GJONAJ WRAPS UP SUMMER
2019 CONCERT SERIES
(Right) Councilman Mark Gjonaj enjoyed a great night at
Burns Playground to wrap up the Summer 2019 Concert
Series with music from the Bronx Arts Ensemble and special
guest singer Syndee Winters. A total of eight Summer
Concerts were hosted throughout Council District 13 this
year. Photo courtesy of Councilman Mark Gjonaj’s offi ce
Councilman Mark Gjonaj
was keynote speaker at our September
meeting. The following
is a summary of community
relevant topics covered by our
charismatic councilman.
Illegal Overnight Storage
of Tractor-Trailers
Many communities with
major roadway access from
area service roads are facing
quality of life issues and safety
concerns related to these oversized
illegally stored vehicles.
Councilman Gjonaj has cosponsored
legislation that substantially
increases the penalties
for this illegal practice. In
conjunction with this legislation
our Neighborhood Community
police offi cers of the
45th Precinct have issued in
excess of 700 violations since
February throughout the precinct’s
footprint. The NYPD
and affected communities realize
consistent enforcement
must be maintained to offset
this blight on our communities.
All area residents are urged to
consistently report this illegal
activity through 311.
Nuisance Noises
The off shore waters and
industrial areas of many communities
are laden with noise
enthusiasts, many of whom,
spend multiple thousands of
dollars on over sized speakers
and other equipment. The
relentless, inescapable echo
chamber of seasonal nuisance
noise is affecting communities
from lower Westchester County
to the eastern tip of Queens.
On September 12, Councilman
Paul A. Vallone (Queens) with
support of Councilman Gjonaj
introduced legislation that
substantially increases fi nes
for these offenses and in certain
situations allows NYPD
to confi scate equipment. At a
previous civic event in Queens
County NYPD Commissioner
James O’Neil revealed with 30
boats in the Harbor Unit strategic
inter-borough interactions
would be utilized to help curtail
this widespread problem.
O’Neil stated, “ If it’s (noise) is
coming from another precinct
that does not stop us from doing
our job…we have borough wide
units…and a lot of great cops in
the borough of the Bronx.”
Attrition-Based Police
Personnel Cuts
Preliminarily it was six,
then jumped to nine, and increased
to twelve. The exactness
of the loss of offi cers in
our 45th Precinct has not been
fully settled. However, it is disconcerting
that a community
consistently gaining population
through rampant overdevelopments
would be slated
for any loss of police offi cers.
The rhetorical and simplistically
linear statement “more
911 calls means more police” is
presented at many community
events. This desperate attempt
to place the onus of police presence
on the shoulders of a community
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, O 32 CTOBER 4-10, 2019 BTR
is shameful and unwarranted.
Our civic association
has a logical and linear retort
“increase population, increase
police presence” Councilman
Gjonaj’s steadfast support for
the NYPD is defi nitive. In response
to our concerns of unjust
cutbacks to police personnel
the councilman initiated a
precinct-by-precinct data analysis
through the Freedom of
Information Act. This research
and analysis could be catalytic
in limiting this egregious and
unwarranted blow to our community.
City Tree Root Related
Sidewalk Damages
Almost one year ago along
with a host of other communities
the Spencer Estate Civic
Association compiled and submitted
a list of abandoned tree
stumps and tree root related
sidewalk damages to Councilman
Gjonaj. Thanks to the efforts
of Community Board 10,
Councilman Mark Gjonaj and
Assemblyman Michael Benedetto
policy was enacted relieving
owners of 1- to 3-family
homes from the responsibilities
of repairing sidewalk damages
attributed solely to city trees.
The city has a current backlog
of approximately 5,500 repairs
and must review almost 50,000
lien related violations. Until
further notice please continue
to report these potentially hazardous
situations through the
311 systems, document your
reference number, take a photo
and bring all information to
our Wednesday, October 16
meeting.
