are shields from the direct affects
BY AL D’ANGELO
Time to get serious about
our commitment to our community
and country. What
is important to us, and what
do we have to do to get it. We
must get past the notion that
whatever we do doesn’t matter.
Time to stop worrying
about what political party
to choose. It doesn’t matter
what was said four years ago
by one party because the opposite
is said now. What was
praised years ago by one
political party is now condemned
by the same party.
Their comments are interchangeable
depending on the
circumstances.
Have you ever heard one
party praise the other? Just
listen to any hearings, depending
on the party, they
give speeches rather than
ask questions. They’re not
interested in the truth, only
putting forth an agenda and
the American people are
just an afterthought. It’s
time for community leaders
to hold political forums
so the community can hold
offi cials accountable for
their decisions.
It’s time for community
leaders to register voters
so someone isn’t nominated
with less than 20
percent of the eligible voters
voting and the other 80
percent complaining. Shut
ins and seniors who do not
want to venture out to the
polls should apply for absentee
ballots. Time to vote for
men and women who vote
with the communities they
represent and not with the
party’s priorities.
Each community is different
and have different needs.
Decisions on what’s best for
the community should be
done in consultation with
those living in the community
not in Albany, City Hall
or Washington. A divided nation
is the fault fi rst of a biased
media. Their constant
bias rhetoric eventually results
in people believing it.
Think about this: where do
you get most of your information?
Do you fact check?
Probably not, so how do you
know it’s true? Why can’t
they just report the news
and not slant it to serve their
political agenda.
Next are politicians who
say one thing when their
party is in offi ce and the complete
opposite when the opposing
party has the power.
Four years ago, we had to
stop illegal immigration
with a new administration,
now the same people are for
sanctuary cities. Why? Do
you really think these people
have the best interest of
this country in mind or is it
party fi rst and everything/
everyone else be dammed?
There are good people on
both sides of the aisle but if
they go against the party hierarchy,
they will not receive
monies for their constituents
or coveted committee chairmanships,
ergo they are held
hostage by the party. We the
people need to take a more
proactive interest in our
community and our country
and let our voices be heard.
Be careful when you get
your car inspection done, if
you’re told you need brakes,
rotors, etc. tell them to take
the car down and go elsewhere.
Always a good idea to
go to someone trustworthy,
you will save a bundle.
BY GEORGE HAVRANEK
The lengthy battle to upgrade
and soundproof the
NYPD training facility at
Rodman’s Neck stands fully
funded in the executive budget
for Fiscal Year 2021.
Contrary to popular belief,
this facility provides more
than target practice. The base
is home to a school with lecture
hall and multiple classrooms.
Their mock-urban training
area is designed to resemble a
city neighborhood for practical
training exercises. Necessary
upgrades to this essential
facility will improve training
for law enforcement and
create a better NYC.
Our communities must
strike while the iron is hot;
take pragmatic actions. It is
imperative that inter-community
efforts ensure projectfunding
remains in the NYC
budget. The banner of success
for the Rodman’s Neck Reconstruction
must be fi rmly
planted atop New York City’s
bureaucratic mountain.
Please send emails of support
to:
• NYPD Commissioner
Dermot Shea: dermotshea@
nypd.org
• Speaker Corey Johnson:
SpeakerJohnson@
council.nyc.gov
• Councilman Mark
Gjonaj: MGjonaj@
council.nyc.gov
• Councilman Fernando
Cabrera: Fcabrera@
council.nyc.gov
• Senator Alessandra
Biaggi: biaggi@nysenate.
gov
• Assemblyman Mike
Benedetto: benedettom@
nyassembly.gov
• Bronx CB 10: bxcb10@
cb.nyc.gov
Spencer Estate’s low-density
zoning, unique perimeters
of I-95, Pelham Bay Park, Eastchester
Bay and the friendly
Country Club neighborhood
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,28 AUGUST 21-27, 2020 BTR
of high-density overdevelopment.
A small mom and
pop-like commercial corridor
enhances the charm and characteristic
of our neighborhood.
It is essential to maintain
and preserve these unique
perimeters and intimate
commercial corridor.
Large portions of the Spencer
Estate perimeters are responsibilities
of NYC Parks
or Department of Transportation.
During this unconventional
time, Pelham Bay Park
has become overwhelmed
with park revelers. Administrator
Marianne Andersen,
top-notch fi eld supervision
(shout out to Tony and Dietz)
and work staff is maintaining
the area with limited resources.
Applause for “The
Friends of Pelham Park”; their
altruistic efforts supplement
the hard work essential to
parkland beautifi cation.
Weed overgrowths and
trash buildup along the I-95
perimeter should be promptly
reported to 311. The DOT is
in “diet mode” but hopefully
time can be found to slim down
the weeds and trash along the
many disheveled roadways.
Reports indicate rogue
vendors have fl ooded many
Bronx communities. Unless
specifi cally licensed, vendors
are prohibited from operating
alongside parkland and a 12-
foot clearance must exist between
the cart and any fi xed
boundary. Transient rogue
vendors add to neighborhood
instability, a lack of municipal
oversight presents health
concerns and their presence
fi nancially harms legal businesses
that are invested emotionally
and fi nancially in our
communities. The COVID-
19 pandemic has economically
struck area small businesses.
Support and protect
small businesses by reporting
rogue vendors to the Department
of Health through the
311 systems.
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 all-inclusive Spencer Estate
Civic Association, inbox
George Havranek on Facebook
or send an email to
spencerestatecivic@gmail.
com. Remember: “Inclusion
brings solutions.”
CIVIC CENTER
Spencer Estate Civic
Association
BY TONY SALIMBENE
Wow! Great news and an
update from Aunt Cathy and
our Support The Troops comfort
package project! I’m trying
to fi nd a term other than
“goodies” to refl ect the importance
of what the contents
mean to those forward deployed
and without a PX available
to them. No stinkin’ virus
is gonna stop Korony 253.
Recently 50 boxes were
sent to two of our “adopted”
units in Afghanistan. The
cost was $19.60 per box, not
counting sweat equity! Most
touching was an anonymous
gift of $1,000 because our annual
event was not held due
to COVID-19 regulations.
Also, upon learning about
our cause, someone gave
another $20!
Don’t think for one minute
those overseas don’t appreciate
the effort of the great
citizens of Throggs Neck and
their support and generosity.
And a big thanks to St. Benedict
Rectory for all their years
of support.
Started by our past Commander
Colleen adopting NY
units, how many years ago?!
Over 6,000 boxes! Shame the
postal service charges so
much but Aunt Cathy will fi gure
out a way to coupon clip,
bargain, stuff, bend, etc.
It’s a team effort, out of nowhere,
the wife got me and
Gonzalez III to do a cable TV ad
spot for a big donation. Years
of dragging boxes to the local
post offi ce. Homes and other
places fi lled with items needing
special packing and special
paperwork. THIS is what
your local American Legion is
about. Yes we can have some
fun (still do !!) but remember
our main mission outlined in
our Four Pillars.
Hopefully this crisis will
eventually subside, won’t
you join us! Still Serving
America – Legion, Auxiliary,
Sons, Riders.
Until next time: Just got
the membership card, ready
for next season, good job 1st
Vice Kevin. Also enclosed was
a member data sheet. I “borrowed”
the idea from PPC Joe
Mazzariello. Please take a moment
to complete it.
CIVIC CENTER
Korony AL Post 253
CIVIC CENTER
The Morris Park
Community
Association
VIST US ONLINE AT WWW.BXTIMES.COM
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