Legionnaire’s Disease Outbreak in Morris Park

Here we go again folks!

The New York City Department of Health has confirmed that there have been 7 new cases of Legionnaires' disease found in the Morris Park area, and is investigating.  

   The Health Department is currently investigating a cluster of seven Legionnaires' disease cases in the Morris Park section of the Bronx. This cluster is unrelated to the outbreak in the South Bronx this summer that was attributed to Legionella found in the cooling tower of the OPERA HOUSE HOTEL. Patients in the current cluster live or work in Morris Park, range in age from 45 to 75 and are all currently hospitalized. There have been no deaths. New Yorkers with respiratory symptoms, such as fever, cough, chills and difficulty breathing, are advised to promptly seek medical attention.

“We are investigating a cluster of seven cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Morris Park. I urge all New Yorkers to seek care immediately if they have flu -like symptoms, including fever, cough, headache, or difficulty breathing. The Department is taking immediate steps to determine the source and protect the people who live and work in Morris Park,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett.

As soon as the possibility of a cluster was identified, DOHMH began an aggressive response:

• The Health Department was notified of these seven cases between Sept. 21 and Sept. 27
• On Sept. 21, when the first case was reported, the Health Department’s disease detectives began investigating immediately. This work initially involves interviewing patients and reviewing medical records.
• Since Saturday, environmental scientists visited all cooling towers and took samples.
• Issued a Health Alert to providers advising them to look for symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, conduct appropriate tests on patients, and provide proper samples to the Department for lab testing
• Conducting tests at our Public Health Lab and the New York State Wadsworth Center
• Monitoring Emergency Department visits for pneumonia among residents of Morris Park, which have remained at normal levels
• Identifying facilities such as nursing homes and senior centers where vulnerable populations live in and near Morris Park. Starting today, the Department will work with other City agencies to send staff to these locations, distributing Frequently Asked Questions about Legionnaires’ disease, answering questions and reminding people to seek care immediately if they have symptoms such as fever, chills and muscle ache.

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ RE: Legionnaire’s Disease Cluster in Morris Park “My office has been informed by the City’s Department of Health & Mental Hygiene of cluster of Legionnaire’s Disease in Morris Park. We are in contact with city, state and federal officials about this latest outbreak, and we will continue to stay on top of these developments and take the necessary measures as we gather more information. “My office will share information with the public through my website and through social media channels on thiscluster as it becomes available. As we monitor this situation, we urge anyone who feels sick to visit their doctor or a hospital to get checked. It is too important to wait,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Flyers in English, Spanish, French and Chinese answering frequently asked questions on Legionnaire’s Disease can be found at http://on.nyc.gov/1FDHjtT.

Statement from Assemblyman Sepulveda on Bill Signed by Governor Cuomo

ASSEMBLYMAN SEPÚLVEDA’S BILL TO EASE PAROLEES’ REENTRY

TO COMMUNITY SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOV. CUOMO

Assemblyman Luis Sepúlveda, Chair of the Subcommittee on Transitional Services, praised Governor Andrew Cuomo today (9/28) for signing a package of legislation on Friday to ease prisoner reentry to communities upon their parole.

Among the bills signed into law was one sponsored Sepúlveda (A.7814 / S.4905), along with Senator Patrick Gallivan (R, Erie County) to ensure that parolees have next-day reporting to a parole officer, even if they had been scheduled for a Friday release.

The law effectively moves Friday release dates to the day before, Thursday, so that a weekend will not intervene between the release and the all-important next day meeting of the parolee with a parole officer.

“The first twenty-four hours after release from a facility can be the most critical for a parolee,” said Sepúlveda. “Next-day reporting is one of the best ways to ensure that the parolee hear — loudly and clearly — that the terms of his or her sentence still apply, and that bad behavior, like celebrating one’s release with alcohol or drugs, can lead to the parole being deemed violated and to the parolee’s swift return to prison.”

Sepúlveda said that the law will “greatly enhance community safety and increase successful outcomes for parolees.”

Syfy NY Comic Con Panels

SYFY COMIC CON PANELS AND PRESS OPPORTUNITIES

WHAT:                 Syfy presents 12 Monkeys, The Expanse, Hunters and The Magicians at this year’s New York Comic Con. Please find panels and press opportunities below.

WHEN:                 Thursday, October 8^th

12 Monkeys:

Panel:  12:15-1:15pm (Main Stage)

Follow one man’s desperate attempt to save mankind from a group bent on global annihilation by braving an untested method of time travel. Join Executive Producer Terry Matalas and stars Aaron Stanford, Amanda Schull, Kirk Acevedo, Emily Hampshire, Barbara Sukowa and Todd Stashwick for an exclusive first look at the second season of this hit series from Syfy and Universal Cable Productions.

