Governor Cuomo Announces Nominations of MTA Chairman and Members to the Board

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the nomination of a new MTA chairman, Patrick J. Foye of Nassau County, as well as four new members to the board. The Governor's proposal to reform and fund the MTA included a measure to address the diffused responsibility of the MTA Board by modifying appointments so that all terms align with the appointing elected official's term. Haeda Mihaltses of Queens County and Michael Lynton of Kings County will serve as appointments of Governor Cuomo. Rhonda Herman of Westchester County and Kevin Law of Suffolk County have been recommended by Westchester County and Suffolk County respectively.

"I vowed not to pass a budget without a comprehensive plan to reform the MTA's bureaucracy," Governor Cuomo said. "The MTA needs a board that will oversee and manage the transit system so it can best serve its riders, and this critical component of the MTA reform plan will ensure an unmatched level of accountability that New Yorkers deserve. I thank the outgoing members for their service and commitment to improving our state's transit networks."

Patrick J. Foye

Mr. Foye was named President of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in August 2017, where he has led key innovation and modernization initiatives and supported the day-to-day management of the agency. Previously, he served as an MTA Board Member from 2010 to 2012. Prior to joining the MTA, Mr. Foye led the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as Executive Director for six years, from November 2011 to August 2017, during which time he also served as President of PATH. At the Port Authority, he managed day-to-day operations at the bi-state agency and guided the development of the agency's ten year, $32.2-billion Capital Plan, while overseeing some of the nation's most significant P3 transactions, including the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport and the building of a new Goethals Bridge.

Mr. Foye also served as Deputy Secretary for Economic Development for Governor Andrew M. Cuomo from February 2011 to November 2011, managing initiatives for economic recovery, investment and job creation, and overseeing the Empire State Development Corporation. Prior to that, Mr. Foye was a Mergers and Acquisitions partner at Skadden Arps and managing partner of the firm's Brussels, Budapest and Moscow offices.

Haeda B. Mihaltses

Ms. Mihaltses, currently the Vice President of External Affairs for the New York Mets, joined the organization in 2014. She is the Mets main liaison with City, State and Federal officials and oversees relations with community stakeholders. Previously, Ms. Mihaltses spent twelve years in Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's administration as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. Prior to joining the Mayor's office, Haeda worked at the New York City Council's Finance Division under Former Speaker Peter F. Vallone, ultimately serving as the City Council's first female Finance Director. In this role, she led budget negotiations between the New York City Council and the Mayor's Office.

Michael Lynton

Mr. Lynton currently serves on the Board of Snap, Inc., Warner Music Group., Pearson, PLC., and Ares Management, L.P. He served as the CEO of Sony Entertainment from April 2012 until February 2017, overseeing Sony's global entertainment businesses, including Sony Music Entertainment, Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Michael also served as Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment since January 2004. Prior to joining Sony Pictures, he worked for Time Warner and served as CEO of AOL Europe, President of AOL International and President of Time Warner International, and earlier served as Chairman and CEO of Pearson plc's Penguin Group where he oversaw the acquisition of Putnam, Inc. and extended the Penguin brand to music and the Internet.

Rhonda Herman

Ms. Herman has served on the Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council since 2008. She currently works at the Internal Revenue Service and has held various management positions in Information Systems, Small Business Self Employed and the Wage & Investment Divisions. She was a Girl Scout Troop Leader for 12 years and Co-president of the White Plains HS PTA. She now serves as Co-Chair of the Senior PTA Scholarship Recognition Program.

Kevin Law

Mr. Law became President and CEO of the Long Island Association, one of the most respected business organizations in New York State, in September 2010. Prior to that, Mr. Law was President and CEO of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), the 2nd largest public utility in the country with over 1.1 million customers. In 2011, Mr. Law was appointed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo as Co-Chair of the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, a board that is leading the economic development initiatives in the region. Previously, Mr. Law was managing partner of the Long Island office of Nixon Peabody LLP. Mr. Law has served on both the Governor's "Fix NYC" Advisory Panel and the MTA Transportation Reinvention Commission.

