SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA HIRES NEW CHIEF OF STAFF

  State Senator Gustavo Rivera has promoted Ms. Katrina Asante, who has been working in his office since 2011, to the role of Chief of Staff.  Ms. Meghan Lynch, who served as Senator Rivera's Chief of Staff for over a year and a half, is moving on to New York Academy of Medicine.

"Whether it was during her time as a Community Affairs Representative or as Deputy Chief of Staff, Katrina has been an invaluable member of my team.  She has demonstrated a true commitment to the communities we serve and is constantly working to improve the lives of hard working Bronx residents," said Senator Rivera. "I am extremely excited to have Katrina take on this new role in my staff. Her deep knowledge of this district and her background in social services will be a tremendous asset to my office."

"As a lifelong Bronx resident, I am humbled to have the opportunity to continue working along with Senator Rivera on the issues that are important to the communities we both serve, such as expanding and improving affordable housing and reducing unemployment," said Katrina Asante. "I am very happy to lead Senator Rivera's team in serving our constituents and in our efforts to build a better and stronger Bronx every single day."

Before being promoted to Chief of Staff, Katrina Asante served as Senator Rivera's Deputy Chief of Staff and Community Affairs Representative. Prior to working for Senator Rivera, Katrina worked at the Administration for Children's Services as a ChildProtective Specialist. Katrina also has a Master in Public Administration from the Metropolitan College of New York.

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES MAJOR SOLAR INVESTMENT AT CITY SCHOOLS,

New installations, funded by City and NY-Sun Initiative, are first step toward 100 MW of new solar on City-owned buildings and long-term goal of 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

  Today, outside the Kennedy Campus, Mayor de Blasio announced a major investment in solar power at City schools, funding 24 installations as part of the administration’s new green buildings plan (One City, Built to Last), tripling the amount of solar currently planned on City-owned buildings, and marking another step forward as the City works to dramatically reduce its contributions to climate change. The Kennedy Campus is one of nine schools that currently use solar panels (500 in all at the school) to generate energy.  

The 24 new installations will be funded by the City, as well as by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) under Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s NY-Sun Initiative. The $28 million investment includes $23 million in City funds and an estimated $5 million in grants from NYSERDA. The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and the New York Power Authority will implement the projects, in partnership with the Department of Education (DOE). The planned 6.25 MW of solar power at these 24 installations will result in a reduction of more than 2,800 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions a year, the equivalent of taking over 600 cars off the road every year. The solar installations will be paired with an environmental curriculum plan, including dashboards and web portals where students can track in real time what the systems are generating and the amount of emissions that have been offset, and undertake related analyses of the systems’ impacts.

The Mayor made the announcement outside the John F. Kennedy Educational Campus, which is home to a rooftop solar installation that will serve as an innovative and cost-effective model for installing solar.

The new solar projects are part of a larger commitment announced at the start of Climate Week. Last week, Mayor de Blasio announced that New York City is committed to an 80 percent reduction in its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over 2005 levels by 2050, charting a long-term path for investment in renewable sources of energy and a total transition from fossil fuels. This commitment starts with the sweeping green buildings plan announced last week.

One City, Built to Last focuses on dramatically reducing emissions from buildings, which account for nearly three-quarters of the City’s GHG emissions. The Mayor has committed to retrofitting every single City-owned building with significant energy use by 2025, including installing 100 MW of solar power. 

Additionally, the City will spur private building to invest in efficiency upgrades, including by providing ambitious interim targets and incentives and implementing mandates if targets are not met. In particular, the City plans to catalyze an additional 250 MW of solar power on private buildings.

After the announcement Mayor de Blasio took questions on topic, and eventually off topic. I asked after 12 stagnant years of student performance under the previous mayor what was this mayor going to do to improve student performance in the public schools. Since Chancellor Carmen Farina was not present Mayor de Blasio said that there will be many things to come in struggling schools, and the mayor even came back to my question later saying that many parts of the school system are not working, and have to change. Without any mention of how or what he wants to change the mayor said that he is devoted to the public school system.

There were questions about the ground hog's death, and if the mayor was going to pick it up this coming year, which the mayor answered that is up to the zoo. About possible legislation for letter grades on nail salons proposed by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. the mayor said that he has not seen the proposal. The mayor was also asked about the recent pedestrian deaths during his Vision Zero program. The mayor said that it is up to individual behavior, but with the deterrents like speed zones and cameras that he thinks peoples behavioral patterns can be changed for the better.

