Upcoming Events From The Bronx Chamber of Commerce

Assemblymember Michael Blake - Statement on new NYCHA Chairman

Public housing is a humanitarian crisis in New York, and, it requires undivided attention from those in power.  Bronxites and all New Yorkers deserve better than a new NYCHA chair who is commuting between New York and Minneapolis, and earning a salary of more than $400,000, while the median household income in The Bronx is approximately $37,500.  Tens of thousands of Bronxites live in public housing and are at risk as they contend with paint, mold, and rats. Some of that $400,000 salary could go towards reopening the Morrisania Air Rights Community Center, providing working bathrooms at Twin Parks and remediating lead much faster. Mayor de Blasio and HUD Secretary Ben Carson should reconsider this decision because all New Yorkers in public housing deserve a Chair who is fully committed to our city. 

 

Sincerely, 

Assembly Member Michael A. Blake

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON THE 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

  “When New Yorkers went to the polls in November, they voted for real Democrats in the State Senate and a new day in Albany. As we tally up the score card for the end of session, one thing is clear: New Yorkers have won big on a host of progressive legislation that will help make our state fairer.

“The legislature wasted no time passing key reforms we have spent years fighting for. With Mayoral Accountability, our students and parents can rest assured that we’ll continue to build upon our progress and that responsibility for the quality of our school system is centralized and rests in my hands. In addition, congestion pricing will finally establish a dedicated revenue stream to fix our crumbling subways and election reforms will make it easier for New Yorkers to participate in our democracy and strengthen their voices.

“We advocated for, and the legislature passed, historic rent reforms that put hardworking tenants first by securing sweeping protections for renters; common-sense legislation that decriminalizes cannabis by applying many of our current practices to the entire state; and expanded economic opportunity for minority and women entrepreneurs in New York City to create an even more inclusive and vibrant economy.

“The progress doesn’t end there. After this session, comprehensive criminal justice reforms will reduce the unnecessary incarceration of New Yorkers and help drive our jail population down further; our children will be safer when crossing the streets near their schools with our expanded speed camera program; more of our military veterans will be able to join the ranks of our city’s bravest public servants; and construction projects that are vital to our parks, schools and overall infrastructure will be done faster and more efficiently with Design Build.

“Statewide, the lives of countless New Yorkers will be transformed with the Jose Peralta Dream Act and Drivers Licenses for All by providing our immigrant communities access to tuition assistance and giving them an opportunity to escape the shadows by reinforcing the irrefutable truth that they are New Yorkers. Finally, in the face of federal inaction, our State legislature is taking the lead and protecting future generations by combatting climate change head-on.

“We haven’t seen a session this daring, productive and progressive in decades, and while we have much more work to do for New Yorkers, I want to thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and the rest of the legislature for passing these sweeping reforms. I also would like to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for taking swift action on many of these pieces of legislation. I look forward to continue working with the legislature to take this progress further by tackling issues such as specialized high school admission tests and the legalization of cannabis to increase fairness in our city.”

STATEMENT FROM STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA ON THE END OF THE 2019-2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR RIVERA ON END OF THE 2019-2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

OVERVIEW

   "This legislative session was undoubtedly the most historic one 

I have ever been a part of. Right from the beginning of the session, we delivered sweeping reforms that New Yorkers had been demanding for years. The list is long and it included common-sense gun legislation, voting reforms, bail reform, as well as passing the Child Victims Act, GENDA, and the Reproductive Health Act. Our first priority was to demonstrate that we could govern effectively and we have proven that in spades.

It also must be said that the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins this year has been nothing short of inspiring. With her guidance and the hard work of my colleagues, our Conference passed legislation that seeks to tear down barriers across New York State and create opportunities for all New Yorkers."

HEALTH

"In my new role as the Chair of the Senate Health Committee, I held ten productive Health Committee meetings where more than 100 bills were moved to the next step of the legislative process. These bills sought to improve New York State's public health as well as our State's health care delivery system. 

