Bronx News Roundup, Aug. 12

The family of a man killed when a livery cab crashed into a bus stop on West Kingsbridge Road on Tuesday, are upset that the minivan driver whose illegal U-turn caused the accident has only been slapped with a summons.  Several other pedestrians were injured in the crash, two of whom are still in a critical condition.

A Bronx man shot in the thigh during last weekend's wild gunfight in Harlem is suing the city and the NYPD for $20 million.

Xavier Pollard, a high school basketball player from the Bronx who currently goes to school in New England, is attracting the attention of college scouts.

A profile of an Irish food store on Mosholu Avenue in North Riverdale.

David W. Johnson, Gov. David Paterson’s former aide, surrendered to Bronx prosecutors this morning to face misdemeanor assault charges. Johnson is expected to be formally charged and arraigned later today.

The Daily News's traffic columnist says the city tolls all the wrong bridges.

A tax preparer from the Bronx has been charged with identity theft.  The scheme involved young cancer patients, the authorities say.

In an editorial, the Times Union says state legislators whould be term-limited. That way, pols like State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. would be eventually pushed out, the paper says. Still on term limits, this November voters can vote on whether to reintroduce a two-term limit for city council members, the mayor, and other city positions. Last night, the Charter Revision Commission approved the ballot question.

Espada has long been accused of living outside the district he represents. Now he's accusing primary opponent Gustavo Rivera of doing the same thing. 

At embattled Congressman Charles Rangel's birthday party/fund-raiser last night, Congressman Joe Crowley (D-Bronx/Queens) told NBC: "Charlie Rangel is my friend and you never forget a friend."

The Bronx Free Press has published a series of photographs of Bronx parks, before they were parks.  The photos, and others, are currently on display at the Arsenal in Central Park.

Espada Holds Town Hall Meeting, Says He Supports East River Tolls

Last night, during what was billed as a "virtual" town hall meeting live from Albany, Pedro Espada, the state senator and Senate majority leader, announced that he now favors tolling four East River bridges.

Charging motorists $2 dollar per crossing would generate $525 million of revenue each year, Espada said, and "directly pay for the free students MetroCards" the MTA is threatening to abolish.

His decision to support the tolls is something of an about face.  Last year, he helped crush a similar plan.

Espada's constituents and other interested parties were able to watch yesterday's meeting online or on BRONXNET, or listen in by phone. Questions could be submitted beforehand as well as during the event. Most pertained to the economy and the budget. Aside from tolling bridges, Espada said he's proposing raising additional revenue by charging non-profits property tax.

If you were hoping to hear Espada talk about Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's investigation into his healthcare network, or address concerns that his housing bill may benefit landlords, you would have been disappointed. If tough questions were asked, the moderator ignored them.

Some additional thoughts:

Espada deserves credit for at least trying something like this.  Many (most?) Bronx politicians have never held a town hall meeting - virtual or otherwise.

Nineteen people, myself included, watched the meeting online, according to the counter at the bottom of the live stream. Presumably a few more saw it on BRONXNET or listened in by phone.  If several others later watch it on Youtube or on his Web site, then the meeting was - ultimately - quite well "attended."

This format doesn't allow for much back-and-forth.  A question was asked (or rather the moderator relayed a question) and Espada responded, speaking for five minutes or so.  Then they moved onto the next one.   Shouldn't townhall meetings be more informal? More animated? 

The moderator had opportunities to ask Espada good follow-up questions, but seemed more interested in praising him instead.  At one point she told him, "You are a staunch advocate for civil rights, that's for sure."   It would have been helpful if her agenda - whatever it was - was made clear.  Or, better still, if someone else had run the show.

When we mentioned on Friday that this town hall meeting was scheduled, several readers left comments on the post criticizing the idea. You can read them here.