BP DIAZ, BX TOURISM COUNCIL & BRONXNET CELEBRATE 'THE BEST OF THE BRONX' IN PLACE OF 'BRONX WEEK'

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., in collaboration with The Bronx Tourism Council and BronxNet, will launch the start “The Best of Bronx Week” broadcast.

Due to restrictions caused by COVID-19, the 11-day celebration of the “Best of The Bronx” has been cancelled for the first time in 47 years. The annual initiative honors the history and culture of the borough, paying tribute to entities and individuals from within government, business, and civic communities through a series of events. Bronx Week culminates each year with a black-tie gala, Bronx Walk of Fame Inductions and the Grand Finale Celebration, which features a festival, concert, and parade down Mosholu Parkway.

Though Bronx Week was originally slated to take place from May 7 through May 17, the Borough President’s Office, along with Bronx Tourism Council and BronxNet, will instead acknowledge the contributions individuals and organizations have made throughout the years through an eight-day multi-platform broadcast of footage from past Bronx Week activities.

Coverage begins May 8, 2020 and will air on BronxNet TV (channel 67 on Optimum / channel 33 on Verizon Fios) and streaming on BronxNet.TV.

"While we are disappointed to have made such a difficult decision, we felt it best to cancel Bronx Week 2020 in order to do our part in flattening the curve and protect our borough from the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. "With that said, I want to thank The Bronx Tourism Council and BronxNet for finding a way where we can still come together as a borough and honor those seniors, veterans, businesses, community leaders, and elected officials who have helped make our borough great. We are saddened to have canceled Bronx Week, but this will not keep us down. We will rebound, stronger than ever, as a borough and look forward to having a bigger celebration in 2021."

"It hurts me that we cannot be together, physically, however, we can continue to still celebrate together, virtually," said Olga Luz Tirado, Executive Director of The Bronx Tourism Council. "We continue to commemorate the best that we are to remind ourselves that we are ‘New York Tough’ and ‘Bronx Strong,’ even during the worst of times."

"In addition to broadcasting vital updates to the public, BronxNet is helping audiences reconnect with arts and culture during this time," said Michael Max Knobbe, Executive Director BronxNet TV. "BronxNet is enormously proud of our longstanding partnership with the Bronx Borough President, The Bronx Tourism Council and The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, and pleased to broadcast vibrant presentations of dynamic Bronx Week highlights over the years via the BronxNet TV channels, social media and BronxNet.TV."

The Bronx Tourism Council was established in 1991, as a division of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC), creating a cohesive and symbiotic relationship between arts and culture and economic development. The role of the Bronx Tourism Council is to promote the borough’s rich history, its institutions, and cultural diversity on a local, national, and international level.

BronxNet provides local television by the people of The Bronx, for the people of the Bronx, keeping borough residents in touch with the issues, neighborhoods and activities that make The Bronx what it is today. Their channels feature in-house produced shows created by community access producers as well as provide a training ground for local residents in television production, providing hands-on internships and career preparation. High school and college students can prepare for media careers behind and in front of the camera through BronxNet’s Training Program for Future Media Professionals.

MAYOR DE BLASIO LAUNCHES CITYWIDE ANTIBODY SURVEY

Appointment-only antibody testing will be offered in Morrisania, East New York, Upper Manhattan, Concord, and Long Island City beginning next week 

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced expanded antibody testing for New Yorkers. Through a partnership with BioReference labs, the City will conduct its own antibody survey at community testing sites in the five boroughs to better understand the spread of COVID-19. The survey will test approximately 70,000 New Yorkers over an initial two-week period, with the capacity to administer up to 5,000 tests per day. 

"So many New Yorkers are wondering whether they've had the virus, or if they've exposed their own families," said Mayor Bill de Blasio "While antibody tests are not a fix-all solution, they will give our communities the knowledge they need to help us defeat this virus together."

BioReference is supporting the city in its epidemiology studies of the presence of COVID-19 throughout large segments of the New York City population,” said Jon R. Cohen, M.D., Executive Chairman of BioReference Laboratories. “For New York, a city that has been seriously impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, this type of information will be of great value in helping healthcare professionals to analyze the presence and progression of the disease in order to identify at risk populations for possible early intervention.”

Antibody Tests

Beginning next week, antibody testing will be offered on an appointment-only basis for approximately two weeks in the Morrisania, East New York, Upper Manhattan, Concord, and Long Island City. Scheduling will open this Friday by dedicated hotline, and individual test results will be available in 24-48 hours. 