Moderator: Brian Quinn/Impractical Jokers

                        

The Expanse:

Screening, Q&A and Panel:  4:00 PM – 5:20 PM – (Room 1A06)

Hailing from the writers of Children of Men and Iron Man and the director of Breaking Bad, The Expanse is set 200 years in the future after mankind has colonized the solar system. The show is based on The New York Times bestselling book series of the same name. Join executive producers Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, along with series stars Thomas Jane, Steven Strait and Florence Faivre for a screening of the first episode and Q&A in anticipation of the series’December 14th premiere.

Moderator: Aaron Sagers/Blastr

Hunters:

Panel:  5:30 PM -6:30 PM (Room 1A06)

When the wife of a Baltimore FBI agent disappears, the search to find her leads to a secret government unit dedicated to hunting terrorists. The terrorists, however, are unlike any others, and might not even be of this world. Based on Whitley Strieber's best-selling novel Alien Hunter. Join Executive Producers Gale Anne Hurd (The Walking Dead) and Natalie Chaidez (12 Monkeys), series lead Britne Oldford and prosthetics creator Justin Dix for a Q&A and to get a first look at Syfy’s newest thriller, set to air in 2016. 

Moderator: Eric Goldman / IGN

Saturday, October 10^th

The Magicians:

Panel:  4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Room 1A06)

Sex, drugs and…magic? Life takes an interesting twist when a group of grad students  in New York find out that not only is magic real, but that they are in possession of powers beyond their wildest imagination. Based on author Lev Grossman's hit fantasy trilogy. Join executive producers John McNamara and Sera Gamble, along with cast members Jason Ralph, Stella Maeve, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Hale Appleman, Arjun Gupta and Summer Bishil for a Q&A and to get a first look at this all-new drama.

Moderator: Laura Prudom /Variety.

Liberty Democratic Association - Dinner Dance Thursday Oct. 15th

LONGWOOD FALL FESTIVAL OCT. 3

Bronx Council for Environmental Quality October 2015 Events

Saturday, October 3 & Sunday, October 4 from 12:30pm

 – 2:30pm

Walk Inside the Fence at Jerome Park Reservoir

Thursday, October 15 from 6-8pm

Mini-Conference on the Harlem River: From south to north:  

Bridges, BOAs, Wetlands & CSOs at Bronx Museum of the Arts

Friday, October 23 to Friday October 30th

Schools Canoemobile the Harlem River Watershed at Van 

Cortlandt Park Lake &   

Roberto Clemente State Park

Saturday, October 24 from 12pm to 4pm

Canoemobile on Van Cortlandt Lake & the Seven Wonders of 

the Park: Tibbetts Wetland

Wednesday, October 28 from 6-8pm*

Bronx Parks Speak Up Fun Fundraiser with the Bronx Coalition 

for Parks & Green Spaces (BCPGS) at Bronx Beer Hall, 

2344 Arthur Ave, Bronx NY

Saturday, October 31 HALLOWEEN from 12pm to 4pm

Halloween on the Harlem at Roberto Clemente State Park

Community events are free and open to the public 

(except where *).

For information or to register, contact RSVP@bceq.org

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4

Walk Inside the Fence

Jerome Park Reservoir 12:30pm – 2:30pm

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection 

(DEP) announced that it will open the grounds of Jerome 

Park Reservoir in the Bronx for limited access recreation on 

the weekend of October 3rd and 4th. There will be a 

non-ticketed opportunity for the public to walk or jog around 

the 2-mile perimeter of the Reservoir.

Phones, bags and cameras will not be permitted on the 

Reservoir grounds. There will be an opportunity to check 

phones, but visitors should not bring bags or cameras. Entry 

to the Reservoir Grounds will be through a Gate House 

located on the west side of Goulden Avenue, just south of 

205th Street.

For more information: 

https://jerome-park-reservoir-tour.eventbrite.com

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Thursday, October 15

Mini-Conference on the Harlem River 6-8 pm

From south to north: Bridges, BOAs, Wetlands & CSOs

Bronx Museum of the Arts

This is the Bronx Council for Environmental Quality annual 

mini-conference – this year celebrating the Harlem River. 

Presentations include the BCEQ Harlem River Brownfield 

Opportunity Area Step 2 Consultants, the Highbridge, 

the South Bronx Greenway Connector, Van Cortlandt Park 

Wetlands and Watershed, and the feasibility study of 

daylighting Tibbetts Brook. Partners include the Harlem River 

Working Group & Bronx Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces.

