We look forward to seeing you there!
Monday, March 18, 2013
What You Should Know
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York
El Diario la Prensa is Following My Lead
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York
El Diario la Prensa is Following My Lead
You should know that El Diaro
la Prensa is following my lead – yes, the lead of Senator Rev. Ruben
Diaz – and the political movement I began last year asking my colleagues
in the New York State Senate, especially the Hispanic Senators, unite and
to not vote for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Budget unless it includes the
Dream Act.
You should know that I worked very hard on this movement to Unite for Dream Act during last year’s Budget negotiations, and I was disappointed that my colleagues who advocate for the Dream Act on behalf of their constituents in public, did not unite with me and insist for the Dream Act to be included in the State Budget. You should also know that I have not given up and instead, I am more determined than ever for a vote of unity against any Budget that does recognize the immigrant.
In my March 12, 2013 column, What You Should Know column titled Hispanic Legislators: Put Up or Shut Up, urging the 6 Hispanic Senators and almost 15 Hispanic Members of the New York State Assembly:
"If they really want to fight for the Dream Act and if they honestly want it to be part of the Budget, then let all of the Hispanic legislators – let all of us in the Senate and in the Assembly – come together and take a vote that we will not vote for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Budget – none of it – not one single part of it – unless it includes the Dream Act. Let the Governor pass the Budget without the Hispanic vote, and let us show our repudiation of him and his Budget plan of ignoring the immigrants."
Today’s editorial in El Diario la Prensa agrees with me. Although they did not credit me, Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz, for my efforts to be sure that no Hispanic legislator votes for the Budget without the Dream Act, I am very glad they are standing beside me in this effort.
Below is a copy of today's editorial from El Diario la Prensa.
And once again, I ask all of my colleagues in the Senate and in the Assembly, especially the Hispanic Members of the State Legislature, to stand united with me and oppose the upcoming Budget if it does not include the Dream Act.
This is Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.
Unity on the NY Dream Act
Editorial/El Diario la Prensa
03/18/2013
The New York Legislature is about to approve the budget, and as things stand, the state's Dream Act bill will be shelved once again. Hispanic lawmakers—who represent many Dreamers—can prevent this if they unite and make it clear to Senate leaders and Gov. Andrew Cuomo that they will vote "NO" on the budget package unless it includes the Dream Act.
Lawmakers have had this bill, which attempts to do what other states have done and give eligible undocumented students access to state financial aid for college, for several years. During the current session, the Assembly finally drafted a balanced version that was recently approved, along with $25 million to pay for it.
The Senate, controlled by Republicans and Independent Democrats, refuses to include this bill in the budget, despite its economic benefits in the long term. Hispanic senators support the bill, which makes sense, since it's a priority for their constituents. They have sent messages to Cuomo and attended Dream Act demonstrations.
But their actions haven't yielded results. Senate leaders and Cuomo clearly don't understand the importance of this law. However, when it's convenient for them, they talk about the contributions immigrants make, their concern about low high school and college graduation rates, and how important educating minorities is to the state's economic well-being.
Now, it's time to show that this bill is extremely important. The course of action in Albany will affect the future of 200,000 immigrant students who graduated from our public schools to start or continue their college studies. This major budget, with essential laws like a minimum wage increase, must also include the Dream Act. Hispanic lawmakers and others who believe in providing equal education opportunities must reject the budget proposal unless the Dream Act is in it.
http://www.eldiariony.com/
You should know that I worked very hard on this movement to Unite for Dream Act during last year’s Budget negotiations, and I was disappointed that my colleagues who advocate for the Dream Act on behalf of their constituents in public, did not unite with me and insist for the Dream Act to be included in the State Budget. You should also know that I have not given up and instead, I am more determined than ever for a vote of unity against any Budget that does recognize the immigrant.
In my March 12, 2013 column, What You Should Know column titled Hispanic Legislators: Put Up or Shut Up, urging the 6 Hispanic Senators and almost 15 Hispanic Members of the New York State Assembly:
"If they really want to fight for the Dream Act and if they honestly want it to be part of the Budget, then let all of the Hispanic legislators – let all of us in the Senate and in the Assembly – come together and take a vote that we will not vote for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Budget – none of it – not one single part of it – unless it includes the Dream Act. Let the Governor pass the Budget without the Hispanic vote, and let us show our repudiation of him and his Budget plan of ignoring the immigrants."
