Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda & Senator Ruben Diaz Job Fair

Watchdog to Conflicts Board --: Investigate de Blasio's Closed Meeting with Union

  This item comes by way of the Daily News, but many are reporting the same question. Did Mayor Bill de Blasio violate the cities conflict of interest law when he had a closed meeting with Local 1182 of the Communications Workers of America at PS 66 in Brooklyn. 

  Dick Dadey Executive Director of Citizens Union is quoted as saying. “From what is known, this appears to have been a political event held at a public school in violation of city rules, The News a;so quotes Dadey “It is important that New Yorkers who want a transparent and accountable city government know that our public officials are faithfully following the laws of New York and the rules that guide their implementation.”

  At first there was no comment from the mayor, but in a nupdate a mayoral spokesman is quoted as saying "The DOI reported this was an inadvertent mistake, one the mayor said won’t happen again," 

  The complete Daily News article and two page letter to the conflict of interest board from Mr. Dadey can be found here.

  

  

COMPTROLLER STRINGER AUDIT REVEALS THOUSANDS OF COMPUTERS AND TABLETS LOST AND UNUSED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Unopened Computers and Tablets sit in boxes, some since 2011 

New York, NY – More than 1,800 computers were unaccounted for or missing entirely and nearly 400 laptops and tablets were found unpacked and unused in ten Department of Education (DOE) locations, raising concerns that millions in computer equipment may be lost citywide, according to an audit of DOE’s inventory control over nearly $200 million in computer purchases released today by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer.

“It is an insult to families who are desperate to access technology for their children to leave brand new computers and tablets unused in closets and storage facilities,” Stringer said. “If auditors can’t locate an average of 180 computers per DOE location, this may be just the tip of the iceberg. Every school should be prepared to use the devices they have and DOE should have a plan for where its computer hardware can best be put to use. Taxpayer dollars, and our children’s education, are too important to take this technology for granted.”                                                      

The audit examined how DOE maintained inventory controls over computer hardware purchased through two separate contracts with Apple and Lenovo.  The contracts, entered into in September 2009 and July 2011 respectively, have been used to purchase over 211,000 pieces of computers and tablets worth more than $197 million as of September 2014.

Auditors examined a sample of the computer and tablet inventory purchased from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2013 for use at ten DOE sites – nine schools and one administrative building. At one of the schools, Bronx P.S. 168, auditors examined lists provided by DOE’s Asset Management System (AMS) database, a program which contains records of the computer and tablet purchases, but is not used by DOE to maintain inventory control. At the remaining nine sites, the results of auditors’ physical findings at these sites were compared with the AMS database.

Audit findings include:

·         Missing computers and grossly inaccurate records– DOE was unable to identify the location of 1,817 laptop and desktop computers that were supposed to be at the ten sites-1,090 that were listed as “asset location unknown” or were no longer listed at all at Bronx P.S. 168 and 727 that were not physically found at nine of the locations.  The Department spent nearly $200 million during FY12-FY13 on computers and tablets, yet does not maintain a centralized inventory system to make sure they are sent to the right places. Instead, the DOE tasks schools with creating their own annual inventory lists.  These school inventory lists are not reconciled with the AMS database of purchases, leaving the DOE with inaccurate counts and unknown locations of computers and tablets.

·         No system to track tablets – DOE spent $26.9 million on tablets during FY 2012 and 2013 citywide, but did not keep an inventory of these purchases, even though its Standard Operating Procedures requires it to do so. According to City records, 956 tablets were purchased for eight sampled schools during the audit period, but only 703 were listed on the individual sites’ inventory records, leaving 253 unaccounted for.

·         Computers sitting in closets – The audit found 394 devices had gone unused and unopened at the eight school sites that were physically examined. At Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, 78 laptops and iPads, some purchased in 2011, were found unopened.

“Parents have a right to expect that their kids have access to the technology that will prepare them for the global economy,” Comptroller Stringer said.  “DOE has failed in its duty to ensure that when taxpayer dollars are spent on computers and tablets, that technology makes it into the classroom. The City is wasting precious resources, creating a climate that invites theft, and ultimately undermining our responsibility to educate our children.”

Recommendations submitted to the DOE by Comptroller Stringer’s office included:

·         Create a centralized inventory system – DOE should have a centralized inventory system for computer hardware that includes computer hardware purchases and delivery information, as well as the item’s current location.

