FIRST LADY CHIRLANE MCCRAY LAUNCHES MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS WITH NYC DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING

  First Lady Chirlane McCray, Deputy Mayor Richard Buery and Department for the Aging Commissioner Donna Corrado today launched ThriveNYC’s Geriatric Mental Health Initiative, a package of mental health services that will be offered at 15 senior centers this year and at an additional ten centers in 2017. Mental health clinicians will provide on-site therapy, as well as educational workshops, mental health screening, referrals, and engagement activities that help de-stigmatize mental illness. Through ThriveNYC, the Department for the Aging will also launch friendly visiting to homebound seniors to help prevent social isolation, which increases the risk of chronic health conditions, depression, anxiety and other serious health issues.

First Lady Chirlane McCray, who spearheads the City’s mental health and substance misuse efforts, said, “My own parents suffered from untreated mental health problems that prevented them from fully enjoying the success they earned through many years of hard work. Stigma and lack of resources kept mental health in the shadows and kept my parents from seeking out support that could have improved their lives. For too long, seniors have suffered from mental illnesses with shame and few options to help them get well. But we’re changing that. People get stronger and stigma weakens with every open and honest conversation, and we are creating more resources to make sure those conversations continue. Through the ThriveNYC Geriatric Mental Health Initiative, we’re putting clinicians at dozens of senior centers across the city and launching home visits to decrease social isolation. The lived experience, wisdom and work of our elders are an important resource for our city. We’re proud to have another tool to support them.”

Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery said, “ThriveNYC is a comprehensive plan to strengthen New York City’s mental health system for everyone. That includes thinking about mental health and wellbeing at every stage of life – from early childhood to the senior years. The Department for the Aging’s Geriatric Mental Health and friendly visiting initiatives are directed toward the unique needs of NYC seniors – a segment of our population that is most vulnerable to the impacts of untreated and undertreated mental health challenges. New Yorkers are living longer, and they are choosing to stay in the city. Our job is to make sure they can thrive as they do so.”  

Department for the Aging Commissioner Donna Corrado said, “The further away older adults need to go to obtain mental health services, the less likely they are to follow through and use services. Research has shown that integrating mental health services into non-traditional settings improves services access, receipt of services and positive outcomes. Our Geriatric Mental Health Initiative follows this model by embedding mental health professionals in our centers. The embedded practitioners will become familiar faces seniors can trust. We are also so pleased to be able to offer friendly visiting through our case management agencies to homebound older adults at risk of social isolation.”   

Prevalence estimates suggest that 20 to 22 percent of older adults meet criteria for a mental disorder nationally. Within New York State, the number is expected to increase by 56 percent, from 495,000 persons in 2000 to 772,000 by 2030, as the number of older adults in the general population increases. Many older adults are not diagnosed, are misdiagnosed, or do not seek treatment. Some older adults may have histories of psychological disorders, while others may develop new problems related to aging. 

By stationing clinicians on site, the Geriatric Mental Health Initiative makes treatment more accessible and thus helps to overcome a major barrier. The mental health clinicians will also actively engage seniors in informal activities that help raise awareness about mental wellbeing and to de-stigmatize mental health treatment

The Department for the Aging is partnering on this initiative with four community-based providers of mental health services – CAPE at the Samuel Field Y, JASA, SPOP and Weill Cornell Medical Center. Each program will station one or more of their clinicians at assigned centers. JASA will be working with centers in the Bronx; SPOP with centers in Manhattan; CAPE with centers in Queens; and Weill Cornell with centers in Brooklyn and Staten Island.

As part of the ThriveNYC program, the City is also launching an initiative with the Department for the Aging to offer friendly visiting service to elders who live alone and are at risk of social isolation. Social isolation – the absence of a supportive network of family and friends and of opportunities to be connected and engaged  – puts those who experience it at risk of higher rates of chronic health conditions, depression, anxiety, institutionalization and even death. In the past, this important preventive measure was not provided on a large scale by DFTA-funded programs, mainly due to a lack of resources. The service will now be available to many more vulnerable seniors through DFTA’s case management agencies. 