Courtesy of ConEdison, Refreshments will be served at 7:00 pm

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Friday, October 23 to Friday, October 30

Schools Canoemobile on the Harlem River Watershed

At Van Cortlandt Park Lake 

and Roberto Clemente State Park

The Bronx Council for Environmental Quality (BCEQ) and the 

Harlem River Working Group (HRWG) are partnering with 

Wilderness Inquiry’s Canoemobile to “Experience the Harlem 

River from the Water.”  During the week, the Wilderness 

Inquiry and partners will provide hundreds of school 

children (5th Grade and older) a chance to paddle large 

Voyageur canoes (with trained outdoor educators) and learn 

firsthand about the river. During the week, we are able offer 

the opportunity for Bronx schools to ride in 24-foot Voyager 

canoes on the Harlem River. Each canoe has one trained 

captain, and can accommodate teachers, aides, parents, or 

one of our agency or community partners. The students will 

have a fun time learning in the canoes and experience first-

hand the ecology, science, history, and geography of the Harlem 

River in an hour-long canoe trip. We will also be supplementing 

this on-water experience with land-based experiential, 

confidence-building, and leadership training components 

developed by the Harlem River Working Group in conjunction

with the National Park Service (Rivers, Trails and Conservation 

Assistance Program), Wilderness Inquiry, U.S. Geological 

Survey, and many others. Interested schools should contact us at 

RSVP@bceq.org

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Wednesday, October 28 

Bronx Parks Speak Up Fun Fundraiser * 6-8pm 

Bronx Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces (BCPGS) 

Bronx Beer Hall, 2344 Arthur Ave, Bronx NY

Join the Bronx Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces to help 

raise funds for the upcoming Bronx Parks Speak Up at a fun 

fundraiser: Wednesday October 28, 2015 from 6-8pm at the 

Bronx Beer Hall.

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. .Ticket includes: 

Your first beer, Finger Foods, Souvenir Pint Glass (limited to 

first 120 ticket purchasers) All proceeds will go to support 

the 2016 Bronx Parks Speak Up - tentative date February

27th at Lehman College.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Saturday, October 24

Canoemobile on Van Cortlandt Park Lake 12noon – 4pm

With the Seven Wonders of the Park

At Van Cortlandt Park Lake

BCEQ is working with the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park for a 

fun afternoon of celebrating their next wonder: Tibbetts 

Wetland. During the event, we will have wetland tours, 

freshwater ecology lessons, EcoCrafts and FREE canoeing with 

Wilderness Inquiry on VC Lake. Meet us at VC Lake near the 

Golf House- enter the Park at Van Cortlandt Park South and 

Bailey Ave.

* * * * ****************************************************** * *

Saturday, October 31 HALLOWEEN

Canoemobile on the Harlem River Watershed 

12noon – 4pm

Halloween on the Harlem

At Roberto Clemente State Park, the entire community will 

have a chance to attend and participate in what can only be 

described as a “street fairs” on the land and on the water—

free canoe rides will be the highlight.  The Halloween event on 

10/31 will be held at Roberto Clemente State Park along the 

Harlem River, and will include many activities including watching 

a regatta 

along the river. Pre-registration highly suggested.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

More info about Canoemobile Events:

Brochure and Copy of the Waiver 

Wilderness Inquiry (WI) is an experienced adventure 

organization that collaborates with the National Park Service 

and many other state and federal agencies to engage urban 

school students on their local waterways. WI’s Canoemobile 

program visits 30 cities annually and engages more than 

10,000 youth throughout the country. WI has agreed to 

provide trips to students on the Harlem River at no cost 

to our schools. You can view Wilderness Inquiry’s online 

video to be prepared for the trip on the Harlem River.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beb3evkU5II 

https://www.wildernessinquiry.org/programs/canoemobile/ 

The Bronx Council for Environmental Quality (BCEQ) and 

Wilderness Inquiry’s Canoemobile are partnering on this 

fifth annual public event organized by the Harlem River 

Working Group (HRWG). The HRWG is a group of community 

organizations, governmental agencies and other commercial 

stakeholders, focused on improving environmental quality 

and access to and along the Harlem River—from Randall’s 

Island to the Hudson River in Bronx County, New York City. 

Formed in 2009, we organize and develop goals to ensure 

that a green corridor is established along as much of the length 

of the Harlem as possible, with habitat buffer, bike and walking 

path greenways and river access points.

COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREW COHEN SUPPORTS TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES ‘COMPLETE THE CONCOURSE’ CAMPAIGN

  Council Member Cohen believes the ‘Complete the Concourse’ effort reflects life-saving improvements that need to be made along the Grand Concourse

     This summer, Transportation Alternatives met with Council Member Andrew Cohen regarding their ‘Complete the Concourse’ campaign. This campaign requests the NYC Department of Transportation for a plan to implement a complete street design for the Grand Concourse that would bring life-saving pedestrian, bicycle and public transit improvements for residents of The Bronx. After this meeting Council Member Cohen agreed that a safer streetscape is necessary along the five miles of the Grand Concourse.

