Senator Ruben Diaz Christmas Party

  Last night the biggest and best Christmas party of the season in the Bronx was held at Maestros by State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. It was wall to wall happy party goers who most wanted their picture taken with Team Diaz. State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo are the three members of Team Diaz 2014. Others on hand included Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senator Michael Gianaris (Chair of the Democratic State Senate Campaign Committee), newly elected Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, and many district leaders and state committee members. 

 

Left & Right - It was wall to wall people at Maestros for the Diaz Christmas party.

Left - Team Diaz member Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda with wife Elizabeth and son Enrique.
Right - Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. wants to know if the Bronx is in the house.

Left - State Senator Michael Gianaris of Queens came to the Bronx to help Team Diaz 2014 celebrate.

Right - New Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson was also in attendance with Team Diaz 2014..

Pelham Parkway Tree Lighting

  Standing not to far from the famous Christmas House on Pelham Parkway Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj was joined by students from nearby New York Institute of Special Education, and about 100 people on the median of Pelham Parkway North at Westervelt Avenue to light a Christmas tree and greet Santa Claus. Students from the New York Institute led by music teacher Mr. Schulman sang out carols as they waited for Santa to arrive. When Santa did arrive he greeted everyone then went over to help light the tree.

 

Left - Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj with some of the students from the New York Institute of Special Education.

Right - Assemblyman Michael Benedetto was on hand to greet Santa and join in the caroling.

 

Left - Santa showed up to help light the tree on the right.

 

Left & Right - Santa sits with Hennessy Cruz and Messiah Mercad just two of the many children.

Left - A group photo with Santa in front of the tree.

Right - The famous Christmas House on Pelham Parkway North.

Wave Hill Events January 3–January 10

 

   Will you find yourself making a New Year’s promise for your family to spend more time connecting with nature? Consider this an open invitation to come fulfill that resolution over and over again in 2014. With a free shuttle from the end of the #1 subway line, and from Metro-North’s Riverdale station, and free parking, not to speak of one of the most affordable admissions policies in New York City, this has to be one of the easiest and most rewarding resolutions you’ve ever made. This week: Enjoy a special focus on some of Mother’s Nature’s wisest creatures. What a hoot!

SAT, JANUARY 4    FAMILY ART PROJECT—OWL TAKE FLIGHT

Sit down for cozy Native American stories about why owls have big eyes and what makes them wise. Then create your own wingspan by making feathers you can wear. Take your feathers and some simple instruments, and join in an indoor, owl pow-wow. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, JANUARY 4    TAI CHI CHUAN

Quiet like a mountain, moving like a river, Tai Chi is a sequence of gentle movements based on images found in nature. In this beginner-level class, Irving Yee, a member of the William CC Chen Tai Chi School, introduces students to the internal martial arts and promotes an awareness of its benefits. Winter sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $25/Wave Hill Member $15. Registration opens online and onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. (Reservations may not be made by telephone.) Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of this session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made.  Drops-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present a Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11AM

SUN, JANUARY 5    FAMILY ART PROJECT—OWL TAKE FLIGHT

Sit down for cozy Native American stories about why owls have big eyes and what makes them wise. Then create your own wingspan by making feathers you can wear. Take your feathers and some simple instruments, and join in an indoor, owl pow-wow.  Reservations recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, JANUARY 5    HATHA YOGA

Reduce stress, increase your energy and bring strength and flexibility to mind, body and spirit with a yoga practice. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. Ms. Dewji is certified in Hatha and Therapeutic Yoga from The Yoga for Health Foundation, England, and The Integral Yoga Institute, NYC. All levels welcome. Winter sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $25/Wave Hill Member $15. Registration opens online and onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. (Reservations may not be made by telephone.) Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of this session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made.  Drops-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present a Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11:15AM

SUN, JANUARY 5    MEDITATION

This fall, take a moment to release stress and reconnect with your inner self while practicing meditation. Each session includes instruction in simple techniques followed by 20 to 30 minutes of meditation. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. All levels welcome. Winter sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $25/Wave Hill Member $15. Registration opens online and onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. (Reservations may not be made by telephone.) Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of this session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made.  Drops-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present a Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11:30AM‒12:45PM

SUN, JANUARY 5    OWL PRESENTATION: RAPTORS OF THE NIGHT

Discover how owls adapt to life in the forest and the city with Carl Heitmuller, an environmental educator from the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. Meet a live owl from the museum’s collection and find out whoo’s whoo in your neighborhood. Ages six and older welcome with an adult. Registration recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 1:30PM

SUN, JANUARY 5    GARDEN & CONSERVATORY HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, JANUARY 6

Closed to the public.

