Three Bronx Firehouses Could Get Axed By City Budget

 Editor's Note: A version of this article first appeared in the June edition of the Tremont Tribune, out now.

Budget cuts have 20 of the city’s firehouses on the chopping block—including local Engine 46 in Bathgate, on the Cross Bronx Expressway and Third Avenue.

In addition to Engine 46, two other companies in the Bronx face a possible closure: Ladder 53 on City Island and Engine 60 in the South Bronx.

Firefighters, residents and elected officials rallied at City Hall on June 3 to protest the potential closures, laid out in Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s budget 2012, which estimates the move would save the cash-strapped city approximately $55 million.

No Room For Pork in Cuomo's Budget

It's a political practice as well-established as candidates kissing babies: a local legislator shows up at a senior center or an elementary school, giant check in hand, to announce that he'll be funding a daily meals program or buying new uniforms for the spring soccer team.

There's a photo-op and everyone leaves feeling good--the politician gets to be the hero, and the local organization gets some much-needed money.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's bare-bones budget for this fiscal year, approved March 31, contains no funding for new member items--the public money given to state senators and assembly members that allows them to hand out all those big checks in their respective districts. These discretionary funds, or "pork," have often been criticized as wasteful spending, and for a few politicians, have been a source of scandal.

But local legislators say the loss of member item money will, ultimately, only hurt their communities; that the ones taking the hit are the local organizations and services that rely on support from elected officials to stay afloat.

"Local legislators know the needs of their districts better than faceless bureaucrats in Albany," said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, in an e-mail. "The groups I fund -- youth programs, senior centers, arts and music groups and others -- all play a valuable role in our community and its quality of life."

Opinion: Money for Neighborhoods, Not for War and Bailouts

Editor's Note: This Op-Ed originally ran in last month's issue of the Tremont Tribune. The author, Heidi Hynes, is executive director of the Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center in Crotona.

By HEIDI HYNES 

In September, the City of New York demanded that the Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center start paying the Department of Education rent for use of our building on Mapes Avenue. It turns out that the city which is home to Wall Street and an Education Department with a budget larger than some towns, needs the children living in the poorest urban Congressional district in the country to forgo services so that we can pay the City $30,000 per year.

Since that time I have spoken to a priest about the cuts to senior programs at his parish. I’ve been contacted to join an emergency committee of after-school program providers to stop the proposed cut of 17,000 child care vouchers for families on public assistance. I was asked to travel to Albany to testify at a public hearing in opposition to proposed cuts to Medicaid. I was provided a list of elected officials to call in response to cuts proposed for the Health Department. A coworker approached me to find out how she could get involved in any effort to save Head Start. The director of a non-profit housing company predicted that the number of apartment buildings that will go into foreclosure is going to skyrocket. And, like every other public school parent, I’m just waiting to find out how a system that is already struggling is going to handle deep budget cuts.

With all this worry and organizing to stop the cuts, it is easy to think that we are in a budget crisis. There is not enough money to provide social services, we all need to tighten our belts, the trouble is grandma’s pension or public school teachers getting paid to sit in the “rubber room.” That is one load of manure.

Summer Youth Employment Cuts Hit Bronx Hard This Year

Cuts to Summer Youth Employment from Bronx News Network on Vimeo.

Bronx News Network executive editor Jordan Moss recently caught up with Bob Altman, the associate director of the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, to talk about how cuts to the city's Summer Youth Employment Program are affecting teens and organizations here in the Bronx.

Summer Youth Employment, a program run by the city's Department of Youth and Community Development which sets teens up with summer jobs, has seen it's budget whittled away over the past few years. Watch the video above for more.

Community Centers Hit Hard By Govt. Budget Cuts

By JEANMARIE EVELLY

Major cutbacks in government spending, on both the local and federal level, have left several community centers in the northwest Bronx struggling to make ends meet this year.

