Thursday, September 16, 2021

112 Days and Counting - Give Them Basketball, Right Senator Bailey

 


Let's see, which piece of paper is this one on, here it is. This is the famous dunk by New York Knick John Starks over Michael Jordan, and John is going to join us in a NYCHA Youth Basketball League with the New York Knicks. We will set up 144 team and the NYPD has refurbished 24 NYCHA basketball courts. 


I want to bring in someone I met last week at the new Edenwald YMCA ribbon cutting, a rising star, State Senator Jamaal Bailey. Jamaal I heard that you did very well in your hoop shooting from John Starks, and I want to see you Senator Bailey in action in this new program. (Senator Jamaal Bailey speaking) Mr. Mayor I was on the Bronx Science basketball team called the Bronx Science Basketball Nerds, and we almost made it to the city championship round.  


As for other business, today is Restaurant Vaccination Day. We will be vaccinating people outside many of your favorite restaurants. Eighty percent of the adults in the city have received at least one vaccine shot, and I will be introducing the criteria for a third booster shot program very soon.


As far as Rikers Island, I am working on many items with the state to improve the site, and I will visit Rikers when these upgrades and changes are done. As you see I am stalling, and they could be finished on the last day I am in office. 

Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Meeting


Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Meeting 

By Robert Press

Tuesday night was the first in person meeting of the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association in over a year, and a crowd of over sixty people came out to hear Bronx Department of Transportation Commissioner Nivardo Lopez address neighborhood complaints of the new E-scooter program in Pelham Parkway. 

PPNA President Edith Blitzer opened the meeting by welcoming the large crowd to the first in person meeting of the organization in over a year. She asked if anyone knew who was putting out bread in the street and park that was creating a rat problem as they were the ones eating the bread. She then introduced Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez who said her office was up and running, and handling flood problems for the community. She added that she was participating in an event by the Friends of Pelham Parkway, and all were invited to join in. 

Next up was Bronx DOT commissioner Nivardo Lopez. who went over the E-scoter program, saying NYC waited, because in other cities E-scooter companies went bankrupt, and those cities were left with the E-scooter's. NYC chose three companies they thought were the best, and went into a pilot program in the east side of the Bronx that had natural boundaries such as the Mount Vernon City line, the water, and Bronx River parkway. He added when asked about the liability of the E-scooter, that it was the company that was responsible, even if someone tripped over one in front of a person's property. 

Commissioner Lopez was asked if the more people ride the E-scooter the less they will be walking or getting exercise, to which he replied that would have to be looked at. One person then said they took an E-scooter from the subway about five blocks away rather than walking to the meeting. There were plenty of complaints of the E-scooters being left anywhere and everywhere. Commissioner Lopez said that there is a maximum of forty-eight hours that one can be left outside a marked coral. He added that it must be picked up, and has a GPS so it can easily be found if it is out of bounds. He mentioned that the next phase is to bring 3,000 more E-scooters to Community Boards 9 and 10, as there are 3,000 currently in boards 11 and 12. The meeting ended with a question about an outside dining structure on Lydig Avenue that Commissioner Lopez said he would check into, but there are to be changes made to the program by 2023.


PPNA President Edith Blitzer welcomes everyone to the meeting.


Assemblywoman Fernandez addresses the audience.


Bronx DOT Commissioner Nivardo Lopez answers a question about the E-Scooters.

Bronx County Democrats Annual Barbecue and Softball Game

 

Sunday was the Annual Bronx Democratic County Barbecue and softball game at the Coop-City Field. Delicious food was set out for those who came, along with the traditional hot dogs and hamburgers that were grilled. Then it was off to the usually hard played softball game. Teams were decided on and it was Play ball. The game ended with the Stanley Schlein team beating the Jamaal Bailey/Carl Heastie team with a home run over the wall for a one run victory as it was the second and last ball that was brought. All then gathered by the clubhouse area where Bronx Democratic Party Leader State Senator Jamaal Bailey thanked all who came. Just about every Bronx elected official and most Bronx Democratic Party officials were in attendance. 


Stanley Schlein, the King of Bronx County organization, was almost unhittable when he was on the mound.


Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who only a few days earlier went one on one with former Knick star John Stark, plays the hot corner. He scooped up a ground ball, stepped on third, and threw to second to complete a double play. 


State Senator Jamaal Bailey would snag this fly ball.