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM—4:30PM. Closes 5:30PM, March 15—October 31.  

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day on Tuesdays in January. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 3o minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the 242^nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

 

Ben Franklin Holiday Party

   Last night the Ben Franklin Democratic Club held its annual Holiday Party. This years holiday party's theme was to remember the troops who have served, but are homeless. The club collected Health and Beauty aids such as razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and other grooming items to make a person more presentable for a job interview.

  On hand were Congressman Eliot Engel, State Senators Jeff Klein and Adriano Espalliat, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman Oliver Koppell, incoming Councilman Andrew Cohen, and up to 100 others.

 

Left - The room was packed for the Ben Franklin Holiday Party.

Right - Congressman Eliot Engel gives a rousing speech standing in front of the President Obama cut out in the clubhouse.

 

Left - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz speaking to the crowd.

Right - Councilman elect Andrew Cohen thanks the many in attendance who helped him be victorious.

North Riverdale Merchants Association Holiday Party

  Monday night the North Riverdale Merchants Association came together with some guests to honor three people that have made this year a success for the North Riverdale Merchants. Ms. Tracy Shelton of the Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corporation, Adam Sandler of Councilman Oliver Koppells office, and NRMA member Christopher Rizzo. In attendance were Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman Oliver Koppell, and Councilman Elect Andrew Cohen. 

Left - Assemblyman Dinowitz, Ms. Tracy Shelton, Andrew Sandler, and Councilman Elect Andrew Cohen .

Right - NRMA Chairman Gary Wartels (owner of Skyview Liquors), former co-chair Anthony Fella, stand with the NRMA secretary (middle).

 

Left - Ms. Tracy Shelton receives her award for helping get the NRMA off the ground.

Right - Anthony Fella is about to present Andrew Sandler of Councilman Koppel's office his award for all the help given in many different areas.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

Is Governor Cuomo Taking New York City For Granted?

You should know that on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 Governor Andrew Cuomo awarded $715.9 million in Economic Development Funding through the third round of his Regional Economic Development Council initiative. A grand event to announce this multi-million dollar jackpot was held in Albany in the Hart Theatre at the Empire State Plaza. The Master of Ceremonies for this event was none other than Maria Bartiromo, the former television host of “CNBC’s Closing Bell.”

We all know that $715.9 million is a huge sum of money and you might ask: where did all this money go? Let me tell you. The largest prizes were awarded to areas outside of New York City including Long Island that received $83 million, the Capital Region which includes Albany, Warren and Washington Counties, received $82.8 million, the Mohawk Valley, which includes the City of Utica, received $82.4 million, the Southern Tier which includes Elmira, the Town of Margaretville and Delaware County, received slightly under $82 million, and the North Country, which is near the Canadian border and includes Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake and Watertown, received slightly over $81 million.

Surprise, surprise, by now you must be asking, of that $715.9 million, how much did a Democratic city like New York City receive from a Democratic Governor? Sit down and hold on to your chair, I don’t want you to fall off your chair when you find out how much the City of New York, which includes the Boroughs of Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island received. We just received only $57.4 million for the five boroughs. And as you and I know, any one of the five boroughs has a larger population than those counties that received more money.

Ladies and Gentleman, our Democratic Governor should know that he is the Governor because of the Democratic voters in New York City. As a matter of fact, the State Comptroller, the Honorable Thomas DiNapoli, the State Attorney General, the Honorable Eric Schneiderman, and the Assembly Speaker, the Honorable Sheldon Silver are all from New York City and hold elected office because of New York City voters.

One could only imagine why a Democratic Governor, who is the head of the New York State Democratic Party, would discriminate against the voters who are the very reason he is the Governor.

What is Governor Cuomo’s message to the voters of the City of New York? Is it “later for you?” Or is it “I don’t need you now; I only need you at election time, when I will come back to you and tell you I am a Democrat like you?” How is it that the largest city in New York State with the largest Police Department and the city that has more children attending its elementary, middle and high schools than the population of many upstate counties combined, was awarded less money than anybody else?

