Bedford Park News: What Happened to $10M Savings?

Bedford Park News: What Happened to $10M Savings?: What Happened to $10M Savings? Residents Forced to Pony Up More as No One Questions Where Millions Went By Michael Horowitz BRONX...

What Happened to $10M Savings?

What Happened to $10M Savings?

Residents Forced to Pony Up More as No One Questions Where Millions Went

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 27- What ever happened to the $10 million in annual savings the Riverbay Corporation was supposed to realize by refinancing the community’s mortgage through Wells Fargo Bank and HUD in 2012?

That’s what Riverbay board member Daryl Johnson and a leading supporter of Co­-op City’s privatization were asking this week.

Johnson noted, “It’s clear to me that the answer is that Co­-op City will continue to waste whatever money it saves as long as the Riverbay Corporation’s wasteful corporate culture isn’t changed. As long as we continue to approve major extra expenses on contracts after they are agreed to, we’re going to keep spending whatever money that we might save.”

Johnson stressed, “The real losers in all this are the shareholders, who are now being asked to pay another increase in carrying charges, after repeated increases in carrying charges during the time when Marion Scott ran Co­-op City’s management.”

Richard Friedman, a real­ estate professional who continues to strongly support Co­-op City’s privatization, stressed, “I have no use for what Riverbay president Cleve Taylor has to say, just as I had no use for what Herbert Freedman and the people with Marion Scott had to say. Mr. Taylor is falling back on the shareholders for more money, when he should, instead, be looking for new ways to increase income, such as through privatization and the development of commercial properties, and looking to cut expenses.”

Friedman stressed, “Raising carrying charges is the easy way out for any management. It’s easier to require that the shareholders pay more than to come up with other ways to maximize income and decrease expenses.”

Friedman concluded, “I watched Cleve Taylor, on TV, as he held court during recent town hall meeting on the proposed 4.5 percent increase in carrying charges. The whole thing literally turned my stomach, because, once again, the shareholders were being hoodwinked into believing that there was no way around the proposed increased increase in carrying charges.”

#RealEstate #CoopCity #Bronxnews

Bedford Park News: RESIDENTS’ SHOCKING VIEWS ON ISIS:

Bedford Park News: RESIDENTS’ SHOCKING VIEWS ON ISIS:: RESIDENTS’ SHOCKING VIEWS ON ISIS: Terrorists Not Monsters Just Confused Young Men Who Need More Education There’s Nothing Obama Can ...

RESIDENTS’ SHOCKING VIEWS ON ISIS:

RESIDENTS’ SHOCKING VIEWS ON ISIS:

Terrorists Not Monsters

Just Confused Young Men Who Need More Education

There’s Nothing Obama Can Do

By Koi Germany

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 26- Co­-op City shareholders, speaking out on ISIS and its threat to Western Civilization, reacted in a variety of ways when they were recently interviewed.

Some of those questioned called the ISIS terrorists “monsters,” while others focused on the need to reeducate young Muslims.

As shareholder Peggy Sarvis stated, it starts with “young, confused people.”

And with the terrorists continuing to resort to brazen displays of violence, shareholders were asked about how they believed the President is handling the situation.

“He can only do so much,” shareholder Charles Aponte stressed. “Muslim countries need to unite and chip in; the United States can only do so much.”

Terry Richardson, a long­t-ime shareholder agreed, stating, “The President’s hands are tied. He can’t change the attitudes of those in the Middle East.”

The issue of homegrown terrorism was also broached as shareholders took a firm stand on the matter.

“It is something we should be concerned about as well,” opined Marcus Minott.

With the issue becoming more pressing, there is a call for action on the part of the people, to do something to halt ISIS’s reign of terror.

“I just think they need to be terminated,” Phyllis Hairston­Talley conveyed. “President Obama has

a nation to think about.”

Koi Germany is a sophomore at Hunter College and a long­time resident of Co­-op City.

#ISIS #Terrorists #Obama #Bronxnews

Bedford Park News: Cat Lovers Give City the Bird

Bedford Park News: Cat Lovers Give City the Bird: Cat Lovers Give City the Bird  Said Officials Would Kill Rather Care for Strays Photo by Andre Rivera BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUA...

