One More Bronxite of the Year

Though the deadline technically passed, we wanted to mention another nominee we received for Bronxite of the Year--when we asked our readers to tell us about members of their communities who made a difference in 2010. If you missed the original post, you can see everyone who was nominated here.

Reader Shoshana Brown e-mailed us a glowing nomination for longtime teacher and Bronx resident Gail Brown.

"She came to the Bronx in the 1980s and lived in Hunts Point," Shoshana wrote. "She weathered storms of poor landlords and high crime rates to fall in love with a borough that loved her back."

Brown has spent her decades in the Bronx helping her students succeed, designing youth programs and supporting a number of local groups and organizations. She and her students helped turn an empty lot in the South Bronx into a community garden, Shoshana said.

"Gail Brown is a Bronxite that is committed to the community and to creating a world that is safer, positive, and healthy for all people. She sees challenges and takes steps to address them," she wrote.

Thanks again to everyone who sent in their suggestions!

Your Bronxites of the Year!

We posted this last week, but seeing as there will probably be no further posting today we thought we'd once again unveil, in the spirit of MLK Day, your choices for Bronxites of the Year -- those who give, and have given, so much to their communities without much recognition or glory. This is a new feature and something we'll probably do every year. Enjoy!


A few weeks ago, as 2010 came to a close, we asked our readers to submit their choices for Bronxite of the Year--taking a cue from Time Magazine and its annual person of the year. We asked you to nominate a member of your community who you thought made a difference this year, who's been a force for good, and who's gone above and beyond.

To be clear, this isn't a contest, but more of a way to showcase a number of individuals who served the borough with distinction in 2010. We didn't pick a winner--we're posting them all below.

So here they are--your picks for Bronxite of the Year.

Meg Charlop at the Tour de Bronx in 2000 (Norwood News file photo)

Zach Charlop-Powers nominated his mother, Meg Charlop, a long-time Norwood resident and veteran public health advocate who worked at Montefiore for more than 25 years in the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, and most recently as director for community health in the School Health Program. Charlop passed away in a tragic bicycle accident in March at the age of 57.

"My mother was devoted to the Bronx and the people of the Bronx," Charlop-Powers wrote. "She moved into the Bronx in the 70's when everybody else was leaving, and she worked tirelessly and fearlessly."

Charlop's many accomplishments throughout decades of work include organizing tenants against deadbeat landlords, rallying against the use of lead-paint in Bronx homes, and establishing several school health and fitness programs.

"For the work my mother did, for her unbelievable capacity for love of the people of the Bronx, for her dedication to them, and for the rare ability to actually get things put into motion I think she should be your Bronxite of 2010," Charlop-Powers wrote.

 

Longtime Bronx pastor Father Flynn.
(Photo by David Gonzalez)

Bronx native and New York Times reporter David Gonzalez nominates Father John C. Flynn, who retired this summer from St. Martin of Tours parish, where he was pastor for over 20 years.

Known for his work outside the pulpit as much as within it, Flynn fought for years against neighborhood drug-related violence. He started “Save a Generation,” a program during the 1990s to assist high school dropouts. His campaign for young people to trade their guns in for a crucifix was profiled in the New York Times and other media outlets and he was known for his long daily walks around the church's Crotona neighborhood.

Flynn gave his last sermon in June and is currently living in Riverdale, at a home for retired priests.

Bob Connolly, CEO for BronxWest Consulting, nominates Sister Eileen Richards, who taught math and science at the all-girls Aquinas High School in Belmont for over 44 years. (No photo available.)

"Sister Eileen is as humble and modest a person as I've ever met," Connolly wrote. "She is a person who has spent her entire life in the Bronx. Several times over the years she has had the opportunity to move on to different positions in suburban Catholic schools and each time she decided her place is in the Bronx."

During her decades teaching, Sister Eileen has helped countless young women of the Bronx graduate from high school and go on to college, Connolly said, many of whom "have returned to the Bronx as doctors and other professionals now serving their community in valuable ways."

Bronx political activist Yorman Nunez at a rally (Photo by Adi Talwar)

Kingsbridge Heights resident Jack Marth picked young community organizer Yorman Nunez as his choice--a selection seconded by another reader, Thomas Waters.

Nunez, who's only 22, has worked worked for the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition and even once toyed with a run for City Council in 2009. This year, he jumped on the campaign trail once again to work for two local political candidates--Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, the first person to challenge Pedro Espada, and later for Gustavo Rivera after Pilgrim-Hunter dropped out.

"He managed a remarkably professional campaign," Marth wrote. "The New Roosevelt Initiative eventually hired him to manage its field operations in support of the Rivera candidacy."