My dear reader, I think that New York City has been taken for granted for too long. I want to make myself clear. I am not pitting Upstate against Downstate. I am aware that Upstate needs as much support and as many services as anybody else. But for the City of New York to receive only $57.4 million out of $715.9 million is too much for me to swallow. I believe that New York City has been discriminated against and taken for granted because I also believe that resources should be awarded based on population and not based on future political plans.

I am State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

  

Council Speaker Race Down to Two Candidates

  Today Queens Councilman Mark Weprin has announced that he will support Manhattan Councilman Dan Garodnick for the position of Speaker of the City Council. Weprin stopped short of saying that he was dropping out of consideration for the post, but said that he was supporting the candidate that the Queens Democratic organization was supporting. 

  There is word that Brooklyn Councilman Jumaane Williams was droping out of the race for speaker to support Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverto for the speakers position. Also it appears that the Brooklyn block led by Brooklyn county Leader Frank Sedido may wind up supporting Mark-Viverto. That would give Councilwoman Mark-Viverto enough votes to become the next Speaker of the City Council.

All Out War for the City Council Speaker Seat?

  There are reports of Mayor elect Bill deBlasio calling up council members to ask them to support Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito for Speaker comes January. However it appears that the Democratic County Leaders of the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens have another person they might want to see as the speaker of the City Council, that being Councilman Dan Garodnick.

  Those who want Mark-Viverito have counted up 26 of the 51 votes for the speakers position, but the three county leaders say that they have around 30 of the 51 votes needed to elect a new speaker. We may have to wait until the results of vote by the new City Council members is tallied before we know just who will be the next speaker of the City Council is. I suspect a little horse trading or calling ones bluff will take place before the vote.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

Let's Hope This is The First of Many

You should know that Christmas came a little early this year as New York State's Republican leaders descended upon the South Bronx like Santa Claus at a very special event held on December 16, 2013, where close to 2,000 children received over 2,000 free Christmas toys. Everyone in the auditorium of I.S. 216, the Rafael Hernandez School, had a great time. The smiles on the faces of the boys and girls grew into cheering and even standing ovations!

You should know that this event was co-hosted by yours truly, Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, along with the New York State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, and Mr. Rafael Salamanca, District Manager of Community Planning Board #2. We were impressed that Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and New York State's Senate Republican Majority Leader Senator Dean Skelos joined us to celebrate Christmas in the Bronx. Even a die-hard Democrat like Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz, Jr. attended this activity!

I would like to extend my deepest thanks to everyone who participated, especially Assemblyman Marcos Crespo; Mr. Rafael Salamanca District Manager of Community Planning Board #2; the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots; the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization; and New York Republican Party leaders. This was a great blessing to many families in the South Bronx who are suffering during these critical economic times.

You should know that for many years, I have hosted a Three Kings Day Event on the South Bronx with music and games and free toys for children in an effort to allow families to gather and celebrate our cultural pride with friends and neighbors. The 2014 Three Kings Day celebration will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 12:00 noon at PS 5 which is located at 564 Jackson Avenue, on the corner of 149th Street in the Bronx.

Ladies and gentlemen, even though nothing like the 2013 Christmas in the Bronx event has ever happened here before, I am hopeful that this will not be the last time for us to witness elected officials from the Democratic and Republican parties coming together for the benefit the poor and needy children here in the South Bronx.

I hope and pray that on Saturday January 4, 2014, the leadership of the Republican Party will be there to help us - along with any other elected officials and organizations and people of good will who want to make the Christmas season brighter for our children.

My dear friend, this was bipartisanship at its best. This is an example of what a concerned leader can do when he or she puts the community first and brings together Republicans and Democrats to bring benefit to a disadvantaged, forgotten, underprivileged and under-served minority community. It was great, it was marvelous - let's do it again!

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

 

Paris Elections & Bronx Stereotypes

 

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

RE: Paris Elections & Bronx Stereotypes

“The tired, ancient stereotypes about the Bronx continue to unfairly cloud the minds of people as far away as Paris, France. We in the Bronx have had enough.

“Crime has steadily dropped in the Bronx. Last year, the Bronx had the lowest rate of crime it has seen since the early 1960’s, and this year our borough is on pace to be even safer.

“And we’re not just leading the way in crime reduction. Tens of thousands of new housing units have been constructed here, new businesses are coming to our borough and the existing businesses are growing. We are leading the way in ‘green’ construction, with projects like Via Verde. We have major new projects such as the PGA caliber golf course at Ferry Point Park and the Kingsbridge National Ice Center, which will add to the list of reasons, like the new Yankee Stadium, and the New York Botanical Garden, as to why the Bronx remains an international destination. 

