.jpg)
Bronx Times: Full articles
-
Pre-k moving on up
See this story at BxTimes.com.
By Patrick Rocchio
Bronx Times
Pre-k students at P.S. 304 who wanted to secure a spot in next year’s kindergarten class were initially told that they would have to enter a second lottery.
After the pre-k parents lobbied the Department of Education for more than a month, district superintendent Timothy Behr announced at a Community Education Council 8 meeting on Wednesday, February 15 that current pre-k students at P.S. 304 who live in the P.S. 14, P.S. 71, and P.S. 72 school zone will be given second priority for slots in the kindergarten class at P.S. 304 next school year. The school will also expand its kindergarten to include four classes, P.S. 304 principal Joe Nobile said.
Children with siblings already attending P.S. 304 get first preference for open seats.
A group of concerned pre-k parents had lobbied Behr and the Department of Education to give them priority after learning in January that they would have to enter their children in a separate lottery to obtain a spot in next year’s kindergarten class at P.S. 304.
The addition of approximately 25 seats to the kindergarten program allows the school to absorb extra students from a separate lottery for one year, while at the same time preserving educational continuity for the pre-k students who are already familiar with much of the building and the staff, Nobile said, adding that he was proud of the efforts of the parents who secured the support of much of Community Education Council 8, Community Board 10, and elected officials including Councilman Jimmy Vacca.
“The most astonishing thing was that the parents had their voices heard,” Nobile stated. “This particular group of parents were very passionate and sophisticated, and they had a wonderful platform.”
The parents spoke very eloquently and created Powerpoint presentations to get their message across, Nobile stated.
Councilman Jimmy Vacca stood by the parents, and was critical of the plan originally proposed by the Department of Education, whose spokesman said that the P.S. 304 parents were experiencing was a citywide education policy in place since at least 2009. Vacca’s help was instrumental in helping these students progress at the school, Nobile stated.
“I believe strongly that there was an insufficient parent consultation between P.S. 304 and the DOE, and I am pleased that DOE did not move forth with any change in the kindergarten-admission policy,” Vacca said.
“The proposed changes were not thoroughly discussed and the importance of early childhood education could not be overemphasized.”
By creating the extra kindergarten class, the school community feels that the DOE was able to make sure that everyone had a fair chance of attending kindergarten at P.S. 304, while at the same time being fair to the pre-k parents who have already won a lottery to get their child into the school, said P.S. 304 PTA president Rita Diaz.
“It was just very fortunate to have our voices heard,” Diaz stated. “Mr. Nobile was an instrumental leader.”
The pre-k parents were thankful for the support received by elected officials, the CEC, and Community Board 10, said parent Katchen DiCristina. Community Board 10 sent a letter of support of the pre-k parents after discussing the matter and listening to pre-k parents remarks on Thursday, January 19.
The DOE’s concession is for one year only. The general policy, in place citywide, will be enforced thereafter.
-
School community outraged Bronxdale HS principal still has job
See this story at BxTimes.com.
By Kirsten Sanchez
Bronx Times
John Chase, principal at Bronxdale High School, who was left in his position after being found guilty in December 2011 by the Department of Education to have made “inappropriate sexual comments” to a female employee at the beginning of the 2011 school year, has been ordered to attend sensitivity training by the DOE’s Office of Equal opportunity.
Faculty and local residents, displeased with DOE’s light punishment, voiced their concerns at the Community Board 11 meeting held on Thursday, February 16.
Larry Minetti, Columbus High School teacher and graduate, spoke on behalf of his wife, who was a victim of Chase’s sexual harassment.
“This has been a very hard year, especially for my wife,” Minetti said.
According to Minetti, his wife was hired by Chase during the summer of 2011 to work at Bronxdale High School on the Columbus campus.
Minetti worked at the high school, until she started receiving unwanted sexual comments from Chase while at work.
On September 19, Minetti said he and his wife could no longer take the harassment she was enduring from Chase and decided to make a complaint to the 49th Precinct.
After Chase was found guilty of making the inappropriate comments in December of 2011, hundreds, including Minetti and his wife, protested in front of Christopher Columbus High School on Tuesday, January 10.
The rally, failed to change DOE’s position on the matter.
“We have done all we can do,” Minetti said. “It is a disgrace he is still in the building. He was found guilty, but he is still in the building holding a position. This is an issue that has affected myself and my family.”
Cathy DeLuca, a aecretary for 23 years at the high school, also spoke at the CB 11 meeting.
Deluca said every woman in the building feels uncomfortable around Chase.
“All the females in the building will not get in an elevator with this man,” she said. “We’re scared, and we’re asking Community Board 11 to help us. It is like he got away with it, with just a slap on the wrist. The thought of what he’s done and basically gotten away with really disturbs me.”
In January, the DOE issued a statement in response to the protest held outside of Columbus High School.
“Allegations of sexual harassment were not substantiated,” it said. “The investigation found that principal Chase made inappropriate sexual comments in violation of the chancellor’s regulation. As a result of this investigation, principal Chase will receive a letter to his file, EEO training, and of course we will consider this investigation in any future decisions around tenure.”
Councilman Jimmy Vacca, who attended Columbus High School, and who rallied along side the protestors in January, said he has not heard what the DOE plans to do about the situation.
“It has been well over a month since we rallied outside of Bronxdale High School, and yet, we still have no answers about what the DOE plans to do with principal Chase,” Vacca said.
“Since the school opened its doors for the first time last September, I have received nothing but complaints about his actions. Unless the DOE is totally forthcoming, the atmosphere will continue to be an uncomfortable one, not only for the women who work at the school, but for its students as well. If this school is going to succeed in the future, it needs proper leadership, and it is obvious that john Chase is no the answer,” he added.
-
Preston High School cheerleaders make dream of competing at Nationals come true
See this story at BxTimes.com.
By Kirsten Sanchez
Bronx Times
“In order to achieve your dreams, all you need is faith, trust and a little pixie dust,” quoted Preston High School senior and cheerleading captain Brianna Finelli, during her speech at a showcase the team held for family and friends on Tuesday, February 7.
In true-fairy tale fashion, the Preston High School Panthers will head off to Disney World in Orlando, Florida to compete in the National high school cheerleading competition, a dream come true according to the girls.
