LIU - CITY TIME VERDICTS SEND RIGHT MESSAGE

   In response to the City Time verdicts, New York City Comptroller John C. Liu issued the following statement:

“These verdicts send the right message to all who would think of defrauding our taxpayers that there will be a heavy price to pay. Let the CityTime scandal also serve as a sobering reminder that City Hall must tightly manage outside consultants, because when projects run years late and over budget by 1,000 percent, criminality on top of massive waste becomes that much less surprising.”

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101st Anniversary Celebration of Albanian Independence ~ Sun. 11/24

  Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj invites you to the 101^st Anniversary Celebration of Albanian Independence, taking place on Sunday, November 24, 2013 from 12-5pm on Pelham Parkway South between Wallace & Holland Avenues.

The day will feature live entertainment, food samplings, traditional performances, and many more festivities!

The official Flag Raising Ceremony will be at 2pm.

For more information, please contact Assemblyman Gjonaj’s office at 718-409-0109.

CON ED MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO PREVENT POWER OUTAGES AND FAILING LINES AT KOPPELL’S REQUEST

  Con Edison is currently installing 51 high grade utility poles that can withstand 110 mph and will have switching equipment to prevent future power outages and falling lines, as requested by Council Member Oliver Koppell.  

Because of the severe power outages experienced by people in the community during Hurricane Sandy, Koppell held a series of meetings with Con Ed representatives to explore ways to improve the reliability of the greater Riverdale power grid during inclement weather. 

Subsequent to the meetings, Con Ed revealed its plan to cut the Riverdale Loop, comprised of 7.3 miles of service, into two smaller loops, which will shield each section from events that occur in the other area, making each section more reliable and resulting in quicker restorations.

By the end of December, Con Ed will have completed installing the new poles throughout the Riverdale area and in parts of Kingsbridge. Once the poles are installed, Con Ed expects to make the switch off during the first quarter of 2014. The Riverdale Loop, where everything in Riverdale is connected, will now be split into two separate loops with a Riverdale Loop and a Palisade Loop.       

“I am still hopeful that Con Ed will find a way to bury the exposed power lines, which are the cause of many storm-related outages. However, since we are being told that future storms are inevitable, I am pleased that the changes Con Edison is currently making will reduce the number of power malfunctions in the community,” Koppell said.

Editor Note - How about the mess that Con Edison or should I say their contractor has done to West 238th Street only three blocks away from Councilman Koppell's district office on the high pressure gas line installation. People have been told by the contractor " What do you want, this is the Bronx". Also go into any nearby business and see what this has done to their business.

Sen. Klein Donates Thanksgiving Turkeys to Residents at Throggs Neck Houses

  With Thanksgiving less than a week away, Senator Jeff Klein donated and distributed turkeys to residents at Throggs Neck Houses on Friday afternoon. Joined by Throggs Neck Tenants Association President, Monique Johnson, Senator Klein gave 50 turkeys away.

Senator Klein said: “At this time of year, I think it’s important to not just give thanks, but also to give back to the community. I am proud to give turkeys to local residents who may not otherwise be able to have a traditional Thanksgiving meal this year. In this spirit, I wish each and every member of our community a happy and healthy holiday season.”

 Senator Klein with residents from Throggs Neck Houses before giving out turkeys donated by Klein.

Wave Hill Events December 6–December 13

  Wave Hill offers the perfect antidote to very commercialized year-end cycle of holidays, from a month’s worth of Family Art Projects that manage to combine utility with inspiration, to a weekend devoted to DIY projects that let you focus on crafting charming, naturally inspired tokens for those you love. Remember when the holidays were pure fun?

SAT, SUN, DECEMBER 7, 8     HOLIDAY WORKSHOP WEEKEND  

Drop by this weekend to create your own gifts and holiday decorations inspired by the gardens and galleries at Wave Hill. Children eight and older welcome with an adult. Registration suggested but not required, online at www.wavehill.org, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling 718.549.3200 x251.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 11AM–3PM

SAT, DECEMBER 7    FAMILY ART PROJECT—SEASON’S GREETINGS

See the inspiring signs of fall shifting to winter at Wave Hill. Draw your own cold-weather tales in surprise, pop-up holiday cards that come alive with scenes of the season. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, DECEMBER 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. Winter sessions are held indoors. Registration opens online—and onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center—starting November 15. (Reservations may not be made by telephone.) Online registration closes off the Friday before each session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made.  Drops-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present a Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate. Session fee: $25/Wave Hill Member $15.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11AM