Bedford Park News: Cat Lovers Give City the Bird

Bedford Park News: Cat Lovers Give City the Bird: Cat Lovers Give City the Bird  Said Officials Would Kill Rather Care for Strays Photo by Andre Rivera BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUA...

Cat Lovers Give City the Bird

Cat Lovers Give City the Bird 

Said Officials Would Kill Rather Care for Strays

Photo by Andre Rivera

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 25- The future of curbside animal shelters like this one, recently spotted near the Grand Concourse in Norwood, remain uncertain as the City Council will soon vote on a bill that would bring an intake center for stray animals to each borough. 

Despite all the snow and cold temps, animal lovers across the city have been refusing to call the Center for Animal Care and Control for fear that if the cats are not quickly adopted, they would be put to sleep. Residents say an unnamed animal lover began taking care of these stray cats in the area more than three years ago and the kitty motel sits on an abandon lot. 

The City Council's Health Committee was expected to discuss the bill on February 25, that if the bill passed, would establish a full-service animal shelter in every borough.   

#Cats #Shelter #NYC #Bronxnews

Bedford Park News: Eagle Flies High in Tourney

Bedford Park News: Eagle Flies High in Tourney: Eagle Flies High in Tourney By Gary Quintal BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 25- Number 10 seed Eagle Academy for Young Men hosted ...

Eagle Flies High in Tourney

Eagle Flies High in Tourney

By Gary Quintal

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 25- Number 10 seed Eagle Academy for Young Men hosted the opening round of the 2015 PSAL Boys Basketball AA division Tournament on February 24th playing #23 Beach Channel.  

Underdog Beach Channel responded to the challenge holding close and eventually tying Eagle Academy twice in the second quarter before taking a 24-21 lead on a three pointer with 3:51 remaining in the second.  

Eagle would later tie the score a third time before two Beach Channel field goals in the final 45 seconds of the half gave Beach Channel its largest lead of the night 31-27.  

Eagle Academy poured it on the the second half, using consecutive three pointers to cap a 13-2 run taking a 40-33 lead that that they never relinquished. 

Eagle Academy cruised past Beach Channel 73-59. 

PSAL playoffs are slated to run through March 14th with the Second round to begin February 26th and 27th.  

#PSAL #Basketball  #Sports

Bedford Park News: Christening shooting

Bedford Park News: Christening shooting: Gunman gets 50 yrs for christening shooting that left 10-yr-old girl dead #Gunman #NYPD #DA #Bronxnews BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUAR...

Christening shooting

Gunman gets 50 yrs for christening shooting that left 10-yr-old girl dead

#Gunman #NYPD #DA #Bronxnews

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 23- District Attorney Robert Johnson announced that 32-year-old Edgar “Puebla” Morales has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the August 18, 2002 shooting at a christening party that took the life of 10-year-old, Melany Mendez, and paralyzed a bystander, Javier Tochimani.

After a six-week-long re-trial in October, 2014 before Justice Peter Benitez, Morales was convicted of: attempted murder in the second degree (Class B Felony), manslaughter in the first degree (Class B Felony), gang assault in the first degree (Class B Felony), criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (Class C Felony), conspiracy in the fourth degree (Class E Felony).

Morales was originally tried and convicted in late 2007 in the first-ever use of the New York State Anti-Terrorism Statute against an organized gang, the St. James Boys (SJB), which sought to dominate the neighborhood around St. James Park in the Parkchester section of the Bronx. That conviction was overturned by the New York State Court of Appeals in late 2012, which ruled that (in spite of language in the statute describing terrorism as acts “intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population”) that law did not apply to the illegal acts of gang members committed in order to coerce or intimidate adversaries.

The crimes took place when gunfire erupted outside the St. Paul's Lutheran Church Hall at 1891 McGraw Avenue.  

Innocent bystander Mendez was shot once in the head by a stray bullet during an altercation that began when Morales and other SJG members invaded a baptism party being held there.  Confronting a man whom they believed to be a rival gang member, words were exchanged and the target and his friend, Tochimani, attempted to leave. Morales and several other SJG members followed them outside, where they assaulted the two men and opened fire, killing the little girl and leaving the second victim permanently paralyzed.

