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Thursday, January 12, 2017
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr - 2017 State of the Borough Address
Independent Democratic Conference members receive leadership posts on influential committees
Members of the Independent Democratic Conference gained top Senate committee leadership roles when they were handed up on Tuesday including appointments on Labor, Banks, Consumer Affairs, Children and Families, Health, Finance and Codes.
The influential chairmanships and vice chairmanships provide venues for IDC members to oversee important policy and legislative matters.
“As our conference grows, I’m proud that Independent Democratic Conference all of our members will continue to lead the way by serving on key Senate committees where they will shape policy and legislation that matters to all New Yorkers. I congratulate my members on their new positions and their deep dedication to this state,” said Majority Coalition and IDC Leader Jeff Klein.
Newly-minted Senator Marisol Alcantara will serve as the State Senate’s Labor Chairwoman. She brings with her a breadth of knowledge on labor issues. She served as a union organizer for SEIU 32BJ and, most recently, as an organizer for the New York State’s Nurses Association. She received a Master’s degree in Labor relations from the CUNY Murphy Institute of Labor. A daughter of transit workers, she is a member of the Steel Workers union.
The Senate’s Labor Committee will have the opportunity to discuss the IDC’s “No Worker Left Behind” policy which seeks to enhance wages beyond $15 for direct care workers and protect car wash workers from exploitation by making them eligible for the minimum wage. Also key in the IDC’s Changing NY Agenda, the “Made by New Yorkers,” proposal, which aims to bring manufacturing back to the state, generate jobs and brand products made in the state will be discussed in this committee.
“As a longtime labor organizer and activist, I understand both the enduring achievements of the labor movement and the importance of strong labor laws that ensure justice and humanity in the workplace. Most of our lives are spent at work, and New Yorkers deserve to be treated fairly and with respect by their employers. As such, I take the chairwomanship of the Labor Committee as a solemn responsibility to which I will bring strong values forged over a lifetime of working within the labor movement,” said Senator Alcantara.
Senator Jesse Hamilton will serve as the State Senate’s Chairman on Banks. An attorney, he worked for the City’s Department of Finance for 28 years.
“I previously worked as the ranking member of the Senate’s Committee on Banks and I’m proud to take the reigns this session. We have a lot of issues to examine like the exploitation of the elderly in the reverse mortgage industry and on M/WBEs. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work,” said Senator Hamilton.
IDC Deputy Leader David Valesky will continue to serve as the Vice Chairman of the Health Committee. Senator Valesky has worked as the Vice Chair on Health for two years.
“From making sure policy keeps New Yorkers healthy to ensuring the wellness of our hospitals, our health care institutions and everyone employed in the health care industry, I’m proud to serve once again as the Senate’s Health Committee Vice Chair. We will not let another Hoosick Falls happen again, and this year I will focus on protecting our public drinking water,” said Senator Valesky.
In his role, Senator Valesky will push legislation to adopt the EPA’s list of unregulated contaminants into state law, giving small communities the resources to test their water supplies for these dangerous substances. He will also call for a strategic water safety fund to drive a study and long term plan to ensure a safe water supply for all New Yorkers. These investments include identifying technologies to improve monitoring of public water supplies, identifying new revenue streams to invest in statewide water handling infrastructure and other recommendations to prevent further crises.
Senator David Carlucci will serve as the Chairman of Consumer Protection.
“Making sure that consumers are protected is critical for economic success. As Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee, I will fight to crackdown and eliminate scam artists and also promote best practices to help businesses grow and thrive,” said Senator Carlucci.
As Chair of Consumer Protection, Senator Carlucci will work on the IDC’s Utility Consumer Advocate proposal. This advocate would would operate independently and provide a meaningful voice for consumers who currently have no voice in the rate-setting process.
Senator Diane Savino will serve as Vice Chairwoman of both the Finance and the Code Committees. She’s previously served as the head of the Labor and Bank committees. The Finance Committee will have the opportunity to examine the IDC’s “College Affordability for All” proposal, which aims to expand Tuition Assistance Awards to more middle-class students across the state, regardless of immigration status.
“Both the Finance and the Codes committees are vital in the State Senate, and I’m honored to serve as vice chairwoman of each of these distinguished groups and continue fighting for the issues most important to New Yorkers,” said Senator Savino.
Senator Tony Avella will serve as the Chairman of the Children and Families Committee. He previously served as its chair in the 2015-16 session.
“I have dedicated my life to protecting working and middle-class New Yorkers and I look forward to continuing that effort as the Chairman of the Children and Families Committee. I am happy to continue in this role and look forward to ensuring the safety and well-being of New York’s families in that capacity," said Senator Avella.
