Annual Jacobi/NCB Mental Health Conference- Preventing Teen Suicide

The Annual Mental Health Conference is sponsored by The Joint Community Advisory Board of

Jacobi Medical Center and North Central Bronx Hospital, in conjunction with the JMC Auxiliary.

Preventing Teen Suicide

Monday, May 16, 2016, 6 PM - 8:30 PM

Jacobi Medical Center, Conference Center- Building 4, 2nd Floor

1400 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY 10461

Light Dinner Served, Parking On Campus

RSVP 718-918-3906

Opening Remarks:

Andrew Cohen, NYC Council Member

Chair, Committee on Mental Health

Timothy’s Law:

Tom O’Clair

Family Affairs Advocacy Specialist, NYS Office of Mental Health

Youth Suicide: The Preventable Epidemic:

Tom Templeton, MSEd, LMHC

Public Policy Specialist, New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services

What We Know, What We Don’t Know, And What We Can Do About It:

David Woodlock, MS

President and CEO, ICL (The Institute for Community Living, Inc.)

*** This conference is dedicated to the memory of Blanche Comras-Rifkin, our dear friend and longstanding CAB member and community activist. ***

New York Hispanic Clergy Organization Annual Banquet Will Be Held On April 16

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York

You should know that on Saturday, April 16, 2016, the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization will be celebrating its Annual Banquet.

It is important for you to know that this Banquet will begin a 1:00PM and continue until 4:00PM, and will take place at Maestro’s Caterers, located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue in the Bronx, New York.

Like every year for the past 27, Bishops, Pastors, Evangelists, Lay People and Community Leaders will get together with the Board of Directors to celebrate the biggest social gathering of the Evangelical Hispanic Community in the Metropolitan area.

You should also know that more than 800 people have already confirmed their attendance, and elected officials are also expected to attend and join in the recognition of five distinguished members of the Hispanic Clergy.

Reverend Luis Serrano, Chaplain of the New York City Police Department; Dr. Ariel Torres, Member of Radio Vision Cristiana International Board of Directors; Reverend Dr. Feliciano Espaillat, Community Dentist and Pastor; Dr. Julio Wally, Pastor of the Iglesia Alianza Cristiana Ebenezer; and Reverend Francisco Peralta, Assistant Pastor of Heavenly Vision Ministry in Bronx County will receive Certificates, Proclamations, and Recognition during the activity.

The New York Hispanic Clergy Organization’s Banquet will be presided by yours truly.

I am Senator Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

Keith Wright for Congress files with over 11,000 signatures

    On Tuesday, April 12, 2016, Keith Wright for Congress filed with 11,387 signatures, showing widespread grassroots support building on Wright’s endorsements.

Over the past few months several leaders and organizations have announced their support for Keith Wright’s bid for Congress, including the Bronx Democratic County Committee, Gov. David Paterson, Mayor David Dinkins, Upper West Side District Leaders Bob Botfeld, Cynthia Doty, and Curtis Arluck, Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, Assembly Member Denny Farrell, Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell, Council Member Inez Dickens, the United Firefighters Association, Teamsters Joint Council 16, Teamsters Local 237, over 90 New York City tenant leaders, New York City District Council of Carpenters, International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 1 and numerous community leaders and clergy in the Bronx and Manhattan.

“I am so grateful for the amount of support my campaign is receiving from the community I love and work for. I am committed to increasing affordable housing, protecting reproductive rights, improving education, protecting LGBTQ rights, and creating jobs for our community and will bring this fight to Washington DC, just as I have brought it to Albany. I am thankful that my community recognizes the work I have done and ask for their support in the upcoming months. Together we will bring the fight to Congress,” said Keith Wright. 

Rep. Engel On Today's Anti-Swatting Act Hearing

Statement From Rep. Engel On Today’s Anti-Swatting Act Hearing

     Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement on today’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on seven communications bills, including the Anti-Swatting Act, which Engel introduced in 2015:

“’Swatting’ refers to the act of provoking law enforcement to respond to a phony emergency. The act gets its name from the SWAT teams that are often deployed to respond to these hoaxes. 

