COUNCIL PASSES THREE HOUSING BILLS SPONSORED BY WILLIAMS

    The New York City Council voted to pass three bills sponsored by Council Member and Deputy Leader Jumaane D. Williams. The three bills change Department of Buildings (DOB) permit filing fees and provide an extension of the J-51 tax exemption / abatement program.

Int. No. 831 alters permit filing fees for certain new building and alteration permit applications filed with DOB. The bill decreases fees for 1-, 2- and 3- family homes and increases fees for larger buildings.

"Decreasing new building and alteration filing fees will lessen the financial burden on our smaller building owners and encourage the maintenance of their properties. There is an increase in fees for larger developments included, as well. Permit fees have not been adjusted since 1991, and doing so will modernize the fee structure," saidCouncil Member Williams.

Int. No. 1118 and 1119 provides an extension of the tax exemption for the J-51 program for renovations of buildings and single room occupancy housing units. 

"The extension of the J-51 tax abatement/exemption program motivates property owners to make improvements on their properties, without the added burden of an onerous tax bill," Council Member Williams said. "Although we passed a straight extender of J-51 today, I look forward to continuing conversations with the Administration, Speaker and stakeholders on how we improve the program in the months and years ahead."

Public Forum on ACTIONHealth NYC

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Endorses Keith Wright for Congress

   “Keith Wright has been a key member of our community and I am proud to have him as a colleague and friend in public service. Keith helped rebuild Harlem. He has improved the lives of our residents with his unyielding support for affordable housing. His passion for education and the vital windows of opportunities it creates for our youth is one of the many areas, where his consistent advocacy has been invaluable.  Keith is a fighter for our neighborhoods. I look forward to continuing to work with him on the issues of immigration, providing a living wage, criminal justice reform, health care, equal rights, economic development and education. I support Assemblyman Keith Wright's campaign to serve as our community’s advocate and partner in Congress,” said Bronx Borough Ruben Diaz Jr.

 

“Borough President Diaz Jr. has served our community for close to two decades. Three years ago the people of our community affirmed his commitment to us by re-electing him our Borough President with overwhelming support.  During his service he has worked tirelessly on an ambitious economic agenda. As the Chair of the Committee on Housing, I have partnered with my friend and colleague Ruben Diaz. A part of his economic agenda was providing housing funds to build new units and create more new jobs. President Diaz’s leadership on economic development, education and public safety has produced results for all of us. I look forward to working with him, to continue our progress, as our community’s next Representative in Washington. I am honored to have my friend Ruben’s support," said Wright.  

   

Bronx Borough President Diaz Jr.’s endorsement adds to the growing list of many public officials including, Gov. David Paterson, Mayor David Dinkins, Senator José Serrano, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Assembly Member Denny Farrell, and Council Member Inez Dickens are also supporting Wright.

 

Wright has won the support of Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, the Uniformed Firefighters Association, Teamsters Joint Council 16, New York City District Council of Carpenters, and International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 1 and Local 79, Laborers International Union, and the Bronx County Democratic Organization.

 

Assembly Member Keith Wright represents the 70th District in the NY State Assembly and is the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing.

 

While in the State Assembly, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. served as Chair of the Committee on Election Law and on the Assembly’s Standing Committees on Education, Ways & Means, Children and Families, Environmental Conservation and Transportation. He was also a member of the Assembly’s Puerto Rican and Hispanic Task Force and the Black/Puerto Rican and Asian Legislative Caucus.

Above - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. explains that he waited until after his choice in the Democratic Primary Hillary Clinton won to endorse Keith Wright for the congressional seat that Charlie Rangel will soon be vacating. 

Below - Current Manhattan Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Keith Wright thanked Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. for his endorsement in a congressional district that covers Manhattan and the Bronx. 

CM COHEN & COMMUNITY LEADERS ANNOUNCE PASSAGE OF FIRST DOWN-ZONING IN 2 YRS

  On Wednesday, April 20th the New York City Council voted in favor of a down zoning amendment pertaining to a portion of the Woodlawn neighborhood. This change marks the first down zoning in over 2.5 years in the City of New York.

The area affected is property generally bounded by East 240th Street to the North, East 234th Street to the South, Viero Avenue to the West and Webster Avenue to the East. This section was previously an R7A District and will now become a R4A District. Before, the project area was 19 lots that were either zoned R7A or were split between R7A and R4A districts. R7A Districts are typically 7 and 8 story apartment buildings, while R4A Districts are one-and-two family detached homes.

This zoning change will provide a framework for orderly growth while protecting the established residential character of the neighborhood. The previous zoning did not adequately reflect the one-and-two family housing stock typically found on residential blocks. The change to a R4A District more closely reflects the existing built condition of the project area’s properties, and will protect against future development that would be out of scale and out of character that was permitted under the R7A zoning.

“The down zoning of Woodlawn will stop the destruction of the single family homes that currently gives the neighborhood its intrinsic character, as well as prevent high-rise developments from invading its narrow streets. This is something that the residents of Woodlawn have been in support of for quite some time and I am proud to have been able to make it a reality. I would like to thank Community Board 12, the Women of Woodlawn, the Woodlawn Taxpayers Association and the Webster Avenue Taxpayers Association for their backing on this issue and for continuing to ensure that this unique neighborhoods remains just that, unique,” said City Council Member Andrew Cohen.

