Bronx County News First Edition Postponed Until Jan 1, 2016

 

   I am sad to report that the first edition of the new newspaper The Bronx County Journal has been postponed until January 1, 2016. 

   Mr. John Perez of the Bronx County News said "I was not totally happy with the first proof of the new newspaper, and after several changes were made it was decided that the deadline of December 15th was not going to be met. It was then decided that in order to have a high quality product such as the Bronx County News will be that the first edition would be on January 1, 2016." Mr. John Perez is sorry for the delay, but he assures everyone that they will be satisfied with the paper when it comes out on January 1, 2016.

   For that reason the 100 PERCENT column scheduled to be in the December 15th paper will be the next post on this blog and will continue on this blog for another week until the first edition of the Bronx County News on January 1, 2016.

Santa Claus Was Suppose to Come to IS 216 - Here is What Happened

  It was billed as Santa Claus is coming to Bronx County, as above you see Community Board #2 District Manager Rafael Salamanca standing outside of IS 216 in front of a sign with his picture, N. Y. State Republican Party Chair Ed Cox, and that of State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. on it.  The photos below will tell you why Santa probably didn't show. Could it have been that Mr. Salamanca is a candidate for the 17th Council District, a fact that was taken from the New York City Campaign Finance Board website. Also State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. told me that he is endorsing Mr. Salamanca in the upcoming special election to replace soon to be former Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Aroyo. 

Above - Mr. Salamanca greets parents of children on Tuesday afternoon as they enter IS 216 for what seems to be a political event in a public school.

Below - Mr. Salamanca is handing a card to one parent as he enters IS 216 for the political event.

Above - The auditorium of IS 216 is filled with children and their parents for the Salamanca/Cox/Diaz political event.

Below - On stage State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. and Mr. Salamanca greet the audience as Senator Diaz Sr. a man who knows how to speak English well only spoke in Spanish while he had Mr. Salamanca translate his words into English. 

Above - Senator Diaz and Community Board #2 District Manager Salamanca had children say the pledge of allegiance, and sing the national anthem.
Below - They even had children perform on stage.

Above - However the truth was apparent when New York State Republican Chair Ed Cox was announced by Mr. Salamanca. The person to the far left in the photo is the current Bronx County Chair Mr. John Greany.

Below - State Republican Chair Ed Cox tells how wonderful it is to be with Senator Diaz Sr. and Mr. Salamanca, as they stand in front of the stage full of toys to be given out to the children who are in the audience. At the right Senator Diaz and Mr. Salamanca seem to enjoy what the State Republican Chair is saying.

Above - Mr. Salamanca is pictured with State and Bronx Republican County Chairs.

Below - Senator Diaz is seated at the edge of the stage with State Republican Chair Ed Cox with children on each side. 

No wonder Santa Claus did not come to IS 216, he did not want to have any part of party politics in a public school such as went on in IS 216. Senator Diaz and Community Board #2 District Manager Salamanca should be ashamed of themselves for this 'Purely Political' event. Was CB 2 District Manager Rafael Salamanca campaigning on city time?

1 year Ago Today Assemblyman Michael Blake

This day a year ago, I was given the indescribable honor of becoming your Assemblymember for the 79th district.

Together, we knew it would not be an easy journey to transform our community but equally knew we would make it happen.

Together, we restored heat to the seniors of Arturo Schomburg senior center and danced Bachata with abuelitas at Casa Boricua.

Together, we hired young people at Yankee Stadium through JUMA ventures and provided more young people tablets thanks to Technology for Families in Need (TechFIN).

Together, we passed legislation to help Minority & Women-Owned Business Enterprises get paid faster, local governments to get aid during time of disaster and improved health conditions for incarcerated individuals.

Together, we increased funding for students, supported teachers and administrators for professional development and advocated for public, charter, private and parochial schools.

Together, we brought seven young men to meet President Obama in The Bronx and encouraged young women through Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network.

Together, we empowered African Entrepreneurs, helped Black churches at Thanksgiving with the 100 Black Men of New York and promoted Latino Technology business owners such as Miguel Sanchez at Mass Ideation.