“Though swatting might sound like a prank, its consequences are no laughing matter.

“According to the FBI, a single SWAT team deployment can cost thousands of taxpayer dollars. Swatting also risks injury to the unassuming victims who are present when law enforcement arrives at a supposed crime scene, as well as to the officials who arrive on the scene, anticipating danger. On top of that, swatting wastes law enforcement’s precious time, keeping them from responding to actual, life-threatening emergencies.

“I introduced H.R. 2031, the Anti-Swatting Act, to address these very serious risks.

“The Anti-Swatting Act would expand on the Truth in Caller ID Act, which Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Emeritus Joe Barton and I introduced and was signed into law in 2010.

“My bill would increase penalties for people who falsify their caller ID information to mislead law enforcement. This technological trick – called ‘spoofing’ – allows swatters to make law enforcement believe they are calling in an emergency from a different phone number or location. In addition, my bill would force swatters to reimburse the emergency services that squander valuable funds responding to their invented emergency.

“I introduced this bill last year, following a string of swattings in my district. Incidents have also occurred in Tennessee, Ohio, New Jersey, North Carolina – the list goes on. My goal is to dissuade potential swatters from wasting taxpayer money and law enforcement resources and – most importantly – from putting their neighbors and emergency response teams in harm’s way.

“I’m grateful the Chairman Walden and Ranking Member Eshoo of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee for convening today’s hearing, and I remain hopeful the Committee will move swiftly on this bill to keep additional communities from falling victim to these despicable crimes.”

THE BRONX HAS BECOME THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW 
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 
District 32 Bronx County, New York 

You should know that the Bronx is burning – but in a positive way!

As we all know, there was a time when Bronx landlords abandoned their properties, fires were burning, blocks were lined with empty lots and burnt down buildings, factories left, and banks red lined the area. The Bronx was practically deserted.

The Bronx was ignored, abused, and used as everyone’s political piñata and punch line.

But it is also important for you to know that in recent years, the Bronx has made a turn for the best: crime is down, roads and bridges have been renovated, businesses are booming, and real estate values are rising. The Bronx has come to be a place to be.

An indication of this dramatic change is that during this Presidential Campaign season, the Bronx has become the focus for one and all to come and visit.

The Bronx has become the Road to the White House.

Never before in Bronx history have Presidential candidates taken it upon themselves, in one way or another, to make sure a visit to the Bronx is a must-do on their itinerary.

Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Ted Cruz, Governor John Kasich, Secretary Hillary Clinton – they have all made a major visit to the Bronx

.

The only one who has been missing in action in Bronx is Mr. Donald Trump.

By coming to the Bronx, Presidential candidates show their willingness to recognize how significant the Bronx and our people are. One result of their visits is how every media outlet worldwide is talking about the Bronx.

You should know that on Tuesday, April 5th at approximately 8pm, I received a call from Ted Cruz’s people telling me that an event they planned had been cancelled, and asked if I could get 15-20 ministers to meet with Ted Cruz in any place of my choice in the Bronx.

I got busy on my phone and in less than 10 hours, I organized an event where not 15, but 100 Hispanic ministers welcomed Ted Cruz in the Sabrosura Restaurant located at 1808 Westchester Avenue in Bronx County.  And the Bronx got worldwide coverage!

It is important for all of us to know that since the Bronx is the Road to the White House, and every national candidate is coming here to visit, I am still waiting for Mr. Donald Trump to also come here and to show the whole world that there is nothing to fear by coming to the Bronx.

My dear reader, you should know that on Thursday, April 7th at 12:30pm, as I was ending my weekly meeting with my Hispanic ministers, I received a phone call from the Trump Organization inviting me to go and meet one on one with Donald Trump at the Trump Tower.

