24 Days and Counting

 

Here I am at the Bronx Democratic Party Dinner a couple of months ago. They loved me up in the Bronx, and I gave Speaker Heastie all those millions of dollars for that new YMCA in his district. Hey Bronx Democratic Party Leader Senator Jamaal Bailey, that YMCA is in your district also, and didn't you say that you would be using that new YMCA with your family? 

Since Carl was not with you at the Coop-City turkey giveaway you had with Governor David Patterson, I mean Governor Kathie Hochul, and that veteran political reporter Robert Press asked you if you were endorsing Kathy your answer was what? 

Now that Letitia James has withdrawn from the governor's race you and Carl can endorse me, as I am now ready to announce that I am running for Governor now that A.G. James is running for reelection, you can endorse both me for Governor and A.G. James for reelection now. 

Biaggi Town Hall on the Proposed Shelter on 6661 Broadway in Riverdale

 

Dear Community, 

I hope this email finds you well. I would like to invite you to a town hall hosted by myself and my office to discuss the proposed homeless shelter at 6661 Broadway in Riverdale. The purpose of the town hall is to provide any information that my office has regarding the proposed shelter program, and answer any questions or concerns that you may have. The Department of Homeless Services Administrator, Jocelyn Carter, will also be present. We seek to host a welcoming space for the community to come together to have an open and honest discussion. 

The town hall will be held on Monday, December 13th on Zoom at 5:30pm ET. You can RSVP and submit any questions in advance using this form. After RSVP-ing, my office will send a Zoom link Monday morning. I look forward to speaking with you all about this proposed shelter and answering any questions that you may have. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me and my team at biaggi@nysenate.gov or by calling our office at 718-822-2049.

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It is nice of Senator Biaggi to do this for the Riverdale community where her district office is located, but where has Senator Biaggi been on the three proposed homeless shelters in Community Board 11 on the East Side of the her district in the Bronx?

New York State Attorney General Letitia James ends campaign for New York State Governor to Run for Re-election as Attorney General

 

New York State Attorney General Letitia James (shown here most recently at the inauguration of Councilman Eric Dinowitz, standing with Westchester County Executive George Latimer) has pulled out of the race for New York State Governor, and will run for re-election as the New York State Attorney General. Tune in tomorrow Friday to Parrot T.V. Talking Politics on You Tube every Friday at 12 PM for analysis of this move and how it effects the other candidates running for governor.

PUBLIC ADVOCATE WILLIAMS RESPONDS TO THE MAYOR'S CRIME STATISTICS ANNOUNCEMENT

 

"After likely the final crime statistics announcement under this administration, as we look ahead to the next, it is critical to acknowledge both the successes and failures of the city’s public safety strategies. 

"Despite the effectiveness of new approaches that I and others pushed for which helped make New York City the safest it had been in decades through 2019, this administration's failure to more fully integrate and structuralize some of these successful approaches contributed to crime in our city rising with the national tide that accompanied a global pandemic.

"If this administration had not been so reluctant to fully embrace the innovative, and comprehensive approaches to public safety that were called for, New York would likely be a safer city today and better prepared for the future.

"While we should look to and learn from the past, we can’t simply go back – not to the way some things were pre-pandemic, and not to the over policing, or the hyper-focus on policing that harmed communities and detracted from more comprehensive public safety policies. Instead, we need to more firmly integrate holistic, community-centered strategies into our overall approach to public safety – not as supplements, but essential elements.

"In looking at the current statistics and environment, we have to ignore the voices that decry any attempts at progress or reform, regardless of the results. The surest way to bring back the bad old days is to revert to the reactionary. To play on fears and slogans rather than forward-looking solutions. In defining the future for New York, we cannot go back to the mindsets of the past."

Allerton Avenue Christmas Tree Lighting

 

Tuesday Evening after the Community Board 7 Christmas Tree lighting, I was able to make it to the Allerton Triangle, where just On Saturday the Menorah was lit by Rabbi Pewzner. With the menorah still on site and all lights lit in the background, the Allerton Avenue Triangle Christmas Tree was lit. 

This event was sponsored by the Allerton International Merchants. Santa Claus brought along Mrs. Claus as they came by car rather than reindeer. 80th Assembly District Democratic Female District Leader Irene Estrada brought toys to give out to the children. To warm up the people, delicious hot chocolate was also served. 

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus pose by the colorful Allerton Triangle Christmas Tree and menorah.

The Claus's are joined by AIM President Gene De Francis, Community Board 11 Treasurer Veronica Castro, 80th A.D. Democratic Female District Leader Irene Estrada, and community resident Larry Mauriello. 

Santa got to work giving out toys with the help of 80th A.D. Democratic Female District Leader Irene Estrada, AIM President Gene De Francis, and Mrs. Claus.

