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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Pols Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Albanian Independence



BRONX, NEW YORK, November 29- Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and Assemblymember Mark Gjonaj were the honored guests of the Albanian-American Society Foundation and the Sons and Daughters of Albania in America in their celebration of 100th anniversary of Albanian Independence. A billboard in Times Square was illuminated to commemorate the occasion.  
The celebration honored several groups and individuals who have given back to their community or have made significant contributions to Albania’s independence, including Dr. Elez Biberaj; Voice of America; The League of Prizren; Ismail Qemali (in memoriam); Adem Jashari (in memoriam) and Tahir Sinani (in memoriam).
Borough President Stringer took time to honor each of these distinguished leaders by issuing a special proclamation declaring an official “day of celebration in the borough of Manhattan.”
“Albanian-Americans are defined by a strong commitment to ethnic diversity, religious pluralism, and liberty and freedom for all,” said Borough President Stringer. “Almost 40 percent of New Yorkers are foreign-born--and Albanians are a vital part of that diverse tapestry.”
“I am proud to stand today with my friends in the Albanian community and beyond to celebrate this important milestone, the 100th anniversary of Albania’s independence from the Ottoman Empire. The Albanian community of the Bronx continues to grow and prosper, and their success is good for the Bronx and the entire City. The Bronx is home to the largest Albanian population in New York City, and on this day of great celebration we renew our commitment to working with the Albanian community of our borough to build and strengthen the entire Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
We live in the greatest country in the world, a country that allows you to celebrate your heritage and culture while becoming a productive member of American society,” said Assemblymember Mark Gjonaj. “On this momentous day, I wish Albanians throughout the world a happy celebration of this 100th anniversary. This is a proud day for Albanian Americans and Albanians worldwide.”
“What a historic, landmark day for the Albanian community. Albanian-Americans have contributed so much to our vibrant city, and it is fitting that New Yorkers are celebrating 100 years of Albanian independence by marking the special place that they have in our neighborhoods. Their small businesses and entrepreneurial spirit has helped grow our economy and their sense of civic duty and acts of kindness have made tremendous impact on countless lives. It is my privilege to join you in celebrating this auspicious occasion,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.
“On this momentous occasion, the 100th anniversary of the independence of Albania from the Ottoman Empire – the largest event so far in the proud history of Albania – Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer has again opened the doors of Broadway and turned on the lights of Times Square, the cross-roads of the world, for all Albanians,” said Esad Rizai, Founder of Albanian American Society Foundation. “This celebration will be watched with joy and honor by Albanians everywhere, both here in the United States and around in the world.  Scott M. Stinger has again shown his dedication to the Albanian peoples, and we know he proudly stands beside us as we celebrate this great day.  In the spirit of Besa and our fore-fathers, here in America, Albania and all around the world, we express our sincere gratitude and thanks.”
“On this day, Albanians in Albania and everywhere in the world celebrate with joy and pride the Centenary of the Declaration of Independence,” said His Honor Mr. Ferit Hoxha, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations, New York. “Independence was the result of sustained efforts by the best among us and the genuine support by friendly nation, in the first place this blessed country of United States America. I am particularly grateful to President Scott Stringer and his team, for the diligence in co-organising this event, in this mythical world place. I consider this event in the City of Lights, in a Place of Splendour, a special and delicate present he made to us, Albanians."



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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): It's Official

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): It's Official: Riverdale Report By Robert Press While we told you a few weeks ago that Community Board # 8 Aging Committee Chair Andrew Cohen was going ...

It's Official


Riverdale Report
By Robert Press

While we told you a few weeks ago that Community Board # 8 Aging Committee Chair Andrew Cohen was going to be running for the term-limited city council seat currently occupied by Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, it is now official. 

The announcement came last Tuesday at City Hall as Mr. Cohen was joined by Congressman Eliot Engel, State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Council member James Vacca and Council member Koppell ( whom he hopes to succeed). You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to read more about Mr. Cohen, what the elected officials had to say about Mr. Cohen running for the city council seat of Councilman Koppell, and a photo of Mr. Cohen, Congressman Engel, State Senator Klein, Assemblyman Dinowitz, and Councilman Koppell.
Mr. Cohen now joins Cliff Stanton as official announced candidates for Councilman Koppell's seat to be vacant at the end of 2013. Mr. Ari Hoffnung who ran in 2005, was the front runner in 2009 for Koppell’s seat until the term limit law was overturned by the City Council and Mayor. Mr. Hoffnung has expressed interest in running again, but told me that he would be waiting until the new year to make a decision. An Assistant Comptroller currently, Hoffnung could become Deputy Comptroller at the beginning of the year, as the current Deputy Comptroller Simka Felder was elected to a Brooklyn State Senate seat. Another deciding factor could be the relationship between Mr. Hoffnung and the new leading candidate for comptroller current Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.

