WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

It is wrong. It is evil. It won't work.

  You should know that according to some news reports, there is a movement afoot in Albany to break up the IDC-Republican Senate Coalition, which serves as the existing alliance that controls the New York State Senate. The IDC-Republican Senate Coalition is made up of the Senate Republicans and the five Independent Senate Democrats, led by Senator Jeff Klein.

You should also know that two years ago, five Democratic Senators: Senators Jeff Klein, Diane Savino, David Valesky, David Carlucci, and Malcolm Smith broke away from the Senate Democratic Conference and formed what they call the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) joining together with the Senate Republicans.  In this arrangement to control the State Senate, both leaders - Senator Dean Skelos - the Republican leader, and Senator Jeff Klein - the IDC leader, would share the power of the Senate.

It is also important for you to know that last year, after Senator Malcolm Smith had some problems with the law, he first got the cold shoulder, and later got the boot from the IDC. The vacancy Senator Malcolm Smith left after he was expelled from the IDC was recently filled by Senator Tony Avella - who also decided to break away from the Senate Democratic Conference.

Currently, there are three different Conferences in the New York State Senate: the Republican Conference, led by Senator Dean Skelos; the Democratic Conference, led by Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins; and the IDC Conference, led by Senator Jeff Klein.

It is a body with three heads.  It is the "Senate Troika" but only two of them benefit and share power, forcing the other one to go around trying to make people believe that he (or she) is part of the equation - even though everyone knows he (or she) is not.

In order to get back into a game that they lost a long time ago, the Senate Democratic Conference, led by Senator Mike Gianaris - - sorry, I meant Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (sometimes it's confusing to know who the real leader is) someone leaked to the press a so-called meeting between Senator Jeff Klein and Senator Mike Gianaris to negotiate with Senator Klein for him and the other four IDC Senators to return back to the regular Senate Democratic fold.
Apparently, someone forgot to notify and invite Senator Klein, because according to him: "They never coordinated a meeting between me and Senator Gianaris."
You should also know that there are some questions I have to ask regarding such a meeting:
Question #1:  Who forgot to read the Senate Rules in regard to power-sharing between both Conferences and the IDC?  According to Senate Rules, it would take 38 votes to break the shared power arrangements between the Republicans and the IDC.  So as you can see, it is impossible to get to this point with only 31 Democratic votes in place at this moment.  We will have to wait until after the 2014 General Election when a new Senate is elected and then we can see if the new Senate would like to change that rule.

Question #2: In the upcoming Democratic Primary, thanks to Senator Michael Gianaris (who chairs the New York State Democratic Senate Campaign Committee) Senator Jeff Klein may very well be facing a challenge.  In contrast, Senator Jeff Klein is supporting candidates against  Senators such as Timothy Kennedy from Buffalo, and Gustavo Rivera from the Bronx.  If Senator Jeff Klein wins his re-election and if even one of the candidates he is supporting is able to defeat one of the opponents, it seems to me that Jeff Klein will become Superman, and so I have to ask: Why and for what should he come back to the regular Democratic Conference?

I believe the opposite result will happen and Senators from the regular Democratic Conference will run to the IDC.
Question #3: Why would Senator Klein meet with Senator Gianaris to discuss the possibility of power-sharing with the Senate?  Common sense says a meeting of that caliber would have to be with Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins who as far as I know, is the Leader of the Democratic Conference - but I could be wrong.
You should know that no one has worked harder than I have to see that Senator Jeff Klein and the Members of the IDC come back to join the regular Senate Democratic Conference.  I have written different articles about this. I have spoken publicly about my desire to see them come back, and I have spoken in closed Democratic Conference to my colleagues about this.

Rumor has it that Senate Andrea Stewart-Cousins never authorized and never even knew about a meeting.   Rumor has it that Senator Klein was never contacted about a meeting and never agreed to such a meeting.  Rumor has it that Senator Mike Gianaris was never contacted about this meeting – nor was he the one who called for the meeting.
So ladies and gentlemen, what is going on here?  Who is talking to the press?  It seems that there are forces trying to inflict confusion by spreading ill-advised rumors, making believe that Senator Klein is the one who don’t  wants to get together, and that Senator Klein is the one who is rejecting all opportunities of peace offerings so the Senate Democrats can regain power and control the Senate.