·         Revise DOE’s Procedures – DOE should ensure that all hardware purchases are included in its AMS and require schools to do annual inventory counts that are reconciled with AMS. 

·         Find every computer identified as missing – DOE should locate those computers identified as missing and take steps to ensure that other locations have accurate inventories.

·         Report any evidence of crimes – If evidence of illegal activity is uncovered as pat of the updated inventory, the DOE should immediately contact the proper authorities and cooperate with any investigation.

To read the complete audit, please click here. 

Community Board 9 Toy Drive

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION MARKS SAFEST AUGUST – NOVEMBER PERIOD SINCE MODERN CRIME STATISTICS BEGAN IN 1993

Mayor de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bratton today announced the city’s latest crime numbers and outlined the administration’s work this year to strengthen the relationship between police and community. For example, low-level marijuana arrests—which disproportionately affect young men of color—have decreased by 61.2 percent since the new policy launched by the de Blasio administration last month.

The Mayor and Commissioner Bratton made this announcement at Ingersoll Houses in Brooklyn—one of the facilities where the de Blasio administration invested $210 million for NYCHA anti-violence programs—where crime has decreased by 18.6 percent. Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Bratton also announced today that the NYPD body camera pilot program will begin this week, starting with the training of three commands where stop-and-frisk rates have been the highest: PSA 2, 40 Precinct, and the 120 Precinct.

“Thanks to the NYPD and the leadership of Police Commissioner Bratton, crime in New York City is at historic lows,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “But this administration doesn’t rest on its laurels—we will continue to build on our efforts to strengthen the bond between our police officers and communities they service, working to keep New York the safest big city in the nation.”

Highlights from today’s announcement include:

• Overall index crime is down 4.4 percent at the end of November.

• Homicides in New York City have decreased by 6.8 percent; robbery is down 14.4 percent; and rape is down 2.9 percent from already historically low numbers.

• The four month period of August through November has had the lowest number of shooting incidents and homicides compared to prior August through November periods since 1993.

• In the City’s housing developments, overall crime decreased by 5.3 percent and homicides fell by 7.7 percent.

• Criminal possession of marijuana decreased by 61.2 percent as of the new policy launched by the de Blasio administration last month.

• In transit, overall crime decreased by 13.8 percent, and robbery has decreased by 29 percent.

2015 Neighborhood Grants: $3,000 for Your Community!

What's Happening NYC

2015 Grants

It's grant application season! 

Neighborhood Grant Applications are due January 26, 2015. 
Through our Neighborhood Grants, Citizens Committee awards micro-grants of up to $3,000 to resident-led groups to work on community and school improvement projects throughout the city. We prioritize groups based in low income neighborhoods and Title I public schools. We support projects that address issues that communities identify as important to them - anything from community gardens to tenant organizing.

Questions? Contact us at grants@citizensnyc.org or212-822-9563.

Our online application is now available: click here to access it.

Here are some resources to get you started on your Neighborhood Grant application: 

• Take a look at what past grantees have done with grant funding. 
• Attend a grant application information session or watch our grant application information video to learn more about our grant application process.
• Look at our grant timeline and our how-to grant application guide. 
• Read our grant writing tips for simple, clear pointers on filling out any grant application. 

Neighborhood Grants Application Information Sessions

Join us for a grant information session to learn more about the grants and have your questions answered. For more information and to RSVP, contact Tehmina at tbrohi@citizensnyc.org or 212-822-9563.

Monday, December 1
Harlem | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Tuesday, December 2
Brooklyn | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Monday, December 8
Bronx | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday, December 10
Manhattan | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Monday, January 12
Webinar | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Thursday, January 15
Queens | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Project Planning Assistance 

Did you know that Citizens Committee offers Project Planning Assistance to grassroots groups? We sit down with key members of your group to talk about a particular project or issue, share resources, brainstorm strategies, and create a plan together. You don't need to be a Citizens Committee grantee to access this resource, simply fill out this form to give us some information about your group, and someone from Citizens Committee will be in contact.

Community Conversation: Our Local Food System

Our food is tied to a large and multi-part system, involving huge amounts of natural resources (land, oil, water), labor (farm workers to restaurant servers), processing, transportation (importing and exporting), and waste disposal (land fills). This food system is neither practical or sustainable. Join Urban Rebuilding Initiative and Citizens Committee for New York City in a discussion on how we can create sensible and local food systems that meet the needs of our communities.

