"Last year, hearing initial accounts of the tragedy of the suicide of Truman High School student and my constituent Mya Vizcarrondo- Rios, as a father, as a youth development professional, as a neighbor, it broke my heart. But, after reading in in the press of the suit filed by Mya's grieving parents, I am profoundly disturbed that the adults tasked with educating, developing and protecting our children failed Mya in such an egregious manner. As the suit states, “(Mya) was ignored and simply sent back to class without any intervention by the school." It is heartbreaking that this child spoke to both a guidance counselor and the principal of the school, who seemingly didn't take accounts of bullying leading to sexual violence seriously. It is difficult to do so, but we must acknowledge the neglect that was perpetrated on this child by those at Truman l in my Council district. Therefore I call for the immediate termination or resignation of those responsible who Mya reached out to and did not protect her."
Friday, May 31, 2019
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Council Member Ruben Diaz Sr. - Abrazo Boricua 2019
"EMBRACE BORICUA IN NEW YORK"
PUERTO RICAN honor LEADERS
In recognition of the Puerto Rican community as a week, Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz announces the celebration of the feast "Abrazo Boricua in New York."
"El Abrazo Boricua in New York" is a completely free banquet for the first 500 people, sponsored by Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz along with Councilman Rafael Salamanca, and leaders George Alvarez and Antonio Comunales Cabrera.
El Abrazo Boricua will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2019 beginning at 7:00 PM at the Eastwood Manor Restaurant, located at 3371 Eastchester Road in Bronx County.
For more information, please contact Leila Martinez at (718) 792-1140.
Assemblyman Michael Blake Takes Orders and Serves Food to Find Out First Hand About Restaurant Workers
Assemblyman Michael Blake was at the Bronx Drafthouse Yesterday to speak about restaurant workers who rely on mostly the tips they receive from patrons. He did not make any drinks, but for about half an hour he greeted patrons, took their orders, and brought the food and drinks to them.
After wards he held a press conference with members of a state membership of owners who are fighting for several items that most workers receive, but not those who work mainly on tips from patrons. The idea is to have a livable wage, paid sick days, a safe and healthy workplace, among other items not currently afforded to these workers many who feel they are being taken advantage of.
During the press conference Assemblyman Blake was asked "why are you having this event outside of your district, but in the congressional district you are running?' That question was met with resistance from Blake who answered that his district boundary was only a few blocks away, and that constituents of his patronize the establishment we are in. That reporter came back with follow up questions only to be told by Blake that he was not going to entertain a character assassination from that reporter, and the conversation is over.
Above - Assemblyman Blake welcomes a few patrons handing them menu's, and taking their orders.
Below - Assemblyman Blake brings the food to the patrons.
Assemblyman Blake tells of his short stint as a waiter, which he said was harder than he thought it would be remembering what each patron ordered and who ordered what. He would take questions from reporters, and blew up at a question that he was outside his district, but in the congressional district he is running for.
49th Precinct Council Meeting Tuesday May 28th
Joe Thompson President of the 49th Precinct council opened last night's meeting. Captain Natiw and Crime Prevention Officer Mederos are to his right, and 49th Pct. Council Vice-President Silvio Mazzella and Assistant Secretary Andrea Siegel are to his left.
In the Commanding officers report Captain Natiw mentioned that there still has not been a murder in the 49th precinct this year and rape was below last tear's mark. However he said that there has been an uptick in minor crimes bringing the total number of crimes up. He tried to assure the neighborhood associations during their reports that his precinct has a handle on the matter.
When asked about the mayors plan to allow teens aged 16 - 19 to be let out with no cash bail for many crimes that they were held in jail for, Captain Natiw answered that his officers would have to work harder.
Crime prevention officer Mederos played a video on the different ways scammers are targeting seniors in respect to their social security accounts. The Cop of the month was officer Ralphie Villegas.
Above - Captain Natiw goes over the Com-Stat report with the community.
Below - Cop of the month award to officer Villegas.
NYPD Launches "Summer All-Out" with Additional Police Officers to Further Reduce Crime and Violence
Summer All-Out Commands Saw 36% Reduction in Murders and 16% Reduction in Shootings Last Year.
Starting Thursday, May 23, the NYPD is deploying hundreds of police officers to historically high crime neighborhoods to continue the historic crime reduction in New York City. During Summer All-Out in 2018, the city experienced significant reductions in shootings and murders in commands where additional police officers were assigned. In 2018 Summer All-Out commands, there was a reduction of 8 murders, or 36%, and 11 fewer shootings, or 16%.
This is the fifth year the NYPD has redeployed police officers to commands with historically elevated levels of violence. The following commands are receiving additional officers beginning today: 40, 42, 44, 67, 73, 75, 79, 113, PSA 3, PSA 5, and Transit Bureau Manhattan Task Force. All police officers assigned to Summer All-Out attended a one day refresher training course designed to reemphasize the neighborhood policing and de-escalation techniques.