Mosholu Montefiore Community Center (MMCC) in Norwood, which runs dozens of after-school sites, a senior citizen center, and other programs serving more than 28,000 Bronxites each year, has been appealing to neighbors for donations over the last few months in an effort to keep the center afloat.

“Bottom line, we are probably close to a million dollars in cuts,” said Executive Director Donald Bluestone. “We’ve been closing programs, laying off staff. It’s a serious problem.”
MMCC relies largely on funding from legislators and government agencies that have seen their budgets slashed in the face of ballooning deficits.

“The staff here didn’t have a raise last year, and we’re probably looking at the same situation this year,” Bluestone continued. “It’s just a very bad time.”

The center is losing out this year on federal funding in the form of member items or earmarks — money provided by legislators to projects or organizations in their home districts — an act banned this year by Congress in an effort to cut back on spending.

Bedford Park Seniors Facing Loss Of ‘Second Home’

Editor's note: this article was published in the latest edition of the Norwood News, out on streets now.

By Rachel Sander

Proposed budget cuts could shut down 105 senior centers citywide this year, 22 of which are in the Bronx, including the Sister Annunciata Bethel Senior Center, also known as the Bedford Park Senior Center, and the Van Cortlandt Senior Center.

Local politicians are gearing up for a fight, while regulars at the Bedford Park center, on East 204th Street near Mosholu Parkway, emphasized how devastating the loss would be.

Erneszstin Bakos, an 89-year-old member and volunteer for the center, works at the front door, greeting the 60 to 70 seniors that attend the center daily. “I love this place,” she said. “It’s my second home.”

“I’m so happy here! You get to meet people and make friends. It gets you out of the house and keeps you connected,” Isabel Cales said, adding that she has learned how to use the computer at the center. “Where else would I get the chance to do that?”

In addition to computer classes, the center offers a variety of activities and programs for seniors, such as bingo, movies, crochet, knitting, painting, and exercise classes.

“This is the only place where I’m not depressed,” Ramonita Marrero said. “Here you get to enjoy company, express yourself, play games, and ease your mind.”

Local Politicans Fight Senior Center Closures

Proposed budget cuts could shut down 105 senior centers citywide this year, 22 of which are in the Bronx—and Bronx politicians are getting ready for a fight. Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. rallied today on the steps of Bronx Borough Hall (see the above video) in order to signal that this decision would not be accepted quietly.

“Once again, Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg have joined forces to increase the suffering of the senior citizens in New York City who have come to rely on these centers for meals, companionship and social activities,” Diaz said in a press release.

Senator Jose M. Serrano joined Diaz and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. at the rally today.

"I will work diligently with my colleagues to develop a budget that is cognizant of the needs of all New Yorkers. We must be careful to develop a budget that doesn't hurt our most vulnerable population," Serrano said in a press release.

Changes to the state’s budget have cut $25 million usually reserved for the City’s Department for the Aging (DFTA), or a third of the agency’s funding for senior centers, according to spokesman Christopher Miller.

Last year, the city threatened to close 50 senior centers across the five boroughs, but many were saved after funding was restored at the last minute.

In a statement, the DFTA said it is working to reverse the cuts, but that closures are certain unless the state money is somehow restored. Centers would close at the end of June if the budget gets passed as proposed, Miller said.

Bronx Council Member Oliver Koppell said the closures would deal a huge blow to local seniors.

“The loss of the senior centers in my district and throughout the city will have a devastating effect,” he said in a statement. “Not only do the centers serve meals, they provide exercise, recreation and socialization to relieve the loneliness that many older people experience.”

To see the full list of Bronx senior centers on the chopping block, click the jump.

New Assemblyman Vows to Fight Budget Cuts

Editor's Note: This story first appeared in this month's issue of the Tremont Tribune, on the streets and online now.

FILE PHOTO BY JAMES FERGUSSON

Eric Stevenson is barely into his first term as an assemblyman, but he’s already pledged to take Albany on, swinging.

