Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. - Annual Bronx Christmas Tree Lighting

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr Invites you to the Annual Bronx Christmas Tree Lighting Sing Christmas carols with Santa & Mrs. Claus Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and a special treat from Santa !!! WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

Thursday Dec 6,2018 5:30 PM  Bronx County Building 851 Grand Concourse East 161st Street

Join us by calling 718-590-3522 or email lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov

Congressman Engel on the Trump Admin's Actions at U.S.-Mexico Border

“It is impossible not to be outraged by the Trump Administration’s cruel actions yesterday at the U.S.-Mexico border. The deployment of tear gas on unarmed asylum seekers is the latest in a long line of human rights abuses from this Administration, which continues to erode America’s moral standing in the world.

“The children and families seeking asylum in the United States from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala have fled unimaginable circumstances. Daily violence, extreme poverty and malnutrition are sadly the norm in these countries.

“U.S. immigration law and international law guarantee these migrants the right to seek asylum. The U.S. must uphold the rule of law and treat asylum-seekers with dignity and compassion.”

Bronx Dems Annual Holiday Party & Toy Drive

2nd Annual FOLIAGE AND FUN “A Tribute To Our Veterans”

The honorees and Ms. Bharati Kemraj of the Bharati Foundation. L - R (front row) Colleen McCarthy U.S. Marines, Tony Salimbene U.S. Coast Guard, Nicholas Himidian Jr. U.S. Air Force, A stand in for Bruce Rivera U.S. Army, (middle row) Gene DeFrancis U.S. Navy, Ms. Bharati Kemraj, LaTanga’ Blair U.S. Army, (back row) Shawn Kingston Service Award, Sidney T. Clark U.S. Marines, and Raymond Tirado U.S. Army received a posthumous award. The event was held at the Coffee Break Company located at 3217 Philip Avenue in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx.

  

Above - Sergeant Joe Ronda with his son Joe Ronda Jr. of the Star of The Sea - Sea Cadets lead in the Pledge of allegiance and the star Spangled Banner. Sergeant Ronda is playing the Star Spangled Banner in the photo.

Below - The honorees held lit sparkling candles for the soldiers who never returned from overseas. 

Above - Colleen McCarthy U.S. Marine veteran receives her award.

Below - Nicholas Himidian Jr. U.S. Air Force veteran receives his award.

Above - Gene DeFrancis U.S. Navy veteran receives his award.

Below - Sidney T. Clark U.S. Marine veteran receives his award.

Tony Salimbene U.S. Coast Guard receives his award. 

REPRESENTATIVE ADRIANO ESPAILLAT URGES NEW YORK STATE DREAM ACT TO BE RENAMED IN HONOR OF SENATOR JOSE PERALTA

  Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement on the sudden passing of New York State Senator José R. Peralta.  In a letter to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, and New York State Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Rep. Espaillat has urged that the New York State DREAM Act be renamed in honor of Senator Peralta’s legacy and in recognition of his steadfast leadership and unyielding desire to see the DREAM Act passed and signed into law.

“It was my privilege as a fellow Dominican-American to serve with Senator José R. Peralta, who was an honorable steward of the public trust and tireless representative for communities in Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and Woodside,” said Rep. Espaillat (NY-13). “As a main sponsor of the New York state DREAM Act, Senator Peralta believed wholeheartedly that we each have an obligation to ensure equal opportunities for the advancement of all persons.  Renaming the New York State DREAM Act in his honor would be a fitting tribute to his legacy and the work that will continue for generations to come.

“Respectfully, I ask that when the New York State Legislative Session reconvenes on January 9, 2019, that both the Assembly and Senate come together to rename the New York State DREAM Act in honor of Senator Peralta and upon its passage, that Governor Cuomo sign the bill into law recognizing and codifying its most ardent champion, New York Senator José R. Peralta, into the official record.”

Click here to read Rep. Espaillat’s letter to Governor Cuomo and New York State Senate Leadership in its entirety.

News From Councilman Mark Gjonaj

NYC Council Budget Update

Councilman Mark Gjonaj fought to secure $10,490,000 for Legal Services in the Fiscal 2019 Budget! Legal Services for Low-Income New Yorkers: $5,300,000 Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT): $485,000 Legal Services for the Working Poor: $3,205,000  Low Wage Worker Support: $500,000 Prisoners’ Rights Project: $1,000,000  In 2019, the Administration and the City Council’s collaborative efforts to increase access to civil legal services has resulted in an investment of over $115 million for civil legal services. The City Council will provide approximately $10.5 million for civil legal services to low and middle income New Yorkers for services that include: direct legal representation and brief services on matters that may include civil justice; unemployment insurance; supplemental security income benefits; consumer finance, education; employment; class action cases; legal support for individuals, families and juveniles; housing; and employment. This represents an increase of $1.2 million over 2018.

Tree Planting/Pruning Tree Sidewalk Prog Building Maintenance Con Edison Eviction

Results from Our Last Survey

Thank You for Participating!

Councilman Mark Gjonaj's Weekly Survey

The fact that a city – which is accustom to blizzards and frequent storms – was brought to a halt due to 4” to 6” of snowfall is unacceptable. Instances of school children being stranded in school buses until 9:30pm with many parents left to only guess where their children were, finger pointing among City agencies as to which is to blame. New Yorkers deserve answers!

Do you think the City handled the situation effectively  and in a timely fashion? Yes Select No Select

Do you agree it is time for an investigation following  the unprecedented situation? Yes Select No Select

Small Business Saturday on Arthur Avenue

  NYC Small Business Commissioner Greg Bishop joined City Councilman Mark Gjonaj (Chair of the Small Business Committee) on Arthur Avenue to talk with store owners and shoppers on Small Business Saturday. #ShopLocalShopSmart. 

Above - Councilman Gjonaj is interviewed at the entrance to the Arthur Avenue Retail Market for the local television channel about Small Business Saturday.

Below - Councilman Gjonaj brings Greg Bishop the Commissioner of the NYC Small Business Administration to one of the few remaining fresh butcher shops in the Bronx, located on Arthur Avenue.  

Above - Commissioner Bishop buys a cigar cutter at one of the two cigar stores on Arthur Avenue.

Below - Commissioner Bishop shows off his new Bronx cap he purchased from the store behind him, with Councilman Gjonaj and members of the Arthur Avenue Merchants Association. Commissioner Bishop also learned of some of the problems plaguing the Arthur Avenue shopping area, including the lack of parking for customers who come by car. 

Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Meeting

   Councilman Mark Gjonaj, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, and representatives of the 49th Precinct attended the monthly Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association meeting, which was well attended. Members of the community asked several questions about 'quality of life' concerns that have become more apparent in the community. Councilman Gjonaj and Assemblywoman Fernandez answered most of the questions, and Councilman Gjonaj invited residents to sign up for his meet and greet and his weekly newsletter.

Above - Councilman Gjonaj answers a question from a member of the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association. PPNA President Edith Blitzer holds up some small stickers for residents to place on illegally parked cars to give the owners a warning. 

Below - Sonny Vataj owner of Exit Reality thanks Councilman Gjonaj for his service to the community. Mr. Vataj also brought some turkeys to give out to the community.

Later on after the meeting

Above- After the meeting I turned the corner onto Lydig Avenue and after going two blocks I found this. It looks worse than it was.

Below - Firemen can be seen going up crawl spaces from the P & T Laundromat located at 786 Lydig Avenue. Firemen had to go to the roof to make sure the fire was completely out before leaving.