I am State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

 

Wave Hill Events May 2–May 9: Alpine Trough Day!

SAT, MAY 3    FAMILY ART PROJECT: TREEHOUSE PARLOR
Join visiting artist and sculptor Matt Bua in making a small, outdoor dwelling inspired by former Wave Hill resident Mark Twain, who loved to entertain guests with tea in an outdoor, treehouse parlor. Add natural decorations and pictures to the dwelling’s interior to create a cozy literary den, and help make a Mark Twain “zine”, or small magazine. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Illustrious Residents event.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, MAY 3    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 as weather permits. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Register online and, day of, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. (Reservations may not be made by telephone.) Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the 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.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11AM

SAT, MAY 3    GALLERY TOUR
Join a curatorial assistant for a tour of Wave Hill's spring exhibition, Prickly, Tender and Steamy: Artists in the Hothouse, which assembles artworks that were created during Wave Hill's Winter Workspace program over the last five years. During their residencies, Manuel Acevedo, Gabriela Albergaria, Carrie Beckmann, Susan Benarcik, Matthew Burcaw, Asuka Hishiki, Nick Lamia, Lina Puerta, Naomi Reis, Anne-Katrin Spiess, Linda Stillman, James Walsh and Marion Wilson closely examined, and were inspired by, the living collection in Wave Hill's Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory. Representing a wide variety of mediums, the works on view give visitors multiple ways to observe the plants in the Tropical, Palm, Cactus & Succulent Houses. In the Sunroom Project Space, Brandon Neubauer's installation incorporates video projection, photographs and recorded sounds to create a portrait of the Wave Hill site that engages time, optical phenomena, topography and found objects. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.
GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

SUN, MAY 4    EARLY MORNING BIRD WALK

Enjoy special access to the grounds on a quiet spring morning before Wave Hill opens to the public. Naturalist Gabriel Willow leads this early morning birding walk. Free with admission to the grounds. (NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission.) Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x251 or at the Perkins Visitor Center.
MEET AT FRONT GATE, 8AM

SUN, MAY 4    FAMILY ART PROJECT: TREEHOUSE PARLOR
Join visiting artist and sculptor Matt Bua in making a small, outdoor dwelling inspired by former Wave Hill resident Mark Twain, who loved to entertain guests with tea in an outdoor, treehouse parlor. Add natural decorations and pictures to the dwelling’s interior to create a cozy literary den, and help make a Mark Twain “zine”, or small magazine. Free with admission to the grounds. Illustrious Residents event.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, MAY 4   HATHA YOGA

Reduce stress, increase your energy and bring strength and flexibility to mind, body and spirit with a yoga practice. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. Ms. Dewji is 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 indoors until May. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Register online and, day of, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. (Reservations may not be made by telephone.) Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the 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.

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

SUN, MAY 4    ALPINE TROUGH DAY: MAKE AN ALPINE TROUGH
Alpine troughs function as miniature, self-contained rock gardens, displaying a variety of diminutive plants in a small amount of space. Spend the day with Assistant Director of Public Programs Laurel Rimmer and Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day as they share the art of trough gardening. Mix up a batch of ‘hypertufa’ and craft a small round trough to take home. Children ages 12 and up welcome with an adult.
$25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x251 or at the Perkins Visitor Center.
ON THE GROUNDS, 10AM

SUN, MAY 4    MEDITATION

This spring, 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. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. All levels welcome. Sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Register online and, day of, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. (Reservations may not be made by telephone.) Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the 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.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11:30AM‒12:45PM

SUN, MAY 4    ALPINE TROUGH WALK
Get inspired by the unique collection of alpine plants artfully arranged in the troughs at the T.H. Everett Alpine House. Free with admission to the grounds. Registration not required.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 1:30PM

SUN, MAY 4   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

SUN, MAY 4    ALPINE TROUGH DAY: PLANT AN ALPINE TROUGH
Alpine troughs function as miniature, self-contained rock gardens, displaying a variety of diminutive plants in a small amount of space. Spend the day with Assistant Director of Public Programs Laurel Rimmer and Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day as they share the art of trough gardening. Using a rustic pre-made trough, select from a variety of alpine plants and create a miniature landscape for your garden, deck or terrace. $40/$30 Wave Hill Member. Children ages 12 and up welcome with an adult.
Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x251 or at the Perkins Visitor Center.
ON THE GROUNDS, 2PM

MON, MAY 5

Closed to the public.

