STATE ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE HECTOR RAMIREZ PLEADS GUILTY TO FELONY CHARGE IN VOTER FRAUD

   Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx politician and an aide have pleaded guilty for committing voter fraud in a 2014 New York State Assembly primary race and were sentenced to Conditional Discharge. 

   District Attorney Clark said, “The electoral process is an important part of any democracy and any actions attempting to undermine its integrity must and will be prosecuted by this office.”

   District Attorney Clark said Hector Ramirez, 61, who ran in several races for New York State Assembly, pleaded guilty today, November 22, 2016, before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett to second-degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, a D Felony. Ana Cuevas, 57, pleaded guilty to Disorderly Conduct. Both defendants were sentenced to a Conditional Discharge and as a condition for his plea, Ramirez will not be permitted to seek public office for the three-year duration of his Conditional Discharge. 

    According to the investigation, during Ramirez’s 2014 run for State Assembly in the Bronx’s 86th District, Ramirez and members of his campaign went door-to-door and deceived potential voters into signing absentee ballot applications. The Ramirez team took the applications to the Board of Elections and retrieved ballots for the voters, and then voted for Ramirez without the voter’s knowledge.

   It was initially believed Ramirez had won the primary election over Assemblyman Victor Pichardo before a recount was enacted and Pichardo was declared the winner. 

Sunday December 4th Gift of Life Marrow Registry and Holiday Gift and Craft Sale at Riverdale Temple 11:00AM - 400PM

Get swabbed!

Join the Gift of Life Bone Marrow registry at Riverdale Temple, Sunday, December 4th.  Shop for your holiday gifts while you're there!

Perhaps you are the match for a person battling blood cancer:  leukemia, lymphoma, etc!   The Gift of Life Marrow Registry looks to swab the inside of a healthy person's cheeks and sends the swabs to a registry that tries to match donor cells with a recipient whose cells match.  This has proven to be incredibly successful!  More donors are needed from all different backgrounds!  In fact, there is a Moroccan Sephardic 31 year old man who desperately needs to find his match.  He has 3 young children and needs this transplant ASAP!

You can have your chance to be considered a donor!  If you're between the ages of 18 and 45, make sure to stop into Riverdale Temple's Holiday Gift and Craft Sale on Sunday from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM and head to the GIFT OF LIFE Marrow Registry table.  You may make a monetary donation to the registry as well. The process is simple and quick.  Once you register at the desk, and have answered some simple health questions, you will be given a kit with 4 cotton swabs.  These will be used to collect saliva samples from 4 different area of the mouth.  The cotton swabs will be put back into the kit which is labeled with the donor 's registration ID and shipped out to be added to the database of potential donors. You will be contacted if there is a potential recipient who can benefit from your donation.

For more information check out the web site:  Giftoflife.org 

                                                                         Community Engagement Coordinator:  Russell Lowe   Rlowe@giftoflife.org

See you on Sunday, December 4th between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM to get screened by Gift of Life.  

Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Avenue, corner West 246th Street, and don't forget to get some holiday gifts as well!

COUNCIL MEMBERS LANCMAN & WILLIAMS STATEMENT ON 2 KILLED IN QUEENS CRANE ACCIDENT

Photo Credit: Mel Peffs

 Council Member Rory I. Lancman, Chairman of the Courts and Legal Services Committee, and Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, Chairman of the Housing and Buildings Committee, released the following joint statement after a crane collapse killed two construction workers today in Briarwood, Queens.

STATEMENT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS LANCMAN AND WILLIAMS

 

"We would like to offer our prayers of peace and comfort to the families of the workers who died. The tragic death of two construction workers at a non-union job site in Queens is a stark reminder of the dangerous conditions that workers face in our city. We cannot take a backseat role when it comes to the safety of our workers, especially during windy conditions like those today. What's most alarming is that a recent Crain's report showed a third of construction deaths last year were uncounted by the administration. The City must stay vigilant in preventing fatalities as well as monitoring sites - especially after a tragedy - so it can examine how to remedy safety breakdowns on that location and other sites.

 

"We cannot ignore safety just so we can keep up with the construction boom taking place in the city. While the City has made real efforts to improve safety on job sites, this tragic accident is evidence that much more needs to be done as soon as possible. We owe it to the workers."

Editor's Note: While this happened in Queens, it could of happened in the Bronx, and that is why this item has been posted on this blog.

BP DIAZ DISTRIBUTES THANKSGIVING MEALS TO NEEDY BRONXITES

  As a follow up to the posting where I was able to catch Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. at one of his many turkey giveaways, BP Diaz also hosted other events which are listed below.

In advance of this year’s Thanksgiving holiday, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has partnered with numerous public and private institutions to give back to neighborhoods and families throughout the borough, and to help Bronxites who need our help.

“This Thanksgiving season, we have dedicated our time and resources to give back to The Bronx, distributing turkeys and food supplies to families around the borough,” said Borough President Diaz. “We want to make sure that as many families as we can possibly help will have a warm meal to share during this Thanksgiving season.”

On Wednesday, November 16, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted his annual Thanksgiving luncheon for seniors at the Findlay House senior living complex. Almost 200 members were served a hot Thanksgiving meal by Borough President Diaz and Assembly Member Latoya Joyner, provided by Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill.

“Seeing the seniors laugh and enjoy a hot meal warms my soul,” said Borough President Diaz. “These men and women spent their entire lives serving others and providing for their families and today we are saying thank you and show them that we care for them during the holidays.”

On Friday, November 18, the Office of the Bronx Borough President distributed boxes full of canned and dry goods, generously provided by Goya Foods, to various churches and soup kitchens throughout the borough in order to help feed the community on Thanksgiving Day.

