DiNAPOLI: FORMER POTTER TOWN CLERK SENTENCED TO JAIL TIME AND FULL RESTITUTION OF NEARLY $27,000

 

Former Town of Potter Clerk Julie Brown was sentenced to six months in Yates County jail today for stealing nearly $27,000 in public funds for her personal use. Her thefts were discovered during a joint investigation by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s office, Yates County District Attorney Todd Casella’s office and Yates County Sheriff Ronald Spike’s office.

Brown, 49, of Penn Yan, stole cash payments made to the town for property taxes and fees for marriage licenses, dog licenses, hunting permits and building permits. She used the money to support her personal lifestyle, including trips to casinos and gambling websites. The thefts took place between January 1, 2018, and May 21, 2019, when Brown resigned. She agreed to pay $26,729 in restitution as part of her plea agreement in March, of which she has already paid $20,000.

“When a public servant steals taxpayer funds, it damages the public’s trust in government,” DiNapoli said. “Ms. Brown took advantage of the trust placed in her and now has been held responsible for her crimes. My thanks to Yates County District Attorney Casella and Sheriff Spike for partnering to bring Brown to justice.”   

"A public office is a public trust and regrettably this town clerk acted contrary to their oath,” said Yates County Sheriff Spike. “I thank all involved in this criminal investigation, prosecution, and conviction, especially the New York State Comptroller’s office for their forensic work.”

Brown pled guilty in March to corrupting the government in the second degree (class C felony); grand larceny in the third degree/ public servant (class C Felony); two counts of tampering with public records in the first degree (class D felony); scheme to defraud in the first degree (class E felony) and official misconduct (class A misdemeanor). Brown was initially arrested in November 2020 and released on her own recognizance.

Governor Cuomo Announces Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity Has Declined 50 Consecutive Days, Falls To 0.89%

 

1,357 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

307 Patients in the ICU; 181 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 1.00%

16 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"The hard work of New Yorkers combined with the vaccine have helped us prevent the spread of COVID and keep our state's numbers trending in the right direction," Governor Cuomo said. "While we are containing the COVID beast, our fight is not over. I want to encourage all New Yorkers to take advantage of our greatest tool against COVID - the vaccine."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 76,551
• Total Positive - 767
• Percent Positive - 1.00%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 0.89%
• Patient Hospitalization - 1,357 (+52)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -228
• Patients Newly Admitted - 142
• Number ICU - 307 (+4)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 181 (-4)
• Total Discharges - 181,319 (+88)
• Deaths - 16
• Total Deaths - 42,624

NEW YORK CITY LAUNCHES ‘SHOP YOUR CITY’ CHALLENGE

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Jonnel Doris today announced a new campaign to encourage New Yorkers to take a break from big box retailers and shop at local small businesses. The “Shop Your City” Challenge is a 30-day multi-channel marketing campaign featuring a contest and chance to win a $50 gift card to spend at neighborhood businesses. 

In the last year, SBS has launched 28 initiatives to help small businesses and jobseekers stay resilient. Their resources include a hotline [888-SBS-4NYC] that has helped over 60,000 callers, connected over 5,000 businesses to over $147 million in funding and assisted 90,000 job seekers.

 

“There’s no recovery without a full comeback for the small businesses that make New York City great. That comeback starts with all of us choosing to put money back in our own communities,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The Shop Your City challenge will engage New Yorkers across the five boroughs to put big box stores aside and show their love for the local institutions that have given them so much.”

 

“Our small businesses have taken a tremendous hit because of this pandemic. The City is committed to continuing to find new and creative ways to support these businesses," said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives J. Philip Thompson and Co-Chair of the Racial Inclusion and Equity Taskforce. "The Shop Your City Challenge will urge New Yorkers to show some love to our cherished small businesses and help them come back stronger.”

 

“Now more than ever, shopping locally can make or break a business,” said Jonnel Doris, Commissioner of NYC Department of Small Business Services and Co-Chair of the Small Business Subcommittee of the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity. “The Shop Your City Challenge will bring New Yorkers together on a single mission, to shop small!”

 

The Shop Your City Challenge will encourage New Yorkers to support their small businesses while helping NYC’s economy recover through:

• Advertising and Marketing: The City will launch a Shop Your City advertising campaign including significant investment in community and ethnic media, posters distributed to community partners and small businesses, and a social media toolkit.
• Shop Your City Photo Contest: New Yorkers will be encouraged to support small businesses through themed week categories by going to www.nyc.gov/ShopYourCity to upload a photo or video depicting how you are supporting a local small business. Participants will be entered to the photo contest for a chance to win a $50 gift card.
• Community Partnership: The City will engage with celebrities, local leaders, and business leaders to sign up for the 30-day challenge and support small businesses. Celebrities will be supporting this effort through a promotional video campaign, including actress and comedienne Sherri Shepherd, radio personality and business owner Angela Yee, and President of New York City’s Hospitality and business owner Melba Wilson.
• Consumer Incentives: The City will offer New Yorkers “I Shopped Local” stickers and Shop Your City Tote Bags when shopping small.
• 5-borough Business Tour: The City will participate in days of action according to the themed weeks throughout the next 30 days to engage with small businesses and encourage New Yorkers to shop locally.