“Yet here we are, once again, forced to defend our hometown from the slanders and libels of politicians thousands of miles away, in Paris no less, who are using the Bronx to score cheap political points. Enough already.  While we may not be home to the Eiffel Tower, we are the home to 1.4 million hardworking people who are proud of their hometown and how far the Bronx has come.

“The elected officials of Paris would do well to remember that and focus on the issues Paris faces today, rather than the issues the Bronx faced decades ago,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

The original English-language article from Quartz Daily, titled “Surreal: French politicians are debating whether Paris now resembles the Bronx,” can be found at http://qz.com/156444. Up-to-date crime statistics for the Bronx can be found at http://on.nyc.gov/198ruvr.

 

 

Velocity Track Club

 

  Can you say NATIONAL MEDALS!!!!  On Saturday, December 7^th, Velocity Track Club New York took 5 athletes to the AAU XC National Championship in Fort Gordon, GA and 3 athletes finish in the top 25, Jacqueline Kendall (18th), Giovanna Tolbert (21st) and Dontea Lindo (10^th).  Adrian Swift-Henry injured his knee and this was Jaysiah Moore’s 1^st National meet, which made him nervous. If not, I believe they would have been in the top 25 also.  AAU t-shirts and bags were giving to all athletes.  Medals were awarded to the top 25 athletes and participation medals were given to the rest.  To finish in the top 25 among the best in the country is an outstanding accomplishment, which they will cherish for the rest of the lives.  Go VTC!!!!

On Sunday, December 15^th, we traveled to New Jersey City to compete in the NJ AAU Youth Indoor Track & Field Meet. Over 600 athletes from New York and New Jersey were registered.  This is officially our 1^st In-door meet.  Most coaches will use meet to evaluate athletes.  VTC athletes’ performance showed why we are among the best in the tri-state area.  Awards were giving to the top 3 athletes.  The following VTC athletes received awards.  Julian Caldwell, Jordan Ingram, Jaysiah Moore and Dontea Lindo took 1^st Place in the 1600 meter sprint medley relay.  Joseph Webster-Rutledge took 3^rd in the 200 meter race.  Jordan Samuels took 3^rd in the 55 meter race. Dominique Jackson was the top award winner; she won the 200 meter race and took 3^rd in the 400 meter race.  Plus, we had several athletes that finish in 4^th and 5^th place, which is a great accomplishment considering the level of competition at this meet.  Great Job 

Anyone interested in joining Velocity Track Club New York, please Contact Coach Dinkins at 914-441-6196 or you email me at WATCLT@AOL.COM.   

 

 

 

E. 233rd St. & White Plains Rd Merch. Assoc. Announces the 1st Ann. Meet Santa Holiday Event

  The East 233^rd Street & White Plains Road Merchants Association invites you to their 1^st Annual Meet Santa Holiday event on Thursday, December 19^th from 5 to 7pm at Bronx Community Board 12 Town Hall located at 4101 White Plains Road, Bronx, NY.

The purpose of this FREE community event is to promote the East 233rd Street and White Plains Road commercial corridor and to help make this Holiday Season a special one for children and families by bringing them toys and a chance to meet Santa Claus.

This event is presented by the East 233rd Street and White Plains Road Merchants Association and made possible through the support of the New York City Department of Small Business Services and Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a support corporation of Montefiore Medical Center.

The East 233rd Street and White Plains Road Merchants Association looks forward to welcoming you to the 1st Annual Meet Santa Holiday Event and to the community's continued support for the improvement of this Bronx business corridor.

LIU ISSUES ANNUAL ECONOMIC FORECAST; WARNS OF SEVERE RISKS HIDDEN IN CITY BUDGET

  In his annual report on the State of the City’s Economy and Finances, City Comptroller John C. Liu warns that the unresolved contracts with every one of the City’s municipal unions pose a great financial risk to the City in the coming years.

Currently all of the City’s municipal unions are working under expired contracts. If the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) alone are awarded retroactive pay raises, it could cost the City $3.495 billion in FY 2014.

“The City’s budget is not truly balanced until this issue is resolved,” said Comptroller Liu. “This is a problem that will not go away simply by ignoring it, as the outgoing administration has done.”

On the positive side, the comptroller anticipates robust growth with tax revenues in the current fiscal year, exceeding the mayor’s forecast by $724 million.  The estimate for personal income tax (PIT) receipts exceeds the mayor’s forecast by $528 million.