Since July 2012, over 650 people have been injured and nine have been killed due to the dangerous conditions along the Grand Concourse. ‘Complete the Concourse’ is a local effort to bring a “complete street” to the Grand Concourse. A “complete street” promises life-saving improvements for the entire Concourse, including pedestrian islands, protected bike lanes and curb extensions. It is the belief of Council Member Cohen and Transportation Alternatives that these amenities would increase connectivity along the Grand Concourse.

“After meeting with representatives from Transportation Alternatives (TA), I agree that measures need to be taken to ensure the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians along the Grand Concourse. Complete the Concourse promises life-saving improvements such as protected bike lanes and curb extensions to arguably the busiest thoroughfare in the borough. I am confident that these enhancements will improve the safety of everyone utilizing the Concourse and I look forward to working with TA to make sure they are implemented,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

"The current design of the Grand Concourse makes it difficult and dangerous for Bronx residents and visitors to get around and access public spaces like children’s playgrounds and cultural centers," said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "A Complete Street redesign will make this key corridor safer for everyone, whether they're walking, biking, riding the bus or driving a car. We thank Council Member Cohen for supporting local communities' demand for safety improvements that will save lives along the Grand Concourse."

EDITOR"S NOTE:

As a frequent driver of the roadway, I must admit that better education of people on how to cross the Grand Concourse is a must. Signs such as not crossing anywhere, but only at the corners where there are traffic signals would cut down on many injuries. When to cross the street, and .most of all better traffic enforcement of the speed limit, cars going through the red lights, and other traffic violations. Putting up cameras to give violations is not going to work, as it will only mean drivers will have to take their eyes off the road to look for any camera which will lead to more accidents. 

Bronx Democratic County Judicial Convention

   Last night's Judaical Convention was not without dissatisfaction that current/former Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson while denying rumors that he would be seeking a judgeship while petitions were being collected in his name for the Democratic primary (and several other party lines) did indeed accept the nomination for a Bronx Supreme Court Justice position from the Bronx County Judicial delegates. 

  Before the Judicial Convention even got under way there were protesters outside the Eastwood Manor where the event was being held. In all there were to be six people either renominated for their current judge ships on the Bronx State Supreme Court, or nominated to fill vacancies created by either retiring or term limits (those judges reaching age 70). The only one to really matter was when current Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo boisterously spoke about the man he was going to nominate for judge, that being Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson. Tom Messina of Congressman Joe Crowley's office seconded the nomination by saying that Assemblyman Crespo has said it all. 

   Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo later gave a speech saying that there are those in the media who want to criticize the choice of Robert Johnson being named as a candidate for judge after the petition process, and they are wrong because the law until it is changed calls for the process that is in place and it will be. Newly appointed Judicial candidate Robert Johnson refused to answer any questions from the media. including the one I had asked him over a month ago where he denied that he would be seeking a judge ship. Read more in my next column of 100 Percent in the Bronx News next Thursday as to what may be the real reason why now former Bronx DA Robert Johnson accepted the nomination for Bronx Supreme Court. 

  The Bronx Democratic County party leaders later convened to replace newly nominated Robert Johnson for Bronx District Attorney with current State Appelate Court Justice Darcel D. Clark. Much to what the game plan was. Some interesting notes about the Judicial Convention - Missing were Assemblyman Carl Heastie, Councilwoman Annabel Palma (an emergency), Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda (told not to go by his advisor), Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. (another event), and many more. In attendance however was former 80th Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera looking more like a candidate for the state assembly every day, and in the 78th next year since she now resides with her daddy current Assemblyman Jose Rivera.  

 Above - State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. was at the Judicial Convention waving to the crowd of protesters outside. That's Bob Kappstatter now advising Assemblyman Luyis Sepulveda smiling in the background. 

Below - A very angry Egidio Sementilli speaks to reporters about what he says is an injustice to the voters of the Bronx with the naming of current Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson as a judge to circumvent the primary process to have the Bronx Democratic County organization named Johnson's replacement and not the voters of the Bronx. 

Above - Dick Drady of Citizen's Union joins Mr. Sementilli and others to say that Democracy is being subverted to name a replacement candidate after the primary for Bronx District Attorney.
Below - It is time for Mr. Stanley Schlein to call the 2015 Bronx Judicial Convention to order.

Former Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson thanks the delegates of the 2015 Bronx Judicial Convention for nominating him as a candidate for a Bronx Supreme Court Judge. That is Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo who nominated DA Johnson to be a judge standing proud next to former Bronx DA Robert Johnson.