BY FRANK VERNUCCIO
Although over a quarter of
a year into the Biden Administration
has passed, the White
House appears confused about
whom it works for.
The correct answer should
be, of course, the American
people. But the nation’s citizenry
appears to be little more
than an afterthought. The
Biden White House has assisted
global interests, at the
expense of Americans.
Russia’s energy-dependent
economy is helped by limiting
U.S. energy production. Europeans,
particularly Germans,
are glad that the Trump-era
demands to pay a fair share
of their own defense is off.
China is heavily relieved that
the prior administration’s economic
pressure on it to deal
fairly has been pushed aside.
Latin American nations are
grateful that tough border
policies have been abolished,
and drug cartels are thrilled
at the increase in their nefarious
business. Iran is gleeful
that an opening has been
made to reduce or eliminate
sanctions.
How have these policies affected
the constituency that
the current president was
elected to represent?
Almost immediately, American
workers lost well-paying
jobs due to the shutdown of the
Keystone Pipeline and the limitation
on fracking. Every U.S.
consumer, especially drivers,
have, as a result, seen their energy
costs skyrocket. American
energy independence, an
extraordinary accomplishment
of the Trump Administration,
is being reversed. The
problem results in both soaring
prices for Americans, and
greater reliance on Russia for
fuel by our European allies. In
contrast, Biden approves of a
new Russian pipeline.
Unemployment and increased
costs, both at the
marketplace and in taxes, for
Americans is obviously not a
concern for the Biden White
House, which has prioritized
helping non-Americans.
A Pew study released in
March noted that “The Biden
administration is expected to
review policies that led to increased
denial rates of H-1B
visa applications under the
Trump administration. In addition,
Biden has delayed implementing
a rule put in place
by Trump that sought to prioritize
From Councilman Mark Gjonaj
BRONX TIMES R 42 EPORTER, MAY 28-JUNE 3, 2021 BTR
the H-1B visa selection
process based on wages,
which would have raised the
wages of H-1B recipients overall.
Biden also proposed legislation
to provide permanent
work permits to spouses of
H-1B visa holders. By contrast,
the Trump administration
had sought to restrict these
permits.”
The Biden Administration
is obviously seeking to
increase immigration levels,
legal and illegal, to the United
States. That may be benefi -
cial to those abroad seeking a
better life, but the impact on
Americans is costly.
In February, President
Biden announced that he
was issuing an executive order
to expand the number of
refugees allowed to enter the
U.S., essentially quadrupling
the number allowed under
his predecessor. Some of that
is due to Biden’s redefi ning
what a “refugee” actually is.
Biden’s border policies
have encouraged a signifi cant
surge in illegal immigration,
ignoring both the cost to U.S.
taxpayers and the increased
threat from contagious diseases.
The Federation for American
Immigration Reform estimates
that “…the annual
costs of illegal immigration
at the federal, state and local
level to be about $113 billion;
nearly $29 billion at the
federal level and $84 billion
at the state and local level….
tax collections from illegal
alien workers, both those in
the above-ground economy
and those in the underground
economy… do not come close
to the level of expenditures
and, in any case, are misleading
as an offset because over
time unemployed and underemployed
U.S. workers would
replace illegal alien workers.”
Writing in The
Hill Kristan Tate noted that
“…there is a signifi cant tax
burden imposed on citizens
and legal immigrants tied to
a leaky border…noncitizen
families in the United States
are twice as likely to receive
welfare payments than native
born families. A full half
of noncitizens receive Medicaid,
compared to 23 percent
of native born citizens, while
almost half of noncitizens are
on food stamps. Of particular
concern is that noncitizens
who stay in the long term are
more likely to use these programs
than those who just arrived.
Half of new noncitizens
receive welfare, but the fi gure
jumps to a stunning 70 percent
among those who have
been in the United States for
more than 10 years.”
BY JOE MONDELLO
Shout out to our Sam Young
Post 620 members and friends. It
has been awhile since we written
a column.
When the pandemic shut us
down in March of 2020, we took
advantage of remodeling Our
Post bar. The upgrade included
new lights, sound system , TV’s,
title fl oors, paint, ceiling fans,
refrigerators, to name a few.
You have to see it to believe it.!
Due to COVID guidelines, we
temporarily restricted our daily
operation to Friday, Saturday,
and Sunday with the Post doors
opening by 3PM. Come by and
say hello to our staff Jenette,
and Cindy. They will certainly
greet you with a smile.!
Bill Franklyn will take over
as Post Commander. We want
to thank Commander Owen for
the outstanding Job he has performed
for the past three years.
Mark your calendars, SAL
fundraiser BBQ Saturday – May
29th at 1PM Donation $20.
The June Post meeting will
be held on SUNDAY JUNE 6th
1PM. We will be swearing in
the new Post Offi cers, and presenting
Awards. Following the
meeting will be food and beverage.
Join us for a fun day!
CIVIC CENTER
Community Action
Civic Association
BY TONY SALIMBENE
Quick news!
As usual, Sunday at 11
at the Edgewater Park Memorial
Circle. My 20 ‘something’
year.
10am Monday at our Bicentennial
Veterans Memorial
Park.
June 27th, 4th Sunday,
election of Post 253 officers.
BBQ to follow.
Until Next Time: Remember,
Memorial Day respects
those who died.
CIVIC CENTER
Korony Post 253
CIVIC CENTER
Sam Young Post 620
Welcome Back message in the newly decorated
Westchester Square Library window
The recently-decorated Westchester Square Library. Photo submitted by the Westchester Square Zerega
Improvement Organization Photo submitted by the Westchester Square Zerega Improvement Organization
As we look to wrap up
with May and enter June
and the summer, my constituent
team is in full force
with events and services.
This last weekend, we held
our second shredding event
of the year at Loreto Park.
The wonderful residents of
Council District 13 joined
together (with respect to social
distancing) to securely
dispose of their confi dential
documents. Next month
will see two more shredding
events: one on the 5th
from 1p to 4p at the NYCHA
Throggs Neck Houses and
the other on the 26th, at the
same time, at the Edgewater
Park Fire House.
We held another food
giveaway at the NYCHA
Throggs Neck Houses with
the assistance of State Assemblyman
Benedetto and
AAOHA, inviting all area
residents to collect food
boxes with nutritious and
tasty meals. Then, for the
furry friends of District 13,
we put on a pet food giveaway
event with the partnership
of the Bronx’s Animal
Care Center. Cat and
dog owners alike were delighted
to receive free dry
food. Some even brought
their pets in tow! Stay tuned
to social media for updates
on upcoming food giveaway
events. There will be many
more to come this summer.
Concluding the weekend’s
activities, my offi ce
was able to clean-up, by demand,
the debris at Wilkinson
Avenue. I praise the
ever-helpful Wildcats Service
Corporation for their
quick response and the vigilance
of District 13 residents
to draw public attention to
area problems. My offi ce is
prepared and staffed to receive
concerns ailing residents,
and I strongly encourage
all residents to exercise
their voice whenever necessary.
For any district-related
concerns or questions about
upcoming events and services,
please do not hesitate
to contact my district offi ce
at either (718) 931-1721 or at
MGjonaj@council.nyc.gov.
Thank you and stay safe.
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