Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Council Member Andrew Cohen at Work for the Community

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz successfully advocated for a long-awaited reduction to the traffic island at the intersection of Van Cortlandt Avenue West and Sedgewick Avenue, a change the NYC Department of Transportation recently agreed to make. The traffic island, which was installed in 2012, juts into the intersection, making left-hand turns from Sedgewick Avenue onto Van Cortlandt Avenue West difficult. The corner of the traffic island is badly scuffed, evidence of the numerous drivers that have hit the island while making a left-hand turn.

Assemblyman Dinowitz first alerted the DOT of this hazard in December of 2012. This fall, Assemblyman Dinowitz and DOT Bronx Borough Commissioner Constance Moran visited the site to inspect the traffic island and other traffic-related issues in the neighborhood. At the conclusion of the site visit, Commissioner Moran agreed to reduce the size of the island in order to facilitate easier and safer turns. The timeline for this project has not yet been announced by the DOT.

“I am pleased that the DOT listened to my request to reduce the size of this traffic island, which has burdened drivers making left-hand turns onto Van Cortlandt Avenue West since its installation in 2012,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “I would like to thank Commissioner Moran for taking the time to inspect the site with me this fall, and for taking action to ensure that drivers in Van Cortlandt Village aren’t subjected to an unnecessarily difficult and potentially destructive driving situation.”

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Councilman Andy Cohen - Due to several ongoing construction projects in Van Cortlandt Village, there has been a series of street closures and removal of parking that has directly affected many members of the community.

With the construction of the Jerome Park Reservoir, the renovation of Fort Independence Park, the reconstruction of the Cannon Place retaining wall, as well as an addition to a parking facility at St. Patrick’s Home for the Aged, residents have found parking removed from in front of their houses, buildings and in some cases their own driveways.

While nothing can be done to stop the construction work currently taking place, the Department of Transportation has heeded a requested submitted by Council Member Andrew Cohen to install angled parking along the east side of Dickinson Avenue between Sedgewick Avenue and the intersection of Van Cortlandt Park South and West Gunhill Road.

“I would like to thank the Department of Transportation for sympathizing with the community on this issue and quickly installing angled parking along Dickinson Avenue. I know that these additional parking spaces have eased a burden for many residents in Van Cortlandt Village,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

Bronx H.I.R.E. Job Fair Wednesday Nov. 19th

Croton Filter Project - Croton FMC Meeting on November 25

  The next meeting of the Croton Filtration Monitoring Committee will take place on Tuesday November 25th at the DEP office located at 3660 Jerome Avenue, and will begin at 7 PM.

The agenda will be put up as soon as it is available.

TESTIMONY OF BP DIAZ RE In Favor of Freshdirect's Proposed Relocation to The Bronx

I testify today in favor of Freshdirect’s move to The Bronx, and in favor of the subsidy package the State has presented to the company.

What we have in Freshdirect is an opportunity to expand a diverse economy in The Bronx, to create new jobs on an underutilized industrial waterfront, and to develop the blueprint for corporate America to work hand-in-hand with elected officials, community organizations and the people of this borough to make sure those jobs go to Bronx residents.

When Freshdirect’s move to The Bronx was first announced, the company entered into a “memorandum of understanding” with my office and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.

That MOU stated, among other things, that Freshdirect would commit to local hiring, that they would expand their services to the entire Bronx, that they would build a “green” delivery fleet and that they would work to accept EBT benefits for their services, among other things.

Freshdirect currently has a workforce of roughly 2,500 individuals—about 600 of whom live in The Bronx and commute to Long Island City every day. The company has worked with BOEDC over the past three years to hire numerous Bronxites. Already, before they put shovel to ground in The Bronx, Freshdirect is creating jobs for our residents.

They have also come to an agreement with Uniform Food and Commercial Workers Local 2013, which represents roughly 900 Freshdirect employees, on a new contract, and my office is happy to see such cooperation between labor and management.

