Borough President Diaz celebrated the 34^th Anniversary of Italian American Heritage and Culture Month 2010

    The 34th Italian Heritage and Culture Month was a salute to Italian American women, honoring Dr. Maria Montessori an Internationally renowned educator and physician who lived from 1870-1952. 

    In 1976 the tradition was started with Italian Culture Week, and has grown to the month long celebration that it is today. This year Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. presented a Proclamation paying tribute to the Italian-American community and the culture, political, and scientific contributions Italian-Americans have made to our great borough, city, and country. BP Diaz proclaimed October 2010 as "Italian Heritage and Culture Month in The Bronx".

    Judge John Barone of the Supreme Court of New York was the master of ceremonies, and  the invocation was given by Megr. John A. Ruvo the former pastor of Our Lady Mt. Carmel Church. The American and Italian national anthems were played, and the invited guests were treated to a wonderful musical selection by 

Soprano singer Maria Fraccola with Dina Pruzhansky accompanying  her on the piano. 

    The event was held at the Bronx Zoo in what was formally known as the lion house, now vacated by the lions to their new outdoor home. One marveled at the fine marble columns and walls that were built in 1903 by Italian immigrants, and it was pointed out that The Bronx Botanical gardens and Fordham University were among other architectural wonders in the Bronx that were also built by Italians. 

    After a greeting by Francesco Maria Talo, Consul General of Italy in New York, and an Introduction by Mr. John Calvelli (Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Wildlife Conservation Society that runs the Bronx Zoo) BP Diaz brought up the honorees one by one.

    Rosemary Deluca (the Wildlife Conservation Society Assistant Director of City and State Affairs), Donna M. Rapaccioli Ph.D. (Professor and Dean of Business Faculty at Fordham University). and Geri Scortino (Owner of Bronx Design Group) were the 2010 Honorees. 

    Unbeknown to BP Diaz his elementary school principal Carol Russo (and a first generation Italian American) presented Diaz with a special presentation. Russo was the principal of PS 31 where young Ruben Diaz Jr. attended. She had nothing but praise for him, and BP Diaz told the audience of an experience that he had as a fifth grade student that got him on television for the first time. Diaz added that he was in the gifted program at PS 31 then, and that he wanted to see more gifted programs in the Bronx like the one he took. 

    Also in attendance were City Councilman Jimmy Vacca and 82nd Assemblyman Mike Benedetto who could only stay a short time due to other commitments. The program ended with BP Diaz saying "We should always celebrate our diversity",  and the delicious Italian food (from Auther Avenue) on hand was served.

    

KLEIN HOLDS 16^TH ANNUAL SENIOR APPRECIATION DAY

    Deputy Majority Leader State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) celebrated his 16^th annual Senior Appreciation Days on Wednesday, October 13^th and Thursday, October 14^th.

   Klein treated nearly 1,000 Bronx and Westchester senior citizens to a three-course meal and a popular musical at the Westchester Broadway Theatre. This year’s performance was the Tony Award Nominated Musical Jekyll & Hyde, based on the novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.

   This is the sixteenth year in a row that Klein has taken hundreds of senior citizens who reside in the 34th Senate District out for a gourmet lunch and Broadway show as a sign of appreciation for their contribution to the community.

    “Our Seniors are the pillars of our community and I can’t thank them enough for their endless support and dedication. To show my appreciation, I’m delighted to treat them to an all expenses paid afternoon where they can enjoy good food, good company and a great show,” said State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester).

    “Senior Appreciation Day is a much anticipated yearly event for our seniors. Our seniors would never be able to see a show of that caliber on their own.  We are very grateful for the generosity of Senator Klein, he is very warm and caring to our senior community,” said Silvia Ponce of the Northeast Bronx Senior Citizen Center. 

VERNUCCIO FOR STATE SENATE
34th District   Republican Conservative 
October 15, 2010
New Water Rate Increase Inexcusable 
    

    The already overburdened tax and rate payers of New Rochelle are again being subjected to unaffordable and inexcusably high water rate increases.  Considering the extraordinarily high property, income and other taxes paid by residents, the question may legitimately be asked: what are all those other taxes and fees being used for if a   

commodity as basic as water comes with such a high price tag?  

Frank V. Vernuccio, Jr.

 WWW.VERNUCCIO4SENATE.COM    VERNUCCIO4SENATE@GMAIL.COM    

 

KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY TASK FORCE ANNOUNCES NYU CAPSTONE PROGRAM TO STUDY THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY

    In an open letter to the public, the Kingsbridge Armory Task Force has announced that New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service has selected the Kingsbridge Armory for study through its highly competitive Capstone Program.

Under NYU’s Capstone Program, a team of faculty and students from the university will identify alternative uses for the armory through a year-long planning study that will advise the Kingsbridge Armory Task Force. The project will include research, design, and analysis of a sustainable and socially-beneficial model for the reuse of the Kingsbridge Armory.

    “The NYU Capstone Program is a highly selective, highly competitive program, and we are thrilled that they have chosen to focus their efforts on the redevelopment and reuse of the Kingsbridge Armory this year. Working together with NYU, it is our hope that this study will not only identify new uses for the Kingsbridge Armory, but will lead to the creation of a new RFP for this historic structure,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

    “The task force has taken on the challenge of identifying how the Bronx can attract the jobs of the future and prepare its residents to fill them. This is not simply about reuse of a public building. It is about how this building might contribute to a larger community and borough agenda for economic growth,” said Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO of the Partnership for New York City.

