BP DIAZ ALLOCATES OVER $20 MILLION TO BRONX EDUCATION PROJECTS

  On the first day of the new school year, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced that his office is providing more than $20 million in capital funds to 87 education projects all over the borough, as part of his FY 2018 capital funding allocations.

Projects funded this year include numerous classroom upgrades, the creation of new media centers, library renovations, technology upgrades, playgrounds, auditorium renovations and other physical plant improvements in public schools across The Bronx.

 

“I am proud to have funded so many important school projects in every corner of our borough. As I have said many times before, a quality education is the foundation that elevates all of us as society and as a community,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Funding like this is critical to our borough’s continued growth.”

School projects funded by Borough President Diaz this year include $400,000 for the restoration and modernization of the library at the Bronx High School for Law & Community Service; $600,000 for technology upgrades for the entire school at I.S. 339; $50,000 for new computers and carts at New School for Leadership and Journalism, as well as dozens of technology upgrades at schools across the borough. 

 

In addition, $1,200,000 has been allocated to the Taft Educational Campus for renovations and improvements to the school’s athletic field, which will be converted into a multi-purpose sports field. The borough president has also allocated $4,632,000 towards the complete renovation of several school auditoriums. This includes renovations such as seat replacement, new lighting, sound systems and curtains. 

 

Since taking office in 2009, Borough President Diaz has provided $60,226,000 in capital funding to 388 school projects, nearly a quarter of his office’s total capital allocations during the time period.

 

“Helping to improve our schools is one more step forward towards providing better education in The Bronx. At the same time, this critical funding helps keep our educational institutions vibrant, and our students, teachers and parents inspired, and is an important component as we continue push to improve the lives of our 1.4 million residents,” said Borough President Diaz.

 

This year, Borough President Diaz’s office has provided $58,718,000 in total capital dollars across 146 projects. Since coming to office in 2009, Borough President Diaz has provided $248,646,000 in total capital funding to 725 projects.

Join us as The Bronx Chamber of Commerce's Hispanic Heritage Luncheon honors Bronx Hispanic Leaders

Bronx Borough President - A Day of Remembrance

Bronx Dems Annual BBQ & Softball Game

Engel Calls President Trump’s Decision to End DACA a “Cruel Mistake”

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel, the Ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a top member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on reports of President Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, with a 6 month delay:

“Since the campaign, President Trump has threatened to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which for the last 5 years has protected young unauthorized immigrants from senseless deportation. Now, according to reports, the President has decided to follow through on his threat, and that decision is a cruel mistake.

“To date, the program has protected over 800,000 young immigrants—DREAMers whose parents brought them to our country so they could have a chance at the American Dream. Since arriving, these young men and women have worked hard, attended school, and joined our workforce. But killing DACA will now force hundreds of thousands of those young DREAMers back out of work, overturn their lives and the lives of their families, create disruption for businesses, and send shockwaves throughout our economy. Those are serious implications for every American, no matter their background or ethnicity.

“We are a nation of immigrants and our strength has always lied with our diversity. Punishing people because their parents sought a better life for them on our soil isn’t just disgraceful, its un-American. The President has made a bad move here, one that could have broad implications for our country and economy. We should be building bridges with our immigrant communities, not walls.”  

State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda Bring $500,000.00 Dollars to Jamie Towers

 Jamie Towers is a wonderful Mitchell-Lama coop of four 13 story buildings having a total of 624 apartments that was built in 1966. Jamie Towers located in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx, and has a private pool for residents of the four buildings. since the four buildings were built in 1966 the first real upgrade repairs were done in 2008 forty years later. While many probl;ems were fixed, as the building continued to age additional repairs to the building are needed. One can see water damage to the brickwork, and tenants said that the elevators need major work in order not to keep breaking down, as well as other complaints. 

  Enter State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda. the pair listened to tenant complaints, and both have delivered to the tune of $500,00.00 dollars for needed repairs of the four building Jamie Towers complex. see the photos below of the beautiful landscaped Jamie Towers. 

Above - State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. arrives with his Blue Crew and is greeted by Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda who who both have a 'Thumbs Up' for Jamie Towers and the 18th City Council primary.

Below - Residents of Jamie Towers were treated to a day of fun with free Gigantic Hero sandwiches, a choice of various chips, and either water or juice for them and/or their children.

Above and Below - It was photo op time with soon to be Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr., and the man who hopes to go to albany soon as State Senator Luis Sepulveda. 