Freshdirect has expanded its services to every corner of The Bronx, something it does not necessarily do in other boroughs. For those who receive EBT benefits,Freshdirect has launched a pilot program in the 10454 and 10455 zip codes to accept EBT benefits from eligible Bronxites. Currently, EBT benefits cannot be accepted by online retailers due to federal law, and Freshdirect is working to change the current law, so that they and other online retailers can expand their services to more individuals and families who may want to take advantage of them.

Freshdirect has also begun the process of greening its fleet. Over the past months, the company has converted ten percent of its truck fleet to environmentally-friendly fuels, as its tests out both electric trucks and CNG trucks in advance of a full conversion.

Most importantly, the company has committed to bringing new jobs to our borough. Already, the company has 600 Bronx employees—employees who would have likely been unable to keep their jobs if the company had moved to New Jersey. Upon their move to The Bronx, they will expand their company to hire even more Bronx residents.

This project represents new jobs, and new development, and is a key component of our “New Bronx” agenda. Now that this project has cleared the hurdles placed before it, I would urge the Empire State Development Corporation to continue its own support of this critical project, joining my office, Community Board #1 and numerous elected officials, community organizations and people of The Bronx.

Since Freshdirect first announced their move to The Bronx in February 2012, they have been a good neighbor, and have done everything we have asked of them. They deserve our support in return.

Thank you,

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Koppell for State Senate 2016?

  The above sign at the # 7 & #10 bus stop on the northbound Henry Hudson Parkway service road just north of West 246th Street was put up weeks before the September Democratic primary. This is a key visible location, as all north bound traffic on the parkway service road above West 246th Street must pass this location. Traffic coming over the bridge from the west side of the parkway gets an even better view of this sign as they turn left onto the northbound parkway service to go north or enter the parkway shortly after this bus stop. 

  Candidate Oliver Koppell at one time had the Workings Family ballot line so it would be to Koppell's advantage to have this sign up until the November election. Koppell got screwed however by the Working Families Party when they withdrew their endorsement of Koppell (and ballot line) after his opponent current State Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein made a deal to sever his relationship with the Senate Republican Conference, and work with the Senate Democrat Conference to co-lead the state senate.  

  Things didn't go as planed on election day, and Senate Republicans won an outright majority in the state senate. Adding to this Democratic State Senator Simca Felder of Brooklyn has said that he will continue to conference with the Republicans giving them an additional vote. Senator Jeff Klein has recently announced that he would like to continue working with the Senate Republican Conference. to this Oliver Koppell has now said after that announcement "I Told You So". 

  It is now weeks after the general election and the 'Koppell for State Senate' poster is still up. One has to think does this means that Oliver Koppell is getting an early start on a rematch with Senator Klein in 2016. It has been said by many including myself that there are others that Koppel may run against. Could it be that either father Assemblyman Jeffrey or son new Male District Leader Eric Dinowitz are now in Koppell's sights.

  

Savor The Bronx Ends With Marty Markowitz as Matire D'

  Last night at Tin Marin Restaurant (located at 3706 Riverdale Avenue) you were greeted by former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. had dinner at Tin Marin at the very same time that Markowitz was Matire D' . As you will see in the photos below Markowitz greeted people, and the both he and Diaz Jr. spoke of the wonderful eating opportunities that can be found in the Bronx. Markowitz said 'The better the Bronx does, the better the city does'. 

  “We have dozens of great restaurants in every corner of the Bronx, and not just on Arthur Avenue or City Island,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “From tapas in Riverdale to craft beer in the South Bronx, our borough offers a tremendous variety of great tastes of all ethnicities, from traditional fare to the unexpected. We are thrilled to have Marty Markowitz and NYC & Company helping us showcase our epicurean delights, and I look forward to an incredible evening of food and fun.”

  NYC & Company is the city's official marketing, tourism, and partnership organization. Markowitz's appearance was part of NYC & Company's effort to encourage tourism to the Bronx and other boroughs. This restaurant was selected on a block of various different types of eating establishments that can be found in the Bronx.

Left - Markowitz greets Bronx Bp Diaz.

Right - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz joins Diaz Jr., as Markowitz reads off the specials of the day in Spanish.

