Former New York City Council Member Daniel Halloran Sentenced In White Plains Federal Court To 10 Years In Prison For Role In Bribery And Fraud Schemes

  Former New York City Council Member DANIEL HALLORAN was sentenced today in White Plains federal court to 10 years in prison in connection with his role in arranging the bribery of New York City Republican leaders to allow New York State Senator Malcolm Smith, a Democrat, to run as a Republican candidate for New York City Mayor in 2013, and accepting a $15,000 cash bribe in exchange for designating up to $80,000 in New York City funds to a non-profit entity that would allow the money to be embezzled through a no-show job. HALLORAN was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas, who presided over the two-month trial that resulted in HALLORAN’S conviction in August 2014.

   U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “When elected officials, like Daniel Halloran, not only corrupt themselves but, unseen, corrupt the body politic from within they undermine the public’s confidence in a representative form of government. I would like to thank our law enforcement partners at the FBI and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office for working with us to ensure that the defendant was pursued, prosecuted, and faced justice.”

  In addition to the prison term, HALLORAN, 42, of Queens, New York, was also sentenced to two years of supervised release, and ordered to forfeit $45,300. HALLORAN’s co-conspirators, Smith and Tabone, were convicted for their roles in the bribery conspiracy in January 2015 and are currently scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Karas on July 1, 2015.

  In the sentencing of HALLORAN, Judge Karas remarked, “This was a very serious crime. When a public official gets into cars and takes wads of cash or promises public money in return for cash to the politician, it is so troubling. It causes us all to be cynical about our leaders. It causes us to doubt that our leaders are looking after us. And it's a very serious matter.”

NYC Council Member Andy King to share “State of the 12th District”

On Thursday, March 12^th, Council Member Andy King will host the State of the 12^th District Address at 7 p.m. at Beulah Church of God, 986 East Gun Hill Rd., Bronx.

The address will highlight the district’s finances, accomplishments over the past year, challenges facing the district, and future planning.

All community members are invited to attend the State of the District Address, as well as stay for a birthday celebration for Council Member King.

WHO: NYC Council Member Andy King

WHAT: State of the 12^th District Address

WHEN: Thursday, March 12^th at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Beulah Church of God, 986 East Gun Hill Rd., Bronx

WHY:  To share district information regarding FY2015-16  and plans for the future

WILLIAMS' STATEMENT ON RISE OF SHOOTINGS ACROSS THE CITY

  Today, Council Member Jumaane D. Williams Deputy Leader and co-chair of the Council's Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, released the following statement after recent reports show that an increase in shootings and murders have occurred across the five boroughs. 

  "It is troubling to learn that increases in shootings have occurred across the city. We must remember that these are not just statistics, but are New Yorkers being killed by senseless acts of violence. My prayers for peace and comfort are with the friends and family of the victims, including Alexander Manning, a former marine who was shot and killed last week by a group of teenagers when he refused to let them rob him in front of his East Flatbush apartment.

"We must continue to push back against such violence and not accept it as the norm. I was pleased to attend a Committee on Public Safety hearing today, Chaired by Council Member Vanessa Gibson, where we had productive conversations with the Administration, representatives of NYPD and advocates on community policing. During the hearing, NYPD Deputy Commissioner Susan Herman and the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice Director Elizabeth Glazier reported that the department has developed creative strategies to engage community members to deal with crime and violence holistically.

"Included in that discussion was the Council's Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, which launched in 2012 and later created the Crisis Management System to address shootings as a public health issue by using an multi-faceted approach through funding grassroots groups, providing wrap around services and coordinating inter-agency initiatives. The program employs 'violence interrupters,' typically former gang members who have turned their lives around, to quell street disputes -- intervening before escalation to gun violence -- and links potential shooters to case management and supportive services. 

"We all know that we cannot combat shootings with police tactics alone, and owe it to the men and women in blue and the communities they serve to initiate creative strategies like these and others discussed during today's hearing to improve public safety and police-community relations.  I look forward to working further with Chair Gibson, the Administration and NYPD to address these issues and limit shootings across the five boroughs."

Preliminary Survey of Ectoparasites and Associated Pathogens from Norway Rats in New York City

  Every so often a study like this comes around about New York City inhabitants that can't be passed up. 

  In a report in the Oxford Press the Entomological Society of America did a study of the Norway Rat (Rattus Norvegious). They studied whatever fleas, insects, and anything else the rat may be carrying as to how they might effect any human life the rats may come in contact with.

  All told 133 Norway Rats were collected over 10 months in Manhattan (not the Bronx). 72 were male rats and 61 were female that were further broken down into 3 age groups, The youngest were Juveniles, next were sub-adult, and adult rats. The rats were collected from three residential sites (57), one outdoor site (26), and one mixed use indoor site (50). 

