That Blue Sky, That is not Blue and is not a Sky

What You Should Know
Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz  -  32^nd Senatorial District

That Blue Sky, That is not Blue and is not a Sky
You should know that with the endorsement of the Working Families Party to the re-election efforts of New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, the hopes and aspirations of our Democratic State Senate Conference of becoming the majority and ultimately take control of the Senate have gone all the way up to the sky.

You should also know that back in my college days at Lehman College in the Bronx, I used to have a philosophy teacher that used to tell us “Oh my dear children, that blue sky that is not blue and it is not a sky.”

Now, with the endorsement of the Working Families Party, people are saying that now the Governor will put pressure on Senator Jeff Klein and the other four run away Democratic members of the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) to break their alliance with the Republicans and to come back to join the Democratic Conference and in order to be able to take control of the Senate.

It is well published in every newspaper that there were some negotiations between Governor Cuomo and the Working Families Party in order for the Governor to receive their endorsement. They came to an agreement that the Governor will support their liberal agenda, issues and will help the Democrats to take back the Senate. ( I remember back in 2009 when the Four Amigos were in negotiations with people to decide who would take control of the Senate. They called the Four Amigos outlaws, thieves, crooks, blackmailers, opportunists, and many other things.) I remember Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, then a State Senator, demanding an investigation into the requests made by the Four Amigos. ¿Que pasa ahora, Mr. Attorney General?

No one has asked me, but I will put my two cents into the possibilities of Senator Jeff Klein coming back to join the Democrats.

Right now, Senator Klein is facing a tough Democratic Primary by ex-State Attorney General Oliver Koppell and the same goes for Senator Tony Avella, who is equally facing a challenge by ex-City Comptroller John Liu. There are no benefits for Jeff Klein and his Conference if their Democratic Primary challengers, Oliver Koppell and John Liu continue in the run. They must drop out of the race!  But it will be illegal to negotiate such a thing. Hmmm!

If Jeff Klein and Tony Avella have to go through a bruising Democratic Primary and win, I assure you that there is no way in heaven for them to come back. They have proven to be unbeatable and will have nothing to gain by coming back.

You should know that my Senate Democratic Conference, for the past four years, has been played out, taken for granted and lied to by people in authority. The effort, cooperation and outstanding spirit of unity shown and offered to the Governor by Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins and the Leaders of the Regular Senate Democratic Conference have been out of this world but they not been appreciated or rewarded for it in the past, and I am afraid that now one more time people may be playing them out and taking advantage of their spirit or cooperation and understanding.

You should know that this is a business full of hypocrisy and imaginary friends. People do all kinds of things to save face. In this occasion, with this agreement, the Working Families Party has saved face and Governor Andrew Cuomo has saved face, but in the process there are and there will be collateral damages because that blue sky is not blue and is not a sky.

This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know. 

 

Wave Hill Events Jun 20–Jun 27

  SAT, JUNE 21    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; indoors in inclement weather. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration receives a $2 discount. 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. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11AM

SAT, JUNE 21    WAVE HILL HISTORY WALK
Discover the fascinating history of Wave Hill’s architecture and landscape on a walk with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Hear about the people who once called Wave Hill home, among them Mark Twain, Bashford Dean and Arturo Toscanini. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Illustrious Residents event.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

SAT, JUNE 21    GALLERY TOUR
Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of three current exhibitions. In the main gallery, Gregory Crewdson’s Fireflies series is being shown for the first time in its entirety. Crewdson’s photographs capture the fleeting light of these nocturnal creatures. Experience the natural landscape from the comfort of a domestic interior in Marek and Kristyna Milde’s Sunroom Project, an installation of planters shaped as couches and chairs. In the Sun Porch space, listen to With Hidden Noise, a traveling exhibition featuring evocative sounds, some recognizable from traditional instruments and field recordings, and others masked through electronic processes. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

SUN, JUNE 22   FAMILY ART PROJECT: SUCH ARE SNAKES
Learn about these limbless creatures, how they move and which ones can be spotted at Wave Hill. Use recycled materials to make your own snake, and bring it outdoors while you enjoy musician and songwriter Jeffrey Friedberg from the musical group The Bossy Frog, as he sings about snakes and other creatures. Interactive performance at noon. Free with admission to the grounds.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, JUNE 22    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 outdoors, indoors in inclement weather. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration receives a $2 discount. 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. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11:15AM

SUN, JUNE 22    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. Advance registration receives a $2 discount. 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. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11:30AM‒12:45PM

SUN, JUNE 22    NATURE PRESENTATION: SNAKES OF NEW YORK

Do you think snakes are cool or creepy? Gain a new appreciation for these misunderstood reptiles with an Environmental Educator from the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. Find out how snakes play an important role in our local ecosystem and see live snakes up close. Audience members have the opportunity to handle skins, skulls and other artifacts. Ages eight and older welcome with an adult. Space is limited; reservations strongly recommended, at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x251 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 1PM and 2PM