The Children and Families Committee will address important issues such as raising the age of criminal responsibility for 16- and 17-year-olds, an issue where New York trails behind 48 other states. In addition, the committee will work on expanding afterschool programs, providing children and adolescents in a safe environment to grow academically and stay off the streets, as well as expanding the child care tax credit.
As a leader of the Senate, IDC Leader Klein is considered an ex officio member of every committee.
The IDC also handed up conference leadership roles for this year’s legislative session:
- Senator Klein will serve as IDC Leader,
- Senator Valesky will serve as IDC Deputy Leader for Legislative Operations,
- Senator Carlucci will serve as IDC Whip,
- Senator Savino will serve as IDC Liaison to the Executive Branch; and
- Senator Avella will serve as IDC Assistant Conference Leader for Policy and Administration.
"Mark Gjonaj for NYC Council" Campaign Kick-Off "
Last night the Mark Gjonaj for City Council campaign was kicked off with a well attended fundraiser at the F & J Pine Restaurant on Bronxdale Avenue. 13th City Council candidate candidate Mark Gjonaj had the following statement.
Dear Friend,
I hope you had a wonderful Holiday season. As we enter the new year, I am thrilled to announce that I am embarking on a new journey. In case you missed it, I have officially announced my run for New York City Council - District 13. I look forward to continue serving you. From City Hall, I will be in a better position to create more jobs, enhance our neighborhoods, increase our police force, and combat homelessness. I look forward to displaying the type of leadership my neighbors have come to know and expect from me.
With my campaign's first fundraising deadline quickly approaching next week, I hope I can count on your continued support and friendship. Please join me as we kick-off my candidacy for NYC Council.
For additional information, contact Vera at (718) 755-2920 or NewYorkersforMarkGjonaj@
Yours Truly,
Mark Gjonaj
Above - 13 City Council candidate Mark Gjonaj outlines his plan to help and improve the 13th City Council district he hopes to represent.
Below - Future 13th City Councilman (?) Mark Gjonaj stands with his lovely wife Roberta on his left, Sister Elsa (to his right), and his very proud mother Rosa.
MAYOR DE BLASIO MARKS NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH WITH LAUNCH OF NYC YOUTH MENTORING INITIATIVE
The initiative will bring schools, City agencies, community-based mentoring organizations and the business community together to establish mentoring programs in 400 high schools by 2022
Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin today marked National Mentoring Month by launching the NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative to increase mentoring opportunities for high school youth across the five boroughs. The initiative aims to establish mentoring programs in 400 New York City high schools by 2022, annually engaging 14,000 New Yorkers as volunteer mentors to 40,000 high school students. The initiative will support the City’s Equity and Excellence plan to achieve 80 percent high school graduation and two-thirds college-readiness rates by 2026.
The initiative launch includes an audio and video PSA, as well as a bus shelter campaign encouraging more New Yorkers to serve as volunteer mentors to high school youth.
“New Yorkers know our greatest strength is our people, so we must work together to invest in our future,” saidMayor Bill de Blasio. “The NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative is about reaching more high school youth across the city with positive mentoring relationships that can shape the path to their future and ours. I want to thank the many committed partners involved in this multi-sector collaboration, as well as the thousands of New Yorkers who already mentor young people in our City. I ask that you inspire someone else in your life to visitnyc.gov/service and become a personal champion to a young person in their community.”
“The NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative is a powerful, one of a kind program with the potential to touch thousands of lives across the five boroughs,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “The New York City Council is proud to work with the Administration on this new initiative to help our city’s youth grow and learn every day by fostering impactful mentorships.”
"Children need to believe that any future is possible for them. Research shows that quality youth mentoring programs can help children believe in themselves and invest in their futures," said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery. “I’m so glad that this Administration takes the promise of mentoring seriously and is engaging community-based mentoring organizations to reach 40,000 kids with NYC Youth Mentoring.”
“We know that quality mentoring relationships create pathways to positive youth development and open doors of opportunity,” said NYC Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin. “This initiative is bringing our City together to take bold steps towards ensuring more New Yorkers see the value in mentoring High school youth, more students have a mentorship experience, and we encourage a cycle of mentoring in our communities. NYC Service is honored to be part of this important effort and we thank our schools, City agencies, community-based mentoring organizations, and businesses for joining forces to make the future of our City a priority.”
The NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative is a collaborative effort by NYC Service, the Department of Education, Department of Youth & Community Development, Center for Youth Employment, the Young Men’s Initiative and community-based mentoring organizations across New York City. As a proven youth development strategy which contributes to positive decision making, education achievements and successful career and college choices, mentoring will be encouraged among more New York City high school youth while also encouraging more New Yorkers to step up as mentors to these students. From the current baseline of approximately 20,000 High School mentees and 9,000 volunteer mentors, the Youth Mentoring Initiative will double the number of mentees and increase the number of volunteer mentors by 55 percent over the next five years.
The initiative will also offer prospective volunteer mentors a wide range of mentoring opportunities and models with flexibility and broad applicability to support their community and engage with youth. The initiative will both expand existing mentoring programs and focus on launching new programs in Young Men’s Initiative priority communities, including East Harlem, South Bronx, South Jamaica, Brownsville, East New York and Staten Island’s North Shore.
The growth from 20,000 to 40,000 High School mentees will be driven by the following:
- Established mentoring programs in at least 400 high schools through the expansion of current community-based organization (CBO) mentoring programs, launch of new high school mentoring programs by CBOs, and expansion of College/Career Awareness mentoring as well as “one day programs” for a total of 33,000 high school mentees.
- Expansion of embedded mentoring programs in DYCD workforce development programs for a total of 3,000 high school mentees.
- Expansion of CBO programs at CBO centers to 6,000 high school mentees.
The growth from 9,000 volunteer mentors to 14,000 will be driven by campaigns to reach and engage the following:
- Individual New Yorkers through groups, associations, colleges/universities and faith-based organizations with a neighborhood focus.
- Corporations and small businesses.
- City employees.
Youth who were at-risk of falling off track but had a mentor are:
- 37 percent less likely to skip a class.
- 81 percent more likely to participate regularly in sports or extracurricular activities than those who do not.
- 55 percent more likely to enroll in college.
- 90 percent are interested in becoming a mentor.
- 130 percent more likely to hold leadership positions.
“Bringing mentoring opportunities to student’s educational experience enriches their learning and provides a unique opportunity to develop transferable skills, cultivate meaningful relationships with caring adults, and develop valuable interpersonal skills,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “As part of our ongoing partnership with NYC Service, this program will now reach even more students across the City and we look forward to building on this critical work.”
“Mentors play a vital role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible decisions, stay focused and unlock their full potential. Whether helping mentees study for a test, learn a new skill, or lift them up after a setback, mentors provide our youth with the strength and resilience to move forward and set their sights even higher,” said Department of Youth & Community Development Commissioner Bill Chong. “We are truly grateful to Mayor de Blasio and our partners across the City for recognizing the importance of this national movement, and for inspiring role models to become mentors and help extend ladders of opportunity to our next generation of New Yorkers.”
“A caring and supportive mentoring relationship serves as a force multiplier for young adults’ positive developmental experiences,” said David Fischer, Executive Director of the NYC Center for Youth Employment. “The Center is excited to be a part of the NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative as an important element of our mission to expand, align and improve programs helping young New Yorkers gain work experiences, build skills, and explore potential career paths.”
CM COHEN AND DOT ANNOUNCE TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENT NEAR KINGSBRIDGE SCHOOL
Council Member Andrew Cohen; Nivardo Lopez, Acting Borough Commissioner, DOT; Frank Patterson, P.S. 7 Principal, parents and children from PS 7 met at the corner of Corlear Avenue and West 232nd Street, outside P.S. 7. to cheer the placement of a 4-way stop sign designation by the DOT.
The intersection in the middle of a residential community, within blocks of several schools, has been the scene of numerous crashes throughout the years including one PS 7 student being struck by a car.
Above - Councilman Cohen gives a brief history of the intersection at West 232nd Street and Corlear Avenue, the scene of many traffic accidents and one student being hit by a car over the past few years.
Below - PS7 Principal Frank Patterson thanks Councilman Cohen and Bronx DOT Commissioner Nivardo Lopez (to Councilman Cohen's right) for making the intersection now a four way stop. He added now a crossing guard is needed.
COMMUNITY EVENT- Understanding the Recent Opioid Epidemic in Our Community and Other Addiction Issues
Understanding the Recent Opioid Epidemic in Our Community and Other Addiction Issues
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Morris Park Community Association
1824 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx NY 10462
Jantra M. Coll, Psy.D., Clinical Director
Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Center (CATC)
NYC Health + Hospitals / Jacobi
· The opioid epidemic that is occurring on a local and national level.
· How addiction can strike anyone including those from good families, those with good jobs, and those who had previously not had an addiction problems. Prescription medication for pain management, such as Percocet and morphine, impacts people who previously didn’t have a history of addiction since “as needed” prescriptions result in overuse and consequently addiction. For others with addiction, there is a high psychological component as people self-medicate to help heal from trauma.
