COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE FREE DEFIBRILLATORS

Council Member Andy King, 12^th CD, distributes defibrillators to community-based organizations that received CPR training on Monday.

   New York City Council Member Andy King congratulated and presented defibrillators to representatives from Northeast Bronx community-based organizations that completed a CPR training Monday evening (April 4th) on use of the devices.

The packed training session was held at the Morris Park Community Center, Bronx, as a part of the “Beating Hearts” initiative sponsored by the New York City Council.

As a part of the $350,000 FY16 initiative program, council members from all 51 districts, selected four (4) community-based organizations in need of defibrillators – particularly organizations that work with children, seniors or engage in physical activities.

The goal of this initiative is to ensure organizations are well prepared for cardiac arrest emergencies, as research shows that early intervention during a cardiac arrest strongly increases an individual’s likelihood of surviving. Sudden cardiac arrests outside of hospitals are responsible for an estimated 160,000 deaths a year nationally. In cases where cardiac arrest is caused by an abnormal heart rhythm, known as ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia, death may be averted if a quick and effective shock is delivered with a defibrillator and a normal rhythm restored.

“We’ve heard testimony in the City Council from individuals who are grateful that an organization or junior ball park had a defibrillator on hand during an emergency. This life-saving technology is essential to have around and it’s great that we can do what we can to help community-based organizations obtain a defibrillator and train their staff on how to use it,” said Council Member King (12th CD).

Monday night’s recipients included St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Wakefield; the Williamsbridge NAACP Early Childhood Education Center, Coop City's Velocity Track Club, as well as the Morris Park Community Association and other organizations from Council Member James Vacca's district and around the Bronx.  Each organization received one Automatic External Defibrillator and a storage cabinet.

Training and AED placement was provided by the Staten Island Heart Society (SIHS).

 From left, EMT Kevin Hazel, SIHS; Tony Signorile, president of the Morris Park Community Association; EMT John Wilson, SIHS, Council Member James Vacca, Rachel Volpe, RN, SIHS, Council Member Andy King and EMT Joe Pessalano, SIHS.

  

Bronx Gothic's Final Performances take place in the Bronx at BAAD

BAAD! - The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance proudly presents  
The Final Performances of Okwui Okpokwasili’s 
BRONX GOTHIC 
APRIL 29 & 30 
For the First Time the Artist Performs Show near Her Bronx Neighborhood 

    BAAD! - The Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance continues to be a beacon for contemporary dance in the Bronx and proudly presents Okwui Okpokwasili’s celebrated, Bessie Award-winning full evening event,Bronx Gothic. The show draws inspiration from Victorian-era novels and West African griot storytelling to reveal a dark and powerful Bronx tale of sexual awakening, the body in transformation and the humor, love, strangeness and even terror that accompany it. Okpokwasili returns to the Bronx where she was raised to perform the shows final two performances at BAAD! which is on the campus of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where she had her confirmation. The two performances are on Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30 at 8pm. BAAD! is located at 2474 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461. Tickets cost $35 and $15 for residents of the Bronx. For tickets and information visit BAADBronx.org or call 718-918-2110. 

Bronx Gothic is a solo creation at the intersection of theater, dance and visual art installation, and gives a palpable force to the charged relationship between two girls on the verge of adolescence in 1980s Bronx--where Newports are bought in singles at the corner bodega, sex saturated notes are passed in class, and Orchard Beach erupts in flame. 

Okwui Okpokwasili is a New York-based writer, performer and choreographer who grew up in the Bronx. She frequently collaborates with the award-winning director Ralph Lemon and has appeared in dance and theater productions, and in films.  Bronx Gothic is her second collaboration with the director/designer/filmmaker Peter Born. Their first New York production, pent-up: a revenge dance premiered at Performance Space 122 and received a 2010 New York Dance and Performance (“Bessie”) Award for Outstanding Production; and Bronx Gothic is their second collaboration, premiered in 2014 and also received a New York Dance and Performance (“Bessie”) Award for Outstanding Production.  The show was produced by MAPP International and has toured nationally and internationally. 

On both days a limited group of guests are invited to a pre-show VIP Reception at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church with cocktails, a buffet, a tour of the 19th century cemetery that surrounds the campus, and reserved seating at the Bronx Gothic performance. The VIP event begins at 6pm and tickets costs $250. St. Peter’s is located at 2500 Westchester Ave., Bronx, NY 10461. 

