22ND ANNUAL BRONX PARKS SPEAK UP Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016

22^ND ANNUAL BRONX PARKS SPEAK UP

Date/Time: Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016

Description: The Bronx Parks Speak Up is an annual community networking conference for park and environmental stakeholders. Organized by the Bronx Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces (BCPGS), this day-long event draws over 250 Bronx residents, elected officials and agency personnel. It gives its attendees the chance to learn about government and non-government resources and participate in face-to-face discussions with city and local elected and appointed officials.

Location: Lehman College

RSVP: Registration is not yet live; please save the date and look out for more info to come!

New BJ’s Wholesale Club in Bronx Riverdale Crossing Hosts Private Community Celebration

  BJ’s Wholesale Club announces today the grand opening of its eighth Metro New York location at 184 West 237th Street in the Bronx on Saturday. The 110,550 square-foot club offers significant savings on high-quality leading brands of food and general merchandise. The opening of the club will create about 185 new full and part-time employment positions. The grand opening celebration will include food and beverage sampling, balloon artists and face painters. Both current Members as well as the general public are invited to visit the new club where BJ’s Team Members (employees) will be available to provide information about membership and products. Shoppers will discover a growing selection of organic foods, BJ’s exclusive, premium Wellsley Farms and Berkley Jensen brands, fresh bakery, rotisserie chicken, food court, BJ’s Optical® Department and more.

   “BJ’s is excited to open another club in the Bronx to provide area residents with a convenient shopping location that fulfills their needs for great value, quality and selection,” said Dave Shaw, general manager of BJ’s Wholesale Club in the Bronx Riverdale Crossing. “We look forward to establishing strong relationships within the community and supporting our Adopt-A-School and nonprofit partners, too.” Community support is a core value at BJ’s, and with that in mind, the new club has partnered with PS/MS 37 The Multiple Intelligences School as part of BJ’s Adopt-A-School program. The school will receive a $1,000 donation and $1,500 in school supplies to enhance educational programs and curriculum objectives.  BJ’s has also selected the following three organizations to receive support in the form of $2,500.  The photos below of today's event should tell the rest of the story.

Above - There was a pre-opening party for the associates (employees).

Below - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was greeted by BJ's President and COO Chris Baldwin. 

Above - BJ's President and COO Chris Baldwin tells of the enjoyment of having a second club store in the Bronx.

Below - General Manager of the West 237th Street BJ's Dave Shaw is well experienced in the food industry having come from the Pathmark chain before joining BJ's. 

Above - Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. tells of the leaving of the once busy Stella Doro cookie factory on the site where the new BJ's that he and Marlene Cintron of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation were able to replace the vacant cookie factory with.

Below - State Senator Jeff Klein is glad that BJ's will open in a few days. Senator Klein is part of Bronx H.I.R.E. that was able to have many Bronx residents apply for jobs at the BJ's. 

Above - Local Councilman Andrew Cohen spoke about the economic growth he expects from the new BJ's, which has already begun with the many other stores in the shopping center.

Below - The Step Dancers from PS/MS 37 which is one of BJ's local community partners. 

Above - Executives from City Harvest, Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, Bronxworks, and PS/MS 37 hold checks from BJ's to their community partner organizations in the amount of $2,500.00 each.

Below - Bronx BP Diaz was the first to be given a tour of the new BJ's at West 237th Street. 

Above - The New Bj's has 24 check outs.

Below - A look at the soda isle.

Above - The huge prepackaged Deli section.

Below - A small selection of the huge fresh meats offered by BJ's

Above - Bj's sells large size items. and you can pick up a half-gallon of Hagen Daz Ice Cream at a great price.

Below - Major appliances such as televisions are on display, and you can even get that new vacuum cleaner you may need. 

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES GUARANTEED $15 MINIMUM WAGE FOR ALL CITY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES – BENEFITTING 50,000 ADDITIONAL NEW YORKERS

Mayor’s announcement guarantees all City & purchase of service employees will make $15/hour by end of 2018 

   

   Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced a $15 minimum wage for all City government employees and employees who provide contracted work for the City at social service organizations – meaning that by the end of 2018, approximately 50,000 additional employees will see their wages boosted to $15 an hour, making New York City a national leader in the fight to raise the wage.

“We know that nothing does more to lift up working families and move our economy forward than raising wages – and the City is leading by example by doing just that for these 50,000 additional New Yorkers,” said Mayor de Blasio. “From pre-K and affordable housing, to paid sick and parental leave, we’re taking real action for working New Yorkers.”

Under current contracts, wages are already ahead of the minimum wage increase that has been proposed in Albany. However, most contracts expire in 2017 or 2018. Mayor de Blasio’s announcement today guarantees that all employees will make $15 an hour by the end of 2018, regardless of whether their contract expires beforehand. The City will immediately work with municipal unions and social service providers to sign letters of understanding that guarantee the increased wages.

