Mayoral Candidate Ray McGuire visits 16th City Council Candidate Yves Filius

 

(L-R), Br. Cary Goodman. 16th City Council District candidate Yves Filius, and Mayoral candidate Ray McGuire.

  

Tuesday Mayoral candidate Ray McGuire stopped by the Yankee Stadium area to visit with 16th City Council candidate Yves Filius. Filius is the Make District Leader from the 77th Assembly District, and the two were joined by Dr. Cary Goodman the Executive Director of the 161t Street BID to tour the BID area. 

As they walked along East 161st Street a few blocks from Yankee Stadium people would stop to talk to candidates Yves Filius and Ray McGuire.

The two candidates passed by the Office of the Bronx District Attorney's office.

The pair of candidates stopped by the Bronx County Courthouse for a photo with the Bronx County flags.

Mayoral Candidate Ray McGuire Visits with 18th City Council District Candidate William Rivera

 

What can you say to a candidate who has an empty movie theater front as his campaign headquarters? 18th City Council District candidate William Rivera and Mayoral candidate Ray McGuire are dwarfted by the marquee sign for candidate Rivera. William Rivera is the District manager of Bronx Community Board 8 in the Soundview/Parkchester area of the Bronx. He is also the former Chair of Community Board 9.

Before they went on a tour of the Parkchester area where 18th Council District candidate William Rivera's office is located William howed off all the awards and citations he has received to Mayoral candidate Ray McGuire. 

After a short talk the pair went out for their walk of the area.

As the two candidates stopped along the way almost everyone knew city council candidate William Rivera, who has become the favorite in the 18th Council District race. The owner of the deli had a few questions for Mayoral candidate Ray McGuire as to the current mayor's policies. William Rivera's large campaign posters are in almost every store window. 

9 Department Of Correction Officers And Employees Charged With Taking Bribes To Smuggle Contraband To Inmates At New York City Jails

 

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Margaret Garnett, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced the unsealing of indictments charging nine current and former employees and officers of the New York City Department of Correction with taking cash bribes in return for smuggling contraband such as scalpels, razor blades, drugs, alcohol, and cellphones to inmates in New York City area jails.  Nine defendants were arrested today and will be presented before United States Magistrate Judges.  Seven defendants were arrested in New York, one defendant in Pennsylvania, and one defendant in Virginia.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “These defendants were responsible for maintaining a safe and orderly environment in New York City’s jails.  Instead, as alleged, they abused their positions to enrich themselves by smuggling weapons, drugs, and other dangerous contraband in return for thousands of dollars of cash bribes.  This alleged activity violated the defendants’ duties, and endangered the inmates they were charged to supervise and guard.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “The nine defendants charged today risked the safety and security of their colleagues and others within the New York City Department of Correction when they carelessly decided to smuggle contraband into our jails, as we allege today.  We shouldn’t have to remind public servants that accepting bribes while conducting illegal activity could constitute a federal crime, but when necessary, that’s exactly what we’ll do.”

DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said:  “These charged crimes involving contraband smuggling and bribery by City Correction officers and employees reflect the pernicious and damaging impact of corruption. Correction officers and staff should protect the integrity of the jails, not promote lawlessness and violence by accepting bribes in return for trafficking drugs, scalpels, razor blades, cell phones, and other contraband – all highly valued, illegal items that undermine order in the jails and compromise the safety of other correction officers and inmates. DOI thanks the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their partnership on these significant investigations.”      

According to the allegations in the Indictments[1] unsealed today:

MIGUEL COMPRES, 35, of New York, New York, abused his position as a correction officer to smuggle scalpels, smokable synthetic cannabinoids, often referred to as “K2” or “Spice,” cellphones, and large quantities of cigarettes into the Manhattan Detention Complex in downtown Manhattan, in return for over $6,000 in bribes, from at least in or about November 2019 up through and including in or about August 2020.  He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal crimes, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of federal program bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one count of honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

TAMEKA LEWIS, 41, of Brooklyn, New York, abused her position as a counselor with the Department of Correction to smuggle K2 and other contraband into the Otis Bantum Correctional Center on Rikers Island, in return for over $40,000 in bribes, from at least in or about June 2019 up through and including in or about September 2020.  She is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal crimes, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of federal program bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, one count of honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of distribution of a controlled substances analogue, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

