BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ RELEASES ANNUAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT

Highlights Over $9.4 Billion in Total Bronx Development Since 2009

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has issued his annual development report, highlighting the total development seen in The Bronx since he first took office in 2009 through the end of 2015.

“Great things are happening here. We are seeing unprecedented levels of development in The Bronx, including new housing units of all types and vibrant commercial projects. As we continue to attract new investors and new interest in our borough, my office will continue our efforts to ensure that the ongoing revitalization of The Bronx works for everyone,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

The report notes that, in total, The Bronx has seen more than $9.493 billion in total development in all categories since 2009, when Borough President Diaz first took office. In 2015 alone, The Bronx saw a record $2.385 billion in new development.

The report finds that, between 2009 and 2015, more than 23,000 new units of housing and over 54 million square feet of total development. In 2015 alone, the borough saw more than 10 million square feet of development and nearly 7,000 units of new housing, higher numbers than any year of Borough President Diaz’s tenure.

The report follows other encouraging news about the continued economic growth of The Bronx. Late last month, the New York State Department of Labor announced that the borough’s unemployment rate had fallen to fell to 6.6 percent in April 2016, down from 7.9 percent in March 2016 and 7.8 percent in in April 2015. This is the lowest unemployment rate the borough has seen since Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. first took office in May 2009. Those same statistics showed that more than 100,000 Bronxites are employed today than when the borough president first took office.

Read the full report at http://on.nyc.gov/1U6aCco.

New York City plastic bag measure makes cents for stores; no sense for residents

  Avella bill passed by Senate encourages recycling of all plastic bags without onerous fees

The New York State Senate on Tuesday passed legislation by State Senator Tony Avella, and supported by Independent Democratic Coalition members, to spur plastic bag recycling without imposing fees on residents.

Avella’s bill (A.7085A) requires stores to place plastic bag recycling receptacles with a sign in plain view where consumers can return used plastic bags from previous shopping trips or any other type of plastic sacks such as newspaper and dry-cleaning bags.

“When it comes to ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’, we are supposed to be reducing our city’s waste, not our resident’s bank accounts. Fees to use plastic bags would cost our city's families, while failing to increase the recycling of those bags. That is why I am proud to pass my legislation, along with my Senate colleagues, to increase awareness of plastic bag recycling programs already in place, and encourage the return of all plastic bags, not just those used at grocery stores. This bill will increase recycling without hurting New York's low-income families,” said Avella.

“We heard our constituents loud and clear when we bagged New York City’s nonsensical idea to impose a fee on grocery store bags. This fee would have hit hard many New York families and consumers, while doing little to encourage actual recycling. The passage of Senator Avella’s bill accomplishes the green-goal of returning all plastic bags, not just supermarket bags, without taking green from anybody’s wallet,” said Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein.

“This recycling initiative encourages us to return all plastic bags, not just certain types of plastic bags. On Staten Island and in the Brooklyn portion of my Senate District the City Council’s measure was soundly rejected by its representative and my constituents. Nobody minds being environmentally-friendly, but everyone minds being hit with extra fees in an already costly city. This legislation is a win-win for the environment and residents of New York City,” said State Senator Diane Savino.

Under this measure, retailers with 10,000 square-feet or chain stores with five or more franchises of 5,000 square-feet must place a large collection bin in its store as part of its recycling program. Above each container a sign, in a large font, must alert consumers of the recycling initiative.

Each store must track plastic bag recycling in logs monitoring collection, transport and weight of the plastic material. Stores must retain records for three years, under the proposal. Retailers would also be required to use plastic bags that clearly state, “Please return to a participating store for recycling,” and offer reusable bags as an alternative.

Senator Klein Hosts Chart-Topping Band Orleans at Riverfest

    State Senator Jeff Klein, hosted the popular 70’s pop/rock band Orleans at RiverFest on Sunday evening.  

The annual festivities, sponsored by the Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corporation, celebrated the picturesque Hudson River and highlighted the need for a Greenway, during a fun-filled day along the waterfront.

“RiverFest has become a valued tradition in the Riverdale community. This year I was proud to present Orleans, the chart-topping music group, to wow our residents with a memorable show. This festival truly celebrates the beauty of the Hudson River. Further, with the $250,000 funding I secured for the Greenway study and the newly updated timeline for this project, Riverdalians will soon be better able to enjoy this gorgeous outdoor area,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

Senator Klein secured $250,000 for a Greenway feasibility study last year. Now, the MTA will issue a Request For Proposals at the end of this month, bringing the long-envisioned project closer to reality. The study will examine the stabilization of the Hudson River’s embankment in Riverdale and include the development of several design alternatives as well as the selection of the final trail design.