Through a partnership with the US Department of Health and Human Services and CDC, the City will also administer 140,000 antibody tests for healthcare workers and first responders across FDNY, DOC, NYPD, and hospitals citywide.  Through a separate initiative, NYC Health

+ Hospitals has now tested over 8,000 healthcare workers for antibodies across its 11 hospitals.

Phone-a-Clinician Hotline at 844-NYC-4NYC

To expand access to care for New Yorkers who have symptoms or questions about COVID-19​, NYC Health + Hospitals will continue to grow the capacity of its free Phone-a-Clinician Hotline at 844-NYC-4NYC to be able to handle 120,000 calls a month. With this expansion, Health + Hospitals will aim to provide 16,000 tele-visits to New Yorkers a week via the hotline, accounting for roughly 80 percent of the City’s ambulatory visits. NYC Health + Hospitals has also now completed 60,000 billable H+H Tele-health visits at more than 300 clinics citywide since beginning of crisis.

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Support for Survivors of Domestic and Gender-Based Violence

The Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) will convene a COVID-19 response work group to prevent acts of domestic gender-based violence and support survivors during the pandemic.

The work group will engage a diverse group of 20 providers representing multi-disciplinary services for survivors across the City including shelter, legal services, counseling and mental health services. Providers from both small and large community-based organizations will have representation in the working group, with an emphasis on those serving diverse communities citywide.

Councilman King Gives out Masks in Coop-City

After helping unload four pallets of boxed food for the Council Towers VII on Coop-City Boulevard, Councilman Andy King went into the Bartow Shopping Center to give the people on line for the bank free face masks. Councilman King had enough for all the people waiting on line, and even one for the bank employee.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Councilman Andy King Aid Elderly Residents of Council Towers VII in Coop-City

  Four pallets of boxes loaded with food supplies to the elderly residents of the Council Towers VII at Coop-City were provided by the Met Council of New York. The boxes of food had to be brought inside so Councilman Andy King and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. lent a helping hand to Residence Director Maryanne Pasquariello. In no time the four pallets of boxes were brought into the empty community room for the staff to distribute them to the residents of Council Towers. 

Above - The boxes from the pallets were stacked outside the building before being brought inside.

Below - The boxes are stacked next to the wall for staff to bring them to the elderly residents.

Above - A view of what was inside each box. cereal and other foods are under the bag of wraps.

Below - Bronx BP Diaz Jr. and Councilman King get to talk during a break. Both are term limited out of office as of January 1, 2022. 

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS MEMBERS TO SECTOR ADVISORY COUNCILS

Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed members to the following Sector Advisory Councils: Labor and Workforce; Large Business; Small Business; and Arts, Culture, and Entertainment. Sector Advisory Councils will inform the Administration's efforts to restart the economy and city life. The councils will serve as critical links to disseminate information about re-opening and provide guidance to shape the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Membership of the councils on Faith, Construction and Real Estate, Non-Profits and Social Services, Public Health and Healthcare, Education and Vocational Training, and Surface Transportation will be announced in the coming days.

“For us to have a strong restart and get to the recovery New Yorkers deserve, we have to do this the smart way. These Sector Advisory Councils will provide the insight we need to successfully open our city back up and protect our people,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Labor and Workforce Sector Advisory Council