For the team, along with their coaches Lori Finelli and John Braca, receiving an invitation to nationals was an unprecedented milestone as they are the first team in the school’s history to qualify and attend.
The ‘Cinderella team’ received their qualifying spot by competing in the Universal Cheerleaders Association regional competition at Hofstra University in April of last year against teams from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
“For the last four years, I’ve had the honor of being on the most incredible cheerleading team in Preston’s history, and this year, these 11 girls and I, along with our phenomenal coaches made our dream of getting a bid to nationals a reality and I can not express how proud I am,” Brianna Finelli said. “Competing at nationals in Disney World is every cheerleader’s dream and getting there is a lot easier for some than others; let’s just say getting there was not easy for us.”
The best feeling in the world, according to Brianna Finelli, was when she heard the announcer at the regional competition say her team would be heading to nationals.
“When Preston High School was announced, I felt accomplished,” she said.
All of the funds needed for the team to travel to Orlando was raised by the girls who held various fund raisers throughout the year.
“We got sponsors, sold wreaths at Christmas time, and we made just enough to pay for our trip to nationals,” Coach Lori Finelli said. Head coach John Braca said it has been his dream as well as the girls’ to get a chance to compete in the national competition.
“This is my fourth year coaching at Preston, and I have watched these girls grow into amazing and talented individuals,” Braca said. “I’m their biggest supporter and have always believed in them. I am proud to say I coached them.”
The girls expressed the same admiration Braca expressed for them during their speeches on Tuesday night.
“Johnny is such a great person and coach,” Preston High School junior Francesca Primiani said. “When we hurt, he hurts, when we laugh, he laughs, when we cry, he cries, and when we sweat, he really sweats. He can understand us like no other because he knows how to bring out the inner person that we are. I couldn’t ask for a better coach to bring us down to nationals.”
-
Beloved coach to retire
See this story at BxTimes.com.
Bronx Times
After over 40 years of service, Geri Demers is turning in her pom poms.
The Warriors’ Cheerleading coach will announce her retirement as head coach and mentor on Thursday, February 23 at the annual Warriors Football annual dinner dance event.
Growing up in the Yorkville section of Manhattan, Demers had a passion for dance and aspirations to become a gymnast, but never dreamed she would open a world for young cheerleaders in the Bronx.
Her role as coach of the Warriors’ cheerleading team stemmed from her involvement in her husband Jerry’s Warrior’s Football Club from 1965 to 1967.
One day while visiting her husband, who was coaching at the time, Demers noticed a few little girls watching from the sidelines and coaxed them into cheering the boys on alongside her.
After that game, every time Demers showed up at the park the girls would ask to cheer with her again.
And the rest is history.
Inspired by their enthusiasm and love of cheerleading, Demers decided she would start a program for all of the girls who wished to become cheerleaders.
Demers started by placing an ad in the newspaper calling for cheerleaders for her new program.
Demers’ goal was to prepare girls who planned to try out for their teams when they reached high school, as in so many high schools spots on teams were limited.
After placing the ad, Demers received interest from two elementary schools on City Island, St. Mary Star of the Sea and P.S. 175, and the program began with sixth, seventh and eighth grade girls.
Demers choreographed all of the routines and recruited volunteer coaches for the program as well.
By 1985 Demers expanded the program to offer cheerleading borough wide and accepted girls from the age of 5 and a half to 14 and organized six to eight squads with 22 to 25 girls on each.
Although it seemed like quite a large responsibility, amazingly the program Demers started was staffed entirely by volunteers.
In addition to cheering for the Warriors’ Football Club, the girls also march in all of the parades, Veterans Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Columbus Day, participate in special games such as the Friendship Bowl, and also compete in many competitions.
The veteran coach has encouraged countless girls over the past 40 years to do the best they can because that is what matters, and she has never been disappointed in them, win or lose.
-
Mott Haven residents rally over relocation of Fresh Direct headquarters
See this story at BxTimes.com.
By Kirsten Sanchez
Bronx Times
After Fresh Direct announced plans to relocate its headquarters to an 18-acre parcel at the Harlem River Yards, critics of the deal are weighing in.
On Tuesday, February 14 at an 8:45 a.m. press conference local residents rallied at the Industrial Development Agency’s vote on the proposed $80 million New York City subsidy package to go to Fresh Direct to move their central headquarters to the Mott Haven neighborhood.
“Without public hearings or notification last Tuesday, city, state and Bronx officials announced a nearly $130 million subsidy package for Fresh Direct to leave its Queens facility and expand its operations at the Harlem River Yards in The Bronx,” said a press release sent by Bettina Demani, Project Manager for Good Jobs New York.
“The proposed project would bring more diesel truck traffic to our already high asthma-inflicted communities and, despite misrepresentations made to the media, fails to guarantee any new jobs, much less living wage jobs, for south Bronx residents. South Bronx residents demand equitable and environmentally sustainable economic development proposals that are developed democratically and that create jobs at a living wage,” she added.
In advance of the vote, Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and Fresh Direct reached an agreement on best practices to address a number of the concerns that have been raised since the relocation was made public.
The “memorandum of understanding” between the three groups includes agreements on local hiring, vendor referrals, expanding Fresh Direct’s services to new Bronx neighborhoods, accepting EBT benefits, and decreasing the company’s reliance on fossil fuels through the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles.
“I am very excited that Fresh Direct will make the Bronx its new home, and that we have come to an agreement with the company that will ensure their commitment to the Bronx for decades to come. Fresh Direct’s decision to stay in New York City, right here in the Bronx, is a win-win for everyone. Fresh Direct is a real home-grown success that will now continue to grow, creating almost a thousand new jobs in our borough, which is not only a victory for the Bronx but also the entire city,” said Diaz.
Although some local residents are opposed, others, including the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, support the relocation of Fresh Direct.
In addition to the “memorandum of understanding”, Borough President Diaz’s office has also created a new Facebook group, “Bronxites for Fresh Direct,” designed to illustrate to the company just how many Bronx residents are willing to not only use their service, but have the technical capabilities to do so.