THREE RIKERS ISLAND INMATES SENTENCED TO PRISON IN ASSAULT OF NYC DOC OFFICER THAT CAUSED LIFE-ALTERING INJURY

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that three Rikers Island inmates have been sentenced to prison terms for an assault on a New York City Department of Correction Officer that left the officer with a fractured spinal column. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The Officer suffered a horrendous injury while performing his duty as a civil servant. He has been an inspiration in his long recovery and through rehabilitation. The main defendant will serve 10 years for the assault, concurrent with a 10-year term for his underlying Attempted Murder case. We had hoped he would have to serve more time to send a stronger message that gang violence will not be tolerated on Rikers Island.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendants, Steven Espinal, AKA Jefe Balla, 19, of Lancaster, PA,; Samson Waltson AKA Bam Balla, 19, of Creston Avenue, the Bronx; and Devin Burns AKA Dev Balla, 19, of Third Avenue, the Bronx were sentenced today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Barry E. Warhit. They had pleaded guilty on February 20, 2019. Espinal and Waltson pleaded guilty in the Rikers case pursuant to offers by the judge.

 Espinal pleaded guilty to first-degree Gang Assault in the Rikers attack and to Attempted Murder second-degree and second degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon for his underlying case. He received 10 years in prison for each case, to run concurrently, and five years post release supervision. Walston pleaded guilty to first-degree Gang Assault for the Rikers attack and Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon second-degree for his underlying case, and received five years for the assault and two years for the weapon case, to run concurrently, and five years post release supervision. Burns pleaded guilty to second-degree Assault and received three years in prison and three years post-release supervision.

 According to the investigation, on February 10, 2018, inside the George Motchan Detention Center, Espinal began the assault, striking Correction Officer Jean Roston Souffrant, 39, in the head, causing him to fall and strike his head. The other inmates joined in the attack. CO Souffrant suffered a fractured spinal column and head injury.

 District Attorney Clark thanked DOC Investigators Timothy Fries and Anthony Scomma, DOC Liaison and Investigator Scott Frank, and Captain Vincent Fuca for their assistance in the case.

Attorney General James' Special Investigations And Prosecutions Unit Releases Report On Investigation Into The Death Of Saheed Vassell

  Attorney General Letitia James’ Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit (SIPU) released its report into the death of Saheed Vassell. Over the course of the investigation, SIPU found that the officers’ actions were legally justified, and that there was no adequate evidence to warrant criminal prosecution against the officers involved. In order to prevent another tragedy, and to promote the public’s confidence in how local law enforcement responds to such occurrences, the Office of the Attorney General outlined the following recommendations: 

1. 911 operators and police dispatchers should receive comprehensive critical incident training. 
2. The NYPD should review and reform its public information policies and practices regarding which facts it should release to the public in police-involved uses of force. 

Attorney General James released the following statement: 

“The death of Saheed Vassell was a tragedy, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. The Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit is committed to providing thorough and transparent investigations. We urge the New York Police Department to implement our recommendations."  

Wave Hill events April 11‒18

Sat, April 13

Family Art Project: Roots and Routes Portraits

Artists in Glyndor Gallery this spring are drawing from personal and cultural experiences to reimagine their relationship to place. Visit the gallery for this weekend’s exhibition opening, then respond to the artwork by using your own silhouette as the canvas to map out your personal and cultural relationship to the land. Infuse your own memorabilia—junk mail, letters, maps and family records—into your landscape to trace your own roots and routes. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, April 14

Spring Birding

Welcome migratory birds back to Wave Hill this spring. Explore the gardens and woodlands with naturalist Gabriel Willowon a quest to spot both resident and rare birds as they pass through on their northern journey or settle down for the season. Severe weather cancels. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. NYC Audubon Members enjoy two-for-one admission.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 9:30AM