Prior to sentencing, emotional victim impact statements were presented by Mendez’ best friend, and by Tochimani, speaking from the wheelchair to which he is permanently confined [his written statement in Spanish delivered by a Court interpreter and paraphrased here] – “He [Morales] has deprived me of my freedom…for the last 12 years my children have grown up without a father who can simply be with them…my wife is abandoned without my support. My beloved mother, every day since this horrible tragedy wakes up hoping that her son may one day walk. My family has been completely destroyed by these bad people.”

Tochimani is not only confined to the wheelchair, but has also lived in an institution since the day he was shot.

Says District Attorney Johnson, “The state's highest court may have found that these acts cannot be prosecuted using the state terrorism statute, but the terror perpetrated by organized gangs will not be tolerated, and we will bring members of these gangs to justice using the full force of the law.”

After Morales finishes his sentence he will have five years post-release supervision and will be subject.

Bedford Park News: Coats for Needy

Bedford Park News: Coats for Needy: Coats for Needy Council Member Andy King Spreads Warmth with Coat Giveaway #Coats #AndyKing #Bronxnews BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY...

Coats for Needy

Coats for Needy

Council Member Andy King Spreads Warmth with Coat Giveaway

#Coats #AndyKing #Bronxnews

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 23- Council Member Andy King is helping Bronx residents fight the bitter cold – one coat at the time.

Council Member King held a winter coat giveaway, distributing hundreds of winter coats, t-shirts and jackets to those in need.

Residents started lining up hours before the noon coat giveaway on Sunday. Luis Riquelme, 81, of Wakefield was the first to arrive at Council Member King’s district office on East Gun Hill Rd., Bronx.

“This is a fine coat,” said Riquelme. “It’s better than the one I have on now, which is old --  this is new.”

“There are far too many people – children and seniors included – who have been suffering through these bitter cold days without a coat. It is our hope to bring warmth and comfort to as many needy residents as possible,” said Council Member King who accepted the coats from the Bronx Clergy Taskforce and New York Cares.

“Three weeks ago I lost everything in a fire,” said Mary Edwards of Wakefield, who found a green coat at the giveaway. “This is fantastic, I really appreciate it. God sends us good people who do good things.”

This is the first year Council Member King hosted a coat giveaway. Based on the response, the Councilman said he plans to hold one every year.

Bedford Park News: Repeat Felon has Crack Heads See the Light

Bedford Park News: Repeat Felon has Crack Heads See the Light: Repeat Felon has Crack Heads See the Light Vicious stabbing leads to life changing event #NYPD #DA #Crackheads #Bronxnews BRONX,...

Repeat Felon has Crack Heads See the Light

Repeat Felon has Crack Heads See the Light

Vicious stabbing leads to life changing event

#NYPD #DA #Crackheads #Bronxnews

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 12- District Attorney Robert Johnson announced the sentencing of a repeat violent felon, Octavio Rivera, to 17 years behind bars, following a conviction that arose from a dispute over drugs and money.

Walter Romaine wanted to smoke some crack, but he did not want to smoke it alone. So he asked his friend Flossey Samuels to come along to his apartment on Creston Avenue the morning of August 2, 2012.            But they were followed by Rivera – who proceeded to demand Walter’s cash and phone – and when he got it, struck out with a knife.

Flossey, terrified but in control, managed to call 911 for the critically injured Walter Romaine, who, slashed in the face and ear, and stabbed in the chest, would require surgery to repair a punctured lung and torn aorta.

In August of last year Rivera was convicted by a jury of assault in the first degree, a Class B violent felony, as well as criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, a misdemeanor. 

Before Justice Dominic R. Massaro, he was sentenced to 17 years in prison with five years post-release supervision, after being adjudged a predicate violent felon, a provision of the New York State Criminal Law by which defendants who have been convicted of previous qualifying violent felonies are given tougher sentences than they would normally have gotten. 

This was Rivera’s second violent felony in a prolific life of crime. At age 38, Rivera has spent more time in prison than out during his adult life for a laundry list of crimes, more than two dozen cases adjudicated in the Bronx alone, most involving the criminal possession and sale of drugs, but also including a half-dozen felonies including grand larceny, robbery, harassment, assault and criminal trespass.

But the story does not end there. Although Rivera will be spending the nearly two decades behind bars, Flossey Samuels and Walter Romaine’s stories involve recovery and success.