Today’s editorial in El Diario la Prensa agrees with me. Although they did not credit me, Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz, for my efforts to be sure that no Hispanic legislator votes for the Budget without the Dream Act, I am very glad they are standing beside me in this effort.
Below is a copy of today's editorial from El Diario la Prensa.
And once again, I ask all of my colleagues in the Senate and in the Assembly, especially the Hispanic Members of the State Legislature, to stand united with me and oppose the upcoming Budget if it does not include the Dream Act.
This is Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.
Unity on the NY Dream Act
Editorial/El Diario la Prensa
03/18/2013
The New York Legislature is about to approve the budget, and as things stand, the state's Dream Act bill will be shelved once again. Hispanic lawmakers—who represent many Dreamers—can prevent this if they unite and make it clear to Senate leaders and Gov. Andrew Cuomo that they will vote "NO" on the budget package unless it includes the Dream Act.
Lawmakers have had this bill, which attempts to do what other states have done and give eligible undocumented students access to state financial aid for college, for several years. During the current session, the Assembly finally drafted a balanced version that was recently approved, along with $25 million to pay for it.
The Senate, controlled by Republicans and Independent Democrats, refuses to include this bill in the budget, despite its economic benefits in the long term. Hispanic senators support the bill, which makes sense, since it's a priority for their constituents. They have sent messages to Cuomo and attended Dream Act demonstrations.
But their actions haven't yielded results. Senate leaders and Cuomo clearly don't understand the importance of this law. However, when it's convenient for them, they talk about the contributions immigrants make, their concern about low high school and college graduation rates, and how important educating minorities is to the state's economic well-being.
Now, it's time to show that this bill is extremely important. The course of action in Albany will affect the future of 200,000 immigrant students who graduated from our public schools to start or continue their college studies. This major budget, with essential laws like a minimum wage increase, must also include the Dream Act. Hispanic lawmakers and others who believe in providing equal education opportunities must reject the budget proposal unless the Dream Act is in it.
http://www.eldiariony.com/
Croton Facility Monitoring Committee Meeting March 21st
Croton Facility Monitoring Committee Meeting
Thursday, March 21, 2013 – 7:00 PM
DEP Office – 3660 Jerome Avenue
Agenda
I Welcome - Bob Fanuzzi, Chair
II Consider, Adopt March CFMC Agenda -
CFMC Representatives
CFMC Representatives
III Consider, Adopt 1/17/13 Meeting Minutes -
CFMC Representatives
CFMC Representatives
IV Comment on CFMC Letters to DEP & DEP Responses -
Bob Fanuzzi & CFMC
Bob Fanuzzi & CFMC
V Update on Croton Filter Plant Landscape Design & Construction -
DPR, DDC, DEP, & Grimshaw Architects
DPR, DDC, DEP, & Grimshaw Architects
VI Croton Construction Schedule & Costs Report -
Bernard Daly, DEP
Bernard Daly, DEP
VII Update on Field Equipment & Field System Testing -
Bernard Daly Lauren D’Attile, DEP
Bernard Daly Lauren D’Attile, DEP
VIII Preliminary Budget Planning 2015 – Van Cortlandt Park Pedestrian Bridge -
Bob Fanuzzi
Bob Fanuzzi
IX CFMC Discussion & Set Date for Next Meeting -
CFMC Representatives
CFMC Representatives
*********************************************************
Mayoral Candidate John Liu Visits Riverdale
After making his announcement that he is running for mayor current City Comptroller John Liu visited all five boroughs ending up in the Riverdale home of Community Board 8 Vice-Chair Maria Kurry before his days events were over. About 35 friends and supporters were on hand at Ms. Kurry's home to congratulate Mayoral candidate Liu on his announcement where candidate Liu spoke with his supporters. Earlier in the day on the steps of City Hall Comptroller Liu announced that he is running for mayor, and due to the extremely large crowd Liu had to repeat his speech to the many people who could not fit into the area by the steps of City Hall and were in City Hall Park. Below are a few photos of the visit to the Riverdale home of Ms. Kurry. Click on any photo to enlarge it.
Below Left - Liu and many Riverdale supporters gather around for a group photo.
Right - Another group photo with more supporters.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Bronx Week 2013
We will have more information on these and other events that will be going on for Bronx Week 2013 as they are released.
