Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Join The Bronx Democratic Party for Our 2019 Annual Dinner
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Council Member Ruben Diaz Sr - To A Man Who Stands for Principle
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Councilman, Rubén DÃaz Sr.
District 18 Bronx County, New York
To A Man Who Stands for Principle
You should know that on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, I was invited by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to join other Senate colleagues for a breakfast at the Governor’s Mansion in Albany, New York. Along with Governor Andrew Cuomo, his Chief of Staff, Joe Percoco, his Counsel Alphonso David, and his Budget Director Mary Beth Labate, there were Senators Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Ruth Hassell-Thompson, Liz Krueger, Marcos Serrano, Gustavo Rivera, Adriano Espaillat, Brad Hoylman, and Daniel Squadron.
It is important for you to know that I took the opportunity to have Governor Cuomo sign for me a copy of his book titled “All Things Possible” which he gladly agreed by inscribing the following: “To a man who stands for principle.”
You should also know that this book "All Things Possible" is important to me personally because in it Governor Cuomo made reference to my name several times.
Chapter 10 of his book, titled "33" is devoted to the fight and the struggle that took place in order to get 33 Senators to vote in favor of same-sex marriage. In Chapter 10, the Governor gave me the honor of mentioning me by name on pages 382, 389, 400 and 402.
On page 382 the Governor mentioned me by name by stating: "We needed thirty-two votes. We knew that one Democrat, Ruben Diaz, a senator from the Bronx, was a no-go. A Pentecostal minister, he could not be moved to change his mind. That meant we had to lock in the remaining twenty-nine Democrats and sway three Republicans. Difficult? Yes."
On page 389, recounting his wheeling and dealing with Republican Leader Senator Dean Skelos, the Governor wrote: "In June, Majority Leader Skelos made a clever move that transferred all of the pressure from his team to ours. A skillful tactician, he announced that he wouldn't let the bill go to the floor unless we had all the Democrats with us except Ruben Diaz, the Pentecostal minister who we both knew was unshakable."
You should know that as the chapter continues, the Governor explains all of the roadblocks and troubles he had to bypass, and the negotiations he went through to get the same-sex marriage bill approved. He wrote about the chaos that ensued on the night of the vote, and how they prevented me and stopped me from speaking on the bill. On pages 399-400, he mentioned an important negotiation he had with Senator John Sampson:
"Republicans had asked for one concession. "We don't want long speeches," Skelos told us. They didn't want political rhetoric to inflame the already nervous senators. The Senate Minority Leader, a Democrat, John Sampson, who represented parts of Brooklyn including Crown Heights and East Flatbush, assured us he will keep the Democrats' comments to a minimum. The plan was: Get the legislation on the floor. Do a rolling voice vote. Go home.
... Sampson had previewed with both Skelos and Steve that the only speech from one of their members will be from Senator Diaz, the sole opponent on the Democrats’ side, who would speak for two minutes. Diaz, used to speeches from the pulpit, led with, "God, not Albany, has settled the definition of marriage a long time ago." And he kept going. When Lieutenant Governor Bob Duffy cut him off he said, "Senator, Senator, I know you want to go on but we have twenty-three people who want to speak on the bill."
Twenty-three people? The proceedings ground to a halt as Diaz and his allies complained that he had been cut off, and the Republicans approached Steve and Myland warning them that is exactly what was not supposed to happen."
The Governor continues explaining on page 402 how he managed to get things under control - and after the vote was taken and the gay marriage legislation was approved - how he decided to come to the Senate Floor to thank the senators. He stated that when he got to the Senate Floor: "Almost all of the Republicans and Ruben Diaz, who'd voted against marriage equality were all gone."
On my behalf, I am honored that the Governor not only mentioned me by name in his book to let the whole world know about my principled stand against his gay marriage legislation, now I am even more honored that he signed my copy by stating “To A Man Who Stands for Principle.”
This is Senator Reverend Rubén DÃaz, and this is what you should know.
Sunday, May 12, 2019
Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance Eighth Annual Dinner
The six honorees in the front row (L-R) Beverly Michael Executive Director Einstein Campus of Montefiore Hospital, Maureen Carvin Branch Manager Ridgewood Savings Bank, Detective Danny (Giuseppe) Cannova, Detective Janine Varela, Roger BomBace (standing in for his brother Joe Bombace), and Joseph McManus State Committeeman. The Executive Board of the VNNA with Councilman Ritchie Torres are in the back row.
One-Hundred people in all came to Maestro's Friday night to celebrate the Eighth Annual Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance Dinner. Several of the local elected officials were on hand to speak or present one of the awards to an honoree. Bernadette Ferrara President of the VNNA spoke of the changing neighborhood and the groups effort's to improve the area. At the dinner were members of other neighborhood organizations who are working along side of the VNNA to make a better Bronx.