Even though I do appreciate Donald Trump's invitation, my priorities as the President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization force me to make sure that any meetings with candidates are held with my ministers - not just with me - and for these meetings to be held where we meet, in the Bronx.

My invitation to Donald Trump still stands.

It is great to see Bernie Sanders going to St Mary's Park, John Kasich coming to Fordham Road, Hillary Clinton riding the Subway at 161st Street in the Bronx, and Senator Ted Cruz eating in Sabrosura Restaurant on Westchester Avenue.  

This has been a great victory for the Bronx and its more than one million residents.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

While Senator Diaz Sr. was able to round up about 100 (by his count) Hispanic ministers for a meeting with Ted Cruz the good senator is not looking at the big picture. How many of the 100 were Republicans or were they members of the Democratic or Conservative Party who are unable to vote for Republican Ted Cruz in a Republican primary. In New York only Republicans are eligible to vote in the state primary. The real reason that Ted Cruz and John Kasich came to the South Bronx was to visit the congressional district with the lowest number of registered Republicans. If either Cruz or Kasich is able to get one vote over the majority number of registered Republicans in the district (close to 101) they could get the delegates from that district. So why would either campaign in Republican rich areas they know they can not win, The answer, come to the South Bronx district that overlaps Senator Diaz's State Senate district to find the least number of enrolled Republicans, that is why State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. is still an enrolled Democrat he would never get elected as a Republican, and that is what you should know.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 
District 32 Bronx County, New York 

IS ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC SCHNEIDERMAN INVESTIGATING HIMSELF? 

You should know that in 1992, the City of New York sold a piece of property located at 45 Rivington Street in New York City to a not-for-profit corporation called the Rivington House Healthcare Facility for $1.5 million dollars. The deed contained a covenant (a promise) that the use and development of the property was limited “in perpetuity” – to a not-for-profit health care facility.  As we all know, “in perpetuity” means forever. 

On October 9, 2014, the Rivington House signed a contract for sale of this property to New Rivington Property’s LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Corporation. New Rivington Property LLC is a business owned by two individuals. 

It is important for you to know that in order for any not-for-profit corporation to sell real estate property in New York, it must first obtain review and consent by both the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and then, a Supreme Court Judge in New York, 

And so, after signing the contract, the owners Rivington House submitted a petition that first went to the NYS Attorney General’s Office, and then to the NYS Supreme Court to be granted this permission to sell. 

On December 16, 2014, Justice Eileen Rakower of the Supreme Court of New York County signed an Order permitting the sale of this property to the New Rivington Property’s LLC for the price of $28 million dollars. 

Alongside the Judge’s signature on this Order that permitted the sale of the property was the stamped endorsement and consent of the New York State Attorney General’s Office. 

Prior to signing and consenting to such an Order, it seems that the NYS Attorney General’s Office overlooked or ignored the restrictive covenant in the 1992 deed that said the use and development of the property had to be limited to a not-for-profit corporation. 

Clearly, the purchaser of this property was not a not-for-profit corporation. This should have raised some concern in the Attorney General’s Office before consenting to the sale. 

Then, in November of 2015, the City of New York signed a deed to the New Rivington properties surrendering their “in perpetuity” claim on the property under the 1992 deed for the price of $16,150,000.00 

Upon receiving full and clear title to the property at 45 Rivington Street, the New Rivington Properties LLC flipped the property in February, 2016 to the Rivington Street Investors, LLC, another Delaware LLC, for the whopping price of $116 million dollars, using (and I kid you not) the Bank of the Ozarks to finance the purchase of this property. 

Now we have, surprise, surprise ... of all people offering to investigate the second half of this sale, the New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, whose Charities Bureau started this process in motion by approving the sale of this property to a business group for a mere $28 million dollars. 

It seems that certain individuals reaped an incredible profit on this Manhattan real estate deal.  Will the Attorney General be looking in-house to see how much finger pointing should be done at his own agency? 

