Responding to Community Needs

This came in from 11th District City Council candidate Cliff Stanton-

  

Now that President Obama's re-election victory has been sealed, I have turned my attention back to matters of local importance. Here are some of my recent community initiatives: 

4 Wheels for Good launch drive the day after Hurricane Sandy.

In October, I launched 4 Wheels for Good, a free volunteer transportation corps for seniors in the Northwest Bronx. My aim is to address a gap for older adults who cannot readily access transportation services and/or cannot afford the fare to medical appointments, senior centers, grocery shopping, the hair salon, recreation, and the like.

The service is modeled both on a Westchester-based service

Delivering groceries to homebound seniors in San Antonio, Texas with Jefferson Outreach.

and on a long-established service in San Antonio, Texas with which I consulted and subsequently visited in early October.   

Still in the pilot phase of 4 Wheels for Good, I currently transport seniors on Tuesdays from 10 am to 2 pm and Thursdays from 2 pm to 4 pm. If you know a senior who needs a ride, or would like to join the transportation corps as a driver, please call: 877.718.2338. 

In response to a series of gunpoint robberies, a stabbing, and multiple car break-ins in Riverdale, I expanded the 4 Wheels for Good program to include

Cliff heading out for Neighborhood Watch patrol.

Neighborhood Watch, which will enable us to look out for our neighbors and feel empowered by an active response to a frightening situation. I consulted with Captain Burke at the 50th Precinct to discuss how the neighborhood watch could best complement the efforts of the police department and how to train prospective volunteers. The response has been encouraging. If you are interested in volunteering, please call me at: 917.699.5241. I will coordinate the time and location of your patrol, discuss best practices, and provide you with a car door magnet for the duration of your watch.

Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

It was inspiring to see the response of the PS 24 community to

Organizing Far Rockaway relief efforts.

the Parents Association's request for donations for victims of Hurricane Sandy. We loaded four minivans with food, water, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and clothing and delivered the items to a distribution center and nearby church in Far Rockaway.  

Within moments, people were selecting items to help them through this crisis. I was moved by the scenes of devastation and the resilience of our fellow New Yorkers who are suffering an immeasurable loss.

 

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Housing Court Forum

   Community Board # 8's Housing Committee held a Housing Forum last night. The moderator of the forum was Civil Court Judge Elizabeth Taylor, and the members of the panel were Housing Court Judge Marian Doherty, Peter Lubell Esq. (who represents landlords), and Howard Baum Esq. of Legal Aid. CB 8 Housing Committee Chairman Steve Balicer thanked the almost 100 people who attended, and thanked his Vice-Chair Patrica Mullen and CB 8 member Paul Ellis Esq. for putting the forum together for the committee. Also in attendance were State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. Both spoke briefly on housing problems, and said to contact the local elected officials if any problems between tenants and their landlords can not be solved. 

   Judge Taylor introduced the panel members, and then went into the program. The first subject was that of trying to avoid going to housing court. Mr. Lubell spoke from a landlords point of view, while Mr. Baum spoke from a tenants point of view. While both differed somewhat there was agreement by both that the best policy is to resolve any problems without going to housing court. As you will see in one of the photos below Housing Court Judge Doherty has her hands folded as she watches Mr. Lubell speak on the subject. Both lawyers agreed that the judge has to be impartial while hearing the case, and that receipts and other good record keeping needs to be done by both parties. 

   Housing court can be costly to landlords who have to pay their lawyers, while the matter may take several visits and consume several hours a day on each appearance by the tenant. Judge Doherty said that "here in the forum I can give you advice, but when it comes to my court I must be impartial". She also added that it could be time consuming, and without good record keeping she has no other way to rule on some cases. 

   Judge Taylor then took several questions for the panel, and again it was said to have good record keeping to be able to have evidence to prove your side of the case. Judge Taylor thanked the panel members and Community Board 8 for having this forum. She also introduced newly elected Civil Court Judge Eddie McShan who was in the audience. 

 Left to right are Civil Court Judge Elizabeth Taylor, Housing Court Judge Marian Doherty, Legal Aid lawyer Howard Baum, and Landlord Lawyer Peter Lubell.

Above - Housing Court Judge Doherty listens as Landlord lawyer Peter Lubell talks about what happens inside Housing Court.
Below - Judge Doherty gets to say that she must be impartial at the hearings before her.

Assemblyman Dinowitz and Senator Gustavo Rivera talk about a few things before the Housing Forum.

