CIVIC CENTER
Waterbury LaSalle
Community
Association
Making Sense of the Census
Check
Your Mail
BRONX TIMES R BTR EPORTER,MAY 1-7, 2020 29
AL D’ANGELO
Why was New York hit
so hard with this virus? The
blame rests solely on China
and the World Health Organization.
China, because they
knew of the dangers of the virus
but did not stop international
travel but did stop travel
within their own country. They
also did not tell the rest of the
world for over a month.
The World Health Organization,
(taking the word of China
and not investigating), telling
the world it was under control
and couldn’t be spread from
person to person. Armed with
this information our elected
offi cials including Dr. Fauci
downplayed this pandemic.
China not stopping fl ights out
of their country caused the virus
to spread, New York being
a hub of tourism and one of the
most populated cities in the
country, bore the brunt of the
pandemic.
Whether you like him or not
the president’s quick action to
stop fl ights from China kept
the virus from spreading even
more. Then politics came into
play. The president was called
a xenophobe and a fear monger.
Some in Congress wanted to
pass a bill rescinding the travel
ban and the media helped fuel
the fl ames of doubt. This is not
the time for partisan politics.
People are dying and workers
are putting themselves in
harms way to serve our country.
Where is Congress? I guess
their job is not essential because
they’re home. If Congress
was so concerned about
the people, they represent why
did they hold up the stimulus
package until money was allocated
for pet projects that had
nothing to do with the pandemic.
Did the Kennedy Center
for the Performing Arts really
need $25 million? How did that
help the people suffering from
this pandemic? Shame on you,
you can’t even put people’s suffering
before your self-interest.
Are our political processes
so fi lled with hate that we can’t
put partisanship aside during
these trying times? Does everything
that is said have to be
skewed to fi t a political narrative?
Loved ones are dying and
families must morn in isolation,
people are going hungry,
savings are being depleted and
people are living in fear. They
are not interested in how much
ice cream you have in your
freezer; they’re interested in
where their next meal is coming
from.
Our city is worried about
the spread of the coronavirus,
so they released 1,400 prisoners
60 have been rearrested
and some of those re-released.
One rape suspect which was released
was re-arrested for raping
a woman a few days later.
How is this helping us?
The Bronx has been hit
harder than many countries
and most states. We are the
least healthy borough where
so many people have preexisting
conditions. We also lead
New York in the most homeless
shelters and group homes
with many residences who
need medical and mental help.
When this pandemic is over, we
must elect offi cials that put The
Bronx and its citizens fi rst and
stop unscrupulous developers
from exploiting our borough.
We must stop listening to
the BS and judge our offi cials
on results — talk is cheap. Our
power comes with our vote.
“Government of the people and
by the people” does not work if
the people fail to live up to their
responsibility and VOTE.
CIVIC CENTER
Morris Park
Community
Association
BY ANDREW CHIRICO
Let me offer my condolences
to anyone who has lost a loved
one in this time of pandemic.
This is truly a hard time for
many. In the past week some
of you have started to receive
the stimulus payment from the
federal government. We thank
President Trump for this. Others
in government tried to
delay this but our President
came through for us.
More good news the $1,200
from the federal government
is not income and you will
not be taxed on your 2020 tax
return. (Note: regular unemployment
will be taxed as
usual.)
The IRS urges taxpayers to
be on the lookout for scam artists
trying to use the economic
impact payments as cover for
schemes to steal personal information
and money. Remember,
the IRS will not call, text,
email or contact you on social
media asking for personal or
bank account information –
even related to the economic
impact payments.
Also, watch out for emails
with attachments or links
claiming to have special information
about economic
impact payments or refunds.
These are frauds. If the IRS
has any reason to talk to you
they will only contact you by
mail. Never give personal information
over the phone unless
you have made the call
and you know who you are
speaking with. A government
agent will never try to trick
you into giving account numbers
or family information, If
you are not comfortable talking
to a real agent they will
stop talking and listen to you
concerns. They will never
threaten or try to force you to
answer personal or sensitive
questions.
Neighborhood gatherings
are still on hold for now
so for the immediate future
our monthly meetings are on
hold. You may send your $10
yearly dues to Waterbury La-
Salle Community Association
at 1145 Hobart Avenue Bronx,
NY 10461. We are a 501c 3 charity,
which means donations to
Waterbury LaSalle are tax deductible.
Stay well and Stay
safe during this crisis. We will
get through this.
By Julie Menin, Director of NYC Census
2020
Have you checked your mail lately?
If you’re one of the New Yorkers that
hasn’t responded to the 2020 Census yet,
you might have noticed a postcard in your
mailbox from the Census Bureau.
Don’t worry — you’re not in trouble.
But your community could be if you
aren’t counted.
These postcards and mailers are just
another way the Census Bureau is trying
to make sure every one of us is counted.
After all, there’s a good chance you have
other things on your mind. Now more
than ever, we all have new and urgent
priorities in dealing with the COVID-19
pandemic, so it might be easy to lose sight
of things like the 2020 Census. But the
COVID-19 pandemic also highlights just
how much we all depend on our public
services, and that we need a complete 2020
Census count to keep them fully funded
and functioning for years to come.
With that in mind, the Census Bureau
sends reminders to help make sure
no one gets left behind. And in fact, some
of these latest mailers even contain the
mail-in version of the 2020 Census form
— so if you haven’t responded because of
issues with your internet or phone, now
you have a backup option.
We encourage you to respond right
away to ensure that you and your family
are fully counted.
So if you found a census mailer in
your mailbox, let that be the inspiration
you need to get counted. It only takes 10
minutes, and you can also do it online at
my2020census.gov or call 1-844-330-2020
to complete it over the phone.
Already filled your form out? The
work doesn’t end there. Help make sure
your families, friends, and neighbors are
also getting counted. Remember, these
resources are shared between all of us.
We’re all in this together. Let’s make it
count.
“Making Sense of the Census” is a
weekly column from Julie Menin, Director
of NYC Census 2020. Every week we will
be publishing pieces from Julie and guest
authors laying out the facts and answering
tough questions about this year’s census.
Fill out the census now at my2020census.
gov.
SPIRIT
FILLED
PRAYER
GUIDED
LOVE
EXTENDED
VAN NEST
ASSEMBLY
OF GOD
755 Rhinelander Ave.
Bronx, NY 10462
Corner of Holland
2 blocks from
White Plains Road
A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS
Welcome to our caring,
multi cultural, multi-generational,
evangelistic home church!
5 services every Sunday.
8:30 am, 10 am (Service & Sunday School)
11:30 am, 4pm, 7pm.
Ministry programs and activities for
all ages — all week — all year!
Come join us in prayer, praise
and celebration!
www.vannestassembly.org
PASTOR
ASSISTANT PASTOR
YOUTH PASTOR
/www.vannestassembly.org
/my2020census.gov
/www.vannestassembly.org