A group photo of many of the visitors to the Allerton Triangle to see the Christmas Tree and receive a gift from Santa Claus.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 22 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR A FATAL SHOOTING IN 2018

 

Jury Found Defendant Guilty of Murder and Criminal Possession of a Weapon

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced the conviction and sentence of 22 years to life in prison after a jury found defendant guilty of Murder and possession of a weapon for shooting a man multiple times on a Bronx street in 2018. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant approached the victim from behind and shot him. When the victim fell to the ground, the defendant continued firing at close range six more times. He has been sentenced to 22 years to life in prison for this murder.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Akeem Samuel, 32, last of 2280 Andrews Avenue, was sentenced yesterday to 22 years to life in prison for the second-degree Murder charge, along with eight years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision for the second degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon charge by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett. The sentences will run concurrently. A jury found the defendant guilty of the charges on October 27, 2021.

 According to the investigation, on the evening of July 31, 2018, the victim, Frederick Hayes, 27, was walking near 2222 Andrews Avenue when the defendant approached him from behind. An eyewitness to the crime testified in court that Samuel went up to the victim, shot him, and when Hayes fell to the floor, the defendant fired again at close range. The victim was shot three times in the back, three times behind the ear, and once in the arm. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The defendant fled the scene and was arrested on December 11, 2018.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective John McGivney of the 52nd Precinct and NYPD Detective Sean Butler of the Bronx Homicide Squad.

Annual Community Board 7 Christmas Tree Lighting - Was There a Political Agenda by CB 7 District Manager Bravo

What should have been a joyous occasion was turned into a political agenda by Community Board 7 District Manager Ischia Bravo. The Annual Christmas Tree lighting traditionally was run by officers of the board with board members and elected officials on stage. This year however the District Manager Ischia Bravo was in charge of the event which turned political. On the stage was the Male District leader candidate of the Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez's New Slate who was called to come on stage by Fernandez's incumbent State Committeewoman. It is rumored that the CB 7 District Manager Bravo will be the Female District Leader candidate on the Fernandez slate. The current District Leaders of Assemblywoman Fernandez have not been included in her district activities since defeating Fernandez's candidates in the 2020 primary, according to Irene Estrada Female District Leader for the 80th Assembly District. 

When I asked the Community Board 7 District Manager why this non CB 7 board member and non elected official was on the stage the District Manager said "Are you harassing me, I want you to leave, or I will call the police to remove you". I took a few more photos and then left on my own accord. I have asked the Bronx Borough President's office to investigate this matter and respond back to me. This reminded me of when the Bronx Borough President's office asked me to cover what was to be the removal of CB 9 District Manager Federico Perez. DM Perez was using district resources for his Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade, and was fined by the Conflict of Interest Board for doing so. The first attempt at removing DM Perez failed. A new board chair was voted in who got a vote removing DM Perez, who this new chair then became the next District Manager. 

As Fredrick Klein of Assemblyman Dinowitz's office speaks in place of the assemblyman the non board member or elected official (circled), but Male District Leader on the 2022 Assemblywoman Fernandez slate stands on stage next to the State Committeewoman (in a white jacket) who invited him up. CB 7 DM Bravo is at the far left, with blonde hair.

In this photo This non CB 7 board member or elected official (circled again), but Male District Leader on the 2022 Assemblywoman Fernandez slate, stands next to the Assemblywoman, with the Female State Committeewoman on her other side. CB 7 DM Bravo is 4th from the left with blonde hair. 

New 52nd Precinct commanding officer Jeremy Schoublin who was welcomed to the community, says thank you. 

Explorers from the 52nd Precinct gave out hot chocolate on the cool night.

City & State - David Banks will be next NYC Schools Chancellor

 

Can David Banks lead NYC schools out of the pandemic?

New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams is set to announce David Banks as his pick for Schools Chancellor on Thursday.

New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams is expected to announce David Banks, founder of Eagle Academy, as his pick for Schools Chancellor on Thursday. Adams’ first major administration appointment doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Banks was widely expected to be the incoming mayor’s top pick and is a co-lead on the transition team’s education committee.

Banks is best known as the founding principal of Eagle Academy for Young Men, a network of public schools geared toward low-income Black and Latino boys. Starting with one school in the Bronx, the Eagle Academy network now includes six schools; five in New York City and one in New Jersey. The small schools, which embrace culturally responsive curriculum, have a mixed track record, though the five schools in New York have generally held higher than average graduation rates for the city, Chalkbeat New York reports. 

But while Banks’ impending appointment may have been expected, inheriting control of the nation’s largest public school system – still weathering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic – is sure to bring surprising challenges. In addition to drops in enrollment and increased challenges in ensuring homeless students are receiving equal access to education, the next chancellor will have to confront massive learning gaps and the emotional trauma caused by the pandemic. Confronting students’ trauma is one of Banks’ first priorities, The New York Times reports, along with expanding early childhood education.

Another question Banks may encounter right off the bat is how to approach a possible vaccine mandate for students. Mayor Bill de Blasio has held off from mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for students – it’s currently required for teachers and staff – but Adams has said that he’s open to requiring it for students too. Banks will also be tasked with implementing changes to the gifted and talented program – though Adams has suggested that he won’t overhaul the program, as de Blasio promised late in his term to do.

The deep racial segregation in New York City’s schools is a challenge previous chancellors have struggled to confront. “I want to help transform the lives of so many of our children, but particularly Black and brown children who have struggled the most in this system,” Banks told The New York Times. “They need people to be bold on their behalf.”