  The report goes on to say that in all but one rat there were fleas or other potential disease carrying ectoparsites. To read the entire Entomological Society of America report click on the Manhattan Norway Rat Study, but you had better not have a weak stomach.

21st Annual Bronx Park Speak Up

   Saturday February 28th was the 21st Annual Bronx Parks Speak Up. Who better than NYC Commissioner of the Parks Department Mitchell Silver to have on hand to speak up for our parks. Over 350 people enjoyed an afternoon of discussion and displays from various organizations from around the Bronx. 

    Commissioner Silver spoke of the inequality that has gone on in New York City when it came to the parks of New York City. He went on to say that 215 parks citywide need over 1 billion dollars  to be fixed due to lack of funding and maintenance. He hopes to change that, but for now the 134 neediest parks will get fixed. Mayor deBlasio has set aside 131 million dollars that will go into 35 parks of which 20 million will go into 9 parks in the Bronx.

 

 Councilman Andrew Cohen was on hand to speak about his participation in the city councils 'Participatory Budgeting Process'. Councilman Cohen has set aside monies from his budget for projects in his district that will come from people or groups in the district and be voted on by the people of the district.

   As you will see below groups from 'Restore the Highbridge', 'Friends of Van Cortlandt Park', 'Bronx Council for Environmental Quality (BCEQ), 'Friends of Ferry Point Park', 'Bronx Transportation Alternatives', 'Bronx River Alliance', and many others were on hand. This year was even larger both in turnout and in exhibits of what is going on in the Bronx related to the parks. Everyone could agree with Commissioner Silver that our parks need to be fixed and maintained. 

Above - The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park.
Below - Left - BCEQ, Right - Earthsavers.

Above - The Pugsley Creek Park Community shows where the Bronx - Manhattan ferry will go.

Below - Left - New Yorkers for Parks. Right - The Bronx Children's Museum

The Department of Sanitation was in the house to inform of upcoming new regulations in certain areas of the Bronx about composting.

Van Cortlandt Park Summer Teen Trails Crew Internship Application 2015

Van Cortlandt Park Summer Teen Trail Crew 

Internship Application 2015 

Park Overview Van Cortlandt Park is the third largest park in New York City at 1,146 acres 

located in the Northwest Bronx. With over 20 miles of hiking trails, the Summer Teen Trail 

Crew has the opportunity to conserve this invaluable green space in New York City 

alongside the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park. 

Position Description Summer Trail Crew Interns contribute to the maintenance of the 

trails of Van Cortlandt Park through supervisor led activities. All interns are required to do 

physical trail work outdoors in various conditions throughout the summer. Projects are 

primarily related to trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and invasive species removal. 

Training in trail work and plant identification will be provided for all interns. Job readiness 

training will also be provided during the internship. Schedule for all interns is Monday 

through Thursday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Open to applicants 14-18 years old. 

Responsibilities 

 Repair and maintain existing trails within park limits

 Assist in natural areas restoration through non-native invasive plant removal

 Perform monitoring studies in the Park natural areas to examine health

 Learn local ecology such as identification of trees and plants

 Become familiar with environmental issues, both in NYC and globally

 Explore new career opportunities

Schedule

 Hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00am-4:00pm

 Program runs from July 6th- August 20th

 Interns will be paid on a biweekly basis

Please fill out and return this pdf application to John Butler at john@vancortlandt.org by

Friday May 22nd at 6:00PM EST. Any applications received after this time cannot be

considered for this position. Applications may also be printed out and mailed (Postage must

be dated by May 21st, 2015) to

 Friends of Van Cortlandt Park

 ATTN: John Butler

 80 Van Cortlandt Park South

 Suite E1

 Bronx, NY 10463

Any questions may be relayed to john@vancortlandt.org. Applicants will be notified about

interviews by the end of the first week of June.

Van Cortlandt Park Summer Teen Trails Crew

Internship Application 2015

I. Applicant Contact Information

Name:_____________ ________________

 (Last) (First)

Address: _____________________________________________________________

 (Street Address) (City) (State) (Zipcode)

Telephone:___________________ ________________________

 (Cell) (Home)

E-mail:_________________________________

Date of Birth:____/____/____ Age:______ Gender:_________

 (Mon.) (Day) (Year)

II. Education

Name of School:______________________ Borough:_________ Grade:_______

III. Parent or Guardian Contact Information

Name:_____________________________

Telephone:_________________ ___________________

 (Home) (Work)

Email:____________________________

IV. Work Experience (Please list previous employment, internships and volunteer

experience)

1.__________________________ ________________ ____/____ to ____/____

 (Organization/Employer) (Position Held) (Mon.)/(Year) (Mon.)/(Year)