TUE, MAY 6    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, 11AM

TUE, MAY 6    GALLERY TOUR
Join a curatorial assistant for a tour of Wave Hill's spring exhibition, Prickly, Tender and Steamy: Artists in the Hothouse, which assembles artworks that were created during Wave Hill's Winter Workspace program over the last five years. During their residencies, Manuel Acevedo, Gabriela Albergaria, Carrie Beckmann, Susan Benarcik, Matthew Burcaw, Asuka Hishiki, Nick Lamia, Lina Puerta, Naomi Reis, Anne-Katrin Spiess, Linda Stillman, James Walsh and Marion Wilson closely examined, and were inspired by, the living collection in Wave Hill's Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory. Representing a wide variety of mediums, the works on view give visitors multiple ways to observe the plants in the Tropical, Palm, Cactus & Succulent Houses. In the Sunroom Project Space, Brandon Neubauer's installation incorporates video projection, photographs and recorded sounds to create a portrait of the Wave Hill site that engages time, optical phenomena, topography and found objects. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day.
GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

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 until noon on Tuesdays in May. 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.

Croton FMC Meeting Tuesday April 22

  The Chair of the Croton Filtration Monitoring Committee Father Richard Gorman has scheduled a Croton FMC meeting for next Tuesday, April 22nd at 7pm

  The meeting will take place at the office of Bronx Community Board #12, located at 4101 White Plains Rd, Bronx 10466 (718) 881 4455.

An agenda will be listed when it is available.

 

 

Koppell Pushes Decision Date Back as Rumors of IDC Return to Senate Dem Conference

   In one story from the New York Observer Oliver Koppell has moved his decision to run against State Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein to after the Easter holiday. Koppell had originally said that he would make the decision on running against Senator Klein after the state budget deadline. That was two weeks ago. This latest bit of pondering from Koppell come on the heels of another story in from the State of Politics Blog about a possible reconciliation between the Senate Democratic Conference and the Independent Democratic Conference.

  The Observer quotes Oliver Koppell as very happy from the number of signatures he has received in an on line petition numbering well into the thousands. The only problem is the over 90 percent of the signatures are not from the 34th state senate district home to Senator Jeff Klein. The Koppell residence was redistricted back into the 34th State senate recently after a 10 year absence. Republican State Senator Guy Velella cut the corner where the house sits out of the 34th state senate district after Oliver's wife Lorraine Coyle-Koppell ran for the seat against Velella in 2000. Running on the Democratic Party line she lost to Republican Velella by a singe digit percentage margin.

  The State of Politics Blog says that a meeting between IDC head Senator Jeff Klein and Mainline Democratic Conference Senator Mike Gianaris was set and then cancelled between the two senators. The topic of the meeting is said to have been bringing the IDC members back into the mainline Democratic Conference, possibly at a similar Co-Leadership as is now in place. State of Politics also mentions that mainline Democratic senators such as Ruben Diaz Sr., Adriano Espalliat, and others are tired of being shut out of the decision making process with the current senate leadership in place. Then there is the fear of the IDC gaining even more seats with primaries such one that Gustavo Rivera may face. Mainline Democratic senators kining up against this reconciliation idea are Liz Krueger, Gustavo Rivera, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Bill Perkins.

STATEMENT FROM ASSEMBLYMAN DINOWITZ ON GOVERNOR CUOMO SIGNING NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE LEGISLATION

    
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.   81st A.D.

