Some of you think I am a bad mayor, but I would like to see any of you run this city. Dealing with King Cuomo, a whining comptroller, all those city council members who think they can be borough presidents, and then there is all the union leaders who want more for their members than other unions. It isn't an easy job, so I would like to see any of you run the city for a week, or even a day.
The pandemic has changed the way the people are able to interact. The BMNS REMOTE OPEN HOUSE makes it possible to view ideas gathered before the Pandemic and build on them.
The Bronx Metro-North Station Area Study, launched in 2018, seeks to holistically plan for new Metro-North service in four communities in the East Bronx: Hunts Point, Morris Park, Parkchester/Van Nest, and Co-op City. This planning work will help ensure this new public transit service supports Bronx residents with local jobs, housing, amenities and more.
The BMNS Remote Open House offers a dynamic experience; it has something for everyone:
Friendly accessible videos (in both English and Spanish!)
Engaging graphics that summarize the overall planning goals
Detailed draft recommendations with ways to implement and progress to date
Easy ways to “speak your mind” via accessible surveys, and
A series of online live streaming sessions for personal input and interaction. Stay tuned for dates and times.
Having been declared the winner of the March 23rd Special Election to replace now Congressman Ritchie Torres for the 15th council district in mid April, and having already been sworn in as the new councilman, it was time for a public swearing in.
Elected officials such as U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, City Council Speaker Cory Johnson, City Council members Fernando Cabrera, Vanessa Gibson, and Ydanis Rodriguez, State Senator Luis Sepulveda, State Assembly members Nathalia Fernandez, Jose Rivera and Victor Pichardo, along with many other people were in attendance. The event was emceed by Ms. Rachel Miller-Bradshaw, and moved along smoothly. It was a picture perfect day, but new Councilman Oswald Feliz now has the June 22nd Democratic Primary to run in with many of the same candidates from the special election.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, and DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman today announced a $348 million investment that will rehabilitate the Overbuild in Riverside Park, bringing the 1930s-era infrastructure into a state of good repair.
“A recovery for all of us means investing in our green spaces,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Riverside Park is a New York City gem and I’m proud this investment will keep the park going strong for generations to come.”
“New York City parks are critical infrastructure and their upkeep is essential for the well-bring of our residents,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Laura Anglin. “NYC Parks and the Department of Transportation have come up with a great plan to ensure Riverside Park remains in good shape for future generations to enjoy.”
“New Yorkers benefit physically, mentally, and socially when our parks are accessible and well-maintained. In particular, the past year has affirmed that our parks—with their healing nature—are integral to our city’s ecosystem,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. “With the Mayor’s investment, Riverside Park can continue to be a sanctuary for future generations of New Yorkers to enjoy.”
“Parks are essential infrastructure. This is a major investment that will bring much-needed structural repairs to one of our most visited parks,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “This funding from Mayor de Blasio builds on a significant investment in rehabilitating Riverside Park’s infrastructure, and this multifaceted project will be critical in helping us care for the historic waterfront park for decades to come.”
"Riverside Park is an iconic New York City landmark, and we are proud to be a part of this major announcement by NYC Parks," said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. "However, with a state highway and major Amtrak lines both bisecting it, Riverside Park faces transportation and engineering challenges that must be met by both creative planning and long-term investment. The funding will bring major infrastructure upgrades that will make this historic park safer and more enjoyable for both pedestrians and cyclists."
“The City is committing well over half a billion dollars to restoring Riverside Park’s structural core, the largest investment in the park since the 1930s,” said Dan Garodnick, President of Riverside Park Conservancy. “This enormous investment in the park's fundamental infrastructure will ensure it is there for New Yorkers to enjoy for generations to come.”
The Overbuild is a series of bridge structures underneath Riverside Park, built over the Amtrak lines from W. 72nd to W. 123rd streets. Its deterioration has affected the park’s usability, causing damaged pathways and an appearance of disrepair in the park. NYC Parks and DOT have developed a multi-faceted approach to addressing the structural condition, which includes additional inspections and temporary stabilization work.
The full project details and timeline will be determined during the design process.
