6th Annual Liberty Democratic Association Awards Dinner Thursday December 12

R.S.V.P. by November 27th to-
Joseph A. McManus 718-644-1841
Mcmanus638@aol.com

MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES MORE THAN 1,000 BORO TAXIS NOW ON NEW YORK CITY STREETS

 

Apple Green Boro Taxis Have Provided Nearly 300,000 Rides, and All 6,000 Boro Taxi Permits Available for 2013 Have Now Been Sold

New Website Asks New Yorkers Where Boro Taxi Stands Would Best Serve Their Communities

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Taxi and Limousine Commissioner David Yassky and Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Commissioner Victor Calise today announced that more than 1,000 of the new Boro Taxis are now on New York City streets, dramatically increasing the availability of legal, street hail taxi service to the millions of New Yorkers who live or work outside of Manhattan’s Central Business District. The apple green colored Boro Taxis are equipped with taximeters, roof lights and credit card machines and began operating in early August, providing nearly 300,000 rides across the five boroughs since the launch. The Taxi and Limousine Commission has already sold the first 6,000 Boro Taxi licenses allotted for the first year, of which 1,200 – or 20 percent – are earmarked only for use on wheelchair accessible vehicles. An additional 6,000 licenses will be made available in June of 2014, and 6,000 more will be sold in 2015 for a total of 18,000 licenses issued over a three year period. The Mayor was joined by Boro Taxi drivers, industry leaders, and disability advocates at Cine Magic Riverfront Studios in Williamsburg to celebrate the milestone.

“Boro Taxis have quickly proven themselves to be immensely popular, with almost 300,000 rides having already taken place,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “For decades, millions of New Yorkers were denied safe and legal taxi hails in their own neighborhoods – something we believed was wrong and set out to fix. The new taxis have been a hit with both riders and drivers, and they will become an increasingly common sight in communities that previously lacked taxi service.”

“This was a monumental undertaking,” said Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Yassky. “This effort required an unprecedented level of communication, cooperation and coordination with the neighborhood livery companies who have long served the boroughs, and I am as proud of the process that brought us to this milestone as I am of the service itself. The fact that this initiative is helping livery drivers and their families realize an American dream while they are helping their neighbors and their communities makes this a win for everyone involved.”

“People with disabilities have been waiting for alternative accessible transportation options for a long time,” said Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Commissioner Calise. “Now, thanks to the Mayor’s leadership, the outer borough livery HAIL plan that is putting accessible liveries on the streets provides just that. We are looking forward to seeing more accessible taxis and liveries throughout the five boroughs.”

The Boro Taxi plan was originally announced by Mayor Bloomberg in his January 2011 State of the City address in Staten Island, and was envisioned as a way of bringing the same quality hail taxi service that is available in central Manhattan to other areas throughout the City.  Legislation enabling this new mode of transportation passed both houses of the New York State Legislature, and was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo in December 2011. The legislation authorizes the apple green taxis to pick up passengers by street hail anywhere in the City outside of the central Manhattan Business District, including north of West 110^th Street and north of East 96^th Street in Manhattan, and with the exception of John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports. In addition to the 6,000 vehicle permits, the legislation authorizes up to 450 permits for bases of which the vehicles must be affiliated. Due to the dual use of the Boro Taxis, offering both street hail and pre-arranged service, these bases will dispatch Boro Taxis for non-metered, flat fare rides in addition to street hails. There are approximately 130 of these bases currently in operation.

In just over three months of operation, the Boro Taxi service has been an enormously popular service among New Yorkers and visitors. Ridership numbers as of November 8^th include:

·         280,455 Trips

·         34 percent of trips paid by credit card

·         885,610 miles driven

·         130 bases with Street Hail Livery Endorsements

In order to solicit important feedback from passengers, Mayor Bloomberg also announced a new web site that will encourage New Yorkers to suggest locations in their communities for new stands where Boro Taxis will be available for hail. The website - www.BoroTaxis.org – was designed by the same team that created the successful Bike Share web site that sought public input for the siting of bicycle docks. The site allows visitors to select a location on an interactive map, and then answer questions about why they believe a stand would be useful in that location, and when it would be most valuable.

“We are on track to achieve another record year for tourism, with at least 53 million visitors expected by year’s end,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “The apple green cabs offer our visitors another convenient way to explore and enjoy the world class attractions, restaurants, retailers and cultural organizations spread across all of New York City’s boroughs.”