1.  Harry Nespoli, Sanitation Workers

2.  Henry Garrido, DC 37

3.  John Santos, 32BJ SEIU

4.  George Gresham, 1199 SEIU

5.  Peter Ward, Hotel Trades Council

6.  Michael Mulgrew, UFT

7.  Pat Kane, NYSNA

8.  Dr. Frank Proscia - Doctors Council President 

9.  Vinny Alvarez, NY Central Labor Council

10.  Gary LaBarbera, Building Trades Council

11.  Marc Cannizzaro, CSA

12.  Dennis Trainor, CWA

13.  Greg Floyd, Teamsters/ Local 237

14.  Darly Corniel, Director of Education &

       Programs Opts at CWE

15.  Alba Villa, Executive Director 

       Northern Manhattan Immigration Coalition

16.  Elias Husamudeen, COBA

17.  Lou Turco, Police Lieutenants Union (LBA)

18.  James “Jake” Lemonda, UFOA superior fire officers 

19.  Barbara Bowen, CUNY/Professional Staff Congress

20.  Stuart Appelbaum, RWDSU

21.  Rob Newell, UFCW 1500

22.  Magda Barbosa, Catholic Migration Services,

       Immigrant Low-Wage Worker Initiative

23.  Marrisa Senteno and Allison Julien, National Domestic 

       Workers Alliance NY chapter

24.  Rafael Espinal, Freelancers Union

25.  Angie Kamath, CUNY

26.  Jodi Sturgeon, PHI

27.  Rebecca Lurie, CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies

28.  Sandra Escamilla, Children’s Aid Society, Workforce 

       + Youth programs

29.  Joey Ortiz, Employment Training Coalition

30.  Melinda Mack, NYATEP

31.  David Ehrenberg, Brooklyn Navy Yard

32.  Eileen Reilly, CAMBA

33.  Jennifer Mitchell, The Hope Program

34.  George Miranda, President Teamsters Joint Council 16

Large Business Sector Advisory Council

1. Vincent Alvarez, Central Labor Council

2.  Ajay Banga, Mastercard

3.  Frank Bisignano, Fiserv

4.  Stacey Cunningham, NYSE

5.  Cathy Engelbert, Deloitte & WNBA

6.  William E. (Bill) Ford, General Atlantic LLC

7.   Jane Fraser, Citigroup

8.   Jeff Gennette, Macy's

9.   Horacio Gutierrez, Spotify

10.  Joey Levin, IAC

11.  Jerome McCluskey, Milbank

12.  Anish Melwani, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Inc.

13.  Charles Phillips, Infor

14.  Christiana Riley, Deutsche Bank Americas

15.  Suzanne Schank, Siebert Williams Shank

16.  Joshua Silverman, Etsy

17.  Marva Smalls, Viacom/CBS

18.  Steven Swartz, Hearst

19.  John Waldron, Goldman Sachs

20.  Kathryn Wylde, Partnership for New York City

21.  Jide Zeitlin, Tapestry

Small Business Sector Advisory Council

1.   Lourdes Zapata, SOBRO

2.   Paul Storch, Summit Appliance

3.   Israel Velez, City Tamale

4.   Anthony and Paul Ramirez, Founders and Co-Owners, Bronx Beer Hall

5.   Jeffrey Garcia, Mon Amour Coffee and Wine/President 

       NYS Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association

6.    Ramona Mejia, President and CEO, Sell-Mar Enterprise

7.    Lisa Sorin, President, Bronx Chamber of Commerce

8.    Julia Jean-Francois, Co-Director, Center for Family Life

9.    Randy Peers, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

10.  Karen Mitchell, True Indian Hair

11.  Quincy Ougi Theodore, Owner of Brooklyn Circus retailer

12.  Wallace Ford, Medgar Evers College

13.  Colvin Grannum, Bed Stuy Restoration

14.  Mohamed Attia, Executive Director of the Street Vendors Project

15.  Jo-Ann Yoo, Asian American Federation

16.  Jessica Walker, President and CEO, Manhattam Chamber of Commerce

17.  Limor Fried, Ada Fruit

18.  Ken Giddon, Rothmans

19.  Wellington Chen, Chinatown Partnership

20.  Charles “Charlie” Tebele, Digital Gadgets

21.  Joanne Kwong, Pearl River Mart

22.  Edward Funches, InclusionTM

23.  Melba Wilson, Melba's

24.  Tom Grech, Queens Chamber

25.  Jason Ferreira, Ferreira Foodtown

26.  John DiFazio, DiFazio Industries 

27.  Ceaser Claro, SIEDC

28.  Linda Barron, SI Chamber of Commerce

29.  Carrie White, GUM Studios

30.  Noelle Santos, The Lit Bar

31.  Aziz Hasan, Kickstarter

Arts, Culture and Tourism Sector Advisory Council

1.   Mike Burke, Statue Cruises/Hornblower

2.   John Calvelli, Wildlife Conservation Society

3.    Michael Capiraso, NYRR

4.    Calixto Chinchilla, New York Latino Film Festival

5.    Vijay Dandapani, Hotel Association

6.    Erika Elliot, Summerstage

7.   Indira Etwaroo, The Center for Arts and Culture at 

      Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation

8.    Joel Fisher, Madison Square Garden Entertainment

9.    David Garza, Henry Street Settlement

10.  Thelma Golden, The Studio Museum in Harlem

11.  Cathy Hung, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning

12.  Kemi Ilesanmi, The Laundromat Project

13.  Leah Johnson, Lincoln Center

14.  Julia Levy, Roundabout Theater

