BRONX TIMES REPORTER,20 JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2020
BTR
BY AL D’ANGELO
Right and wrong is whatever
those in power say it is, if the media
is complicit.
Look at the recent talking
points by elected offi cials and
many in the media. The Speaker
of the House referred to the offi -
cers protecting government property
as “storm troopers” and others
in Congress referred to them
as the “Gestapo,” words which
were echoed over and over again
by many in the media.
Rather than criticize those
in their own party who have allowed
lawlessness to take over
their cities, they chose to attack
the President for doing what they
took an oath to do, protect our
country “against all enemies foreign
and domestic.” They fi ddle
while their cities burn.
Who is dividing this country?
Those who are opposed to
everything this administration
has done from day one. Reasonable
men and women who have
put politics above country. The
President of The United States is
invited to comes to Yankee Stadium
to throw out the fi rst pitch
and the borough president, the
mayor and other elected offi cials
are chastising the Yankees for inviting
him.
Has hate gone so far that having
a president going to a baseball
game has become offensive?
I would think having the most
powerful man in the world attend
an event would be an honor regardless
of what party he belongs
to. Maybe if they spent more time
worrying about what is going
on in the city than what’s going
on in Yankee Stadium, the city
would be in better shape.
Try putting politics aside and
think about how best to deal with
the COVID-19 situation. We have
two major baseball stadiums in
New York, how diffi cult would it
be to invite some of our city children
in to see a game? Tickets
could be issued to community
boards, churches, community organizations
etc. limiting the number
to allow for social distancing
and giving our youth the experience
to see a baseball game from
seats usually reserved for the rich
and famous. It would be an opportunity
of a lifetime and great
publicity for the organizations.
Imagine the look on a child’s face
walking into a stadium and walking
down instead of up.
I remember my fi rst baseball
game my father took me, and we
sat behind third base up a little,
but I was with my dad and the experience
has lasted me a lifetime.
We even went early and stood by
the players entrance to get autographs.
Wouldn’t it be nice to give
that experience to young people,
many of whom live in the shadows
of the stadiums but whose
parents can’t afford the price of
a ticket? Let’s stop with the politics
of hate and divisiveness
and try doing something positive
that we can all get behind.
BY TONY SALIMBENE
On a sad note, condolences
to past Post Commander Tony
and his sister Bernadette Ferrara
on the passing of dad, a
WW2 vet. May he rest in peace
and may the family know he
did what he had to do when the
nation called. *Hand salute.*
Let’s remember to continue
with masks and distancing in
public. It was working for us
here in NY, let’s not give up
now!
Remember to keep watching
your email messages for
helping info! Thanks Jonnie
Williams, Tom and the VA
crew for sending helpful stuff
for vets during this emergency.
Until next time: There’s two
types of tired — one requires
rest, one requires peace.
BY FRANK VERNUCCIO
Throggs Neck’s crucial
commercial corridor along
East Tremont Avenue is in the
process of being substantially
upgraded, thanks to the efforts
of the newly established
Throggs Neck Business Improvement
District (BID) organization.
Already, improved sanitation
is noticeable in the BID’s
jurisdiction, which runs the
length of the major commercial
section of East Tremont
Avenue from Bruckner Boulevard
to Miles Avenue, including
some additional side
street areas.
One of the fi rst actions the
BID engaged in was to hire a
private sanitation company
to supplement the efforts of
NYC’s Department of Sanitation.
A beautifi cation project
will start changing the look
and feel of the area. The fi rst
part of the effort will see existing
tree pits improved with
new plants and fencing. Eventually,
both decorative lighting
and brighter illumination
will be added with the help
of grants the BID is working
on procuring from local offi -
cials.
The numerous local restaurants,
which offer cuisines
from around the world,
should draw customers from
across the region. For “foodies,”
the numerous selections
are a major attraction. Providing
an attractive environment
ensures that those diners will
want to return to the area repeatedly,
patronizing not only
local eateries but area stores
as well.
Safety is on everyone’s
mind lately, and the BID will
provide additional security to
the area. A sizable portion of
the organization’s budget in
the coming year has been devoted
to hiring patrol personnel
to help make the community
as crime-free as possible.
COVID-19 has, of course,
had a major impact across
the nation. The BID has responded
in numerous ways.
In June, BID personnel went
door-to-door throughout East
Tremont Avenue distributing
free face masks to local businesses.
Free masks for local
enterprises continue to be
available at the BID’s headquarters
at 3800 East Tremont
Ave. Call ahead, 347-281-8323
to make an appointment to
pick them up.
Speaking of appointments,
the BID also provides another
free service. Local merchants,
residents and property owners
can get free notary services by
calling that same number.
The essence of the BID is
that it is run by and for the local
community. Bob Jaen, the
organization’s executive director,
has gone door-to-door
meeting and speaking with
local business and property
owners to hear their concerns
and suggestions. He has an
exceptional knowledge of the
community, having in the past
run a local business and previously
serving as the president
of the Throggs’ Neck Merchants
Association. He is in
constant touch by phone with
community members, as well.
Anthony Basso, the BID’s
Chair, is in constant touch
with the group’s board members,
and was instrumental
in starting the group. Frank
Vernuccio, the BID’s Associate
and notary, assists in the
administration of the organization,
and publishes a newsletter
that goes to local businesses
and property owners,
as well as updating the organization’s
website and Facebook
page.
Part of the drive to help the
community is dealing with
federal, state and city agencies.
The BID constantly reviews
government moves that
affect the area. Information
about COVID-compliance requirements,
available loans
and grants and other matters
are examined by the BID and
relayed to the public through
the ThroggsneckBid.com website
and Facebook page.
Sometimes, dealing with
government means not only
discussing rules or loans but
also apprising the community
of activities that may have
a negative impact. The BID
strongly opposes the NYC Department
of Transportation’s
proposal to reduce lanes on
part of East Tremont Avenue
from four to three and further
reduce drivable space by adding
a bike lane.
A remarkable aspect of
the story of the Throggs Neck
BID’s start is the fact that it began
just as COVID-19 hit. Bob,
Anthony, Frank and the board
members who worked so hard
to start its ambitious activities
had to operate with all the
restrictions and hurdles imposed
by the pandemic.
CIVIC CENTER
COMACTA
CIVIC CENTER
The Morris Park
Community
Association
CIVIC CENTER
Korony AL Post 253
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