COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREW COHEN SUPPORTS TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES ‘COMPLETE THE CONCOURSE’ CAMPAIGN

  Council Member Cohen believes the ‘Complete the Concourse’ effort reflects life-saving improvements that need to be made along the Grand Concourse

     This summer, Transportation Alternatives met with Council Member Andrew Cohen regarding their ‘Complete the Concourse’ campaign. This campaign requests the NYC Department of Transportation for a plan to implement a complete street design for the Grand Concourse that would bring life-saving pedestrian, bicycle and public transit improvements for residents of The Bronx. After this meeting Council Member Cohen agreed that a safer streetscape is necessary along the five miles of the Grand Concourse.

Since July 2012, over 650 people have been injured and nine have been killed due to the dangerous conditions along the Grand Concourse. ‘Complete the Concourse’ is a local effort to bring a “complete street” to the Grand Concourse. A “complete street” promises life-saving improvements for the entire Concourse, including pedestrian islands, protected bike lanes and curb extensions. It is the belief of Council Member Cohen and Transportation Alternatives that these amenities would increase connectivity along the Grand Concourse.

“After meeting with representatives from Transportation Alternatives (TA), I agree that measures need to be taken to ensure the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians along the Grand Concourse. Complete the Concourse promises life-saving improvements such as protected bike lanes and curb extensions to arguably the busiest thoroughfare in the borough. I am confident that these enhancements will improve the safety of everyone utilizing the Concourse and I look forward to working with TA to make sure they are implemented,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

"The current design of the Grand Concourse makes it difficult and dangerous for Bronx residents and visitors to get around and access public spaces like children’s playgrounds and cultural centers," said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "A Complete Street redesign will make this key corridor safer for everyone, whether they're walking, biking, riding the bus or driving a car. We thank Council Member Cohen for supporting local communities' demand for safety improvements that will save lives along the Grand Concourse."

EDITOR"S NOTE:

As a frequent driver of the roadway, I must admit that better education of people on how to cross the Grand Concourse is a must. Signs such as not crossing anywhere, but only at the corners where there are traffic signals would cut down on many injuries. When to cross the street, and .most of all better traffic enforcement of the speed limit, cars going through the red lights, and other traffic violations. Putting up cameras to give violations is not going to work, as it will only mean drivers will have to take their eyes off the road to look for any camera which will lead to more accidents. 

Bronx Democratic County Judicial Convention

   Last night's Judaical Convention was not without dissatisfaction that current/former Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson while denying rumors that he would be seeking a judgeship while petitions were being collected in his name for the Democratic primary (and several other party lines) did indeed accept the nomination for a Bronx Supreme Court Justice position from the Bronx County Judicial delegates. 

  Before the Judicial Convention even got under way there were protesters outside the Eastwood Manor where the event was being held. In all there were to be six people either renominated for their current judge ships on the Bronx State Supreme Court, or nominated to fill vacancies created by either retiring or term limits (those judges reaching age 70). The only one to really matter was when current Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo boisterously spoke about the man he was going to nominate for judge, that being Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson. Tom Messina of Congressman Joe Crowley's office seconded the nomination by saying that Assemblyman Crespo has said it all. 

   Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo later gave a speech saying that there are those in the media who want to criticize the choice of Robert Johnson being named as a candidate for judge after the petition process, and they are wrong because the law until it is changed calls for the process that is in place and it will be. Newly appointed Judicial candidate Robert Johnson refused to answer any questions from the media. including the one I had asked him over a month ago where he denied that he would be seeking a judge ship. Read more in my next column of 100 Percent in the Bronx News next Thursday as to what may be the real reason why now former Bronx DA Robert Johnson accepted the nomination for Bronx Supreme Court. 

  The Bronx Democratic County party leaders later convened to replace newly nominated Robert Johnson for Bronx District Attorney with current State Appelate Court Justice Darcel D. Clark. Much to what the game plan was. Some interesting notes about the Judicial Convention - Missing were Assemblyman Carl Heastie, Councilwoman Annabel Palma (an emergency), Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda (told not to go by his advisor), Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. (another event), and many more. In attendance however was former 80th Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera looking more like a candidate for the state assembly every day, and in the 78th next year since she now resides with her daddy current Assemblyman Jose Rivera.  

 Above - State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. was at the Judicial Convention waving to the crowd of protesters outside. That's Bob Kappstatter now advising Assemblyman Luyis Sepulveda smiling in the background. 

Below - A very angry Egidio Sementilli speaks to reporters about what he says is an injustice to the voters of the Bronx with the naming of current Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson as a judge to circumvent the primary process to have the Bronx Democratic County organization named Johnson's replacement and not the voters of the Bronx. 

Above - Dick Drady of Citizen's Union joins Mr. Sementilli and others to say that Democracy is being subverted to name a replacement candidate after the primary for Bronx District Attorney.
Below - It is time for Mr. Stanley Schlein to call the 2015 Bronx Judicial Convention to order.

