NYC City Council District 17 Candidates Forum Wed. January 27.

As of December 31, 2015 our local City Councilwoman, Maria del Carmen Arroyo has resigned from her seat and there will be a special election for Arroyo’s replacement on 2/23/16.  

Due to the short time from Arroyo's resignation announcement and quick turnaround which will no doubt limit our community's participation as voters, we are coordinating this forum to ensure the community is aware of this special election, and ultimately able to fully participate both in hearing from the candidates and demonstrate that our local residents care by voting in significant numbers.

SIMULTANEOUS TRANSLATION WILL BE PROVIDED IN SPANISH

WHEN

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM (EST) - 

WHERE

Pregones Theater - 575 Walton Avenue. 1. Bronx, NY 10451 -

United War Veterans Council Enlists Public to Show Love to Vets/Active Duty Personnel this Valentines Day

  The United War Veterans Council (UWVC) invites the public to show their love for those who serve or have served our country by sending Valentines cards and gifts, which UWVC will deliver to veterans and active duty military personnel at Veterans Administration facilities, other veterans service centers and military facilities in all five boroughs of New York City.

            The public is asked to send Valentines cards, small gifts and packaged candy, including sugarless candy to:

Valentines for Vets & Service Members

C/o Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen’s' Club

283 Lexington Ave.

New York, NY 10035

Please send your cards and gifts by Friday, February 5.

            “Let’s show the love to our veterans and those still in service on Valentine’s Day and every day,” said UWVC incoming President Dan McSweeney.  “We see it every year when we deliver these cards and gifts, how this small gesture on your part means so much to the men and women who receive these expressions of your love, respect and gratitude.”

New York City firefighters who also are veterans have volunteered to help the UWVC deliver the cards and gifts to locations such as the Manhattan and Brooklyn VA hospitals, Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn and the U.S. Coast Guard base at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. 

The U.S. Coast Guard is the featured service for the 2016 Veterans Day Parade, November 11, marking the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11 and dedicated especially to veterans who have served since 9/11 and to first responders, including the Coast Guard.

About United War Veterans Council

The United War Veterans Council, Inc. (UWVC) is a 501-(c) (19) non-profit organization that is dedicated to mobilizing the public to honor, support and serve America’s veterans through a wide range of activities and initiatives. We produce America’s Parade (the NYC Veterans Day Parade), the largest celebration of service in the nation.  Since our inception, the UWVC has been a non-political, non-partisan organization, with no agenda or purpose other than serving our veterans. We represent the mosaic of the veterans’ community, encompassing veterans of all eras and backgrounds. www.uwvc.org / FB / Twitter.

Council Member Andy King To Offer Free Healthcare Enrollment & Referral Assistance on Thursday to Bronx Residents

  The Office of Council Member Andy King, in cooperation with MetroPlus and LiveOn New York, will be hosting free health-care enrollment and benefits referral service on Thursday, Jan. 28th, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the district office of Council Member Andy King, 940 East Gun Hill Road, Bronx.

Representatives from MetroPlus Health Plan will be available to assist New Yorkers who need to renew or sign-up for healthcare insurance.  MetroPlus Health Plan is part of the NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace.

And, LiveOn New York will provide assistance with Medicare Benefits, SNAP, SCRIE and other referral services.   

In addition, guest DJs from WBLS radio station will be on-site to provide music. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, please call the Office of Council Member Andy King at (718) 684-5509.

Response to Freedom of Information Request From Bronx Community Board #2 Chair Dr. Ian Amritt

January 25, 2016

I am writing as the Chairman of Bronx Community Board #2, with respect to the New York State FOI Law (Public Officers Law, Article 6, S.84 et. seq., referred to herein as the “FOIL”), Community Board #2 has received your FOIL request.  

As per the FOIL, we will contact you within the next 20 business days to let you know which documents we are in possession of that are responsive to your request, how to access those documents and whether access has been denied to any documents. 

Sincerely,

Dr, Ian Amritt

Chairman

EDITORS NOTE:

As I suspected the 20 business days would be after the Special Election that the current District Manager of Community Board #2 is involved in. As for which documents the community board is in possession of, should be all six items that were requested for viewing and/or coping were. 

1- Minutes of Community Board #2 full board meetings dated back to January 2011.

2- Minutes of Community Board #2 Executive Board  meetings dated back to January 2011.