The performances of Bronx Gothic are a part of BAAD!’s annual Boogie Down Dance Festival.  For a full schedule of performances and activities visit www.BAADBronx.org. 

Crowned “a funky and welcoming performance space” by The New York Times, BAAD! is a performance and workshop space that presents cutting-edge works in dance and all creative disciplines empowering to women, Latinos and people of color and the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual,  transgender and queer) community. BAAD! is home to Arthur Aviles Typical Theatre (AATT) and the Bronx Dance Coalition and was founded by Arthur Avilés and Charles Rice-González in 1998 in Hunts Point. BAAD! moved to Westchester Square in October 2013 to a gothic revivalist building on the grounds of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. 

The North American Tour of Bronx Gothic is produced by MAPP International Productions. Bronx Gothic was co-commissioned by Performance Space 122, Danspace Project, and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) and the Jerome Foundation with residency support from Park Avenue Armory’s Under Construction Series, New York Live Arts, Baryshnikov Arts Center, and LMCC’s Extended Life Dance Development program. Additional commissioning support provided by Le Maillon in Strasbourg, Théâtre de Gennevillers in Paris, Théâtre Garonne in Toulouse, and Zagrebacko Kazalište Mladih in Zagreb, as part of PS 122 GLOBAL program. 

BAAD!/AATT receive support from The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, The Lambent Fund of the Tides Foundation, The SHS Foundation, The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, The Mertz Gilmore Foundation, The New York State Council on the Arts,  and private donations.  

A.G. Schneiderman And Tax Commissioner Boone Announce Conviction Of Unregistered Tax Preparer For Attempting To Steal Tax Refunds

Raul D. Kelley Expected To Be Sentenced To 2 To 6 Years In Prison For Submitting Forged NYC Transit Authority W2 Statements And Preparing Over 700 Fraudulent Tax Returns

     Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and Taxation and Finance Commissioner Jerry Boone today announced the guilty plea of Raul D. Kelley, 49, of the Bronx, NY for submitting forged W2 statements and preparing over 700 fraudulent tax returns while acting as an unregistered tax preparer. Kelley pleaded guilty today in Albany County Supreme Court before The Honorable Andrew G. Ceresia to the crimes of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a class “D” felony, and Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class “E” felony. Kelley is expected to be sentenced to 2 to 6 years in prison for his crimes when sentencing occurs on May 3.   

“When individuals avoid paying their taxes, it unfairly shifts the burden to honest taxpayers across New York State,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Today’s guilty plea brings the defendant to justice for his role in repeatedly submitting false documents to state tax officials and I appreciate the hard work of the Department of Taxation and Finance for partnering with my office during this investigation.”  

“The defendant admits to cheating the State on two fronts—first by falsifying tax returns for his clients, and then by falsifying his own personal income tax returns,” said Commissioner Boone. “This sentencing should send a clear message about the high price to pay for criminal activity.”

In January 2015, as a result of a joint investigation by the Attorney General’s Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance’s (DTF’s) Criminal Investigations Division, Kelley was arrested on felony charges regarding his operation of an unregistered tax preparer business, in which he submitted fraudulent tax returns on behalf of taxpayers.  Kelley was re-arrested in February 2016 on additional felony charges for submitting fraudulent documents and information on his own personal income taxes, in an effort to take more than $25,000. 

According to the indictment and statements made to prosecutors, Kelley worked for the NYC Transit Authority from 2007 until 2008 as a train operator. However, after leaving the NYC Transit Authority, Kelley continued to submit forged W2 Statements through the 2012 tax year, claiming thousands of dollars in fraudulent tax withholdings. In addition, Kelley claimed thousands of dollars in deductions and credits that he was not entitled to, all in an effort to personally wrongfully collect more than $25,000 in New York State tax refunds.

The investigation by the Attorney General and the DTF uncovered additional crimes linked to Kelley’s role as an unregistered tax preparer, including the submission of over 700 fraudulent New York State personal and corporate income tax returns for tax years 2009 through 2012. These submissions resulted in the theft from the DTF of $267,425 and the attempted theft of an additional $506,572.

Kelley pleaded guilty today before the Honorable Andrew G. Ceresia in Albany County Supreme Court to Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (a Class “D” felony) and Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (a Class “E” felony). As part of his plea, Kelley admitted that that these crimes were related to Kelley’s role as an unregistered tax preparer and his submission of fraudulent New York State personal and corporate income tax returns for clients between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013.

In exchange for his guilty pleas, Kelley is expected to be sentenced to 2 to 6 years in state prison and must pay a $10,000 fine. 

