State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz - THANKSGIVING DINNER FOR THE COMMUNITY

  You should know that The Christian Community Neighborhood Church and it's Pastor, New York State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz will be serving hot Thanksgiving meals for residents of local shelters and members of the community in celebration of the traditional Thanksgiving Day. 

This activity will take place tomorrow Thursday, November 22, 2017 at 12:30 pm in the Christian Community Neighborhood Church; located at 1437 Longfellow Ave (bet. Freeman and Jennings St) in Bronx County.  

As a way of teaching our children the importance of serving and caring for others, the church has chosen to designate the children to serve those in attendance.

For more information please feel free to call my office at 718-991-3161.      

                 

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

STATEMENTS FROM MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO ON NEIGHBORHOOD REZONING BY THE CITY COUNCIL

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO ON CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE VOTES TO APPROVE EAST HARLEM NEIGHBORHOOD REZONING

  “Our affordable housing plan is on the move, with new programs and investments, a new goal of 300,000 affordable homes – and now an agreement on the East Harlem neighborhood plan that will bring nearly 4,000 more affordable homes to residents of this diverse and vibrant community. With Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Council Member Bill Perkins, and the entire City Council, we are pushing on every front to keep this city affordable.”

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO ON CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE VOTES APPROVING BEDFORD UNION ARMORY PROJECT

  “The Bedford Union Armory won’t sit vacant any longer. We’re putting it back into service for Crown Heights as an affordable community rec center and affordable homes. The end result is one this neighborhood can be proud of. We worked with Council Member Cumbo to hone the project, adding nearly 100 affordable apartments and removing market-rate condos. We look forward to the day the armory reopens it doors as a resource to this community.”

Testimony of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Before the New York City Council Committees on Housing and Buildings & General Welfare RE: Intros. 1524 and 1529

  I testify today in favor of Intro 1524, introduced by Council Member Rafael Salamanca and Intro 1529, introduced by Council Member James Vacca. Both of these bills were introduced at my request.

It is a known fact that New York City is in the midst of a homelessness crisis, and that innovative and comprehensive solutions to this crisis are needed. Today, we are hearing two bills that seek to make temporary housing safer and to better facilitate the elimination of cluster sites, which the Administration has acknowledged must be its goal. Both of these bills seek to promote the health and safety of New York City’s most vulnerable residents.

The first, Intro 1524, requires that during any inspection conducted or overseen by the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) related to health, safety, or the physical conditions of a shelter, defined as “temporary emergency housing,” the radiators must also be inspected.

This safety measure must be mandated because malfunctioning radiators can cause severe bodily harm or even death. This was clearly demonstrated in the tragedy in December 2016 when a faulty radiator killed two small children in their temporary cluster-site housing in The Bronx. The radiator in this apartment was reported broken in 2015 by the previous tenant, yet no action by the landlord was taken. If the inspection of the radiators was part of the regular inspection process, perhaps this tragedy could have been avoided.

This risk should be immediately eliminated, and we must do everything we can to be sure the people who access temporary housing are safe. This measure should therefore be implemented immediately.

The second bill, Intro 1529, seeks to regulate and to ensure the reduction and eventual elimination of the cluster site system, which is widely considered to be an important safety and public health goal.  The legislation creates an obligation to report to the City Council on the plan for the phase-out of each cluster site, progress made towards the elimination of cluster sites, and on inspections and repairs as well as any new cluster site contracts. 

The legislation also requires that the City produce a plan to eliminate cluster sites that utilizes metrics to determine whether the sites should be converted for use as permanent housing for the homeless family residing in the cluster site or for another homeless family, be converted to a stand-alone shelter for homeless families, or no longer be used by the department as shelter or as permanent housing for a homeless family.

The legislation requires that the following metrics be utilized in the plan: first, the condition of the cluster site; second, whether the owner of the building and the provider under contract or similar agreement with the department to operate the cluster sites within the building have cooperated with the department in maintaining the cluster sites; third, whether the cluster site is rent regulated; and fourth, whether the homeless families residing in the cluster sites have expressed an interest in remaining in the cluster site as tenants.

Efforts should be made to only contract with landlords that cooperate to maintain safe premises. Efforts should also be made to promote the availability of rent-regulated housing. 

