Why Are We Neglecting a Precious Resource?

Why Are We Underfunding The City University Of New York?

 

Hello Bronx Progressives! Hope you're all having an awesome November ahead of the holidays, and staying healthy and safe! It's been a while since we last connected. 

As those that have been with us since last September (last year), when a working group was formed to reactivate Bronx Progressives, we've face enormous challenge taken on this effort for many reasons. Some within our control; some outside our control. Nonetheless, the working group has remained adamant and committed during this time, with figuring out what comes next for us, and making sure we continue thriving. 

As this year comes to a close, we invite you to join us to learn about what 2022 has in store for our progressive movement in the Bronx. In partnership with Concerned Citizens for Change, we're excited to collaborate on organizing this joint meeting, where we will discuss campaign plans to take on and exciting news about what's coming in 2022!

For over 150 years free tuition at CUNY was a right for NYC residents. Opportunity for all was a reality and countless New Yorkers found a path out of poverty through the university system. That is no longer true. And, these days staffing needs at the CUNY are ignored while its physical plant is allowed to deteriorate.

Restoring the City University of New York to the treasured status it once held would give us a powerful way to fight economic and social inequality. It would no only benefit the students pursuing their education there, it would benefit all New Yorkers by enriching the city. It should be a key part of plans to rebuild New York after the pandemic.

FIND OUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO FIX IT
 

In A Joint Zoom Meeting With 
Concerned Citizens for Change

About The New Deal For CUNY Bill

. . .

Guest Speakers

State Senator Andrew Gournardes

New York State Senate District 22

Alex Pellitteri
Steering Committee
DSA New Deal 4 CUNY Campaign

. . . .

Plus

Exciting News About The Launch Of

A Bronx-Wide Chapter Of NYPAN In 2022

. . . . .

Monday, November 29th - 7:00 PM

. .

Zoom Info:

Topic: Free Tuition At CUNY 
Time: Nov 29, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89819821775?pwd=eERZRS9LMU5uelo0Q3RwZ3RrS3JFQT09

Meeting ID: 898 1982 1775 
Passcode: 959561 
One tap mobile 
+16468769923,,89819821775#,,,,*959561# US (New York)

Dial by your location 
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Meeting ID: 898 1982 1775 
Passcode: 959561 

THE NEW BXCC - Bronx Business News You Can Use

Legislative Updates, New Grants, Events and Much More Please click View/Allow Images so you don't miss a thing!

This week's Friday Extra comes from our fearless leader Lisa Sorin. Topics are: 1.Small Business Saturday (11/27/21) 2. Recall Bill Hearing (11/30/21) 3.Bronx Chamber Annual Holiday Party (12/9/21): bronxchamber.org/events 4. Bronx Net Friday Open show (11/26/21)

Upcoming Events

Bronx Chamber Annual Holiday Party & Toy Drive

The holiday season is finally here — which means it's time to deck the halls, bring out the holiday cookies and embrace all things merry and bright. Join the Bronx Chamber for our annual Holiday Party at Villa Barone Manor on Thursday, December 9th. Wear your best ugly sweater for our #uglysweatercontest and bring a toy for our #TOYDRIVE. This years Toy Drive recipient is New Settlement. The New Settlement Community Center serves students from three schools, their families and members of the surrounding community with a range of programs in health and nutrition, education, youth development and the arts. Purchase your tickets HERE.

What You Should Know

Small Business Saturday

The holiday season is around the corner, and small businesses everywhere have been pivoting to serve a post-COVID shopping landscape. We encourage everyone to go out and shop locally as it not only supports the business but the neighborhood as well. For every dollar spent at a small business, American Express estimates an average of $0.67 stays in that business's local community.

Legislation Introduced to Reinstate Usage of Propane Heaters

Winter Is Coming! And the NYC Hospitality Alliance has been fighting to get our propane heaters back. Councilmember Keith Powers introduced legislation to reinstate the use of propane heaters with outdoor dining this winter, which are currently prohibited after they were allowed temporarily last winter. Click here for the full press release

The Small Business Growth Fund

Hello Alice is awarding 50 small business owners with $5,000 grants to help them make their next big move in 2022. To be eligible, a business must have less than $1M in annual revenue, a commitment to diversity and community, and a clear plan to use the grant funds. Applications for Round 1 are open now through December 10, 2021 at 6PM ET. For a full list of eligibility criteria, please see the Terms and Conditions.

Get Your Business Online for the Holidays!

Sign up for a FREE website built by our experts or receive SEO consulting. More and more consumers are shopping online. It's crucial that your small business has a strong online presence.  What’s Included for Free: First full year of website hosting on the Squarespace.com or BentoBox platform.   Registering a domain name for your new website, if you don't own one already.   If you’re a restaurant, websites come complete with commission-free online ordering.   In house SEO expert is available free of charge to help expand your website’s reach Sign- Up Here

Crain's Business Forum

With New York's legalization of adult-use marijuana expected to be up and running by late 2022, the industry is expected to generate north of $4 billion in overall sales. This translates to $350 million in tax revenue. How can state offices ensure communities that historically had been criminalized by marijuana laws have an opportunity to do business in the emerging industry? Join us on December 15th to learn more! Register Here

