Former NYC Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. - What’s Eating Mayor Eric Adams

 

You should know that Mayor Eric Adams has been very upset lately with the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott.  Governor Abbott continues to bus illegal immigrants to New York City, and this is making Mayor Adams quite uncomfortable, and he does not like it one bit. 

 

Mayor Adams is so angry, he issued Governor Abbott a threat. He has threatened to bus New Yorkers to Texas with the purpose of interfering with the Texan Gubernatorial elections.  According to Mayor Adam’s threat, he will bus these New Yorkers to Texas for the sole purpose of campaigning (knocking on doors) on behalf of Governor Abbott's opponent, Mr. Beto O’Rourke. This action is mean-spirited, purposeful, and intended to disrupt the Texan elections by outsiders. Governor Abbott responded, “Bring it on, Make My Day.” 

 

The question we as New Yorkers must ask is, what is eating Eric Adams? Why is he so upset with the Governor of Texas, instead of being angry at Joe Biden and the Biden administration? Afterall it was the Biden Administration that has created the chaos at the Border.

 

We must remind the mayor that it was Joe Biden who, during the Presidential Campaign, extended an open invitation to all who wanted to come to America will be welcomed.  Biden made and kept his promise when he flung open our borders and when he immediately stopped building border safeguards. Recently Biden suspended President Trump's “stay In Mexico Policy ” which is geared to keep immigrants in Mexico until they have been processed for asylum.  This will now increase illegal crossings. So why is Mayor Adams directing his ire at Governor Abbott? 

 

Mayor Adams must also be reminded that the Biden Administration has been flying and bussing migrants into Westchester County, New York, way before Governor Abbott began bussing them into NYC.  Mayor Adam’s and the Democrats' silence on that has been deafening.  

 

You should also know that Governor Abbott had reached out to the Biden Administration numerous times during these past two years requesting help to deal with the increase of migrants. His requests have fallen on deaf ears. He requested that President Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris visit the border to see for themselves the chaos and the enormity of the problem and huge numbers of migrants arriving daily. But the Governor and the state of Texas have been ignored. 

 

Governor Abbott has depleted his state's resources, manpower, and has had to deal with the rise in crime while dealing with the thousands of illegal migrants.   As a result, Governor Abbott has been left with no other recourse than to bus these migrants to “Sanctuary Cities” run by Democrats. The Democrats created “Sanctuary Cities” for this very purpose.  “Sanctuary Cities” now have the obligation to provide illegal migrants with the "Sanctuary" they were promised.  So, what’s eating Mayor Eric Adams?  

 

My dear reader please know that Governor Abbott invited our mayor to visit the Texan Border to assess and see for himself the immensity of the problem firsthand. I imagine that Governor Abbott extended this invitation hoping that both he and Mayor Adams would work collaboratively to pressure the Biden Administration for help and bring about workable solutions to deal with this grave problem.  But instead, Mayor Adams has pushed back with insults, mockery, and threats.

 

Eric Adams' response to Governor Abbott's invitation is unfortunate, and very disappointing.  Mr. Adams' response to Gov. Abbott is that he has no need to go to the border for a "photo op".  Yet he didn’t mind photo ops at celebrity events and when getting pedicures. Instead, Adams launches threats at another State, and its governor.  It makes one wonder where the mayor’s priorities are.  So, what's eating Mayor Eric Adams?

 

I can only imagine that Mayor Adams, like President Joe Biden, fails to see that Governor Abbott and the people of Texas are our Fellow Americans. They fail to see that the problems at our country’s border, which has enabled human trafficking, sex trafficking, the sexual abuse of women and children, drug trafficking and overall chaos in our country, is not a Republican or Democrat issue.  Securing America and its people requires bipartisan leadership with both Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and Conservatives working together to keep us, we the people, SAFE! That would be a photo op that our dear Mayor Adams, could be proud of.  

 

I am Rev. Ruben Diaz and this What You Should Know.  