“Fresh Direct’s move will also provide additional opportunities for the members of my Chamber to interface with another growing Bronx entity that is in need of their products and services”, said Lenny Caro, president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. “We encourage the City of New York to move forward with their support and welcome Fresh Direct to the Bronx.
-
MTA to sell off golf center parcel
See this story at BxTimes.com.
By Patrick Rocchio
Bronx Times
The MTA has decided to sell off the property that was once a driving range, adjacent to its Gun Hill Bus Depot..
A Request for Proposals will soon be released to sell the former Bronx Golf Center at 1825 E. Gun Hill Road. The 640,200 square foot parcel divestiture is part of ongoing efforts by the MTA to reduce costs and maximize its revenues from real estate holdings, Aaron Donovan, a MTA spokesman, confirmed.
According to a presentation released by the MTA about the properties it intends to dispose the expansion of the bus terminal is no longer being contemplated. The area is zoned M1-1 making it suitable for a big box retailer if a special permit is obtained, according to the offering. The property is situated at the end of E. Gun Hill Road at I-95.
The Chester Civic Improvement Organization has worked with Senator Jeff Klein’s office to have the area around the property cleaned of debris, as litter and garbage have been allowed to encircle the property, said CCIO board member Donald Gilligan.
“It is right on the doorstep of our community, and a lot of people go by, and if it is dirty it reflects poorly on the community,” Gilligan said. “So anything that would keep that property neat and clean, and remove those towering poles, would be acceptable, short of anything objectionable to the community as a whole.”
As of press time, Klein’s staff has confirmed that 25 bags of garbage had been removed by MTA work crews. The MTA has confirmed that the remainder will be cleaned within days, Klein said.
“I am glad that Pelham Gardens residents brought this site to my attention,” Klein stated. “While this site is currently listed as up for sale, it should be properly maintained. We received a commitment from the MTA that the site would be cleaned by next week. I look forward to this being done.”
The netting that previously surrounded the driving range has been removed by the MTA at the community’s request after it began to collapse, Gilligan said.
The property also contains batting cages, a miniature golf course, and an area currently used for storage by a contractor, Gilligan stated.
The property is zoned M1-1, a designation for light manufacturing as well as for auto storage, retail use, and community facilities like schools, houses of worship, and libraries, Gilligan stated.
“If it would be another business that would be a convenience for the neighborhood” said Gilligan about the future of the site, “I don’t think that anyone would object.”
-
New York Fire Department Squad 61 needs votes
See this story at BxTimes.com.
By Kirsten Sanchez
Bronx Times
FDNY Squad 61, located at 1518 Williamsbridge Road, is sounding its alarm for help.
The squad has been named a finalist for a $25,000 Ikea Family Handyman Magazine kitchen makeover, but they need our votes to win.
Currently the squad is in last place due to a voting issue they experienced last week, where it was decided the votes would be set back to the number of votes each squad received before the problem.
The firehouse with the most votes will receive a kitchen renovation and because everything will be donated by Ikea, it will be filled with the newest innovations in kitchen technology to make living at the firehouse a little bit easier.
According to the Squad 61 web site, the firefighters feel they deserve an Ikea kitchen make over because they have been cooking in the same kitchen for over 12 years, and the work conditions are declining.
The firefighters also feel the amount of storage in the kitchen is a big issue as they have to store their coffee cups on an old wire shelf, which is no long very sturdy.
The squad also has to store their pots and pans in an old wooden box as well as from hooks above the stove, making it difficult to cook.
“The rodents probably consume more of our leftovers than the hungry firefighters,” a statement on the squad’s web site states.
“Besides being the busiest fire Squad Company in New York City, the members who devote so much of themselves to Squad 61 also devote that much effort and joy into the meals we prepare and consume all together around our circular shaped table with our Company Logo carved into it.”
As of Monday, February 13, the squad had 13,909 votes. Voting ends Tuesday, February 28.
To vote and for more information please visit rescueremodel.com/.
-
St. Theresa students want to see more merchants promote ‘smoke free’ enviornment near schools
See this story at BxTimes.com.
By Kirsten Sanchez
Bronx Times
Dante Natoli and Angelo Salvatico, two 8th grade students from St. Theresa School, who are not concerned with what the “cool thing to do” is, are hoping to lead the way to a smoke free Bronx.
On Thursday, February 9, the boys gave a presentation to a small audience that included students, faculty, Assemblyman Michael Bennedetto, and community board representative Patrick Caruso, about their findings while surveying several deli and store owners in their community.
The teens set up their presentation as a newscast, which they called ‘What’s happening in the Bronx’ and explained that within a five block radius of the school, there were multiple tobacco advertisements in store windows and gas stations.
“We discovered that tobacco advertising is rampant in our neighborhood and frankly it is a shame,” Natoli said.
Throggs Neck Community Action Partnership member Joanne Timmins said the two boys were educated to all of the negative effects of smoking by the smoke-free after school program, the students also worked after school with their school prevention counselor Theresa Esposito.
The Throggs Neck Community Action Partnership, a local coalition of public, private, faith, civic and legislative organizations that, since 1998, works together to prevent alcohol and substance abuse among our youth.
The group works to implement prevention and intervention strategies through community collaboration and to advocate for healthy and productive life styles and respect for residents. They received a small grant that they have used in 8 different schools throughout the Bronx to educate students about the hazards of smoking, and also to bring the issue to the attention to political figures and community board members.
“Studies have shown that tobacco advertising has a negative affect on youth because the more advertising they see, the more likely they are to smoke,” Salavatico said.
Napoli agreed.
“This is true,” he said. “Not only are tobacco executives increasing sales by advertising in our neighborhood, but they also advertise in the way they display their cigarettes.”
The boys showed a power point slide of a picture of what they call “the power wall”. “The power wall” is the actual display of cigarettes most delis and pharmacies have behind the counter.
“With youth in our community being exposed to the power wall and tobacco ads it is no wonder why so many have been smoking cigarettes,” Napoli said.
On January 19, the boys along with a chaperone, conducted several interviews with local deli and pharmacy owners.
“This deli owner shared some interesting facts,” Napoli said, referring to a clip the boys played for their audience. “We learned that when delis display tobacco advertisements, they get a discount for every carton they sell. In addition to that, cigarette sales really increase their overall store sales.”
