Councilman Mark Gjonaj's NYC Moving Forward Week in Review - 4/2/2021

 

Dear Friends,

As we are finally excited to see more sunshine, tulips and daffodils springing up-the warmer season and Easter are significantly a time of hope, new life and new beginnings. While we were humbled to safely celebrate Easter and bring the Easter Bunny last week on Pelham Parkway, and among students and staff of St Joseph’s School for the Deaf, this new sense of freedom is also a reminder of the journey we have gone through and that we still have to be cautious, get tested and vaccinated, wear masks and social distance. 

The COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help stop the pandemic. This week I was proud to get my first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine at Jacobi Hospital. In an effort to stop the spread and help communities gradually and safely return to normalcy, we are glad to bring more vaccination appointments to all those eligible in District 13. Please call our office at 718-931-1721 to schedule yours.

Today is World Autism Awareness Day and I took the opportunity to visit one of the local autism centers in our District to further pledge my support and raise awareness about its challenges, as we further promote acceptance and inclusion. We need to continue to work to create more spaces where everyone is given equal opportunities to succeed.

We wrapped up March-Women’s History Month, by announcing the winners of our Essay Contest with middle and high school students in District 13. Congratulations to Karen Avanesov from PS 71, Ryan Almeda and Arsi Tinaj from St. Francis Xavier School, who will be receiving Amazon Fire 7 Tablets.

You can still take advantage of our Free Tax Preparation for constituents in District 13 in partnership with Urban Upbound as the IRS has postponed the Tax Deadline to May 17th. 

We are proud of serving you and being with you throughout this pandemic. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any issues or concerns at 718-931-1721 or email at MGjonaj@council.nyc.gov.

Sincerely,

NYC Councilman Mark Gjonaj

District 13, Bronx

274 Day and Counting

 

I just don't get Albany. We have a governor who has been said to have killed innocent people in nursing homes, nine women have come forward to accuse him of conduct unbecoming an elected official, starved the city of vital vaccines, had his family and high rolling friends vaccinated when they shouldn't have been, and is in the middle of a book deal scandal, what more is needed to get this guy out?

I did nothing yet the U.S. Attorney investigated me finally saying there was not enough evidence to indict me, so I am clean as a new born baby. That is after they are washed and all the blood and whatever else is off them before being put in the nursery.

Permits Filed For 2570-2576 Young Avenue In Pelham Gardens, The Bronx 2570-2576 Young Avenue in Pelham Gardens, The Bronx

 

2570-2576 Young Avenue in Pelham Gardens, The Bronx via Google Maps

Permits have been filed for four three-story residential buildings at 2570-2576 Young Avenue in Pelham Gardens, The Bronx. Located between Allerton Avenue and Mace Avenue, the adjacent lots are within walking distance of the Pelham Parkway subway station, serviced by the 5 train. Saman Rabbanifar under the Young Avenue Development LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 30-foot-tall developments will yield between 3,759 and 4,749 square feet, with 2,835 to 3,562 square feet designated for residential space. The buildings will each have three residences, most likely condos based on the average unit scope ranging from 945 to 1,187 square feet. The wood-based structures will also have cellars, basements, and three will have 30-foot-long rear yards. 2576 Young Avenue will have a 20-foot-long side yard.

Christian Lozada of CL Engineering P.C. is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State Vaccination Program

 

Record High 269,527 Doses Administered Across New York State in the Last 24 Hours

More than 1.4 Million Doses Administered Over Past Seven Days

Vaccine Dashboard Will Update Daily to Provide Updates on the State's Vaccine Program; Go to ny.gov/vaccinetracker;

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's vaccination program. 269,527 doses have been administered across the state's vast distribution network in the last 24 hours - a record high -, and more than 1.4 million doses have been administered over the past seven days. The week 16 allocation from the federal government is in the process of being delivered to providers. 

"Thanks to the hard work of our providers who work around the clock to get shots into people's arms, we are nearing 10 million total doses since the start of this unprecedented operation," Governor Cuomo said. "Our progress is significant, but we need to maintain it, which is why we are continuing our outreach in communities that need more accessibility and still relying on community leaders to help us address the skepticism. We are lucky to have a reliable partner in the White House, and as we receive more supply from the federal government, we are ready to expand this operation for universal eligibility which begins April 6."

New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.

The 'Am I Eligible' screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:

• Doctor's letter, or
• Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
• Signed certification        

Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state's vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government's Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11 AM today is as follows.                                