    “We are bringing in highly skilled individuals to ensure that the Kingsbridge Armory will be transformed into a space that benefits our borough without downsides.  The NYU’s Capstone Program will offer us the vision of young and talented professionals, and we are ready to work with them to find the best plan for the Kingsbridge Armory,” said Marlene Cintron, President of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC).

    “I welcome the news that the NYU Capstone Program will participate in the process of redeveloping the Kingsbridge Armory, and I am confident that the seeds for a wonderful new community resource within the walls of this historic structure will be planted,” said City Council Member Fernando Cabrera.

    The Kingsbridge Armory Task Force consists of Borough President Diaz, Council Member Cabrera, Ms. Cintron, Ms. Wylde, Majora Carter, environmental consultant; Paul Foster, chairman of Bronx Community Board #7; Jack Kittle, political director of District Council 9; Steven McInnis, political director for the New York City District Council of Carpenters; Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, a board member of the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition; Ned Regan, former state comptroller; Jack Rosen, Chief Executive of Rosen Partners LLC; and Steven M. Safyer, MD, President and CEO of Montefiore Medical Center.

     

PRESIDENT DIAZ AND THE BRONX DEFENDERS HOST A CLINIC TO PROCESS "CERTIFICATES OF GOOD CONDUCT" FOR BRONXITES

   

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and The Bronx Defenders will sponsor a re-entry clinic to assist ex-offenders to obtain Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct.  These documents will help ex-offenders who have traditionally faced barriers to employment and housing because of a criminal record.

Certificates of Relief from Disability and Certificate of Good Conduct are crucial tools created by the legislature.  They facilitate successful reintegration after a conviction by helping people overcome legal barriers to employment, housing, and civic participation.  Unfortunately, they are vastly underutilized and only a small fraction of the people who could benefit from the certificates applies and receives them each year. 

The clinic will help hundreds of Bronxites to apply for the certificates and to spread to word about its benefits.  

Thursday, October 14                                  11:00 am
Bronx Supreme Court Building- 851 Grand Concourse - 1^st floor- Rotunda  

 

Carl Palidino- "Crazy, Nuts, Homophobic, or Just Plain Stupid"

    The more Republican, Conservative, and Tea Party candidate for New York State governor Carl Palidino opens up his mouth the more he sticks his foot into it. First it was the baseball bat approach to cleaning up Albany, then it was saying that his opponent had extra-marital affairs, then it was a blow-out threat to Fred Dicker of the New York Post, and now it is candidate Palidino's anti gay comments that were or were not said by him. 

    Now even his running mates for New York State Comptroller and Attorney General are trying to distance themselves from Carl Palidino's comments. Even Former Conservative Party candidate Rick Lazio who dropped out to allow Carl Palidino to obtain the Conservative Party line has called his remarks an embarrassment.

    Stay tuned for just what will happen next to "Crazy, Nutty, Homophobic, or Just Plain Stupid Carl Palidino".

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ  
RE: Hate Crimes Against Gay Men In the Bronx

    Bronx Borough President has made the following statement about the recent rash of hate crimes against gay men in the Bronx 

    

“The news of these hate crimes sadden us all, and I am grateful that the NYPD has moved so quickly against those responsible for these homophobic attacks. Bronxites will not tolerate any form of bigotry in our borough, and we stand together as 1.4 million residents to condemn these actions and to oppose hatred in all its forms,” said Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

McLaughlin Responds to Dinowitz's Puzzling Comments About His Campaign

    We received this e-mail from the Joe Mclaughlin campaign, and we have several questions about some of the claims by the Mclaughlin campaign. We must also disclose that I (Robert Press) ran against Assemblyman Dinowitz in the 1996 general election.

    We are very concerned that the Mclaughlin campaign was for building an outdated oversized water filtration plant in Van Cortlandt Park, blaming Assemblyman Dinowitz for things that Mayor Bloomberg has done, while Assemblyman Dinowitz opposed those projects. Fails to know the name of the current State Senate Majority leader Pedro Espada Jr. calling him Jose Espada. Thinks that Ed Koch who was the only person in his administration as mayor of the City of New York that could not be bought (as per FBI tapes) is the person to end corruption in Albany. Finally while attacking Assemblyman Dinowitz for allowing New Jersey trade unions at the NYC DEP Water Filtration Plant in Van Cortlandt Park, The Mclaughlin campaign uses New Jersey as a base of operations by its 201-320-7850 phone number.

 

Yesterday, the Norwood News printed a story on Joe McLaughlin’s assembly campaign in the 81^st district of the Bronx.  Joe is running a grassroots campaign throughout the district to give voters a choice for real reform this November against Jeffrey Dinowitz.

Dinowitz was also interviewed for the story and had a few puzzling statements we would like to address.

You can read the article here: http://www.norwoodnews.org/story/?id=2092

Dinowitz: "[Voters] know I work hard for the neighborhood."

His record says otherwise.

- He voted against a water filtration plant that has provided jobs in construction and plumbing.  

- Dinowitz allowed NJ trade unions to lock out Woodlawn plumbers when 80% of the jobs to build the plant were designated to be filled by neighborhood laborers and tradesmen.

- Allowed the Firehouse to close in Woodlawn

- Hit seniors on a fixed income with taxes on clothing and footwear

- Did nothing while lifeline buses the BX34 and BX 1 were put on reduced schedules while fattening pensions for MTA employees

- Siphoned money from a payroll tax designed to fund the MTA.  