Sun, April 14

Family Art Project: Roots and Routes Portraits

Artists in Glyndor Gallery this spring are drawing from personal and cultural experiences to reimagine their relationship to place. Visit the gallery for this weekend’s exhibition opening, then respond to the artwork by using your own silhouette as the canvas to map out your personal and cultural relationship to the land. Infuse your own memorabilia—junk mail, letters, maps and family records—into your landscape to trace your own roots and routes. Free with admission to the grounds.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, April 14

Family Nature Walk

Join naturalist and educator Gabriel Willow on a family-friendly walk through the gardens or woodlands. Ages five and older welcome with an adult. Severe weather cancels. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Wave Hill House, 1PM

Sun, April 14

Spring Exhibitions Open in Glyndor Gallery

Meet the artists and curators of our spring exhibitions. Former Winter Workspace artists Camille Hoffman, Maria Hupfield and Sara Jimenez return with installations reflecting their deepening practices. Each has explored narratives about contested space that draw on personal and cultural touch points, reflecting a synergy to their work and shared interests that will be reinforced by their projects this spring. Hoffman’s mixed-media paintings and installations take inspiration from the Philippine weaving and the Jewish folk traditions of her ancestors, layered geographies emerging from materials collected from her everyday life. Based in Brooklyn, Hupfield is a citizen of the Anishinaabek Nation from Wasauksing First Nation in Ontario, Canada. Her sculptural body-objects, crafted from industrial felt, are often activated through performance. Also based in Brooklyn, Filipina-Canadian artist Jimenez’s installations and performances draw from familial narratives, abandoned objects and colonial texts, as well as photos, maps and textiles, to focus on concepts of origin and home, loss and absence. In the Sunroom Project Space, Rachel Sydlowski’s installation consists of layers of historical wallpaper that serve as a background for complex, screen-print collages of flora and fauna, architectural details and decorative motifs from Wave Hill, Inwood Hill Park and other surrounding green spaces, transforming the Sunroom into an anachronistic collage of past and present. Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 2—4:30PM

Sun, April 14

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2PM

Mon, April 15

Closed to the public.

Tue, April 16

Gallery Tour

Tour Glyndor Gallery with Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow or Gallery Greeter to get an insider’s view of current exhibitions.Here We Land features three, former Winter Workspace artists Camille Hoffman, Maria Hupfield and Sara Jimenezwho return explore narratives about contested space that draw on personal and cultural touch points in their immersive installations. Rachel Sydlowski fills the Sunroom Project Space walls with complex, screen-print collages of flora and fauna, architectural details and decorative motifs from Wave Hill, Inwood Hill Park and other surrounding green spaces. Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 2PM

Wed, April 17

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Thu, April 18

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS – Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM, March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION – $10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES – Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

VISION ZERO: WITH SPRING WEATHER IN FORECAST, MAYOR ANNOUNCES RETURN OF “WARM WEATHER WEEKENDS” TRAFFIC SAFETY CAMPAIGN

 NYPD will strengthen enforcement tomorrow and on warm weekends throughout spring, when data show an increase in speed-related crashes

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that with warm weather in the forecast, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) would re-launch the Vision Zero “Warm Weather Weekends” spring safety campaign this weekend.  Saturday’s weather forecast calls for a high in the 60s, and according to crash data, motorists and motorcyclists drive more dangerously on warmer spring weekends.   

“Springtime weather is no excuse for dangerous driving that puts New Yorkers at risk,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Warm Weather Weekends are targeted enforcement derived from our data-driven Vision Zero campaign that helped make 2018 the safest year ever on our streets. The NYPD will be out in force to make sure everyone is more mindful of road safety, so we can save lives across our city.”