His first battle? Tackling Gov. Cuomo’s proposed budget cuts, which take an axe to funding for state agencies and programs across the board in an attempt to reduce the state’s huge deficit.

“There’s going to be some uprising from the South Bronx, and the 79th District,” the new legislator said during a phone interview from Albany.

“He’s talking about $1.5 billion in cuts to education, and then $2.8 billion to Medicaid," Stevenson said. "What is that going to do to a district like mine? If I don’t stand up, what do my constituents say?”

Budget Could Hit Local Homeless Program Hard

Editor's note: this article first appeared in the latest issue of the Tremont Tribune, which is on the streets and online now.

Park Avenue Thorpe, a supportive housing building home to 20 formerly homeless families, could be shuttered this year by funding cuts. (Photos by Jeanmarie Evelly)

Digna, a 42-year-old formerly homeless woman and mother of two, has called Park Avenue Thorpe home for the last 11 years. She found refuge in the six-story yellow brick building in Bathgate, where an onsite caseworker helps her balance her bank account, pay her bills and talk to the teachers at her two sons’ schools, as Digna’s English is somewhat shaky.

The building, on East 184th Street, is run by Thorpe Family Residence, a nonprofit that provides supportive housing and services to chronically homeless families in an effort to keep them out of the city’s sprawling shelter system.

But severe funding cuts, proposed to balance the state’s ballooning budget, have put Thorpe and dozens of other programs like it at risk of closure.

“These cuts may be the beginning of the end for us,” said Executive Director Sister Mary Jane Deodati, who oversees the 20 families that call the building home.

Many of Thorpe’s residents are single mothers who have battled addiction, have physical or emotional disabilities or who have been victims of domestic violence. A caseworker helps each tenant with personal finances, with finding jobs and other day-to-day tasks.

“Many of our people are fragile and need constant support,” Deodati said. “If this program is cut, they’re going to be homeless again.”

Bronx News Roundup, Feb. 23

Frigid air in the Bronx this morning eventually gives way to slightly less frigid air this afternoon, but the sun will shine!

A couple of programming notes: The Norwood News, which covers Board 7, hits streets today. We'll trickle out some of the published stories (and some that didn't make the cut) here on BxNN and have them all up on the News' site by the end of the week. Also, we will be Tweeting live (@norwoodnews, and I'll see if we can get it up on this site as well) from the Bronx Borough President's "State of the Borough" speech at DeWitt Clinton high school tomorrow, starting at 11:30 a.m. And look for Bronx Foodie and The Bronx Sports Column, making their triumphant returns on Friday.

To the news!

Story of the Day:
Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. gave a little highlight reel preview of his State of the Bronx speech to NY1's Dean "The Dream." Here's my condensed Sportscenter-like montage of what to expect: "The state of the borough is strong . . .  lots of new housing! look at all of our green roofs! loans are flowing to Bronx businesses! . . . don't worry about the Kingsbridge Armory, trust us, we know taking on the mayor was risky, but we got this under control . . . Listen up, American Idols and Glenn Becks of the world, you're wrong about us, the Bronx is no longer burning, stop the stereotypes or risk a rumble!"

Quick Hits:
Following an infusion of 268,000 cubic yards of sand, Orchard Beach, a.k.a the Bronx Riviera, has its beach body back in shape for summer.

A pair of Bronx cops will not be charged with excessive force, despite video evidence that allegedly shows them roughing up a 19-year-old for riding his bike, says NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.

Salsa legends Ruben Blades and Gilberto Santa Rosa play Lehman Center on Saturday.

Ida Keeling, a 95-year-old Bronx girl, cruised to victory in the 60-meter sprint competition at a northern Manhattan track meet last week. After taking up running at the age of 67, Keeling's been crushing age-related sprint records ever since.

Speaking of running, congratulations to the Bronx Science boys and DeWitt Clinton girls for their victories in the Bronx indoor high school track and field championships.

Today, angry parents, teachers and elected officials are planning to take their fight to clean up PCB contamination at PS 68 to City Hall.

