THE BRONX HAS BECOME THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE

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

You should know that the Bronx is burning – but in a positive way!

As we all know, there was a time when Bronx landlords abandoned their properties, fires were burning, blocks were lined with empty lots and burnt down buildings, factories left, and banks red lined the area. The Bronx was practically deserted.

The Bronx was ignored, abused, and used as everyone’s political piñata and punch line.

But it is also important for you to know that in recent years, the Bronx has made a turn for the best: crime is down, roads and bridges have been renovated, businesses are booming, and real estate values are rising. The Bronx has come to be a place to be.

An indication of this dramatic change is that during this Presidential Campaign season, the Bronx has become the focus for one and all to come and visit.

The Bronx has become the Road to the White House.

Never before in Bronx history have Presidential candidates taken it upon themselves, in one way or another, to make sure a visit to the Bronx is a must-do on their itinerary.

Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Ted Cruz, Governor John Kasich, Secretary Hillary Clinton – they have all made a major visit to the Bronx

.

The only one who has been missing in action in Bronx is Mr. Donald Trump.

By coming to the Bronx, Presidential candidates show their willingness to recognize how significant the Bronx and our people are. One result of their visits is how every media outlet worldwide is talking about the Bronx.

You should know that on Tuesday, April 5th at approximately 8pm, I received a call from Ted Cruz’s people telling me that an event they planned had been cancelled, and asked if I could get 15-20 ministers to meet with Ted Cruz in any place of my choice in the Bronx.

I got busy on my phone and in less than 10 hours, I organized an event where not 15, but 100 Hispanic ministers welcomed Ted Cruz in the Sabrosura Restaurant located at 1808 Westchester Avenue in Bronx County.  And the Bronx got worldwide coverage!

It is important for all of us to know that since the Bronx is the Road to the White House, and every national candidate is coming here to visit, I am still waiting for Mr. Donald Trump to also come here and to show the whole world that there is nothing to fear by coming to the Bronx.

My dear reader, you should know that on Thursday, April 7th at 12:30pm, as I was ending my weekly meeting with my Hispanic ministers, I received a phone call from the Trump Organization inviting me to go and meet one on one with Donald Trump at the Trump Tower.

Even though I do appreciate Donald Trump's invitation, my priorities as the President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization force me to make sure that any meetings with candidates are held with my ministers - not just with me - and for these meetings to be held where we meet, in the Bronx.

My invitation to Donald Trump still stands.

It is great to see Bernie Sanders going to St Mary's Park, John Kasich coming to Fordham Road, Hillary Clinton riding the Subway at 161st Street in the Bronx, and Senator Ted Cruz eating in Sabrosura Restaurant on Westchester Avenue.  

This has been a great victory for the Bronx and its more than one million residents.

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

EDITOR'S NOTE:

While Senator Diaz Sr. was able to round up about 100 (by his count) Hispanic ministers for a meeting with Ted Cruz the good senator is not looking at the big picture. How many of the 100 were Republicans or were they members of the Democratic or Conservative Party who are unable to vote for Republican Ted Cruz in a Republican primary. In New York only Republicans are eligible to vote in the state primary. The real reason that Ted Cruz and John Kasich came to the South Bronx was to visit the congressional district with the lowest number of registered Republicans. If either Cruz or Kasich is able to get one vote over the majority number of registered Republicans in the district (close to 101) they could get the delegates from that district. So why would either campaign in Republican rich areas they know they can not win, The answer, come to the South Bronx district that overlaps Senator Diaz's State Senate district to find the least number of enrolled Republicans, that is why State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. is still an enrolled Democrat he would never get elected as a Republican, and that is what you should know.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 
District 32 Bronx County, New York 

IS ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC SCHNEIDERMAN INVESTIGATING HIMSELF? 

You should know that in 1992, the City of New York sold a piece of property located at 45 Rivington Street in New York City to a not-for-profit corporation called the Rivington House Healthcare Facility for $1.5 million dollars. The deed contained a covenant (a promise) that the use and development of the property was limited “in perpetuity” – to a not-for-profit health care facility.  As we all know, “in perpetuity” means forever. 

On October 9, 2014, the Rivington House signed a contract for sale of this property to New Rivington Property’s LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Corporation. New Rivington Property LLC is a business owned by two individuals. 