The service will be provided through trained volunteers working with coordinators at the case management agencies.  The volunteers will seek to develop meaningful relationships with the individuals they visit and to engage them in activities like shopping, library visits, and local senior center visits. To enrich the service, volunteers and friendly visiting coordinators will be trained on mental health first-aid because social isolation can put seniors at risk for mental health problems. An important purpose of the visiting service will be to link clients identified by their visitors as needing mental health intervention to appropriate resources. 

"As Chair of the City Council's Committee on Aging, I see the need for mental health support amongst our senior population almost every day. ‎This important effort to provide more health resources and to destigmatize mental health issues will literally save lives and increase elder adults' quality of life, their sense of well-being, and their connections with each other and their neighborhoods. I thank Mayor de Blasio, the First Lady, and Commissioner Corrado for their commitment to the health and well-being of seniors and all New Yorkers," saidCouncil Member Margaret Chin, Chair of the Committee on Aging.

“I commend the First Lady, Deputy Mayor, and Department for the Aging for their success on the Geriatric Mental Health Initiative. The New York City Council has always had a strong commitment to assisting seniors whose mental health needs can often be hard to reach through traditional treatment models and the ThriveNYC initiative will continue to serve this important population. I am glad to see that the initiative has achieved funding at a level that will allow implementation throughout the city,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen, Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disability, Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Disability Services.

Are County Committees all They are Petitioned to be?

  In an investigative report today City and State reporter Sarina Triangle reports the Bronx Democratic Party has 1,653 members of its County Committee. The County Committee meets every two years to decide who will rule the county party, and do select the party candidate if a special election is called in an assembly district. 

   In each election district (which can be made up of many blocks in the assembly district) there may be two to four county committee members depending on the population, and the amount of election districts in the assembly district. County Committee candidates are placed on petitions with candidates for office, but generally are only on Bronx Democratic County organization candidate petitions. Challengers to the county organization will have a candidate for the office of assembly and maybe district leaders on them, but rarely county committee candidates. 

   In one such Assembly District it is written that a 62 unit building just south of Fordham Road in the district has 17 of the districts county committee members. County committee members are elected in the September primary for the County Committee meeting a few weeks later. Notices are sent out to winning County Committee members as to just when and where the County Committee meeting is to be held. 

  The City and State article goes on to say that people are placed as candidates usually not in their own election district, but in other areas of the assembly district where they do not live. That practise is legal as all one has to do to be a county committee member is to live anywhere in that assembly district. City and State however writes that they found people who did not know they were county committee candidates. Should an elected County Committee member be absent at the meeting they can be replaced by anyone who lives in the assembly district, again perfectly legal. 

  City and State goes on to say that almost all Bronx Democratic County organization candidates give the county organization their petitions to hand in to the Board of Elections. That is so the Crack lawyers of the county organization can give the petitions a final go over to see that all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. Only two Bronx Democratic County organization candidates did not hand their petitions to the county organization this past year City and State writes, that being State Senator Gustavo J. Rivera and Assemblyman Michael Blake. 

  City and State investigates claims that names of county committee candidates were added to the petitions after the petitions were handed to the Bronx Democratic County organization, as well as interviewing several people who said they never knew they were candidates for the county committee in their districts. 

   I went to the Bronx Board of Elections today to view some of the petitions from the September Democratic Primary, and was told that they have not been declared official yet. I was also told that both the Democratic and Republican heads of the Bronx Board of Elections were downtown at a meeting, and that I should come back tomorrow to view any petitions. I tried calling Ms. Valarie Vazquez of the Board of Elections Press office to ask why I could not see the petitions that I was told are in the borough offices, but only got a voicemail, and have not received a call back yet. A call to the Executive Director of the Bronx Democratic County organization Mr. Anthony Perez was answered that he was not in the office and would get my message asking him to call me. A final call to Assemblyman Marcos Crespo the current Bronx Democratic County Leader received a similar response. Last week in my column 100 PERCENT in the Bronx Voice I wrote that Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz stepped down as the Bronx Democratic County Committee Chair due to the fact that he has not gotten a raise in over 20 years, to continue to be able to receive certain outside income that he said he could no longer receive if he remained the County Committee Chair. I now wonder if there is an investigation into the selection of county committee members which may have added to Assemblyman Dinowitz's departure as the County Committee Chair. 

   Here is the link to story on County Committees by City and State.