The report shows that more than 300,000 jobs have been added in New York City since the worst of the recession, with strong growth in the health, technology, and education sectors. The City’s total private-sector employment now stands above its pre-recession peak.  At the same time, even with record levels of employment, the City’s unemployment rate remains unacceptably high at a seasonally adjusted 8.7 percent and wages have not kept up with inflation. Many fully-employed families are less well off than they were five years ago.

This annual report on the State of the City’s Economy and Finances is due from the comptroller each Dec. 15, as mandated by the City Charter. Comptroller Liu will publicly present his State of the City address on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. at the Emigrant Bank Building, 49-51 Chambers Street.

Christmas Tree Lightings With Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj

Please Join Us!


Tuesday, December 17   5:00pm 
 
Christmas Tree Lighting on Allerton Ave

Bronxwood Ave, Boston Road & Allerton Ave

Warm Refreshments, caroling & small gifts




Christmas Tree Lighting 
with Senator Jeff Klein

Wednesday, December 18,    
 3:00pm


Peace Memorial Plaza

Warm refreshments, caroling

 
4:00pm

Pelham Parkway South & White Plains Rd

Warm refreshments, caroling & small gifts

Special Appearance by Santa Clause

Horse & Carriage Rides



Thursday December 19,  5:00 PM

Warm Refreshments, small gifts, caroling by the students of the New York Institute of

Christmas Tree Lighting by the Christmas House

Westervelt Ave & Pelham Parkway North

Special Education and a special appearance by Santa Clause

For more information: (718) 409-0109

District office of Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj

1126 Pelham Parkway South

Bronx, New York 10461

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

LILLIAM BARRIOS-PAOLI HAS A MESS TO CLEAN UP

You should know that I applaud Mayor-elect Bill DeBlasio's selection of Lilliam Barrios-Paoli as his Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. I especially applaud him for taking time during that announcement to talk about the 11-year old girl, Dasani, who has been highlighted in recent New York Times series about homeless families in New York City's shelters. These families include more than 20,000 children.

The New York Times' December 2013 series of articles, Invisible Child, Dasani's Homeless Life, written by Andrea Elliot, focus on many aspects of the incredibly disturbing legacy left by outgoing Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The series details the shameful lack of compassion that Mayor Bloomberg had for desperate families in New York's shelter system. At Brooklyn's Auburn Family Residence, where Dasani lives, these injustices include: "[i]nadequate food, inadequate medical attention, a leaky roof, moldy rooms and bathrooms with broken sinks and doors ... insufficient security and fire safety protections, fetid odors, and leaks from waste containers."

While there is nothing in these articles that can be ignored, I cannot help but ask myself how, under Mayor Bloomberg's fiscal stewardship, millions of New York City taxpayer dollars were allegedly being spent annually to operate just one family shelter building - where Dasani and so many other children languish in filth and trauma.

I have to ask how, in 2009-2010, New York City's Department of Homeless Services spent $8 million dollars in a capitol renovation project to replace all exterior windows in this one homeless shelter with new energy efficient windows.

Yes, my dear reader: as part of Mayor Bloomberg's legacy, $8 million dollars was spent to replace windows in the Auburn Family Residence’s 10-story building. These were not stained glass windows, and the families who live in that building after the repairs still sleep in layers of clothing and prop mattresses against the new windows to keep out the cold. Another example of Bloomberg’s fiscal irresponsibility.

You should know that during the very same time that $8 million dollars of our public resources were spent to replace 10 stories of windows, the Empire State Building spent about half of that - $4.6 million dollars - to refurbish its 6,514 windows.

With this in mind, it is even sadder to re-read the part of the Times article that describes how Dasani would sit at her window and "see all the way across Brooklyn to the Empire State Building, the first New York skyscraper to reach 100 floors. Her gaze always stops at that iconic temple of stone, its tip pointed celestially, its facade lit with promise."

Is there anyone who thinks that if I had allocated $8 million dollars to replace the windows in any single building that there would not be a full blown investigation about what was really going on with that money? Is there anyone who thinks this isn't the tip of the iceberg of how the Bloomberg Administration grossly mismanaged New York's tax dollars on the backs of the poor and needy?

