QUEENS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, LOYCENT GORDON, KEN AND HENRY SHI, ANNOUNCE HANDSHAKE DEAL TO KEEP HISTORIC NEIR’S TAVERN OPEN

Iconic Woodhaven watering hole featured in Goodfella’s had feared it would close after operating for 190 years before deal reached with landlord

Today, Loycent Gordon, owner of Neir’s Tavern, and property owners Ken and Henry Shi, announced they have reached a handshake agreement that will keep the historic bar, which has served patrons in Woodhaven since 1829, open. The two sides met Friday afternoon at the Queens Chamber of Commerce headquarters to reach an agreement that will see the oldest bar in New York City remain in business. 

“New York City’s small businesses are what make this city so special, and as the city’s oldest bar, Neir’s Tavern leads the pack. I’m proud to have helped keep the doors open so New Yorkers can continue to enjoy a place that has meant so much to so many over the years. Cheers to another 190 years!” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“Small businesses are the backbone of NYC’s economy and Neir’s Tavern is a treasure that adds to the distinct character of this city. SBS is proud to offer services to help the business, assist them in keeping their doors open and help maintain the history and vitality of Queens,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services.

“I am proud to be part of an administration that takes our legacy venues and nightlife so seriously. I congratulate Mayor de Blasio and Small Business Services Commissioner Gregg Bishop for working so quickly to find a solution to save Neir’s Tavern, a celebrated and historic local venue. The Office of Nightlife has spoken with the owner and we are here to help support them moving forward. New York’s legacy venues are the lifeblood of our communities, and the City will do whatever it can to ensure that they are protected and supported, it is one of many reasons why the Office of Nightlife was established,” said Ariel Palitz, Executive Director of the New York City Office of Nightlife.

“We are thrilled to announce a handshake deal has been struck between Loycent Gordon and Ken and Henry Shi,” said Thomas J. Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Small businesses are the lifeblood of Queens, adding to the unique character of our neighborhoods and creating jobs and opportunity for New Yorkers. It would be a shame to lose an institution with as much history as Neir’s, and we’re thrilled the bar will continue to serve its patrons for years to come. This would not have been possible without the efforts of New York City Council Member Robert Holden and New York State Assembly Member Michael Miller. The support and intervention from Mayor Bill de Blasio’s team was also instrumental in reaching this agreement.”

 “We are very happy to have Neir’s Tavern stay open and continue our 190 years of continuous operation,” said Loycent Gordon, owner of Neir’s Tavern. 

“Thank you to all parties for helping to make this project work. We are indebted to Mayor de Blasio, Council Member Robert Holden and NYS Assemblyman Mike Miller,” said Ken and Henry Shi.

Michael Beltzer - We can now vote our choices

Ranked Choice Voting promotes democracy!

Dear Friends, I wanted to fill you in on a big change I was a part of last year. Ranked Choice Voting was put on the November 2019 ballot. Ranked Choice Voting allows voters, in NYC municipal elections, to rank up to 5 candidates. This is done to ensure that the winner receives a majority of voter's support. Here is a good video which explains how it works

I worked hard to get RCV passed because it eliminates a candidate being a "spoiler", which is unfair to good candidates. It has been shown to cut down on the amount of negative campaigning and to help elevate black, brown and women 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Rank Choice Voting is a fraud upon the Public. Only on the first round where a candidate needs to have 50% plus at least one vote for a majority of the votes. In round #2 the candidate with the least amount of votes is eliminated and the votes are redistributed, there are ballots that are exhausted due to the fact that there is no candidate marked correctly as #2. 

So while the percentage may be the same the number is not because there are less ballots. This continues into round #3 and beyond until one candidate has 50% plus at least one vote for a majority of the vote in that round. That however can and will be lower than the required 50% plus at least one vote that was required in the first counting of ballots.

With three candidates and one has to be eliminated to redistribute the votes to the #2 candidate, which candidate with lower votes is eliminated if the two candidates have the same number of votes? 

Finally if after all the elimination rounds occur and the two remaining candidates are then tied what happens? In a city with Rank Choice Voting a coin was flipped to determine the winner of the two tied candidates. You Mr. Beltzer may want your fate determined by a flip of a coin, but I am sure other don't.

By the way Mr. Beltzer Rank Choice Voting breeds more fraud in having drop off candidates for other candidates to get over the 50% plus one vote. Also the link was not working.

Bronx Democratic Party - Presidential Petitions Available! Help Your Candidate Qualify For The Ballot

The presidential primary process has started here in New York, and this is your chance to get involved and make a difference.