15.  Janice Monger , Staten Island Museum

16.  Seth Pinsky, 92nd Street Y

17.  Jonelle Procope, Apollo Theater

18.  Andrew Rigie, NYC Hospitality Alliance

19.  Rosalba Rolon  Pregones, PRTT Theater

20.  Jesse Rosen, League of American Orchestras

21.  Charlotte St Martin, Broadway League

22.  Alan Steel, Javits Center

23.  Alan Suna, Silvercup Studios

24.  Ken Sunshine, Sunshine Sachs

25.  Morris  Vogel, LES Tenement Museum

26.  Dennis Walcott, Queens Public Library

27.  Peter Ward, NY Hotel and Motel Trades Council

Presidential Primary Back on in New York, and Other Races to Watch

With a federal judge reinstating the New York State Presidential Primary, here are some other races in the Bronx to watch.

There will be primaries in all four Bronx congressional districts, but the 14th and 15th districts may be the interesting ones to watch. In the 14th Congressional District while there are three challengers to first time incumbent Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, only CNBC Television Chief International Correspondent Michelle Caruso-Cabrera could have a real chance to unseat Ocasio-Cortez. the other candidates are Sam Sloan and Badrun N. Khan.

In the 15th Congressional District, there are twelve candidates trying to replace retiring Congressman Jose Serrano. They are (as they will appear on the ballot) Thomas Ramos, Samelys Lopez, Frangell Basora, Melisa Mark-Viverito, Michael A. Blake, Ruben Diaz, Mark Escoffery-Bey, Ritchie Torres, Chivona R. Newsome, Ydanis Rodriguez, Julio Pabon, and Marlene J. Tapper. 

Here it appears that current Councilman, and former State Senator Ruben Diaz has the advantage having represented most of the South Bronx congressional district. Assemblyman Michael Blake and Councilman Ritchie Torres each have only represented a small portion of the congressional district. Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez is from upper Manhattan having never represented any part of the district. Former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito is also from Manhattan, but her district included a very small portion of the district. Thomas Ramos, Samelys Lopez, Frangell Basora, Mark Escoffery-Bey, Chivona R. Newsome, Julio Pabon, and Marlene J. Tapper (who lives in Queens) have never held any elected public office. 

The 32nd State Senate District is the next race to watch with three candidate running. They are as they will appear on the ballo,t Pamela Stewart-Martinez, and John Perez who are challengers to incumbent Luis Sepulveda. 

Councilman and former State Senator from the 32nd District Ruben Diaz renounced his endorsement of Luis Sepulveda to endorse and support John Perez who is the current 87th A.D. District Leader.

The 79th Assembly District has six candidates running to replace current Assemblyman Michael Blake who is running for congress. They are as they appear on the ballot Eric Stevenson, Elvis Santana, Cynthia L. Cox, Dion Powell, George A.Alvarez, and Chantel Jackson.

Eric Stevenson is the former assemblyman who was convicted of accepting bribes while in office, Chantel Jackson has been endorsed by Assemblyman Michael Blake, George Alvarez has been endorsed by Councilman Ruben Diaz and State Senate candidate John Perez, while Cynthia Cox has been endorsed by Councilman Ritchie Torres.

Other primary races that may be interesting are, in the 84th A. D. between incumbent Carmen Arroyo and challenger for the second time Amanda Septimo. The 80th A. D. Male District Leader race between current district leader John D. Zacarro Jr. and former District Leader Marcos Sierra. The final race to watch may be the County Committee race in the 85th E.D. of the 87th A.D. where Michael Beltzer, Tabitha Rodriguez, and Janice Ali (the incumbents) are challenged by Lisa Diaz, Karines Reyes, and Luis Sepulveda. There are three seats and six candidates. This could be a major blow to their political careers should Assemblywoman Reyes and Senator Sepulveda lose this County Committee race. Assemblywoman Reyes is a name being floated for Bronx Democratic County Leader, while Luis Sepulveda has said he wants to run for Bronx Borough President in 2021.  

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Our analysis of Bronx politics goes back to the era of the local School Board races. Over the years we have an excellent track record of not only calling winners, but we have done that in close races along with calling the winning percentage exactly or within the margin of error. Our prediction (if any this year) will come shortly before primary Day.