 

The 30-day campaign will kick off on Tuesday, May 25 with visits to small businesses in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. For more information on the Shop Your City Challenge, including maps and lists of local businesses, visit www.nyc.gov/shopyourcity.

 

222 Days and Counting

 

As you can see there is a Shake Shack burger with fries, and I have water in the soda cup on my desk. I want you to go into you local small business and spend your money. Support your local small business. We need to help our small businesses as they recover from the Pandemic. We will be offering incentives to shop your local small business. 

Charlene, did my order from Amazon come yet?

Video & Audio: Governor Cuomo Announces All New York State Schools to Reopen in September

 

Based on Current COVID Trajectory, All Schools Across New York State are Set to Reopen for Full In-Person Learning September 2021

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that, based on current COVID trajectory, all New York State schools will reopen for full in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year beginning in September.  

"Our children lost so much as COVID struck our state. A year of socialization, a year of memories, and even more," Governor Cuomo said. "While teachers and school administrators did an incredible job pivoting to remote learning with virtually zero notice, there's no denying the discrimination students who did not have the right equipment faced. With the way our COVID numbers are currently trending, there is no reason why our students should not get back to in-person learning as usual and we look forward to welcoming them back. If there is a change in the trajectory of the virus, we will revisit the decision."

NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr. Endorses Fernando Cabrera in Borough President Race

 

City Council Land Use Committee Chair Rafael Salamanca announced his endorsement of fellow Bronx City Council member and Tenants right advocate Councilman Fernando Cabrera for Bronx Borough President.

Fernando Cabrera is the clear choice for Bronx borough President, because he is a Bronx born leader with a record of delivering for Bronx families. He understands the problems Bronx families are now facing, and with his background as a City Councilman, a pastor, former schools counselor, and community advocate. Fernando Cabrera is the Borough President who will put us on the right path as we recover from COVID-19 and years of neglect from the government.

Councilman Cabrera praised Councilman Salamanca in his own fight for affordability and safety in the Bronx. He is a powerhouse, a fighter with a track record of victory for the South Bronx when it comes to my Number One priority - affordability. I am proud to receive his endorsement Fernando Cabrera said. He will be a partner with me for the Bronx making sure we get the boroughs fair share for our seniors, tenants, and working families so they are not chewed up and spit out by greedy developers and an economy of exclusion. Councilman Salamanca was a leading candidate for Bronx Borough President before deciding to run for his council seat again since he was not term-limited out of office.

South Bronx Councilman Rafael Salamanca explains why he is endorsing Councilman Fernando Cabrera for Bronx Borough President.

Bronx Borough President candidate Councilman Fernando Cabrera thanks Councilman Salamanca for his faith in endorsing his candidacy for Bronx Borough President.

In a symbolic raising of hands in victory the two councilmen hope they will be able to do this once all the votes are counted, if not sooner.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State Vaccination Program

 

63,443 Doses Administered in the Last 24 Hours

815,097 Doses Administered Over Past Seven Days

Vaccine Dashboard Updated Daily on the State's Vaccine Program Here

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's vaccination program. 63,443 doses have been administered across the state's vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and 815,097 doses have been administered statewide over the past seven days. As of May 23, the weekly vaccine allocation update will not differentiate between first and second doses because of changes in the federal government's vaccine ordering process.

"Every single day, more New Yorkers are getting vaccinated and we move even closer to a brighter future that allows us to reopen the economy, put people back to work and move into the new normal," Governor Cuomo said. "Vaccination is a critical part of rebuilding New York after this pandemic and we are moving heaven and earth to make it accessible to every New Yorker. If you haven't yet made an appointment or walked into a site, I encourage you to do so immediately."

All New York State mass vaccination sites are now open to eligible New Yorkers for walk-in vaccination on a first come first serve basis. The walk-in appointments are reserved for first doses only with second doses to be scheduled automatically after administration of the initial shot. In addition, all vaccine providers are encouraged to allow walk-in appointments for eligible New Yorkers. People who would prefer to schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site can do so on the Am I Eligible App or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX. People may also contact their local health department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital to schedule appointments where vaccines are available, or visit vaccines.gov to find information on vaccine appointments near them.                                            

 

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

Total doses administered - 18,441,242

Total doses administered over past 24 hours - 63,443

Total doses administered over past 7 days - 815,097

Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 63.7%

Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 54.9%

Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 52.0%

Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 44.1%

BRONX JEWISH CENTER Community Dinner

 

BRONX JEWISH CENTER  Hosts Community Dinner  

 

Please join us for our next community Shabbat dinner on Friday June 4th starting  at 7:00 pm  at  the Bronx Jewish Center located at 1969 Haight  Avenue ,Bx NY 10461. . The B J C will be welcoming back the entire Bronx  community .Re-connect with your friends and  neighbors and meet new ones !  All of your traditional  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. Come  join us !! All are welcome .Social distancing will be strictly enforced . 

  Please RSVP@718-812-1701 to let us know you are coming .Shabbat dinners are held the first Friday of every month.    

When:    Friday  June 4th..

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 OR rabbi @bronxjewishcenter.org

Telephone:  #718-812-1701