Belmont Christmas Tree Lighting 2015

  It was the Christmas tree that almost did not happen this year as the New York Post reported that a security guard was hired to chase away panhandlers and homeless people in Ciccrone Park on Arthur Avenue in the Belmont section of the Bronx. That would mean there was no money for a Christmas tree this year. Channel 2 News along with some help from this blogger (it was this blogs photo of last years Christmas tree in Ciccrone Park that appeared in the Channel 2 story) helped shed light on the Christmas tree problem. It was said that the Belmont BID had to hire a security guard because there were panhandlers and homeless people in the park and around the BID area. It seemed that no one told the merchants who wind up paying for the BID through their landlords or property taxes, and many of them were angry.

  After the Channel 2 story broke it seemed that area Councilman Ritchie Torres and the BID along with a few other contributors were able to buy a Christmas tree, bring Santa back again to the park this past Saturday (during his very busy season), and have music, cookies, and other goodies for the kids. Last year there were less than 150 people who showed up, but that was due to the rain that was falling last year on the tree lighting night. This year almost 500 people were on hand with a few Parks Enforcement Police, and officers from the 48th Precinct including the commanding officer. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., stopped by to see the tree lighting, and take several photos with many of the neighborhood residents. City Councilman Ritchie Torres spoke of the importance of the tree lighting, and how he was glad to help. 78th A.D. Assemblyman Jose Rivera did not show up again this year, but 80th A.D. Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj was on hand, and Assemblyman Gjonaj brought with him what seems to be his choice to run against Assemblyman Jose Rivera, that being Bronx Community Board 7 member Ischia Bravo.  

Above - Santa took pictures with all the children. 

Below - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. also took photos with children, but it was their parents who really wanted their photos with the BP.

 

Above - Local Councilman Ritchie Torres thanks Santa for coming, and tells that he was glad to help bring the Christmas tree lighting to Ciccrone Park this year.
Below - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. (left with hat), Belmont Community Activist Jose Padilla Jr. (with his Christmas vest), Councilman Ritchie Torres (middle), 80th A.D. Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, and Ischia Bravo (probable candidate for 78th A.D.).  

The 2015 Belmont Ciccrone Park Christmas tree.

Wreaths Across America

  The Bronx Veterans Coalition, American Legion, Borinquen Post 1951 and Military Woman In power are in a participatory project with Wreaths Across America. Our Goal is to Provide our Fallen Guardians of freedom with a holiday wreath. approximately 225 Wreaths Are needed to for this mission. We are humbly asking that you assist us in executing this yearly mission. The Wreaths are scheduled to be place on the 18th of December.

Phone Scams, Springsteen Ticket Gouging & More

Protecting New Yorkers Against Phone Scams

Following an uptick in reports of telephone scammers, the Attorney General released tips to defend against these fraudsters. New Yorkers have recently reported scammers posing as officials from the Internal Revenue Service and the Attorney General’s Office. The scammers typically target seniors, students and first generation Americans, and are often looking to uncover personal information. New Yorkers should remember to never give out personal information when receiving an unsolicited call, and to always be suspicious of those who ask to keep the conversation private. And remember, the safest thing to do is always to say “no” and hang up. Those who believe they have been the victim of fraud should contact the office immediately.

Standing Up For Religious Liberty

The Attorney General sent a letter to leading civil rights and Muslim advocacy groups reiterating his commitment to enforce all laws protecting religious liberty and equality. While some have chosen to exploit fear and anger by targeting certain religious minorities, the Attorney General emphasized that his office stands ready to enforce all state and federal civil rights laws protecting the liberty and equality of people of all religions. Anyone who is aware of potential violations should contact the office’s Civil Rights bureau at (212) 416-8250 or Civil.Rights@ag.ny.gov. This is just the latest step the Attorney General has taken to protect religious liberty. In 2011, his office launched the Religious Rights Initiative, which is dedicated to addressing religious discrimination claims and ensuring that anti-discrimination laws are aggressively enforced. The Attorney General has also reached an agreement with a municipal healthcare organization to safeguard all employees' rights to religious accommodations in 2012. And this past February, the Attorney General’s office joined a coalition of states in filing a friend-of-the-court brief with the US Supreme Court in support of a Muslim woman who had been denied employment at an Abercrombie & Fitch store because she wore a hijab.

Cracking Down On Foreclosure Rescue Scam Advertisements

This week the Attorney General announced an innovative partnership with state media associations to stop rampant and unlawful advertising of foreclosure rescue scams. Scammed homeowners have frequently reported that they were lured by ads the scammers placed in local media outlets, as these trusted outlets are often used as vehicles to target vulnerable New Yorkers. To combat this, the Attorney General’s is partnering with the New York News Publishers Association, New York Press Association and the New York State Broadcasters Association to help local outlets scrutinize advertisements to identify possible scammers. These scams are particularly repugnant because they take victims of the housing crash and make them victims again, and the Attorney General thanks the media associations for working to ensure that scammers cannot exploit New Yorkers. 

Holding Restaurant Owners Accountable For Wage Theft

The owner of a restaurant in Westchester has pleaded guilty for failing to pay minimum wage and overtime to workers. Elisa Parto hired cooks, cleaners and cashiers who were all owed the minimum wage for hours worked, as well as overtime at one and one half times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. As part of the plea, Parto will be required to pay $47,000 in unpaid wages, which will be distributed to six former employees. The Attorney General has consistently taken a firm stance on the minimum wage and overtime violations, and protecting the livelihoods of hardworking New Yorkers will continue to be a priority for his office. 

