CITY & STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO INTRODUCE LAWS EXPLICITLY BANNING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MINORITY, WOMEN, AND LGBTQ-OWNED BUSINESSES IN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT

Comptroller Stringer, State Senator Hoylman, Assemblymember Bichotte, Council Members Torres and Cornegy, and City Council Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus to introduce bills:

According to a review of anti-discrimination laws conducted by the Office of New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer released today, City and State agencies are not expressly prohibited from discriminating against companies owned by minorities, women, or LGBTQ individuals as they bid on contracts. In response, Comptroller Stringer announced that in collaboration with State Senator Brad Hoylman, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte, Council Members Ritchie Torres and Robert Cornegy, and the City Council’s Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, new legislation will be introduced to expand anti-discrimination protections to every business owner in New York.

“Our City’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and it’s government’s job to ensure every New Yorker is safe from discrimination in all forms,” New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer said. “Current law prohibits discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations, but fails to address contracting with the City or State. Our laws must reflect our values, and it’s time to enact new legislation that ensures everyone has an equal opportunity to bid on government contracts.”

Each year, the City spends close to $14 billion purchasing everything from paperclips to firetrucks, but recent reportsfrom Comptroller Stringer have shown that the City has failed to fully include Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) in the procurement process. In 2015, only $725 million – just 5.3 percent of total procurement spending – went to

M/WBEs, seriously hurting business owners’ ability to grow their companies, hire more New Yorkers, and drive our local economy.

Although the New York State Human Rights Law and New York City Human Rights Law are designed to protect minority, women, and LGBTQ New Yorkers from discriminatory business practices, a legal analysis by the Comptroller’s Office found that these laws do not apply to the government contract process. Specific findings include:

• The New York State Human Rights Law section on unlawful discriminatory practices references employment advertisements and applications, but is silent on whether its protections extend to government contracting.
• Similarly, the New York City Human Rights Law addresses “employment, public accommodations and housing and other real estate,” but does not explicitly mention City procurement.

In response to these findings Comptroller Stringer, State Senator Hoylman, Assemblymember Bichotte, Council Members Torres and Cornegy, and the City Council’s Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus announced today that they will introduce legislation to amend both the State and City Human Rights Laws. The amendments will include sections prohibiting discrimination in government procurement, expanding protections to minority, women, and LGBTQ-owned businesses that bid on City and State contracts.

“These laws leave open a door to discrimination that should have been closed years ago, and we must bring them into the 21st Century,” Comptroller Stringer said. “With City spending on M/WBEs stuck in low gear, we must send the message that New York is open for business with everyone. I thank this coalition for uniting around the cause of diversity, inclusion, and acceptance.”

“New York State currently has more than 50,000 contracts worth nearly $240 billion a year,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman. “We have an obligation to leverage these tremendous resources to ensure a seat at the table for communities that remain underrepresented in state contracting and the business world. I’m grateful to Comptroller Stringer for discovering this loophole in New York’s Human Rights Law and look forward to working with City Comptroller Stringer, Assembly Member Bichotte, Councilmember Cornegy, and Councilmember Torres to ensure equity in our state’s contracting practices.”

“It is an honor to join NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, State Senator Brad Hoylman, and City Councilmembers Ritchie Torres and Roberty Cornegy to introduce legislation that protects those who enter into a contract or procurement opportunity with the City of New York against discrimination,” said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte, Chair, Subcommittee on the Oversight of Minority and Women –Owned Business Enterprises. “As someone who advocates on behalf of small businesses, and MWBEs throughout the State, I chose to support and introduce this legislation because it acts to protect businesses that have historically experienced discrimination.”

“While our City’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths, we must do more to empower MWBEs and LGBT-owned firms and ensure they have the same chance at competing for city contracts as other businesses. This new legislation will strengthen our City’s anti-discrimination law and extend protections to MWBEs and LGBT-owned firms in the procurement process. I look forward to partnering with Comptroller Stringer, Council and state colleagues to enshrine this protections into law,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres, Co-Chair of the Council’s Black, Latino and Asian Caucus.

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND COMMISSIONER TROTTENBERG ANNOUNCE THAT 2016 WILL BRING THE GREATEST-EVER EXPANSION TO NEW YORK CITY’S BIKE NETWORK

NYC DOT is on track to add at least 75 lane miles to the citywide network this year, including a record 18 fully protected lane miles, exceeding projections, and 43 miles of exclusive lanes

DOT will commit to a doubled annual target of at least 10 miles of protected lanes

Citi Bike continues to break daily ridership records, as membership grows and network expands to more communities

    Mayor Bill de Blasio and Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg today announced that New York City's bike lane network is undergoing unprecedented enhancement this year, shattering the protected lane record set last year and exceeding earlier projections. By the end of 2016, New York City will have added 18 miles of protected bike lanes and at least 75 bike lane-miles are projected overall.

