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Thursday, July 14, 2016
South Bronx Unite - Reclaiming the South Bronx Waterfront
Bronx Democratic County Committee Dinner
When you have the Governor, Attorney General, Assembly Speaker, City Comptroller, Public Advocate, almost every Bronx elected official, and hundreds of people also in attendance you know that the county dinner was a huge success. Executive Director of the BDCC Mr. Anthony Perez was the host for the dinner, and he moved the program along magnificently that it seemed that the speeches by the elected officials were short and concise. The only person missing would have been the presumed Democratic nominee for President Hillary Clinton. There was a message from Washington however from Honoree Congressman Eliot Engel who could not attend since congress was still in session. The pjotos below should tell the rest of the story.
Above - Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, and Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Below - Governor Cuomo talks with Taylor the daughter of Speaker Heastie as AG Schneiderman looks on.
Above - City Comptroller Scott Stringer speaks with friends, possibly about a run for mayor next year.
Below - Former City Comptroller and candidate for mayor in 2013 John Liu speaks with Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo.
Above - BP Diaz with Kathy Zamchansky of KAZ Realty in the Bronx.
Below - Jaamal Bailey candidate for the36th State Senate District, and Ischia Bravo candidate for the 78th Assembly District.
Above -Governor Cuomo at the podium, praising Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr.
Below - Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo adds to the joyful night.
GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES $30 MILLION TO EXPAND URBAN YOUTH JOBS PROGRAM AND LAUNCHES STATEWIDE PRE-APPRENTICESHIP JOB PROGRAM FOR CONSTRUCTION TRADES
Governor Highlights Impact of Summer Youth Employment Program and Unemployment Strikeforce Initiative
Announcements Build on Momentum of Governor’s Successful Initiatives to Address Unemployment in The Bronx and Across the State
Bronx Unemployment Rate Down to 6.1% in May, Lowest Figure in 15 Years
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an additional $30 million in funding for the successful Urban Youth Jobs Program, an innovative tax credit program which connects minority and at-risk youth with employment opportunities in communities across the state. The record investment brings total funding for the program to $50 million this year and builds on the Governor’s sweeping, multi-faceted efforts to remove barriers to unemployment in The Bronx and across New York. To accompany this initiative, the Governor announced the launch of a new website designed to connect young people with job opportunities and provide them with the skills they need to succeed as they pursue their future education and career goals.
Governor Cuomo also announced the official launch of the nation’s first state-sponsored Pre-Apprenticeship Program, which he outlined in the 2016 State of the State Address. The state will today issue a Request for Proposals to training providers, who will prepare participants for a career in the building and construction trades. The program will match qualified trainees with permanent employment opportunities on major state infrastructure projects, including the new LaGuardia Airport and the complete overhaul of Penn Station.
"In every corner of this state, we are taking aggressive action to restore economic opportunity and social progress by creating jobs, and The Bronx is at the forefront of this effort," Governor Cuomo said. "From the Unemployment Strikeforce to the Urban Youth Jobs program, we are making smart investments to tackle unemployment in communities where it is most pervasive, and connecttomorrow's workers with the skills they need to succeed in a 21st century workplace. Our efforts are demonstrating that government can be a vehicle for progress, and I thank Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. for their partnership in building a better future for the Bronx community."
The Governor’s sweeping efforts to remove barriers to employment in The Bronx have coincided with the borough’s 6.1 percent unemployment rate – its lowest for the month of May since 2001, and the lowest level in 15 years. The Governor has focused a variety of efforts to put chronically unemployed and disadvantaged youth to work through a series of innovative programs that connect young people with job and training opportunities.
The announcement was made at Hostos Community College in The Bronx, where the Governor also highlighted the success of two existing programs: the first-of-its-kind Unemployment Strikeforce and the Summer Youth Employment Program. The Unemployment Strikeforce works to connect out of work New Yorkers with skills in demand by employers in cities across the state with the highest rates of unemployment. In just two years, the Strikeforce initiative has resulted in jobs for more than 23,000 previously unemployed individuals. The Summer Youth Employment Program in The Bronx, which allocates money to municipalities to work with non-profits to hire kids for summer jobs, has helped more than 12,000 youths in The Bronx obtain employment and this year received more than $70 million in state funding.
Above - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was proud to talk about all the accomplishments he has been able to achieve during his eight years as BP. He then introduced who he called his friend Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Below - Governor Cuomo talked about how far the Bronx has come under Diaz jr. as BP, in a way almost sounded like an endorsement speech of Diaz Jr. for mayor next year.
The governor also tanked his new partner in Albany Assembly Speaker carl Heastie who also spoke about the achievements of the Bronx under BP Diaz Jr.