On Monday, November 21, Borough President Diaz spent the day at various locations, making multiple stops to distribute hundreds of turkeys and Thanksgiving meal supplies donated by Western Beef, Waste Management and Fresh Direct.

“Our residents and businesses are showing everyone that when we come together we can truly make a difference and serve each other,” said Borough President Diaz. “I am very thankful that I am able to make my way around the different communities and hand out turkeys and food supplies. I am especially grateful to our sponsors—Western Beef, Goya Foods, Fresh Direct, Waste Management and Golden Krust—for donating the food we needed to help brighten the holiday season for Bronxites who need it the most.”

Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez - Chair, Council Transportation Committee - What Comes Next for Citi Bike

What Comes Next for Citi Bike?

Dear Friends and Neighbors

Cycling in New York City has become one of the best ways to get around. With new bike lanes making cycling safer, cycling is one of the the easiest, most inexpensive, clean and efficient transportation options available to New Yorkers. This is especially true for all those who use and enjoy Citi Bike.

For communities like the one I represent however, while cycling remains popular, we are still waiting for those bright blue bike to make it further uptown. For us to be included in what is now the largest bike share network in the United States, we need to work hard to push the city to keep the expansion going.

That is why I write to invite you to a hearing on Monday, November 28th at 11 AM at City Hall in the Council Chambers, where we will discuss the successes, challenges and future of Citi Bike in NYC. As some of you may know, Citi Bike's plans for expansion will be completed next year unless creative measures are taken. As a major proponent for Citi Bike I believe its important that Citi Bike keep expanding further out, especially into areas of lower income New Yorkers, not often well served by public transit.

If you feel the same way, I hope you can make it on Monday and offer testimony about why you feel Citi Bike should be supported. This will be an ongoing effort we hope to form a strong coalition around as we head into the new year and the upcoming budget negotiations.

If you wish to testify, please RSVP with my Chief of Staff Russell Murphy (rmurphy2@council.nyc.gov). Looking forward to great turnout for each. 

Thank you and have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends.

Sincerely,

Ydanis Rodriguez

Chair, Council Transportation Committee

  With Thanksgiving approaching, State Senator Jeff Klein, and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj distributed hundreds of turkeys to local organizations, senior centers, community groups, and residents.  Senator Klein and Assemblyman Gjonaj began the distribution on Monday and brought holiday cheer to many people in need.

“Thanksgiving is a reminder that we must continue to give back to those in need and also be grateful for our friends and family that we hold dear.  Over the past few days, we have brought much joy to many families.  I hope that everyone has a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

“It is always a pleasure and a privilege to be able to give back to our community during this time of year. We look forward to the hundreds of happy families and their smiling faces when receiving our turkey donation,” said Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj.

TWO NYC DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION OFFICERS INDICTED IN BEATING OF INMATE AND COVERUP

   Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Mark G. Peters today announced that two New York City Department of Correction Officers have been indicted for filing false reports to cover up an assault on a Rikers Island inmate by one of the officers. 

   District Attorney Clark said, “We trust Correction Officers to be the front line of security in the jails, and we will not tolerate any officer who uses excessive force or covers it up. The crimes these officers are accused of only add to the culture of brutality and corruption that we are trying to transform.”

   Commissioner Peters said, “DOI and the Bronx District Attorney are arresting Rikers Correction Officers for both breaking the law and lying about it to cover up, according to the indictment. These are the 35th and 36th arrests of DOC staff since DOI started its broad investigation into violence and corruption at Rikers and we will continue until the problem is brought under control.” 

  District Attorney Clark said the defendants, Sean Smith, 41, a Correction Officer since 2001, and Velma Rogers, 55, a Correction Officer since 2013, were indicted for first-degree Falsifying Business Records, first-degree Offering a False Instrument for Filing and Official Misconduct; Smith also was charged with third-degree Assault and second-degree Harassment.

  They were arraigned today, November 22, 2016, before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett. They are due back in court on January 31, 2017. If convicted of the top charge, they could face up to 1 1/3 to four years in prison.

  According to the investigation, on March 23, 2014, in the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island, inmate Shonda Brown was on suicide watch and had changed into the smock given to such inmates for their safety. 

  According to the investigation, Brown had removed the smock, put it in a bag, and threw it at Correction Officer Smith. He allegedly grabbed Brown by the hair and punched her repeatedly in the head while Rogers stood nearby watching. Neither Smith nor Rogers filed a Use of Force report during that shift.

  When Brown made an allegation that she was assaulted, the Department of Correction investigated the incident and instructed the officers to file an allegation report as part of its investigation. The officers allegedly filed reports that did not mention Smith striking the inmate. Video from a surveillance camera showed Smith pummeling the inmate. 

  The DOI investigated and referred to the case to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office.

  The case was investigated and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Petersen of the Public Integrity Bureau, under the supervision of Omer Wiczyk, Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, and Wanda Perez-Maldonado, Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, under the overall supervision of Stuart Levy, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division and Jean T. Walsh, Chief of the Investigations Division. 

   District Attorney Clark thanked DOI's Office of the Inspector General for the New York City Department of Correction for their assistance in the investigation, specifically Inspector General Jennifer Sculco, Assistant Inspector General Whitney Matthews and Investigator Dylan Kress, as well as DOC’s Investigations Division. 

  An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Bronx Jewish Community Council Breakfast Right Around the Corner Wednesday November 30th

Don't keep them waiting in  line any longer! Help support our food pantry, the 4th  largest in the Bronx, at this year's  fundraiser. Tickets for the breakfast can be purchased  at our NY Charities Page. We need your  journal ads ASAP!  We're up on Amazon Smile. Select "Bronx  Jewish Community Council" in your account.  Every $ matters.   Looking forward to seeing you on  November 30.

Visit our Website:  http://www.bjcconline.org/           and  Like us on Facebook