STATEMENT FROM BP DIAZ RE: Legislation on Legionnaires Inspections

“When it became clear that such outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease could be prevented through regular inspections, I proposed that the City Council move to create such legislation as quickly as possible. Today’s announcement is a great first step towards developing a system of regular inspections for cooling towers and other infrastructure that could breed the legionella bacteria.

“I will continue to work with all levels of government to ensure that we are better prepared to combat future epidemics,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Borough President Diaz first proposed legislation to address the lack of an inspection mechanism for cooling towers and other breeding grounds for the legionella bacteria last month. His original statement can be found here: http://on.nyc.gov/1Iz2ATC.

Editor's Note:

2 more cases of Legionnaire Disease have resulted in death, now bringing the death total to 12. As of August 3 rd it is said that the total number of cases peaked at 112 reported cases of Legionnaire Disease. No new outbreak cases have been reported since then. 

Stand Up To Violence Saturday August 22nd

Parkchester Festival Saturday

  Below are a few photos ogf the Parkchester festival that took place at the Unionport and Metropolitan Avenues oval. 

Above - The Bronx Children's Museum was on hand.
Below - Besides free hot dogs there was free cotton candy given out.

Above- Inflatable slides and a Bouncy Castle were set up for the children to enjoy.

Below - There were many vendors for the adults to browse.

Above - Another vendor.
Below - A stage was set up to showcase the entertainment.

RANGEL AND USPS HOST DEDICATION CEREMONY OF "CORPORAL JUAN MARIEL ALCANTARA POST OFFICE BUILDING"

Above - It was all eyes on the renaming of the Vermilyea Avenue Post office in the Inwood section of Manhattan the Corporal Juan Mariel Alcantara Post Office as the banner on the top of the building states. 

Below - A few of the elected officials and family  of Corporal Alcantara. 

Above - The Master of Ceremony was Manhattan Community Board 12 Chair George Fernandez.

Below the Color Guard places the flags in their places.

Above - The Dominican National Anthem was sung right after the american National Anthem.
Below - A look at the special guests for the dedication.

Inauguration of 2015 Executive Board & Board of Directors of the Bronx Chamber Of Commerce

  The place was the newest Jewel in the Bronx the new Marriott Hotel in the Hutchinson Metro Center for the inauguration of the 2015 Executive Board and Board of Directors of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. 

Executive Officers

Chairman of the Board  --    Joseph Kelleher

President                               –      Lenny Caro

Vice Presidents               --    John Collazzi, Hon. June Eisland, Sandra Erickson

Dr. Stephen Jerome, April Horton, Anthony Mormile, Geri Sciortino, and Lisa Sorin/

Secretary                             --     Anthony Ross

Assistant Secretary       --     Barry Fitzgerald

Treasurer                          --      Anthony Mormile

Assistant Treasurer    --      Greg Gonzalez

Legal Counsel                  --      Jeffrey Underweiser

Executive Director       –       Michelle Dolgow Cristofaro

Above - State Senator Jeff Klein swears in the new Executive Board of the BCC.
Below - The elected officials in attendance stand with the new board.

Above - Speakers await their turn.

Below - So do State Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj.

Above Left - BCC Chairman Joseph Kelleher

Above Right - BCC President Lenny Caro

Above - Bronx BCC businesses such as Mike's Deli brought samples of their delicious food.

Below - Latin Fusion providing some tasty Latin food samples.

Above - BCC President Lenny Caro samples some of the delicious Cuban food that Havana Cafe brought.

Below - BCC President Lenny Caro poses with the Inka Cola Ladies who were the hit of the event, food wise that is. 

STATEMENT FROM BP DIAZ RE: Legionnaires Outbreak/CDC Involvement

  “I want to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo and Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker for their quick response as we deal with the Legionnaires' outbreak affecting The Bronx, and for bringing the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to my borough to study this public health crisis.

“We need all hands on deck, and getting help from the CDC is a huge step in combating this disease that is hurting the South Bronx. Gov. Cuomo’s offer of free testing for building owners, the legislation that Council Member Vanessa Gibson and I have proposed to ensure that we are proactive against the further spread of the Legionnaires Disease, and Mayor Bill de Blasio’s push for testing buildings throughout the city are all positive steps forward in eliminating this problem while finding solutions to prevent yet another outbreak.

“I am happy to learn that we are seeing fewer new cases of this disease, and I look forward to continuing my work with the city and the state to mitigate this crisis and prevent future outbreaks. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected by this disease, and I wish them a speedy recovery,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Mother Teresa Food Drive Through August 25!

Citi Bike Share Program Will Expand Outside of the Five Boroughs for the First Time to Jersey City Next Month

  Next month the Citi Bike Share Program will be expanding outside of the five boroughs and across state lines to Jersey City. This has angered some city residents especially avid biker Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. who made the following statement. 

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

RE: Citi Bike Expansion to New Jersey

“It is deplorable that Citi Bike is expanding to New Jersey before the rest of the city. My borough deserves better, as do the parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island that are not currently served by our city’s official bike share program.

“Citi Bike is operated by NYC Bike Share. That ‘NYC’ should mean something,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.