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.

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.

Bloomberg Backs Off of Controversial Senior Center Cuts

Facing pressure from the City Council, Mayor Bloomberg decided to abandon his plans to "modernize" (read: cut) senior centers. His plan had many senior centers, in the Bronx and citywide, facing possibly closure.

New from the Norwood News

Ok, we're back after an extended Thanksgiving holiday. I blame the tryptophan, a chemical found in turkey, but apparently that's not really a valid excuse for post-dinner nap lovers or blogging journalists.

In any case, we'll begin our comeback with a quick preview of stories you'll find in the newest edition of the Norwood News, on streets and online now.

Hundreds of neighborhood senior centers, including many in the Bronx, may be closed if the Mayor's "modernization" plan goes through, despite stiff opposition from our elected officials and other senior advocates.

The Department of Education's new school construction plan is underwhelming, especially in the Bronx's District 10, one of the most crowded districts in the city, where only one new school was included.

Distressed Bronx homeowners are actively fighting foreclosure thanks to workshops, new state laws and help from banks. But problems persist and prospective borrowers may now find it more difficult to secure a loan. Also, we provide a quick tip sheet for homeowners facing foreclosure.

Our special Holiday Guide (available in the print version only) provides a glimpse into the preparations for Fordham United Methodist's performance of Handel's "Messiah."

As we've mentioned here before, last week, a Bronx court found Assemblyman Carl Heastie (and his Rainbow Rebels coalition) to be the rightful leaders of the Bronx Democratic Party.

The Bronx's Van Cortlandt Park, the fourth largest in the city, is on its way to significant trail renovations, thanks to a new grant secured by the nonprofit Friends of Van Cortlandt Park.

Also, check out all of our regular features, including our online-expanded Neighborhood Notes, our Out & About arts and entertainment calendar and our ever Inquiring Photographer.