Gov. Cuomo's budget plan axes state funding to schools for the deaf, blind and severely disabled, including three in the Bronx.

The Post reports that there is new evidence suggesting charter-school students are doing better than public-school students in social studies and science.

Bronx Pols Denounce Bloomberg's Budget Cuts

A few of our local representatives here in the Bronx are none too pleased with Mayor Bloomberg's updated financial plan, which contains cuts to jobs and services from nearly every city agency.

On Nov. 18, Bloomberg announced the new round of budget gap closing actions, including laying off thousands of city employees, measures he says will reduce the city's deficit from $3.3 billion to $2.4 billion for the fiscal year 2012. The plan's gotten its far share of negative reactions so far.

City Council Member Annabel Palma, whose district includes Parkchester and Soundview, sent out a statement earlier this week calling proposed cuts to the city's Administration for Children’s Services "troubling."

Bronx Catholic Schools Struggle with Enrollment, Fight Closures

Last month, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York announced that it would stop providing subsidies for 32 Catholic schools in the state--six in the Bronx--in an effort to ease ongoing budget problems, cuts that would essentially mean closure for most of the schools named.

The schools, chosen for their low enrollment numbers, have until the end of the month to appeal the decision by coming up with a plan to prove their financial viability before a final decision is made in January.

"The initial reaction was very sad, everyone was very upset and teary eyed. But the mood is kind of transitioning," said Michael Brady, a board member at St. Augustine's School in Morrisania, which currently has 170 students, and will present its proposal to the archdiocese today.

"We're hopeful and prayerful, and willing to put up the good fight. We know we serve a good purpose here," Brady said.

City Comes to Budget Deal; Albany Fight Still On

While lawmakers in Albany have yet to come to an agreement on a state budget for the next fiscal year—despite being nearly three months past deadline—the New York City Council and Mayor Michael Bloomberg agreed on a $63 billion city budget on June 24, and the Council voted to approve the budget today.

In a statement, Bloomberg and the Council announced that the budget was balanced, ahead of its July 1st deadline and doesn’t raise taxes. Still, belt-tightening measures will be taken at every city agency to close a recession-fueled budget gap, the Mayor said in a radio address this weekend.

Bronx Pols Say Firehouse Cuts Could Return Borough to Darker Days

Flanked by union reps, fellow Bronx pols and residents holding photos of burning buildings, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. warned that the mayor's plan to cut firehouses could bring back the dark "Bronx is burning" days.

Bronx politicians, union leaders and firefighter representatives gathered at Engine 96/Ladder 54 in the South Bronx yesterday to oppose the closing of firehouses in the Bronx and throughout the city.

In an effort to balance the budget, Mayor Bloomberg has proposed closing 20 firehouses citywide. It's still unclear specifically which firehouses will be slated for closure, but Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., the Bronx's Council delegation and Council Fire committee chair Elizabeth Crowley wanted to remind the mayor of what happened last time the city cut fire companies in the northern borough.

“Last time the City closed fire companies in the 1970s, 25 percent of the Bronx burned down,” Crowley said.

In the 1970s, the Bronx was literally burning. Engine 96, where the rally was held, was one of the busiest fire companies in the world. Between 1970 and 1980, in seven different census tracts (out of the borough's 289 tracts), more than 97 percent of Bronx buildings were lost to fire and abandonment, according to data compiled by FDNY historian Joe Flood. In 44 other census tracts, more than 50 percent of buildings were lost to fire and abandonment.  

“While we all understand the need for the FDNY cut backs during this economic downturn, compromising public safety shouldn’t be an option," said Diaz, Jr. "Closing twenty companies will raise response times, leaving the public and firefighter’s safety in jeopardy. We fought hard to keep Ladder 53 on City Island open last year, and will do the same to avoid any closures that could put Bronxites at risk.”