For this year’s bash. the group Orleans, which has produced 16 albums, amazed the crowd with hits like “Still the One,” “Dance with Me,” and “Love Takes Time.” Families gathered throughout the day to enjoy arts and crafts, boat rides, face painting, food, miniature golf, and more.

Katrina Asante Withdraws Her Candidacy for the 36th State Senate District Inbox x

    Katrina Asante released the following statement after withdrawing her candidacy for the 36th State Senate District.

“After much reflection and many discussions with my family and supporters, I have decided to withdraw my name for consideration for the 36th New York State Senate race. I am truly honored by all of the support I have received during these last few months, but it has become clear to me that I would not be able to run the campaign my community deserves. This experience has given me the opportunity to grow deeper roots in my community, meet people who are making a difference in our neighborhoods and bring attention to the many issues my community still needs addressed.  I will be forever grateful for that. 

This decision does not in any way lessen my commitment to serving our district and being a tireless advocate for the issues that matter to us most.  

Moving forward, I believe we need a leader in the 36th Senate District who not only understands the needs of this community, but is committed to serving our constituency and fighting for the issues that can make a difference in our neighborhoods. Jamaal Bailey and I share many of the same values and positions. We both grew up in this district, have dedicated most of our professional lives to public service and agree on the main issues that need to be addressed for our community, such as education for our youth and quality jobs. The people of the 36th Senate District are vibrant, strong and hardworking, and their leader should reflect all of those qualities. 

I sincerely thank all of those who supported my candidacy, especially the constituents of the 36th district, who I will continue to call my friends and neighbors.  I would also like to thank the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC for endorsing my candidacy and believing that I would be a vigorous fighter for equal rights for all people by helping tear down the shadows of ignorance. 

While I will not get the opportunity to serve as a State Senator at this time, I clearly understand that my help is still needed.  My commitment to help open doors for those who are deserving and are facing many of the same challenges I faced during my times of struggle remains unchanged. 

I look forward to continuing the work to make the Bronx a great place to live. Thank you all again."

STATEMENT FROM BP DIAZ RE: S.7336/ ‘Bag Tax’ Legislation

   “With today’s vote, the State Senate has struck a bipartisan blow for economic fairness against a backdoor, regressive tax. The city’s attempt to charge individuals a nickel per plastic bag is well-intentioned, yet poorly executed, and I congratulate State Senator Simcha Felder and his colleagues for recognizing as much. Lower income New Yorkers will be disproportionately burdened by this proposal. In addition, this new law will put a strain on the relationship between local and small businesses and their most loyal customers, potentially causing those customers to spend less money in their neighborhoods and harming our local economies.

“Everyone agrees that these bags are an environmental hazard, but the bag tax is not an effective way to reduce their impact on our communities. Our city needs to consider more creative ways to reduce litter and pollution, as well as more creative ways to spend any funding derived through such efforts. We cannot place a new tax on the backs of the poor and call it progressive government,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Ischia Bravo for Assembly - Our Campaign Begins Today

Friends & Supporters,

OUR TIME HAS COME! Today, June 7th, through July 10th our campaign will be out on the streets going door to door collecting petitions in order to officially get on the primary ballot. 

Our campaign has set a HIGH GOAL when it comes to the number of signatures we want to collect and we cannot do it without you. I am running because, as someone born and raised in the 78th district and now raising my two boys here, I have seen firsthand what a lack of leadership in the Assembly has done to hold back our community from progress. I've spent my life fighting for the people of the Bronx - we cannot afford to go on without effective, proactive, and vocal leadership when our communities deserve so much more!

WE NEED YOU to come out and show your support for real effective change we so desperately need. 

Our campaign headquarters is located at 14 Kingsbridge Road and we will be giving out petitions and walk lists every day from 9am until 8pm.

Never petitioned before? Don't worry. Our campaigns staff will train you on the ins and outs of petitioning when you come into the office as well as provide you with a one page sheet with instructions and frequently asked questions. 

I cannot do this without you! 

In Solidarity,
Ischia

OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE TO HEAR POLICE MISCONDUCT BILL

  Tomorrow, the Committee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing for Deputy Leader Council Member Jumaane D. Williams' Intro. 119C bill. 

 

The Early Warnings System bill would require the Inspector General for the Police Department, in consultation with the Law Department, the Police Department, the Comptroller, the Civilian Complaint Review Board, and Commission to Combat Police Corruption, to review information on police misconduct and develop recommendations related to the disciplining, training, and monitoring of police officers. To facilitate this review, the Law Department would be required to publish information on civil actions every six months.

