P.S. 51 Public Hearing on TCE Contamination

Last Thursday night Chancellor Dennis Walcott faced his first major problem, how to handle the Trichoroethylene (TCE) crisis at P.S. 51 better known as the Bronx New School. P.S. 51 opened in 1992 under then School District 10 Superintendent Irma Zardoya. This was a new experimental school of choice open to all children of the district. A lottery was held to make sure that all ethnic groups were represented equally, and the school did very well academically. There were the usual problems of children getting sick, and everyone thought that was normal until last Thursday night. 
 

Chancellor Walcott informed current P.S. 51 parents that their children would not be attending P.S. 51 in September due to tests that were done in January, February, and in March which revealed high levels of TCE in the school building that can not be remedied by the start of the new school year. He said that the DOE has tried to air out the building, but high levels of TCE remain in the building. The level of TCE in the basement ranged from 310 to 607 micrograms per cubic meter to 1,7 to 5.3 on the first floor, and up to 4.4 on the roof of the building. The New York State Department of Health guidelines is under 5 micrograms per cubic meter. There was a fact sheet handed out that claimed 0.5 to 4.2 MG per CM is typical indoor air levels of TCE, and the handout stated “This fact sheet will be updated as new information becomes available”. 
 

TCE is widely used in products such as: metal degreasers, paint strippers, paint, varnish, glue, spot removers, adhesives, auto cleaning products, rug cleaning fluids, and in combination with other chemicals. The building that housed P.S. 51 once was a garage and factory before becoming a school building. The building next to P.S. 51 is a garage and a gas station, across the street was the old DEP chlorine storage building, MTA subway yards, and the #4 subway line runs above Jerome Avenue next to the school building. 
 

Chancellor Walcott apologized to the parents and then introduced the many people from the DOE, Department of Health, and School Construction Authority present saying that any questions that the parents have will be answered tonight. He continued that as the lease of the building has come up for renewal the DOE did some air tests, and then some more when the first and second came back with levels above acceptability. Walcott added that over the summer the DOE tried to remediate the high levels of TCE by airing out the building with high power fans, but the TCE was continuing to come in through the cracks in the building. He said that since the building could not be used for the opening of the new school year that the DOE had found another site only two miles away known as the St. Martin of Tours Catholic school that had been closed by the Archdiocese. Walcott then said that the silver lining is that this site has a gym that P.S. 51 did not have, and that there would be no other school in the building. Later in the meeting did Walcott give the exact location of the school on East 182^nd Street and Crotona Ave. at the edge of District 10. The chancellor said of the 65 leased buildings inspected by the DOE that only P.S. 51 had a problem, which drew little comfort from those present. 
 

Then the questions from the parents started. One parent complained that his child came home with headaches, and yelled at the chancellor “that the DOE didn't care, and that all the children should be checked out to make sure they do not have any illnesses”. Chancellor Walcott passed this over to Dr. Nathan Graber (a pediatrician with the DOH) who said that the city is working with the state to see if there are any long term effects. Dr. Graber advised to check with the child’s health care provider. More parents asked questions as to why the building was not closed after the first test came back high in January, and the chancellor said that it appeared to be a false reading and the DOE wanted to do more tests to be sure. There was then a call for a database of all students and staff that were in the P.S. 51 building, which got an answer from Dr. Graber and silence by the chancellor.

Parents of former P.S. 51 students then came forward to say that many of their children now have unusual health problems with no family history of such problems. One mother said that her child who attended P.S. 51 in 1995 thru 1997 who is now 27 years old has cysts on her ovaries. One person mentioned a nine year old student and her teacher at P.S. 51 who recently died of cancer. Parent after parent of current and former students of P.S. 51 spoke of health concerns their children are now having, and wanted to know why these tests were not done when the building was opened. The chancellor said That these tests are done when leases are renewed, and “we do not know about the past, but we are concerned about the current students of P.S. 51, which angered most of the hundreds in the auditorium. 
 

In the audience were State Senator Gustavo Rivera, representatives of Congressman Eliot Engel, Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.'s office, who all watched in amazement, and could not comment on what they had just witnessed. 
 

Parents came with questions and concerns, but got few answers, even less assurances, and after checking with their child's health care provider may want to seek legal advice. 

