Thursday, February 16, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
What You Should Know by Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz
Senator Dean Skelos should create a Senate Committee to investigate Senator Mark Grisanti.
There are too many versions of what happened the night of February 10, 2012 in the Seneca Niagara Casino. It is being reported that Senator Mark Grisanti was involved in an altercation that resulted in his wife being injured.
There is another story floating around where many people are claiming that Senator Grisanti threw the first punch and that he hit a woman. If this is so, these are very serious accusations.
I completely disagree with Senator Dean Skelos when he said “I believed Mark Grisanti when he said he was attacked. His wife was attacked. She was knocked down on the floor. They beat her head against the floor. She has a concussion. She has bruises, and I think that was an indication that she was attacked.”
I wish that Senator Skelos and the members of the Senate would have taken Hiram Monserrate and his girl friend Carla at their word and believed them, the same way they are believing Mark Grisanti.
You should know that during the Hiram Monserrate incident there were no witnesses present except Monserrate and his girlfriend Carla. Both of them testified under oath that it was an accident, but Senator Skelos and the members of the Senate did not believe them. They formed their own opinion and decided that they knew better and expelled Senator Monserrate from the Senate.
Today, my dear reader, you should also know that contrary to Monserrate’s case, in Grisanti’s situation there are many other witnesses that testified against Grisanti’s version. Yet Senator Skelos does not believe those witnesses who were not only present, but saw and heard every detail of the incident. Senator Skelos already has decided to believe Senator Grisanti’s account.
You should know, and I want to make it very clear, that I am not saying that Senator Grisanti is wrong or that he is right. I was not there. I am merely stating that justice has to be equal. If the Senate created a special committee to investigate Senator Hiram Monserrate, even when the only two witnesses said that it was an accident, why not create a committee to investigate Senator Mark Grisanti, when there are many witnesses and many different stories?
Justice is supposed to be blind, colorless, racially-less, culturally-less, and conveniently-less.
You should also know that it was the Democratic controlled Senate that created a commission to investigate one of their own (Senator Monserrate), regardless of the consequences to their own majority and party affiliations.
I am Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.
The Bronx Youth Empowerment Program
Presents
CONNECTIONS
Building Positive Relationships
Between our youth and NYPD
Richard R. Green Middle School
3710 Barnes Ave
Bronx NY 10467
Monday, February 27, 2012
6pm
Interact with our officers
Get the information that will save lives!!!
Share your concerns
BE THERE!!!
For more information contact
Bronx Youth Empowerment Program
718-515-0822
bronxyep@gmail.com
The Bronx Youth Empowerment Program
Salutes Black History Month!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Accepts Invitation to Rally for Traditiona
Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Accepts Invitation to Rally for Traditional Marriage in Trenton
New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) and fellow Ministers from the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization have accepted an invitation to travel to the New Jersey State Legislature in Trenton to join New Jersey ministers in support of Traditional Marriage. The Pentecostal ministers will depart from the Bronx on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 9AM from the Christian Community Neighborhood Church located at 1437 Longfellow Avenue (between Jennings and Freeman Avenues).
Senator Rev. Diaz stated: “I am honored that Rev. Jose C. Lopez, the President of the Evangelical Pastors Association of Hudson County, has invited me and my ministers to join him along with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, to once again unite in prayer for the protection of the traditional family.”
Also From Senator Diaz The Following-
Senator Reverend Diaz Urges Decision on Congressional Lines
New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) has issued the following statement:
“They seem to be playing games about where New York’s Congressional lines should be drawn. When those lines are finally drawn, the opportunity will be open for many people to consider running for Congress. I wish they would hurry up and appoint a federal judge to draw New York’s Congressional lines because as soon as they do, many people like myself will make up their mind to run for Congress or not.”
According to the census, the Bronx has gained population and I as well as many others are on the waiting list to decide what our options are. A new congressional seat in the Bronx will give many of us an opportunity to consider moving up.
COMPTROLLER LIU"s STATEMENT ON EDC’S $100 MILLION SUBSIDY TO FRESH DIRECT
“Today’s $100 million subsidy to Fresh Direct was already a done deal from the moment it was announced last week and the reality is that my vote today does not change the outcome. Nonetheless, I cannot vote for this subsidy in good conscience. There may be more ways to ensure a better return on this investment.
“For the cost of this benefits package the city could give 4,385 students full, four-year scholarships to CUNY or hire 1,458 new teachers or pay for 350,000 GED test-prep programs or launch a micro-lending program for minority and women entrepreneurs.
