PSC Finds 70 Percent of Con Ed Gas Worker Non Compliant

 This story comes from Capital New York where the first sentence reads as follows. 'Nearly 70 percent of Con Edison workers responsible for the utility's sprawling natural gas network were found to be be out of compliance with state safety regulations because they had not taken an annual qualification test, according to papers filed with the Public Service Commission.'

  It seems that it took a natural gas explosion in May for state regulators at the PSC to take a closer look at just who was installing the new high pressure gas lines in city streets. Capital reports that In its latest filing with the P.S.C., Con Edison reported 186 employees and 115 contractors—301 out of 443 in all, or just under 68 percent—were found to have not taken an annual test required by the state for recertification in gas-pipe fitting, according to documents filed with the commission Monday. On subsequent testing, 62 workers failed one or more qualification tests

  “We are confident that these requalification lapses did not compromise the integrity of our gas system," a Con Edison Spokesperson told Capital N.Y.  In a recent filing, Con Ed said it identified 12 leaks related to the plastic pipe fusions since 2003 that could be attributed to workmanship. 

  Here is the link to the entire Capitol N.Y. article most-con-ed-workers-found-out-compliance-state-regs.

Universal Pre-K Representative

This comes from Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj.

  

TOGETHER. SHAPING THE FUTURE. On Wednesday August 6, from 10am to 1pm a representative from the Department of Education's Universal Pre-K program will be stationed in our Assembly Office located at 1126 Pelham Parkway South. The representative will be here to answer any questions parents or guardians have about enrolling their child in Universal Pre-K. Please be sure to utilize this visit and have your questions addressed.  If you have any questions please contact our office at (718) 409-0109.

IS CUOMO ON HOT SEAT

  U.S. Attorney Prett Bharara continues to investigate corruption in Albany where the Mooreland Commission has left off. Now the U.S. Attorney may want to know just why Governor Cuomo shut down the commission when they were starting to get to the root of the problem. The U.S. Attorney in now threatening to investigate the governor himself according to a another New York Times article . 

  While this NY Times article goes over some of the new statements made since its first article on the subject of the U.S. Attorney continuing where the Moorland Commission left off it ends with a note of caution. The U.S. Attorney has sent letters to all involved in the Moorland Commission that all all important witnesses to the commission, and that tampering with any recollections of anyone involved in the Moorland Commission is a crime. The U.S. Attorney has directed that all records and statements from the Mooreland Commission be preserved. 

Wave Hill Events Aug 15–Aug 22

  SAT AUGUST 16.   FAMILY ART PROJECT: FLUTTER WITH THE BUTTERFLIES

See them and sketch them, flying and sipping the nectar of their favorite flowers. Then learn about local butterfly species and make a butterfly hat to wear as you sail across the landscape. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, AUGUST 16    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, AUGUST 16    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, AUGUST 16    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. In the Sunroom Project Space, Lauren Carly Shaw transforms the space into the setting of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” (1899), set in the late 19th century, when the original Glyndor House was constructed. Shaw chronicles the effect of confinement on a woman’s mental state. In the Sun Porch space, Reade Bryan’s sculptural installation investigates the way that iconic building materials, such as plywood and drywall supplies, are created and used. Here he evokes the effects of a flood or the mass of a cliff’s edge; the natural landscape appears to intrude on the interior, although the sculpture itself is made of domestic building material. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

SUN, AUGUST 17    FAMILY ART PROJECT: FLUTTER WITH THE BUTTERFLIES

See them and sketch them, flying and sipping the nectar of their favorite flowers. Then learn about local butterfly species and make a butterfly hat to wear as you sail across the landscape. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, AUGUST 17    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, AUGUST 17    MEDITATION

This summer, 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, AUGUST 17    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, AUGUST 18

Closed to the public

TUE, AUGUST 19    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. In the Sunroom Project Space, Lauren Carly Shaw transforms the space into the setting of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” (1899), set in the late 19th century, when the original Glyndor House was constructed. Shaw chronicles the effect of confinement on a woman’s mental state. In the Sun Porch space, Reade Bryan’s sculptural installation investigates the way that iconic building materials, such as plywood and drywall supplies, are created and used. Here he evokes the effects of a flood or the mass of a cliff’s edge; the natural landscape appears to intrude on the interior, although the sculpture itself is made of domestic building material. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

