BY AL D’ANGELO
I don’t know about
the rest of you but I was
shocked to hear that
80% of our overall drugs
come from China and India
and 90% of our antibiotics
come from China.
What happens if they
decide tomorrow to stop
supplying those drugs?
Any one who thinks
China is our friend, I
have a bridge I’m willing
to sell cheap.
We should never allow
any country to have
a monopoly on goods
that affect the welfare
of our citizens; especially
countries which
are our adversaries. We
have learned some valuable
lessons as a result of
this coronavirus, all, or
at least some of the partisan
politics, has been
replaced by a bipartisan
coalition working
together to weather this
medical emergency.
I don’t care what you
think about this president,
but he and the previous
presidents were
right, our boarders must
be secured. Countries
with a policy of open
boarders are now scrambling
to close their boarders.
There are close to
$20 million illegal aliens
in the U.S. which is costing
American tax payers
$200 billion per year.
Schools and businesses
are closed, many Americans
don’t know when
their next pay check will
be coming, hospitals are
overburdened and safety
equipment is in short
supply. Then add $20 million
more people into
the mix and services for
American citizens decrease.
We are a strong nation,
and when the chips
are down, we will come
together and take care of
each other and we will
persevere. We will keep
in our prayers those affl
icted by this virus and
the fi rst responders who
put their lives on the line
each day to protect us.
May God bless and protect
you.
We still have a major
issue with the states
bail reform initiative
which was passed by
our elected offi cials and
then they set up town
hall meetings to get feed
back from the community.
If they represent
the people it would have
been a good idea to get
community input before
they passed it into law
since we are the ones
who would be impacted
by their decision.
Judging from the
meetings I have attended,
the communities are
overwhelmingly against
the reform package, as
are the police. Most people
agree bail reform is
necessary but law abiding
citizens need to be
protected. Suppose a teen
gang terrorizes you or
your business, you call
the police, they are arrested
and then released
without bail? In retaliation
their friends now
come buy and threaten
you or your family - what
do you do? Is it worth
calling the police again
and risking your loved
ones or is it easier to
drop the charges? But
by dropping the charges
you just embolden them
to continue their unlawful
activity.
The criminal who has
been arrested 50 times
and is set free; how does
this help the public?
There has been a spike in
crime and quality of life
issues have worsened.
Don’t bother calling in a
noise complaint, no one
will respond and even if
they did there is nothing
they can do. So who suffers?
The law abiding citizens.
Police who put their
life on the line everyday
have been vilifi ed and
disrespected. How does
help ‘We The People’? To
our elected offi cials, you
have asked the people,
you heard their response,
now what are you going
to do about it? Or was it
all just a ploy to make us
think you cared?
Our sympathies go
out to our Treasurer and
his family for the loss of
his mother Andrea Alessandro,
please keep him
and his family in your
prayers. This year’s Morris
Park Community Association
Dinner Dance
has been canceled. Stay
safe.
After careful consideration
for the health
and well-being of our
membership, it has been
decided by the leadership
of the post to shut
down operations until
further notice.
This is only a temporary
closure until they
get this current health
crisis under control,
the safety of our members
is our fi rst concern.
I will continue to
update all on any information
and correspondence
we receive by
means of email and this
column. We also have a
new web page that you
can keep current with,
yankeedet255.blogspot.
com. This is a joint web
page created for Post
620 and Yankee Detachment
255 Marine Corps
League.
I will also pass along
any info we get from
Bronx County being
their meetings have also
been cancelled at this
point. Look out for your
fellow members, keep in
touch with each other
until we get through
this. We will get through
like we always have in
past tough times.
We are stronger as
one, let’s work together.
God bless America.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,44 MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2020 BTR
(L-r) Neighborhood children at play; Mr. Tony and his pony; andNeighborhood children
BY GEORGE HAVRANEK
A Look Back
The 1950s and 1960s brought
tremendous development to the
Spencer Estate footprint. Beautiful
Pelham Bay Park and its contiguous
wooded areas present a
perception that the Spencer Estate
community morphed from
forested foundations.
Contrary to logical perceptions
many of our homes were built
upon parcels laden with mounds
of construction debris that also
served as play areas. These debris
laden parcels were home to
scavenger hunts for materials essential
to building soapbox cars or
wagons.
Races to the top, for “King of
the Hill” status, brought occasional
cuts and bumps that required
mom’s tender care. Parental
reprimands often followed the
application of iodine and careful
placement of Band-Aids. An
appearance by “Mr. Tony” with
pony in tow prompted homeward
dashes by neighborhood children
in search of coins required for a
coveted pony ride. From the eyes
of a child, the times appeared
simple. However, the myopic simplistic
perception of childhood
was tethered to challenges for the
adult residents.
Home developments markedly
increased population and brought
a dire need for infrastructure improvements.
Flooding was commonplace
throughout the footprint.
Moderate rains of spring
and the melting snows of winter
easily overwhelmed the substandard
sewer system. The unpaved,
dusty, bumpy roads often turned
into irksome muddy pathways.
The common command, “Wipe
your feet before you come in” explained
the worn and weary “welcome”
mats that adorned the entry
ways of many area homes.
Eventually, sewer system upgrades
decreased the number of
fl ooding basements and yards.
Carpets of smooth blacktop covered
the once bumpy, muddy
roadways. The nurturing and exemplary
stewardship of our predecessors
turned a smattering of
homes among unsightly lots into
a thriving community. Our elders
deserve our unwavering gratitude
and respect. They fought long and
hard for needed upgrades. Due to
their hard work we have inherited
a quality community. We must appreciate
and cherish the fi ne community
they arduously built. Our
appreciation and gratitude can be
displayed by making commitments
to vigilantly protect and preserve
this quality community and oneday
pass it on to our successors.
Community Footnotes:
Thank you to Matt Cruz, Noreen,
Susan, Patrick, and all our friends
at Community Board 10. The diligence
of our top-notch CB 10 ceased
nonsensical door-to-door solicitations
being conducted throughout
our footprint during this diffi cult
period. Once again, CB 10 came
through.
Approximately one year ago we
were united battling MTA redesigns,
Cutbacks to our NYPD, and
continuums of over development
that affected our quality of life.
Now we are confronted with a severe
problem that affects everyone
in some way shape or form. Our resolve
and mettle will be tested. We
must calmly band together. Unity,
calm and respect for one another
will see our community through.
Our community has traditionally
exhibited a “We are Family attitude.”
Now, is the time to let it shine
through the fog of uncertainty.
Please check on family, friends
and neighbors especially the elderly
and vulnerable. This virus
is indiscriminate: implement cautious
contact, cleanliness and commonsense.
Any area homeowner or
renter interested in membership
to the all inclusive Spencer Estate
Civic Association inbox George
Havranek on Facebook or email
spencerestatecivic@gmail.com
Remember: “Inclusion brings
solutions.”
at the school bus stop.
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