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Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Seven Wonders of VCP & Special Offer from BJ's on 6/12/14
Dinowitz, Klein Introduce Legislation to Designate Jerome Park as Parkland of NYC
Today Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) and
State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) were joined by Bronx
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and a host of community activists near
the Jerome Park Reservoir to introduce new legislation intent on
designating Jerome Park as parkland of the city of New York. The bills,
A.9681 and S.7467, would set in motion a public process by which most or
all of what is known as Jerome Park can either become designated as
park lands or lands that can be readily accessible to the general public
for recreational use. The space could also be used as an urban wildlife
or nature sanctuary.
The
perimeter of the Jerome Park Reservoir, which is the area that would be
turned into New York City Parkland as a result of this legislation, is
currently owned by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Access to the land around the reservoir, which is enclosed inside fence,
is currently off-limits to the general public.
"The
New York City DEP has for years denied our community access to one of
our most precious resources-the area around the Jerome Park Reservoir,” Assemblyman Dinowitz said.
“Even after the community defeated DEP's plan to build a giant water
filtration plant in the Jerome Park Reservoir, The DEP refused to allow
residents to get closer to the reservoir. It was only after the strong
community opposition to DEP's subsequent plan to construct its
monstrosity in Van Cortlandt Park that they decided, suddenly, there was
a security risk in allowing people closer to the reservoir. (They
didn't believe there was a security risk after 9/11, only after the
community stood up to them.)
“This
legislation would set in motion a plan that would hopefully designate
the area around the Jerome Park Reservoir as parkland. Having grown up
across the street from the reservoir, I know firsthand the amazing
resource we have and its great potential."
Senator Klein said: "In
a city as large and rich with culture as New York City, open space is
an invaluable asset for any community. That's why, partnering with
Assemblyman Dinowitz, I am proud to introduce legislation that will help
to do just that in Jerome Park in the Bedford Park area of the Bronx.
By designating all of all of the green space surrounding the Reservoir
park land, in conjunction with launching a community group dedicated to
boosting recreational opportunities, we can ensure more local residents
and New Yorkers from all neighborhoods experience all that Jerome Park
has to offer."
“The
Jerome Park Reservoir is an incredible resource that should be enjoyed
by our residents. This community treasure has been left unused for far
too long. Northwest Bronx families have a right to enjoy the area around
the Jerome Park Reservoir and I am glad that this new legislation will
help make this area available for public recreational use. This has been
a priority of mine since I became borough president, and I am proud to
stand with my colleagues in calling for greater access to the area
around the Jerome Park Reservoir as well as greater community
involvement in determining the future of one of our Borough’s crown
jewels,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Editor's Note -
There were no photos taken by me, because I was one of the community activists, and now a Community Board 8 member that were recognized for their hard work in stopping the DEP from building the water filtration plant in the reservoir in the late 1990's. I have stayed vigilant advocating for the JPR area and continued as a member of the Environment and Sanitation Committee of Community Board 8, which I hope to Chair after the Community Board 8 elections Tuesday night June 10th.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
That Blue Sky, That is not Blue and is not a Sky
What You Should Know
Senator Rev. Rubén DÃaz - 32nd Senatorial District
Senator Rev. Rubén DÃaz - 32nd 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 DÃaz and this is what you should know.
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 DÃaz 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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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/
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 242nd 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.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
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 34th
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
34th
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 34th
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 34th
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. 33rd
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 34th
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 7th
is Family Day 2014 at Vidalia Park from 12 – 5 PM. The park is
located on East 187th
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.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
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.