The funding is in addition to more than $300 million previously invested under this administration to rehabilitate Riverside Park’s infrastructure – including $200 million to reconstruct the W. 79th Street Rotunda complex, $90 million to reconstruct the W. 79th Street Boat Basin, and more than $10 million to reconstruct pathways and staircases within the park. Mayor de Blasio has also funded an $11.5 million project to begin addressing the park’s drainage systems.
One of only eight officially designated scenic landmarks in New York City, Riverside Park is widely regarded as Manhattan’s most spectacular waterfront park. Stretching along the Hudson River, the park offers a variety of recreational activities including multiple playgrounds, sports courts, and fields, a skate park, and a 110-slip public marina. Riverside Park is also home to many monuments including the General Franz Sigel, Joan of Arc, Lajos Kossuth and Soldiers’ and Sailors’ monuments.
Defendant Admitted to Sending Customers Fraudulent Reports for Laboratory Tests That Were Not Fully Performed
Audrey Strauss, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GABRIEL LETIZIA Jr., the owner and executive director of AMA Laboratories, Inc. (“AMA”), a consumer products testing company in New City, pled guilty today to defrauding customers by reporting laboratory test results for panelist testing that was not fully performed. LETIZIA pled guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison. Former AMA employees David Winne, Mayya Tatsene, Patrycja Wojtowicz, and Kaitlyn Gold previously pled guilty in connection with their respective roles in the scheme.
U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As he has now admitted, Gabriel Letizia schemed for decades to defraud customers of his laboratory, and caused sunscreens and other consumer products to be sold and marketed to consumers on the basis of false laboratory testing reports. Letizia’s guilty plea underscores that my Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute fraud and endangerment in the consumer products testing industry.”
According to the allegations contained in the Second Superseding Information, publicly available information, court filings, and statements made during the plea proceedings:
LETIZIA is the owner and executive director of AMA, a consumer products testing company in Rockland County, New York. David Winne served as AMA’s technical director, Mayya Tatsene served as AMA’s clinical laboratory director, Patrycja Wojtowicz served as AMA’s associate director of clinical studies, and Kaitlyn Gold served as AMA’s supervising laboratory technician. AMA tested the safety and efficacy of cosmetics, sunscreens and other products on specified numbers of volunteer panelists for consumer products companies.
From 1987 through April 2017, LETIZIA and his co-conspirators defrauded AMA’s customers of more than $46 million by testing products on materially lower numbers of panelists than the numbers specified and paid for by AMA’s customers. LETIZIA, and AMA employees acting under his direction, sent the customers fraudulent reports, which falsely represented that AMA had tested the products on the number of panelists specified by the customers, causing the introduction of misbranded products into interstate commerce.
LETIZIA, 71, of New City, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; and two counts of causing a misbranded drug to be introduced into interstate commerce, each of which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison.
The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as the sentence of LETIZIA will be determined by the Court.
LETIZIA will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas on September 14, 2021, at 2:00 p.m.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.
In Partnership with Cornell University, Free Online Training in Public Health Preparedness for New Yorkers Available Now to Build a Network of Public Health Leaders Across the State
Program First Announced as Part of Governor Cuomo's 2021 State of the State Address
Enroll Now to Become a NYS Citizen Public Health Leader Here
Video Preview of NYS Citizen Public Health Training Program Course Material is Available Here
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the Citizen Public Health Training Course for New Yorkers to learn about preparedness for and prevention of public health emergencies from top public health experts will open on Wednesday, May 5. This free, online course, delivered by the New York State Department of Health in partnership with Cornell University and supported by the State University of New York, will prepare and equip New Yorkers to become NYS Citizen Public Health Leaders and build an informed network of community health leaders across the state.
Program participants will learn about COVID-19, public health emergency preparedness and response, and other public health issues, while gaining insight into information and resources that will benefit their communities. Those interested in enrolling or getting more information about becoming a NYS Citizen Public Health Leader can visit the program website.
