Sunday, February 5, 2012

Heastie Holds Closed Door Public Meeting
Re: Ramarley Graham Shooting

 On Saturday February 4th local elected officials and the Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson held a closed public meeting at Community Board 12 on White Plains Road one block from the shooting of Ramarley Graham in his home. The meeting was open to the public, but members of the press were bared from the meeting in what Assemblyman Carl Heastie would say later that he did not want to create a media circus. I was able to get in for a brief while to see Assemblyman Heastie, Bronx DA Johnson, and the Bronx Borough Police Commander on the stage set up, with other local elected officials in the front row. Once I was recognized by Assemblyman Heastie, he said that he would end the meeting unless I left. Since I left the meeting willingly I can not tell you what went on inside, only what I was told afterward by Assemblyman Heastie. 

  After the meeting Assemblyman Heastie came outside to take questions from the reporters that were assembled. I was able to ask DA Johnson how his office is going to handle the case, but he answered that he would not comment about the case leaving after my question. Assemblyman Heastie answered questions by saying that the police were forthcoming with their answers to the questions from the people, there is an investigation by the DA and police Department, and Heastie added that maybe more sensitivity training is needed not going into any details on what the police department might do. Heastie added that there are many concerns by residents that this could happen again in the community.
  
  Assemblyman Carl Heastie with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz who is in front of Councilman Larry Seabrook and State Senator Ruth Hassal-Thompson speaking to reporters after the meeting that was held inside of Community Board 12. Also in the picture is Father Richard Gorman, Chairman of Community Board #12 with other Community Board 12 members. 

 

BOROUGH PRESIDENT RUBEN DIAZ INVITES YOU....

"State of the Borough Address".

 
The Honorable Ruben Diaz Jr. President, Borough of the Bronx
cordially invites you to
The State of the Borough Address
Thursday, February 23, 2012
11:30 a.m.
Harry S. Truman High School Auditorium
750 Baychester Avenue
The Bronx 

RSVP

Saturday, February 4, 2012

 NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANK

Customer Appreciation Day Feb. 14

 

NorthEast Community Bank’s Arthur Avenue Branch at 590East 187th Street (@ Arthur Avenue) will hold its annual customer appreciation day this February 14, Valentine’s Day.


Light refreshments will be served from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.  Everyone is welcome to come in, have a snack, and chat with their local bankers. 

“We’ll have hot drinks and eats for our customers and look forward to speaking with them individually. This gives us a chance to say thank you to our customers and ask what more we can be doing to serve their needs,” said Betty Giordani, Branch Manager.

The website for NorthEast Community Bank which include branch hours is www.necommunitybank.com

 

Friday, February 3, 2012

Black History Month Celebration

 



2012 Black History 




Celebrating African-American Culture

Black History Month Celebration

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
5:30 pm 
at
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
1040 Grand Concourse at East 165th Street

Keynote Speaker
Carolyn Carter-Kennedy
Author of "The Lucille Armstrong Story"  

2012 Honorees
 Leroy "Archie" Archible
Korean War Veteran & Community Leader

Reverend Frederick Crawford
Pastor Union Grove Baptist Church

Bernel Arthur Richardson
Chairman United Leadership of the Bronx

Hon. Elizabeth Taylor
Justice. Bronx County Supreme Court

Enjoy an evening with  
musical entertainment provided by the Karl Browne's Smooth Improvisation Band,
a special performance of the "The Creation" by JASA's Drama Bunch Co-op City Seniors and delicious dishes provided by Chef Paul of Z'Novia 

Seating Limited. RSVP required.  Please call 718-590-3522
or email lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov 

 

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ
RE: Police Shooting in the East Bronx
 
“We have a problem, not just in the Bronx but across the City. In the past week we have seen a well-publicized video documenting apparent police brutality, the attempted murder of a police officer in Brooklyn, and, this afternoon, a young, unarmed man saw his life end by a police officer’s bullet.

“I’ve had enough, on all sides. I cannot and will not tolerate incidents of police misconduct. It is especially disturbing that a young man, who did not have a gun and was in his own home, could see his life end in such a sudden manner at the hands of those charged with his protection. This is especially disturbing given that we are approaching the anniversary of the unfortunate death of Amadou Diallo. A great deal of work has been done since that time to improve police-community relations, and tragic incidents like this have the potential to undo years of good work. A full investigation into this incident must occur, and immediately. 

“Our police officers must be better trained to deal with the communities they work in, to better respect the lives of those they are charged with protecting and serving. We can no longer tolerate our young men and women falling victim to excessive violence at the hands of our police, or worse yet, lose their lives unjustly.

“At the same time, Police Officer Kevin Brennan lays in a hospital after a gun-toting thug attempted to take his life. The violence on our streets must come to an end. We must respect the hard work of our police department, those men and women who put their lives on the line to protect law-abiding citizens each and every day, and continue to fight to curb illegal gun violence in our streets. I myself have been harassed by the police. I am also the brother of an NYPD sergeant. I understand both sides of this issue, and I know that something must be done to put an end to this violence,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

COMPTROLLER LIU STATEMENT ON MAYOR’S PRELIMINARYY BUDGET

 

City Comptroller John C. Liu statement on the Mayor’s FY 2013 Preliminary Budget:


“We commend the Mayor on a balanced budget that avoids layoffs in this difficult environment.  However, the use of short-term financial maneuvers doesn’t reduce real cost but simply defers costs to future administrations. My office will issue our full analysis in the coming weeks.”

 

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Next Croton FMC Meeting will be Thursday, February 16 at 7 PM at the DEP Community Office

 

The next Croton Facility Monitoring Committee meeting will be on Thursday evening, February 16th at 7pm at the DEP office, 3660 Jerome Avenue.

The Agenda will be released shortly.


 

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ RE: Vidalia Park Basketball Court Shooting

 

“I am very disappointed by last night’s quadruple shooting at the Vidalia Park Basketball court in West Farms. It is unacceptable that, despite the efforts of my office the police department and our district attorney to take as many illegal guns off our streets as possible, these senseless acts of gun violence continue to plague our borough.

“I am deeply saddened that our kids cannot play a friendly game of basketball without looking over their shoulder because of gun violence. I know I speak for all Bronxites in condemning this despicable, cowardly act. My office will continue to work with the police, our district attorney, elected officials, and other community organizations to take as many illegal guns off of our streets as we possibly can.

“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