It is important for you to know that in order for any not-for-profit corporation to sell real estate property in New York, it must first obtain review and consent by both the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and then, a Supreme Court Judge in New York, 

And so, after signing the contract, the owners Rivington House submitted a petition that first went to the NYS Attorney General’s Office, and then to the NYS Supreme Court to be granted this permission to sell. 

On December 16, 2014, Justice Eileen Rakower of the Supreme Court of New York County signed an Order permitting the sale of this property to the New Rivington Property’s LLC for the price of $28 million dollars. 

Alongside the Judge’s signature on this Order that permitted the sale of the property was the stamped endorsement and consent of the New York State Attorney General’s Office. 

Prior to signing and consenting to such an Order, it seems that the NYS Attorney General’s Office overlooked or ignored the restrictive covenant in the 1992 deed that said the use and development of the property had to be limited to a not-for-profit corporation. 

Clearly, the purchaser of this property was not a not-for-profit corporation. This should have raised some concern in the Attorney General’s Office before consenting to the sale. 

Then, in November of 2015, the City of New York signed a deed to the New Rivington properties surrendering their “in perpetuity” claim on the property under the 1992 deed for the price of $16,150,000.00 

Upon receiving full and clear title to the property at 45 Rivington Street, the New Rivington Properties LLC flipped the property in February, 2016 to the Rivington Street Investors, LLC, another Delaware LLC, for the whopping price of $116 million dollars, using (and I kid you not) the Bank of the Ozarks to finance the purchase of this property. 

Now we have, surprise, surprise ... of all people offering to investigate the second half of this sale, the New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, whose Charities Bureau started this process in motion by approving the sale of this property to a business group for a mere $28 million dollars. 

It seems that certain individuals reaped an incredible profit on this Manhattan real estate deal.  Will the Attorney General be looking in-house to see how much finger pointing should be done at his own agency? 

If there is a complaint that the City of New York received undue compensation for releasing their claim on this property, then certainly the prior owner, the Rivington House, was also given less than fair market value for their sale. 

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

Assemblymember Michael A. Blake - JOIN US: Shark Tank, A Mural & VOTING

We have some exciting events coming up in the 79th District! Please see below:

Community Mural Unveiling

Next Saturday, April 16th from 12-3pm

Our office has partnered with Open Society Foundations (OSF) and will be unveiling a mural that will call attention to the need for Drug Policy reform. The new mural will be located at the Morris Houses 169th St. & Third Ave

New York State Presidential Primary and State Senate and Assembly Special Elections 

Remember to VOTE on Tuesday, April 19th in the Presidential primary election and encourage residents in Long Island (State Senate District 9) and down in Manhattan (Assembly District 65) to vote in their special elections

SHARK TANK CASTING CALL

Calling all Entrepreneurs! Here is your chance for a big break!

Shark Tank comes to The Bronx on Wednesday, April 20th 1-7pm for a casting call at the historic courthouse at 161st and Third Avenue 

Register by clicking the link below! 

www.valuespartnerships.com/sharktank/bronx

For more info, contact: Blake79districtbx@gmail.com 

COUNCILMAN WILLIAMS CHAIRS HEARING ON PACKAGE OF GAS SAFETY BILLS

    Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Council's Housing and Buildings Committee, chaired a hearing on a package of 10 bills designed to increase the safety of our gas infrastructure. The Committee heard testimony from representatives of the Department of Buildings (DOB), the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), industry experts, property owners, and other interested members of the public.

In the past two years, New York City has experienced four major gas-related explosions, with the most severe taking place March of last year, where 2 people died and 22 were injured. In response to these explosions, the City Council introduced a package of legislation with the goal of improving gas safety.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the first-responders affected by the four major gas-related explosions that took place over the last two years. As Chair of the Council's Committee on Housing and Buildings, I am extremely troubled by these incidents," said Council Member Williams. "As we learn more about how to fix the mistakes that led to those tragedies, I am increasingly confident about the City's ability to find solutions." 

"In a relatively short time we've seen a number of gas explosions take place in the City; many of them due to failures to report and handle gas leaks properly. To ensure the well-being of New Yorkers and first responders, it's vital we introduce legislation that will implement and enforce a system of safety procedures followed by all building owners and plumbers," said Council Member Williams.