- Killed student MetroCards 

- Voted to get rid of 10 of the 30 insurance companies that insure seniors in NY

- Allowed Mayor Bloomberg to shove every drug center and homeless shelter in Wakefield

- All while NYPD reduced about 100 officers from local precincts  

- Voted against giving New Yorkers temporary relief from gas taxes, at a time when gas was $4

- Voted against nearly $2 billion in property tax relief

- Voted to kill a bill that excluded Social Security income when determining eligibility for real property tax exemptions on property owned by senior citizens

- Said he wanted to "slightly increase" corporate taxes, have no cap on property tax hikes and institute even more fees and sales taxes.

- While NY went broke, Dinowitz demanded a pay raise for himself.  Last year he made $95,000

- Decided against ousting Jose Espada from the Democratic Party before the Sept 14 primary

While the people of the 81st district are looking for a leader, Dinowitz has continued to play Albany partisan politics.  Dinowitz has cast blame on anyone but himself and Speaker Silver when the Democrats have had total control of the Senate, Assembly and Governor’s mansion for 2 years.

On his statement against Mayor Koch (“Who died and made Ed Koch an expert on reform?”) –

Joe is appalled that he would attack one of the greatest Jewish Politicians of our time who is advocating for real reform against corruption.  Koch has pushed for reform as early as the 1963 when he took on party boss Carmine Desapio.  To get further information from Mayor Koch please contact Adam Riff at 212-616-5815.

Jeffrey Dinowitz: “I’m sure I’ll get at least 75 percent of the votes. I don’t want to be cocky” –

We are not shocked by this comment.  Joe has known for a long time that Jeffrey Dinowitz is out of touch with the people of the 81st district.

Joe has been through every neighborhood in the district.  He knows the people are fed up with business as usual. They are looking for common sense reform to get the Bronx and New York back on track.

Joe may be the underdog in this race but he is not alone when he says "we cannot trust those who helped create the mess in Albany to go back this November and fix it."

For more information or to speak with Joe please contact me anytime at bmurphy@joemclaughlinforassembly.com or 201-320-7850.

Thanks,

Bill Murphy

 

 BP Diaz and Others Join Local 70 Calling for More Bronx Jobs

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson and Assembly Candidate Eric Stevenson participated in a rally organized by the Laborers International Union of North America, Local 79, to demand that developers of publicly financed construction projects hire more local residents to work on their projects.    

It's My Park Day Saturday October 23rd.

    The Bedford Mosholu Community Association is having its annual "It's My Park" cleanup and spruce up  of Mosholu Parkway on Saturday October 23rd from 10AM to 12PM. BCMA will be cleaning and planting along Mosholu Parkway starting from the meeting point of the NYC Parks Department building on Webster Avenue and Mosholu Parkway South. 

    There will be a large crowd helping out and you can be part of it. Help to beautify Mosholu Parkway on October 23rd from 10-12.

16^th Annual Tour De Bronx
Sunday October 24th

          Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Transportation Alternatives, together with Montefiore Medical Center, St. Barnabas Hospital and Bronx Lebanon Hospital, invite all the residents to be part of New York State’s largest free cycling even.

     Over 6,000 riders from throughout the TRI-STATE area will cover over 65-miles of Bronx historic landmarks, waterfronts, new developments, new bike paths, greenways, parks and beaches, and will even ride through a portion of the Sheridan Expressway which is exclusively closed for this ride. 

       Cyclists will ride a 25-mile or 40-mile route.  Both routes include attractions like St. Ann’s, the borough’s oldest church once owned by the Morris family, Yankee Stadium, the historic Longwood section celebrated for its stately Victorian-era townhouses and various other Bronx attractions. 

      Following the ride, cyclists are invited to the Tour de Bronx Festival at Botanical Gardens featuring live entertainment and refreshments.

     For REGISTRATION:   Call 718.590.3518 or visit www.tourdebronx.org

          The registration dead line is Thursday, October 21^st
       16^th Annual Tour De Bronx ---- Sunday, October 24 
      The Starting Point--- The Grand Concourse and East 161st Street.
      Please note, this year there is only one starting location.
      Starting Time---  9:30 AM

 

Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Clarifies News Reports About Attorney General Candidate Dan Donovan Endorsement

 New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) issued the following statement to clarify a statement that had been reported by Liz Benjamin in a Capital Tonight column on Monday, October 4^th:

“I would like to clarify something reported by Ms. Benjamin’s in her news report that stated: “The clergy group has already endorsed one Republican statewide contender: AG hopeful Dan Donovan.”

Ms. Benjamin did not accurately report what I told her in regard to my fellow ministers and our support for Dan Donovan in his race for New York Attorney General race.

On Sunday, I told Ms. Benjamin that my ministers and I took a vote and agreed that we would endorse Dan Donovan only after if he would meet with us during one of our weekly meetings so that he could answer some questions about issues that effect our community.

As I have clarified during other public forums where candidates have attended and shared their positions, the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization does not officially endorse candidates, but the ministers themselves may endorse them.”

Will the 82nd A.D. be the Only Real Contested Race in the Bronx This November?
  

    In the 82nd Assembly District incumbent Assemblyman Michael Benedetto won the Democratic Primary with ease, but will have a much tougher challenge in the November general election from Republican, Conservative, and Independence candidate Mike Rendino. Rendino is a former NYC fire fighter who is Chair of the Economic Development Committee of Community Board #4, as well as running a local Bronx business. 

    Almost 100 people came to the Bronx County Republican Headquarters yesterday to see and hear candidate Rendino in what was called a "Meet and Greet" breakfast. Many in attendance were impressed by candidate Rendinos platform of wanting to restore fiscal responsibility, while fighting new taxes and fees. Rendino said that he had to retire fron the NYFD after he responded to 9/11 and the medical problems he has suffered since then, but he said that he wants to fight for the people of the 82nd now.

