Wednesday, December 19, 2018

FIVE YOUTHS INDICTED FOR FELONY ASSAULTS ON NYC DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION OFFICERS AT HORIZON JUVENILE CENTER

A Sixth Is Charged with Obstructing Governmental Administration

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that five youths have been indicted in four assaults on NYC Department of Correction Officers at Horizon Juvenile Center in the Bronx during October 2018, after they were transferred there from Rikers Island.

District Attorney Clark said, “The defendants, while incarcerated at Horizon Juvenile Center, allegedly attacked Correction Officers during four separate incidents. In one incident, an officer’s nose was fractured and in another, an officer was punched, lost consciousness and suffered a concussion. Violence will not be tolerated in any jail or detention facility.”

District Attorney Clark said the defendants were arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Robert Neary. They were charged with varying degrees of Assault in four indictments. Three defendants are charged with Attempted Gang Assault in the first degree; if convicted they could face up to 15 years in prison.

The defendants are due back in court in February and March 2019.

According to an indictment, on October 3, 2018, defendant Zahkari Bennett, 17, allegedly struck an officer numerous times with a closed fist, causing him to lose consciousness and fall, hitting his head and body on a table and chair. Bennett is charged with second-degree and thirddegree Assault and Obstructing Governmental Administration.

According to an indictment, on October 4, 2018, defendant Jaheem Ware, 17, allegedly picked up a garbage can and attempted to throw it inside a housing area, but officers stopped him. As they were restraining Ware, defendant Rennie Patterson, 17, came up behind an officer and allegedly punched him in the head twice. Patterson is charged with second-degree and thirddegree Assault and second-degree Obstructing Governmental Administration. Ware is charged with second-degree Obstructing Governmental Administration and third-degree Menacing.

According to an indictment, on October 27, 2018, defendants Juneal Jackson, 18, Alfred Burns, 17 and Rennie Patterson, 17, allegedly punched an officer multiple times, and then broke broom handles and struck the officer with them. They are charged with Attempted Gang Assault first-degree, second degree and third-degree Assault, and second-degree Obstructing Governmental Administration.

According to an indictment, on October 7, 2018, Jayquon Coleman, 18, allegedly threw a Correction Staff radio in the face of an officer, causing a displaced fracture of the officer’s nose. He is charged with second-degree and third-degree Assault and second-degree Obstructing governmental Administration.

District Attorney Clark thanked the DOC’s Correction Intelligence Bureau and Correction Investigator Timothy Fries for their assistance in the investigation.

Fernandez - Biaggi Support the Community For More Police Protection After A Woman Was Attacked

Standing on the corner of White Plains Road and Lydig Avenue residents of the area along with Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez and Senator Alessandra Biaggi called for more police protection after a woman was attacked on nearby Cruger Avenue.

Above - Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez calls for more police protection after a woman was attacked in the area. Assemblywoman Fernandez who lives not to far from the attack said that women in my community should not have to walk in fear of being attacked.

Below - Newly elected State Senator Alessandra Biaggi reads from a prepared statement about the incident.

Captain Andrew Natiw (file photo) commanding officer of the 49th Precinct was at the scene, and told me that while the 49th precinct will be given six new officers in January there will be no net gain of officers since six officers have left the precinct. Captain Natiw added that there will be a few Argus Cameras installed in the area that are funded by Councilman Mark Gjonaj sometime next year. He added that all Bronx precincts are doing the best jobs they can with the resources they have.

BIAGGI RESPONDS TO CUOMO'S DEC. 17 SPEECH

State Senator-elect Alessandra Biaggi (District 34, Bronx/Westchester) issued the following response to Governor Cuomo's Dec. 17 speech:

"I will join the Governor in working to pass laws to protect women's right to choose and access to contraceptives, to legalize marijuana, to fully fund the MTA, to strengthen gun control laws, to increase access to voting, to pass the Dream Act and other protections for immigrants, to protect our climate by reducing carbon use and I hope much more.

"Making sure our schools are fully funded is a fundamental responsibility of the State. We need smaller classes, more programs for English language learners, summer school and after school programs. These all cost money and our children are worth the investment. Funding the foundation aid formula is the remedy our schools need. Our job is to figure out what it will take to make sure every school in New York is an excellent school and every child in every zip code is offered an excellent education, and then deliver nothing short of that."

Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. Christmas Toy Giveaway

Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. not only brought Santa to Soundview Tuesday afternoon to give toys away to local children, but also the person who helps sponsor the toy giveaway New York State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox. This has become a annual event for Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. going back to when he was in the State Senate where Diaz Sr. was one of the 'Four Amigos'.

Above and Below - Four children were called up to the stage and asked questions about the history of Christmas. If the child answered the question correctly they received a crisp ten dollar bill from Councilman Diaz Sr. All four children answered their questions correctly.

Above - The crowded auditorium at IS 133.

Below - Councilman Diaz Sr. brings up the first row of children to meet Santa, and choose their present.

Above - Once on the stage the children get a greeting from Santa.

Below - Then one of Santa's helpers gets the toy for the child.

Assemblymember Nathalia Fernandez - You're Invited to My Inauguration Ceremony

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope this holiday season is treating you well. As many of you already
know, I was successfully elected into the New York State Assembly
this past April during a special election. After five very successful
and wonderful months in office, I was re-elected in November during
the state wide elections. I want to thank everyone for their
overwhelming support. My community continues to instill their confidence
in me and I would not have been able to get this far without your help.
However, because I initially came into office half-way through the year, I
was not able to hold an inauguration -- I went straight to work instead!

As such, I am proud to announce that I will officially be holding my
community-wide inauguration ceremony on Saturday, January 5th at
the Jacobi Medical Center Rotunda. This is a very special moment
for me, marking years of hard work and support from everyone.
Therefore, I would like you all to attend. The ceremony will begin at 12 pm.
Everyone who would like to attend - and I do hope there are a lot of you -
will have to RSVP at this link: tinyurl.com/y9j4stq8

Once again, I thank you all for your support throughout the last few
months. If you have any questions, please call my office at (718) 409-0109.
I hope to see you at my inauguration!

Best Regards,

Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez

80th Assembly District

Attachments area

Monday, December 17, 2018

Governor Cuomo Delivers Address on Agenda for First 100 Days

Governor Andrew Cuomo Gave a fifty minute speech before the New York Bar Association in Manhattan outlining his twenty-point agenda to be passed by the state legislature now that the Democrats now control both the State Assembly and the State Senate. To some this appeared to be a preview of the State of the State Address to be given by the governor in 2019.

The 20-point agenda includes:

Ensure a Progressive Tax System: While the federal government prioritizes tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, Governor Cuomo believes in a just, progressive tax system that taxes its citizens based on their ability to pay. The Governor will maintain the state's progressive income tax with a millionaire's tax, while permanently capping regressive local property taxes at 2%.

Cut Middle Class Taxes while Fighting to repeal SALT: The federal government's cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions was a devastating and targeted assault on New York that has increased taxes on New Yorkers and reduced home values. Governor Cuomo will continue to lead the fight to repeal the cap on SALT while in New York continuing tax cuts for middle class families.

Protect Quality, Affordable Health Care: While the federal government and radical judges continue to roll back the Affordable Care Act and tear away health care from millions of Americans, Governor Cuomo will take action to make sure New Yorkers are protected. The Governor will work to codify the health exchange into law and pass a law to ensure pre-existing conditions continue to be covered by insurance companies regardless of what happens at the federal level.

Codify Reproductive Rights: In the face of the federal assault on women's reproductive rights, including a Supreme Court that threatens to roll back Roe v. Wade, Governor Cuomo will fight to pass the Reproductive Health Act and the Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act within the first 30 days of the new session.

Enshrine Gender Equality into Law: Nearly a century after it was first proposed, New York State has still not passed the Equal Rights Amendment to protect against discrimination on the basis of sex in our State constitution. To right this decades-old wrong, Governor Cuomo will push to pass the Equal Rights Amendment to add sex as a protected class.

Combat Gun Violence: 2018 was by far the worst year for school shootings in American history. To once again lead the nation on gun safety, Governor Cuomo will push to pass the Red Flag Law, ban bump stocks and extend the waiting period for purchasing a gun from three days to 10 days.