The 10 bills look to improve gas safety by requiring inspections of gas piping systems, annual reports on the state of gas infrastructure in the city, and that natural gas alarms be placed in housing units. The package also calls for building owners to notify tenants of procedures that should take place during a gas leak.

• Int. No. 738 would create a journeyman plumber gas qualification system. It would also bar journeyman plumbers from fabricating, assembling, installing, repairing, servicing, testing or performing maintenance on fuel gas piping systems unless they have a valid gas qualification.(Sponsored by Council Member Mark D. Levine)

• Int. No. 1079 would prohibit an individual from being able to "self-certify" work if it was determined by DOB that such individual had, within the previous 5 years, worked on a gas piping system without a permit. DOB would also be required to make a list of such persons publicly available on its website. (Sponsored by the Speaker Council Member Melissa Mark Viverito)

• Int. No. 1088 would require owners of buildings with gas piping systems to have such systems periodically inspected by licensed master plumbers. (Sponsored by Council Member Rafael Espinal)

• Int. No. 1090 would require owners to instruct their tenants to call 911 and their gas service providers, prior to informing such owners, when a gas leak is suspected. (Sponsored by Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson)

• Int. No. 1093 would require gas service operators and owners to notify DOB within twenty-four hours when gas service is shut-off or not restored due to safety concerns. (Sponsored by Council Member Rosie Mendez)

• Int. No. 1094 would require an agency or office designated by the mayor to identify a set of factors which indicate the presence of gas-related violations that pose risks to health, safety or property. The bill would also require such designated agency to submit a report to the council on using such factors to target enforcement. (Sponsored by Council Member Donovan Richards)

• Int. No. 1098 would require that gas utilities provide annual reports on the location, age, condition, and material of the various parts of the gas infrastructure in the city. The bill would also require that such utilities report on work done and planned work on such infrastructure. (Sponsored by Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez)

• Int. No. 1100 would require natural gas alarms to be installed, maintained, and periodically replaced in dwelling units. (Sponsored by Council Member James Vacca)

• Int. No. 1101 would allow for a temporary waiver of fines for improper fuel gas-piping alterations and installations. (Sponsored by Council Member Jumaane D. Williams)

• Int. No. 1102 would designate violations of existing law regarding gas piping systems as "immediately hazardous." (Sponsored by Council Member Jumaane D. Williams)

The East Harlem explosion, reported on March 12, 2014 at 9:30 AM, collapsed two buildings at 1644 and 1646 Park Avenue. The smell of gas was originally reported to Con Edison at 9:06 AM, who dispatched a team at 9:15 AM. The team was in route when the explosion occurred. Con Edison also called the Fire Department at 9:19 AM but subsequently withdrew the phone call. The Fire Department arrived four minutes after the explosion occurred, at 9:34 AM. By 1:44 PM, Con Edison and the City were able to turn off the gas flow to the block where the accident occurred. The gas explosion resulted in 8 persons dying, more than 50 injured and more than 100 families displaced.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sent a team to investigate the scene. The NTSB is an independent federal agency that is charged by Congress to investigate every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant accidents on other forms of transportation that includes railroad, highway, marine and pipeline.

On March 26, 2015 an explosion occurred at 121 Second Avenue around 3:17 PM. It was reported that 2 persons died and 22 persons were injured. The fire escalated to seven alarms within an hour of the explosion which resulted in 250 firefighters on the scene. The explosion ended up destroying 3 buildings and damaged 1 additional building.

Before the explosion, the property owner's plumber was conducting work to upgrade the gas service for the building. Con Edison was at the site to check on a planned meter installation about an hour before the explosion. The work failed the inspection and gas could not be introduced to the residential units. The owner and general contractor remained in the building to work on the gas lines but left the building a few minutes before the building exploded.

On August 21, 2015, a gas explosion occurred at John F. Kennedy High School at 8:09 PM. Contractors were working on the school's science labs which was part of a project by the School Construction Authority through a private contractor. One of the contractors decided to check the gas leak by lighting a match. This set off an explosion at the high school which damaged the school's fourth, fifth and sixth floors. DOB issued a partial vacate order at the damaged locations. Three contractors were injured during the explosion.