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS MARC ACADEMY AND FAMILY CENTER & SOUTH BRONX JOB CORPS TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY AND HEALTHY EATING

  With the holiday season fast approaching and Puerto Rican Heritage Month underway, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, MARC Academy and Family Center and South Bronx Job Corps  have joined together to host the third annual special cooking presentation and tasting in the 33rd Senate District on Wednesday, November 13 at 10:30 am. The presentation will celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the Bronx and encourage healthier eating among parents and children.

The cooking presentation, which will be conducted by Chef Denis Williams, will teach attendees how to prepare healthier versions of household classics and favorites, such as sancocho, collard greens, falafel and much more, by making small alterations to the traditional recipes.

WHO:    NYS Senator Gustavo Rivera

               MARC Academy and Family Center

               South Bronx Job Corps.

  

WHAT:     Food demonstration featuring healthier versions of household classics and favorites

WHERE:   MARC Academy & Family Center

                  2105-2111 Jerome Avenue, 

                  Bronx NY 10453

  

WHEN:   Wednesday, November 13 at 10:30 AM

  

MARC Academy and Family Center, Inc. is a non-profit EarlyLearn NY program providing quality early childhood education, Family Day Care Network and school age support programs to children in the Bronx.

Senator Klein Hosts Annual Veterans Breakfast

  It was a warm up to the annual Bronx Veteran's Day Parade that goes through the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx Sunday Morning at Villa Barone where State Senator Jeff Klein hosted a breakfast for over 200 Veteran's of the many past wars the country has been involved in. Veterans from the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, Korea, and even from WWII were on hand to celebrate Veterans Day with Senator Klein and the four honorees Joseph Chabriel, James E. Connell III, Eugene Lynch, and Johnnie H. Williams Jr. 

  The New York City Transit Pipes and Drums Crop played for the presentation of the colors. Mr. Pat Divine gave a short speech on Veterans day and introduced Senator Klein who thanked the veterans in attendance for their service to the country. Klein said that young people need to be educated on how veterans of wars have given of themselves so the young people of today can enjoy the freedoms they currently have. Klein added that the unemployment rate of returning veterans is to high so he has introduced legislation to give any business in New York State a $5,000.00 credit for hiring a returning veteran. 

  Klein added that only two days earlier he was at the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Veterans Luncheon where he had the honor of being with several members of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen of World War Two. Klein said that these were Black soldiers who could not fight by their white counterparts due to the segregation of the times, but these men formed their own unit to go on to become famous WW II hero's.

  The four honorees Joseph Chabriel, James E. Connell III, Eugene Lynch, and Johnnie H. Williams Jr. were then given citations from Senator Klein. There was a moment of silence as Albert Nicotina (Bugler) played taps to honor the many fallen soldiers. Lois Salveggi from the Theodore Korony post 253 then sang God Bless America. After a few closing remarks it was out side to line up for the Bronx Veterans Day parade. 

 

Left - The New York City Transit Pipes and Drum Corp play. 

Right - The colors are presented. 

 

Left - A photo of one of the many tables of Veterans enjoying the breakfast.

Right - Mr. Pat Devine introduces Senator Klein.

 

Left - One of the attendees was 95 year old WWII Veteran Mr. Dominic Macchia.

Right - Mr. Luis Salveggi sings "God Bless America".

 

Left - Senator Klein with the four Honorees.

Right - A Photo of other veterans standing with two of the Honorees.

 

Left - Another group of Veterans posing.

Right - After the breakfast it was outside to line up behind this fire engine for the Annual Bronx Veterans Day Parade

Johnson Avenue Festival

  Sunday's Johnson Avenue festival got off to a great start as the street was filled with people enjoying "Rockin' Railroad from Kidville, taking in the art that was lined up in front of closed stores, carnival games, the stilt walker, face painting, and delicious food set up by the many different eateries on Johnson Avenue. Team KRVDC did another fine job in setting this festival up as you will see in the photos below, but they could not control the weather as rain started to fall midway through the event. One by one the tables set up were taken down and art covered up as the rain continued and then came down harder. By three o'clock most of the tables and art was gone, but the performances continued. 

  While it may have rained on KRVDC's Johnson Avenue Festival cutting it short hundreds of people still were able to enjoy the Johnson Avenue Festival. Just check the photos below.

 

Left - The Rockin' Railroad from Kidville opened up the entertainment at the Johnson Avenue Festival.