SAT, DECEMBER 7   HOLIDAY WORKSHOP WEEKEND: MINIATURE ARRANGEMENTS  

Fashion a quartet of sweet miniature arrangements in tiny containers using fresh greens, pinecones and other natural materials. Give your arrangements as gifts, or enjoy them on your own holiday table. Creative guidance offered by Assistant Director of Public Programs Laurel Rimmer. Children eight and older welcome with an adult.   $30/$20 Wave Hill Member per project. Registration suggested but not required, online at www.wavehill.org, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling 718.549.3200 x251.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 11AM–3PM

SAT, DECEMBER 7   HOLIDAY WORKSHOP WEEKEND: NATURAL WREATHS & SWAGS  

Craft one-of-a-kind holiday decorations using fresh greens harvested from Wave Hill’s gardens. Each participant designs a verdant wreath or swag accented with natural materials and elegant accessories. Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day demonstrates simple floral techniques and provides plenty of materials to fuel your creative spirit. Children eight and older welcome with an adult.   $30/$20 Wave Hill Member per project. Registration suggested but not required, online at www.wavehill.org, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling 718.549.3200 x251.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 11AM–3PM

SAT, DECEMBER 7   HOLIDAY WORKSHOP WEEKEND: FELT TREASURE BOX

Hand-stitch a cozy felt box with a lid to hold your holiday trinkets and treasures. Artist Maria Hupfield assists participants in crafting a small box using a combination of industrial grey and color felt pieces. Personalize your box using colorful thread, ribbons and other embellishments. An excellent gift for all ages!  Children eight and older welcome with an adult.   $20/$10 Wave Hill Member per project. Registration suggested but not required, online at www.wavehill.org, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling 718.549.3200 x251.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 11AM–3PM

SUN, DECEMBER 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, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling 718549,3200 x251.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 9:30AM

SUN, DECEMBER 8    FAMILY ART PROJECT—SEASON’S GREETINGS

See the inspiring signs of fall shifting to winter at Wave Hill. Draw your own cold-weather tales in surprise, pop-up holiday cards that come alive with scenes of the season. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, DECEMBER 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. Session fee: $23/Wave Hill Member $15. Registration online only at www.wavehill.org.

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

SUN, DECEMBER 8   HOLIDAY WORKSHOP WEEKEND: MINIATURE ARRANGEMENTS  

Fashion a quartet of sweet miniature arrangements in tiny containers using fresh greens, pinecones and other natural materials. Give your arrangements as gifts, or enjoy them on your own holiday table. Creative guidance offered by Assistant Director of Public Programs Laurel Rimmer. Children eight and older welcome with an adult.   $30/$20 Wave Hill Member per project. Registration suggested but not required, online at www.wavehill.org, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling 718.549.3200 x251.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 11AM–3PM

SUN, DECEMBER 8   HOLIDAY WORKSHOP WEEKEND: NATURAL WREATHS & SWAGS  

Craft one-of-a-kind holiday decorations using fresh greens harvested from Wave Hill’s gardens. Each participant designs a verdant wreath or swag accented with natural materials and elegant accessories. Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day demonstrates simple floral techniques and provides plenty of materials to fuel your creative spirit. Children eight and older welcome with an adult.   $30/$20 Wave Hill Member per project. Registration suggested but not required, online at www.wavehill.org, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling 718.549.3200 x251.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 11AM–3PM

SUN, DECEMBER 8   HOLIDAY WORKSHOP WEEKEND: FELT TREASURE BOX

Hand-stitch a cozy felt box with a lid to hold your holiday trinkets and treasures. Artist Maria Hupfield assists participants in crafting a small box using a combination of industrial grey and color felt pieces. Personalize your box using colorful thread, ribbons and other embellishments. An excellent gift for all ages!  Children eight and older welcome with an adult.   $20/$10 Wave Hill Member per project. Registration suggested but not required, online at www.wavehill.org, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling 718.549.3200 x251.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 11AM–3PM

SUN, DECEMBER 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 online only at www.wavehill.org.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11:30AM‒12:45PM

SUN, DECEMBER 8    GARDEN & CONSERVATORY 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, DECEMBER 9

Closed to the public.

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—4:30PM. Closes 5:30PM, March 15—October 31.  

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day on Tuesdays in December. 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.

 

Bronx Borough Board Meeting - Re Kingsbridge Armory Vote

  Today was the November Bronx Borough Board Meeting. There were three things on the agenda for today's meeting.

  Item #1 - A presentation by the Taxi & Limousine Commission in the new "Green Outer Boro Taxi"

This presentation was given as it has and will be at the local community board level. there were minimal questions as to which fare would be cheaper. The current flat fee or the new metered fare. Mr. Gordon of TLC Policy Affairs said that most likely it is the metered fare as most trips are short. Another question was the timing of how the new taxi's is going to be. 6,000 each year over the next three years, and 20 percent to be wheelchair accessible. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. commended the TLC on this new Green taxi program saying that he was one of many people who had input into the process.

