The 17th City Council Special Information Forum hosted by We Stay/Nos Quedamos began l

  The 17th City Council Special Information Forum hosted by We Stay/Nos Quedamos began last night at the Pregones Theater located at 575 Walton Avenue, but by the photo above two candidates were missing at the the opening. Candidate George Alvarez and Candidate Rafael Salamanca were not in their seats (as seen by the empty chairs) Salamanca came in about 10 minutes after the forum started, but Alvarez was a no show like in a previous 79th A.D. debate two years ago.  

  Candidates Carlton Curry, Helen Hunt, Martin Molina, Joann Otero, and Elliot Quinones on one side, with candidates Julio Pabon, John Perez, Rafael Salamanca, Loren Russell, and Amanda Septimo seated across from the first five candidates. The first question went to candidate Quinones, who in answering the question opened up against the Bronx Democratic County organization. Quinones said that the Bronx Democratic County organization had challenges put in against the 10 candidates who were running against their candidate. The anti Bronx Democratic County organization atmosphere was also felt by many in the audience who wanted a fair open election, or had their own choice other then the Bronx Democratic County organization candidate. 

  In my opinion there were some candidates who I felt because of their current positions should do better than other candidates, and the few who were doing this for the first time. Candidate Rafael Salamanca was the choice of the Bronx Democratic County organization, and the District Manager of Community Board #2. Candidate Joann Otero was the Chief of Staff for the previous Councilwoman who resigned. Candidate Amanda Septimo was an aide to Congressman Jose Serrano. All three of these candidates emphasized their positions, but I felt all three should have done better. Candidate Helen Hunt stressed her union background, Candidate Julio Pabon stressed his community activism and ownership of three small businesses. Candidate Loren Russell stressed his church background. Candidate John Perez stressed his roots in the neighborhood, and almost 20 year military career coming back to a district that has gone in reverse rather then forward. Candidates Curry, Molina, and Quinones seemed out of place in a candidates forum, and candidate Alvarez was no where to be seen..

  As to just who won the forum were the people who were in attendance, and those who watched on Bronxnet Television. As I interviewed people after the forum they had their own candidate that they liked, now liked, wanted to know more about, and did not like. You can make up your own mind by watching a replay on Bronxnet Television channel 67 when the forum is rebroadcast, or you can go to Bronxnet.org to view a replay of the 17th City Council Special Election Forum held last night by We Stay/Nos Quedamos. 

  

Candidates Carlton Curry, Helen Hunt, Martin Molina, Joann Otero, and standing Elliot Quinones.

Candidates Julio Pabon, John Perez, Rafael Salamanca (not seated yet), Loren Russell, and Amanda Septimo. The photo was taken as the forum began before candidate Salamanca arrived.

This photo was taken when candidate Salamanca was answering a question. Candidate Septimo is hidden by the two questioners.

SCOTT STRINGER IS STILL HURTING THE HOMELESS AND THE NEEDY

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

You should know that back on October 7, 2015, I wrote a column titled “Scott Stringer is Hurting the Homeless and the Needy” hoping that the abuse and the torture that community-based organizations who work with the homeless would come to an end.

You should also know that I even explained these problems in detail to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio this week during his testimony in front of the Local Government Officials and General Government Committee in Albany during New York State’s Legislature Budget Hearing.

It's important for you to know that as of today,the situation has not changed and Mr. Scott Stringer still refusing to sign the contract, that is why I am releasing (for you information) the same What You Should Know that I wrote back in October. Here it is:

SCOTT STRINGER IS HURTING THE HOMELESS AND THE NEEDY

You should know that there is an article titled EXPERTS SAY STRINGER’S REJECTION OF HOMELESS SHELTER CONTRACTS IS ‘ILLEGAL’ written by Jeff Stein from New York NonProfit that appeared in the October 6, 2015 edition of “City and State.” Mr. Stein wrote about how “the current standoff between Bill de Blasio and Scott Stringer over the registration of homeless shelter contracts is far from shocking.” As a New York State Senator here in the South Bronx, and as the President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, I must say that it is deplorable for families and children to languish in poverty and homelessness while New York City's Comptroller - who lives in a penthouse - delays and denies payments for New York City homeless shelter contracts.

I must also say that it is disreputable for Mr. Stringer to bolster his own public stature by refusing to sign contracts for homeless shelters while people are suffering, and organizations that rely upon City funding to serve the homeless are not even able to pay their bills.

You should already know that my ministers and I work hard to support the efforts of the multitude of organizations that serve homeless New Yorkers. We know that due to circumstances that are often outside of our control, any one of us could become homeless overnight. Most of us know that it is our duty and obligation to take care of each other, and when someone or something becomes an obstruction, we have a responsibility to shine a light on that person and demand for him or her to be held accountable.

It is important to know that under the New York City Charter, the Comptroller’s authority mandates the registration of contracts unless: (1) there is not enough funding for the contract to be paid; (2) if the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services has not certified the contract; or (3) if there is reason to suspect corruption.

According to New York University School of Law Professor Roderick Hills: “Given that none of the homeless shelter contracts have been rejected on those grounds … For the comptroller to slow down or stop the mayor’s contracting policy is frankly illegal.”

We all know about Mr. Stringer’s personal ambition to become the Mayor of New York City; it’s no secret. We also know that Mr. Stringer has been extremely generous handing out lawsuit settlement checks for high profile cases against New York City, and has not missed any opportunity to glow in the media for each of our tax dollars he has doled out.

Mr. Stringer's refusal to sign contracts that the Mayor's office has approved shows that he is intentionally hurting the most needy, and making community organizations that deal with the homeless endure all kinds of problems. Many of the organizations that are truly there for the homeless are being forced to borrow money from banks to pay their bills without knowing if Scott Stringer will ever sign their contract.

