Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

On Thursday, May 10, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted the annual Centenarian Celebration as a part of Bronx Week 2012. The event celebrates the lives of senior Bronxites who have lived to see an entire century. Borough President Diaz presented citations to the borough’s wisest for holding the secrets to a long life.

On Thursday, May 10, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. spoke at New York City Brownfield Partnership’s Big Apple Awards and was presented with the organization’s Distinguished Service Award for his considerable work promoting a cleaner, healthier environment.

Borough President Diaz Officially Kicks Off Bronx Week 2012

Today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. officially kicked off Bronx Week 2012, a celebration which pays tribute to the continuing revitalization of the borough’s businesses, educational institutions, cultural sites and civic groups.

Bronx Week 2012 will take place from Thursday, May 10th through Sunday, May 20th. This year’s kickoff event was held at the Bronx County Building’s Rotunda and featured an appearance by 2012 Bronx Walk of Fame honoree Valerie Capers, an award-winning jazz musician and longtime Bronx resident. In addition, the event offered a taste of the great food the Bronx has to offer, featuring samples from Mike’s Deli of Arthur Avenue, Delicioso Coco Helado and the Bronx Brewery.

“We invite Bronxites, New Yorkers, and visitors from all over the world to join us in the Bronx for our annual celebration of what makes the Bronx a great place to live. Bronx Week gets bigger and better every year and has something exciting for everyone. I look forward to seeing you all here,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

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Statement from Borough President Diaz
RE: NYS Catholic Conference Support for Minimum Wage Increase

“The New York State Catholic Conference of Bishop’s support for an increase to New York’s minimum wage adds great moral and political strength to our movement towards economic equity in New York State.

“The minimum wage in our state has remained stagnant at just $7.25 an hour since 2009, under any measure it is unrealistic to expect that this meager sum will help support an individual, much less a family. This sensible, common sense legislation will go a long way towards improving the quality of life of our lowest wage earners. I thank Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the State’s Catholic bishops for their support of this just cause,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and State Senator Gustavo Rivera pose with traditional Mexican dancers at the El Grupo Unidos 7th Annual Cinco De Mayo Celebration in Belmont on Saturday.

BOEDC's Kate Shackford and Michael Nixon Certified
As Economic Development Finance Professionals

Kate Shackford, Vice President, and Michael Nixon, Credit Analyst of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation have received certification as Economic Development Finance Professionals (EDFP) from the National Development Council (NDC).

EDFP Certification is a professional credential given to individuals who successfully complete NDC’s intensive economic development finance training series. The training provides individuals working in the field of economic development with instruction in business credit analysis, real estate financing, loan packaging, deal structuring and negotiating, as well as the creation and implementation of development programs.

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Statement from New York State Transportation Commissioner
Joan McDonald on the Bronx River Parkway

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald said today: “The New York State Department of Transportation shares community concerns about the safety of the Bronx River Parkway in the wake of the tragic crash that claimed the lives of seven family members on April 29.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said: "I am grateful that the State Department of Transportation has heard our calls for safety improvements on the Bronx River Parkway. We must do everything we can to avoid a similar tragedy in the future, and this announcement is an important first step towards the goal of an improved Bronx River Parkway that is safer for drivers and the community alike. I thank the State Department of Transportation for moving quickly to address these issues, and I look forward to assisting them in the implementation of these improvements in the future.”

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Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. chats with five-year-old Keamu Sierra as the two marched in the annual Castle Hill Little League Opening Day Parade on Saturday, May 5.

On Sunday, May 6, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined volunteers from Riverdale Hatzalah at the Fieldston home of Nathan & Sandy Kahn to dedicate a new ambulance. The ambulance was donated to the organization by Lisa Lehr in memory of her late husband, Dr. David Lehr.

(l to r) Joseph Herman, Riverdale Hatzalah; Howard Stahl, Riverdale Hatzalah; Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.; Lisa Lehr; Jeffrey Moerdler, Riverdale Hatzalah; Daniel Hammerman, Riverdale Hatzalah; photo of the late Dr. David Lehr.

After Historic Campaign and Movement,
Landmark Living Wage Legislation Passes New York City Council

Diverse Supporters Praise Legislation as Much-Needed Reform that Will Strengthen the Local Economy and Put an End to the City’s Costly Failure to Create Good Jobs

New York, NY—Today the Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act, legislation that grew out of an historic citywide campaign for living wage jobs and economic justice, passed the New York City Council by a wide margin of 44-5, drawing praise from elected officials, labor leaders, faith leaders, and business owners.

The campaign spawned a highly visible and vocal movement that engaged thousands of New Yorkers and led to overwhelming support for the legislation across the political spectrum—74% of voters overall, according to a recent Quinnipiac University poll, with 60 % percent of Republicans saying it is government’s responsibility to ensure workers are paid a decent wage.

“For too long, major development projects have taken heavily from the taxpayer’s wallets while providing only poverty-wage jobs. The ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act will guarantee that, when major developers take city dollars they will do right by their employees and taxpayers. “This legislation will fundamentally improve the way business is conducted here,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

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On Monday, April 30, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined Living Wage NYC, New York City Council Member Oliver Koppell, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store (RWDSU, UFCW) President Stuart Appelbaum, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, New York City Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio, New York City Comptroller John C. Liu, and other elected officials on the steps of City Hall for a press conference immediately before the “Fair Wages for New Yorkers” Act came to a vote before the City Council.

The press conference culminates a historic two-year campaign that created a citywide living wage movement that sets the standards for nationwide policies: the final Living Wage Bill. The City council’s vote reflects the voices of the 74% of New Yorkers who are in favor of bill according to poll results released by Quinnipiac University in December.

Bronx Week Welcomes World-Renowned Author, Motivator, &
Business Guru Amilya Antonetti to Business Breakfast

Event to feature nearly 300 small businesses; Breakfast is part of 2012 Bronx Week festivities

On Tuesday, May 15th, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC) will host a Business Breakfast at Tosca Marquee as one of many Bronx Week activities taking place during May 10 – 20th. Author, turnaround specialist and serial entrepreneur Amilya Antonetti will address the audience of nearly 300 small businesses covering key issues relevant to growth and development.

The award-winning Antonetti has built several multi-million dollar companies and has authored two books which include “Why David Hated Tuesdays: One Courageous Mother's Guide to Keeping Your Family Toxin and Allergy Free” and “The Recipe: A Fable for Leaders and Teams.” She appears weekly on Fox News as “The Small Business Voice” and is as an expert on WPIX mornings and the Dr. Steve Show. Antonetti’s story was featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show as well as NBC, CNBC, ABC, and MSNBC to name a few.

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Read all of Borough President Diaz's press releases and statements.