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"Weekend of Violence"

Elected Officials Respond   
Regarding Recent String of Violence in The Bronx

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

RE: Shooting of Five-Year Old Hailey Dominguez

“I am deeply saddened to hear that a five-year old girl was shot in front of her parents and siblings on Hughes Avenue in Tremont Sunday. It completely breaks my heart to know that little Hailey Dominguez fell victim to senseless gun violence.  I will keep Hailey and her family in my prayers as we hope for her quick recovery.

“It is extremely disappointing that gun violence continues to plague our Borough, especially during this holiday season where families should be looking forward to spending time together and enjoying the warm feelings brought on by the holidays rather than watching over their shoulders in fear.

“This violence must stop, and my office is committed to continue to work to take as many illegal guns off of our streets as we possibly can to keep our children and families safe.

“Ending gun violence has been a top priority of mine since I became an elected official, and it will continue to be a top priority of my administration during my quest for re-election.
“Gun violence is a national problem that urges us to revisit the Second Amendment and the true meaning of what it was intended to protect so we can better prevent firearms from ending up in the hands of the wrong people through both legal and illegal means.

“I urge all Bronxites with knowledge of illegal guns in their community to call 866-GUN-STOP to anonymously report those guns to the police, a program that my office continues to promote through our ‘Peace in our Streets’ campaign,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

More information on the 866-GUN-STOP program can be found at the following link:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/home/rewards.shtml

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Statement by Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo 

First and foremost, my condolences and prayers are with the families of Destiny Sanchez, Madonna Martin and all other victims of the recent string of violent acts across the borough. 

I share the outrage and disbelief that so many in our communities feel due to the various violent acts that occurred during and just after our Thanksgiving holiday weekend. When a natural disaster destroys homes and claims lives, we all come together to lend a helping hand and demonstrate our respect for one another.  It is my hope that we can also feel this same sense of urgency when confronted by death and destruction inflicted by a handful of criminals. Our communities must stand united against these heinous crimes and demand an end to this violence. 

I commend the NYPD for the swift investigation and arrest in some of these cases, but I urge those responsible or anyone with information regarding Destiny’s murder - or any other crimes - to come forward, assist the police in their investigation, and ensure the swift punishment of those who committed these acts. 

Furthermore, I hope the State and City of New York recognize the plight of our families and communities, and through our difficult economic times, make the necessary investments in resources, personnel and programs we need to help address these issues. These investments must be made simultaneously in various areas such as education, after school program, not-for-profit organizations and other community-oriented services in order to reach the root of some of these problems.

As a community, we must not let the few individuals and groups who through violent behavior, terrorize our neighborhoods, and behave illegally and irresponsibility while putting our families in danger, to feel comfortable and immune from justice. Let’s set a stronger standard for our communities, let’s call out the criminals, and let’s ensure a safer place to play, live and work for our children and families.

Frank Durkin Way

   Saturday afternoon was the unveiling of Frank Durkin Way at the corner of West 240th Street and Tibbett Avenue, in front of Gaelic Park. Mr. Martin Lyons was the master of ceremony and he gave a history of the life of Frank Durkin. During the story Mr. Lyons invited those who were with Frank Durkin in his many ventures to help people. He said that Frank Durkin is only the third person of Irish descent to have a street naming in the city, say that former TWU president and labor leader Mike Quill, and Former City Council President (and relative to Frank Durkin) Paul O'Dwyer were the others. 

   Mr. Lyons thanked those who helped make Frank Durkin Way happen to those who collected signatures, helped support the project, those on Community Board 8 and Councilman G. Oliver Koppell who was with his own family for Thanksgiving out of state. Annie O'Connor Koppells chief of staff filled in for him and of course a few of the other elected officials were on hand such as Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and State Senator Jeff Klein who proclaimed November 24th as Frank Durkin Day in New York. below are a few photos of the event. Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Left - Mary and Monica Durkin get ready to pull the covering off Frank Durkin Way.

Right - the covering rips as an alternate way was found to take the covering off Frank Durkin Way.

                                          

Left - How The Frank Durkin Way sign looks on the street pole. 

Right - Mr. Lyons, Nivardo Lopez (of the mayors CAU division), Assemblyman Dinowitz, Ms. M. Durkin, Senator Jeff Klein, and Ms. Annie O'Connor (Councilman Koppells chief of staff) hold street sign "Frank Durkin Way".

Left - Mr. Lyons reads the history of Frank Durkin as the elected officials look on with Senator Klein holding the Frank Durkin Day proclamation.

Right - Assemblyman Dinowitz with Senator Klein on either side of photo of Frank Durkin.