3107 Kingsbridge Avenue Bronx, New York 10463

 (718) 796-5345 -  dinowitzj@assembly.state.ny.us

  “In our world’s greatest democracy, the candidate with the most votes is the winner of an election, except for the most important office on the planet:  President of the United States.  New York now joins the growing number of states that have decided that the winner for President should be the first place finisher.

“Once National Popular Vote is passed in enough states it will mean that the winner of the popular vote will always be the winner in a presidential election.  It will mean that every vote from every voter throughout the country would count equally.  Candidates would have an incentive to campaign all over the country, not just in the battleground states, and they would address the issues of concern to voters throughout the country.  This would drive up turnout.

“And New York would no longer be ignored.  We will no longer be a bystander in presidential elections.  This legislation, signed by Governor Cuomo, is one of the most significant reforms in the election process in the United States in the history of our republic.  I am proud that it received bipartisan support in both the Assembly and the State Senate.”

 

 

Annual BCC Golf Outing on Wednesday, May 21st

  

 

Join the Bronx Chamber for the

Annual Golf Outing

Wednesday, May 21st !

 

This year a portion of the proceeds

will be donated to the American Cancer Society!

 

See below for more details & registration info!

With questions or to RSVP, contact Alexandra at 718-828-3900 or Alexandra@Bronxchamber.org

 

  

 

  

  

   

Annual Business Expo with Keynote Speaker NYS Attorney General Eric Schneiderman

 

  

 

Join the Bronx Chamber for the

Annual Business Expo

on Wednesday, June 11th

at the Villa Barone Manor!

 

 

Become a vendor & showcase your business!

 

Enjoy Breakfast with Keynote Speaker

NYS Attorney General Eric Schneiderman!

 

 

 

See below for more details & registration info!

With questions or to RSVP, contact Alexandra at 718-828-3900

 or Alexandra@Bronxchamber.org

 

 

  

   

    

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26th Annual Banquet of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization,

  It was the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization's biggest moment when His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan was in attendance for the coalitions 26th annual banquet this past Saturday. Seated on the dais along with Cardinal Dolan were NYHCO President State Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr., New York State Attorney General Eric Schniderman, Comptroller Tom Dinapoli, Congressman Charlie Rangel, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senate co-leader Jeff Klein, State Senator Adriano Espaillat, Assembly members Marcos Crespo, Mark Gjonaj, Jose Rivera, and Luis Sepulveda, New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, City Council members Maria Del Carmen Arroyo, Fernando Cabrera, Vanessa Gibson, and Andy King, as well as Republican candidate for governor Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino.

  It was standing room only with proud clergy members and followers who enjoyed every minute of the luncheon. The six honorees were Rev. Byron Castello, Rev,. Amaurys Mella, Rev. Rosa Cadiz, Rev. Danilo Lachapel, Hna. Carmen V. Sanabria, and Rev. Hector Castillo.    

  Cardinal Dolan thanked the elected officials for their help, but said that munch more help from them is needed. He added that like charter schools the parochial schools also need help like was given to the charter schools. Of the elected officials many tried their hand at opening with a Spanish dialogue. State Comptroller Dinapoli said that he is the one who signs Senator Rev Diaz Sr.'s check, and that Senator Diaz earns every dollar. Since he was in the Bronx Congressman Rangel again let everyone know that he is an alumnus of DeWitt Clinton High School. The best line however had to come from Bronx Borough President  Ruben Diaz Jr. with one of his usual sayings about the Bronx, "This is Gods Country".  

 The honorees are seated at the front table, and the elected officials are seated behind the honorees as the program begins with the pledge.

Left - Cardinal Dolan poses for photo with Bronx Borough President Rubin Diaz Jr. and New York State  Comptroller Tom Dinapoli.

Right - Cardinal Dolan chats with Comptroller Dinapoli. 

 

Cardinal Dolan addresses the huge crowd on hand for the NYHCO luncheon.

Left - State Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein speaks of the recently passed state budget, and what it means for the people in the room.

Right - Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda is seated between 13th congressional candidates incumbent Congressman Charles Rangel and challenger State Senator Adriano Espaillat with Public Advocate Letitia James on Senator Espaillat's other side.