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Bronx Politics and Community events
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Monday I start my 'Homecoming Concerts' in the Bronx with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Remember though you will not be allowed to this and any concert or event we are having unless you have your vaccination card or test proof that you don't have the virus. We can't blame Donald Trump for the increase in COVID cases, because he is out of office for over seven months now, and President Biden said the country will be at a seventy percent vaccination rate. Boy was he off, and the country reopened.
It's not all Joe Biden's fault, because we now have hundreds of people coming into the country from the Southern Border, and the number was over 210,000 for just the month of July alone. The border Patrol is saying that up to forty percent of those coming into the country from the Southern Border either have or are carrying the COVID-19 virus. These people are being bused around the country, and I don't know how many have come to New York City.
Oh well, enjoy Homecoming Week, and be safe, wear a face mask and a condom.
Dear Community,
On Tuesday, August 10th, Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation as Governor of New York. This announcement came one week after the conclusion of the Attorney General’s investigation into the Governor’s behavior that confirmed he sexually harassed eleven women and fostered a toxic work environment in the Executive Chamber. It feels as if New York is finally closing a dark chapter. I am forever grateful for the eleven women who risked everything to speak out about their experience of sexual misconduct by the Governor. Because of their courage, New York will be a better and safer place.
The truth is that the Governor’s harm extended beyond the harassment he inflicted upon the eleven women who came forward. Governor Cuomo upheld a culture of abuse, bullying, and corruption that has existed in Albany for years, impacting both the function and integrity of our state government. For too long, the Governor stood in the way of progressive success, obstructing legislation on healthcare, higher education, transportation, and so much more, prioritizing his own needs over the good of New Yorkers.
While the Governor stepping aside allows our state to begin to heal, resignation alone does not equal accountability. The Legislature must move forward with impeachment. New York needs a full reckoning of the many ways the Governor has harmed his staff, our government, and our state. If we fail to hold the Governor accountable, we are sending a message that protections against sexual harassment in the workplace do not apply to those with power. Without accountability, we cannot rid Albany of the toxic and corrupt culture that has plagued New York for too long.
Our government must work for the people, not against them. This is an opportunity for New York to move forward and address the needs of the people we were elected to serve. I look forward to working under Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership to change the culture and function of New York State government. Let us focus on recovering from the pandemic, rebuilding our state, and fixing the broken systems that enable abuse of power. I am confident that we can restore the power to the people and serve New Yorkers once again.
With Gratitude,
State Senator Alessandra Biaggi
Renderings from S. Wieder Architect offer a first look at a new 12-story residential property at 261 Grand Concourse in Mott Haven, The Bronx. The building will comprise 96 rental units and associated amenities including a fitness center, multiple open-air terraces, and more to be announced. Select residences will also include private outdoor space.
The façade will be constructed of gray brick, large floor-to-ceiling windows, and glass-enclosed balconies with discreet dark metal supports. At the southern tip of the building, the renderings show ornamental blue cladding at the seventh level surrounding the fitness center.
46,441 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours
13 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combatting COVID-19.
"The Delta variant is a very serious threat, especially for people who are still unvaccinated," Governor Cuomo said. "We've made great progress considering where we were when COVID first ambushed our state, but if we want to defeat this virus, it is imperative that every New Yorker takes the vaccine. Every shot in the arm brings us closer to victory, so if you haven't yet, I urge you to come to one of our many sites and get vaccinated - for your own safety and for everyone you love."
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
Prior to His Arrest, Jaime Santana, a/k/a “Smiley,” Was the Highest Ranking Non-Incarcerated Member of the “L.A. Program” of MS-13 in the U.S.
Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JAIME SANTANA, a/k/a “Smiley,” a high-ranking member of Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick to 110 months in prison. SANTANA previously pled guilty to participating in a racketeering conspiracy, and participating in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Jaime Santana, a leader of the L.A. Program of MS-13, trafficked in weapons and cocaine and helped plan a cross-border methamphetamine distribution network. Santana was also party to an extortion in which he and others threatened to murder the victim. Thanks to our partners at HSI and the NYPD, Santana was arrested, convicted, and has now been sentenced to prison for his crimes.”
According to the Indictment, other filings in this case, and statements during court proceedings:
SANTANA is a member of MS-13, a transnational racketeering enterprise that operates throughout North and Central America, including in El Salvador, Mexico, New York, California, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. In order to enrich the enterprise, protect and expand its criminal operations, enforce discipline among its members, and retaliate against members of rival gangs, members and associates of MS-13 committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence, distributed and possessed with intent to distribute narcotics, including methamphetamine and cocaine, and obtained, possessed, and used firearms.
MS-13 is organized into chapters called “cliques.” Groups of cliques, in turn, are aligned as “programs.” Each program is governed by a group of senior gang leaders known as the “table.” SANTANA is a high-ranking member of the table of the “L.A. Program” of MS-13.
In July and September 2019, SANTANA sold a 9mm handgun, a .40 caliber handgun, a .45 caliber handgun, boxes of ammunition, and cocaine to individuals working at the direction of law enforcement.
Furthermore, in the summer and fall of 2019, SANTANA was involved, with other high-ranking members of MS-13, in planning for the establishment of a methamphetamine distribution network that started in Mexico and operated throughout the United States, including North Carolina, New York, Virginia, and Tennessee.
In addition, in September 2019, SANTANA and other senior members of MS-13 conspired to extort another gang member, who was told that he either had to repay money or be “green lit” (i.e., killed) for introducing a “bad connection” who supplied poor quality narcotics to the gang.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Broderick sentenced SANTANA, 41, of Galatin, Tennessee, to five years of supervised release.
Ms. Strauss praised the investigative work of Homeland Security Investigations and the New York City Police Department.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Legislation Allows for the State to Finance the Acquisition and/or Conversion of Distressed Hotels and Commercial Office Properties by Nonprofit Organizations to Increase Affordable Housing
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.5257C/A.6593B), enacting the "Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act," which provides a mechanism for the state to finance the acquisition and/or conversion of distressed hotels and/or commercial office properties by the appropriate nonprofit organizations for the purpose of maintaining or increasing affordable housing
"Putting empty buildings together with those in need of housing is common sense - there's no better way to revamp unused structures than to turn them into thriving, safe, comfortable homes," Governor Cuomo said. "Providing affordable housing to communities not only serves those living in the homes, but the communities around them. We look forward to all that HONDA will do to serve the people of New York and I am proud to sign it into law."
Housing created through HONDA will provide affordable permanent housing that meets safety, habitability and quality standards while also providing inhabitants access to supportive services.