Mayor de Blasio comes to Bronx to Tout His Vision Zero

  Saying that in 2014 there were the lowest number of pedestrian fatalities (134), Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg announced the completion of more than 50 major street and intersection redesign projects. That come in the first year of deBlasio's 'Vision Zero' program. The announcement came right near the last project that was done at the intersection of East Tremont Avenue and Silver Street in Bronx Community Board 10. Public Advocate Letitia James, Councilman James Vacca, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, and local Community Board members and the CB 10 District manager. 

  Mayor deBlasio goes over some of the statistics of what Vision Zero has done in its first year. With the mayor are Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, Public Advocate Letitia James, NYC Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, Police Chief Tom Chan, and Councilman Jimmy Vacca.

Left - Are the intersections of Broadway and 96th Street and Hudson Street before and after Vision Zero.

Right - Is the intersection of East Tremont Ave. and Silver Street, again before and after Vision Zero.

  NYC Transportation Commissioner Trottenberg echos the words of Mayor deBlasio, when it comes to lower pedestrian fatalities and lowering speeding on city roads. 

Above - Assemblyman Sepulveda, a partner of the mayor in Albany also echos the words of the mayor on the subject of 'Vision Zero'.
Below - Councilman Jimmy Vacca jokes that he would like to see a speed bump on every street.

After the presentation and the elected officials spoke, the mayor took some questions.

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Should Have a Seat at the Table with the 3 Men in a Room

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

You should know that Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins is a bright, well-educated, articulate, intelligent, professional, beloved and highly respected African-American woman who has been elected to serve as the Leader of the Senate Democratic Conference. The experience that Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins has had in her professional and personal life overshadows most other Senators by far. 

 

New York State's political history has been comprised of 3-Men-in-a-Room: the Governor of New York State, the Majority Leader of the State Senate, and the Speaker of the Assembly.  Those three men - for years and years and years - are the ones who shut themselves in a room and decide what is good for the State, and determine the Budget that will service 20 million people in the State of New York. 

 

Never, EVER has a woman been part of those negotiations. The process has been completely chauvinistic. 

 

Now, on the other hand, we have a Governor who prides himself in establishing things that no one else has ever done. He takes great pride in being a Governor who got gay marriage laws passed.  He prides himself in passing the budget on time for 4 years in a row. He is the one who got the Women's Equality Party on the ballot as a political party in order to show his support for women. 

 

This year, the Governor is again pushing for the Women's Equality Act to pass with all 10 points, which include Achieve Pay Equity; Stop Sexual Harassment in All Workplaces; and Stop Human Trafficking.  Two contentious points the Governor is fighting for are for more abortions, including late-term abortions. 

 

My dear reader, it seems to me that a person who prides himself on being such a champion for women, and that same person does things that have never been achieved before in New York State, should realize this great opportunity. Governor Andrew Cuomo can demonstrate his real interest in achieving women's equality by inviting Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins to join him and the other two men in that room during Budget negotiations because she is, in fact, a Leader of 30 Democratic Senators in the State. 

 

You should know that when we talk about a Leader of a Conference, we are not talking about someone who is the Leader of a group of 5 or 10 people. We are talking about someone who is the Leader of 30 Democratic Senators who represents millions of people from downstate to upstate to Long Island to Western New York to Central New York. No other so-called minority represents all of those Senators and as many people in the State - and she's also a woman. 

 

This is the right time, 2015 - the 20th Anniversary of United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women - for Governor Andrew Cuomo to establish another record and set a precedent for the advancement for women in the New York State. 

 

Ladies and gentlemen, in my humble opinion, I submit that Governor Andrew Cuomo can make history in New York State by welcoming Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins - a Leader - as equal to the other 2 men who will be in the room. To do this will be a great accomplishment for the rights of women AND for the 30 Democratic Senators who she represents. To not do this will leave an accomplished woman who represents 30 Democratic Senators in New York State locked outside the door while the 3 men make all of the decisions for New York State. 