Commissioner Boone encourages taxpayers to ensure that tax preparers are registered with New York State by using the Tax Department’s searchable online database of 40,000 tax preparers. Certified public accountants, attorneys and enrolled agents have other professional requirements and are, therefore, not required to be registered.

The Attorney General thanked the DTF’s Criminal Investigations Division for its cooperation in the case.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Philip V. Apruzzese of the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau. The Bureau is led by Bureau Chief Gary T. Fishman and Deputy Chief Stephanie Swenton. The Division of Criminal Justice is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.

The Attorney General’s investigation was conducted by Investigators Michael Leahy, Elsa Rojas, and Mark Spencer, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Investigators Antoine Karam and John McManus.  The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Dominick Zarrella.

NYS Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, nvite you to a reception recognizing the role of Albanians in sheltering Jewish refugees during the Holocaust

NYS Attorney General Eric Schneiderman,  Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj,  &   H.E. Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania

Cordially Invite you to a reception recognizing the role of  Albanians in sheltering   Jewish refugees during the Holocaust The reception will feature a trailer of the documentary,  "Besa: Albanians that saved Jews during WWII," a display of the photographs and stories demonstrating the compassion and bravery of ordinary people. A full screening of the documentary will follow.  Monday, April 11, 2016 Reception & Program: 6:00pm- 7:00pm Documentary Screening & Panel: 7:30pm- 9:30pm Museum Of Jewish Heritage 36 Battery Place, New York, NY 10280 SPACE IS LIMITED- RSVP IS MANDATORY Only ticket holders will be admitted To RSVP, email assemblymangjonajevents@gmail.com 1) Reception/Program 2)Documentary 0r 3)Both For more information, please contact: Klaudio Rruko 347-671-4355 or Illirjan Fundo 917-459-8912 or 718-409-0109.

Klein Bill Banning Sex Offenders from 1,000 feet of Pre-K & Kindergartens Passes Senate

The New York State Senate on Monday passed legislation sponsored by Senator Jeff Klein to prohibit Level 2 and 3 sex offenders from residing within 1,000 feet of a pre-kindergarten or stand-alone kindergarten facility. The bill would also require that a quarterly list of all elementary and secondary schools in the state is obtained by the Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision, in order to ensure that current residency laws are being enforced.

“Entire communities are being left vulnerable to dangerous sexual predators who often strike more than once. There's a reason why the law does not allow pedophiles to live within 1,000 feet of a school. Parents expect those laws to protect all children and be enforced. I am pleased that my bill to prohibit sex offenders from residing near a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten has passed the Senate, and that this legislation will also go a long way towards ensuring that the law is properly enforced,” said Senator Klein.

Last year, the Independent Democratic Conference released, “Keeping Our Children Safe From Sex Offenders,” which revealed disturbing violations of residency restrictions and numerous sex offenders living dangerously close to both traditional and stand-alone UPK programs in New York.

The analysis also uncovered over 130 instances where registered sex offenders were listed under incorrect zip codes. The discover renders useless the zip code alert system, which parents and community members utilize to receive notification when a sex offender moves into the area.

Two of the sexual predators found in that investigation – Michael Nieves and Damon Ford – are already back in prison. Ford violated his parole after police found him purchasing synthetic marijuana. Nieves also violated parole conditions when police were called to his home for a domestic dispute.

In August, yet another predator was found residing near a school. Mark Mercado, who was released from the Gowanda Correctional Facility in western New York, had relocated to The Bronx. He was found within 950-feet of a stand-alone UPK at the Westchester Tremont Day Care Center, which serves approximately 100 local children.

First introduced in 2014, the bill overwhelmingly passed the State Senate in 2014 and 2015.

Editor's Note:

While the State Senate has passed this legislation now for the third straight year, it must also be passed by the State Assembly, that has not the past two years. If the State Assembly was to pass this legislation this year, then the bill must be signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo to take effect.

