BY FRANK VERNUCCIO
A deal was fi nally reached
over this week concerning a
national fi scal response to the
COVID-19 crisis, but it cannot
cover-up the inexcusable attempt
by Democrats to use the
disease for political gain. Following
news of the Senate deal,
passage of the legislation was
stalled again by House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi, (D-California)
when she inexplicably closed
the House for a day following
the announcement of the deal.
As the nation agonizes
through the COVID-19 crisis,
and responsible leaders seek
means to address the problems
and alleviate the fi scal challenges
facing both individuals
and businesses, several key
Democrat offi cials seek to gain
political advantage at the expenses
of suffering people and
enterprises.
In a move that represents
the ultimate low in tawdry
partisanship, House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi delayed passage
of bipartisan legislation aimed
at bringing rapid support to
the nation’s families and enterprises.
Democrat presidential
presumptive nominee
Joe Biden has also jumped on
the Party-before-Nation bandwagon.
The heartless maneuver
was sharply criticized by
elected offi cials on both sides
of the political aisle. The Free
Beacon quotes New Jersey
Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill
rebuking Pelosi and Schumer,
noting that they “block legislation
because they ‘don’t
want to give the president a
win…. Sherrill revealed the
‘shockingly different mindset’
of congressional Democrats
who prioritize resisting President
BRONX TIMES R 20 EPORTER, APR. 10-16, 2020 BTR
Donald Trump over passing
legislation that could help
their constituents.”
The Wall Street Journal described
the situation: “What
a spectacle. Much of America
is quarantined at home, the
public is so panicked there’s
a shortage of toilet paper, the
country desperately wants reassurance,
and Nancy Pelosi
and Chuck Schumer decide to
take a bipartisan rescue bill as
a political hostage. That’s the
display of Democratic leadership
in a crisis the nation received
on Monday as Senate
Democrats blocked a $1.8 trillion
bill that has urgent money
for workers, hospitals, small
business and, yes, even larger
companies threatened by the
forcible shutdown of the U.S.
economy. When America most
needs bipartisan cooperation,
Democrats add to the economic
uncertainty by putting their
partisan interests above the
needs of the country. Do Democrats
even care? It isn’t obvious
as they pander to their progressive
base to make last-minute
demands while blocking the
rescue cash. The political chronology
is instructive—and depressing
about the state of
Democratic leadership.”
The laundry list of unrelated
ideological items the
Democrat leadership wanted
inserted into what was designed
as a measured solely
to help ease the COVID-19 crisis
was lengthy. It included a
bailout for the Postal Service,
tax credits for wind turbines
and solar panels, implementation
of portions of the Green
New Deal, environmental
requirements for the airline
industry, corporate board
diversity, political favors for
unions, early voting, and
same day voter registration.
Why would Democrats delay
urgently needed help to
the American people for political
purposes? As House
Majority Whip James Clyburn
noted, the crisis is a
“tremendous opportunity to
restructure things to fi t our
vision.” Georgia Attorney
General Chris Carr called
out the former VP and Democrat
presumptive nominee
Joe Biden for “his shameful
politicization of a worldwide
pandemic.
BY AL D’ANGELO
When will it end? This crisis
has taken a human, fi nancial
and psychological toll
on our nation. We listen to
updates everyday and there
seems to be no end in sight.
The feeling of helplessness is
not one the American people
are used to. Most of us must
sit by and let the few fi ght our
fi ght; all we can do is show our
appreciation and follow the directives
of those on the front
lines. This will pass and we
will be able to resume our lives
taking with us what we have
learned during this trying period.
As in any of our national
catastrophe heroes appeared
in all walks of life helping seniors
with their meals, taking
care of the homeless, administering
to the sick, working
with our Veterans calling a
friend or just praying for the
sick, most Americans are doing
their part. People are out
of work, businesses are closed,
families don’t know where
their next meal is coming
from; these issues should concern
us all. This is not the time
for political hacks to try to politicize
this tragedy. Shame
on you. When it’s time for us
to pull together for the good
of the country to help those
who are suffering or morning
the loss of a loved one, there
are some who wish to use this
pandemic for political gain.