Above - A check made out to Jamie Towers for $500,000.00 for repairs to the now fifty-three year old buildings. With Senator Diaz and Assemblyman Sepulveda are Jamie Towers Coop Board President Barbara Johnson, and Vice President Lisa Pizarro.

Below - You can see the beautiful area of lush trees and well mowed grass as many of the attendees from the buildings want to be in this photo wit Senator Diaz, Assemblyman Sepulveda, and the check for half a million dollars being held by Mr. George Alvarez.

5 Arrested For Trafficking Over 1,300 Pounds Of Candles Containing Methamphetamine

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James J. Hunt, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the arrests of AGUSTIN ZAMORA-VEGA, a/k/a “Julio Cesar,” ORLANDO ALCANTARA, CINDY CARRILLO, SANTOS MINJAREZ, and JOSE LUIS GONZALEZ-SOLIS, all of whom conspired to distribute over 1,300 pounds of wax candles laced with methamphetamine.  The defendants were arrested overnight in New Jersey, and were presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Nathaniel Fox.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “As alleged, the defendants worked to distribute a massive quantities of methamphetamine, concealed in wax candles. As creative as these defendants were, allegedly hiding dangerous drugs in a common household item, law enforcement was on top of this newest scheme.”

DEA Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt said:  “DEA has seen drugs smuggled in numerous ways:  concealed in puppies, lollipops, furniture, and produce. But secreting a million dollars’ worth of methamphetamine in wax candles of various shapes is shocking. This seizure signifies that drug trafficking organizations are determined to create a stronghold of meth users in the Northeast. Through the good work of SDNY, DEA, HSI and NYPD, this load of methamphetamine was seized before it even hit the streets, thwarting the organization's plans.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “These individuals allegedly possessed more than half a ton of wax candles that would be melted down and converted into crystal meth, eventually introducing more of these destructive synthetic drugs onto our streets.  Drug traffickers are always thinking of more creative ways to store and traffic their drugs. But the ever evolving way in which investigations are conducted and information is shared among law enforcement is key to identifying and prosecuting these criminals.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint[1] charging the five defendants:

In August 2017, law enforcement agents learned that ZAMORA-VEGA was seeking a facility in which he intended to store and convert a large quantity of methamphetamine into crystal form (“crystal meth”).  After that, on August 17, 2017, an undercover officer (the “UC”) drove with ZAMORA-VEGA to a warehouse in New Jersey (the “NJ Warehouse”) that the UC offered to ZAMORA-VEGA to use to store and convert methamphetamine to crystal meth.  ZAMORA-VEGA indicated that he was interested in using the NJ Warehouse for those purposes. 

In the days following August 17, 2017, ZAMORA-VEGA indicated to the UC that he was expecting a large shipment of methamphetamine to arrive in the New York area in the coming days, and that he intended to transport the methamphetamine to the NJ Warehouse where he would convert it to crystal meth.

On August 29, 2017, ZAMORA-VEGA told the UC that the methamphetamine had arrived at a facility on Long Island.  CARRILLO texted the UC the address of the Long Island facility so that the UC could meet ZAMORA-VEGA and CARRILLO there.  Ultimately, however, the UC agreed to meet ZAMORA-VEGA and CARRILLO at a hotel in New Jersey where ZAMORA-VEGA and CARRILLO had been staying (the “NJ Hotel”).

When the UC arrived at the NJ Hotel, he met with ZAMORA-VEGA, CARRILLO, ALCANTARA, MINJAREZ, and GONZALEZ-SOLIS.  While at the NJ Hotel, ZAMORA-VEGA showed the UC that the boxes contained a large quantity of what appeared to be wax candles (the “Meth Candles”).  ZAMORA-VEGA indicated that the candles actually contained methamphetamine, which could be melted and converted to crystal meth.  Thereafter, all of the defendants travelled from the NJ Hotel to the NJ Warehouse.

Once at the NJ Warehouse, ZAMORA-VEGA, CARRILLO, ALCANTARA, MINJAREZ, GONZALEZ-SOLIS all engaged in a discussion with the UC about the fact that the NJ Warehouse would be used to convert the Meth Candles to crystal meth.  The defendants continued to discuss with the UC topics such as how they intended to begin converting the Meth Candles to crystal meth; that they would stay in the NJ Warehouse until the process was completed; that they would need additional equipment; and that they expected it would take them from August 29, 2017, until September 2, 2017, to complete the process of converting the Meth Candles to crystal meth.  ALCANTARA stated that two fans, one on each side of the NJ Warehouse, would need to be uncovered before they began converting the Meth Candles to crystal meth.  In response, GONZALEZ-SOLIS stated that only one fan needed to be uncovered, since they would only be converting the Meth Candles to crystal meth in that area of the NJ Warehouse.