We believe that the reporting mechanisms outlined in the bill would provide the public with the necessary information to monitor the progress that DHS is making on phasing out cluster sites. We believe that this bill will also provide much needed transparency when DHS enters into new contracts to provide homeless services in a cluster site. We applaud the city’s goal of phasing out these cluster sites for sheltering homeless families. However, there presently is no way for the public to monitor and follow the progress made towards this goal. This legislation would provide a necessary tool to monitor this progress.

Finally, the data demonstrate that HPD violations are endemic to cluster sites, and we need to provide safer, better temporary housing options.  The City has recognized this in the “Turning the Tide” plan, and this legislation introduced at my request moves the needle in the right direction. I urge the City Council to approve these two important pieces of legislation.

MAYOR DE BLASIO RELEASES NOVEMBER FINANCIAL PLAN UPDATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018

City spending entirely offset by savings

  Mayor Bill de Blasio released New York City’s November Financial Plan Update for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) and an updated four-year financial plan. City spending, which increased by $47 million in FY18 and $59 million in FY19, is entirely offset by $234 million in new savings this fiscal year and $238 million of new savings and $123 million in pension savings next.  New savings include debt service savings, health care savings, and agency adjustments. The vast majority of growth in the budget, which is now $85.99 billion in FY18, is due to increases in federal funding for Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts and homeland security grants. Additional increases are due to State Asset Forfeiture funds.

"When we came into office four years ago, we promised to bring opportunity to those who for so long had been left without,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Since then, we’ve created an entirely new grade for our youngest learners, brought police and community closer together while driving crime to historic lows, and are on track to invest more in affordable housing than any administration in decades. While we will continue to provide for New Yorkers however we can, we must also be cognizant of the fact that Washington continues to threaten billions of dollars of federal aid and investments must be thoughtful.”  

As part of the November Plan, the City is reducing City tax revenues by $207 million for the current fiscal year. This primarily reflects a decline in Business Taxes despite a partial offset by increases in Real Property Tax collections.

Read the November Financial Plan update here.

New City Spending

The $85.99 billion balanced budget protects the City’s long-term fiscal health while continuing to create opportunity and fairness across the five boroughs. New spending highlights include:

$4.5 million to help fund the city’s new construction safety site program.

Funding to assist with NYC Emergency Management’s efforts to dispatch supplies and city workers to Puerto Rico to assist with recovery. The city will spend $4 million on these efforts.

Upgrading the 311 call-taking platform and other citywide IT projects supported by DOITT. Upgrades will cost $7 million in FY18.

Building out the new citywide procurement system, PASSport, which will cost an additional $10 million in FY18.

NEW YORK CITY ANNOUNCES VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS ARE NOW PROTECTED FROM DISCRIMINATION UNDER CITY HUMAN RIGHTS LAW

The new law makes it illegal for employers, landlords, and providers of public accommodations to discriminate against veterans and active military service members

  New York City has begun enforcement of a new law that protects current and prior military service members from discrimination, bias, and harassment. It is now illegal in New York City for employers, landlords, and providers of public accommodations to discriminate against veterans and active military service members due to their military status. The law, introduced in 2016 and signed by Mayor de Blasio in August 2017, establishes a protected class for veterans and active military service members under the NYC Human Rights Law to give them direct access to justice when their rights have been violated.

“The brave men and women that put their lives on the line for our country deserve to be treated with nothing but dignity and respect,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This law will ensure all military and other uniformed service members, both returned and active, can live and work free from discrimination in New York City.”

“Veterans and active duty military service members make invaluable contributions to our City,” said Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Loree Sutton, MD. “We owe it to them to ensure that their service to our country is cause for celebration, not discrimination. I applaud the creation of this new law for providing the protections to our veterans and service members that they so richly deserve.”

“This new law will ensure that veterans and active military service members who risk their lives for this country are protected against discrimination and bias,” said Chair and Commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights, Carmelyn P. Malalis. “We are proud to enforce this new law to get justice for victims and hold violators accountable so the brave individuals who serve this country get the dignity and respect they so richly deserve.”

“Veterans have dedicated years of their lives to protect the ideals that we live by, and the Council remains committed to making their needs a top priority – especially when it comes to preventing employment discrimination,” said New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “We are proud to have ushered this important piece of legislation and will continue to work hard to ensure the wellbeing of our veterans in New York City.”

