Elvin Garcia - We need your help now more than ever

Friends,

First, thank you to all who attended our Campaign Office Party yesterday. The amazing diverse turnout of people-power speaks for itself -- where over 50% of the turnout were #Women4Elvin:

Lets now use our grassroots support to help us get on the ballot: Tomorrow is the first day of petitioning, and we need your help to reach as many people as possible to sign our petitions. Can we count on you? It's important to note as we start petitioning that people must only sign petitions for ONE candidate (Elvin Garcia) in order for them to be valid -- so we have to work hard to get as many petitions as possible starting tomorrow.   We need your support now more than ever This campaign has run entirely on grassroots people-power --- people just like you. Because of your support we have: Opened the our campaign office --- ahead anyone else running in this race. Collected over 570 individual contributions --- more than anyone else in this race. Built the most diverse coalition of neighborhood mayors --- independent of ANY elected official.  Petitioning shifts are happening ALL WEEK starting TOMORROW: 10:00AM - 3:00PM  and/or 3:30PM - 8:30PM We've already proven we can run an independent campaign with no hand-holding from special interests. The next step is the get on the ballot. Help us get there, sign up to collect petitions.

Best,

newyorkersformarkgjonaj Can’t wait to petition for your next City Councilman?

Of course you can’t!

I know it and I love you for it.

I hope you’ll come out and get involved in our petitioning process this year. We’ve got thousands of signatures to gather and only about a month to do it!

Petitioning Kick-off
Wednesday, June 7
7:30 pm 

New Yorkers for Mark Gjonaj Headquarters
2018 Williamsbridge Rd.
Bronx, NY

 Light refreshments will be served.

 

Petitioning is one of those things I just can’t do without you and really shows the strength of support we have in the community. I hope I can count on you to join us and be part of our team.

Please fill out this short form if you're available to join us.

Thank you and I’ll hope to see you Wednesday!                            

MAYOR DE BLASIO, SPEAKER MARK-VIVERITO, CHANCELLOR FARIÑA ANNOUNCE UNIVERSAL PHYSICAL EDUCATION INITIATIVE

  City will invest $385 million in Capital Funding to bring designated PE space to all schools citywide

  Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Assembly Member Cathy Nolan and Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña today announced a Universal Physical Education (PE) initiative to provide all schools with a designated PE space by 2021. The initiative will focus on around 200 schools, out of a total of 1,629, that do not currently have a gymnasium. The first phase will focus on 76 schools that do not have any designated PE space and will cost approximately $385 million over the next four years in Capital funding, including $105.5 million in new Capital funding as part of the recently-announced Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2018. As part of the budget agreement, the City will also invest an additional $1.8 million for some of the schools to lease nearby PE space.

Over the next several months, the DOE and the School Construction Authority (SCA) will work with individual schools to explore a variety of options at each school to ensure all students have access to space for PE. These options will include constructing new gymnasiums, renovating schoolyards, converting or enhancing existing rooms into fitness areas, converting auditoriums into “gymatoriums”, or leasing PE space from community-based organizations.

Of the 76 schools across the City that do not currently have any designated PE space, the SCA has already identified 20 that have outdoor space that can accommodate a new gym addition, a standalone gym or a schoolyard renovation. DOE and the SCA are in the process of conducting space assessments at the remaining 56 schools.

“The lack of physical education classes in our schools has been a concern of mine for over 20 years,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I could not be more proud to be dedicating resources to ensure that every school will have an adequate PE space by 2021. Incorporating physical activity into the day isn’t just the healthy thing for our young people, it is the law and one that was ignored for far too long.”

“Every student needs quality physical education to stay healthy and remain focused during the school day. Not only are we committing to providing all students with PE space, but we are also strengthening physical education curricula with more trained PE instructors and new educational resources. This is part of equity and excellence in all our schools, and setting students up for success,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña.

The Mayor and Chancellor announced Universal PE at P.S. 81 in Ridgewood Queens, where in 2018, the school will break ground on a new, stand-alone gymnasium. Starting next school year, the school will also have a new, full-time certified PE instructor. Additionally, starting this week, air conditioning installations will begin to address the nearly 80% of classrooms that lack units. This will be completed by the end of summer 2017 and all classes will have air conditioning for the 2017-18 school year.

Universal PE will build upon the administration’s PE Works initiative, an unprecedented, multi-year, $100 million investment launched in April 2016 that envisions PE as a foundational component of our schools, and seeks to revitalize this subject area for all students. PE Works began as a pilot in approximately 400 schools in the 2015-16 school year, and included jumpstart funding for 50 elementary schools without a certified PE teacher to hire and retain one.