Join FVCP As We Get Ready to Celebrate 25 Years

Season’s Greetings from the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park!   It was great to see you and your family in the Park in 2016.   More than 6,500 of you participated in programs initiated by the Friends, including 1,661 volunteers for garden, forest, wetland, and trail restoration projects and2,368 students through our Van Cortlandt Adventures educational programs.  

Please consider making a donation today to help us grow in 2017.

Many of you enjoyed moments of respite from the heat under the shade of a tree or joined us for family hikes along our famous trails.  You may have sampled local fresh produce sold by interns at one of our farm stands or listened as the New York Philharmonic played under the stars.

The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park are excited to be celebrating our 25^thAnniversary of Bringing Youth, Community and Nature Together in Van Cortlandt Park.  Please consider purchasing a special Bronx Pass Membership to help us celebrate. 

In 2017 and beyond, the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park has exciting plans to further improve the Park and the health of our local community. The Master Plan for the Park, approved by NYC Parks, will add a pedestrian bridge across the Major Deegan Expressway, a new children’s playground in the Northwest Corner of the Park, and major improvements to the John Kieran Trail. In addition, we launched a new project where we are collecting weekly water quality data to help us make improvements throughout Tibbetts Watershed.

And now, we hope you will consider partnering with us during our 25^thAnniversary year in support of our cherished programming and advocacy for Van Cortlandt Park.  Without your kind help, The Friends could not improve the Park or provide educational opportunities for our youth.  NYC Parks budgets alone cannot sustain all of these programs.  Your contribution to the Park is essential to ensure that future generations of Bronx residents enjoy this urban oasis.

Please take a moment to send a tax deductible, end-of-year contribution.  With your generosity, the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park will enter the New Year with resources to ensure Van Cortlandt Park is even more vibrant in 2017.

Thank you and best wishes,

Christopher Rizzo, Chairman & Christina Taylor, Executive Director 

To my friend Charlie King: I am a better Democrat than most of Them By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

You should know that back in 2009 three (3) Hispanic Senators, Sen. Pedro Espada, Sen. Hiram Monserrate and myself together with Sen. Carl Cruger,  (3 Hispanics and a Jewish person) created a caucus in the NY Senate trying to have some influence in Albany’s room of power.   

Sen. Pedro Espada wanted to be co-leader of the Senate; Carl Kruger wanted to be chair of the powerful Finance Committee, Hiram Monserrate wanted to chair the Consumer Affairs Committee and I just wanted the commitment that the Same Sex Marriage Bill will not come to the floor for a vote.   

The Situation became so complicated that we were attack by everyone, the governor, our colleagues, and the media.   They called us crooks, opportunists, blackmailers, selfish, greedy, stupid, and ignoramuses, etc..…The three Hispanics and the Jewish Senator became the laughing stock of Albany.   

The idea of creating such a powerful group by three Hispanics and a Jew was unthinkable!  It was too good, too big, too powerful of an idea. 

After everything calmed down then came Senator Jeff Klein with another group of   four White Senators, and taking a page from what we started, they created what they call the “Independent Democratic Conference (IDC).    They demanded and obtained more than what we demanded, and were called crooks, opportunists, blackmailers, and ignoramuses for.   

I remember Governor Cuomo denouncing us (the 3 Hispanic and the Jewish Senator), yet praised and gave Jeff Klein and his group,  all kinds of resources, assistance, and help them organize, calling them geniuses, smart, creative, etc…….   

You should know that Sen. Jeff Klein demanded and obtained what Pedro Espada wanted (Co-Leader of the Conference).   He demanded and obtained committee chairs for all members of his group in the IDC.   Each was given offices to the point that carpenters were contracted to knock out walls to build them bigger offices.   They demanded and obtained a budget of millions of dollars to benefit their conference to the point that, believe it or not, six members of Jeff Klein’s IDC, now have more resources and a bigger budget than the Democratic Conference of 25 Senators lead by Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins, an African American Woman.   

What irony?  We the three Hispanics and a Jew were called, crooks, blackmailers, opportunists, stupid, greedy, ridiculed and never obtained anything.  But the five White senators who did what we did, and even worst demanding and obtaining more, are called heroes, geniuses, and have the full backing and support of Governor Andrew Cuomo.   

