ELECTED OFFICIALS PROPOSE WEEKEND HOLIDAY MARKET FOR VAN CORTLANDT PARK SITE

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr, State Senator Jeffrey Klein, Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz and City Council Member Andrew Cohen are calling for the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to transform the former site of the ice skating rink in Van Cortlandt Park, located at Broadway and West 242^nd Street, into a weekend holiday market.

“The existing space at Van Cortlandt Park is a perfect location for such a market,” said the officials in a joint letter. “The park is a well-known regional attraction and is easily accessible from all points, given its location to public transportation serving the Northwest Bronx and Westchester.”

The four officials envision the site to be a one-year temporary market similar to the existing market at Bryant Park and the one proposed for Highbridge Park in Manhattan. The proposal would use the vacant land in manner that brings people Holiday cheer joy to the area as well as give a boost to the economy in the surrounding area.

“The adjacent Broadway corridor already enjoys heavy foot traffic, and a new amenity such as a holiday market would only drive that traffic higher, which in turn would generate greater opportunities to draw customers to local businesses in the Riverdale and Kingsbridge communities,” states the letter.

“We have seen how a Holiday Market is a beneficial use of space in other locations, not just for people in the community but also surrounding businesses,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “I cannot think of better way to temporarily use this vacant space in Van Cortlandt Park as we look for new ideas for the long-term future of this site. I hope that the Department of Parks & Recreation hears our recommendation, and I look forward to working with that agency, my colleagues and the people of the neighborhood to make this proposal a reality.”

“There would be no better holiday treat than a vibrant, thriving weekend market at the former site of the ice skating rink at Van Cortlandt Park. It’s critical we make the most of our public spaces and encourage commercial activity in our borough. I’m proud to support Borough President Diaz’s proposal and look forward to this plan being realized in the coming months,” said State Senator Jeff Klein.

“While it is unfortunate that the ice skating rink located in Van Cortlandt Park at Broadway and West 242nd Street had to close last year, the prospect of a weekend Holiday Market for this coming holiday season is very exciting for our community,” said State Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz. “Though the future of this site is uncertain, bringing a one-year Holiday Market would be a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season as a community, while also bringing in people from outside of the Kingsbridge-Riverdale neighborhood. Between the already existing foot traffic from the Broadway shopping corridor, and the convenient access to the 1 Train at West 242^nd Street, this attraction would surely bring people in from all over the City.”

“For almost a year the open space that was once the Van Cortlandt Park Ice Rink has remained empty. I believe it would be in the best interest of the community if the space was utilized for a holiday market. This high quality development would help create an additional  tourism aspect to the park by generating new visitors, while also drawing in local customers. While I will not rule out the additional of a new rink in the future, I believe this seasonal amenity would perfect solution to revive the current un-used space for the upcoming holiday season,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

Below is the The full letter sent to NYC Parks Commissioner Silver.

September 9, 2015 

Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver 

New York City Department of Parks & Recreation 

830 Fifth Ave New York, NY, 10065 

Dear Commissioner Silver: 

   For nearly one full year, the fate of the former site of the ice skating rink in Van Cortlandt Park, located at Broadway and West 242nd Street, has remained in limbo. While a new ice skating rink may not be feasible for the site, given the unexpected closure of the previous rink, our community cannot abide the desolate, empty lot that has been left in the wake of this closure.

  In the recently released request for proposals (RFP) for a new ice skating rink in Manhattan’s Highbridge Park, the Parks Department urges potential concessionaires to consider the inclusion of a Holiday Market, such as the one that currently occupies Bryant Park, as part of the rink’s development. In particular, the RFP notes that the Parks Department would expect a “high quality market, focusing on hand crafted items, art, unique gifts, and finely crafted jewelry,” as well as food and beverage concessions. 