You should know that because of my religious beliefs, I have had disagreements with Senator Stewart-Cousins in the past.  If I, with my disagreements with her, believe that the Governor should invite her into Budget negotiations, then I have to ask: “What about those women’s organizations, elected officials and unions that are big supporters of women? Do they think that this is the right thing to do?” 

 

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

Riverdale Gas Leak Update

 

  This is what the intersection of the Henry Hudson Parkway North and West 239th Street looked like today after yesterdays gas leak at the site that closed area streets into the night. Workers for the contractor are back on the job, and you will see in the next photos just where the problem was. 

  It was this connection to other gas mains that had the problem or should I say leak.

  Here is a close up of the interconnection and overlapping gas lines where the gas leak occurred. 

  Interestingly enough, here is one of the barriers used around the construction area. Note the start date of the construction is 10 - 6 - 14 which is about when the contractor for Con Edison started. However the completion date is 11- 7 - 14, or over two months ago. A question to the DOT who issues the work permits would be - did the contractor have a valid work permit, and if not why did the DOT not shut the construction down?

COUNCIL MEMBER ANDY KING TALKS RECYCLING WITH BRONX 3RD GRADERS

  “What is the importance of recycling?” asked Council Member Andy King to the third graders of PS 41 in the Northeast Bronx during a special assembly Monday morning about the importance of recycling and saving the environment.   

“So that you won’t slip and fall on plastic containers or bottles”, 8-year-old Darren Williams informed the Council Member. 

Council Member King partnered with the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to put on the program as a part of the 12^th District Operation Cleaner Streets initiative, which was started two years ago by Council Member King to get the community involved in the beautification of their neighborhood.

“DSNY has the important task of keeping the city clean but on the 12^th of each month we clean our neighborhood,” said Council Member King to the youngsters.  “That means on the 12^th of the month, you must pick of every piece of paper or something to help keep our neighborhood clean.”

More than 150 students attended the assembly program. Joining the Council Member was DSNY’s Community Affairs Liaison Julian Sepulveda, who quizzed the students on the information they learned during the presentation.  All the students were treated to comic and coloring books and quiz received a mini toy DSNY truck.

SENATOR KLEIN & ASSEMBLYMAN LUIS SEPÚLVEDA HOST 2ND ANNUAL THREE KINGS DAY CELEBRATION

  Klein, Sepúlveda, Community and Faith Leaders, Families and Children Celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany

   State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester),  together with Assemblyman Luis Sepúlveda (D-Bronx) and District Leader Julia Rodriguez hosted the 2nd annual Three Kings Day celebration this past Saturday, January 11th. More than 200 community members, families and children came together to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany -- featuring a special appearance by a talented magician, music by the Church of the Holy Family choir and school choir, an animated narration of the nativity scene and a fun-filled toy giveaway for children.

“At our second annual Three Kings Day celebration, I couldn’t be happier or more proud to see all of you out here celebrating together. This is a special holiday for so many of our friends, neighbors and community members,” said Senator Jeff Klein.“ In a short period of time, this event has grown to be a tremendous success and I would like to thank my colleagues Assemblyman Sepúlveda and District Leader Julia Rodriguez for helping to make that happen. I wish all of you a happy holiday and health, joy and prosperity in the New Year.”

"What makes the holiday season so beautiful is the feeling of community that is indelibly woven into our daily lives," said Assemblyman Sepúlveda. "This Three Kings Day event is a time when our community comes together again at the close of the Christmas season in the hopes that we may maintain those feeling of charity and kindness for the months ahead. Our celebration aims to continue this trend into the new year as a reminder that such good will should be a part of our daily lives."

The celebration began in the early afternoon, where members of the community followed in a spirited procession from Roselyn Johnson Democratic Headquarters to Mechler Hall at the Church of the Holy Family. The program kicked off with a performance by the school choir, followed by a selection of songs in spanish and a narration of the nativity scene by the church choir. Guests enjoyed light snacks and refreshments including hot dogs, juice, coffee and more. Children in attendance were given a special toy at the end of the event, including stuffed animals, toy cars, and board games like Monopoly or Clue.

