BY FRANK VERNUCCIO
Very few Americans will
recall that this month commemorates
the 246th anniversary
of the start of the American
Revolution, an event that
transformed not just one nation
but an entire world’s concept
of personal rights.
The British had been moving
steadily to reduce both the
private and community rights
of their American dominion.
The colonists, separated by
time and distance from London,
had grown accustomed
not only to governing themselves,
but to the practice of
freedoms considerably greater
than those in effect anyplace
else across the globe. It was
becoming increasingly apparent
that their liberties were
being dismantled. To protect
themselves from the escalating
abuse, the colonists took
steps protect their liberties.
The National Archives describes
what happened next:
“On the evening of April 18,
1775, the British authorities,
acting on information that a
supply of ammunition for the
local militia was being stored
in Concord, sent British regular
troops from Boston to confi
scate the arms. Skirmishes
occurred in several places,
most notably on Lexington
town green and afterwards at
Old North Bridge spanning
the Concord River in Concord.
The incidents are referred to
as the Lexington Alarm and
the Battle of Concord… The
colonists felt wronged. They
had been fi red upon unjustly.”
It’s not surprising that this
vital anniversary is barely observed.
American education
has sharply deemphasized
the importance of teaching
history. But there is more to
this than mere ignorance. To
be blunt, the principles that
inspired the heroic actions in
Massachusetts that directly
led not only to the establishment
of a unique new nation
but to the adoption of the Bill
of Rights a mere sixteen years
later are not ones shared by
those currently in power in
Washington, or those who infl
uence public opinion in education,
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, A 40 PR. 16-22, 2021 BTR
entertainment, and
the majority of the major news
outlets.
The personal freedoms
guaranteed by the Bill of
Rights are simply not in vogue
with those wielding infl uence
in print or on the air and internet
spectrums.
Upon taking offi ce in 2009,
Barack Obama promised to
fundamentally transform
America, and did. Ironically,
considering the events commemorated
this month, one of
his fi rst targets (using the Internal
Revenue Service) was
the Tea Party, a group named
after an action against King
George III in 1773 in response
to unfair taxes. The Department
of Justice was employed
to harass those who disagreed
with the Obama-Biden Administration
on climate change. In
2014, Senator Charles Schumer
(D-NY) introduced a measure
in the Senate to weaken the
First Amendment in order to
be able to restrict paid political
speech. He garnered 41
votes, but fortunately lost.
No less a person than a
United States Supreme Court
Justice has also expressed
a similar lack of respect for
the central principle behind
the founding of the nation.
During the 2010 confi rmation
hearings of Supreme Court
nominee Elena Kagan, Sen.
Tom Coburn had a testy exchange
in which he pushed
her to state her belief in fundamental
rights. She evaded
answering.
The plutocrats of social media,
and the campus administrators
who tolerate no difference
of opinion have pulled
out all the stops to suppress
differences of opinion. This
has led to an environment that
justifi es physically assaulting
opponents in the streets who
disagree with leftist ideology.
Almost a century after the
Revolution, Abraham Lincoln,
in the midst of a Civil War that
sought to extend the personal
liberties the colonists fought
for to those enslaved, speculated
on how Americans could
lose those precious rights.
“”Whence shall we expect the
approach of danger? …In the
trial of a thousand years, if destruction
be our lot, we must
ourselves be its author and fi nisher.
As a nation of free men,
we will live forever…or die by
suicide.”
Editor’s note, the views expressed
in letters refl ect only
that of the writer.
BY GEORGE HAVRANEK
Low-density enclaves of
single and multi family dwellings
are targets for property
monetizing absentee landlord
investors. Property monetization
often increases neighborhood
density through
unwanted and illegal “Plus
Ones”. Simply, the one family
dwelling becomes two, two becomes
three and so forth…
Unlike owner occupied
homes, absentee landlord
properties are more likely to
become neglected unkempt
eyesores, sources of health
and nuisance issues including
after hours noise complaints.