Thereafter, MINJAREZ indicated that he would purchase the necessary supplies.  At that point, CARRILLO provided a credit card to MINJAREZ and told MINJAREZ to charge to the credit card all items purchased to convert the Meth Candles to crystal meth.  MINJAREZ left the NJ Warehouse.  Shortly thereafter, ZAMORA-VEGA, ALCANTARA, MINJAREZ, GONZALEZ-SOLIS and the UC unloaded the boxes containing the Meth Candles.  ZAMORA-VEGA, CARRILLO, ALCANTARA, and GONZALEZ-SOLIS were subsequently placed under arrest.  MINJAREZ was arrested later at the NJ Hotel.

Agents with the DEA, HSI, and NYPD recovered from the NJ Warehouse approximately 27 cardboard boxes each containing a large number of candles, with an aggregate weight in excess of 1,300 pounds.  A field test of one of the Meth Candles revealed that the Meth Candle contained a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

AGUSTIN ZAMORA-VEGA, a/k/a “Julio Cesar,” 30, ORLANDO ALCANTARA, 33, CINDY CARRILLO, 27, SANTOS MINJAREZ, 26, and JOSE LUIS GONZALEZ-SOLIS, 28, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams and more of mixtures and substances containing methamphetamine.  This charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.  The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised DEA, HSI, and the NYPD for their outstanding work on the investigation. He added that the investigation is continuing.  

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

The entire seven page complaint can be downloaded HERE.

A.G. Schneiderman Warns Against Gasoline Price Gouging Following Hurricane Harvey

Reduced Gas Supply Impacts NY; 

A.G. Urges New Yorkers to Report Potential Consumer Exploitation To His Office

 Schneiderman: We'll Hold Accountable Those Who Capitalize On The Storm At The Expense Of Hardworking New Yorkers

  Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman  issued a consumer alert warning both consumers and businesses about gasoline price gouging following Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent reduction in supply that has impacted New York State.

“Experience has shown that some gas station owners use severe storms as an opportunity to exploit consumers,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Hurricane Harvey has led to gas price spikes across the country, including in New York – but we'll hold accountable those who seek to capitalize on the storm at the expense of hardworking New York families.” 

On the Thursday following Hurricane Harvey, gasoline prices across the country rose to a two-year high. Similarly, the statewide average price of gasoline has risen 23 cents per gallon since Harvey made landfall in Texas over a week ago. The shutdown of major refineries and the closure of the Colonial Pipeline used to carry gas from Texas to the Northeast are respectively having a significant effect on nationwide and local prices. 

In the aftermath of the hurricane, New Yorkers have seen the following fluctuation in gas prices.

New York average gas prices as of September 2:

	Regular	Mid-Grade	Premium	Diesel
Current Avg.	$2.709	$2.863	$3.072	$2.770
Friday Avg.	$2.607	$2.805	$3.014	$2.741
Week Ago Avg.	$2.479	$2.735	$2.937	$2.704
Month Ago Avg.	$2.464	$2.715	$2.923	$2.682
Year Ago Avg.	$2.335	$2.583	$2.792	$2.539

The General Business Law prohibits excessive increases in prices of essential goods and services like gasoline resulting from natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey that significantly disrupt the market. Furthermore, New York State’s Price Gouging Law (General Business Law § 396-r) prohibits merchants from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services for an “unconscionably excessive price” during an “abnormal disruption of the market,” as represented by a gross disparity between the price of the product immediately prior to and after such an occurrence. The price gouging law covers New York State vendors, retailers and suppliers.

While some increases in the price of gas are to be expected following a natural disaster, the Office of the Attorney General will not tolerate excessive price increases for consumers farthest far exceeds the increase in cost to companies. Since taking office, the Attorney General has fought to protect consumers from similar cases of price gouging and has taken action against predatory companies. As a result of the Attorney General’s investigation into high gas prices during Hurricane Sandy, Attorney General Schneiderman secured over $300,000 in penalties and costs from more than 40 gas stations in New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley that gouged their customers.

Attorney General Schneiderman urges any New Yorker who believes they have been the victim of price gouging to call the Attorney General's office at 800-771-7755 or visit www.ag.NY.gov/price-gouging-complaint-form to file a complaint.