BRONX TIMES R BTR EPORTER, NOV. 5-11, 2021
BY GEORGE HAVRANEK
Picture the scenario:
Rhythmic rainfall pitterpatters
the umbrella of a
lovestruck couple, while cascading
strings of watery beads
form necklaces of passion.
Rainfall enhanced imagery
carries blissful emotions into
hearts and minds. From Gene
Kelly, “Singing in the Rain” to
Winona Ryder – Gabriel Byrnes’
umbrella scene in “Little
Women” cinematic rainfall
elicits pleasant emotion. Nevertheless,
on occasion, Mother
Nature reminds us, the reality
of life includes painful Titanic
like events.
On Sept. 1, Ida’s unprecedented
rainfall overwhelmed
New York City’s outdated
sewer systems. The resulting
fl oodwaters brought Titaniclike
events into the homes of
many New Yorkers. Fatalistic
fl oodwaters took lives, destroyed
property, and affected
many minds and spirits. Just
weeks after Ida, social media
sites were wall papered with
comments of concern due to a
3-inch rain forecast. Expressions
of anxiety, fear, frustration
and uncertainty jumped
off the pages. Concerned residents,
still reeling from the
effects of Ida, wrote of anticipating
sleepless nights and
implementing hypervigilant
activities to mitigate potential
disasters. Others called
for divine intervention: a
quote from a worried resident,
“Dear Baby Jesus, please don’t
let my basement fl ood again!!
PTSD/Paranoid.” The credibility
and reliability of social
media content is questionable;
however, personal conversations
with many neighborhood
residents support these
concerns.
New York City’s sewer/
drain system is a vast complex
network. A quote from a
recent New York Post feature
indicated the content of Mayor
de Blasio’s Storm Resiliency
Plans shows “the DEP’s Bureau
of Water and Sewer Operations
(BWSO) is responsible
for maintaining NYC’s sewer
networks in good working order…”
further investigation
revealed at least four different
agencies — DEP, Department
of Sanitation, DOT and
the Offi ce of Emergency Management
are responsible for
keeping them clear. City Hall
spokesman Mitch Schwartz
said, “It is a big job and they
have different areas of expertise.”
Evidently it takes a consortium
of agencies to maintain
adequate performance
in NYC’s immense, complex
sewer/drain network.
Ida’s dire consequences
warrant independent, wholesale
investigations of all responsible
agencies, including
oversight offi ces. The results
of such an investigation could
bring transparency and proactive
measures that reduces
weather-related, fear-driven
anxiety for many New Yorkers.
In this modern era, all
New Yorkers should be singing
in the rain, not agonizing
about Titanic-like pain.
UNIFIED CIVIC
ASSOCIATIONS:
A COMMUNITY NEED
The current political climate
has made unifi ed civic
associations integral to
strengthening the fabrics of
low-density communities.
Multiple community unifi cation
is necessary to stave of
the unwanted and procure
the needed. Protection of lowdensity
zoning regulations,
resolving nuisance issues,
proper funding for essential
services and infrastructure
are unifying common sense
objectives. There is strength
in numbers; however, apoliticism
is crucial for strong inter
community fusions tailored
to restore and maintain
quality of life. No individual
possesses the magic wand
of salvation. It is time to cast
aside social and political differences
for the benefi t of our
communities. Selfl essness
must supersede selfi shness. It
is time for throngs of people to
unite and draw the undivided
attentions of elected offi cials
and agency heads. The words
of automobile pioneer Henry
Ford, “Coming together is the
beginning. Keeping together
is progress. Working together
is success.”
Community Footnotes:
Kudos to our stellar CB10
for their Ida-related relief efforts.
Thank you to CB10 District
Manager Matt Cruz,
Chairman Joe Russo, CD 13
Councilperson-elect Marjorie
Velazquez and the entire CB10
staff. Your sincere dedication
is noticed and appreciated.
Daylight savings time concludes
2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 7.
Remember to turn clocks back
one hour. Please take time to
replace batteries in smoke
alarms and carbon monoxide
detectors. In house fi re situations,
60 seconds could be the
difference between safety and
tragedy.
There is a continued increase
in petty thefts and vandalisms
throughout the 45th
Precinct footprint. Video evidence
on social media shows
nefarious individuals lurking
around parked vehicles and
encroaching on private property
during daytime and overnight
hours. Do not become a
victim. Please lock car doors
and remove all valuables upon
exiting your vehicle.
The next meeting of the
Spencer Estate Association
is scheduled for Wednesday,
Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the
Knights of Columbus. Elected
offi cials and agency heads
gauge community resolve by
attendances at civic meetings.
Tell a friend, a packed house
sends a message. 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
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
attend the Nov. 17 meeting or
send an email to spencerestatecivic@
gmail.com.
R e m e m b e r :
Community=Common-Unity
and Inclusion brings Solutions.
CIVIC CENTER
Spencer Estate Civic
Association
CIVIC CENTER
Pelham Parkway
Neighborhood
Association
BY STEVE GLOSSER
Join us, as the Pelham
Parkway Neighborhood
Association will have our
monthly community meeting
at 7 p.m. Tuesday at our new
location, 2134 Barnes Ave.,
on the corner of Lydig and
Barnes Avenues.
We will welcome three
special guests: State Sen.
Alessandra Biaggi, City
Councilman Mark Gjonaj
and stste Assemblywoman
Nathalia Fernandez. This
is your opportunity to bring
your issues, questions, concerns
and problems. Involvement
from the community
is essential to having a safe,
clean and graffi ti -free neighborhood.
It’s time to get involved
in your community
and stay involved. Your problems
get addressed and action
is taken. Show up and
speak up.
CIVIC CENTER
Korony Post 253
BY TONY SALIMBENE
Next meeting, third Sunday
at American Turners NY,
10:30 a.m. coffee, 11 a.m. meeting,
12 noon lunch and cash
bar. That’s Nov. 21.
Don’t forget all of our Veteran’s
Day stops on Nov. 11. Get
your teams together to car pool
safely. Thanks to Peter Del-
Debbio for moving the Winged
Victory time a bit and to SAL
member Rich Vitacchio for adjusting
his starting time at the
Van Nest Monument. Regular
11 a.m. start at Peace Plaza featuring
Cmdr. Gene and Joseph
Ronda as masters of ceremony.
We had Al Nicotine and Jose
Conde on sick call along with
Joe F. from SAL 253.Welcome
aboard ‘Joe Cats’ and Allen
Ford to help out with SAL and
youth projects with Joe Ronda.
Until Next Time: See you all on
the corner of Tremont and Lafayette
avenues at 11-11:30 a.m.
/gmail.com