Jerome Park Reservoir Update by Gary Axelbank

VAN CORTLANDT JEWISH CENTER

3880 Sedgwick Ave. (next to library)

PRESENTS:

MONTHLY MONTHLY BREAKFAST BREAKFAST LECTURE SERIES LECTURE SERIES 

Sunday, January 11, 2015 at 10:00am 

Speaker: Gary Axelbank (Host of BronxTalk) 

Topic: Jerome Park Reservoir Update 

BronxTalk host Gary Axelbank will provide an informative update on the Jerome Park Reservoir. A lifelong resident of the neighborhood and VCJC member, Mr. Axelbank has been following the developments around this historic facility for years and  is prepared to give attendees insights into the city's plans, available updates on construction, and most importantly, the community's interest in greater access to thereservoir and how that might be achieved.

BronxTalk is seen Monday nights at 9:00pm

on BronxNet channel 67 and Fios 33 and is streamed live at www.bronxnet.org.

Free admission. 

Breakfast will be served at 10am followed by the lecture at 10:30am.

For more information call 718-884-6105

Wow! Governor Andrew Cuomo Mentioned My Name in His Book!

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

Wow! Governor Andrew Cuomo Mentioned My Name in His Book! 

You should know that in his book titled "All Things Possible," New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo makes reference to me by name several times. 

You should know that in his book, Chapter 10 is titled "33."  "33" is devoted to the fight to pass same-sex marriage and the struggle to get 33 Senators to vote YES in favor of his promise to the gay community to have New York State legalize same-sex marriage.  In "33" the Governor gave me the honor of mentioning me by name on pages 382, 289, 400 and 402. 

On page 382 the Governor mentioned me by name by stating: 

"We needed thirty-two votes. We knew that one Democrat, Ruben Diaz, a senator from the Bronx, was a no-go. A Pentecostal minister, he could not be moved to change his mind. That meant we had to lock in the remaining twenty-nine Democrats and sway three Republicans. Difficult? Yes."

On page 389, recounting his wheeling and dealing with Republican Leader Senator Dean Skelos, the Governor wrote: 

"In June, Majority Leader Skelos made a clever move that transferred all of the pressure from his team to ours. A skillful tactician, he announced that he wouldn't let the bill go to the floor unless we had all the Democrats with us except Ruben Diaz, the Pentecostal minister who we both knew was unshakable."

You should know that as the chapter continues, the Governor explains all of the roadblocks and troubles he had to bypass, and the negotiations he went through to get the same-sex marriage bill approved. He wrote about the chaos that ensued on the night of the vote, and how they prevented me and stopped me from speaking on the bill.  On pages 399-400, he mentioned an important negotiation he had with Senator John Sampson: 

"Republicans had asked for one concession.  "We don't want long speeches," Skelos told us. They didn't want political rhetoric to inflame the already nervous senators. The Senate Minority Leader, a Democrat, John Sampson, who represented parts of Brooklyn including Crown Heights and East Flatbush, assured us he will keep the Democrats' comments to a minimum. The plan was: Get the legislation on the floor.  Do a rolling voice vote. Go home. 

... Sampson had previewed with both Skelos and Steve that the only speech from one of their members will be from Senator Diaz, the sole opponent on the Democrats’ side, who would speak for two minutes. Diaz, used to speeches from the pulpit, led with, "God, not Albany, has settled the definition of marriage a long time ago." And he kept going. When Lieutenant Governor Bob Duffy cut him off he said, "Senator, Senator, I know you want to go on but we have twenty-three people who want to speak on the bill." 

Twenty-three people?

The proceedings ground to a halt as Diaz and his allies complained that he had been cut off, and the Republicans approached Steve and Myland warning them that is exactly what was not supposed to happen."

The Governor continues explaining on page 402 how he managed to get things under control - and after the vote was taken and the gay marriage legislation was approved - how he decided to come to the Senate Floor to thank the senators.  He stated that when he got to the Senate Floor: 

"Almost all of the Republicans and Ruben Diaz, who'd voted against marriage equality were all gone."

