CAR FREE NYC to hold Major Rally to Build Support for Earth Day Goal of Fewer Cars on City Streets

Elected Officials and Organizations from Across the City Will Celebrate the Bold Initiative

City Council to Hear Resolution Naming Earth Day 2016 a Car Free Day in NYC

New York, NY-On Monday, April 4^th, elected officials and organizations from across the city will rally on the steps of City Hall, calling on New York drivers to leave their car at home for one day this year: Earth Day, April 22^nd. Support has steadily been building around this initiative, launched last month at New York University by Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez and a coalition of transportation, environmental and community based organizations drawing from a wide field of disciplines.

The concept, initiated in Europe several decades ago, is to have New Yorkers refrain from driving, as a way to highlight what our city could look like if it relied less upon cars. Paris is the most recent global city to take this step and saw tremendous benefits in lower emissions levels, as pedestrians flooded the open streets in celebration. Here in New York, a strong coalition of citywide organizations is ready to take the step here, with the support of the City.

On Earth Day, April 22^nd, Broadway from the Flatiron Building to Union Square North; the streets around Washington Square Park; and Wadsworth Avenue in Upper Manhattan from 173rd to 177th will be closed to vehicle traffic, allowing New Yorkers to take full advantage of the open streets. This initiative is about promoting our many forms of transportation, other than personal vehicles, and encouraging New Yorkers to consider the impact of their decisions when it comes to travel.

The City Council Transportation Committee will hear a resolution designating Earth Day 2016, Car Free Day in NYC, immediately after the rally in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

What: Major Rally for a Car Free Earth Day in NYC & Hearing on Car Free Earth Day Resoluion

When: Monday, April 4^th, 2016, 9:15 AM

Where: City Hall Steps, New York, NY

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Next "Next Level Bronx" Class begin April 27, 2016

Application Period Now Open!      

 

 

About the Program:

NYCEDC is launching the Next Level Bronx program to give small business owners the tools, training, and networks to turn growth plans into action. We provide customized training for business owners who have been in business for at least three years, have an annual revenue of at least $250,000, and have at least one employee besides the owner. This is a seven-month program that helps participants emerge with successful, growth-oriented business strategies.

 

This program is brought to you by NYCEDC with curriculum provided by Interise and is supported by Citi Community Development. The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Assemblyman Blake, have partnered to help launch this major initiative. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Lucy Christensen at 212-312-4242.

 

Program Details:

This program will run over the course of seven months and will be held at the Bronx Borough Hall twice a month. By participating in this program you and your business could receive:

 

¨ Access to our Private Sector Network (PSN), network of volunteer professionals, and mentors.

¨ A customized Strategic Growth Plan outlining the action steps required to achieve business goals.

¨ Customized training to learn about business and development strategies, strategic planning, financial management, human resources, accessing capital, and government contracts.

 

This program is being offered free of charge. Apply today to reserve your spot for Next Level Bronx!

 

APPLY TODAY

 

Key Dates:

¨ April 1 - Application Deadline

¨ April 27 - First Session

¨ November 2016 - Program Completion

Phil Cardone

 Grants & Events Director

 Bronx Chamber of Commerce

"The Network For Business Success"
1200 Waters Place, Suite 106
Bronx, NY 10461
718-828-3900
 Phil@bronxchamber.org 

Free Concert Saturday, April 2nd_GMBC Men's Fellowship & Guests

BP DIAZ TO HOST AFFORDABLE HOUSING INFO SESSION

  HUD Regional Administrator Holly Leicht to Moderate Panel of City Officials, Housing Developers, and Community Organizations

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr invites the public to an upcoming workshop designed to help Bronx residents successfully apply for affordable housing. The event will feature a panel discussion moderated by HUD Regional Administrator Holly Leicht, who oversees federal housing programs throughout New York and New Jersey.

Titled “Successfully Applying for Affordable Housing,” the event will take place on Wednesday April 13, 2016, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx NY.

“Affordable housing and its role in the future of our borough and our city has been the topic of discussion across the city for years. We have seen considerable new development in our borough, and my office is working to make sure that this new development works for everyone. I invite all Bronxites interested in applying for a new apartment to come to this workshop, hear from our speakers and learn more about this process,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“Finding affordable housing in New York City is a challenge under any circumstances, but it’s incumbent upon government at all levels to ensure that those most in need are aware of the resources that are available and understand how they can access those resources,” said Holly Leicht, HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. “HUD welcomes this opportunity to join Borough President Diaz, Jr. and many housing organizations to get the word out about how to navigate the process of identifying and applying for subsidized housing.”