"Bronx Community Board 12 was happy to rezone this portion of Woodlawn after several meetings with the local constituency and elected officials.  This rezoning is the result of careful planning between the Community Board, City Planning and Council Member Andrew Cohen's office to help preserve what makes Woodlawn a vibrant and close-knit neighborhood," said George Torres, District Manager of Community Board 12.  

  

The Woodlawn Heights Taxpayers and Community Association is delighted that Councilmember Cohen and the NY City Council passed this zoning amendment, as it will maintain the current character of our neighborhood, and prohibit large, multi-family dwellings from being built on our quite residential streets. Thanks very much to Councilmember Cohen and his staff for all their help,” said Kenneth Nugent, President of the Woodlawn Taxpayers Association.

Brush Fire In Van Cortlandt Park

   If you think Brush fires do not occur in the Bronx you can tell by the photos above, there was a moderate brush fire which took yesterday in the northern section of Van Cortlandt Park just below the Yonkers city border. A dozen fire engines responded from all over the north Bronx, and five ambulances stood ready if any of the firemen became overcome by the smoky brush fire. There has been very little rain this month leaving places like Van Cortlandt Park vulnerable to brush fires.  

Above - You can see the line fire engines that responded.

Below - Firefighters had to lug equipment a long way to get to the brush fire.

In case they were needed the EMS set up a command center of several ambulances.

Ischia Bravo Fundraiser Thursday April 21th

Dear Friend,

I just wanted to remind you that I am having a spring fundraiser tomorrow night at Lexa, 357 East 204th Street, Bronx, NY Bar beginning at 630pm. Help me on the journey to restore the faith to voters in the 78th District. Now, is the time for change!

I really hope you can make it.

Your support at this crucial time is more important than ever. RSVP now for our fundraiser on April 21st. Please click here to make a contribution to help create the foundation for my campaign.

I am working hard every day to fight for progressive values and help change the face of Albany so that working families actually feel the positive impact of good government policies. 

Please click here to donate $300, $150, $50 or as much as you can today.

Thank you for your trust and faith in me,

Ischia

100 PERCENT EXTRA - The Day After The New York Primary - What Happened

100 PERCENT EXTRA

By Robert Press

The New York Primary 2016

  It is the day after the New York primary, and let's see what happened.

  On the Democratic side Hillary Clinton won bigger than most people (including myself) thought. The margin of victory was 58% for Clinton to 42% for Sanders. As far as delegates, Clinton picked up 139, while Sanders picked up 106. This puts Clinton closer to the nomination, and Sanders who has settled back for a few days to rethink his goal, and if he can get the Democratic nomination for president. Is it time for Sanders to pack it in, and support Ms. Clinton, we should find out by next Tuesday where five states are in play.

  On the Republican side it seems that Donald Trump did better than most people expected, especially his two opponents. I was off by the margin of error, and had Kasich coming in second with Cruz the third place finisher. One thing I said was that bad things happen to Republicans that go to State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. for his help. Well Ted Cruz wound up not winning a single delegate in New York, while Kasich was able to walk away with 4 delegates, with the rest going to Donald Trump. This now places Ted Cruz out of the hunt for the Republican nomination as it is now mathematically impossible for him to get to the number of delegates needed to win the nomination on the first round. 

  As of now it seems to be a race for the White House between Hillary Clinton on the Democratic side against Donald Trump on the Republican side. However as I always say 'One never knows what may happen next in politics'.

Election Day Investigation Called For

AMID WIDESPREAD REPORTS OF VOTER DISENFRANCHISEMENT AND POLLING PROBLEMS, COMPTROLLER STRINGER ANNOUNCES AUDIT OF BOARD OF ELECTIONS

   With the New York City Board of Elections confirming that more than 125,000 voters in Brooklyn were removed from voter rolls and widespread reports of voters having trouble accessing polling sites and other polling irregularities, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer announced today that his office would undertake an audit of the operations and management of the Board of Elections.

“There is nothing more sacred in our nation than the right to vote, yet election after election, reports come in of people who were inexplicably purged from the polls, told to vote at the wrong location or unable to get in to their polling site,” Comptroller Stringer said. “The people of New York City have lost confidence that the Board of Elections can effectively administer elections and we intend to find out why the BOE is so consistently disorganized, chaotic and inefficient.  With four elections in New York City in 2016 alone, we don’t have a moment to spare.”

To read Comptroller Stringer’s letter informing Michael J. Ryan, Executive Director of the New York City Board of Elections, that his office would commence an audit, please click here.

Attorney General’s Hotline Troubleshoots A Range of Election Day Issues

    Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman reminded voters today that his office has created a Hotline to help troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues and barriers encountered by voters at the polls for the primary today.  The Attorney General urges voters experiencing problems or issues at the polls to call the office’s hotline at 800-771-7755 or email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov at any time between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. The hotline will be staffed by attorneys and staff in the office's Civil Rights Bureau.  

“Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, and my office is deeply committed to ensuring equal access for all eligible voters on election day,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “I urge all New Yorkers to immediately contact my office if they face any barriers or issues that prevent them from casting an effective ballot.”

EDITOR"S NOTE:

In addition to the above, Mayor Bill de Blasio has called for an investigation of today's voting irregularities. As well as candidates from both sides who are involved in the Democratic and Republican primaries today.