DARIEL DIAZ, 33, of Reading, Pennsylvania, abused his position as a correction officer to smuggle K2, a cellphone, and large quantities of cigarettes into the George R. Vierno Center on Rikers Island, in return for over $8,000 in bribes, from at least in or about March 2020 up through and including in or about September 2020.  He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal crimes, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of federal program bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one count of honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

JASMINE REED, 34, of Norfolk, Virginia, abused her position as an exterminator with the Department of Correction to smuggle a razor, K2, marijuana, cigarettes, a cellphone, and other contraband into the Manhattan Detention Complex in downtown Manhattan in return for cash bribes, from at least in or about September 2019 up through and including in or about December 2019.  She is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal crimes, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of distribution of a controlled substance, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

TEMAINE PELZER, 45, of Brooklyn, New York, abused his position as a correction officer to smuggle cigarettes and other contraband into the Manhattan Detention Complex, in return for over $8,000 in bribes, from at least in or about August 2019 up through and including in or about February 2020.  He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal crimes, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of federal program bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one count of honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

BRIAN HARRELL, 60, of Pelham, New York, abused his position as a correction officer to smuggle K2, alcohol, cigarettes, and other contraband into the Manhattan Detention Complex, in return for over $6,500 in bribes, from at least in or about May 2020 up through and including in or about June 2020.  He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal crimes, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of federal program bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, one count of honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of distribution of a controlled substances analogue, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

RASHAWN ASSANAH, 25, of Queens, New York, abused his position as a correction officer to smuggle a cellphone, a large quantity of cigarettes, and other contraband into the Robert N. Davoren Center on Rikers Island, in return for over $7,500 in bribes, from at least in or about November 2020 up through and including in or about February 2021.  He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal crimes, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of federal program bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one count of honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

ROBERT BALDUCCI, 33, of the Bronx, New York, abused his position as a correction officer to smuggle razor blades, marijuana, and other contraband into the Otis Bantum Correctional Center on Rikers Island, in return for at least $5,000 in bribes, in or about October 2020.  He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal crimes, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of federal program bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one count of honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

JOHNATHAN GARRETT, 32, of Brooklyn, New York, abused his position as a correction officer to smuggle methamphetamine, K2, and other contraband into the Anna M. Kross Center on Rikers Island, in return for at least $5,000 in bribes, from at least in or about September 2020 up through and including in or about October 2020.  He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit federal crimes, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of federal program bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one count of honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in these cases are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of each defendant will be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and DOI.

The charges in the Indictments are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictments and the description of the Indictments set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

DEC RELEASES DRAFT 2021–2025 HUDSON RIVER ESTUARY ACTION AGENDA

 

Comments Accepted on Draft Action Agenda through July 9

 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released the draft Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2021-2025, a five-year blueprint for conserving and restoring the Hudson River estuary and its watershed. DEC is accepting public comments on the draft through July 9, 2021. In addition, DEC released the 2015 – 2020 Hudson River Estuary Program Coordinator’s Report, which provides the context for the strategies and actions outlined in the draft Action Agenda. 

“The Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda presents a strategic vision for protecting and restoring the river, its valley and watershed for future generations,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “DEC developed the draft Action Agenda with the input of diverse interests throughout the region and I encourage all stakeholders to review it and share their comments. This Action Agenda outlines New York’s goals for the Hudson River estuary and sets a course to address the challenges we face, including climate change, environmental justice, and water quality, as well as the protection of fish, wildlife, and habitats.”

 

The Hudson River Action Agenda is updated every five years to address current trends and opportunities. For example, some of the estuary’s signature fisheries, such as shad, are in a trend of decline while others, like Atlantic sturgeon, appear to be recovering. Changing land-use patterns in the watershed affect the region’s biological diversity and water resources, and climate change and related tidal flooding are affecting community shorelines and river access sites such as parks and preserves. The proposed actions are built around delivering the key benefits people receive from a strong and vibrant Hudson River Estuary ecosystem. 