In addition to remarks from Borough President Diaz and Regional Director Leicht, attendees will hear from speakers representing New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, Phipps Houses, Bronx Pro Real Estate Management and the Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation. The event will also feature resource tables with one-on-one attention and materials related to housing matters and other services. Light refreshments will also be provided.

Simone Developers Riverdale Property - What's Next?

Above - The proposed 11 story Medical Center for the Oxford/Riverdale (West 248th Street) property owned by Simone Developers.

Below - What the site looks like almost two years after the medical center proposal was abandoned. A vacant eyesore of a lot where a building was demolished.

  This was the last proposal by Simone Developers, a 14 story 48 unit building which was rejected by the city. 

  Last night Community Board #8 held a Land Use meeting to find out the fate of the Oxford/Riverdale Avenue site from Simone Developers. The representative from Simone developers had no new information about the site, only that the sidewalk has been cleaned and will be on a regular schedule. When asked if the property was up for sale the answer was 'I don't know that information'. When I said that two developers (one the Stagg Group) were looking at the site to purchase the property from Simone, the same answer was given - 'I don't know anything about that'. 

  It seems that now with Mayor Bill de Blasio's MIH and ZQA zoning changes that the property value  has increased, because a developer can build higher than 14 stories as much as 16 or even 18 stories if certain elements of the MIH and ZQA are incorporated into the building, such as affordable housing or a senior building that could have little or no parking requirements. There was at least one real estate agent in the audience who has shown the Simone property to prospective buyers.  

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Last Minute Power Grab

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

You should know that in the eleventh hour, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has slipped language into the Budget that would allow him to take over the homeless shelters in the City of New York.

As you all know, Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared war on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, and he is doing everything possible to embarrass the Mayor without regard or respect for the hard work and sacrifices of New York City’s Community-Based Organizations that run shelters.

In the middle of this fight are the poor, the needy and the suffering New York City residents.

Instead of joining forces with the Mayor of the City of New York and the Community-Based Organizations, the Governor wants to remove Community-Based Organizations and replace them with anyone he chooses to be in charge.  

Governor Andrew Cuomo should strive to solve housing problems by forcing the landlords who own the actual property where the homeless shelters exist to remedy the violations in those buildings.  The building violations are caused by the landlords’ neglect –not the Community-Based Organizations!  

Instead of Governor Andrew Cuomo working to punish the landlords who own and neglect the buildings where the shelters are located, surprise, surprise: he is planning to punish the Community-based Organizations for building code violations that are completely out of their hands.

It is absolutely ridiculous for the Governor and for the State of New York to take over shelter programs in the City of New York and, yet still force the Mayor and the City of New York to fund shelters with the City’s resources they are not even in control of.

My dear reader, it’s A-OK for the Governor to take over State programs and put in charge whomever he pleases, but NOT for him to come to the City of New York and tell the Mayor and the City Council and Community-based Organizations that he’s taking over the shelter system – expecting to use the City’s resources.

It’s only in Cuba where you see these kinds of political maneuvers!

I have to implore my colleagues in the State Legislature – especially Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein, Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins to NOT allow for this outrageous manipulation of resources to pass in New York State’s Budget and force the City of New York to pay for programs controlled by the State of New York.

If our leaders allow for this kind of power shift to take place, and use the excuse that it will help the homeless, they are fooling no one. This language that has been slipped into the Budget at the last minute will hurt the Community-Based Organizations that serve the homeless and the City of New York, and we must not allow that to happen.

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

Editor's Note:

It is seldom that I agree with Senator Diaz Sr. on issues like this, but I agree 100 Percent on this item with Senator Diaz Sr. It looks like Governor Cuomo is trying to get an on time budget, and try to put in special measures as Senator Diaz is mentioning.

Assemblymember Michael A. Blake - Celebrated Sheroes in Economic Development, Education & Equality For All

This past Saturday, I hosted a Women's History Month event where members of the community came out to celebrate the remarkable contributions women are making in helping us to realize our vision of Economic Development, Education and Equality for All. During the event, we honored several distinguished members of our community with citations that recognize their important contributions to empowering other women. President Barack Obama, Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett and First Lady of NYC Chirlane McCray sent congratulatory letters to our honorees.

