Thursday, September 15, 2016
STATEMENTS FROM COUNSEL TO THE MAYOR AND DOITT COMMISSIONER ON VERIZON NOTICE OF DEFAULT
The Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications yesterday issued a notice of default to Verizon for failure to meet its franchise obligations.
Statement from Counsel to the Mayor Brittny Saunders:
“Verizon has failed to fulfill its contractual obligation to install a complete, citywide FiOS network available to all city residents and, most concerning, the company lacks a plan for how to complete it. That’s unacceptable.”
Statement from DoITT Commissioner Anne Roest:
“Over a year ago, the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications completed an audit of Verizon’s progress in meeting its citywide commitment to provide the FiOS network to all New Yorkers, regardless of zip code. In that year span, there has been little progress made in completing its commitment, and no viable plan for how to complete it. With very little getting accomplished through discussions, we have been given no choice but to send Verizon a notice of default under several provisions of the franchise agreement. We expect Verizon to take this notice seriously in order to fulfill its promise to fully serve all five boroughs.”
Assemblyman Dinowitz Announces October Free Flu Shot Date
Assemblyman Dinowitz announced today that he is once again sponsoring free flu shots for members of the community in the 81st Assembly District. Flu shots will be administered on Friday, October 7th, at St. Gabriel’s Church on 3250 Arlington Avenue between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. This free service is also sponsored by New York Presbyterian Ambulatory Care Network, RiverSpring Health, Congressman Eliot Engel, State Senator Jeff Klein, and Council Member Andrew Cohen.
“I am very pleased to continue this great partnership with New York Presbyterian and RiverSpring Health to offer this important service to the community,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “The flu is a serious health matter, and getting a flu shot protects not just yourself but also your friends, family, and neighbors. I encourage everyone to contact my office about getting a free flu shot.”
Please note that members of the community must be 18 years of age or older to participate, and cannot be allergic to eggs. Residents MUST contact Assemblyman Dinowitz’s office at (718) 796-5345 to guarantee a flu shot.
Bronx Annual “Day of Remembrance” to commemorate the families, friends and neighbors who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
This was the view from the Grand concourse as twin ladder trucks hold the Giant flag used as a remembrance of the 'Twin Towers Attack on 9/11'.
Above - Bronx BP Ruben stands with judges, the Bronx DA, Bronx Borough Police commander, and several members of the clergy before the event began.
Below - Marvin Scott of Pix News is the master of Ceremonies.
Above - Bronx Bp Diaz is joined by Deputy BP Greene, Judge McKeon, Bronx DA Clark, and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo.
Below - As the ceremony begins the Color Guard of the NYPD, FDNY, and NYS Court Officers bring the flags forward.
Above - The Color Guard is in place before the hanging flag in the background.
Below - All stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Above - Officer Dubois stands on the sidewalk saluting the flag as the pledge of Allegiance is said.
Below - BP Diaz addresses the audience on how the tragedy effected the Bronx.
A solemn Diaz Jr. listens as the names of the people of the Bronx who were lost on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center.
There were musical performances by The Bronx Global Learning Institute for Girls.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
PRIMARY DAY 2016 - How Did I Do?
Most elected will say that it is not important how much you win by, but that you won the election. Two years ago Victor Pichardo won the 86th A.D. by almost the narrowest of margin, but Victor Pichardo won. In 2016 Victor Pichardo won again against the same opponent, and by a much larger margin of victory. Is Victor Pichardo safe, we will have to wait for two years to see.
In the 33rd State Senate District Gustavo Rivera won two years ago by a very wide margin. In 2016 Gustavo won against the same opponent, but by a smaller margin of victory. Is Gustavo Rivera safe, again we will have to wait for two years to see.
In the 78th A.D. Jose Rivera won two years ago by a huge margin over his opponent. In 2016 Jose won against a different opponent (which I said would win), but by a smaller margin of victory.
The reason I mention these three races is because most of the 33rd State Senate district covers the 78th and 86th A.D.'s. It looks like the smaller margin of victory by Jose Rivera in the 78th A.D. may of had something to do with the smaller margin of victory by Gustavo Rivera.
Kudos to the new State Senator from the 36th District Jamaal Bailey, and it was a smashing victory as soon to be Senator Bailey won with well over 50 percent of the vote in a five person race.
In other races Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo won with 75 percent of the vote. Not bad, but not good since 15 percent of the drop off vote from Senator Diaz went elsewhere.
In the 87th A.D. Luis Sepulveda also could only garner 75 percent of the vote, which means he also lost 15 percent of the drop off vote from Senator Diaz Sr.
It may be time for Granny Arroyo to hang it up getting less than 65 percent of the vote which as the Assembly woman's age goes up her vote total goes down.
As for Jose Rivera's win I say to his opponent build now for the next two years. It may come sooner than you think. To Aldo Perez and Naomi Rivera thank you for those kind words, and I will use the advise you both gave me.
I did pretty good on my predictions, only missing on the Jose Rivera race. I was wrong in 2012, got it right in 2014, wrong in 2016, and should be right in 2018. Heck, I get it right every other primary in the 78th A.D.
The Basket of Deplorables, According to Hillary Clinton
What You Should Know
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District
You should know that on Friday, September 9, 2016, at a fundraiser in New York City, Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described half of Donald Trump’s supporters as a “Basket of Deplorables.”
Mrs. Clinton said: “You know, to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump’s supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. Right? The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic — you name it. And unfortunately there are people like that. And he has lifted them up.”
