MetroCard mobile van
coming to Throggs Neck
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, N BTR OV. 5-11, 2021 13
To the Editor,
A few observations regarding
the latest COMACTA column
follow. The author falsely
stated that the U.S. withdrew
from the Iran Nuclear Deal
due to …”Iran’s persistent violations…”,
when in reality
Iran renewed its nuclear efforts
only after Trump unilaterally
decided to abandon the
agreement. Progressive politicians
are then accused of harboring
anti-Semitic attitudes
and, as usual, no evidence is
offered to support this opinion.
Real anti-Semites were
present at the “Unite the
Right” rally, as hard-right
extremists marched while
chanting, “Jews will not replace
us,” but the author did
not mention this embarrassing
fact since it undercuts his
false narrative.
The author implies that
Progressives seek to deny Israel
the right to self defense,
which is a fi ction. However,
they do not blindly support
every Israeli policy simply because
that country is a U.S.
ally. Progressives are critical
of the settlements in occupied
territories designated as illegal
by the United Nations and
the near apartheid conditions
forced upon the Palestinian
people. Treating Palestinians
as people does not equate to
an anti-Israel or anti-Semitic
mindset; it does indicate a
concern for all humans.
Vice President Harris is
criticized for visiting a family
whose son was shot multiple
times in the back by police
and paralyzed from the waist
down as a result. The father of
the victim is, without proof of
course, said to be a supporter
of the Black Muslims. Next,
the author references a study
published by the Gatestone
Institute, an outfi t that Wikipedia
notes “…has attracted
attention for publishing false
and inaccurate articles…”. Oftentimes
the columnist offers
no source for his strident opinions,
but if a source is cited by
the right-wing extremist you
can bet that it is either very
suspect or quite possibly a
hate group. Yet the circus continues.
Pasqual Pelosi
letters & comments
Photo Getty Images
Halloween event rescheduled, renamed
BY BRONX TIMES
Even though Mother
Nature and an erroneous
weather prediction caused
the cancellation of Saturday’s
Throggs Neck Halloween
Parade and Costume
Party, Assemblyman Michael
Benedetto, the event’s
prime sponsor, is undeterred
and has rescheduled the
event.
The renamed festivity,
Fall Ragamuffi n Party, will
be held from 12 p.m. to 4
p.m. on Nov. 13 in the Zoododos
Peghe Greek Orthodox
Church Church parking lot.
All the activities previously
announced will take place,
including amusement rides,
infl atables, games of skill,
Build-a-Bear, spin art and
face painting. The face painting
will be provided by the
Westchester Square-Zerega
Improvement Association.
A costume contest with
cash prizes and trophies for
the fi rst, second and third
place winners in various age
categories will be judged by
a panel tasked with choosing
the most original outfi ts.
Free raffl e tickets will be
distributed to all children for
drawings held throughout
the day for gift certifi cates
provided by the Bronx Zoo,
New York Botanical Garden
and local merchants.
A DJ will pace the afternoon
of fun with lively tunes
appropriate for the season.
McDonald’s on East Tremont
Avenue will distribute gift
bags, and free popcorn will
be available.
“It was disappointing that
the Halloween Parade and
Costume Contest had to be
canceled,” Benedetto said.
“We were up against a ‘stopgo’
deadline on Thursday,
Oct. 28 and the weather report
at that time was dismal,
predicting 24 hours of steady
rain for Saturday.”
“I hope to see all our
neighborhood youngsters
take advantage of our rescheduled
party on Saturday,
Nov. 13 dressed in their most
creative costumes,” he said.
“The show will go on!”
Other prime sponsors of
the Fall Ragamuffi n Party
are Councilman Mark
Gjonaj and McDonald’s on
East Tremont Avenue. Con
Edison, Ensign Engineering,
Schuyler Hill Funeral Home,
Crosstown Diner, Marina del
Rey and the Throggs Neck
Business Improvement District
contributed to the event,
as well as many others.
A complete list of thank
yous will appear in the Nov.
19th issue of the Bronx Times
Reporter.
The MetroCard Mobile Van will visit the Throggs Neck section
of the Bronx and will be parked at the curb in front of Assemblyman
Michael Benedetto’s offi ce at 3602 E. Tremont Ave.,
from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 12.
The MetroCard Mobile Van enables:
Senior citizens 65 years of age or older to apply for a reducedfare
MetroCard and receive a temporary card on the spot. Bring
proof of age such as a Medicare card and valid photo identifi cation.
People with disabilities that qualify and present a Medicare
card with a valid photo ID to apply for a reduced-fare Metro-
Card.
Daily riders to add money to their reduced-fare MetroCard.
Everyone to get all MetroCard questions answered.
For more information, call Assemblyman Benedetto’s offi ce
at (718) 892-2235.