KRVC - Save the Dates for our Fall Line Up of Events

We have so many exciting and fun events planned for our community this coming fall -- SAVE THE DATES SEPTEMBER 8TH -- Bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful grounds of the Van Cortlandt House Museum with the Wayne Escoffery Quartet

SEPTEMBER 15TH -- Erika Shallcross is a visual artist based in New York City. A photographer, painter, and collage technician, her pieces are both whimsical and evocative. Regularly experimenting with new techniques and touching on various themes, Shallcross believes these parameters simultaneously anchor, free, and guide her work. Our Monday Fundays start on SEPTEMBER 12th, throughout the fall from 3:00 - 5:00 pm Our annual Halloween party continues on OCTOBER 31st! NOVEMBER 17TH -- "Beginning in the early 2000s, in addition to taking photos to record my travels with my wife Leah in the U.S. and abroad, I began to take pictures of nature, scenery and landscapes." HerbKaplanPhotography.com Look forward to seeing you! KRVCDC.ORG/EVENTS KRVC | 505 West 236th Street, Bronx, NY 10463

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Bronx Monkeypox Town Hall and Bronx Nonprofit Day

 

Dear Neighbors,

 

As Monkeypox cases continue to rise in our borough and across the city, we want to make sure our communities are well-informed. 

Please join us at our Bronx Monkeypox Town Hall today, August 15th at 5pm at the New Settlement Community Center.

Please register here.

To make a Monkeypox vaccination appointment, please visit the City's vaccine appointment scheduler here.

Also, please join us on Wednesday, August 17th for Bronx Nonprofit Day, an inaugural virtual event where we will celebrate the many contributions of nonprofits in the Bronx and provide insight into the 'Clear the Backlog Initiative'.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

Riverdale Pride Continues at Bronx Burger House

 

Riverdale Pride continued at the Bronx Burger House on Mosholu Avenue Saturday night as New York City Drag Sensation Kelly KaBoom performed a one person tribute to Whitney Houston. 

After a very successful Riverdale Pride Day at the Riverdale Neighborhood House during Pride month she wanted to continue on that with monthly Pride Events for the LGBTQ community at the Bronx Burger House, said Bronx Burger House Manager Laura Levine-Pinedo.  

Above and Below - Kelly KaBoom as Whitney Houston at the Bronx Burger House.

Bronx Burger House Manager Laura Levine-Pinedo with Kelly KaBoom.

Queens Postal Workers Charged With Bribery Scheme And Theft Of Mail Linked To Covid-19 Benefits Fraud

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Daniel B. Brubaker, Inspector in Charge, New York Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service  (“USPIS”), Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”), Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (“DOL-OIG”), and Sharon MacDermott, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Boston-New York Field Division of the U.S. Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General (“SSA-OIG”), announced  charges against OSCAR ABREU, RAFAEL GRULLON, and ALDO PALOMINO, JR., in connection with their participation in a conspiracy to receive bribes and steal hundreds of pieces of mail linked to a COVID-19 benefits scheme that sought to obtain millions of dollars in fraudulent unemployment benefits from the New York State Department of Labor (“NYS DOL”).  OSCAR ABREU was arrested yesterday morning in White Plains, New York and was presented later that day before United States Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison.  RAFAEL GRULLON and ALDO PALOMINO, JR. were arrested this morning in Queens, New York, and were presented this afternoon before Magistrate Judge Davison.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “As alleged, the defendants accepted bribes and stole hundreds of pieces of mail, abusing the public trust placed in them as employees of the U.S. Postal Service and enabling the perpetration of a multi-million-dollar scheme to obtain fraudulent COVID-19 unemployment benefits.  My Office and our partners in law enforcement will continue to hold accountable the individuals who defraud government benefit programs as well as anyone else who enables them to do so."

USPIS Inspector in Charge Daniel B. Brubaker said:  “It is a sad day when postal employees allegedly aid other conspirators to commit identify theft.  Their actions affected hundreds of innocent victims by enabling their fellow criminals to illegally receive Covid-19 unemployment benefits through the U.S Mail. These Letter Carriers have betrayed the public and showed a total disregard for honesty and the public trust that was placed with them.  Thankfully however, these instances are few and far between, as the hard-working men and women of the U.S. Postal Service continue to deliver mail with pride and integrity on a daily basis to every doorstep in the nation. Customers should know, no matter where crime is found, Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners will bring the perpetrators to justice. I would like to thank our law enforcement partners for their dedication and hard work on this case.”

