REMOVAL OF PROTESTERS FROM ZUCCOTTI PARK

   At 1:00 AM about 1,00 NYC police officers in full riot gear cleared the Occupy Wall Street demonstrators from Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan where they were camped out for many weeks. Hundreds of protesters were arrested, and some were injured in the police sweep. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said that he ordered the police to clean out of the park, because he said that there were unsanitary and dangerous conditions that existed in the park. 

   During the sweep or raid it is reported that Upper Manhattan Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez was arrested and seen bleeding as he was taken away by police. the full story on Councilman Rodriguez can be found here.

   The New York Post which is on the side of Mayor Bloomberg (whose owner Ruppert Murdoch hired the mayors former schools chancellor), and you can check that out here. By the way the Post had a reporter go to the scene of the OWS protest a few days ago to do an article for the Post. The reporter was then interviewed on local television station FOX5 here (which just happens to be also owned also by Ruppert Murdoch). Do you see any connection?

   City Comptroller John C. Liu today stated the following in response to questions about the removal of protestors from Zuccotti Park:
   "Going in and forcibly removing the protestors in the dead of night  sends the wrong message.  City Hall should have continued to talk with the protestors in the light of day if it wanted them removed, instead of evicting them in the middle of the night.  There seems to be no compelling reason for this action at this time. The protestors have a right to be heard".

   Congressman Jerrold Nadler and State Senator Dan Squardron who represent the area Zuccotti Park is in, have said that the ouster raises a number of serious questions about civil liberty and 1st amendment rights.

  We will await any other comments from city officials, but won't hold our breath for one from City Council Speaker Quinn who we feel will just back up the actions of the mayor.

Additional Comments-

  Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal  of Manhattan said,

 “I am appalled that on orders by the Mayor, the NYPD swooped down under cover of night to oust Occupy Wall Street demonstrators from Zuccotti Park and arrest nearly 150 people. The demonstrators were roused from their sleep, had their personal belongings, including tents, computers and other equipment trashed, and were kicked out of the park. The media were deliberately kept at arm’s length and prohibited from being on scene or filming the eviction from helicopters above, a chilling violation of freedom of the press. These moves are reminiscent of the actions of petty dictatorships, and contrary to America’s proud tradition of unfettered First Amendment rights, free of interference and censorship. This Administration has shown that it cares more about exercising power than protecting citizens and the freedoms we cherish.

 

Bronx Pride Moving in to the Rev Ruben Diaz Gardens

This is one that will have you talking.

Here is the New York Post article  about The Bronx’s largest gay-rights group unfurling its rainbow flag tomorrow at its new headquarters -- ironically located in a building funded by, and named after, the city’s No. 1 gay-marriage opponent, state Sen. Ruben Diaz. We suggest that you check out the story and comments from the Post article.

Here is what Senator Ruben Diaz has to say about the Post article.

New York State Senator Reverend Rube Diaz (D-Bronx) has released the following statement to clear the record about what he actually said to New York Post reporter Candice Giove when she interviewed him last week about the Bronx Pride group that is moving into the Rev Ruben Diaz Gardens on November 14th:

“I was surprised to read today’s New York Post’s sensational story by Candice Giove because she completely disregarded what I specifically said to her about Bronx Pride moving in to the Rev Ruben Diaz Gardens building.  Candice Giove instead used here say in her article – by unnamed sources - that I was left ‘hot and bothered’ and that I am ‘furious’.

To contradict Ms. Giove’s reporting and to repeat what I told her during her interview of me last week, I would like everyone to know that I am honored that Bronx Pride is coming to the Rev Ruben Diaz Gardens.  They honor me by recognizing my good work on behalf of the community.  When everyone abandoned the Bronx, I worked hard to bring jobs, housing and programs that benefit our community.  I am glad that Bronx Pride is taking advantage of these opportunities and I will continue to invite everyone to come to the Bronx because the Bronx is open for business.”

 

Senator Reverend Diaz Plans Surprise Visits to Senior Centers with Thanksgiving Gifts

Senator Reverend Diaz Plans Surprise Visits to Senior Centers with
Thanksgiving Gifts
 
New York State Senator Reverend Diaz (D-Bronx) will be making surprise visits to twenty-three senior citizen centers between November 14 – November 23 to distribute 1,500 Thanksgiving gift cards worth $10 each to senior citizen at the centers when he arrives. These gift cards have been sponsored by Senator Diaz and Access Medicare.
 
"During the next two weeks, I will visit 23 senior citizen centers unannounced and all seniors who are present will receive a gift card to help them purchase their Thanksgiving meals," stated Senator Reverend Diaz.  "At Thanksgiving we count all of our blessings, and our senior citizens who are our parents, our aunts, our uncles, our neighbors and our friends are at the top of the list to thank God for being part of our lives."
 
