NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANDY KING ENDORSES JUMAANE WILLIAMS FOR NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE

   Ahead of tomorrow's official announcement that he will be running for the soon to be vacant office of Public Advocate City Councilman Jumaane Williams came to the 12th council district to receive the endorsement of Councilman Andy King. Public Advocate candidate Williams said that if elected Public Advocate that he would be running for re-election in 2021 and not for mayor. 

  The election for Public is expected to be at the end of February or early March. Then the winner will have to run for re-election in the 2019 September primary and November general election. Then the next election would be in 2021. Since this would be a partial term the Public Advocate would be able to run for two terms similar to the mayoral cycle thus be able to run for mayor in 2029. 

Above - Councilman Williams thanks Councilman King for his endorsement for the office of Public Advocate..

Below - Councilman Jumaane Williams speaks to the crowd as to why he is the better candidate for the office of Public Advocate.

Being in the Bronx Public Advocate candidate Councilman Jumaane Williams shows off his 'Bronx X'.

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND FIRST LADY MCCRAY ANNOUNCE APPOINTMENT OF NEW MEMBERS TO COMMISSION ON GENDER EQUITY

  Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray today announced the appointment of six new members to the City’s Commission on Gender Equity, an agency tasked with supporting City agencies in dismantling institutional barriers for women, girls, and New Yorkers of all gender identities and expressions.

The new members bring a wide array of experience across various industries to the Commission, including advocacy, fundraising and communications skills across the nonprofit, government and corporate sectors, among others. The new members are:

·     Chitra Aiyar, Executive Director at Sadie Nash Leadership Project

·     Council Member Diana Ayala

·    Andrea Hagelgans, Executive Vice President, Group Head for Public Affairs and Issue Advocacy at Edelman New York

·    Robina Niaz, Founder and Executive Director of Turning Point for Women and Families

·    Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League

·    Council Member Carlina Rivera

“We can't be the fairest big city if we don't make sure all New Yorkers – regardless of gender –  can live up to their full potential," said Mayor de Blasio. “These new members will bring invaluable expertise to the Commission and help us strengthen opportunities for all who self-identify as women in New York.”

“As we welcome six new members to the Commission on Gender Equity we also welcome their wealth of experience, energy and commitment,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray, co-chair for the Commission on Gender Equity. “With their leadership, the Commission will continue its important work of protecting the economic and reproductive rights of women, girls and gender-non conforming New Yorkers.”

“The Commission on Gender Equity helps support women, girls and all who identify as female, which is so important in the times we live in. Council Members Diana Ayala and Carlina Rivera are model public servants and inspirations to women all over this city, which is why I am proud to appoint them to the CGE,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson. “I look forward to seeing them work alongside First Lady Chirlane McCray, Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo, Council Member Helen Rosenthal, the Council’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislation and Policy Laura Popa and the entire Commission in promoting gender equity across the city and helping female New Yorkers reach their full potential.”

“I’m thrilled to welcome our new Commissioners, whose guidance and leadership will be indispensable as we work to ensure the sustainability of gender equitable practices and policies throughout New York City,” said Jacqueline Ebanks, Executive Director of the City’s Commission on Gender Equity.

“I am excited to welcome the new Commissioners. Their rich experience and diverse backgrounds will enhance the work the Commission has been doing in advancing women,” said Silda Palerm, Co-Chair of the Commission on Gender Equity.

The Commission on Gender Equity develops and supports policies that promote opportunities for cisgender and transgender women and girls in all areas, including employment, housing, childcare, education, health and reproductive justice, criminal justice, and public safety. It advises the Mayor and City Council on initiatives and methods to reduce gender-based inequality.

“At this particular moment in our political history, there's no place I'd rather be than in a room filled with smart committed leaders in New York City committed to dismantling gender-based barriers,” said Chitra Aiyar, Executive Director, Sadie Nash Leadership Project. “I'm thrilled to be joining the Commission on Gender Equity and look forward to diving into the work to make New York City a role model for the nation.”

Harlem School of the Arts - A HARLEMETTES HOLIDAY - Tickets Available Now!

   
 

The Harlem School of the Arts,  645 Saint Nicholas Avenue, New York, NY 10030

MAYOR DE BLASIO DELIVERS REMARKS AT THE FLIGHT 587 17th ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE

   Thank you, everyone, for being here to remember those we lost, those we loved, and still love in our hearts, and to support each other. I want to thank Father Cruz for the beautiful invocation that started this ceremony and for all he does for the community. I want to acknowledge and thank the Consul General to New York City of the Dominican Republic Carlos Castillo. Thank you, Consul General. 

All those who lead us today with the reading of the names, which they did so beautifully – thank you to Raphaela Frias, Ana Reyes, Freddy Rodriguez, and Karen Tavarez. Thank you all so much. And I want to thank, for her leadership in helping to bring us together each year, Belkis Lora. Thank you Belkis, so much, for all you do.

Seventeen years have passed. As I was talking to some of you gathered here today, we’re all in a way unable to imagine that it’s been fully 17 years. And that morning started out like any other day, and then tragedy struck and everyone’s lives were changed. 265 good people lost, and we remember them here and they are remembered throughout the Dominican Republic. 

We remember those who were lost in Belle Harbor and we remember how much it has been a sense of loss for 17 years. 

We will never forget Flight 587 and those good people we lost – our friends, our families, our neighbors, all we loved. There is a simple and powerful line from scripture – “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” I know today we are all mourning but I know everyone is comforting each other. 

And we take comfort also from the fact that even in the midst of that tragedy we saw heroism, we saw the men and women of the NYPD and the FDNY come forward to do all they could to save lives. That heroism reminds us every day of the good in humanity. And we take comfort in the bonds that formed between all of the families here, bonds formed in tragedy but still deep bonds of love and friendship and respect. 

