Rob Astorino Leads Demonstration in Front of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz' Office Against Bill A8378

 

Sunday afternoon brought colder weather, but that didn't stop around one hundred people from joining Republican Candidate for Governor Rob Astorino in a demonstration against Assembly Bill A 8378, (introduced by Assemblyman Dinowitz) a law that would mandate a COVID vaccination for children ages 2 - 18 to attend school. State Senator Brad Hoylman introduced the companion Senate Bill S7320. The demonstration took place outside Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz's Kingsbridge office. 

Astorino said that he and his wife have been vaccinated, but he had reservations about vaccinating young children when they are 99,8% immune to the virus. He continued that more is known now, than one year ago, but more information is needed. Astorino brought up term limits, while mentioning that Assemblyman Dinowitz has now been in office for over twenty-seven years. He added that thirty-seven states do not have mandates for children. He closed by saying if elected governor he would reverse any mandate that current Governor Kathy Hochul has put in place referring to the mask mandate for children in school.

The crowd of around one hundred people spilled out into the street, bringing the new 50th Precinct commanding officer Captain Girven and a couple of his community affairs officers. 

This wanted poster for Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and State Senator Brad Hoylman was made up, for their introduction of a child vaccination mandate bill.

Rob Astorino (standing behind the Governor Astorino podium) speaks out against Assembly bill A8378, and Senate Bill S7320 that would mandate vaccination of school children ages 2 - 18 against COVID.

On the right hand side is a sign with a swastika on it, which Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz would make a statement about later, and is included at the end of this article.

While Astorino would be speaking to reporters, others in the background are putting signs all around the entrance to Assemblyman Dinowitz's office.

Signs against the state mandate to vaccinate children aged 2 - 18 were left all around the entrance of Assemblyman Dinowitz's office.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz shortly after the rally issued the following statement:

“I am disgusted and offended by the anti-Semitic imagery that was brought to my office by apparent supporters of Rob Astorino's failing gubernatorial campaign. People are free to express their opinions on vaccine policy and on any issue, but I draw the line at swastikas. I understand that Mr. Astorino is desperate for support for his struggling campaign for Governor, but to stand next to swastikas and yellow Stars of David outside of a Jewish legislator's office shows a lack of integrity at best and an embrace of right-wing extremism at worst. This is not who New York needs as Governor. I want to believe that this kind of unhinged embrace of Nazi symbols is why 95% of Republican leaders across the state chose to support somebody else for Governor, but the jury remains out on how many Republican leaders will condemn Mr. Astorino's embrace of anti-Semitism.

 

“On the substance of today's publicity stunt over my legislation to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the current list of required vaccines to attend school in New York, I refuse to be cowed by anti-Semites or anti-science extremists. Vaccine requirements have a demonstrably positive impact on vaccination rates, and vaccination rates have a demonstrably positive impact on reducing fatalities and hospitalizations from preventable diseases. Mr. Astorino wants you to ignore what you see with your own eyes and what you hear with your own ears by masquerading his anti-vax ideology as anti-mandate. It's bunk. His position is obviously anti-vaccine, as evidenced by the anti-vaccine signs and statements from the 40-50 people who attended his rally. New Yorkers ought not to be fooled by his double-speak, and Mr. Astorino must condemn in the strongest terms the anti-Semitic symbology to which he gave a platform this afternoon.”

 

Permits Filed For 320 West Fordham Road In University Heights, The Bronx - 17 Story Building

 

Permits have been filed for a 17-story mixed-use building with affordable housing at 320 West Fordham Road in University Heights, The Bronx. Located on the Harlem River waterfront near the Major Deegan Expressway, the lot is within walking distance of the 207th Street subway station, serviced by the 1 train and the University Heights Metro-North station on the Hudson Line. Brad Zackson of Dynamic Star LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications for one phase of the Fordham Landing mega-development.

The proposed 175-foot-tall development will yield 582,122 square feet, with 553,835 square feet designated for residential space and 28,287 square feet for community facility space. The building will have 602 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 919 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar, 274 enclosed parking spaces, and 274 open parking spaces.

Overall Fordham Landing will have a mix of community facility, commercial, and residential space with both affordable and market-rate units. In addition, there will be approximately 3 acres of public green space and waterfront amenities including a community dock, kayak launch, and a marina.