New York State is home to nearly 900,000 veterans, 225,000 of whom call New York City home, and nearly 30,000 active duty military personnel and 30,000 National Guard and Reserve personnel statewide. Veterans and active military service members may experience discrimination and bias due to their military status in employment, housing, and public accommodations like stores, restaurants, and cabs. The most common forms of discrimination against veterans and active military service members include negative stereotypes about PTSD, unfounded fear of deployment, and the misconception that veterans and service member skill sets won’t transfer to civilian employment.

The NYC Commission on Human Rights, which enforces the new law, has the authority to fine violators with civil penalties of up to $250,000 for willful and malicious violations of the Law and can award unlimited compensatory damages to victims, including emotional distress damages and other benefits.

The law is the City’s latest effort to remove unnecessary obstacles to housing, employment, and public accommodations for veterans and active military service members and ensure that they have the resources and protections they need to thrive. In addition to creating the Department of Veterans’ Services in 2015, the Mayor and the City Council have quadrupled funding and staff in support of the Department over the last two years, which has also expanded employment opportunities for our veterans, launched an IDNYC veteran designator, and brought veterans' mental health services to the forefront.

If you are a veteran or active military service members and believe you have been subject of discrimination because of your military service, or any other type of discrimination under the NYC Human Rights Law, call the Commission’s Infoline at 718-722-3131. Reports may also be filed anonymously and reported on the Commission’s website. 

NEWS FROM CONGRESSMAN ELIOT ENGEL

ENGEL STATEMENT ON TRUMP’S DECISION TO END TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR HAITIANS LIVING IN U.S.

  Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement on the President’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians living in the United States:

“The Trump Administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians living in the United States is cruel and inhumane.  I visited Haiti following its devastating 2010 earthquake and have been a longtime proponent of U.S. assistance to the island.  It sadly seems that whenever the country takes a step forward, natural disasters—like Hurricane Matthew last fall—force it to take a step back.  Haiti is simply not in a position to take back the 59,000 Haitians currently living in the United States. 

“Unfortunately, President Trump has chosen cruelty over kindness in terminating TPS for so many hardworking Haitian families.  The America that I know is a land of acceptance where opportunities are available for one and all.  Cutting off TPS for Haitians does not represent who we are as a country.”

Engel Statement on FCC Plan to Destroy Net Neutrality

   Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on reports that the Federal Communications Commission plans to reverse all rules pertaining to net neutrality:

“For months we suspected the FCC, under the leadership of Chairman Ajit Pai, would make some type of move to weaken net neutrality. Today’s reporting not only confirms those suspicions, but indicates their plan is about as bad as it can get.

“Net neutrality is a critical protection for consumers, one that prevents Internet Service Providers (ISP) from charging extra for certain websites and data usage. Without net neutrality, an ISP could decide to institute a tiered system for your internet access, blocking websites like Netflix and forcing you to pay extra to use them. Repealing net neutrality rules would also allow those same ISP’s to throttle—or slow down—your internet access if it suits them, or offer other consumers who are willing to pay more priority access to certain parts of the web. Clearly, this would be harmful to consumers. This proposal would also limit innovation, reduce competition among ISPs, and make the internet a less open place.

“Millions have people across the country have spoken out against repealing net neutrality, but the FCC, Chairman Pai, and the Trump Administration have chosen to ignore what the American people want. This cannot stand. We must preserve net neutrality now, and for future generations.”

OPERATION QUEST FOR FIRE DISMANTLES ORGANIZATION DEALING IN FENTANYL, HEROIN AND COCAINE;

12 KILOS OF DEADLY OPIOID SEIZED IN JOINT BRONX DA-DEA PROBE 

Sixteen People Indicted, Group Trafficked Narcotics From Florida, And Ran On-Call Cocaine Delivery Service

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge James Hunt and New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neill today announced that 16 people have been charged with trafficking fentanyl, heroin and cocaine to the metropolitan area in a scheme that peddled drugs on the streets as well as delivering them to buyers on demand. 

  District Attorney Clark said, “Deadly Fentanyl coupled with recreational cocaine sales shows that this group was as versatile as it was vicious. They allegedly drove narcotics up the eastern seaboard from Florida, bringing the drugs and their attendant misery to the Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester County and New Jersey. With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue and prosecute those doing harm to our communities."

 DEA Special Agent in Charge Hunt stated, “This transnational drug trafficking crew made the Bronx an epicenter of fentanyl distribution. Through coordinated enforcement on federal, state and local law enforcement levels, traffickers responsible for smuggling heroin, cocaine and six million fatal doses of fentanyl into our city have been arrested.” 