Although the boys found some owners were willing to talk to them, others refused to be interviewed.
“After several disappointing interviews, we have a new found respect for pharmacies in our area,” Salvatico said.
The students interviewed a pharmacist near school and were surprised by his answer.
“We interviewed a local pharmacist and learned that he values the health and well being of his customers,” Salvatico said. “He only sells products that promote good health.”
Salavatico said he wants to see more store owners supporting a smoke-free environment for kids.
“I want to see people supporting not selling cigarettes where kids are,” he said. “I want to see more of that not only in the Bronx but across the country.”
-
ECB upholds violations on 1662 White Plains Road Work
See this story at BxTimes.com.
by Patrick Rocchio
Bronx Times
Residents at 1662 White Plains Road have found an helpful partner in dealing with a landlord that the claim is performing illegal work in the basement.
The owner, listed as 1662 Owners LLC on Department of Buildings documents, had two default judgements of Environmental Control Board violations sustained on Friday, February 3 after failing to appear in court on violations related to large vertical and horizontal cracks that may have caused the floor of apartment 3E to sag, and charges stemming from an inspector who observed through an open window that work was being done to partition the basement and remove part of a fire-rated ceiling.
1662 Owners LLC were fined $5,000 for the large cracks and $8,000 for the work in the basement. It was also fined $6,000 for another ECB violation related to a blocked exit way leading from a fire escape to the street on December 16, 2011.
Councilman Jimmy Vacca personally toured the building and met with tenants, who he said suspect that some of the columns supporting the first floor have been removed from the basement as the landlord subdivides it into more living space. Working with the tenants, a stop work order was issued, Vacca said, adding that he personally went to the building and observed the conditions.
“There is now a stop work order,” Vacca said. “The HPD and City of New York will be beginning an action in housing court to demand that repairs take place and that the violations be addressed. We have been successful in getting this building onto the city’s radar screen.”
According to the DOB website, a partial stop work order has been issued, and Vacca said that both the Department of Buildings and Department of Housing Preservation and Development have made the tenant’s concerns a priority.
The tenants and lower Morris Park community activist Joe Bombace reached out to Vacca’s office and Vacca’s housing director Ritchie Torres, who have documented the violations that indicate that work was being done in the basement without a permit, Vacca said. There was a quick determination that no work permit had been issued, and thec ity has repeatedly tried to gain access to the basement of the building, Vacca stated.
There has been lack of action on the part of the landlord, Vacca said. The landlord does not live in the building and is “defiant”, Bombace stated.
“I am not going to quit until this building is brought up to code,” Bombace said.
One tenant in the 17-unit building, who did not wish to be identified, said that the maintenance in the building has gone downhill since it was sold to the present owners about three years ago, and that he has had problems with heat and plumbing.
Calls placed to two men who the tenant said were the owners did not yield comment on the specific allegations.
-
Westchester Square starts Civic Association
See this story at BxTimes.com.
By Kirsten Sanchez
Bronx Times
Lou Rocco, a 35 year resident of the Westchester Square neighborhood, has started a Westchester Square Civic Association to bring the neighborhood he loves back to its roots and deal with problems many are facing, but nobody is addressing.
The association will cover the bounded by E. Tremont to Zerega avenues, covered by Community Board 10, according to Rocco.
Rocco said the group will work with residents, seniors, and the local church to address community issues in the neighborhood he feels are important, but issues that are often over looked or forgotten.
“People walk their dogs, and they don’t clean up, which is a big issue in the neighborhood,” Rocco said.
“Graffiti is another big problem. I talk to people about these issues. We recently received a grant for beautification, so we are going with one block. We will clean it up and then we will move on and continue.”
The first project the group will tackle will be cleaning up McDermott’s Pub property located on East Tremont Avenue.
“We’re going to power wash, paint, and possibly even install cameras,” he said.
“We’re going to concentrate on any area that’s dirty. We’ll be doing some planting, redoing all the grass in the area, and installing planters.”
Because the association is new and the budget is tight, Rocco said they are working on what they feel are top priorities as of right now.
On that list will the establishment of a savings account that will be transparent to everyone in the association.
The account will be used solely for issues the association is dealing with.
It will also become a sort of emergency fund to be used if a tragedy should ever occur to a local resident.
“We are going to watch everything because money is tight right now,” Rocco said.
“We’re going to do our own graffiti clean up and removal.”
Rocco said the idea behind the various clean ups is to try to get people to maintain the area once it has been cleaned up, and to take pride in the way the front of their homes and neighborhood parks look.
Some of the other community issues the association is addressing include speeding, truck traffic near local schools and implementing a community crime watch program.
“We’re getting really active,” Rocco said. “We are trying to put out a strong message saying not to dump on the square, don’t come here for crime, don’t come to our neighborhood to do bad things, there’s a lot of excitement and energy about the program, now it just has to be channelled.”
The first association meeting, which took place on Saturday, January 28 at McDermott’s Pub, had a turn out of about 50 to 75 people.
“The meeting had a real good turn out,” Rocco said. “There was a lot of excitement from everyone who attended.”
The association has received its first grant for beautification of $1,000 from the Love Your Block Citizens Committee of New York.
“We were one of 50 to receive the award, out of 150 that applied,” Rocco said.
The start of the Westchester Square Civic Association will mean a change in the area, according to Rocco.
“You need the people to get involved in taking care of what they have,” he said. “We can clean it up but if there is no love and people taking care of it, it won’t help.”
At the next meeting, which will take place some time in mid March, Rocco said the association will be honoring individuals who have shown initiative and done positive things in the community.
“We will be giving people Home Depot gift cards,” Rocco said. “We feel these will be little incentives for people to keep the front of their homes and area surrounding their homes in good condition.”
For further information regarding the Westchester Square Civic Association please e-mail westchestersquarcivic@yahoo.com.
-
City Island building landmarked
See this story at BxTimes.com.
By Kirsten Sanchez
Bronx Times
Roberto Soto, a City Island resident for the past 17 years said tells people he is so old, he lives in a museum.
Well he does, the Nautical Museum Building on City Island which this year was designated a New York City Landmark.
