Morris Park Columbus Day Parade

 

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon as the Morris Park Columbus Day Parade, the second largest in New York City began and finished over two hours later. The parade route went across Morris Park Avenue turning north onto Williamsbridge Road where the reviewing stand was before the corner of Lydig Avenue and one block south of Pelham Parkway.

Crowds gathered on both sides of the street to watch the thirteen schools, eight marching bands, fifteen local community organizations clubs or businesses, several floats, stilt walker, the NYPD and FDNY, and elected officials who participated in the parade. As usual the elected officials all were Italian that day with the exception of Italian Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, and Italian Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato who introduced her Father in Law Pietro Marmorato who came to this country as an Italian Immigrant. "This is the greatest country in the world," He said.

The Grand Marshal of the Morris Park Columbus Day Parade was Anthony Mormile, with the Honorary Grand Marshal Anthony Morante. Miss Columbus was Victoria Franciamore of Spellman High School, and Junior Miss Columbus was Maria McNervey of St. Theresa School. After the parade there was a carnival in Loreto Park. 

Introduced at the pre parade event Friday night (L - R) Honorary Grand Marshal Anthony Morante, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, Miss Columbus Victoria Franciamore, Junior Miss Columbus Maria McNervey, Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, and Grand Marshal Anthony Mormile.

(L - R) Miss Columbus Victoria Franciamore, Junior Miss Columbus Maria McNervey, Honorary Grand Marshal Anthony Morante, Grand Marshal Anthony Mormile, Bronx BP Vanessa Gibson, Bronx DA Darcel Clark, Assemblyman John Zaccaro, Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, Captain Theathong of the 49th Precinct, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto and Councilman Rafael Salamanca are in the back row with Joe McManus representing Congressman Ritchie Torres. Al D'Angelo, President of the Morris Park Community Association, is standing.

The highlight of the parade was the introduction of Pietro Marmorato by his daughter in law Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, an Italian immigrant who came to this country. "This is the greatest country in the world", he said. 

Students from PS 108  performed.

Students from St. Raymond's Academy performed.

Children enrolled at City Stage on Morris Park Avenue performed. 

Preston High School was represented. 

St. Clare of Assisi - St. Francis Xavier School.

Cardinal Spellman High School.

The Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association was represented as President Steven Glosser waves. 

Laborers Local 79 were represented.

The fire engine used for parades was all decked out for Columbus Day.

The NYC Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce in partnership with US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Wells Fargo, & Avanzar for our Finance webinars

 

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Justice Department Sues South Bend, Indiana, for Discriminating Against Black and Female Police Officer Applicants

 

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the City of South Bend, Indiana, alleging that the hiring process for entry-level police officers at the South Bend Police Department (SBPD) violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Specifically, the department alleges that South Bend uses a written examination that discriminates against Black applicants and a physical fitness test that discriminates against female applicants.

Title VII is a federal statute that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, sex, color, national origin and religion. Title VII prohibits not only intentional discrimination but also employment practices that result in a disparate impact on a protected group, unless such practices are job related and consistent with business necessity.

“Equal employment opportunity is critical to ensuring that law enforcement agencies do not unfairly exclude otherwise eligible job applicants based on discriminatory practices,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Discriminatory barriers that deny qualified Black and female applicants the opportunity to be police officers violate civil rights and undermine public safety efforts. The Justice Department is committed to equal access to employment opportunities in the policing sector so that all qualified applicants have a fair chance to protect and serve their communities.”

The lawsuit stems from a pattern and practice investigation launched by Civil Rights Division in 2021 into SBPD’s hiring practices. The investigation found that SBPD’s written examination and physical fitness test do not meaningfully distinguish between applicants who can and cannot perform the position of entry-level police officer. These tests also had the effect of disqualifying Black and female applicants from the hiring process at significantly disproportionate rates. The department thus concluded that these tests violate Title VII’s bar on discrimination in employment.

Filed in the Northern District of Indiana, the lawsuit alleges that, since at least 2016, South Bend has used a written examination that has disproportionately excluded Black applicants and a physical fitness test that has disproportionately excluded female applicants from consideration for police officer positions. The complaint asserts that South Bend’s uses of these tests are neither job related nor consistent with business necessity, and thus, violate Title VII.

The Justice Department is seeking a court order to ensure that South Bend uses only lawful tests in its entry-level police officer hiring process. The department also seeks relief for Black and female applicants disqualified by the challenged tests, including back pay and, for those who can successfully complete the new lawful selection process, job offers with retroactive seniority.

The full and fair enforcement of Title VII is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. The division recently proposed consent decrees to resolve lawsuits challenging similarly discriminatory hiring processes at the Maryland Department of State Police and the Durham Fire Department. The division has issued a fact sheet on combating hiring discrimination by police and fire departments to help applicants for public safety jobs understand their Title VII rights to be free from discriminatory hiring processes. More information about the Civil Rights Division can be found at www.justice.gov/crt.

