BDCC Announces Endorsement of Hillary Clinton

   Today the Bronx Democratic County Committee (BDCC), chaired by Assembly Member Marcos A. Crespo, announced its endorsement of Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in the campaign race for the 2016 Democratic Presidential Nomination.

“As our former U.S Senator from New York and then U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has a proven track record of leadership and commitment to championing issues that are important to every day Americans. Bronx Democrats are proud to endorse her not only because she believes in building our party and making it stronger than ever but because we are united by our Democratic values in the fight to build stronger communities and ensuring that all people, regardless of background, can achieve their full potential,” said Bronx Democratic Party Leader Marcos A. Crespo.

“I enthusiastically endorse Hillary Clinton for President. As a long time supporter of Hillary Clinton I have seen up close her strong commitment to progressive ideals, her amazing work ethic and her incredible knowledge of every possible issue of concern to us,” echoed Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, County Committee Chair. “No one has ever been more qualified or more prepared to be President. I am confident that the Bronx will overwhelmingly support her candidacy and I look forward to working to help elect her president of the United States.”

"Hillary Clinton has been a champion for working families throughout her entire political career. Her leadership, achievements, and experience make her the ideal presidential candidate," said Bronx Party Secretary and Councilwoman Annabel Palma. “I am proud to join my colleague, Assembly Member Crespo, and the Bronx Democratic County Committee, in resoundingly supporting Hillary Clinton to be our next president of this great country of ours."

Bronx Democratic County Committee

As the Democratic Party organization in The Bronx, the Bronx Democratic County Committee’s mission is not only to help elect Democrats across the borough who will continue to fight for progress and for the residents of our communities, but we are also deeply committed to our Democratic values through engaging Bronxites year-round to increase access to resources by connecting them to legal, financial, and other public services, participating in political activism initiatives, and serving as an inclusive facilitator between our communities and Party members.

Assemblyman Dinowitz Reminds Consumers of the Dangers of Unsecured Furniture

   Following Ikea’s recent announcement that they will be offering free wall anchoring kits to customers who have purchased certain products, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz reminded consumers of the dangers of not securing heavy household furniture.

“Nearly every two weeks a child dies when a TV or some other large piece of furniture falls on them,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “According to one study from the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 349 consumers were killed between 2000 and 2011 as a result of furniture toppling over; 84% of those deaths were children younger than nine years old. This is exactly why I sponsored a bill earlier this year requiring the New York State Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection to create a public awareness campaign about the dangers of unsecured furniture” (A.7018).

The same federal commission estimates that over 43,000 consumers are injured each year in similar tip-over incidents; more than 25,000 of those injuries being suffered by children younger than 18. Falling furniture accounts for more than half of the reported injuries. However, falling televisions are more deadly, as they are associated with 62% of reported fatalities.

Mr. Dinowitz’s bill, which passed with overwhelming bi-partisan support in both the Assembly and in the Senate where it was sponsored by Senator Patricia Ritchie (R-Jefferson), and is to be sent to the Governor’s office for his signature or veto. Specifically, the legislation requires the Division of Consumer Protection to develop, establish, and implement a public awareness campaign related to the dangers of unsecured furniture, televisions, and other household appliances.

“The number one victims of unsecured furniture are overwhelmingly children. These tragedies are easily preventable, and it starts with passing along the information to and making the public aware of how to put a stop to these incidents from happening,” Assemblyman Dinowitz noted. “Ikea’s recent announcement serves as a reminder to all of us of the dangers associated with un-anchored furniture, and the propensity of these incidents to result in severe injury.”

“I strongly urge the Governor to sign this bill in to law,” said Mr. Dinowitz. “This awareness campaign is going to save many lives by encouraging people to take the appropriate actions when it comes to securing furniture.”

PAT GUALTIERI, VIETNAM VET AND LONG-TIME PRODUCER OF AMERICA’S PARADE, NEW YORK CITY VETERAN’S DAY PARADE, DIES

          Patrick L. Gualtieri, a U.S. Army veteran of Vietnam who helped build a struggling New York City Veterans Day Parade intoAmerica’s Parade, the largest celebration of service in America, died July 21 after a short illness.