In "All Things Possible," New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo is telling the whole world that he and only he is responsible for achieving what he and only he is able to achieve.  Maybe, just maybe, he'd like the gay community to consider him to be their Number 1 Candidate for U.S. President. 

On my behalf, I am honored that the Governor mentioned me by name in his book, and let the whole world know about my principled stand against his gay marriage legislation. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I purchased Governor Andrew Cuomo's book, and I look forward to the Governor signing my copy. 

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

STATE SENATOR RUBEN DIAZ TO CELEBRATE “THREE KINGS DAY” FOR THE CHILDREN OF OUR COMMUNITY

    

STATE SENATOR RUBEN DIAZ TO CELEBRATE “THREE KINGS DAY” FOR THE CHILDREN OF OUR COMMUNITY

  

On Saturday, January 3^rd, 2015, State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, along with Assembly Members Luis Sepulveda, Marcos Crespo, and The New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, will be celebrating the visit of the Three Kings to the Bronx.  During these activities, children between the ages of 1- 9 years old, will receive a toy and a book bag with school supplies. “Live music and entertainment will also be provided for the children,” stated Senator Díaz. 

  
The Three Kings Day visit to the Bronx will take place on this Saturday, January 3, 2015, at 12:00 pm, in Public School #5 located at 564 Jackson Avenue (corner of 149th St.).

Note: Children must be present in order to receive a free toy.
 
For more information, please contact Ms. Leila Martinez, Senator Diaz’s Director of Operations at 718-991-3161.

COUNCIL MEMBER KING AND THE SAFETY NET PROJECT HOST KNOW YOUR RIGHTS SERIES ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015, 9:30 AM

NYC Council Member Andy King and The Safety Net ‘Project will host their second in a series of “Know Your Rights” trainings on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. at Bay Eden Senior Center, 1220 East 229^th St., Bronx.

The session will focus on issues and safety net programs critical to many Bronx residents in District 12.   Legal staff will be on hand to answer questions regarding NYCHA tenant rights, accessing SNAP (food stamp) benefits and public assistance.

Residents are invited to meet with advocates and attorneys from the Safety Net Project to discuss any issues they may be experiencing regarding a denial, sanction or reduction in their public assistance and /or food stamps case. In addition, attorneys will be available to answer questions for NYCHA residents interested in seeking advice as to recertification, succession rights and how to obtain repairs. All legal services are free.

The Safety Net Project is New York City’s advocate for economic justice, protecting the rights of low- and no-income New Yorkers through direct legal services, litigation, research, and policymaking. It ensures access to the safety net, ensuring government accountability for vital programs that lift families out of poverty.

“This event is open to everyone in the community. In these tough economic times, there are people in need of assistance for food and housing. This forum is geared to help all those in need,” said Council Member King.

According to Denise M. Miranda, Esq., Managing Director of the Safety Project at the Urban Justice Center, “District 12 is home to five NYCHA development and countless families that rely on safety net programs. There is an urgent need for NYCHA residents and low-income families to have access to free, high-quality legal services and we are proud to partner with CM King to fill this void.”

The Safety Net Project is committed to protecting due process rights and providing direct legal services for low and no-income New Yorkers while engaging the greater community in casting a wider, finer safety net for economic justice and human dignity. For further information, visit www.safetynetproject.org.

For more information dial 646-602-5640.

Community Interfaith Service for Dr. Martin Luther King Day

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."

   

     Martin Luther King Jr.   

Trinity Baptist Church Rev. Naomi Tyler-Lloyd, Senior Pastor In Conjunction With Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Invites You to Remember the Legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A Community Interfaith Service 10A.M. Monday, January 19, 2015 Trinity Baptist Church  808 East 224th Street    Bronx, NY    (Between Barnes & Bronxwood Avenues) Please RSVP to 718-590-3989 or smalve@bronxbp.nyc.gov

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays from the Editor  and a few elected officials. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Dear Friend, My staff and I would like to wish you and your family a  very happy and healthy holiday season and a happy new year.  Sincerely,    Ruben Diaz Jr. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Dear Friend,   I would like to wish you and your family a safe and  happy holiday season.  It brings me great joy to see  many of you at the various holiday events that occur  during this time of the year before I must head back to Albany in January.   As 2014 comes to a close, I would like to say thank you for all that this community has given me throughout the year. I am honored that you have given me the privilege  to continue to serve as your Assemblyman in the  87th Assembly District.   Once again, I wish you a wonderful winter holiday and  a joyous New Year!   Your Assemblyman,   Luis R. Sepulveda

