Guess Jared from Subway Can Move to Bronx
Borough Becoming Haven for Sex Offenders
Pervs Can Live Near Pre-K Programs
BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- State Senator Jeff Klein announced that a registered sex offender, Mark Mercado, released from Gowanda Correctional Facility in western New York has relocated to The Bronx – directly violating state law and moving a mere 449-feet from a special needs elementary school.
What’s more shocking than the speed at which this convicted felon found a new home next to the Biondi Elementary School, is a dangerous loophole in state law that does not place residency restrictions on stand-alone Universal Pre-Kindergarten programs. The sex offender also resides within 950-feet of a stand-alone UPK at the Westchester Tremont Day Care Center, serving 100 local children.
Senator Klein said: “Across New York, we’ve found sex offenders violating their parole, living dangerously close to traditional schools, and more egregiously, right next to our most vulnerable children attending pre-K programs. This is absolutely unacceptable. The legal definition of ‘school’ does not currently prevent registered sex offenders from residing with
in 1,000 feet of pre-K programs – posing a deadly threat to the safety and security of New York’s families. It’s our duty to protect our children from pedophiles and I strongly urge the State Assembly to pass this important legislation and close this loophole immediately.”
In 2014, Senator Klein introduced legislation (S.1520) that would update New York State Penal Law to prohibit Level 2 and 3 sex offenders from knowingly being within 1,000 feet of a facility where pre-kindergarten or kindergarten instruction is provided. The bill overwhelmingly passed the State Senate in 2014 and 2015. The bill was never moved to the floor for a vote in the Assembly.
Six months ago, the Independent Democratic Conference released a bombshell investigative report “Keeping Our Children Safe From Sex Offenders” which uncovered startling violations of residency restrictions and numerous sex offenders living dangerously close to both traditional and stand-alone UPK programs in New York.
Two of the sexual predators found in that investigation – Michael Nieves and Damon Ford – are already back in prison. Ford violated his parole after police found him purchasing synthetic marijuana. Nieves also violated parole conditions when police were called to his home for a domestic dispute.
In 2009, Senator Klein introduced legislation that created a sex offender email notification system that later became Chapter 478 of New York State Law. The system allows local residents to receive instant email alerts any time a sex offender moves into a selected zip code. The legislation has been hailed by community groups and advocates.
Edith Blitzer, a Bronx resident and member of Community Board #11, said: “As a mother, grandmother, and community activist, finding a registered sex offender just released from prison living so close to our children is deeply troubling. It is our duty to ensure the safety of our kids, and by allowing these type of predators to circumvent the law, we are endangering their safety. Thank you Senator Klein for leading the way in protecting our neighborhoods and I look forward to working together for many years to come.”
Al D’Angelo, First Vice Chair of Community Board #11, said: “Our children are our most prized possessions. Their safety should be our prime concern. Preventing dangerous sexual predators from knocking at the doors of our schools is critical in building safe, strong communities. Allowing pedophiles to flout the law is simply unacceptable and I commend Senator Klein for leading the way in protecting our most vulnerable population.”
Monday, August 24, 2015
Bronx Sports: #Yankees Honor Andy Pettitte
Bronx Sports: #Yankees Honor Andy Pettitte: Yankees Honor Andy Pettitte By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- One of the members of the new legendary group , th...
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Bronx Sports: #Yankees Honor Andy Pettitte
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Bronx Sports: Yankees
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Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Let #PuertoRico File for Bankruptcy- BP, Pols Say
Let #PuertoRico File for Bankruptcy- BP, Pols Say
BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has issued a letter, in conjunction with over 100 elected officials from across the nation, demanding immediate action from Congress to enact legislation that will allow the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to enter bankruptcy.
The letter can be read here:http://on.nyc.gov/1Wh8Vdz.
“The interests of the Puerto Rican community, whether they are in Puerto Rico, New York, New Jersey, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida or anywhere else are American interests. Congress has an obligation to act and pass legislation that seeks to amend the Federal bankruptcy code and provide Puerto Rico, and its related power authorities and municipalities, access to Chapter Nine Bankruptcy protections,” states the letter.
