The Passing of a Great Individual and Business Owner.

This comes from the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, with an additional comment from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

To our Members,

We are saddened to inform you on the passing of a great soul, entrepreneur, and generous individual, Alfredo Thiebaud, owner of Delicioso Coco Helado., who was recently honored by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. He will be deeply missed as he was a true friend of The Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Alfredo was a good man and believed in family and giving back to the community in any way possible. Our deepest sympathy and prayers goes out to the entire Thiebaud family.

 

 

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For more information: 

                        Please contact the Chamber Staff at 718-828-3900 

or send an e-mail to: 

 

events@bronxchamber.org

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

RE: The Passing of Alfredo Thiebaud

“I am incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend, Alfredo Thiebaud, founder and president of Delicioso Coco Helado.

“Through his company, Mr. Thiebaud was able to provide an opportunity for employment to thousands of individuals, many of them new immigrants to this country, by joining his workforce. These carts, which sold Mr. Thiebaud’s signature flavors of helado—such as coconut, cherry and mango—have become synonymous with summer fun, and were born right here in The Bronx.

“Mr. Thiebaud always gave back to the community, and was among our borough’s greatest humanitarians. He was always quick to help a community group or a school with their event, donating money, time or product to numerous worthy causes across the city. He was a frequent supporter of Bronx Week, as well as other events produced by my office, and he was always willing to go the extra mile for the people of The Bronx.

“Alfredo Thiebaud was a great man and a great friend, and this tragic accident has deprived us of one of the best. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, his employees and the thousands of people who have lost a true friend today with the passing of Alfredo Thiebaud,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Bronx County Democratic Committee Call and Judicial Convention

  County Committee Chair Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz presided over last night's Bronx Democratic County Committee call. Dinowitz opened up asking for his Chief of Staff Randi Martos who was appointed 'credentials chair" for the meeting, as she had just stepped out of the room. He then said 'like most women in my life they don't listen.' After the business of electing officers Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. told of the wonderful job that the Bronx Count organization had done in the September Primary. Diaz said that 82 percent of Bronx Democratic voters voted for Governor Andrew Cuomo. 

  Next the officers went with the two district leaders from each Bronx assembly district into another room to choose a county leader. There had been some talk, much like is always the case about the county leader. When it came to the decision Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo nominated the current county leader. She said that at first she did not support Assemblyman Heastie a few years ago, but he has proven to be a good county leader that is why she is proud to support him now. Assemblyman Marcos Crespo 2nd the nomination. There was no opposition to Heastie for county leader, but the previous county leader and district leader from the 78th A.D. was absent from the meeting.  

  After the vote County Leader Heastie thanked those around the table adding that he has always tried to be fair to everyone, showing no favoritism to anyone. No one is disrespected and that he is not a dictator. He then mentioned that there was still a judicial convention to be held.

  After taking care of making sure that a quorum was present Councilman Andy King was recognized. since the convention was being hejd at the Eastwood manor on Eastchester Road, Councilman King welcomed everyone to the 12 council district he calls home. King then nominated John V. Barrone for the one open judge position in the Bronx. Councilman Andrew Cohen seconded the nomination. the vote was unanimous in favor.

Judge Nominee John V. Barrone thanks those who voted for him, as county leader Heastie looks on.

  

Mayor de Blasio Announces NYC Municipal ID to Give Access to 1-Year Free Memberships at 33 of The City's Most Acclaimed Cultural Institutions

  With the Municipal ID card, thousands of residents will be able to receive free benefits at members of the Cultural Institutions Group throughout 2015

  Today, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the City’s Municipal ID, which will launch in January 2015, will give all ID card holders access to one-year free membership packages at 33 of the City’s leading cultural institutions, including world class museums, performing arts centers, concert halls, botanical gardens, and zoos in all five boroughs. The Municipal ID/CIG one-year membership will be comparable to each institution’s standard one-year individual or family membership package, depending on the institution, and will give ID card holders a range of benefits including free admission, and access to special events, and discounts to museum shops.

The 33 institutions belong to the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) which is comprised of private nonprofit cultural organizations located on City owned property. The first member of the CIG, the American Museum of Natural History, was created in 1869 and the group has grown to include a diverse cross section of institutions in each of the boroughs. The City provides capital, operating and energy support to CIG members and in turn each institution is charged with providing access to cultural services and programming to all New Yorkers.

See full list of CIG benefits here: http://on.nyc.gov/1udVL18

“The municipal ID is a powerful tool to bring more New Yorkers out of the shadows and into the mainstream. It is now also a key that opens the door for hundreds of thousands of more New Yorkers to our City’s premier assets in culture, science and entertainment,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The Municipal ID Card embodies the values we cherish most about inclusivity and equality, and these memberships are another step forward on providing greater access and opportunity for our people.”

“New York’s wonderful cultural institutions which provide so much vibrancy to this city understand that we’re better when we’re moving forward together,” saidCouncil Speaker Mark-Viverito. “I want to thank my Council colleagues, the administration and the Cultural Institution Group for their collaboration on this historic initiative.”

“The Municipal ID Program is one that has the potential to transform lives, and to help ensure its success the cultural community, and in particular the Cultural Institutions Group’s members, have stepped up to the plate,” said City Council Majority Leader and Chair of”, Libraries & International Intergroup Relations Committee Jimmy Van Bramer. “Culture is always important in our City and with this announcement we are reminded of the centrality of the arts to our City. Access to the arts for all and a more just City is being accomplished with the help of these great institutions. It is a great day.”