Highlights of the 2021 – 2025 Action Agenda include: 

• Research and monitoring to improve the sustainability of migratory fishes; 
• Restoration of river habitats;
• Long-term plans to bolster progress being made to better manage wastewater discharges into the Hudson;
• Management for habitat and flood resiliency of tributary streams;
• Assistance to help communities adapt to climate-change impacts and address land use changes;
• Outdoor programs and web-accessible content to inform and engage the public; and
• Enhancements to make sites along the Hudson accessible to more people. 

The outcomes included in the Action Agenda are measurable and achievable by 2030, and build on a successful record of progress in each of the Hudson River Estuary Program’s core areas of expertise. As described in the 2015 – 2020 Hudson River Estuary Coordinator’s Report, from 2015 – 2020, this DEC program provided technical assistance, grants, research, or other support in 163 watershed communities, including at least 700 specific projects. DEC awarded 156 Estuary Program grants totaling more than $10 million. 

The Hudson River Estuary Management Advisory Committee helps guide DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program, and includes representatives of the commercial fishing industry, recreational anglers, utility companies, local government, educators, researchers, conservationists and other river users, and helps engage many representatives of the public in working together toward common goals. DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program was created in 1987 and helps people enjoy, protect, and revitalize the estuary and the Hudson River Valley.

Implementation of the Action Agenda is funded through the State’s Environmental Protection Fund and carried out through extensive outreach, coordination with state and federal agencies, and public-private partnerships through grants and restoration projects; education, research and training; natural resource conservation and protection; and community planning assistance. 

The Draft Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2021-2025 is available on DEC’s website at: www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4920.html. Comments can be emailed with “Action Agenda” in the subject line to hrep@dec.ny.gov or mailed through July 9 to: Hudson River Estuary Program, NYSDEC Region 3, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, New York 12561.

Attorney General James Delivers $627,000 for Brentwood Community Marred by Waste Dumping at Roberto Clemente Park

 

Disposal of Contaminated Construction Waste by Companies and Individuals Closed Major Park to Community for Years  

$627,000 Obtained in Eight Agreements Will Be Used for Brentwood Park Improvements; Additional Funds Expected as AG James’ Legal Action Continues 

  New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that her office has delivered $627,000 from eight companies involved in the illegal dumping of contaminated construction waste in Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood, Long Island. These agreements — which will be sent to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York for final approval — are the first resolutions reached in a federal lawsuit the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) brought in 2017 against 33 construction contractors, waste brokers, and waste haulers that illegally dumped waste in the park for years. The agreements seek to hold these companies and individuals financially liable for the Brentwood community’s lost use of the popular park during the three years it was closed for cleanup.  

The funds will be used to improve public park facilities in the Brentwood community, including Roberto Clemente Park. The OAG will work with local community groups, elected officials, and the Town of Islip to engage residents in identifying community priorities for restoring and enhancing Brentwood parks.

“The threats of environmental injustice are real and have unfairly plagued communities like Brentwood for too long,” said Attorney General James. “For over three years, Roberto Clemente Park was used as an illegal dumping ground, robbing residents of a centerpiece of this community and putting our children in harm’s way. Today, we begin to give back what’s long been due, and hold accountable those responsible for polluting this park with dangerous chemicals. My office will continue to crack down on those who put our communities in jeopardy and stand up for the right of all New Yorkers to live in safe, healthy neighborhoods.”

Between August 2013 and April 2014, tens of thousands of tons of urban soil and construction and demolition (C&D) debris were transported from construction sites in the New York City metropolitan area and were illegally dumped in Roberto Clemente Park, a park owned by the Town of Islip. The Town closed the park in May 2014 when environmental testing revealed the presence of asbestos, and, later, a wide array of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides, in areas of the park where the dumping occurred. The park remained closed until July 2017, as cleanup contractors removed approximately 39,000 tons of hazardous construction waste.  

In May 2017, OAG sued the companies and individuals related to the dumping — contractors that arranged for the disposal of soil and C&D contaminated with hazardous substances from construction sites in the New York City metropolitan area, companies that brokered the removal and disposal of the contaminated waste, and the haulers that transported waste to Roberto Clemente Park and dumped it there. That lawsuit sought damages under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and state public nuisance and negligence laws for the Brentwood community’s lost use of the park during its cleanup. 

