Wave Hill Events Jun 2–Jun 9

  Already centuries old by the time the Magna Carta was signed in mid-June,1215, the word “summer” hearkens back to Old English, Old Norse and Old Irish and is even akin to a word in Sanskrit. Such is the precious relationship we have with Mother Nature, particularly when she offers us an all-embracing season of warmth and new life! Come see for yourself on this early June weekend.

Sat, June 3    Family Art Project: Rainbow Passage

Explore the colors of the rainbow! Look at light refracted through water. Collect transparent materials and create a spectrum to glue and frame into bright window hangings. Or add your piece to a stained glass–like temporary group installation vivifying the glass doors of the Sally and Gilbert Kerlin Learning Center.

Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, June 3    Garden Highlights Walk

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Sat, June 3    Family Garden Walk

Visit favorite, family-friendly locations in the gardens on a walk with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT WAVE HILL HOUSE, NOON

Sat, June 3    Gallery Tour

Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow leads a tour of current exhibitions in Glyndor Gallery. The group show,Outcasts: Women in the Wilderness, explores how women have been treated and portrayed as outcasts in history, myth and biblical legend. In the Sunroom Project Space, Sonya Blesofsky’s sculptural installation is inspired by the history of Glyndor House, while Sindy Butz’s life-sized replica of a fireplace in one of Wave Hill’s buildings includes enlarged photographs and videos of her performing with Wave Hill fireplaces. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, June 4    Family Art Project: Rainbow Passage

Explore the colors of the rainbow! Look at light refracted through water. Collect transparent materials and create a spectrum to glue and frame into bright window hangings. Or add your piece to a stained glass–like temporary group installation vivifying the glass doors of the Sally and Gilbert Kerlin Learning Center. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, June 4    Yoga in the Garden

Enjoy a morning yoga class on the lawn. Participants should bring a mat, dress appropriately and expect to be outside, unless precipitation or excessive humidity occurs. Classes are offered in partnership withYoga Haven. All levels welcome. Continues Sundays through June and July 9. $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Pre-registration recommended, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center.

ON THE GROUNDS, 10AM–11AM

Sun, June 4    Garden Highlights Walk

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

Sun, June 4    Meet the Artists: Sonya Blesofsky and Sindy Butz

Join us at this artist talk in the Sunroom Project Space. Sonya Blesofsky’s sculptural installation is inspired by the history of Glyndor House, home of Glyndor Gallery. Sindy Butz’s life-sized replica of a fireplace in one of Wave Hill’s buildings includes enlarged photographs and videos of Butz performing with Wave Hill fireplaces. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Mon, June 5    

Closed to the public.

Tue, June 6    Garden Highlights Walk

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Tue, June 6    Gallery Tour

Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow leads a tour of current exhibitions in Glyndor Gallery. The group show,Outcasts: Women in the Wilderness, explores how women have been treated and portrayed as outcasts in history, myth and biblical legend. In the Sunroom Project Space, Sonya Blesofsky’s sculptural installation is inspired by the history of Glyndor House, while Sindy Butz’s life-sized replica of a fireplace in one of Wave Hill’s buildings includes enlarged photographs and videos of her performing with Wave Hill fireplaces. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM, starting March 15.  Closes 4:30PM, November 1–March 14.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

Office of Chief Medical Examiner to Host New York City Missing Persons Day on Saturday, May 20, 2017

  - Event credited with eight identifications of missing persons nationwide since 2014 -

  The Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) announced that it will host the third New York City Missing Persons Day on Saturday, May 20, 2017. This support event for the families and friends of missing persons has led to eight identifications of missing persons in New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and Texas since its launch in 2014.

New York City Missing Persons Day offers free services and resources for those coping with the experience of a long-term missing loved one (missing for 60 or more days). Attendees may voluntarily provide information, such as photos, personal histories and DNA reference samples, in confidential interviews with scientists and other professionals trained in family assistance. The information that is collected can be used to help find and identify missing persons in New York City and elsewhere. 

“Families and friends of missing persons struggle every day with unresolved questions about their absent loved ones,” said Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson. “On New York City Missing Persons Day, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner convenes specialized resources to help those affected by the uniquely challenging experience of a missing loved one. As this effort grows, and with the generous assistance of our partners, we hope to continue making a difference for families seeking answers.”