 NYPD Commissioner O’Neill said, “This investigation helped shut down a multi-state narcotics operation that dealt in cocaine, heroin and deadly fentanyl. If these defendants thought they could hide behind a call-in drug delivery service they underestimated the reach of the Bronx District Attorney's Office and the DEA Strike Force."

  Homeland Security Investigations New York Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez said, “These individuals are alleged to have trafficked drugs up the eastern shore line and into our New York communities. As long as there is supply and demand, these drug pushers will continue to flood our streets with these highly addictive drugs. It is our resolve to rid our street from these individuals who care more about making money than the lives they ruin.” 

 New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “Great police work and our invaluable partnerships at the federal, state and local level were key in bringing down this illegal drug trafficking organization. After six months of dedicated work more than a dozen people were arrested for importing deadly drugs into our communities and New Jersey. State Police and our partners will continue to work together to rid our communities of these dangerous substances, and the violence that comes with them.”

 District Attorney Clark said that four of the defendants are charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker. If convicted, they face up to life in prison. The other defendants are variously charged with first, second and third-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, first, second and third-degree Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, second and third-degree Money Laundering, second and fourth-degree Conspiracy.

 Eleven of the defendants were arrested in a takedown on November 15, 2017 and eight were arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Robert Neary. Some are due back in court on November 29, 2017 and others on December 13, 2017. Three defendants are awaiting extradition from Florida and New Jersey.

 According to the six-month wiretap investigation by the Bronx DA’s Special Investigations Bureau and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Strike Force, the narcotics were imported by multiple defendants from Florida and elsewhere to distribute in the Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester and New Jersey.

 Several of the defendants resided and allegedly sold drugs within the confines of the 46th Precinct along Creston Avenue.

  Two defendants, Juan Martinez and Jonathan Martinez, both of the Bronx, allegedly ran an on-call cocaine delivery service to customers throughout New York City, including to professionals in advertising and real estate.

 During the investigation, authorities seized a total of 12 kilograms of Fentanyl, multiple kilograms of heroin and cocaine and various quantities of crack cocaine. Over $175,000 in cash — narcotics proceeds — and two vehicles were seized.

  On November 7, 2017, ten kilograms of fentanyl and two kilograms of heroin were seized during an alleged drug transaction between defendant Jonas Turbi Molina and two individuals from Phoenix, Arizona. During the drug seizure, a subject jumped out of a second-story window of his Manhattan hotel room carrying over $30,000 in cash.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Chief Detective Investigator Frank Chiara, Deputy Chief Carlton Starling, SDI Therone Eugene, DI Nicholas Ranieri and Lt. Rocco Galasso of the DA’s Detective Investigators, as well as the NYPD DA Squad.

 District Attorney Clark thanked the members of Group Z 51 of the DEA New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force. The Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers of the DEA, the New York City Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the New York State Police, the U. S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, New York National Guard, the Clarkstown Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Port Washington Police Department and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The investigation was also assisted by the DEA New England Division, DEA Miami Field Division, Miami Dade Police Department, New Jersey State Police, NYPD 49 Precinct, Port Authority Police Department K-9, DEA PAPD K-9, DEA Intelligence Division and DEA Special Operations Department.

 An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

DEFENDANTS

Braulio Diaz (AKA Eddy), 46, Miami, Florida

Jonas Antonio Turbi-Molina, 39, Bronx, NY 

Victor Jose Gonzalez, 52, Bronx, NY  

Fernelis Beltre-Espinosa (AKA Tyson), 51, Bronx, NY 

Ronald Brid-Calvo (AKA Nacho), 49, Hialeah, Florida 

Hairo Contreras, 31, Bronx, NY 

Juan C. Martinez, 34, Bronx, NY 

Jonathan Martinez, 31, Bronx, NY 

Francisco Lopez, 55, Bronx, NY 

Francisco Duval-Perez, 25, Lee, Massachusetts 

Tyshawn Henigan (AKA Ty), 35, Bronx, NY

Alexander Cortes Cortes (AKA Leo), 32, Manhattan, NY

Rafael Roldan, 37, Bronx, NY 

Melvin Lugo- Reyes, 29, Manhattan, NY  

Alfred Trotman (AKA Al), 60, Bronx, NY 

Marvin Antonio Olano-Somarriba (AKA Nika), 57, Camden, NJ