Palma also recalled when fires were uncontrolled due to an under-funded FDNY. “Forty years later, we cannot allow these same mistakes to be made again and history cannot be allowed to repeat itself," she said.

Also in attendance were Bronx Council members Maria del Carmen Arroyo and Fernando Cabrera.

Bronx News Roundup, June 14

It's Monday! Time to get back to business and some BX news you may have missed. Enjoy!

In-Tech Academy, in the South Bronx, is currently under investigation by city education officials on charges claiming that students were disciplined by being assigned janitorial duties, such as cleaning toilets.

Jury selection on the case against the four men who allegedly plotted to bomb Riverdale synagogues is set to begin today.

A 4-year-old boy died after tumbling over the railing of his terrace, and falling down 23 stories, in Co-op City. For a story on the father's reaction click here.

The Hutchinson Metro Center, in the Bronx, has agreed to shine the colors of Mother Teresa's order on August 26, in honor of her 100th birthday, after Empire State Building officials said no.

State Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. has stuck to his guns, and refuses to vote on any more budget cuts, even with the threat of a state government shutdown. The Daily News has more.

Some senate leaders are confident that a government shutdown will not be happening. Read more here.

The 32-year-old man who received a rare heart and liver transplant at Montefiore Medical Center, was able to return home to his family on Friday.

Nearly 600 high school students rallied outside of City Hall on Friday in support of free student MetroCards, which the MTA has threatened to take away.

John H. Reynolds, the Green Party candidate for NY State Senate, in the 33rd senate district, spoke out on a number of issues, including worker's rights and the need to empower communities of color, at the South Bronx Community Congress meeting held at Hostos Commuity College, earlier this month.

The New York Public Library's Summer Reading 2010 Program, kicked off at the Bronx Library Center in Fordham, on Friday. Read more here.

The New York Yankees Museum reveals its 'Subway Series' exhibit.

Bronx News Roundup, June 2

Hope everyone enjoys the beautiful day! Here's your daily dose of Bronx news:

The Bronx may have the honor of holding New York's first public alternative fuel station that will provide natural gas, ethanol and biodiesel. The station will be located near Hunt Point's Food Distribution center and is said to be at least five times the size of a regular gas station.

City budget cuts are affecting everyone, everywhere. Due to an expected budget cut between $2 -$3 million, the Bronx district attorney's office may have to lay off nearly 45 assistant prosecutors by the end of this month.

St. Barnabas Hospital had to place an emergency court order when the family of a patient experiencing internal bleeding, refused to allow doctors to give her a blood transfusion because it was against their religious beliefs. Read more here.

From some unknown place, oil is spilling into the Bronx River. Westchester County officials are cleaning up the oil spill, causing the closure of a northbound lane on the Bronx River Parkway. Read here also.

As we all know, the Bronx is considered the poorest county in the state. Many blame it on the poor wages Bronxites receive, that is why council members and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.,  are proposing the Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act. The act would guarantee that when public subsidies are awarded to businesses for development projects, the jobs created will pay at least a living wage. While the mayor and other business interests appear to be skeptical about the plan, El Diario says the bill is a step in the right direction. Here's our story on the living wage bill from last week. (We have a bigger story on this in the latest edition of the Norwood News, which is on streets now. Pick up a copy today.)

Bloomberg announced that planned raises for all public school teachers will be eliminated for the next two years. According to Bloomberg, it would save the jobs of more than 4,000 teachers.

Bronx News Roundup, May 21

Happy Friday everyone. To the news! 

We'll start with this ugly, sad and disturbing story about a 14-year-old girl stabbed to death in Melrose. The mother's ex-convict, pseudo-boyfriend was arrested in connection with the murder. More from NY1 here.

More (budget related) ugliness : Arts and cultural institutions could be hit hard by Mayor Bloomberg's budget cutbacks. The New York Botanical Garden, here in the Bronx, could lose 42% of its city funding, which officials there say could lead to significant staff cuts and scaled back hours and programming. 