DanceBrazil at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts
Three Decades of Acrobatic Dance and Dazzle
DanceBrazil
AT LEHMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 6pm
DanceBrazil
AT LEHMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 6pm
"There
can't be much anywhere to match the strength, flexibility, speed and
idiomatic allure of the dancers and musicians of DanceBrazil." —The Washington Post
Bronx, NY – Lehman Center for the Performing Arts proudly presents the triumphant return of DanceBrazil to the Bronx. Whether in the streets or on stage in the most prestigious theaters, the hot dancers and musicians of DanceBrazil enthrall audiences with the company's unique fusion of Afro-Brazilian movement, contemporary dance and Capoeira – the traditional dance/martial arts form that had its origins in Africa and evolved in colonial Brazil as a means of fighting enslavement. The company performs on Sunday, April 11, 2013 at 6pm at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY.
For over thirty years,
DanceBrazil has thrilled audiences across the United States and the
world with its dazzling artistry, which is inspired by the cultural
tapestry of Brazil. The New York Times recently wrote, “There was
enough appreciative whistling to make a construction worker blush…,
when DanceBrazil rolled through town with its crowd-pleasing style of
high-octane, high-flying, pelvis-swiveling choreography.”
Founder and Artistic Director of DanceBrazil, Jelon
Vieira and the late Loremil Machado were the first artists to bring
traditional Afro-Brazilian dance and Capoeira to the United States over
thirty-five years ago. He has devoted his life to sharing Afro-Brazilian
culture with audiences in the United States and world-wide. In 2008, he
was honored for work and awarded a National Heritage Fellowship, the
country’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. This spring he will tour a new work, Fé do Sertão, and bring a company favorite, Banguela, to Lehman Center.
Special ticket price for children 12 and under, $10 any seat
DanceBrazil performs on Sunday, April 7, 2013 at
6pm at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts located at 250 Bedford Park
Blvd. W. on the campus of Lehman College in the Bronx. Tickets cost $40, $35 and $25, and for children 12 and under, $10 any seat. Tickets can be purchased through 24 hour online access at www.LehmanCenter.org or by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 open Monday & Wednesday-Friday 10am-5pm (closed on Tuesdays) and beginning at 12 noon on the day of the concert. Lehman
Center is accessible by #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd., and is
right off several major highways, including the Henry Hudson Parkway,
the Saw Mill River Parkway and Major Deegan Expressway. Low-cost on-site parking available for $5.
Lehman Center is supported, in part, with public funds from the New
York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New
York City Council. The 2012-2013 season is made possible by the New
York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo
and the New York State Legislature, JPMorgan Chase, and through
corporations, foundations and private donations. Special $10 tickets for children are underwritten by Con Edison.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
City Council Candidate Andrew Cohen Calls for Council Reform
4-point plan includes elimination of lulus and
calls for automatic votes on bills with majority
sponsorship
Bronx-City Council candidate Andrew Cohen unveiled
his 4-point plan for reforming the New York City Council, through broad
new measures that emphasize majority control, support Council committees,
equalize funding for community needs, and eliminate Council Members’ subsidy stipends
known as “lulus.” The need for reform has recently been highlighted
by Council Member Oliver Koppell’s accessible taxi legislation and
the renewed battle over the paid sick leave bill, which has stalled
in the Council without a vote for three years despite widespread support
among City Council Members.
“What we have with paid sick leave is a bill that has 38 sponsors,
nearly three-quarters of the entire Council membership, which has been
on the agenda since March 2010, and it still hasn’t even been voted
on,” Cohen said. “Whether or not you support the legislation, its
stagnant history in the face of overwhelming support clearly shows that
the lawmaking process in the Council is in need of real reform.”
To reform the process, Cohen proposes establishing a sponsorship threshold
whereby a bill sponsored by a majority of Council Members will be automatically
heard and scheduled for an up or down vote.
“Bills with significant support from the majority of the Council
should not be denied a hearing or a vote,” said Cohen.
The Cohen reform plan also calls for other measures that would improve
the legislative process by strengthening the roles of committees and
individual Council Members:
- Committee Reform: As it currently stands, committee chairs do not have the authority to hire any committee staff, severely handicapping their ability to lead effectively. The Cohen reform plan would allow each committee chair, rather than central leadership, to hire the counsel for the committee.