Hundreds of families attended two previous New York City Missing Persons Day events in November 2014 and April 2016. To date, the events have led to the identification of eight missing and unidentified persons recovered in New York City; Nassau and Suffolk counties; Warren County, New Jersey; and Brooks County, Texas, primarily through DNA matches.

In the most recent identification, family members from Ossining, New York, attended New York City Missing Persons Day in search of their brother from Ecuador. The family provided DNA reference samples that subsequently matched through national databanks to the remains of a man recovered in the border regions of Texas.  OCME, which is home to one of the country’s few DNA missing persons units, worked with the Webb County Medical Examiner’s Office and the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification to confirm the identity of the man and notify his family. 

More than 13,000 people were reported missing in New York City last year, with some, including at least 200 children, missing long term. Nationwide, there are more than 87,000 active missing persons cases, and thousands of unidentified persons in the custody of medical examiners’ offices. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has called the numbers of missing and unidentified persons in the United States “the nation’s silent mass disaster.”

While advances in identification technologies such as fingerprinting and DNA allow medical examiners to collect more information from unidentified persons, these unknown samples must be compared to known reference samples in order to confirm identifications. Missing persons day events have taken place in jurisdictions throughout the United States in recent years for the purpose of collecting this information from families and friends.

In addition to support services, New York City Missing Persons Day will also display forensic artwork created through an ongoing collaboration between OCME and the New York Academy of Art. The approximately 30 facial reconstructions of some of the coldest missing persons cases were made possible by a 3-D printer obtained with NIJ grant funding. 

New York City Missing Persons Day is hosted by OCME, in partnership with the NYPD Missing Persons Unit, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, American Red Cross, Disaster Chaplaincy Services, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), and the Center for HOPE, with support from NIJ. 

What: New York City Missing Persons Day

When:	Saturday, May 20, 2017 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where:	Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) – Hirsch Center for Forensic Sciences 421 East 26th Street (at 1st Avenue)  New York, NY 10016 Subway: 6 train to 23rd Street or 28th Street; Bus: M15, M23 Accessible facility. Accommodation requests appreciated in advance.

Who:     All families and friends of long-term missing persons are welcome. RSVPs encouraged 

              by calling (212) 323-1201. Interpretation services are available. Visit 

              nyc.gov/missingpersonsday for more information. 

About OCME: 

Established in 1918, OCME is the first governmental agency of its type in the United States and provides expert services across the range of forensic science disciplines. OCME operates the largest public crime DNA laboratory in the world, in addition to laboratories in toxicology and histology, and the nation’s only public molecular genetics laboratory. The agency is home to the country’s largest forensic pathology training program, having trained over 100 board-certified forensic pathologists since 1990. OCME also houses a department of forensic anthropology, and maintains a division of specially trained experts prepared to respond to any and all fatality events, no matter what hazards may be encountered during recovery.

MAYOR DE BLASIO HOSTS MEETING WITH CITY DESIGNATED BANKS TO ADVANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR M/WBEs

  Mayor Bill de Blasio and Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery met with eight of the City’s designated banks at City Hall – Bank of America, Flushing Bank, HAB Bank, JP Morgan Chase Bank, MUFG union Bank, Popular Community Bank, TD Bank, Bank of NY Mellon and Wells Fargo. The 2-hour meeting focused on ways in which these banks can further their partnerships with the City to create accessible capital for the city’s minority and women-owned businesses (M/WBEs). The Mayor highlighted the fact that, historically, M/WBEs lack equitable access to capital due to institutional and structural impediments that have hampered their ability to compete with non-M/WBEs for City contracts. He mentioned how the City is currently addressing the issue with its recently launchedContract Financing Loan Fund that M/WBEs and small contractors can apply to and receive loans of up to $500,000 at a low 3% interest as well as the Emerging Developer Loan Fund that provides $500,000 to $2.5 million for pre-development acquisition and NYC-based real estate projects. The meeting was an opportunity for these banks to continue breaking down barriers to capital by creating new loan programs, direct lending opportunities or contributing to existing City loan programs. Additionally, the Mayor encouraged the banks to participate in a task force solely dedicated to identifying and creating additional sources of easily accessible capital for M/WBEs. The banks were receptive to furthering their partnerships and have agreed to continue meeting to advance opportunities for the city’s M/WBEs. The Mayor ended the meeting by noting that the city’s marketplace was one tool to create a more inclusive city and continue lifting people out of poverty, highlighting that by the end of this year, 281,000 New Yorkers will be lifted out of poverty or near-poverty.