We have much more to do to help our 139,000 constituents. We have to Raise The Age so our 16 and 17 year olds get a fair chance in the Criminal Justice system. We have to ensure true affordable housing. We have to increase access to capital, contracting and opportunities for our Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises. We have to help our students realize their dreams.  We have to create a healthier and safer community. We clearly have more to do but much to celebrate.

As I reflect on my first year in office while in Israel and empowering my spirit for the next year, I want to say thank you.

Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for giving a young man born and raised in The Bronx a chance to represent our beloved hometown. 

Thank you for the honor. I will not let you down. Please help us make 2016 even better than this year by supporting us. 

1 year of our journey. More years of us #BuildingABetterBronx.

Yours in service,

MB

TESTIMONY OF BP DIAZ AT CITY PLANNING RE: MIH & ZQA

RE: Mandatory Inclusionary Housing & Zoning for Quality and Affordability

Good morning.

I am here today to testify in opposition to the pair of zoning text amendments that have been put forward by this administration and the Department of City Planning, known together as “Zoning for Quality and Affordability” (ZQA) and “Mandatory Inclusionary Housing” (MIH).

These text amendments pose an abundance of concerns and questions by my office, the community boards, advocacy groups, elected officials and others from all points on the spectrum of the development and public policy community.  These concerns were underlined at the recent meeting of the Bronx Borough Board, where they were unanimously rejected for a wide variety of reasons.

The submission of over 500 pages of text amendments at the same time is an unreasonable burden on most community boards to adequately review and evaluate their local neighborhood impact. These text amendments will govern land use development for our city for decades to come and should not be adopted in such a short period of time. Something so profound as the future development of this city cannot be rushed.

Achieving our city’s affordable housing goals cannot be accomplished in a vacuum. Our goal as a city should not be just to achieve a goal of 200,000 units, but to meet the individual needs of each and every community in this city.  Allowing just 60 days for our community boards to weigh in on these proposals is disrespectful to the boards, their members and the neighborhoods they serve, and goes against the spirit of progressive, inclusionary and transparent government.

Despite the impact these combined proposals will have on density, there has been no serious discussion of the social and physical infrastructure necessary to manage the development for which this zoning plan allows. 

Are there enough school seats for the children accompanying their parents as they move into new affordable units? What will be the impact on transportation in these communities? Will additional services be provided for seniors? Will new green and public spaces be provided for new residents? What kind of jobs will be created? How can we totally eliminate parking requirements? Will neighborhood residents even be able to get these new apartments?

These questions, and many others, have gone asked and unanswered.

Additionally, the proposal as it stands would not fully realize the goal of truly mixed-income communities. For example, a mix of specific income levels covering a broad range from very low to moderate-incomes within market rate developments should be considered. This range, rather than income averages, would create the true mixed-income neighborhoods that this proposal hopes to achieve.

The “neighborhood-by-neighborhood” approach to planning has been very successful in The Bronx, and these text amendments undermine that success.  The borough has adopted no less than 14 rezonings since 2009, yet these proposals will reshape the zoning of this city with one broad brush stroke.

One size does not fit all.  Local planning efforts reinforce the principles of inclusion and transparency, and can also mitigate displacement and preserve neighborhoods. These principles have been successful in previous rezonings, and they must be respected moving forward. 

This administration has said that MIH and ZQA are the only way to mitigate the problems of displacement that can come with gentrification in New York City.  This is simply not the case.  While affordable housing is key, these amendments as they stand are not the way to accomplish affordable housing for all New Yorkers.  There are multiple issues with the proposed amendments.  We need to find a way to ensure that Bronx residents’ needs and all New Yorkers’ needs are met by new zoning, and this proposal does not achieve those ends.

While it has been said that changes will be made to these text amendments in light of community concerns raised regarding their implementation, we have not seen those changes yet. As currently written, I cannot support these zoning text amendments—Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Program and Zoning for Quality and Affordability—and I strongly recommend that the City Planning Commission vote to defeat these proposals.