- Member Item Reform: Every year, Council Members are allocated discretionary funds known as member items to be used for improvements in their districts; however the amount of these funds varies widely among Council Members. As a result, member items often reflect the needs of central leadership, not the needs of the constituency. To reform this process the Council needs to move toward greater transparency and evenhandedness when dealing with member items. If he is elected, Andrew Cohen has already committed to setting aside a portion of his budget for participatory budgeting, which would give members of the community a chance to directly affect how his member items are spent. But that isn’t enough. To ensure that each member has an equal opportunity to respond to his or her constituency’s needs, and to treat our communities equitably, each Council Member, who by law represents a district with the same number of New Yorkers as any other, would receive the same amount of discretionary funds.
- Elimination of Lulus: Lulus are stipends in addition to salary, doled out to certain members who hold leadership positions in the Council. Unfortunately, like member items money lulus are often tied to loyalty, rather than to the effectiveness of the legislator. If elected to the City Council, Andrew Cohen promises that he will not accept any lulus and will fight to have them eliminated altogether.
Wave Hill Events March 29–April 5
SAT, MARCH 30 SHOP TEA ROOM SALE
Enjoy
discounts of up to 70% off at this seasonal clearance event on jewelry,
accessories and beauty products; delicacies; and books, gifts and
children's toys. Purchases of $50 and up will be rewarded with a free
gift. And enjoy free onsite parking when you make purchases totaling $40
or more per visit. As always, 100% of the proceeds of your purchases
supports Wave Hill. Cash only; no additional discounts.
GLYNDOR GALLERY, 10AM‒4PM
FRI, MARCH 29 SPRING BREAK: 3-D PAPER SCULPTING
Make
sheets of paper from pulp, and turn them into an array of free-form or
object-based three-dimensional sculptures, like a vase, bowl or animal,
adorned with ribbons, lace and other paraphernalia, with renowned
papermaker Randy Brozen. Geared for children between the ages 5 to 10
and a parent or caregiver. $15/Member/$23 Non-member per session
includes one child and one adult. Additional child or adult $10.
Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Space is limited.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 1:30–3PM
SAT, MARCH 30 FAMILY ART PROJECT—ECO FAIR
Eco Fair/Feria Ecologica
Celebrate
nature by making arty, nature-inspired crafts from a variety of
recycled materials. Make a plastic flower, make a cork animal or
decorate an Earth Day pin to display your care for our planet in this
fun fair. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM
SUN, MARCH 31 FAMILY ART PROJECT—ECO FAIR
Eco Fair/Feria Ecologica
Celebrate
nature by making arty, nature-inspired crafts from a variety of
recycled materials. Make a plastic flower, make a cork animal or
decorate an Earth Day pin to display your care for our planet in this
fun fair. Free with admission to the grounds.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM
SUN, MARCH 31 SHOP TEA ROOM SALE
Enjoy
discounts of up to 70% off at this seasonal clearance event on jewelry,
accessories and beauty products; delicacies; and books, gifts and
children's toys. Purchases of $50 and up will be rewarded with a free
gift. And enjoy free onsite parking when you make purchases totaling $40
or more per visit. As always, 100% of the proceeds of your purchases
supports Wave Hill. Cash only; no additional discounts.
GLYNDOR GALLERY, 10AM‒4PM
SUN, MARCH 31 GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM
MON, APRIL 1
Closed to the public.
TUE, APRIL 2 GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM
WED, APRIL 3 WATERCOLOR PAINTING: NATURE AND ARCHITECTURE
Session 1
Relying
on memory and direct observation of Wave Hill’s plant collection and
architecture, create beautiful plein-air watercolor paintings with
artist Carrie Beckman. Moving from pencil sketches to watercolor,
participants create both large and small paintings and experiment with
abstract and representational styles. $90 Member/$105 Non-member.
Limited supplies provided. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Space is limited. Continues April 10 and 17.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 1–4PM
THU, APRIL 4 MIXED MEDIA ART: ENVIRONMENTS OF EXPLORATION
Session 1
Explore
the natural, planted and built aspects of Wave Hill with artist Paul
Lambermont. Using the gardens and Glyndor Gallery as inspiration,
participants experiment with drawing, text, collage and photography to
develop a mixed-media work that reflects the interdependence of nature,
horticulture and architecture. All levels welcome. $90 Member/$105
Non-member. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Space is limited. Continues April 11 and 18.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 1–4PM
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. Closes 4:30PM, November 1—March 14.
ADMISSION $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day Tuesdays in March and April. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.
PROGRAM FEES Program s 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/
DIRECTIONS
– Getting here is easy! Located only 3o 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 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.