USPS-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Modafferi said: “The Special Agents of the USPS OIG will vigorously investigate Postal Service employees who comprise their integrity for personal gain. This case serves as an excellent example of the successful collaboration between the USPS OIG, our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to pursue and prosecute Postal Service employees involved in criminal activity. The U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General would like to thank our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice for their dedication and efforts in this investigation.”

DOL-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Mellone said:  “An important mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations relating to Unemployment Insurance Fraud. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations.”

SSA-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Sharon MacDermott said:  “Today’s arrest results from our collective law enforcement efforts to pursue those who have devised schemes to defraud federal benefit programs and taxpayers of much needed resources by misusing identities of innocent people.  I thank the U.S. Postal Inspectors, U.S. Postal Service OIG, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of Labor OIG for their major efforts leading to these arrests. I also thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their pursuit of justice in this matter.”

As alleged in the Complaints filed yesterday and today in White Plains federal court:[1]

From at least in or about July 2020 to in or about December 2020, OSCAR ABREU, RAFAEL GRULLON, and ALDO PALOMINO, JR., while employed as letter carriers with the U.S. Postal Service and working in Queens, New York, accepted cash bribe payments to intercept and steal mail sent by the NYS DOL to specific addresses along their assigned postal routes.  ABREU was first approached by a co-conspirator (“CC-1”) in or about mid-2020 and agreed to accept $200 for every NYS DOL envelope he intercepted and turned over to CC-1.  The payment later increased to $500 per NYS DOL envelope, and, at CC-1’s request, ABREU eventually recruited two more letter carriers, GRULLON and PALOMINO, JR.  CC-1 agreed to pay $200 per NYS DOL envelope that GRULLON and PALOMINO, JR. intercepted, $100 of which ABREU retained.

The stolen NYS DOL mail was linked to a scheme perpetrated by CC-1 and others to obtain COVID-19 unemployment benefits through the fraudulent filing and verification of benefit claims using the names and social security numbers of hundreds of other individuals.  The scheme required numerous addresses to which CC-1 and her co-conspirators could direct NYS DOL mailings related to the fraudulent claims.  Law enforcement agencies were first alerted to the scheme after CC-1 and another co-conspirator, CC-2, fled a Yonkers hotel in December 2020, leaving behind in their previously occupied room over 700 pieces of NYS DOL mail, containing, among other items, benefit debit cards.  The stash of stolen NYS DOL mail was tied to over 500 unemployment benefit claims seeking in excess of $16 million in benefits, approximately $3 million of which had already been disbursed by December 2020.

OSCAR ABREU, 41, of South Ozone Park, New York, RAFAEL GRULLON, 40, of Manhattan, and ALDO PALOMINO, JR., 30, of Long Island City, New York, are charged with conspiracy to commit theft and receipt of stolen mail, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; theft of mail by Postal officer or employee, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and conspiracy to receive bribes, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the USPIS, the USPS-OIG, the DOL-OIG, the SSA-OIG, the NYS DOL, the City of Yonkers Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York City Police Department.  Mr. Williams noted that the investigation is ongoing.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitutes only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.

Permits Filed For 806 E 170th Street In Foxhurst, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a seven-story residential building at 806 E 170th Street in Foxhurst, The Bronx. Located between Prospect Avenue and Bristow Street, the lot is near the Freeman Street subway station, serviced by the 2 and 5 trains. Charles Schwartz of CNC Developers is listed as the owner behind the applications, who also filed permits for a four-story development nearby at 1395 Bristow Street in April.

The proposed 72-foot-tall development will yield 29,622 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 44 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 673 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar, a 30-foot-long rear yard, and 13 open parking spaces.