If there is a complaint that the City of New York received undue compensation for releasing their claim on this property, then certainly the prior owner, the Rivington House, was also given less than fair market value for their sale. 

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know. 

Assemblymember Michael A. Blake - JOIN US: Shark Tank, A Mural & VOTING

We have some exciting events coming up in the 79th District! Please see below:

Community Mural Unveiling

Next Saturday, April 16th from 12-3pm

Our office has partnered with Open Society Foundations (OSF) and will be unveiling a mural that will call attention to the need for Drug Policy reform. The new mural will be located at the Morris Houses 169th St. & Third Ave

New York State Presidential Primary and State Senate and Assembly Special Elections 

Remember to VOTE on Tuesday, April 19th in the Presidential primary election and encourage residents in Long Island (State Senate District 9) and down in Manhattan (Assembly District 65) to vote in their special elections

SHARK TANK CASTING CALL

Calling all Entrepreneurs! Here is your chance for a big break!

Shark Tank comes to The Bronx on Wednesday, April 20th 1-7pm for a casting call at the historic courthouse at 161st and Third Avenue 

Register by clicking the link below! 

www.valuespartnerships.com/sharktank/bronx

For more info, contact: Blake79districtbx@gmail.com 

COUNCILMAN WILLIAMS CHAIRS HEARING ON PACKAGE OF GAS SAFETY BILLS

    Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Council's Housing and Buildings Committee, chaired a hearing on a package of 10 bills designed to increase the safety of our gas infrastructure. The Committee heard testimony from representatives of the Department of Buildings (DOB), the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), industry experts, property owners, and other interested members of the public.

In the past two years, New York City has experienced four major gas-related explosions, with the most severe taking place March of last year, where 2 people died and 22 were injured. In response to these explosions, the City Council introduced a package of legislation with the goal of improving gas safety.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the first-responders affected by the four major gas-related explosions that took place over the last two years. As Chair of the Council's Committee on Housing and Buildings, I am extremely troubled by these incidents," said Council Member Williams. "As we learn more about how to fix the mistakes that led to those tragedies, I am increasingly confident about the City's ability to find solutions." 

"In a relatively short time we've seen a number of gas explosions take place in the City; many of them due to failures to report and handle gas leaks properly. To ensure the well-being of New Yorkers and first responders, it's vital we introduce legislation that will implement and enforce a system of safety procedures followed by all building owners and plumbers," said Council Member Williams.

The 10 bills look to improve gas safety by requiring inspections of gas piping systems, annual reports on the state of gas infrastructure in the city, and that natural gas alarms be placed in housing units. The package also calls for building owners to notify tenants of procedures that should take place during a gas leak.

• Int. No. 738 would create a journeyman plumber gas qualification system. It would also bar journeyman plumbers from fabricating, assembling, installing, repairing, servicing, testing or performing maintenance on fuel gas piping systems unless they have a valid gas qualification.(Sponsored by Council Member Mark D. Levine)

• Int. No. 1079 would prohibit an individual from being able to "self-certify" work if it was determined by DOB that such individual had, within the previous 5 years, worked on a gas piping system without a permit. DOB would also be required to make a list of such persons publicly available on its website. (Sponsored by the Speaker Council Member Melissa Mark Viverito)

• Int. No. 1088 would require owners of buildings with gas piping systems to have such systems periodically inspected by licensed master plumbers. (Sponsored by Council Member Rafael Espinal)

• Int. No. 1090 would require owners to instruct their tenants to call 911 and their gas service providers, prior to informing such owners, when a gas leak is suspected. (Sponsored by Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson)

• Int. No. 1093 would require gas service operators and owners to notify DOB within twenty-four hours when gas service is shut-off or not restored due to safety concerns. (Sponsored by Council Member Rosie Mendez)