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

Total doses administered - 9,925,232

Total doses administered over past 24 hours - 269,527

Total doses administered over past 7 days - 1,454,072

Percent of New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 31.8%

Percent of New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 19.2%

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic

 

4,540 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

913 Patients in the ICU; 565 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 3.02%

63 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"Vaccinations for COVID-19 are progressing as fast as we can get shots in arms, and while that's good news, the pandemic isn't over and New Yorkers have to stay vigilant. It's critical that we continue washing hands, wearing masks and social distancing across the state to slow the spread and keep each other safe," Governor Cuomo said. "New York is expanding eligibility and opening new vaccination sites statewide with a particular focus on historically underserved communities, and we're holding fast to that commitment. However, New Yorkers should take continuing infections and new variants into account as we move forward toward the light at the end of the tunnel together."

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 257,646
• Total Positive - 7,787
• Percent Positive - 3.02%
• Patient Hospitalization - 4,540 (-64)
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.59%
• Patients Newly Admitted - 596
• Hospital Counties - 51
• Number ICU - 913 (+19)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 565 (+20)
• Total Discharges - 162,936 (+590)
• Deaths - 63
• Total Deaths - 40,635

Cardinal Dolan Celebrates Holy Thursday with Blessing for New Yorkers; Presides at Opening of Low-Income Housing and Food Distribution in the Bronx

 

Cardinal Timothy literally jogged into the courtyard at 1932 Bryant Avenue on Holy Thursday to Bless and open the 319 unit low income housing building called Second Farms being in the West Farms area of the 17th Council District. Cardinal Dolan with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., and Councilman Salamanca and members of the construction team were on hand. This is the first of six new low income housing projects around the Bronx by Catholic Charities, that are on part of current or former Catholic Church property. 

Second Farms is made up mostly of low income housing with ten percent of the apartments that were set aside for homeless people. That would account for thirty-two  of the 319 apartments. One such now formerly homeless person Emily, thanked Cardinal Dolan, BP Diaz Jr., and the rest of the team for her new modern apartment.  

Cardinal Dolan was seated in the front row with Bronx Borough president Ruben Diaz Jr.

Cardinal Dolan Blessed the newbuilding at 1932 Bryant Avenue, complete by Sprinkling some Holy Water on the building.

Cardinal Dolan holds the second box of food that was given out to each person, as Bronx BP Diaz Jr. places this first box into this woman's cart.

All the work of b\Blessing the new building and handing out boxes of food, did not stop Cardinal Dolan from stopping to bless people individually.

 

SPRING PLANT SALE GrowNYC's Annual Spring Plant Sale, which we've been running since 1986, is a great way for community gardens, schools, block associations, churches, and any other group greening project to purchase vegetable, herb, and flowering plants grown by local Greenmarket farmers at wholesale prices. Our Plant Sale takes place over 5 days in late April/early May - 3 days in Brooklyn and 2 days in the Bronx.  The sale is pre-order only. Orders must be placed by 5pm on April 9th, 2021. Go to the 2021 Spring Plant Sale order form Please read the instruction sheet first. Our 2021 Plant Sale will have 2 pickup locations: Domino Park (parking lot) 15 River St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 Thursday, April 29th from 12pm to 4pm Friday, April 30th from 12pm to 4pm Saturday, May 1st from 12pm to 4pm Oak Point Property LLC 1 Oak Point Ave, The Bronx, NY 10474 Friday, May 7th from 12pm to 4pm Saturday, May 8th from 12pm to 4pm Plants are intended for neighborhood open space projects and can be re-sold as fundraisers for community, school, neighborhood orgs. Plants are not intended for individual use. ‌

Easter Bunny and Food Giveaway by Councilman Mark Gjonaj on Pelham Parkway

 

Councilman Mark Gjonaj brought the Easter Bunny visit Pelham Parkway South at Wallace Avenue this week. He also brought with him some gifts for the children, who picked out their favorite Easter Egg from the Easter Bunny's basket of eggs. 

That was not all, because after all the eggs were given to the children, it was time to give boxes of food to people during this pandemic and the food crisis that had developed. 

Councilman Gjonaj watches as an eighteen wheeler parked on the main road of the South side of Pelham Parkway to be unloaded for the food giveaway.

The pallets of boxed food were brought into the parkway island one by one.

The boxes of food were given out by Councilman Gjonaj and a couple of his helpers.