Tuesday, May 24, 2016

New Speed Camera in North Riverdale, But is it in the Right Place




Be careful now by PS 81 cause they will get you coming and going. 


  Here is the newest 'Speed Camera' that was put up on Riverdale Avenue at the south exit of the Skyview Shopping Center. The question however, is this speed camera placed facing south on Riverdale Avenue (and of course as the road slopes down so cars will gain speed) within the PS 81 School Zone as required by state law. Then there is as you will see in the next two photos if the street light arm is in the radar circumference.


Above and Below - the question is - does the arm of the street light (and possibly the wires, and soon tree limbs) interfere with a proper speed reading? 




Above - The original speed camera car which was placed before PS 81 (on October 3, 2015) facing northbound on Riverdale Avenue.
Below - The Speed Camera which was put up shortly after we exposed the speed camera car.


So why did Mayor Dollar Bill de Blasio put the speed cameras north and south on Riverdale Avenue by PS 81? It surely wasn't because of the NYCDOT survey of speeding cars on Riverdale Avenue, because that survey was done of the cars speeding on Fieldstone Road heading past the Riverdale Country School. Source - Former Mayor Mike Bloomberg and his DOT commissioner at the press conference when the state legislature passed the speed camera law (June 2013) while Bloomberg was still mayor. They were then installed under Mayor Dollar Bill de Blasio.
Be careful now by PS 81 cause they will get you coming and going. 

Below - Mayor Dollar Bill on September 2, 2014 by PS/MS 95 with one of the new speed camera cars.



Monday, May 23, 2016

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman - Attacking the Heroin Epidemic in "Operation Smackdown"



AG banner_NEW

Attorney General Schneiderman, joined by the New York State Police and other law enforcement officials, announced indictments of 72 individuals charged with operating two drug distribution rings in western New York. One ring, codenamed “Flowers,” allegedly sent heroin from New York City to Syracuse and then distributed in and around Syracuse. Authorities seized 10,750 bags of heroin – which the dealers referred to as “cupcakes” – over the course of the eleven-month investigation. The second ring, codenamed “Over the River,” alleges that 35 individuals sold cocaine in the suburbs of Syracuse and adjacent Oswego County. In the past week, the Attorney General’s office has announced the indictments of nearly 100 alleged narcotics distributors in the region. 

Defending the AG's Right To Investigate Potential Fraud


In response to a letter sent by House Republicans seeking to interfere with AG Schneiderman's investigation into potential fraud at ExxonMobil, a spokesperson for the Attorney General pushed back, asserting the office's right to pursue consumer, investor, and business fraud investigations on behalf of all New Yorkers:
“Attorney General Schneiderman has opened a significant investigation into whether  Exxon  committed securities fraud, business fraud, and consumer fraud in New York and all across America.  It is remarkable that a do-nothing congress that has refused to take any action on climate change is now attempting to disrupt this important investigation into potential corporate malfeasance…"
Read more from The Hill here.

Expanding Hepatitis C Coverage for New Yorkers


The Attorney General’s office continues to investigate numerous health insurers for improperly restricting coverage of Hepatitis C treatments and misleading their members about the scope of their coverage. In the Attorney General’s latest settlement, CDPHP has agreed to expand its Hepatitis C treatment coverage for New Yorkers on the blood-borne virus. 

Enforcing Environmental Law To Protect Clean Water


The Attorney General announced separate settlements with Home Depot and Lowe’s for alleged violations of New York State’s “Nutrient Runoff Law” that is designed to reduce water pollution caused by excess phosphorus running off lawns into the State’s waters. The office’s 2014 investigation found that 90% of Home Depot stores and Lowe’s stores had one or more alleged violations of the law, either displaying phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizers without required signage or commingling with phosphorus-free fertilizers. The settlements require both companies to comply with the law and pay penalties; Home Depot to pay $78,000 and Lowe’s to pay $52,000. 