NYCHCC Workshop in Celebration of Financial Literacy Month

PEDESTRIAN PLAZA BILL AND LEGISLATION ON TAXIs/FHVs TO BE VOTED ON IN TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

On Wednesday, April 6th at 10:00 AM, the Council Transportation Committee will vote on the following bills:

• Proposed Int. No. 658-A - By Council Members Garodnick, Rodriguez, Chin, Constantinides, Rose, Espinal, Williams, Cabrera, Mendez, Rosenthal and Menchaca - A local law in relation to requiring information security and use of personal information policies for services licensed by taxi and limousine commission
• Proposed Int. No. 1080-A - By The Speaker (Council Member Mark-Viverito) and Council Members Garodnick, Rodriguez, Torres and Menchaca - A local law in relation to fare quotes for black car and luxury limousine service
• Proposed Int. No. 1092-A - By Council Members Lancman, Menchaca, Constantinides and Van Bramer - A local law in relation to the retirement of black cars
• Proposed Int. No. 1095-A - By Council Members Rodriguez and Constantinides - A local law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a universal driver's license for taxicab and for-hire vehicle drivers
• Proposed Int. No. 1096-A - By Council Members Rodriguez, Constantinides and Van Bramer - A local law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to increasing penalties for accepting a passenger by street hail from a location where street hails are not permitted
• Proposed Int. No. 1109-B - By Council Members Johnson, Garodnick, Lander, Rodriguez, Torres, Chin and Cohen-  A local law in relation to pedestrian plazas

When: Wednesday, April 6th, 10:00 AM

Where: 250 Broadway,14th Floor Committee Hearing Room

Assemblyman Crespo & Senator Klein Create Disaster Preparedness Program Via State Budget

Superstorm Sandy and extreme weather across New York leads to program which incentivizes disaster preparedness for property owners

    With billions in damage to property across New York due to severe weather and with the limited resources of first-responders being put to their limit, New York State has adopted legislation proposed in 2014 by Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo and Senator Jeff Klein which will incentivize property owners to make their dwellings more resilient to natural disasters through a home safety and loss prevention course. This is also a win-win for insurance companies who provide homeowners with authorized courses in disaster preparedness as this would reduce claims on the company.

The 2016-2017 State Budget which was adopted yesterday included the original legislation (A.6846/S.1529) which was vetoed by Governor Cuomo last year.  With over $30 billion in property damage due to Superstorm Sandy alone, it became clear that more needed to be done to help New Yorkers become better prepared and more resilient to a major natural disaster.  Across the State, outbreaks of severe weather in the form of flooding and tornadoes have also inflicted millions in property damage. 

The new law permits the Department of Financial Services (DFS) to provide an actuarially appropriate reduction in homeowner’s insurance premiums upon a homeowner’s completion of a home safety and loss prevention course. This new law establishes that:

•               Applicants have the ability to submit a home safety and loss prevention course to DFS for review;

•               DFS will examine the course to discern if it warrants an actuarially appropriate reduction in rates of a homeowner’s insurance policy; and,

•               Once DFS approves the course and the insured (the homeowner) produces a completion certificate proving they have completed the approved course, the insurer can provide the actuarially appropriate reduction in rates of a homeowner’s insurance policy for a period of 3 years.

“I am proud to once again partner with Senator Klein to work on programs which will improve public safety, save lives and better prepare our residents to cope with natural disasters which we have seen cripple communities,” stated Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo, member of the Assembly Standing Committee on Insurance.

“In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which devastated homes in my district, it’s imperative that New Yorkers learn how to fortify their properties in the event of extreme weather. Through this new course, homeowners will develop ways to reduce the risk of property damage posed by natural disasters and in securing their homes, lessen danger to their families, while getting a discount on their homeowners insurance,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

This is the second bill of three proposed in a report released by Assemblyman Crespo in May of 2013 to improve public safety from growing severe weather threats.   “Tornadoes Rising: The Increasing Rates of Tornadoes in New York State” highlighted the dangers facing most New Yorkers from severe weather. 

The report compiled tornado data since 1950 and found that “Over the past 15 years 146 tornadoes have hit our State, accounting for 35% of the 407 tornadoes impacting New York since 1950. Data shows 69% of the 407 tornadoes occurring since 1986, increasing in frequency over the past decade. Tornadoes now pose a tremendous risk to all of New York’s more than 19 million residents.”  It also found that “New York City alone has seen a more than 300% increase in tornadoes since 2002.”  A full copy of the report can be found at:http://assembly.state.ny.us/member_files/085/20130701/index.pdf

According to Crespo, “We know that most people have put their sole trust in first responders as their primary vehicle to deal with a disaster and this is unrealistic when a mass disaster impacts any locality.  It is impossible for first-responders to respond to what would become an overwhelming number of calls for assistance.  That is why this legislation incentivizes homeowners to make their homes more disaster resilient so they can stay at home and in safety until help can reach them. Disaster preparedness should become a household term and way of life.”