2.__________________________ ________________ ____/____ to ____/____

 (Organization/Employer) (Position Held) (Mon.)/(Year) (Mon.)/(Year)

3.__________________________ ________________ ____/____ to ____/____

 (Organization/Employer) (Position Held) (Mon.)/(Year) (Mon.)/(Year)

V. Extracurricular Activities (Please describe any extracurricular activities you

 are involved in or have taken part in both inside school and out)

VI. Please answer the following questions in paragraph form (minimum two paragraphs).

Describe why you would like to be a part of the Teen Trail Crew in Van

Cortlandt Park. What skills and experiences do you want to gain being a

part of this program? What aspects of your character can you bring that

would benefit the crew as a whole?

WILLIAMS TO CHAIR COUNCIL HEARING TO DISCUSS RENEWAL & STRENGTHENING OF NYC RENT LAWS

Tomorrow, the New York City Council's Committee on Housing and Buildings, Chaired by Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn), Deputy Leader, will hold a hearing to consider a number of bills and resolutions to address an urgent matter that affects all residents in the City of New York - the renewal and strengthening of New York's rent laws. The Committee expects to receive testimony from representatives of the Department of Housing reservation and Development (HPD), housing advocates, building owners, legal service providers, and other interested members of the public.

Under State law, the rent regulation system will expire in June 2015, unless the City conducts a housing vacancy survey and finds that there is still a housing shortage, defined as a less than 5% vacancy rate. In addition to conducting the survey, the Council must pass a resolution, finding that, because there is still a housing shortage, there continues to be a need for rent regulation.

HPD recently published the results of the 2014 Housing and Vacancy Survey (HVS). The current HVS indicates a citywide rental vacancy rate of 3.45%. According to the HVS, there were approximately 75,000 vacant available rental units in New York City as of the survey period, an increase of approximately 7,000 units since 2011. The Survey also found that the median contract rent, including utility payments, increased by 4.3 percent from $1,100 in 2011 to $1,325 in 2014.

 The hearing will focus on several pieces of legislation, including Res No. 597 sponsored by Council Member Williams, Corey Johnson and Helen Rosenthal, a Resolution determining that a public emergency requiring rent control in the City of New York continues to exist and will continue to exist on and after April 1, 2015; Int. No. 685 sponsored by Council Member Johnson, Williams and Rosenthal, a Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to extending the rent stabilization laws; Proposed Res. No. 86-A sponsored by Council Members Williams, Arroyo, Johnson, Mendez, and Rosenthal, a Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to create a review process for Individual Apartment Improvement rent increases and make such increases a temporary surcharge rather than a permanent rent increase; Proposed Res. No. 596-A sponsored by Council Member Williams, a Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to approve, A.1865, in relation to repealing vacancy decontrol; and other Preconsidered Resolutions.

WHO: Council Member Jumaane D. Williams; members of the Council's Housing and Buildings Committee; those testifying, including members of the Administration,  elected officials,  members of the real estate industry, and other interested members of the public.

WHAT: Council Hearing on the Renewal & Strengthening of New York City's Rent Regulation Laws

WHERE: Chambers of City Hall

WHEN: Monday, March 2, 2015, 10:00 AM

Senator Ruben Diaz Calls Upon Senate Democrats to Boycott the Budget

What You Should Know
By Senator Ruben Diaz Sr.

"After hearing that Governor Andrew Cuomo has invited Senator Jeff Klein, (the Leader of 5 Independent Senate Democrats) to become #4 in the 3-Men-In-The-Room for New York State Budget negotiations - and that Governor Andrew Cuomo has ignored Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Leader of the 25 Member Senate Democratic Conference  - I am calling on my Democratic colleagues in the Senate to boycott the Budget vote. 

It is a shame and an insult to every Democrat in the state, especially to each of us 25 Democratic Senators.  It is an insult to Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who is the first woman to hold the position of a Senate Conference Leader. It is an insult to the mostly Black and Hispanic constituents she and I - and many of my fellow Democratic Senators represent. 

I have no opposition to Senator Jeff Klein being a part of the Budget negotiations to represent the interests of his 5 Independent Democratic Members. However, to ignore Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Leader of the Senate Democratic Conference and by that the 25 Democratic Senators, is to leave us without a voice. This effects millions of people. 

It is appalling! I ask that once and for all, for my fellow Senate Democrats to stand on their own feet, to stop this abuse and farce, and to boycott the Budget vote. Don't vote for the Budget. They already have the votes to pass the budget without us, and we should stop being part of the farce. 

This insult to Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins affects us all.  Racism and sexism have no place in our government, and I implore my colleagues to have no part in this vote. 

This is Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz, and this is what you should know."