Right - The Stilt Walker stops to pose with the women of Halstead Properties.

 

Left - Community Board 8 members Michael Heller (hat) and Anthony Fella man the CB 8 table as they show some materials about CB 8. 

Right - Lisa Cooper of Elisa Contemporary Art talks with a customer about her new line of Arbonne products on her table.

Left - Right & Below - ABADA CAPOEIRA Bronx gave a demonstration of Capoeira which is a combination of dance & kick. Children age 5 - 15 are participating in this demonstration.

 

Right - Notice a tent has been set up on the stage as the rain comes down. Cynthia Soriano and her Quartet are performing.

Was the CB 8 Land Use Meeting a Preview of the Upcoming 34th State Senate Primary?

  There were over 150 people in the audience for last Thursday's Community Board 8's Land Use Meeting. Almost all were there for the third item on the agenda that being a presentation by Simone Management of demolition, construction, and development plans of property 3741 & 3735 Riverdale Avenue, and 3644 Oxford Avenue for a proposed 11 story medical facility with parking. Since Mr. Jeff Meordler the son of the Land Use Chair Mr. Charles Meordler was giving the presentation, the chair yielded the floor to the Vice Chair of the Land Use committee Mr. M. Wolpoff.  

   Mr. J. Moerdler went through the proposal for the buildings acquired by Montefiore Hospital at 3741 & 3735 Riverdale Avenue, and 3644 Oxford Avenue for a proposed 11 story medical facility with parking.He said that no approval is needed since this building would be built as of right. That means since the site is next to a current 11 story coop building on Oxford Avenue the new 11 story building would not be out of character for the area. There would be 50 doctors and ancillary services, 20 – 30 specialist would be on site with a 120 car garage.

  The building would be set back 100 feet on Oxford Avenue used as the entrance to the parking area, and the Riverdale Avenue entrance would be for patients. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said that Montefiore Hospital still has his gall bladder, and he thinks the building is good for the community, but is concerned about the height of the building. Councilman Oliver Koppell on the other hand is against the project. Koppell says the project is completely out of scale, and he is against the proposal. He said it is not needed, the population of Riverdale is only 40,000 people. 

  After a few speakers including Mr. S. Ganter President of the Fieldston Garden Apartments Coop, and Mr. Jim Grossman also of the FGA Coop who voiced their opposition to the planned building Mr. M. Blaustein of State Senator Jeff Klein's office said that Senator Klein would be working with Montifiore Hospital and the community on the proposed plan. After a few more speakers Land Use Chairman C. Moerdler tried to regain control by saying "Montifiore has agreed to back to the drawing board and come back next month with a better plan". 

  When asked if that meant will the demolition be halted until then, the answer by Montefiore was no construction would start, but that demolition work is ongoing and would continue. At that point Councilman Oliver Koppell got the loudest sound of clapping that I have ever heard him receive when he said he is an ex offico of the board and that anyone who wants to speak should. The angry criticism of Montefiore continued until the last person who wanted to speak was heard. 

  It is hard to believe that someone like Councilman Koppell who was in favor of the proposed housing project in North Riverdale that included 26 units of unknown possibly criminal emotionally disturbed adults placed in with senior housing that was stopped by Senator Jeff Klein would take such a position, unless he could be thinking of running for Senator Klein's seat. That has been suggested here recently.

 

Speaker Silver's Fate in Their Hands?

  The Democratic county Leaders of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx sat down at a restaurant in Puerto Rico, where they are attending the annual Somos conference, to discuss the issue of the next City Council speaker, not Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver each said in a Daily News political blog story here. While Speaker Silver has been under fire lately for several different items including the Vito Lopez deal the three county leaders all said they back Silver all the way, that is as long as Shelly wants to continue to be speaker.

  The News quotes the three Democratic County leaders. Brooklyn Democratic Chairman Frank Seddio as saying, "there's never been a discussion. It's not being considered in any way, shape or form. Silver is doing a "fabulous job with the Assembly."

  

  Bronx County Democratic Chairman Carl Heastie as saying, "Shelly is our speaker and as far as I'm concerned, I want Shelly to be speaker as long as he wants to continue, I've had no discussions with any of the county chairs (about Silver's future)."

   Manhattan County Democratic Chairman Keith Wright as saying, “That’s emphatically untrue, We are having dinner that’s it.” 

