Dear Neighbor,
Postponed
Due to inclement weather, our African Heritage Festival has been postponed until September 21, 2024.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to see you all soon!
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.
In partnership,
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson
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Governor Hochul: “There are families grieving today. They say grief is the price you pay for love. We have families, we have a school, a school district, a county, and indeed an entire state that is grieving at this time.”
Hochul: “When I talk about those who respond, I do want to acknowledge some incredible people who put on their uniforms every day, are there in our time of need ... And the countless fire and rescue departments that showed up literally running into danger, uncertain as to whether or not that bus could explode or whether they'd be safe. But they never questioned. They just respond, and we owe them our gratitude every single day.”
Today was a day of terror for 44 passengers on a private coach line. Group of high school students, members of the Farmingdale marching band enroute to a camp in Pennsylvania. No one could have foreseen what these 40 students and four adults would have experienced, but certainly there are families grieving today. They say grief is the price you pay for love. We have families, we have a school, a school district, a county, and indeed an entire state that is grieving at this time.
At approximately 1:12 p.m. Thursday, New York State Police patrolling I-84 as is customary, responded to a call and they got to the site of the accident. A bus that literally tumbled down a 50-foot ravine within minutes. It's extraordinary. And to our state police, once again, I'm in awe of what you do.
But imagine the fear, the screams in the aftermath when these high school students, many of them freshmen, were surrounded by this chaos. But they endured, they were strong. And within 45 minutes, because of the efforts of an incredible amount of teamwork, these young people and the adults were brought to safety. Many of them within a short time of the accident. While it's preliminary, it is likely that a faulty front tire contributed to the accident. Although, again, this is still under investigation. That's a preliminary determination.
When I talk about those who respond, I do want to acknowledge some incredible people who put on their uniforms every day, are there in our time of need, and my God, this was a time of need. To Colonel Richard Mazzone, the Assistant Deputy Superintendent of this troop, I thank him for his quick response. The men and women who are participating. Also, the Orange County Sheriff, Paul Arteta, I want to thank the Sheriff because he and his deputies were there also responding so quickly. The City of Middletown Police, I thank them. And the countless fire and rescue departments that showed up literally running into danger, uncertain as to whether or not that bus could explode or whether they'd be safe. But they never questioned. They just respond, and we owe them our gratitude every single day.
Also, the other individuals who jumped into gear right around the corner. SUNY Orange, Orange County Community College, a place where the families of these young people could travel from Nassau County and to be greeted with a community of warmth and caring. I'm grateful to them. I'm also grateful for our Commissioner of Education who's here, Betty Rosa, who is here to ensure that these young people are cared for as she does for all the children of the state. I'm also grateful for our county executives, Steve Neuhaus, who I spoke to not long ago, his quick response, his entire team. And the County Executive who represents the families that are grieving because thus far, the count is four fatalities. I'm sorry – two fatalities, two adults, but there are five or six students that are in critical condition at any one of six hospitals in the vicinity.
We'll give all the information to the public and to the press as soon as we know it. But at this point, and I thank our County Executive for being here and traveling, but there's a lot of families that need some love tonight. And we extend that from 20 million New Yorkers who all know how much we cherish our children, our adults, our band leaders. Life will be a little bit emptier without them. So, let’s keep them in our prayers this evening and as they recover from this horrific and tragic experience.
In 2021, Alexandria and Senator Ed Markey proposed a Civilian Climate Corps — a New Deal-style jobs training program to employ young people in good-paying, union jobs combating the climate crisis. Naysayers immediately called the idea ‘unrealistic’.
But yesterday, President Biden made the American Climate Corps a reality thanks to a massive, inside-outside organizing effort from countless communities and organizers — including the grassroots, youth-led Sunrise Movement.
The movement for our climate is beginning to crack the grip of fossil fuels on our politics. If we can win a Climate Corps by staying persistent and organized, we can also win a Green New Deal.
In its first year, the American Climate Corps will employ 20,000 young people in high-demand skills in the clean energy sector. Inspired by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a Depression-era infrastructure program started by FDR that provided jobs for millions, all positions will be paid and most will not require previous experience.
The program is also designed to invest in and attract participants from frontline communities disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis.1
This is a major victory for our movement. But there’s a lot more to be done.
In solidarity,
Team AOC
1 - NPR: Biden is unveiling the American Climate Corps, a program with echoes of the New Deal
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Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!
Kiddush by Stu Harris in memory of his mother, Golda Riva
Monday 9/25/23
Yom tov / fast ends 7:35PM
Fight Anti-Semitism 
VCJC was sent a large number of Blue Square pins from Stand Up To Jewish Hate, an organization under The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, started by Robert K. Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots. Its purpose is to make the world aware of and help wipe out anti-Semitism. Wearing the pin will show that you support stopping the spread of anti-Semitism. You can get yours in the office
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Due to Saturday’s forecast of heavy rain and high winds, we have decided to postpone our Woodlawn Family Fun Day. We hope to reschedule. Stay tuned for a new date.
Star Wars is on!
Friday night’s Starlight Cinema, featuring Star Wars, will start around 7:15 PM.
Join us on the southern end of the Parade Ground at 6 pm for movie-themed crafts and music from 1977.
Pack a picnic and be sure to dress warmly!
Support Our Work in Van Cortlandt Park
Show your love for Van Cortlandt Park while supporting the Alliance!
Our Contact Information
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
80 Van Cortlandt Park South, Ste. E1
Bronx, NY 10463
718-601-1460
http://vancortlandt.org