The magnitude of debt owed by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its associated debt issuing authorities is at a critical juncture. Congress’ failure to address this crisis presents a substantial threat not only to the economy of Puerto Rico, but the United States economy as a whole.
“I am appreciative that so many elected officials from across the United States understand the need for federal action to address Puerto Rico’s ongoing debt crisis and were willing to join forces with my office to push Congress on this issue,” said Borough President Diaz. “I will continue to work with my colleagues to advocate for a remedy to the crushing fiscal crisis facing the commonwealth.”
List of elected officials signing the letter:
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
NYS Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie
NYS Senator Jeffrey Klein
NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito
NYC Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz
Hudson County NJ Board of Chosen Freeholders Chairman E. Junior Maldonado Chairman
Mayor of Hartford, CT Pedro E. Segarra
Mayor of Yonkers, NY Mike Spano
Mayor of New London, CT Justin Finizio
Mayor of Paterson, NJ Jose ‘Joey’ Torres
NYS Senator Tony Avella
NYS Senator David Carlucci
NYS Senator Leroy Comrie
NYS Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz
NYS Senator Martin Dilan
NYS Senator Adriano Espaillat
NYS Senator Michael Gianaris
NYS Senator Jesse Hamilton
NYS Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson
NYS Senator Brad Hoylman
NYS Senator Liz Krueger
NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery
NYS Senator Kevin Parker
NYS Senator Jose Peralta
NYS Senator Bill Perkins
NYS Senator Gustavo Rivera
NYS Senator Diane Savino
NYS Senator Jose M. Serrano
NYS Senator Toby Stavisky
NJS Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez
NJS Senator Nellie Pou
NJS Senator M. Teresa Ruiz
Florida State Senator Darren Soto
NYS Assembly Member Thomas J. Abinanti
NYS Assembly Member Carmen Arroyo
NYS Assembly Member Michael Blake
NYS Assembly Member Michael Benedetto
NYS Assembly Member Marcos Crespo
NYS Assembly Member Maritza Davilla
NYS Assembly Member Michael DenDekker
NYS Assembly Member Erik Dilan
NYS Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz
NYS Assembly Member Herman D. Farrell
NYS Assembly Member Mark Gjonaj
NYS Assembly Member Deborah Glick
NYS Assembly Member Richard Gottfried
NYS Assembly Member Latoya Joyner
NYS Assembly Member Brian Kavanagh
NYS Assembly Member Charles Lavine
NYS Assembly Member Guillermo Linares
NYS Assembly Member Shelley Mayer
NYS Assembly Member Walter T. Mosley
NYS Assembly Member Francisco Moya
NYS Assembly Member Felix Ortiz
NYS Assembly Member Amy Paulin
NYS Assembly Member Victor Pichardo
NYS Assembly Member Diana Richardson
NYS Assembly Member Jose Rivera
NYS Assembly Member Annette Robinson
NYS Assembly Member Robert Rodriguez
NYS Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal
NYS Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright
NYS Assembly Member Luis Sepulveda
NYS Assembly Member Michael Simanowitz
NYS Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon
NYS Assembly Member Aravella Simotas
NYS Assembly Member Michaelle C. Solages
NYS Assembly Member Matthew Titone
NYS Assembly Member David Weprin
NYS Assembly Member Keith Wright
Connecticut Representative Angel Arce
Connecticut Representative Juan Candelaria
Connecticut Representative Matt Lesser
Connecticut Representative Jason Rojas
Connecticut Representative Christopher Rosario
Connecticut Representative Edwin Vargas
NJ Assembly Member Carmelo Garcia
NJ Assembly Member Annette Quijano
NYC Council Member Maria del Carmen Arroyo
NYC Council Member Fernando Cabrera
NYC Council Member Andrew Cohen
NYC Council Member Costa Constantinides
NYC Council Member Laurie Cumbo
NYC Council Member Inez Dickens
NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm
NYC Council Member Rafael Espinal
NYC Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland
NYC Council Member Dan Garodnick
NYC Council Member Vanessa Gibson
NYC Council Member Corey Johnson
NYC Council Member Andrew King
NYC Council Member Karen Koslowitz
NYC Council Member Rory Lancman
NYC Council Member Brad Lander
NYC Council Member Stephen Levin
NYC Council Member Mark Levine
NYC Council Member Alan Maisel
NYC Council Member Carlos Menchaca
NYC Council Member Rosie Mendez
NYC Council Member I. Daneek Miller
NYC Council Member Annabel Palma
NYC Council Member Antonio Reynoso
NYC Council Member Donovan Richards
NYC Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez
NYC Council Member Helen Rosenthal
NYC Council Member Ritchie Torres
NYC Council Member James Vacca
NYC Council Member Jumaane Williams
Detroit City Council Member Raquel Castaneda-Lopez
Philadelphia Council Member Maria Quinones Sanchez
Philadelphia Council Member Blondell Reynolds Brown
Massachusetts State Representative Marcos Devers
#PuertoRico #Bankruptcy
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Throggs Neck News: Haiti Immigration Crisis Comes to the Bronx
Throggs Neck News: Haiti Immigration Crisis Comes to the Bronx: Haiti Immigration Crisis Comes to the Bronx Angry Demonstrators Protest Visit by Dominican Republic Foreign Minister By David Green...