SUN, JUNE 22    MEET THE ARTISTS: KRISTYNA & MAREK MILDE

Join us at this artist talk to gain insight into the creative practice of artists Kristyna and Marek Milde. Their work examines the effects of architecture, design and interior space on our perception of, and relationship to, the outside world. At Wave Hill, they will develop the idea of transplanting the natural site indoors in the gallery space. Their Sunroom Project includes planters filled with vegetation and shaped as couches and chairs, making visitors feel as though they have stepped into a lounge to experience the natural landscape from the comfort of the domestic interior. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 1:30PM

SUN, JUNE 22    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, JUNE 23

Closed to the public

TUE, JUNE 24    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, JUNE 24    GALLERY TOUR
Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of three current exhibitions. In the main gallery, Gregory Crewdson’s Fireflies series is being shown for the first time in its entirety. Crewdson’s photographs capture the fleeting light of these nocturnal creatures. Experience the natural landscape from the comfort of a domestic interior in Marek and Kristyna Milde’s Sunroom Project, an installation of planters shaped as couches and chairs. In the Sun Porch space, listen to With Hidden Noise, a traveling exhibition featuring evocative sounds, some recognizable from traditional instruments and field recordings, and others masked through electronic processes. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

TUE, JUNE 24    NATURE WALK & TALK: FIREFLIES AND OTHER INSECTS OF THE NIGHT

Every year in late June, a spectacular light show takes place at twilight. Stroll the grounds with naturalist Paul Keim to see and hear fireflies, katydids, moths and other nocturnal creatures. Use a sweep net to collect and view insects, then release them back into the night. The evening begins in Glyndor Gallery with a short tour of our current exhibition Gregory Crewdson: Fireflies. Don’t forget your flashlight! Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Space is limited. $18/$10 Wave Hill Member. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, 718.549.3200 x251 or at the Perkins Visitor Center.

MEET AT FRONT GATE, 7:30–8:45PM

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 June. 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 30 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.

 

Cohen - Levine to Sponsor Resolution in City Council against LG Tower.

 

   Standing on the campus of the College of Mount Saint Vincent overlooking the beautiful view of the Palisades across the Hudson River City Council members Andrew Cohen and Mark Levine announced that along with Upper Manhattan Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez the three will be introducing a resolution in the council against the proposed LG tower across the Hudson River in New Jersey.

   The resolution calls upon the Borough Engelwood Cliffs New Jersey to withdraw the variance it issued to the LG Corporation that would allow LG to build its new headquarters to exceed the 35 foot height limit established in the Borough's zoning law and reverse the zoning law change that would allow structures to be built over 35 feet without a variance, and calling on the LG Corporation to respect the integrity of the Palisades by voluntarily redesigning its proposal to comply with the current zoning law.

  

Last Weeks 100 PERCENT Column

Here is what you would have seen in last weeks 100 PERCENT column in the Bronx News and Parkchester News papers. The column was bumped for that lovely two page ad from Major World Auto.

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

Klein Wins Big at Ben Franklin Dem Club

     Before I get into what happened at the Ben Franklin Democratic Club endorsement for the 34^th State Senate district, Congratulations go out to Mr. William Rivera the new Chairman of Community Board 9. William has worked hard on CB 9 as the chair of the Public Safety/Housing Committee, and was rewarded by being voted in as the youngest Community Board Chair in New York City.

    Just a few days after Riverdale Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman Andrew Cohen, both Democratic district leaders, and several other prominent Riverdalians endorsed incumbent state senator Jeff Klein for re-election the Ben Franklin Democratic Club met for the purpose of a club endorsement vote for the Democratic Primary. Former Councilman Oliver Koppell had finally announced his candidacy for the 34^th state senate seat so this club vote had three options. Option one, a club endorsement for incumbent State Senator Jeff Klein. Option two, an endorsement of challenger Oliver Koppell. Option three, a vote of no endorsement of either candidate in the race.

     It seemed that the Koppell strategy at the Ben Franklin Club was to have the club not endorse any candidate in the 34^th district. This would seem to be a victory for Koppell as the club as a whole would not carry petitions for Klein. It became evident that during the floor fight of how to vote on the matter of the club endorsing or not that Oliver Koppell was not going to have the club behind him. The vote to endorse a candidate turned out to be 84 Ayes, 23 Nays, and 0 abstentions.

      BFDC President Ellen Feld then went over the rules of how the candidates would speak, answer questions, and then have surrogates speak on their behalf, something she had done many times before. She mentioned that the club usually goes by alphabetical order but that both candidates have agreed to let Oliver Koppell go first.

