In Loving Memory of Marilyn Klein

In Loving Memory of Marilyn Klein

It is with deep sorrow that we bid farewell to Marilyn Klein, former female District Leader for the 80th Assembly District and mother to State Senator and IDC Co-Leader Jeff Klein. She was a remarkable woman that will truly be missed by many. Relatives and friends are welcome to sit Shiva on Wednesday, November 11 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Maestro's Caterers, 1703 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Marilyn Klein's name to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America: 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Fl., New York, NY 10001 or (866) 232-8484. Cards and letters of condolence may be sent to: Senator Jeff Klein, 1250 Waters Place, Suite 1202, Bronx, NY 10461.

Project HOPE November 22

Save the Date!! Project HOPE  Hanukah Package Delivery  Sunday, November 22 -  9am-11:30am Share the joy of the holidays by bringing along   friends and family to deliver 3-5 Hanukah packages  to lonely, home-bound or needy Jewish elderly!   Whether or not you are able to come, you can always help by sponsoring a package for only $25      For groups, questions or to deliver to a particular  senior contact Niti Minkove, Director of Volunteers  at nminkove@bjcconline.org or Cell: (917) 693-3084 B'nai B'rith Building (Co-op City) 2050 Bartow Ave, Bronx, NY 10475 Directions: From Hutchinson River Pkwy So, to Bartow Ave. exit 4N. Stay on exit road until Bartow Ave. Make a right turn at Bartow Ave. Go until you see a 6 story red brick building (about 1/8 mile) with a blue awning.   Ampark (Near Riverdale):  NEW LOCATION 95 Gale Place (Community Room #9), Bronx, NY 10463   Directions: Take Major Deegan Expressway to Exit 11 (Van Cortlandt  Park South). Turn left off the ramp and go up the hill 2 blocks to  Orloff Ave. Turn left on Orloff Ave. and then left on Gale Pl.  (Community Room #9 is on the corner of Orloff Ave. and Gale Pl.)

Combating Climate Change By Defending EPA’s Clean Power Plan

Attorney General Schneiderman is leading a coalition of 25 states, cities and counties that are committed to aggressively defending the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan. The Clean Power Plan will require fossil-fueled power plants, the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the nation, to cut their emissions. The plan’s projected reductions are equivalent to the pollution emitted by 70 percent of the nation’s passenger cars. Climate change represents an unprecedented threat to the environment, public health and our economy—and EPA’s Clean Power Plan is a critical step forward in protecting our planet. 

Exxon Investigation 

The New York Times and others reported last week that Attorney General Schneiderman had launched an investigation of Exxon Mobil to determine whether the company lied to the public about the risks of climate change or to investors about how such risks might hurt the oil business.   

Taking Down An International Car-Theft Ring

The Attorney General and NYPD Commissioner Bratton announced the indictment of 14 individuals who allegedly operated a sophisticated international stolen vehicle theft ring. The alleged scheme involved driving fraudulently-rented Mercedes, BMWs, Infinitis and other luxury vehicles from lots at New York City airports to the Bronx, where they would be loaded into shipping containers bound for West Africa. “Operation Cruise Control” utilized wiretaps and other surveillance to gather evidence against the Bronx-based criminal ring. The Attorney General has no tolerance for fraudsters who try to profit at the expense of New York businesses. 

Stopping Fraud Against The State

Along with Inspector General Leahy Scott, the Attorney General announced the guilty plea of a Department of Transportation worker for fraudulently obtaining nearly $10,000 in Workers’ Compensation benefits. Over a period of eight months, Corey Cragnolin falsified documents he submitted to the New York State Insurance Fund by stating he was not working in any capacity while accepting benefits when he was in fact still working.

The Attorney General and Inspector General also announced the guilty plea of Joseph Clare, a retired Department of Corrections officer who fraudulently obtained more than $56,000 in Workers’ Compensation benefits in less than three years. As part of the guilty plea, Clare paid $56,400 in restitution back to the state, and was sentenced to a one year conditional discharge.

And as part of his continued efforts to root out pension fraud,  Attorney General Schneiderman and Comptroller DiNapoli announced the guilty plea of Terence Fitzpatrick, who allegedly stole $78,000 in pension benefits from the state. Fitzpatrick had allegedly failed to notify the state of his father’s death, who had been a retired Port Authority worker and collected pension benefits. Fitzpatrick faces a maximum penalty of 2 & 1/3 to 7 years in prison.

The Attorney General has made it a priority to punish those who take money out of the pockets of honest, hardworking New Yorkers who rely on these important funds. 

Protecting Trial Witnesses

The Attorney General announced the indictment of two individuals charged with witness tampering in a mortgage fraud case. In 2011, an Onondaga County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Alexander March, Sima March, and two other co-defendants in a mortgage fraud scheme, but the Marchs fled the United States and entered Canada to avoid arrest. During that time, it is alleged that Alexander March and an attorney, Jon Lefkowitz, engaged in a conspiracy to tamper with the Grand Jury witnesses who had testified against the Marchs. In an attempt to undermine the witnesses’ credibility, March and Lefkowitz allegedly demanded that witnesses sign affidavits and answer questionnaires that would discredit their prior sworn testimony. In furtherance of their conspiracy, Lefkowitz and March also allegedly impersonated various individuals, including attorneys, and sent out forged “judicial subpoenas” that appeared to have been authorized by a New York State Supreme Court Judge. The Attorney General will continue to be a staunch protector of the integrity of New York’s criminal justice system. 