South Bronx

11:00 AM

December 13

Community conversations are a new project we are undertaking this Winter in collaboration with neighborhood groups around the city. Interested in co-hosting or co-facilitating a discussion about a particular issue or interest in your community? Get in touch with us at info@citizensnyc.org. 

Winter Workshops

Our winter Neighborhood Leadership Institute (NLI) series is around the corner. Space is limited, register online or contact Tehmina at tbrohi@citizensnyc.orgor 212-822-9563.

Complete four workshops and receive an NLI certificate of achievement.

BASICS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING

Saturday, January 24

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Bring your neighbors together to work on issues that matter to you.

GROUP STRUCTURE

Saturday, February 7

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Build and maintain an effective neighborhood association or community group.

MEDIA TOOLS

Saturday, February 21

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Increase public support for your group by framing your message and alerting local media.

NAVIGATING CITY GOVERNMENT

Saturday, March 7

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Learn how city government functions and how to have your community issues addressed.

GRASSROOTS FUNDRAISING

Saturday, March 21

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Support your group's work with community fundraising efforts.

More Grants...

Youth Garden Grant: To be eligible for the 2015 Youth Garden Grant, your school or organization must plan to garden in 2015 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3-18. Grantees will receive funding as well as curriculum support and resources. December 5. 

Partnerships for Parks Capacity Grant: Groups working on park land are eligible to apply for funding to support their programs and activities. New York City Parks-focused community groups who have a long-term commitment to their neighborhood parks and/or street trees, volunteer-run groups with small budgets, and groups with a strong history of collaborative work with Partnerships for Parks, Parks Department, and/or City Parks Foundation will receive preference.February 1.

Grow To Learn Mini Grant: Grow to Learn is currently accepting applications for Mini-Grants of $500 to $2,000 to start or expand a learning garden program at NYC public and charter schools. February 11. 

Reading and Discussion Program: Reading and Discussion Programs promote thoughtful, engaged community dialogue, using a short text and a facilitator from the local community. Hosts of this program bring together members of a group, organization or neighborhood to join in a facilitated discussion of a short reading. NYS tax-exempt organizations, including schools, are eligible to receive funding from the Council for hosting a discussion. February 12.

Lowes Small Grants Program: The small grants program is an outlet for organizations seeking smaller-scale assistance for non-educational focused projects. These grants range from $100 to $2,000. Small grant project requests must also fit within the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation guidelines. These requests are received on a rolling basis, with no specific cycle dates. Please note that grant funds are distributed as Lowe’s gift cards. To apply, e-mail a project description and budget outline to community@lowes.com with a “Small Grant Request” subject line. Due to the large volume of requests, we are unable to respond to all requests and will only notify you if you receive funding, approximately three weeks after submission.

New York Council for the Humanities: Have a public program idea you want to strengthen?  Looking to start or expand a collaboration with other groups in your community?  Apply for a $1,500 Planning Grant.  These quick grants support the preparation of humanities-based public programs, such as working with advisors, developing community-wide initiatives, and creating interpretive plans. Eligible groups must either be nonprofits or working with a NYS based fiscal sponsor.  Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

 

Community Events and Announcements 

GreenThumb Winter Garden Giveaway: Twice a year, GreenThumb gives garden supplies to GreenThumb registered gardens. This giveaway will include environmentally friendly melt away, shovels, ice scrapers, and trash bags to help prepare and keep your garden safe for winter. GreenThumb/LRP Compound, Queens Plaza South at 10th Street. 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. December 6. 

Grow to Learn Workshop - Garden Construction Projects: Feel handy with a drill but don’t know the difference between a rip cut and cross cut? Join Grow to Learn and EcoStation: NY’s skilled carpenter D. Rooney as we discuss lumber, tools, and construction considerations and build a storage bench! GrowNYC - 49 Chambers Street, Room 227. 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM. December 6.

South Bronx Farmers and Holiday Market: The South Bronx Farmers Market invites you to shop local produce, farm products, and arts and crafts from local producers and artists! Unique items for you or gifts!  Local retailers will be offering canned goods, spices, produce, coffee as well as handmade knits and other items at affordable prices. Bronx Arts Museum. 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM. December 13.

How to Start a CSA Workshop: Thinking about how to connect with a farmer and bring fresh, local, organically grown vegetables to your neighborhood? Join this workshop to learn more. Just Food Conference Room, 1133 Avenue of the Americas, 15^th Floor.  6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. December 15.

