BY FRANK VERNUCCIO
One of the most signifi -
cant and controversial discussions
in American politics is
why there is such a contrast
in living conditions in states
with more conservative governments,
as opposed to those
with more liberal governors
and legislatures.
A glimpse at U.S. Census
Bureau fi gures provides
a clear picture. The top fi ve
states losing population are
New York, California, Illinois,
New Jersey and Michigan.
Combined, these liberalrun
jurisdictions lost a total
of four million people in the
period of 2010—2019.
High taxes, rampant crime,
reduced personal freedom,
and government activities
based not on providing the
best service but on pursuing
an ideological agenda plague
leftist states, a reality that
has become even more pronounced
as elected offi cials
in those jurisdictions tilt even
further to the left.
There is an additional factor,
one that is not discussed
as often as the others but of
crucial importance, one that
became far more evident in
the face of the COVID crisis:
manifest, utter ineptitude.
Recently, as the New Year
has begun, it was revealed
that despite the availability of
COVID vaccines, some state
and local governments, notably
in New York, had failed to
administer them effi ciently.
An analysis by Bloomberg
News found that by the start
of 2021 New York State had
only given 32% of the available
vaccine shots. New York
City was even worse, providing
only 25.4%.
This is not the fi rst, or
perhaps even the worse, example
of the Empire State’s
disastrous response to the
pandemic. Early on, local politicians
responded to President
Trump’s call to halt travel
from China as “racist and xenophobic.”
Last February, then-
NYC health Commissioner
Oxiris Barbot, along with city
elected offi cials, urged people
to attend the densely-packed
Chinese New Year’s celebrations.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J 34 AN. 22-28, 2021 BTR
The next month, Mayor
de Blasio stated “If you’re
under 50 and you’re healthy,
which is most New Yorkers,
there’s very little threat here.
This disease, even if you were
to get it, basically acts like a
common cold or fl u.”
The incompetence was not
limited to the state’s largest
city. On March 2, Governor
Andrew Cuomo stated: “We
have the best health care system
on the planet right here
in New York. So, when you’re
saying, what happened in
other countries versus what
happened here, we don’t even
think it’s going to be as bad as
it was in other countries.”
When the extent of the crisis
became undeniable, New
York’s offi cials both panicked
and abused the problem for
tawdry political gain. Governor
Cuomo said the state
didn’t have suffi cient ventilators,
and blamed Washington.
As it turned out, the nation
produced more than enough
ventilators for Americans, so
many, in fact, that it became a
chief supplier of the machines
for the entire world.
New York State’s politicians
then complained of a
shortage of beds. Washington
provided both a U.S. Navy
medical ship, the U.S.S. Comfort
for non-COVID patents,
and assisted in the transformation
of the Javits Convention
Center; both of which
were barely used at all. In one
of the worst mistakes by a politician
in American history,
Governor Cuomo sent COVID
patients to nursing homes.
His stunning error caused a
minimum of 6,500 unnecessary
deaths.
But for Cuomo, COVID was
a victory, because the primary
objective was not saving lives
or stopping the pandemic, it
was grabbing headlines that,
during a presidential election,
temporarily fooled citizens
into believing that it was
the incumbent conservative
president, and not the classic
incompetence of his own leftist
administration, that was
to blame.
As the vaccines, developed
under the Trump Administration
in record time, begin
to defeat COVID, another
plague is growing ever larger.
Rampant crime, the direct result
of no bail, sanctuary city,
anti-police and other leftist
ideological mantras is making
the cities they administer
resemble scenes from the
“Mad Max” movies. Unfortunately,
left wing strangleholds
on their states means that this
disaster will grow worse.
Editor’s note: All views
expressed in this column refl
ect the author’s opinion and
should be verifi ed by outside
sources.
CIVIC CENTER
C.O.M.C.A.T.A
BY GEORGE HAVRANEK
Pandemic related hardships
confronting small businesses
are justifi able cause
for political focus and community
concern. On the outlier
of this well directed attention
are organizations dependent
upon membership dues, event
hosting and facility rentals.