As the Bloomberg era finally comes to an end, I am hopeful that there will be an outcry for justice for all involved in this $8 million dollar window debacle, and the millions allegedly spent by the Department of Health and Human Services on improving a deteriorated system. I hope this outcry will take place not only in the court of public opinion, but in the courts of law as well. I am hopeful that reporters and editors will investigate this incident and many more that remain ignored or have fallen through the cracks.

As the Christmas Season draws closer, I ask for everyone to keep Dasani and her family and all homeless New Yorkers in their prayers.

And ladies and gentlemen, I also ask you to keep Deputy Mayor Lilliam Barrios-Paoli and Mayor-elect Bill DeBlasio in your prayers because they have a very big mess to clean up.

This is Senator Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

 

Bronx Democrat Board of Elections Commissioner Naomi Barrera Stepping Down

  In what has been a turbulent year at the New York City Board of Elections Bronx Democratic Commissioner Naomi Barrera will be stepping down as of December 17th. Barrera is only one of the BOE Commissioners that has left this year. JC Polonco the colorful Republican Bronx Commissioner was replaced early in the year with Mike Rendino after Bronx Republican Leader Jay Savino was replaced by John Greaney after a scandal. Also Staten Island Republican Commissioner JP Sipp left the BOE also earlier this year.

  Barrera had been mentioned as a candidate to fill the vacant executive director's seat of the BOE, but that went to Staten Island Democratic Commissioner Mike Ryan. Naomi Barrera was the choice of newly elected Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heasie five years ago, and while Heastie praised Barrera for her stint as Bronx Democratic Commissioner he said that the selection of her replacement has not begun.

  There should be a lot of potential candidates to replace Naomi Barrera as Bronx Democratic Elections Commissioner including a few term limited council members. The job however will go to a county loyalist such as Barrera had been, and will be up to Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie to choose her replacement.

LIU: RISING WATER RATES MAY HAVE SOAKED NEW YORKERS MORE THAN NECESSARY

Audit Finds Questionable Budgeting Badly Underestimated Incoming Revenues Even As Rates Surged

Download the Audit

   An audit by City Comptroller John C. Liu of the New York City water and sewer system found doubtful accounting and chronically low forecasts of annual revenue, that may have led to increasingly high water rates for New Yorkers.  Comptroller Liu’s audit also found that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) failed to collect $27 million in delinquent water and sewer bills.

Every year the NYC Water Board and the NYC Municipal Finance Authority (collectively NYW) forecast the amount of surplus revenue that the DEP will collect from water bills, which will go to pay for its debt obligations.  Over the last four fiscal years, NYW issued extremely conservative forecasts for their surpluses, which may have caused rates to be set increasingly higher.   When revenues came in, however, the actual surpluses exceeded NYW’s estimates by 24 to 41 percent, in amounts that ranged from $71 million to $120 million each year. 

“The results of this audit indicate that rising water rates may have soaked New Yorkers more than necessary,” Comptroller Liu said. “DEP and the Water Board need stronger accounting of their revenues so that they can keep any rate increases to a minimum.”

Even as NYW publicly underestimated its revenue from water bills, it put the increasingly higher surpluses toward its projected debt obligations.  For example, in FY 2010 NYW allocated a surplus of $241.6 million toward debt and in 2013, the allocated surplus increased to $451.8 million.  NYW seems to have never considered whether the higher than budgeted surplus revenue could have been used to limit water rate increases. 

The audit also found the NYW failed to conduct proper oversight of DEP’s billing and accounting and may have underestimated DEP’s ability to collect past-due accounts—a factor that can affect the rate-setting process. 

DEP Failed to Collect Millions

DEP, which processes and collects bills for NYW, failed to collect $15 million owed during Fiscal Year 2012.  In addition, DEP failed to collect an additional $27 million from private entities located on City-owned and State-owned properties, and from Housing Development Fund Corporation cooperatives as of June 30, 2012.

Background

The New York City water and sewer system network includes more than 7,000 miles of pipes running from upstate New York to every building in New York City. Until the mid-1980s, the City funded operating expenses through its general fund and financed necessary capital investments by issuing the City’s general obligation bonds.  In 1984, the City obtained state approval to change the way its water and sewer infrastructure was operated and funded and created the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority and the New York City Water Board. The Authority issues bonds to finance capital construction and infrastructure improvements.  The Board leases the system from the City and sets rates to ensure the system is self-sustaining.  The DEP operates the System and handles billing and collection of water and sewer charges for NYW. 