According to her description of who belongs in that basket, I’d have to say that a lot more than half of America belongs in there, so why pick on Donald Trump supporters? Let’s go down her list.
According to Hillary Clinton, if you are a racist, you belong in the Basket of Deplorables.
If we all take a serious look into our hearts, we have to admit that most Americans fall into that category. If we look at our own communities and see how Puerto Ricans are against Dominicans, and Dominicans are against Puerto Ricans, isn’t this racist? In our own elections, if Puerto Ricans and Dominicans line up against each other, and Hispanics only vote for Hispanics, isn’t that racist?
If Black people are fighting to elect people only because they are Black, or if Jewish people are only willing to vote for Jewish candidates, isn’t that racist?
If White people reflexively vote for only White candidates and vote against Black, Hispanic or Asian candidates, isn’t that racist?
If these characterizations describe you, then you would be in Hillary Clinton’s Basket of Deplorable.
According to Hillary Clinton, if you are a sexist, you belong in the Basket of Deplorables.
You should know that if most men were honest with themselves, and thought about any time they complimented a woman because of the way she looked, or spoke with other men about their thoughts about women, they would belong in the Basket of Deplorables.
Or if you are a woman and thought about any time you complimented a man because of the way he looked, or spoke with other women about what they really think about men, they would belong on the Basket of Deplorables.
If you are pro-life, and you don’t support abortion, you are in the Basket of Deplorables.
According to Hillary Clinton, if you are a homophobe, you belong in the Basket of Deplorables.
You should know that if you oppose the legalization of gay marriage in America, you are homophobic and you belong in the Basket of Deplorables.
This would include all Americans who are faithful to the teachings of their religions that oppose marriage between a man and a man, or a woman and a woman. It would also include religious leaders who are Jewish, Christian, Catholic and Muslim and follow the fundamental teachings of their faiths that oppose homosexual marriage. All of these Americans are in the Basket of Deplorables.
According to Hillary Clinton, if you are xenophobic, you belong in the Basket of Deplorables.
Most Americans are against people coming into this country illegally, and all of those people would be labeled xenophobic, and therefore, belong in the Basket of Deplorables.
Many people in this country worry that their jobs will be taken by undocumented immigrants, and taxes will go up to pay for people who are here illegally.
This is also true in the Dominican Republic, Mexico and many other countries. People just don’t want anyone going into their country illegally.
When President Barack Obama was campaigning in 2008, he promised that if he would be elected and there was a Democratic Congress, there would be immigration reform. Even though he won, this was not done, and these problems continue to grow here in America, and more and more people get labeled xenophobic, and belong in the Basket of Deplorables.
According to Hillary Clinton, if you are Islamophobic, you belong in the Basket of Deplorables.
Most Americans don’t want Syrian refugees to come to live here, and because of this, they are automatically labeled Islamaphobic.
You should already know that Democrats and Republicans are overwhelmed with America’s homeless crisis, veteran’s crisis, as well as the housing crisis, and what to do help America’s poor and hungry children and families.
If people are honest with themselves and think about what is in their hearts about Syrian refugees coming to live in our communities, most people would belong in the Basket of Deplorables.
I am afraid that many of those deplorables are, as Hillary Clinton even said, are irredeemable.
So you see, my dear reader, more than 75 percent of American people, whether they are Donald Trump supporters or Hillary Clinton supporters, belong in the Basket of Deplorables.
Welcome to the Basket of Deplorables!
I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
It is a good thing your son the borough president does not fit into that category which 'Deplorable Hillary Clinton' does.
It is also a good thing that you defeated your primary opponent by almost 90 percent. Are those 90 percent also Deplorables for voting for you?
We may disagree, but we are together on this.
That is what you should know.
STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON APPROVAL OF LA CENTRAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT
This afternoon, Council Member Salamanca and the full City Council approved La Central, a 100 percent affordable housing project with 992 affordable apartments in the Bronx. La Central is the largest project subject to Mandatory Inclusionary Housing policy to be approved thus far.
“Today’s vote marks a big step forward for families in the Bronx. This affordable housing crisis hurts families, from those struggling in poverty to those trying to make it into the middle class. With the backing of the City Council, we are making sure that a thousand more Bronx families will be safe in new affordable homes, with services and recreation facilities that will strengthen an entire neighborhood. We again thank Council Member Salamanca for his work to secure such an inclusive vision. Together, we are fighting for working families and building strong communities.”
Monday, September 12, 2016
Election Day Schedule for State Senator Gustavo Rivera
State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Democratic candidate running for re-election for the 33rd Senate District, will vote at PS 86 at 9:00 am and greet voters and poll workers at various poll sites throughout the day. The Gustavo Rivera for Senate campaign will hold its Election Night Celebration at The Bronx Beer Hall at 2344 Arthur Ave., Bronx, NY 10458
Gustavo Rivera's detailed schedule for Election Day, September 13, 2016:
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Greet Voters at
Kingsbridge 4 Subway Station
E. Kingsbridge Rd. & Jerome Ave.
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Voting at PS 86
11: 00 AM - 12:00 PM Greet Voters & Poll Volunteers at PS 33
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Greet Voters & Poll Volunteers at PS 85
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Greet Voters & Poll Volunteers at PS 54
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Greet Voters & Poll Volunteers at PS 33
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Greet Voters & Poll Volunteers at PS 57
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM Election Night Celebration at
the Bronx Beer Hall
NOTE: This schedule is subject to change.