Ponce Bank receives $1.8M in federal
relief money for small businesses
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J BTR UNE 25-JULY 1, 2021 91
GEORGE HAVRANEK
Whether by design or happenstance
the cumulative
effects of actions and inactions
elicit change. Ineffective
change is often triggered
by our inability to recognize
a threshold; the critical point
that challenges acceptance
and tolerance. Inabilities to
properly identify, address and
foresee issues disrupt societal
equilibrium. This disruption
promotes imbalances, which
leads to quality of life effecting
“Tipping points.”
The upticks in nuisance
and criminal behaviors
throughout our communities
are related to action, inaction
and lack of foresight that
highlights the imperfections
of humanity. Broken Windows
theory and invocations
of subsequent policies lends
example. “Broken windows”
is based on hypothesis suggesting
unaddressed visible
signs of crime, maladaptive
behaviors and civil-social disorder
foster neighborhood decline.
Decades ago, analysis of
rampant crime brought laser
like focus to broken windows
theory. In all likelihood, perceived
urgencies to suppress
rampant fl oods of criminal
activities warranted vigorous
reactionary policing methods.
It is plausible the controversial
Stop and Frisk Policy
to address widespread, ungovernable
crime was warranted
BY JOE MONDELLO
Now that many of you have fl own
your American fl ag outside your
home last week in honor of National
Flag Day, you may have notice that
it may be a bit worn, torn or faded.
We hope you went out and purchased
a brand new beautiful Red,
White and Blue, Stars and Stripes,
American Flag! Your new fl ag is
now ready to be displayed proudly
this coming 4th of July! But what
have you done with the “Old Glory”
that have been replaced? Did you
properly retired your fl ag by folding
it into a triangle and dropping it off
at one of the many local Veteran Locations.
As a Veteran Service Organization
(VSO), The American Legion
follows protocol in handling,
and retiring, of our Nation’s colors.
Don’t forget on Saturday July
3rd, our Sam Young SAL members
will be putting together a Star
Spangled Banner BBQ at the Post.
Come celebrate our Nations Independence
with us. Our dedicated
Booster member Dermot will be
working the grill. You’ll like Dermot,
he cooks to perfection! A $20.
donation is all it takes to join us
for food , refreshments, and music.
Doors are open at 1PM to all. We always
enjoy meeting our neighbors.
So if your curious about the Legion,
come over to 1530 Erickson Place.
Who knows, the veteran you might
meet may be your neighbor. And if
you’re a new veteran who is looking
to join our Post, we are giving a half
price BBQ special that day for you.
Such a deal!.
As we get closer to the summer
months, The American Legion will
performs it’s elections of the new
offi cers in both the State, and National
level. We will be planning a
few events over the summer, so keep
reading our column for up to date
information. BTW, when you receive
your copy of the Bronx Times
Reporter, don’t let it sit on your table.
By the time you get around to
reading it, you may have missed
out on “What’s Happening”. In closing,
where were you back on June
26,1876? Hope not with Gen. George
Custer. For God and Country.
CIVIC CENTER
Samuel Young
American Legion
Post 620
for limited periods. However,
failure to limit and modify
aggressive police policy at
appropriate times led to intensifi
cations of lengthy aggressive
and unsustainable
law enforcement methods.
The lack of foresight to implement
timely modifi cations
eventually led to states of intolerance
and noticeable “Tipping
points.”
Newton’s third law of motion:
“For every action in nature
there is an equal and
opposite reaction.” Law enforcement
policies and criminal
legislations have resulted
in continual volleys of action
and reaction. There is distinct
linkage between high
crime rates of the past—focus
on broken windows theory,
Stop and Frisk policing, lower
crime rates, social injustice,
2015 criminal justice reforms,
current bail/discovery reforms
and 2020 police policy
reform—and recent spikes in
nuisance issues and criminal
behaviors. It is evident of a
major fl aw, a trait that defi nes
us as human, is our inability
to consistently recognize
with effective accuracy appropriate
starting and stopping
points. Recent polls, which
extend across political aisles,
strongly identifi ed nuisance
behaviors and crime as primary
community problems.
It is time for legislators to institute
commonsense middle
ground reforms that promote
better quality of life along
with faith and fairness in our
criminal justice system. Our
legislators craft the law and
therefore have accountability
for the undue stress and strain
that is a consequence of neighborhood
degradations. Their
emotion-laden dubious decisions
turned our communities
into playgrounds for disrespectful
law-breakers. A Tipping
Point that changes these
dysfunctional playgrounds
into amusement parks for respectable
law-abiding citizens
is imminent. To paraphrase
modern day ethicist, the late
Dr. Rushworth Kidder: In decision
making the long term
always includes the short
term; however, the short term
does not account for the long
term. When given a choice,
community needs to take priority
over the individual. Effective
policy is fair, balanced
and sustainable. If not, prepare
for “Tipping Points” and
cyclical periods of unsustainable
action and reaction synonymous
with Newton’s third
law.
To meet or not to meet,
that was the question:
Dialogue with well-regarded
medical professionals,
shifts in public policy and social
cues resulted in our beginning
a desensitization process.
The primary goal is to
help people regain feelings of
comfort and confi dence that
fosters safe social interactions
within indoor communal
settings. Two meetings
were held; strict compliance
to mandated protocols implemented.
After 18 months of
dormancy, on May 19, the process
commenced with a residents
only indoor meeting at
25% capacity. Approximately
45 people attended the initial
let’s get reacquainted event.
The gathering’s lack of civic
accomplishment was dwarfed
by the successes gauged by
smiling-eyed conversations
which set the stage for a second
event.
The June 16 meeting, at
33% capacity, attracted 58
residents as 45th Precinct
Capt. Isaac Soberal and the
Community Affairs Team addressed
our community. A relaxed
ambiance resonated as
Soberal vividly explained various
aspects of NYPD policy
and procedure to the captive
audience. Soberal’s detailed
presentation was followed by
a spirited yet very supportive
Q-and-A session. We thank Soberal
and the entire 45th precinct
for their dedicated service.
A surprise visit from our
valued friend, Councilman
Mark Gjonaj culminated the
evening. Gjonaj’s passionate
presentation followed by an
animated gallery session enthralled
the audience. Many
in attendance expressed
heartfelt disappointment
when learning our councilman
will not seek reelection.
The Spencer Estate community,
especially our seniors,
will sorely miss Councilman
Gjonaj.
Monthly meetings resume in
September; however, the traditional
July and August summer
respite could be interrupted by
circumstances requiring ad hoc
attention.
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,”
and 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 the Spencer Estate Civic Association
send an email to spencerestatecivic@
gmail.com.
Remember:
Communi ty=Common-
Unity and Inclusion brings
Solutions.
CIVIC CENTER
Spencer Estate
Civic Association
On June 17, Ponce Bank announced receipt of $1.8 million in federal Economic Relief Funds for
Small Businesses, from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The funds were granted under
the Treasury’s Rapid Response Program to assist minority communities in which Ponce Bank
serves. “They deserve to be helped,” said Carlos P. Naudon, president and CEO of Ponce Bank.
“They deserve to have banks provide services to them. In order for them to grow, that will
make the community grow.”
Carlos Naudon, president & CEO of Ponce Bank accepts $1.8 million in federal economic
relief funds. Photo Jewel Webber
link
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