Mayor de Blasio Visits MS 223, the Laboratory School of Finance and Technology

  In an effort to bolster computer skills of all students in NYC public schools the Mayor visited MS 223 in the South Bronx to show off a school with a new computer technology room. The mayor said that only 246 public schools only have the technology that MS 233 has, and when I asked him to give me a breakdown by borough of schools, the answer which I received was 'We will have to get back to you on that'. I already knew that the borough with the most technology in its public schools in the borough of Manhattan, and wanted to hear that from the mayor, but apparently he just played dumb. The photos below should tell more of the story.

Above - The sign on the door to this computer room says We do not play games - We make them'.

Below - 30 of the latest computers with large screens are in place for students in the school to use. There are also two Smart \boards in the room at either end.

Above - The mayor and Chancellor Farina enter the computer room. The mayor heads to one student, and the chancellor to another.

Below - Mayor de Blasio sits with Amaih to see what she is working on.

Above and Below - The Mayor, Chancellor, and other partners in the Computer Science for All program then went to the library to give a description of the new initiative, and then took questions from the media.  

Here is part of that press conference to introduce the Computer Science for All Program.

MS 223, the Laboratory School of Finance and Technology, truly offers us a window into the future when computer science education is available to all of our students. It is said that genius can be found in every zip code, but not necessarily opportunity, and that is really at the heart of why we are here today. Computer Science for All is the largest public-private partnership of the de Blasio administration – an $81 million-dollar initiative to bring computer science education to every one of our 1.1 million students. 

I am so pleased to be joined by all of our partners in this effort today. We have experts that are equipping our teachers with the knowledge they need to make this vision a reality. And our funding partners who are bringing us the resources to roll this out to every neighborhood in our city. 

In today’s world, our students need to be as fluent in reading and writing computer code as they are in reading and writing the alphabet. The tech sector grew 57 percent between 2007 and 2014 in our city, nearly six times the overall city-wide employment average. And before we launched this initiative, we know that too few of our students were receiving computer science education. And yet, in spite of this phenomenal growth, our employers are starved for talent, and we all know that talent is one thing we have plenty of in this city. But talent alone with not secure these future good jobs. Our students need opportunity. Opportunity paired with skills-based learning and the support of all of the stakeholders in this room will help us guarantee New York City a 21st Century workforce. 

Computer Science for All is yet another example of Mayor de Blasio’s commitment to public-private partnerships. Wedding the scale of government with the entrepreneurial spirit of the private sector helps to create opportunities for all New Yorkers. I like to call this initiative a win-win-win – a win for our students who receive new skills and learning, who have access now often to computers in their classroom; a win for our industries all throughout the city who gain a local and diverse workforce; and a win for our city as our economy soars with this new generation of leaders. 

I’m so proud to be here today and to introduce our Mayor, whose vision for education in New York City looks to truly equip every student with the resources they need to be successful. Gabrielle Fialkoff, Director, Office of Strategic Partnerships. 

Mayor de Blasio then went on to say what he had done with Amaih, and that over the next ten years he expected that all NYC public schools would be a part of this program expanding it from the current 246 schools.

Ahmad Khan Rahami Charged In Manhattan And New Jersey Federal Courts With Executing Bombings In New York City And New Jersey

   Attorney General of the United States Loretta E. Lynch, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara for the Southern District of New York, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman for the District of New Jersey, Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) Director James B. Comey, Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney of the FBI New York Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher of the FBI Newark Field Office and Commissioner of the Police Department for the City of New York (“NYPD”) James O’Neill announced that Ahmad Khan Rahami, a/k/a “Ahmad Rahimi,” has been charged in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, for conducting and attempting to conduct bombings in New York City and various locations in New Jersey on September 17, 2016, and September 18, 2016.  

Rahami will first be transported by the United States Marshals Service, pursuant to a writ of habeas corpus ad prosequendum, to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York to face the charges filed in the Southern District of New York. More than 30 people were injured as a result of the detonation of a bomb in the Chelsea area of New York City.

Rahami, 28, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, is charged in a Complaint filed in the Southern District of New York with one count of using and attempting to use weapons of mass destruction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2332a, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment; one count of bombing and attempting to bomb a place of public use, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2332f, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment; one count of destroying and attempting to destroy property by means of fire or explosive, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(d), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and use of a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence, namely, the use and attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), which carries a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 30 years in prison, all in connection with Rahami’s alleged detonation of an explosive device and efforts to detonate explosives in New York City.

