Council Member Cohen, Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, Senator Jeff Klein and Community Board 8 Host Health & Wellness Fair

Above - Councilman Andrew Cohen, Community Board 8 Chairman Dan Padernacht, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and State Senator Jeff Klein are joined by a few of the many visitors that attended the Health and Wellness Fair held at Vladeck Hall. The site is in all three elected officials districts, and in Bronx Community Board #8, who were joint co-sponsors of the event.  

Below - The three elected officials are joined by a representative of Thrive NYC. Thrive NYC was one of the many exhibitors at the health and wellness fair. 

Above and Below - Some more of the exhibitors who had information tables at the health and wellness fair. 

Bronx County Democrats Back Keith Wright for Congress

Big news, Bronx County Democrats 
Back Keith Wright!

“Keith Wright is the choice to deliver the  critical resources we need right here in the  Bronx. He will fight for all of us” -Assemblyman Marcos Crespo,  Bronx County  Democratic Leader

Inva Mula; Diva in New York

Artistic Promotions, Inc. Presents:

Inva Mula Diva in New York

Gala concert with the International  star  Albanian soprano Date:  Sat. March 26, 2016 Venue:  Town Hall NYC at 123 43 Rd. St. New York Time:  7:30 PM  Pianist   Genc Tukici Symphonic orchestra conductor Maestro Bujar Llapaj Guest performances Deshira Ameti Kerliu, Soprano Kreshnik Zhabjaku, Baritone Riad R. Ymeri, Tenor Tickets on Ticketmaster as: Inva Mula in New York $62-$102 For full information please check this website:artistispromotions.org/events

Croton Filter Project - Croton FMC Meeting on Tuesday, March 22, 2016

   The Croton FMC will next meet on Tuesday, March 22nd at 7pm at the DEP Croton office, 3660 Jerome Ave, Bronx 10467.  An agenda will be forwarded when it is available.

  Special Note: The meetings of the CFMC are normally held on Thursday night, but Thursday March 24th falls on Holy Thursday. In order to allow for more participation the date was changed to Tuesday March 22nd. 

News From State Senator Jeff Klein

KLEIN BILL TO  SENTENCE VANDALS TO CLEAN UP THEIR OWN HANDIWORK PASSES SENATE & WOULD ENHANCE GRAFFITI PENALTIES

Legislation would create new Class-E felony &
require diversity education for hate-fueled graffiti

State Senator Jeff Klein announced that his comprehensive bill to clean up graffiti passed the State Senate today.

The legislation (S.849) would take a multi-faceted approach to tackling vandalism by enhancing penalties through the creation of a new, heightened crime — making graffiti in the first degree. The crime would address graffiti that promotes gang activity or is placed on religious property, making it a Class-E felony.

“Graffiti creates blight, damages property, and causes financial hardship for business owners and the community. My legislation will provide relief to graffiti victims, while giving these vandals an up-close look at the damages that they caused. By allowing judges to order vandals to clean up their own mess, allowing for diversity education to counteract hate-fueled graffiti, and creating a new Class-E felony for graffiti that encourages gang activity or targets religious property, this multi-faceted approach combats every aspect of this ever-rising crime,” said Senator Klein.

The bill would also hold vandals directly accountable to their victims, and require diversity education for hate-fueled graffiti. In order to ensure that vandals fully comprehend the severity of their crime, this legislation would allow a judge to sentence a vandal to clean and repair the property they damaged. Additionally, the bill allow a judge to require a vandal to complete a diversity training program for graffiti that is used as a tool of harassment based on race, religion, gender or other related factors.

The bill passed the Senate by an overwhelming majority, and has been sent to the Assembly where it is carried by Assemblyman Michael Benedetto.

SENATOR JEFF KLEIN LAUNCHES COUNTDOWN TO FITNESS

State Senator Jeff Klein and Urban Health Plan launched the Spring Countdown to Fitness program at Harding Park Community Center on Thursday. Over 100 people participated.

“The Bronx bears the dubious distinction of being the unhealthiest county in New York State and we must change that. I’m proud that through my grant, Urban Health Plan is bringing an exciting fitness program to our residents. Countdown to Fitness, which is free of charge, promotes increased physical activities, offers healthy cooking demonstrations, and encourages participants to adapt to a healthier lifestyle through educational seminars. Last year’s evaluations reflected significant improvement in healthy lifestyle habits for the participants, and I’m confident that we’re going to see the same positive results over the next ten weeks,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

Senator Klein allocated $50,000 in state funding for this ten-week fitness and wellness program held by Urban Health Plan, which kicked off in the fall. The spring Countdown just started with twice-a-week sessions.

Participants take Zumba, kickboxing and dance classes; learn how to make healthy and delicious recipes like baked apples, sauteed cauliflower and cucumber blueberry salad; and learn about immunizations, heart disease, cancer screenings and stress management.

As the program kicks off, baseline metrics are taken (blood pressure screening, weight check-in, and body mass index measurement) and at the conclusion those personal health statistics help each participant assess their success.  Last year’s evaluations reflected significant improvement in healthy lifestyle habits for the participants.