The PE Works team is developing multi-year action plans in collaboration with school staff to address barriers to PE, including space constraints. Based on the action plans, the PE Works team will work with every district school to implement the instructional, operational and family engagement steps that schools can take to improve and sustain conditions for PE to thrive. PE Works staff is also developing a K-12 PE Scope and Sequence so that teachers, administrators, and parents have a shared understanding of the benchmarks of good PE instruction for students at all grades. By June 2019, with the help of nearly 500 new certified PE teachers hired for elementary schools that need one, all elementary schools are expected to meet State PE requirements.

Of the 76 schools included in the first phase of Universal PE, 30 are in Brooklyn, 13 are in the Bronx, 8 are in Manhattan, 16 are in Queens and 8 are in Staten Island. While all schools are required to provide PE, not all schools have PE space. Universal PE, coupled with PE Works, will ensure that all students have access to a PE space, resources and instructors who can provide them with the rigorous PE instruction they need and deserve. 

As part of the City’s larger effort to enhance learning environments for all students, Mayor de Blasio, Chancellor Fariña and the City Council also recently announced funding to provide every classroom in New York City with air conditioning. The City will dedicate a total of $28.75 million over the next five years to purchase and install air conditioning units in all classrooms by 2022, providing thousands of students with a more safe and comfortable learning environment.

“Being more active throughout the day has been shown to improve students’ concentration and performance in class. With the Universal PE Initiative, all students across the five boroughs will now have access to gyms – which will provide students with more opportunities to exercise and play,” said New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “I am proud to support this initiative, and look forward to continuing to work to promote healthy behaviors across New York City.”

The Grand Marshall of the 2017 Children’s Christian Parade will be the Widow of NYPD Chaplain Reverend Luis Serrano

What You Should Know 
By Senator Rev Rubén Díaz 
32^nd Senatorial District 

  You should know that the Grand Marshall of this year’s Christian Children’s Parade will be Reverend Abigail Serrano, the widow of New York City Police Department Chaplain, Reverend Luis Serrano.

It is important for you to know that for the past 61 years, the great majority of Christian Churches in the City of New York have participated in this traditional Parade.

The 2017 Children’s Christian Parade will take place on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 12 noon, starting at East 97th Street and Third Avenue up to East 122nd Street.

The Reviewing Stand, where dignitaries and invited guests will be able to view Parade Floats, Performances of Church groups, and address the public, will be located at Third Avenue and East 116th Street.

All are welcome!

For more information, please contact the President of the Children’s Christian Parade, Reverend Andy Torres at (917) 204-3222, or the Parade Coordinator, Mr. William Sanabria at (917) 939-3233.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

Senator Klein Announces Funding for New Smart Boards at P.S. 83

Senator Klein Announces Funding for New Smart Boards at P.S. 83

The $50,000 grant will be used to outfit 10 classrooms with the interactive boards

Senator Jeff Klein announced $50,000 in state funding for P.S. 83, which will be used to outfit ten classrooms with the new interactive smart boards. Klein made the announcement last Friday inside the P.S. 83 library, joined by Principal Brandon Muccino and a group of 7th grade students.

“It’s imperative that our schools keep up with the latest in technology to ensure our students are given the best possible chance to succeed. These new smart boards will foster a better learning environment, and benefit not just our youngsters, but also the teachers tasked with guiding our children toward a better future,” said Senator Klein.  

“Just as blackboards and chalk were once a requirement of all classrooms, interactive boards are the new necessity. We are an information sharing society and we need to make sure our children are well prepared for it. Being able to plan lessons and display media in high definition are imperative to raise children of the 21st century. We thank the Senator for understanding this need and for providing us with the latest teaching tools available,” said P.S. 83 Principal Brandon Muccino.

The new displays are part of a larger project to replace all existing whiteboards throughout the Morris Park school. A portion of overall project has already been completed, enabling Senator Klein to see firsthand how the smart boards operate.    

13th City Council Candidate Survey Results

100 PERCENT 13th Council Race Extra

  Yesterday was the East Tremont Avenue Side walk Fair (in the Throggs Neck area), and a perfect place to do a survey of people on the 13th City Council race. Mr. John Marino who withdrew from the council race last week told me that after talking with his campaign consultants he realized that he could not win the September Democratic Primary. Mr. Marano had told me that the voter base in the Throggs Neck area (his stronghold) was not what it was thought to be, and that he did not want to be the deciding factor of taking votes away from a candidate who could of won the race. 

  Below is a survey of 63 people who were at the Sidewalk fair. 13 people said they did not want to take the survey, and 10 people who said they were not registered to vote in the 13th Council district. The remaining 40 people were happy to take my survey of the 13th City Council race. It should be noted that three candidate either were on hand or had a presence on the street, including two candidates who have their offices almost across the street from each other.