We have been connecting with the various presidential campaigns and will have designating petitions for the candidates and their delegates available at our office throughout the petitioning period: 

• Vice President Joe Biden
• Senator Elizabeth Warren
• Senator Bernie Sanders
• Mayor Pete Buttigieg
• Senator Amy Klobuchar
• Mayor Mike Bloomberg
• Senator Cory Booker

Petitions can be picked up Monday through Friday,

between 9:00AM and 5:00PM at:

Bronx Dems Headquarters

1534 Boone Avenue

The Bronx, NY 10460

(347) 281-9759

All petitions must be returned to us

by no later than Thursday, January 30th.

If you have any questions, please contact our Political Director,

Dan Johnson: dajohnson@bronxdems.org.

Sincerely,

The Bronx Democratic Party

LAST OF THREE FORMER RIKERS ISLAND INMATES SENTENCED FOR PUNCHING AND SLASHING NYC DOC OFFICER

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a former Rikers Island inmate has been sentenced to one and a half to three years in prison for his role in the attack against a NYC Department of Correction Officer in the jail. He is the last of three defendants to be sentenced. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The main defendant, Malik Quick, savagely beat and slashed a DOC Officer inside a Rikers Island facility. The other two defendants took advantage of the violent situation the victim was in and threw punches. The Officer sustained a laceration behind his ear that required five stitches and a fracture to his hand.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Malik Quick, 23, of Brooklyn, was sentenced today to one and a half to three years in prison by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Robert Neary. The sentence is consecutive to a sentence he is serving for a Brooklyn case. The defendant pleaded guilty to Attempted Assault in the second degree on December 11, 2019. 

 Two additional former Rikers Island inmates who participated in the attack also pleaded guilty to Attempted Assault in the second degree and were sentenced in 2019. Samie Abbas, 19, was sentenced to one to three years in prison to be served concurrently with a sentence he is serving for a Brooklyn case. Sylvon James, 20, was sentenced to a court-ordered program but after failing it he was sentenced to five years’ probation.

 According to the investigation, on August 4, 2018 inside the Robert N. Davoren Center, Quick argued with Department of Correction Officer Joseph Baugh. The defendant then punched the Officer about the body multiple times. James and Abbas then punched the Officer as he struggled with Quick. Then Quick slashed the Officer behind the ear with a sharp object. The altercation ended when another DOC Officer responded to help the victim.

 District Attorney Clark thanked her Rikers Island Prosecution Bureau and Investigators Juan Rivera and Scott Frank of the Correction Intelligence Bureau for their assistance in the investigation

Wave Hill events January 23‒January 30

Sat, January 25

Woodworking Workshop series begins: The Wave Hill Chair

Wave Hill’s inspirational landscape is complemented by this iconic Wave Hill Chair. In this two-day workshop, construct your own Wave Hill Chair under the guidance of master woodworker and Wave Hill Director of Facilities Frank Perrone. Participants receive step-by-step instructions; no previous carpentry skills required, but participants must attend both sessions. The second day of this two-session series is Sunday, January 26, from 9:30AM to NOON. Space is limited! $240. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or at the Perkins Visitor Center, starting November 13. 

Wave Hill House, 9:30AM–4PM

Sat, January 25

Family Art Project: Bronx Photo & Poetry Archive Story

Join Winter Workspace artist Stephanie Alvarado in archiving Bronx stories through photos. Create “choreo-poems” to help capture the stories of the people of the Bronx. Archive who you are in your biological or chosen family as we look to who we are in the Family Art Project community and in the Bronx. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sat, January 25

Cooking with Zing: the Ginger Family ( Zingiberaceae )

The ginger family, Zingiberaceae, includes spicy ginger, cardamom and turmeric, along with a number of showy ornamental plants. Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day shares a sampling of these tropical herbs while a chef from Great Performances demonstrates various ways to cook with fresh and dried members of this aromatic plant family. Free with admission to the grounds.

Wave Hill House, 1PM

Sun, January 26

Family Art Project: Bronx Photo & Poetry Archive Story

Join Winter Workspace artist Stephanie Alvarado in archiving Bronx stories through photos. Create “choreo-poems” to help capture the stories of the people of the Bronx. Archive who you are in your biological or chosen family as we look to who we are in the Family Art Project community and in the Bronx. Free with admission to the grounds.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, January 26

Winter Workspace Art Workshop: Abstract Landscape Collages

Tour artist Tali Hinkis’ Winter Workspace studio to see her current work in process, including panoramic images captured with her homemade camera. Afterward, create abstract landscape collages using digital images of Wave Hill’s winter gardens and Conservatory. Materials provided. $55; Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or at the Perkins Visitor Center, starting November 13.

Meet at Glyndor Gallery, 10AM–1PM

Sun, January 26

Winter Workspace Drop-In Sunday

Artists in the Winter Workspace program share their studio practice with visitors on this Drop-In Sunday. Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 1–3PM

Sun, January 26

Garden and Conservatory Highlights Walk

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, January 27

Wave Hill is closed.