On October 3, 2015, another explosion occurred in Brooklyn at 4206 13th Avenue. It was initially believed that the removal of a stove may have sparked a gas explosion. City officials investigating the scene concluded that a meter measuring the gas flow into the apartment was turned off. Also, the video of the explosion showed a quickly moving fire that showed thick black smoke which is not common for a gas explosion. According to a fire official, a thick black smoke is usually associated with fuel or gasoline. Housing court records showed that a judgement was reached against the tenant and a city marshal was assigned to execute the warrant. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation but city officials said that it would be unfair to label the explosion a suicide. The blast displaced dozens of residents. Two persons died and 13 persons were injured due to the explosion.

"Gas explosions are devastating, tragic, and in many cases, preventable. I applaud Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Council Member Jumaane Williams for championing a package of bills that will set forth new regulations for monitoring gas installations and enact harsher punishments against those whose actions put the safety of their neighbors at risk. As we continue to examine the potential impacts of our aging infrastructure, I look forward to continued conversation with Con Ed, the Administration, and the public in pursuit of a better, safer New York," said Chair of the Committee on Public Safety Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson.

"These measures will put in place a system checks and balances that will go a long way in protecting New Yorkers," said Council Member Williams. 

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Resume Writing & Interview Workshop

Mayor Bill De Blasio Announces the Results of a 90-day Review of Homeless Programs

  Mayor Bill de Blasio standing next to a chart labeled Rental Assistance Reduces Homelessness shows how his new Comprehensive Homeless Service plan will stabilize, then prevent future increases of Homelessness in the city. 

  During the almost two hour presentation Mayor de Blasio held at Bronxworks located at 1050 Grand Concourse several speakers including Keshaw Wood  a single mother who was facing eviction and one step away from being homeless gave her story of how Homebase helped provide her with a lawyer who won her case and even was able to have her rent reduced in the process. Ms. Wood is now on her way to becoming a registered nurse, and should never have to go through the process to which she was subjected to. Mayor de Blasio has placed an integrated management structure with both the Human Resources Administration (HRA), and Department of Homeless Services (DHS) reporting to a single Commissioner of Social Services under current DSS/HRA Commissioner Steven Banks. 

  The four major reforms are, Preventing Homelessness, Getting families out of shelters and into permanent housing, Improving the current shelter system, and helping today's homeless population. The mayor spoke of shutting down certain current shelter sites that have numerous violations or are unsafe for families, which has already begun according to the mayor. Homeless housing is part of his goal in the new or preserved 200,000 units of affordable housing goal. 

   The mayor stated that under former Giuliani there were 23,000 homeless people, under Mayor Bloomberg that number rose to 33,000, and currently is at 50,000 people which includes more children than before, adding that families in shelters may have a working adult member.. His aim is to get families out of city shelters and into permanent housing   

Above - Ms. Wood explained her problem of almost being evicted, and how the city helped her overcome that problem.

Below - Mayor Bill de Blasio expands on what the city has done for Ms. Wood, and what he hopes can be done for many others who may be in her situation.

Above - On the far right is Bronx Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson who the mayor thanked for her role in getting this process started, and Councilwoman Gibson thanked the mayor for the new Homeless programs designed to keep at risk families in their apartments.

Below - New DSS/HRA Commissioner Steven Banks explains more of the job that he will be doing. 

After the presentation Mayor de Blasio took questions, some of which were about the current police influence peddling scandal, and if the mayor has been questioned, asked for counsel, and if he had any role in the scandal to which the mayor said that it occurred before his victory, and that he has not been questioned by federal authorities, he does not think he will be questioned by them, and that he hold himself and his staff to the utmost standards. He added that this was going to be the last tome that he would answer anymore questions on the subject.

KLEIN, AVELLA, DINOWITZ, MOSLEY SECURE $2M IN FUNDING TO INCREASE DIVERSITY IN SPECIALIZED HIGH SCHOOLS

State Senator Jeff Klein, State Senator Tony Avella, Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, and Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley announced that the Independent Democratic Conference has secured $2 million dollars in funding to increase diversity in New York City’s Specialized High Schools.