The committee will hear testimony from members of the Administration, New York Police Department (NYPD), and the Law Department.

 

WHO: Committee on Oversight and Investigations, Council MemberVincent J. Gentile (Chair), Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, Members of the Administration, NYPD, and Law Department

 

WHAT: Bill Hearing

 

WHERE: City Hall Council Chambers

 

WHEN: Wednesday, June 8 - 10 a.m.

COMPTROLLER STRINGER AUDIT UNCOVERS NYC BOARD OF ELECTIONS HAS NOT KEPT TRACK OF OVER 1,450 PIECES OF ELECTION & OFFICE EQUIPMENT

   A new audit released today by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer uncovered that the New York City Board of Elections (BOE) doesn’t have accurate records of over 1,450 pieces of election and office equipment, raising alarms that property could be stolen or go missing without anyone noticing. Without proper inventory controls, the BOE can’t guarantee that all election day materials will get to where they are intended and operations won’t be impeded.

“Just as the Board of Elections may have let thousands of voters slip through the cracks in the most recent election, they’ve bungled the job when it comes to keeping track of their electronic election and office equipment,” Comptroller Stringer said. “Every New Yorker deserves to have their voice heard at the polls and this equipment is essential to running elections smoothly and making sure that happens. Maintaining an accurate inventory is critical to transparency, integrity and accountability at any government agency, and on this count BOE is clearly absentee.”

The City’s inventory control guidelines require the BOE to register all of its equipment on inventory records. The Comptroller’s audit examined how well it is meeting these responsibilities, sampling 5,042 out of 11,146 total BOE items from July 1, 2013 through February 3, 2016. Auditors visited five locked warehouses maintained by the BOE, BOE’s main office in Manhattan and five borough offices.

Over 1,100 Pieces of Equipment not Properly Tagged and Identified

• Auditors discovered 1,176 items that had not been properly tagged with identification markings and asset control numbers, a significant lapse that leaves them vulnerable to theft or the possibility that voting operations may be hindered. These included 463 computers, 449 monitors, 23 laptops, 232 printers and 9 tablets.

Nearly 300 Pieces of Election and Office Equipment not on Inventory lists

• Items that aren’t listed on inventory records can disappear without being noticed. The audit uncovered 287 pieces of voting and office equipment, including 177 purchased since 2014, which were physically located at BOE facilities but weren’t listed on its current inventory records. These items included 45 computers, 127 monitors, 9 laptops, 85 printers, 5 tablets, 12 televisions and 4 voting machines.

Missing Monitors, Laptops and Printers

• Overall, auditors identified 11 missing items, including three monitors, two laptops, four printers, a tablet and a television set. When BOE was asked to locate these 11 items, officials said they would attempt to find them but as of the date of the final audit release, no information was forthcoming.

The Comptroller’s audit made a series of recommendations to BOE, including that they find missing items, maintain complete and accurate records, update its inventory records in real time, conduct an annual inventory of major electronic equipment, tag all of its property and ensure its inventory procedures follow City standards.

“New Yorkers demand that the BOE run elections accurately and efficiently and they also expect it to be able to keep track of the equipment it buys with taxpayer dollars. With three more elections this year there’s a lot of moving pieces to juggle. BOE must take steps now to assure New Yorkers that elections won’t be compromised by mismanagement and poor record-keeping,” Stringer said.

Audit Recommendations

The audit made the following eight recommendations that the BOE should:

• Ensure that all missing inventory items are located and accounted for.
• Maintain complete and accurate records of all equipment in accordance with DOI’s Standards for Inventory Control and Management and Comptroller’s Directive #1.
• Update its inventory records promptly and accurately when changes occur, including new purchases.
• Conduct an annual inventory count of all its major electronic equipment, ensuring that accurate information regarding all such items and their locations are properly recorded in BOE’s inventory records.
• Ensure that the annual inventory count of major electronic equipment is properly supervised.
• Affix proper identification tags marked “Property of the City of New York” to all electronic equipment items and include a sequential internal control number.
• Review and enhance its written inventory procedures and include all the requirements set forth by DOI’s Standards for Inventory Control and Management.
• Charge all office equipment purchases to the correct object code in accordance with Comptroller’s Directive #24, Agency Purchasing Procedures and Controls.

Agency Response

BOE generally agreed with the report’s findings and recommendations and described steps they have taken or will take to implement the report’s recommendations.  Further, BOE stated that   “The comptroller’s audit of Board of Elections in the City of New York (the ”Board”) inventory practices for office equipment and voting machines has been instructive and will aid in improving the Board’s inventory practice.  The Board has worked diligently and cooperatively with the Office of the Comptroller of the City of New York in completing this necessary and informative process.”