Haiti Immigration Crisis Comes to the Bronx
Haiti Immigration Crisis Comes to the Bronx
Angry Demonstrators Protest Visit by Dominican Republic Foreign Minister
By David Greene
A pair of very vocal and infuriated demonstrators protesting the Dominican Republic's new and controversial policy towards migrant workers of Haiti, came to the Bronx to heckle the Dominican Republic's Foreign Minister, who was invited to speak at breakfast hosted by a local group in Morris Park.
Dahoud Andre of Brooklyn and Bronxite Vilcere Romulus stood on the sidewalk outside of Meastro's catering hall on Bronxdale Avenue on August 7, to protest the visit by Andres Navarro Garcia, who spoke at the breakfast hosted by the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization (NYHCO.)
In a brief statement announcing the breakfast, Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., a Reverend and President of the NYHCO, explained, "It is a great opportunity for us Hispanic ministers, evangelists and missionaries to hear directly from the Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic and about the new plan of immigration affecting the Haitian community and other communities that have been established by the administration of President Danilo Medina.
With Haitian flags draped across their shoulders, Andre and Romulus each held up signs, one read, "Boycott Tourism in the Dominican Republic," another demanded, "Full citizenship for Dominicans of Haitian descent," as they chanted slogans about racism to guests as they arrived.
Calling the new policy of the Dominican government, a form of ethnic cleansing, Andre, a host of a local Haitian radio program and a member of the International Campaign to End Apartheid in the Dominican Republic claimed, "It's a very serious issue. It's very sad that you have black politicians in New York who we believe are taking money from the Dominican government to be given this platform to spew lies."
"From it's inception," Andre continued, "The Dominican Republic has sought to distance itself from it's neighbor in Haiti and blackness."
Andres claims the revolt began when the new legislation was passed, legislation that they claim will affect hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from Haiti and the unrest has escalated after several incidents including the revocation of Citizenship of a Haitian-born Dominican who had been practicing law in the Dominican Republic for 30-years, and the February lynching of a Haitian man in Santiago, the Dominican Republic's second largest city.
Pointing out similarities with the current atmosphere in the United States, Andre explained, "It's the same reality that Dominicans are taking rickety boats to Puerto Rico to eventually get to the U.S., you would have a policy where the children of undocumented immigrants would be thrown out, the Dominican community here would rise up against this."
Asked what he would say to the NYHCO, Ardre added, "As Hispanics they understand the reality of undocumented migrants, like Hispanic migrants in this country and the same way that they would like to see undocumented migrants from the Dominican Republic treated in the United States, is the same way we would like them to treat Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic."
Senator Ruben Diaz declined to make a statement on the event or the protest, but his Chief of Staff Ann Noonan stated, "I'm not sure about that... I would just say in regard to the protesters is that everybody has a right to freedom of speech and everyone has a right to do that."
Attempts to reach the Manhattan office of the Consulate of the Dominican Republic were unsuccessful.
#Haiti #DominicanRepublic #Immigration #VillaBarrone
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