                         

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–4:30PM, November 1–March 14. Closes 5:30PM, starting March 15.

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/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

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. 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.

Bronx Democratic Party - Interested In Becoming A Judge? Don't Miss This Deadline

Interested in becoming a judge?



The Independent Judicial Screening Committee of the Bronx Democratic County Committee (IJSC) is currently accepting applications for all elected judicial positions that will occur in the 2020 election cycle in and for the County of the Bronx, City and State of New York.

All prospective candidates for Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York and Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York must complete and submit a 2020 questionnaire no later than February 3, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. and drop it off at The Bronx Democratic Party Headquarters:

Bronx Dems Headquarters

1534 Boone Avenue

The Bronx, NY 10460

For more information, please visit:

http://bronxdems.org/independent-judicial-screening-committee/

Sincerely,

The Bronx Democratic Party

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND SPEAKER JOHNSON ANNOUNCE OVER 100,000 NEW YORKERS ENROLLED IN FAIR FARES

Fair Fares meets milestone ahead of open enrollment beginning on January 27^th

 Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson announced today that over 100,000 New Yorkers have enrolled in the City’s Fair Fares initiative, marking a major milestone since the initiative’s inception. This milestone is met during the first phase of Fair Fares, representing more than 50% of the take-up rate after targeting more than 180,000 New Yorkers.

“New Yorkers shouldn’t have to choose between a ride on the subway or bus and putting food on the table for their family,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Over 100,000 New Yorkers have now enrolled in the Fair Fares program, bringing us one step closer to our goal of being the fairest big city in America.”

“This 100,000 landmark enrollment news shows we are heading in the right direction and closer to assisting all low-income New Yorkers in need. We could not have made it here without the partnership with advocates like Community Service Society and Riders Alliance, and I thank them for all their efforts. Together, we look forward to building on this progress as we approach the launch of open enrollment on January 27^th so we can assist as many New Yorkers in poverty as possible,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson. 

“New Yorkers depend on access to transportation to lead healthy lives, and each of the enrollments in this Fair Fares milestone represents a life changed for the better,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Raul Perea-Henze. “As we celebrate this achievement, we look forward to open enrollment later this month and the promise it holds to improve the health and well-being of more New Yorkers by connecting them to jobs, services, and the broader community.”

“More than 100,000 low-income New Yorkers can now afford to take the bus or train to work, classes, health care and home to their kids at night. We celebrate this milestone as the city prepares to open enrollment to all eligible city residents at or below poverty, removing a significant barrier to upward mobility for hundreds of thousands more. And we applaud the leadership of Speaker Johnson, the City Council and Mayor de Blasio for making New York a more just and equitable city,” said David R. Jones, President and CEO of Community Service Society, an anti-poverty group that first proposed half-fare discounts and advocated for the program along with the Riders Alliance and a broad coalition.

“Fair Fares is changing the lives of one hundred thousand New Yorkers! For me, it’s lifted a weight off my shoulders. Making ends meet is tough enough as a working mother and part-time student. Reaching 100,000 people enrolled in Fair Fares means that more New Yorkers like me have one less thing we have to worry about every month. And as we look forward to open enrollment, I'm excited to see how many more lives this program we fought for will help,” said Clementine James, Riders Alliance member who is also enrolled in Fair Fares.

Last month, the City announced the launch of a multi-million dollar campaign to ensure eligible New Yorkers are aware of the Fair Fares initiative and encourage them to enroll. The City also announced that open enrollment of the program will begin on January 27^th.

Currently, eligible New Yorkers can opt-in by going to www.nyc.gov/fairfares and following the link to enroll now. They can also visit the nearest Fair Fares NYC location or call 311 for assistance.

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION SECURES NEARLY $500,000 IN RESTITUTION FOR 4,500 HOME HEALTH AIDES

New settlements part of Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s major investigation into industry compliance with the New York City Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law

 Mayor Bill de Blasio and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Lorelei Salas today announced settlement agreements with 11 home care agencies to resolve violations of the New York City Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law that had previously been filed at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). The settlements require the agencies to pay nearly $450,000 in restitution to more than 4,100 home health aides. These settlements also require the agencies to pay nearly $122,000 in civil penalties, identify and implement a compliance officer, train managerial staff, and post and distribute the Notice of Employee Rights to all employees.

The cases are part of DCWP’s major proactive enforcement initiative to examine the industry’s compliance with the NYC Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law, wage and hour requirements, and other workplace standards. As a result of the investigation, DCWP has now entered into settlement agreements with 32 agencies. These settlements require the agencies to pay a total of nearly $500,000 in restitution to more than 4,500 workers, pay $145,000 in civil penalties, and comply with the Law going forward.