“This is a wonderful place and it is wonderful living in a an old established building,” Soto said. “Everyone on the island knows where the old school house is. The more I hear about this wonderful building, the more I feel lucky to live here.
“This building is not built like they are now, this is a very solid structure, with a very high ceiling and very thick walls. I am very happy to live here, not only because it is structurally sound, but also because of its rich history.”
The school, which first opened as P.S. 102 and later as P.S. 17, is located at 190 Fordham Street. The back portion of the building contains condos, where Soto currently resides. The building is also home to the Nautical Museum as well as a community center.
The New York City Landmark designation will be presented at a City Council hearing in March.
The building first opened in 1898 with about 400 students and eight classrooms. It was designed by then famed New York City architect Charles Snyder.
P.S. 102 was renumbered P.S 17 in 1903 and was designated as The City Island School in 1916. From 1929 to 1930 the school was expanded to meet the needs of the growing island population, and was replaced in 1975 by P.S. 175. The original building was then used by the various groups it still houses there today.
During the 1980s City Island developer Haim Joseph purchased the property and converted the back of the building into condos, under the agreement that the nautical museum and community center could remain.
Long-time resident and City Island Civic association member Russell Schaller said having the building landmarked means a lot to him.
“I went to school there starting in the 1930s,” Shaller said. “I always liked the school, I think it was a better school than P.S. 75. We had very excellent teachers, who were all locals and grew up on City Island. I am happy to see it has been landmarked.”
-
P.S. 31 principal earns overtime “per session” pay for work she did not perform
See this story at BxTimes.com.
By Kirsten Sanchez
Bronx Times
Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City school district Richard J. Condon released a report on Wednesday, January 11, which detailed the findings of an investigation concluding that the principal of P.S. 31, Liza Cruz Diaz, left school at the end of her regular Department of Education work day, on a regular basis, but directed secretary Melissa Carey to punch out her per session activity time card several hours later.
Per session activities, as defined by the United Federation of Teachers web site, are activities such as sports or clubs that students can participate under the supervision of faculty members. The teachers are compensated at a rate of $41.98 per hour in addition to their regular salary. Cruz Diaz’s per session rate at the time was recorded as $43.94.
As a result of the hours punched on Diaz’s time card, the principal earned thousands of dollars in per session pay for hours she did not work, Condon said. Since 2008, when Carey began the time-keeping practice for the principal, Daiz claimed to have worked more than 900 per session activity hours and earned more than $40,000 in gross per session pay.
Condon’s investigation also revealed that Diaz used Department of Education funds to pay for items for her daughter’s sweet 16 party and asked budget manager John Blackman to falsify Department of Education records to show that she had reimbursed the school for expenditures.
As stated in the report, in January 2011, a source told investigators that Diaz made personal purchases for her daughter’s party using a Department of Education purchase order.
Deputy director of Accounts Payable Kim Lowry provided investigators with a printout of a P.S. 31 purchase order for the purchase of metallic sunglasses and bead necklaces from the Oriental Trading Company, Inc. The purchase order was entered by Blackman and authorized by Diaz on December 1,2010.
Lowry also provided a copy of the Oriental Trading Company, Inc. invoice for the purchase of eight dozen metallic sunglasses at $7.99 per dozen, totaling $63.92, and one “mega metallic bead necklace assortment” for $19.99.
The total amount of the transaction was $91.70, which included shipping.
According to the report, the assigned investigator visited the web site for Oriental Trading Company, Inc. and reviewed explanations and pictures of the purchased items. The posting suggested that the sunglasses could be added “to goody bags at your next beach party!” The metallic bead assortment included 144 necklaces described as “the perfect favor for a birthday bash or other colorful celebration. Fun for Mardi Gras, too!”
During the investigation, surveillance was conducted at Daiz’ home, as well as P.S. 31, which determined that at the times she punched out her time card, she had already been home for one to two hours, making it impossible for her to have been at the per session activities.
It was also revealed in the report that Diaz removed official Department of Education records from the school in an attempt to conceal evidence of her misconduct, when she was seen by a source on June 16, 2011 gathering per session activity time cards and time sheets and carrying the documents out of the school in a bag.
In an interview with her union representative and the office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation, Diaz admitted to knowing her payroll secretary was punching out her time card at the same time she was punching out her own. Diaz said she did not direct the secretary to do so, but she did not directly ask her not to either.
Condon recommended that Diaz’ employment be terminated and that she be made ineligible for future work with the Department of Education.
“We are referring our findings to Bronx County District Attorney Robert Johnson for whatever action he deems appropriate,” the report stated. “We are forwarding a copy of this letter and of our report concerning this investigation to the office of legal services. We are also sending our findings to the New York State Education Department for whatever action it deems appropriate.”
Marge Feinberg, a representative for the Department of Education, said Diaz remains reassigned.
“We are seeking her termination,” she said. “And we are seeking to recoup her per session pay.”
Condon is also recommending disciplinary action be taken concerning Carey.
-
2012 St. Patrick’s Day Parade grand marshals chosen
Note: More media content is available for this story at BxTimes.com.
by Patrick Rocchio
Bronx Times
When the 2012 Bronx St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off from the corner of E. Tremont and Lafayette avenues on Sunday, March 11, three outstanding Irish-American community leaders will be honored.
Selected by the committee as the grand marshals for the parade, which steps off at noon, are Justice Douglas McKeon and businesswoman Regina Gallagher-Marengo. The honored clergy member is Sister Bridget O’Sullivan, a teacher for 49 years at St. Helena Girls and Monsignor Scanlan high schools.
“They are individuals who are known to us, or brought to our attention, who represent community service, spiritual dedication, and Bronx Irish spirit,” said Karin O’Conner of the parade committee.
Justice McKeon has been Administrative Judge for Civil Matters in the 12th Judicial District since January 2011. Previously, he served as presiding justice of the of the appellate first department, and as a New York State Supreme Court Justice has handled high profile cases including the Happy Land Fire case, and is currently presiding in the civil case brought by Nafissatou Diallo against Dominique Strauss-Khan.
His selection as one of the grand marshals serves as an expression of faith his Irish-American neighbors have placed in his work in the law and courts, and this work must have given them a sense of pride and a because they are publicly acknowledging them, McKeon said.