 

Break Fast with Your Neighbor this Ramadan

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Cordially invites you to join the Bronx’s Muslim Community and Break Fast with Your Neighbor this Ramadan

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Bronx County Courthouse

851 Grand Concourse, Veteran’s Memorial Hall

5:30 Program -Followed by Prayer and Dinner

Seating is limited. To R.S.V.P. Call 718-590-3522 or email lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov

14th Annual Bronx Business Opportunities Expo - September 23, 2011

 

14th Annual Bronx Business Opportunities Expo to be held at Hostos Community College on Friday, September 23, 2011 (9:30am to 2:00pm). This year’s theme is “Growing Together: The Value of Partnership, Team building and Networking.”

 

SOBRO Business Expo is one of the longest running business expo in the Bronx.  Business expo is organize annually at which businesses are invited to participate and setup a table and answer questions, distribute their literature, network, generate business and serve as a resource for the business community. This year’s event will feature a blend of businesses of all sizes, across industry lines, representing financial services, insurance services, Health Care, Government Procurement Specialist , prime contractors offering sub-contracting opportunities contracting, computer technology, construction, graphic design, business services, and manufacturing, among many others.  The focus of this expo is to share business information and learn how to expand your business and to find out more information of major development projects in our community and business to business networking opportunities.

If you are interested to show case your products and services to the hundreds of potential buyers and partners who attend the event, place an ads, or interested in sponsoring our expo, please see attached information as well as registration.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 718-732-7538 or email Cedevents@sobro.org,  We look forward for your participation.  Thank you.

 

 

IDC Bill to Help Increase Distribution of NY-Grown Products Signed in Law

  Priority legislation by the Independent Democratic Conference that will help further expand the sale of New York State grown products in New York was signed into law today.

 

The measure, (S.614B/ Klein), allows the New York State Urban Development Corp./ Empire State Development Corp. to be able to extend grants and loans that will help create, or upgrade distribution networks between New York farmers and food distributors, processors, and purchasers such as supermarkets and farmer's markets.

“This will help New York farmers get their New York products to more New York families – especially in underserved communities,” Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester), said. “I thank the Governor, as well as the Assembly sponsor, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, for helping make this very important legislation law.”

The lack of solid transportation networks is one of the main barriers preventing New York produce, which are primarily grown upstate, from having greater distribution in downstate markets. For instance, only half of the produce sold at the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market in the Bronx, which is the highest volume wholesale produce market in the U.S., is grown in New York.

“This new law will provide great help in getting New York Grown products to New York families' tables,” said Senator David J. Valesky, (D-Oneida). “Agriculture is a cornerstone of the New York State economy, and leveraging our locally grown produce is a win-win for everyone."

This bill was part of the Independent Democratic Conference's “Preserve, Promote & Grow” plan to improve New York's agriculture economy.

“Agriculture is one of New York’s leading industries,”  Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Orange) said.  “It is essential that we work to actively promote our local farms and seek ways to ensure that they continue to grow and prosper.  I commend Governor Andrew Cuomo for signing this legislation, which will provide the tools needed to support our farmers, and promote locally grown agriculture products.”

The new law is Chapter 454 of the Laws of 2011.

“By strengthening these transportation networks, we are strengthening New York,” said Senator Diane J. Savino, (D-Staten Island/ Brooklyn). “Every community from Staten Island to the Thousand Islands and beyond will be the benefit from this new law.”

Senator Klein Unveils Bill to Protect Community, Law Enforcement, From Dangerous Mentally Ill Individuals 

 Measure to Give Law Enforcement Info to Diffuse Violent Encounters, Prevent Tragedy

Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester), was joined by Morris Park community leaders to announce important new legislation to protect residents help law enforcement officers diffuse potentially dangerous situations with mentally ill individuals.

This change would give law enforcement the information they need to plan for potentially violent encounters with these patients and avoid tragedies like the March 21 incident at 1545 Rhinelander Ave. In that incident, a mentally disturbed man was fatally shot by police after he threatened his roommate and lunged at officers with a knife. The man had a history of mental health-related violence and 16 prior arrests – information that responding officers did not have at the time.

“This type of red tape is literally putting people's lives at risk,” Senator Klein said. “We need to make sure that police have the information they need to better protect themselves, as well as innocent bystanders and even the mentally ill aggressors in these dangerous situations. My common sense legislation will do just that by breaking down bureaucratic barriers, while also respecting the privacy of these individuals.”