Elected officials on hand included (L - R) State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, Assemblywoman Karines Reyes, and Councilman Ritchie Torres who are with the Executive Board of the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance.
Above - City Councilman Ritchie Torres and State Senator Gustavo Rivera with VNNA President Bernadette Ferrara.
Below - Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez is with Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association President Edith Blitzer, and Louisa Benedetto formerly of Councilman Torres's office.
Above - State Senator Rivera with Tony Signore the Vice-President of Morris Park Community Association, and Al D'Angelo President of the MPCA.
Below - Andrea Siegel, Steve Glosser, and Edith Blitzer of the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association.
Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez Opens New Office on Williamsbridge Road.
Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez stands tall in front of her new assembly office located at 1812 Williamsbridge Road.
It was the Open House Gran Re-Opening of the Office of Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez at 2018 Williamsbridge Road. That address had been the former campaign office of State Senator Jeff Klein and Councilman Mark Gjonaj, but now it was going to be put to a better use. Over fifty people were in attendance to see the ribbon cut on the new office which is around the corner from her old assembly office.
Above - The ribbon is in place, as Assemblywoman Fernandez waits for the cue to cut. Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Councilman Mark Gjonaj, and others wait for the ribbon to be cut.
Below - The ribbon is being cut on the new office of Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez.
Wave Hill events May 23‒May 30
Thu, May 23
Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM
Fri, May 24
Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM
Sat, May 25
Wave Hill overlooks the Hudson River, a tidal estuary where salty sea water meets fresh water running off the land. Use wax resist and inks to find your flow as you make artwork inspired by this bountiful ecosystem. Play with textures as you emulate the brackish water of the river that flows both ways. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM
Sat, May 25
Tour Glyndor Gallery with Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow or Gallery Greeter to get an insider’s view of current exhibitions. Here We Land features three, former Winter Workspace artists Camille Hoffman, Maria Hupfield and Sara Jimenez who return explore narratives about contested space that draw on personal and cultural touch points in their immersive installations. Rachel Sydlowski fills the Sunroom Project Space walls with complex, screen-print collages of flora and fauna, architectural details and decorative motifs from Wave Hill, Inwood Hill Park and other surrounding green spaces. Free with admission to the grounds.
Glyndor Gallery, 2PM
Sun, May 26
Wave Hill overlooks the Hudson River, a tidal estuary where salty sea water meets fresh water running off the land. Use wax resist and inks to find your flow as you make artwork inspired by this bountiful ecosystem. Play with textures as you emulate the brackish water of the river that flows both ways. Free with admission to the grounds.
Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM
Sun, May 26
Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2PM
Mon, May 27
Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights on this special holiday Monday. Free with admission to the grounds.
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2PM
Tue, May 28
Tour Glyndor Gallery with Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow or Gallery Greeter to get an insider’s view of current exhibitions. Here We Land features three, former Winter Workspace artists Camille Hoffman, Maria Hupfield and Sara Jimenez who return explore narratives about contested space that draw on personal and cultural touch points in their immersive installations. Rachel Sydlowski fills the Sunroom Project Space walls with complex, screen-print collages of flora and fauna, architectural details and decorative motifs from Wave Hill, Inwood Hill Park and other surrounding green spaces. Free with admission to the grounds.
Glyndor Gallery, 2PM
Wed, May 29
Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM
Thu, May 30
Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM
Thu, May 30
Named “New York’s Most Loved Cultural Organization” by Time Out Magazine two years in a row, Wave Hill is a leading arts venue in the Bronx. With ecological and social consciousness as a grounding for art, Wave Hill nurtures an appreciation for both creativity and conservation. Through innovative arts programming—including site-specific commissions, installations, performances, one-of-a-kind artists’ residencies and the signature Family Art Project—nature and culture are brought together in authentic ways, to provide truly meaningful and unforgettable experiences for all. Buy tickets today.
A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.
HOURS – Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM, March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.
ADMISSION – $10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.
PROGRAM FEES – Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.
Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/
DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.
Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.
Safer School Zones
On Mother's Day, Governor Cuomo signs legislation reinstating the New York City speed zone camera program, extending its hours, and expanding the number of authorized school speed zones. Governor Cuomo signs legislation reinstating the New York City speed zone camera program, extending its hours, and expanding the number of authorized school speed zones.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.4331/A.6449) to reinstate the speed camera program in New York City and expand the number of authorized school speed zones from 140 to 750. The bill also expands the hours of the program to weekdays between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
"Something as simple as walking to and from school can be the most dangerous part of the day, especially in this city with this complexity and this density. We have learned it the hard way. We have lost too many people, especially too many young people. We have to do better and we can do better," Governor Cuomo said. "This bill will increase the number from 140 to 750 speed cameras in the city, extend the hours of operation of the speed cameras and will mandate that the city prioritize placement of the cameras by speed and crash data. It's common sense. It works and it is the right thing to do."