WED, AUGUST 20    EVENING NATURE WALK AND TALK: FROM BATS TO BUGS

How do animals find each other in the dark? Take an evening walk with naturalist Paul Keim to learn how bats, frogs, crickets and katydids use sound for location and communication.  Use eyes and ears—and an echo-locator (electronic device)—to search for bats as they skim the evening sky in search of insects.  Don’t forget your flashlight! Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. $18/$10 Wave Hill Member. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, 718.549.3200 x251 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Space is limited.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 7–8:45PM

THU, AUGUST 21    STORIES IN THE GARDEN: ANIMAL ANTICS

Each week, Wave Hill educators share some of their favorite nature stories. These stories––classics and more––will come to life through interactive readings, sing-alongs and puppets. Programs are held outdoors in good weather; in inclement weather we will meet in Wave Hill House. Sometimes we all feel like a grumpy goat or a sneaky fox. This week, laugh along as we read humorous tales of some very grumpy, hungry, or silly animals, then join in as we sing some of our favorite nonsense songs. Our books this week are The Little Mouse, The Big Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood; Grumpy Goat by Brett Helquist; and Do Like a Duck Does by Judy Hindley. Ideal for children ages 3 to 6 with their adult companions. Free with admission to the grounds.

ON THE GROUNDS, 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 all day on Tuesdays in August. 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 atwww.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

Klein, Cohen Announce $3 Million in Capital Grants for Renovation of Indian Field in Woodlawn

 Surrounded by local families, community leaders and Little Leaguers, State Senate Coalition Co-Leader Jeff Klein and Council Member Andrew Cohen announced $3 million in capital grants secured in this year’s state and city budgets for a comprehensive renovation of the baseball fields in the Woodlawn area of the Bronx.

 The grant will be used to establish a new baseball field and completely reconstruct an existing turf area that suffered from chronic flooding, resulting in numerous rained out baseball games. Additionally, this flooding rendered portions of the park unusable to the community for periods of time. 

 The announcement was held at Indian Field with members of the NYC Parks Department, Woodlean Boys and Girls Club and Woodlawn Taxpayers.

Senate Majority Leader Jeff Klein said, “In recent years, Indian Field has had its share of challenges when it comes to giving our children the Little League season they deserve. The community has had to deal with flooded unusable fields for far too long. That’s why I am thrilled to announce that Councilman Cohen and I have secured $3 million in city and state funding to invest in a total renovation of the baseball fields here in Woodlawn. This investment will mean families will finally be able to fully utilize Indian Field for generations to come.”

“In conjunction with Senator Jeff Klein, I am pleased to allocate $3 million in city and state capital funds for the renovation of Indian Field, as well as the construction of a new field in Van Cortlandt Park. These improvements will bring an end to the frequent flooding issues that have caused cancellations to several community baseball games and allow residents to utilize the park to its full capacity.

“As a member of the Parks committee, I know the importance of providing quality amenities in the community. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the City Council to ensure that parks projects will be completed on time and within their budget. This is a restoration project the residents of Woodlawn have needed for quite some time and I happy to help put the project in motion,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

"NYC Parks is appreciative to the elected officials of Woodlawn for allocating the vital resources that will restore the recreational amenities of our neighborhood," said Bronx Borough Commissioner Hector Aponte. Aponte added that there are 7,000 acres of parkland in the Bronx located on 800 different properties, and that staff has been lost over the past years to a question of how the Parks Department could let Indian Field get to the point where it is today. as seen in the photo on the left.

  












Left - Councilman Cohen is flanked by State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Bronx Parks Commissioner Aponte, and some of the kids who hope to play ball on the new fields.
Right - A wider photo showing more of the Woodlean little league players with Senator Klein, Councilman Cohen, Assemblyman Dinowitz, and Bronx Parks Commissioner Aponte.