Rahami is also charged in a Complaint filed in the District of New Jersey with two counts of using and attempting to use weapons of mass destruction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2332a, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment on each count; one count of bombing and attempting to bomb a place of public use and public transportation system, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2332f, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment; one count of attempting to destroy property by means of fire or explosive, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(i), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and two counts of using a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence, namely, the use and attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), each count of which carries a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 30 years in prison and, if convicted of both counts, a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment, all in connection with Rahami’s alleged efforts to detonate explosives in Seaside Park, New Jersey, and Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Mr. Bharara and Mr. Fishman praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the NYPD, and the FBI’s New Jersey Joint Terrorism Task Force.  Mr. Bharara and Mr. Fishman also thanked the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division for its assistance.

The prosecution in the Southern District of New York is being handled by that Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas J. Lewin, Emil J. Bove III, Andrew J. DeFilippis, and Shawn G. Crowley are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Brian Morgan of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

The prosecution in the District of New Jersey is being handled by that Office’s National Security Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis C. Carletta, Francisco J. Navarro, Margaret Ann Mahoney, and James M. Donnelly are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Brian Morgan of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

The charges contained in the Complaints are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Sentencing Of Pharmacist In Connection With $150 Million Medicaid Fraud Scam

Long Island Pharmacist Sentenced To 2-6 Years In Prison

Schneiderman: Today’s Sentencing Shows That If You Put The Well-Being Of New Yorkers At Risk, You Will Be Prosecuted To The Full Extent Of The Law

    Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the sentencing of licensed pharmacist Glenn Schabel, 55, of Melville, and his company, Glenn Schabel, Inc. in connection with a nation-wide scheme to sell diverted HIV medication to unsuspecting New Yorkers.  Schabel was sentenced to 2-6 years in prison, and forfeited $5,456,267 to the New York State Medicaid Program. This sentencing is part of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s (“MFCU”) “Operation Black-Market Meds” investigation.

“This scheme not only defrauded Medicaid, but created a serious public health threat to many New Yorkers. We won’t allow vulnerable individuals to be taken advantage of by criminals looking to make a quick buck,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Today’s sentencing shows that if you put the well-being of New Yorkers at risk, you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

In April 2012, MFCU investigators arrested Schabel and three other individuals and charged ten companies, for using a network of bogus prescription medication wholesalers in Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, and California to launder money and to sell over $274 million in diverted prescription medications. It was charged that the medications were obtained from illegal or unknown sources, to Allion Healthcare, Inc., the parent company of MOMS Pharmacy, a corporate pharmacy formerly headquartered in Melville, New York. The diverted prescription medications were obtained by Schabel’s co-defendants using various illegal means and included pills that had been previously dispensed to other individuals and that were then re-sold into the black market. Under Schabel’s supervision, those diverted medications were purchased by MOMS Pharmacy and dispensed to its patients, many of whom were Medicaid recipients.  The New York State Medicaid program ultimately reimbursed MOMS Pharmacy in excess of $150,000,000 for the diverted medications dispensed to those MOMS Pharmacy patients that were covered by Medicaid.  Diverted medication poses a serious health risk to the public due to its unknown origin and quality. In some cases, diverted prescription medication is counterfeit, expired, not properly stored, or is mislabeled.

Ira Gross, the ringleader of the scheme, was previously convicted by a jury trial on August 9^th. He is still awaiting sentencing. Two other defendants have also previously pleaded guilty.

The Attorney General thanks the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (“OMIG”), the Alabama Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS OIG”), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), the United States Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations (“FDA-OCI”), the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.  All provided valuable information and assistance during the investigation.

Assemblyman Dinowitz Announces Additional October Free Flu Shot Dates

  Assemblyman Dinowitz is pleased to announce that he will be sponsoring  two additional dates for flu shots for members of the community in the 81^st Assembly District. Flu shots will be administered on October 6^th at Vladeck Hall at 74 Van Cortlandt Park South, and on October 27^th  at the Riverdale YM-YWHA at 5625 Arlington Avenue, both events will be between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. This service is also sponsored by Montefiore Health System, Walgreens Pharmacy, Congressman Eliot Engel, State Senator Jeff Klein, and Council Member Andrew Cohen.

Flu shots will be administered at no cost to the constituent, though participants are asked to bring their insurance card.

“I am pleased to partner with Montefiore Health System and Walgreens 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 strongly encourage everyone to contact my office about getting a flu shot.”

“It’s important that people get vaccinated to protect themselves and importantly, their loved ones, particularly those who are young, elderly or suffer from chronic diseases.” said Amanda Parsons, M.D., M.B.A., vice president of Community & Population Health, Montefiore Health System. “Vaccination is safe, effective, and the best way to prevent getting the flu -- yet only half of New Yorkers report getting a flu shot. Montefiore is excited to partner with Assemblyman Dinowitz and Walgreens to ensure that Riverdale residents have access to flu vaccines at no cost to them.”

“The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that every adult get a flu shot, and annual flu shots from Walgreens are a quick and effective way to protect you and your family from the most common influenza viruses each year,” said Walgreens District Manager Jerry Couch.