· The modern view of addiction as a disease that requires management just like diabetes. To help people recover from addiction, treatment requires a network of services involving an interdisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors.
Addiction Services at NYC Health + Hospitals / Jacobi
Detox Unit
Medically managed detox spanning from three to five days, providing medications to help patients safely
withdraw.
The Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Center (CATC)
CATC is an outpatient program that helps people learn new ways to manage their addiction and address the
underlying causes. This intensive outpatient program offers:
· Individual Addiction Counseling where a counselor guides the patient through the recovery process
· Group Recovery Treatment Programs
· Vocational Counseling helping to prepare patients to compete in the job market
· Individual and Family Psychotherapy
· Trauma Treatment
· Wellness Program teaching healthy habits regarding nutrition, sleep and exercise
· Medications when needed to treat depression, anxiety or other conditions.
For More Information, Please contact-
Jacobi Building #1, 9th Floor West Wing
1400 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY 10461
VISION ZERO: MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES 2016 SAW FEWEST FATALITIES EVER ON NEW YORK CITY STREETS
Bucking strong national trends, 2016’s 229 traffic fatalities were fewest ever in New York City, marking three years of decline and a 23 percent reduction since 2013
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that under the Vision Zero plan, New York City had its safest-ever year in 2016 with the fewest traffic fatalities ever recorded: 229, improving on the record of 234 set in 2015. Traffic fatalities have declined for three consecutive years, and are down 23 percentage overall since before Vision Zero began. With national trends showing traffic fatalities increasing over the last two years, the Mayor noted several other positive trends in 2016, including the success of street redesigns and a record-low number of fatalities among school-age children.
“No loss of life on our streets is acceptable. Under Vision Zero, we have now seen traffic fatalities in our City decline for three straight years, strongly countering national trends,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I have said where Vision Zero is concerned, we are just getting started and can always do better, but I nevertheless want to thank the NYPD, DOT and supporting agencies on all their hard work to deliver another year of strong results.”
“The first three years of Vision Zero in New York has been the safest three-year period in history on our City’s roadways,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “Under the Mayor’s leadership, we achieved the safest-ever year with the redesign of more streets than ever before and with close collaborative work with our colleagues at sister agencies. We are especially proud of this year’s innovative Vision Zero efforts -- like theCross This Way curriculum, our pilot to make left turns safer and the Dusk & Darkness initiative – that we believe all combined to make a real difference.”
“2016 was the safest year on record in New York City. We are immensely proud of that accomplishment, but are committed to further reducing crime and making our streets even safer in this new year,” said Commissioner James P. O’Neill.
“Every life saved on our roads matters, because every life is a mother or father, sister or brother, friend or coworker,” said Administrator Dr. Mark Rosekind of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation. “New York City’s commitment to Vision Zero shows that a comprehensive approach to road safety has measurable impacts, and the city serves as a model for the rest of the country as we commit ourselves to reaching zero traffic fatalities.”
Among notable Vision Zero achievements in 2016:
- Bucking National Trends: New York City’s overall 23 percent decline in traffic fatalities since 2013 runs strongly counter to national trends. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic fatalities nationwide last year saw their biggest increase in 50 years, a 7.1 percentage increase – with increases for 2016 forecasted to be even higher.
- Record Number of Street Redesigns: In 2016, DOT completed more than 100 safety projects, 165 miles of corridor safety retiming, 18.5 miles of protected bike lanes, 405 speed bumps and more than 750 pedestrian head-starts – all new records.
- Fewer Fatalities at Vision Zero Priority Locations: Since 2014, DOT has targeted over 175 high-crash intersections and corridors for redesign and other safety improvements; declines in traffic fatalities at these locations are outpacing the citywide decline in traffic deaths. For the five years prior to Vision Zero there were 141 deaths annually at Vision Zero priority locations; this year, there were 100 fatalities, a 29 percent decline. For pedestrians, there was a similar decline: 99 annual fatalities from 2009-13 at such locations to 72 in 2016, or 27 percent lower.
- Fewest Ever Fatalities in Brooklyn: Brooklyn led all boroughs with a record decline in traffic fatalities: 51 in 2016 compared to 67 in 2015, a 24 percent decrease. The previous one-year record low for traffic fatalities in Brooklyn had been 66 in 2009.