A number of the bills I sponsored were able to pass through both houses this year. I am particularly proud that we were able to:

• Establish the New York State and New York City Maternal Mortality Review Boards and a Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advisory Council to review the alarming maternal deaths and maternal morbidity rates affecting women across New York. (S.1819)

• Require hospitals to adopt and implement standard protocols to appropriately identify and manage obstetric hemorrhage during childbirth, which is highly preventable, but a leading cause of birth complications. (S.4498A)

• Protect the rights of New Yorkers in adult care facilities by requiring them to be fully informed about their health care services, consent or refuse such services and able to choose their own providers for care. (S.874)

• Lower the threshold for elevated blood lead level from 10 to 5 micrograms to protect children from the dangers of lead exposure, which was a key piece of Dakota's Law. (Budget) 

• Increase New York's low rates of organ and tissue donation and strengthen the autonomy of donors through the passage of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (S.6000A)

• Ensure the NYSDOH reviews the health policies and practices implemented at DOCCS and local correctional facilities for certain high-risk populations and studies the medical staffing needs in correctional facilities. (S.1073A)

While these are a few of my achievements, the work does not stop. Among a few other important issues, I am committed to continue working on the New York Health Act by holding additional hearings across the State in the coming months."

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM 

"While the Senate Majority Conference achieved important criminal justice victories earlier this year, we were able to build on these successes and passed legislation to further provide struggling New Yorkers with a fairer alternative to navigate our criminal justice system. I'm proud that both the Senate and the Assembly passed my bill to expand charitable bail organizations. While we work to eliminate cash bail once for all, this bill will help more New Yorkers avoid spending unnecessary time behind bars while awaiting trial.

We also decriminalized small amounts of marijuana and established procedures for record expungements both retroactively and for future convictions. While we work towards the full legalization of marijuana, this legislation is a big step forward in reducing the impact of the overcriminalization of communities of color.

As we celebrate these victories, we must also remember that we fell short in ending the torture of solitary confinement in New York State and need to continue to work to pass HALT. While we have a commitment that administrative changes will be implemented to reduce the use of solitary confinement in our correctional facilities, this loss is incredibly disappointing. We need to end the physical and mental torture that is solitary confinement, which has taken the lives of too many individuals, including my constituent Kalief Browder. I am committed to working with advocates and my colleagues to make it a top priority during the next legislative session."

HOUSING

"I am incredibly proud that the Senate Majority Conference passed the most pro-tenant, affordable housing legislation in New York State's history. As a representative of the district with the second highest number of rent-regulated units in the state, these newly enacted reforms will truly protect my constituents and help them stay in their homes. 

I am incredibly proud of this achievement as thousands of residents of the 33rd Senate District and tenants across New York State will greatly benefit."

STANDING UP FOR IMMIGRANTS

"New York State has always been a beacon of hope for those who have left their countries of origin in search of a brighter future for themselves and their families. While the federal government continues to deliberately implement malicious policies to dehumanize and tear our communities apart, New York must never waiver in our commitment to provide them the support they need to thrive.

The Senate Majority Conference has demonstrated at length that New York State cares about its immigrant communities by enacting policies that will ensure they are provided the protections they deserve. I am proud that we passed the DREAM Act, the SCAR Act to report on the number of unaccompanied minors in foster care in New York State, and GreenLight NY which will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses, improving road safety and making it possible for hard-working immigrants to get where they need to go."

Councilman Mark Gjonaj - Upcoming Events

Join us at BRAC for a Piano Performance by Helen Ryba June 27th at 7PM

Join us at BRAC for a Piano Performance  by Helen Ryba  June 27th at 7PM

BRONX RIVER SOUNDS:   June 2019 Performing Arts Series Continues.... With Pianist Helen Ryba at on June 27th at 7pm. Ukrainian classical pianist Helen Ryba, who will offer a program of rarely performed 20th century works for piano   in our new event space! Including a composition by Florence Price, the first African-American woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer, and the first to have a composition played by a major orchestra. Ms. Ryba's program will feature Bach's Chaconne in D minor as well as works by lesser-known composers, Viktor Kosenko, Myroslav Skoryk, and Florence Price. The program will be performed on our recently donated Yamaha baby-grand piano.This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a selection of rarely performed works by artists whose identity informed their compositional choices.  Florence Price's life as a black woman in a segregated society found expression in her exploration of the sonata form. Price helped to broaden the definition of what American classical music could represent. Likewise, Kosenko and Skoryk's works helped expand the musical vocabulary to include Ukrainian folk melodies, some of which weave their way through these works and connect us to Ms. Ryba's homeland.  Ms. Ryba studied at the Mykola Lysenko Music school and Gliere Music College in Kiev, Ukraine. She works as a piano teacher and vocal coach in NJ and NY, focusing on creative and technical skills, ear training, sight reading, as well as music history and theory. An accomplished solo pianist, Ryba's career highlights include the complete Book I of the Well-Tempered Clavier and The Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach. Ms. Ryba will play the following works of music at BRAC: 1.       Bach-Busoni                Chaconne in D-minor BWV 1004 2.       Viktor Kosenko            Consolation op. 9 3.       Viktor Kosenko            Allemande op. 19 4.       Florence Price             Sonata in E-minor movements I and II. 5.       Myroslav Skoryk          Prelude and Fugue in F-Major

