Assemblywoman Fernandez Holds Town Hall On Legislative Session

Monday night at the Bronx House on Pelham Parkway Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez held a Town Hall meeting to describe much of the new legislation recently passed, how it may effect residents of her district, while answering the many questions from her constituents. Councilman Mark Gjonaj stopped by to see the excellent work by his former Chief of Staff who took over the 80th Assembly seat from him in a special election in April of 2019. 

Topics covered were the new election reforms, New LGBTQ rights, the Woman's Reproductive Act, the Jose Peralta Dream Act legislation, Child Victims Act, Erin's Law, New Gun Safety Legislation, Environment Protections by Banning Plastic Bags and The Climate Change Act, New Criminal Justice Reforms of Ending Cash Bail and Speedy Trials, Green Light Legislation Allowing Undocumented Immigrants a Driver's License, Marijuana Decriminalization, Sexual Harassment Reform, Farm Worker Labor Right's, and Housing Justice for All. 

Housing Justice for All being broken down into Historic Tenant Protections. Protecting Preferential Rent Leases, Rent Stabilization and Rent Control, Vacancy Bonuses and Local Rent Guidelines Boards, Saving Rent-Regulated Housing, Increased Compensation For Rent Overcharges, Expanding the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA), Controlling Rent Increases for Rent-Controlled Units, Limiting Landlord Recovery, Major Capital Improvement (MCI) Reform, Individual Apartment Improvements (IAIs) Reform, Requiring DCHR Reporting, New Provisions of Tenant Eviction Protection. 

After the hour long presentation Assemblywoman Fernandez answered dozens of questions from the audience that filled the large room at Bronx House. She also spoke to some people personally after the meeting ended.

Above - With the long presentation over Assemblywoman Fernandez took questions from the audience.

Below - Some audience members still wanted to ask Assemblywoman Fernandez just how certain new laws would affect them.

Representative Adriano Espaillat Statement on the Trump Administration Not Including Citizenship Question on the 2020 Census

  Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement on the Administration’s decision to not include the citizenship question on the 2020 Census.

“I am pleased that the Administration is relenting in its attempt to undermine the census and is moving forward to print the 2020 Census without the citizenship question,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “The Supreme Court’s decision underscores the false narrative around the census, and I am grateful for the tireless efforts by activists around the country who petitioned to ensure that this harmful question was not included in the census.

“However, much work remains to ensure there is a full and accurate count in the upcoming census. To make sure that our communities receive vital government funding, we must join together and promote active engagement in the census so that everyone is counted. Preventing the citizenship question was only the first step, and I am dedicated to continuing to work with my colleagues, neighbors, and communities across the country to ensure everyone is counted.”

Engel Receives 100+ Score on Final Humane Society 2018 Scorecard

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, received a ‘100+’ on the Humane Society’s 2018 Final Scorecard for his perfect voting record supporting animal rights. The score includes his work on a range of issues, from protecting horses from slaughter to shark fin trade, to increasing funding for the Animal Welfare Act. The “plus” distinction signifies the Congressman’s leadership on animal welfare issues.

Engel had received a 100+ on the preview scorecard in October and has regularly received a 100+ score in previous years.

“I am always proud of my 100+ rating from the Humane Society,” Engel said. “It’s a reflection of my love for animals and the commitment I make as a member of the Animal Protection Caucus to their well-being and safety. I appreciate the work advocacy groups like the Humane Society are doing to fight for animal welfare and I’m proud to join them in that fight.”

The Humane Society Legislative Fund Humane Scorecard accounts for significant votes, cosponsoring critical pro-animal rights legislation, and advocacy for suitable funding to enforce animal welfare laws. The final scorecard will be released at a later date.

Stage Garden Rumba - Sunshine Garden: July 6, 2019

Stage Garden Rumba at Sunshine Community Garden Saturday, July 6, 2019 ~ 2-6pm The FREE live arts series that asks "WHAT MAKES OUR SOUTH BRONX BOOGIE?" returns for its second season! We Stay/Nos Quedamos in partnership with Pregones/PRTT invite you experience our beautiful South Bronx green spaces and Casitas in the company of creative and fearless agents of change throughout the summer. Music, theater, dance, literature, and activism. All are welcome—family friendly!  Extraordinary ARTISTS—actors, singers, dancers, writers; ACTIVISTS with the pulse of local, national, and international struggle and social justice; and other COMMUNITY MEMBERS, just like you, invited to join in co-learning/co-curating activities shining a spotlight on 40 years of original Puerto Rican/Latinx theater and music by Pregones! Get inspired and connected with live performances, community dialogue, and calls to action! Performances by Pregones/PRTT Ensemble with Jorge B. Merced in scenes from Baile Cangrejero, Caridad “La Bruja” de La Luz, Simply Rob, Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Dance Company, Mazarte Dance Company, Mariachi Real de México, Vamir DJ Music, and more! Featured activists include Elba Cabrera, Kat Lazlo, and Monica Flores. Sunshine Garden at 1768 Bryant Avenue, starting at 2PM — rain or shine!   GARDEN LOCATION: 1768 Bryant Avenue (at East 174th Street), South Bronx. EVENT HOURS: 2PM~6PM

