BY GEORGE HAVRANEK
The 1950’s and 1960’s
brought tremendous development
to the Spencer Estate
footprint. Pelham Bay Park
and contiguous wooded areas
presents a perception that
the Spencer Estate community
morphed from fairy-tale
woodlands. Contrary to this
logical perceptions many of
our homes were built upon
swampy parcels fi lled with
mounds of construction debris.
During this period of development
it was common for area
children to play amidst debris
riddled lots. The rouge minidumps
were prime for scavenger
hunts; a place to fi nd materials
to build soapbox cars
or wagons. Races for “King of
the Hill” status brought occasional
scrapes and a trip home
for Moms tender care. A soft
parental reprimand often accompanied
the quick application
of iodine and Band-Aids.
An appearance by “Mr. Tony”,
pony in tow, prompted children
to race home to bargain
and plea for coins required
for a coveted pony ride. From
a child’s eyes the times were
simple. However, the myopic
simple perception of childhood
rightfully overshadowed
community challenges confronting
the adults.
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.
Unpaved dusty, bumpy dirt
roads often turned into irksome
muddy pathways. The
command, “Wipe your feet before
you come in” explained
the weary and worn welcome
mats that adorned the entryways
of area homes.
After hard, lengthy battles
infrastructure upgrades decreased
the number of fl ooding
basements and yards. Carpets
of smooth blacktop blanketed
the once bumpy, muddy roadways.
The nurturing exemplary
BRONX TIMES R 50 EPORTER, APRIL 2-8, 2021 BTR
stewardship of our predecessors
turned a smattering
of homes amidst unsightly lots
into a thriving community.
Our elders, the community
pioneers, deserve our unwavering
gratitude and respect.
Their hard work enabled us to
inherit a quality low-density
community to appreciate and
cherish. Gratitude and honor
for those that built our lowdensity
community must be
displayed through fi rm commitments
to protect and preserve
its’ charm and character
for future generations. The areas
low density zoning status
must be preserved. Lose
the zoning lose your community.
If we want to keep and
reap the blessings of our
fi ne quality of life…we must
endure the fatigue of supporting
it.
CITY COUNCIL RACE 2021
A 1989 National Census
related NYC Charter change
mandates the 2021 and 2023
New York City council elections
are for shortened 2-year
terms. City Council elections
for traditional four-year terms
will resume in 2025.
Rank Choice Vote, overwhelmingly
passed in 2019,
makes a wholesale 2021 NYC
appearance in special elections
and primary elections
for Mayor, Public Advocate,
NYC Comptroller, Borough
President and City Council.
Rank Choice Vote process
as explained in “Harvard
Law Today”- In races where
there are more than two candidates
Ranked Choice Voting
permits voters to rank
their preferences in order-
one, two, three etc.… If no
candidate exceeds 50% of fi rst
place votes, the lowest candidate
is dropped from the race
and the SECOND choices of
that candidate’s voters are
tabulated and distributed to
higher ranked candidates.
This process continues until
one candidate passes the 50%
threshold and is declared the
winner. Importantly, the traditional,
single choice, winner
takes all process remains
in place for the November general
elections.
35 of the 51 NYC council
seats, including our Council
District 13 are up for grabs.
NYC Campaign Finance
Board records indicate the
following candidates for the
Council District 13 seat currently
held by Mark Gjonaj:
Monique Johnson, John Perez,
and Marjorie Velazquez are
slated to be on the Democratic
primary ballot in June.
The Republican Party has
not presented Council District
13 candidates for the June
primary. Spencer Estate
Civic, along with other civic
groups, will reach out to all
CD 13 candidates. It is imperative
to directly hear and assess
their policy positions on
zoning, housing and other
quality of life issues.
Our community has traditionally
exhibited a "We
are Family attitude"
Now, is the time to let it shine.
Communicate; make that
phone call, text message, or email.
Please check on family,
friends, and neighbors especially
the elderly and vulnerable.
Any area homeowner or
renter interested in membership
to the inclusive
Spencer Estate Civic Association
in box George
Havranek on Facebook or
send-email to spencerestatecivic@
gmail.com Remember:
Community=Common-Unity
and Inclusion brings Solutions.
CIVIC CENTER
Spencer Estate
Civic Association
/gmail.com