"The Summer All-Out allows the NYPD to keep the city's crime reduction momentum going as we enter the summer months, said Chief of Department Terence A. Monahan. "This year, we have added more officers than ever before and extended the program by three additional weeks. Working hand-in-hand with community members and their fellow cops, these additional officers will focus on further reducing crime and violence. Also new this year, the Transit Bureau will receive an allotment of officers. Thanks to the hard work of the men and women in blue, New York City experienced reductions in both crime and violence during prior Summer All-Outs — and we look forward a similar outcome this year."
Attorney General James Announces Second Round Of Restitution Funds For Croman Tenants
Croman Tenants will Receive a Total of $8 Million in Restitution Funding, the Largest-Ever Monetary Settlement with an Individual Landlord
Households Received Checks for $2,425 from the First of Up to Four Rounds of Payments in December 2018
New York State Attorney General Letitia James today announced the opening of the second round of the Croman Tenant Restitution Fund, allowing current and former tenants of Steven Croman owned buildings to apply for restitution. The fund was part of an unprecedented settlement reached with Croman in December 2017 following an investigation and lawsuit against the major New York City landlord for engaging in illegal conduct, including harassment, coercion, and fraud. Such unlawful practices forced tenants out of their rent-regulated apartments, which Croman then converted into highly profitable market-rate units.
“It’s unconscionable for a landlord to unlawfully force a family from its home simply to improve his own bottom-line,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “I’m pleased that this settlement provides Croman tenants with long overdue restitution and additional protections. Unscrupulous landlords like Steve Croman are not above the law, and we remain committed to holding bad-acting landlords accountable for taking advantage of New Yorkers.”
The consent decree requires Croman to pay $8 million into a Tenant Restitution Fund – the largest-ever monetary settlement with an individual landlord. The $8 million will be divided equally among eligible claimants and distributed to tenants in installments over a 38- to 42-month period. This first round of restitution payments was distributed to eligible tenants starting in December 2018. Households received $2,425 in the first round of payments.
Croman must make two additional installment payments to the Croman Tenant Restitution Fund. After receiving each installment, the Attorney General, through its claims administrator, will again send payments to all eligible households. The exact amount of future payments may change based on the number of eligible claimants.
Eligible tenants who did not apply for the first round of payments, can still apply for additional rounds. Tenants are eligible for restitution if they are or were a tenant in a rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartment owned by Croman between July 1, 2011 and December 20, 2017; they received a buyout of less than $20,000, not including any amount that purported to cover rent or arrears; and no other tenant in their apartment received money from the restitution fund. Several hundred current and former tenants are potentially eligible to apply for these restitution funds.
On Tuesday May 28th, JND Class Action Administration, the claims administrator, mailed a notice to eligible claimants who did not apply in the first round, that they have until June 27th to apply for the 2nd round of payments. Claim forms and additional information are also available at www.cromanrestitutionfund.com. Tenants who received restitution in the first round are automatically approved for future rounds of payments and do not need to re-apply.
In addition to the $8 million Tenant Restitution Fund, the settlement also requires over 100 Croman residential properties to be run by a new, independent management company with no ties to Croman, for up to five years – the longest-ever term for independent management in OAG history. Moreover, the settlement requires seven years of oversight by a monitor ensuring compliance with the terms of the consent decree and providing regular reporting to the Attorney General – the longest-ever monitorship required in any tenant harassment case.
In October 2017, Croman was sentenced to a year in jail and paid a $5 million tax settlement following separate criminal charges brought by the New York Attorney General’s office for fraudulent refinancing of loans and tax fraud.
Monday, May 27, 2019
Van Nest Memorial Day Remembrance and New Monument Dedication
This new War Memorial remembering soldiers from World War 1, World War 11, The Korean and Vietnam Wars, and the most recent wars overseas in the Middle East was dedicated this afternoon. This monument was made possible with the help of Councilman Ritchie Torres said VNNA President Bernadette Ferrara.
The ceremony was dedicated to a former local resident who went to fight for his country in World War Two, but never made it home alive. Dominick Farina perished when the ship the USS Mount Hope he was on blew up in November 1944. Letters he wrote home to his sister Rose were read by Rich Vitaelo, Gene De Francis, and Ricardo Garcia. Dominick's nieces Virgina and Victoria along with nephews John and Tom were on hand as Victoria was given a flag that flew over the U.S. Capital and a memorial plaque from the VNNA.
After wards the ribbon was cut for the new War Memorial in Van Nest.
Above - Councilman Mark Gjonaj says a few words.
Below - Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez also said a few words.
Above - Dominick Farina's niece Victoria is speaking as niece Victoria and nephew John are to her right. Ricardo Garcia, Gene De Francis, and Rich Vitaelo to her left.
Below - As the Memorial comes to an end, Taps is played by the Bugler.
Above - The Ribbon Cutting in front of the new War Memorial.
Below - A group photo in front of the War Memorial with Joe McManus (holding the American flag) who was representing Councilman Ritchie Torres.