    The 82nd Assembly district goes from Throggs Neck up the east Bronx all the way to Coop-City, and is diverse as well as the neighborhoods it runs through. Throggs Neck seems to be more conservative while Coop-City tends to be more liberal. 

    To learn more or to get involved in the campaign of Mr. Mike Rendino you can go to WWW.MIKERENDINO.COM  , or call 347-538-6231 Mr. Robert Giuffre the campaign manager for Mike Rendino for 82nd Assembly.

Liberty Democratic Association to hold fundraiser Thursday October. 28th

Here is the last post again in its original size. See the previous posting for the phone numbers if you have any trouble reading them on this posting.

  

Liberty Democratic Association to hold fundraiser Thursday October. 28th

   The Liberty Democratic Association will hold its 3rd annual fund raising dinner on Thursday night starting at 7:00PM, with the cocktail hour starting at 6:00PM.We apologize for the size and small missing part, but we wanted you to have the phone numbers clear as you would not be able to read them if we made the image any smaller. What is missing on the right side is to make your checks payable to the Liberty Democratic Association, and for more information please call one of the phone numbers at the lower left.

  

MIKE RENDINO CANDIDATE FOR 82ND A.D. TO HOST “MEET AND GREET” BREAKFAST AT CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS

   Insurgent 82nd A.D. State Assembly Candidate Mike Rendino will host the community for a "meet and Greet" breakfast at his campaign headquarters this Sunday from 9:00AM – 11:000AM located at 3029 MIDDLETOWN ROAD in the Pelham Bay neighborhood of The Bronx. Mr. Rendino will have the Republican, Conservative, and Independence lines for the November general election.

For more information on Mike Rendino for New York State Assembly please visit mikerendino.com. 

Contact: Robert Giuffre (347) 538-6231 for more information

  

WESTCHESTER SQUARE MEDICAL CENTER TO STAY OPEN

   On Monday, October 4^th,  Congressman Joseph Crowley, Councilman Jimmy Vacca and State Senator Jeff Klein will join officials from Westchester Square Medical Center to announce that a permanent operating certificate has been granted to Westchester Square Medical Center – ending years of debate over whether the facility would remain open.

     The Press Conference to Announce the Permanent Operating Certificate for NY Westchester Square Medical Center will occur on Monday, October  4^th at 11:30AM.

     At the New York Westchester Square Medical Center 2475 St. Raymond Avenue.

     In attendance will be Congressman Joe Crowley, State Senator Jeff Klein, Councilman James Vacca, and Alan Kopman, President & CEO, NY WSMC                           

Is He Mad as Hell Palidino, or Crazy Carl?

   Having just gotten the nod from the Conservative Party to run on their official party line Carl Palidino erupted into an in your face verbal and almost physical altercation with veteran New York Post Albany reporter Fred Dicker. Dicker had repeatedly asked Palidino to be more specific when referring to a statement that Palidino had said about his opponent's possible relationships. It came to Palidino saying to Dicker " I will take you out", to what is being said of a Post photographer trying to take pictures of Palidino's 10 year old daughter. Michael Caputo, Palidino campaign manager said “The shooter took photographs of the home. He pointed his lens through the window. He chased Carl’s daughter to a playground, even forcing her to flee across a busy road. Fred Dicker is responsible for assigning the photographer to take photos of Carl’s 10 year old daughter and I have that on confirmation of two Post employees. ”

   The Post’s editor-in-chief, Col Allen, has flat out rejected the claims by Carl Paladino’s campaign manager about a photographer from the paper going to great lengths to capture pictures of the candidate’s daughter. 

   The New York Post is owned by Keith Rupert Murdoch who bought the newspaper in 1976, and is rumored to be a heavy contributor to the Republican Party. It will be seen what if anything will happen to Fred Dicker, as there are reports surfacing that this was not the first time that Dicker had an altercation with  someone in Albany. 

   Then there is the other side of how the voters will feel about the outburst by what he is now being called, "Crazy Carl".

KLEIN APPLAUDS DECISION TO KEEP WESTCHESTER SQUARE MEDICAL CENTER OPEN

   In a statement released Thursday, State Senator and Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) applauded the New York State Department of Health’s decision to extend a permanent operating certificate to Westchester Square Medical Center, thus removing it from the Berger Commission list:

         STATEMENT FROM SENATOR JEFF KLEIN

    

    "For more than four years, I have fought tirelessly to make clear to the New York State Department of Health that closing Westchester Square Hospital would be a severe miscalculation and have devastating consequences for thousands of New Yorkers. Saving this hospital from the chopping block means nearly 700 New Yorkers will keep their jobs and that the roughly forty-thousand New Yorkers each year who rely on Westchester Square Hospital will continue to have the vital health care and treatment they deserve."

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ TO HOST HEARING ON “JOBS FOR THE 21^ST CENTURY” 

  

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and New York State Senate President Malcolm A. Smith will host a joint legislative hearing on “Jobs for the 21^st Century,” a public meeting organized by the New York State Tri-Level Legislative Task Force to receive input from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to better determine what local, state and federal government can do to create jobs and put New Yorkers back to work.

Bronx business’ owners and local entrepreneurs will testify in front of the task force, which will compile the information received during the hearing to better determine what can be done to attract companies and create jobs in the borough.

The Tri-Level Joint Legislative Task Force is a collective effort by New York Federal, State and City elected officials formed in 2007 with the mission of putting people back to work in New York State by taking a fresh approach to increasing opportunities, accountability and efficiency.  

Friday, October 1, 2010

851 Grand Concourse- Bronx Borough Hall Rotunda- 1^st floor 

10:00 am to 12:00 pm  

Call  718-590-2509 for more information.