Wave Hill events July 18‒25

Thu, July 18

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Fri, July 19

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Sat, July 20

Family Art Project: A Meta-flor for Me    

With what flower do you most identify? In conjunction with the opening of the summer exhibition Figuring the Floral in Glyndor Gallery, Wave Hill’s own flower experts will give readings that will match you with a flower that is a perfect “meta-flor” for who you are. Create assemblage-sculptures using found objects to fully represent your new floral identity. How can flowers represent the ways you are shaped how you are? Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sat, July 20

Wave Hill History Walk

Discover the fascinating history of Wave Hill’s architecture and landscape on a walk with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Hear about the people who once called Wave Hill home, among them Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, Bashford Dean and Arturo Toscanini. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Sun, July 21

Yoga in the Garden

On Sundays through July, enjoy the gardens as the setting for your yoga practice as your find your breath and become connected to the landscape. Classes are led by certified Yoga Haven instructors. All levels welcome. Please bring a mat and be on time. This class is rain or shine; the rain location is Glyndor Gallery. $25; Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration suggested, online.

On the Grounds, 9:30‒10:30AM

Sun, July 21

Family Art Project: A Meta-flor for Me    

With what flower do you most identify? In conjunction with the opening of the summer exhibition Figuring the Floral in Glyndor Gallery, Wave Hill’s own flower experts will give readings that will match you with a flower that is a perfect “meta-flor” for who you are. Create assemblage-sculptures using found objects to fully represent your new floral identity. How can flowers represent the ways you are shaped how you are? Free with admission to the grounds.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, July 21

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2PM

Sun, July 21

Summer Exhibitions Opening Reception

Figuring the Floral features artists who employ flowers to explore representations of identity—constructing narratives on race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, and aging. The exhibition includes paintings, collages, drawings, sculptures and an outdoor installation. In the Sunroom, Kate Bae’s immersive installation consists of flowers created from layers of acrylic paint. They drape from the ceiling into a wishing well. The landscape evokes the ecosystem of Mount Halla on South Korea’s Jeju Island, a holy symbol of the unification of South Korea and North Korea. In the Sun Porch, Riad Miah creates a multi-part installation of double-sided, oil and acrylic, rectangular paintings on Dura-Lar. He traces light throughout the calendar year to portray a sense of time, with each piece representing a single month. Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 2:30‒4:30PM

Tue, July 23

Gallery Tour

Tour Glyndor Gallery with Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow or Gallery Greeter to get an insider’s view of current exhibitions. The exhibition Figuring the Floral features artists who employ flowers to explore representations of identity—constructing narratives on race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, and aging. The exhibition includes paintings, collages, drawings, sculptures and an outdoor installation. In the Sunroom, Kate Bae’s immersive installation consists of flowers created from layers of acrylic paint. They drape from the ceiling into a wishing well. The landscape evokes the ecosystem of Mount Halla on South Korea’s Jeju Island, a holy symbol of the unification of South Korea and North Korea. In the Sun Porch, Riad Miah creates a multi-part installation of double-sided, oil and acrylic, rectangular paintings on Dura-Lar. He traces light throughout the calendar year to portray a sense of time, with each piece representing a single month. Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 2PM

Wed, July 24

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Wed, July 24

Sunset Wednesday: Yasser Tejeda & Palotré

Yasser Tejeda & Palotré is an infectiously rhythmic and cutting-edge group that originated in the Dominican Republic and is a rising star in the Afro-Dominican Jazz scene. Palotré's debut album Mezclansa (2009) was dubbed one of the "100 essential recordings of Dominican music" by Dominican Republic's Association of Art Writers (Acroarte). Palotré has performed extensively throughout Dominican Republic and is currently working on their second album. They continue to inspire listeners to explore their roots and aim to share this traditional culture with wider audiences. Free with admission to the grounds. Special evening admission starts at 4PM. $12 general adult admission; $8 student and seniors 65+; $6 children ages six+. Purchase admission online by 4pm day of event and save $2. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under age six. No guest passes or reciprocal admission accepted.

On the Grounds, 7PM

Thu, July 25

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS – Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM, March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION – $10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES – Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr - Bronx Summer Concert Series At Orchard Beach 2019

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION CRACKS DOWN ON PREDATORY PRACTICES IN TAXI INDUSTRY

As part of 45-day review, Administration arrests man found to illegally repossess taxi medallions from owners

  The de Blasio Administration announced it arrested a Staten Island man accused of impersonating a City Marshal in order to repossess taxi cabs and medallions from unsuspecting taxi owners. The arrest of Anthony Medina is part of the actions taken by this Administration to protect medallion owners and was investigated as part of a 45-day review of taxi medallion brokers.

