100 PERCENT - SPECIAL Election Day Tuesday November 3, 2015

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

ELECTION DAY SPECIAL

   Tomorrow is the General Election day for the year 2015. Normally this would have been a non event as it has for the year when the only major election in the Bronx is for Bronx District Attorney. In the past several elections I can't remember when soon to be former Bronx District Attorney (and new State Supreme Court Judge) Robert Johnson faced a primary challenger. DA Johnson never faced a real opponent in the General Election either, as he had the Republican and Conservative party lines in addition to the Democratic Party line. 

  After the primary process was over and Bronx DA Robert Johnson was the candidate of the Democratic Party without having to go through a primary once again something strange happened this year a few weeks afterwards. After denying rumors that he was going to seek a judgeship at the Bronx County Judicial Convention Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo nominated Bronx DA Robert Johnson for a vacant Supreme Court Judgeship. Robert Johnson accepted the nomination and will be one of the names on the ballot tomorrow for a supreme court judgeship.

  Since the Bronx Democratic County organization now was presented with the vacancy for the position of Bronx District Attorney. It took about one hour for the Bronx Democratic County organization to replace Robert Johnson with the name of Darcel Clark as the candidate for Bronx District Attorney on the Democratic ballot line. There was a lot of calls of backroom dealing by a former Bronx Democratic County leader now the State Assembly Speaker after the indictment of former State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, but that is another story as Assemblyman Silver's trial began today.

     So let's see just how many people come out to vote for Bronx DA, in what has traditionally been the lowest election turnout since School Board elections were eliminated. I know that I will be going to the poll to vote, and I expect to be very lonely when I do. I am not going to tell you who to vote for, but I will say that if Ms. Darccl Clark does not receive over 85 percent of the vote, Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo might just have the first real Democratic primary for Bronx District Attorney in four years, that is if he is still the Bronx Democratic County Leader.

  

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center - 11th Annual Bazaar and Carnival - Sunday NOV 15th

    The Van Cortlandt Jewish Center  is holding it’s 11^th Annual Bazaar and Carnival on Sunday, November 15, 2015 from 11 AM to 3 PM. There will be free admission, a free Magic Show at 12 noon, free give-a-ways to all children, silent auction, food for sale, carnival games with prizes, vendors raffle and more.

    Raffles will go for $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00 and some of the prizes are 40” JVC Smart TV, X-Box one, $100 MasterCard gift card, TDK Bluetooth speaker and electric fireplace stove heater. You don’t have to be present to win.

    For more information call the VCJC at 718-884-6105.

    The Van Cortlandt Jewish Center is located at 3880 Sedgwick Avenue (corner of Van Cortlandt Avenue) Bronx, NY 10463.

   

-BP DIAZ CALLS FOR EXPANDED GIFTED & TALENTED TESTING

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has joined the chorus of elected officials calling for universal testing of pre-K students for public school gifted and talented programs.

“Expanding testing would ensure that more students from all over the city, especially our Black and Latino students, would have an opportunity to take advantage of these programs. Access to gifted and talented classes, especially early access, helps create lifelong learners and allows for greater success in high school and college. Universal testing for these programs is the fairest way to reach those goals,” said Borough President Diaz today.

Borough President Diaz recently joined PACE (Parents' Alliance for Citywide Education) to co-host a Gifted & Talented Education Open House, which provided information about New York City's Citywide Gifted & Talented (G&T) elementary schools, Bronx district G&T programs and other accelerated education options. 

“It is time for Mayor de Blasio and the Department of Education to act on this critical issue and provide universal testing for gifted and talented classes in our pre-K programs. We cannot leave our students behind,” said Borough President Diaz.

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR JEFF KLEIN ON THE PASSING OF BEN RANDAZZO

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR JEFF KLEIN ON THE PASSING OF BEN RANDAZZO

   “I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Ben Randazzo, to Assemblyman Mike Benedetto and his staff, and the entire Bronx community at this difficult time. Ben was a fine man who dedicated his life to public service. Through the years, I had the pleasure of working hand-in-hand with Ben on a number of issues and was constantly impressed by his breadth of knowledge and commitment to helping people from all walks of life. Ben left an indelible mark on The Bronx community and his grand presence will be sorely missed.”

REP. CHARLES B. RANGEL - BRONX TOWN HALL MEETING - CONSTITUENT SERVICE DAY - Monday, November 9, 2015

REP. CHARLES B. RANGEL INVITES YOU TO A BRONX TOWN HALL  MEETING Monday, November 9, 2015 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. CONSTITUENT SERVICE  DAY 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Congressman Charlie Rangel knows you are busy. That is why he is bringing his congressional office  to you. Congressman Rangel and staff will be available to  meet with youto address your questions and  concerns about Washington and federal benefits. Bronx Library Center 310 East Kingsbridge Rd,  Bronx, NY 10458 RSVP:  http://rangel.house.gov/BronxEvents Questions?  Visit RANGEL.HOUSE.GOV  or Call 212-663-3900

Funds for the Leka and Perez Families and Funeral Arrangements

Let us continue to pray for the families that were affected by the tragedy that took place in Morris Park on October 31st. All who are interested in helping the families in need please click on the links below to donate.   Fundraiser for Kristian Leka  Nyanna & Louis' Funeral Fund   Donations are also being accepted on behalf of the mourning families at the Morris Park Community Association, 1824 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx NY 10462. Hours: MWF - 11am-2pm M-F - 5-8pm Sat & Sun: 11am-2pm

Funeral Arrangements

Funeral Arrangements for Kristian Leka Farenga Brothers 920 Allerton Avenue November 3, 2015 Viewing from 2:00pm - 9:00pm Procession leaves from Allerton on Wednesday at 10am for: Our Lady of Shkodra Church 361 W. Hartsdale Ave Hartsdale, NY 10532 Mass starts at 11 am Burial immediately after at The Gate of Heaven Cemetery 10 W Stevens Ave Hawthorne, NY 1053   The arrangements for the Perez family are to still be announced.

- Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj

Candle Light Vigil in Morris Park

Candle Light Vigil in Morris Park

What happened yesterday in Morris Park is an absolute tragedy. My prayers go out to the victims and their families. Please join St. Francis Church, community members and elected officials to mourn the loss of the three victims and pray for those injured in yesterday's tragic accident.  The candle light vigil will be held this evening at Morris Park and Bogart avenues at 7:00pm. - Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj

2015 Rangel Career Fair

2015 Rangel Career Fair Tuesday, November 10, 2015 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Doors open from 10:00 AM -3:15 PM) City College of New York Great Hall of Shepard Hall W. 139th Street & convent Street New York, NY 10031 Please bring multiple copies of you current resume! Business attire -  No backpacks/large bags allowed inside Meet representatives from: Community  Healthcare Network, Lifespire, Columbia  University, NYC Dept for the Aging,  NYC Board of Elections, Time Warner Cable,  NYS Police, NYS Dept of Civil Service,  NYC Fire Department, The New York Foundling,  United States Park Police, NYC Department of  Correction, Southwest Airlines, Fastenal,  New York Life, Department of Homeland Security,  Duane Reade and many more. In cooperation with  City College of New York, and Harlem Community Development Corporation Subsidiary of Empire State Development RSVP: http://rangel.house.gov/careerfair2015 For more info email: NY13Jobs@mail.house.gov  OR Call (202) 225-4365