My dear reader, the homeless are suffering. And the organizations that are fighting for the needy are paying the consequences because of Mr. Stringer's vicious refusal to sign their contracts.

Mr. Stringer should be trying to help the organizations that serve the homeless to work out technicalities and assist with any necessary paperwork - instead, he is beating them down and casting them aside.

I am calling on New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer to stop hurting the needy and to sign the contracts already approved by the Mayor to allow homeless service organizations to pay their bills and fulfill their obligations to serve the needy.

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

Bronx Borough President - Celebrating African-American Culture

BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT RUBEN DIAZ JR. Invites you to celebrate Thursday, February 11, 2016 5:30 P.M.-8:30 P.M. Eastwood Manor Banquet, 3371 Eastchester Road Honoring Hon. Darcel D. Clark, Bronx County District Attorney Hon.Charles B. Rangel, United States Representative Davon Lomax, Political Director, DC9 of the International  Union of Painters & Allied Trades  The Jonathan Hicks Award Recipient Gregory A. Delts, Kappa Alpha Psi,  Bronx Alumni Chapter Please call to confirm your attendance 718-590-3532 or emaillroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov Sponsored by

Assemblymember Michael Blake - Reminder January 31st State of the District

Greetings, 
 

Assemblymember Michael Blake cordially invites you to his first State of the District as he outlines the progress of and the path forward for the 79th assembly district to achieve our "3, 2, 1" vision of Economic Development, Education, and Equality for All.  

 

NOTE: The State of the District will now be on Sunday, January 31st, 2016 at 2pm at DreamYard, 1085 Washington Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451.

 

A reception will follow the event.

 

Join us as we are transforming the South Bronx into the urban metropolis of the world.

 

This is a free event but we encourage you to RSVP at link below:

https://act.myngp.com/Forms/-6440420854953867520

STATEMENT: ENGEL on Zika Virus

  Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement on the Zika virus:

“We shouldn't allow the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Zika virus to spark a panic.  Domestic and international health experts are taking this issue seriously, and I'm committed to working in Congress to ensure that this outbreak is dealt with quickly and competently.

“President Obama's recent meeting with top U.S. health officials and today's announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) of an emergency meeting on Zika are good steps.  I encourage continued efforts to address the issue head-on. This challenge will require enhanced research, substantial resources, interagency cooperation, and coordinated efforts to ensure that clear information reaches the public as quickly as possible. I have long called for increased engagement with our partners in the Americas, and at this difficult time, the United States must assist our neighbors as they continue to fight the Zika virus.”

Background:

Cases of the Zika virus have been reported in more than 20 countries throughout South and Central America and the Caribbean, as well as Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. While this mosquito-borne infection is common in other parts of the world, Zika has only recently appeared in the Western Hemisphere. As a result, most lack the immunity needed to ward off infection.

News on Zika’s spread has centered primarily on a concurrent uptick in cases of microcephaly, a condition that causes infants to be born with abnormally small heads and significant brain defects. While health officials have yet to confirm the link between Zika and microcephaly in infants whose mothers were infected during pregnancy, the apparent correlation has incited widespread concern and varied instructions for pregnant women.

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Upcoming Events

Tuesday February 2, 2016 10 AM - 11AM

FREE Event  Advance Reservations Required Limited Space!

  Friday, February 5, 2016, 6 PM - 8 PM

Assemblymember Pichardo - Bronx residents are encouraged to install smoke detectors

  Will be providing free alarms at his Jerome Avenue office

Assemblymember Victor Pichardo (D-Bronx) announced that free smoke/carbon monoxide alarms will be available today at his Bronx office.

  “Installing these safety devices is a simple thing to do and can protect families in the event of a fire or emergency,” said Assemblymember Pichardo. “It could mean the difference between life and death.”

  Two recent incidents have highlighted the need for better home safety, Pichardo noted. On Dec. 11, there was a six-alarm fire on Valentine Avenue and on Jan. 12, a three-alarm fire occurred on the Grand Concourse. Assemblymember Pichardo has worked closely with community leaders and organizations to make sure that everyone affected by the fires received immediate assistance and housing.

  

  To ensure Bronx families have much-needed smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, Pichardo has partnered with State Senator Gustavo Rivera and New York City Councilmember Ritchie Torres, who will also be offering alarms in February and March at their offices. The events are co-sponsored by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) and the American Red Cross.

   Residents can obtain an alarm by going to Pichardo’s office at 2175 Jerome Ave., Suite C, Bronx, NY, between 2 and 5 p.m. today. The distribution is on a first come, first served basis, but everyone who attends will receive an alarm; either in person at the event, or on a later date which includes free installation by the FDNY. For more information, call 718-933-6909.

TRUMP to Skip Tonight's Iowa Debate - Will SALAMANCA Do The Same in tonight's 17th City Council Debate Tonight?

  Donald Trump has announced that he will be skipping tonight's last Republican Iowa debate being held on Fox, and moderated by Megan Kelly. Trump instead will be holding his own event which he says will be better than the debate.

 With pressure mounting for accountability from Bronx Community Board #2 District Manager Rafael Salamanca there are now questions if Mr. Salamanca who is a candidate for the 17th City Council special election will show up to tonight's 17th City Council Special Election debate hosted by We Stay/Nos Quedamos.

    As each day passes new information about Bronx Community Board #2, its District Manager (and candidate in the 17th Special Election) Rafael Salamanca, The Bronx Democratic County organization, and the relationship between Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and Bronx Community Board #2 District Manager (and candidate for City Council) Rafael Salamanca.