“In response to allegations of misconduct, this Office, along with the FBI, has been investigating fundraising by and on behalf of Mayor Bill de Blasio for his 2013 election campaign, the Campaign for One New York, and the 2014 State Senate effort. We have conducted a thorough investigation into several circumstances in which Mayor de Blasio and others acting on his behalf solicited donations from individuals who sought official favors from the City, after which the Mayor made or directed inquiries to relevant City agencies on behalf of those donors. In considering whether to charge individuals with serious public corruption crimes, we take into account, among other things, the high burden of proof, the clarity of existing law, any recent changes in the law, and the particular difficulty in proving criminal intent in corruption schemes where there is no evidence of personal profit. After careful deliberation, given the totality of the circumstances here and absent additional evidence, we do not intend to bring federal criminal charges against the Mayor or those acting on his behalf relating to the fundraising efforts in question. Although it is rare that we issue a public statement about the status of an investigation, we believe it appropriate in this case at this time, in order not to unduly influence the upcoming campaign and Mayoral election.”
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Abrazo Garifuna 2017 By TEAM DIAZ
It was flag waving, and dancing by the Garifuna Folkloric Dance Company with a few political speeches thrown in by some members of TEAM DIAZ as they hosted the Abrazo Garifuna 2017 in honor of Garifuna-American Heritage Month. There are now six members of TEAM DIAZ who are State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr., Assemblyman (and Bronx Democratic County Leader) Marcos Crespo, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, Assemblyman Michael Blake, and Councilman Rafael Salamanca. Each of the six members of Team Diaz had one person that they selected to be their honoree.
The honorees were Mr. Pablo Gomez by State Senator Diaz Sr. Ms. Linda Lino by Assemblyman Crespo. Mr. Felipa Manaiza by Assemblyman Sepulveda, Mr. Edson Arzu by Assemblyman Pichardo. Ms. Mirtha Colon by Assemblyman Blake, and Ms. Morphy Valentine by Councilman Salamanca.
Above - State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda hold each others arm high in celebration of their many years of friendship. If you enlarge the photo, you can see that Senator Diaz Sr's cowboy hat is green for St. Patrick's Day.
Below - Five of the six members of TEAM DIAZ 2017. Assemblyman Michael Blake who is missing from the photos was returning from Washington where he was recently elected a Democratic National Committee Vice-Chair. Blake arrived right before the ceremony ended and is pictured in a few photos at the end.
Above and Below - Before the ceremony there was time to get in a few photos with some of the attendees.
Above - Pastor Andrew Nunez gives the Invocation.
Below - Ms. Lucy Blanco sings the U. S. National Anthem.
Above - The six honorees for the evening.
Below - The elected officials hold the awards for the honorees. Being that it was St. Patrick's Day on the right side is State Committeeman for the 80th A.D. Joseph McManus a real Irishman is there for good luck. Just like a leprechaun as you turned around he was gone and off to another event.
Above and Below - The Garifuna Folkloric Dance Company danced up a storm.
Yes these two lovely ladies were two of the dancers who performed.
BOROUGH PRESIDENTS ADAMS & DIAZ TO HOST GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION HEARING Monday, March 20, 2017
On Monday, March 20, 2017, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will co-host a joint hearing of their recently announced “Gifted & Talented Task Force,” which will study issues surrounding gifted and talented education in New York City public schools, as well as the admissions process for the city's specialized high schools.
The hearing, which will solicit public comment on the state of gifted education in the city’s public school system, will take place at the Bronx High School of Science, 75 West 205th Street, Bronx, from 6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.
The task force, which was launched in January, is comprised of government officials, community members and parents who are familiar with the issues gifted students face in New York City schools. The task force will release a set of recommendations for the future of gifted education in New York City later this year.
NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR SATURDAY MARCH 18
A wintry mix of rain and snow may impact travel and cause dangerously slick conditions
The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory for Saturday, March 18. According to the latest forecast, a light mix of rain and snow is expected to begin Saturday morning. The wintry mix is predicted to change over to rain Saturday afternoon, and will then change over to snow late Saturday evening. Moderate to heavy snowfall is possible during the late evening hours. The snow is expected to continue overnight before it tapers off Sunday morning. A total of 2 to 4 inches of snowfall accumulation is expected, but locally higher amounts are possible. New Yorkers are advised to exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking, and allow for additional travel time as roads may be slippery.
“We’re expecting snow Saturday that could cause slippery road conditions,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “New Yorkers are asked to allow for extra travel time and exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking.”
Snow Preparations
DSNY
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has issued a snow alert beginning Saturday, March 18, at 3 a.m. The Sanitation department is pre-deploying 689 salt spreaders across the five boroughs. In addition, DSNY will dispatch more than 1600 plows in anticipation of any plowing needs (when more than two inches of snow accumulates).
Travel Safety Tips
For Motorists
· Drive slowly. Posted speed limits are for ideal weather conditions. Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
· Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.
· Four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to drive on snow-covered roads, but they do not stop quicker than other vehicles.
· Keep the name and phone number of at least one local towing service in your vehicle in case you break down or become stuck in snow.
· If you get stuck on the road, stay with your vehicle and contact a towing company.
For Pedestrians
· Exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces; some ice may not be visible.
· Wear layers including a hat, gloves/mittens, and a scarf to stay protected from the cold.
· Keep clothes and shoes dry, if a layer becomes wet, remove it.
· Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered if you go outside.
· Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.
· Wear sturdy boots that provide traction to reduce slipping. Use handrails when using stairs.
· Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls from icy conditions.
For more winter weather safety tips, visit NYC.gov/EmergencyManagement.
REMINDER!!
Project HOPE Passover Package Delivery
Sunday, March 26, 2017 - 9am-11:30am
Share the joy of the holidays by
bringing along friends and family to deliver 3-5 Passover packages to lonely, home-bound or needy Jewish elderly!
Whether or not you are able to come, you can always help by sponsoring a package for only $25
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For groups, questions or to deliver to a particular senior contact
Niti Minkove, Director of Volunteers at
nminkove@bjcconline.org or Cell: (917) 693-3084
Learn more about Bronx Jewish Community Council's volunteer opportunities and how to get involved at www.bjcconline.org
BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ HOSTS ANNUAL IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE & CULTURE CELEBRATION
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted his annual celebration of Irish and Irish-American culture and heritage at Gaelic Park in Kingsbridge.
Magee Hickey of PIX 11 News, was the event’s emcee. The honorees included Hon. Elizabeth Crowley, New York City Council Member from the 30th Council District in Queens; Tom Glacken, proprietor of Glacken’s Bar & Grill on East 149th Street; and William J. “Bill” Mulrow, Secretary to New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.
There was lots of delicious corn beef and cabbage, and some great tasting Irish Soda Bread.
Above - The pre-event warm up of some great Irish songs.
Below - Thomas Messina aid to Congressman Joseph Crowley (father of honoree Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley), 80th A.D. State Committeeman Joseph McManus, Robert Nolan, and prominent local Irishman John Flaherety (in the background).
Above - With several St. Patrick's Day events going on as the same time as this event the usual Court Officers Bagpipe crew were separated to cover all the events that were going on.
Below - The audience listens to the benediction, as you see Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. His Chief of Staff Paul DelDuca, Deputy BP Aurila Greene, and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark.
Local Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz was also in attendance, and he was seated near WPIX reporter and emcee Magee Hickey.