Title XX Funds Restored in Senate Budget Bill

March 14, 2011 For Immediate Release

State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz (SD 32) announced today that the New York State Senate has completely restored Title XX funding for discretionary programs in its one-house budget bill.

 “I am pleased and grateful that Senator Skelos and the Senate Republicans, as well as my conference Leader John Sampson and the Senate Democrats, worked to ensure that this very important funding was restored,” stated Senator Díaz.

New York State receives $103 million in Title XX funding from the federal government which is allocated to the Office of Children and Family Services.  $66 million is used for mandated programs: Adult Protective Services and Domestic Violence Programs. The remainder, $37 million, is distributed to the counties to fund programs at local discretion.  These discretionary programs may include senior services, low income day care, and supportive housing services, as an example.

“Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget for the 2011-2012 Fiscal Year would have eliminated all the funding for the discretionary programs and kept it for mandated services.  While the mandated programs are important, I could not stand by while other programs, such as services to senior citizens faced the possibility of being completely decimated,” continued Senator Díaz.

The New York City Department for the Aging recently released a list of 105 Senior Centers in all five boroughs that were slated to close, resulting in the loss of 2.5 million meals, in order to cope with this expected loss of funding.

“Now that we have passed this first hurdle and restored Title XX funds for discretionary programs, I call on  Governor Cuomo to follow our example,” concluded Senator Díaz. 

After State Senator Carl Kruger's Indictment, is State Senator Shirley Huntley Far Behind?

The New York Post writes a story here about New York State Attorney General Eric Schniederman 's office  investigating State Senator Shirley Huntley, and her ties to a certain non-profit that may have received over $400,000.00 of questionable grants, and possible nepotism. 

The Post lists names and amounts of money received by said names, and how they may be involved with the Queens state senator. The Post also asked questions of the involved parties including the AG's office, getting no comments from all. This is very interesting reading, and could signal  the end of another state senators career.

Tragic Bus Crash on I-95 

At 5:30 AM a tour bus crashed into a sign post for exit 14 on the southbound side of I-95 just below the Bronx-Westchester borderline. 13 people were killed,and others were hurt. I-95 continues to be shut down while the accident investigation continues. Police have been told that a tractor-trailer truck may have side-swiped the bus before the bus crashed.

Here is a statement from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. on the tragic bus crash

“This tragic loss of life has saddened the entire Bronx. The thoughts and prayers of 1.4 million Bronxites go out to the victims of this crash and their families, and my office is ready to assist them in any way we can during their hour of need,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

 

Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz to His Colleagues: You Can Give My Campaign the Money!

New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) issued the following statement after receiving media inquiries about whether or not he would return campaign money received from Senator Carl Kruger, who surrendered to federal authorities yesterday:

"I have no intentions at all to return any money that has been donated to my Re-Election campaign.  Anyone who knows me knows that my votes cannot be bought, and that my convictions will not change because of any campaign contribution by anyone.

I would like for my colleagues who may be confused about what to do with campaign money they received from Carl Kruger before he was indicted, that if any of them feel guilty that they took Carl Kruger’s money for their campaigns and don’t know what to do with it, they can give it to my campaign. I won’t feel guilty at all.

My colleagues, my friends, and my enemies may all feel free to donate directly to my campaign by credit card to by visiting the following address: https://secure.piryx.com/donate/ZxBtmPQf/Ruben-Diaz-for-State-Senate-Committee/

Donations by checks should be made payable to Ruben Diaz for State Senate, and mailed to Ruben Diaz for State Senate,  P.O. Box 229, Bronx, New York.10460"

Assemblyman Dinowitz, Council Member Koppell, and State Senator Espaillat Hold Town Hall Meeting

Thursday night the room was filled with constituents as Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz opened the Town Hall Meeting. He along with City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, and State Senator Adriano Espaillat were there to hear what their constituents had to say about the upcoming budget cuts proposed, and where each elected official stands . Each elected official gave an opening speech on how they were fighting budget cuts while trying to work with other elected officials statewide to find monies somewhere or ease the drastic cuts proposed. 

Questions ranged from senior centers closing, teacher tenure, empty stores on Johnson Avenue in Riverdale, a baseball field still waiting to be fixed in Van Cortlandt Park, the water filtration plant also in VCP, caps on malpractice suits,  parking meters, and the removal of special needs children from programs by the DOE to name only some of the topics discussed. 

Senator Espaillat said that he was against ending LIFO for teachers, because that would be against gains made in collective bargaining agreements as we see in other states. He added that the pain of the cuts must be spread around so all share and some do not share more than others as we see in this budget proposal. 