I speak on behalf of all 8.6 million New Yorkers when I say, may you always find that comfort in each other and may all who are lost rest in peace.

God bless you all. 

Acting Attorney General Whitaker Statement On Presidential Proclamation Regarding the Southwest Border

  After President Trump’s Presidential Proclamation regarding the Southwest Border, Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker issued the following statement of strong support:

"Our southern border is in crisis. The hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens who have unlawfully crossed our border are posing a significant threat to the government’s ability to effectively enforce our nation’s immigration laws. Plain and simple, there are too many loopholes in our current immigration system. The vast majority of asylum claims that originated from this system are not meritorious. What’s worse, large numbers of aliens fail to even pursue their claims in court and many fail to appear for their court hearings.

“Today, the President has made a strong statement that enough is enough. Aliens with legitimate claims to asylum can still receive it—they simply have to go to one of our ports of entry. Thanks to this decisive order from President Trump, we are continuing to provide a path to protection for those who truly need it, while stopping our generosity from being abused."

The total number of aliens referred to expedited removal proceedings has significantly increased over the last decade, from 161,516 aliens in 2008 to approximately 234,534 in FY 2018.  The total number of credible-fear referrals for interviews increased from about 5,000 a year in Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 to about 97,000 in FY 2018.

The vast majority of asylum applications are not meritorious.  In FY 2018, a total of about 6,000 aliens who passed through credible-fear screening (17 percent of all completed cases, 27 percent of all completed cases in which an asylum application was filed, and about 36 percent of cases where the asylum claim was adjudicated on the merits) established that they should be granted asylum. 

More than approximately 70,000 aliens a year (as of FY 2018) are estimated to enter between the ports of entry and then assert a credible fear in expedited removal proceedings.  Another 24,000 assert fear to return at our ports of entry.

As of November 2, 2018, there were approximately 203,569 total cases pending in the immigration courts that originated with a credible-fear referral—or 26 percent of the total backlog of 791,821 removal cases.

Of that number, 136,554 involved nationals of Northern Triangle countries.  89 percent of aliens from the Northern Triangle receive a positive credible-fear interview.

But in nearly half of the completed cases involving these aliens, the alien failed to appear at a hearing or failed to file an asylum application.

• 71 percent were of claims completed with the issuance of an order of removal.
• 31 percent were of claims completed where the alien failed to appear at a hearing.
• 40 percent were of claims completed without the alien filing an application for asylum
• Only nine percent were ultimately granted asylum.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. - Puerto Rican Heritage Month Celebration

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Invites you to Celebrate

Puerto Rican Heritage Month

Thursday, November 15, 2018 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm Bronx County Building 851 Grand Concourse,Veterans’ Memorial Hall 2018 Honorees Dr. Iraida V. Carrion, Associate Professor School of Social Work Tampa, Fl Dr. David Gomez, President Eugenio María de Hostos Community College   Ms. Eileen Torres Executive Director Bronx Works Posthumous Lorraine Montenegro Co-Founded United Bronx Parents, Inc. & Founder of La Casita   Enjoy an evening of music, dancing and delicious tapas of Puerto Rico as we honor community leaders and their accomplishments.

Host for the Evening Marysol Castro Host, Content Creator & First Latina  Public Address Announcer for MLB

For information & RSVP call 718-590-3522 or email lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov

Special Natural Area District Scoping Meeting Thursday December 13th

  The Department of City Planning (DCP) would like to invite you all to the Special Natural Area District scoping hearing that is scheduled for Thursday, December 13^th at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Student Commons Room.  The meeting will begin at 4pm.  Written comments will be accepted by DCP until January 14, 2019.

The scoping meeting will be an opportunity for the public to comment on the draft scope of work which defines the scope of review, purpose and need, and analysis framework which guides the preparation of the draft environmental impact statement.

The scoping material can be found here: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/applicants/scoping-documents.page#snad  (listed as “Public Scoping Meeting on Staten Island & Bronx Special Districts Update”)

With additional information located on our main page: www.nyc.gov/specialdistricts (select the Bronx tab and dropdown icons for more information).

See the attached flier on the scoping hearing and feel free to share this email with others who may want to attend.

Feel free to contact me with any questions on the event or proposal.

Juton Horstman

SENIOR CITY PLANNER • BOROUGH CERTIFICATION MANAGER • BRONX OFFICE

NYC DEPT. OF CITY PLANNING

1775 GRAND CONCOURSE, SUITE 503 • BRONX, NY 10453

(718) 220-8518 I jhorstman@planning.nyc.gov

http://www.nyc.gov/planning

News From Councilman Mark Gjonaj

NYC Council Budget Update

Councilman Mark Gjonaj fought to secure $2,170,000 for Homeless Services in the Fiscal 2019 Budget! Children and Families in NYC Homeless System: $1,350,000 Citywide Homeless Prevention Fund: $820,000 In 2019, the NYC Council continues to provide emergency grants to families in crisis at risk of eviction to keep them in their homes and avoid the shelter system through the Citywide Homeless Prevention Fund. This initiative builds upon existing efforts by the Administration to prevent families entering the homeless shelter system. Additionally, the Council funds an innovative program to address the mental health and emotional needs of families in shelter as well as providing wrap-around aftercare services to families through the Children and Families in NYC Homeless System initiative. This initiative fulfills a gap in trauma informed services not currently provided by the Administration and works towards the long-term outcome of keeping families out of shelter.

Tree Planting/Pruning Tree Sidewalk Prog Building Maintenance Con Edison Eviction

Results from Our Last Survey

Thank You for Participating!