Thank you.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Morris Park

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Morris Park

Due to the inclement weather report for tomorrow, we have postponed the Tree Lighting in Morris Park to FRIDAY, Dec. 18th. Please join me, along with Senator Klein, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto and Councilman Vacca for the 1st Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Morris Park! Friday, December 18th 5:00pm (SHARP)  *Tree will be lit at 5:45* Loreto Park  (Morris Park Ave & Haight Ave) Featuring: -Musical Performances -Warm Refreshments provided by Morris Perk -Special Appearance by Santa Claus!

BP DIAZ & AT&T HOST LITTLE LEAGUE AWARDS

On Sunday Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and AT&T’s New York State President Marissa Shorenstein co-hosted a celebration for the Little League teams who participated in this year’s Borough President’s Cup: Grand Slam Little League and this year’s champions, the Kingsbridge Little League Knights.

The celebration took place at the Hard Rock Café at Yankee Stadium and included players, their families and their coaches.

“Through this tournament, each year we are giving the youth the opportunity a chance to play baseball on a different level on the field where legends are born, Yankee Stadium. With these equipment grants, these teams are able to purchase new equipment and extend their resources, as well. I am proud to host this event each year and I am grateful to Marissa Shorenstein and everyone at AT&T for their continued support of the Borough President’s Cup Little League tournament,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

During the event, AT&T presented each team with a gift card to Modell’s Sporting Goods--$2,500 for the winning team and $1,500 for the runner-up—to help pay for equipment for the upcoming Little League season.

“AT&T is honored to support a program that encourages kids to participate in team building sports activities, give back to their communities and maintain academic excellence,” said Marissa Shorenstein, President of AT&T New York.  “I want to thank Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. for allowing us to be part of this incredible program for the fourth year in a row and congratulate all of the players and coaches for their hard work and dedication this year, both on and off the field.”

To compete for the Borough President’s Cup, players on each Little League team had to meet a set of requirements unrelated to their performance on the field, including a B-average in school, 90 percent or greater school attendance and a demonstrated commitment to community service.

Above - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. waves to the members of both teams who played in the Borough President's Little League Tournament Cup which took place on the field at Yankee Stadium. 

Below - BP Diaz, Marissa Shorenstein (President of AT&T the sponsor of the BP Cup Tournament), are joined by both coaches of the teams who played in the BP Cup Tournament.

Above and Below - Are the players from the respective teams who played in the BP Cup Tournament, and that was what it was all about. The youngsters not only got to play on the field at Yankee Stadium, but also were celebrated at the Hard Rock Cafe in Yankee Stadium. 

IDC: Legislature must immediately pass bill to deny guns to terrorists and protect our citizens;

  Calls on legislature support bill to ban and confiscate weapons to those on FBI’s terror watch list and federal ‘no-fly’ list

  The Independent Democratic Conference called on members of the legislature to support a bill introduced by State Senator Jeff Klein that will not only stop individuals on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s terror watch list or federal no-fly list from purchasing guns, but will empower New York State Police to confiscate firearms already owned by these individuals.

“No gun should ever wind up in the hand of a suspected terrorist in New York State and after the tragedies in San Bernadino and Paris we will remain vigilant and protect our citizens by disarming anyone who poses a threat to innocent people. It’s an outrage that anyone argues that terrorists deserve Second Amendment rights. We have the right to protect law-abiding New Yorkers who have already experienced terror first hand. I’m calling on lawmakers to support my legislation and take a stand against terror,” said State Senator Jeff Klein.

Klein’s legislation, the Deny Firearms to Dangerous Terrorists Act, was introduced in the State Senate on Friday. It amends the New York State SAFE Act by banning any person on the FBI’s terrorist screening database or federal no fly list from obtaining a New York State issued gun license.

The comprehensive bill also goes a step further by empowering New York State Police to confiscate firearms from suspected terrorists on either list, as well as revoke their license to carry the weapon, under the proposal. The bill provides notification to an individual in writing within 30 days of a gun license being revoked.

The Superintendent of the New York State Police, under this proposal, would sweep both databases once a year to ensure that all appropriate law enforcement agencies are notified and firearms are confiscated.