Senate Passes Bill Sponsored by Senator Savino to Bring Major Property Tax Savings On The Way for Seniors & Disabled New Yorkers

New Independent Democratic Conference Report Illustrates Benefits of SCHE/DHE Program Expansion in New York City

The New York State Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senator Diane Savino paving the way for major property tax savings for more senior and disabled homeowners on Wednesday.

This year, members of the Independent Democratic Conference pushed to increase the income eligibility for the Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption (SCHE) and the Disabled Homeowners’ Exemption (DHE), programs which provide major property tax exemptions to residents living on fixed incomes through this legislation. The proposal recently received support from the city.

The IDC also released, “Keeping Housing Affordable for Seniors and Disabled New Yorkers,” illustrating how Senator Savino’s bill impacts homeowners across New York City.

The legislation would raise the income cap for SCHE/DHE to $50,000 for a full 50% property tax exemption and to $58,400 for a partial exemption, which will provide much-needed relief to New York City homeowners. The eligibility levels have not been raised since 2006.

“No senior or disabled homeowner should ever face the hard choice between paying an astronomical property tax bill or buying prescription drugs or other necessities. I’m proud that my legislation will bring real savings to our seniors and disabled homeowners living on fixed incomes in this city. With on average of over $1,750 saved, and in many cases more, this represents the best way to create affordability for these homeowners,” said Senator Savino.

“Our seniors deserve to live out their golden years without worrying that they can no longer afford their homes, the places where they raised their children and hold cherished memories. It is important that for seniors and disabled homeowners living on tight budgets we create an affordable New York by bringing real property tax relief by raising the income eligibility for SCHE and DHE to 2017 levels. I’m proud that the IDC has been the driving force behind this policy and I thank the city for their support,” said Senator Klein.

“Property taxes represent an affordability challenge particularly important to New York City seniors and those living with disabilities. Implementing these measures on the Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption and the Disabled Homeowners’ Exemption takes a step forward in meeting that challenge. We need to recognize the unique circumstances these households face and accommodate their needs. That’s why I welcome these measures to raise the SCHE/DHE income thresholds and take meaningful action to make our communities more affordable,” said Senator Hamilton.

“With living costs always going up, more and more New Yorkers are having a difficult time keeping their homes, especially Senior Citizens and New Yorkers with disabilities. It is time we increase the income eligibility for SCHE and DHE. If this legislation is approved, I am sure we will be helping some of our most vulnerable homeowners stay where they belong: in their homes. I am proud that Senator Savino’s bill passed, and I applaud our Conference's efforts, as well as the efforts by all of those involved, to get property tax relief for seniors and people with disabilities,” said Senator Peralta.

“Seniors and disabled people face multiple economic and social burdens that make it difficult to make ends meet, and rising land values are bringing property taxes to new heights. New York needs to remain a city for everyone, and by expanding SCHE and DHE, homeowners and co-op residents will be better able to afford to live in the city. Housing cooperatives such as HDFC's are an integral part of New York City's affordable housing supply, and by exempting seniors and the disabled from the burden of rising property taxes, the security of owning your own apartment will be made available to more New Yorkers and be preserved for longtime residents,” said Senator Alcantara.

“Giving property tax breaks to more seniors and people with disabilities who own their homes is another big step forward in our ongoing efforts to ensure that our communities remain affordable for the people who have made New York the great city that it is,” said Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, who sponsors the Assembly bill.  “I thank Senator Savino, my colleagues in the legislature and all the advocates, seniors and people with disabilities who are working with us to get this done.”

The SCHE and DHE programs are currently capped at $29,000, but under the legislation passed today that eligibility level will raise to $50,000 for the full exemption capturing tens of thousands more senior and disabled homeowners who need relief.