Former Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson thanks the delegates of the 2015 Bronx Judicial Convention for nominating him as a candidate for a Bronx Supreme Court Judge. That is Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo who nominated DA Johnson to be a judge standing proud next to former Bronx DA Robert Johnson. 

SENATOR KLEIN LAUNCHES BRONX H.I.R.E. ON-THE-GO

  New mobile jobs program connects Bronxites with employment opportunities across the 34 Senate District

State Senator Jeff Klein, in partnership with the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, launched Bronx H.I.R.E. On-the-Go on Thursday. The new mobile jobs program geared toward bringing employment opportunities and workforce training directly to Bronxites.

“Providing our workforce with first-rate training and connecting job seekers with valuable learning opportunities is critical as we work to build up our borough. We must continue to combat high rate of unemployment in The Bronx, and this program is another step in the right direction. I’m proud to partner with The Bronx Chamber of Commerce to launch Bronx H.I.R.E. On-the-Go and I look forward to continuing to create more opportunities for hard-working people in the 34th Senate District and beyond,” Senator Jeff Klein said.

"As a result of Sen. Klein's funding, we are able to offer Bronx job seekers crucial workforce development training as well as free certifications to create the ideal employee. Bronx H.I.R.E. participants continually expand and strengthen their skillsets  to obtain employment in leading industries. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce thanks Senator Klein for investing in The Bronx workforce," said Michelle Dolgow Cristofaro, Executive Director of The Bronx Chamber of Commerce.​

Bronx H.I.R.E. On-the-Go will host a series of workforce training and development workshops throughout the month of October. Upcoming events include:

• Wednesday, September 30 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Soundview Library, 660 Soundview Ave., Bronx, NY

Presentations on customer service, IT Technician and Microsoft Office certificates

• Thursday, October 15 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Riverdale Neighborhood House, 5521 Mosholu Ave., Bronx, NY

Presentations on real estate and public speaking certificates

• Thursday, October 22 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Hunts Point Recreation Center, 765 Manida St., Bronx, NY

Presentations on personal training and security certifications

At the training seminars, Bronx H.I.R.E. On-the-Go will provide participants with the opportunity to learn more about available job opportunities, fine tune their resumes, improve their writing skills and learn how to make a great first impression in an interview.

Bronx H.I.R.E. On-the-Go is part of Senator Klein’s larger jobs initiative, Bronx H.I.R.E. The Bronx H.I.R.E. program works to provide jobs candidates with the resources, skills and supports they need to succeed in today’s job market. To date, Bronx H.I.R.E. has placed more than 400 candidates in jobs and provided 100 job seekers with certifications in an array of industries.

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj's Immigration Forum on October 21

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj's Immigration Forum

Join us for an open panel of discussions on Immigration Guidelines  Wednesday, October 21, 2015 5:30 to 8:30 pm Bronx House 990 Pelham Parkway South Bronx, N.Y. 10461 For more information, please contact Lilyanna Pekic at (718) 409-0109  or email lpekic.nysa@gmail.com

Mercy College's Bronx Leadership Awards Dinner Tuesday October 27th

Join us Tuesday, October 27 for the Bronx Leadership Awards Dinner honoring four outstanding community members who help strengthen our connection to the Bronx community. Held at Marina del Rey, attendees will enjoy a cocktail hour and silent auction before sitting down for the awards presentation and dinner. Proceeds from this event will support the Hutchinson Metro Center and Bronx Leadership Endowed Scholarship Fund. 

This year's outstanding honorees include:

Deborah Antoine - President and CEO, NY Junior Tennis and Learning

Paul Chapman - Chairman and Vice President, ABC Carpet and Home

Steven Squitieri - President, Sanitation Salvage Corporation

Mark Stagg - President and Founder, Stagg Group

Mercy College Bronx Leadership Awards Dinner

Tuesday, October, 27, 2015

Marina del Rey

One Marina Drive, Bronx, NY

5:30 p.m. Cocktails, Hors D'oeuvres and Silent Auction

7:00 p.m. Award Presentation, Dinner and Entertainment from Danny Aiello 

                 with Joe Geary and The Guys Band

Please Note: When completing your registration form you will be directed to our secure payment site blackbaud.com. 

1. Step 1 Selection
2. Step 2 Registration

Bronx Leadership Awards Dinner 2015

Tuesday October 27

5:30 PM

Join us in recognizing the outstanding advocates who work diligently to deepen and strengthen the connection in the Bronx community.