MAYOR DE BLASIO DELIVERS REMARKS BEFORE OBSERVING MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR OFFICERS RAMOS AND LIU

  I want to thank everyone for gathering together. It's a time of pain for our city. It's a time of mourning for two good families, and it's so important that we all stand in solidarity with them. I want to thank everyone here at City Hall, and everyone throughout this city, who in a moment will participate in a moment of silence for Officer Ramos and for Officer Liu. 

Chirlane and I visited their families yesterday, and they're going through so much. And they deserve our support, and our solidarity. They need to be first in our thoughts. 

Officer Ramos and Officer Liu believed in something – they believed in making this world better, they believed in making this city better. They gave their lives for the belief that we could do better, that we could come together, that we could keep people safe. 

Talking to the families, hearing what motivated these good young men to serve is a reminder to us all – it's humbling. It reminds us that we have to keep serving. We have to keep working for something better. 

But there's a lot of pain right now. We have to work our way through that pain. We have to keep working to bring police and community closer together. We have to work for that more perfect union. We have to put the divisions of the past behind us. They were left to all of us in this generation, and we have to overcome them. 

We need to protect and respect our police just as our police protect and respect our communities. We can strike that balance. We must. 

Right now, I want everyone to focus on these families, on their pain. Put yourselves in their shoes. Be there for them, and be there for the extended family of the NYPD, because every police officer is hurting right now, and the family of every police officer is hurting right now. We have to be there for them. We have to keep them in our prayers, and move forward together. 

It's never easy to overcome this kind of loss. The families – this will be with them for their entire lives, and we will support them for all their lives ahead. We've made that clear to both families. And the NYPD has a rich strong history of supporting families in their hour of need, and then never letting them go. These children will always know the support that they will no longer have from their fathers who have fallen. We'll make sure of that – all of us together. 

So, I just want everyone to think, what can we do to help those families? What can we do to move forward together?

It feels tremendously painful right now. But it's always darkest before the dawn. These families want a city filled with peace and unity. It's our job – all of us – to create that, to support them and work for a better day.

I want to ask everyone assembled here, and everyone who is watching or listening – all throughout New York City, all throughout our nation – to now bow our heads in memory of Officer Ramos and Officer Liu.

[Mayor de Blasio observes moment of silence]

Thank you, everyone. God bless you all, and please embrace those around you as a symbol of our belief that we will move forward together. Thank you.

Bill de Blasio - We move forward together

Message from Mayor Bill de Blasio on the police shootings -

Our city is in pain. 

We mourn the murder of New York City Police Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu -- heroes who were attacked for the uniform they wore and the badge they carried. 

Saturday's killings were an attack on not just two of our finest men, but an attack on our democracy and our values -- an attack on every single New Yorker. 

But more than anything else, the murder of Officers Ramos and Liu are tragedies for their families, and I urge all New Yorkers to stand in solidarity with them. These families are now our families and they are suffering unspeakable pain. 

There will be a time to return to debates of past weeks. But let me be clear: Now is not that time. 

I ask all sides -- those who have protested and those who have been vocal against protests -- to step back and turn our thoughts to our shared identity as New Yorkers and to honoring the memories of the two fine men we lost. 

First and foremost, let us remember our obligation to protect our police just as they protect us. If you hear or see a threat against the NYPD, call 911 and report it immediately. 

But let's also aspire to do more. One member of Officer Ramos's family called for "peaceful coexistence" in our city. We can and must honor his memory and the memory of Officer Liu by being the best city we can be. Our strength has always been our incredible diversity, and within that diversity a bond that unites us far more than it divides us. 

In these challenging times, let us rededicate ourselves to the common values we cherish: respect for all people, the rule of law, and the principle that the best way to move forward is by doing it together. 

Thank you, 

Bill de Blasio
Mayor