Thursday, September 1, 2016
Friends of VCP's September 2016
As you may recall, the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park have been conducting weekly water quality monitoring in Tibbetts Brook and Van Cortlandt Park for over 8 months now and will continue until we have at least a year's worth of data. This data has been helping us pinpoint sources of contamination into our precious waterway and we have begun reporting these in order to help protect the water. In August, the Friends reported to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation what we believe to be an illicit discharge into Tibbetts Brook within Yonkers. Within a few weeks of our report, the City of Yonkers was able to locate a few sources of sewage seeping into the stormwater pipe which was discharging into Tibbetts Brook and have scheduled a work order to fix the cracks in the system. The Friends will continue to monitor this site to determine if any positive results are received. We hope our efforts of being a watchdog for Tibbetts Brook will in the long run create a healthier ecosystem.
In addition, to the water quality monitoring we are continuing our ongoing educational and stewardship programs that introduce thousands of people to Van Cortlandt Park and all it has to offer. We have lots of great events planned for the the general public this fall. Check out the list below and visit our website for a full listing of upcoming events.
Hope to see you in the Park!
Christina and all of your Friends at the Friends of VCP
Hike-toberfest 2016
Saturday October 1st from 2pm to 7pm
Hike, Eat, Drink & Celebrate with Friends during our new fun fundraiser for the hiking trails of Van Cortlandt Park. Come see why VCP is Where NYC Hikes. Hikes start at 2pm and the Oktoberfest is from 4-7pm. For more information and to purchase tickets to one or both of the activities visitwww.vancortlandt.org. Tickets sold in advance will be discounted. Hikes will start at and Oktoberfest will be held on the grounds of the Van Cortlandt House Museum- enter the Park at Broadway and W. 246th Street. Special thank you to our main sponsors: Bronx Beer Hall, Food Dynasty, Loreleye Restaurant & Biergarten and the Van Cortlandt House Museum.
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
Get Active Hiking Series in VCP
Saturday September 10th meeting at 10am
Please wear appropriate shoes and bring plenty of water and a snack for a hike in the Northwest Woods. meet at FVCP Compost Site (enter the Park at Broadway & Mosholu Ave).
Fall Wetland Volunteers Days
Saturday September 10th meeting at 10am
Did you know there are only 98 acres of freshwater wetlands left in the Bronx and 56 of them are in Van Cortlandt Park? Volunteers will help conduct a Bio Survey of the wetlands- bring a notepad, pen, binoculars, camera and any field guides you have (we will supply some too). Meet inside the park near the last stop of the 1 train at Broadway and W. 242nd Street.
Fall Kickoff Volunteer Event
Saturday September 17th, meeting at 10am
Join us as we kickoff a season of volunteering with projects throughout Van Cortlandt Park:
Garden & Compost Site Weeding & Harvesting: Meet at the Garden & Compost Site- enter the Park at Broadway and Mosholu Ave.
Woodlawn Northeast Forest Restoration: Meet at Van Cortlandt Park East and Kepler Avenue.
Wetland Restoration Project: Meet at the Van Cortlandt Nature Center – enter the Park at Broadway and W. 246th Street.
SAVE THE DATE
Canoemobile in VCP
Saturday October 15th, from 12-4pm
Join the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park for a fun afternoon of FREE canoe rides in 24 foot Voyageur Canoes with Wilderness Inquiry on VC Lake along with Wetland Tours and Children’s Activities. Children, 17 and under, must have a parent/guardian present to sign a consent form. Meet us at VC Lake near the Golf House- enter the Park at Van Cortlandt Park South and Bailey Ave.
Bronx Borough President - A Day of Remembrance
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
&
The Supreme Court of Bronx County
Cordially invite you to join them and the Bronx community as they
pay homage to our families, friends and neighbors who perished on
September 11, 2001.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
12:00 P.M. — 2:00 P.M.
Lou Gehrig Plaza East 161st Street, between Grand Concourse & Walton Avenue
For information and to confirm your attendance please call:
718-590-3522 or email lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov
100 PERCENT Thursday September 1, 2016
100 PERCENT
By Robert Press
Weiner Roast
It seems that Carlos Danger has resurfaced in the reports of Anthony Weiner sexting women again. However this time it is going to cost him more than his congressional seat or a run for mayor. This latest protrusion by Weiner involves photos with his four year old son.
City Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr, called for an investigation into the matter by Commissioner Gladys Carrion of ACS, saying if it was a member of the minority community ACS would have been knocking on the door to investigate the matter. Councilman Diaz Sr. then wrote that he learned that ACS was going to investigate the Weiner matter. He also writes that with Weiner's very powerful wife Huma Abedin this matter may have gone unaddressed. However Councilman Diaz Sr. leaves out the fact that Huma Abedin is a top aide to Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Yes it is the same Hillary Clinton who came to the Bronx with national coverage so she could ride the subway with Hispanic Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. the son of soon to be Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. That is what you should know.
In local Bronx politics - The 33rd state senate race between is getting nasty. Challenger Fernando Cabrera is calling current State Senator Gustavo Rivera a do nothing elected official (haven't we heard that many times in the Bronx). Cabrera also says that he is the only one who brings resources into the district. Current State Senator Gustavo Rivera has brought out his old line which he used six years ago (against the former state senator) saying that his opponent is being backed by Republicans. Gustavo has now teamed up with Assemblyman Jose Rivera and the two Rivera's are going to be on television Saturday boasting about what both have accomplished. Since it is a half hour show, I wonder what is going to be said after the two are announced.
On to the vacant 36th State Senate race. Front runner Jamaal Bailey took a few hits about his experience in the district, but what would you call his vast experience with now Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie whose district lies in the 36th State Senate District. On the Bronxtalk debate we saw one of his opponents talk about the Kingsbridge Armory Ice Center deal that seems to be falling apart, and by the way that is in the 33rd senate district and not the 36th. Another opponent prided herself being on a Bronx school board mentioning Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. First school boards in New York City were abolished over twelve years ago, and second Bronx Borough President and the Bronx Democratic County organization have endorsed Mr. Jamaal Bailey for the 36th State Senate seat.
As for assembly races, in the 87th A.D. Luis Sepulveda is working hard to get his slate of candidates who have been challenged elected. In the 86th A.D. Assemblyman Victor Pichardo has to do well as he is going to have to save his former boss State Senator Gustavo Rivera get re-elected. Pichardo also has to do well so former Assemblyman Nelson Castro will forget about challenging him in two years. In the 85th A.D. Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo must have an excellent showing, or people may feel that a poor election result could be a sign of weakness in the county organization. In the 84th A.D. who cares as current Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo will probably step down mid-term so a certain chief of staff who does not live in the district can run for the seat in a special election.
Since there are no primaries in the other districts except for a party position the 78th A.D. could be the only race where the incumbent could lose, especially with the help the incumbent is getting. It looks like Aldo Perez who is helping Assemblyman Jose Rivera get re-elected had a rally in front of the 52nd Police Precinct. However it was 78th A.D. candidate for assembly Ischia Bravo who was with Aldo Perez, and Jose was no where to be found. In asking Mr. Anthony Riveccio a past supporter of Jose Rivera what is going on, the response was 'Don't ask me Ask Dr. Aldo'. Anthony also said that 78th A.D. Female District Leader candidate Sameys Lopez was at the rally.
You can find the Bronx Voice next week after our two week vacation. You can always go to our web page at www.bronxvoice.com. Have a good and safe Labor Day, and you can find this column back in the Bronx Voice next week.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW - Commissioner Gladys Carrión Opens and Investigation
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
Commissioner Gladys Carrión Opens and Investigation
You should know that I just heard that Gladys Carrión, the Commissioner of New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services, will finally open an investigation into the household of Anthony Weiner and his wife, Huma Abedin, on how their 4-year old son has been treated.
This is great news. It is encouraging to see that Commissioner Carrión and her agency are working to protect every child in the City of New York from abuse and neglect, regardless of who their parents are.
We all know that there are many Black and Hispanic parents whose children are removed from their homes and taken away for much less serious behavior in their homes.
I was afraid that the power and the connections of Anthony Weiner’s and Huma Abedin’s family have, that this conduct would have gone unaddressed.
Congratulations to Commissioner Carrión for listening to the call for an investigation, and for following through.
I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
We agree with Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. on this matter, but want to know what his son Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. thinks. It is interesting that Ruben Diaz Sr. feels this way even though his son Ruben Diaz Jr. is so close to the Clinton for President candidacy. Diaz Jr. was featured on national television riding the subway in the Bronx with Presidential candidate Clinton, while Huma Abedin is her top advisor.
MAYOR DE BLASIO SIGNS LEGISLATION EXPANDING ADMINISTRATION’S LABOR POLICY EFFORTS TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING CAREGIVERS
Mayor Bill de Blasio today held public hearings for and signed 10 pieces of legislation. Among the legislation signed were Intros. 1081-0A and 1084-A, two bills which will expand labor policy efforts to support caregivers.