SCHE Expansion	DHE Expansion
·         Expand the income threshold for the full 50% exemption from $29,000 to $50,000 ·         Raise the maximum income threshold for a partial exemption from $37,399 to $58,400 ·         Allow 29,000 additional seniors to qualify for SCHE ·         Save the average senior $1,750 per year on their tax bill	·         Expand the income threshold for the full 50% exemption from $29,000 to $50,000 ·         Raise the maximum income threshold for a partial exemption from $37,399 to $58,400 ·         Allow 3,400 additional New Yorkers living with a disability to qualify for DHE ·         Save the average New Yorker living with a disability $1,750 per year on their tax bill

This bill also increases the cap for partial exemptions to $58,400, with property tax exemptions provided to qualified senior and disabled homeowners on a sliding scale.

SCHE/DHE at $50,000 (Proposed)
Income Range	Abatement
$57,500 - $58,400	5%
$56,600 - $57,499	10.0%
$55,700 - $56,599	15.0%
$54,800 - $55,699	20.0%
$53,900 - $54,799	25.0%
$53,000 - $53,899	30.0%
$52,000 - $52,999	35.0%
$50,100 - $51,999	40.0%
$50,001 - $50,999	45.0%
$0 - $50,000	50.0%

This translates to major savings in neighborhoods across the city depending on property type, property value and household income. In many cases, a senior or disabled homeowner could save significantly more than the projected average of $1,750.

For example, in Whitestone a senior could save $3,320:

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES NEW CALORIE LABELING RULES

 New York City is the first in the nation to require chain food retailers and restaurants to post calorie counts and full nutritional information

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that all New York City chain food retailers offering prepared foods, or “restaurant-type foods,” will be required to post calorie counts on menu boards. In addition, chain restaurants and retailers will be required to have full nutritional information – not just calories – for standard menu items available on site, and they will have to post a statement about the daily recommended caloric intake of 2,000 calories. This rule is required for all chain restaurants with 15 locations or more nationwide, affecting approximately 3,000 restaurants and about 1,500 food retailer chains.

Starting May 22, the Departments of Health and Consumer Affairs will begin enforcing the updated calorie labeling rules by educating businesses during regular inspections. On August 21, both agencies will begin issuing notices of violation subject to fines for not following the updated rule. Chain restaurants and food retailers that are not in compliance will be subject to fines ranging from $200 to $600.

“We are all tempted to make unhealthy choices, but with these new, common-sense rules, New Yorkers will have the information to make better choices and lead healthier lives,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We can no longer wait for federal action, and urge other cities to follow our lead.”

“This Administration continues to be at the forefront of public health practice, and these new rules demonstrate our ongoing commitment to promoting and protecting the health of New Yorkers, “said Dr. Herminia Palacio, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services.“These new rules give busy people quick facts they can use to make healthier choices when picking up prepared meals for themselves and their families.”

“Calorie labeling makes it easier for New Yorkers to learn more about the food they are consuming,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “New York City led the way on requiring calorie labeling in chain restaurants nearly 10 years ago, and we are proud to continue this work by ensuring New Yorkers can access this important information at other types of establishments.”

“Who hasn’t grabbed a prepared meal when you’re out running errands?” said DCA Commissioner Lorelei Salas. “It is just as important for us to be able to know how many calories are in one of those meals as the ones in a pre-packaged snack or meal at a chain restaurant so we can better take care of ourselves. We are proud to join the Health Department in taking a national lead in enforcing this law as part our patrol inspections of chain food service establishments, like convenience and grocery stores.”

In 2008, New York City led the nation by becoming the first jurisdiction to require calorie labeling in chain restaurants. Numerous cities, counties and states followed suit, and in 2010 calorie labeling requirements became a part of the Affordable Care Act.

In 2015, New York City updated its longstanding Health Code rule requiring chain restaurants to post calorie information for menu items, but delayed enforcement in anticipation of an identical federal rule that would make calorie information available in chain restaurants and chain food retailers nationwide. Earlier this month, the federal government announced it would delay enforcement of these rules for a year, and the City has decided to enforce its updated calorie labeling rules as planned.

New Yorkers can look forward to several improvements in chain convenience stores, grocery stores and restaurants as a result of the updated calorie labeling rule, including:

·  Calorie information about prepared foods sold in chain convenience stores and grocery stores.

