Monday, July 16, 2012

What You Should Know

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


Without Per Diem Albany will be a Ghost Town


I heard that Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Leaders of the NYS Legislative are in deep negotiations regarding pay increases for us the members of the NYS Legislature.

You should know that we as  Legislators have not  had a salary increase for more than ten years and that the hypocrisy of many of my colleagues is to say “NO”  when asked if they will like to see their salary increased, even though most of them,  just like me are in favor and wishing for it to happen soon.

The reason for their hypocrisy is that for  many of them, per diem has become a “God Send” because they have found a “legal”  and a “transparent” way in which to abuse the system and not be punished for it.

You should see, my dear readers, how many of those so call puritan Legislators have moved their families to Albany,  while others have purchased  houses, apartments and condominiums by using and abusing the  per diem allowance.

It is amazing to see how when there is a two day session, e.g. Monday and Tuesday, how many Legislators stay for the whole five days  just to be able to collect $165 per day.

You should know that some Legislators collect on top of their salary anywhere from $25,000 to $30,000 yearly in per diem income.  To be able to do this they have moved and centralized their staff in Albany, while abandoning their constituents and their district, coming back to their local district only during some weekends for one or two activities or during election time.

Gov. Cuomo and the Leaders should not only propose to  increase the salary to $100,000+ and eliminate the per diem, but they should also request for the Legislators to be full time; making it illegal to hold any other outside job.  

If this happens, I am afraid that Albany will become a Ghost Town.  “The Racket” I mean, the excuses of staying in Albany to collect the per diem will be over, Legislators will run back home every week  the same day that session ends and the budget will be on time every year without too much fight.  After June they would have no reason before January to go back to Albany because there would be no per diem to collect.

You should know that by doing this the State will save a lot of money.  The people of the state will win because they will have Legislators full time working in their districts and after June, when session ends,  they would have no reason to go back to Albany before January, because there would be no per diem to collect and Albany will become a “Ghost Town.”

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

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Friday, July 13, 2012

Bronx BP Diaz Invites you to join The Borough's Muslim Community and Break Fast

BOROUGH PRESIDENT RUBEN DIAZ JR., BLINK FITNESS, AND LINCOLN HOSPITAL TO LAUNCH THE 2nd BRONX CAN HEALTH CHALLENGE


On Saturday, July 14, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.’s office will launch the 2nd Bronx Can Health Challenge, hosted by Blink Fitness, a new fitness center located at 744 St. Ann’s Ave and East 156TH Street.

Staff from Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, a CAN partner, will be on site to register community residents, record vital stats, measurements and screen for blood pressure and diabetes. Blink Fitness will have trainers on site to provide fitness tips and will be extending free trials to all participants 18 years and older. Blink Fitness will also provide a complementary six-month membership to the top male and female participants with the highest percentage of weight loss.

“I am pleased to launch the second Bronx CAN Health Challenge in the Morrisania section of the Bronx. The Bronx CAN Family Health Challenge is a perfect example of how members of our Bronx community could work together to create great programs that have a large, positive impact on the well-being of the borough. I urge all Bronx students and their families to take on the eight-week Family Health Challenge,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

"The Bronx CAN Initiative has changed the lives of countless Bronxites by promoting a healthy lifestyle and allowing people to take control of their well-being by establishing positive goals. Too many of our residents are suffering from preventable ailments like obesity and high blood pressure. It’s very exciting that this initiative is expanding outward to other areas of the Bronx, and I look forward to working with Borough President Diaz to promote healthy living in my district. I encourage everyone to take the Challenge, and take a positive step toward an active, healthy life,” said Senator Jose M. Serrano.

The Bronx CAN Health Initiative brings together individuals, doctors and other health providers, places of worship, community gardens and community centers, schools, and civic-minded groups of all kinds to promote the types of behaviors that lead to healthy lifestyles. The goal of the Bronx CAN Health Initiative is to have all the members of our community – young and old alike – build healthier lives, free of ailments like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease.


WHEN:          Saturday, July 14

TIME:            10 a.m.-12 p.m.