• Int. No. 1094 would require an agency or office designated by the mayor to identify a set of factors which indicate the presence of gas-related violations that pose risks to health, safety or property. The bill would also require such designated agency to submit a report to the council on using such factors to target enforcement. (Sponsored by Council Member Donovan Richards)

• Int. No. 1098 would require that gas utilities provide annual reports on the location, age, condition, and material of the various parts of the gas infrastructure in the city. The bill would also require that such utilities report on work done and planned work on such infrastructure. (Sponsored by Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez)

• Int. No. 1100 would require natural gas alarms to be installed, maintained, and periodically replaced in dwelling units. (Sponsored by Council Member James Vacca)

• Int. No. 1101 would allow for a temporary waiver of fines for improper fuel gas-piping alterations and installations. (Sponsored by Council Member Jumaane D. Williams)

• Int. No. 1102 would designate violations of existing law regarding gas piping systems as "immediately hazardous." (Sponsored by Council Member Jumaane D. Williams)

The East Harlem explosion, reported on March 12, 2014 at 9:30 AM, collapsed two buildings at 1644 and 1646 Park Avenue. The smell of gas was originally reported to Con Edison at 9:06 AM, who dispatched a team at 9:15 AM. The team was in route when the explosion occurred. Con Edison also called the Fire Department at 9:19 AM but subsequently withdrew the phone call. The Fire Department arrived four minutes after the explosion occurred, at 9:34 AM. By 1:44 PM, Con Edison and the City were able to turn off the gas flow to the block where the accident occurred. The gas explosion resulted in 8 persons dying, more than 50 injured and more than 100 families displaced.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sent a team to investigate the scene. The NTSB is an independent federal agency that is charged by Congress to investigate every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant accidents on other forms of transportation that includes railroad, highway, marine and pipeline.

On March 26, 2015 an explosion occurred at 121 Second Avenue around 3:17 PM. It was reported that 2 persons died and 22 persons were injured. The fire escalated to seven alarms within an hour of the explosion which resulted in 250 firefighters on the scene. The explosion ended up destroying 3 buildings and damaged 1 additional building.

Before the explosion, the property owner's plumber was conducting work to upgrade the gas service for the building. Con Edison was at the site to check on a planned meter installation about an hour before the explosion. The work failed the inspection and gas could not be introduced to the residential units. The owner and general contractor remained in the building to work on the gas lines but left the building a few minutes before the building exploded.

On August 21, 2015, a gas explosion occurred at John F. Kennedy High School at 8:09 PM. Contractors were working on the school's science labs which was part of a project by the School Construction Authority through a private contractor. One of the contractors decided to check the gas leak by lighting a match. This set off an explosion at the high school which damaged the school's fourth, fifth and sixth floors. DOB issued a partial vacate order at the damaged locations. Three contractors were injured during the explosion.

On October 3, 2015, another explosion occurred in Brooklyn at 4206 13th Avenue. It was initially believed that the removal of a stove may have sparked a gas explosion. City officials investigating the scene concluded that a meter measuring the gas flow into the apartment was turned off. Also, the video of the explosion showed a quickly moving fire that showed thick black smoke which is not common for a gas explosion. According to a fire official, a thick black smoke is usually associated with fuel or gasoline. Housing court records showed that a judgement was reached against the tenant and a city marshal was assigned to execute the warrant. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation but city officials said that it would be unfair to label the explosion a suicide. The blast displaced dozens of residents. Two persons died and 13 persons were injured due to the explosion.

"Gas explosions are devastating, tragic, and in many cases, preventable. I applaud Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Council Member Jumaane Williams for championing a package of bills that will set forth new regulations for monitoring gas installations and enact harsher punishments against those whose actions put the safety of their neighbors at risk. As we continue to examine the potential impacts of our aging infrastructure, I look forward to continued conversation with Con Ed, the Administration, and the public in pursuit of a better, safer New York," said Chair of the Committee on Public Safety Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson.

"These measures will put in place a system checks and balances that will go a long way in protecting New Yorkers," said Council Member Williams.