Saturday, August 28, 2021

130 Days and Counting The Greatest Mayor New York City Ever Had.

 


OUT THERE, That is where all of us are going come January 1st, and some of us already have. I will shortly be announcing that I am considering a run for Governor against the current Governor, Andrew Cuomo, I mean Kathy Hochul. It's that I get nightmares about Andrew Cuomo, and I think he is still the governor.


It might be good to have Jamaal Bailey run as my Lt. Governor, since he turned down Governor Cuomo, I mean Hochul. There I go again. What's that he did turn her down, Senator Bailey was pushed aside by Reverend Sharpton, and Hazel Dukes who wanted Senator Benjamin instead of Senator Bailey. It may have been a great move by Sharpton and Dukes so that Jumanne Williams can beat Kathy Hochul, but no one is going to beat me, The Greatest Mayor New York City ever had.

The Bronx Tourism Council - Join us for the Summer Grand Finale Concert - Sun, September 5, 2021

 


presented by 
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
and
The Bronx Tourism Council

FEATURING 



El Gran Combo





Oro Sólido




Judy Torres




The Every Thing
Covered Band





La Jara Band



AND MORE...
Sun, September 5, 2021
Doors open at 11am
DJ starts at 12pm
Performances begin at 1pm
beach public drop-off/pick-up is subject to closure
Bring your chairs
Registration strongly suggested
Concert is RAIN or SHINE
NO RAIN DATE
No alcoholic beverages
Only SMALL coolers are allowed
Bags and coolers are subject to search by NYPD
Registration highly Recommended

Housing Lottery Launches For Woodlawn Senior Living At 69 East 233rd Street In Woodlawn Heights, The Bronx

 



The affordable housing lottery has launched for Woodlawn Senior Living at 69 East 233rd Street in Woodlawn Heights, The Bronx. Developed by RiseBoro Community Partnership and designed by Paul Castrucci Architects, the 80-unit affordable senior housing development is built with green infrastructure and water conservation and also has on-site social services. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 55 units for residents at 50 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $0 to $53,700.

Interiors at Woodlawn Senior Living

Residents will have access to a shared laundry room, storage, elevator, outdoor spaces, and free parking via lottery system with electric vehicle charging stations.

At 50 percent of the AMI, there are 41 studios with a monthly rent of $0 for incomes ranging from $0 to $47,750 and 14 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $0 for incomes ranging from $0 to $53,700.

Prospective renters must consist of individuals or households in which at least one member is 62+ at the time of application and meet the income and household size requirements. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than October 27, 2021.

Governor Hochul Launches "Get There Green!" Campaign to Encourage Cleaner, Greener Transportation

 

Climate Week 2021 Campaign Urges New Yorkers to Utilize More Sustainable Transportation Options

Includes Pledge, Posters, Social Media

Supports New York's Ambitious Climate Goals to Achieve 40 Percent Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2030, and 85 Percent Reduction by 2050


 Governor Kathy Hochul today launched the "Get There Green!" campaign as part of New York State's participation in Climate Week 2021 which runs from September 20 to September 26. The effort will help reduce climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging New Yorkers to utilize a sustainable form of transportation for at least one trip during Climate Week. Sustainable forms of transportation include walking, riding a bike, using mass transit, carpooling, driving an electric vehicle, or using any form of transportation other than driving alone in a fossil fuel-powered vehicle. Get There Green! supports New York's ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030, and 85 percent by 2050, from 1990 levels.

"New York is taking nation-leading action to address the threat of climate change through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. To achieve our state's ambitious goals we must reduce emissions from the transportation sector," said Governor Hochul. "Launching the Get There Green! campaign during Climate Week 2021 is a great way to help New Yorkers across the state understand what they can do to support these goals and reduce their own carbon footprints. From carpooling in the Capital Region, taking the subway in the city, to riding your bike in Binghamton, everyone has options to get there green to help fight climate change."

State agencies and authorities leading the Get There Green! campaign and outreach efforts include the co-chairs of the GreenNY Council—State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Office of General Services, and the New York Power Authority.

To participate, New Yorkers can click here to pledge the trip(s) they are going to take with sustainable transportation during the event, and follow through with their commitment during Climate Week. Participants are also encouraged to let friends and neighbors know about their green trips by posting about their experience on social media using the hashtag #GTG21. New Yorkers can find more resources on how to utilize more sustainable forms of transportation by visiting the Get There Green! webpage.

