Monday, June 13, 2016
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Local Elected Officials Respond to Terrorist Act in Orlando Florida
STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ
RE: Terror Attack in Orlando
"The people of The Bronx stand united with the city of Orlando, the families and friends of the victims, and the LGBTQ community against hatred and bigotry. Today's attack has shocked a nation, and I offer my deepest condolences to those affected by this horrendous act of terrorism. As the motives and the message behind today's terror attack in Orlando come into clearer focus, we must remain united--as Bronxites, as New Yorkers, as Americans--against hatred and terror in all its forms. We must also heed President Obama's call, stated once again during his remarks today, for sensible gun reforms. How much longer can Congress fail to act in the face of tragedy?
Once again, our heart breaks for the victims of this act of terror, and we wish their friends and families peace during this incredibly difficult time," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who were tragically killed in today's unspeakable shooting at Orlando's Pulse Nightclub. I want to take this opportunity to express my unconditional support to the LGBTQIA community during this difficult time.
As we try come to terms with yet another heart wrenching tragedy, we must come together and send a clear message that hate and gun violence has no place in our communities, our cities and our states. We cannot allow for this to become our new normal. We have a responsibility to those whose lives were ended and to those whose lives will be forever affected by gun violence to act and demand the implementation of stronger gun control laws through effective legislative action."
My thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by the tragic hate crime that has taken place. It is our duty as a community to stand in solidarity for Orlando and the LGBTQ youth.
These brutal attacks taking place in our nation show that, as a society, we are neglecting to acknowledge that violence in all forms, cannot, have not, and will not solve problems. While the mass shooting of LGBTQ youth took place in Orlando, Florida, this heartache is something we know all too well, here in the Bronx.
As we extend our love and empathy to those impacted by this tragic event, we must also remember local Bronx resident, Jessica White, mother of three who was gunned down this weekend in an attempt to protect her children from the reoccurring gun violence that takes place in her housing project.
Guns have been the cornerstone of violence in the United States for generations. It’s said that the Orlando shooter purchased his weaponry at his local Walmart. While it is unclear where the Bronx shooter obtained his firearm, it is important to note that “more than half a million firearms are stolen each year in the United States and more than half of stolen firearms are handguns, many of which are subsequently sold illegally,” according to the Law Center for Gun Violence.
My heart is heavy for those who suffer daily because of gun violence, however, I refuse to let this pain silence me and my district. We are strong. We are brave. We must harbor our adversities and allow them to motivate us to seek and advocate for change. This change isn’t just for Orlando, it’s for us, it’s for our kids—it’s for our home. It is our duty to make our voices heard. In the face of hate and violence, we will allow our love to uplift those who have been broken and empower those who have been silenced.
Our advocacy is needed to restrict gun sales to terrorists and halt the trafficking of guns that end up in our neighborhoods and our homes. Today, as a nation, we grieve the deaths of dozens of innocent people. The Bronx stands in solidarity with Orlando. #BravoForOrlando
RE: Terror Attack in Orlando
"The people of The Bronx stand united with the city of Orlando, the families and friends of the victims, and the LGBTQ community against hatred and bigotry. Today's attack has shocked a nation, and I offer my deepest condolences to those affected by this horrendous act of terrorism. As the motives and the message behind today's terror attack in Orlando come into clearer focus, we must remain united--as Bronxites, as New Yorkers, as Americans--against hatred and terror in all its forms. We must also heed President Obama's call, stated once again during his remarks today, for sensible gun reforms. How much longer can Congress fail to act in the face of tragedy?
Once again, our heart breaks for the victims of this act of terror, and we wish their friends and families peace during this incredibly difficult time," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Statement from State Senator Gustavo Rivera on Tragedy in Orlando, Florida
"My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who were tragically killed in today's unspeakable shooting at Orlando's Pulse Nightclub. I want to take this opportunity to express my unconditional support to the LGBTQIA community during this difficult time.
STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER JUMAANE WILLIAMS:
"We are here again. And honestly, we know we will be here once more, very soon.
"First, sincere prayers of peace and comfort to the family and friends of the victims, and the Orlando community.
"As we stand with the LGBTQ community across the country, and the family and fans of Christina Grimmie, we also stand with Jessica White, a mother killed this weekend, right here in New York City, protecting her children.
"Second, well wishes and prayers will not help the 90 people statistically expected to die by a gun tomorrow, nor will it help the victims of the next mass shooting -- we've already had 133 this year alone. So to those victims, the same words without action is hollow.
"We can't sit back and simply attribute gun violence to thugs, terrorists, or gangster music.
"Even hate without a gun looks drastically different. But we better realize it's the American-specific penchant for violence and almost unfettered access to guns that is the problem.
"We have to see that the leadership of the NRA continues to do the devil's work, disguised as protecting Second Amendment rights. They do this even though so many of their members understand the difference between their rights and this insanity. They do it because many Congressmen and women value their seat above horrific American deaths -- even as we now grapple with the largest mass shooting in American history. In the back of our minds, we know it's only a matter time before this record is surpassed.
"Until we are ready for action, lets copy our prayers, and well wishes, and get ready to paste them in the next expression of condolence to the next victims and family we know are coming, tomorrow, and the day after."
Assemblymember Michael Blake's Statement Following Deadly Orlando Shooting and Hate Crime
At least 50 Dead. 53 Injured. Horrific tragedy beyond words.
My thoughts, prayers and hopes for strength for the loved ones lost in Orlando, their families and anyone impacted by this morning's hate crime and terrorist attack.
Loved ones won't go home today because of a coward who took their lives. Dreams lost and joy deferred because of bullets, anger and hate.
There are no adequate words for the families who lost loved ones in Orlando early this morning at the Pulse nightclub. I have and will continue pray for the strength of the families of loved ones, healing for those in the hospital and protection for all of us.
This hate crime was one against the LGBTQ community. NO ONE should lose their life because of their sexual orientation, faith, gender, ethnicity or any personal background. Moreover, do not attack the Islamic faith due to one person's actions as one human doesn't represent a religion.
We should say sorry to the people of Orlando and all communities who have lost their lives due to gun violence and another mass shooting. Enough is enough. When will Congressional Republicans, Governors and state legislators across the country stand up and ban assault rifles? Make note of every person who tries to cowardly blame religion or beliefs to justify this behavior rather than getting these assault rifles and guns off of the street.
Let us continue to pray for healing of those in the hospitals, support the medical staff and families and promote healing of our society and world.
Assemblymember Pichardo: Now is the time for action
“The deadly mass shooting that took place in an Orlando nightclub is heartbreaking and needs more than thoughts and prayers – it requires action. This was an act of terror and hate that could have been prevented and it occurred in what should have been a safe space - as President Obama noted, a place of solidarity and empowerment for the LGBT community.
“It is disgraceful, shameful and disrespectful that the U.S. Congress refuses to curve unfettered access to firearms. I ask: how many more American lives must be lost? How many more families must continue to suffer before Congress acts? There is a way to balance second amendment rights with sensible gun control legislation and the time to do so is now.”
Statement by Community Leader and Candidate for the NYS Assembly, 78th District
My thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by the tragic hate crime that has taken place. It is our duty as a community to stand in solidarity for Orlando and the LGBTQ youth.
These brutal attacks taking place in our nation show that, as a society, we are neglecting to acknowledge that violence in all forms, cannot, have not, and will not solve problems. While the mass shooting of LGBTQ youth took place in Orlando, Florida, this heartache is something we know all too well, here in the Bronx.
As we extend our love and empathy to those impacted by this tragic event, we must also remember local Bronx resident, Jessica White, mother of three who was gunned down this weekend in an attempt to protect her children from the reoccurring gun violence that takes place in her housing project.
