KOPPELL CALLS FOR 100% WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE TAXI FLEET

On Wednesday, October 19, 2011, Council Member Oliver Koppell, Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Disability Services, joined with numerous colleagues and advocates for people with disabilities to call for a taxi fleet in New York City that is 100% wheelchair accessible.

 

According to the Daily News editorial on October 16, 2011, “of the 13,237 yellow cabs in New York City, only 231 can accommodate a wheelchair.  That‘s 1.7%, making the chance of hailing one almost impossible.”

 

“This is wholly unacceptable,” Koppell said. “Also unacceptable is the fact that the Mayor and the Taxi and Limousine Commission have chosen an inaccessible Nissan model to be the so-called “Taxi of Tomorrow” that  will be the exclusive design for New York City taxicabs for at least the next decade.”

 

 In a recent filing, the Justice Department has strongly concluded that the Mayor’s decision to choose one inaccessible van model for the “Taxi of Tomorrow” and reliance on an ill-conceived dispatch plan violates the American with Disabilities Act.

 

Koppell has introduced a bill, with 36 co-sponsors,  that would require all new taxicabs to be accessible, in compliance with the ADA requirement for equality of access. It’s time for the Council to move this legislation forward,” Koppell said “because we cannot rely on the Mayor to respect the civil rights of people with disabilities. His comments on his radio program clearly indicate that he does not understand the reality that wheelchair using New Yorkers face.”

 

There is a growing consensus among New Yorkers that it is time to create a taxi fleet that can accommodate wheelchairs, which is reflected in the statements of former TLC Chairs Diane McGrath-McKechnie and Christopher Lynn who wrote to the Mayor saying, “It’s time to reverse the shameful lack of progress and make all taxi and car services wheelchair accessible.”

 

“London has had a wholly accessible taxi fleet for more than 15 years.  New York can do no less for our wheelchair bound citizens,” Koppell concluded.

SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA CONTINUES TEACHING FREE COMMUNITY CIVICS CLASSES

This class is focused on issues of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

State Senator Gustavo Rivera  is holding his second in a series of four community civics classes Thursday, October 20 at 6:00PM at the Bronx Library Center. This week's class is focused on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Last Thursday, Senator Rivera launched community civics classes that will continue every Thursday until November 3rd with a graduation ceremony to celebrate the completion of the course. 

WHO: State Senator Gustavo Rivera 

WHEN: October 20, 2011 at 6:00PM

WHERE: Bronx Library Center - 310 E Kingsbridge Rd.

This course is FREE TO THE PUBLIC and we encourage Bronxites of all ages to attend. Senator Rivera’s office is encouraging Bronxites to attend all four classes, but it is not necessary in order to participate.  

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ & DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOHNSON ANNOUNCE MAJOR GRANT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION

Today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson, along with representatives of the New York City Department of Probation and Safe Horizon, announced new and enhanced domestic violence services in the Bronx with a new grant from the United States Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women. 

The Bronx Borough President’s Office has partnered and sub-contracted with the Bronx DA’s Office, NYC DOP, NYPD, and Safe Horizon to receive the “Grant to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program” from the US Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

This funding has arrived in conjunction with New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence’s “Shine the Light on Domestic Violence” campaign, which takes place every October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The grant is for $999,092.

“With the influx of federal dollars, the Bronx will be able to replace domestic violence officers in the precincts with the highest reported incidents of domestic violence, publish readily available information for officers to properly handle domestic incident reports and continue to organize public awareness events and campaigns.  With our city's budget shrinking, I am proud to be able to attract funding to supplement the cuts in services for victims of domestic violence,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“The funds provided by the US Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women will enable us to provide a coordinated, community response to victims of domestic violence in Bronx County from the earliest point in the case through sentencing. The project will help victims manage their risk by providing client-centered and comprehensive services from the time of the first incident reported to the police. Offenders will be held accountable for their actions through the enforcement of the mandatory arrest policy and referrals in appropriate cases, to the ‘Bronx Probation Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Program’ for enhanced supervision. Additionally, communication among the proposed project’s partners, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, the NYC Department of Probation, the NYPD, and Safe Horizon will enhance case investigation, prosecution and sentencing,” said Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson.

This grant is not the first effort of the Office of the Bronx Borough President to spread awareness about domestic violence. On September 26, the Office participated in the 11th Annual Gladys Ricart and Victims of Domestic Violence Memorial Walk, or “Brides’ March.” The March to spread knowledge of the horrors of domestic violence takes place every year in memory of Gladys Ricart, a Dominican woman from Washington Heights who was murdered on September 26, 1999, by an abusive ex-boyfriend on her wedding day.

More recently, the Bronx Borough President’s Office worked with Pregones Theatre and News 12 The Bronx to premier a play dedicated to the LGTBQ youth who experience violence from their parents and peers as they strive to be accepted. The office has also taped its ninth annual “Bronx DiVA Talk,” which includes information on the “fair access” bill of 2009 which broadened the definition of “family” and thereby expanded the class eligible for temporary orders of protection in family court.

This year’s million dollar grant will mark the Office of the Bronx Borough President’s fourth effort this year to end domestic violence in the region. Since 2002, the Office of the Bronx Borough President and its partners have received a total of nearly $4 million in funding for enhancing the services to victims of domestic violence. Overall, the funding and the programs it provides for will help domestic violence victims manage their risk, and will help to continue to hold offenders accountable for their actions.

The funding will also allow the continuation of the Bronx Domestic Violence Advisory Council, and will go towards planning more events in order to promote community response to domestic violence. With this grant, the Bronx Borough President’s Office and its partners will “Shine the Light on Domestic Violence” in the Bronx, providing a brighter future free from domestic violence.