The legislation, (S.5871), would require service providers who place mentally ill individuals in residential housing to alert law enforcement agencies if these clients have a history of violence, or are deemed likely to cause physical harm to others. Having this information beforehand will allow police to alter tactics, including employing the use mental health professionals, while responding to a call with a violent, mentally ill individual.

Currently, these providers have no such obligation and have been resistant in sharing this information.

After the Rhinelander Avenue incident, it became clear that services providers have placed multiple clients at the building, which has resulted in many dangerous encounters and complaints from other building residents. As of last week, police have been forced to respond to the building 61 times this year, and have made five arrests of emotionally disturbed people. Last year, 111 calls to 911 were made in reference to 1545 Rhinelander.

"This legislation is sorely needed as this location has been a problem in the community for some years,” said Al D'Angelo, President of the Morris Park Community Association. “The safety of our police is paramount, this will help to alleviate the unknowns they face."

This legislation applies to organizations that operate community residences, or place persons with a mental illness or a developmental disability in residential apartment buildings containing 15, or more, units. They would be required to provide written notice to local law enforcement agencies that a resident under their supervision has been certified by a mental health professional as either likely to cause physical harm to other persons, or likely to cause harm to others if he or she ceases to undergo necessary treatments, or therapies.

Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera, (D-Bronx), has agreed to carry this legislation in the the Assembly.

Joe Thompson, 49th Precinct Community Council President, said: "All you need is for bad guys to win is for good guys to do nothing.' This is a case when the good guys did something. The community saw the problem, the 49th Precinct noticed a deficiency in the law and Senator Klein worked with Deputy Inspector Nicholson to introduce new legislation to act on the problem." 

Bobby Ruggerio, President of the Morris Park Merchants Alliance, said: "In order for our businesses to thrive a community must be a safe and welcoming place. This legislation will assist us in doing just that."

  

Senator Rivera Hosts Bronx CAN Health Initiative Check-In Focused on Physical Fitness and Exercise

   Senator Gustavo Rivera (33rd State Senate District) is hosting the second Bronx CAN Health Initiative Check-In focused exercise and physical fitness at St. James Park Recreation Center. The event will include a health fair with Bronx CAN Health community partners, the opportunity for Bronxites to discuss their exercise regimen with physical fitness experts as well as a free Zumba class. Participants will also be given “Green Bucks” to be used at a participating NYC Green Cart outside St. James Park Recreation Center.

   Saturday, August 20, 2011 from 2:00pm-3:00pm 

    St. James Park Recreation Center – 2530 Jerome Ave. 

State Audit Socks Port Authority On Overtime

 

  Celeste Katz of the Daily News has the story that The PA paid nearly $86 million in overtime to workers last year, according to an audit DiNapoli released today.  This all comes on the heels of a significant toll hike proposal by the Port Authority. 

  “Before the Port Authority asks for more money to fund its operations, the agency should take a long, hard look at whether its business model for managing overtime really makes sense,” DiNapoli Said. In 2009, 281 employees made more than $50,000 in overtime - and 18 raked in more than $100,000 in pay for extra hours, the report states. One employee earned a base salary of $107,878 and made an additional $153,530 in overtime, an average of 34 hours per week of overtime. 

  To see the entire Daily News article including the 32 page State Comptroller report you can go here. 

COMPTROLLER LIU CALLS FOR POSTPONEMENT OF PEP / VERIZON VOTE

  City Comptroller John C. Liu issued the following statement in response to questions about tonight’s Panel for Educational Policy vote:

 
“The members of the Panel for Educational Policy should act appropriately and postpone the vote to allow the DOE to pay Verizon $120 million until a resolution is reached in the company’s ongoing labor dispute. Now is not the time to fund new projects, especially as thousands of New Yorkers and their families are in danger of losing their benefits. No City agency should take sides in a disagreement between labor and management, and a ‘yes’ vote would equate to a validation of Verizon’s demands. Instead, the suitable action would be to wait until an agreement is reached. My office remains available to assist both sides in any way possible.” 

NOTE: In May, Comptroller Liu registered a contract between the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications and Telesector Resources Group, Inc. (a Verizon subsidiary) to provide citywide landline and voicemail services as part of an agency-wide consolidation effort.

The contract is valued at $175 million and specified that DoITT was the lead agency, with a number of additional city agencies able to utilize Telesector services. Today, the NYC Panel for Education Policy is set to vote to allow DOE to allocate $120 million to Telesector, while an ongoing labor dispute is taking place.