“It was totally unexpected, and I was really quite touched because I have been honored by law-related organizations, but in a way this is kind of a testament by my neighbors,” McKeon stated. “I obviously felt flattered that they would select me for such an honor.”
McKeon has lived his entire life in the Bronx, presently in the Pelham Parkway community. His his father Edwin McKeon was the Chief Clerk of the Bronx Civil Court.
Regina Gallagher-Marengo grew up in the Bronx and established Ensign Engineering, a multi-disciplinary engineering firm, in 1993. The firm is presently located off Bruckner Boulevard and has been working on the reconstruction of the World Trade Center since 2006, as well as on projects for the Department of Design and Construction and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
She is also a commissioned officer in the United States Navy, and since 2009, has been commanding officer of the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 26.
Having spent St. Patrick’s Day serving in Afghanistan in 2011 will make spending it as grand marshal of this parade even more sweet, Gallagher-Marengo stated.
“I am thrilled to be selected as a grand marshal in 2012 Throggs Neck St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” Gallagher-Marengo stated. “This parade is such a great celebration of our Irish-American heritage in Throggs Neck. It exemplifies what is so wonderful in our area: the camaraderie of the community, the spirit of the neighborhood, and our wonderful merchants along E. Tremont Avenue.”
A Sparkill Dominican sister, Sr. Bridget Teresa O’Sullivan was raised in Mott Haven and Castle Hill in an Irish immigrant family, with her mother from County Cork, and her father from County Kerry, she said.
Upon her graduation from Walton High School in 1946, she felt herself called to a religious vocation. She professed her vows on April 6, 1948.
She retired from teaching on Labor Day 2011 after being on the faculty of Monsignor Scanlan for 49 years, and spent a total of 65 years teaching in Catholic schools, she stated. Her selection as honored clergy is an honor that came as a surprise and she has only watched the Bronx St. Patrick’s Day Parade as a spectator before, O’Sullivan stated.
“I was very surprised and it was one of those things that seemed to come out of the blue,” O’Sullivan. “I feel so honored.”
-
Blockbuster Video location on Crosby to close
See this story at BxTimes.com.
By Patrick Rocchio
Bronx Times
This story does not have a blockbuster ending.
Blockbuster Video at 1730 Crosby Avenue after 15 years will be closing its doors before the end of February as it winds down its lease, the building’s landlord confirmed. The store is the latest of the chain to close, with a location on E. Tremont Avenue near the Cross Bronx Expressway also shuttered several years ago as the company undergoes a bankruptcy reorganization and a purchase by Redbox, a DVD renter that dispenses the latest Hollywood releases through kiosks at high traffic volume locations.
Speculation is already underway about the 4000 sqaure-foot location’s next tenant.
“I am looking for a bank or a national chain store that could pay higher rent,” property owner Anthony Scovotti said. “They are closing all of the stores. They once had five thousand stores countrywide. I would prefer that they stay.”
The store was previously a independent-run pharmacy prior to Blockbuster, Scovotti said. That pharmacy closed in part because of competition from Genovese, which has since become Rite Aid, Scovotti stated.
Ironically, it was Blockbuster that led to the closing of many mom and pop video stores in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and the location appears to be closing due to changing technology that allows people to access video on demand without leaving their televisions, Scovotti said.
“Blockbuster ran its course, no one is renting videos anymore,” Scovotti said. “I wish that they were still there, but that is the way technology has changed.”
Scovotti believes a bank may be suitable for the location because they would join an existing number of similar businesses.
With four banks on the Crosby Avenue commercial corridor already, another type of business would be better in terms of attracting more shoppers, said Sherry Scanlon, president of the Pelham Bay Merchants Association.
“I think that there are plenty of banks: they pay their rent and sign long leases,” Scanlon said. “I am thinking a bookstore, maybe even a Barnes & Noble, or a Staples would be good for the neighborhood. People would not have to drive all the way to Co-op City.”
From the perspective of the merchants, a ladies clothing store would also be welcome addition to the commercial corridor, or a fish store, Scanlon said.
Other Blockbuster locations still in operation in the Bronx include 2217 Westchester Avenue and 2554 White Plains Road. A spokesman for the company did not respond to phone calls.
-
Lehman High School turnaround planned
See this story at BxTimes.com.
By Patrick Rocchio
Bronx Times
Lehman High School, already part of the federally-funded “restart” program, may soon turnaround.
The city Department of Education plans on making an application to the state Department of Education to make federal “turnaround” funds available to Lehman High School, said DOE spokesman Frank Thomas.
Turnaround is a federal program that is designed to help persistently low-achieving schools.
Once the application process is made, public hearings will be held before any determination is made on whether Lehman High School will qualify, Thomas stated.
“It is technically a closure and it will reopen immediately with a new name and a new staff,” Thomas said. “It is not a phase-out, and all of the students currently enrolled in the school can remain in the school.”
The move will allow the DOE to replace up to 50% of the school’s staff, Thomas said. It also allows the principal to be replaced, according to sources. The replacement of teachers and other personnel make the “turnaround” different from a “restart.”
It is one of 33 schools throughout the city that Mayor Bloomberg has said will be considered for “turnaround” funds, sources said. Lehman would remain a large comprehensive high school, and would have a new name and a new DOE identification number, Thomas said.
The DOE is less concerned about who is on the faculty or the size of the student body, which a source said has been reduced within the past year from about 4,100 to 3,575 in an effort to ease overcrowding, as it is with the culture of the school.
“We can institute a whole new school program and culture,” Thomas said. “It is a big change for the school that we think will help the students succeed.”
Councilman Jimmy Vacca, a stanch supporter of Lehman High School, said that he believes that the school is already well on its way to being turned around without the assistance of the federal program.
“We have a new principal, Principal LoBianco, who has injected much needed energy, and she has already begun the turnaround,” Vacca said. “There is a noticeable, significant improvement in the tone this year.”
The move for a turnaround of the 33 NYC schools is the result of the Bloomberg Administration taking revenge on the United Federation of Teachers because they have been unable to obtain what the city wants regarding teacher evaluations, said Assemblyman Michael Benedetto. He spoke recently at a meeting of parents, students and school officials about the proposed turnaround.