New York State launched the GreenNY Council to serve as a key resource to support reducing agency and authority greenhouse gas emissions. The co-chairs work together to leverage resources, create guidance, and make it easier for agencies to meet the State's ambitious climate and sustainability goals. To support the effort and encourage New Yorkers to take the Get There Green! pledge, State agencies and authorities are conducting public outreach, including a poster and social media in the run-up to Climate Week 2021. Partners interested in promoting the event to their stakeholders are encouraged to contact the GreenNY Council to receive a promotional toolkit.

DEC Commissioner and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Basil Seggos said, "Thanks to the State's continued investments in cleaner, greener modes of transportation, New Yorkers have more ways than ever to more sustainably get from A to Z. While we gear up for Climate Week 2021, there's no better time to discover new, enjoyable ways to get around and reduce our carbon footprint. 'Get There Green!' bolsters the State's ongoing efforts to promote more sustainable transportation options, as well as DEC's continued efforts to encourage New Yorkers to get outside."

President and CEO of NYSERDA and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Doreen M. Harris said, "As we transition to powering our world with clean renewable energy, all New Yorkers can individually do their part to fight climate change by making the choice to choose more sustainable transportation options during Climate Week. We encourage everyone to make a change to low or no emission travel, and "Get there Green!" this week and all year long, whether it's through pedal power, public transportation, or by purchasing an electric vehicle." 

OGS Commissioner RoAnn Destito said, "By encouraging green commuting practices during Climate Week, state agencies and authorities are helping contribute to New York State's overall sustainability goals. The 'Get There Green!' campaign is a great way to increase awareness about greenhouse gas emissions and ways for all New Yorkers to help reduce those emissions throughout the year. Here at OGS, we encourage state employees to take advantage of the bicycle racks at our facilities and the car charging stations available in downtown Albany and the Harriman Campus."

President and CEO, New York Power Authority, Gil C. Quiniones said, "New York State has made a tremendous commitment to increasing the viability of electric transportation. Climate Week is a great time to celebrate emission-free options for daily living, commuting and traveling. NYPA's programs—including our robust EVolveNY fast charging network and electrification of transit buses—make it easier than ever to Get There Green."

Acting Chair and CEO of the MTA Janno Lieber said, "When you take a trip on the MTA, you prevent more than 10 pounds of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere compared with driving, on average, and we are electrifying our bus fleet and reducing our footprint to bring that number up even more. New York State has traditionally had the lowest per-person greenhouse gas emissions in the nation—due in large part to the millions of people who ride the MTA each day. Using public transit is one way anybody can contribute to the fight against climate change."

Transportation currently accounts for 36 percent of greenhouse gases in New York State, more than electricity generation, waste, refrigerants, and agriculture combined. To encourage New Yorkers to utilize sustainable transportation modes all year round, the State has invested in sustainable transportation, including biking/walking infrastructure and the Empire State Trail from Albany to Buffalo and New York City to the Canadian border.

In addition, through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, New York State supports transforming downtown areas to make it easier for people to walk or bike. The State has also invested in pedestrian safety through the New York State Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, a five-year, $110 million multi-agency initiative launched in 2016 to make streets safer for pedestrians. Other initiatives and programs designed to achieve Charge NY goal of 10,000 electric vehicle charging stations by the end of 2021 and 850,000 zero-emission vehicles by 2025 are also already underway. NYPA is developing a statewide EVolve NY charging network along key travel corridors and in urban areas to make fast charging more accessible and convenient and encourage travelers to drive EVs. Under NYSERDA's Drive Clean Rebate program, more than $35 million in rebates have been issued associated with more than 25,000 electric vehicle purchases as of June of this year.

New York State's nation-leading climate plan is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy as New York State recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Enshrined into law through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York is on a path to achieve its mandated goal of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach economy wide carbon neutrality. It builds on New York's unprecedented investments to ramp-up clean energy including over $21 billion in 91 large-scale renewable projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce buildings emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. Combined, these investments are supporting more than 150,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2019, a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011 and a commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, while ensuring that at least 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities, and advance progress towards the state's 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs of end-use energy savings.

New Yorkers can learn more about the impacts of climate change, and other ways they can help lower their emissions on DEC's website.