New York City’s Specialized High Schools have seen a shockingly low number of black and Latino students apply for and enroll in recent years. A survey from 2005-2013 showed that despite the fact that black and Latino students made up a majority of rising eighth graders - 71.6 percent - they made up only 52 percent of students who even took the Specialized High School Admission Test.

“A Specialized High School might be a great fit for so many of New York City’s underrepresented students, but we will never know if we don’t ensure that every student has the resources to prepare and apply. That is why I am thrilled that we have secured over $2 million dollars in this year’s state budget in order to establish outreach programs at every Specialized High School, enhance and expand free test preparation for New York City's underrepresented students, and further support Brooklyn Tech’s successful STEM pipeline program for middle school students. By providing resources to these students early, and continuing throughout middle school, we can ensure that every child in the New York City public school system has the same opportunity to learn, grow, and potentially enroll in these prestigious schools,” said Senator Klein.

“Bridging the deep diversity gap that exists in our schools starts with strengthening our students’ foundations. With this funding, we can establish outreach coordinators, provide test prep to underrepresented areas, and support and enhance an already successful middle school pipeline program through the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation’s STEM program. This is much more than just checking off a box, this is laying the foundation to ensure that every student has an opportunity to enter one of these esteemed schools,” said Senator Avella.

In their proposal released in March, the IDC laid out a plan to increase diversity in the schools’ enrollment, the “New York City Specialized High Schools Diversity Initiative and Gifted and Talented Program Expansion.”

Included in the 2016-17 budget is:

• $350,000 for Outreach Coordinators at each school who will focus on ensuring that students in underrepresented middle schools.

• $650,000 for Test Prep for Middle School Students from Underrepresented Populations to pay for test prep at each Specialized High School.

• $750,000 appropriation to NYC DOE for test prep targeting free and reduced-price lunch students in New York City.

• $250,000 for the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation to enhance their current, successful middle school pipeline program.

“I am pleased that by working with Senator Klein we were able provide money to increase diversity in New York City’s Specialized High Schools in this year’s budget. The underrepresentation of some minority groups in New York’s Specialized High Schools is indicative of a larger set of challenges that face this city’s educational system today. I am proud to have fought for this proposal, and to be able to provide funding for students to take free test preparation classes, in addition to investing in outreach coordinators at each of the specialized high schools. This funding will go a long way in raising the numbers of potentially qualified minority applicants attending these schools, while maintaining the schools’ academic integrity without changing the objectivity of the entrance exam,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz, a Bronx Science Alum.

"I applaud Speaker Heastie and the Senate Democratic Conference  for implementing the Diversity Initiative for New York City Specialized High Schools in this year's state budget. Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) and myself have championed this proposal in the Assembly. It is critically imperative that we expand the programs that prepare our youth to take the Specialized High School Admission Test. As a member of the Board of Regents My Brothers Keeper Blue Ribbon Panel on improving outcomes for boys and young men of color, we highlighted the need for more advanced programing in a report issued late last year," said Assemblyman Mosley.

BJCC Spring Volunteer Opportunities

 Four Random Acts of Kindness Spring Volunteer Opportunities

Make all the difference with just a very few hours of your time!

Brighten your own day, as you bring joy to an isolated and lonely senior

 

 

 (one) Friendly Visitor  Needed

Adult Friendly Visitor needed for a delightfully endearing, very  intelligent woman, who has retired as a social worker, but loves reading and writing mystery novels, but is suffering from  a debilitating eye disease that has left her unable to read.  She is seeking someone to read mysteries with her.

 (three ) Mother's Day Related Opportunities

• Mothers Day Ice Cream Social  Volunteers needed to help set up and host on Monday, May 3 from 12-3 at our auditorium near Mosholu Parkway very close to Riverdale. Music, gifts and fun

• Mother's Day Luncheon, on Mother's Day morning:   Looking for up to 10 volunteers of all ages to help host our annual event, May 8 from 10:30-1:30 at the Sue Ginsberg Senior Center, 1 block off Pelham Parkway( great for families)

• Deliver flowers to an isolated or home bound Mom, anytime form Wednesday May 4- Monday, May 9.  Bring the joy of Mothers Day to someone whose children live far away!  (perfect for families)

To volunteer, please contact Niti Minkove, BJCC Director of Volunteers at 917-693-3084 or nminkove@bjcconline.org.