Mayor de Blasio has long fought for a $15 minimum wage on the State and federal levels. New York City is doing what is in its power and guaranteeing increased wages for its own employees. Raising the minimum wage is a key part of Mayor de Blasio’s OneNYC goal of lifting 800,000 New Yorkers out of poverty over the next ten years.

Today’s news follows Mayor de Blasio’s announcement last month that he will provide six weeks fully-paid parental leave to all 20,000 unrepresented managerial and original jurisdiction employees – allowing employees to take up to 12 weeks, when combined with existing leave – and immediately move to negotiate the same benefit with municipal unions.

Direct City Employees

Over 20,000 direct city employees will benefit from the Mayor’s announcement and see their wages boosted to $15/hour by December 31, 2018 on the following schedule, with the 2015 and 2016 wages reflective of the lowest salaries under current contracts:

12/31/2015

12/31/2016

  $11.79/hour              $12.14/hour            

   12/31/2017               12/31/2018

  $13.59/hour               $15.00/hour

The employees who will benefit from this increase include school crossing guards, City seasonal aides, job training participants, and a number of other titles, largely represented by DC37.

The cost of implementing this proposal for direct City employees would be $36 million over the Financial Plan (through Fiscal Year 2020).

Purchase of Service Employees

Mayor de Blasio is also funding this benefit for employees at social service organizations who do contracted work for the City, known as purchase of service employees. In total, approximately 30,000 purchase of service employees will benefit from the increased wages and see a $15/hour minimum wage by December 31, 2018, on the following schedule:

12/31/2015

12/31/2016

   $11.50/hour             $12.00/hour               

12/31/2017               12/31/2018

   $13.50/hour              $15.00/hour

The 30,000 employees who will benefit from this increase include teacher aides, custodial aides, family and infant care workers, and a number of other titles. 

These employees already saw their wages boosted to $11.50/hour under Mayor de Blasio’s Fiscal Year 2016 adopted budget.

The cost of implementing this proposal for Purchase of Service employees would be $202 million over the Financial Plan (through Fiscal Year 2020).

Statement from State Senator Jeff Klein on the Passing of Chief Judge Judith Kaye

    "I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Chief Judge Judith Kaye. As the first woman to achieve the position of Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, an office that she served for over 15 years, Judith Kaye was a pioneer in the State of New York. An accomplished adjudicator and dedicated civil servant, her contributions to the Judiciary, and the legal profession as a whole, have left a lasting impression on our state. My thoughts are with her family and friends - she will be greatly missed."

Statement from Assemblyman Dinowitz on Returning to Albany, Priorities for the 2016 Legislative Session

    “As we embark on a new legislative session, the challenges – and opportunities – are clear. We must focus on making New York stronger and helping families get ahead by increasing opportunities and fairness. Last year, the Assembly Majority was able to accomplish much of our Families First agenda. Now, we must build on that success and deliver more for the people we represent. One way we can start is by robustly investing in education to give our children the very best opportunities to succeed, and by amending New York’s tax code to make it fairer for middle class families.

    “High on the agenda is raising the minimum wage. In order for New York’s working class families to have any chance at growing and building a better life for themselves we must substantially raise the minimum wage. I will relentlessly advocate for a minimum wage increase until all New Yorkers are given a fair, modern wage.

    “During this session I will also continue pursuing several of my own pieces of legislation including raising awareness on the dangers of sugar sweetened beverages, protecting our children and our schools from the risks posed by low vaccination rates, creating the statewide Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate, and many others.

     “Given the events of the past year, ethics and campaign finance reform are more important than ever. We must seriously look at limiting the outside income of legislators. We must adopt campaign finance reform, including closing the LLC loophole. And we must increase the level of transparency regarding the way state funds are spent, including discretionary funds by both the executive and the legislature. I have been a long-time advocate of all of these policies and I look forward to continuing that advocacy this year.

     “On our first day in session we have already adopted a significant measure giving legislators the ability to read bills electronically on tablets. This change will make government not only much more efficient, but much more environmentally friendly, eliminating the need for the enormous amounts of paper that are printed each legislative session, saving taxpayers millions of dollars in paper and printing costs.

   

    “These are just some of my top priorities for the 2016 legislative session, and I will work tirelessly to ensure they are accomplished. Given our new leadership under Speaker Carl Heastie, I am confident this will be a productive year.”

    Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

Council Member Andy King to Host Open House For 12th District Constituents

   City Council Member Andy King will hold an open house and community “meet and greet” at his 12th District offices at 940 East Gun Hill Road and 135 Einstein Loop, Room 44, in Co-Op City on Friday, Jan. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

   Joining Council Member King will be his staff and representatives from city agencies, who will be available to answer community questions.