Perkins Eastman Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date is set for 2025, with ULURP filing and approval in the second quarter of 2023.

Social Justice Activist Shanequa Charles Announces Bid for N.Y. Assembly District NY-78

 

Social justice activist and veteran grassroots community organizer Shanequa Charles announced her candidacy for the NYS Assembly today.

Shanequa was joined by a diverse coalition of grassroots activists and community members for the launch of her campaign at Fordham Plaza.

Shanequa is running to take her fight for housing justice, decarceration, universal healthcare, and curbing the maternal mortality rate to Albany. She has been working on these issues for over 26 years, during which time she secured over 2.1 rent stabilized housing units for New Yorkers, led movements to get state and federal level criminal justice legislation passed, and serviced over 21,000 youth and families as the Executive Director of Miss Abbbie’s Kids. 

Once elected, Shanequa will prioritize equity in housing for all New Yorkers, secure unhoused community members, address the overdose crisis, and ensure that restorative practices lead decision making for those impacted by the criminal justice system.

Each of these legislative priorities are based on the demonstrated needs of her community members and her personal experience working on results-based legislation, and influenced by leaders who she has worked alongside in the fight against a system built on structural racism and white supremacy. 

Shanequa will seek the Democratic nomination in the Party’s primary, which will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 for the 78th Assembly District.

 

MAYOR DE BLASIO DELIVERS REMARKS AT THE HEBRU BRANTLEY EXHIBIT OPENING

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Well, everybody, this – this is a moment to celebrate, because this is how we come back. We learned in the height of the biggest crisis we had in our history, fighting COVID. We learned, once again, what arts and culture means to this city. And I think it's fair to say, arts and culture is important all around the world, but this is, ultimately, the great American, the great global city of arts and culture. We value here our artists in a way that I think is special in all the world, because it's who we are. This is a city that has produced so many great artists. This a city that has embraced so many great artists, that has given artists the opportunity to shine. And so often, this is a city that's ahead of the curve. And in that identity as a city of arts, a city of culture, a city that believes in the transcendent capacity of arts and culture, we found something even more during the pandemic. We needed the hope. We needed to cling to the hope. And you could feel it in the worst times. We sought out, wherever we could, the culture that gave us hope. And then, things got a little better. It started to come out more. It started to come out more. We started to feel it more and we started to gain momentum and energy. And today is a day where we really recognize the way we're moving forward.  

 

Now, I want to thank everyone. Warrie Price, thank you so much for your work and everyone at the Battery Conservancy; our Parks Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff, everyone at Parks Department. For all of them, this was something really special. This was something to embrace, to bring a great work of art here at the exact time of our recovery. I want to thank Council Member Margaret Chin, who has always been there. When we had an opportunity to do something different and meaningful for the community, she's always there. I want to thank my friend Morris [inaudible] who came forward and said, here's a chance to do something great for New York City. 

 

Hebru Brantley has created a work that, in my view – everyone has their own personal interpretation – in my view, helps us move forward. In my view, helps us think now beyond crisis, and beyond pain, and beyond conflict to where we need to go. To see a superhero of color, to see an image that says to so many people in New York City and in this country, this is a future for all of us – that moves me. And we know – and I don't think I have to tell anyone here – we know that the status quo for too long only represented some of us. And we know still it's too easy to find imagery that does not see the goodness in some of us. But when artists help us move forward, help us look into a world where we address some of our imperfections, we find each other in a different way. That’s a service beyond what even us in public service can imagine, that changes hearts, changes minds.  

 

This city has always, always, always embraced people's saw over the horizon. Basquiat, and Keith Haring, and Andy Warhol, and so many others who, in their moment, a lot of times weren't understood or felt. But then, more and more people realize they were telling us something we needed to see, we needed to feel, we needed to understand. So, today, I'm going to have the great honor of bringing forward the artist himself. And he is doing something great for this city. He's doing something great for this city. He is a person who has been acknowledged and exhibited all over the world, in Chicago, in London, in Tokyo, in Hong Kong, but he wanted to do this for us. And we in this pandemic have had to oftentimes help our whole nation see a way back. This is another part of how we see our way back and then to a better place. Hebru Brantley, thank you for your commitment. Thank you for doing something for all of us. And I don't need to tell you, but I'm going to, so many people are going to come here and be moved and inspired. This is people's art. This is the place for the people. God bless you. Thank you. Welcome, we'd love to hear from you. 

