Bronx Progressives February 2019 Membership Meeting!

Please join us at Bronx Progressives’ upcoming general membership meeting this Tuesday, February 5th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm (doors open at 6:00pm sharp) at La Morada (308 Willis Avenue, between 140th and 141st Streets) in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx.

La Morada is a restaurant that not only specializes in delicious Oaxacan cuisine, it is also an activist hub that offers a safe space for real community, grassroots engagement and social justice conversations around local issues.

For the first part of our meeting, we will hear from the leadership at La Morada Restaurant about how they have created a sense of community and empowerment that the progressive community in the Bronx should learn from.

Please arrive on time so we end the meeting on time since our time at the space is limited. Also, we encourage you to support La Morada's mission by making a donation or purchasing the delicious food options from their menu!

Afterwards, we will conduct our regular meeting and discuss ways to continue being involved in the resistance such as door knocking to renew tenant rent protections, the Fair Elections public financing campaign, vote on whether or not to organize a Public Advocate forum in preparation for the February 26th special election and upcoming Bronx Progressives Executive Committee elections.

Let us know whether or not you would like Bronx Progressives to host a Public Advocate forum using the google form below before our upcoming meeting: https://goo.gl/forms/Uo92S6osAZ78hgo33

Also, do not forget to apply for your local Community Board here is the link:

http://bronxboropres.nyc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2019-Bronx-Community-Board-Application.pdf

We need grassroots energy on these Community Boards so please apply! The deadline to apply is Friday, February 8th!

Take the 6 train to 138th street and 3rd Avenue. La Morada is located between 140th and 141st Street on Willis Avenue.

Bronx Jewish Center Host Community Shabbat Dinner. Friday Feb.1st, 2019

  Please join us for our next community Shabbat dinner at the Bronx Jewish Center,1969 Haight Avenue,Bx NY 10461 to be held on Friday, February 1ST, starting at 7:00 PM. The special theme for that evening will be Shabbat in Israel... Yes,That"s right  Israel.   All of your favorite Israeli  style  dishes will take center stage!  We look forward to seeing you! Enjoy a delicious 4 course dinner with your fellow neighbors.Turn your Friday night Shabbat into an evening of spiritual awakening,inspiration,Jewish songs and culinary delight.  Please RSVP@718-812-1701 to let us know you are coming .Shabbat dinners are held the first Friday of every month.

“No, it isn't all about the food,” said Rabbi Pewzner of the Bronx Jewish Center. “What is important is that the ENTIRE community joins together and welcomes the start of the Shabbat . It will be a beautiful time for everyone. Please join us.We look foward to welcoming you.

Where: 1969 Haight Avenue Bx NY 10461

Cost: Free of charge and all are welcome to join!

Website:www.BronxJewishCenter. org

Contact: office@bronxjewishcenter.org 

Telephone:  #718-812-1701

NYC Public Advocate Candidate Nomiki Konst Endorsed by Council Member Costa Constantinides

Called for a Green New Deal for NYC to Fight Climate Change

Unveiled Environmental Platform

Nomiki Konst today received a major endorsement in her bid to become New York City’s next Public Advocate, and outlined specific steps she would take to protect New Yorkers from the dire effects of climate change.

  Council member Costa Constantinides (District 22) announced his support for Konst’s campaign, describing her as “a dynamic, progressive, and inspiring advocate who will fight for marginalized New Yorkers with the same tenacity she did as a truth-seeking reporter.”  

“I am proud to support Nomiki — an ally in the fight against climate change, a constituent, and a fellow Greek-American leader — because I know she will be a beacon of light for the voiceless," Constantinides said.

  

“Getting the support of Councilman Constantinides is a great honor” Konst said. “I’m proud that as my Councilman, he has emerged as one of the nation’s boldest and most progressive leaders on issues related to climate change.”

 

Among his many environmental initiatives, Councilman Constantinides has introduced bills to reduce greenhouse gas levels in the city, forced the reduction of carbon output by large buildings, and required health inspections of city water tanks.

During a news conference at 10 a.m. today outside the Con Ed power plant in Astoria, Konst pledged her support for:

•    Creating a City-owned electric utility, as a path to reaching the 100% renewable-energy level by 2030
•   Investing in a fully functioning mass transit system, so that ridership expands and CO₂ emissions are reduced
•   Requiring all new construction projects to be zero-carbon  
•   Imposing penalties on the use of imported, fracked gas
•   Allowing green roofs on any buildings that can host them, and adding green roofs on schools, hospitals, libraries, and post offices
•   Banning plastic bags citywide and exploring ways to reduce the ecological impact of plastic on the City’s environment      

New Yorkers will go to the polls to choose the next Public Advocate on Tuesday, Feb. 26th.  The election is non-partisan.  Konst, a former investigative reporter, national surrogate for Sen. Bernie Sanders and Democratic socialist, is on the ballot under the Pay Folks More party line.