Councilman Mark Gjonaj Book Bag Giveaway at Waring Avenue Houses

 

There were hundreds of book bags loaded with school supplies, face masks, and a former professional world wide basketball player named Willie Ladson to greet the children Thursday Afternoon at the Waring Avenue Houses. Willie Ladson played in Spain and thirteen different countries overseas, and now is the CEO and Director of Coast 2 Coast Events. 


Councilman Gjonaj was a little late as he was Downtown at City Hall doing his job as the current Councilman from the 13th City Council District. Being the Chair of the Small Business Committee, Councilman Gjonaj was introducing a bill to help food establishments, by proposing a bill to cap what a food establishment can be charged by food delivery companies. He made it to the book bag giveaway in time to ay hello to many of the parents, and take photos with them, their children, and Mr. Willie Ladson.


80th A.D. Female District Leader Irene Estrada helped give out the book bags before Councilman Gjonaj arrived.


A group photo with Mr. Ladson, DL Estrada, members of Councilman Gjonaj's staff, and children who picked out their own backpacks from the large supply. 


Councilman Gjonaj arrived from Downtown City Hall, and was with DL Estrada, Mr. Ladson, Desmond, and his son.


Here Councilman Gjonaj is with Mr. Ladson, DL Estrada, and two young girls with their new backpacks filled with school supplies.


Councilman Gjonaj, Mr. Ladson, DL Estrada, are with three young girls ready for school, with their new backpacks.

 

Friday, August 27, 2021

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - AUGUST 27, 2021

 

57,218 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

18 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday


 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"None of us want to have to relive the nightmares of the past, so it's more important than ever to get vaccinated and to wear masks in crowded places," Governor Hochul said. "As we continue to keep an eye on the numbers across the state and review safety measures, we all need to do our part to help protect each other. If you still need your shot, you need to go get it as soon as possible."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

  • Test Results Reported - 174,812
  • Total Positive - 6,348
  • Percent Positive - 3.63%
  • 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.30%
  • Patient Hospitalization - 2,230 (+39)
  • Patients Newly Admitted - 296
  • Patients in ICU - 446 (+5)
  • Patients in ICU with Intubation - 220 (+6)
  • Total Discharges - 191,842 (+260)
  • New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 18 
  • Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 43,476
    • The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.
    • Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 55,453
    • This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.
  • Total vaccine doses administered - 23,471,223
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 57,218
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 338,270
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 76.4%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 69.4%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 79.1%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 71.1%
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 64.4%
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 58.1%
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 66.7%
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 59.5%

BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY DARCEL D. CLARK ANNOUNCES RIKERS ISLAND PROSECUTION BUREAU HAS INDICTED 37 CASES OF INMATE ASSAULTS ON OTHER INMATES, NYC DOC OFFICERS SINCE GRAND JURY RESTARTED

 

Seven Defendants Charged with Scalding Inmate with Hot Water; Others Indicted for Attacks Spanning Six Months

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that seven inmates on Rikers Island have been indicted for first-degree Assault, first-degree Gang Assault and other charges for beating and pouring scalding water on another inmate. The case is one of 37 indictments brought since the Grand Jury re-convened last winter charging brutal attacks in the jail spanning the past six months. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “These defendants allegedly have caused numerous acts of violence on both their fellow detainees and correction officers. One particularly cruel act was seven inmates allegedly overwhelmed an officer, then stomped and punched another detainee. One defendant allegedly poured boiling water on the victim, causing skin on his face, head and arms to burn away. Fortunately, he survived and is recovering.

 “We are holding violent people accountable for beatings, slashings and rape. No one who is at Rikers Island should be subject to such degradation, harm and fear. But we cannot prosecute our way out of this. There must be administrative tools for swift and certain punishment, and there must be adequate staff to ensure safety. We will continue to work with our partners at the Department of Correction to address the violence.”

 New York City Department of Correction Commissioner Vincent Schiraldi said, “These indictments send a clear message that if you commit violence in our jails, you will be held accountable, just as you would on the streets. I’d like to thank DA Clark, who I have been working closely with to expedite the prosecution of assaultive incarcerated individuals, a promise I made when I came on as commissioner. I’d also like to thank the hardworking members of our Correction Intelligence Bureau, who work around the clock to investigate crimes committed in our facilities as part of our comprehensive efforts to keep everyone safe.