Community Events

1-   New York State Senator Jeff Klein and KRVC invite you to attend a

Community Vision Meeting on Wednesday, September 29 at 7PM at Riverdale
Neighborhood House, 5521 Mosholu Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471.

Bring your community ideas and concerns to improve North Riverdale!
This is your chance to be heard! Together we can keep our community
strong and vibrant!

For more information, please contact Senator Klein's Office at (800) 718-2039

or you can contact Tracy Shelton of KRVC at 718-543-7100.

2- The Kingsbridge-Riverdale-Van Cortlandt Development Corp./KRVC and Citibank will be holding an event to release a listing of the full service bank branches available in the neighborhoods of Kingsbridge, Kingsbridge Heights, Marble Hill, Riverdale, Van Cortlandt and Woodlawn.  The first edition of the handy brochure and the release event have been generously sponsored by Citibank.  KRVC will reach out to all the banks in our community to produce the second version of the bank guide and the online version of the bank guide, which will include more detailed information and more bank advertisements.  Refreshments will be served at this event and it is open to the whole community and to the media. Members of the community who attend this event may also pick up a Restaurant Guide, which was recently produced by KRVC and which was funded by Council Member Oliver Koppell.

    Thursday, September 30, 11 am
   Citibank Kingsbridge Branch, 5660 Broadway (near Staples) 
   Call KRVC at  718-543-7100 for more information.
   

Army Corps awards $10.6 million contract for shoreline protection project at Orchard Beach in the Bronx

   The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, has awarded a $10.6 million contract to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company of Oak Brook, Ill., to place approximately 250,000 cubic yards of beach fill onto Orchard Beach in the Bronx and to repair the beach's existing south groin.

    The work will help combat erosion at Orchard Beach by replacing lost sand and repairing the south groin to inhibit future erosion. It will also make the beach safer by relieving overcrowding and eliminating dangerous drop-off zones.

   "This project represents an outstanding investment of public dollars to provide the great people of the Bronx with a first-class recreational beach in these tough economic times," said New York District Commander Col. John R. Boulé. "We're excited to be partnering with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to restore Orchard Beach."

    The project is a cost-sharing partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, with 50 percent being federal funding provided by the Corps of Engineers and 50 percent being funding provided by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.

   Work will begin in October and will be completed before the beginning of the 2011 summer beach season. This summer, over 1.4 million New Yorkers visited Orchard Beach.

Rick Lazio Withdraws From Conservative Line for Governor

   It is official now, Rick Lazio has withdrawn his name from the Conservative Party line in the 2010 New York State Governors race. It is said that he will be offered the 12th Judicial nomination by either the Bronx Republican or Bronx Conservative parties. New York State Conservative Party Leader Mike Long has made that announcement, and has said that he (Long) will now push for the State Committee of the Conservative Party to place Carl Palidino as the choice of the party for governor. We spoke to Bronx Conservative Party Chairman Bill Newmark on Saturday, and Mr. Newmark told us that he was offering the 12th Judicial line to Lazio. Newmark also said that he hopes Lazio withdraws, because he (Newmark) is a Palidino supporter. 

   It looks like Andrew Cuomo will have the Democratic, Independence, and Working Family lines, while Carl Palidino will have the Republican, and Conservative lines. Palidino will also have the non recognized Tea Party line, while Brooklyn Councilman Charles Barrons will have the non recognized Freedom Party line. 

   While it was said by Palidino supporters that they needed Lazio out of the race to insure that Andrew Cuomo did not win because of Lazio syphoning votes from Palidino. The question now is will Charles Barrons do the same to Andrew Cuomo to allow Carl Palidino to win the governors race?

New York State Stands to Loose Two Congressional Seats Due to Reapportionment

   When the census data comes out in December there could be a change to 12 congressional districts. New York and Ohio are expected to loose two seats each, while the states of Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are expected to loose one seat each.

   Texas is expected to pick up four new seats in congress, while Florida is expected to pick up two new seats, and Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington are expected to pick up one seat each.

   This could mean a shift in monies that are given to the states from the federal government, as well as political pull by state or states that either gain or loose seats in the house.

   It was predicted that New York would loose only one seat as the census was being taken, but that may be only the half of it. Locally Congressman Eliot Engel is hoping not to loose any of the Bronx, but does expect to go further up into Rockland County. It is expected that Congressman Crowley may loose the Bronx part of his Bronx-Queens district, but Congressman Crowley denies that could happen. We asked Congressman Serrano about his district, and he said he will run for re-election even if his district goes up to Riverdale or where ever the  new boundaries are.

COMPTROLLER LIU UNCOVERS PENSION FRAUD – SUSPECTS CASH IN ON DEAD PENSIONERS

    NYC Comptroller John C. Liu joined by NYC Department of Investigation (DOI) Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn announced today that the Comptroller’s Office has uncovered nearly a half-million dollars in suspected pension fraud.

   “Fraud and waste anywhere in city government cannot and should not be tolerated,” Comptroller Liu said.  “This suspected pension fraud wastes the public’s money and undermines security for the city’s workers and retirees". "We will work with the DOI to aggressively investigate the suspected abuse of the public’s money.”

   As part of Comptroller Liu’s efforts to root out waste and fraud, the Comptroller’s Office applied cutting-edge use of data analysis earlier this year to match pension payments against death records from 2007 to 2009.  Upon examination, the Comptroller’s Office found 14 specific cases where either a person or persons continued to cash the dead pensioner’s checks, or pension checks continued to be deposited into the dead pensioners’ bank accounts. Comptroller Liu's Office will work with DOI to further investigate the 14 cases of potential pension fraud. Along with the 14 cases, the Comptroller’s Office uncovered 171 additional cases totaling nearly two million dollars where pension payments were issued to deceased pensioners from 2007 to 2009.  The Comptroller’s Office will continue its examination to determine why the checks were still issued to the deceased pensioners.

