Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - Mid-August + Upcoming Events, Community Awareness, and more!

 

Dear Neighbor,

As we settle into the latter part of the summer, it’s time to reflect on the contributions made by the community and our partners. My commitment is to ensure the community is heard and has access to programs and services aligned with their needs. This summer has taught me a lot, and I am excited to deliver and support you all. Each event or initiative in District 13 will have you at the forefront - nothing less.

I continuously hear from residents that you would like to see more events. As previously mentioned, several programs are in the works, relevant to our communities, including clean-ups, e-waste programs, and leisurely activities for all ages. If you haven’t already, please complete our survey so that you experience programming relevant to you. Be sure to share it with a friend - the more surveys completed, the more programming options we will have!

While so much continues to happen in the District, I am committed to and excited to share new initiatives that will impact the quality of life of my community. This week has been full of exciting moments, which I’ve shared below; I invite you to experience them with me. As New York City grows and changes, whether it's economically or socially, I invite you all to voice your concerns and opinions or to enjoy the moment.

In recent weeks, my office has received an influx of constituent cases. To ensure you are supported in a timely manner, my team and I will be out in the community to address your concerns during the first mobile office hours. This will continue throughout the fall in various locations throughout the district. If you have time-sensitive questions or require immediate assistance, contact my office Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM at (718) 931-1721 or via email at District13@council.nyc.gov.

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez

Mobile Office Hours

Join me and my team for Mobile Office Hours on Monday, August 22nd at Pelham Bay Park train station (at the corner of Westchester Avenue and Amendola Place) from 3 PM to 5 PM to address any questions or concerns you may have. We’re here to help YOU make the most out of your community. See you there!

Neighborhood Safety - Lithium Ion Batteries

In recent weeks, a lithium-ion battery fire killed two individuals at Jackie Robinson Houses in Harlem and injured two others, including a firefighter. This tragic event was preventable; unfortunately, these fires continue to occur across the City. It is evident that lithium-battery-related fires are very real, and the risks outweigh the advantages. We must work together to develop realistic solutions to reduce the risk of battery fires in our communities.

To address this public safety issue, I am partnering with my colleagues to address public education, the scope of the issue, safety standards for charging and storage, and infrastructure needs. Overall - we want to hear from YOU on what you want to see in your community regarding the electric transportation devices, such as e-bikes and scooters.

From now until September 6th, you can submit a public testimony by clicking here.

For more information on safety, please visit the FDNY website here.

In recent weeks, a lithium-ion battery fire killed two individuals at Jackie Robinson Houses in Harlem and injured two others, including a firefighter. This tragic event was preventable; unfortunately, these fires continue to occur across the City. It is evident that lithium-battery-related fires are very real, and the risks outweigh the advantages. We must work together to develop realistic solutions to reduce the risk of battery fires in our communities.

To address this public safety issue, I am partnering with my colleagues to address public education, the scope of the issue, safety standards for charging and storage, and infrastructure needs. Overall - we want to hear from YOU on what you want to see in your community regarding the electric transportation devices, such as e-bikes and scooters.

From now until September 6th, you can submit a public testimony by clicking here.

For more information on safety, please visit the FDNY website here.

Back to School: Backpack Giveaway

The 2022-2023 school year is underway, and we are excited to share our annual Back 2 School Giveaway! Each year, community leaders host several events that provide essential school supplies for students in the district. This year, we will be participating in several giveaways, meeting the needs of students across the Northeast Bronx.

Keep an eye out each week, as we announce additional giveaways throughout the district. If you would like to see a giveaway in your area, please reach out to us at district13@council.nyc.gov.

Summer Movie Night

Mark your calendars!

Join me and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation for a special viewing of “Spiderman: No Way Home,” at Ambrosini Field, in City Island on Tuesday, August 30th at 7:30 PM.

Bring the whole family out for an evening filled with popcorn, laughs, and your friendly neighborhood Spiderman!

What’s Happening In District 13?

SWARM Clean-Up Throggs Neck
At the beginning of August, the New York City Economic Development Corporation hosted a SWARM clean-up event in the district. Below are some statistics from the event. Bags of trash collected: 347 Block faces hand-swept: 786 Graffiti cleaned from property or asset: 24 Litter baskets collected: 147 Mileage cleaned: 39.7miles Weight of trash bags collected: 5059lbs

Important Information - TRANSPORTATION

Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - Cinema Africa Continues!

Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) continues this weekend, Saturday and Sunday evenings, with the presentation of CINEMA AFRICA! Coinciding with our current exhibition, Women of the Ivory Coast and Mali, we're presenting a collection of films that dwell into the lives, experiences, and stories of people from various countries in Africa. From classic dramas such as Djibril Mambéty's Touki Bouki, to modern films such as The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, we are proud to share these representative gems of African filmmaking with the community. Films will be screened at BRAC. CINEMA AFRICA is a FREE EVENT. RSVPing is recommended. Donations are welcome.

RSVP through Eventbrite

CINEMA AFRICA - FILM SCHEDULE

 

RSVP through Eventbrite

BRAC COVID-19 Protocols: Proof of vaccination will be required for all persons age 6. Use of masks during classes, exhibitions, and performances is required. For general questions, please email info@bronxriverart.org.

OMH Launches Partnership to Help Black New Yorkers Heal from Buffalo Tragedy

 

The NYS Office of Mental Health is partnering with the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi), Inc. to provide specialized “healing circle” support groups for individuals and families traumatized by the racially-motivated mass shooting in Buffalo earlier this year and increased incidents of hate crimes in general.  The virtual support groups, known as “Sawubona” provide assistance and support to individuals and families dealing with elevated levels of grief, anxiety and trauma.  

OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “Sawubona healing circle support groups will be a vital resource to help heal the communities that have been devastated by racial violence. Many families in Buffalo are still understandably anxious, angry and emotionally distraught. OMH has been responding to this trauma with extensive public outreach and coordination of care resources. We are grateful to the Association of Black Psychologists and their help in implementing this innovative, culturally-grounded program to support the needs of people of color across the state.”

Donell L. Barnett, PhD, President of the Association of Black Psychologists, said, “We are excited about this opportunity to partner with OMH to provide needed services and support for Black communities in New York. This is uniquely important given the racial trauma and other challenges the country has taken notice of recently and historically. At a time of increased demand for services and a shortage of mental health providers, having culturally appropriate and culturally accountable services as a part of the array of mental health and wellness services is critically important. The Association of Black Psychologists is glad to partner with New York State in leading the way towards a national model.”

Sawubona Healing Circles is a national program of the Association of Black Psychologists. Sawubona is a Zulu word that means “I see you.” Sawubona Healing Circles are a culturally grounded rapid response intervention model designed to provide coping and wellness strategies in an affirming space for Black people experiencing race-related stress and trauma.

The Black-led healing circles, which are non-clinical, provide culturally relevant ways for people to express thoughts, feelings, and stories in a healing way. Culturally grounded in African-centered practices, the model helps address racial and other forms of trauma in communities of color. If you want to attend a “Sawubona” healing circle, please sign up here https://abpsi.site-ym.com/general/?type=BSHCA.

To grow this effort, OMH is looking for New York State residents interested in becoming trained Sawubona Healing Circle facilitators. This is a perfect opportunity for volunteers, retirees, students, advocates, and mental health service providers interested in supporting resilience in the Black community. If you are interested in this free training opportunity, go to this link and apply https://abpsi.site-ym.com/general/?type=bshcf.

Two Men Charged in Federal Court with Violent Carjackings in Chicago Suburbs

 

  A federal grand jury has indicted two men on carjacking charges in connection with the violent thefts of vehicles in the north suburbs of Chicago.

EDSON RESENDEZ and MAVERICK CELA forcibly took vehicles in Morton Grove, Ill., and Skokie, Ill., according to an indictment unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago.  The indictment charges Resendez, 21, and Cela, 21, both of Chicago, with one count of conspiracy to commit carjackings and two counts of carjacking.  Resendez also faces an additional count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

Resendez was arrested Thursday morning and pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in federal court.  A detention hearing is set for Aug. 23, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey T. Gilbert.

Cela is currently in the custody of the state of Illinois.  His arraignment in federal court has not yet been scheduled. 

The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Chicago Police Department, Morton Grove Police Department, and Skokie Police Department.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cornelius A. Vandenberg.

