Translate

Friday, January 18, 2013

WHAT A WASTE!

-->


‘Goofing Off’ Workers Running Community into the Ground- Critic Says



By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, January 18- Civic activist Frank Belcher said that he is in the process of documenting his long-time claim that many of Co-op City's workers are constantly “goofing off” during hours in which they are supposed to be working.
The civic activist warned that he intends to share a dossier on workers “goofing off” on the job as soon as he has a chance to complete it.
Belcher noted, “It is really easy, in today's era of technology, to take pictures of what goes on in Co-op City. That's what I've started to do. It's easy for me to use my cellphones to take pictures of the workers who aren't giving Co-op City an honest day's work for an honest day's pay.”
Belcher added, “There's a Security car that parks right near my apartment for about an hour at a time at least three days a week. There's a Maintenance supervisor who hangs out at the pizza place at Dreiser every day he's working, and he hangs out a little longer at the pizza place on Sundays.”
The civic activist stressed, “I'm a Co-op City shareholder, so I have a right to be concerned about the Riverbay workers who are wasting our money by goofing off. Daryl Johnson says we can easily cut Co-op City's expenses by at least 10 percent, and I'll go one step further than he does. As far as I'm concerned, we cut down on Co-op City's workforce by 10 percent without affecting services in this community, especially if we stop workers from wasting our money.”
Belcher noted, “As far as I'm concerned, Co-op City, for years, has been run like a New York City housing project. Waste is rampant, and the people in management know that it is. This is not about being anti-union. It's about expecting all workers, whether they are union workers or non-union workers, to do an honest day 's work for an honest day's pay.”
The civic activist noted, “Long ago, I came to the conclusion that no one in management seems to care about the money that is being wasted around here. I have experience supervising people in the workplace, and I would never tolerate what goes on in Co- op City. The Riverbay Corporation has inspectors who are supposed to be troubleshooting issues like corporate waste and lack of worker productivity, but nothing seems to get done unless you holler and complain to get someone's attention.”
Belcher emphasized, “Herbert Freedman has been Co-op City's top corporate official since 1999. As a result, he's responsible for the unproductive corporate culture he has identified in his scathing memo to Riverbay board members on the Restorations Department. The long and the short of it is that everyone in the Riverbay Corporation, from Herbert Freedman and Vernon Cooper on down, must be held accountable for worker productivity. This means not wasting time during hours in which you are supposed to be working.”
The civic activist stressed, “I encourage other shareholders to join a community campaign that targets the waste of Co-op City's corporate assets. I encourage shareholders, throughout this community, to take photos of workers they see goofing off during hours in which they are supposed to be working.”





Dr. Dre Solo HD Purple On-Ear Headphones - 900-00064-01 (Google Affiliate Ad)



--> Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0" - Gifts for Kids (Google Affiliate Ad)










Thursday, January 17, 2013

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): It's Off to Albany Now

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): It's Off to Albany Now: --> 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, Januaru 17- Our headline refers to back to back inaugurations of the two newest members...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): It's Off to Albany Now

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): It's Off to Albany Now: --> 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, Januaru 17- Our headline refers to back to back inaugurations of the two newest members...

It's Off to Albany Now

-->

100 PERCENT
By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, Januaru 17- Our headline refers to back to back inaugurations of the two newest members of the state assembly. 

Luis Sepulveda was sworn in as the new assemblyman from the 87th A.D. on January 12th, and on the very next day Mark Gjonaj was sworn in as the new assemblyman from the 80th A.D. Both new assembly members had their day to remember, and if the events are a sign of what the two new legislatures can do the Bronx is in good hands.

Assemblyman Sepulveda held his event at St. Raymond’s Church in Parkchester. This site was uniquely located that U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer rode his bicycle to the event. There was Schumer sitting in the front row in his bike attire holding his helmet on his lap. Schumer was joined by Congressman Jose Serrano, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., and many other Bronx elected officials from the city council and state legislature. Also on hand were several candidates for office this year including two candidates for mayor. Though the elected officials were on hand as were over 600 people, this was a day for Luis Sepulveda and his family to remember, it was their day. Years of hard work finally paid off in Sepulveda's election to the state assembly. You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to see photos of the Assemblyman Sepulveda swearing in ceremony, his lovely wife Elizabeth, 2 year old son Luis Jr., some of the elected officials on hand, the swearing in by Judge Fernando Tapia, and of course Assemblyman Sepulveda thanking all of those who helped him get elected.