   Chief among the findings:
• One person or persons cashed 38 pension checks totaling $139,818 after the pensioner died in 2007, using the dead pensioner's NYS driver's license. When the license expired in 2010, it was renewed and the person or persons continued to cash the dead pensioner’s checks.
• Another person or persons cashed or deposited 25 pension checks totaling $9,696 after the pensioner died in 2008.
• The remaining 12 cases involved pension payments to dead pensioners totaling $310,456.

   The Comptroller’s Office began matching pension payments against social security death records in February shortly after Comptroller Liu took office. Total pension payments between 2007– 2009 totaled $29 billion. The Comptroller administers pension payments as the custodian of the New York City Employee Retirement System (NYCERS). Comptroller Liu will conduct regular reviews of pension payments to prevent further waste and fraud in city pensions.
   

COMPTROLLER LIU UNCOVERS POSTMORTEM PENSION PAYMENTS

   New York City Comptroller John C. Liu will be joined by New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn for an announcement on pension fraud.

   The announcement on the details will come on Monday, September 27, 2010 at 11:00 AM. Comptroller Liu, Deputy Comptroller H. Tina Kim, and DOI Commissioner Gill Hearn will be in attendance.This will happen at the Office of the Comptroller Municipal Building - Room 530 - 1 Centre Street New York, NY 10007.

Bronx County Judicial Convention Over, Now Let's Elect a Governor.

   Stanley Schlein ran the Judicial convention last night, that nominated current Acting Judge Edgar G. Walker for 12th Judicial District judge. The convention went off with only a slight bump as Civil Court Judge Fernando Tapia was also nominated from the floor. After a vote of the delegates seated at the convention, Judge Walker was voted as the choice by a 67 to 4 majority. 

   Judge Walker then thanked those who voted for him, along with his good friends and supporters who advocated for his successful nomination to the 12th Judicial District. The meeting then adjourned.

  

Bronx County Committee Meeting Update

   As we told you in yesterday's post Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie was re-elected Bronx Democratic County Leader, and no one was thrown in front of the bus as the Bronx was in the house. While Chairman Heastie got the vote of all in attendance, three district leaders and every Bronx elected official (related or not) named Rivera did not attend the meeting. 

   Assemblyman and County Committee Chairman Jeffrey Dinowitz opened the meeting by saying " This meeting will be a lot calmer than 2 years age", he also added that there will be lights and a microphone this time. Dinowitz was re-elected County Committee Chairman, and we are not going to bore you as to who nominated who or seconded the nominations as the script went on.
   The only real surprise of the night came when Joel Rivera (not the councilman) was elected as a Vice-President of the party. This was probably in return for him not running against recently re-elected Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson, as he had done in the special election. 

   Chairman Heastie thanked everyone for re-electing him as county leader, said that he has tried to listen to everyone, mentioned the unity now happening in the Bronx, giving an example of the defeat of the failed Kingsbridge Armory project in the City Council, and added a pledge to continue to work for the Bronx.

   Don't forget tonight is the Judicial convention, which I have been told should be quick and unevetful.  

Carl Heastie Re-elected Bronx County Leader

   Yes we know that the Bronx Democratic County Committee meeting is not for several hours, but we wanted to be the first with the news. As Current Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie told us last week there should be no reason as to why he is not going to be re-elected Bronx Democratic County Leader. Heastie added to the number of district leaders that are on his side this election over two years ago, so we will project that Assemblyman Carl Heastie has been re-elected Bronx Democratic County Leader.

   We will give you the rest of the results tomorrow just in case anyone was thrown in front of the bus, for the good of the party. 

   Don't forget tomorrow night is the Judicial convention, but we are not looking for the "Thriller at the Villa" as was the case last convention. We think this will be one boring uneventful Judicial convention.

We Just Got These in

#1-BRONX COMMUNITY ACTIVIST AND EARLY OBAMA SUPPORTER, HAILE RIVERA SUPPORTS SENATOR RUBEN DIAZ, SR. FOR MAJORITY LEADER OF THE NEW YORK STATE SENATE AND URGES NEWLY-ELECTED SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA (NO RELATION) TO SUPPORT THIS PROPOSAL AS WELL.

 

 

#2-VERNUCCIO  FOR SENATE

THE VOTERS DESERVE A DEBATE

 

     New York State has not been well served by its government.  Soaring taxes, failing services, fleeing jobs, and a crumbling infrastructure have been ignored as the professional politicians play their power games in Albany.  The voters deserve to hear candidates for office debate about how they will address these challenges.  I challenge my opponent, Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Klein, to debate, and I request that the media provide appropriate forums.    

Our answers to both #1 and #2

As to #1 we say that Haile Rivera should hang it up and ride into the sunset now, or how about starting your campaign for the 33rd State Senate 2012 now. What a race Rivera versus Rivera, both with no relation to each other or the other Rivera's in office. 

As to the Majority Leader position, it will be consolidated with the Conference Leader position (a position that kept the power in the State Senate, while affording Pedro Espada Jr. a title) like before the June 2009 senate coup. Halie, I would also stop the Obama talk as he is going to have a hard fight to get re-elected if the Republican Party can come up with a decent candidate.

As to #2 first let me say that Frank Vernuccio is running for the 34th State Senate on the Republican and Conservative lines against incumbent State Senator Jeff Klein the ranking Deputy Majority Leader who has the Democratic line.

