Saturday, January 5, 2019
Michael Blake Secures Second Spot on Ballot in Race for Public Advocate
Blake campaign files petitions within 36 hours of Special Election announcement
On Friday afternoon, the Blake for New York campaign submitted their second volume of petition signatures. Having secured the second spot on the ballot for the February 26th Public Advocate Special Election on Thursday afternoon, the campaign has now filed over 5,500 signatures.
“Our #ForThePeople grassroots organization has proven how committed we are about this campaign by submitting our signatures with the Board of Elections on the second and third day of petitioning. To every New Yorker we have spoken with who signed our petitions, I say ‘Thank You.’ It is evident that our message of #JobsAndJustice is resonating with New Yorkers who are seeking leadership that will unite us, and we are just getting started” - Michael Blake
Job Posting - Director of Communications Council; District 17
Posted January 03, 2019
Director of Communications
Bronx City Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr. (D) is looking for a driven communications expert to join his team. The position is ideal for candidates with relevant experience in public relations, communications and/or government and a deep interest in helping the people of the South Bronx and New York City. The position is based at 250 Broadway with frequent travel to the District Office in the South Bronx.
Job responsibilities will include:
- Engaging with key press and managing all media relations
- Developing and executing press strategy
- Writing statements, remarks, press releases, talking points, media advisories and op-eds
- Drafting and publishing a weekly e-newsletter
- Managing social media pages
- Organizing and coordinating press conferences, rallies and panel appearances
- Advising on legislation and land use matters
Interested applicants should have:
- Exceptional writing skills
- Interest and knowledge of key issues in The Bronx and NYC, including but not limited to: affordable housing, transportation, NYCHA, homelessness and more
- Relationships with City Hall press and key New York City reporters
- Experience managing social media
- Proficiency in Spanish (preferred, not required)
- Fun! #TeamSalamanca believes in working hard in an exciting, dynamic and energetic environment!
About Council Member Salamanca:
Rafael Salamanca Jr. is the Council Member for the 17th District of the New York City Council, representing the South Bronx and serves as Chair of the Land Use Committee.
The son of first-generation Puerto Rican immigrants, Council Member Salamanca grew up in the Bronx understanding the value of hard work and the importance of giving back to the community. Beginning his career working in healthcare to expand access for low-income and working families, Council Member Salamanca went on to serve as the District Manager for Bronx Community Board 2 for nearly six years. As former President of the 41st Precinct Council, he worked closely with the NYPD and other local leaders to help improve public safety in the community.
Since his special election in 2016, Council Member Salamanca has been a champion for affordable housing, bringing thousands of affordable units to his district and focusing on ensuring residents of all incomes have access to new apartments. Driving more than $52 million in capital investments to his district, Council Member Salamanca has fought for job creation by requiring companies investing in the community to hire local residents, and has committed to providing children in the Bronx with access to a quality education.
Application Instructions
Please send resume/CV and three writing samples.
Friday, January 4, 2019
BRONX WOMAN INDICTED IN ILLEGAL COSMETIC PROCEDURE THAT KILLED WOMAN
Defendant Carried Out Botched Procedure In Her Home
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx woman has been
indicted for Manslaughter and other charges for allegedly providing illegal silicone injections
that caused the death of a 48-year-old woman.
District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly illegally injected the victim with a
silicone substance for cosmetic purposes. Tragically, the injections killed the victim, who had
traveled from Philadelphia to the Bronx for the procedure.”
District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Whalesca Castillo, 44, of 2219 Seward
Avenue, was arraigned today on second-degree Manslaughter, Criminally Negligent Homicide
and Unauthorized Practice before Bronx Supreme Court Justice David Lewis. Bail was set
at $150,000 bond and the defendant is due back in court on April 18, 2019. If convicted of
the top charge, she could face up to 15 years in prison.
According to the investigation, on or about June 17, 2018, in the defendant’s home, Castillo
injected silicone substance into the body of Lesbia Ayala, as part of an illegal cosmetic procedure
to enhance the buttocks of the victim. The defendant did not have a license to practice medicine
or cosmetic surgery. The victim died of systemic silicone embolism syndrome shortly after
receiving the injections.