 District Attorney Clark said the seven defendants—Trequan Campbell, Jeremiah Melendez, Kevin Faneus, Jhoan Green, Jamik Johnson, Luis Rivera and Jalen White—were indicted on charges of first-degree Assault, Attempted Assault in the first degree, first and second-degree Gang Assault, second-degree Assault, Promoting Prison Contraband, Unlawful Imprisonment, thirddegree Assault, and fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Green and Johnson were arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Lester Adler. Bail was set at $200,000 cash/$250,000 bond for Green and remand was continued for Johnson. They are due back in court on October 22, 2021. The other defendants are awaiting arraignment.

 According to the investigation, on June 23, 2021, at approximately 2:32 p.m. in Housing Area 6 Lower, Robert N. Davoren Center (RNDC) of Rikers Island, the defendants entered the housing area pantry, overwhelmed a Correction Officer and then entered the housing area dayroom where they damaged property, including the television, and then stomped and punched an inmate. Defendant Rivera allegedly grabbed a large hot water pot from the wall and poured boiling water on the victim. Blood was observed on the detainee’s shirt and on the floor. The victim suffered second-degree burns on over 20 percent of his body.

 Since Grand Juries re-convened in late February/March of 2021, the Rikers Island Prosecution Bureau has indicted 37 cases involving assaults on staff as well as assaults by detainees on detainees. The majority of the cases were brought to the bureau by Department of Correction’s Correction Intelligence Bureau as investigations. There are currently approximately 268 open investigations.

 Some of the cases: 

 On June 11, 2021, inside the Anna M. Kross Center (AMKC), a DOC Captain was escorting inmate Sebastian Pessoa to the clinic. At approximately 9:57 p.m., Pessoa allegedly grabbed the Captain from behind and used his arm to squeeze the Captain’s neck, then dropped him to the ground and took his "OC" spray from his body and sprayed him and other officers who arrived. The Captain slipped on the spray that was on the ground and suffered pain to his neck, back and leg. Pessoa was indicted on second-degree Robbery, second-degree Assault, Obstructing Governmental Administration and Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation.

 On May 27, 2021, at approximately 9:05 a.m. in the Otis Bantum Correctional Center, inmate Durel Bonilla approached a Correction Officer and allegedly punched him in the face, knocking him to the floor, and kicked him in the face and then punched him several times more in the face and body. The officer suffered a head contusion. Bonilla was indicted on second-degree Assault, third-degree Assault, Obstructing Governmental Administration and Harassment.

 On April 27, 2021, at approximately 8:08 p.m. in AMKC, inmate Felix Aponte approached a Correction Officer and punched him in the head, knocking him to the floor. The officer tried to stand up but fell to the floor due to dizziness and pain. He suffered a contusion and sustained swelling and pain to his head and body. Aponte was indicted on second-degree Assault, thirddegree Assault, Obstructing Governmental Administration and Harassment.

 On June 9, 2021, at approximately 10:56 a.m. in AMKC, inmate Zaki Smith allegedly approached a Correction Officer in a threatening manner and refused verbal commands to step back. Smith continued to advance toward the officer who deployed her OC spray as she ran towards the exit. Smith allegedly chased her and when she fell to the ground, Smith struck her about the face, several times, with both fists. The officer suffered several lacerations to the forehead, which required stiches, as well as a swollen nose and swollen eye sockets. Smith was indicted on seconddegree Assault, third-degree Assault, Obstructing Governmental Administration and Harassment.

 On February 8, 2021 in the Rose M. Singer Correctional Center, transgender inmate Ramel Blount raped a female inmate in the bathroom. The inmate reported the matter a few hours later and was brought to a local hospital where a rape kit was administered, which resulted in a DNA match to Blount. Blount was indicted on first-degree Rape, Sexual Misconduct, first-degree Sexual Abuse and Forcible Touching

 On March 10, 2021, in the George R. Vierno Center, inmate Devontea Reid allegedly punched a Correction Captain in her face, causing her to suffer a concussion. He was indicted on second-degree Assault, third-degree Assault, Obstructing Governmental Administration and Harassment. He has an existing indictment for second-degree Assault from an incident on October 1, 2020, where he acted in concert with two other individuals to attack an officer.

 District Attorney Clark thanked the DOC Correction Intelligence Bureau for their work in the investigations.

 An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt

Statement From Governor Kathy Hochul on Special Session

 

 "I am in talks with the Senate Majority Leader and Assembly Speaker to call a special session to address the impending eviction crisis, given the Supreme Court's decision. Our teams will be working through the weekend to address how best to deliver relief to renters and homeowners in need as quickly as possible."