JULY 2019 E-NEWS
Dear Neighbor,

It is my pleasure to share our July E-Newsletter. I hope you are enjoying the summer season and taking advantage of our community’s parks, playgrounds, pools, libraries and summer activities for you and your family. 

Last month, I was proud to work with my Colleagues in passing the city’s $92.8B budget which includes many priorities and programs that invests in our residents and families. In addition, I had the wonderful honor to attend a number of graduations in our community to celebrate our graduates’ accomplishments. Many of our schools received capital funding in the adopted budget from our office that provides support for technology upgrades, renovations to playgrounds, cafeterias and auditoriums. I am proud that the majority of our funding was dedicated to education as our children deserve the very best schools with up-to-date technology and equipment. I also joined my Bronx City Council Colleagues to highlight the incredible budget wins achieved that support our borough’s cultural institutions, colleges, parks and community based organizations. As a member of the Budget and Negotiation Team, it’s an honor to represent the Bronx’s priorities. 

In June, we celebrated Caribbean Heritage Month and Pride Month and I extend my Congratulations to this year’s Honorees and thank our community partners. 

We are outraged that the Department of Justice has declined to file civil rights charges against Daniel Pantaleo, the NYPD Officer responsible for the death of Eric Garner. On the 5th Anniversary of his death, we continue to stand with his mother, Gwen Carr, advocates and elected officials, in calling on the Mayor and Police Commissioner to fire Officer Pantaleo and provide the justice this family deserves and has been waiting on for five long years. 

Finally, in this newsletter, you will find important information on Know Your Rights in the event of any encounter with ICE officials. The President has targeted NYC in his deportation efforts and we must ensure every resident is prepared with accurate information on steps to take. NYC is a sanctuary city and we will do everything to protect all New Yorkers. 

Please call our district office should you need any assistance, at 718-588-7500. We look forward to seeing you in the district at our Summer at the Subway office hours, upcoming Movie Nights, Family Days and our District 16 Annual Family Day, which is Saturday, September 7th, from 11am to 3pm. Please Save the Date. 

Happy Summer!



Hon. Vanessa L. Gibson
Council Member, 16th District, Bronx County
Deputy Leader
Chair, Subcommittee on Capital Budget 
"I am heartbroken to learn of the sudden passing of our longtime President of 32BJ SEIU, Hector Figueroa. He was a trailblazer and the biggest champion for working men and women and led 32BJ for years through contract negotiations, improving working conditions and ensuring that union jobs remained a priority for our community. I was blessed to work with Hector and his team through the years and I send my thoughts and prayers to his wife, children, family, friends and 32BJ family. His labor of love and legacy will live on."
City Hall
Council Member Gibson introduced Intro. 1597-2019 which requires the department of social services to report annually on the number of staff at certain HRA centers.

For a calendar of this months' hearings, please click  HERE .
Jerome Rezoning Update

The  Jerome Avenue Neighborhood plan  was adopted in March 2018.  To track the progress of this rezoning, please view the  Neighborhood Rezoning Commitments Tracker .

To read the progress that has been made 1 year later, click  HERE .
The Jerome Avenue Public Health Task Force hosted over 100 residents for a Town Hall of What Creates Health. This evening was filled with community input and insight that will inform the development of a neighborhood health plan that addresses community health concerns while identifying local assets and resources.

If you would like to receive more information on this Town Hall and the JPHTF please email wgallegos@council.nyc.gov
Budget Update
The New York City Council worked with the Administration and advocates to pass the FY20 Budget for the City of New York, equaling $92.8B. This budget includes significant investments in our schools, parks, libraries, reserves, and the 2020 Census. Read the Council's Press Release HERE and our press release with Bronx budget wins HERE .

If you would like to receive updates and important notices regarding the New York City Council Budget Process, including Discretionary Capital and Expense funding, please email Justin Cortes at jcortes@council.nyc.gov.
Participatory Budgeting (PB)

We would like to thank the more than 3,000 residents who voted on how to spend $1 million. You voted, and here are the projects that won. These projects were fully funded in June, when the New York City Council adopted the FY20 Budget.
$180,000 - Smart Boards and Laptop Carts for Bronx School for Law Government & Justice.

$105,657 - Security Cameras along Featherbed Lane & MLK blvd.