3 - Minutes of the Community Board #2 District Service Cabinet Meetings dated back to January 2011

4 - Time Sheets for Community Board #2 staff dating from July 1, 2015 to January 15, 2016.

5 - Any communication from the District Manager Rafael Salamanca as to when he decided to run for elected office in 2015 or 2016.

6 - Any discretionary funding spent by Bronx Community Board #2 dating back to January 2011. 

The above six items should be on hand in a community board office. It is the job of the community board district manager to maintain community board files and records in both paper and electronic forms. The district manager works with the officers of the Board on its internal budget and payment processing. The District Manager presides over monthly District Service Cabinet meetings, which includes establishing the agenda and creating and preparing reports to the Board. The District Manager takes minutes of selected monthly meetings  

I can not understand why these documents that have been requested to see are not available when they should be. The only answers I can then conclude is that the documents requested do not exist, or are being hidden from the public as not to implicate the Community Board #2 District Manager Mr. Rafael Salamanca, other Community Community Board #2 members, and or any elected official involved with Bronx Community Board #2 in any way. 

Last Month Ed Cox - Today Mayor de Blasio - Who Will it Be Tomorrow Donald Trump?

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW 
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 
District 32 Bronx County, New York 

Kudos to Mayor Bill de Blasio

You should know that I believe that we should give credit where credit is due, and because of that, I’m giving kudos to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his Administration for doing a pretty good job with the blizzard that hit New York City this weekend.

It is important for you to know that I am never one to hold back my criticism of Mayor Bill de Blasio and his Administration when I feel it is important, but fair is fair.  I will not hold back my words of appreciation for him when it is equally fair to do so.

Even though the National Weather Service had been announcing the pending blizzard for a week, giving everyone time to prepare, and even though the storm was not expected to hit until the weekend, when many people did not have to go to work or school, the Mayor used his time and resources to help the City of New York to be well prepared so people would be safe.

Mayor de Blasio issued a travel advisory before the storm, and a travel ban during the storm, due to the heavy snow and damaging winds. He held several press conferences throughout the weekend, with his key advisors and Commissioners by his side, keeping New Yorkers well-informed.

The Department of Sanitation and the Department of Transportation worked very hard before the blizzard to be sure the bridges and roads were salted. Even though there are some areas that still need attention, Sanitation crews are working round the clock to be sure that our streets are plowed and safe for travel.

This was one of the worst snowstorms New York City has ever seen, and I would like to publicly congratulate our Mayor Bill de Blasio and his Administration for doing a good job. Kudos to you, Mr. Mayor!

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

EDITORS NOTE:

  It should be obvious that it is time for State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. to retire if he thinks Mayor Bill de Blasio did what he has written. It was Governor Cuomo who took charge and issued the Travel Ban, shut down above ground rail service, and brought in special snow removal equipment from upstate. 

  Senator Diaz needs to get outside to see just what the conditions are. Senator Diaz is however up in Albany (or should be since the state legislature is in session), and he should ask his fellow state senators from other parts of the city how well the snow removal went. I would suggest that he talk to those from Queens. 

  Today the news is reporting that streets still have not been cleared, and, there are predictions of more snow for later in the week. 

Combating Climate Change, Fighting Snow Price Gouging & More

Standing Up For The President’s Environmental Plan

This week a federal appeals court denied an attempt from multiple states and industry groups to block the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, which would regulate greenhouse gas emissions from existing fossil fuel power plants. Attorney General Schneiderman announced in November that his office was leading a coalition of 25 states, counties and municipalities in defense of the Clean Power Plan, and filed a motion to intervene responding to suits challenging the rules. The Attorney General applauds the court’s decision, and will continue to work with states and local governments to defend the Clean Power Plan as the litigation continues, and ensure that necessary progress is made in confronting climate change.

Leading The Fight Against Heroin Addiction

A highly effective heroin overdose antidote will continue to be sold at a discounted price to all New York State agencies, thanks to an agreement the Attorney General reached with Amphastar Pharmaceuticals. The drug Naloxone will continue to be sold to agencies at a reduced rate for another year—with the deal reducing the price of the drug by nearly 20 percent. Lowering the price of Naloxone will save lives and help agencies all across New York fight the scourge of heroin abuse. In addition to the price reduction for Naloxone negotiated by the Attorney General, the office launched the Community Overdose Prevention program in 2014, which made the antidote available to every state and local law enforcement officer in New York. The Attorney General remains committed to a comprehensive approach toward reducing heroin and prescription drug abuse in New York State. 