“I spoke and testified about my extreme disappointment with the current administration of the DOE and the City of New York with regards to the schools,” Benedetto said. “What they are doing to Lehman is just terrible. Lehman was a good functioning school about five or six years ago.”
Over that period, the teaching staff of Lehman High School did not change much. Most of the changes at the school were made by the DOE, who should be held accountable, instead of the teachers, Benedetto said.
“This will have a negative effect on parents and students in 33 schools throughout the system,” Benedetto stated. Benedetto is a former NYC teacher who was hopeful when mayoral control of the schools began in 2002, he said. Benedetto said that his hope has turned to despair, adding that he believes the turnaround plan is the worst strategy Mayor Bloomberg has followed since he won control of the school system.
Senator Klein is also monitoring the situation.
“We’re monitoring the situation at Lehman High School very closely,” Klein said. “I’ve been in touch with the chancellor’s office and we’ve communicated that we would like to see the current administration be given the opportunity to lead the school for a whole academic year, and to await this year’s student test scores before such drastic measures are considered.”
According to a source knowledgeable with education matters, school zoning would not be affected.
-
Morris Park holds town hall on district lines
See this story at BxTimes.com.
by Patrick Rocchio
Bronx Times
The Morris Park Community Association is going on the offensive and holding a town hall meeting to disseminate information about proposed Assembly District lines that would split the community between two elected officials.
An uproar ensued after preliminary Legislative Task Force of Demographic Research and Reapportionment redistricting lines for the 80th and 82nd assembly districts showed a plan to take part of the Morris Park community, an area bound roughly by Tenbroeck, Radcliff, Morris Park, and Sackett avenues, out of the 80th Assembly District and put it into the 82nd Assembly District for the next ten years.
After testifying against the proposed lines at the recent LATFOR hearing at the Bronx Museum of the Arts at 1040 Grand Concourse and presenting the commission with close to 2,500 signatures, the Morris Park Community Association is holding a town hall meeting at P.S. 83 at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21 to further discuss ways it can fight the proposed district lines, said MPCA president Al D’Angelo.
“This community is outraged that they would do this without community involvement,” D’Angelo said. “They are splitting a community that has been unified by this association and other organizations for 40 years.”
The association is calling for as many people as possible to come out to the meeting so they can receive information on how the proposed district lines could diminish the community’s voice, D’Angelo stated.
The town hall meeting will serve as an informational session where residents can find out what exactly is going on and what it entails, D’Angelo said.
It does not seem logical to place a quarter of the Morris Park community into one legislative district, the 82nd Assembly District, which is represented by Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, while leaving the rest in the 80th Assembly District, represented by Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera, D’Angleo said.
Quoting President Abraham Lincoln, D’Angelo warned, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” The move would result in diminishing the power of the organization to compete for grants and make its voice heard.
The Van Nest community is currently represented by several different elected officials, and it has resulted in one elected official passing community requests off to the other, said lower Morris Park community activist Joe Bombace. Bombace said he believes that elected officials care less about either the beginning or the end of their districts.
“The Morris Park Community Association feels that it will negatively impact their ability to get funding,” Bombace said. “The Morris Park Community Association is currently in the 80th Assembly District and this essentially means a ‘divorce’.”
Looking to the future, a divided assembly district could cause complications as the Morris Park Business alliance expands east of Bronxdale Avenue, Bombace stated. The Alliance will have to deal with Assemblyman Michael Benedetto on one side of Morris Park Avenue, and Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera on the other side of Morris Park Avenue, Bombace stated.
At the Bronx Museum LATFOR hearing, members of the commission said that assembly district lines have to comply with the state Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
-
Lincoln Art Exchange barters health treatment
See this story at BxTimes.com.
by Patrick Rocchio
Bronx Times
Lincoln Hospital has launched a new program that will allow artists to barter their time and talent for needed health care.
In an announcement on Monday, January 23 in the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center’s main lobby, located at 234 E. 149th Street, New York City Health and Hospital Corporation president and CEO Alan Aviles was joined by Lincoln Hospital executive director Iris Jimenez-Hernandez, Tony Award-winning actor and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, Radio Personality and Hip Hop celebrity Roxanne Shante, Bronx Council on the Arts director Deirdre Scott, and representatives from the Bronx Museum, Teatro Pregones, Communilife, The Actor’s Fund, and the local artist community for the announcement of the start of the Lincoln Art Exchange program.
The program allows artists of all disciplines the opportunity to exchange and barter their creative services for medical care, and is designed to address the growing number of freelance and independent artists who cannot afford to enroll in health care plans and have become an at-risk population lacking access to quality health care, according to Lincoln.
“I am pleased to announce that, as of January 2012, uninsured New York City artists will be able to trade their artistic talents for health care at Lincoln Hospital,” Aviles said. “This invaluable initiative is an effort aimed at reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes among our artists. In this effort, the collective participation of our partners is an important element in identifying and recruiting artists that will benefit from our program.”
As part of the Lincoln Art Exchange Program, uninsured artists will trade their creative talents for medical care by working with hospital staff on everything from holding dance recitals to painting murals in Lincoln’s clinics and inpatient units, Jimenez-Hernandez said.
“We are reaching out to our local artist community and engaging them in supporting and in working with us and our patients,” said Jimenez-Hernandez of Lincoln’s Artist Exchange Program.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, who was a star of the Broadway musical “In the Heights” and has helped start a suicide prevention program in Brooklyn, said that the program is very innovative and takes into a account the lives that many artists lead.
“What is fantastic about this program is that it is really created taking into account the life of an artist.” Miranda said. “These are non binding agreements. You donate you time and you donate your services in exchange for medical care which is something that many, many artists all over the city and all of the country don’t have. It could be anything from a dance recital to a yoga class to an art class.”
A good aspect of the program is that it affords the artist needed flexibility, as many artist require flexible hours so they can do things like attend auditions as they are called, Miranda stated.
“The fact that you can tailor your time with the hospital in exchange for much needed medical care is really innovative and I think it is a win-win for the hospital, and a win-win for the artist community particularly in the Bronx, the birthplace of Hip Hop.”