Left - Community Board 8 Chair Dan Padernacht is next to Assemblyman Dinowitz.

Right - Bronx Bp Diaz and former Brooklyn BP Markowitz enjoy the moment as the two talk about all the eating options in the 'New Bronx.'.

Left - Tin Marin, Spanish Tapas Restaurant.

Right - Salvatore's of Soho Italian Restaurant.

Left - Greek Express Restaurant.
Right - Blackstone's Bar & Grill.

Left - The ever popular Yo Burger Restaurant where you can get a burger, fries and a shake, or yogurt with dozens of topping s to choose from.      
Other places to eat on this block include Tiny's Diner, Ginger Grill, Corner Cafe, and Palumbo Bakery.                

Senator Ruben Diaz Sr.Basks in the Joy of the Recent Election

  State Senator Ruben Diax Sr. points to 'The Diaz Team' composed of the senator, his son Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda. Together Team Diaz has come a long way in political system gaining not only influence, but helping to improve the Bronx everyday. 

  The start of the long road was several years ago when then Assemblyman Ruben Diaz Jr. (elected in 1997) and his father Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. (elected to the city council in 2002, and then to the State Senate in the 2003) worked with elected officials from different parts of the Bronx to begin the Rainbow Rebellion. In the 2008 Democratic primary they got a judge elected over the then Bronx Democratic County Leader Jose Rivera's choice for the position. At the 2008 Bronx Democratic County Committee meeting Rivera was overthrown as county leader. Assemblyman Ruben Diaz Jr. became Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. in early 2009. State Committeeman Marcos Crespo was elected to Diaz Jr.'s assembly seat, and Luis Sepulveda was elected to the assembly in 2012. The rest is history for 'The Diaz Team' as they continue to grow adding new people to the team's political foundation.

  It looks like Senator Diaz Sr. could be a key player in the 2014 State Senate. With the outright victory of the Republican Party having a one vote majority, and Brooklyn Democratic State Senator Simca Felder sitting in the Republican Conference the IDC may no longer be needed by the Republican majority. Then there is also the fact that the conservative Republican majority is more in line with the goals of Senator Diaz Sr., so I look for Senator Diaz Sr. to be a key player in the upcoming two years of the next state senate.

More Con Edison Gas Woes

  This is what has popped up across the Bronx (and New York City). Ugly High Pressure gas connections to buildings. Most of the gas connections are behind fences to hide them from public view, but this connection however is one of those visible with plantings that are to grow in front to block it view. These high pressure gas connections have no protection from the elements such as rain and snow, or any other thing that it may come in contact with. A tree fell right near this connection, and what could of happened if the gas connection had been where the tree fell. This particular connection has been red flagged twice, and on two separate occasions I have walked by this site to hear a hissing sound coming from this connection.  According to Con Edison there should be no noise at all coming from this high pressure gas connection, but the local FDNY Engine 52 has been called over 10 times to this location to answer calls of sounds coming from this connection by various different residents and people. I was told by one firefighter when I saw the truck elsewhere that a clicking sound is normal when the high pressure gas engages. I told him that Con Edison had said no sound should be coming from these connections, but he said not to worry. I do not trudt Con Edison, but I have to have trust in our fire department.

This photo of very recent markings by the above high pressure gas connection leading from a Con Edison sewer (in between the two parked cars) makes me wonder if Con Ed is going to redo this connection.

Here is another fine example of the work being done by the contractors hired by Con Edison because this is way to big a job for Con Ed to handle alone. Above is the corner by the building connection pictured above where Con Edison's contractor has worked. Enlarge the photo to see what else went into this section before it was covered. Also note that the size is much larger than the street cut markings. 

Here is how the crosswalk of this intersection was left. When you enlarge the photo you can notice that there is a several inch gap in the pavement still where Con Ed worked, and that the gas main head in the middle of the patch work is sticking up a few inches from the patch. This is a hazard waiting to happen as once the sun goes down the difference of the levels of the road, the patchwork, and the gas main head are very hard to see.