Protecting New Yorkers Against Price Gouging During Winter Storms

With the threat of dangerous winter weather this weekend, the Attorney General issued a consumer alert warning consumers and businesses about price gouging. State law prohibits merchants from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services at an excessive price during serious market disruptions, and the Attorney General wants any consumers who believe they have been the victim of price gouging to report their concerns to his office. The Attorney General has been successful in holding those who engage in price gouging accountable, including filing lawsuits against more than 50 gas stations for violations in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Inclement weather is not a time for business to exploit New Yorkers in order to line their pockets. 

Creating Fair Access To Employment

The Attorney general announced settlement with Big Lots Stores and Marshalls to “Ban The Box” and eliminate inquiries into criminal history for potential applications on initial employment applications. The settlements follows an investigation finding that the two companies made inquiries in the criminal history of prospective applicants in their Buffalo stores after the City of Buffalo enacted “Ban The Box” legislation prohibiting such practices. In addition to agreeing to comply with the Buffalo law, both companies will remove such inquiries from any applications to any store in the state. The Attorney General believes that if we are serious about reducing recidivism, we must remove barriers to re-entry and create fair access to employment.  

Continuing The Crackdown Against Deceptive Auto Dealerships

When consumers shop for a car, they should not be misled by deceptive auto dealerships looking to make a quick buck. Unfortunately, the Attorney General continues to uncover instances of dealerships selling “after sale” products and services without consumer knowledge, sometimes inflating the price of a car by more than $2,000. The latest instance of these alleged practices comes from Koeppel dealerships in Queens, which now face a lawsuit from the Attorney General. It is charged that the dealership sold these after-sale credit repair and identity theft protection services to 1,426 consumers, allowing Koeppel to collect more than $1 million over nearly two years. The Attorney General also announced settlements with dealerships in Nassau and Suffolk counties in Long Island for engaging in similar practices, which will result in more than $100,000 in refunds for consumers.   

Improving Transparency In Government

The Attorney General announced a re-launch of his office’s online public data portal, NYOpenGovernment.com, which will now allow the public to look at lobbying disclosures in New York State. Users will also be able to track more easily what issues lobbyists and their clients are advocating, and how they result in specific legislation. Users will also be able search data to connect the business of a donor to the political contributions made to a candidate’s campaign. NYOpenGovernment.com is the only statewide resource that aggregates government data such as campaign finance, lobbying, charities, state contracts and corporate registrations.

Taking Down Identity Theft Schemes

A Manhattan man has been indicted by the Attorney General for the second time for allegedly perpetrating an identity theft scheme. Sharif King has been charged with pretending to run a bus company and stealing the identity of a prospective employee to purchase a $58,000 Mercedes Benz. This past June, King was indicted for allegedly purporting to have a record label company, which he used as a front to lure job candidates. It is then alleged that King stole the personal information of these individuals, which he then used to open credit cards and apply for a $29,000 loan. As thieves constantly come up with new and creative ways to target and take advantage of victims, the Attorney General wants all New Yorkers to exercise caution when disclosing personal information, and to immediately report if they believe they have been scammed. 

Protecting Medicaid Against Fraud

CenterLight Healthcare will return more than $28 million to New York State following a settlement, which resolves allegations the company’s Select Medicaid Managed Long Term Care Plan (MLTCP) fraudulently billed Medicaid for services they did not provide to more than 1,200 Medicaid recipients. Under the settlement, CenterLight Healthcare admitted that it enrolled Medicaid beneficiaries who were referred by social adult day care centers even though the beneficiaries were not eligible to receive managed long-term care under the plan, and that the centers were providing services that did not qualify for reimbursement. It’s simple: CenterLight HealthCare did not play by the rules, and the Attorney General won’t tolerate companies which seek to exploit state resources for profit.   

Safeguarding State Resources

Two New Rochelle residents have pleaded guilty to stealing more than $69,000 in unemployment benefits. Stephanie Vega and Dennis Broccolo were each charged with twice submitting false applications for unemployment insurance benefits by claiming to have worked at two different companies at which they were never employed.

In a separate case, the Attorney General announced the sentencing of a non-profit executive for pocketing taxpayer dollars intended for her non-profit corporation Agneldocs, Inc. It was alleged Ogundu took over $300,000 grants from the federal government, New York State and New York City by using the money to pay the mortgage and utilities on a commercial property she owned, make improvements to that property to increase its value, purchase and ship vehicles to Nigeria, and make other purchases for her personal benefit and for the benefit of her for-profit business. 