The Ampere Avenue commercial
corridor in Spencer Estate
is home to the Knights of
Columbus, International Caterers,
and Ampere Fishing
Club. Multiple beach clubs, V.F
W.’s and American Legions in
nearby neighborhoods also fall
into this dilemma-laden group.
Pandemic-related income restrictions
with expectations
to fulfi ll fi nancial obligations
threaten their solvency. Despite
revenue stream limitations
these organizations
remain obligated to meet overhead
costs such as property
taxes, multiple insurances,
and State Liquor Authority
fees. Continuing hardships
create susceptibilities to fi nancial
arrears status and potential
NYC tax and water liens.
In typical times, these venues
promote social and family interactions,
forge inter community
relationships, provide forums
for community and civic
groups, and serve as emotional
support networks. In the grand
scheme, these venues are vital
to our communities. All elected
offi cials, city and state agencies
should staunchly support
these community assets. Many
of these venues are situated
on prime real-estate sites and
likely targets for investment.
It would be detestable and indefensible
to idly watch these
longstanding pillars of community
fraternizations reach
their demise.
Community Footnotes:
Outdoor dining has brought
another concept to the term
“Grab and Go”. Several reports
indicate a slight rise in
check-dodging patrons taking
advantage of their pandemic
related outdoor dining experiences.
On the bright side, conversations
with multiple food
service delivery drivers and
restaurant servers suggest,
despite pandemic hardships,
a majority of patrons are displaying
overwhelming generosity.
Thank you to all that patronize
and support our local
small businesses.
“As of Right Building” Moratorium:
Impromptu dialogue
with NYC Dept. of Planning
representatives revealed moratoriums
on developer friendly
“As of Right of Right” building
are unlikely. In response to citing
over-development related
stresses on schools, health care
services, infrastructure etc.…
The agency stated: “Proper
documentation will facilitate
studies specifi c to any perceived
area of need”. Simply
stated, studies may or may not
be conducted in areas of community
need while development
continues on…
Smart Meters (Gas and
Electric) are being installed
in our neighborhood. Aclara
Smart Grid Solutions is Con
Ed’s installation contractor.
Call Aclara 1-800-686-4207 to
schedule an appointment. If
opposed to smart meter installations
call Con Edison 1-800-
576-2005 to discuss possible options.
Noise is the number one
nuisance issue/ 311complaint
in N.Y.C. The winter months
bring quiet to our waterfront
perimeters; however, keep in
mind Bronx County remains
the only NYC borough without
a dedicated NYPD harbor unit.
The party boats and jet skis are
on winter hiatus. Come spring,
they will return.
As technology advances
so does quality of scams. Improved
voice “cloning” software
enables scam artists to
prey on our vulnerable seniors.
Beware of any phone calls requesting
money to help a loved
one. Never release your Social
Security number or other sensitive
information on the telephone
or Internet. Neither the
Social Security administration
nor the Internal Revenue
Service uses these methods to
gather personal information.
There is an increase in automobile
thefts and petty vandalisms
throughout the 45th
precinct footprint. A rash of
video evidence documents nefarious
individuals lurking
around parked vehicles and encroaching
on private property
during the overnight hours. Be
proactive: Lock car doors and
remove all valuables upon exiting
your vehicle. Importantly,
please report all incidents to
NYPD.
Solidarity and community
unifi cation is disadvantageous
to the multi-party political machine.
“If we want to keep and
reap the blessings of our fi ne
quality of life we must undergo
the fatigue of supporting it.”
Our community has traditionally
exhibited a “We are Family
attitude” Now, is the time
to let it shine and dissolve fogs
of uncertainty. Communicate;
make that phone call, text message,
or e-mail. Please check on
family, friends, and neighbors
especially the elderly and vulnerable.
Any area homeowner
or renter interested in membership
to the inclusive Spencer
Estate Civic Association in
box George Havranek on Facebook
or send-email to spencerestatecivic@
gmail.com Remember:
“Inclusion brings
solutions.” Community= Common
Unity.
CIVIC CENTER
Spencer Estate
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