Launch a $150 Billion Infrastructure Plan: While the federal government fails to make progress on an infrastructure plan, Governor Cuomo will expand on New York's nation-leading $100 billion infrastructure plan — building new airports, bridges and train stations all across the state — by investing an additional $150 billion in our infrastructure that will create hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Fund and Restructure the MTA While Easing Traffic in New York City's Business District: After decades of neglect and diffused responsibility, the MTA is in dire need of funding and reorganization. Governor Cuomo will fix the MTA by passing congestion pricing and overhauling the outdated structure of the authority in order to build a reliable, state of the art mass transit system with a steady funding stream and a structure that supports operational excellence.

Ensure Education Equity: After requiring data on how local schools distribute funds in last year's budget, it's clear that poorer schools too often do not receive an equitable share of funding from their school districts. Governor Cuomo will fight for an education system where districts distribute funding based on need and fairness to ensure that every child receives a quality education.

Pass the Dream Act: While the federal government has declared war on new immigrants, New York is standing up for our immigrant communities. This year, New York will pass the Dream Act once and for all to ensure a higher education system that opens the door of opportunity to all of our children.

Launch the Green New Deal: The federal government still denies climate change, remarkably turning a blind eye to their own government's scientific report. New York will be the most progressive state in the nation in moving to renewables and growing the new sustainable green economy. The Green New Deal will make New York's electricity 100% carbon neutral by 2040 and put the state on the path to eliminating its carbon footprint.

Ensure Clean, Safe Drinking Water for All: Industrial toxins have infiltrated many of our communities' drinking water systems, but the federal Environmental Protection Agency has been slow to test and regulate chemicals and to regulate pollution. Governor Cuomo will invest in our water infrastructure and clean our water for our children and our children's children.

Improve Our Democracy: To continue New York's progressive path of justice for all, Governor Cuomo will protect our democracy to make sure our government truly represents the people. While the federal government works to disenfranchise voters, Governor Cuomo will encourage citizens to engage in the democratic process by allowing voting by mail, enacting early voting, instituting same day and automatic voter registration, synchronizing federal and state elections and make Election Day a State Holiday to ensure as many people as possible participate in the democratic process.

Increase Trust in the Democratic System: To ensure our government is for the people, by the people, Governor Cuomo will close the LLC loophole, ban corporate campaign contributions, overhaul our campaign finance system and end outside income for lawmakers.

Protect Public Sector Unions: While the federal government is waging an all-out attack on the labor movement in both the public and private sector and seeks to undermine the right to organize and collective bargaining, Governor Cuomo believes that the labor movement is a force for social justice and the middle class. The Governor will expand the Janus protections to cover public sector labor unions at the local level and ensure workers have labor rights in the gig economy.

Keep Housing Affordable for New Yorkers: The lack of affordable housing is a crisis across the state and nation. While the federal government has abandoned its constitutional and moral responsibility dictated by the 1949 Housing Act, under Governor Cuomo's leadership New York will invest more in affordable housing than ever before. Governor Cuomo will reform rent regulations, including ending vacancy decontrol, repealing preferential rent and limiting capital improvement charges to protect affordable housing and respect tenants' rights.

Pass the Child Victims Act: Governor Cuomo will fight to ensure our society holds those who abuse our children accountable criminally and civilly by passing the Child Victims Act once and for all.

Protect LGBTQ Rights: New York was the first large state to pass marriage equality, but as the federal government still seeks to discriminate against the LGBTQ community, Governor Cuomo will codify the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act into New York State law and end conversion therapy.

Legalize Adult Use of Recreational Marijuana: Governor Cuomo will end the disproportionate criminalization of one race over another by regulating, legalizing and taxing adult use of recreational marijuana.

Ensure Fairness in the Criminal Justice System: Governor Cuomo will work to address injustice in the criminal justice system by ending cash bail and enacting speedy trial and discovery reforms.

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF THE NATION’S FIRST CITY-LED NURSE RESIDENCY PROGRAM AT 24 LOCAL HOSPITALS

New nurse residency program is the first-ever in the nation’s largest public hospital system

Mayor Bill de Blasio, Deputy Mayor J. Phillip Thompson and Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Gregg Bishop today announced the launch of the nation’s first City-led nurse residency program in 24 participating local hospitals. During the first year of the program, called the Citywide Nurse Residency program, 500 newly-hired nurses will be provided with specialized training that promotes job retention. The program will support participating hospitals with implementing a year-long residency that bridges the gap between education and practice for newly-graduated nurses. This is the first time that New York City’s public hospital system, the largest in the nation, has adopted a nurse residency program.