Guns have been the cornerstone of violence in the United States for generations. It’s said that the Orlando shooter purchased his weaponry at his local Walmart. While it is unclear where the Bronx shooter obtained his firearm, it is important to note that “more than half a million firearms are stolen each year in the United States and more than half of stolen firearms are handguns, many of which are subsequently sold illegally,” according to the Law Center for Gun Violence.
My heart is heavy for those who suffer daily because of gun violence, however, I refuse to let this pain silence me and my district. We are strong. We are brave. We must harbor our adversities and allow them to motivate us to seek and advocate for change. This change isn’t just for Orlando, it’s for us, it’s for our kids—it’s for our home. It is our duty to make our voices heard. In the face of hate and violence, we will allow our love to uplift those who have been broken and empower those who have been silenced.
Our advocacy is needed to restrict gun sales to terrorists and halt the trafficking of guns that end up in our neighborhoods and our homes. Today, as a nation, we grieve the deaths of dozens of innocent people. The Bronx stands in solidarity with Orlando. #BravoForOrlando
Ischia Bravo Opens 78 A.D. Campaign Office on Kingsbridge Road
Pictured above is 78th A.D. assembly candidate Ischia Bravo standing outside her new campaign office located at 14 E. Kingsbridge Road. This is a small office, but is large enough to get assembly candidate Bravo's message out to the people of the 78th A.D. That message is 'It is time to elect someone who will represent the assembly district, and not just take videos'. Ischia went to the public schools in the district, is raising two boys, and wants to represent the assembly district she grew up in the way it should be represented in Albany.
Ischia Bravo is not a newcomer to politics. She has had several positions with different elected officials, and is well respected by all of them. Ms. Bravo also served as the Executive Director of the Bronx Democratic County Committee so she knows what has to be done to make the 78th Assembly district better. Ischia says that she wants to run a positive campaign, but point out the weaknesses of her opponent the current elected assemblyman in the district.
The current Assemblyman, a former county leader has not really faced an opponent like Ms. Bravo in over ten years. The last two challengers were from the north part of the assembly district, however Ischia Bravo lives in the middle of the assembly district drawing strength from all parts of the district.
Four years ago I said that the race to watch was the 80th Assembly district. I was the only political reporter who called the race in favor of the challenger Mark Gjonaj, who won the seat from incumbent Naomi Rivera. This year I say the 78th A.D. race is the one to watch. While it is way to early to predict a winner, this is going to be a very similar contest. Right now if you ask me I think that another Rivera may be defeated, and you will find out why as the campaign draws to a close on primary day.
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman - Holding Broadband Companies Accountable for Quality Internet Service
Attorney General Schneiderman sent a letter to Charter Communications this week, the company that recently acquired Time Warner Cable, urging them to honor Time Warner’s prior commitments regarding high-speed internet for its customers. Since the Attorney General launched his investigation into broadband speeds in October of 2015, he has determined that Time Warner Cable misled customers on the speed and reliability of its Internet service. In his letter, he urges Charter to take advantage of this opportunity to provide quality Internet service New Yorkers deserve.
Fighting Housing Discrimination
On Tuesday, Attorney General Schneiderman joined Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez in support of her proposed Landlord Accountability Act, which aims to end landlord discrimination against tenants with Section 8 housing vouchers. Along with members of the City Council and tenants who have suffered from Section 8 discrimination, the Attorney General vowed to continue protecting citizens who seek affordable and quality housing. Since 2011, the Attorney General has forced six real estate brokerage firms and two landlords to comply with local anti-discrimination laws and end discrimination against Section 8 housing vouchers.
Protecting Tenants Rights From Real Estate Developer Violations
The Attorney General reached a settlement with a Manhattan developer, 165 West 91st Street Holdings, LLC, for illegally buying out rent-stabilized tenants. An investigation by the Attorney General’s office revealed that the developer illegally bought out two of its tenants’ rent-stabilized units and then attempted to conceal the fraudulent transaction. The developer will pay $540,000 in penalties – $490,000 of which will go to the New York City Affordable Housing Fund.