  Item #2 - Was a presentation by Mr. Ricky Wong if the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs on Information and Tips for Holiday Season Shopping. Mr. Wong handed out a pamphlet with 10 points to know going over a few such as the Store Refund Policy, when a receipt has to be given, credit card limits, and to go to the DCA website at www.nyc.gov/consumers for more information. BP Diaz asked if the DCA handles the current Shop And Frisk issue in some stores, and was told that is handled by the Department of Human Rights. Councilman Oliver Koppell complimented DCA on the hand out, but said that while the outside of the hand out is in normal size print the inside is in much to small print for someone like him to read. Koppell joked that it was as big as the printing on the recent ballot on election day that was to small for most people to read.

  Item #3 - A vote by the Bronx Borough Board on the agreement between  the NYC Department of Economic Development and the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) for a 99 year lease of the Kingsbridge Armory as a hockey and Ice Skating Arena. 

  An overview presentation by Ernesto Padron of NYCDEC of the proposal led to a discussion of the benefits to not only the area of the Kingsbridge Armory, but the entire borough of the Bronx. Councilmen Andy King, Oliver Koppell and Fernando Cabrera were in attendance and each spoke on the proposal. BP Diaz spoke of his visits to Philadelphia where a similar program was started by a former professional hockey Player that has given minority children chances of learning how to ice skate and play ice hockey that they never had the opportunity to have. Diaz continued on how the children and their parents adhere to the rules, such as good grades, good attendance, and good behavior so the children can play on the ice. 

  Councilman Andy King thanked BP Diaz for his leadership in this project, and said that he use to go to the old ice skating Rink on Broadway in the Riverdale area in his youth. King added that he is a Knick fan no matter how you spell it. King said he was voting for the KNIC proposal for the Kingsbridge Armory.

  Councilman Oliver Koppell said that this is the most exciting proposal for the Bronx in his 40 years of elected office, and that while he is the neighboring district that he had wanted a sports complex to be places in the armory for many man y years. Koppell said that he would be voting yes on the proposal. 

  Councilman Fernando Cabrera was much more subdued in his comments by saying only that he would vote yes on this proposal today and encourage his fellow council members to vote yes when the proposal comes before the City Council as a final step to approval.Up to this point Councilman Cabrera was the lone holdout on the KNIC proposal.

Left - Councilman Cabrera and Community Board 8 Chair Robert Fanuzzi chat as Councilman Oliver watches in the background.

Right - Councilman Cabrera speaks and then quickly leaves after the vote is over.

 

Left & Right BP Diaz speaking about why this proposal for the Kingsbridge Armory should be approved. 

  Diaz would say after the vote by the Borough Board 

“Today’s vote will facilitate the construction of a world class skating, community and educational facility that will be the catalyst for positive redevelopment not just in the surrounding community, but across the borough,” said Borough President Diaz.

The 10-0 vote of the Bronx Borough Board included three City Council Members—Fernando Cabrera, G. Oliver Koppell and Andy King—who attended the meeting to offer their support for the project in person.

“The Kingsbridge National Ice Center promises to not only bring living wage jobs to the community, but also provide world class facilities that will benefit our youth here in the Bronx, the City of New York and the surrounding region. As I have said numerous times, this project is going to have a tremendous positive impact on not just the Northwest Bronx but the entire borough, and I am proud to support the development of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center,” said Borough President Diaz.

The Community Benefits Agreement has been signed by dozens of neighborhood organizations and community partners representing thousands of residents in the Northwest Bronx that support the project.

News From Comptroller John Liu

MAYOR’S BUDGET MATH DOESN’T ADD UP

 

“The Mayor’s math doesn’t add up. The facts are clear, not only will the next Administration not inherit a balanced budget but it will also be greeted on Day 1 with a fiscal mess of historic proportions – 300,000 employees working with expired contracts.

 

“Mayor Bloomberg’s final budget modification continues to conceal huge fiscal risks and rely on one-shots like selling City property and depleting the Retiree Health Benefit Trust. His budget may seem balanced on paper, but the fiscal reality points to multi-billion-dollar budget gaps on the fiscal horizon.”

 

Background:

 

There is a multi-billion dollar budgetary risk associated with the fact that all City unions are currently working under expired contracts. The Bloomberg Administration’s negotiating position with the unions does not include retroactive pay for any contract settlement. The current financial plan includes funding for a settlement of a five-year contract in which the first three years would have no increases followed by two years of 1.25% increases. The unions have all rejected this proposal. Any wage increases above and beyond the funding already in the financial plan would need to be funded through increased revenues or decreased services. 