Now my good friend, Charlie King, a surrogate to Governor Cuomo, is questioning why Senator Jeff Klein’s IDC is getting stronger, and why members of the regular Democratic Conference, are abandoning their leader Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins and the Democratic Conference to join Klein’s group. 

Charlie the answer is simple.  They are abandoning the Senate Democratic Conference because the IDC has been granted the money, they have the governor’s support, they have the media, and they have the resources that have been denied to the Regular Democratic Senate Conference.   

Honestly, it is ridiculous to ask Senator Jeff Klein and his followers to abandon all that the Democratic governor, who is the leader of the party in the state, has helped them to obtain.   
        
It is important also that my dear friend Charlie King understand that when he asked “How come there is room in the Democratic Conference for Sen. Ruben Diaz and not for Senator Simca Felder.”   The answer is because I, Senator Ruben Diaz, has never abandoned the Democratic Conference and that Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins never pushed Simca Felder out.   Since Senator Felder got elected he has always sided with the Republican Conference.   Never, Charlie never not even one day has Senator Felder sat with or sided with the Democrats.   

With the exception of my position against same sex marriage and abortion, I feel it safe to say that as of today, there has not been a better Democrat in the Senate than me always fighting on behalf of the needy, the abandoned and the children that have been left behind.   

I am Senator Ruben Diaz and this is What You Should Know. 

MAYOR DE BLASIO SIGNS PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION TO INCREASE GAS SAFETY IN NYC BUILDINGS

Also signs bill to establish electric car charging pilot program

   Mayor Bill de Blasio today held public hearings for and signed 17 pieces of legislation into law – Intros. 738-A, 1079-A, 1088-A, 1090-A, 1093-A, 1094-A, 1098-A, 1100-A, 1101 and 1102, in relation to gas safety; Intro. 1124-A, in relation to establishing an electric vehicle charging station pilot program; Intro. 1138-A, in relation to establishing a task force on affordability, admissions and graduation rates at the City University of New York; Intro. 1228-B, in relation to amending the New York City charter to review the operations, policies, programs and practices of the Department of Correction; Intro. 300-A, in relation to the removal of snow and ice from fire hydrants; Intro. 1147-A, in relation to establishing an Office of Crime Victim Services; and Intros. 1213-A and 1214-A, in relation to services provided to NYCHA residents, including the Jobs-Plus program.

“Gas safety is important for all New Yorkers, and this legislative package will resolve numerous regulatory oversights. These bills will help protect tenants in the event of an outage, and require greater information sharing between City agencies and gas utilities to enhance safety,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Most importantly, these reforms will ensure both property owners and utility companies are accountable for keeping buildings safe.”

“I would like to thank Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for her continued support fighting for the safety of all New Yorkers and for sponsoring Intro. 1079-A. Additionally, I would like to thank Council Members Mark Levine, Rafael Espinal, Vanessa Gibson, Rosie Mendez, Donovan Richards, Ydanis Rodriguez, Jimmy Vacca and Jumaane Williams for sponsoring Intros. 738-A, 1088-A, 1090-A, 1093-A, 1094-A, 1098-A, 1100-A, 1101-A and 1102-A respectfully,” said Mayor de Blasio. 

“Ensuring meaningful oversight in New York City jails is paramount to our commitment to a fair and equitable criminal justice system,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “First proposed in my State of the City address earlier this year, establishing a permanent entity to monitor, review and report on DOC activity marks an important milestone toward achieving this goal. I thank Mayor de Blasio for signing this measure into law, and commend my fellow council members for their advocacy on this critical issue.”

The first bill, Intro. 738-A, requires that all work on gas piping systems be done by a licensed master plumber, a person with a gas work qualification or a person with a limited gas work qualification. This bill also requires that such qualifications be issued by the Department of Buildings.

The second bill, Intro. 1079-A, requires the final inspection of gas pipe systems to be conducted by the Department of Buildings in the presence of the building holder or the superintendent of the building. 

The third bill, Intro. 1088-A, requires building owners to have their gas piping systems inspected by a DOB qualified inspector every five years. This bill also requires building owners to report on any fixes or corrections which were made after this inspection.