Councilman Oswald Feliz would catch this long flyball to the outfield.


Not everyone would catch the ball, as this ball gets by this player.


Presumed Councilwoman Amanda Frias advanced to third base after getting a hit. 


Public School Chancellor Porter stopped by to see how the event was going.


State senator Luis Sepulveda also stopped in to say hello during his bike ride around the Bronx.


This home run over the wall ended the game, as Jamaal Bailey's Mets lost by one run to Stanley Schleins Bombers.


A group photo of both teams. 


After the game, Bronx Democratic Party Leader Senator Jamaal Bailey thanked all who came, Bronx DA Darcel Clark and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz are behind Senator Bailey.

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

113 Days and Counting

 


Our public schools have been open for the third day now, and there have been no problems. We want to assure the parents that our public schools are a safe place, now if only the unions who represent our school employees would know that, and stop fighting me on getting their members vaccinated.


Problems at Rikers Island? Yesterday I addressed that problem. All those pesky elected officials had to do was ask me about the prison, they didn't have to embarrass me by visiting Rikers and then holding a press conference. 


When am I going to visit Rikers? After the steps I put in place are enacted, and hopefully I won't, because I have 113 days left to go before Mayor Adams takes over. 

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

 

52,878 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours  

31 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday   


 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.  

"While breakthrough infections are possible, those who are vaccinated are much less likely to experience the harshest effects of COVID if they do contract it, and are even less likely to die from the virus," Governor Hochul said. "We are approaching the season of gatherings and there's no reason why those who have gotten their vaccine should have to sacrifice the fun of upcoming events. Wear masks to avoid breakthrough infections, wash your hands, and if you remain unvaccinated, take advantage of ongoing incentive programs and get yours today."
 
Today's data is summarized briefly below:


·         Test Results Reported - 156,001
·         Total Positive - 4,852
·         Percent Positive - 3.11%
·         7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.11%
·         Patient Hospitalization - 2,424 (-52)
·         Patients Newly Admitted - 299
·         Patients in ICU - 568 (+16)
·         Patients in ICU with Intubation - 302 (+23)
·         Total Discharges - 196,777 (+313)
·         New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 31
·         Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 44,036

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.
·         Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 56,139
This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.
·         Total vaccine doses administered - 24,440,421
·         Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 52,878
·         Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 365,654
·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 79.3%
·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 71.7%
·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 81.8%
·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 73.4%
·         Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 67.1%
·         Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 60.3%
·         Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 69.3%
·         Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 61.9%

MAYOR DE BLASIO LAUNCHES $37 MILLION VIOLENCE INTERVENTION EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

 

Partnering with green jobs innovator BlocPower will provide 1,500 jobs for at-risk residents in Brownsville, South Jamaica, East and Central Harlem, Mott Haven, and across the Bronx 


 Mayor de Blasio today announced a new $37 million violence intervention employment program that will create 1,500 jobs in Brownsville, South Jamaica, East and Central Harlem, Mott Haven, and across the Bronx. The initiative connects individuals at risk of involvement in gun violence with good-paying green jobs in partnership with BlocPower, a Brooklyn-based climate technology startup working to make American cities greener, smarter, and healthier. 

 

“A recovery for all of us does not exist unless each and every New Yorker feels safe,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “By providing training and employment opportunities to those at risk of gun violence, we can stop violence before it happens and invest in safer communities.”

 

The precision employment program focuses on communities experiencing 50% or more of shootings citywide, with explicit interest in those most vulnerable in these neighborhoods. The first wave of hiring will include over 200 residents from neighborhoods facing disproportionate levels of gun violence. Working with local community organizations, referred individuals identified as at-risk in Brownsville, Brooklyn; Mott Haven in the Bronx; and South Jamaica, Queens will receive hard and soft skills training to prepare them for successful employment before getting matched with placements at various job sites.

 

The hybrid training curriculum includes OSHA training, classes on important business communication and technical skills, conflict resolution strategies, de-escalation techniques, and access to culturally competent, trauma-based counseling and other wrap-around services. These trainings will help ensure the successful integration of participants into a workforce environment. 

 

Upon completion of their initial training period, participants will be certified on various green energy technologies and eligible for in-demand, good-paying jobs, such as those with BlocPower. Since its founding in 2014, the company has retrofitted more than 1,100 buildings in under-served communities in New York City, with projects underway in 26 cities. 

