BY JOE MONDELLO
Congratulations goes out to
all of the newly appointed offi -
cers in Post 620. The “Gavel”
has now been handed over to
our new Post Commander Bill
Franklyn.
Our new SAL Squadron
Commander is Fran Sampson.
His father served in WW II in
the 27th Infantry Division,
105th Field Artillery. I am
certain both men will carry
out the mission and goals in
the coming year for the American
Legion.
A D-Day remembrance
ceremony was performed on
Sunday, June 6. A wreath was
placef under our fl ags to pay
honor to those brave men .
Member John Brady wore his
Army uniform and presented
the wreath along with 2nd Vice
Bill Viger.
During the Post meeting,
nine awards were given out to
those members who contributed
CIVIC CENTER
Samuel H. Young
American Legion
Post 620
to the betterment of the
Post. Thank you again for your
service.
We are constantly making
improvements to the Samuel
H.Young Post 620 building.
So if you fi nd yourself having
nothing to do, stop by, we can
help you with that problem. We
accept all volunteers! Many
people don’t realize that they
are eligible to join our Post. Besides
being a veteran or active
member of the Armed Forces,
the son of a military member
can join the Sons of the American
Legion (SAL). No age
limit.
In our Post we have a pool
table, dart board, a 28-foot shuffl
eboard game, books, computers,
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J 56 UNE 11-17, 2021 BTR
a large room with a 15-foot
projector screen to show movies
or special events, a meeting
room, and a lovely lounge to
have refreshments. If you need
to rent a room to have an event,
we have that too!.
As a community-based organization,
we are planning
on some outdoor activities. So
stay tuned. Until next week,
stay healthy, For God and
Country.
BY TONY SALIMBENE
One event later last Memorial
Day was a brief SAL
ceremony at the new lighted
fl ag pole at Bronx Shore Community
Assn. Club President
Mike assisted, the DJ for
the day provided music and
Brendan played the bagpipes.
Thanks for having me and
God bless you all!
Taps: I didn’t mention the
passing of two long time members
of John Fraser Bryan
Post 19, my fault. Anthony Olivo.
I did not know him but I
was told he was a great neighborhood
guy and great Legionnaire.
We did know Jim Hexner.
He was Past Post 19 Vice Commander
and Past County Vice
Commander for the Youth Oritorical
Contest, a major event
of the Legion! Jim made it to
91 years young, even after surviving
a violent attack from
someone I believe he was trying
to help. Hand Salute comrades,
see you at the Legion
meeting on the other side.
A thanks to Joseph A.
Lucchesi of Dormi Funeral
Home for continuing the tradition
of the generous donation
of the ‘stick Flags’ for all to
spread Americanism on such
a special day!
Memorial Day can be a
whirl wind of events! I thank
da Wife for lighting a fi re under
my butt and helping to deliver
the fl ags.
Until Next Time: My faith
is restored in the decent Americans
I meet at our events and
the fl ags I see fl ying from their
homes!
Did anyone remember WW2
D-day anniversary, June 6th!
CIVIC CENTER
Korony Post 253
Samuel H. Young American Legion with newly elected offi cers and award recipients. Courtesy of Post 620
Courtesy of Post 620
GEORGE HAVRANEK
CITY COUNCIL RACE
2021
A 1989 National Census related
NYC Charter change
mandates shortened two year
terms for the 2021 and 2023 New
York City council elections.
City Council elections for traditional
four-year terms return
in 2025.
Rank Choice Voting makes
a widespread 2021 NYC appearance
in primary elections for
Mayor, Public Advocate, NYC
Comptroller, Borough President
and City Council.Rank Choice
Vote process as explained in
“Harvard Law Today”- In races
where there are more than two
candidates Ranked Choice Voting
permits NYC voters to rank
up to 5 candidates in their preferred
order- one, two, three
etc.… If no candidate exceeds
50% of fi rst place votes, the lowest
candidate is dropped from
the race and the SECOND
choices of that candidate’s voters
are tabulated and distributed
to higher ranked candidates.
This process continues
until one candidate passes the
50% threshold and is declared
the winner. Importantly, in
the RCV system voters are not
required to rank multiple candidates.
A single vote for your
choice candidate is permitted.
The traditional, single choice
vote, winner takes all process
remains in place for the November
general elections.
35 of the 51 NYC council
seats, including our Council
District 13, are up for grabs.
NYC Campaign Finance Board
records and overt candidate activitiesindicate
the following 4
individuals are seriouscandidates
for the Council District
13 seat currently held by Mark
Gjonaj: Monique Johnson, John
Perez, Irene Estrada and Marjorie
Velazquez are slated to
be on the Democratic primary
ballot in June.The Republican
Party will not have a primary
election for City Council in
District 13.
The NY City Council functions
as a New York City’s congressional
body and serves as
a check in the Mayor-Council
dynamic. The City Council is
a powerful body that crafts legislation
andcan override mayoral
vetoes with a 2/3-majority
vote. COUNCILMEMBER
POLICY can alter the course
of a community. This government
body collectively
infl uencespublic safety,
property taxes, property
values,education,and quality
of life. It is imperative that
every City Council candidate
publicly discloses and specifi -
cally detailstheir policy positions
on the aforementioned
issues.It is our responsibility;
civic duties to ensure our communities
are not adversely affected
by candidate policy.
These important issuesshould
neither ZOOM under the radar
nor be shrouded in secrecy.
Currently, the lack of in
person,face to face, traditional
debatehas many voters fl ying
blindly into the voting booth.
C o m m u n i t y
Footnotes:Sunday June 6th
: In an emotion laden ceremony,
transcendent of proper
words,the corner of Middletown
Road and Stadium Avenue
was co-named in honor of
Joe DeSimone. Affectionately
known as Coach D by the multitude
of youths he mentored
in sport and life skills; the Joe
DeSimone way made the world
a better place.Heartfelt blessings
to the DeSimone Family
and many thanks to Willie
Cawley, NYC Parks, The 45th
Precinct Community Affairs
Team, Cardinal Spellman
High School, Warriors Football,
Councilman Mark Gjonaj,
Team Gjonaj key staffer Farrah
Rubin and a host of others
for making this well-deserved
tribute come to fruition.
A head scratcher: The
State Liquor Authority application
for a full on premise liquor
licenseby Country Club
Grill at 3284 Ampere Avenue
was unanimously approved
by the Economic -Development
committee of Community
Board 10. Please
note:Community Boards grant
infl uential advisory but nonbinding
approvals.
Business as usual: Our
neighborhood’s traditional
polling location Knights of
Columbus @ Ampere and Research
Avenues will be open
Tuesday June 22nd6am-9pm
for primary election voting.
If we want to keep and reap
the blessings of our fi ne quality
of life, we must endure the
fatigue of supporting it. 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 e-mail. Please check on family,
friends, and neighbors especially
the elderly and vulnerable.
Spencer Estate Civic
Association will meet Wednesday
, June 16th 7:30PM @
Knights of Columbus. Our 45th
precinct leader Captain Isaac
Soberal is thescheduled keynote
speaker. Any area homeowner
or renter interested in
the Spencer Estate Civic Association
stop by the meeting or
send-email to spencerestatecivic@
gmail.com Remember:
Community=Common-Unity
and Inclusion brings Solutions.
CIVIC CENTER
Spencer Estate Civic
Association
/issues.It
link
link
/gmail.com