“In New York City, we fight to protect all workers, regardless of whether they work in an office or in someone’s home,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Home health care workers are vital to ensuring our loved ones are cared for, and they are equally as deserving of Paid Safe and Sick Leave. To any company in New York City that thinks they can get away with withholding workers’ rights and violating our laws: we will hold you accountable.”

“We want to make it clear to home care agencies across the city that lack of compliance with the law will not be tolerated,” said DCWP Commissioner Lorelei Salas. “Home care workers are vital workers who care for our loved ones, and we will continue working to ensure that this rapidly growing industry is held accountable for past violations and comes into compliance going forward. We urge any worker who believes they have been treated unjustly to reach out to us so we can take the necessary steps to help protect their rights under the Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law and connect them to other resources.”

DCWP proactively began investigating home health care agencies in 2017 to examine compliance with the New York City Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law. The investigation focused on 42 home care agencies that employ close to 30 percent of home care aides in New York City and included interviews with more than 500 workers and an extensive review of documents provided by workers and employers. The investigation uncovered widespread violations of the Law, including not allowing employees to use leave, failing to provide employees with notice of their rights, failing to carry over unused leave, and failing to maintain written sick leave policies that meet or exceed the requirements of the law.

As part of the initiative, DCWP referred two cases that indicated some of the most widespread evidence of noncompliance – including sick leave, wage and hour, and wage parity concerns – to the New York State Attorney General’s Office for a joint investigation. These cases are still pending. DCWP also referred 13 home care agencies to the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Department of Labor, and the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General for further investigation regarding possible violations of the wage parity law.

New York City’s paid care workforce is large and continually growing. Over the past decade, the number of New Yorkers reporting paid care as their primary occupation grew from 176,000 to 202,000 an increase of 26,000 or 15 percent. This, compared to growth of 10 percent in the overall workforce, demonstrates expansion of the paid care workforce and shows no signs of slowing down. This number is expected to grow as analysts predict that by 2040, New York City will be home to 1.4 million seniors with 70 percent of this population requiring long-term care. DCWP’s Paid Care Division is dedicated to defending the rights of paid care workers, improving the quality of paid care jobs, and strengthening the paid care system.

 Under New York City’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law, employers with five or more employees who work more than 80 hours per calendar year in New York City must provide paid safe and sick leave to employees. Employers with fewer than five employees must provide unpaid safe and sick leave. Domestic workers who have worked for their employer for more than one year must be provided two days of paid sick leave, which is in addition to the three days of paid rest under the New York State Labor Law. All covered employers are required to provide their employees with the Notice of Employee Rights that includes information in English and, if available on the DCWP website, the employee’s primary language. Employers must provide the notice on the first day of an employee’s employment. Employers must have a written sick leave policy that meets or exceeds the requirements of the Law.

 Safe and sick leave is accrued at a rate of one hour of leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per calendar year, and begins on the employee’s first day of employment. Employees can begin using accrued leave 120 days after their first day of work. For employers who do not frontload safe and sick leave on the first day of a new calendar year, employees must be able to carry over up to 40 hours of unused safe and sick leave from one calendar year to the new calendar year.

“We thank the de Blasio administration for going after unscrupulous home care agencies that exploit home health aides and steal their wages,” said Rona Shapiro, Executive Vice President of the Home Care Division of 1199SEIU. “Home care workers dedicate themselves to ensure that seniors and people with disabilities can remain in their homes with the support they need. Unfortunately, there are many bad actor companies in this field who flout the law and deny workers the wages, benefits and sick time they are owed. That is why home care workers continue to organize to defend their rights through their union.” 

“The National Domestic Workers Alliance applauds the success of the DCWP's proactive co-enforcement model to assure the basic right of paid safe and sick leave for paid care workers. NDWA is close partners with DCWP and the Division of Paid Care in the fight to enforce the rights of paid care workers of New York City. This settlement is proof that their proactive collaborative efforts will assure that paid care workers across the city will know they have an ally in coming forward to assert their rights. Paid care workers do some of the most important work of caring for our families and homes, and it is essential that they have real access to the earned days off to be able to care for themselves and their loved ones when they are sick. Today we see the results of what happens when a city agency becomes leaders in fighting for its most vulnerable workers,” said Marrisa Senteno, NDWA NY Co-Director.

“Violations of workers rights is still a huge problem for low-wage workers, including the caregiving workforce. Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers Network praises the DCWP for successfully enforcing paid sick leave for home aid workers. This settlement serves as a great example that government agencies can be a key ally for the workforce and employers who want to do the right thing. Every worker should be able to care for themselves or a loved one without fear of retaliation. Agencies and domestic employers need to understand that by recognizing the rights of domestic workers everyone benefits at home,” said Tatiana Bejar, NYC Organizer for Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers Network.