Honoring the LGBT Community During Pride Month
Over the past few years, the Attorney General has worked hard to ensure equality for all LGBT New Yorkers, leading to a variety of victories on behalf of these communities. In honor of Pride Month, the Attorney General urged members of the LGBT community to know their rights and reminded New Yorkers that they do not tolerate discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Have a question, comment, or complaint? Click here. You can also learn more about the various initiatives of the Attorney General's office by visiting our website atag.ny.gov. You can also call our General Hotline: 800-771-7755.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Ethical Cultural Fieldston School Addition to School
Pictured above is the Ethical Cultural Fieldston School lower school where the school wants to expand the fourth floor (the fenced in area on the roof) for additional classroom space.
Representatives of the school came to last Thursday's Community Board 8 Land Use Committee meeting to inform the community board how the school is going to expand the Lower School Building roof for more classroom space.
The Community Board was told the construction was as of right, and that it would take about three days for steel to be hoisted by a crane from flatbed trucks on Greystone Avenue to the roof of the building. The board was also told that the school has no other way to get the steel up to the roof, and has already met with neighbors to discuss what the parking situation might be. Neighbors have been offered an equal amount of parking spaces lost in a school parking lot.
I wanted to know how the large trucks would get to the construction site. I was told from Broadway up Manhattan College Parkway to Greystone Avenue, but then another person from the school said that the large trucks would come up the Riverdale Avenue hill to Greystone Avenue.
As you will see in the photos below that the school has other problems with the retaining wall which spans around most of the school.
Above - The retaining wall on Greystone Avenue not far from the lower school shows cracks, and discoloration as well as plant growth in the wall.
Below is a photo of the retaining wall at the corner of Riverdale Avenue and West 238th Street. The cracks here in the wall are so huge that a temporary barrier had to be put up last year.
It appears that the concrete barriers have shifted to create a hazardous condition where people walking by can be hurt by the bulging concrete at the corner of Riverdale Avenue and West 238th Street.
Motel Homeless Shelter Discussed at CB 8 Land Use Meeting
On the agenda of the June 9th Community Board 8 Land Use Committee meeting was an item titled 'Human Resources Administration - Placement of housing facility for homeless persons at Van Cortlandt Motel 6393 Broadway.
Matt Borden the Assistant Commissioner of Governmental Relations, and Louis Molina the Senior Advisor for the Department of Homeless addressed the Community Board 8 Land Use Committee, State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman Andrew Cohen, and the almost 100 people in the audience of the meeting on the status of the Van Cortlandt Motel homeless shelter.
It seems that as many as three people are placed in a motel room with little supervision. The only way the community found out about this new homeless shelter was because there was an incident with one of the people the city placed in the motel. Even the 50th Police Precinct was never notified that a homeless shelter was placed at the motel. There were many questions thrown at the two city representatives, and one woman complained that the quality of life is deteriorating even more on Broadway.
State Senator Jeff Klein spoke for a while saying this was the third time that a homeless shelter had popped up in his district. He said that while the senate passed legislation that he wrote to have community boards be notified of new homeless shelter sites the legislation died in the state assembly. Klein said that he was going to draft new legislation that would address the issue, ad be able to satisfy those in the assembly who voted against the first bill. The conclusion was that Councilman Cohen said that the commissioner of Homeless told him that the site would be reviewed by September, and that it should be gone by then.
Representatives for the city address the audience. Also in the photo seated is Community Board 8 Land Use Chair Charles Moerdler (left), and Community Board 8 Chairman Daniel Padernacht (right).
State Senator Jeff Klein responds to what he heard from the city representatives who look on from the side. Also in the photo seated is Community Board 8 District Manager Patricia Manning (far right).
As they are always ready to serve their communities are Councilman Andrew Cohen, State Senator Jeff Klein, and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.