   The existing space at Van Cortlandt Park is a perfect location for such a market. The park is a well known regional attraction and is easily accessible from all points, given its location to public transportation serving the Northwest Bronx and Westchester. The adjacent Broadway corridor already enjoys heavy foot traffic, and a new amenity such as a holiday market would only drive that traffic higher, which in turn would generate greater opportunities to draw customers to local businesses in the Riverdale and Kingsbridge communities. 

  While the long-term future of this site may be another ice rink, revived tennis courts or some other use, its short-term future is as a vacant lot. This does not have to be the case. We are urging the Parks Department to develop a weekend Holiday Market at this site for the 2015 season. 

   A one-year market would offer our community chance to experience a real amenity close to home, make use of vacant land and allow us to consider future uses of this site with real experience to make such decisions. Our offices are ready to work with your department to make this vision a reality. 

Sincerely, 

Ruben Diaz Jr.                               Jeffrey D. Klein 

Bronx Borough President           NYS Senate Coalition Co-Leader 

Andrew Cohen                            Jeffrey Dinowitz 

NYC Council Member                 NYS Assembly Member

Senator Jeff Klein, with UFT President Michael Mulgrew, announces $1.5 million in support for Community Learning Schools

   State Senator Jeff Klein , together with UFT President Michael Mulgrew and Community Learning Schools administrators, teachers and students, announced $1.5 million in funding for the successful school model on Thursday.

Klein and Mulgrew visited the International School for Liberal Arts in Kingsbridge, where learning, extracurricular activities, health, nutritional and social services needs are met under one roof. Senator Klein has contributed $3.7 million to Community Learning Schools since 2013.

“We’re not only celebrating the wonderful back-to-school time, but the wonderful things that happen in the hallways of this school, like so many other Community Learning Schools throughout our city. It is amazing to see the difference it makes when a school revolves around a community and a community revolves around a school.  Here, in addition to hitting the books, students participate in clubs not offered in many of our public schools, receive medical care and volunteer in a variety of activities. Parents can get help with food needs or with their taxes. It’s a win-win for everyone involved,” said State Senator Jeff Klein.

“Community schools let us put the services where they can do the most good — in our public schools. Here at the International School School for Liberal Arts in the Bronx, our students can get medical services at the school-based health clinic, they can enroll in clubs from science and dance to self-defense and leadership, and if their families are in need, get food and supplies from the school's food bank. We are getting rid of the obstacles that stand in the way of children succeeding in the classroom. Sen. Jeff Klein has been an early and committed supporter of community schools and has made a huge difference in the lives of the children and families of the Bronx,” said Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers.

ISLA Principal Francine Cruz led a tour of the campus, highlighting a school-based food pantry where parents can stock up on groceries during the week. Students volunteer to staff the aisles. It’s become so successful the program expanded to two public schools sharing their campus.

Above - State Senator Jeff Klein and UFT President Michael Mulgrew talk before the event began.
Below - State Senator Jeff Klein addresses why he is 'Investing in Our Children', as UFT President Michael Mulgrew is on his left, and the International School for Liberal Arts principal Francine Cruz is on Senator Klein's right.

Above - International School for Liberal Arts principal Francine Cruz explains why this school is experiencing the success it is having.
Below - Since the school is in a high poverty area, there is a food pantry run by the Food Bank in a basement room to help the students families.

Above - This school is in the former Walton High School Campus, and as you can see the pool in the building has been restored so it can be used by the students in the building. There is also a health clinic rin by Montefiore Hospital in the school building to take care of any health related problems that students may have 

Below - Senator Klein talks with students from one of the many clubs that the school has, and perhaps one of the students will be a future state senator.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce and NYS Senator Jeff Klein Job Fair - Bronx HIRE

  On Wed. Sept. 9th Bronx HIRE  (Help Identify Real Employment Program) through the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and State Senator Jeff Klein held a job fair at the Hutchinson Metro Center. Over 150 job seekers, and over 30 Bronx businesses participated in the Bronx HIRE job fair. 