District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Carmen Torres of the 43rd
Precinct Detective Squad and Anthony Velez of the Bronx Homicide Squad for their
assistance.
An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.
The Bronx Democratic Party - Upcoming Events
| Inauguaration of State Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez
When: Sat. 1/5/19 at 12:00pm
Where: Jacobi Hospital Rotunda (Adjacent to Building 4), 1400 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx,
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You are cordially invited to attend the inauguration
of NYS Assembly Member Nathalia Fernandez. The ceremony will take at Jacobi Hospital and it will begin at 12:00pm.
For more information or to RSVP, please email fernandez4ny@gmail.com.
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Dawn Smalls Files Petitions in Race for Public Advocate Capturing Third Placement on the Ballot
First-time candidate, Dawn Smalls filed her petitions with the Board of Elections today, capturing the third placement on the ballot for the position of Public Advocate in the February 26th Special Election to fill the vacancy created by the election of former NYC Public Advocate Letitia James to New York State Attorney General.
“In a race with 20+ candidates, we knew gathering petitions for a citywide position was going to be tough given many of the candidates currently hold elected office and have a solid base to turn to for signatures,” said Ms. Smalls. “As a first-time candidate, I’m excited to be the third candidate to officially turn in my petitions to the board of elections. My sincere thanks go out to all of our volunteers and supporters who hustled in the cold weather to make sure my name will be on the ballot on February 26th.”
Smalls shows she is a serious contender, filing just behind two candidates known to have a built-in campaign infrastructure and significant resources on hand before the race was even called.
Petitioning began January 2nd, just two days ago, when the Mayor officially signed a proclamation officially setting February 26th for the special election for Public Advocate. Candidates have just 12 days to collect 3,750 signatures from NYC registered voters.
MAYOR DE BLASIO AND SPEAKER JOHNSON LAUNCH FAIR FARES PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME NEW YORKERS
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Council Speaker Corey Johnson held a joint appearance Friday afternoon to announce the details of an unprecedented City effort to address poverty through the development of a half-priced MetroCard program for low-income New Yorkers.
During the first phase, the City will provide discounted MetroCards to working New Yorkers at or below the federal poverty level who are receiving cash assistance or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from the New York City Department of Social Services. The City is committed to expanding the program to as many New Yorkers as possible in future phases and is already developing the infrastructure to make that possible.
The Fair Fares NYC MetroCard will allow participants to purchase unlimited weekly and monthly passes at a 50 percent discount at MTA vending machines. The cards can be used on any New York City subway or non-express bus. The City is working with the MTA to phase in a pay-per-ride option, which it expects to launch in April.
“New Yorkers shouldn’t have to choose between a ride on the subway or bus and their next meal,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Our partnership with the Council for fair fares will make our city stronger and fairer for low-income New Yorkers whose lives depend on mass transportation.”
“Fair Fares is a groundbreaking program that will help New Yorkers who need it most. I couldn’t be prouder to stand with Mayor de Blasio, my colleagues in the Council, and advocates to launch its first phase. Fair Fares will open up this city and its promise to people who currently are being shut out because they can’t afford a swipe. It will change lives for the better. I thank the Mayor and his team for their support and members of the Council for prioritizing this program in budget negotiations, but most of all, I want to thank advocates like Community Service Society and the Riders Alliance. Their hard work and dedication made Fair Fares a reality, and we stand united in making it a success and open to every New Yorker living in poverty,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson.
“The Fair Fares program will greatly help many low income working New Yorkers for whom the cost of a MetroCard is a burden and sometimes infeasible for already tight budgets,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio. “We are completely committed to this important program plan, and are working diligently to make sure it is fully implemented as quickly as possible.”
“This program will provide thousands of eligible New Yorkers affordable access to public transportation which will be a lifeline for people living in poverty to achieve their full potential,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks. “We’re making this program a reality and carrying out our commitment to fight poverty and income inequality in our City.”
Last spring, the Mayor and Council announced a plan to fund $106 million for the Fair Fares NYC program in the first year. On Friday morning, the Department of Social Services started contacting 30,000 eligible working New Yorkers who are receiving cash assistance benefits. The notifications, and subsequent telephone calls, will inform this group of their eligibility and invite them to visit the nearest Fair Fares NYC location to receive their half-priced MetroCard. Eligible recipients can also call 311 to assist in receiving their card. In April, an additional estimated 130,000 working New Yorkers who are receiving SNAP benefits will receive notifications about how to access their cards.