“The Municipal ID expands access to vital resources and services for residents across New York City,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres. “Through partnership with institutions like the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden, it better ensures that all New Yorkers can enjoy and learn from our world-class cultural organizations. I am proud to stand with Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Mark-Viverito, and my colleagues in the Council to announce this exciting collaboration.”

The offer will be available to all Municipal ID holders from the day the program is launched in January 2015 through December 31, 2015. The membership term will be for one-year from the date the individual signs up with a participating cultural institution. The framework for the CIG membership deal came together with the support of City Council after Cultural Affairs Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl was appointed earlier this year. As a former director of a CIG institution, Commissioner Finkelpearl was able work closely with CIG chair Arnold Lehman and the organizations’ leadership in finding a creative and compelling strategy for CIG member institutions to open their doors even further to all New Yorkers. The package of benefits the CIG has developed demonstrates the central role these institutions play in New York’s civic life.

This free membership package will not be available to existing members of a participating institution or individuals whose membership has lapsed since January 1, 2012. However, existing or recently lapsed members of a given institution can use their Municipal ID to obtain free membership at all other participating institutions.

The 33 participating institutions are listed below by borough:

Bronx 
1. Bronx County Historical Society 
2. Bronx Museum of the Arts 
3. New York Botanical Garden 
4. Wave Hill 

5. Wildlife Conservation Society (includes Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo)

Brooklyn 
6. Brooklyn Academy of Music 
7. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 
8. Brooklyn Children's Museum 
9. Brooklyn Museum

Manhattan
10. American Museum of Natural History
11. Carnegie Hall
12. New York City Ballet
13. El Museo del Barrio
14. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.
15. Metropolitan Museum of Art
16. Museum of Jewish Heritage
17. Museum of the City of New York
18. New York City Center
19. Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival
20. Studio Museum in Harlem

Queens
21. Flushing Town Hall
22. Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning
23. Museum of the Moving Image
24. New York Hall of Science
25. MoMA PS1
26. Queens Botanical Garden
27. Queens Museum
28. Queens Theatre

Staten Island
29. Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
30. Staten Island Children's Museum
31. Staten Island Historical Society
32. Staten Island Museum
33. Staten Island Zoological Society

“The Wildlife Conservation Society, a member of the Cultural Institutions Group, is honored that Mayor de Blasio chose to roll out the New York City Municipal I.D. Card at our Bronx Zoo,” said Executive Vice President of Wild Conservation Society John Calvelli. “We, like all of the CIG members, have a long tradition of partnering with the city to bring better services to all New Yorkers. WCS is proud to have worked with our CIG colleagues to bring a membership opportunity to participants, an important cultural component to the MIDC."

“The American Museum of Natural History is pleased to support the Mayor, the Speaker, and the City Council in their efforts to launch the Municipal ID program and to advance the longstanding partnership between the City and the cultural sector,” said President of the American Museum of Natural History Ellen V. Futter. “As the historic first member of the Cultural Institutions Group, the Museum has long been one of New York’s most popular family destinations. The Muni ID partnership allows us to offer to even more New Yorkers—adults and children alike—opportunities to engage with science, culture, and nature in enriching, fun, and inspiring ways.”\

The Mayor signed legislation to create a municipal ID card for all New York City residents on July 10, 2014. The municipal ID will be available for all residents of the five boroughs who meet the program's proof of identity and city residency requirements. The card will be issued at no cost for applicants during the program's first year.

The Municipal ID will be an accessible and safe document that will ensure access to City services and grant admission to all municipal buildings. The City is also working toward connecting the ID with stores, restaurants, discounts and other incentive programs. The City will continue to expand and improve upon the municipal ID card program and benefits after the launch date.

To ensure broad and easy accessibility, the City will establish walk-in enrollment centers in trusted community institutions around the boroughs, and will post the application online for applicants to complete it prior to visiting a walk-in center. In addition, the City will create mobile enrollment units that can travel to neighborhoods across the City. The City will also ensure that the outreach and application processes are accessible to people with limited English proficiency and people with disabilities.

The City will protect the confidentiality of all municipal ID card applications, and will not ask applicants about their immigration status.

Assemblyman Dinowitz to Introduce New Legislation to Protect Consumer Reviews

  Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz Chair of the New York State Assembly Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee announced that he is introducing legislation to protect the rights of consumers to review products and services. While most businesses have recognized the growing importance of consumer reviews, both online and elsewhere, in providing feedback to businesses and information to potential customers, some have sought to restrict customer reviews by including provisions that limit or prohibit a customer from voicing their opinions about the business’s products or services. These provisions, often included in lengthy contracts, may not be obvious or fully understood by the consumer. Assemblyman Dinowitz’s legislation would ban businesses from including such provisions.

Assemblyman Dinowitz said, “Public comments and reviews are quickly becoming an essential part of how consumers make purchasing decisions in the 21^st century. The ability to express honest opinions about goods and services, both good and bad, empowers consumers and encourages businesses to create the best possible product, which benefits everyone.”

“Yet there are some businesses that seek to suppress the voices of their customers through restrictive, little-discussed provisions in contracts,” Assemblyman Dinowitz continued. “That is why I am introducing a bill to prevent businesses from prohibiting their customers from publishing reviews, thereby ensuring that consumers will have the right to both write and read honest opinions about goods and services before purchasing them.”

The legislation would prohibit all attempts to limit consumer reviews, but would levy additional fees for “willful, intentional, or reckless violation” of the law. The practice of limiting a consumer’s rights to publish reviews was struck down by a New York Court (People v. Network Assoc., INC), but a ban on such actions has not been placed into statute in New York. Similar legislation was recently enacted in California.