Employers included -

AFC Doctors Express/ Urgent Care, All Transit, Ameriplan, Bronx Works, Certified Alarm Technicians, Community Resource Center, M&M Cleaning Company,Griffin Security Services, INC, Heightened Security, Home Goods, IKON Business Group, Master Fire,Mercy College, MetroPlus Health Plan, Monroe College, Allied Barton,  Nouri Data Systems/ Menus NY, SOBRO, Primerica Financial Services, RAIN, TD Bank, Team Demarco Fitness, The Bronx YMCA, Urban Health Plan, W.B. Mason, Wildlife Conservation Society, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, D&J Ambulette, and Renaissance Home Health

Above - State Senator Jeff Klein stands with Bronx Chamber of Commerce Chairman Joe Kelleher, and BCC Executive Director Michelle Dolgow Cristofaro.
Below - the Metro Cafe dining area was transformed into a giant interview center as employers were given tables to interview the applicants who came to the Bronx HIRE Job Fair.

UPCOMING BRONX JOB FAIR

The New York State Department of Labor, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and the office of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. are co-hosting a job fair on Tuesday, September 22.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Upcoming Events and Grand Openings

Please Join us for our 

Upcoming Grand Openings, 

Hispanic Heritage Event, and 

Access to Capital Event Business Workshop

 

 

----------------------------------

Save the Dates

Italian Heritage Reception

F&J Pine Tavern 

October 7th 

Networking Event and Workshop 

at The Rambling House

(Hosted by Country Bank)

 October 14th

Business to Business Membership Breakfast

Applebee's - Hutchinson Metro Atrium 

October 20th

Call 718-828-3900, emailevents@bronxchamber.org or log on to our website at www.bronxchamber.org 

for more information

Remembering 9/11

On this solemn day of remembrance, we  acknowledge  the heroic acts of the first  responders and those who tragically lost  their lives on September 11, 2001.  The tragic events that took place that  morning will forever  live within our  memories and souls, and it is a day that  will and should never be forgotten. May  the loved ones of those who lost their  lives in the terror attacks find peace and  may  the memories of those lost forever  live within our hearts.  Thank you to the N.Y.P.D, the F.D.N.Y.,  the Port Authority  and the EMS that continue  their selfless dedication and  service to us  today and every day. We remember.   Assemblyman -Mark Gjonaj

  

Today we remember the lives we lost 14 years ago.  Please join ustomorrow as  we honor their memory

We hope to see you onSaturday, September 12th 

at 

The Lt. Thomas Clesse Memorial 5k Run/Walk at the

49^th Precinct located at 2121 Eastchester Road at 9:00 a.m.  

  

T-Shirts will be given out to all those participating and the race will commence at 

10:00 a.m. with awards and lunch and raffles to follow at Gleason's Cafe located at 2040 Eastchester Road.

There is a $20 registration fee for runners over the age of 13 years old.  Runners under 13 race for free.  Those participants who wish to pay with a check, all checks can be made out to 

"49^th Precinct Club". 

 All proceeds will go to the Widows and Children Fund.

Come out and take part in what is sure to be a great day for an even greater cause!  Contact  PO David Lepore -49th Pct. Community Affairs for more details 

718-918-2025 (work) !

Bronx Borough President Invites you to celebrate Ecuadorian Heritage Month

Statement from Assemblyman Luis Sepúlveda on Federal Street Gang Indictments

“I applaud the announcement Wednesday, Sept. 9 of the sweeping federal indictments of 17 members and associates of the Taylor Avenue and Leland Avenue gangs.

“Residents and businesses in the Parkchester-Stratton Park communities for too long have had to endure a climate of intimidation and violence caused by their presence.

“The message to criminals is clear: This is our turf — our community, nobody else’s. And we will defend it. No longer can this be a war zone for violence, drugs and intimidation. As the local Assemblyman, I stand with law enforcement agencies in their ongoing defense of our neighborhoods and the relentless protection of my constituents.

“I congratulate Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York; the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations unit; the Drug Enforcement Administration: our outstanding Police Commissioner, Bill Bratton; and the men and women of the NYPD for their courageous and vigilant efforts to keep my constituents safe — and rid our community of a plague of violence.”