·   A new statement on menus and menu boards at all chain restaurants, chain convenience stores and grocery stores to give more information about calorie needs. The statement reads, “2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice, but calorie needs vary.”

·   Additional nutrition information about menu items available onsite upon request, including total calories, calories from fat, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, sugar, and protein.

                       

The calorie labeling rule complements the Health Department’s sodium warning rule, which requires restaurants to place salt shaker icons next to menu items that contain 2,300 mg of sodium or more, the daily recommended limit. The sodium warning rule also states that these restaurants must post a warning where customers place their orders that high sodium intake can increase blood pressure and the risk of heart disease and stroke. In April 2017, the Health Department announced the end of its legal battle with the National Restaurant Association over the sodium warning rule. As of May 12, 2017, nearly 9 out of 10 NYC chain restaurants were in compliance with the sodium warning rule.

New Yorkers can also find health information for restaurant menu items on MenuStat.org, a Health Department website with nutrition data from over 150 top national restaurants. For more, visit menustat.org.

For more information on calorie labeling requirements, visit nyc.gov/health/foodservice.

MAYOR DE BLASIO, POLICE COMMISSIONER O’NEILL, FIRE COMMISSIONER NIGRO SPEAK ABOUT ACCIDENT IN TIMES SQUARE

  Mayor Bill de Blasio: I want to give you an update. We had a very serious incident today here in Times Square. We’re going to provide you with information. I want to emphasize upfront – this is preliminary information. Obviously, investigation underway. There’s a lot we will learn in the coming hours, but we’re going to give you the information we have at this point. I’ll start, then you’ll hear from our Police Commissioner James O’Neill, and our Fire Commissioner Dan Nigro.

So far what we know – 23 individuals were injured in this incident. And that includes tragically one young woman who has passed away. The perpetrator is in custody. He is a United States citizen and a former member of the armed forces with the United States Navy. He has a criminal history. Commissioner will go over that in a moment.

Based on the information we have at this moment, there is no indication that this was an act of terror. I want to clarify again – based on the information we have at this moment, there is no indication that this was an act of terrorism.

That being said, we are reinforcing key locations around the city with our anti-terror units of the NYPD. So out of an abundance of caution, major sites in this city will get additional police coverage from our anti-terror units.

We all feel deeply right now for those who were injured and for their families, and particularly for the family of the young woman who was lost. Our prayers are with her family and with all those who right now are suffering because of this horrible incident. 

I want to thank all of our first responders. The perpetrator was apprehended very quickly. And I want to thank all of the first responders who immediately came to the scene to aid the wounded. And you’ll get an update on the status of those who were affected from the Fire Commissioner.

This is a tough day for New York City. But as usual, the people of New York City will stand firm, will be resilient. We have tremendous faith in our first responders who handled this situation so quickly. And we will provide regular updates as more information emerges.

  Police Commissioner James O’Neill: Alright ready to roll, we’re good? Alright, thank you.

Alright, so as the Mayor said, this is preliminary information. This incident happened about an hour-and-a-half ago, so it's all subject to change. And this is what we talk about at every press conference – we try to get as much information out to you as possible, as soon as possible.

So at approximately 11:55 A.M., a 2009 Honda Accord passenger vehicle mounted the sidewalk on the west side of Seventh Avenue and West 42nd Street in Times Square. The vehicle, occupied by a male driver, proceeded to drive at a high rate of speed along the sidewalk from 42nd Street to 45th Street, striking a number of pedestrians along the way. The Honda eventually came to a stop on the northwest corner of West 45th Street, where it collided with a metal stanchion.

Along the route, the subject’s vehicle struck 23 pedestrians, causing multiple injuries and one fatality. Twenty-two victims were removed to local hospitals.

The driver, a 26-year-old male, identified as Richard Rojas, a resident of the Bronx, was taken into custody at the scene. Preliminary investigation reveals that Rojas has a few arrests, and two of them are for DWI. Detectives are currently reviewing any other criminal history for the subject. Further investigation is ongoing.

At this point, as the Mayor said, there is no indication that this incident was terrorism related.

  Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro: Thank you, and I’ll talk about the injuries in general terms as we do. We’re not going to talk about names or specific injuries.

We did have one person who was pronounced at the scene.