WE WANT UNIONS FOR AMAZON BUT NOT FOR CITY COUNCIL EMPLOYEES

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Councilman Rubén Díaz Sr.
District 18 Bronx County, New York

You should know it was very interesting to sit down during the Amazon hearing at City Council. I listened closely as Council Members questioned the leaders of Amazon in City Council Chambers. As you know, Amazon entered into negotiations with Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bill DeBlasio. They came to an agreement, allowing Amazon to build a 1 million square ft Headquarters in Queens County and in exchange Amazon will bring 25,000 high paying jobs. On one end, Governor Cuomo and Mayor DeBlasio, without consulting with the community, gave the go-ahead for Amazon to build. In return, they promised to donate space on their campus for a tech startup incubator and for use by artists and industrial businesses. Amazon also agreed to donate a site for a new primary or intermediary public school and new green spaces. If all goes to plan Amazon will also be eligible to receive a $2.5 billion in City and State tax credits. Now after the community outrage sparked, according to the New York Post, Governor Cuomo is complaining Amazon did not do enough to promote the benefits of the deal and gain community support. Well, it seems that Governor Cuomo would like to save face and not get blamed by passing ‘la papita caliente’ (hot potato) to Amazon. He should have thought of that before entering the agreement. At today’s hearing, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer questioned Amazon and was in opposition to Amazon bringing 25,000 high paying jobs because of Amazon’s resistance to unions. That means 25,000 families do not have the opportunity of a high paying job and instead are better with nothing. These families otherwise could pay their mortgages and other bills with a secure, high paying job. Why are City Council Members asking for union workers at Amazon HQ when we do not even have a union here in City Council? Our City Council employees are not unionized but still have good paying jobs. Without a union they are paying their mortgages, childcare, and other bills. We don’t provide a union so why ask Amazon to provide one? If we are so in love with unions and unions are good for the people, they should also be good for our staff here in the City Council, otherwise, it doesn’t make sense to ask Amazon to unionize when we are doing the opposite. I am New York City Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr.  and this is what you should know.   EDITOR'S NOTE: Mayor Bill de Blasio was asked his position on this issue this afternoon.   The mayor replied that most of the jobs Amazon was bringing would be in the six figure range, and people in that salary range are not union employees.

NYCHA HEAT TEAM READIES FOR EXPECTED COLD SPELL WITH EXPANDED HEATING STAFF, ACTIVATED SITUATION ROOM

NYCHA’s Situation Room will again centralize the Authority’s efforts in advance of this week’s extreme cold weather event.

  Today, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) activated its Situation Room in Long Island City in anticipation of dangerously low temperatures affecting New Yorkers starting Wednesday through Friday.

The Authority’s heating response teams and developments will also be fully staffed to ensure any issues with heat or hot water are addressed quickly and efficiently, continuing NYCHA’s ongoing strategy to proactively monitor its heating infrastructure while quickly deploying necessary emergency staff to address any heat-related service interruptions.

“Our staff is fully prepared to respond to any emergencies that may arise while also working hard to anticipate problems this cold spell may bring — just like we have been throughout this heating season,” said NYCHA General Manager Vito Mustaciuolo. “We ask our residents to use the MyNYCHA app or call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 with any heat or hot water issues so that we can limit any service interruptions and be the better, more responsive landlord they deserve.”

NYCHA’s heat staff continues to work seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. through the end of heating season, and its heat desk remains on call 24/7 to respond to any service interruptions. NYCHA also prepared for this week’s extreme cold weather by:

• Increasing heating response teams from Wednesday through Friday, with teams working day, evening, and overnight shifts. Roving teams will be assigned to every borough and will be dispatched across the city as needed;
• Adding more staff at the Customer Contact Center from 6 a.m. to midnight on Thursday and Friday to accommodate a higher call volume.
• Opening one warming center in every borough to NYCHA residents experiencing heat issues from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Additionally, the Authority triggered its Incident Command System (ICS) and Situation Room in Long Island City, where personnel from its Emergency Management, Heating, Elevators, Information Technology, Maintenance, Repair and Skilled Trades, and other departments will centralize NYCHA’s operations as well as coordinate response and resources.

Following the extreme cold weather during the MLK holiday, NYCHA’s proactive efforts and robust response to heat and hot water service interruptions have already resulted in services being restored in 10 hours on average, compared to 36 hours at this time last year.

The improvements are in keeping with the Authority and the de Blasio administration’s commitment to enhancing NYCHA’s response to heat-related issues, which include increased staffing, improved resident communications, and investments in heating infrastructure.

Anyone experiencing issues in their developments should create a work order ticket by using the MyNYCHA app or by calling the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771.

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES HAZARDOUS TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON COMMUTE

Intense Burst of Moderate to Heavy Snow and Strong Winds Could Cause Brief Whiteout Conditions This Afternoon

Hazardous Travel Conditions Expected Into This Evening Commute

The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a hazardous travel advisory for the Wednesday afternoon commute. The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for a line of snow showers and/or possible snow squalls — an intense burst of moderate to heavy blowing snow — in effect for New York City this afternoon. An arctic cold front will pass through the region this afternoon into the early evening hours. A line of snow showers and/or squalls that will last around 30 minutes to 1 hour will accompany this front. This intense burst of snowfall combined with strong wind gusts may cause brief whiteout conditions, limiting visibility and making travel extremely dangerous. New Yorkers should plan for hazardous travel during the evening commute and are advised to take mass transit where possible, delay travel or safely exit highways or roadways before the snow squall arrives. A quick coating to around an inch of snow is possible with this front. 