The agreements and related payments announced today resolve the lawsuit brought by OAG against the following companies: 

• Atria Builders, LLC (construction contractor) will pay $90,000;
• Monaco Construction Corp., Alef Construction Inc., and 158 Franklin Ave. LLC (construction contractors) will collectively pay $58,439; 
• Triton Construction Company, LLC (construction contractor) will pay $108,505;
• IEV Trucking Corp. (waste broker) will pay $175,000;
• Touchstone Homes LLC (construction contractor) will pay $175,000; and 
• COD Services Corp. (waste broker) will pay $20,000.  

The legal actions against the 25 other companies and individuals named in the federal lawsuit remain ongoing. Funds obtained through the continuing litigation will also be directed towards the enhancement of parks in the Brentwood community. 

In 2016, the Town of Islip initiated a separate legal action against a number of companies and individuals involved in the dumping. The Town has reached agreements for $145,000 for the park’s cleanup with two of the same companies that the state has now settled with. 

Attorney General James thanks the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for its assistance in this matter. 

“Today’s announcement marks an important milestone in New York’s efforts to help make the Brentwood community whole after illegal dumping closed Roberto Clemente Park,” said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos. “The discovery of dumping of construction and demolition debris in this park by DEC Law Enforcement Officers and staff and the subsequent cleanup served as the spark for the State’s overhaul of rules for C&D disposal. We are proud to work with partners in the Attorney General’s Office and the town of Islip to ensure the safe clean-up of contamination, hold the dumpers accountable for the harm they caused, and restore this park for the community.”   

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State Vaccination Program

 

99,554 Doses Administered in the Last 24 Hours

776,101 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. 99,554 doses have been administered across the state's vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and 776,101 doses have been administered statewide over the past seven days.

"New Yorkers have shown incredible resilience and discipline throughout this pandemic, and we need them to take the next step and get vaccinated to defeat this virus once and for all. Our ability to rebuild New York, reinvigorate the economy and put people back to work depends on it," Governor Cuomo said. "We're taking action to increase the number of shots in arms across the state by offering numerous incentives, while continuing to open pop-up sites to ensure access for all. The vaccine is the weapon that will win this war and I urge everyone to get vaccinated not just for themselves, but for their fellow New Yorkers. That is the only way we can finally put this pandemic behind us." 

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 - 18,628,178

Total doses administered over past 24 hours - 99,554

Total doses administered over past 7 days - 776,101

Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 64.2%

Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 55.5%

Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 52.5%

Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 44.6%

DEC REMINDS WATER RECREATIONISTS TO CLEAN, DRAIN, AND DRY WATERCRAFT AND EQUIPMENT TO PROTECT NEW YORK’S WATERS FROM INVASIVE SPECIES

Boat Stewards to Conduct Boat Inspections and Educate Recreating Public at Boat Launches Statewide