(April 9, 1887 - June 3, 1953) was an American  She was born as Florence Beatrice Smith on April 9, 1887, in Little Rock, Arkansas. She had her first piano performance at the age of four and had her first composition published at the age of 11. After a series of racial incidents in Little Rock, Florence Price and her family decided to leave. Like many black families living in the Deep South, they moved north in the  The Chicago Symphony Orchestra premiered Price's Symphony in E minor on June 15, 1933, making Price's piece the first composition by an African-American woman to be played by a major orchestra. Even though her training was in European tradition, Price's music reveals her Southern roots. Being deeply religious, she frequently used the music of the African-American church as material for her arrangements. Her melodies were blues-inspired and mixed with more traditional, European Romantic techniques.

To RSVP go to   www.bracbx.eventbrite.com Suggested Donation:  $10 adults, $5.00 seniors & youth through age18 FREE for currently enrolled Students in BRAC's Education program Or Pay what you can. This program is supported in part with City funds by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council, including Council members, Ritchie Torres, Andrew Cohen, Andy King, Ruben Diaz Sr. and Mark Gjonaj, as well as BronxCare Health System and individual donors.

James Felton Convicted In Manhattan Federal Court Of 2016 Murders Of Marvin Harris And Jose Morales

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JAMES FELTON was found guilty of the June 11, 2016, murder of Marvin Harris, whom FELTON shot 13 times, as well as the December 11, 2016, murder of Jose Morales, whom FELTON shot in the head.  FELTON was also found guilty of conspiring to distribute crack cocaine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, and related firearms offenses.  FELTON was convicted following a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley III.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “James Felton brutally executed two men on the streets of the Bronx as part of his efforts to control the drug trade in his community.  Now Felton stands convicted of his crimes.  We thank our partners at Homeland Security Investigations and the New York City Police Department for their extraordinary work on this case.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment and the evidence presented in court during the trial:

Between 2010 and 2017, FELTON was a member of a long-running narcotics conspiracy and criminal enterprise centered around 240 East 175th Street in the Bronx, New York.  On June 11, 2016, at the corner of East 175th Street and Monroe Avenue in the Bronx, FELTON shot Marvin Harris 13 times, killing him, after Harris insulted FELTON and challenged FELTON’s status within the drug territory.  Six months later, at the corner of East 175th Street and Weeks Avenue, one block away from the scene of the Harris murder, FELTON shot rival drug dealer Edwin Romero four times, then shot Jose Morales in the head, killing him.

FELTON also committed other firearms offenses in connection with his membership in the drug conspiracy and criminal enterprise.

FELTON, 50, of the Bronx, was convicted of conspiring to distribute at least 280 grams of crack cocaine and quantities of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana; two counts of murder through use of a firearm; two counts of murder while engaged in a narcotics conspiracy; two counts of murder in aid of racketeering; using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms in relation to a drug trafficking crime, on occasions other than the Harris and Morales murders; and four counts of possessing a firearm or ammunition after sustaining a felony conviction.  FELTON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment plus an additional mandatory minimum sentence of 75 years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed.  

FELTON is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Pauley on October 4, 2019.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York City Police Department.

Notorious Landlord, Raphael Toledano, To Pay $3 Million, Other Penalties For Harassing NY Tenants

Toledano settlement with Attorney General James will also include strong oversight and limitations over his real estate business

 Attorney General Letitia James announced a settlement with Raphael Toledano to put an end to his harassment of New York City tenants and to prevent him from engaging in speculative real estate deals designed to profit by violating New York’s rent-stabilization laws.

“Access to safe, affordable housing is a right,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “Putting profits over people is unacceptable, and my office will hold any landlord accountable who violates the law to increase their bottom line. Under no circumstance should tenants be subjected to the harassment perpetrated by landlords like Raphael Toledano. We are grateful to our many partners, including the State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, who have worked tirelessly in the pursuit of justice in this case.”