I have yet to see a press conference
when some reporter
hasn’t asked a question that
tries to fi x blame, that’s disgraceful.
It’s easy to be a Monday
morning quarterback but
when you’re in the game you
use your acquired knowledge
and skill to call the right play.
There will be plenty of time to
point fi ngers when the suffering
stops. God bless and stay
safe.
BY ANNIE BOLLER
This time in our lives is
not only diffi cult but unusual.
COVID-19 is widely spread not
just throughout our country
but many countries. We salute
our fi rst responders: all health
care workers, police offi cers,
fi re, sanitation, truck drivers
delivering food, postal workers,
along with many, many
others. The impact of the virus
and restrictions placed
on communities has touched
all of us. It will not be immediately
remedied. Our leaders
have responded and imposed
restrictions on our movements
in an effort to prevent the virus
from spreading.
Senator Alessandra Biaggi’s
district offi ce is closed and
all staff is now operating remotely.
All staff remain accessible
by email or by telephone
at 718-822-2049. They have set
up a telephone directory so
that calls ring through to the
appropriate person when the
caller follow the prompts.
Thanks to Assemblyman
Michael Benedetto’s concern
for us, a virus testing site has
been set up in the parking lot
of Co-op City’s Bay Plaza Mall.
Our Mayor, Governor and
President issue regular updates.
Maintaining a social
distance is showing a good result
in an effort of not spreading
the virus. Supermarkets
are open but only permit a limited
number of customers in at
a time. Many restaurants offer
take-out and delivery only.
Income taxes are not now
due until July 15th. The Presidential
primary scheduled for
April, has been rescheduled
for June 23rd. Consequently,
our April Taxpayers meeting
is being suspended. Watch for
updated reports in the Bronx
Times Reporter and hopefully
we can all meet with one another
in May.
Membership dues are due.
Please send to 1720 Mayfl ower
Avenue, #9H, Bronx, NY
10461.
Our email is pbta1965@
gmail.com
Be safe, be well, be careful
and always wash your hands.
CIVIC CENTER
Community Action
Civic Association
CIVIC CENTER
Morris Park
Community
Association
CIVIC CENTER
Pelham Bay
Taxpayers Association
BY TONY SALIMBENE
Great to see a beautiful new,
giant fl ag fl ying at the Bronx-
Whitestone Bridge offi ce, wow,
thank you TBTA.
County Commander Peter
checked in, hopefully all is well
around our posts. Our comrades
at AMVETS Post 38 are
trying to help out as best as possible.
Our 253 Buddy Checks
continue!
If anyone knows of any other
helpful efforts in our area,
please spread the info. Councilmember
Gojnaj is trying to
get some assistance happening
too. Again, Bronx CB#10 has
info going out as Mr. Cruz and
Patrick get it. I’ll try to get it
out over email or here ASAP.
I understand Kingsbridge
Armory will become an emergency
food distribution point.
Until Next Time: At least
we get a bit of a break sending
in our taxes. I’m glad I learned
about Calculus in H.S. math
class instead of how to do my
taxes. It will come in real handy
during Calculus Season…
Join The American Legion
Family- service since 1919
CIVIC CENTER
American Legion
Post 253
BY LYNN GERBINO
Hello all!
As you probably guessed,
we are cancelling our April
meeting and will see how
things are going in May. We
can only hope and pray that
things will get back to normal.
What is happening now
is truly unbelievable and
scary. We hope you are all
faring well and that you stay
home until things are normal
again. But what is the
new normal? We will have to
wait and see.
Thank you to all who work
to make sure we are all okay.
We owe thanks to our wonderful
health care workers,
police, fi refi ghters, grocers,
truckers, and all those that
help us continue to function
in this trying time. May this
end soon and deliver us to
some normalcy once more.
CIVIC CENTER
Throggs Neck Home
Owners Association
www.bxtimes.com
/www.bxtimes.com
/gmail.com
/www.bxtimes.com