Assemblyman Dinowitz blamed Mayor Bloomberg for cost overruns on the water filtration  plant, and said that he wished that we had the two billion dollars in cost overruns for this years budget. On the subject of empty stores on Johnson Avenue Dinowitz said the owner of many of the empty store Friendland Properties "is a pig" by keeping the stores empty and was actually driving out businesses from the street by asking for  exorbitant rents. Councilman Koppell added that the local community board was checking into possible down zoning the area so the empty stores could not be demolished to put up a high rise building.

When it came to the baseball fields still awaiting fixing, Councilman Koppell explained that there was a problem with the winning bidder on the project and that the project had to go to the second bidder. Assemblyman Dinowitz however brought up the proposed ice skating rink by the mayor and VCP Conservancy, saying that that project will get done in eight months. 

Councilman Koppell said that his office will look into the removal of special needs children from current programs by the DOE, and that he believes in the local public schools.  Assemblyman Dinowitz had a different opinion of the DOE by saying that we were bamboozled by the mayor on how good test scores were. He added we found out after the election for mayor that said test score were inflated and much lower in reality. 

A question as to why parking meters were removed for muni-meters was answered by Dinowitz that it is a way to get more money, while Koppell said that there is a savings on the collection of money, and due to smaller cars more can park in the same area. 

As the town hall meeting winded down it seemed that there were many questions that still remained on peoples minds, as they were told by the elected officials that they will be fighting all the way for them. Will it still be three men in a room in Albany, or will there be input from every elected official around the state? When it comes to the city, will Mayor Bloomberg's budget ax swing more than it has to? One will have to wait and see what happens, what gets cut, and what is sparred this year.

 

"MASTERMIND BUILDS AMENITY FILLED, AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS IN THE SOUTH BRONX"

- Mastermind Ltd is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for The Tiffany, a 53 unit, residential development, of affordable housing for working class families.  Rental apartments are currently under construction and nearing completion at 1150 Tiffany Street in the Longwood section of the Bronx. The Tiffany is being constructed through the New Housing Opportunities Program (New HOP) and the HOME Programs of the New York City Housing Department Corporation and Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s Multifamily New Construction Participation Loan Program (PLP). Mastermind Ltd most recently built co-ops; a prestigious development in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx, called Washington Bridge View that over looks New York City’s amazing skyline.  These developments are ideal for those working in all boroughs, as access to mass transportation is conveniently located.  Applicants will fall in love with the amenities, and may even be pleasantly surprised to find a great valued residential property in the Bronx.

"Mastermind is committed to the communities in which we develop, we take pride in contributing to this beautiful borough, and invite the kind of change that has garnered, our neighboring Charlotte Street, national attention.  Come Home to Life's Amenities" says Radame Perez, Chief Operating Officer of Mastermind, Ltd.  

The Tiffany consists of 25 one-bedroom apartments units, 23 two-bedroom units & 5 three-bedroom units. This development offers amenities such as pull-up parking, air conditioned and heat in every unit, fitness center, indoor/outdoor community space, private/public terraces, playground, and on-site laundry facility.  Available for occupancy, May 2011. 

About Mastermind Ltd Mastermind Management Ltd is one of the most active commercial real estate development companies in the Bronx, who has helped to continue the physical and economic development of this All American City. Mastermind manages over 3.5 million square feet of real estate throughout the Bronx, Westchester, Manhattan, and New Jersey.  Mastermind Ltd remains committed to its founding traditions of creativity, professionalism and community awareness while providing affordable opportunities to individuals, businesses, and professional service firms, community-based and not-for-profit organizations. For more information call 718-410-9661 or visit www.mastermindltd.com

UPDATE CARL KRUGER INDICTMENT

  Liz Benjamin has an update with the 53 page multiple count indictment against Brooklyn State Senator Carl Kruger which includes several other names here . Also named in the indictment are lobbyist Richard Lipsky, real estate developer Arron Malinsky, Adex Management owner Solomon Kalish, former CEO of Parkway Hospital Robert Aquino, the CEO of Medisys Health Network David Rosen, 55th Assemblyman William Boyland Jr., former 38th Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio, and Mr. Michal Turano. 

  Charges include money laundering, and Conspiracy to deprive New York State and its citizens of their legislators honest services. You just have to read the entire 53 pages to see the scope of the charges.

  Those charged have declared their innocence, and say that they will be exonerated. Stay tuned for more updates.