Assemblyman Sepúlveda represents New York’s 87th Assembly District (Bronx), which along with Parkchester and Stratton Park, also includes Castle Hill, West Farms, Van Nest, and Unionport.

Seventeen Members And Associates Of Two Rival Bronx Street Gangs Charged In Federal Court With Racketeering And Narcotics Offenses, Including Two Murders

            Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Glenn Sorge, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and William J. Bratton, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), today announced the unsealing of two Indictments charging a total of 17 members and associates of two Bronx-based street gangs, the Taylor Avenue Crew and the Leland Avenue Crew, with various racketeering and narcotics offenses, including two murders of rival gang members.

            Twelve of the seventeen defendants, JAMES CAPERS, TOMMY BROWN, JESSE IRVIN, EDWIN MOYE, UNIQUE CHRISTOPHER, DANTE RODGERS, IRVIN ORTIZ, ELIJAH DAVILA, RICARDO GARCIA, PABLO CHEVERE, GLADYS MORALES, KENNETH MERCADO, and ANDREA BELL, were taken into federal custody yesterday or this morning and will be presented before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Frank Maas later today.  Four of the defendants, MARQUISE ROCHESTER, CHRISTIAN McKNIGHT, SAMUEL SERRANO, and MESSIAH PERRY, are currently incarcerated in state custody on other charges, and will be presented at a later date.  The case of United States v. Irvin Ortiz, et al, 15 Cr. 608 (KPF) has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla.  The case of United States v. James Capers, et al., 15 Cr. 607 (WHP) has been assigned to U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley, III.          

            Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Members of the Taylor Avenue and Leland Avenue Crews allegedly wreaked havoc on the community through the sale of crack cocaine and a wave of violence on the streets of the Bronx.  On two occasions, that violence allegedly ended in the murders of rival gang members.”

            HSI Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Glenn Sorge said: “Today’s arrests deal a serious blow to two gangs that allegedly used the streets of New York City to sell drugs and commit acts of violence including murder.  HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to rid the streets of these dangerous criminal organizations that instill fear in our communities.”

            DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt said: “Drug trafficking inevitably leads to further crime and violence, as depicted in the alleged charges against the members of the Leland Avenue and Taylor Avenue Crews.  Through a common goal, law enforcement pooled resources to investigate and arrest those who converted their Avenues into their own private battlefields.”                                       

            Police Commissioner William J. Bratton said: “These indictments and arrests are the result of the collaborative power of law enforcement to address narcotics sales and street level shootings, crimes which are often committed by just a few individuals but affect a great many more.  I would like to thank the NYPD investigators and our federal law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to protect this Bronx community and bring justice to those responsible for this scourge of drugs, death and violence.”

            As alleged in the Indictments unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

United States v. Irvin Ortiz, et al., 15 Cr. 608 (KPF)

            The Taylor Avenue Crew was a criminal enterprise that operated principally in and around the Bronx, New York, from at least 2012 up to and including 2015.  One of the Taylor Avenue Crew’s principal objectives was to sell cocaine base, commonly known as “crack cocaine,” primarily in and around Taylor Avenue in the Bronx.  The Taylor Avenue Crew controlled crack cocaine sales within this area by prohibiting and preventing non-members, outsiders, and rival narcotics dealers from distributing crack cocaine in the area controlled by the enterprise.

            Members and associates of the Taylor Avenue Crew engaged in acts of violence against the Leland Avenue Crew, a rival gang that sold crack cocaine primarily in and around Leland Avenue, which runs parallel to Taylor Avenue and is located two blocks east.  These acts of violence included assaults, attempted murder, and murder, and were committed to protect the Taylor Avenue Crew’s drug territory, to retaliate against members of rival gangs who had encroached on the territory controlled by the Taylor Avenue Crew, and to otherwise promote the standing and reputation of the Taylor Avenue Crew amongst rival gangs.