On Sunday, Governor Cuomo and US Senator Chuck Schumer announced that they planned to close the “terror gap,” by banning the sale of firearms to anyone on a federal terror watch list or no-fly list.

No federal law forbids the sharing of data between federal and state law enforcement agencies, and with a Presidential executive order the information can flow. Congressional gridlock on the issue necessitates passing the Deny Firearms to Dangerous Terrorists Act or similar legislation on a state-by-state basis.

Enacting this measure immediately sends a strong message to the federal government.

“Now, more than ever, it is vital that we take action. I join my IDC colleagues in urging President Obama to allow state access to the terrorist watch and no-fly lists, so that we can ensure that all New Yorkers are kept safe and protected from the threat of terror,” said State Senator David Valesky.

“We must act quickly to pass this important legislation. While the federal government stagnates on gun control, the IDC is taking action. By passing this legislation immediately, New York State will send a message to our nation - we will not tolerate guns in the hands of suspected terrorists, while citizens are left at risk. This bill would not only ban the sale of firearms to individuals on the no-fly and terrorist watch lists, it would additionally empower the New York State Police to revoke the license of anyone on these lists, and confiscate their weapons. When it comes to protecting New Yorkers, we must be swift and thorough, and that is why I am joining my IDC colleagues in calling for the legislature to pass the Deny Firearms to Dangerous Terrorists Act,” said State Senator Diane Savino.

“As inaction in Congress continues, it is now on us to enact commonsense laws that will protect law abiding New Yorkers from harm. Terrorists and anyone on the no-fly list must not only be restricted from legally acquiring firearms, but proper procedures must be in place to confiscate firearms should they fall into their hands. I join my fellow IDC members in support of the Deny Firearms to Dangerous Terrorists Act, and urge my colleagues in the legislature to pass this law,” said State Senator David Carlucci.

“Suspending a suspected terrorist’s ability to obtain and possess a firearm while they’re on the no-fly list is a common sense measure in the wake of worldwide terrorist attacks. There is a reason that these individuals have been barred from air travel and if the FBI feels that they are a potential liability, we should absolutely factor that assessment in regard to their ability to bear firearms. As elected officials, we are responsible for doing everything we can to keep our constituents safe and that starts by not allowing weapons to fall into the hands of terrorists,” said State Senator Tony Avella.

BP DIAZ, CM'S TORRES & GIBSON LAUNCH BRONX PUBLIC HOUSING TASK FORCE

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., City Council Member Ritchie Torres and City Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson today announced the formation of the Bronx Public Housing Authority Task Force.

The new task force will work with New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) tenants, law enforcement agencies, elected officials, community organizations and others to focus on solutions to crime and public safety issues that affect the borough’s NYCHA developments. The task force will officially launch in January 2016.

“Our NYCHA developments are home to some of our most vulnerable populations, and they deserve to live in a safe space free from the fear of crime. Recent reports have put the issue of crime and gang activity in NYCHA housing into clear focus, and through this new task force we will be able to create and implement a clear vision for a safer NYCHA in our borough, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and the community-at-large. I thank Council Members Torres and Gibson for their commitment to this critical initiative, and I am hopeful that the ideas we put forward for The Bronx could prove useful for all five boroughs,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

"Gang violence is a serious and disturbing problem that we must tackle by addressing its root social and economic factors that lead to it. This taskforce will look at how we can reduce gang violence and ensure young men of color can lead productive lives that are not defined by guns. I look forward to working with my colleagues to confront the challenges and develop solutions that will make our borough and City safer," said Council Member Ritchie Torres, Chair of the Council's Public Housing Committee.

“I am proud to join Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Chair of the Committee on Public Housing, Bronx Council Member Ritchie Torres, as we embark on a task force to address the growing needs of Bronx NYCHA residents. Everyone deserves a safe and secure community in which to live. Together, this task force will address the public safety and quality of life issues that have plagued the residents of these developments for far too long. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this project and continuing our work to create a better and brighter Bronx for all,” said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson, Chair of the Committee on Public Safety.