Have a question, comment, or complaint? Click here. You can also learn more about the various initiatives of the Attorney General's office by visiting our website at ag.ny.gov. You can also call our General Hotline: 800-771-7755


Bronx Borough President Caribbean Heritage Month Celebration June 23rd



CANADIAN-IRANIAN CITIZEN SENTENCED IN MANHATTAN FEDERAL COURT TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON FOR CONSPIRING TO VIOLATE IRAN SANCTIONS



  Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and John P. Carlin, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, announced that ALI REZA PARSA, a Canadian-Iranian dual citizen and resident of Canada, was sentenced on Friday, May 20, 2016, to three years in prison for his participation in a conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (“ITSR”).  PARSA was arrested in October 2014 following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”).  PARSA pled guilty on January 20, 2016, before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams, who imposed Friday’s sentence. 
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “As he admitted in court, Ali Reza Parsa conspired to purchase high-tech electronic components – some used in the production of rockets and missiles – from American companies for eventual delivery to Iran through Canada.  He has now been sentenced to three years in prison for his violation of federal law.”
Assistant Attorney General John P. Carlin said: “Over the course of six years, Parsa repeatedly violated export control laws and aided Iranian entities in procuring high-tech electronic components that have both commercial and military uses.  With this sentence, he will be held accountable for circumventing important U.S. laws designed to protect our national security interests.  One of our top national security priorities remains safeguarding our national assets from those who may wish to do us harm.”
According to the Indictment filed against PARSA and other court documents publicly filed in this case and statements made in court proceedings, including Friday’s sentencing:
Between approximately 2009 and 2015, PARSA conspired to obtain high-tech electronic components from American companies for transshipment to Iran and other countries for clients of PARSA’s procurement company in Iran, Tavan Payesh Mad, in violation of U.S. economic sanctions.  To accomplish this, PARSA used his Canadian company, Metal PM, to place orders with U.S. suppliers and typically had the parts shipped to him in Canada or to a freight forwarder located in the United Arab Emirates, and then transshipped from these locations to Iran or to the location of his Iranian company’s client.  PARSA provided the U.S. companies with false destination and end-user information about the components in order to conceal the illegality of these transactions. 
PARSA’s criminal scheme targeted numerous American technology companies.  The components that PARSA attempted to procure included cryogenic accelerometers, which are sensitive components that measure acceleration at very low temperatures.  Cryogenic accelerators have both commercial and military uses, including in applications related to ballistic missile propellants and in aerospace components such as liquid-fuel rocket engines.
In addition, following his arrest and while incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center, PARSA continued to violate the IEEPA and the ITSR  by conducting business for Metal PM and Tavan Payesh Mad, including by ordering parts from German and Brazilian companies for Iranian customers.  PARSA subsequently directed a relative to delete email evidence of his ongoing business transactions while in jail, emphasizing the need for secrecy in their dealings.
Neither PARSA nor any other individual or entity involved in transactions that gave rise to his conviction applied for or obtained a license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for the transactions. 

Senator Klein Celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month in Riverdale



  Jewish American Community Leaders and Hundreds of Bronxites Gather to Celebrate Jewish Heritage Month at Riverdale YM-YWHA

State Senator Jeff Klein hosted his 2nd  Annual Jewish Heritage Celebration on Sunday at The Riverdale YM-YWHA, honoring local community leaders and honoring the over 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American society and culture.
“Each year, I am proud to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month and recognize the valuable contributions that Jewish Americans have made to our communities. Our nation was built by hardworking individuals whose perseverance and dedication to seeing a brighter future for all will never be forgotten. Thank you for joining me today to salute those who have made a positive difference in our communities and improving the quality of life for their fellow citizens,” said Senator  Klein.
Joined by hundreds of community members, Senator Klein highlighted the contributions of outstanding Jewish Americans including: Sylvia Lask, community leader; Richard Romanoff, founder, president, and CEO of Nebraskaland; Robert Rubenstein, Esq., board member of Riverdale Senior Services; and Andy Wolf, publisher and editor.
Rabbi Ari Hart Weiss of Hebrew Institute of Riverdale performed the invocation, and guests enjoyed a complimentary lunch and Jewish cultural music.