Flossey, now age 44, admits she was a lifelong drug addict who at times turned to prostitution to feed her habit. After this horrific 2012 incident and drug arrests in 2012 and 2013, she accepted plea agreements that saw her enter TASC, an alternative treatment program for drug offenders. And it worked. Clean of drugs for a year and a half now, she has made a remarkable comeback, making progress on getting her younger children back, working toward her GED, and newly engaged to be married.

Walter Romaine, although still coping with lingering injuries from the horrific attack, also entered drug treatment with equal success. The 39-year-old continues his drug-free progress and is working with a food services company.

Bedford Park News: Drivers Boiling Mad After Blaz Tells Them to Move ...

Bedford Park News: Drivers Boiling Mad After Blaz Tells Them to Move ...: Drivers Boiling Mad After Blaz Tells Them to Move It #Snow #Drivers #deBlasio By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 11-...

Drivers Boiling Mad After Blaz Tells Them to Move It

Drivers Boiling Mad After Blaz Tells Them to Move It

#Snow #Drivers #deBlasio

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 11- For at least the last two weeks the city has suspended the alternate side parking rules, so the plowed snow has turned into blocks of ice that have encased vehicles across the borough and many Bronxites believe the city's decision to lift the suspension was just plain wrong.

The suspension was lifted on Tuesday, February 10, and many area drivers were furious with the decision.

One young woman who declined to give her name, had been busy breaking the ice for three-hours outside Herbert H. Lehman College in Bedford Park.

The woman blurted out, "It sucks man, because now I have to take the car and then I won’t find parking when I comeback because of all this ice."

"It's very difficult," the woman continued, "It took me three hours to get out of this spot. There's no way an elderly person can do this."

Asked if officials made an error in the decision, she replied, "Absolutely."

Carmen Ortiz was slightly older and a little more angry as she was breaking and shoveling the blocks of ice near Villa Avenue when she said, "It's stupid and ridiculous. I don't even think I can do it myself."

Ortiz eventually won her battle with the elements and as her reward, she was able to pull her truck out before being slapped with a $65 summons-- and traffic agents were on patrol.

Before leaving, Ortiz replied, "It's too cold and there's too much ice. I think the mayor made a mistake."

Another driver, iced in near Paul Avenue summed it up best, stating, "I think it's a mistake. I think they could have waited a couple of days when they have forecastered rain, that will wash it all away."

Another driver, Herman Vela, stuck on Jerome Avenue, also sounded off, "Even without the snow it's tough to find parking sometimes. I at least hope they take all the snow away, so we can park properly."

Vela added, "I think they made a good choice, because it's time now to move" the vehicles.

But when asked about his elderly neighbors, Vela replied, "Oh that's different man. I guess they have to find somebody to help them."

Wiley Norvell, a spokesman for Mayor Bill de Blasio was asked about the decision, when he stated, "The DOT (Department of Transportation) is the agency with jurisdiction over that, but obviously we all coordinate.

Norwell said the decision was decided by the DOT, Department of Sanitation and the mayor's office.

Norwell continued, "Anytime decisions are made about alternate side parking, whether to suspend it or reinstate, it's made in full coordination across multiple agencies."

Norwell then added, "Obviously, this has a lot to do with the Department of Sanitation and their ability to sweep the curb and that kind of stuff."

Norweel then ended the interview, asking for an e-mail request for any additional comment.

A written request was then sent to the mayor's office asking if they were planning on plowing the ice before the street sweeper moves in.

The DOT could not immediately say if it was 14 days or 18 days since the alternate side parking suspension went into effect-- during the suspension the city has issued $0 in summonses for alternate side parking.

A response from both the mayor's office and the Department of Transportation were not returned before the deadline for this article.  

Bedford Park News: Fordham Wins First Conference Game of the Season

Bedford Park News: Fordham Wins First Conference Game of the Season: Fordham Wins First Conference Game of the Season #Fordham #Rams #Basketball #Bronxnews By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUAR...

Fordham Wins First Conference Game of the Season

Fordham Wins First Conference Game of the Season

#Fordham #Rams #Basketball #Bronxnews

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 9- A one-sided 83-65 win by the Fordham Rams (6-15, 1-9) over the Saint Louis Billikens (10-13, 2-8) on Saturday afternoon at  Rose Hill ended the nine-game winless streak of the Rams in Atlantic-10 Conference games this season. The campus gym was filled with Fordham enthusiasts, many of whom attended the annual Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony and luncheon earlier in the afternoon. 