BRONX BACK TO SCHOOL HEALTH AND LITERACY FAIR Saturday August 23, 2014

The Quid Pro Quo of Politics

What You Should Know 

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 

32nd Senatorial District 

You should know that in politics, there is something known as quid pro quo.  In some form or another, this strategy is used by elected officials to negotiate business, positions, agendas, and personal interests - in exchange for political favors.

You should know that this practice of political negotiations is seen by the law as a criminal, corrupt and illegal.  Therefore, anyone who is caught committing this act is taking the risk of ending up wearing a striped uniform, and living in a 6 foot by 8 foot cell in prison. 

You should know that in the business of politics, quid pro quois illegal, corrupt and unethical  - but only when it is committed by the little guy.  When the act is committed by one of the big guys – like a mayor, a governor, etc. – then it is considered to be a masterpiece, an act of political genius, and even a phenomenal success. 

I first became aware of this practice in 1977 when the late Ramon Velez, the Godfather of New York’s Hispanic community wanted to get something out of Bronx Senator Joseph Galiber. Ramon Velez called upon one of his allies, Américo Martínez– who held a prominent position in a New York City agency – to run against Joseph Galiber.  Ramon Velez promised Américo Martínez that if he would provide the money and the troops, that Américo Martínez would become a New York Senator.  Américo Martínez moved forward to coordinate his campaign and got Israel Martínez to run against Assemblywoman Estella Diggs.  They put their team together and Américo Martínez collected his petitions. 

However, Ramon Velez sat down with Senator Joseph Galiber and after a little quid pro quo time, Ramon Velez got he wanted and then asked Américo Martínez to disappear, to drop it, to cease and to desist.  The only problem for Américo Martínez was, as happens to many people, that first taste of political power can have a similar effect on a person like a powerful drug does – one taste and you feel hooked forever, and you need it to survive.  After he received a request to drop out of the race, Américo Martínez found himself alone and destroyed, and as history tells, he disappeared to Puerto Rico. 

Nowadays, our beloved New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has found himself involved in what appears to be various - and seemingly nefarious acts - of quid pro quo. 

As you already know, when New York State Senate Co-Leader and Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein and his IDC colleagues, Senators Diane Savino, David Carlucci, David Valesky and Tony Avella abandoned the Senate Democratic Conference and made an alliance with the Senate Republicans, they engaged in what looked like quid pro quo to keep the Republicans in power. But after Bill de Blasio was elected Mayor of New York City, a movement formed that was made up of mayors, unions, Democratic millionaires, and the Governor himself, all joined to get rid of IDC Leader Jeff Klein and his four IDC colleagues and their alliance with the Republicans. 

In that effort, they called upon former City Councilman, former Assemblyman, and former Attorney General Oliver Koppell, promising him that they would raise a million dollars for his campaign against Jeff Klein.  They promised Oliver Koppell union support.  They promised Oliver Koppell all kinds of support from the Mayor and the Governor.  Governor Andrew Cuomo became the leader of the movement. 

After Oliver Koppell listened to all of those marvelous enticements and offers of becoming an elected State Senator from the Bronx, he went out announced that he would run to unseat Senator Jeff Klein, and he collected signatures. 

Surprise, surprise … all of those people sat down with Jeff Klein, and after what seemed to be a little quid pro quo, Jeff Klein decided to abandon the IDC's alliance with the Republicans and come back to the Democratic fold.  Oliver Koppell was asked to drop his bid to run against Jeff Klein, to drop it, to cease and to desist, and to disappear.  Now Oliver Koppell has found himself alone because everyone he thought would support him has gone over to support Jeff Klein.  The Governor, the Mayor and the unions have abandoned Oliver Koppell. 

You should know that all of the challengers against the five IDC rebel Democrats – except for John Liu who still hopes to unseat Tony Avella – are gone.  (And I have to give credit where credit is due and say that the Queens Democratic organization who organized and accepted John Liu’s candidacy, as of today, have not abandoned John Liu.) 

You should also know that there is another apparent act of quid pro quo that Governor Andrew Cuomo is being accused of that has practically exploded in his face.  This is about his manipulation of legislators and his creation of a commission to investigate public corruption. Many believe that Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Moreland Commission was formed to threaten to send legislators to jail if they did not bow down to him and support his agenda. 