How to Do Business With the NYC Department of Education Webinar

This presentation on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, from 2:00 p.m – 4:00 p.m will give your minority/women-owned business insight into how to sell your goods and services to our public schools. You will learn: How to Market your Business to the NYC Department of Education Resources Available to Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises How to Qualify Your Business as a Vendor Upcoming Contracting Opportunities This is a great opportunity to make an impression with a city agency with an annual spend of Billions and network with other NYC vendors. For contracting opportunities, please register an account on our Vendor Portal via https://www.finance360.org/vendor/vendorportal/ or visit http://tinyurl.com/doeMWBEs. Note: a vendor portal account does not make you an active DOE vendor. You may submit language and disability accommodation requests to MWBE@schools.nyc.gov   Register Now

NYC Department of Small Business Services Webinar

This webinar will provide guidance for businesses interested in applying for loans and grants. In addition to providing an overview of available financing options, we will share tips to consider before taking on debt, an overview of documents commonly required to apply for a loan, and a summary of other loans and grants that are currently available for NYC businesses.  To register, click here

 

37 Day and Counting

 

So Rubensito, if I may call you that, since we know each other for what is it now more than fifteen years. The eight year I was Public Advocate, and my almost eight years as Mayor, what is your next move? 

Has any candidate for governor asked you to be their running mate for Lieutenant Governor? I would, but I need someone from upstate who can balance my negative image up there. You know Brian Benjamin is in trouble, and maybe Kathy Hochul will find a new second banana, just like Andrew did when he ran for reelection his first time. I heard that former Bronx Borough President Freddy Ferrer was asked by Eliot Spitzer to be his running mate, but turned it down because he said it was a nothing position. Had he taken it he would have been the governor. Why don't you give Kathy a call Ruben, to see if she is looking for a new running mate? 

Permits Filed For 188 East 135th Street In Mott Haven, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a ten-story mixed-use building at 188 East 135th Street in Mott Haven, The Bronx. Located between the Major Deegan Expressway and Harlem River waterfront, the lot is near the 138 Street-Grand Concourse subway station, serviced by the 4 and 5 trains. Jacob Sofer under the 101 Macombs Place LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 109-foot-tall development will yield 74,794 square feet, with 65,354 square feet designated for residential space and 9,440 square feet for commercial space. The building will have 85 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 768 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a 28-foot-long rear yard and 93 enclosed parking spaces.

Hamish Whitefield Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in September for the single-story building on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Housing Lottery Launches For 1769 Jerome Avenue In Morris Heights, The Bronx

 

1769 Jerome Avenue in Morris Heights, The Bronx via NYC Housing Connect

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 1769 Jerome Avenue, a 16-story mixed-use building in Morris Heights, The Bronx. Designed by Marvel Architects and developed through the Jerome Housing Development Fund, the structure yields 175 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 60 units for residents at 60 to 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $34,972 to $118,400.

Amenities include a superintendent, elevators, front desk security, a community room, residential terrace, gym, bicycle storage room, and a shared laundry room. Residences will have energy-efficient appliances, air conditioning, and hardwood floors.

At 60 percent of the AMI, there are 16 studios with a monthly rent of $947 for incomes ranging from $34,972 to $57,300; three one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,192 for incomes ranging from $43,715 to $64,440; 15 two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,420 for incomes ranging from $52,423 to $77,340; and one three-bedroom with a monthly rent of $1,631 for incomes ranging from $60,583 to $88,800.

At 80 percent of the AMI, there are six studios with a monthly rent of $1,163 for incomes ranging from $42,378 to $76,400; two one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,465 for incomes ranging from $53,075 to $85,920; 14 two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,770 for incomes ranging from $64,423 to $103,120; and three three-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,037 for incomes ranging from $74,503 to $118,400.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than January 18, 2021.

Long Island Man Sentenced to 200 Months’ Imprisonment for Attempting to Provide Material Support to Terrorists

 

Elvis Redzepagic of Commack Planned to Travel to Syria to Wage Violent Jihad

 Elvis Redzepagic was sentenced by United States District Judge Denis R. Hurley to 200 months’ imprisonment for attempting to provide material support and resources to the designated foreign terrorist organizations the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and the al-Nusrah Front. Redzepagic, a U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty to the charge in April 2021.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.

“With the imposition of today’s lengthy sentence, Redzepagic pays a steep price for his misguided embrace of terrorism and his attempts to join ISIS and the al-Nusrah Front in order to wage violent jihad,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “This Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will remain vigilant in protecting the public from terrorist threats and in thwarting their violent attacks here and abroad.”

Mr. Peace thanked the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI Legal Attaché Office for Serbia, and the Government of Montenegro Ministry of Justice, Prosecutor’s Office, and Special Police Unit for their assistance in this case.     

In early 2015, Redzepagic began communicating with an individual he believed to be both the commander of a battalion in Syria and a member of ISIS or the al-Nusrah Front, and made attempts to join that individual’s battalion to engage in violent jihad.  In July 2015, Redzepagic traveled to Turkey and made multiple unsuccessful attempts to cross the border into Syria.  Unable to enter Syria from Turkey, Redzepagic traveled to Jordan in August 2016, but was stopped and deported by Jordanian authorities. 

In Facebook messages from October 2015, Redzepagic explained that “jihad” is when “you fight for the sake of God” and “die for the sake of Allah.”  Redzepagic stated that he traveled to Turkey to “perform Jihad and join Jabhat Al-Nusra.”  He predicted, “there will come a time where people will only know to say Allahu Akbar.”   

A search of the defendant’s laptop yielded a variety of ISIS-specific extremist propaganda, including ISIS nasheeds, or Islamist hymns, including the “ISIS Anthem” in English.  Redzepagic also repeatedly accessed the website “Put hilafeta,” or “Way to the Caliphate,” a Bosnian-language website for prospective foreign fighters from the Balkans who primarily sought to join ISIS and wage jihad in Syria.