The Fordham fans were cheering wildly as the Rams scored the first 12 points of the game. The visitors cut the deficit to two points by the mid-point of the first half after going on a 15-5 scoring run. Interestingly, the first points scored by a Saint Louis player were a three pointer by the only Bronx native on the court, Ash Yocoubou. 

The 6-4 junior is playing his first season with the Billikens after transferring from Villanova. The much travelled young man began his high school basketball years at the American Christian School on Pennsylvania before moving to Long Island Lutheran, where he was the Gatorade New York State Player of the Year in his senior season, 2011.

The Rams never lost the lead throughout the first half. The half ended with Fordham ahead by a score of 33-29.

Saint Louis scored the first four points of the second stanza to tie the score for the first and last time of the game at 19:06. Thirty-two seconds later, a free throw by Mandell Thomas gave Fordham the advantage again, which they never relinquished. A Fordham lead of 45-41 at 14:35 was followed by 11 unanswered points by Fordham that raised the advantage to 15 (56-41) with 11:16 left to play. 

The Rams’ advantage was cut to six, 58-52, at 8:54 after an 11-2 scoring run by the visitors. Fordham’s domination during the final nine minutes, 25-13, gave the Rams an easy win.

After the contest concluded, Fordham’s head coach Tom Pecora spoke of the reasons for his team’s victory, “We were the more aggressive team. They [Rams] went to the free throw line 39 times.” The 30 free throws and 39 attempts were both season highs for the Rams. The visitors only went to the charity stripe 16 times and sunk 12 shots. “We took care of the basketball, 11 turnovers. They really played under control.”  

The Rams only turned the basketball over four times in the second half. The Rams scored 50 in the second half on 66.7 percent from the floor. The Rams also controlled the boards, 33 rebounds to 24 for Saint Louis.

Fordham freshmen Eric Paschall and Chris Sengfelder led the scoring with 22 each. They are the only Division I freshman teammates who have averaged in double figures of points and more than five rebounds each per game. Pecora lauded them, “They’re not freshmen anymore; they’ve played so many minutes.” Sophomore Jon Severe (12) and Mandell Thomas (10) also scored in double digits for Fordham.

A freshman, Davell Roby, led the four double digit scorers on the Billikens with 16. The Bronx’s Yocoubou scored 10 to keep his season average to double figures (10.0 ppg.). 

Fordham travels to the University of Richmond for its next game on February 11. Saint Louis returns home to host Dayton on February 10.

Bedford Park News: Fordham Welcomes Athletic HOF Class of 2015

Bedford Park News: Fordham Welcomes Athletic HOF Class of 2015: Fordham Welcomes Athletic HOF Class of 2015 #Fordham #HallofFame #Bronxnews By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 9- On Feb...

Fordham Welcomes Athletic HOF Class of 2015

Fordham Welcomes Athletic HOF Class of 2015

#Fordham #HallofFame #Bronxnews

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 9- On February 7, the newest contingent of former student-athletic standouts were inducted into the Fordham University Athletic Hall of Fame. The first class was inducted during the 1970-71 year and included Frank Frisch “the Fordham Flash” and Vince Lombardi. The seven newest inductees were all students at Fordham during the 21^st century with the exception of one, Kevin Sullivan, who graduated in 1974.

Sullivan was the only one of the seven who participated in water sports. The Bronx native qualified for the Eastern Championships in each of his four years at Fordham as both a swimmer and member of the water polo team. In 1973, he was selected to the All-East Water polo team. 

One track and one field athlete of the first decade of the 21^st century was also inducted. Matt DiBuono (’04), the five-time Atlantic-10 titlist, was a specialist in the hammer, 35 lb. weight throws and the shot put. Tom Dewey, the current Track & Field coach accepted the award for DiBuono. 

Mark Porcaro (’09), in the 400, was the first Fordham runner to win an Atlantic-10 event. The team MVP in all four years at Fordham holds the Fordham indoor mark at 48.11. The Bronx native won the Terence J. O’Donnell Award in 2004.