According to the indictment, Resendez and Cela took a Chevrolet Sonic from a victim in Morton Grove on Sept. 11, 2020.  Cela later disposed of the vehicle by lighting it on fire in the 6200 block of North Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, the indictment states.

On Sept. 13, 2020, Resendez and Cela took a Lexus GS350 from a victim in Skokie, the indictment states.  The pair later disposed of the vehicle in the 4800 block of South Hermitage Avenue in Chicago, the charges allege.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Each carjacking count is punishable by up to 15 years in federal prison.  The firearm count against Resendez carries a minimum prison sentence of seven years and a maximum of life, which must be served consecutively to the sentence imposed for the carjacking offense.  The conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years.  If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

NYPD Announces Emergency Rule, Effective Immediately, For Receiving A Concealed Carry Handgun License

 

August 19, 2022 — Emergency rule that provides guidance to gun licenses applicants

Please see the attached emergency rule that provides guidance to gun licenses applicants in light of the Supreme Court decision in  N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen, 142 S. Ct. 2111 (2022) and recent statewide legislation governing gun licensing.  

This rule creates guidance for people who have pending applications on the effective date of the State law or who applied and were rejected for a concealed carry permit prior the Supreme Court decision in Bruen. The rule gives people whose applications were rejected or downgraded to another category of license based solely on a determination that the applicant lacked “proper cause” in the previous three years 60 days to reopen their application with no new fee charged. 

Notice of Adoption of Emergency Rules for Receiving a Concealed Carry Handgun License and Resubmitting Certain Recently Denied Applications

Governor Hochul Participates in White House Virtual Small Business Funding Press Conference Call

 

Governor Hochul: "I am so grateful on behalf of the thousands and thousands of businesses here in the State of New York that will benefit from this ...This targeted approach, a half a billion dollars from the federal government, coupled with the half a billion dollars that I just enacted in our budget to do the same thing, pots of money for venture capital, lending opportunities, as well as investments in businesses that were hardest-hit by the pandemic."

Hochul: "I'm so thankful to have President Biden, who understands how important this is to get this money out in the communities, help them stabilize, let them start hiring again, let them continue to live their dreams that were dashed during this pandemic, make them whole again. And that's how our state and our country will again, once again, be prosperous."

 Good day everyone, I want to thank you for convening us here today and everyone in the White House team, as well as my partners in government at the congressional level, fellow Governor Kate Brown, as well as the Senator from Colorado. I come to this with a heart full of gratitude. We are so grateful to the Biden Administration and our own Majority Leader, Senator ChuckSchumer and Senator Gillibrand, and our entire delegation [and] Leader - Speaker Nancy Pelosi. I said leader because when I was in Congress a decade ago, she was not the Speaker yet, but great things have happened. And because of this teamwork, and how responsive the Administration has been to the needs during the pandemic, but even post-pandemic, I am so grateful on behalf of the thousands and thousands of businesses here in the State of New York that will benefit from this. 96 percent of small business in the State of New York are eligible for this funding.

And this targeted approach, half a billion dollars from the federal government, coupled with the half a billion dollars that I just enacted in our budget to do the same thing, pots of money for venture capital, lending opportunities, as well as investments in businesses that were hardest-hit by the pandemic. Everyone knows, no state was harder hit during the pandemic than the State of New York, particularly the City of New York, but we are a very diverse state. Many people do think of New York as just the skyscrapers of Manhattan, when in fact we have a very rural area as well. The Senator talked about communities of 10,000 or less. I have communities of 300 or less. Tiny communities that will also benefit from this.

And this is personal to me as well, as someone who helped my mother start a small business right out of law school. I know the challenges, the frustration, the bureaucracy that's just maddening. And for woman-owned businesses to get access to capital, it's almost impossible. It was then, back two decades ago and even now so today, so we're not making enough progress. And here in New York, we take this seriously for our MWBEs. We have 30 percent goals, and we're going to achieve those goals for all of our State contracts. But this really gives us the lift we need, the investment we need to be able to go to our small business community and say, "We are here to help you."

And again, I'm so thankful to have President Biden, who understands how important this is to get this money out in the communities, help them stabilize, let them start hiring again, let them continue to live their dreams that were dashed during this pandemic, make them whole again. And that's how our state and our country will again, once again, be prosperous. So, I'm just here to say thank you.