As to Mr. Vernuccio's statement I believe that he has left a lot out. However if he has read my column 100PERCENT and the newspapers the column is carried in he would have seen the tremendous job that Senator Jeff Klein is doing in these tough times, and revenues that he has brought to the 34th State Senate district. The statement is a very general one that will apply to any race for any office, without mentioning specific local issues. I am sure that there will be debates set up for the candidates, but I as you have just seen I am biased for the re-election of Senator Klein so I can not do one.   

 

What's your opinion?

Just How Did Pedro Espada Jr. Lose?

   How did a man who in 2008 won the 33rd State Senate District 60 percent to 40 percent lose in 2010, 62 percent to 33 percent? That is the question Pedro Espada Jr. wants to know the answer to. 

   In 2008 Pedro Espada Jr. was challenging then 33rd State Senator Efrain Gonzalez Jr. who was under indictment from the federal government. Still many elected officials backed Gonzalez over Espada, but when primary day 2008 was over Espada won with 4,988 votes to 3,350 for Gonzalez or 60-40 percent as the voters said no to Gonzalez and yes to Espada.

   Senator Pedro Espada Jr. then went to Albany, and saw an opportunity in an almost deadlocked legislative body. Governor Elliot Spitzer had resigned, and Lieutenant Governor David Paterson (the tie breaker in the State Senate) was now Governor Paterson leaving no tie breaker in the State Senate. Democrats had a slim two vote majority in the State Senate for the first time in many years, and Pedro Espada Jr. was going to take full advantage of it. After failing at first to get power, a pow wow was called between Espada and three other democratic Hispanic state senators. Espada along with Senators Ruben Diaz Sr. (Bronx), Carl Kruger (Brooklyn), and Hiram Monserrate (Queens) formed the "Four Amigos". Espada and Monserrate even went so far as to overthrow the democratic majority in the now famous "Senate Coup of June 2009" by joining with the Republicans in the State Senate. Senator Monserrate however came right back to the democratic side making it a stalemate at 31 to 31 as Espada would not budge. Espada finally came back to the Democratic side when he was given the title of Majority Leader, while Senator John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) was made the Senate Conference Chairman (the real leader of the State Senate). Governor Paterson after some court challenges appointed a new Lieutenant Governor, and everything got back to what could be called normal in Albany. 

   A short time later Senator Monserrate was accused of assaulting his girlfriend, and as a result of the  conviction was quickly expelled from State Senate by a majority of his colleagues. Now there were only three amigos left. 

   A few months before Primary Day 2010 New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo raided the Soundview Health Center run by Pedro Espada Jr., carting away boxes of what was called evidence while accusing Espada of looting the Soundview Health Center of 14 million dollars. Cuomo also filed a civil suit against Espada. This happened shortly before petition time where it looked like Pedro Espada Jr. would have four challengers for his seat, almost a guarantee that he would be re-elected. When the petition deadline passed only three people handed in petitions to challenge Espada. During the petition challenge process another candidate was knocked off the ballot leaving only two challengers to face Espada in the primary. Two debates were scheduled with Espada failing to show for either to defend his record as State Senator. The endorsements for one of his challengers kept coming in from elected officials and unions so great that right after Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. had endorsed Mr. Gustavo Rivera the other challenger Mr. Dan Padernacht decided to end his campaign and throw his support behind Mr. Rivera "To defeat Pedro Espada Jr. for the good of the Democratic Party". 

   By now BP Diaz was hacking Pedro Espada Jr. in the media even though his father Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. was endorsing Espada. This was not the first time that the Diaz's had endorsed different candidates in the same race, and I was told it may not be the last time either. As Primary Day approached Espada challenger  Gustavo Rivera had a unified campaign of elected officials, union support, and others who's main goal was to see that Pedro Espada Jr. was to be defeated on Primary Day 2010. 

   Espada's ground troops were no match for Gustavo Rivera's army of supporters as Rivera blew away Espada 62 percent to 33 percent, with 5 percent of the district vote going to Mr. Dan Padernacht who was supporting Gustavo Rivera the eventual winner. In all the vote in the 33rd State Senate District was 6,870 for Gustavo Rivera, 3607 for Pedro Espada Jr., and 567 for Dan Padernacht. 2,692 more people voted in 2010 that did in 2008, for an increase of voter participation of 24 percent. Mr. Rivera received 3,520 more votes (or more than twice as much) in 2010 than Espada's opponent did in 2008. Pedro Espada Jr. received 1,381 (28 percent) less votes  in 2010 than he did in 2008. 

   We think each and everything we mentioned contributed to Espada's lose, but it could be that Pedro Espada Jr. underestimated the voter above Kingsbridge Road. We say that because it was the Attorney General race of 2010 that brought out more voters above Kingsbridge Road, and most of those voters as we have seen did not vote for Pedro Espada Jr. Senator Diaz told me on election night as the votes started to come in, that there seemed to be an avalanche of votes against Espada in the northern part of the district that Espada was not going to be able to make up. Senator Diazleaving Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. as the "Lone Amigo" in the New York State Senate

   

 Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., & the Bronx Clergy Task Force

                                      

     Invite you to join our--- “Peace in Our Streets” Initiative

  

“Peace in Our Streets” is a borough-wide community outreach initiative where members of the faith-based community, along with volunteers, go out into the community and speak to fellow Bronxites and disseminate information about ways they can make their neighborhoods safer and help to remove guns from our city’s streets.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

12:00 p.m. – Convene

1:00-4:00 p.m. – Community Outreach

Greater Faith Temple

4214 White Plains Road

If you are outraged by violence in our communities,

be part of the solution and volunteer your time on September 25th!!