OPEN STREETS: MAYOR DE BLASIO NAMES NEXT STREETS TO BE USED FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING AMONG PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS

Business Improvement Districts will manage Open Streets in four boroughs, where streets will be open each day to pedestrians and cyclists — with limited vehicle traffic —starting Thursday

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that two more miles of streets will be opened to pedestrians and cyclists, adding to the seven miles of car-free streets opened ahead of schedule last weekend. Starting tomorrow, May 7, over 1.5 miles of streets in three boroughs will be managed by Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) as part of the Open Streets initiative designed to provide greater social distancing among New Yorkers. Open Streets will also return to 34^th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, which had been part of a pilot last month.

“As the weather gets warmer, New Yorkers will need options to safely enjoy the sunshine– and we’re excited to give them even more options to do so,” said Mayor de Blasio. “We thank our partners at local BIDs, which play an essential role in making commercial areas safe places to social distance. We want New Yorkers to enjoy these streets and continue all best practices to stay safe from COVID-19.”

"I applaud all of the BIDs who are stepping up in this crisis and working with the City on creating these Open Streets for New Yorkers to practice safe social distancing," said Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin. "Last weekend our City partners sprang into action with the first wave of these Open Streets and initial reports have been encouraging. As we continue to roll out additional Open Streets we need to New Yorkers to continue to be vigilant about social distancing and utilize these streets to do so."

Last week, the Mayor and the Council announced that 40 miles of streets citywide would be opened during May to allow greater social distancing, with a plan to expand to a total of 100 miles to be identified in the weeks and months ahead. The hours of operation for these streets vary.

Partner	Boro		Street	From	To	Mileage	Hours
Flatiron Partnersp	MN		Broadway	21st St	23rd St	0.14	10a-6p 7 days
			Broadway	24th St	28th St	0.20
Garment District	MN		Broadway	36th St	41st St	0.20	8a-4p weekdays 9a-5p weekend
LES BID	MN		Orchard St	Delancey St	Houston St	0.26	8a-12p 7 days
			Ludlow St	Delancey St	Houston St	0.26
			Stanton St	Allen St	Essex St	0.12
			Rivington St	Allen St	Essex St	0.12
Downtown BK Partnership	BK		Willoughby St	Pearl St	Lawrence St	0.10	10a-6p 7days
			Lawrence St	Fulton St	Willoughby St	0.07
3rd Ave BID	BX		Willis Ave	147th St	148th St	0.05	10a-6p weekdays
			148th St	Willis Ave	Bergen Ave	0.03
Total mileage						1.55

 

 The Mayor also announced the return of Open Streets to 34^th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens. The street had been part of an initial open streets pilot program last month. Open Streets will be in operation there from 8 am through 8 pm, also starting tomorrow.

Under Open Streets, pedestrians and cyclists can use the roadbed of the street. No through traffic is permitted, with remaining vehicle traffic limited to local deliveries, pick-ups/drop-offs, necessary city service, utility, and emergency vehicles only. Such drivers are alerted to be hyper-vigilant and to drive at 5 MPH along these routes.

Organizations wishing to have other New York City streets considered for the Open Streets program should reach out to openstreets@dot.nyc.gov or fill out an online survey.

“We want to thank so many of our City’s great BIDs from Manhattan to Downtown Brooklyn to the Bronx, for their leadership as we unveil this next group of Open Streets for pedestrians and cyclists,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “The BIDs have stepped up in this crisis, and we are so grateful for their partnership. But we now ask other BIDs, community boards, and local organizations to also identify more miles of streets and help us make them a successful part of this growing initiative.” 

“Open Streets is a great example of how resilient New Yorkers and the business community can be in challenging times. This step helps us safely navigate and enjoy the City as we continue adjusting to unprecedented times,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “I am proud of our BID network for stepping up to keep our commercial corridors vibrant.”

“Having access to more open streets gives pedestrians the opportunity to be socially distant from each other while enjoying the outdoors as the weather improves,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “I thank the Mayor and Commissioner Trottenberg for embracing our call, together with my colleagues in the City Council, to rely on local neighborhood groups, such as Business Improvement Districts, to help expand pedestrian space for New Yorkers. I look forward to further announcements of additional expansions, including hopefully the rest of the portion of Broadway between Times Square and Chinatown that I initially called for."