For updates, follow @NotifyNYC or @NYCEMERGENCYMGT on Twitter or visitNYC.gov/EmergencyManagement.

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES LEADFREENYC, A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO END CHILDHOOD LEAD EXPOSURE

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES LEADFREENYC, A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO END CHILDHOOD LEAD EXPOSURE

  

   

  The theme of 'The LeadFreeNYC plan' will be to have a LEAD FREE NYC by screening not only large multiple dwelling buildings built before 1978, but to screen every apartment for any hazard of lead. This will be done by on site inspections, and advanced technology that can detect any hidden lead paint that may be layered below the top levels of paint. This new technology will be used first in NYCHA buildings to make sure that there is no hidden lead paint which could be hazardous to young developing children who may live in the apartments. While the mayor stopped short of saying that NYCHA did not do all the testing for lead paint, but that this will make sure no lead will be in any NYCHA apartment. 

 LeadFreeNYC will Test all 135,000 NYCHA apartments where lead has not been ruled out. 

Reduce the amount of lead in paint and dust that triggers remediation and abatement to the lowest level of any major U.S. city. 

Require annual inspections of apartments in 1- and 2-family homes previously excluded from the City’s lead paint regime.  

Expand the use of stop work orders from the Department of Buildings when the Health Department finds lead exposure risks during construction.  

Ensure children are immediately provided with blood lead level testing in any home where housing inspectors identify a lead paint hazard. 

Provide a dedicated nurse to any child with an elevated blood lead level to coordinate care.  

Launch ad campaigns promoting testing for children in communities with low testing rates, to raise awareness about free water testing kits provided by the City, and promoting awareness of harmful consumer products containing lead. 

Proactively test and mediate all lead sources in shelters. 

Establish a new Lead-Free Designation for homes where all lead has been eliminated. 

Publish a Lead Products Index of consumer goods like spices and ceramics that contain lead, consolidating Health Department rules to protect retailers and consumers.  

Expedite service line replacement beginning with low-income homes. 

Reduce lead exposure risks from soil by offering free clean topsoil to community gardens and surveying NYCHA playgrounds to cover exposed soil when needed. 

  While lead paint is the number one cause of lead poisoning, other ways of absorbing lead is from certain cosmetics that come from overseas, soil that has lead dust in it, and spices from overseas that are grown in fields with lead dust on them. 

In the report A Roadmap to Eliminating Childhood Lead Exposure there is a map of the city which shows that the Bronx has the highest concentration of lead violations. 

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION EXCEEDS NYC YOUTH MENTORING INITIATIVE GOALS ANNOUNCED TWO YEARS AGO

City agencies, mentoring nonprofits, public schools, and the business community engaged over 15,000 New Yorkers as volunteer mentors to nearly 56,000 high school students

  In celebration of National Mentoring Month, the de Blasio administration announced today that it has more than doubled the number of mentee experiences and increased the number of volunteer mentors by nearly 60 percent. Last year, over 56,000 New York City high school students had a mentorship experience thanks to over 15,000 volunteer mentors in programs associated with the NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative.

“Two years ago, our City’s public and private sector joined forces to invest in our City’s future,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Together, we’ve opened doors of opportunity to more young people through quality mentoring, supporting and encouraging the leadership of thousands of students. I want to thank every mentor who shares their time and life experience with a young person to support their success.”

“The 15,000 New Yorkers who answered the call to serve as volunteer mentors is evidence of a powerful swell of civic engagement,” said NYC Chief Service Officer Patricia Eng. “NYC Service is so proud to be part of this movement and I want to give special thanks to our city, nonprofit, and business partners for coming together to show more young people their voices, dreams, and futures matter.”

“Great mentors empower our students and provide invaluable knowledge and connections that can last a lifetime,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “I thank NYC Service and our public, private, non-for-profit, and cultural partners for helping our students achieve their dreams and succeed in college and careers. This work is essential to our vision of Equity and Excellence for every New York City public-school student.”

Launched in January 2017, the NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative, a collaborative effort between schools, City agencies, mentoring nonprofits, and the business community, aimed to double the number of high school students engaged in mentorship experiences (from 20,000 to 40,000) and increase the number of volunteer mentors by 55 percent (from 9,000 to 14,000).

“We are truly grateful to Mayor de Blasio and our partners across the City for recognizing the importance of this national movement, and for inspiring role models to become mentors and help extend ladders of opportunity to our next generation of New Yorkers,” said Department of Youth & Community Development Commissioner Bill Chong. “In our DYCD Mentoring Program alone, more than 600 mentees and 100 mentors took part in programs this past year stressing leadership skills, college and career planning, and promoting positive self-images.Whether helping mentees study for a test, learn a new skill, or lift them up after a setback, mentors provide our youth with the strength and resilience to move forward and set their sights even higher.”