Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Morris Park

  This is what it looked like yesterday afternoon on the corner of Morris Park Avenue and Haight Avenue just outside the fence of Loreto Park. As the sun set the people of the community led by elected officials such as Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Mike Benedetto, along with members of the Morris Park Community Association met Santa Claus who stopped by to wish everyone a 'MERRY CHRISTMAS', and enjoy the lighting of the Christmas tree above. Children from St. Clare Assisi's School (of Hone Avenue), and from PS 105 (of Brady Avenue) sang various holiday songs for the huge crowd that came to enjoy the Morris Park Christmas tree lighting. Those who came were not disappointed as you will see in the photos below.

Above and below - as the sun went down more and more people came out to enjoy coffee or hot chocolate. candy, or other snacks as they waited for the lighting of the Morris Park Christmas tree.

Above - Students from St. Clare Assisi School sing holiday songs for the huge crowd.

Below - Students from PS 105 also sang holiday songs for the huge crowd at the Morris Park Christmas tree lighting.

Above - Santa Claus parked his sled a few blocks away and had to hoof it over to the Christmas tree lighting.

Below - Santa gets a little help after his long ride and walk.

Above - That's Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj with the microphone in his hand,is counting down to the Christmas tree lighting. Assemblyman Mike Benedetto is closest on the left, and State Senator Jeff Klein on the right.

Below - The Morris Park Christmas tree is lit.

As all good elected officials and community leaders do, they are standing in front of the Morris Park Christmas tree with Santa Claus. 

CM COHEN, ASSEMBLY MEMBER DINOWITZ & COMMISSIONER AGARWA ANNOUNCE NEW IDNYC POP-UP

  A New IDNYC Enrollment Center Opens at the Kingsbridge Library

  City Council Member Andrew Cohen and Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowtiz was joined by Nisha Agarwal, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) and Tony Marx, President of The New York Public Library (NYPL) to announce the opening of a new IDNYC pop-up site at the Kingsbridge Library.

The pop-up site at the NYPL branch will be active from December 21, 2015 – January 15, 2016. Enrollment pop-up sites like this one rotate throughout the City to keep-up with the high demand the City has seen from residents since its introduction last year.

The IDNYC Municipal ID card gives New Yorkers an opportunity to easily access key City resources and over 30 cultural institutions and libraries with a free government-issued ID. This innovative program unifies all of New York City’s residents regardless of their immigration status, race, and gender or sexual orientation.

On Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito announced that the IDNYC program will continue to be free for eligible New Yorkers in 2016. In addition to welcoming back all of the 2015 partners, IDNYC now provides New Yorkers with free one-year memberships to seven more cultural institutions, including the Soloman R. Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Opera, and the New York City Football Club, as well as discounted tickets and memberships for Citi Bike.

IDNYC cards are available for all New Yorkers aged 14 years and up, and can be used to open a bank account or credit union account at one of several financial institutions across New York City.

To learn more about the perks the IDNYC card and to make your own appointment, visit www.nyc.gov/idnyc.

"I am excited that another pop-up enrollment site has been opened in District 11. I applaud Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for this innovative program that has acted as a gateway for all New Yorkers to gain access to vital City programs and services. It is great that the success of IDNYC keeps growing! I encourage all of my constituents to make an appointment and take advantage of the free municipal ID card," said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

“At its core, IDNYC signifies equality and access regardless of immigration or economic status. It allows all New Yorkers to access key services and a range of the City’s finest cultural offerings. We look forward to even more New Yorkers obtaining IDNYC through the Kingsbridge Library pop-up,” said Nisha Agarwal, Commissioner, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.

“Just a few weeks ago I went to the Bronx Library Center to sign up for my own ID NYC card, and I was amazed at how quick and easy the whole process was. I am thrilled that ID NYC is now making it even easier for members of our community to sign up by creating a pop-up enrollment site at the Kingsbridge Library. I applaud Mayor de Blasio for his leadership in creating this program, which affords all NYC residents, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, the opportunity to utilize several City resources in addition to dozens of cultural institutions and libraries. I strongly encourage all of my constituents to make an appointment and take advantage of this pop-up site while it’s here," said Assembly Member Dinowitz.

Above - The NYC ID cards are held up by Assemblyman Dinowitz, Councilman Cohen Sona Rai of the Mayor's office of Immigrant Affairs.

Below - NYC Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Nisha Agarwal stands in front of the machines used to take the photo and process the NYC ID Card, similar to equipment used in the motor vehicle department to process driver licences.

Dominican Student Recognized By Elected Officials

  On Thursday, December 17, 2015  Bronx Elected Officials including Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz, Sr, joined with the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization at Maestro’s Caterers, to recognize the academic achievements of Dominican student Christopher Brito. 

Christopher Brito is a Bronx high school senior at the Hyde Leadership Charter School, and he is the only student in all the five boroughs of New York City to be nominated by the New York State Department of Education for the Presidential Scholars Program.  Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz nominated Christopher Brito on October 1, 2015. 

According to Senator Diaz: “We are so proud, as Hispanics that Christopher is the only student chosen from the five boroughs and we trust that Christopher’s experience as a Nominee for the Presidential Scholars Program will continue to provide strength and encouragement for him to use all the gifts and talents that have blessed his life. We also believe that Christopher will serve as an incredible role model for our Bronx and City students.” 