Marth also recognized Juan Antigua and Wendoly Marte for working to get Rivera elected.

"I have great hope for the future of the Bronx because of great young leaders in our community like these three," he said.

BxNN reader Connie Anestis wanted to nominate not one person, but the entire staff at Leroy's Pharmacy on 204th Street.

Employees at Leroy's Drug Store (Norwood News file photo)

"They are so much more than a business," she wrote. "They greet each customer, treat everyone with respect, make no distinction between those with insurance and without, those with cash and those with Medicaid cards."

Leroy's employees are always willing to answer questions and make suggestions about a customer's health regimen, Anestis said.

"They are truly an asset to the neighborhood."

Community activist Karen Argenti nominates BronxTalk host and BxNN blog contributor Gary Axelbank as her choice for Bronxite of 2010, for his many roles as an advocate for the community. He's hosted the BRONXNET show for 17 years, one of the longest running TV talk shows in New York City.

"While being completely objective, his interviews on BronxTalk provide Bronxites with unique in-depth access not available anywhere else," Argenti wrote. "The show has highlighted culture, community, economic, educational, environmental, fitness/health, music, and last but not least, he is not afraid to tackle the issues that impact our lifestyle’s most – politics!"

BronxTalk host Gary Axelbank

"Often, he is the first person community advocates turn to for advice on their issues. In many cases and because of his passion for right over wrong, he provides technical advice, publicity and public relations support, often without taking credit for that input."

Axelbank, Argenti said, is also a longtime Bronx resident and devoted husband and father.

"A real Bronx family!" she said.

Bronx real estate broker Gregory Tsougranis casts his vote for Marlene Cintron, President of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC), the economic arm of Bronx Borough President's office, a position she was appointed to last winter.

BOEDC President Marlene Cintron

"When I had my Bronx real estate trolley tour she came down in person (on a Saturday !!) to meet the prospective home buyers interested in making the Bronx their home," Tsougranis explained. "This is beyond the call of duty as Bronx Economic Czar. She is out there making herself available unselfishly to common everyday people."

Cintron was approached by new Gov. Cuomo earlier this month with the prospect of joining his new economic team--an offer she turned down to stay in the Bronx, according to the Daily News.

"Many people use the Bronx as a stepping stone," Tsougranis said. "She stuck with the Bronx even when courted by higher offices."

Update on Readers' Bronxites of 2010

Recently, we asked readers to nominate their Bronxite of the year. We were planning on posting everyone's suggestions today, but we're going to hold off until Monday. If you haven't yet had your say - and want to - here's what we need to know.

Tell us Your Bronxite of 2010

There's still time to name your Bronxite of 2010.  E-mail suggestions to bronxnewsnetwork[at]gmail.com.

Just to be clear, we don't plan on picking and announcing a winner. Rather, we're going to publish all your suggestions in a "Bronxites of the Year" post later this week. Space allowing, we'll also run them in print editions of BxNN newspapers. That way we shine a light on a number of individuals who served the borough with distinction in 2010, not just one.

Thanks to those who have already submitted names and blurbs.  To everyone else, if someone comes to mind, do drop us an e-mail.  Tell us your name, their name, and why they're your Bronxite of the year.  More details here.

Name Your Bronxite of 2010

There's still time to tell us your Bronxite of 2010.  Please e-mail your suggestion to bronxnewsnetwork[at]gmail.com. Include your name, their name, and why they're deserving.  If possible, please also attach their photo.  More details here. 

We'll feature all your picks in a "Bronxites of the Year" post later in the week. Space permitting, we'll also include them in upcoming print editions of BxNN newspapers. 

Name Your Bronxite of the Year

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was Time Magazine's person of the year - a controversial choice for some. For PETA, the animal rights organization, the honor went to Bill Clinton. Some media outlets and organizations chose someone less well-known. For a newspaper in Wisconsin, a local woman who works with homeless families got the nod.

Now we'd like you, our readers, to tell us your Bronxite of the year. The individual should be someone who's been a force for good, who's gone above and beyond. They don't have to have been the most "influential" (Time's criteria). But they must live and/or work in the Bronx. Perhaps your child's teacher, or a hard working community leader, gets your vote. Or your mom or your pastor. Whoever it is, we want to hear from you.

E-mail your suggestion to bronxnewsnetwork[at]gmail.com. Please tell us your name, their name, and why they're deserving. Oh, and if you have one, please send us their photo. Next week, we'll feature all your picks in a "Bronxites of the Year" post. And, space permitting, we'll include them in upcoming print editions of BxNN newspapers.