 

MAYOR-ELECT DE BLASIO NAMES LILLIAM BARRIOS-PAOLI AS DEPUTY MAYOR FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

  Barrios-Paoli will spearhead de Blasio Administration efforts to expand community health care, reduce homelessness and protect the social safety net for vulnerable New Yorkers

  Mayor-Elect Bill de Blasio today announced his appointment of Lilliam Barrios-Paoli as Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. Barrios-Paoli will oversee City agencies that the Mayor-Elect has charged with moving New Yorkers from homelessness to stable housing, expanding community health clinics and cutting red tape in social services.

  Barrios-Paoli is an experienced leader known for innovating big ideas. She has managed five City agencies under three mayors, where she spearheaded major reforms like the opening of 10 innovative senior centers – including those servicing the visually-impaired and LGBT populations. She also brings a deep background in working with New York’s nonprofit community, which will play a critical role in delivering on the incoming administration’s agenda.

  “Lilliam has dedicated her career to protecting the most vulnerable New Yorkers. No one understands better than she the consequences of this Tale of Two Cities we are living. To lift families out of poverty and to sustain vital services, we need real leaders who can put bold ideas into practice. That’s what Lilliam is going to deliver,” said Mayor-Elect Bill de Blasio.

  “We’re facing a crisis of inequality in this city. Working families live in ever-deeper insecurity. The old safety net, from community hospitals to housing aid, is coming apart. It’s time for big ideas and bold policies that pull together City government, our charities and our vital community nonprofits into a new effort that lifts families up and sustains our communities in every borough,” said incoming Deputy Mayor Lilliam Barrios-Paoli.

Wave Hill Events December 27–January 3

  Could any setting be more inspiring than Wave Hill for contemplating your new year’s resolutions? Let the serene, sweeping vistas, and the sheer beauty of each natural detail, help you clarify what you most hope for in the new year. Combine it with a guided garden walk, or a quiet afternoon tea, and find even greater meaning as you prepare for 2014.

SAT, DECEMBER 28    FAMILY ART PROJECT—CREATE YOUR YEAR: HELLO 2014!
Envision the year ahead, design your seasons and capture their delights with beautiful, Wave Hill-inspired images to create your very own hanging calendar for the new year. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM–1PM

SAT, DECEMBER 28    NO TAI CHI CHUAN

Tai Chi resumes January 4.

SUN, DECEMBER 29    FAMILY ART PROJECT—CREATE YOUR YEAR—HELLO 2014!

Envision the year ahead, design your seasons and capture their delights with beautiful, Wave Hill-inspired images to create your very own hanging calendar for the new year. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM–1PM

SUN, DECEMBER 29   NO HATHA YOGA

Yoga resumes January 5.

SUN, DECEMBER 29    NO MEDITATION

Meditation resumes January 5.

SUN, DECEMBER 29    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, DECEMBER 30

Closed to the public.

WED, JANUARY 1    NEW YEAR’S DAY

Closed to the public. Wave Hill reopens Thursday, January 2.

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM—4:30PM. Closes 5:30PM, March 15—October 31.  

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day on Tuesdays in December and January. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 3o minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the 242^nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

Has the Bronx Scored a $400M Soccer Stadium

  In a New York Post article after looking at sites in Queens and Brooklyn, a Major League Soccer franchise on Tuesday stood close to a deal to build a 28,000-seat stadium in The Bronx just south of Yankee Stadium. The New York City Football Club is “very, very close” to inking a deal with GAL Manufacturing, an elevator parts company, sources close to the deal said.

  The $400 million stadium will be located on what now is an empty lot between the Major Deegan and East 153rd Street, where the soccer team with 20% ownership by the New York Yankees would play. Until the stadium is completed in 2018 or 2019 the team would play at Yankee Stadium. 

  The deal has current Mayor Bloomberg's blessing, but is contingent upon the approval of incoming Mayor-Elect Bill deBlasio who has yet to review the plans. The full Post story can be found here. 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

For Your Information

  You should know that recently, I sent an invitation to friends and colleagues to join me at my 2013 Christmas Party, which will be held on Friday, December 20th from 7pm - 1am at Maestro's Restaurant located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue in the Bronx.

Once again, it will be my honor to gather in a great spirit of unity to celebrate the Christmas season with so many of my neighbors, constituents, community leaders, elected officials, and dignitaries. I am proud to say that my annual Christmas Party is one of the biggest and best parties in the City of New York.