Neighborhood Cleanliness
Issues affecting the cleanliness
and neatness of our neighborhood
arise at multiple meetings.
Upon examination, it
became clear that compliance
with laws and ordinances tailored
to keeping our neighborhood
charming, neat, and clean
will lessen this problem. This
is an area in which our community
has moderate control.
• Pet owners must comply
with city regulations and properly
cleanup after their pets.
Failure to do so truly degrades
and soils our neighborhood.
• NYC Department of Sanitation
regulations must be
strictly followed. In Spencer
Estate bulk items are picked up
on Wednesday and recycling
occurs on Saturday. All trash
should be securely bundled
or packaged and placed curbside
after 4 p.m. the day before
scheduled pickup.
• Residential homeowners
are responsible to clean the
sidewalks adjoining their property
and 18 inches beyond the
curb into the street.
• Civil communication
should be used to resolve community
related issues with
neighbors, negligent homeowners,
or negligent absentee landlords.
If unsuccessful, please
report the issue to 311 to generate
a complaint number. Please
bring the documentation to our
civic association meeting to
discuss any additional actions.
• Illegal dumping in progress
should be reported immediately
to 911, all other incidents
go through 311.
• Report neglected properties
to 311. The vigilance of
concerned area residents accompanied
by the efforts of
Councilman Gjonaj, and NYC
Department of Sanitation led
to various cleanups around
the Spencer Estate footprint.
An undeveloped, neglected lot
on Griswold Avenue and the
utility triangle at the Ampere
Avenue/Middletown road convergence
were parts of this
cleanup.
An overwhelming majority
of residents faithfully follow
these neighborhood friendly
rules; however, it only takes a
small number to tarnish the efforts
of many. Please, let us all
do our part in preserving the
charming characteristic of our
neighborhood by keeping our
neighborhood clean and abiding
by the “See something. Say
something” mantra.
BY TONY SALIMBENE
A big thanks for all our
great Post September events!
One sad note: services were
held for our member, neighbor
and all around cool guy, John
Krause Sr., a Latin and jazz
afi cionado, who worked when
we were younger, for cable TV.
We had no idea back then what
that even was.
Don’t forget the Bronx
County meeting on the fi rst
Wednesday in October at Post
620, 7:30 p.m. All posts should
send a rep or two.
Our 3rd Sunday in October
regular Post 253 meeting is as
always, at ATNY, 10:30 a.m. for
coffee, meeting starts promptly
at 11 a.m. Lunch afterwards.
I’m sure Post 620 will be doing
annual Halloween stuff and
Post 156 will be having their
Annual Pumpkin and Mums
(and more!) sale on City Island
Avenue.
Will be reviewing more of
this month’s events next time.
Thanks for your dedication.
Sunday, October 13 is the annual
Bronx Columbus Day Parade
starting out this year from
Bronxdale and Morris Park avenues.
Steps off at noon.
Sunday, November 10 is our
annual Bronx Veterans Day
Parade down East Tremont
Avenue (form up at East Tremont
and Lafayette as usual) and
thanks to my friends at Brewski’s,
there will be the 2nd Annual
Christian Engledrum-Korony
Post Support the Troops
Fundraiser (for mailing comfort
packages to our deployed
troops overseas). 1 to 6p.m.,
with great local musicians!
Cover charge supports our
cause. Let’s have another successful
event.
An additional thanks to Norman
and crew at Crown Monument
for helping with our Theodore
Korony memorial stone
at Edgewater Park Memorial
Circle. Of course thanks, Charlie
Mac for the ceremony commemorating
Theo’s death in
combat, WW1, France.
Yet another connection from
me and da wife, Steve Hall and
staff from Texas Roadhouse,
New Rochelle. Thanks again
for your support and hope to
see y’all soon. I probably forgot
to thank a patriot or two for
their help.
Until next time: No one can
make you feel inferior without
your consent! - Eleanor
Roosevelt