This a special call to action to all Bronx houses of worship,

young adults and all Bronxites!

Please wear light blue to signify peace.

 

Bronx Democratic County Organization Getting Very Busy

   Now that the Democratic primary is over the Bronx Democratic County Committee is getting very busy in the next two weeks. Notices are being sent out to all county committee members and Judaical delegates and alternates of the upcoming meetings.

   On Wednesday evening September 22nd the Bronx Democratic County Committee will meet, and decide on officers, after that the elected officers and district leaders will then vote on the county leader. Current Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie is confident that he will be re-elected as Bronx County Leader. The Bronx County Committee meeting will take place at the Eastwood Manor located at 3371 Eastchester Road just south of Boston Road.

   On Thursday night September 23rd the newly elected Bronx County Judicial delegates and alternates will convene to nominate Judicial candidates. The meeting will take place at the Villa Barone Manor located at 737 Throggs Neck Expy, at Phillip Ave. 

   I was able to ask Chairman Heastie about the primary results, and he said that he should not be badgered about loosing only one race (the 86th assembly), when all of the other candidates he backed won. I also asked Chairman Heastie his thoughts on the Republican candidate for governor Carl Palidino. Heastie said "Carl Palidino is the one person that you would want for an opponent, Palidino is a racist, bigot, and anti woman Andrew Cuomo can't loose".  A few weeks ago Republican candidate Carl Palidino visited the Bronx where I was able to ask him his opinion of the recent test score uproar, and bilingual education. Palidino said that he could not give me an answer on those two important education issues, becaus he did not know about them. I wonder if Mr. Palidino has done his research on those and many other important issues to the voters, and would quit using scare tactics that mean nothing to the voters.

Primary 2010 Continued

   We were going around the 33rd State Senate District on primary day, and saw that there was very low voter turnout. We believe that this was because there was no real race of importance to many voters. One reason the turnout was higher in the northern part of the 33rd State Senate District was the fact that the attorney general race was of interest to those voters. Since current AG Andrew Cuomo filed suit charging that Pedro Espada stole 14 million dollars from his Soundview Health Center, that must have been one reason Espada did so bad (being outvoted by up to 5 to 1) in the northern part of the 33rd senate district. 

   While the final tallies won't be in for a few days we were told that Espada did manage to win in the 86th A.D. and was close in the 78th A.D., but only by a very slim margin which was not enough to offset his tremendous deficit from the northern part of the district. 

   I was with Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. when the polls closed and saw that Senator Diaz was both happy and sad at the same time. When I  asked Senator Diaz what was wrong he told me " yes I have won big, but it is looking like I will loose an amigo in the senate". Senator Diaz then told me the early numbers from the northern part of the 33rd State Senate District which had Pedro Espada Jr. behind by very large numbers. 

   I then traveled up to the Gustavo Rivera Victory celebration to arrive as the results were coming in over the televisions that were on. The crowd cheered every time new numbers came in, and the loudest roar came when Senator Pedro Espada Jr. admitted defeat. 

   When Mr. Gustavo Rivera arrived the crowd went crazy chanting "GUSTAVO-GUSTAVO-GUSTAVO" again and again until it was time for the primary winner (and as the Bronx votes new state senator) to speak. Gustavo Rivera first thanked his parents for the way he was brought up, then thanking Ms. Hunter and Dan Padernacht (former candidates who united with him) to defeat Pedro Espada Jr. next came a slip of the lip (or maybe Senator Rivera knows something we don't) as Gustavo thanked Borough President Jeffrey Dinowitz. After correcting himself he thanked Assemblyman Dinowitz, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., Councilman G. Oliver Koppell (one of the first elected officials to support Mr. Rivera), the rest of the elected officials on hand, the unions for their help and ended by thanking the Working Families Party who also helped in the victory. Mr. Gustavo Rivera now has the Democratic line which all but ensures him victory in the November general election. Mr. Rivera will also have the Working Families Party line, but must face Pedro Espada Jr. again who does have the Independence Party line in the November general election.

Primary Day 2010 The Day After

   It is the day after Primary Day 2010 and the dust is settling so here's what happened.

   In the 33rd State Senate District Gustavo Rivera won, and won big 62% to 33% for Pedro Espada Jr., with 5% going to Dan Padernacht who withdrew to support Gustavo Rivera. 

   In Bronx Assembly races all incumbents have won.

   76th- Peter Rivera squeaks out a victory over his challenger 56% to 44%.

   78th- Jose Rivera wins by 76% to 24% for his challenger.

   80th- Naomi Rivera wins by 69% to 31% over her novice challenger.

   82nd- Mike Bennadetto wins with 73% to 27% split between two challengers.

   85th- Marcos Crespo wins with 73% over his challenger.

   86th- Nelson Castro pulls this one out by winning 56% to 44%. 

   In other State Senate races- 

   28- Jose M. Serrano wins by over 2 to 1 over his challenger (we did not have the exact figures).

   31- Adriano Espaillat wins with 51% to 33% for Mark Levine, and 16% for the other 2 candidates.

   32- Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. wins big 79% to 21% for his challenger.

  In the Attorney General race current State Senator Eric Schniderman won 34% to 32% for Rice, and 33% split between the 3 other AG candidates.

   The other big upset is look out Andrew Cuomo, because upstate businessman Carl Palidino won big in the Republican primary for governor by almost 2 to 1. Rick Lazio did however hold on to win the primary for governor in the Conservative party 60% to 40%, but it does not look good for the conservatives.

  We will have more details and comments in future reports, and in our column 100 PERCENT which appears in the Bronx News, Parkchester News, and Coop-City News.