Thanksgiving Poll Shows Lhota and Carrion as TURKEYS

   Here is one from Celeste Katz of the New York Daily News titled- Q-poll-2013-mayoral-runs-by-Joe-Lhota-Adolfo-Carrion-Jr-would-be-turkeys .

   Ms. Katz says that a poll recently taken by Quinnipiac University asking about the current MTA head Joe Lhota as the Republican candidate vs. the Democratic candidate is currently at 60% for the Democrat and only 9% for Lhota with apparently 31% undecided. This after what appears to be the way that Lhota got the MTA back on course after Hurricane Sandy raising interest by some to have Lhota run for mayor.. 

   Let us not forget former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr, and his push to run for mayor on the Republican line with his $1.1 million dollar war chest (from another citywide race he never did) to entice Republican County Leaders for the nod. It may not be the same type of money as Mike Bloomberg tossed around, but it may be better than Lhota can. Katz says that the poll shows Carrion two points higher than Lhota at 11%, but also has the Democrat two points higher at 62% with apparently only 27% undecided. 

   One bright spot was that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn led the pack of Democrats at only 32% of those questioned. Former City Comptroller Bill Thompson at 10%; Public Advocate Bill de Blasio at 9%;  City Comptroller John Liu at 5%, and apparently 44% undecided. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer announced that he was going to run for City Comptroller, and it is not known what percentage he received. . 

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Thanksgiving Greeting From BP Diaz

 

Dear Friend,

My staff and I would like to wish you and your family a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

I have so much to be thankful for as Borough President of The Bronx. I am proud to represent the 1.4 million residents of the borough I like to refer to as "God's Country." 

Once again, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. 

Sincerely, 

Ruben Diaz Jr.

Andrew Cohen Announces Bid for City Council

Left to right are Senator Jeff Klein, Councilman G.Oliver Koppell, City Council candidate Andrew Cohen, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Congressman Engel.

    Attorney Andrew Cohen, Community Board 8 member and longtime community activist, has announced his candidacy for New York City Council. Mr. Cohen will seek to bring his years of hard work and experience in community service to the City Council’s 11th District, which covers most of the northwest Bronx. The district is currently represented by Councilmember Oliver Koppell, who cannot seek re-election due to term limits. The announcement was made Tuesday on the steps of City Hall, where Mr. Cohen was joined by supporters, including Congressman Eliot Engel, State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilmember James Vacca and Councilmember Koppell.

“The 11th Council District is a diverse district, geographically, economically, and ethnically, but residents of each and every one of our neighborhoods have so much in common,” said Cohen. “They want better schools, they want safe streets, and they want their fair share of city services for our senior centers, our youth programs, and of police and fire services. These are neighborhoods we can be proud of, yet they can all be made better.”

Congressman Engel said, “I am pleased to endorse Andy Cohen to be the next Councilmember from the 11th district.  Andy will bring great insight and compassion to the Council.  He will be a hard worker for all of our communities, and be a great partner in accomplishing things on behalf of New Yorkers. Whether it be community concerns or citywide issues, Andy will use his thoughtfulness to help the people of the 11th district and the people of New York City.”

Assemblyman Dinowitz endorsed Cohen, stating, “The importance of electing an excellent council member in the 11th district cannot be overstated. That is why I am proud and delighted to endorse Andrew Cohen. No one will be a stronger advocate and leader. He knows how to bring people together but also knows how to effectively fight for us. He is an independent Democrat who knows how to get things done. No one will work harder for us than Andrew Cohen.”

“Our city needs more young leaders like Andy Cohen,” said Senator Klein. “Andy is someone who can do anything in life: but because he's so committed to the betterment of our community, he's chosen to go into public service. I'm thrilled that he's decided to run for New York City Council. I think that Riverdale--and indeed all of New York City--will benefit enormously with Andy as a member of that great chamber.”

Councilmember Koppell said, “I am pleased to strongly support Andy Cohen in his campaign to succeed me in the City Council. I am certain that he will provide the district and its residents with the effective and independent leadership that I have worked to provide for the many years that I have represented our local communities.” 

Bronxtalk with Newly elected Assemblymen Mark Gjonaj 80th A.D. and Luis Sepulveda 87th A.D.

    Host Gary Axelbank had some tough questions for newly elected Assemblymen Mark Gjonaj and Luis Sepulveda this past Monday night on Bronxtalk. Mark Gjonaj represents the 80th A.D. after his second  victory over soon to be former Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera.  Luis Sepulveda represents the 87th A.D. that has been with out an assemblyman since the former Assemblyman Peter Rivera joined the Cuomo administration as State Commissioner of Labor. 

   You can see the entire Monday November 19th show here.