“Among our Vision Zero plans announced earlier this year was an unprecedented 15-mile expansion of the protected bike network, because we know that protected bike lanes not only get more people cycling, they calm traffic and save lives. Today we are proud to announce that we are poised to exceed this ambitious goal,” said Mayor de Blasio. “No cyclist death is acceptable and that’s why we’ll continue raising the bar to keep riders protected.”

“I want to thank the extraordinary team at DOT – planners, designers, and construction crews – who have gone above and beyond to make greater new bike lanes all across New York City a reality,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “Our Vision Zero goal has always been to make sure that with the massive growth in its popularity, cycling remains safe. This year’s progress – with at least 75 new miles of bike lanes and over 18 miles of protected lanes – assures that even more New Yorkers will take to two wheels in the years ahead.”

In 2015, DOT set an annual record for protected bike lanes when it constructed 12.4 lane miles. This year DOT is on track to install 18 miles. By the end of 2016, DOT anticipates it will have expanded and enhanced the bicycle network by at least 75 miles, of which only 19 percent (14 miles) are signed/shared routes. The remaining combined mileage (61 total) of protected and exclusive bike lanes will be among the most the City has ever installed in a year, with the pace of such installations nearly equaling the last three years of the City’s pre-Vision Zero output (2011-2013). By January 1, 2017 there will be nearly 1,100 miles in NYCs bike network, including over 400 protected miles.

Among the many notable protected or exclusive lane projects in 2016: 1) Bruckner Boulevard in the Bronx, from Hunts Point Avenue to Longwood Avenue (a Vision Zero priority corridor); 2) Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan from West 72nd Street to West 110th Street; 3) Queens Boulevard between 74th Street and Eliot Avenue (a Vision Zero priority corridor); 4) Jay Street in Downtown Brooklyn, between Sands and Fulton Streets (within a Vision Zero priority area) and 5) Rockland/Travis/Nome Avenues (primarily exclusive), connecting the New Springville Greenway and La Tourette Park Greenway in Staten Island (within a Vision Zero priority area). A full and regularly updated list of 2016 protected lane projects can be found here.

DOT’s efforts to add more protected lane miles to the network reflects the increasing citywide interest in cycling – and the demand for more and higher quality infrastructure. DOT’s Cycling in the City report, issued in May, found that on a typical day, over 400,000 bike lane trips are made in New York City, with roughly three-quarters of a million people cycling on a regular basis. Between 2010 and 2014, New York City experienced a 68 percent growth in daily cycling, underscoring the need for continued investment in bike infrastructure across the five boroughs.

“New York City continues to invest in infrastructure to make biking safer and more accessible for New Yorkers,” said Daniel Zarrilli, Chief Resilience Officer and Senior Director of Climate Policy and Programs for the City of New York. “Today’s announcement and DOT's commitment to expanding protected bike lanes as part of their new Strategic Plan supports our OneNYC goals to expand sustainable transportation ‎options and reduce greenhouse gases 80 percent by 2050.”

"The DOT continues to move forward, making cycling a more attractive option for New Yorkers each day," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chair of the Committee on Transportation. "We must do everything we can to better protect these vulnerable commuters and the expansion of fully protected bike lanes is the best way to do it. I'm glad to see this effort moving forward and hope we can be even more ambitious next year!"

"Biking is healthy, it eases traffic, and now it's safer than ever with 75 miles of new bike lanes in New York City. I applaud Mayor de Blasio and the Department of Transportation for exceeding projections this year and continuing to pave the path laid last year towards making biking accessible for all New Yorkers. As a biker who enjoys traveling to and from City Hall along the Hudson River Greenway, I am excited at the thought of new routes to explore and enjoy," said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

Senator Jeff Klein Celebrates the Opening of the Student Lounge and Computer Lab at Mercy College Made Possible with $200,000 Grant

  

State Senator Jeff Klein, Mercy College President Timothy Hall and students unveiled a new state-of-the-art student lounge and computer lab on Thursday.

Senator Klein provided $200,000 in state funding for the multi-use student activity commons.  Now, commuters will be able to socialize or relax in the student lounge or work on assignments in the computer lab.  Funds were also dedicated to design a lounge for veterans which is scheduled to open next month.

“I am proud to have provided these much-needed resources for students at Mercy College. This funding will help foster student engagement by providing our commuters with a social destination, where they can network with fellow students and relax between classes.  Students can now complete their school homework assignments, and work with their classmates on various projects in the new computer lab, impacting their academic success.  I look forward to my continued partnership with Mercy College and cannot wait for the opening of the veteran lounge next month,” said Senator Klein.

“We thank Senator Klein for this extraordinary gift to our campus. The Student Commons at The Bronx Campus will contribute to a more vibrant and energetic feel to this essential campus. Mercy College is strengthening our commitment to our Bronx students with this space. We want them to come to college here, and have fun here. Make friends, work on papers – enjoy their college years,” said  Mercy College President Timothy Hall.