   The open house also celebrates the observance of the birthday of the slain civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

   “It’s only fitting that on the day of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s actual birthday that we open up our house as Dr. King had opened up his heart and gave his life to improve the lives of others. That true commitment to service is what we strive for in the 12th District,” said Council Member King.

This event is free and open to the public.

News from BX Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr

Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. Addresses

New NYPD Officers

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was joined by Assistant Chief Larry Nikunen, commander of Patrol Borough Bronx, to speak to 186 new police officers at Fordham University's Keating Hall.

The 186 new officers will serve in the borough's 12 NYPD precincts.

"With 1,123 new officers sworn into duty throughout the City of New York, and 186 here in The Bronx, I am very excited to welcome you all to our borough and to share with you what our great borough has to offer," said Borough President Diaz. "The Bronx has seen a growth in many areas, economically with more than 15,000 new jobs created, and housing with more than 20,000 new units.  Even more important to you, the borough has had record lows in crime thanks to the dedication of the NYPD and the partnerships with the community."

Bronx BP Urges Borough Residents to

Apply to Their Local Community Boards

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is inviting Bronx residents to make a difference in their community by joining their local Community Board. The Office of The Bronx Borough President will be accepting applications for all 12 Community Boards from city residents who reside, work or have professional or other significant interests in The Bronx.

 

"Participation on local Community Boards can provide Bronx residents with a forum to share with their community their expertise and talents," stated Borough President Diaz. "There are great things happening in The Bronx that involve the participation of community boards. It is important that community residents participate in the decisions that are building and revitalizing our borough, and our community boards are a great place to do so," said Borough President Diaz.

 

In addition, Borough President Diaz is encouraging young people ages 16 and 17 to apply for community board membership. Last year, the borough president appointed five young people to the community boards, and is working to insure that there is a least one youth member per community board.

 

"I believe that the earlier young people become engaged in community affairs and interact with government officials and agencies, the better they will understand government and become active leaders in their communities. It is important to hear the voices of our youth when planning for our neighborhoods." said Borough President Diaz.

 

Applications are available at the Borough President's Community Board office at (718) 590-3914 or at your local community board office. Interested applicants may also get the application on line at bronxboropres.nyc.gov.

 

The deadline for submission of applications for the next round of appointments is February 5, 2016.

Borough President Diaz Statement on President

Barack Obama's Executive Order on Guns

"Considering the divide that exists in Congress, it took great leadership and courage on the part of President Barack Obama to make this executive decision. I hope this is a first step in spurring Congress into action to work on a comprehensive gun bill that helps prevent the violence seen in our cities every single day, as well as massacres like the one that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School and, more recently, the attack in San Bernardino, California.

"Strengthening background checks for purchasing guns and tightening the loopholes that exempt gun shows from background checks are two common sense approaches that can prevent people, such as those with a criminal past or those who have mental illnesses who should be denied access to such deadly weapons, from committing yet another mass murder that leaves us numb yet again.

"I want to thank President Obama for this bold step. Congress must follow his lead," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Office of the Bronx Borough President | 851 Grand Concourse | Ste. 301 | Bronx | NY | 10451

TONIGHT: Nationwide Town Hall on Gun Control

Friends, I have been invited by CNN to participate in "Guns in America," a nationally-televised town hall with President Barack Obama, tonight at 8:00 PM.   I am honored to represent Brooklyn, America's fourth-largest city, in a nationwide conversation about the role of guns in our society. From Fort Hood to Fort Greene, Blacksburg to Bed-Stuy, San Bernadino to Sunset Park, unchecked gun violence is carving highways of death that have connected our nation in a sad and shameful way. In the face of congressional gridlock and dangerous radicalized rhetoric, President Obama is pushing forward on this issue.   As a former police officer, a current lawmaker and, most importantly, a father, I am interested to learn our country's next steps forward in the face of this growing crisis.   Watch CNN on television tonight at 8:00 PM or online at: CNN Live -Eric

P.S.    Save the dates for these upcoming events, which I am proud to support, at and around Brooklyn Borough Hall; please contact our office for additional information: 2nd Wednesday of Every Month Free Legal Services: Foreclosure Intervention/Prevention   2nd and 4th Thursday of Every Month Free Legal Services: Housing, Elder Law, and Pension Matters Sunday, January 10th Brooklyn Three Kings 19th Annual Parade Tuesday, January 19th Healthy Brooklyn Wednesdays starting February 3rd Brooklyn Crochets for a Cause Wednesday, February 10th Notice of Property Value Workshop Friday, February 12th Golden Couples - Together 50 years or more  Thursday, February 18th Youth Organization Capacity Building Brooklyn Borough Hall | askeric@brooklynbp.nyc.gov | www.brooklyn-usa.org 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201