$200,000 - Audio and visual tech upgrade at Girls Prep Academy

$500,000 - Playground renovation at Butler Houses
Community
Our Annual Youth Summit was a huge hit with our local youth who created a space to discuss Civic Engagement, Professional Development, and more.
Our 6th Annual Housing Conference was a success thanks to community residents, local sponsors, and our Keynote Speaker, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
We would like to thank all of the attendees, honorees, and sponsors who came out to our Caribbean Heritage Celebration.
With over 200 attendees, the FIRST Bronx Silent Disco was a tremendous success. We thank all of the community who enjoyed an evening of great music and lots of fun!
Council Member Gibson was proud to host the Second Annual Pride Celebration Luncheon to commemorate the significant contributions of the LGBTQ community within our neighborhoods and the city as a whole. We would like to thank Council Members Ritchie Torres and Helen Rosenthal for attending and standing with us in solidarity with the LGBTQI community.
Council Member Gibson was proud to join Council Members Diana Ayala and Rafael Salamanca in hosting a Pride and Allies Meet and Greet at the BronxWorks Classic Community Center to foster local community partnerships that enrich Pride rights and recognition in the South Bronx.
Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson attends:
Grand Re-Opening of the Roberto Clemente State Park.
The Puerto Rican Day Parade. Que viva Puerto Rico!
African American Music Month Celebration and presents award to legendary lyricist Rakim.
The 10th Anniversary of the 161 st. Street Business Improvement District.
Bronx Office Opening of Mobilization for Justice.
Prince and Princess Wall Ball Tournament hosted by the US Wallball Association Inc.
Annual Health and Wellness Expo in Claremont Village sponsored by  Healthfirst.
Father’s Day Celebration at Butler Houses with DFOY and residents.
SUNY EOC Class of 2019 Graduation.
End of School Year Celebration at P.S.126.
South Bronx International Middle School Family Night.
Morris Heights Health Center Annual Awards Gala.
Town Hall Hosted by District Attorney Darcel Clark.
Bronx Early College Academy graduation as the Keynote Speaker.
P.S. 132 Elementary School Graduation
P.S. 294 The Walton Avenue School Graduation
Grant Avenue Elementary School Graduation
P.S. 199 The Shakespeare School Graduation
Mott Hall Academy of Science and Technology Graduation
52nd Precinct Annual Open House
Worker Cooperative Solidarity Festival
Official opening of the second office of Bronx Community Solutions.
Epworth United Methodist Church
Bronx Pride Celebration
P.S. 42 Graduation
C.S. 219 Graduation
Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice graduation
Murry Bergtraum High School Graduation as Commencement Speaker.
Bronx Center for Science & Mathematics graduation.
CEC 9 End of School Year Celebration.
VOA Cromwell Safe Haven graduation
1 Year Anniversary of the Findlay House Senior Meal Program.
Grand Opening of a new NORC Program at Woodstock Terrace.
CUNY Prep School graduation.
World Pride Parade and Celebration.
Know Your Rights outreach session with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
BronxWorks  Farm Stand at the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center.
Forest Houses Family Day.
Joining Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. on a visit to Camp Junior.
Summer Performing Arts Series hosted by Fresh Start Cultural Productions at River Park Towers.
Bronx City Council Delegation Press Conference.
Jennings Terrace Gardens Family Day.
Upcoming Events
Services & Resources
We are proud to feature a few community highlights from the past month below.
PLEASE NOTE ALL MONTHLY MEETINGS ARE SUSPENDED FOR THE SUMMER AND WILL RESUME IN SEPTEMBER.*

Find your local  Community Board (CB)  and attend a monthly CB meeting. Apply to your local Community Board  HERE .

  • CB3: second Tuesday of the month at 6PM. 718-378-8054
  • CB4: fourth Tuesday of every month at 6PM. 718-299-0800
  • CB5: fourth Wednesday of every month at 6PM. 718-364-2030

Find your local  Police Precinct  and attend a monthly Precinct Community Council meeting:

  • 42nd Precinct Community Council: Every fourth Thursday of the month in the 42nd Precinct Sitting Room at 7:00 P.M.
  • 44th Precinct Community Council: Every second Wednesday of the month at different locations at 6:30P.M.
  • 46th Precinct Community Council: Every third Tuesday of the month at 2120 Ryer Avenue, at 7:00 P.M.
  • PSA 7 Community Council: Every second Thursday of the month at 737 Melrose Avenue at 6:30 P.M