The fourth bill, Intro. 1090-A, requires dwelling owners to deliver a notice to all current and prospective tenants with written guidance of what they should do if a gas leak is suspected or discovered.

The fifth bill, Intro. 1093-A, requires gas service operators and owners to notify the DOB within 24 hours of gas service being shut off in a building. Additionally, gas service operators and owners must notify the DOB within 24 hours if gas cannot be restored due to safety concerns.

The sixth bill, Intro. 1094-A, requires an agency or office designated by the Mayor, to identify potential risk factors that may indicate a hazard to health or safety. Some risk factors include unauthorized gas usage, abandoned structures or structures condemned by the City and unusual gas usage for small buildings.

The seventh bill, Intro. 1098-A, requires gas utility corporations to provide annual reports with information on gas asset conditions, a summary of major planned infrastructure projects and investment priorities over the next year. This report will be discussed with City officials each year after being submitted.

The eighth bill, Intro. 1100-A, requires the DOB to establish or adopt a standard governing the installation and location of natural gas detectors after an industry standard has been promulgated. Intro. 1100-A also require that owners install and maintain these detectors.

The ninth bill, Intro. 1101-A, requires the Commissioner of the DOB to establish a penalty waiver program, allowing building owners an opportunity to bring appliances and systems up to code without paying a penalty. Eligibility would be restricted to building owners who own more than one building with fuel gas piping systems.

The tenth bill, Intro. 1102-A, classifies certain violations as “immediately hazardous,” including supplying or installing gas without a permit; operating an altered or newly installed gas piping system without first notifying the utility company; or operating an altered or newly installed piping system without completing a compliance inspection.

“I want to thank Mayor de Blasio and our partners in the City Council and in the construction industry for their effort on these bills. This package of legislation builds upon the Department’s work to enhance gas safety for all New Yorkers, while further enhancing coordination between DOB’s inspectors and utility companies,” said Rick Chandler, P.E., Commissioner of the Department of Buildings.

"In a relatively short time we've seen a number of gas explosions take place in the City; many of them due to failures to report and handle gas leaks properly. To ensure the well-being of New Yorkers and first responders, it's vital we pass legislation that will implement and enforce a system of safety procedures followed by all building owners and plumbers," said Council Member Jumaane Williams, Chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings.

The eleventh bill, Intro.1124-A, requires the establishment of an electric vehicle charging station pilot program. This program requires the City to install at least 25 electric charging stations across the city, with at least two stations in each borough. The pilot program will end on March 1, 2020. The Electric Vehicle Advisory Committee will monitor the results of the program. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s co-sponsors, Council Members Costa Constantinides and Ydanis Rodriguez.

“Reaching our 80 x 50 greenhouse gas reduction goal requires greater use of electric vehicles and the infrastructure to support them. This new local law launches an important effort to provide a public-access electric vehicle charging network that will empower New Yorkers to go electric when they purchase vehicles,” said Daniel Zarrilli, Senior Director for Climate Policy and Programs and the Chief Resilience Officer for the Mayor’s Office. “We applaud Council Members Constantinides and Rodriguez on their stewardship to make sure we can meet the growing demand for sustainable transportation options in all five boroughs.”

“The adoption of electric vehicles is a critical component of the City’s commitment to green the transportation sector within our 80 x 50 greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan,” said Mark Chambers, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. “The pilot program that goes into effect with today’s signing keeps us on the path to delivering cleaner transportation options for all New Yorkers. We thank Council Members Constantinides and Rodriguez for their efforts, and look forward to working with them to implement, support and grow these types of sustainable programs.”

“The City currently operates 356 charging stations for City owned fleet vehicles, the largest single EV charging network in NY State,” said DCAS Commissioner Lisette Camilo. “As DCAS grows this fleet network even further, we look forward to also supporting public access to charging through this bill.”

The thirteenth bill, Intro. 1228-B, requires that the Commissioner of the Department of Investigation permanently maintain a position to monitor and investigate the operations, policies and practices of the DOC. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

DOI Commissioner Mark G. Peters said, “As the City’s independent Inspector General, DOI’s work to date on Rikers has resulted in 36 arrests for violence and contraband smuggling as well as better hiring procedures going forward. To that end, I particularly appreciate that this bill reflects that confidence through the commitment of additional resources to carry out further work on these issues.”