 

“BlocPower stands ready to help at-risk New York City young people break the cycle of gun violence by introducing them to a rewarding career in clean energy that will improve their lives and the lives of millions of other people,” said Donnel Baird, CEO and co-founder of BlocPower. “This project addresses social, economic and environmental injustices that impact low-income neighborhoods, and people of color, and aligns with what BlocPower is trying to accomplish – improving the health and well-being of New Yorkers and creating opportunities to bring economic prosperity back to the communities that need it most.” 

 

The targeted green jobs program is the latest effort by the City to address the recent increase in gun violence, while investing in the long-term success of both communities and residents. To address the recent increase in gun violence, the City launched Safe Summer NYC, which seeks to tackle the public health and safety challenges by expanding community-led and based violence interrupters through the Crisis Management System (CMS). Housed within the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) at the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), the CMS network’s interventions and approaches have successfully reduced and prevented violence in at-risk communities since its inception in 2014.

 

“Safety is not simply the absence of crime,” said Marcos Solos, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. “It starts with individuals having access to basic needs, like good paying jobs, job training, and support services that provide meaningful work. We’re proud to partner with BlocPower to help build the foundation for long-term safety.” 

 

This new employment initiative engages individuals identified as at-risk of being a victim or perpetrator of gun violence. Program participants are connected with immediately available gainful employment opportunities and a pathway to permanent and well-paying jobs at a salary no lower than $20 per hour. As part of the precision employment program, BlocPower will work with the City and local community organizations in each neighborhood as part of a cohesive Program Team of case managers, workforce instructors, credible messengers, community historians, and neighborhood stakeholders to identify ideal candidates and on-board participants.

 

Governor Hochul Announces Series of Universal Mask Requirements to Protect New Yorkers amid Rise of Delta Variant


Mask Covid Briefing

 Face Coverings Now Required at State-Regulated Child Care Facilities for Children Ages Two and Up, All Staff and Visitors

Directs Residential Congregate Programs Operated, Licensed, Certified or Approved by the Office of Children and Family Services to Require Masks for All Staff and Residents

Directs Programs and Facilities Licensed or Registered by Office of Mental Health, Office of Addiction Services and Supports, Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to Require Masks

Mask Requirements Apply Regardless of Vaccination Status


 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a series of universal mask requirements designed to protect New Yorkers against the highly contagious Delta variant and the recent surge in COVID-19 infections statewide.

The requirement applies to New York State Office of Children and Family Services-licensed and -registered child care centers, home-based group family and family child care programs, after-school child care programs and enrolled legally exempt group programs during operational hours. Implementing the mask regulation in child care programs will provide consistency between child care program children and school children, many of whom often share the same buildings.

New masking requirements will also apply to congregate programs and facilities licensed, registered, operated, certified or approved by the Office of Mental Health, the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, Office of Children and Family Services and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. This includes but is not limited to certified residential and day programs, inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities, substance abuse programs, juvenile detention programs, juvenile residential facilities, congregate foster care programs, runaway and homeless youth, domestic violence and other shelter programs. These requirements apply to anyone medically able to tolerate wearing a mask, regardless of vaccination status.

"With the Delta variant on the rise, requiring masks at state-regulated child care, mental health, and substance abuse facilities is a key part of our broader strategy for slowing the spread of the virus, reopening our economy safely, and protecting vulnerable members of our population," Governor Hochul said. "For children under 12 who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, masks are the best line of defense against COVID-19 infection. This new mask requirement ensures that children in our child care facilities receive the same protection as children in our schools."  

The new mask requirement in child care facilities brings New York State into compliance with federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance issued in July that recommends universal indoor masking for anyone age two and older who has not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and is medically able to wear a mask. It also brings child care facilities in alignment with school masking requirements announced on Governor Hochul's first day in office.

Because the Delta variant is so highly transmissible, there have been large increases in cases across all age groups. Because children under 12 years of age are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine, there have been large increases in cases among children, which translates to higher numbers of severe cases. Additional protective measures will help to keep New York's children safe at this important time.

OCFS Commissioner Sheila J. Poole said, "We have heard from many parents and residents of congregate settings asking that the state require masking because child care and congregate residential programs will not require that protection without a state requirement. We want to keep all children and staff in child care programs, as well as staff and residents of congregate residential programs, safe from the spread of infection and wearing a mask is the best tool we have. Children want to be like the adults around them and will easily adapt to the mask wearing requirement."

OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "It is clear that masks help control and prevent the spread of infection. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, OMH has issued guidance for our State operated facilities and clinics as well as community-based mental healthcare providers recommending and encouraging the use of masks and other protective measures. I am very pleased that Governor Hochul has taken this step to establish and strengthen mask requirements that will protect healthcare workers, our patients and clients, and our communities from COVID-19."

14 DEFENDANTS INDICTED, INCLUDING THE ENTIRE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COLOMBO ORGANIZED CRIME FAMILY

 

Colombo Crime Family Boss, Underboss, Consigliere and Captains Are Among the Defendants Charged with Labor Racketeering, Extortion and Money Laundering

 In federal court in Brooklyn, a 19-count indictment was unsealed charging 14 defendants, including 10 members and associates of the Colombo crime family of La Cosa Nostra and a member of the Bonanno organized crime family, with various offenses including labor racketeering involving multiple predicate acts of extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and extortion, extortionate collection of credit conspiracy, extortionate collection of credit and money laundering conspiracy. The charges in the indictment against the Colombo crime family members relate to multiple charged schemes in a long-running effort by the crime family to infiltrate and take control of a Queens-based labor union (the “Labor Union”) and its affiliated health care benefit program (the “Health Fund”) that provides medical benefits, including dental, optical and pharmacy benefits, to the members of the Labor Union, and to a conspiracy to commit fraud in connection with workplace safety certifications. 

Among those charged with racketeering are Andrew “Mush” Russo, the boss of the Colombo crime family, Benjamin “Benji” Castellazzo, the underboss, and Ralph DiMatteo, the consigliere. Alleged Colombo crime family captains Theodore Persico, Jr., Richard Ferrara and Vincent Ricciardo are charged with racketeering, along with soldier Michael Uvino and associates Thomas Costa and Domenick Ricciardo. In addition, alleged Bonanno family soldier John Ragano is charged with loansharking, fraud and drug trafficking offenses. 

Thirteen defendants were arrested in New York and New Jersey and are scheduled to be arraigned via videoconference this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn. Vincent Ricciardo was arrested in North Carolina and will be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler in federal court in Charlotte. DiMatteo remains at large.

Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Michael Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, New York Region (DOL-OIG); Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD); Dermot F. Shea, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD); and Margaret Garnett, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the charges and arrests. 

 “The charges describe a long-standing, ruthless pattern by the administration of the Colombo crime family, its captains, members and associates, of conspiring to exert control over the management of a labor union by threatening to inflict bodily harm on one of its senior officials and devising a scheme to divert and launder vendor contract funds from its health care benefit program. In addition, for their own enrichment, the defendants conspired to engage in extortionate loansharking, money laundering and fraud, as well as drug trafficking,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Kasulis. “This Office and its law enforcement partners are committed to dismantling organized crime families, eliminating their corrupt influence in our communities and protecting the independence of labor unions.”

Ms. Kasulis also thanked the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Atlanta and New York Offices (DOL-EBSA), the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Gang Section for their valuable assistance in the investigation. 

“Everything we allege in this investigation proves history does indeed repeat itself. The underbelly of the crime families in New York City is alive and well. These soldiers, consiglieres, under bosses, and bosses are obviously not students of history, and don't seem to comprehend that we're going to catch them. Regardless of how many times they fill the void we create in their ranks, our FBI Organized Crime Task Force, and our law enforcement partners, are positioned to take them out again, and again,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.

“An important mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate criminal allegations relating to organized crime and their illicit influence over labor unions and their affiliated employee benefit plans. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations,” stated DOL-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Mellone. 

“The indictment of 14 defendants, including members of the Columbo crime family on labor racketeering, extortion and money laundering charges should send a clear and concise message that these types of crimes will never be tolerated by law enforcement. By infiltrating and taking control of a Queens-based labor union and its affiliated health care benefit program these defendants were able to extort a substantial amount of money which should have been used for the members of the union. These benefits included medical, dental, optical and pharmaceutical. Congratulations to all of the investigators and their affiliated agencies on a job well done during this extensive investigation,” stated NCPD Commissioner Ryder.