- Substantial Decreases on Staten Island: Staten Island also saw a marked decline in traffic fatalities: 17 fatalities in 2016 compared to 25 in 2015. Along Hylan Boulevard, fatalities were lowered from 8 last year to 4 this year. Hylan Boulevard had received special attention as a Vision Zero priority corridor: DOT added pedestrian head-starts and other pedestrian safety treatments, while the local NYPD precincts (including the 122, 123 and Highway 5) dramatically stepped up speeding enforcement.
- Queens Boulevard: This year, DOT completed a second phase of street redesign, transforming a 1.2-mile stretch from 74th Street to Eliot Avenue to include numerous safety improvements as well as a new protected bike lane. Once known as “the Boulevard of Death,” Queens Boulevard in 2016 had a second consecutive year without a single traffic fatality. In 1997, its worst year, Queens Boulevard had 18 pedestrian fatalities.
- Lowest-Ever Fatalities Among School-Aged Children (aged 5-17): No family should ever have to feel the tragic loss of a child from a traffic crash. This year, the City redesigned corridors and intersections and strengthened automated enforcement around schools. In addition, DOT and DOE collaborated to bring the Cross This Way curriculum to 4th through 6th grades citywide. Three children lost their lives on New York City streets, still an unacceptable number, but it was the fewest-ever annual traffic fatalities of children under 17. The previous five years have seen an average of 8 schoolchildren killed per year. As recently as 2004, 17 children were killed in a single year.
- Dusk and Darkness Initiative: An enforcement and education campaign dedicated to the fall and winter evening hours most dangerous to pedestrians, the Dusk and Darkness initiative yielded dramatic results after its announcement on October 27th: the fourth quarter of 2016 saw a 25 percent decline from the pre-Vision-Zero average of traffic fatalities (75 to 54). When the initiative began, New York City the number of people who had been killed in traffic crashes was above 2015 levels, but instead the year ended with a record-low number of fatalities.
- Left-Turn Treatments: After releasing a report in August, “Don’t Cut Corners,” that revealed how left turns lead to 3 times as many serious crashes as right turns, DOT began a pilot project to find ways to slow left turns at intersections around the five boroughs. DOT has completed the installation of those treatments at 107 intersections (86 in priority locations) – and will be evaluating and announcing results in 2017.
“The Cross This Way curriculum helps educate our youngest New Yorkers on how to safely navigate the City’s traffic as they travel to and from school each day,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “We are grateful to the Department of Transportation for their partnership and look forward to continuing to share these essential lessons with children across the City.”
“It is encouraging to see yet another record low number of traffic fatalities throughout the city,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “With our sister agencies, we are as determined as ever to reach the City’s goal of zero traffic fatalities. I thank Mayor de Blasio for implementing unprecedented, innovative efforts that recognize this as a public health issue.”
“NYC government operates the largest fleet in the five boroughs and City employees are doing their part to achieve Vision Zero, by reducing fatalities and injuries” said Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Lisette Camilo. “We have trained over 30,000 staff in safe driving and went a step further in 2016 and barred the use of phones, hands-free or hand-held, by all City fleet drivers.”
"Over the past three years, the TLC has worked closely with the taxi and for-hire sectors to weave Vision Zero into the everyday fabric of our licensees’ lives,” said TLC Commissioner Meera Joshi. “From our Safety Honor Roll, where this year alone we put almost 400 of the safest TLC-licensed drivers in NYC in the spotlight, to the 35,000 drivers who received TLC Driver Education with its strong Vision Zero component in 2016, our licensees have become active partners in our drive to reach Vision Zero. TLC also doubled the number of officers trained in the use of LIDAR anti-speeding technology, so that cutting edge enforcement continues to bolster our education and outreach efforts.”
"I commend Mayor de Blasio for his and his administration's efforts to combat traffic fatalities at a level that has become a national model," said Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez. "While these numbers continue to drop, we cannot for one minute ease our efforts as pedestrians and cyclists remain at risk at a number of locations across the city. I know this administration is dedicated to redesigning these dangerous corridors and continuing to drive down traffic related deaths across the board. I'm eager to explore the successes and needs of Vision Zero in our upcoming committee hearing on January 26th."
| NYC TRAFFIC FATALITIES (2013-16) | |||||
| Peds | Cyclists | Motorcyclists | Motor Vehicle Occupants | Total | |
| 2016 | 144 | 18 | 19 | 48 | 229 |
| 2015 | 139 | 14 | 22 | 59 | 234 |
| 2014 | 140 | 20 | 37 | 61 | 258 |
| 2013 | 184 | 12 | 42 | 61 | 299 |
For more information on 2016 Vision Zero safety data, please see here. For more information about the de Blasio Administration’s Vision Zero initiative, please see www.nyc.gov/visionzero.