Click here to register online

For more information please contact - 

Lenny Caro HD '11

Chief Community Relations Officer, Bronx

Mercy College

718-678-8667 (office)
914-755-4982 (cell)

Lenny@mercy.edu 

MERCY COLLEGE

Bronx Chamber of Commerce 4th Annual Italian Heritage Reception and October Event Calendar

Please join the 

Bronx Chamber of Commerce 

for our 

upcoming events 

 

Italian Heritage Reception - 

5:30PM

Wednesday, Oct. 7th 

 

Country Bank Dinner Network-

 6:00PM

Thursday Oct.14th

 

Members Exclusive Business Breakfast -

 8:00AM

Wednesday, Oct. 21st

 

NYC Department of Design and Construction Event -

11:00AM

  Wednesday, Oct. 21st

 

Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Workshop-

5:30PM

Monday, Oct.26th   

 

       

www.Bronxchamber.org 

Robert Johnson, the Criminal Justice System and His Detractors

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York

You should know that Robert Johnson has been the Bronx District Attorney since 1989, and that after 26 years as the Bronx’s top Prosecutor (the longest serving District Attorney in office in any of New York City’s five counties) Mr. Johnson would like to step down and seek a nomination as a New York State Supreme Court Judge. 

You should also know that because of this, there has been criticism of Robert Johnson – and one of the criticisms is that he has one of the lowest criminal conviction rates of all of the District Attorneys in the five boroughs. 

You should know that throughout the years, members of our community and some news reporters have been accusing the criminal justice system of discriminating against minority communities – especially our youth. 

We have seen demonstration after demonstration in different parts of the City where community leaders demand the better treatment and the end of the unequal enforcement of the law for minorities. 

We have read columns and editorials from different publications and news reporters criticizing how minorities have been targeted, arrested for non-violent crimes, prosecuted and sent to prison. 

We have seen statistic after statistic about the increase of the population in the New York State’s prisons showing how they are packed with Black and Hispanic people – especially our youth. 

We have heard sharp criticism against different District Attorneys who have been accused of discriminating against Black and Hispanic youth, and how these same District Attorneys use a double standard of prosecution just to obtain high rates of conviction. 

On the other hand, when we look at those who are fighting against and accusing the system of using a double standard to pack our jails with Black and Hispanic youth, those same reporters and community leaders who have been fighting to change our laws so our youth won’t go to jail - those are the same people who are constantly demonstrating against the system because according to them, the system is unjust to our minority community – especially our Black and Hispanic youth. 

But, surprise, surprise! 

Those same reporters, news stations, newspapers and community leaders are the same ones now accusing Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson of being ineffective because his rate of conviction is less than the other District Attorneys – especially compared to the District Attorneys in Queens and Staten Island. 

It is important for you to know that what dignifies Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson and what makes him stand out is his lack of desire to have a great record of conviction at the expense of sending members of our community to jail for non-violent crimes. 

Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson has never concentrated on benefitting himself by getting a high conviction rate.  Instead, he has been making sure that our community – especially Black and Hispanic youth are treated with the same standard as others are treated. 

Robert Johnson was never interested in sending anyone to jail just to boost his own record of conviction. 

Ladies and gentlemen, even though some people judge a great District Attorney by his or her record of conviction, there are others who judge them by their fairness and their ability to see the bigger picture. And I believe that Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson qualifies for the latter. 

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

Editors Note:

And not one word of how Robert Johnson is going about becoming a judge Senator Diaz. I wonder if you think the petitioning process for Bronx District Attorney was fair this year, or should have Robert Johnson not put his name on the petition for Bronx DA. After all Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda made it known he was interested in running for Bronx DA, and is Assemblyman Sepulveda not a member of Team Diaz? Will wonders not cease even with the Popes visit to New York, Huh Senator Diaz?

STATE DEPT. OF LABOR, BOEDC, and BP Diaz CO-HOST BRONX JOB FAIR

   Inside the Bronx County Courthouse located at 851 Grand Concourse the State Department of Labor, The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, and Bronx Borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted a job fair that had hundreds of people lined up all around the courthouse building waiting to get in. In all there were 24 tables in which various city, state, and private organizations were set up to inform the attendees of various positions that are currently available to be filled.  

   While many of the people seemed very anxious at the possibility of finding a good job from private companies such as Staples, Best Buy, Fed Ex, Game Stop, or even governmental related jobs from the New York State Department of Civil Labor, MTA - NYC Transit Division, Department of Citywide Administrative Services, New York Botanical Garden, or the other businesses such as the Bronx Workforce 1 Career Center not everyone was pleased. Many of the available positions were entry level low paying jobs, training programs, or not the jobs people would think of when they saw the names of the businesses. All in all it seemed to be a huge success, and Bronx Borough president Diaz briefly stopped in to say hello, and answer a few questions, as you will see in the photos below. Diaz Jr. touted the job growth in the Bronx since he became Borough president, and to a question of job loss, Diaz Jr. said that the borough has gained many more jobs than have been lost, and unemployment figures have been cut in half from all time highs when he took office. 

Above - BP Diaz greets one of the many job seekers at the job fair.

Below - During an interview Diaz Jr. touts the success his office has had in reducing the unemployment figures in the borough almost in half. 

Above - Staples, Below - New York Life were among the companies on hand for the job fair.

Above - Concerned Home Management for the Elderly.
Below- The New York Botanical Garden.

Above - The MTA NYC Transit Division.
Below - One of the job placement agencies in the Bronx SOBRO.