"We are determined to build back better, and part of that is making sure we are better prepared for the next pandemic," Governor Cuomo said. "This innovative free program was developed by trusted experts and it will empower everyday New Yorkers with critical knowledge to better protect themselves, their families and their neighbors from public health emergencies. Every challenge that we needed to overcome in our fight against COVID required us to work as a community to protect one another. Government played a role, but everyday citizens made the difference. In that spirit, I encourage everyone to sign up for this program and become a public health leader with key knowledge for whatever the future may bring."
This program was first announced as part of the Governor's 2021 State of the State proposal. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, New Yorkers were asked to do their part to fight a virus in ways they had never done before. Everyone was given a crash course in virology, learning to properly wash their hands, sanitize their homes and businesses, and safely care for their family and neighbors. Thousands of New Yorkers signed up and were trained to be contract tracers, helping to track and mitigate the spread of the virus. When other states needed help, these New Yorkers heeded the call and brought their new public health skills to the rest of the country. This new training will help New Yorkers gain the tools to protect themselves, their families and others against future health emergencies.
Aim is to Raise Awareness that Corporal Punishment is Top Risk for Child Abuse
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark joined Dr. Mel Schneiderman,, Senior Vice President of The New York Foundling’s Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection, Dr. Jaime Hoffman-Rosenfeld, Child Abuse Pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, and Michael Brady, CEO of the Third Avenue Business Improvement District, to announce a new awareness campaign aimed at reducing child abuse.
Some stores in the area known as the Hub—where East 149th Street, Willis Avenue and Third Avenue meet—have agreed to be designated “No Hit Zones,” calm, safe and caring environments for children where adults and children pledge no hitting of any kind. The initiative addresses the most prevalent risk factor of child abuse: corporal punishment.
The No Hit Zone initiative is a comprehensive program that includes multiple strategies to
effectively influence attitudes, norms, and behaviors. Family homes, schools, hospitals, religious
institutions, communities, and many more can be No Hit Zones. Signs posted in the No Hit Zone
offer a 24-hour hotline number for parents and caregivers who may need crisis counseling.
District Attorney Clark said, “I think this campaign will help people to realize how corporal punishment can increase the risk of child abuse, and I am pleased to launch it in the Bronx community with our dedicated partners Dr. Schneiderman and Dr. Hoffman-Rosenfeld. I know parents and caregivers sometimes are overwhelmed, and I want them to know help is available during crisis moments. I am grateful to Michael Brady, CEO of the Third Avenue BID, for his assistance once again in a community effort, and for the merchants and business owners who will post the signs.”
Dr. Schneiderman said, “The New York Foundling is thrilled to participate in the No Hit Zone initiative and commends the Bronx DA’s office in their efforts to create an environment of safety for children and families. The New York Foundling has been dedicated to protecting and supporting New York’s children for over 150 years. Through our Fontana Center for Child Protection, we work tirelessly to reduce child maltreatment, and are involved with many local and national efforts to reduce the reliance on and use of corporal punishment. We are proud to partner with other agencies and offices across the city to work toward this mission.”
Dr. Hoffman-Rosenfeld said, “As a Child Abuse Pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore and the Medical Director of the Bronx Child Advocacy Center, it is with great honor and optimism that we are partnering with the District Attorney of the Bronx, Darcel Clark, to end hitting, spanking and other forms of corporal punishment of children. By taking this stand, we are sending a message that people, and especially children, deserve to live in an environment of safety and comfort, free from violence. Spanking is one of the most common risk factors for child physical abuse.”
Mr. Brady said, “Being a parent and a caregiver is difficult. Oftentimes we feel there is no support. The No Hit Zone program encourages a balanced and healthy home life for children and families. The Third Avenue BID is proud to partner on this initiative and launch it in the busiest commercial district in the Bronx where thousands of families live, work, and shop.”
The National No Hit Zone Committee is part of the National Initiative to End Corporal Punishment (NIECP), whose overall goal is to help develop, coordinate, and lead a national campaign to end corporal punishment in the United States. NIECP is sponsored by three organizations: the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, US Alliance to End the Hitting of Children, and the Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection of the New York Foundling.
For more information, go to https://nohitzone.com/