Drivers should expect heightened enforcement this weekend, from NYPD Highway Patrol and local precincts, each of which now has its own speed detection equipment. Officials will remind drivers that they should continue to obey the speed limit, turn slowly and yield to pedestrians. They will also be calling on drivers to “Look twice for motorcycles,” while reminding motorcyclists – who ride in greater numbers over weekends – to make sure they have the right licensure and registration, avoid risky passing between vehicles, and get practice before riding the open road.

“Through the Warm Weather Weekends campaign, we and our Vision Zero partners are taking preventive action after seeing far too many tragedies accompany the rise in temperatures, especially among drivers and motorcyclists,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “Our message to New Yorkers is simple: we’re all excited that spring is here, and we want you to get out there and enjoy it -- but if you are driving a car or riding a motorcycle, please do so safely.”

“As the temperature rises and being outdoors becomes more inviting, the NYPD will continue to ensure that drivers watch for the additional pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists who will be on the road, especially when making left turns,” said NYPD Chief of Transportation Thomas Chan. “Drivers need to be mindful of the harm caused by not yielding to these vulnerable road users. Motorcyclists can also prevent serious injuries by obeying the rules, especially our speed limits.”          

Warm Weather Weekends:  Officials were originally spurred to action by the events of April 29, 2017: In a year that was the overall safest-ever on New York City streets, that Saturday was the second deadliest day of the entire year.   The first warm weekend day at the end of an unusually cool month, April 29th was sunny with a high temperature of 87 degrees. In a number of different serious crashes around New York City that day, many of which involved speeding, 4 New Yorkers lost their lives and 204 were injured.

DOT then conducted a detailed analysis of traffic fatalities and severe injuries from 2007 to 2016, observing the rate of traffic deaths and serious injuries on warmer days in March through June.  Comparing crash data to weather records, DOT studied days where temperatures were 60 degrees or higher, and uncovered the following clear correlative trends:

·         The average number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) in traffic crashes on weekends starts to rise in March and peaks during June.  In April, the weekend KSI rate is 28 percent higher than in January/February.

·         The danger in the spring is most pronounced for motor vehicle occupants and motorcyclists: on warm weather Saturdays and Sundays in April, the KSI rate for drivers and car occupants is 41 percent higher than the winter weekend rate.  For motorcyclists, the KSI danger on weekends rises by 88 percent.

·         Data appear to show that higher KSI rates on warmer spring days are limited to Saturdays and Sundays.  On weekdays, DOT data show that the average number of KSI annually during April warm weather weekdays is only 4% higher than the January/February winter weekday rate. 

·         In response to this data, NYPD and DOT will bring back season-specific efforts to deter reckless behavior to keep all New Yorkers safe. 

“As the weather heats up this spring and into summer, motorists need to be more cautious of their speeds when driving on our city streets. Thank you to the NYPD and DOT for the joint enforcement effort to keep our city streets safe for pedestrians and cyclists,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chair of the Committee on Transportation. “It’s vital that we continue to implement the Vision Zero agenda and other traffic calming measures to keep everyone safe while commuting throughout New York City.”

“The numbers do not lie, warmer weather results in more traffic accidents,” said Council Member Margaret S. Chin. “With spring around the corner, we must be vigilant and remember that safety is as important as enjoying the warmer temperatures. Last year, Vision Zero’s Warm Weather Weekends campaign significantly reduced the number of accidents throughout the spring months. I wholeheartedly support the return of this campaign and I hope all New Yorkers can enjoy the warmer weather.”

“Widely-broadcast enforcement efforts are one of the best deterrents to reckless driving,” said Transportation Alternatives Interim Director Marco Conner. “We're pleased to see NYC DOT and the NYPD making sure drivers slow down, especially on warm-weather weekends when more New Yorkers are out running and biking.” 

About Vision Zero:

Vision Zero is the de Blasio administration’s initiative to use every tool at its disposal to end traffic deaths and injuries on New York City streets. In 2018, New York City experienced its safest year on record with the fifth straight year of fatality declines. Since the program’s inaugural year in 2014, when New York City became the first American city to adopt Vision Zero, the city’s traffic fatalities have declined more than 30 percent — bucking national fatality trends, which have increased 15 percent over the same period.