Senior Game Day, Tuesday, September 30th

Join us for Senior Game Day! An afternoon of Games, Prizes and Live Entertainment! Games to be played include favorites such as: Dominoes, Various Card Games, Board Games, Cribbage, Prize Wheels Bingo Finale and much more! Tuesday, Sept 30, 2014  2:00pm- 5:00pm  Maestro's Caterers  1703 Bronxdale Avenue  Bronx NY 10461 For More Information: (718) 409-0109  RSVP not needed  (This event is intended for citizens 55 years and up)

 

Assemblyman Dinowitz cuts ribbon on new garden and terrace at Riverdale Senior Services

Assemblyman Dinowitz secured $175K in state funds for new garden and terrace, awning, handicap-accessible lift

   Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz was joined by Riverdale Senior Services Executive Director Julia Schwartz-Leeper, Council Member Andrew Cohen, representatives from the offices of Congressman Engel and State Senator Klein, and dozens of seniors to cut the ribbon on a new garden and terrace for Riverdale Senior Services. Assemblyman Dinowitz allocated approximately $175,000 in state funds for the project, which included new raised garden beds, new steps, new doors, an awning, a seating area, fencing, and a handicap-accessible lift. Students from the Horace Mann School installed the raised garden beds, which will grow a variety of herbs and spices.

“I am proud to secure funding for these improvements to Riverdale Senior Services, an organization that contributes positively to the community in innumerable ways,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “This project closely follows ADA guidelines, including a new lift that will allow seniors in wheelchairs and walkers access to this space for the first time. The beautiful new garden and terrace, named for Julia Blumenthal, a founding member of Riverdale Senior Services, is a place where seniors can stay active, spend time with friends, and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Bronx and Manhattan.”

Julia Schwartz-Leeper, Executive Director of Riverdale Senior Services, said, “The older adults in our community are so thrilled to have a space where they can walk on a safe, flat surface, dig in the dirt or just enjoy some fresh air with friends. We are so appreciative of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz for supporting this dream and helping us create this beautiful space. It is a wonderful addition to our Center on our 40th Anniversary. Thank you also to The Horace Mann School and their Service Learning Team who planted our garden. Without these partnerships we could not provide the extensive programming and services which make RSS such a special community resource.  Just wait until you see the view!”

Riverdale Senior Services, Inc. (RSS) is a multipurpose non-profit agency whose mission is to promote the physical, intellectual, social and emotional well-being of older adults.  Programs and services take place at a community facility and are designed to encourage and enable healthy living and living independently within one’s own community. RSS offers a wide range of educational and health related programs including exercise, bridge, computer classes and health management in addition to delicious homemade meals.  Free membership is available to all residents of New York City over the age of 60. For more information, please call 718-884-5900.

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda Announces Extended Office Hours

Dear Friend, I am excited to share with you that next week I will be introducing extended office hours to better serve our community.  Starting September 30th the new hours will be: Tuesdays and Thursdays  9:00am to 7:00pm Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 9:00am to 5:00pm These extended hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays mean  those who are unable to stop by during regular 9 to 5 hours  will have two extra hours to come in. If you have any questions please feel free to call or stop by my office, located at 1973 Westchester Ave in Parkchester. I hope to see many of you there during extended hours! Your Assemblyman, Luis R. Sepulveda

 

Office of Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda
1973 Westchester Ave
Bronx NY 10462 United States

RELEASE--BRONX UNEMPLOYMENT DROPS TO SINGLE DIGITS

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. praised the news, announced today by the New York State Department of Labor that the Bronx County unemployment rate has dropped to single digits, down to 9.8 percent.

“When I first became borough president, I made it clear that job creation would be a top priority of my administration. Over the past five years my office, in partnership with the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, city and state officials, our business community, no-profits and everyday Bronxites, we have worked hard to create thousands of new jobs in The Bronx. What we are doing is working,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

The borough has had a double-digit unemployment rate since January 2009, when it stood at 10.2 percent, peaking at 13.9 in January 2010. One year ago, in August 2013, the borough’s unemployment rate stood at 12.1 percent.