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj held his event at Columbus High School, and this swearing in however was very different from Assemblyman Sepulveda's the day before. Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj was to be the first Albanian American to be sworn in to the New York State legislature This was history in the making. While U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer was in attendance he did not ride his bike here, and was joined by Congressman Eliot Engel, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senator Jeff Klein, City Comptroller John Liu, and many other Bronx elected officials from the city council and state legislature. Like the day before there were several candidates for office this year including three candidates for mayor. and over 1,000 people in attendance at this event. This however was a day for Mark Gjonaj, the Gjonaj family, the people of the 80th A.D., and of Albanian American decent to remember.

Senator Klein was the first up of the elected officials to speak, and you had to wonder what was on his mind when he said “it was 18 years ago that Judge McKeon administered the oath of office to me when I became the new assemblyman from the 80th A.D.” One by one many of the elected officials who were sitting on stage got up when they were called to speak, and this time around had only words of praise for Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj. Some were the same elected officials who supported Assemblyman Gjonaj's opponent and said that he could never get elected to the assembly. Today however all were brought together as BP Diaz said it best when he said “Mark Gjonaj has exhibited the work ethic to help improve his district, and the Bronx in a way to bring people together”. 

City Comptroller John Liu congratulated Assemblyman Gjonaj as one whose family had also immigrated to the United States, but added that he (Liu) was made in Taiwan and not Albania. Liu added that he knows firsthand the struggles that the Gjonaj family had to endure. It was strange though that while City Council Speaker Christine Quinn was sitting on stage and listed as a speaker that she left early in the program. 

Another candidate for mayor in 2013 who was sitting in the audience was former Bronx BP Adolfo Carrion Jr. I got to ask Carrion now that it looks like it will be a lot tougher than he thought to get the Republican nod for mayor if he was going to run for Public Advocate or Comptroller as he announced in his aborted 2009 run for citywide office. Carrion told me “It's City Hall all the way”, but we shall see. Check my blog for more on this event, and the many photos.

Over the weekend I saw many of the people who have opened up campaign committees or have been named or rumored to be running for the 15th City Council seat. Current 15th council seat holder Joel Rivera would not comment on who he might be supporting, and while speaking to Albert Alverez his current Chief of Staff (who has announced his intentions to run for the 15th seat) Albert said that he was running even if another Rivera entered the picture. Current 80th A.D. Male District leader Kenny Agosto said that he is running for the 15th council seat, and knows that he will have lots of company. I won't mention a few others as they said that they had not fully made a decision on if they were running or not, and all predicted a crowded field in the race. One interesting note was that when I asked who each candidate who was the front runner in the 15th council race all but one said Radame Perez, the owner of the C-Town supermarket on Crescent Street in the Belmont section of the 15th council district. I attended the Annual coat drive that Mr. Perez partners with Health Plus to give out to those who need in the neighborhood a warm coat, to talk to him about the 15th council race. When I entered the recently renovated C-Town on Crescent Street it looked like I was in a beautiful gourmet store somewhere else that could not be here in the Bronx. I found Mr. Perez who told me the C-Town renovation has taken up most of his time, and that the store will have its official grand re-opening in early February. He added that he wants to run for the council seat, but will not make a decision until after the C-Town reopens in February.

Don't forget to check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for photos of the two inaugurations mentioned in this column, other items that did not make it into this column, or items that may have come in after the deadline. If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.









Dr. Dre Solo HD Purple On-Ear Headphones - 900-00064-01 (Google Affiliate Ad)



--> Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0" - Gifts for Kids (Google Affiliate Ad)










Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Investigation Continues into Fatal New Year's Blaz...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Investigation Continues into Fatal New Year's Blaz...: --> (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, January 17- Investigators from the fire marshal's office at the FDNY ha...

Investigation Continues into Fatal New Year's Blaze

-->

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, January 17- Investigators from the fire marshal's office at the FDNY have still not ruled on the cause of the fast-moving blaze that broke out in the early morning hours of December 31, on Beach Avenue in Soundiview.

