Longtime CB1
chairperson George
Rodriguez, passes, 71
6
2019 15,eptember S WEEKLY BY ALEX MITCHELL
BRONX The longtime chair of
Community Board 1 and
the spirit of the south Bronx
passed away on Thursday,
September 5. George Rodriguez
was remembered fondly
by his Mott Haven and Melrose
communities where he
served on the board for over
22 years before his passing at
age 71.
“He was a good man and
a very good chair,” said CB1’s
district manager Cedric Lofton.
The last time Lofton interacted
with Rodriguez was just
before the board broke for its
summer recess, when the duo
com discussed pushing for federal
funding that would benefi t
BXTimes.the area’s residents.
“He made sure CB1 was
not neglected,” Lofton said
while mentioning Rodriguez’s
www.dedication to bringing
better quality of life to the
board’s longtime residents.
“He would fi ght to get running
fi re hydrants repaired,
for quicker police and FDNY
response times. George did
what he could to see that this
Salamanca was serving as
district was not mistreated,”
CB2 district manager and
Lofton continued.
even after he joined the council,
Rodriguez was also a major
since the council district
housing advocate for his
overlapped into CB1.
community as well, serving
The popular chair was
as an instrumental component
also an advocate for quality
in the development of
healthcare throughout his
the affordable housing mega
life of service.
complex with an attached
Rodriguez served on the
YMCA, La Central at 626 Bergen
advisory board for Lincoln
Avenue in Melrose.
Hospital for years. He lived
He kept a tight watch on
only two blocks away from
all areas of the district that
primary care center.
could be developed as well,
“George wanted to ensure
according to Lofton.
that the health standards
“He insured that the city
of our community
cleaned up every single vacant
were not being overlooked,”
lot in the district so that
Lofton said.
it could be developed into
Rodriguez even had an
housing,” the district manager
old fashioned, signature way
said mentioning that he
of fi nding out what issues
wanted to see that residents
were arising in his community,
could remain in the south
too...he would walk
Bronx while living in housing
around the neighborhood.
that was affordable.
“George walked everywhere,”
He also worked along
Lofton laughed.
with Councilman Raphael
“That’s how he would
Salamanca, Jr. on many
mandatory inclusionary
housing projects both while
Diaz said. know there was a problem so
quick, he’d just walk around
Mott Haven and see what
complex was having problems
with that and who was
having issues with whatever,”
Lofton continued.
It was that beat walking
that partially made Rodriguez
into a major advocate
for the cleanliness of his
community.
“If he saw something was
wrong George would call
sanitation right away and he
knew exactly where it was,”
Lofton said.
Even Borough President
Ruben Diaz, Jr. recognized
Rodriguez for his work in
the borough.
Rodriguez was previously
given accolades by
the beep’s offi ce during past
Bronx Week celebrations for
the work he had done in Mott
Haven and elsewhere.
“George served our borough
in numerous capacities
for decades and truly
cared for the Bronx and the
people he served. He will be
missed. Rest in peace, Georgie,”
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George Rodriguez with Borough president Ruben Diaz, Jr. Borough
President’s Offi ce
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