“I want to thank Senator Klein and Assemblyman Sepulveda for putting together this wonderful event and bringing the community together. Three Kings Day is one of my favorite holidays and this is such a wonderful way to celebrate. Because of their efforts, I’m already looking forward to next year” added District Leader Julia Rodriguez.

Assemblyman Sepulveda and Senator Klein are joined by Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, District Leader Julia Rodriguez, the Three Kings, and children.

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO LAUNCHES IDNYC, THE COUNTRY’S MOST AMBITIOUS MUNICIPAL IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM

  Mayor announces the acceptance of IDNYC by more than 10 financial institutions and the complete package of card benefits, including entertainment and BigAppleRx prescription discounts

   Today, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito launched the IDNYC municipal identification program for residents of all five New York City boroughs. The Mayor also announced that the IDNYC card will be accepted as valid primary identification for opening a bank or credit union account at more than 10 financial institutions, and revealed the card’s full suite of benefits.

“IDNYC is not only a card for all New Yorkers, it is the gateway to City services, the key to opening a bank account or getting a library card, and the ticket to many of our city’s finest cultural institutions. More than that, this card represents who we are: New Yorkers who value equality, opportunity and diversity,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I want to thank Speaker Mark-Viverito and our partners in the Council for their tremendous work and collaboration on this program. Today, we are launching the most ambitious, dynamic and useful municipal ID program in the country, which will have a real and tangible impact on the lives of all New Yorkers.”

“Time and again, New York City has shown that we are not afraid to lead,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “In launching the IDNYC program, we are living up to our highest ideals about who we are as a city. I’m proud of my colleagues and bill sponsors Immigration Committee Chair Carlos Menchaca and Council Member Daniel Dromm for their support in this process and thank the de Blasio administration for its partnership in making IDNYC a reality for all New Yorkers.”

“IDNYC identifies you as a card-carrying New Yorker,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm, the card’s main sponsor. “This is an exciting day, because today we are saying that all New Yorkers—regardless of gender identity, immigration status, homelessness, or other identifiers—are an important part of our city. I am so proud to have worked with Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Mark-Viverito, Commissioner Agarwal, and Council Member Menchaca to create what I have called the ‘must-have accessory for all New Yorkers in 2015.’  Congratulations, all!”

“The IDNYC municipal ID card is an opportunity for New Yorkers to become included in the hundreds of programs throughout the five boroughs with a membership to over 30 cultural institutions and libraries, while also acting as a free government-issued ID. I applaud Mayor de Blasio for this innovative program that will unify all of New York City’s residents, regardless of their immigration status, race, gender or sexual orientation under one identity: a New Yorker,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

The IDNYC card will be integrated into New York City’s official prescription drug discount card, BigAppleRx, giving card holders up to 50 percent off most FDA-approved prescription medications at more than 2,000 New York City pharmacies. It will also be accepted as valid primary identification for opening bank or credit union accounts at more than 10 financial institutions, including Popular Community Bank, Amalgamated Bank, and Carver Federal Savings Bank.

The Mayor also announced the full suite of IDNYC benefits, including:

·        Exclusive entertainment discounts on movie tickets, Broadway shows, sporting events, theme parks, and more with Entertainment Benefits Group.

·        A 10 percent discount off annual NYC Parks Recreation Center membership for adults age 25-61 and NYC Parks Department tennis permits.

·        A 20 percent discount on family memberships at all 22 YMCA centers citywide.

·        A free 30-day trial and fitness evaluation with a certified trainer at all New York Sports Club locations.

·        A 5 percent discount off all purchases at Food Bazaar supermarkets in New York City Mondaythrough Friday, from 7 AM to 7 PM.

·        A 25 percent discount on New York Pass, a citywide pass to 83 tourist attractions in all five boroughs.