An analysis by the Comptroller’s office has found that if all unions agreed to a minimal 1% increase a year over the five-year term of the contract, the City would need to fund $1.3 billion in retro pay.  If the wage increase were instead linked to inflation, this number could balloon to $3.1 billion. These numbers are on top of the potential $3.5 billion in retroactive wages that the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and the Council of School Supervisors & Administrators (CSA) members are seeking.

 

 

NYC PENSION FUNDS CALL ON ADVERTISING GIANTS TO PROVE COMMITMENT TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

 

As Two Ad Firms Prepare for Mega-Merger, NYC Funds Ask Them to Disclose Their Employee Composition and Demonstrate Diversity

  City Comptroller John C. Liu today announced that he has called on the boards of two advertising firms, Omnicom (NYSE: OMC) and Publicis Groupe (PUB: FP), to disclose the makeup of their employees across a range of titles by gender and ethnicity before shareowners vote on their proposed merger. 

“These companies operate in an industry with an abysmal record of hiring and promoting women and minorities, particularly African Americans.  They claim they care about diversity and are making progress, but unless they disclose the actual makeup of their employees it’s impossible to know whether it’s just empty talk,” Comptroller Liu said.  “Studies have demonstrated that workplace diversity leads to innovation and innovation increases value.  We want these firms to prosper by hiring the best and brightest and we expect them to demonstrate that they pay more than lip service to equal opportunity employment.”

The advertising industry, like the financial services industry, has a history of wide and pervasive employment disparities, particularly among senior positions.  One 2009 study found that racial disparity is 38 percent worse in the advertising industry than in the overall U.S. labor market, and that the “discrimination divide” between advertising and other U.S. industries is more than twice as wide as it was 30 years ago. 

Omnicom and Publicis have both declined Comptroller Liu’s past requests that they disclose the composition of their workforce by race and gender.  The pending Omnicom-Publicis merger heightens the need for disclosure.  The merger will not only create an advertising behemoth; it will create the least transparent major ad firm in the world, by combining the two firms that have consistently refused to demonstrate their commitment to equal employment opportunities.

Despite the companies’ assurances that they have existing diversity programs, their refusal to provide employment data makes it impossible for shareowners to determine managements’ effectiveness in this important area.  Meanwhile, the other global ad giants, Interpublic (NYSE: IPG) and WPP Group (WPP: LN), have taken steps to disclose annual data on the diversity of their employees.

BACKGROUND

In Nov. 2011, on behalf of the NYC Funds, Comptroller Liu wrote several advertising firms — Omnicom, Publicis, Interpublic, and WPP — to ask they disclose employment data. 

When Comptroller Liu filed this request in the form of a shareholder proposal at Omnicom, the company tried and failed to exclude it from their 2012 annual meeting.  At that meeting, 33.8% of voting shares backed the NYC Funds’ proposal, which was the highest ever vote on such a proposal.  Despite broad shareowner support, Omnicom declined to provide employment disclosures even as its peers have done so.

Comptroller Liu and the NYC Funds have also engaged numerous financial services firms — Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), MetLife (NYSE: MET), AIG (NYSE: AIG), BNY Mellon (NYSE: BK), and US Bancorp (NYSE: USB) — all of which subsequently agreed to provide comprehensive employment disclosures. 

The NYC Pension Funds hold a combined 829,714 shares in Omnicom and Publicis with a market value of $61 million.

BRONX RALLIES IN SUPPORT OF KINGSBRIDGE NATIONAL ICE CENTER AND HISTORIC COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT

  TONIGHT -  6 PM

 

St. Nicholas of Tolentine

 2345 University Avenue

      Bronx, New York

  Hundreds of members of the Bronx community to rally in support of the proposed Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) and the project’s historic Community Benefits Agreement (CBA).

  Community leaders, local officials and clergy to urge swift, final approval of the KNIC project by the NY City Council. Former NY Rangers captain and KNIC CEO, Mark Messier, will attend along with Sarah Hughes, Olympic figure skating gold medalist.

 

  The Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC), proposed for the iconic Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx, would be the largest indoor ice sports facility in the world. With nine year-round rinks, including a 5,000-seat center show-rink, KNIC would be an international sporting destination, drawing more than 2 million visits a year.

KNIC will welcome first-time skaters and champion athletes alike, with recreational skating, private and group instruction, training, rehearsals and competitions all under one giant, historic roof. Educational and athletic programs led by New York Rangers legend Mark Messier and Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Sarah Hughes will make ice sports accessible and exciting for young people in the surrounding community with free instruction, equipment and ice time. And with special events including local, regional, national and international tournaments, camps, competitions and shows, this world-class facility will become a global center of hockey, figure skating, speed skating, synchronized skating, ice dancing and even curling.

On April 17, 2013 the KNIC development team entered into an unprecedented Community Benefits Agreement with twenty-seven signatories offering living wage jobs, 50,000 square feet of community space, a business incubator, programs for children, and a number of other commitments.