T -Zone theory as applied to
residential living suggests
one neglected, nuisance-laden
property can negatively affect
quality of life for dozens of
families.
NYC law stipulates owners
of private residential one
to two family dwellings where
neither owner nor the owners’
immediate family resides
must annually register their
properties with Department
of Housing Preservation and
Development (H.P.D.). This
registration is easily done online
for a $13 fee. Examination
of known absentee landlord
properties within our footprint
showed numerous violations
of multiple NYC laws including
H.P.D. regulations.
Low-density communities
require safeguarding through
zoning protection, legislations,
policy amendments, and
enforcements of existing laws.
The current path of resolution
through 311 for nuisance/
noise complaints, health department
issues, or unsafe
certifi cate of occupancy violations
is a frequent dead end.
For two years our association
has unsuccessfully sought
help from our entire roster of
elected offi cials. This begs the
question: Why have reasonable
requests fallen upon deaf
ears? We patiently await response.
NYC COUNCIL ELECTION
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. Despite shortened intervals
voters should view
this important 2021 election
as a traditional 4-year term.
In October 2019, roughly one
year after her monumental
victory, Senator Alessandra
Biaggi addressed the Spencer
Estate Civic Association. Our
senator touched upon the trials
confronted by freshman
elected offi cials. Procuring
offi ce space, assembling-coordinating
staff teams, while
tending to constituent obligations
and other offi cial duties
presented challenges. Due to
the traditional short two-year
district senate cycle it seemed
another campaign season arrived
as initial prerequisite
responsibilities were fi nally
fulfi lled. One certainty, in
January 2022 a new councilperson
in district 13 will be welcomed.
Voters must do their
homework diligently to ensure
a keeper is elected in November
2021. Our council district,
especially low-density
enclaves, will face many challenges.
This is clearly not the
time for an abbreviated oneterm
wonder.
Community Footnotes:
There is ongoing in automobile
thefts and petty vandalisms
throughout the 45th
precinct footprint. Video evidence
on social media shows
nefarious individuals lurking
around parked vehicles and
encroaching on private property
during the overnight
hours. Please lock car doors
and remove all valuables
upon exiting your vehicle. Importantly,
please report all incidents
to NYPD.
Smart Meters (Gas and
Electric) are being installed
in our neighborhood. Aclara
Smart Grid Solutions is Con
Ed’s installation contractor.
Contact Aclara 1-800-686-4207
to schedule an appointment. If
opposed to smart meter installations
call Con Edison 1-800-
576-2005 to discuss possible options.
According to NYPD, a roving
“Gypsy Family” responsible
for multiple burglaries
throughout the tri-state
region is still at large. This
deceptive, crafty group with
a professional skillset often
poses as utility or service
workers to gain unforced entry
into homes. It is imperative
to remember Utility and
Service providers schedule
appointments and their workers
carry offi cial identifi cation.
The need for essential
unauthorized cold calling or
solicitation by utility or service
providers is rare. Verify
all activity, do not become a
victim.
Spencer Estate Civic Association
is optimistic about
conducting an in person May
meeting. Details will be released
once terms and conditions
are fi nalized.
Our community has traditionally
exhibited a “We are
Family” attitude. Communicate;
make that phone call,
text message, or e-mail. Please
check on family, friends, and
neighbors especially the elderly
and vulnerable. Any
area homeowner or renter interested
in membership to the
Spencer Estate Civic Association
inbox George Havranek
on Facebook or send-email to
spencerestatecivic@gmail.
com Community= commonunity…
Remember: “Inclusion
brings solutions.”
BY TONY SALIMBENE
Hi again. Just a quick note
to remind you that our 3rd
Sunday April meeting will
take place like last time until
further notice. Please remember
all COVID precautions.
For Memorial Day, I believe
all activities will continue
but with very small
groups and shortened programs.
More to follow. We
will always fi nd a way to remember!
Until Next Time: “Of all
possessions, a friend is most
precious.” -Herodotus
CIVIC CENTER
Korony Post 253
Call 718.260.2555
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