polls was also there, and it was not Erick Salgado. Some photos are below, and you can visit Bronx LGBTQ at bronxlgbtqcenter.org .

 

Left - Public Advocate candidates Cathy Guerriero and Sidique Wai.

Right - The candidates in the 8th & 11th Council District race.

 

Left - Two candidates from the 15th council race with the incumbent from the 17th council district.

Right - Two candidates from the 86th A.D. Special election and the challenger from the 17th council district.

Coop City Mayoral Forum

  Even without two of the top four Democratic candidates Christine Quinn and Bill deBlasio, and none of the Republican candidates for mayor almost 2,000 people attended the Coop City Mayoral Forum last night. On hand were Democrats Bill Thompson, John Liu, Anthony Weiner, Sal Albanese, And Erick Salgado, along with former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion who is running on the Independence Party line in November. No local elected official was on hand, but they all had someone from their staff in the audience. Also on hand was Public Advocate candidate Letitia James. 

  There were 15 questions scheduled to ask of the candidates, and then additional questions that were written on cards from the audience. Due to a late start only 8 of the questions were asked and answered. Female District Leader & President of the Coop City Democratic Club Shirley Saunders and Riverbay Board President William "Bill" Gordon moderated the forum. 

   The opening statements began with current City Comptroller John Liu stating that he has saved the city millions of dollars in his role as comptroller, the pension fund the comptroller controls was up 58 percent over the last 4 years, and that his high school sweetheart was from Coop City. Bill Thompson said that he was going to be the next mayor, mentioned his Brooklyn roots, and his family including his 89 year old father who is trying to pass himself off as the candidates brother. Sal Albanese said that he was independent, not taking money from developers, a former city councilman, and former teacher.Anthony Weiner started by saying that if he lived in Coop City he would not vote for anyone who did not come tonight. He then went into some of the problems of COOP City which included the lack of quality transportation, and good schools. He said that he wants to fight for the middle class. After Weiner finished there was  cheering and loud clapping. Erick Salgado spoke of his asthma problem as a child which forced his family to move to Puerto Rico from the Bronx. He then went on about the Campaign Finance Board not giving him matching funds and that he was not counted as a candidate in certain polls. Carrion mentioned that he was in the class of1979 from Truman High School, and that Coop City was a garbage dump and an amusement park in the 1960's. Carrion added that he would be on the ballot in November on the Independence Party line, and that only one of the people on stage would be.

  As for the questions - 1 - Mass transit in the area. Carrion claimed that he started the ball rolling on the proposed new Metro North train stations. Salgado wants the #6 train to go to Coop City. Weiner wants the cuts to the MTA three years ago restored, again to loud clapping. Thompson wants to find where the extra dollars can come from to make the restorations to the MTA. Liu agreed on restoring the cuts, and said that he led the fight to keep the express bus service.

2- Senior citizens and the problem of crossing streets due to the high traffic volume with 87 more new stores in the area. Liu said the area needs the infrastructure due to congestion already. Thompson a study should be done before the stores open also adding it may be a safety issue. Albanese said the city needs to be proactive before a disaster strikes. Weiner opened up by joking that he did not see any senior citizens in the audience and he would have more traffic enforcement. Salgado mentioned George McDonald, and finished his rant of the CFB and polls. Carrion said a ramp from the Hutch was needed, and mentioned the new ramp from it to the new Hutch Metro Center. 

3- Youth and after school programs. All agreed more were needed with Weiner wanting to bring back the Beacon School program to Truman High School. Liu went on to say if children are not occupied it can lead to being stopped and frisked because of who they are.

4 - The asbestos problem of the glue under wood floors in the buildings and the cost to residents. Liu wanted a second opinion and said it was the EPA that moved up the PCB removal in public schools. Thompson said he met for years with residents and there was no air born asbestos problem. Albanese joked about the mention of 800 degrees and said at that temperature no one would be here to worry about it. Weiner did not want to remove it if it did not have to. Carrion wanted to know who supplied the glue. 

  There were other questions, but the worst line of the night came from Erick Salgado after the comment from Carrion that he was already on the November ballot. Salgado said vote for me on September 10th then you can vote for him in November. 

  Before the forum I asked many people who they might be voting for and the answer was they wanted to see the candidates tonight or they were undecided as of yet many said not wanting to admit to a candidate. After the forum it was clear that Anthony Weiner was the winner as many people said when I asked. Still however there was little commitment to any of the candidates.

 

Left - Candidate John Liu works the audience before the forum.

Right - Moderator Shirley Saunders lays down the ground rules for the forum.

  Left & right shots of the candidates on stage.

 

Left - a photo of part of the huge crowd.

Right - Male State Committeeman Lou Goldstein poses for a photo with John Liu, Goldstein said that he is supporting Bill deBlasio for mayor.