Senator Reverend Diaz will visit the following 23 Bronx senior citizen centers:
1.  Sue Ginsberg Senior Center – 975 Waring Avenue
2.  RAIN Boston Road Senior Center – 2424 Boston Road
3.  Castle Hill Senior Center – 625 Castle Hill Aven
4.  Mechler Hall Senior Center – 2158 Watson Avenue
5.  Soundview Presbyterian Senior Center – 760 Soundview Avenue
6.  Bronx River Senior Center – 1619 East 174^th Street
7.  James Monroe Senior Center – 1776 Story Avenue
8.  Soundview Senior Center – 1624 Seward Avenue
9.  Glebe Senior Center – 2125 Glebe Avenue
10. RAIN Parkchester Senior Center – 1380 Metropolitan Avenue
11. Young Israel of Parkchester – 1379 White Plains Road
12. St Paul Senior Center – 1891 McGraw Avenue
13. Morrisania Air Rights Senior Center – 3135 Park Avenue
14. Douglas Leon Senior Center – 735 East 152^nd Street
15. Maria Isabel Senior Center – 787 East 149^th Street
16. E.R. Moore Senior Center – 515 Jackson Avenue
17. Casa Boricua Senior Center – 910 East 172^nd Street
18. Erma Cava Senior Center – 887 Southern Boulevard
19. Pio Mendez Senior Center – 1291 Lafayette Avenue
20. Melrose Senior Center – 372 East 152^nd Street
21. Andrew Jackson Senior Center – 325 East 156^th Street
22. HOGAR Senior Center – 920 Prospect Avenue
23. Davidson Senior Center – 950 Union Avenue #1

 

Agenda for the Croton Facility Monitoring Committee Meeting on Wednesday Evening, November 16th.

Agenda

Croton Facility Monitoring Committee Meeting

Wednesday, November 16, 2011 – 7:00 PM

DEP Community Office – 3660 Jerome Avenue, Bronx NY 10467 - (718) 231-8470

I  Welcome                        Father Richard Gorman, Chair


II Consider, Adopt 10/19/11 Meeting Minutes    CFMC Representatives

III Status of DPR’s Croton Mitigation         Frank McCue, DPR

Parks Improvement Projects &

Memorandum of Agreement

Response by Lehman College on Parking    Rene Rotolo, Lehman

Lot Use for JPR Jogging Path

Follow up on Dam Safety, Tree Removal    Mark Lanaghan, DEP

    At Jerome Park Reservoir


IV Comments from Independent Budget Office    Ana Champeny, IBO
                            Yevgenia Bukshpun, IBO
       
V Construction Update, Schedule & Costs         Bernard Daly, P.E., DEP

VI Explanation of Croton Design Contract        Lauren Competello, P.E., DEP
    Change Orders
       

VII Croton Jobs & Bronx Purchases    Mark Lanaghan, DEP

VIII CFMC Discussion, Set Next Meeting        CFMC Representatives


IX Adjourn

The Rangel Career Fair, November 14th

We are sure that many people will attend, and we only hope that Congressman Rangel will be one of the job seekers.

 

Senator Diaz Urges Colleagues to Remember OWS 11-Mile March During 2012 Budget Vote

New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) has released the following statement in regard to his Senate colleagues' participation at Monday's Occupy Wall Street 11-Mile March to support the Millionaires Tax:

"It is good to know that some of my colleagues in the Senate joined yesterday's Occupy Wall Street 11-Mile March to support the Millionaires Tax.

Earlier this year, I called upon my Senate colleagues - especially the Black and Hispanic Senators who represent less fortunate communities - to oppose Governor Andrew Cuomo's Budget because it did not include the Millionaires Tax.

In order to save Governor Cuomo from being embarrassed by passing a Budget without the support of Black and Hispanic Senators, my colleagues voted for the Cuomo Budget with all of its cuts and with no Millionaires Tax, leaving me and Senator Tom Duane to be the only Senators to vote to oppose the Budget.

If Governor Cuomo does not include the Millionaires Tax in the 2012 Budget, I hope that these same Senators who marched 11 miles and others will remain firm and oppose any such Budget."

 

Celebrate Puerto Rican Heritage Month

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

&

COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE...Mes de la Herencia Puertorriqueña   

Invite You to Celebrate 

Puerto Rican Heritage Month 

 United by our Puerto Rican pride...Unidos por nuestro orgullo boricua

Thursday, November 17, 2011

5:30 pm - 8:00 pm 

Kismet Caterers

1995 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, NY

(3 blocks south of Parkchester Train Station)  

Enjoy an evening of music, dancing and delicious tapas of Puerto Rico as we honor community leaders and their accomplishments.

For information & to RSVP call 718-590-3522 or email lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov  

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ URGES BRONX RESIDENTS TO APPLY TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY BOARD

 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. today invited Bronx residents to make a difference in their community by joining their local Community Board. The Office of the Bronx Borough President will be accepting applications for all 12 Community Boards from city residents who reside, work or have professional or other significant interests in the Bronx.

“Participation on local Community Boards can provide Bronx residents with a forum to share with their community their expertise and talents,” said Borough President Diaz. “It is important that community residents participate in the decision making process in their communities on important budget, land use and service delivery issues.”

Applications are available at the Borough President’s Community Board office at (718) 590-3914 or at your local community board office. Interested applicants may also get forms on line at bronxboropres.nyc.gov. The deadline for submission of applications for the next round of appointments is February 3, 2012.