“We thank the Council for its support of our reforms. The legislation strengthens oversight by ensuring that our partnership with the Department of Investigation continues during future administrations,” said Department of Correction Commissioner Joseph Ponte.

The fourteenth bill, Intro. 1147-A, creates an Office of Crime Victim Services. This new office will be a resource to connect crime victims to services designed to support them. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s co-sponsors, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Council Member Laurie Cumbo.

The fifteenth bill, Intro. 1138-A, creates a task force to examine ways to increase affordability, admissions and graduation rates at CUNY schools. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Inez Barron.

The sixteenth bill, Intro. 1213-A, requires the City of New York to report on utilization of services and the outcomes of services provided to public housing residents. This report will be completed on an annual basis. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Ritchie Torres.

The seventeenth bill, Intro. 1214-A, calls for the City’s Center for Economic Opportunity to develop a recommendation for how the City might expand the Jobs-Plus program for public housing residents. Jobs-Plus is a comprehensive employment program including job and career support. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Ritchie Torres.

"The Center for Economic Opportunity, housed within the Mayor's Office of Operations, is ‎committed to building effective programs through data-driven and evidence-based decision making," said Mindy Tarlow, Director of the Mayor's Office of Operations. "Intro. 1214-A advances these goals by asking for a plan that shows how Jobs-Plus, a robust employment program, could expand to serve all eligible public housing residents."

NEW STUDY SHOWS $3.69 BILLION IN ECONOMIC OUTPUT FROM HOSTING UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS IN NYC

UN Community in New York City helps support and sustain economic growth

   Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, in partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, released the United Nations Impact Report 2016,an analysis that outlines the economic costs and benefits to New York City due to the presence of the permanent headquarters of the United Nations. Using 2014 as the base year, the study presents the significant economic benefit from hosting the UN and UN Community in New York City and showcases how New York City supports this global community in its diverse metropolis.

“New York City is not only an economic and cultural capital, but a diplomatic one. We are proud to be the host city to the United Nations headquarters and the largest diplomatic community in the world. The impact of the United Nations stretches far beyond New York City, and this study reflects the city’s enduring commitment to supporting this critical global institution,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“I am thrilled for my office to release this salient report which shows the concrete economic benefit – a significant $3.69 billion in total economic output to New York City from hosting the UN Community. The nearly 16,000 individuals that make-up the UN Community, representing countries across the world, adds to the vibrant diversity of our global city. The UN is much more than the sum of its economic impact – working to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the world today, from catalyzing action on climate change to assisting refugees. Now, more than ever, the partnership between the City of New York and the UN is of paramount importance. This study celebrates that partnership and the UN presence in New York City for seven decades,” said Penny Abeywardena, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs. 

The United Nations Economic Impact Report 2016 illustrates the UN Community’s role as a major employer and purchaser of local goods and services and how New York City realizes economic benefits from the UN Community by way of employment, earnings associated with those jobs, and tax revenue. It also highlights New York City’s special role as host city to the UN, specifically the investment made in supporting the UN Community.

“From increased foot traffic to local businesses from international visitors, to the impacts of household spending of UN Community employees throughout the five boroughs, the presence of the UN in New York City is helping to create and sustain additional jobs for New Yorkers. We were delighted to work with the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs to compile this analysis that shows not only what the UN brings to New York City, but also how the city supports the UN Community,” said NYCEDC President Maria Torres-Springer.

“This study shows the strength of the long-standing partnership between the United Nations and New York City. The Organization brings enormous value to its host city, and UN staff members actively contribute to the communities where they live, while the City continues to support our diverse UN family. I thank Mayor de Blasio and all New Yorkers for their steadfast support. We look forward to continuing to work together towards our shared goals of global peace, harmony and prosperity for all,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Among its findings, the UN Economic Impact Report  shows that in 2014:

Benefits:

·          The UN Community generated $3.69 billion in total annual economic output to the City of New York's economy.

·          The UN Community employed roughly 16,000 people with estimated earnings of almost $1.64 billion. These household earnings and the operating expenses of the UN Community help to create and sustain 7,940 jobs for New Yorkers.

o   The UN issued over 30,000 accreditations for visitors attending meetings and conferences. These visitors, on average, stayed in New York City for 14 days and received an average daily expense allowance of $258. This spend supported an additional estimated 1,210 jobs in NYC.