Under the terms of their settlement agreement, Toledano’s real estate business will be supervised by an Independent Monitor, who will ensure that Toledano ceases to engage in fraud and tenant harassment.  Toledano will not be allowed to have any direct contact with tenants, and will be required to hire an independent management company for any of his properties.  In addition, Toledano has agreed to pay $3 million in damages and penalties.  If Toledano violates the terms of his agreement, then Attorney General James will seek a lifetime bar against any further participation in the real estate industry, as well as a suspended judgment of $10 million.

Attorney General James and Governor Cuomo’s Tenant Protection Unit (TPU) within New York State Homes and Community Renewal began investigating Toledano after receiving complaints from tenants and community advocates about his use of harassment, unsafe construction, and other illegal conduct to push tenants out of their rent-stabilized homes. Since the creation of the Governor’s TPU in 2012, the unit has conducted multiple investigations and coordinated enforcement activities resulting in the registration of over 78,000 improperly deregulated apartments and the recovery of approximately $5 million in overcharged rent for unsuspecting tenants.

“This investigation builds on the joint successes of AG James and the Governor’s TPU in delivering justice on behalf of New Yorkers,” said New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. “These tenants were terrorized by Toledano’s pervasive threats, fraud and scheming which jeopardized their safety, and we recommit again today: We will not tolerate abuse of rent regulated tenants. We will protect tenants to the full extent of the law, as we are doing with the Zara investigation, Marolda investigation, and now the Toledano investigation.”

Attorney General James’ investigation established that Toledano engaged in a pattern of fraudulent and illegal conduct throughout his work as a landlord and real estate developer. He harassed tenants through coercive buyouts, illegal construction practices and failed to provide his rent-regulated tenants with utilities, repairs, and other necessary services. Toledano also engaged in deceptive business practices in his real estate transactions, including repeatedly and persistently misrepresenting himself as a lawyer and advertising apartments with 3 or 4 bedrooms, when legally the apartment could only have 1 or 2 bedrooms.

"Tenants Taking Control (formerly the Toledano Tenants Coalition) applauds the NYS Attorney General James’ Office for pursuing Raphael Toledano, and holding him accountable for the various injustices, offenses, mistreatment and at times barely believable disrespect that we received from him," said former Brookhill tenant Jim Markowich of East 5th Street. "We feel that he consciously and strategically tried to make our lives as his tenants unnecessarily upsetting and difficult. For example, there was sudden, unannounced, slap-dash demolition work that released elevated levels of lead dust into buildings where toddlers were living."

The case was brought to the Office of Attorney General James by Community Development Project and Cooper Square Committee. 

"Raphael Toledano wreaked havoc in the East Village, harassing tenants living in rent-stabilized apartments,” said Greg Baltz, Community Development Project.  “The Community Development Project’s clients, the members of Tenants Taking Control (formerly the Toledano Tenant Coalition), showed him and all of New York City that the most effective way to stand up to predatory landlords is to organize. We thank Attorney General James and her team for their fierce advocacy on behalf of tenants.”

"Rent-regulated tenants in Raphael Toledano's buildings faced intense displacement pressure, but many chose to stay and fight rather than accept buyout offers or succumb to the alleged harassment," said Liam Reilly, Housing Organizer, Cooper Square Committee. "The Toledano Tenants' Coalition (now known as Tenants Taking Control) is a prime example of the power of tenants when they stand together in defense of their rights, their homes, and their communities. Thanks to their resilience and creativity, in addition to the Attorney General's powerful investigation, we are hopeful that rent regulated tenants will no longer be subjected to Toledano's unscrupulous schemes." 

The matter is being handled for the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection by Assistant Attorneys General Elena González, Mark Ladov and Bureau Chief Jane M. Azia, and for the Attorney General’s Real Estate Finance Bureau by Chief of Enforcement Louis Solomon and Bureau Chief Brent Meltzer.  The Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection is overseen by Chief Deputy Attorney General for Economic Justice Christopher D’Angelo, and the Real Estate Finance Bureau is overseen by Chief Deputy Attorney General for Social Justice Meghan Faux.   

For the Tenant Protection Unit, the investigating attorneys are TPU Legal Director Argyro Boyle, Assistant Counsel Karis Rasmussen, and TPU Senior Attorney Jonathan O. Hurt, under the leadership of Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas and HCR Deputy Commissioner and TPU Bureau Chief Gregory C. Fewer.