Boaz M. Golani Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Bedford Green House Phase I Debuts At 2865 Creston Avenue In Bedford Park, Bronx

The first phase of the Bedford Green House affordable housing project is now complete at 2865 Creston Avenue in Bedford Park, The Bronx. Designed by ESKW Architects and developed by Project Renewal with support from New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Housing Development Corporation (HDC), the development comprises 117 affordable and supportive homes, including 71 apartments set aside for households and individuals that previously experienced homelessness, families impacted by mental illness and substance abuse, and people living with HIV and AIDS. The remaining 46 apartments are reserved for low-income households earning up to 60 percent area median income (AMI).

The property also houses a 1,500-square-foot rooftop greenhouse and aquaponics urban farming system with fish, vegetables, herbs, and micro greens. The space outside the greenhouse will be used for more traditional farming methods. Residents can work with Project Renewal’s horticultural therapist to grow their own food year-round, alongside their neighbors.

“Affordable housing, homelessness, public health, and our environment are all connected, and Project Renewal demonstrates the kind of creative thinking we need to tackle all of them together,” said mayor Eric Adams. “My administration is laser-focused, not on simply creating housing on paper but on getting New Yorkers into the safe, high-quality, affordable homes they deserve, while helping fight climate change and creating our own nutritious food.”

Project Renewal is providing on-site social services including case management, occupational therapy, entitlements support, and horticultural therapy utilizing the greenhouse and aquaponic urban farming system on the building’s roof.

“Bedford Green House helps meet our city’s urgent need for supportive and affordable housing and embodies Project Renewal’s mission to empower individuals and families to renew their lives with health, homes, and jobs,” said Eric Rosenbaum, president and CEO of Project Renewal. “More than just an apartment building, Bedford Green House’s design and programming brings residents together, from children to seniors, around shared activities that support healthy living.

Construction at Bedford Green House broke ground in November 2017 and topped out in 2019. It took another three years to open the building after various delays. To get the project back on track, Project renewal inserted $3.5 million of its own money into the development.

The second phase is expected to break ground this year and will introduce an additional 116 apartments, with more than half reserved for low-income seniors. It will feature a fitness center and The Molly B. Kronick Library and Learning Center for residents. This phase also includes the construction of a 5,000 square-foot medical clinic offering primary care, pediatrics, podiatry, and digital radiology.

SAGE’s Financial Literacy App for LGBTQ+ Elders Reaches Over 1k Users

 

For two years, SAGECents has been helping to improve the financial literacy of LGBTQ+ elders 

 Two years ago, SAGE, the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ elders, launched SAGECents, an app designed to help LGBTQ+ elders expand their financial literacy. With the lasting effects of a lifetime of discrimination, heightening rates of inflation, and the ongoing impact of the pandemic, SAGECents has been a crucial resource for this community in the last few years. Since its launch in 2020, SAGECents has registered over 1,200 users who now have access to helpful resources and tools personalized to their age, income, financial goals, and more.  

Many older LGBTQ+ people have experienced discrimination in employment, education, and housing during their lifetimes that has impacted their earning potential and retirement savings.  Many do not believe they will be financially stable enough to stop working beyond retirement age. In fact, 51% of LGBTQ+ older people are very or extremely concerned about having enough money to live on, as compared to 36% of non-LGBTQ+ older people.   

However, with the help of SAGECents, these circumstances are beginning to improve. To date, more than half of SAGECents users have reduced their debt by at least $200 and forty-two percent have improved their credits scores by 25 points.  

In honor of the two-year anniversary, SAGECents is adding a new feature – the Financial Health Playbook. Users who complete the initial financial health assessment receive a Financial Health Playbook, a personalized financial wellness plan with step-by-step guidance designed to help reach unique financial goals. 

“In this past year, even though my income decreased slightly, I have been able to stay on track in paying my bills on time and even putting a dent in my debt,” said one SAGECents user. “Thanks to SAGECents, I’ve learned a lot and now feel that I am on firm footing with my finances.” 

SAGECents is a free platform – sign up at sageusa.org/sagecents.