As this year’s boating season officially kicks off, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today reminded water recreationists to do their part in protecting New York’s waters from aquatic invasive species (AIS) by remembering to clean, drain, and dry watercraft and equipment. Last year, boater traffic increased by nearly 20 percent at some launches and boat stewards counted more than 390,000 boats at launches across the state, a significant increase from the 276,515 watercraft counted in 2019. DEC anticipates more boaters will hit the water this season and with them an increased risk of introducing AIS to New York’s waters. Taking proactive steps such as cleaning off fishing tackle, removing aquatic vegetation from rudders, disinfecting boat hulls and water compartments, and properly disposing of bait, significantly reduces that risk.  “Aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels, spiny waterflea, hydrilla, and others can be easily transported from one waterbody to another on boats, trailers, and fishing equipment,” said Commissioner Seggos. “Protecting New York’s waters is a high priority for DEC. Our lakes and ponds are invaluable in providing wildlife habitat, sustaining our state’s fisheries and fishing industry, and offering opportunities for recreation.”  Over the last few years, DEC has expanded its boat steward coverage through the Watercraft Inspection Stewardship Program, reaching additional recreationists with the Clean, Drain, Dry message. Boat stewards demonstrate how to conduct boat and trailer inspections prior to launching into a new waterbody and provide basic facts about AIS. In 2020, DEC’s boat stewards talked with more than 30,000 boaters who were unfamiliar with the boat steward program. These stewards also intercepted more than 19,000 AIS on boats and equipment, including hydrilla, which was removed from boats headed into Lake Champlain and Lake Ontario. Existing hydrilla infestations in Cayuga, Erie, Tioga, Tompkins, and Westchester counties are currently costing New Yorkers more than one million dollars a year in control and mitigation.  “Last fall we opened the new boat launch at Otisco Lake. We are thrilled that this will be one of more than 200 locations participating in the New York State Watercraft Inspection Steward Program,” said Matthew Marko, DEC Region 7 Director. “We ask that all recreationists clean, drain, and dry their watercraft and equipment to help protect New York’s waters.”  “The Finger Lakes Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) is looking forward to providing education and outreach at the new Otisco Lake launch and hopes to reach more new boaters,” said Hilary Mosher, Coordinator, Finger Lakes PRISM.  To help protect New York’s lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams, visit DEC’s website for more information on AIS and a step by step guide for ridding boats and equipment of AIS. Today, DEC also released a newly developed public service announcement (PSA) to air across the state reminding boaters to clean, drain, and dry their watercrafts in order to protect state waters. The PSA is now available on DEC’s YouTube page at  https://youtu.be/MHdyB5SpnR8.

 

MAYOR DE BLASIO DELIVERS REMARKS AT THE NEW YORK STATE COUNTY EXECUTIVES’ ASSOCIATION MEETING

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio: Well, I want to thank County Executive Marc Molinaro for his leadership. And this organization, thank you for hosting us. We're all gratified to be together. Just the fact that we're together says progress is happening, that things are changing, and it’s because everyone worked so hard to make it that way. This is a story that needs to be told. The fact is, something extraordinary happened in this last year and more because people work together. And all those notions that we get told all the time that we can't work together across regional lines or party lines, we've been disproving that through our actions, everyone in this room.

And I want to tell the story very quickly in three parts – past, present, and future. The county executives of this state were heroic fighting COVID. We all came together, and shared, and thought together, and struggled together. But it was not only COVID that brought us together. This is the past that needs to be understood – we were already engaged. Sometimes it was to stop things that were not fair to our people. When the State of New York tried to foist Medicaid costs on us in a way that was unsupportable. We all banded together. It didn't matter if you were Democrat or Republican, upstate, downstate – we banded together. When the MTA tried to take away our local land-use rights, we banded together. This was well before COVID. When COVID struck, we found a deeper kind of common cause. We needed each other. We needed to hear each other, think together, innovate together. Sometimes we cried on each shoulder – each other's shoulders a little bit because we were all going through so much.

 

What we saw over this last year is a model of what should be in this state and beyond – people actually can sit in a room in a true sense of fellowship. That's what we experienced and it helped to save lives. Present – the present to me is very clear, and I send this message respectfully to all our colleagues and all the – to our friends in the Legislature. We need to restore democracy in the State of New York. We need to restore local control. It's time. It's time. We, rightfully, all of us are celebrating the progress against COVID. Well, that progress also sends a signal – restore to localities our ability to do our job fully and navigate what we have to do now for our people. We are closest to our people. We hear our people. We meet them in the supermarket on the corner. We understand and we need to be able to do our jobs again fully.

 

Future – the future’s recovery. There's such an incredible spirit here in this room in Rhinebeck. We are all talking about what's next with energy and with hope. There's an incredible sense that we're going to go someplace together. And recovery is happening, but it requires all of us to have a different mindset. We have to put COVID behind us. We have to stop thinking through COVID, because we're defeating COVID. We’ve got to start envisioning what we're all going to do together in a new and better situation. That's our future. Our future is not to be mired. We all talked about things like opening up our schools and all the other things that are going to bring people back to a better, a more normal life. We, as leaders, have to show that that path can and will be done.

 

So, I just want to say thank you to everyone here in this room. I feel truly honored to be with you – seriously honored, because you fought through this war, and you won, and you were there for your people when it mattered most no matter what was thrown at you. And we are going to take this partnership forward for the good of all. Thank you.