For more information about the de Blasio Administration’s Vision Zero initiative, please seewww.nyc.gov/visionzero.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. - A CALL TO MEN! Sexual Assault Awareness Month

NORTHWEST BRONX ELECTEDS TO HOST NORWOOD TOWN HALL ON APRIL 4

The town hall meeting will be the fourth held in the “Democracy in Action” series and will be co-hosted by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, State Senator Jamaal Bailey, Council Member Andrew Cohen, and Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez.

  Over the past several months, a series of town hall meetings has been held in every corner of the Northwest Bronx to hear directly from constituents what they want to see from government and in their communities. Democracy in Action will continue on Thursday, April 4 in the Norwood section of the Northwest Bronx. The town hall will be held at Montefiore Medical Center Cherkasky Auditorium, located at 110 East Gun Hill Road, and will run from 7:00pm until 8:30pm.

A hallmark of the Democracy in Action town hall series has been presenting a unified front with fellow elected officials who represent each neighborhood where the town halls have taken place. In Norwood, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz will be joined by State Senator Jamaal Bailey, Council Member Andrew Cohen, and Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez. “Our greatest strength in the Northwest Bronx is the fact that our leaders work together to address important issues before our communities,” said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. “Many communities in New York do not have this luxury and are instead marred by in-fighting and posturing between divided factions. This means that energy which should be spent advocating for their constituents is instead wasted trying to one-up each other.”

Discussion topics are open-ended, and previous town halls have offered a wide diversity of concerns including overdevelopment, poor bus service, rent reform, government efficiency, and more. There will be future town hall events, including a housing town hall in Kingsbridge several weeks later.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz added, “The single most important aspect of my job is to listen to my constituents and their concerns. We may not agree on every single issue, but people should know what I think about something and I should know what they think too. By working together on areas of common interest, we will continue to build a strong community in the Northwest Bronx.”

State Senator Jamaal Bailey said: “Engaging with constituents and listening to their concerns is one of my main priorities. I am glad to be a part of the Norwood Town Hall meeting and I want to thank Assemblymember Dinowitz for hosting the event. I look forward to seeing the community and having a fruitful discussion.”

“I am very excited to hear the Norwood community’s input on current issues within our district and to share my upcoming legislative priorities. Our “Democracy in Action” town hall series has been a wonderful way to engage with our constituents about the issues that matter most to them. Together we can build a stronger Northwest Bronx community” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

“As elected officials, our first role is to hear the voices of our community and inform them on what’s happening in their local government,” said Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez. “These town halls are pivotal in establishing a strong relationship between ourselves and our constituents. When we create a platform in which discourse is open and free, our constituents get to see what work we’re doing in the area and they can bring to our attention the issues that they see prevailing in their backyards. Only by working together can we build a stronger community.”

BRONX JEWISH CENTER Hosts Community Dinner

  Please join us for our next community Shabbat dinner at the Bronx Jewish Center,1969 Haight Avenue,Bx NY 10461 to be held on Friday, April 5th , starting at 7:00 PM. The special theme for that evening will be Shabbat in Philippines... Yes,That"s right Philippines.   All of your favorite Philippine  style  dishes will take center stage!  We look forward to seeing you! Enjoy a delicious 4 course dinner with your fellow neighbors.Turn your Friday night Shabbat into an evening of spiritual awakening,inspiration, Jewish songs and culinary delight.

  Please RSVP@718-812-1701 to let us know you are coming, Shabbat dinners are held the first Friday of every month.

Time : 7:00 pm......Friday    April 5th

Address: 1969 Haight Avenue Bx NY 10461

Cost: Free of charge and all are welcome to join!

Website:www.BronxJewishCenter. org

Contact: office@bronxjewishcenter.org 

Telephone:  #718-812-1701