Once again, those involved sat down together to talk.  “What’s in it for me?” “You do this for me and I’ll do that for you.” “You give me this and I’ll give you that.” They all came out like one big happy family, and as the story goes, the Governor had to disband his Moreland Commission. 

My dear reader, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s quid pro quo acts involving the Moreland Commission were made very public on the front page of the New York Times, and even became a 6-minute joke on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show.  Accusations about Governor Andrew Cuomo interfering with his own Moreland Commission are not being ignored by editorial boards, columnists, reporters, and bloggers, and it doesn’t look like the issue will go away any time soon. 

Ladies and gentlemen, even though we don’t really know how this particular embarrassment will end or how U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara may proceed in any official investigation of Governor Andrew Cuomo, I am afraid that like so many of the powerful, astute, brilliant and politically savvy leaders that have preceded him, Governor Andrew Cuomo might just pass through history as masterful politician who had nothing at all to do with official crimes involved in quid pro quo. 

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

Board of Elections Hearings Bronx Results

  Above is a photo from the candidates point of view when you go before the Commissioners of the Board of Elections when your petition has been objected to, and specifications to those general objections have been filed. The commissioners sit around the circular table in the background, while in the pit before them are the Board of Elections borough heads, counsel, and other BOE employees. There are ten commissioners, two from each of the five boroughs, and one each from the Democratic and Republican parties. 

  As for who is on and who is off the ballot, hundreds of challenges to various petitions were made for almost all elected and party positions. However when it came to filing Specifications to the general objections only a few made it to the commissioners. In the 33rd State Senate race Candidate Fernando Cabrera was ruled on the ballot, while candidate Jose Padilla Jr. was ruled off the ballot for not having enough valid signatures.

 In the 86th A.D. candidate Kirby was ruled off the ballot for having no district listed on the petition

 In the 77th A.D. candidate Curry was ruled back on the ballot after showing the commissioners a letter from the printer of his petitions that the printer claimed that they put the wrong address on the petition.

 In the 85th A.D. candidate Pabone was ruled off the ballot for no residency.

 Almost 200 various country committee candidates in different A.D.'s were ruled off the ballot for non residency, not registered in the party, or not an active voter. Bronx Republican Commissioner Mike Rendino then questioned the 'non active' status. the explanation was that notice of election to the voter by the BOE was returned,and if the voter did not vote in 2 federal elections they are put into the non active status. The voter can vote by affidavit ballot at the poll site to be counted upon certification by the board. Commissioner Rendino then said that the person can vote, but not run for office.

 Two people came up to ask to be on the ballot. Ms. Pamela Johnson upon giving certified BOE copies to the commissioners that she is registered as Pamela Hamilton Johnson was put back on. the second Junella Hill said the BOE had the wrong address for her, and upon checking the petition the wrong address was on the petition, and she was ruled off the ballot. 

 Next were the minor party challenges, and Bronx Democratic County lawyer Stanley Schlein assured the commissioners that Assemblyman Carl Heastie was not enrolled in the Working Families Party and Heastie was off the WFP ballot line. 

 83rd A.D. candidate Chen was ruled off the ballot with only 180 valid signatures.

 77th A.D. candidate Patrice was ruled on the ballot having more than the 500 required signatures.

 85th A.D. candidate Rojas was ruled off the ballot with only 32 valid signatures.

 79th A.D. candidate Jones was ruled on the ballot having more than the 500 needed signatures.

 84th A.D. candidate Molina was ruled on the ballot having more than the 500 needed signatures.

 79th A.D. candidate Blake was not ruled on as it is a objection to his legal residency which is handled by the courts. BDCC lawyer Stanlry Schlein then served a subpoena to the BOE to appear in court Monday August 4th on the matter.

Left - "King Stanley" in action against Mr. Egidio Sementilli, as the two shake hands afterwards.
Right - "King Stanley" goes up again after another candidate.

 A photo of the "Pits" as it is called where the work gets done by BOE staff and counsel.