Protecting New Yorkers Against Mortgage Fraud

A Florida woman has been sentenced for her role in a mortgage fraud ring that netted more than $1 million by preying upon first-time home buyers and institutional mortgage lenders in the Syracuse area. Tracie Clark, the fifth and final participant of this mortgage to be sentenced, was given six months in jail and five years of probation. The ringleader of the scheme, Theresa Sanders, was previously sentenced to 2 1/3 to seven years in prison for her role. 

Protecting Medicaid Against Fraud

A Rochester nurse has pleaded guilty to bilking Medicaid of nearly $9,000. Schmeka Morgan provided private nursing services to a special needs young adult and billed the state for numerous hours she did not work. Morgan’s guilty plea carries a sentence of 3 years’ probation and the full restitution of $8,838 she illegally charged the state. 

Veterans Brunch - Job and Resource Fair November 18th, 2015!

Register Today ! 

Please Join The 

Bronx Chamber of Commerce

at our Veterans Brunch

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Brunch - 10:00AM

Job and Resource Fair - 12:00PM

*Those interested in a complimentary interview table for our resource fair, please email Michelle@bronxchamber.org*

For More Information Please Email:

EVENTS@BRONXCHAMBER.ORG

9th ANNUAL THROGGS NECK VETERANS’ DAY PARADE BREAKFAST

State Senator Jeff Klein will host his 9th annual Veterans’ Day Breakfast in honor of the outstanding servicemen and women of the 34th Senate District on Sunday, November 8 at Villa Barone Manor at 9:30 a.m.  
That was how the event was billed as, but at the 9th Annual Throggs Neck Veterans Day Breakfast everyone found out that State Senator Jeff Klein would not be attending today's breakfast and Veterans parade due to the sudden loss of his mother Madeline the night before. Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj stood in for Senator Klein doing a fine job as the host, but everyone felt the sorrowness that Assemblyman Gjonaj and others close to Senator Klein were feeling as the breakfast went on.
More than 300 veterans were treated to a complimentary hot breakfast before the 31st annual Throggs Neck Veterans’ Day Parade kicked off between East Tremont and Lafayette avenues. Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj (standing in for Senator Klein) presented this year's grand marshal – Lieutenant Colonel Floyd Carter, a Tuskegee Airman who served in the military during WWII, Korea and Vietnam – with a proclamation honoring him for his service to this country. Honorary grand marshals Robert ‘Coz’ Eraneazio, Ray Karta, Maurice Powers, James Cerasoli, Cornelius Wallace, Robert Fritz, John Laguna and Angelo ‘Jerry’ Gerardi families also receive proclamations.

Above and Below - The New York City Transit Pipes and Drums played during the Presentation of the Colors

Above - Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj stood in for State Senator Jeff Klein.

Below - Honoree 92 Year-old Veteran Lieutenant Colonel Floyd Carter a United States Air Force Tuskegee Airman was the Grand Marshal of the Throggs Neck Veteran's Day Parade that took place after the breakfast.

Above - Taps was played for the fallen soldiers of past wars.

Below - Local Veteran leader Pat Devine thanks everyone who came to the breakfast, and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj who stood in for State Senator Jeff Klein in the senator's time of sorrow.

100 PERCENT SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2015

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

85 Percent

   85 percent was the number I said in my pre-election day column that Democratic Bronx District Attorney candidate Darcel Clark would need, and it was 85 percent of the vote  that Darcel Clark received as she glided to victory on as the new Bronx DA on election day. It was all smiles at the victory celebration that night after the  polls closed, but not everyone was at the Eastchester Manor to help celebrate the victory. Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo was already in Puerto Rico as the Chairman of the Somos El Futuro convention that was to begin the next day. With the county leader was Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and several other Bronx elected officials, This however did not make the celebration of new Bronx DA Darcel Clark's victory any less as there were enough people including New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Bronx Democratic County Committee Chair Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, Councilman Andy King (and his lovely wife), the winning team of Bronx County Judicial candidates and many district leaders. Check the blog archive for photos of the celebration.

    The trials of both former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and former State Senate Leader Dean Skelos got underway this past week. If all go the U.S. Attorney's way I expect to see more indictments coming down, and it is not going to be pretty. 

    Speaking of something getting ugly, the 13th Congressional race is getting more ugly each day as more candidates are jumping into the race to succeed Charlie Rangel. Rangel has thrown his support behind Manhattan Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Keith Wright, but that has not stopped anyone from throwing their name into the race. As of now those in the race with Assemblyman Wright are former Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell, State Senator Bill Perkins, Clyde Williams (candidate in 2014), State Senator Adriano Espailliat (candidate in 2012 and 2014), Manhattan Assemblyman Guillerrmo Linares, Susan Cook (former Clinton official), Mike Gallagher, and probably one or two more as the petition process begins next year. 