Preventing The Use Of Forged Narcotic Prescriptions

The Attorney General announced the arrest of a Schenectady nurse for allegedly obtaining narcotics by presenting prescriptions with the forged signature of a physician assistant at the hospital. It is alleged that Kristie Clemovich presented seven prescriptions to Rite Aid and Walmart pharmacies that were issued in the names of relatives of Clemovich and which bear the forged signature of a physician assistant. The alleged forged alleged prescriptions were discovered as a result of New York’s I-STOP Prescription Monitoring Program, an online database that enables doctors and pharmacists to report and track controlled narcotics in real time. This case shows that I-STOP is working as envisioned, and the Attorney General will continue to root out prescription drug abuse epidemic that has ruined lives and ripped families apart across our state. 

Stopping Medicaid Fraud

The Attorney General announced the guilty pleas of two Schenectady personal care aides for submitting false time sheets to an area Physicians Health Plan. The false submission caused more than $1,000 each in theft of Medicaid funds, as the duo failed to provide in-home personal care that they claimed to perform.

In a separate instance, a Rochester nurse has been arrested for allegedly stealing nearly $5,000 from the Medicaid program. Erica Viverette allegedly repeatedly billed Medicaid for the care of four medically fragile individuals, which she never performed.  When individuals exploit the Medicaid program’s flexibility and a patient’s vulnerability, it takes away from those who are in need of basic health care services.

Dean Skelos and Son Adam Found Guilty on All Eight Counts

  Last week former Assembly Speaker and now former Assemblyman Sheldon Silver was found guilty on all seven counts in the indictment by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.

  Today it the State Senate's turn as former State Senate Majority Leader, and now former State Senator Dean Skelos along with his son Adam Skelos were both found guilty on all eight counts in the indictment by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. It was not disclosed just how much time either Skelos would be facing in jail, but that will be decided at the sentencing that will be announced soon.

  The U.S. Attorney has the following statement on the conviction of both Dean and Adam Skelos.

 “The swift convictions of Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos beg an important question – how many prosecutions will it take before Albany gives the people of New York the honest government they deserve?” 

  The only question now is -Who will be next?

Bronx Assemblyman Michael Blake to Join Hilltop Public Solutions Consulting Firm

  Politico is reporting that current 79th A.D. Assemblyman Michael Blake will become a partner at Hilltop Public Solutions a political consulting firm. Politico also says that Hilltop never mentioned the fact that Blake is a current sitting New York State Assemblyman or if Blake would leave his position as a New York State assemblyman. They do mention that Hilltop is home to several political consultants who are close advisors to Mayor Bill de Blasio such as Hilltops founder Nick Baldick, Bill Hayes from de Blasio's 2013 campaign, and Rebecca Katz also from the de Blasio campaign team and then administration.  

  It was Ms. Katz Politico continues who said that Assemblyman Blake would not be stepping down from the New York State Assembly after joining Hilltop. Assemblyman Blake told Politico that his work for them would be of a national or international nature, having nothing to do with New York State. The entire Politico article can be found here.

Santa Claus Is Coming to Bronx County

State Senator Rev Ruben Diaz has invited Santa Claus to come to the Bronx with toys for the children of the South Bronx. 

This visit of Santa Claus will take place on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 4:00 PM in the auditorium of Public School IS 216, Rafael Hernandez, located at 977 Tiffany Street (between Westchester Avenue and East 163rd Street). 

The organizers of this event State Republican Chair Ed Cox and Bronx Community Leader Rafael Salamanca, together with Senator Diaz announced that: “Santa Claus will have free toys for the first 1,000 children between the ages of 1 – 9 who arrive at the school.” 

All parents are invited to bring their children and join us to help make our children happy during this Christmas Season. 

For further information, please contact the Office of Senator Diaz at (718) 991-3161. 

The Passing of NBA Legend Dolph Schaye

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

RE: The Passing of NBA Legend Dolph Schayes

“I would like to send my condolences to the family of NBA legend and Hall of Famer Dolph Schayes, who passed away today at the age of 87.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Schayes this year, when we inducted him into the Bronx Walk of Fame, for having revolutionized the game of basketball. As an avid fan of the sport of basketball, it was a great honor to meet someone who meant so much to the game from his days at DeWitt Clinton High School through his time in the NBA. Dolph Schayes changed how big men played the game – appearing in 12 All-Star Games, scoring more than 19,000 points and grabbing more than 11,000 rebounds. His tremendous career earned him a selection to the NBA's All-Time 50th Anniversary Team.

“I had the opportunity this spring to talk with Mr. Schayes about the intricacies of the game and how basketball has changed since his playing days. As an avid fan of the sport, I will always cherish those insights.

“Mr. Schayes will not only be missed by the his basketball fraternity in the NBA but also by those in The Bronx who appreciate the history of the game and everything he accomplished as a Bronxite playing at the sport’s highest level,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Above - Dolph Schayes as he arrives to the Bronx Week Parade celebration in May of this year.

Below Mr. Schayes sits on the reviewing stand during the Bronx Day Parade. Here BP Diaz cracks a joke to him. 

Visit Santa and the Grinch this Saturday in Marble Hill!

Marble Hill Holiday Trolley of Fun Event Saturday, December 12, 2015 1-4pm 225th Street and Broadway This event is shaping up to be awesome!  Check out the Map/Flyer below for details and click here for a larger version.