Jerome-Gunhill BID Fall Festival 9/17/16 11am-6pm @ Jerome Ave btw E Gunhill Rd-Mosholu Pkwy

The Jerome-Gunhill BID Fall Festival will be taking place this Saturday from 11am-6pm on Jerome Avenue between East Gunhill Road and Mosholu Parkway. 

The BID will be celebrating it's 20 year anniversary. The festival will be a family oriented event focused on health and wellness.

There will be musical entertainment, food stands, chess and domino's tournaments, free health screening, kiddie rides and over 100 vendors. This event is one of if not the biggest event in the Board with over 30,000 festival goers.

“Don Guillo” Was Left Without The Rope and the Goat

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz

  You should know that in the Barrio La Cuchilla Hato Tejas Bayamon, Puerto Rico where I was born, there was a saying about a person whose ambition let him reach out so far that he would not only miss getting what he was going after, but in that process, he would lose everything he already had. We say, “Se quedó sin la soga y sin la cabra” which means: "He was left without the rope and without the goat.” 

Apparently, this is the case of Assemblyman Guillermo Linares, who, while he was running for US Congress this past June, appeared to be working to prevent Senator Adriano Espaillat from being the first Dominican elected to Congress. Senator Espaillat had the support of the Dominican Community. He was the people’s choice, and had already run for this Congressional seat. 

Guillermo Linares knew that the people preferred Senator Adriano Espaillat. Guillermo Linares knew he was the Dominican leadership supported Espaillat. Guillermo Linares knew that if he ran, he would split Dominican and the Hispanic vote, and the chances of a Dominican getting the elected would be minimized. 

You should know that on two separate occasions in Albany, I personally met with Assemblyman Guillermo Linares to explain to him why he should not run for Congress, and why he should publicly endorse Senator Espaillat. 

I explained to “Don Guillo” that he should consider everything. 

For example, I suggested that he might want to show his public support for Espaillat, and then, if Espaillat won, he might give his support to Linares for the Senate seat that would be vacant. 

I also suggested the possibility of how Espaillat might turn to him to recommend a person of his liking to fill the vacancy in the Assembly, if he won the Senate seat. 

My dear reader, could you imagine if Linares would have joined Espaillat? The Dominican community would look at him as someone who made a sacrifice to throw his personal ambitions aside in favor of joining the Dominican community and electing Espaillat as the first Dominican to serve in the United States Congress. 

You should know that if Guillermo Linares would have done this, Adriano Espaillat would have to had felt morally obliged to support Linares. The Dominican community would have been greatly united, giving Espaillat an even greater victory that he got in June. Instead, Linares listened to the advice of others and thought that he would win primary for US Congress, even when the Dominican leaders and community were not with him. 

You should know that I was not the only one who advised Linares. 

One afternoon while I was watching an interview by Mr. Ramon Anibal from Television Dominicana, I saw him advise Linares not to run against Espaillat because it would seem divisive. 

I could see how very angry Guillermo Linares was as he stepped away from the microphone that Mr. Ramon Anibal held, and I also observed the expression on the face of Ramon Anibal. 

You should know that Ramon Anibal and I were probably not the only ones to advise Linares not to run against Espaillat, but many other people and community leaders must have done so as well. 

In this past Primary, Adriano Espaillat threw his support for a women, Carmen De La Rosa to run for Assembly against Guillermo Linares. De la Rosa won, costing Linares not only his dream of being elected to Congress, but his seat in the Assembly. He was rejected by the Dominican community of Upper Manhattan. 

What will the future of Guillermo Linares be? Who knows? After November’s General Election, Adriano Espaillat will be a Member of the United States Congress and two women Espaillat supported in the Primary will serve as elected officials in the New York State Legislature. Marisol Alcantara will occupy the seat Espaillat vacated in the Senate, and Carmen de la Rosa will take over the seat Linares once held seat in the Assembly. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I can only think of the old expression: "He who does not listen to advice does not get old” and this is how we can see that “Don Guillo se quedó sin la soga y sin la cabra” – he was left without the rope and the goat. 

I am Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.

NCB’s 22nd Annual Breast Health Day

NCB’s 22nd Annual Breast Health Day

Saturday, October 1, 2016

10 am – 2 pm

Radiology Department, 2nd Floor s 2G

3424 Kossuth Avenue

·        Learn how to perform a potentially life-saving Self-Breast Examination

·        Receive a Clinical Breast Examination

·        Receive women’s health information materials

·        Receive Domestic Violence information

·        Assessment for same day Screening Mammograms at no cost for eligible women

Women 40 or older and women with a strong family history (mother/sister with breast cancer) are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this offer.

For more information please call the Radiology Department at (718) 519-3086 or the Volunteer Office at (718) 519-4840.

Sponsored by the Friends of North Central Bronx Hospital

Jerome-Gunhill BID Fall Festival

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.”