  The News ends with Silver spokesman Michael Whyland saying the speaker has not intention of stepping down and plans to seek re-election next year. However also in the story it is reported that one lawmaker said there has been talk about Silver being replaced by Assemblyman Joseph Lentol of Brooklyn with Heastie, considered a future speaker himself, taking over the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

  About the rumor of replacing Silver with Lentol as Speaker of the Assembly and him getting the chair of the Ways & Means Committee the News has Heastie saying, "I've heard nothing about this, I believe that Shelly has the confidence of the entire conference. People want to speculate that there's been discussions. None of that stuff is true."

  

Senator Klein, City Island Civic Association Announce Filing of Lawsuit Against Proposed New City Island Bridge

  Standing at the foot of the historic, 112-year old City Island bridge, Senator Klein, community leaders, and local business owners announced the filing of a civil lawsuit against the Department of Transportation as part of their effort to halt construction on the bridge's controversial new replacement. The new bridge's proposed design includes a 150 foot tower and an aesthetic that many residents believes threatens the unique and historic character that drives thousands of tourists to City Island each year. Despite serious concerns raised by community members, Island residents and business owners were never formally invited to be part of the process.

When the Department of Transportation announced work on a temporary bridge in late September, the City Island Civic Association met with Senator Klein to explore possible legal options. After meeting with the City Island Civic Association, Senator Klein, working with volunteer staff members from the offices of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Mike Benedetto and Council Member Jimmy Vacca, developed a legal strategy to ensure that voices of City Islanders are heard and that the proposed design is subject to a more comprehensive review prior to construction. 

Senator Jeff Klein said, "Putting a cable-stayed bridge over Eastchester Bay is like telling the Starship Enterprise it can land at LaGuardia – it just doesn’t fit. We should not have to sacrifice the majesty of City Island in exchange for a 21st century bridge. As I have said all along, the community should have been consulted throughout this process. With the Department of Transportation moving ahead with a design that does not address some of the community's biggest concerns, I think it's important we file this lawsuit to make sure that the City Island community's voices are heard.

"After reviewing possible courses of action against the proposed design for the new bridge, I have worked with the Civic Association on developing a legal strategy. Working with the Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Mike Benedetto and Council Member Jimmy Vacca, I plan to do everything possible to ensure that the City Island community's voices are heard."   

City Island Civic Association Officer, Barbara Dolensek said, “For over 10 years the Civic Association has tried to get the Department of Transportation to honor our concerns about the new bridge, but they continue to force a bridge on us that City Island residents and business owners don't want. Finally, with the help of Senator Klein and other local elected officials, we have found a way to make sure our voices are heard!”  

In the lawsuit, the City Island Civic Association and Barbara Dolensek, challenge the action of the New York City Department of Transportation in moving forward with the replacement of the City Island Bridge and the construction of such replacement bridge by the contractor, Tutor Perini Corporation, without a completed Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (“ULURP) review. The ULURP review is required under Section 197-c of the New York City Charter. The purpose of the ULURP review is to measure the impact of proposed land uses and to take into account community input.

On September 30, 2013, the New York City Department of Transportation issued a Notice to Proceed with construction to Tutor Perini Corporation, without a completed ULURP review. As a result, NYC DOT is in violation of procedures set forth by ULURP.

The City Island Civic Association and Barbara Dolensek are seeking a Court order compelling a completed ULURP review prior to any funds being allocated or expended for or beginning construction in connection with the replacement of the City Island Bridge and a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to maintain the status quo during the pendency of this action. As the press conference concluded, Senator Klein was notified that the temporary restraining order had been issued.

“The people of City Island have the right to voice their concerns or support for the construction of a new City Island Bridge, and this lawsuit will ensure that this proposed bridge is subject to complete review. I strongly believe that the DOT should begin the ULURP process immediately, so that City Island residents have their chance to speak out on this proposal before a single shovel hits the ground. City Island residents have expressed real concerns with the design and cost of this bridge and it is imperative that the ULURP be completed with transparency and collaboration with the residents and businesses of City Island before the City moves forward with its new design.  I look forward to an amicable resolution to this entire matter,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

City Island Chamber of Commerce President Skip Giacco said, "From the Chamber's point of view, City Island is successful as a destination because it offers an alternative to the high-rise, high-density parts of the city. If built, the bridge, in its current design, will mark the beginning of a change on City Island that many residents and business owners don't support. At the very least, I believe that taking legal action will help ensure that our community's input is taken seriously."