Lincoln Hospital has gone the distance in addressing medical care needs of Bronx artists, Scott said. The program should not just benefit the artists involved, but also the patients and health care community with everyone coming “from their own center of strength,” Scott stated.
-
Vicinitas Hall opens to serve former foster kids
See this story at BxTimes.com.
By Patrick Rocchio
Bronx Times
One of the first buildings in the city dedicated mostly to housing young adults who are aging out of the foster care system, as well as young LGBTQ community members, has opened.
Vicinitas Hall, a 67-unit seven-story building, with studio apartments primarily for 18 to 20-year-olds who are leaving the foster care system, is now occupied by young people who have just started living independent lives with the help of supportive social services located in the building, said Alissa Kampner-Rudin, chief operating officer for Lantern Community Services. Vicinitas Hall is located at 507 E. 176th Street.
The building was constructed under Mayor Bloomberg’s New Housing Marketplace Plan to finance 165,000 units of affordable housing by the close of fiscal year 2014. It is the result of a partnership between the state Office of Temporary Housing and Disability Assistance, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and non-profit developer Lantern Group.
“For some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers a quality, affordable home is the touchstone that can lead to a path of stability in their lives,” said Mathew Wambua, HPD commissioner. “Vicinitas Hall is a place where young adults who have aged out of the foster care system can find that stability in a safe and supportive environment. I thank the Lantern Group for their continued dedication to providing affordable housing to those most in need, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and all of our partners who have helped to make this day a reality.”
The project has been in the works for five or six years from the planning phase to its recent opening, about two years longer than is usual for projects developed by the Lantern Group, Kampner-Rudin stated.
Supportive housing for a population that is aging out of foster care is key to making sure that the group does not wind up homeless, said Elizabeth Berlin, executive deputy commissioner of OTDA. The building also houses young LGBTQ community members who may have come to New York City in search of a better life but could wind up homeless without support from family, Kampner-Rudin said.
The people moving into the building are guided along by an in-house program director, case managers, program assistant that helps with matters related to everyday living, life specialist and employment specialist, Kampner-Rudin said.
“This is designed to promote independent living, housing stability, and really take them to the next level whether through employment, education, or both, Kampner-Rudin stated. “The case managers help them with their goals, which are directed by the young people themselves.”
All the support services are necessary because of the haphazard upbringing many of the young people have had where they might not have learned very basic things that other people who grew up in a nuclear family take for granted, Kampner-Rudin stated.
The rent of the apartments are paid 70% by the City through localized Section 8, and 30% by the young residents, Kampner-Rudin said. The cost is designed not exceed 30% of the young person’s income, and if a resident has no income, they then pay a nominal amount, Kampner-Rudin said.
-
49 Precinct Community Council honors community leaders
See this story at BxTimes.com.
By Kirsten Sanchez
Bronx Times
They are the eyes and ears of the community, watching over each neighborhood in the Bronx, and on January 31, Patrol Volunteers, were honored during the 49th Precinct Community Council.
“Tonight we are here to honor people,” said Joseph Thompson, president of the 49th Precinct Council. “And there is nothing I love better than to honor people.”
Community group leaders were present from Allerton and Pelham Parkway patrol, The Allerton Homeowners and Tenants patrol, Morris Park Community Association patrol, Northeast Bronx patrol and the Van Nest Association patrol, as well as the 49th Precinct auxillary officers and 49th Precinct Explorers.
Guest speaker, District Attorney Robert Johnson, said he loves the precinct area because of the wonderful turn out of people who attend meetings each month.
“Community Volunteers get the job done,” Johnson said. “They watch what goes on and they know to call the patrol officers. They are our eyes and ears, and volunteers makes our jobs easier. My hat goes off to you, because you don’t do it because you have to; you do it because you love this community.”
Morris Park Community Association president Al D’Angelo said the award given to the association meant a lot to the volunteers.
“We have been patrolling for 40 years, and this is the first time the volunteers have been recognized,” D’Angelo said. “We have about 28 active patrol members, that do this every day, and I think it meant a lot to them to be recognized. They do it for nothing, as volunteers, but every now and then even as a volunteer it’s nice to be recognized. It meant a lot to them and it meant a lot to the community.”
Zena Twyman, president of the Van Nest Community Association, said they are very proud to have received such an award.
“I think it meant that we are appreciated for the volunteer work that we have done over the many years,” Twyman said. “I’ve been doing it since 1980 and a lot of people have been here for quite a few years as well. It shows the community that we are around.”
Twyman said the association currently has about 75 members.
“We are all very proud of course, because we don’t get paid for what we do,” Twyman said. “We do it because we want to. It means we’re recognized.”
Twyman said she plans to proudly display the award in the front window of the association’s store front on Morris Park Avenue, to show the community that they were recognized for the good work they have done.
“We’re keeping our eye on the community,” Twyman said. “In and around the community.”
-
Cops of the month help 14 people to safety
See this story at BxTimes.com.
Courtesy of 49 precinct community affairs office
Bronx Times
If it weren’t for two officer’s good instincts and ability to act quickly under pressure, over a dozen people may not be alive today.
While making their routine patrol of the surrounding area near Throop Avenue at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 25, Officer Wesley Dangler and his partner Officer Andy Yoon drove by a two-family home, when they noticed a thick cloud of black smoke covering the entire street.
Acting on instinct, according to Yoon, the two officers quickly drove around the block, and raced into the home from which the smoke was coming from, and began knocking on doors to wake the 14 people who were all asleep at the time.
“I guess when we arrived the smoke alarm had just started going off,” Yoon said. “No one knew what to do, so we started waking everyone up and getting them out of the building. Then we called emergency personnel as well as the fire department.”
Because of the actions of officers Yoon and Dangler in saving these lives, they were awarded “cop of the month” by Capt. Kevin Nicholson, who presented the award to the officers along with Senator Jeff Klein, the award’s sponsor, 49th Precinct Community Council president Joe Thompson, District Attorney Robert Johnson, and Chief Inspector Carlos Gomez.
Yoon said it was nice to receive the award, but he was just doing his job.
“I did what I had to do,” he said. “It is my passion to serve the public, I love helping people.”
Images of New York
.jpg)