Governor Hochul Announces Nearly 1 Million New Yorkers Enrolled in Program to Help Older Adults Save More Than $7,000 Per Year in Health Care Costs

 

As Medicare Open Enrollment Period Begins Tomorrow, Governor Encourages More New Yorkers to Enroll in Medicare Savings Program

Governor Expanded Income Eligibility to Ensure Program Serves More Older Adults Statewide

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that nearly one million New Yorkers are now enrolled in State-administered Medicare Savings Program (MSP), which can help eligible older adults save an estimated average of $7,400 per year in health care costs. With the Medicare open enrollment period starting tomorrow, Governor Hochul also encouraged more New Yorkers to learn about and enroll in the MSP. Many older adults are eligible for this program following the Governor’s historic expansion of the MSP, which increased income eligibility limits to ensure more New Yorkers can benefit from health care savings.

“Our work to expand the Medicare Savings Program is helping ease the burden of healthcare costs for nearly one million New Yorkers and putting thousands of dollars back in their pockets,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “I encourage older adults in New York to use the Medicare open enrollment period to find out if they are eligible for the program and to learn if other Medicare coverage options can provide additional cost savings.”

The Medicare open enrollment period begins tomorrow, Oct. 15, and will remain open until Dec. 7. While New Yorkers can enroll in the MSP all year round, the open enrollment period is a great time to learn about the benefits and address any Medicare questions.

The MSP helps Medicare beneficiaries living on limited incomes by paying their Medicare Part B premiums and automatically enrolling them in the federal government’s Extra Help program, which helps with prescription drug costs.

In 2022, Governor Hochul secured an historic expansion of the MSP that increased income eligibility limits for New Yorkers. The 2024 income eligibility limits for the MSP are $2,355 per month for an individual and $3,189 per month for a couple.

Medicare beneficiaries or Medicare-eligible individuals are encouraged to contact the state's Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) for information on enrolling in the MSP or to receive assistance with other Medicare enrollment questions. New Yorkers can call the HIICAP toll-free hotline at 1-800-701-0501.

Below is a regional breakdown of the nearly one million New Yorkers already enrolled in the MSP as of late Sept.

REDC Region	Number of MSP Enrollees
Western New York  Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara	62,004
Finger Lakes  Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates	49,062
Southern Tier  Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins	30,340
Central New York  Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego	30,409
Mohawk Valley  Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Schoharie	24,673
North Country  Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence	20,973
Capital District  Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington	39,803
Hudson Valley  Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester	71,200
New York City	574,665
Long Island  Nassau, Suffolk	79,863
Statewide Total	982,992

 

More About the MSP

The MSP helps Medicare beneficiaries living on limited incomes by paying their Medicare Part B premiums and automatically enrolls them in Extra Help. The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates a potential cost savings of $5,300 per person enrolled in Extra Help. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees is$174.70 per month. Combined this assistance equals nearly $7,400 in savings annually. This financial assistance can be a lifeline for enrollees, allowing them to maintain their Medicare coverage, access needed care, and afford other necessities.

In 2022, Governor Hochul announced an historic expansion of the MSP, which is administered at the state level. The 2024 income eligibility limits for the MSP are $2,355 per month for an individual and $3,189per month for a couple.

Beneficiaries with income just above the posted limits should still consider contacting New York HIICAP for assistance in the application process, as individuals may be paying for out-of-pocket costs that can be deducted from their gross income to make them eligible. HIICAP offers free and objective counseling for Medicare beneficiaries needing assistance applying for the MSP or any other Medicare-related questions. Simply call HIICAP at 1-800-701-0501. Callers will be routed to their local program for assistance.

An application for the MSP is also available on the New York State Department of Health website here . The application and required documentation should be sent your local Department of Social Services (LDSS) or Human Resource Administration (HRA). Find the address in your county here. To apply, applicants will need photocopies of their Medicare card, proof of income, documentation about health insurance premiums other than Medicare, proof of date of birth and residence. Learn more on NYSOFA's website.

About Medicare Open Enrollment

Open enrollment is the time when Medicare beneficiaries can make changes in their health plan or prescription drug coverage and other options.

During open enrollment, or at any time of the year, HIICAP can help you:

• Understand the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Medicare Part D) and how to select the best plan.
• Understand low-income subsidy programs, including Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs).
• Find ways to pay for your medications or medical equipment.
• Understand and apply for the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program.
• Choose between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.
• Understand Medicare rules and your medical bills.
• Report possible Medicare fraud or abuse.
• Provide information on how to appeal a decision by Medicare, your managed care provider or other health insurance company.
• Discover ways to fill in Medicare’s gaps.
• Learn how to file a Medicare or Medigap complaint.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THE OBSERVANCES OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY AND ITALIAN HERITAGE DAY

 

"Like many in our city, I mark two holidays today, each truthfully deserving of their own day for commemoration – Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Italian Heritage Day. I choose to celebrate these communities and histories, rather than Christopher Columbus. For countless indigenous and historically oppressed people, to glorify Columbus is to celebrate the devastation he helped to initiate, and to misrepresent his deeds and purported accomplishments. 

"On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we have the obligation to acknowledge the historical and ongoing harm of oppression against Indigenous communities in our country. At the same time, we uplift and honor the rich and resonant traditions and heritage of Indigenous people nationwide. We can neither diminish the tragedy nor allow Indigenous culture to be defined by it alone. Somber reflection and celebration are each possible and essential.

"And in celebrating Italian-American heritage, we recognize the contributions of both individuals of Italian descent and the broader community, the role of this vibrant culture in shaping the city and nation.

"What unites these holidays is the opportunity for dialogue and collaboration as we stand together to elevate the best of our shared culture and values, while standing opposed to the injustices in our history and today."