Have a question, comment, or complaint? Click here. You can also learn more about the various initiatives of the Attorney General's office by visiting our website at ag.ny.gov. 

Winter Storm Update Monday January 25, 2016

   The city received 26.8 inches of snow in Central Park--the second largest total since 1869. The Mayor urged New Yorkers to refrain from travel except when necessary in order to allow plows to continue clearing our streets. 

"While the storm is over, there is still work to be done. We urge all New Yorkers not to travel on our roads except when necessary, and to be extremely careful when driving. Our tireless sanitation workers are out in full force and we must give them space to clear the roads. If you go outside, use caution and stay alert for ice and cold temperatures," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. 

Schools

NYC Public Schools are open.

NYPD

· A total of 25 summonses were issued in relation to the Mayor's Executive Order.

· Assisted in 367 tows across the City.

Department of Sanitation

· DSNY has plowed all streets at least once. Focusing on secondary and tertiary streets today.

· DSNY has more than 2,300 pieces of snow clearing equipment out.

· Sanitation workers remain on two 12-hour shifts, with 2,300 workers per shift.

DOT

· Alternate Side Parking rules suspended through Friday 1/29. Meters remain in effect.

· DOT has deployed more than 350 workers and 240 trucks and pieces of equipment to assist in snow removal.

· JC Decaux has cleared several hundred bus shelters across the City.

NYC Emergency Management

· NYCEM Emergency Operations Center remains activated.

· NYCEM has deployed Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers citywide to assist with clearing fire hydrants of snow, and is working with NYC Service to provide help to those who may need assistance shoveling. Anyone needing assistance should call 311.

FDNY

· Maintaining approximately 300 additional fire and EMS personnel on duty through 6 PM hours today to staff additional ambulances plus extra firefighter on all engine companies.

· Hydrant clearing operations underway today - there are approximately 110,000 hydrants throughout the city. FDNY will survey and clear as necessary, and is asking the public to help clear hydrants.

· Fire and EMS personnel responded to 6,000 emergency calls during the storm, including nearly 4,000 medical calls.

Homeless Services

Code Blue protocols are in effect. No one seeking shelter in New York City will be denied. Anyone who sees a homeless individual or family out in the cold should call 311 immediately and an outreach team will be dispatched to assist them.

Heat and Hot Water

Any tenant lacking heat and hot water should immediately call 311. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development has crews responding.

NYC Transit and MTA Bus Service

Subway service has been restored to portions of the above ground network hit hardest by this weekend's record snowfall. Service will be limited and most express service is suspended. Service on NYC Transit and MTA bus has resumed on a modified Sunday schedule. Limited buses are making all local stops. Access-A-Ride service has resumed scheduled trips.

Ferry Services

Staten Island Ferry in service and running on normal schedule. Seastreak service is suspended.

Further Notifications

For information and updates related to weather and travel conditions, visit sign up for Notify NYC, the City's free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages and/or emails alerts about traffic and transit disruptions and other emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visitNYC.gov/notifynyc, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.   

Travel Safety Tips

New Yorkers are urged to staff off the roads unless travel is necessary so that the Sanitation department can continue to clean streets throughout the day:

· Use mass transportation whenever possible. If you must drive, drive slowly and use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.

· If you're walking outdoors, be careful as sidewalks may be snowy and icy.

· Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.

Snow Removal Safety Tips

· Stretch before you go out.

· Cover your mouth. Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth when outdoors.

· Avoid overexertion. Take frequent rest breaks, and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

· Keep dry. Change wet clothes frequently to prevent a loss of body heat.

· Do not cover fire hydrants with snow when clearing sidewalks and driveways. Do not shovel snow into manholes and catch basins.

· Offer to help individuals who require special assistance, including seniors and people with disabilities and access and functional needs.

· Promptly remove ice and snow from tree limbs, your roof, and other structures. If snow/ice accumulates, remove it using a snow rake with a long extension arm so you can remove it safely while standing on the ground, or hire a snow removal contractor.

· Clear tree branches or limbs that could potentially fall on your home or power lines.

· Clear leaves and other debris from gutters.

We hope this information proves helpful and that you take precaution when traveling. Please call 311 for any issues you may be experiencing in relation to the snow. For any emergencies, please call 911.

Thanks go out to Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez for this information.