·          In terms of direct employment, the UN, and its Agencies and Affiliates in New York City, would have been the 22nd largest employer in the New York metropolitan area.

Costs:

·          New York City incurs costs by supporting the UN Community, estimated to be approximately $54 million, including costs for security and education costs for staff members enrolling their children in public schools.

·          New York City forewent an estimated $99 million in tax revenue in 2014 due to the UN Community’s tax-exempt status.

“It has been terrific to partner with the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs on innovative initiatives that integrate the UN into the fabric of this international city. I applaud the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs for releasing this timely analysis that reflects the positive return on investment from hosting this vital international institution in one of the most global cities in the world. U.S. engagement at the UN has a return on investment that goes beyond our foreign policy and security goals – we also see a tangible economic benefit at home,” said Kathy Calvin, President & CEO of the United Nations Foundation.

In 1946, New York City competed with cities across the globe to host the permanent headquarters of the United Nations. In 2016, the de Blasio Administration, through its continued support for the United Nations and UN Community, champions multilateral efforts to find lasting solutions to some of the most complex and pressing challenges in the world.   

The full report can be accessed on the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs website and additional information on data sources and methodology can be accessed by visiting www.edc.nyc/UNImpactReport2016.

BRONX ROTARY AND SONS OF ITALY ALONG WITH ASSEMBLYMAN MARK GJONAJ JOIN IN ON TOY DRIVE

 Bronx Rotary and Sons of Italy along with Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj celebrates the annual toy drive serving the blind, deaf and autistic children in the Bronx.

This annual toy drive has, time and time again, brought smiles to the faces of up to a thousand children in the Bronx. For the past four years the children of St. Josephs School for the Deaf, the NY Institute for the Blind, and P.S 811x have benefited from the toy drive to help make their holiday season special. The Bronx Rotary, Sons of Italy and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj want to thank everyone who contributed to bring joy to those deserving of it.

Assemblyman Sepulveda Calls for Nationwide Search for New Leadership to 'Clean the Stables' at CUNY

  In the midst of major scandal and shakeup at the City University of New York, state Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda is calling for a nationwide search to fill the vacated seat of one of CUNY's top officials, and others that may come.

 With pressure from Gov. Cuomo to save his own job, CUNY Chancellor James Miliken recently made a number of moves, including demoting Jay Hershenson, senior vice chancellor, in charge of media and lobbying operations. Hershenson was transferred to a lesser position at CUNY's Queens College.

The university system came under fire in October after a New York Times expose on City College President Lisa Coico using college funds for personal expenses, followed a month later by Gov. Cuomo's  state Inspector General issuing a report charging CUNY leaders with widespread mismanagement and financial waste.

Cuomo had called a year ago for the city, rather than state, picking up primary responsibility for funding CUNY. But the state Democratically-Assembly, which is dominated by city Democrats, resisted and the plan was dropped.

Sepulveda called for the nationwide search to fill Hershenson's top job as "a first step in cleaning the stables and restoring the reputation of what has long been a premiere institution of higher learning."

"CUNY has opened the door for both higher education and a better life to countless residents of this city, many to most of them minorities," said Sepulveda.

The assemblyman pointed out a number of issues that CUNY has had to contend with, including:

·         CUNY’s community colleges continue their disastrous graduation rates of less than 23%;

·         Medgar Evers College has an appalling graduation rate of 11%;

·         CUNY has been working to implement a college exit exam that negatively impacts low-income students;

·         CUNY continues to over rely on adjunct professors as instructors;

·         Large class sizes and increased limits on course selection create barriers to graduation, and

·         Extravagant salaries and fringe benefits for former administrators continue to strain current funding.

 

"This once great institution needs to re-examine itself, its administration and its financial integrity," said Sepulveda. "Whatever heads may roll in the process, the university - and those overseeing it - need to reach out nationally to assure the public they seriously want to rebuild its quality reputation." 

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda represents the 87^th Assembly District covering Parkchester, Castle Hill, West Farms, Van Nest and Stratton Park.