“Intros. 1081-A and 1084-A allow us to address the needs of some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers – paid and unpaid caregivers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “By requiring the Department for the Aging to develop and conduct a survey of unpaid caregivers, and by establishing a new Division of Paid Care, we will work to identify the needs of some of the most vital members of New York City’s workforce. I’d like to thank Council Members Chin and Cohen for sponsoring these bills, and Council Speaker Mark-Viverito for her leadership.”
“From supporting New York City’s vulnerable caregivers, to helping the formerly incarcerated, to ensuring all New Yorkers are educated on consumer protection laws, this City Council is committed to uplifting all residents across the five boroughs,” said Council Speaker Mark-Viverito. “This package of legislation will help pinpoint needs and provide resources to New Yorkers who have historically been marginalized and underserved, and I thank my Council colleagues and the Mayor for supporting these bills.”
“Every day, more than 1.3 million unpaid caregivers work hard to alleviate pain and prolong quality of life for family members, friends and neighbors of all ages. For too long, these caregivers have performed important tasks for people with Alzheimer’s, disabilities, and other care-intensive medical conditions without adequate support,” said Council Member Margaret S. Chin, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Aging. “This legislation requires our City to survey unpaid caregivers so that we can provide more services for these unsung heroes of our healthcare system – many of whom are women who struggle to manage work and family responsibilities. I thank Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Mark-Viverito and Council Member Rose for their advocacy on behalf of unpaid caregivers throughout our City.”
The first bill, Intro. 1081-A, requires the Department for the Aging to develop and conduct a survey of unpaid caregivers. As a result of the survey, DFTA will submit a plan on how to address the needs of unpaid caregivers, and will report on progress made in accordance with that planin two years. This report will be updated every five years.
“Nearly 1 in 4 caregivers spends 41 hours or more each week providing care, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP – and many of them don’t self-identify as caregivers. If paid, their work would amount to hundreds of billions of dollars,” said Department for the Aging Commissioner Donna Corrado. “Supporting these caregivers is not only a moral imperative, but an economic one as well.”
The second bill, Intro. 1084-A, establishes a new Division of Paid Care within the Department of Consumer Affairs' Office of Labor Policy and Standards. The Division will focus on the needs of paid caregivers, such as domestic workers and home health aides, who are often women and immigrants, and are in need of a trusted resource and specialized education efforts. The Division will be responsible for assisting the Director of the Office of Labor Standards with developing policies and programs that apply to paid care workers; conducting public outreach and information campaigns for paid care workers, employers, and care recipients; engaging in and promoting research on the paid care industry; and coordinating with appropriate stakeholders to provide development programming and training. This will expand upon the Administration’s labor policy and enforcement work and will, for the first time ever, establish a dedicated City resource to addressing the specific needs of paid caregivers, who are among the most vulnerable members of New York City’s labor force.
“Through our enforcement of New York City’s Paid Sick Leave Law over the last two years, we have seen that workers in lower-wage industries, such as home health aides and other paid care workers, often are not afforded important protections to which they are legally entitled. These workers are in particular need of a trusted resource and specialized education about their rights,” said Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Lorelei Salas. “Thanks to the leadership of the Mayor and Speaker Mark-Viverito, paid care workers will now have one place where they can learn about these rights, as well as about how and where to seek assistance. Both the establishment of the Division of Paid Care and the passage of legislation requiring DCA to develop and distribute consumer protection materials specifically targeted towards immigrants, women, and seniors demonstrates the Council’s commitment to helping the agency fulfill our mission to educate and empower all New Yorkers in the marketplace – be they consumers or working families.”
"The creation of a Division of Paid Care with a coordinator and an advocate within the Office of Labor Standards will empower paid care workers against the risk of exploitation and abuse. The individuals who care for our most vulnerable populations are often the most hard-working, underpaid and compassionate people in our society. The services they provide are vital, even so far as to take care of another's basic human needs when he or she is unable to. This division will protect the ones who look out for our children and home-bound loved ones from being taken advantage of," said Council Member Andrew Cohen.
News From Community Board 7 - Upcoming Meetings
Thursday September 1,2016
CB7 Budget, Personnel, and Ethics Committee meeting 6:00pm at the Board office.
CB7 Public Safety Committee meeting at 6:30 PM at the Community Board office.
CB7 Youth, Education and Library Services Committee at 7:30pm at the Board office.
Bronx Community Board 7
229-A East 204th Street Bronx, NY 10458
P: 718-933-5650/51 F: 718-933-1829