 Question # 1- Do you know who your current 13th district councilman is? - 

Results - 23 Yes (57.5%), 17 NO (42.5%).

 Question # 2 - Do you know that your current city council member is term-limited out of office this year?

Results - 29 YES (72.5%), 11 NO (27.5 %)

 Question # 3 - Do you know any of the candidates who are running in the September Democratic Primary?

Results - 22 Yes (55%), 18 NO (45%)

   Question # 4 - Do you have a preference for any candidate?

Results - John Doyle 3 (7,5%), Mark Gjonaj 8 (20%), Marjorie Vasquez 3 (7.5%), John Cerini 8 (20%), not voting 18 (45 %). 

Special notes:

There were 4 people who answered John Marano. When told he had withdrawn from the race and was supporting candidate Mark Gjonaj, 2 said they would vote for Gjonaj, and 2 said they were not voting, which is incorporated in the above results. No other names were given who may be candidates in this race. Mr. John Cerini is running on the Republican line, but has his business 'The Tax Man' on this area of East Tremont Avenue. 

  Question # 5 - What is your party affiliation?

Results - 19 Democratic (47.5%), 8 Republican (20%), 3 Independent (7.5%), and 10 (25%) who would not say. 

  I am inclined to agree with former candidate Mr. John Marano about his base. These few blocks of East Tremont Avenue have changed over the past 10 - 20 years. The Grand Union supermarket is now a CVS drug store, The Fine Fare supermarket has changed names at least three times, and many of the small Mom and Pop stores have been sold or changed into other stores. While the Post Office and McDonald's are still here, one thing I did notice was that there were no empty storefronts.

East Tremont Avenue Sidewalk Fair

 

  East Tremont Avenue in the Throggs Neck area was turned into a sidewalk festival yesterday as you can see by the photo above. Fine Fair Supermarket was the place to be to listen to a live DJ, have a free hot dog, and do many other fun things. It was also a day for candidates trying to replace term-limited Councilman Jimmy Vacca to meet residents of the area. The sidewalk fair stretched for several blocks on both sides of the street as you will see in more photos below.

Above - Even though you see the current fair listed on the fare box this bus was brought to be part of the street fair, and not to be on the route.

Below - The front view of what a bus looked like in the 1960's that ran on the streets of New York City.

Above and Below - Horses once again were on East Tremont Avenue as provided by City Council candidate and current 80th Assemblyman Mark Gionaj.

Above - Another candidate for the city council seat Mr. John Doyle had a table set up in front of his campaign headquarters. Across the street was the office of The Tax Man John Cerini another candidate in the city council race.

Below - The local Community on Patrol Neighborhood Watch Patrol was on hand to recruit new volunteers.

Member Of Bronx Gang Sentenced To 42 Years In Prison For Murder, Racketeering, And Drug Trafficking

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JAMES CAPERS, a/k/a “Mitch,” was sentenced to 42 years in prison for the murder of Allen McQueen and participating in racketeering and narcotics conspiracies, all in connection with a violent street gang known as the “Leland Avenue Crew,” which is based primarily in and around the New York City’s 43rdPrecinct in the Bronx, New York. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge William H. Pauley III, after CAPERS was convicted following a jury trial in December 2016.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Gangs do enormous damage to our communities through drug dealing and the violence that often accompanies it. Today, James Capers, a gang member who sold drugs and participated in that violence, was sentenced to 42 years in prison for the horrific murder of a rival gang member, whom Capers shot and killed while the victim was holding his one-year-old daughter. Our Office remains committed to eradicating senseless violence from our city streets.”

According to the Indictment and other documents filed in the case, as well as evidence presented at trial and statements made during the sentencing proceedings:

CAPERS was a member of the Leland Avenue Crew, which controlled the distribution of crack cocaine in and around Leland Avenue in the Bronx, New York. As a member of the Crew, CAPERS sold crack cocaine and marijuana, carried weapons, and committed robberies of unsuspecting members of the public. To protect its drug-selling turf, the Leland Avenue Crew engaged in a long-running dispute with members of a rival gang based two streets over on Taylor Avenue. This dispute resulted in multiple shootings, some of which were fatal. On or about July 7, 2015, in connection with the ongoing dispute between Leland and Taylor, CAPERS went looking for Allen McQueen, a rival gang member on Taylor Avenue. After finding McQueen, who was walking down the street holding his one-year-old daughter, CAPERS ran up behind McQueen and fired several shots, striking McQueen once and killing him.

Mr. Kim praised the extraordinary investigative work of the New York City Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations. He also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their participation and support in this case.