      Oliver Koppell went over his vast experience in public office. He continued that he had endorsed Jeff Klein in the past against Steve Kaufman, When Kaufman said if he was elected that he would work with the Republicans in the state senate. Koppell then attacked Klein for betraying the Senate Democratic Conference majority by empowering Republican Leader Dean Skellows to stay in power, and ended by saying “Have you no decency Mr. Klein.” Questions were next, and Koppell was drilled on having overturned the will of the people of the city by extending term limits for himself and allowing Republican Mayor Bloomberg to serve four more years. Other questions included just what did you do besides overturning term limits? Koppell answered by saying that in the state assembly he created the “Bottle Bill”, was chair of the City Council Mental Health Committee, opposed term limits when June Eisland was the Councilwoman before Mayor Bloomberg, and ended by saying that Klein has been in office for 20 years now.

     Jeff Klein spoke of growing up in the Bronx. At age 12 his grandfather told him that Democrats are people like us, and that he is the first Democrat to represent the 34^th State Senate district in 100 years. Klein told of traveling the state to help get a Democratic majority a few years ago with many promises made by the Democrats who took over that were never fulfilled. He added that the Democratic majority only created dysfunction and bred corruption throwing out a few names of the De State Senators who have gone to jail after the Democratic takeover. He said that was the reason for the creation of the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC). He said that items such as the money for Pre-K and many other Democratic ideals never came to the senate floor under Republican or even Democratic leadership that have under the IDC co-leadership. Klein was then asked several questions that included how much money he had received from charter school advocates, his pro death penalty stance, failure of the Dream Act, and where he stands on hydrofracking. Klein said he did not know how much or just who donated to his campaign from the charter school advocates, that he is in favor of the death penalty being brought back,.Klein added that it was him who brought the Dream Act to the senate floor, that all IDC members voted for it, but not all Senate Democrats did. Klein closed by saying that he is opposed to hydrofracking adding that the Sierra Club and NCLV have endorsed him. Oliver Koppel;ls wife Lorraine tried to take a shot at Senator Klein by asking him why there were no minority members of the IDC.

     The surrogate speakers were next, and Koppell's wife called Klein a racist for not having a minority member of the IDC. Several Koppell supporters said that Klein is not a real Democrat and has let the Republicans stay in power in the state senate. 33^rd State Senator Gustavo Rivera who has been at odds with Klein in the state senate gave a lukewarm speech at times praising Klein, but ended asking the club to endorse Oliver Koppell in the 34^th district.

      On the Klein side Councilman Cohen spoke of how Senator Klein has helped him in dealing with some problems in his council district. Others who spoke for Senator Klein spoke of his experience and compared Klein to getting rid of the gridlock that had been holding things up in Albany, including having an on time state budget for the past four years. The clincher was the last speaker Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz who answered the calls of his disloyalty to Koppell by saying “Where was Oliver Koppell at the Paradise Theater when all but two of the Ben Franklin Club members were supporting him to become the new Bronx Democratic County Committee Chair?' Dinowitz then said as he was being assaulted in the back Oliver Koppell and his wife were on stage with Jose Rivera, Maria Baez, and Larry Seabrook trying to keep them in power over me and the eventual winners that night. As Dinowitz continued and one could hear by his voice that he did not want to say what he was, but it was Oliver Koppell who wanted Loyalty and Democratic values over a very effective legislator. Dinowitz continued that in the 2009 mayors race Oliver Koppell did not endorse the Democratic candidate Bill Thompson. That Koppell choose to sponsor legislation to extend his term and the term of Republican Mayor Mike Bloomberg, and then endorsed the Republican candidate Bloomberg over the Democratic candidate. Dinowits ended by saying if it was an open seat things would be different, but Senator Jeff Klein is doing an excellent job and deserves to be re-elected.

      The final vote was Klein – 96, Koppell – 38, with 11 votes for no endorsement. Senator Klein said that he now has the endorsement of all the Democratic clubs in his district. Lorraine Coyle Koppell said “It is a sad day for the Ben Franklin Club, it has lost its reason for its existence.” Check my blog for photos of the endorsement meeting.

      Former Governor David Patterson has taken over as New York State Democratic Party chair, and has said that taking over control of the state senate is not his number one priority, party unity is.

     Lastly Saturday June 7^th is Family Day 2014 at Vidalia Park from 12 – 5 PM. The park is located on East 187^th Street between Daly & Vyse Avenues. There will be food, fun, games, and musical entertainment by toby Rivera.

      If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail .com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

Croton Filtration Monitoring Committee Meeting 5 - 28

This is a recap of the CFMC meeting of May 28th where the DEP did show up and afterwards is this weeks Riverdale Report from the Bronx News.