According to hospital partners, losing one nurse can cost up to $100,000 and retention of newly-graduated nurses is a challenge. While residencies are a recognized best practice for retaining nurses, New York City’s public and safety net hospitals have not had the capacity and resources to launch these programs.

“We’re exploring every possible avenue to create new pipelines of opportunity for New Yorkers who deserve good paying jobs as we continue to make strides toward being the fairest big city in America,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This Citywide Nurse Residency program will help expand opportunities and retain skilled professionals at public hospitals that deliver quality health care to countless New Yorkers.”

“Nurses are an integral part of the fabric that helps hospitals and clinics provide patients with the best care,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio. “This initiative will help ensure nurses receive the training and support they need to thrive in our hospitals and help New Yorkers get and stay healthy.”

“The de Blasio administration is working hard to prepare New Yorkers for a more competitive and challenging economy," said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Phillip Thompson. "While creating job opportunities for those who need them the most, we are also developing adequate training to meet these challenges with a particular focus on economic inclusion. I commend the City's Small Businesses Department and the New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare for creating a training program that focuses on the needs of our nurses and hospitals to ensure New Yorkers receive the highest quality healthcare year round."

“The City is investing in ensuring that New Yorkers have a path to a viable, lasting career,” saidGregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “The Citywide Nurse Residency program is a national model for bringing together hospitals to support the systematic change that puts nurses on track to succeed.”

New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (NYACH) at SBS provided over $300,000 in funding to create and implement the Citywide Nurse Residency program. The program is part of ApprenticeNYC, a central part of Mayor de Blasio’s New York Works plan.

The Citywide Nurse Residency program is being offered in partnership with the Greater New York Hospital Association, NYU Langone Health, and New York-Presbyterian Hospital to implement residency programs for staff at participating hospitals. The residency program will provide newly-hired, first-time nurses with on-the-job training through a curriculum developed by Vizient/AACN that focuses on topics including ethics, decision making, clinical leadership, and the incorporation of research-based evidence into practice. The program also provides new nurses with support and mentorship proven to enhance nurse satisfaction, performance, and retention. The following hospitals are participating in the program:

1. BronxCare Health System

2. Brookdale University Hospital

3. Interfaith Medical Center

4. Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center

5. Mount Sinai Brooklyn

6. Mount Sinai Hospital

7. Mount Sinai Queens

8. Mount Sinai St. Luke’s

9. Mount Sinai West

10. Maimonides Medical Center

11. NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist

12. NewYork-Presbyterian Queens

13. NYC Health + Hospitals – Bellevue

14. NYC Health + Hospitals – Coney Island

15. NYC Health + Hospitals – Elmhurst

16. NYC Health + Hospitals – Harlem

17. NYC Health + Hospitals – Jacobi

18. NYC Health + Hospitals – Kings County

19. NYC Health + Hospitals – Lincoln

20. NYC Health + Hospitals – Metropolitan

21. NYC Health + Hospitals – North Central Bronx

22. NYC Health + Hospitals – Queens

23. NYC Health + Hospitals – Woodhull

24. St. Barnabas Hospital Systems

For more information, visit nyachnyc.org/initiatives/nursing/ .

“Research and experience tell us that nurse residency programs lead to improved nurse retention and satisfaction, and a greater level of confidence for new nurses as they transition from the classroom to the bedside,” said Kenneth E. Raske, President of the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA). “GNYHA is pleased to provide data analytic and project management support to this important initiative, and we applaud the New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare for supporting nurse residency programs in hospitals across New York City.”

"This initiative puts a spotlight on New York City’s nursing community and will ultimately benefit every hospital involved,” said Kimberly S. Glassman, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at NYU Langone. “We’re thrilled to support this program and share the benefits our institution has experienced with nurse residency over the past 20 years.”

“This residency program is an exciting addition to the training and support we provide to our newest nurses,” said Mary Anne Marra, DNP, RN, Interim Chief Nursing Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals. “This new training will complement the exceptional clinical support we already provide and help make our least experienced nurses the complete professionals they aspire to be.”