Co-sponsors for this event included: Congressmember Jose Serrano, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assemblymember Marcos Crespo, and Councilmember Vanessa Gibson. In addition to the co-sponsors, we provided information tables to Planned Parenthood of New York, Harlem Girls Cheer, V.I.P. Community Services and Professional Empowerment in Action

We are delighted to have honored 22 women, who are all making a positive impact in our community. From the four women leaders at Neighborhood SHOPP's Casa Boricua Senior Center to our School Superintendents, from African entrepreneurs to community advocates, we are absolutely #BuildingABetterBronx

2016 Women’s History Month Honorees:

Ramatu Ahmed,

Founder of African Life Center

 

Karen Ames,

Superintendent District 8

 

Elisa Alvarez,

Superintendent District 7

 

Stephanie Arthur,

Founder of African Leaders Project

 

Ivy Brown,

Instructional Technology Coordinator of New York Metropolitan 

Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolence ATTAIN Lab

 

Fatima C.Cambane-Quissico,

First Lady of Epworth United Methodist Church

 

Miriam Clavasquin,

Program Director of Casa Boricua Senior Center

 

Cynthia Cortijo-Rodriguez,

CEC: Community Education Council 12

 

Antoinette Crawford,

First Lady of Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church

 

Diana Delgado,

Director of Senior Center Programs for 

Neighborhood Self-Help by Older Persons Project (SHOPP)

 

Rafaela Espinal Pacheco,

Superintendent District 12

 

Ivine Galarza,

District Manager for Bronx Community Board 6

 

Meredith Gotlin,

Principal of The Melrose School, PS/MS 29

 

Dr. Evelyn Laureano,

Executive Director of Neighborhood Self-Help by Older Persons Project (SHOPP)

 

Annie Minguez,

Director of Government & Community Relations with Good Shepherd

 

Claudia Nesbitt,

New York Metropolitan Martin Luther King Jr.

Center for Nonviolence ATTAIN Lab

 

Carmen Rivera,

V.I.P. Community Services

 

Leticia Rodriguez-Rosario,

Superintendent District 9

 

Darlene Serrano,

Activity Coordinator at Neighborhood Self Help by Older Persons Project (SHOPP) 

Casa Boricua Innovative Senior Center

 

Elizabeth Thompson,

Leadership Council Representative of Kingsbridge Neighborhood Improvement Association

Assemblymember Michael Blake after surprising his mother Hilary Lawrence with a New York State Assembly citation

From left to right: Assemblymember Michael Blake, Ivine Galarza (District Manager of Community Board 6), Congressmember Jose Serrano and Councilmember Vanessa Gibson

Women's History Month Attendees

Assemblymember Michael Blake, Congressmember Jose Serrano and Councilmember Vanessa Gibson stand with 2016 Women's History Month Honorees

Pakistani Man Sentenced In Federal Court To More Than 3 Years In Prison For Scheme To Steal More Than $800,000 In Tax Refunds From The IRS

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Shantelle P. Kitchen, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division (“IRS-CI”), announced today that NISAR SAHI was sentenced today by United States District Judge Denise L. Cote to 37 months in prison for stealing government funds.  

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “For four years, Nisar Sahi stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax refunds that rightfully belonged to honest, hardworking American taxpayers.  Now, thanks to the excellent investigation by the IRS, Sahi will face time in federal prison for stealing from the U.S. government.”

IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Shantelle P. Kitchen said:  “IRS-Criminal Investigation is committed to the investigation of fraudulent tax refund schemes.  The investigation and prosecution of Nisar Sahi is just another example of the government’s diligence and persistence in identifying individuals who use other people’s personal information to file fraudulent tax returns for their own financial benefit and bringing them to justice.”

According to the Information to which SAHI pled guilty, and other court documents filed in this case:

From 2011 to 2015, SAHI devised and executed a scheme to obtain false and fraudulent tax returns totaling $803,995 from the IRS.  SAHI carried out this scheme by preparing and submitting to the IRS federal income tax returns — using the names and social security numbers of others — and directing that the refunds be sent to bank accounts and addresses that he controlled. 

In addition to the prison sentence, SAHI, 50, of Pakistan, was ordered to forfeit $319,712 in ill-gotten gains, and to pay restitution to the IRS in the same amount. 

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of IRS-CI.  Mr. Bharara also thanked the U.S. Department of Justice’s Tax Division for its assistance.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney Rebekah Donaleski is in charge of the prosecution.