    The season of holiday parties will soon begin. and on Tuesday December 1st the North Bronx Democratic Club will be hosting its first holiday party at Maestros located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue from 6 - 9 PM. The Guest of Honor will be Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, with the Honorees to include NYC Corrections Union President Norman Seabrook, RAIN Founder Beatrice Castiglia Catullo, Bronx Chamber of Commerce Chairman and Metro Properties President Joseph Kelleher, and School District 11 Superintendent Meisha Ross Porter. You can call 347-256-8719 or email northbronxdems@gmail.com for more information on purchasing tickets, and/or to place a journal ad. The North Bronx Democratic Club is on Williamsbridge Road and is the club of State Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj. 

    Upcoming events include - 

   On Wednesday November 11th beginning at 11 AM there will be a Veterans Day Memorial at the Rudy Macina Peace Memorial Plaza located at the North corner of Williamsbridge Road and Pelham Parkway. 

   On Thursday November 12th there will be a Bronx borough Public Hearing on the proposed City Planning Commission Zoning for Quality and Affordability, and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Text Amendments at the Bronx County Building located at 851 Grand Concourse (at East 161st Street) Room 600 from 6 - 8 PM. 

   On Wednesday November 18th The Bronx Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Veteran's Brunch and Job & Resource Fair at Maestro's located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue. The veteran's Brunch will be at 10 AM with the Job and Resource Fair beginning at Noon. 

      On Thursday November 19th Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will be hosting his celebration of Puerto Rican Heritage Month at SALSA Con Fuego located at 2297 Cedar Avenue (between West Fordham Road and Landing Road next to the Deegan Highway) from 12 - 3 PM.  You can check this blog archive listing for October and November for more details on each upcoming event and more as they come in.

    I hope to be back in print in a few short weeks in a major new newspaper, but If you have any political information that you want to share or have checked out, any comments about this column, or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

 

North Bronx Democratic Club Holiday Party

You are cordially invited to the  North Bronx Democratic Club  1st Annual Holiday Dinner with NYS Senator Jeff Klein & NYS Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 6:00pm- 9:00pm Maestro's Caterers  1703 Bronxdale Avenue Bronx, NY 10461

Guest of Honor Hon. Carl E. Heastie   Honorees Norman Seabrook President, NYC Correction Officers Benevolent Association Beatrice Castiglia Catullo Founder, RAIN Inc. Joseph Kelleher President, Metro Properties & Chairman, Bronx Chamber of Commerce Meisha Ross-Porter Superintendent, NYC DOE School District 11

For more information and to purchase tickets and/or journal ad, please call (347) 256-8719, or email northbronxdems@gmail.com (link) Dinner Invite & Journal Contract

John Doyle: My Plans for the Future

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, over the past year I’ve strongly considered running for City Council in 2017.  I deeply appreciate the kind words, encouragement and excitement that so many of you have shown towards this possibility. As I have weighed this decision, I have been attending meetings throughout our area on a weekly basis to pinpoint the greatest needs of our Community and in the process,I have seen how much pride residents have in their communities and also how much resolve they have to make their communities stronger.

At the same time, I've noticed that people’s confidence in government is badly shaken; some believe there's nothing they can do to change things at City Hall.  Many feel that decisions and changes that affect the future of their own neighborhoods are kept secret, and that transparency in government seems like a foreign concept. Concerns about the well-being of the community are raised, and are sometimes ignored by those in a position of power to help. Often,  the whole truth comes out only after something regrettable occurs

It’s incumbent upon all of us to take a stand and do our best to change the trajectory we’re on.  It is with this overarching issue in mind that I’ve formed an exploratory committee to run for City Council.   I‘ll champion efforts to improve public participation, town-hall style democracy, transparency in government and most of all - be accountable to you, the voter.   We’ve seen in the past few years that when you aren’t given choices, our whole system of government suffers. The people of our neighborhood deserve an open debate and discussion before making their decision at the polls in two years.   It’s my intention to provide voters with that discussion.  I believe my experience fighting for residents against wasteful bureaucracy for five years as a staff member of the New York Senate and my four years advocating for meaningful changes to our neighborhoods as a community activist  gives me a unique insight into the challenges we face.  Indeed, I believe these experiences make me the most qualified candidate to seek the office of Council Member at this time.

It is with this in mind that I wanted to invite you to my first fundraiser on Friday Nov. 13th at the D.A. Beach Club in Throggs Neck from 7-10pm at 665 Shore Drive (at the corner of Randall and Clarence Avenues), Bronx NY 10465.    I plan to run in the NYC Public Finance System which matches individual donations 6-to-1,  this means your money has more power to my campaign,  and that together we can stand up to the interests that have no positive interest in our community.

While I can't promise to be able to change everything in this political system, I can promise that I will work tirelessly to hear and champion your concerns, large or small, in our neighborhoods and in City Hall. However, I cannot do this without your help. I ask for your support to improve our communities in the East Bronx. 

Thank you,

John 

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John Doyle for City Council 

(347) 903-8130

http://www.johndoyle.nyc