NYC Parks Commissioner Veronica M. White thanked those on hand for attending the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink. On hand were Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman G. Oliver Koppel, members of the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, Community Board #8 members, and skaters from the Ice Theater of New York who gave several special ice skating performances. You can go to my blog to see photos of the different skaters from The Ice Theater of NY, and the ribbon cutting at center ice. It was interesting to hear BP Diaz, Councilman Koppell, and Assemblyman Dinowitz all compliment the new ice skating rink, as all three put in a plug for the ice skating proposal at the Kingsbridge Armory during their speeches that they have endorsed.

Sunday December 2nd is the Riverdale Avenue Street Festival. Riverdale Ave. from West 236th to West 238th Streets will be closed to traffic from 12 – 4 p.m. to allow for street activities such as pony rides, a petting zoo, live entertainment, and more. We will have photos on my blog, and a recap of the event in next weeks column.

Finally, Saturday was the unveiling of “Frank Durkin Way” at the corner of West 240th Street and Tibbet Avenue right in front of the Gaelic Park field. Mr. Martin Lyons opened the ceremony by telling those assembled the history of Mr. Frank Durkin. On hand to pull the covering of the sign was Monica and Mary Durkin, but they had a little trouble as the rope broke as they started to pull on it. There were some laughs from those assembled, and a few said that it was a sign that Frank is here with us. Mr. Lyons also said that this will be only the third person of Irish Descent with a street sign. He said former TWU head Mike Quill and former City Council Speaker (and relative to Frank Durkin) Paul O'Dwyer were the other two.

State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Ms. Annie O’Connor (chief of staff for Councilman Koppell, who was out of town), Community Board #8 Traffic and Transportation Chairman Dan Padernact, and about 200 other people were on hand for the ceremony. Senator Klein read from a proclamation that November 24th is to be known as Frank Durkin Day. You can see photos of the event on my blog.

Don't forget that you can find the latest listing of weekly events going on at Wave Hill on my blog by checking the archive section on the left.

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.



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Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Crime Wave 2012

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Crime Wave 2012: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, November 28- When I write this column I always check the news, and this weekend was not good ...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Crime Wave 2012

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Crime Wave 2012: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, November 28- When I write this column I always check the news, and this weekend was not good ...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Crime Wave 2012

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Crime Wave 2012: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, November 28- When I write this column I always check the news, and this weekend was not good ...

Crime Wave 2012

100 PERCENT
By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, November 28- When I write this column I always check the news, and this weekend was not good news for three young girls in the Bronx. 

On Friday a 15-year-old girl was strangled in the lobby of her aunt’s building on Barretto Street in the Hunts Point section. Sunday at 1 a.m. a five-year-old girl was shot in the courtyard of a building on Hughes Avenue in the Tremont area. Police arrested the shooter, and it looks like the girl was not the intended target, but who was the target? Also on Sunday around 4 a.m., a 22-year-old woman was found strangled in her car on Brook Avenue in the Hunts Point area. There may be coverage of these events elsewhere in this paper.

While the last case involving the 22 year old was allegedly done by a boy friend, Mr. Mayor – Can you still say that crime is going down, and what are you doing to halt these senseless acts of violence that continue to happen? Are the citizens of the Bronx going to see crime increase as is the case in almost every police precinct here in the Bronx? This is happening while your police department is being cut, are doing other things, and the result is that the crime rate is increasing in the Bronx. It is not just iPhone thefts, but serious crime also. People need to know that they are safe and being protected.

Maybe the decision by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. not to seek a citywide office in 2013, but stay on to run again as Bronx BP was that there are still problems in the Bronx that need to be addressed by him. While Diaz has spoken out about gun violence he may need to step it up a notch, and ask Mayor Bloomberg to tour the areas with him where the violence occurred. While there are many other things that Diaz will do in his second full term as Bronx BP we knew that he was only testing the waters with his potential run for Public Advocate. We know that BP Diaz will seek citywide office when the time is right, and that Ruben Diaz Jr. will be known for getting things done as his record will show.

On the subject of citywide races I told you weeks ago that Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer was going to run for City Comptroller when I asked Stringer when he was going to announce the decision to run for comptroller and not mayor. While there are $1.1 million reasons for the Republican County Leaders of New York City to endorse former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr. a recent Quinnipiac College poll showed Carrion at 11 percent to any Democrat at 62 percent with 27 percent undecided. No wonder Carrion does not want to run in a Democratic primary for mayor. I suspect there will be wheeling and dealing with Carrion, and that he will wind up running for Public Advocate like former Bronx Democratic County Leader Roberto Ramirez did many years ago in 1993. Ramirez however ran for Public Advocate to test the waters for a Freddy Ferrer Mayoral race to happen in 1997, that Ferrer wound up backing out of running against the very popular incumbent Mayor Rudy Guiliani. Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger then wound up being the sacrificial lamb to run against incumbent Mayor Guiliani.

The New Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink opened up last week, and you can go to my blog and check the archive section for two stories about the ice skating rink. During the ribbon cutting ceremony Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Councilman G. Oliver Koppell all said how wonderful the VCP rink was, but all three plugged the Kingsbridge Armory Ice Skating Palace proposal that all three have endorsed.

Don't forget to check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for more on these items, and check the blog archive for past items that may interest you. There are also stories that come in after our deadline, and events that may not have made it into this column, plus lots of photos of events.

If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event 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.



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