Pat Gualtieri, 70, was born and raised in Brooklyn.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1966-68, including a one-year tour in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive.

He once described lying in the jungle watching as “Puff,” an American gunship, rained fire on North Vietnemese regulars during Tet.  “I had mixed feelings, happy to be alive, yet saddened that so many would die.”

After a career in event production in Los Angeles, Pat returned to New York City in 2000 to take over the struggling Veterans Day Parade.  As executive director of the United War Veterans Council, producers of the parade, Gualtieri built the annual event into America’s Parade, the largest celebration of service in the nation.

The parade now includes more than 25,000 participants, including active duty military units, veterans organizations, high school marching bands from around the nation, top elected officials from New York City and New York State and the highest ranking U.S. military commanders.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators line Fifth Avenue on November 11 to pay tribute to veterans.  Pat also has arranged to have the parade broadcast nationwide and on Armed Forces TV to every U.S. military installation and ship in the world.

“The veterans community mourns the loss of a giant, who devoted his life to honoring those who served,” said Vincent McGowan, founding president of the United War Veterans Council.  “Pat’s boundless energy and unflagging goodwill helped drive our efforts to shape a world-class effort to honor service on November 11 and every day of the year.”

Pat is survived by two daughters, Tara Mendelson and Gayla Gualtieri; a brother, Joseph; a grandson and granddaughter; and his life partner, Marlene ‘Molly’ Levi.

There will be a memorial visitation Saturday, 2 – 5 p.m. and 7 – 10 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Cusimano & Russo Funeral Home, 2005 West 6^th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11223.

Memorial donations may be made to Friends of Vietnam Veterans Plaza and The United War Veterans Council.

Friends of Mark Gjonaj Fundraiser 7/28/15

Please Join us in a Fundraising Celebration for

New York State Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

6:00pm- 9:00pm

Don Coqui Restaurant

565 City Island Avenue

Bronx NY 10464

Food and Refreshments will be served.

For more information:

friendsofmarkgjonaj@gmail.com

(347) 671-4355

(Click HERE to download contribution form)

Assemblyman Luis Sepúlveda Calls on Citizens to Report Illegal Guns After Shootings

Office of Assemblyman Luis Sepúlveda

District Office: 1973 Westchester Ave, Bx. NY ∙ 

Phone: 718-931-8620

  Assemblyman Luis R. Sepúlveda today urged community members to report illegal guns and suspicious activity to the NYPD's Operation Gun Stop Program after a spate of shootings in the Bronx over the weekend.  Rewards of $1,000 are available for anonymous tips phoned into 1-866-GUN-STOP (1-866-486-7867).

"The Bronx is bleeding, and it's our youngest citizens who are being affected the most," said Assemblyman Sepúlveda.  "We must come together as a community to put a stop to this violence.  If you know someone with a gun, call the NYPD's Operation Gun Stop hotline so that we can remove as many guns from the street as possible.  Too many times I've had to console mothers who have lost their children to gun violence. It must come to an end."

On Sunday, Assemblyman Sepúlveda met with Yvonne Rodriguez, the mother of Ray Rosello, 20, who was shot and killed early Sunday morning in West Farms. Rodriguez has been an active member of the West Farms community and has worked with Assemblyman Sepúlveda on a number of projects.  Her annual block party to encourage community involvement is scheduled for this Saturday, just a week after the death of her son.  She now intends on holding that block party in his memory.

Sepúlveda also called for an increase in gun control to prevent the flood of guns into New York.

"When I was first elected as a member of the Assembly, one of the first bills I voted on was the SAFE Act.  I'm proud of the strict gun laws we have in New York State, but we must work harder to prevent the importation of guns from states with lax gun laws.”