·        Free one-year membership packages at 33 of the City’s leading cultural institutions, including world class museums, performing arts centers, concert halls, botanical gardens, and zoos across the five boroughs. 

The IDNYC card will make government work more effectively and efficiently for New Yorkers by expanding access to the services, programs and opportunities available to City residents. It will be accepted by the New York Police Department for the purposes of issuing summonses or desk appearance tickets in lieu of arrest, and has been incorporated into the NYPD Patrol Guide. The IDNYC card will grant access to all City buildings, increasing the confidence of New Yorkers to interact with their local government, schools and hospitals. The IDNYC program will continue to expand functionality and grow after the launch date to create an integrated form of identification that will be the one card New Yorkers need in their wallet.

All City residents age 14 and above are eligible to get a municipal ID card, and enrollment is free for anyone who applies in 2015. The City has established 17 permanent enrollment centers throughout the five boroughs, 11 of which are open to the general public in locations highly convenient to mass transit and commercial hubs, including five of the most-trafficked library branches. The City has also opened six enrollment centers for City agency clients in the Department of Probation and the Human Resources Administration. The 18th permanent public enrollment center will open in the spring, and two mobile locations will launch later in January to increase accessibility across the five boroughs.

The Mayor announced support for a municipal ID program during his campaign, and committed to delivering it by January 2015 in his first State of the City address. The New York City Council introduced legislation to create the municipal ID program in April 2014 and the law passed on June 26, 2014 by a vote of 43 in favor to 3 opposed, with 2 abstentions. The legislation signed into law on July 10, 2014 authorizes the City of New York to begin issuing IDNYC cards on January 10, 2015. In August of 2014, the Mayor issued an executive order designating HRA as the administering agency of the IDNYC initiative.

“The people of The Bronx can now represent their borough and their city with great pride by signing up for the newIDNYC municipal identification card, which launches today.

“The program, which will not only provide people with a legal identification recognized as a valid form of ID, but it will also help the 1.4 million residents of The Bronx gain access to city programs such as discounts on prescription drugs, libraries across three boroughs, movie tickets, fitness and health centers as well as free memberships to some of our borough’s amazing cultural institutions such as the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden.

“I congratulate Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Mark-Viverito and the entire City Council on the implementation of this incredible, groundbreaking program, and encourage all New Yorkers to sign up, just like I did today. If you live in New York City, show that you’re a real New Yorker and sign up for IDNYC,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

For more information about IDNYC and how to sign up, visit: http://on.nyc.gov/1CTMkvz.

Huge Gas Leak Causes Havoc in Riverdale

   The scene was chaos at the corner of the Henry Hudson Parkway North service road and West 239th Street today as during construction a huge gas leak was discovered at 2 PM today. As you see in the photo above emergency Con Edison workers are all around the site of a gas leak that occurred as the Con Edison contractor was connecting two different gas lines during the 'Oil to Gas' conversion by Con Edison contractors. The fire department stood ready with a hose that was attached to a nearby hydrant just in case. All roads to and around the West 238th Street overpass of the Henry Hudson Parkway were closed as a precaution. That meant that Riverdale Avenue north was closed to traffic at West 238th Street, as was the northbound HHP service road. Also closed was the West 239th Street overpass to southbound parkway service road traffic. All northbound MTA buses were detoured onto Independence Avenue at West 232nd Street. This lasted into the rush hour as it took hours to fix the leak by using smaller bypass piping. One unidentified worker for the contractor who wished to remain anonymous  told me that it was a Con Edison employee and not a worker the contractor who was responsible for the major gas leak. 

  As the repair work go on this Con Edison worker is checking a sewer for any gas residue. 

  This fire engine was spread across Riverdale Avenue just below West 239th Street, as you can see the truck is connected to the hydrant just in case.

 A close up photo of the work area. The fire Department is just out of camera range on the left with a hose ready should any fire start.

Three Kings Day Celebration - This Sunday!