 

Grow to Learn Meet-Up: Garden Curriculum:Come exchange lesson plans and curriculum ideas with other school gardeners at Grow to Learn's Curriculum "Meet Up"! Rather than a formal presentation or workshop, this meet-up will be participant-centered, so come ready to discuss your successes, challenges, and favorite topics to teach in the garden. This meet-up will also include an overview of existing curriculum resources in New York City and beyond for Pre-K-12 teachers; click here to RSVP. GrowNYC Greening Library, Room 212, 49 Chambers Street, Manhattan. 

4:30 PM – 6:30 PM. December 17.

Bronx Master Composter Course: This comprehensive train-the-trainer course is designed to promote the practice of composting in homes, schools, and community gardens in the Bronx. The program is held at The New York Botanical Garden in the spring and consists of seven Wednesday or Thursday evening classes, two Saturday field trips, and 30 hours of Bronx-based volunteer outreach service in compost education and promotion. Course material fee is $40; limited scholarships are available. 2015 course dates will be finalized in the next month. For an application and more details, visit the NYC Master Composter Certificate Course Web page, e-mail compost@nybg.org, or call718.817.8543. Applications due February 20.

GreenThumb Resources Page: Check this page for quick links on many of GreenThumb's services and resources. Request soil, lumber, signs, and more online.

Fall Leaf Drop Off:  New York City residents are invited to bring bagged leaves to select Bronx community composting sites where the leaves will be turned into rich compost. Bags with branches, other yard waste, or street sweepings will not be accepted. Space is limited and other restrictions may apply. For details and to register, contact the NYC Compost Project hosted by The New York Botanical Garden at718.817.8543 or compost@nybg.org and tell us your neighborhood and how many bags of leaves you have.

• Wednesdays, 4–7 p.m., or by appointment • Friends of Brook Park, 10454
• Wednesdays and Thursdays, by appointment • Schervier Garden at Bon Secours NY Health Systems, 10463
• Thursdays, 2:30–4:30 p.m., by appointment • The Clinton Garden at DeWitt Clinton High School, 10468
• Fridays, 3–5 p.m., and weekends • The Enchanted Garden at John F. Kennedy High School, 10463
• By appointment only • Bainbridge Avenue Garden, 10458; Botanical Square Garden, 10458; La Finca del Sur/South Bronx Urban Farm Cooperative, 10451; Neighborhood Advisory Committee Garden, 10455; and other sites

Generation Citizen: Generation Citizen strengthens our democracy by empowering young people to be engaged and effective citizens. GC partners teachers with college volunteers to lead a rigorous semester-long, twice-weekly action civics course in which teens solve problems they are facing in their own communities right here in NYC. To learn more about bringing civics to life for your students' school, contact Program Associate Drew Lombardi at dlombardi@generationcitizen.org.

Why I stand with our horses - Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez

This comes from City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez on the subject of horse drawn carriages in New York City.

  Today legislation was announced that would ensure that in New York animal rights are in line with human rights. Sponsored by Councilmember Dromm and I, the horse carriage ban would ensure that horses are not forced to share our city's congested roadways alongside ambulances, trucks, and buses. Too many preventable incidents have already occurred and its time for New York to step up and ban this inhumane treatment of our horses like other cities have already done. 

This legislation also provides an alternative means of livelihood for those whose jobs would be relocated because of the closing of this industry. We at the Council have made sure that while advocating for the the rights of our animal friends, we have not forgotten the potential human impact of this legislation. 

The way our society treats animals directly reflects our society's dedication to equality and human rights. I know that the society I want my two daughters to live in values these animal rights. Today, we take another step forward towards that vision. 

-Ydanis 

New Signs for Bronx Parkways

    Those big old huge hanging arm signs that told you of the upcoming exits on Bronx parkways are coming down as you see in the photo above. In the lower right hand corner you can see the new much smaller street level posted sign for this exit, Mosholu Parkway.

   The New York State Department of Transportation is taking down those old illuminated signs that hung over the parkways to put up new smaller street level reflective signs, which are non illuminated at a savings of millions of dollars in electricity costs. Below are a few more photos of this sign as it is taken down, 

  Here you can see that the sign portion is off with the arm pole awaiting to be taken down.

 
  Another photo as workers start to dismantle the sign. The arm pole would be next.