100 PERCENT Saturday January 23, 2015

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

17th City Council Special Election 

   First, if you have not looked outside the second largest snow fall in the history of NYC fell yesterday. A total of 26 inches, missing the record by only a few snow flakes. So how did it go yesterday? It seems that Governor Andrew Cuomo trumped Mayor Bill de Blasio once again by declaring a State of Emergency for the New York City Metro area, and it seemed that no one gave the mayor advance warning. The Governor also put a travel ban into effect, stopped bus and above ground rail service in the afternoon, and again it looked like the mayor could only confirm what the governor did. Both the Governor and Mayor had several press conferences during the day, and they were always separate from one another. I was waiting to see the Governor's choice to run against Mayor de Blasio at one of his announcements, but that did not happen, or did it? Anyway Mayor de Blasio will come out a loser no matter what he does, and right now he was only able to suspend alternate side of the street parking for Monday. What about school, and will the streets be cleared of snow so school buses can run and safely pick up and drop off children? 

  On to the 17th City Council Special Election. 11 candidates filed petitions by the close of the Board of elections deadline. The names include Rafael Salamanca, Julio Pabon, George Alvarez, Joann Otero, Marlin Molina, J. Loren Russell, John Perez, Carlton Curry, Amanda Septimo, Elliot Quinones, and Helen Hunt. 

  Former Assemblyman turned journalist Michael Benjamin has reported that candidates Curry and Hunt will be thrown off the ballot for not filing an acceptance of the nomination, and that the petition of Amanda Septimo will be thrown out for having the word Democratic on the petition in an non partisan election. 

  I have been told other candidates may also fall as the challenges are heard by the Board of Elections and then the court challenges are heard. The Bronx Democratic County organization under the leadership of Assemblyman Marcos Crespo whose assembly district just happens to be part of the 17th City Council district is heavily involved in the candidacy of Rafael Salamanca the current District Manager of Bronx Community Board #2. Elected officials have maxed out on contributions to Salamanca's campaign. and it looks like there may be some problems as to just when Salamanca was a candidate for the city council, and his use of the community board office for political gain. I am sure the NYC Conflict of Interest Board is looking into this, and I would not be surprised to see an investigation by the U.S. Attorney's office. 

  One question is, Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo may have jumped the gun by announcing on Saturday December 18, 2015, after interviewing candidates who were interested in running for the soon to be vacant 17th City Council Special Election, that the Bronx Democratic County organization has chosen Rafael Salamanca as its candidate. The Bronx Democratic County Executive Director Mr. Anthony Perez later tried to downplay this by saying that the Bronx Democratic County Organization has not officially made its choice. Mr. Anthony Perez is also a member of a Bronx Community Board. 

  Candidate Julio Pabon was also interviewed by the Bronx Democratic County organization before December 18, 2015 for the not yet vacant 17th City Council seat, and it is said that Pabon thought the choice was already made. This are other Conflicts of Interest by Bronx Community Board #2 District Manager Salamanca. Salamanca also was campaigning at various Christmas events held by State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. I attended two such events that were held in Public Schools where Mr. Salamanca was electioneering while still being the District Manager of Bronx Community Board #2. It appears that there are other problems with Mr. Salamanca's campaign, and even Bronx Community Board #2 that needs to be investigated further. I submitted a Freedom of Information Letter to Bronx Community Board #2 requesting six items including minutes of general and Executive Board meeting that are part of Mr. Salamanca's job, but unavailable for viewing, if they do exist. In fact I was able to get hold of the October 29, 2014 minutes of the general meeting that was held at Urban Health Plan 1054 Simpson Street. On Mr. Salamanca's Campaign Finance Disclosure statement are contributions from about a dozen employees of Urban Health Plan. I thank the person who sent that to me. It appears that there needs to be much more investigation into Bronx Community Board #2 District Manager Rafael Salamanca, Bronx Community Board #2, and the Bronx Democratic County organization. I would suggest to candidate Rafael Salamanca that he withdraw from the 17th City Council Special Election now. More in upcoming columns, and there is a candidates forum scheduled for Wednesday January 27th at the Pregones Theater located at 575 Walton Avenue starting at 5:30 PM running until 9 PM. From the look at the listing of topics for questions that Mr. Benjamin posted, it looks to be geared to someone in the position of a Land Use Committee Chairman or Community Board District Manager.  

  If you have any political information (especially about the 17th City Council special election) 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 this blog, you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.