Message from Councilman Mark Gjonaj
I would like to wish you on behalf
of my offi ce, myself, and my family, a
very happy Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving
is a wonderful opportunity for our
community to gather together with
family and friends to enjoy great food,
drink and conversation, as well as
self-refl ection. We live in a wonderful
community, home to plenty of existing
achievement and potential for more, so
naturally we have much to be thankful
for.
I am thankful for you, people of the
Bronx. I would not be able to perform
my functions as your city councilmember
without your support. I am particularly
thankful for how engaged our
community’s citizenry are, passionately
committed to the improvement of
our district’s quality of life. I hope for
many more years of your support and
superlative effort.
Strong communities are made in
part by strong families and bonds of
friendship, so I urge all of you to take
the time to refl ect on what you are
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, NOVEMBER 2 48 9-DECEMBER 5, 2019 BTR
grateful for, and what you want out of
our district. Enjoy this time with your
loved ones, and continue to cultivate
those deep relationships that bring
communities together.
Because I believe that all people of
our district should have the means to
properly celebrate Thanksgiving, my
offi ce distributed free turkeys to constituents
on November 25th and 26th
at our district offi ce located on 1478
Williamsbridge Road. It is my sincere
hope that every family in my district
has a feast of their own.
Photos depict Councilman Mark Ggonaj giving back to his community because he cares.
Photos courtesy of Councilman Mark Gjonaj’s offi ce
BY GEORGE HAVRANEK
We hope everyone had a
joyous Thanksgiving that
carried the true spirit of this
meaningful day into your
hearts, minds, and homes.
The Spencer Estate Civic Association
warmly thanks
our fi ne community for their
overwhelming responses in
times of need. Our gratitude,
and appreciation for all of you
transcends adequate words.
We give thanks for:
• The efforts and support of
neighborhood residents that
revitalized the Spencer Estate
Civic Association.
• The members of our military,
all fi rst responders, especially
our NYPD that work
under adverse conditions.
• The Bronx Times Reporter,
most notably Laura
Guerriero, John Collazi,
Donna Wilson, and the entire
Schneps Media family for
giving us and other organizations
a platform to voice concerns
and disseminate information.
• The tireless work and unwavering
support of Bronx
Community Board 10. Their
efforts truly make our community
a better place. District
manager Matt Cruz, and
top-notch staff members Pat
Caruso, Susan Duffy and Noreen
Kilkenny are community
blessings.
• The numerous volunteer
civic and community organizations
that show concerns,
raise awareness, and generate
hope throughout our communities.
• Our friends at International
Caterers whose generous
ways and sense of community
enable us to hold monthly
meetings.
• Our local businesses including
Barinos’ Market, K
and L Mediterranean Market,
and Nonnas’ Deli for spreading
our monthly message.
• Assemblyman Mike
Benedetto and Councilman
Mark Gjonaj for listening to
community concerns during
the MTA Bronx Bus Redesign
process and acting in the
best interest of the community.
Thanks for keeping our
neighborhoods cleaner, safer,
and better.
• Congresswoman Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez, Senator
Alessandra Biaggi, Assemblyman
Benedetto, Councilman
Gjonaj and staffs for displaying
solidarity in the matter of
Miracle City.
• Every concerned resident,
for it is you that put the
‘U’ in both community and
unity.
• The altruistic and unpublicized
efforts of benevolent
community residents your
dedications and stewardships
are noticed and profoundly
appreciated.
• The honor and privilege
of being part of a great community
in the greatest nation
on earth.
Spencer Estate Civic
Meeting Recap
The Wednesday, November
20 Meet ‘n Greet event featuring
‘From Here For Here’
congressional candidate Ruth
Papazian was well received.
On a cold, dreary fall night
a near capacity crowd of concerned
area residents fi lled
the Knights of Columbus to
hear to our keynote speaker
delivers meaningful messages.
Papazian’s informative
and passionate presentation
captivated the audience.
The follow up question and
answer session expanded on
various policies, areas of community
needs, and concerns.
For more information on
Ruth Papazian visit www.
ruthforcongress.com
The evening included concise
presentations from Naureen
Ahkatr representing
Congresswoman Cortez, Ted
Prior lead counsel for Councilman
Gjonaj, and John Korres
constituent representative
for Assemblyman Benedetto.
Thanks to all of you for
caring about our fi ne community.
The Spencer Estate
Civic Association has a moral
and ethical obligation to promote
inclusion.
The allowance of multiple
community related political
viewpoints foster the
dissemination of relevant information
required for community
residents to make
informed decisions. Our association
looks forward to hearing
other candidates express
their ideas.
As an apolitical civic group
our association does not endorse
any political candidate.
The perception of doing so is
truly unintentional.
Community Footnotes
Our valued friends at CB 10
inform us that the NYC Department
of Sanitation has
expanded their curbside electronics
collection to include
the entirety of CB 10. Curbside
electronics collection
takes place Monday to Friday.
Please call 311 to schedule
pickups.
It is time to think about
snow removal or seasonal
smoke alarm checks. Area
senior citizens and disabled
individuals, incapable of performing
mandated snow removal
duties please register
for Councilman Gjonaj’s
‘Snow Removal Program’. The
American Red Cross in partnership
with the councilman
provides free smoke alarm installation
through the ‘Sound
the Alarm’ program. The recent
fi re on Ellsworth Avenue
serves a harsh reminder that
a mere two minutes is the difference
in successfully escaping
a house fi re.
Please call (718) 931-1721
for registration / more information
about these vital community
services or to contact
Councilman Gjonaj.
Political leaders to gauge a
community’s interest and fortitude
use the attendances at
local civic association meetings.
The continued large
turnouts show our elected offi
cials that we possess the fortitude
and resolve needed to
confront adversity.
The next gathering of the
Spencer Estate Civic Association
is our Christmas/Holiday
event Wednesday, December
11 at 7:30 p.m. Please note
this is the second Wednesday
of the month and deviates
from our typical schedule.
Any area homeowner or
renter interested in membership
to the all inclusive Spencer
Estate Civic Association
in box George Havranek on
Facebook or send-email with
subject matter Spencer Estate
to gghh55@aol.com. If
we want to ‘keep and reap the
blessings’ of our fi ne quality
of life ‘we must undergo the
fatigue of supporting it’.
Remember: ‘Inclusion
brings solutions.’
/ruthforcongress.com
link