"The implementation of Fair Fares starting will enable our most vulnerable populations to be able to access the subway and bus service systems without the worry of affordability. The overall goal is to increase equity in public transportation and decrease the gap of inequality that exists in New York City," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chair of the Committee on Transportation. "Two years in the making, the Fair Fares program empowers New Yorkers and eliminates an impediment when commuting to work, school or an appointment. It's a win-win for all."
News From Congressman Eliot Engel
Engel Elected Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Today, Congressman Eliot L. Engel was unanimously elected the new chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. With his ascension to the chairmanship, Engel now becomes the top Democratic voice on foreign affairs matters in the House of Representatives. He released the following statement:
“I’m honored that my colleagues have unanimously elected me chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Congress has an important role to play in foreign policy, and I’m committed to making sure we live up to those responsibilities.
“Diplomacy and development are critical to our national security. These efforts help advance our interests, strengthen friendships and alliances, and stop conflicts before they start. We must do all we can to support the public servants carrying out this work, including making an annual State Department authorization a central part of the Committee’s activity.
“As Chairman, I’ll ensure the Committee places a renewed emphasis on America’s overseas alliances—particularly NATO. We’ll work to underscore the importance of American values—human rights, democracy, and the rule of law—as pillars of our foreign policy. And, we will bring a new focus to issues including climate change and the root causes of migration.
“It’s also well past due for the House to grapple with questions of how, when, and where American armed forces are engaged around the world. Successive administrations have acted as though they have a blank check to send our service members into harm’s way, when in fact that is a matter for Congress to decide.
“Thorough and fair oversight is also an essential part of Congress’s role as a coequal branch of government. In the days ahead, the Committee will push the Administration for answers about the way it has crafted policy dealing with some of the world’s most important hotspots, from Saudi Arabia and Yemen, to Venezuela, to Syria, to Russia, to North Korea. I’m confident the Committee can do this work in a way that puts politics to the side and gets to the facts about matters pivotal to our security.
“In the years I served as the Committee’s ranking member, I was proud of the bipartisan record of accomplishment we built. I’m hopeful we can continue on this course, and I look forward to working with Ranking Member McCaul and all our members to advance our country’s interests and values.”
Dems Introduce H.R. 1 Featuring Key Voting Reform Concepts From Rep. Engel’s Proposed Constitutional Amendment
Today, Congressman Eliot L. Engel cosponsored H.R. 1, the For the People Act, Democrats’ first legislative priority for the 116th Congress. The For the People Act is a broad anti-corruption and democracy reform package that will expand Americans’ access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and strengthen ethics rules at all levels of the government. The bill includes several key concepts from Rep. Engel’s comprehensive Constitutional Amendment to reform our voting and electoral system, which he also reintroduced yesterday (H.J.Res. 9).
“For far too long, our political system has not reflected the needs of all Americans,” Engel said. “We’ve seen gerrymandered districts drawn to favor partisan elected officials, increasing voter suppression, and an unprecedented flood of money from special interests. With Democrats now in the majority in the House, we are committed to restoring transparency, ethics, and accountability to Washington.
“I believe that our democracy can only function when all Americans have a seat at the table. That’s why yesterday, I reintroduced a comprehensive Constitutional Amendment to fix our country’s broken electoral system. I’m pleased that the ‘For the People Act’ includes many concepts from my Constitutional Amendment, including instituting automatic voter registration, making Election Day a federal holiday, prohibiting voter ID requirements, and ensuring that failure to vote is not grounds for removing registered voters. It also bans partisan gerrymandering and reaffirms that Congress should have the authority to regulate money in politics, pushing back on Citizens United.
“Protecting the integrity of our electoral system from special interests and interference is critical and I am pleased the Democratic Caucus has made it an early priority.”
H.R. 1 also strengthens the ethics laws and expands oversight, ensuring integrity from all levels of government. In addition, the bill would extend the current conflict of interest laws to include the President and Vice President, requiring the release of their tax returns, while closing the revolving-door loophole for members of Congress.