The fire killed John Debro, 73, sister-in-law Annetta Isaac, 71, and grandson Jahvonte Smith, 12, who all died inside their burning home at 735 Beach Avenue. At least three residents and two firefighters were also injured.

Chief William Oehm of Battalion 18, who stated, "I think we were here in three minutes," discounting reports from residents that fire trucks passed the street, and once at the fire they were delayed as much as 20-minutes.

Chief Oehm admitted that one dead fire hydrant on the block, "might have delayed us slightly," but added, "It was just such a high volume of fire."

Witness Haley Terrell fumed, "You had the entire block out here
screaming at them to help... they could have save those people."

The Red Cross was providing shelter for the two-dozen or so residents who were displaced by the fire.








Dr. Dre Solo HD Purple On-Ear Headphones - 900-00064-01 (Google Affiliate Ad)



--> Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0" - Gifts for Kids (Google Affiliate Ad)










Bronx News (Bxnews.net): St. Michael Can’t Mount Comeback

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): St. Michael Can’t Mount Comeback: --> (Photo by Gary Quintal) BRONX, NEW YORK, January 17- Mount Saint Michael lost to Cardinal Hayes 70-60 evening in Boys Basketball...

St. Michael Can’t Mount Comeback

-->


(Photo by Gary Quintal)

BRONX, NEW YORK, January 17- Mount Saint Michael lost to Cardinal Hayes 70-60 evening in Boys Basketball. 

The Mountainers played catch up throughout the game falling behind by 20 midway through the second quarter 33-12. A 20-3 run by Mount Saint Michael pulled the game to with-in 6 points at the half, but Mount could not take the lead and falls to 7-8 as Hayes Improves to 11-4.  






Dr. Dre Solo HD Purple On-Ear Headphones - 900-00064-01 (Google Affiliate Ad)



--> Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0" - Gifts for Kids (Google Affiliate Ad)










Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Two wounded in Co-op City shooting

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Two wounded in Co-op City shooting: --> By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, January 16- Two people were wounded when gunfire erupted on the grounds of 140 Einstein Loop in Co-o...

Two wounded in Co-op City shooting

-->
By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, January 16- Two people were wounded when gunfire erupted on the grounds of 140 Einstein Loop in Co-op City, on January 13.

EMS was called at 12:08 p.m., and reported that two victims were transported to Jacobi Hospital. A source at the FDNY stated, "The two patients looked to be serious, but didn't appear to be life threatening."

EMS records show a 17-year-old male was shot in the leg, but no information was available on the second, more serious victim.

One resident fumed, "They say, 'See something, say something,' but when you call they interrogate you like you are guilty of something or treat you like you don't know what your talking about."

The resident claimed she has attempted to give such information to both the Co-op City Public Safety and the NYPD, when shootings take place, now she just stays away from the window.
The woman claimed that drivers on the Hutchinson River Parkway have been taking shots at the building-- as vehicles pass the complex on a somewhat frequent basis.
According to a source close to the investigation, the suspect in the double shooting was described as a male Black, dressed in all black, who reportedly fled the scene in a grey mini van.






Dr. Dre Solo HD Purple On-Ear Headphones - 900-00064-01 (Google Affiliate Ad)



--> Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0" - Gifts for Kids (Google Affiliate Ad)










Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Health Screenings

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Health Screenings: --> BRONX, NEW YORK, January 16 - Residents living in and around the Bronx can be screened to reduce their risk of having a stroke or b...

Health Screenings

-->



BRONX, NEW YORK, January 16- Residents living in and around the Bronx can be screened to reduce their risk of having a stroke or bone fracture. Knights of Columbus will host Life Line Screening on January 28. The site is located at 3243 Ampere Avenue in Bronx. 
Four key points every person needs to know:
Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of permanent disability.
Eighty percent of stroke victims had no apparent warning signs prior to their stroke.
Preventive ultrasound screenings can help you avoid a stroke
Screenings are fast, noninvasive, painless, affordable and convenient.
Screenings identify potential cardiovascular conditions such as blocked arteries and irregular heart rhythm, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and hardening of the arteries in the legs, which is a strong predictor of heart disease. A bone density screening to assess osteoporosis risk is also offered and is appropriate for both men and women.
Packages start at $149. All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete.  
For more information regarding the screenings or to schedule an appointment, call 1-877-237-1287 or visit our website at www.lifelinescreening.com.  Pre-registration is required.