Above and Below - State Senator Jeff Klein personally went to each table to hear what the seniors in attendance to hear from them. Below he holds the Riverdale Report which the senator prints for his constituents in Riverdale.




Above - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz was in attendance.
Below - Congressman Eliot Engel congratulates Honoree Sylvia Lask.




A delicious cake was served for desert after the luncheon.


'Riverdale RiverFest 2016
SundayJune 5th12-6pm, College of Mount Saint Vincent
Sail on the Hudson River on June 4th and June 5th!
Boat rides are a big part of what sets  Riverdale RiverFest apart from all the other special festivals and events held in our community. This year, sails are offered throughout the weekend. For Riverdale RiverFest 2016, boat riders have two great ships to choose from!
 
Schooner Pioneer
Schooner Pioneer Sail Times & Info:
Saturday June 4th (pre-festival)
Special pre-festival sails Saturday on the Schooner Pioneer.  Enjoy the River without the festival crowds!  
Adults: $25; Children (infant - age 14): $15
Saturday, June 4 10:30 am (~1.5-hour sail)
Saturday, June 4 12:30 pm (~1.5-hour sail)
Saturday, June 4  2:30 pm (~1.5-hour sail) 

Sunday June 5th
Adults: $25; Children (infant - age 14): $15
Sunday, June 5 9:30 am (~1.5-hour sail)
Sunday, June 5 11:30 am (~1.5-hour sail)
Sunday, June 5  1:30 pm (~1.5-hour sail)
Sunday, June 5  3:30 pm (~1.5-hour sail) 
 
Mystic Whaler
 Mystic Whaler Sail Times & Info:

Adults: $25
Children (infant - age 14): $15
Sunday, June 5 10 am (~1.5-hour ride)
Sunday, June 5 12:15 pm (~1.5-hour ride)  
Sunday, June 5  2:15 pm (~1.5-hour ride)
Sunday, June 5   4:15 pm (~1.5-hour ride) 
 
 Click here to register for your boat ride today!A Celebration of the River in Riverdale!

Saturday, June 4th - I Am Longwood Arts Festival





I Am Longwood Arts Fest 
FEATURING UpBeat NYC Orchestras


Saturday, June 4th,
12pm-6pm

FREE ADMISSION 
Please invite your family and friends!


PS 333 & PS 335 Schoolyard
888 Rev James A Polite Ave
Bronx, NY 10459



Join us on Saturday, June 4th as we celebrate the arts and culture of our beautiful community! The I Am Longwood Arts Fest will bring together artists and performers of all ages to promote cultural engagement and awareness for South Bronx children and families.


The event is a collaboration of PS 333, PS 335, Thrive Collective, YUCA Arts, UpBeat NYC and The Boden Center.


The day's activities will include:

-the unveiling of a new community-designed mural 

-musical performances by South Bronx musicians including UpBeat NYC's Orchestra and Jazz and Latin Big Band with special guests Papo Pepin, Willie Martinez and Pete Nater!

-works of local artists and artisans exhibited and for sale

-performances by local dance groups

-face painting and other fun activities for kids!




We hope to see you there!

Jacobi Hosting Our First LGBTQ Pride Event



Join NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi for our First Annual
LGBTQ PRIDE EVENT!
Friday, June 3
11:30 am - 1 pm
Atrium - Building 8

Mini-Pride Parade (Meet at 11:30 am in Atrium)

Recognition Ceremony (Honoring Ms. Patricia Jackson and Councilman Ritchie Torres)

·         LGBTQ Health Info
·         DJ Dance Party
·         Giveaways, Refreshments and More!

Jacobi is a Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality.


NYC Health + Hospitals is committed to empowering Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) New Yorkers to live the healthiest life possible.

As an ally, we support civil rights and LGBTQ health equality. Our hospitals and health centers provide responsive, compassionate and respectful care in a welcoming environment. We don’t judge. We care.