Finalists for the Presidential Scholars Program are expected to be announced in the spring. 

Above - State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. addresses the New York Hispanic Clergy organization.

Below - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. does the same.

Above and Below are the students who were honored.

The students are seated at their own table. You can see the packed room full of Clergy members.

Elected Officials to Celebrate Christmas Party

  Bronx elected officials will be celebrating their annual Christmas Party tonight from 8PM – midnight at Mastero’s Caterers, located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue in Bronx County. 

Every year, Senator Ruben Diaz and Assemblymembers Marcos Crespo, Luis Sepulveda and Michael Blake join together to host an Annual Christmas Party and other activities. More than 500 guests are expected to attend to celebrate the Christmas spirit. 

This Christmas Party is probably the biggest in the City of New York. 

The elected officials have decided that this year’s Christmas Party is by INVITATION ONLY due to the magnitude of the attendance in previous years. 

For more information, please call (718) 991-3161 or email anoonan@nysenate.gov.

BIO SWALE COMES TO RIVERDALE AVENUE

  This use to be all asphalt and concrete at the corner of Riverdale Avenue and West 236th Street. It is being turned into a Bio Swale which will have openings for water to enter areas where plants and small trees can absorb the water during high rains, instead of having the water run off into the sewer system.

Above - Shrubs are planted by the opening to retain water from running down hill into the sewer system.

Below - A view looking north on Riverdale Avenue towards West 236th Street. Note that the parking spaces will all be back when this job is finished.

STATEMENT FROM STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA ON CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS' INACTION TO PROVIDE PUERTO RICO WITH NECESSARY DEBT RELIEF

"The decision by congressional Republicans to completely disregard the plight of the Puerto Rican government and deny them much needed debt relief is disappointing, disturbing and unforgivable. By not granting the Puerto Rican government the ability to responsibly renegotiate and restructure their $72 million dollar debt, Republicans have turned their backs on the 3.5 million U.S. citizens living on the island. The impact of this irresponsible decision will likely cause the island to default and will create an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that will affect generations to come.

The Puerto Rican diaspora throughout the United States will continue to organize in an effort to make it clear to Republicans that we will not stand idly by while they leave fellow Americans behind in a withering economy.

Make no mistake, this decision is irresponsible, but together we can hold  the Republican Party accountable and prevail."

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.

SEPÚLVEDA, DIAZ, AND PALMA HOLD URGENT FORUM ON PARCKCHESTER SOUTH’S THREATENED 15% HIKE IN COMMON CHARGES

  —More than 700 owner-residents attend —

An emergency forum held Monday night by Assemblyman Luis Sepúlveda, State Senator Rev Ruben Diaz, and Council Member Annabel Palma about Parckchester South’s threatened 15 percent hike in common charges drew other key elected officials and upward of 700 Parkchester owner-residents.

The elected officials were joined at the event — which was held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Evangelical Church on McGraw Avenue — by Public Advocate Letitia James and a representative from the Office of NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer.

“The fact that repairs may be necessary throughout Parkchester South,” said Sepúlveda, “does not justify management’s imposing draconian increases that will be devastating to the elderly, single families, the disabled, and others who are already struggling to keep up.”

Sepúlveda also called on Parkchester South management “to be more accountable and to participate in meetings with the community and its elected officials.

“Board President Abu Shakoor and other management officials stated that they would be available to attend, but they were no shows,” continued Sepúlveda. “They apparently decided that other business was more important than the 15.19 percent increase that they are trying to simply shove down people’s throats. Despite their lack of participation at the first town hall meeting, we will offer them another opportunity to meet with the owners at another meeting.”

“I am so proud of the turnout from Monday night's meeting. More than 400 people joined us, but shame on the Management of Parkchester South who, at the last minute, decided not to attend. I am committed to continue to keep fighting because this 15-1/2 half percent hike is abusive.” stated State Senator Rev Ruben Diaz.

Public Advocate James said “I am deeply concerned about the proposed 15% hike in common charges for residents of Parkchester South Condominiums and the significant impact that it will have on the hard-working families in this community. I am committed to working with the local elected officials and Management Board of Parkchester South on behalf of residents to urge them to consider a more reasonable agreement." 

Council Member Palma stated, “Parkchester’s South Condominium Boards financial management has resulted in homeowners and tenants paying an unjust 15.19% maintenance fee increase. The result--residents, many who are already struggling to make ends meet, will no longer be able to afford to live in one of the city’s last affordable residential communities.  As a current resident at Parkchester, I am fully aware of the need for capital improvements in our buildings, but such a drastic increase will be detrimental to our residents, many who are already struggling with their day to day expenses. I, along with my colleagues at the state level, such as Assembly Member Sepulveda, and Senator Diaz, along with Public Advocate James, look forward to working with Parkchester Management and it’s board, to identify the best financial solution for all stakeholders involved.”

The elected officials said they are considering “all options” to block the increase. According to Sepúlveda, Diaz, and Palma, these options include seeking an injunction against Parckchester South Condominiums, Inc. and bringing in an independently chosen auditor. “The auditor,” Sepúlveda explained, “would assess the actual costs of needed repairs and determine an equitable per-unit share of those costs, a determination that would ensure that already financially pressed Parckchester South condo owners not be gouged.”

Assemblyman Luis 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.