During the weekend of July 19th multiple shooting incidents occurred in the Bronx, including the fatal shooting of Rosello just blocks from where Sepúlveda lives, and at a barbecue where six people were shot.

Operation Gun Stop, privately funded by the New York City Police Foundation, began in 2001 and since then has led to over 5,500 arrests and the removal of 3,350 illegal weapons from New York City Streets.

Assemblyman Luis Sepúlveda represents New York’s 87^th Assembly District, which includes  the Bronx neighborhoods of Parkchester, Castle Hill, West Farms, Van Nest, Unionport, and Stratton Park.

Events From Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and Luis Sepulveda

New York Post - De Blasio Crowned King ‘Jerk’ at Sandwich Contest

   This one was to good to be passed up, as it is not the war of words between Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bill deBlasio, but the war of words between the New York Post and Mayor Bill deBlasio which has heated up. This started last week when a New York Post reporter asked a question on a crime increase in the city of the mayor, who replied the New York Post is a Fear Monger Newspaper.

   Now it appears the Post has taken it one step further calling the mayor the King 'Jerk' due to the mayor winning the Jerk sandwich competition at the Jamaican Jerk Festival New York with the deBlasio 'Swagga Sandwich.' The Post describes the winning deBlasio 'Swagger Sandwich', and that he beat the 2014 winner Miss Jamaica 2014 Kaci Fennell. The Post quotes deBlasio calling Fennell a Noble Competitor, with talent and beauty, but that he 9The mayor) has wisdom on his side in winning this year's Jamaican Jerk Festival New York sandwich contest. The Post concludes the story by adding that the mayor got help this year from First Lady Charlene McCray and former Congresswoman Una Clarke. You can find the entire Post story De Blasio Crowned King 'Jerk' here. 

Photo from the Jamaican Jerk Festival New York Facebook page. 

                                       

COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREW COHEN WORKS WITH DOT TO HAVE LOCAL DETERIORTATING STREETS REPAVED

Three roads are set to be re-paved in Riverdale and Kingsbridge

   After receiving complaints from constituents that utilize the highly-trafficked areas listed below, Council Member Andrew Cohen worked with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to have the following roads repaved in District 11 during their next repaving cycle:

Riverdale Avenue between West 231st Street and West 239th Street 

Riverdale Avenue is a heavily trafficked street that has both local and express buses traveling over it as well as many school buses going to the nearby schools and delivery trucks dropping off and picking up at the businesses located along the commercial corridor.  The street is also on a steep incline which makes it difficult for cars going over potholes, sometimes causing damage to vehicles.  This is an important street due to its close proximity to schools, parks, and serves as bridge connecting the neighborhood of Riverdale with Kingsbridge.

West 231st Street between Broadway and Albany Crescent

Located in the heart of the Kingsbridge Business Improvement District and one block north of a new shopping mall, this particular section of West 231st Street is one of the most heavily trafficked of any street in District 11 and as such has seen a gradual deterioration. Located directly underneath the elevated 1 train, the road bed is riddled with potholes, bumps and depressions. The repaving of this area will restore the road so that the unevenness is eliminated, creating a smoother ride for the buses and cars that utilize it daily.

Fieldston Road between Mosholu Parkway and West 250th Street

With Riverdale Country School and the commercial corridor along Mosholu Avenue creating a high-level of along Fieldston Road, it has become unsafe for the many cars and buses that utilize it regularly.  Fieldston Road intersects with an entrance to the Henry Hudson Parkway, allowing many cars use it to enter or exit the Parkway, adding to the increased traffic.

The repaving of West 231st Street and Riverdale Avenue will begin on Tuesday, July 21st, while the repaving of Fieldston Road is set to begin on Tuesday, September 8th.

“No one wants to travel stretches of road that are riddled with potholes, bumps and depressions. With the resurfacing and repaving of West 231st Street, Fieldston Road and Riverdale Avenue, we are ensuring the safe travels of school buses, city buses, parents dropping of their children and the everyday commuter. I look forward to being able to travel throughout my local commercial corridors with ease,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.