WHERE:       Blink Fitness, 744 St. Ann’s Ave and East 156TH Street, Bronx


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Thursday, July 12, 2012

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

National Night Out in the Bronx 2012


Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Encourages All Bronxites to Join Their Neighbors & Attend  

National Night Out  

 


“America’s Night Out Against Crime”

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7th, 2012


**NATIONAL NIGHT OUT BRONX COMMUNITY LOCATIONS**
40th Precinct/CB #1
St. Mary’s Park -147th Street & St. Ann’s Avenue
(2-7 p.m.)

PSA 7 Mitchell Houses
(bet. Willis Avenue and Alexander Ave.)
(4-8 p.m.)

41st Precinct/CB #2
Police Athletic League
991 Longwood Avenue
(4-8 p.m.)

42nd Precinct/CB #3
Crotona Ave. (bet. Boston Road and E. 170th Street)     (4-7 p.m.)

43rd Precinct/CB #9
Morrison Avenue (bet. Westchester and Watson Aves.)          (2-6 p.m.)
44th Precinct/CB #4
2 East 169th St. (bet. Jerome and Walton Avenues)
(3-8 p.m.)

45th Precinct/CB #10
Co-op City- Section 1
(Greenway-Enter at 120 Benchley Place)   (6-9 p.m.)

46th Precinct/CB #5
120 West 184th Street (bet. Morris and Walton Aves.)
(5-9 p.m.)

47th Precinct/CB #12
Grenada Place (bet. Laconia & Ely Aves.)         (5-8 p.m.)


48th Precinct/CB #6
Arthur Avenue (bet. E. 187th and 188th St.)
(4-8 p.m.)
49th Precinct/CB #11
Great Lawn of Pelham Parkway North (bet. Wallace and Barnes Aves.)
(6-8:30 p.m.)
50th Precinct/CB #8
Marble Hill Avenue (bet. West 228th Street and West 230th Street) (4-8 p.m.)

52nd Precinct/CB#7
Williamsbridge Oval Park (Reservoir Oval East and Putnam Place) (4:30-7:30 p.m.)
PSA 8
Monroe House (Rear of 1790 Story Avenue) (4-8 p.m.)


NATIONAL NIGHT OUT HELPS US TO:

  • heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
  • generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs;
  • strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
  • send a message to criminals letting them know that Bronxites are organized and fighting back.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 718-590-6001.

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JOBS AVAILABLE--FRESHDIRECT


The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation—the economic development arm of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.—is  prescreening candidates for job openings with FreshDirect.

Details on those jobs are available at the following links:




 Applicants should have their paperwork to the BOEDC by Monday, July 16.
 
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Salsa In The MIX! Sat. July 28th


For more information contact Angela Porcelli at (718) 283-4081 or angela@masmarketingny.com.

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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

DOT to Create "Neighborhood Slow Zone" proposed by Assemblyman Dinowitz for Independence Avenue


     The NYC Department of Transportation announced tod, ay that it will implement a “Neighborhood Slow Zone” that was proposed by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz for Independence Avenue and several surrounding streets.  Assemblyman Dinowitz submitted an application for the Neighborhood Slow Zone last November with the support of Council Member Oliver Koppell, State Senator Adriano Espaillat, the captain of the 50th Police Precinct, members of the community board, and the parents associations of several schools.

    The Neighborhood Slow Zone will include many important traffic safety modifications for the area, including a 20 miles-per-hour speed limit, speed bumps, markings, and signs and gateways indicating the presence of the Slow Zone.  The Slow Zone will help remedy the dangerous traffic situation on Independence Avenue, which is home to several schools, houses of worship, a library, and a public park.

     “I am delighted that the City has agreed to my proposal for a Neighborhood Slow Zone.  The safety of all people in our community must come first.  This is possible because we put together a coalition of leaders in our community to support this proposal, including Council Member Koppell, Senator Espaillat, Captain Burke of the 50th Precinct, and members of the community board and parents associations.  I am confident that the slower speed limit combined with additional signage and speed bumps will result in fewer accidents and make our community safer,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz.
 
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