Housing ugliness: A housing court judge took the rare step of issuing an arrest warrant for the landlord of a building on E. 172nd St. that has racked up more than 600 code violations. 

Ok, now for some happier stories. There's going to be a revival of the old hootenanny music scene at Lehman College tonight.

A look at the extreme remote control car scene on the Bronx River near Gun Hill Road.

The Times reviews the new Civil Rights art exhibit at the Bronx Museum of the Arts.

The Bronx Lighthouse charter school received a $100,000 technology grant.

The intersection at E. 203rd Street and Mosholu Parkway, near PS 8, is getting a much-needed crossing guard.

A lawyer who is suing a Bronx judge for not paying back a $500,000 loan (that he allegedly used to pay off gambling debts) had here house raided by investigators early this morning.

Bronx News Roundup, May 20

Police are asking for help in locating the man who robbed a woman's car in Mott Haven--stealing a container with the remains of her recently cremated mother.

Police are also looking for 14-year-old Moona Choudhary, of 2158 Blackrock Ave., who has been missing since May 17. See this link for a photo.

The four Bronx men who were arrested in February for pelting off-duty cops with snowballs have some new evidence--video surveillance of the incident, where it looks like one of the officers pulls his gun. Watch the video here. The case against the four, who were charged with criminal possession of a weapon, was dropped earlier this month.

State Senator Jeff Klein, who heads the government efficiency task force, lauded Governor Paterson's recent decision to halt overtime pay to state agencies.

There's a new wave of young, Obama-inspired political hopefuls, according to the Daily News--including Pedro Espada challenger Gustavo Rivera.

Ex-Senator Efrain Gonzalez, who pleaded guilty last spring to counts of fraud and conspiracy, asked a federal judge yesterday to grant him a similar sentence as former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, who was sentenced to two years in prison earlier this month on counts of mail fraud. Prosecutors have asked that Gonzalez get as much as 14 years.

Nine senior centers in the Bronx are on the chopping block as a result of state budget cuts.

A housing court judge issued a warrant for the arrest of a landlord for failing to show up in court and for ignoring orders to fix hundreds of violations at his 1585 East 172nd Street building. 

A group of Riverdale residents stopped the Parks Department from spraying herbicide in Ewen Park.

A look at some of the changes, and non-changes, in Kingsbridge over the years. 

Residents are campaigning to get grocery service FreshDirect to deliver to the Northwest Bronx.

Bronx BP: Don't Renew Teaching Fellows Contract

On Monday, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. joined a group of teachers at a union rally and denounced the pending renewal of a $5 million city contract to fund NYC Teaching Fellows, a program that recruits and trains new teachers from other fields.

Diaz said the contract, which was up for a vote this week by the Panel For Education Policy, is illogical in the face of a bare-bones DOE budget.

If budget cuts go through, as many as 8,500 teachers could be laid off, including 20 percent of teachers in the South Bronx, according to schools chancellor Joel Klein.

"It’s the equivalent of the Yankees not paying to resign Derek Jeter, and putting out millions of dollars on a want ad for a new shortstop for the Yankees," Diaz said. "It makes absolutely no sense."

We're still waiting on word from the DOE on the status of the contract, which was up for a vote last night (check back for updates.) Diaz was urging that the vote be postponed; watch the video below for his whole statement, or click here to read a press release. 

Diaz Upset About Budget Cuts to Libraries, Cultural Instiutions, Fire Dept.

Here's Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.'s full statement about Mayor Bloomberg's proposed budget:

“I understand that these are tough financial times, and I am grateful that our current budget projections are nowhere near as dire as they were just several months ago. However, I am concerned about the 11.3 percent cuts to libraries and cultural institutions. In times like these, libraries provide not only an educational outlet, but opportunities for job research for our unemployed working class residents. Providing further difficulty to these residents are the cuts to social services, children’s services and health. If these areas are understaffed and underfunded, we run a greater risk of these clients becoming chronically unemployed and homeless.