“The EDC has not clearly justified why this much money should be used to subsidize this company. This subsidy seems to give away too much in exchange for the jobs and economic development it promises, despite the rosy numbers provided by the EDC.
“A few months ago, the EDC attracted a world-class university by promising $100 million in capital for a project that by their own estimate will generate 30,000 jobs. Now the EDC is giving close to $100 million to create 962 jobs. The cost to the City is $93,000 for each new job.
“Fresh Direct does appear to have support from elected officials, labor leaders, and the workers and we understand and concur with the sentiment that to keep jobs in New York City and create jobs in the Bronx are high-priority objectives.
“This agreement comes on the heels of the city’s decision to have taxpayers fund the estimated $180 million Ferry Point golf course. That the Fresh Direct deal was announced before the public even had a chance to comment is symptomatic of this badly flawed process.”
Elected Officials And Locals Will Gather At Transit Town Hall In The Bronx
Assembly Member Marcos Crespo Sponsors Forum With Transit Advocates & Riders
Thursday, February 16 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
WHAT A community forum on public transportation.
WHEN February 16, 2012, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
WHERE Bronx River Community Center
1619 East 174th Street
Bronx, NY
WHO Assembly Member Marcos Crespo
Assembly Member Carmen E. Arroyo
Assembly Member Jose Rivera
Assembly Member Vanessa L. Gibson
Assembly Member Nelson Castro
Council Member Maria Del Carmen Arroyo
Picture The Homeless
Youth Ministries For Peace And Justice
WHY To discuss the challenges facing transit riders in an
underfunded system and to identify solutions.
Background
This forum will be an opportunity for transit riders to talk with elected officials and community leaders about solutions for improving their quality of life through reliable, affordable and efficient transit.
In the Bronx River/Soundview area, 63 percent of local residents use public transit. More than 43,000 daily riders start their commutes at the eight subway stations in the neighborhood, and these numbers don’t include the tens of thousands of riders who rely on local and express bus service.
This forum will be an opportunity for transit riders to talk with elected officials and community leaders about solutions for improving their quality of life through reliable, affordable and efficient transit.
In the Bronx River/Soundview area, 63 percent of local residents use public transit. More than 43,000 daily riders start their commutes at the eight subway stations in the neighborhood, and these numbers don’t include the tens of thousands of riders who rely on local and express bus service.
Monday, February 13, 2012
BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ, BOEDC & FRESHDIRECT REACH AGREEMENT ON NEW FACILITY
Today, in advance of a vote at the Industrial Development Agency on FreshDirect’s proposed relocation to the Harlem River Yards in the Bronx, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and FreshDirect have reached an agreement on best practices to address a number of the concerns that have been raised since FreshDirect’s proposed relocation was made public.
The “memorandum of understanding” includes agreements between the three parties on local hiring, vendor referrals, expanding FreshDirect’s services to new Bronx neighborhoods, accepting EBT benefits, and decreasing the company’s reliance on fossil fuels through the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles.
“I am very excited that FreshDirect will make the Bronx its new home, and that we have come to an agreement with the company that will ensure their commitment to the Bronx for decades to come. FreshDirect’s decision to stay in New York City, right here in the Bronx, is a win-win for everyone. FreshDirect is a real home-grown success that will now continue to grow, creating almost a thousand new jobs in our borough, which is not only a victory for the Bronx but also the entire City,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
“We welcome FreshDirect to the Bronx and know that our collaboration will result in a rich environment for them, our residents and the other Bronx businesses that are anxious to provide their growing customer base with additional products made in our Borough,” said Marlene Cintron, president, Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.
“We're thrilled by the opportunity to be a part of the Bronx community. We have historically created a large amount of new jobs and look forward to creating many more hand-in-hand with our new neighbors. Also, we take seriously our shared responsibility to the environment,” said Jason Ackerman, CEO of FreshDirect.
In addition to the MOU, Borough President Diaz’s office has also created a new Facebook group, “Bronxites for FreshDirect,” designed to illustrate to the company just how many Bronx residents are willing to not only use their service, but have the technical capabilities to do so.
“A critique of FreshDirect has been the company’s unwillingness to deliver to most areas of the Bronx. Through this Facebook page, we are prepared to show FreshDirect that Bronx residents are ready to use their service, if it is offered to them,” said Borough President Diaz.
That page can be found at facebook.com/