Long Day Yesterday - Two Major Events and One Bad Accident.
Yesterday Governor Andrew Cuomo spent the morning at Hostos College praising Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. on the achievements of how far the Bronx has come under Diaz Jr's tenure. The governor also introduced a new program to help Bronx Youth.
The governor as well as over 500 people were at the Bronx Democratic County Committee dinner later in the day, but those two events will be in the next two postings.
At the end of the day I was at my favorite place to be, on Riverdale Avenue (between West 236th and 238th Streets) at Yo Burger or Salvatore's of Soho. The people are friendly and the food is delicious as well as reasonably priced. As I was about to call it a night there was a screech and then a bang nearby. The photos below will tell the story of a delivery person trying to cross a a major roadway where accidents sometimes happen when drivers are not careful. It is not known if the delivery person went through the stop sign, was texting, or did mot see the oncoming car that hit him. It should be obvious that the driver of the car coming up the Riverdale Avenue hill did not see the other car dart out in front of him as there was a very short distance of skid marks.
The fire Department and an ambulance arrived within minutes as the delivery person had to be taken to a hospital while the other driver stayed on the scene. The roadway was closed for almost an hour as the Sanitation Department arrived within 30 minutes, but it took the 50th precinct almost an hour to arrive. The vehicles were finally moved to the side of the road an the street was reopened.
Above - The delivery car which was hit broadside as the driver of the other car could not stop in time. Even with the side air bags the driver was still injured. The next question has to be if he was wearing his seat belt. This photo was taken after the firemen moved the car to the side.
Below - The mangled front end of the car coming up the hill, Since the radiator was broken the Sanitation Department had to be called to sand the road from the leaking antifreeze. You can see that the delivery car was spun around as it sits facing the same way as the car that hit it as firemen look to see what to do.
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Community Call for Unity & Understanding Thursday - July 14, 2016
At This Time Where ALL Human Kind Must Unite, Show Strength, Love, And Peace...
We'd Like You To Join Us for Our Peace Vigil
Join Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj,
49th Precinct Community Council, and
Clergy Council of 49th Precinct
Invite you To A
Community Call for Unity & Understanding
Date: Thursday - July 14, 2016
Time: 7:00pm
Peace Memorial Plaza
(Williamsbridge Rd & Pelham Pkwy)
For more information, please contact 718-409-0109
9th Annual Allerton Ave International Food Show.
On Saturday July 16 NYS Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, the Allerton Ave Merchants Association, Allerton Ave Tenants Association, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and MAS Productions are proud to present the 9th Annual Allerton Ave International Food Show. The food show will take place on Allerton Avenue off Boston Road from 12:00pm-5:00pm—Rain or Shine!
The festival will feature: giveaways, Kid’s activities & games such as: face painting, bounce houses & hayrides. Also featuring live entertainment by musical talents, The Jumpin’ Dragons and Gene Di Napoli, appearance by the La Sorsa Corner crew mascots, and most importantly, PLENTY of food! International cuisines will be sold from the following countries: Albania, China, the Caribbean, India, Italy, Latin America, Jamaica, and Thailand. These amazing food choices will all be entered into a food contest and judged by Chef John Denizard! Winners will be chosen based on food presentation and taste. The Allerton Ave International Food show is the only summer festival to take place in the Bronx that offers such a diverse menu for all who attend. It is going to be a day filled with fun for ALL ages!
Gene De Francis—Director of Allerton International Merchants Assoc. says, “Every year we look forward to coming together at the Allerton International Food Festival as a community, celebrating and sharing our cultural uniqueness which unites us as Americans & Bronxites. This year the festival is shaping up to be the best one yet-featuring great music, people and best of all great food!”
Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj stated, "The Allerton Festival and International Food Show is one of my favorite events. In a community so diverse there are always two things that will always unite us - good food and good music. I am ecstatic to have more cuisines apart of the display this year and great entertainment. I encourage all to attend with friends, family and neighbors for a fun filled afternoon and good food."
Gas Leak by Jerome Park Reservoir
Firemen from the local engine companies watch guard as DEP and Con Edison workers try to find the source of a gas leak off the corner of Goulden and Sedgwick Avenues. It seems that the contractor used to fix the sidewalk and curb where Construction around the gate house on the corner took place the last 18 months didn't see the gas main head it struck.
Above - You can see the DEP, Con Edison, and firemen gathering at the spot of a gas leak on Goulden Avenue off Sedgwick Avenue.
Below - One Con Ed worker digs at the site of the gas odor to find the gas leak.
Above - The Con Ed worker has found the damaged gas main head.
Below - As the emergency winds down, workers begin to leave.