Since Borough President Diaz took office in 2009, The Bronx has seen $5.768 billion in total development, the creation of more than 13,000 in new units of housing and more than 14,000 new jobs created. Much of this progress is outlined in the office’s annual development report, which can be read at http://on.nyc.gov/1pkMnYS.

With the opening of several new retail centers in recent weeks, as well as major projects such as the Kingsbridge National Ice Center and Freshdirect on the horizon, thousands of new jobs have been created in Bronx County. In addition, a new partnership announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo announced in August between the New York State Department of Labor and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, as part of the “NY Works,” programis placing Bronx residents in these jobs, helping to ensure that new development here benefits everyone, especially Bronxites.

“This massive improvement in our unemployment numbers proves we have had the right approach.  Supporting our Bronx businesses, attracting new ones and partnering with the New York State Department of Labor to work with the new employers and our residents who are looking for work insures that everyone wins,” said Marlene Cintron, president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.

“This partnership between the BOEDC and the Department of Labor is already bearing fruit, and I want to thank Governor Cuomo and Commissioner Peter Rivera for both launching this important program right here in The Bronx and for showing a strong commitment to the future of our borough. This program can be a statewide, if not national, model for job creation and placement. ‘NY Works’ is working for The Bronx,” said Borough President Diaz.

Borough President Diaz added, “As I have said before, what we are doing is working. Positive news like today’s unemployment statistics show us that we are on the right path. We still have a great deal of work to do, but it is clear that our ‘New Bronx’ agenda is showing real progress.”

Council Member Torres Announces Unprecedented Investment in Public Housing

WHO            Council Member Torres, NYCHA Chair Shola Olatoye, Parkside Resident Council, 49th Precinct, Community Board 11  

WHAT          City Council Member Torres (D-Bronx) and NYCHA Chair Shola Olatoye will announce record investment in the New York City Housing Authority citywide, including $1.5 million dollars for security cameras and layered access controls at Parkside Houses.

WHERE       Parkside Houses, Bronx Park East and Arnow Avenue.

WHEN          Monday, September 29, 2014, 10:00 AM

Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and Families for Excellent Schools Unveil Community Mural in the Bronx As Part of Larger Effort to End Low Academic Achievement in NYC Schools

Artists from Acclaimed Tats Cru Group Paint Mural in Sign of Growing Support for Bold, Urgent Solution to Crisis

  Thursday, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and parent advocacy group Families for Excellent Schools unveiled a community mural in the Bronx as part of a broad grassroots movement to push for a solution to the persistent failure of New York City’s schools. The mural, painted by graffiti artists from acclaimed, Bronx-based Tats Cru group, is part of a larger effort by the Coalition for Education Equality to ensure that no child is forced to attend a failing school. The unveiling of Thursday’s mural adds growing momentum ahead of a rally on the courthouse steps of Foley Square on October 2nd, expected to be attended by thousands of parents from district and charter school families.

The mural—painted on a wall in Assemblyman Crespo’s district on Simpson St. and Westchester Ave. in the Bronx—serves as a reflection of the growing urgency in the community for a bold solution to a failing schools crisis that strips more than one hundred thousand children of a high-quality education. The mural will be followed by more neighborhood art and activities across all five of the city’s boroughs and parent organizing efforts through social and digital media efforts in the run-up to the rally.

In the Bronx alone, there 82 elementary and middle schools where roughly 9 out of 10 children can't read and do math on grade level.  

“The response that this mural has already received in my district makes it clear that our parents want bold action to strengthen our schools,” said Assemblyman Marcos Crespo. “It’s a beautiful work of art that should spur us all to action to end educational injustice.”

"The folks in this community are frustrated with a failing school system that steals the promise of possibility from too many children in the Bronx. Our #DontStealPossible mural builds on the growing movement for change in this community," said the Bronx-based muralist collective Tats Cru.

"Parents from all over the Bronx are demanding a quality education from their schools. These kids are our future and we refuse to settle for less," Yvonne Guillen, Bronx parent and Families for Excellent Schools leader.

“We are going to see more and more community-centered calls for change like this mural as folks realize how deep the persistent failure of our  schools actually is,” said Jeremiah Kittredge, CEO of Families for Excellent Schools. “Parents want quality schools for their children, and they are tired of waiting.”