There were four critical patients removed: two to Bellevue, two to Roosevelt with very traumatic injuries including open fractures, including multiple traumas. None of those at this point, thanks to the fact that they were quickly transported to this hospital, is likely. But that doesn’t mean they are cleared. None of those four are right now likely to perish, conditions can change.

We’re very hopeful that the fact they were treated here quickly and removed quickly, that they will survive.

Three other injuries were very serious, but not critical, they were also removed to local hospitals.

Fifteen are less serious injuries – we call green tag injuries – all of these people have now been transported to the hospitals, are being treated. [Inaudible] divulge any names, or ages, or where they come from at this point.

But there was a very large amount of Fire Department, Police Department, and emergency services arriving here very quickly, and thanks to that, people received care in a very timely fashion.

Bronx County Democratic Committee Announce Support of Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj for New York City Council

  Today, the Bronx County Democratic Committee gathered at their Eastchester Road headquarters to announce their support for Democrat Assembly member Mark Gjonaj in his campaign for City Council. Elected officials in attendance included Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman, Assembly members Luis Sepulveda, Latoya Joyner, Jeff Dinowitz, Michael Benedetto, and Victor Pichardo, State Senator Jose M. Serrano, current City Council members Vanessa Gibson, and Rafael Salamaca. Several district leaders were also on hand to give their support to 13th Council District hopeful current 80th Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj who is running to replace term-limited Jimmy Vacca.

"Mark Gjonaj has been a powerful fighter for his district and the entire Bronx in the New York State Assembly, and I know he will bring that same passion and energy to the City Council. I am proud to join my colleagues today in support of Mark Gjonaj's campaign for City Council, and I urge my fellow Democrats to support him and his vision for the 13th City Council District," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.  I look forward to working with Mark Gjonaj at City Hall.”

Assemblyman Michael Benedetto who covers the neighboring 82nd Assembly District may have said it best when talking about why he is supporting Mark Gjonaj for the 13th City Council seat. Benedetto said that Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj is doing such a good job in Albany that it makes him (Benedetto) look bad, and he would love to see Mark Gjonaj become the new council member in an a district they both would overlap. 

Everyone one else from Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda to Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson could not top what Assemblyman Benedetto had said, but they also spoke of the terrific job that Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj was doing in Albany, and could do at City Hall.

Assembly member Mark Gjonaj said he was thankful to have the support of his fellow Democrats, Adding that“I am grateful to have the support of so many colleagues. For years, we have worked together for the betterment of The Bronx. The mission has not changed: create more jobs, increase our police force, enhance our neighborhoods, and combat homelessness. I look forward to the opportunity to continuing our work together and representing Bronxites from City Hall,”

 

Above - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. tells why he is endorsing Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj for the term-limited 13th City Council seat.

Below - The current Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo adds to what Bronx BP Diaz said about endorsing Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj for the 13th City Council seat.

Above - Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda explains why he is endorsing his good friend and fellow assembly member Mark Gjonaj for City Council.

Below - Assemblyman Victor Pichardo tells of the hard work Mark Gjonaj has done in the Assembly. Next to Assemblyman Pichardo is the another Northwest Bronx Assembly member Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, who is wiping the sweat from his brow. 

Above - Finally Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj with his wife Roberta on one side, and his mother Rosa on the other side thanks all the elected officials present, and those who had to do their jobs and could not make it here for their support, while pledging to improve on the good job that the current 13th City Council member Jimmy Vacca has done.

Below With BP Diaz now on one side and his son Nicholas on the other the cheers continue with some chants of GJONAJ, GJONAJ, GJONAJ.

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON ASSEMBLY PASSAGE OF THE NEW YORK HEALTH PLAN

   

“While the fight to save the Affordable Care Act is far from over, the State Assembly has taken a major step forward today to protect the health of working families across New York – including the more than 1 million people who stand to lose coverage.  The New York Health Plan will ensure that every resident has access to health care, and that the City’s public hospital system is able to continue to deliver quality care to the New Yorkers who need it most. I applaud Speaker Heastie, Assembly Health Committee Chairman Gottfried and all members of the Assembly Democratic Conference for fighting to save the lives of millions of New Yorkers.  I also applaud Senator Rivera for sponsoring the Senate version and urge the Senate to pass the bill.”