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.

Senator Klein, Assemblyman Gjonaj, and Bronx DA Clark Hosts Heroin Town Hall

Above - Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj,  Sarah Church, Ph.D. (Montefiore Medical Center), Senator Jeff Klein, OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, and Luke Nasta (Camelot of Staten Island, Inc.) address the audience at the heroin town hall.

In response to recent heroin-related deaths in the community, Senator Jeff Klein along with Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, Bronx Community Board #11, and The Morris Park Community Association hosted a town hall on heroin addiction on Monday at Maestro’s Caterers.

Community members learned about treatment and prevention, heard about the recently enacted legislative measures addressing this epidemic, and received Naloxone training   All participants received a Naloxone kit.  

“It is devastating that lives were taken from us because of heroin addiction, and tonight’s town hall will help to ensure our community receives the tools and resources they need to help end this epidemic. I am deeply committed to working to combat this scourge.  I am proud to say that this year, we created a life-saving package of legislation to get people the help that they need through prevention strategies, better treatment services and overdose reversal medication access,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

“It is so important to continue to stay informed on the dangers of drugs and prescription drugs. The battle with addiction is growing and evolving every day. I am thankful for the professionals who joined us tonight to share insight on the epidemic and how to fight it, but as residents to the neighborhood we need to bring this awareness home to our families. We need to educate our young ones to avoid triggers and temptations to avoid getting to the level of despair we are in now,” said Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj.

This year the Legislature passed sweeping laws to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic. The life-saving legislative package emphasizes increasing access to treatment, breaking down barriers put up by insurance companies, reducing the number of days initial opioid prescriptions can be written and permitting doctors to administer Naloxone.

Naloxone is a prescription opioid antagonist used in emergency situations to counteract life-threatening depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system. Once administered, an overdose victim can breathe normally.

“It’s good that the community is engaged. Often people don’t want to admit that there is drug abuse going on in their families or their neighborhoods. I implore people to come forward with any information about heroin dealing. My office is strict on the dealer but we have compassion for the addict,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark.

“I want to thank Senator Klein for hosting a Naloxone training and discussion on heroin and prescription opioid addiction in The Bronx. With the Governor and Legislature’s commitment to offer this potentially life-saving training in more areas of the state, we have trained 140,000 New Yorkers resulting in nearly 5,000 administrations. Every Naloxone reversal is an opportunity for an individual to connect with addiction treatment and begin a journey toward recovery. I encourage all New Yorkers to take this training,” said NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez.

“I applaud Senator Klein for exemplifying great leadership along with co-sponsors Assemblyman Gjonaj and Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez by calling a Town Hall Heroin Epidemic Information and Naloxone Training for his district. All prior methods operating independently have proven ineffective. Law enforcement, medicine, intensive counseling, school and community-based prevention need to collaborate to bring treatment and prevention services to home communities. If we can break through territorial walls and operate for the single purposed goal of epidemic control I believe we can defeat the menace that threatens to decay our lives from the inside. Government must make a full resources commitment if we are to overcome the No. 1 Health Crisis 20 years in the making,” said Luke Nasta, M.P.A., CASAC, Executive Director of  Camelot of Staten Island, Inc.

“At the Montefiore Medical Center’s Division of Substance Abuse, we strongly advocate for the broad distribution of opioid overdose prevention kits to arm community residents with tools to prevent fatal overdoses.  We also urge people to refer their friends and family members who have overdosed for treatment to assist them in entering into recovery,” said Sarah Church, Ph.D., Executive Director at the Division of Substance Abuse at Montefiore Medical Center.

DEPUTY MAYOR RICHARD BUERY AND COMMISSIONER NISHA AGARWAL ANNOUNCE NEW BENEFITS FOR THE IDNYC PROGRAM

New benefits focus on fitness and entertainment, and are a boon for New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds

Announcement is part of a Week of Action to encourage and help all New Yorkers enroll for IDNYC

By IDNYC’s second anniversary, de Blasio Administration aims to have one million New Yorkers become unique cardholders.

   Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery and Commissioner Nisha Agarwal of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs announced that the IDNYC program, the largest municipal ID program in the country, will now offer new fitness and entertainment benefits.

“I am proud to announce that IDNYC is expanding the benefits that make it such an important resource for all New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “IDNYC’s goal to reach one million cardholders marks a major milestone in ensuring that every New Yorker has the right and access to municipal ID.”

IDNYC cardholders will now have access to:

·         Up to 25 percent off on tickets to select Barclays Center events, including world championship boxing, family shows and college basketball, as well as Brooklyn Nets and New York Islanders games. A list of events will be released on Monday, Sept. 26 at www.nyc.gov/IDNYC.