            The violence perpetrated by the Taylor Avenue Crew turned deadly in March 2015.  On or about March 3, 2015, ELIJAH DAVILA and Allen McQueen, a now deceased member of the Taylor Avenue Crew,    murdered Pablo Beard, a member of the Leland Avenue Crew, by shooting Beard in the vicinity of 1512 Leland Avenue in the Bronx.  As alleged in the Ortiz Indictment, DAVILA committed this murder to maintain and increase his position in the Taylor Avenue Crew.

            Count One of the Ortiz Indictment charges IRVIN ORTIZ, RICARDO GARCIA, ELIJAH DAVILA, SAMUEL SERRANO, MESSIAH PERRY, PABLO CHEVERE, GLADYS MORALES, and KENNETH MERCADO with participating in a racketeering conspiracy.  Count Seven of the Ortiz Indictment charges ORTIZ, GARCIA, DAVILA, SERRANO, PERRY, MORALES, and MERCADO, with a firearms offense in connection with that conspiracy.

       Counts Two, Three, Six, and Eight charge DAVILA with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering activity, murder in aid of racketeering activity, murder in connection with a drug crime, and a related firearms offense in connection with the March 2015 murder of Pablo Beard.

         Count Four of the Ortiz Indictment charges MERCADO with assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering activity in connection with the August 2015 shooting of members of the Leland Avenue Crew.

        Count Five of the Ortiz Indictment charges ORTIZ, GARCIA, DAVILA, SERRANO, PERRY, CHEVERE, MORALES, MERCADO, and ANDREA BELL with participating in a narcotics conspiracy, in connection with their distribution of crack cocaine in and around Taylor Avenue.

United States v. James Capers, et al., 15 Cr. 607 (WHP)

            The Leland Avenue Crew was a criminal enterprise that operated principally in and around the Bronx, New York, from at least 2012 up to and including 2015.  One of the principal objectives of the Leland Avenue Crew was to sell crack cocaine, primarily in and around Leland Avenue in the Bronx.  Members and associates of the Leland Avenue Crew engaged in acts of violence against the Taylor Avenue Crew.  These acts of violence included assaults, attempted murder, and murder intended either to protect the Leland Avenue Crew’s drug territory, retaliate against members of rival gangs who had encroached on the territory controlled by the Leland Avenue Crew, or to otherwise promote the standing and reputation of the Leland Avenue Crew among rival gangs.

            The violence perpetrated by the Leland Avenue Crew also turned deadly in July 2015.  On or about July 7, 2015, JAMES CAPERS   murdered Allen McQueen, a member of the Taylor Avenue Crew, by shooting McQueen in the vicinity of 1531 Taylor Avenue in the Bronx.  As alleged in the Capers Indictment, CAPERS committed this murder to maintain and increase his position in the Leland Avenue Crew.

         Count One of the Capers Indictment charges CAPERS, TOMMY BROWN, JESSE IRVIN, MARQUISE ROCHESTER, EDWIN MOYE, CHRISTIAN MCKNIGHT, UNIQUE CHRISTOPHER, and DANTE RODGERS with participating in a racketeering conspiracy.  Count Six of the Capers Indictment charges CAPERS, IRVIN, ROCHESTER, MOYE, and MCKNIGHT with a firearms offense in connection with that conspiracy.

      Counts Two, Four, and Five charge CAPERS with murder in aid of racketeering activity, murder in connection with a drug crime, and a related firearms offense, in connection with the July 2015 murder of Allen McQueen.

       Count Three charges CAPERS, BROWN, IRVIN, ROCHESTER, MOYE, MCKNIGHT, CHRISTOPHER, and RODGERS with participating in a narcotics conspiracy, in connection with their distribution of crack cocaine in and around Leland Avenue.

      Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI, the DEA, and the NYPD.  He also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its participation and support in this ongoing investigation.

       This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica Lonergan, Scott Hartman, and Jason Swergold are in charge of the prosecution.

    The charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.