   Father Richard Gorman the 2014 Chair of the CFMC had 9 items of business on the agenda with items 4, 5, and 6 being the meat and most important. Item # 4 was a presentation by the DEP on DEP's "Water For The Future." This was presented by Associate DEP Commissioner Matthew Mahoney. 

   Mr. Mahoney began with a history of how the New York City Water supply came about before and after World War II. The Catskill/Delaware system supplying most of the NYC water goes through the limestone and is steel reinforced in certain sections. However at the time of WW II steel became precious in the war effort. He then mentioned that the system has to be repaired very soon due to several leaks in the supply line. Mr. Mahoney said that a several mile by-pass is being built so that one major leak can be repaired in Ulster County. With other leaks that will also have to be fixed NYC could loose up to 50% of its water supply. To make up for this water shortfall The DEP is going to use ground wells in Brooklyn and Queens where they will use up to 30 million gallons a day filtering the water at various scattered sites in the two boroughs since that water had not meet federal drinking water standards many years ago.

   The DEP will also use the Croton Water System which has not been used for consumption for many years due to a federal mandate to filter that water, once the Van Cortlandt Park Water Filtration Plant is completed, soon he said. While this is all going on the Jerome Park Reservoir will go through some badly needed maintenance including repairing the east wall that DEP has said is crumbling. Questions of why the JPR maintenance was not done the past several years as it lay empty waiting for the construction of the VCPWFP were answered by Assistant DEP Commissioner Matthew Mahoney simply, "I Don't Know." Mr. Mahoney also said that this work must be done by 2022. 

    Item # 5 was on the scope work already done at JPR including the removal of over 150 trees on the earthen berm of the reservoir that DEP said was compromising the integrity of the berm and had the Parks Department remove. DEP is now reneging on its verbal promise to replace the trees, and says that the Parks Department is now responsible for some since the trees were on Parkland and not DEP land. I asked Mr. Mahoney if all the work on the berm was done, or might we see more trees cut down. His answer was that DEP will have to check the site to make sure, and he could not rule out any more trees being cut down. 

   Item # 6 was on the new entrance to VCP that DEP wants to construct at East 213th Street and Jerome Avenue for use by their vehicles, and the possible need for "Alienation of Parkland due to Closure of Access Road in VCP." DEP claimed that it is a shared roadway for the golf course that is being rebuilt, and also for the Parks Department so the DEP can close the current entrance at Bainbridge Avenue. The construction by DEP has already started on the new road, and there is a large healthy tree right in the middle of the entrance that will have to be removed by the DEP. The next CFMC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday June 20th 7 PM at the DEP office located on Jerome Avenue opposite the site of the Van Cortlandt Park Water Filtration Plant. 

Caribbean-American Heritage Month 2014

Register for Boat Rides for Riverdale RiverFest 2014

This comes from the folks at the Riverdale Riverfest.

Riverdale RiverFest 2014

Sunday, June 15th, 12-6pm, College of Mount Saint Vincent

A Project of the Friends of the Hudson River Greenway in the Bronx

Sail on the Hudson River on June 14th and June 15th! The boat rides are what sets  Riverdale RiverFest apart from all the other special festivals and events held in our community. This year, boat rides are offered throughout the weekend. For Riverdale RiverFest 2014, boat riders have three great ships to choose from! Click here to register for your boat ride today!   AJ Meerwald Tall Ship AJ Meerwald Sail Times & Info: Saturday June 14 (pre-festival) Special pre-festival discounted sails Saturday on the A.J. Meerwald. Enjoy the River without the festival crowds!   Adults: $20; Children (infant - age 14): $10 Saturday, June 14 11:00 am (~2-hour sail) Saturday, June 14 1:30 pm (~2-hour sail)   Sunday June 15 Adults: $25; Children (infant - age 14): $15 Sunday, June 15 11:00 am (~2-hour sail) Sunday, June 15 1:30 pm (~2-hour sail) Sunday, June 15 4:00 pm (~2-hour sail)    John j. Harvey Fireboat  John J. Harvey Fireboat Sail Times & Info: Adults: $20 Children (infant - age 14): $10 Sunday, June 15 3:00 pm (~1-hour ride) Sunday, June 15 4:30 pm (~1-hour ride)       The Mystic Whaler Mystic Whaler Sail Times & Info. Adults: $25  Children: (infant - age 14): $15 Sunday, June 15 9:45 am (~2-hour sail) Sunday, June 15 12:15 pm (~2-hour sail) Sunday, June 15 2:45 pm (~2-hour sail) Click here to register for your boat ride today!   Riverdale RiverFest - on Sunday, June 15th from 12 to 6 p.m. on the riverfront campus of the College of Mount Saint Vincent - celebrates the waterfront   Special thanks to the College of Mount Saint Vincent for hosting this event for the 5th year in a row!

ABRAZO BORICUA IN NEW YORK INVITATION