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - NOVEMBER 14, 2021

 

110,004 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

29 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

New State Website Providing Helpful Info About Child Vaccination

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

"As the weather gets colder and the holiday season approaches, friends and family will be spending more time indoors, increasing the risk of transmission and threatening the incredible progress we've made so far," Governor Hochul said. "In order to keep our loved ones safe and reduce the spread of both COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, I encourage New Yorkers to get vaccinated, wear a mask indoors and remember to wash your hands."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 156,469
• Total Positive - 5,078
• Percent Positive - 3.25%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.21%
• Patient Hospitalization - 1,915 (+46)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 296
• Patients in ICU - 399 (+25)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 216 (+6)
• Total Discharges - 211,390 (+233)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 29
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 46,010

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 - 58,479

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 - 28,393,010
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 110,004
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 650,062
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 84.9%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 77.5%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 89.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 79.7%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 72.6%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 65.7%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 75.7%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 67.6%

49 Days and Counting

 

Dr. Chokshi I have 49 days left in office so you better give me the next four years worth of shots. I want to be super protected when I go back into public life as an ordinary Bill. People hate me as it is so I don't need any sick people breathing on me after I lose my police detail.

I hope that I face Rob Astorino in the governors race next year. I hear he was leading a demonstration outside Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz's office against giving children the COVID-19 vaccination today. He said he would stop the mandate that Assemblyman Dinowitz wants passed in Albany. Our schoolchildren need to be vaccinated, and Astorino even mentioned that he and his wife have been vaccinated.

Team AOC - Asking For Your Support

 

12,000

That’s how many contributions we need to reach before midnight tomorrow to stay on track to hit our November fundraising targets before the end of the month.

How did we get that number? Based on our average donation, we need 12,000 total contributions by the 15th to stay on track to reach our goals for November.

12,000 is an important number to us because each donation – no matter the amount – shows that our values from Medicare for All to the Green New Deal have strong support in New York and across the country.

Here’s where we’re at,

Alexandria is one of the most heavily targeted members of Congress. Even as super PACs are spending tens of thousands of dollars right now on an attack campaign against Alexandria, and Republicans are busy playing political games and sharing violent content about Alexandria online – we're staying focused on the issues that matter, like securing investments in clean energy, our care economy, and more.

A strong November at this moment would help demonstrate how much grassroots support Alexandria has beside her.

Thank you for making all of this possible.

Team AOC

Supportive Housing Development Completes Construction At 3500 Park Avenue In Claremont, The Bronx

 

Construction is now complete at Park Avenue Apartments, a mixed-income affordable housing property in Claremont, The Bronx. Located at 3500 Park Avenue, the seven-story building comprises 115 units of affordable housing, including 69 units with supportive services funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.

A large portion of available homes are reserved for elderly and disabled residents, veterans with disabilities, and adults with mental illness. A total of 45 apartments are reserved for low-income families and seniors. Amenities include a multi-purpose room with a warming kitchen, a laundry room, a computer lab, and a children’s playroom. Outdoor recreational space offers access to a community garden and a walking path.

“Too many New Yorkers experiencing homelessness in the city are often facing multiple problems that are contributing to their housing instability,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “Projects like the Park Avenue Apartments are essential to eliminating homelessness by providing housing and assisting New Yorkers with the supportive services they need, allowing them to live in independent settings.”

Park Avenue Apartments is the latest project from The Bridge, an award-winning non-profit housing developer with a focus on low-income properties. Total construction costs hover around $48 million.

Financing for the development includes $6.5 million provided by the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, which was administered by the state Office of Temporary Assistance. The state Office of Mental Health is providing $1.7 million in annual funding for services and rent subsidies for the supportive housing units through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, as well as $195,500 in program development grant funding for the 23 apartments serving residents living with mental illness.

Further funding is sourced from the New York Homes and Community Renewal and includes $6.5 million in tax-exempt bonds, $7 million through its New York City 100-percent affordable program, and an allocation of federal low-income housing tax credits that will generate $17.7 million for the development. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development also provided $7.4 million in financing.