CITY COUNCIL HOUSING COMMITTEE HOLDS PRELIMINARY BUDGET HEARING

DOB and HPD play critical roles in fixing New York's housing crisis

Today, the New York City Council's Committee on Housing and Buildings, chaired by Council Member and Deputy Leader Jumaane D. Williams, held a preliminary budget hearing to review the financial priorities of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Department of Buildings (DOB). HPD and DOB play a critical role in addressing the housing crisis. The allocation of funding to both agencies has a tangible effect on programs and policies designed to support tenants, protect all New Yorkers, and create and preserve affordable housing. "The decisions made in this budget will have real impacts on families throughout New York City," said Council Member Williams. "We have an opportunity to use the budget to impact the affordable housing crisis and address the fears, frustrations and concerns New Yorkers have about displacement and the future of our communities. Preserving and creating affordability is the top concern for New Yorkers and we must make sure it's prioritized." The central concern at today's hearing was ensuring both HPD and DOB are provided with the necessary resources to prioritize the needs of our communities. The hearing covered the Fiscal 2017 Preliminary Operating and Capital Budgets for HPD and the Fiscal 2017 Preliminary Operating Budget for DOB. The Committee examined all components of HPD's $876.2 million dollar expense budget, and $3 billion dollar City Capital Commitment Plan, along with details and progress related to Mayor de Blasio's Housing Plan. Council Member Williams also questioned HPD with regards to state issuance of tax-exempt bonds, 421a, J-51, vacant lots, Mitchell Lama housing and other topics. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development works to maximize the production and preservation of affordable housing for low- and moderate income families in New York City by enforcing housing quality standards, financing the development of housing development and preservation, and ensuring sound management of the City's affordable housing stock. In conjunction with these housing objectives, the Department supports a comprehensive community development agenda by conveying City owned properties, both occupied and vacant, to responsible private owners, while promoting retail development, homeownership initiatives, and productive community partnerships. The Department's Fiscal 2017 Preliminary Budget is $123.2 million more than the Fiscal 2016 Adopted Budget of $753 million. The increase is primarily due to new staffing needs associated with administration; preservation unit; the development unit; the division of neighborhood strategies, and funding for building façade and elevator repairs. It is imperative that HPD's budget fosters the creation and preservation of affordable homes. From January 1, 2014 to December 2015, HPD financed the creation and preservation of more than 40,204 affordable units citywide. More than 75 percent of the units financed to date were for extremely low, very low, and low-income families, affordable to households with annual incomes of $62,150 and below. A further 9,227 units were financed for moderate and  middle-income households. To date, Brooklyn has the most units constructed and preserved, for a total of 11,847 units from Fiscal 2014-2016.About 75 percent of the units financed for extremely low income households are located in the Bronx and Brooklyn. Similarly, about 65 percent of the units financed for very low-income and low income households are located in the Bronx and Brooklyn. If Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) is passed by the Council, the program is expected to impact and increase the number of newly constructed units developed. The Committee also evaluated the DOB's $155.4 million dollar expense budget and received updates on the Department's progress related to the Building One City initiative. Council Member Williams questioned DOB further on how the intended goals of the initiative relate to the extremely concerning rise in construction related incidents, injuries and fatalities. The Department of Buildings ensures the safe and lawful use of more than one million buildings and properties by enforcing the City's Building Code, the City's Zoning Resolution, New York State Labor Law, and New York State Multiple Dwelling Law. The Department enforces compliance with these regulations through plan examinations, permitting, property inspections, and licensing functions. Anyone who intends to demolish, alter, or build an addition to an existing structure or erect a new structure must obtain a building permit from DOB to ensure that the resulting property structure complies with all applicable laws. The Building One City initiative was introduced in the Fiscal 2016 Executive Budget and was comprised of several initiatives and actions to streamline online operations and reduce processing times for construction applications, strengthen proactive enforcement tools, and expedite inspections to speed the review process for new affordable housing production. These actions provided about $40 million in new funding, approximately 320 new positions and $120 million in new resources over the next four years. Comparatively, this year, the Department has implemented only marginal changes in the Preliminary Plan. DOB collects revenue from the issuance of licenses and permits, charges for services such as inspection fees, and fines for late filings. In recent years, DOB has implemented several revenue generating initiatives, including improved service delivery in enforcement and development areas and implementing an online inspection program. These actions have resulted in a significant increase in the Department's ability to collect revenue. In Fiscal 2017, the agency expects to generate $220.2 million in revenue, while total expenditures are projected to be $155.4 million. The budget for HPD and DOB provides an important opportunity to ensure we are using all available tools to alleviate the affordable housing crisis.

Break the ice and shake hands with a police officer – a friend

C. E. P. B. A

Community, Education, Political and Business Alliance

Break the ice and shake hands with a police officer – a friend

  CEPBA (Community, Education, Political and Business Alliance) Founder/President Johnnie Goff created a new innovative program initiative for the Junior High School students of Community School District #11, “Shaking Hands with a Friend – a Police Officer.”  Ms. Goff approached Inspector Stevenson and the Community Officer Belle of the 47th Precinct, inviting them to participate, and they agreed.

  On March 3, 2016, in front of the Sousa Campus (MS142), Principal Shawn Mangar along with Ms. Goff and Inspector Stevenson and about 30 officers came out and shook hands with about 300 students from the three schools inside the Sousa Campus Building. “This event was awesome,” said Ms. Goff. “It provided an opportunity for meaningful police-student interactions, and I’m proud of everyone who participated.”

  CEPBA is a voluntary association of non-affiliated individuals as well as organizational representatives that choose to mobilize their unique resources and those of the communities across City Council District #12 and the Northeast Bronx to advance the educational opportunities of their youth and, in turn, the generational empowerment of the concerned and engaged local citizenry. CEPBA has linked up with other organizations such as the Men’s Group from Butler Memorial Church, Rain Eastchester Senior Center and other businesses to establish a positive relationship with the Northeast Bronx Community.

  Ms. Goff the Program Coordinator has set up another Hand Shaking Program at the Richard Green Campus (MS113), 3710 Barnes Avenue, Bronx NY 10467 on March 8, 2016 at 2:00pm.

  Our follow-up event will be our symposium to be held at the Al Tuitt Campus, 921 East 227 Street, Bronx, NY, 10466, First Floor, on Saturday April 9, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.