day, May 2 to NYC Department
of Transportation
with fi ve specifi c traffi c
requests.
These include an island
wide traffi c study to
determine intersections
where traffi c lights can
be installed or removed;
the installation of actuated
signals at City Island
Avenue and Cross Street;
seasonal ‘no parking anytime’
signs from the Catherine
Scott Promenade to
Cross Street; the installation
of signs identifying
a blind spot at the peak
of the City Island Bridge;
and the extension of traffi
c delineators at City Island
Circle.
A DOT spokesperson,
Alana Morales, said
the agency is reviewing
Gjonaj’s letter.
Gerard Giacco, CICC
president, said that he
thinks signs identifying
the bridge blind spot are
important, as is an ongoing
police presence during
busy times like summer
weekends and holidays.
“I would love to see a
continuous police presence
moving up and down
City Island Avenue,” said
Giacco. “I think that is becoming
more important.”
NYPD Traffi c Agents
should also remain proactive
in directing traffi c, he
said.
15 BRONX WEEKLY May 26, 2019 www.BXTimes.com
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Sementilli joined with a community resident named Debbie who shouted ‘We are fi ghting for our children…
it has to stop!’ on Saturday, May 18 at a rally he organized outside of 2800 Bruckner Boulevard.
Photo by Jewel Webber
Throggs Neck rallies against
substance treatment clinic;
elected offi cials united
BY PATRICK ROCCHIO
Protesters gathered outside
of Miracle City’s offi ces
at 2800 Bruckner Boulevard
on Saturday, May 18 for the
second time to protest the
opening of a drug counseling
clinic.
The rally, which drew a
sizable crowd, called attention
to the impact that the
substance abuse treatment
program, known as an 822
program, would have on the
surrounding Throggs Neck
community, said event organizer
Egidio Sementilli.
“There was a lot of support
directly from the community,
and a very good response
from people in the immediate
area,” said Sementilli, adding
“We are organized, we are
ready and doing our homework.”
Representatives from Assemblyman
Michael Benedetto
and Councilman Mark
Gjonaj delivered news that
the NYS Offi ce of Alcoholism
and Substance Abuse Services,
had not yet received an
application to establish the
clinic from Miracle City.
Additionally, the electeds
representatives informed the
crowd that they had jointly
penned a letter to OASAS on
Friday, May 3 expressing their
strong opposition to a counseling
center for those affl icted
with substance abuse and eating
disorders at this location.
Senator Alessandra
Biaggi, who previously stated
she was remaining neutral
on the matter, had a change
of heart and eventually sided
with Benedetto and Gjonaj in
opposition to the substance
treatment program at 2800
Bruckner.
“I’ve had several conversations
with community members
who have informed me
of their concerns regarding
2800 Bruckner,” said Biaggi.
“While there is a clear agreement
among us that there is
an opioid epidemic that must
be addressed, it has become
apparent that the circumstances
surrounding Miracle
City at 2800 Bruckner Boulevard
do not meet the needs of
the community.”
Benedetto said 2800
Bruckner Boulevard is in
an entirely residential area
with one-, two- and threefamily
homes and that there
are facilities in Westchester
Square and on Waters Place
that already serve Bronxites
affl icted with substance
abuse disorders.
Nicole D’Napoli, executive
director of These Our
Treasures special needs prek
program, which has a playground
that is 100 feet from
Miracle City, said she is concerned
about loitering outside
its building that schools 3 to 5
year olds, if Miracle City is
granted a license.
She said that even though
the organization says they
won’t dispense any narcotics,
they could easily obtain
permission to do so at a later
date.
“We are the closest and we
are the ones who are going
to be impacted the most; it is
just too close,” said D’Napoli.
“For me, it is a safety issue
fi rst. It doesn’t belong in a
residential neighborhood, so
close to so many children.”
Community activist Andrew
Chirico, Waterbury
LaSalle Community Association
board member, said hospital
settings are more controlled,
making them a better
place to have substance abuse
treatment programs, especially
those that dispense substances
like Methadone, and
expressed staunch opposition
to siting a treatment center at
2800 Bruckner Boulevard.
Mary Jane Musano,
WLCA president, said that
people who spent between
$400,000 and $800,000 on a
home near the proposed substance
abuse clinic are rightly
concerned that their property
values could be affected if a
drug treatment center opens
at this location.
City Islanders, NYPD discuss
summertime tourist traffi c
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