 

LOCAL MERCHANT GIVES BACK WITH FREE FUNDRAISING WORKSHOP AND PRODUCT EXPO

  Crown Trophy of the Bronx will hold their free Bi-annual Crown Trophy Fundraising Workshop and Product Expo this Wednesday, October 19, 2011, from 6pm-9pm at Villa Barone Ristorante in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx.

Business owners, church groups, non-profit organizations, schools and sports teams and leagues can expect an enthusiastic and informative workshop facilitated by Greg Perry, owner of Crown Trophy of the Bronx since 1985 and current President of the Association of Merchants & Business Professionals of Westchester Square.

Join us as Mr. Perry shares his vast knowledge with attendees of various industries and reveals ideas, derived in part from focus groups, for future booster programs and fundraising campaigns that are mutually beneficial to multiple participants.

Greg Perry says, "At Crown Trophy of the Bronx, we realize that your purchase is more than just a cold exchange of funds and products. We value relationships that have come from doing business together and take the time to listen to and understand your needs."

Attend the Bi-Annual Crown Trophy Fundraising Workshop & Product Expo to learn ways in which you can maximize your fundraising efforts and see the wide variety of merchandising items available to you.

Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be provided.

To RSVP call 718.676.1626 or e-mail info@masmarketingny.com. For additional information call Crown Trophy at 718.824.4877. 

Event: Bi-Annual Crown Trophy Fundraising Workshop & Product Expo

Date: Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Time: 6pm – 9pm

Location: Villa Barone Ristorante

Address: 3289 Westchester Avenue

Contact: Janett Florindo, 917.583.2075

SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA LAUNCHES FREE COMMUNITY CIVICS CLASSES

This class was the first in a series of four classes

State Senator Gustavo Rivera (Bronx) last Thursday launched a series of community civic classes he will be teaching at the Bronx Library Center.

Senator Rivera’s civics course will start on  October 13th and will continue every Thursday until November 3rd with a graduation ceremony to celebrate the completion of the course. The course will focus on learning about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the different levels of government, as well as how government and elections work. 

“Drawing on my experience as a Professor of Political Science, I am excited to be teaching a community civics class in the 33^rd Senate District to members of the community who want to learn more about government and civic participation,” said Senator Rivera. “Government is suppose to work for the people. I believe strongly that the more knowledgeable one is about how government works, the more able one is to advocate and demand more from your government and elected officials. I hope this course will help to empower the residents of the Bronx to get more involved in advocating for issues and policies they care about and that what they learn will be instrumental in them demanding more of their government.”

  

Join Senator Rivera for the following community civics classes - 

• October 20 - Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
• October 27 - State and Local Government
• November 3 - Voting and Elections

This course is FREE TO THE PUBLIC and we encourage Bronxites of all ages to attend. Senator Rivera’s office is encouraging Bronxites to attend all four classes, but it is not necessary in order to participate. 

WESTCHESTER SQUARE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

TESTIMONY OF BRONX BOROUGH  PRESIDENT RUBEN DIAZ JR. TO THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE IN SUPPORT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 

THE WESTCHESTER SQUARE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

I strongly support the creation of a business improvement district (BID) for the neighborhood of Westchester Square. In addition, Bronx Community Boards #10 and #11, as well as the Bronx Borough Board have both voted unanimously to support the creation of the BID.

Westchester Square is one of the most important commercial strips in the Bronx, and each day it brings thousands of residents, students and visitors to its confines to shop, eat and converse with their neighbors. A business improvement district in this area would bring new services to the community, such as street cleaning, new marketing efforts, community events and holiday lighting that are greatly needed to insure the future vibrancy and economic vitality of this commercial district.

The merchants of Westchester Square have come together over the last few years to make this dream a reality. In addition to the organizing the BID, sponsoring Merchant Sales Days, luring the Bronx Council on the Arts to a new home on the Square and sponsoring events for community youths, they have worked closely with local elected officials to rehabilitate Owen Dolan Park, which is in the heart of the BID area. My office and Council Member James Vacca have both provided capital funds for this project, which will be a focal point for new and exciting programs for senior citizens and the youth of the community.

The addition of the Westchester Square BID to the other existing BID’s in the Bronx will make the commercial districts in the Bronx even stronger.

The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and its president, Marlene Cintron, have also expressed their support of the BID and look forward to continuing to work with the BID management as they move forward.

I am is thankful to John Bonizio, the president of the BID Steering Committee, the property owners and all of the merchants for their commitment to the Bronx in establishing this BID. I look forward to continuing to work with the BID to make Westchester Square a premier shopping district.

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

RE: Scheduled Hearing on ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act

“I thank City Council Speaker Christine Quinn for scheduling a hearing for November 22 on the amended ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act, and I look forward to testifying. Supporters of this bill have been very mindful of the concerns of our opposition, and we believe that the changes to this bill show a serious effort to address the issues raised. Given that, I hope that opponents of this important bill will now sign on in support of it.

“When significant taxpayer funding is used to make private projects a reality, developers must do better by the people they employ. The ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act will ensure that happens,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

The “Fair Wages for New Yorkers” Act, which was introduced into the City Council at the behest of Borough President Diaz, would require developers that receive heavy taxpayer subsidies to pay their employees a “living wage.” The bill, which was introduced by Council Members Annabel Palma and G. Oliver Koppell on behalf of the borough president, currently has 30 City Council co-sponsors.

In May, a poll by Baruch College Survey Research was released, showing that New Yorkers overwhelmingly support such “living wage” laws. The survey showed that 78 percent of New Yorkers agree with requiring employers that get taxpayer-funded city subsidies to pay $10-an-hour plus benefits, while just 15 percent do not. This includes 83 percent of all Democrats, 74 percent of independents, and 56 percent of Republicans.