Free These Embargoed Funds Now!

What You Should Know
By Senator Rev Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District
718-991-3161

Free These Embargoed Funds Now!

You should know that it has recently come to my attention that even though I sponsored measures in 2009 that were approved grants for various capital projects in the Bronx and throughout New York State, due to bureaucratic malfeasance, these resources have yet to be distributed to the schools and organizations.

Imagine students from PS 100, located at 800 Taylor Avenue, sitting in hot classrooms in the South Bronx, wishing that someone would help to put air conditioners in their school. You should know that the money was assigned in 2009, and the State’s and the City’s bureaucracies have not moved on it.

Imagine the teachers from the East Bronx Academy for the Future, located at 1716 Southern Boulevard, who since 2009, have been looking forward to the purchase of computers for Bronx students to have state-of-the-art equipment to learn the basics in a competitive Internet world. Again, the State and the City’s bureaucracies refuse to release the money.

Then imagine the principal from PS 75, located at 984 Faile Street who once upon a time - 6 years ago to be exact - was looking forward to the renovation of the school’s library, wanting their Bronx students to be in a strong learning environment like children from more affluent sections of New York. It is sad to know that even though the money has been allocated since 2009, the State’s and the City’s bureaucracies have not let the school have the money.

As the children continue to suffer, imagine some gnomes in Albany and some in the Tweed Building resting on their laurels in fully air-conditioned environments. They have been dragging their feet for six years even though money has been assigned from the State Senate to be transferred to the New York City Department of Education so that air conditioners, computers and a new library can be purchased and installed in our public schools for our Bronx children.

There is so much negligence and so many people to blame and hold accountable for these inexcusable delays. The Department of Education refuses to complete and submit the required paperwork, and the State takes its sweet time processing forms.

You should know that the same people who are neglecting our children are the same people who claim to be protecting our children. There is no reason on earth why it should take 6 years to process documents and complete financial and environmental reviews for these capital projects

My dear reader, can you imagine how disappointed students, teachers and principals could be six years after they have been promised assistance for their schools? Does anyone really believe that any students who live in wealthy communities ever wait this long for State Senate resources?

As a State Senator who is deeply concerned about the well being of our children, their education and future – and as the person who has assigned funding for these capital projects, I have to say that I am completely frustrated. I am furious that our children are suffering without air conditioning, computers and a library in their schools that I assigned 6 years ago.

You should know that in 2013 I assigned capital funds to purchase and install a security system upgrade in Concourse Village to help protect the lives and safety of our senior citizens. I will not wait for a life to be lost in Concourse Village because of any delays, and insist for these funds to reach Concourse Village imminently.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you’d like more details, I am attaching a spreadsheet that I was provided with last week showing where things stand with all of my capital projects, including these embargoed funds. I would like to invite the press and all interested parties to look into this fiasco. It’s not for me, it’s for the children.

This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

(See attached file: Diaz DASNY Capital Funding Breakout 6.10.15.xlsb)