“This arrest provides some long-awaited justice for medallion owners who were made victim of predatory practices for far too long,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Hard-working taxi drivers represent the best of this city, and my Administration won’t stand by while innocent New Yorkers are exploited.”

Medina was arrested today by the Sheriff’s Department outside of his Staten Island home and charged with four separate counts of criminal impersonation of a New York City Marshall. For at least three years and across four boroughs, Medina allegedly impersonated a marshal to help him seize taxis, medallions, and rate cards from owners who were allegedly in default to private lenders.

The Department was able to confirm at least three different episodes where Medina, while impersonating a Marshal, harassed cabdrivers, including:

·         An incident where Medina came to a medallion owner’s home in July 2016 to repossess his cab, medallion, meter and rate card while serving him with a false notice of seizure. Medina intimidated the man into surrendering the keys to his taxi, and the man also noticed that the car had already been broken into.

·       An incident where Medina and an associate threateningly drove up to a parked taxi cab driver in the West Village in November 2017, shouting at him to get out of his taxi and give him the keys before serving him with a false notice of seizure and taking his vehicle.

·      An incident where Medina broke into a taxi in Queens last May, removed a taxi medallion, rate card and meter, and left a false notice of seizure. After the medallion owner paid his debt, Medina, again impersonating a marshal, intimidated the man while returning the medallion, rate card and meter, telling him not to tell TLC that the medallion had been removed.

The Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Medina was not a marshal, police officer or member of the Sheriff’s Department, despite serving documents claiming he was acting on their behalf. Beyond that, Marshals are not authorized to repossess taxi medallions unless the contested value is under $25,000.

Last month, the Sheriff’s Department began investigating illegal repossessions and seizures by individuals outlined in the report, beginning by interviewing medallion owners and their attorneys. The Department also attended several Taxicab & Limousine Commission outreach events to gather information from owners and drivers in attendance. From these efforts, the Department gained evidence to show probable cause that Medina was impersonating a marshal and conducting the seizures.

Today’s arrest is the latest step in the City’s efforts to investigate predatory lending in the taxi industry. Last month, after a report in the New York Times exposed predatory practices within the industry, the Mayor ordered a 45-day review. The review is ongoing, and its findings will be announced this month.

The Sheriff’s Office encourages any taxi owner who has had their medallion repossessed by Medina to come forward. You can report it at (718) 707-2100.

“This arrest marks an important moment for all New York City taxi drivers and demonstrates that this Administration is fully prepared to bring to justice those harmed,” said Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin. “Taxi Medallion owners have already suffered a great deal and this Administration will continue to work across agencies to ensure we are investigating and finding those who have preyed upon these hard-working New Yorkers.”

“This individual’s actions as alleged are nothing short of brutal,” said Acting TLC Commissioner Bill Heinzen. “The City will not tolerate these kinds of illegal and callous actions against medallion owners.”

“New York City Taxi Medallion owners have suffered grave financial difficulties over the past few years due to a predatory lending practices in the medallion financing industry, and taking advantage of their vulnerability is despicable,” said Finance Commissioner Jacques Jiha. “As residents of this city, Taxi Medallion owners have legal rights and we are committed to protecting and preserving those rights. Any type of alleged impersonation of a Marshal, Sheriff or Police Officer to compel submission is an intimidation that will not be tolerated. I have directed the Sheriff to continue to investigate these allegations and arrest those found using this unlawful and criminal collection practice.”

Upcoming Bronx Chamber of Commerce Events

Small Business Workshop: Managing a Profitable Company Wednesday | July 10, 2019 | 6:30-7:30pm (doors open at 6:00pm) Flyer Admission: Free Location: Third Avenue HUB, 2825 Third Avenue, 3rd Floor, Bronx, NY 10455

Ponce De Leon Federal Bank and The Bronx Chamber of Commerce invite you to a B2B Business Networking & Card Exchange Tuesday | July 16, 2019 | 6:00-8:00pm (doors open at 5:30pm) Admission: Free for up to two Chamber company representatives; $15 for guests; $20 for non-members. Flyer Location: Ponce De Leon Federal Bank, 2244 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462

Free Small Business Open House presented by Ridgewood Savings Bank: Unveil Your Inner Self Thursday | July 23, 2019 | 6:00-8:00pm (doors open at 5:30pm) Topics: “How to Increase your Social Media Networking” with John Trieu “How to Choose your Banking Soulmate” with Brian Tynan ‘How your Business Improvement District Works for You” with Richard Bassik “Getting Smart with your BIC/BOEDC” with Rafael Roger Flyer Admission: Free Location: Residence Inn by Marriott, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 1776 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461