Each year, the number of guests who attend my Christmas Party continues to grow. I have been told by many that it is the social event of the season - and it is!

This year, I have made arrangements for 400 seats to be available for my party guests who would like to sit and socialize so that we have enough room for everyone who attends to enjoy the night. In previous years we have been faced with situations where some people who join me at my party don't find seats because of the very large crowd. To many, the size of the crowd is great because they get to see how many friends and colleagues come to join me for the night, but it is worrisome to me that I may be unable to provide enough seats for everyone.

It is my prayer and my wish that during this year's Christmas Party, there will be a seat available for everyone who wants one, but please bear in mind that there is a possibility that there may not be enough seats for everyone to sit, and like me, some people will be standing.

You should know that this party is for adults and not children. This year I will be hosting two very special Christmas events for children. My first Christmas celebration for children will be held on December 16 at 4pm where I will be distributing free toys to the first 1,000 children who attend. This event will be held at IS 216 which is located at 977 Tiffany Street in the Bronx. Then, on January 4, I will host my annual Three Kings Day event at PS 5 which is located at 564 Jackson Avenue in the Bronx, where the first 1,000 children who attend will receive free toys.

Ladies and gentlemen, I look forward to seeing you on December 20th, where there will be plenty of music and good food and holiday cheer. I look forward to seeing many children during my Christmas and my Three Kings Day celebrations on December 16th and on January 4th.

I wish all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas.

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.  

"Hit The Ice" at the Kingsbridge Armory

  In a 48 - 1 vote the full City Council voted to approve the Kingsbridge National Ice Center proposal for the Kingsbridge Armory. Only Charles Barrons cast the lone dissenting vote against the KNIC proposal. Councilman Fernando Cabrera left his Mr. Hyde character at home as he was all smiles when he voted yes for the KNIC proposal after doing one about face after another leaving Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. puzzled as to what Councilman Cabrera was doing during the waning days before the final city council vote. 

  Diaz had the following statement about today's City Council Vote to approve the KNIC proposal for the Kingsbridge Armory.

 

  “After years of hard work and advocacy by elected officials, community organizations, our community board and the people of the Bronx, I am thrilled to see that the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory will finally become a reality.

“Today’s vote of the City Council represents the final hurdle cleared for the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC), a transformative project that will make the Bronx home to the nation’s largest ice sports center. KNIC will bring tens of thousands of new visitors to the borough, helping to stimulate our economy, while also creating hundreds of living wage jobs for Bronx residents.

“I am especially thankful for the support of our City Council and the entire Bronx City Council delegation, who understood the merits of the project and showed their strong support for it during today’s vote. The KNIC project will be good not just for the Northwest Bronx but for the entire borough, and the strong support of the entire Bronx delegation shows that to be true. I would also like to thank the developer, KNIC Partners, as well as Mark Messier and Sarah Hughes for their tireless advocacy on behalf of this wonderful project.

“This project is a victory for everyone involved, and represents the type of development we can see when everyone works together for the greater good. I look forward to this project’s completion, and the day when the Bronx can officially declare itself to be the premier ice sports destination in the United States, if not the nation,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

The Kingsbridge National Ice Center project was announced as the City’s official choice for the Kingsbridge Armory at a press conference in April 2013, which was attended by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Borough President Diaz, Council Member Fernando Cabrera, KNIC Partners LLC Founder Kevin Parker, New York Rangers hockey legend Mark Messier, Olympic Figure Skating Gold Medalist Sarah Hughes, then New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky and then Community Board #7 Chairman Paul Foster.

The original press release announcing the project can be read here: http://on.nyc.gov/ZGheD1. Full video of that event can be watched here: http://on.nyc.gov/18pwSTg.

Also in April, Kingsbridge National Ice Center Partners (KNIC) and the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) signed a historic community benefits agreement (CBA) to redevelop the Kingsbridge Armory into a facility committed to serving Bronx residents. That CBA represents a multi-million dollar benefit package for the local community.  

For the first time in the history of New York City, a developer has agreed to wall-to-wall living wage jobs for local workers, more than 50,000 square feet of community space, targeted local hiring, opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses, free ice time for local schools, local procurement, sustainable green development and operation, and a business incubator to facilitate wealth creation for local residents. KNIC also plans to create a foundation to establish free after-school ice sports and academic tutoring programs for disadvantaged youth. The program will be modeled after the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in Philadelphia, which has seen considerable academic and athletic success with those students who participate.