·         At New York City Modell’s Sporting Goods locations, IDNYC cardholders can get a 10 percent discount on in-store purchases. 

·         And now, cardholders can receive a complimentary first-year membership to New York Road Runners.

Cardholders can learn more about eligibility and how to access all of IDNYC’s benefits at www.nyc.gov/IDNYC.

Deputy Mayor Richard Buery announced these new benefits at the Chelsea Recreation Center, a community center and athletic facility operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. He was joined by Commissioner Nisha Agarwal of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, Operations Director Mindy Tarlow, and Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin. Flanked by the community-based groups and the City agencies that were integral to IDNYC’s success, Deputy Mayor Buery announced on behalf of Mayor Bill de Blasio that IDNYC’s Week of Action is the start of a historical effort. By IDNYC’s second anniversary, on January 12, 2017, the de Blasio Administration aims to have one million New Yorkers become unique cardholders. Currently there are more than 900,000 unique cardholders enrolled in IDNYC.

  

“I'm really excited about IDNYC’s newest benefits, and I think all IDNYC’s cardholders will be too” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery. “Our commitment to grow both the number of IDNYC cardholders, and benefits they receive, reflects IDNYC’s mission, which is to give all New Yorkers – of whatever background, whatever language, whatever color – access to all of the resources that make New York City the best city in the world – for everyone!” 

These benefits enhance current sports and fitness benefits, which include eligibility for a ten percent discount off both annual and six-month NYC Parks Recreation Center memberships located in every single borough and IDNYC cardholders get $3 off individual tickets for select seats at New York City Football Club home games at Yankee Stadium. IDNYC’s benefits expansion will also support the program’s growing youth enrollment initiatives. New Yorkers who are fourteen years or older have been able to enroll for IDNYC since the inception of the program and now it’s even easier for them to do so using the Department of Education’s Student Verification Form to verify identity and residency. Learn how to enroll for IDNYC at http://www1.nyc.gov/site/idnyc/card/how-to-apply.page.

New Montefiore Shuttle Bus Service From Riverdale to Moses, Wakefield, and Hutch Metro Center Sites

INTRODUCING THE NEIGHBORHOOD COURTESY SHUTTLE BUS FOR MONTEFIORE PATIENTS IN THE NORTHWEST BRONX

Launch Schedule for Labor Day 2016 

Morning                                       

Time          Location                             

8:00 am -  25 Knolls Crescent              

8:05 am -  3510 Johnson Ave              

8:25 am -  MOSES-111 E 210              

8:35 am -  WAKEFIELD-600 E 233      

8:55 am -  HUTCH-1250 WATERS Pl  

9:20 am -  25 Knolls Crescent              

9:25 am -  3510 Johnson Ave              

9:45 am -  MOSES-111 E 210               

9:55 am -  WAKEFIELD-600 E 233        

10:15 am - HUTCH-1250 WATERS Pl  

10:40 am - 25 Knolls Crescent            

10:45 am - 3510 Johnson Ave              

11:05 am - MOSES-111 E 210            

11:15 am - WAKEFIELD-600 E 233     

11:35 am - HUTCH-1250 WATERS Pl 

 Afternoon

Time          Location                             

12:00 pm - 25 Knolls Crescent 

12:05 pm - 3510 Johnson Ave

12:25 pm - MOSES-111 E 210 

12:35 pm - WAKEFIELD-600 E 233 

12:55 pm - HUTCH-1250 WATERS Pl*

1:45 pm - 25 Knolls Crescent

1:50 pm - 3510 Johnson Ave

2:10 pm - MOSES-111 E 210 

2:20 pm - WAKEFIELD-600 E 233  

2:40 pm - HUTCH-1250 WATERS Pl 

3:05 pm - 25 Knolls Crescent 

3:10 pm - 3510 Johnson Ave 

3:30 pm - MOSES-111 E 210 

3:40 pm - WAKEFIELD-600 E 233 

4:00 pm - HUTCH-1250 WATERS Pl

Note - the 12:55PM Shuttle will only drop off at the Hutch location.

Visit montefiore.org to learn about the comprehensive healthcare available at our state-of-the-art Montefiore Hutchinson Campus at Waters Place, as well as our other world-class facilities. 

Councilman Andy King - BRONX MISSING GIRL RETURNS HOME

  New York City Council Member Andy King, who recently held a press conference in July regarding a missing Bronx girl, Ashley Bissell, 16, announced that Miss Bissell has returned home today according to her father, Ravi Bissell. 

“This is good news, I’m happy Ashley has returned home safe and sound. We will continue to give the family the support and prayers they need as they reconnect,” said Council Member Andy King. “The family is asking for privacy at this time and thanks everyone for their support and assistance in helping to bring Ashley back home.”