Dr. Dre Solo HD Purple On-Ear Headphones - 900-00064-01 (Google Affiliate Ad)



--> Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0" - Gifts for Kids (Google Affiliate Ad)










Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Where the Cops Aren’t

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Where the Cops Aren’t: --> Wakefield Area News By Mary V. Lauro BRONX, NEW YORK, January 16 - The newspapers have been shrieking that last year (2012) murder i...

Where the Cops Aren’t

-->


Wakefield Area News
By Mary V. Lauro
BRONX, NEW YORK, January 16- The newspapers have been shrieking that last year (2012) murder in the City shrank to a record low. If we are to believe CompStat figures that is true enough, but it is not true for the 47 Precinct. While we had five less murders than in 2011, at 16, we were still the second highest in murders in the Bronx. We were beat out by the 43rd Precinct which had 18. In regard to murder, the 45th Precinct gets the prize. It had only two murders through 2012.
Close to murder is the category shooting victims. Sorry to say, the 47th again wins a prize. At 59 shooting victims, it ties with the 46th Pct. for highest in the Bronx.
In the rape category, the 47th is still the second highest sharing the spot with the 42 and 46.
Overall, citywide crime has increased. The Mayor thinks it is because thieves are stealing iPhones. We don't. The slight increase in robbery citywide does not translate to iPhone thefts. Whatever the Mayor thinks, robbery in the 47th climbed to 500, an increase over last year of 15.5 percent.
What is truly amazing are the statistics for grand larceny auto otherwise known as car thefts. In every single precinct in the Bronx there was a diminution of car thefts. Even so, who had the highest number of cars stolen? You guessed it. The 47th Precinct at 250.
In felonious assault there seems to be an overall increase both city-wide and Bronx-wide. The 47th increased as well, but maintained third place highest. Keep in mind that there are 12 Precincts in the Bronx. Being third highest means 9 other precincts did better than we did.
In burglary, at 394, the 47th did 4.1 percent better than last year. However it remains the second highest in the Bronx.
Grand larceny seems to have increased throughout the city. Every Bronx Precinct increased. The 47th increased 34 percent, but is on a par with most Bronx Precincts.
We will not deny that when we speak of the low crime rate in the 50th Precinct (Riverdale) there is an element of envy in it. But one must remember that 30 years ago Wakefield easily competed with the 50th Precinct. There was very little crime here, while today it is the second highest in crime sector in the 47th Precinct. The question is what impedes crime?
To a large extent the moral and civic attitudes of its residents is a factor in the amount of crime a community can experience. (If they are good people or wealthy people you will get less crime.) Allied to this is the number of available agents (police) whose presence can inhibit incipient crime. So that two people out of a 100 want to commit robbery. If there is one cop, he can keep an eye on one would-be robber. The other robber can commit the crime with no problem. If there are no cops, then crime rises.
What is interesting about the 50th as well as other areas of wealth is that they don't seem to be bothered by criminals from other communities. One would expect robbers and burglars to go where the wealth is. Instead they travel to communities which are not so wealthy. Now what could cause this strange behavior? Perhaps it is because the wealthy communities received more police presence than the poorer ones?
At this point we get a lot of handwringing. How could we entertain such a thought? Easily. We think the NYPD uses the "epidemic" mindset. In this mode of thinking, an area which is not experiencing the ravages of an epidemic disease is kept healthy by all sorts of means so as not to pollute it with disease. By the same token, all of the assistance the disease-free area receives is assistance not available to the diseased areas.
We want to make very clear that in no way do we fault the 47th's commander or its officers for the poor showing of the 47th in 2012. We identified the problem many years ago, but our pleas and cries have been consistently silenced with false promises. In reality, when one considers the constant crime and the daily calls for police, except for one or two duds, the 47th is overwhelmingly staffed with superheroes and great commanders.








Dr. Dre Solo HD Purple On-Ear Headphones - 900-00064-01 (Google Affiliate Ad)



--> Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0" - Gifts for Kids (Google Affiliate Ad)