“This indictment is another example of the NYPD’s long-term commitment, working with its law enforcement partners, in making sure those accused of organized crime are held accountable. I commend those who carried out the investigation as well as the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District in New York for its work in ensuring there is justice in this case,” stated NYPD Commissioner Shea. 

 “Every time construction certifications are faked, every time bogus records are created and used to manipulate the facts, building in this City is undermined and New Yorkers' safety is compromised. This investigation is evidence of how corruption can erode the integrity of construction in New York City. And these charges reveal how DOI is working with its law enforcement partners to uncover and stop the illegal conduct,” stated DOI Commissioner Garnett. “DOI thanks the City Department of Buildings for reporting allegations related to this conduct, and the Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, the FBI, and the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Labor for their partnership.” 

As set forth in the indictment and other court documents, the defendants and their co-conspirators committed a variety of crimes – including extortion, loansharking, fraud and drug trafficking – on behalf of the Colombo organized crime family. First, the Colombo crime family’s administration, including Russo, Castellazzo and Dimatteo, as well captains Persico, Ferrara and Vincent Ricciardo, used extortionate means, including direct threats of bodily harm, to control the management of the Labor Union and caused it to make decisions that benefitted the Colombo crime family. Since approximately 2001, Colombo captain Vincent Ricciardo and his cousin, associate Domenick Ricciardo, have collected a portion of the salary of a senior official in the Labor Union (“John Doe #1”) by threatening to harm John Doe #1 and his family. At the direction of the Colombo crime family’s leadership, beginning in late 2019, the defendants broadened the extortion effort to force John Doe #1 and others at the Labor Union and its affiliated Health Fund to make decisions that benefitted the Colombo crime family, including by forcing them to select vendors for contracts who were associated with the Colombo crime family. The defendants sought to divert more than $10,000 per month from the Health Fund’s assets to the administration of the Colombo crime family.

For example, on June 21, 2021, in a consensually recorded conversation, Vincent Ricciardo threatened to kill John Doe #1 if he did not comply with Vincent Ricciardo’s demands. He explained that John Doe #1 knows, “I’ll put him in the ground right in front of his wife and kids, right in front of his f-----g house, you laugh all you want pal, I’m not afraid to go to jail, let me tell you something, to prove a point? I would f-----g shoot him right in front of his wife and kids, call the police, f--k it, let me go, how long you think I’m gonna last anyway?” 

Further, Colombo crime family members Russo, Castellazzo, Dimatteo, Ferrara, Persico, Vincent Ricciardo, Uvino joined with defendants Thompkins and Bellantoni, among others, to devise a scheme to launder money from Health Fund contracts and payments through third parties and eventually to the Colombo crime family’s leaders. The defendants attempted to re-bid Health Fund vendor contracts for claims administration, pharmaceuticals and other health services to persons and companies affiliated with the defendant Joseph Bellantoni. Bellantoni and others agreed that in exchange for the new vendor contracts, they would pay kickbacks to the Colombo crime family and would use various intermediaries to hide the payments.  

The indictment also charges Bonanno organized crime family soldier John Ragano with leading a scheme to issue fraudulent workplace safety training certifications. As alleged, Ragano operated two workplace safety schools in the New York area that claimed to provide Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (“OSHA”) training courses and certifications, along with various New York state certifications, to construction industry workers. Rather than provide training, Ragano along with his business partner John Glover and Domenick Ricciardo, falsified paperwork to the U.S. Department of Labor and other government agencies which represented that hundreds of workers had completed required safety courses when in reality they had not. Instead, various defendants used Ragano’s “schools” to conduct meetings involving members of La Cosa Nostra and to store illegal drugs and fireworks. 

Vincent Ricciardo, Uvino, Ragano and Costa are also charged with loansharking. As alleged, these defendants participated in extending and collecting on extortionate loans totaling $250,000 to an individual identified as “John Doe #2.” The defendants charged and collected a weekly 1.5% interest rate that did not reduce the principal owed and divided the proceeds between themselves. Further, Vincent Ricciardo, Ragano, Costa, Glover and Vincent Martino were charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana by transporting large shipments of marijuana in vehicles from New York to Florida. Vincent Ricciardo and Costa were also charged, as previously convicted felons, with possessing and transporting ammunition, and Persico, who is currently on federal supervised release following his release for a prior racketeering conviction, was charged with lying to federal court officers about his dealings with other Colombo crime family members.

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants each face up to 20 years’ imprisonment.