Erin Brooks (’04) was a true student-athlete in her years at Fordham. In addition to contributing to the softball team’s first 30 win season in 2003, Brooks was an Academic All-America in 2003 and 2004. She was the university’s winner of the Hobbs Family Award, which is given to the school’s best female athlete. She has not wandered far from her college sport as she serves as head softball coach at Haverford College. 

Dominique Ligouri Damian (’09) joined her mother, Bette-Ann Speliotis Ligouri as the only mother-daughter duo in the Fordham HOF. The tennis great, like her mom, was a four-time team MVP. She was a First Team All-Atlantic-10 in 2007 and 2009. 

Marcus Stout (’08) was a starter in all four years on the basketball team. He remains in career scoring with 1,709 points and second in threes with 259. Stout was selected to the Atlantic-10 All-Rookie Team. Stout played basketball professionally in Europe for three years. Stout’s coach at Fordham, Derek Wittenburg returned for the ceremony honoring his former player.

Marcus Taylor (’07) was recognized nationally as a defense standout on the gridiron during his years at Fordham. He was named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year in 2006. He ranked high nationally in tackles in 2005 and 2006. Taylor brought his two, young daughters to the podium to accept his award with him.

Porcara gave the response from the honorees. He talked of the meaning of the awards, “This is home to us. Thank you for welcoming us home for this special occasion. Our families have always been our greatest fans. So much credit goes to our coaches and our teammates.” 

Father McShane spoke of the humility of giving the credit to others, “They turn the focus away from themselves to those who were the sources of their strength and their inspirations. Today they are induced into our Pantheon.”

New York Yankee broadcaster, a Fordham graduate, served, as he does nearly every year, as the emcee of the award ceremony, and as usual, did an excellent job. Fordham President McShane referred to him as “the great ambassador for Fordham.”

Bedford Park News: Retired Jeter Kicks Off Baseball (Card) Season

Bedford Park News: Retired Jeter Kicks Off Baseball (Card) Season: Retired Jeter Kicks Off Baseball (Card) Season Final Derek Jeter Baseball Card in 2015 Set by Topps #Jeter #Yankees #Topps #Bronxn...

Retired Jeter Kicks Off Baseball (Card) Season

Retired Jeter Kicks Off Baseball (Card) Season

Final Derek Jeter Baseball Card in 2015 Set by Topps

#Jeter #Yankees #Topps #Bronxnews

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 6- Two signs of the nearness of the 2015 MLB season will take place this month. Pitchers and catchers will report to Spring Training in two weeks. The other pre-season activity, which took place this week, was the announcement of series 1 of the 2015 Topps set of next season’s baseball cards going on sale.

Trading cards have been of interest to children and adults in this country since the 19^th century. Sports personalities have been the major subject of these collectibles. They were produced for adults in the 1800’s. Many were connected to tobacco products. The very rare T206 Honus Wagner card has been sold for several million dollars.

Topps reflected a change of focus toward youngsters as its consumers in the middle of the 20^th century by producing wax packs, each of which contained a stick of gum and several cardboard cards. The company began in 1938 as a producer of chewing gum and candy. More than ¾ of a century has passed since the company began, but Topps is still producing Bazooka gum and other confectionary products.

During the decades of the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s, children were the primary purchasers of packs of baseball cards, with Topps the major brand. Its main competitor, Bowman, was purchased by Topps, which still puts out cards under that brand.

Since those years, card collecting has become an investment opportunity for many purchasers. Rather than buying individual packs and rushing to open them as was done in the past, complete sets are bought and the box is never open before being re-sold for a large profit. In the 1990’s, gum was no longer put in the wax packs as they could damage a valuable card located next to the stick of gum. In more recent years, a very rare T206 Honus Wagner card was sold for several million dollars.

It would be wrong to write an article on baseball cards or Topps without mentioning the name of Sy Berger. He worked for Topps for more than a half-century. He co-designed in 1952 the Topps set that proved to be the prototype of the modern baseball card. Yearly and lifetime statistics on the reverse, the facsimile autograph and action photos are among his innovations that are still being used. The “father of the baseball card” passed away in December 2014 at the age of 91.

Members of the media were invited to an unveiling of the 2015 set at Topps’ offices in New York at One Whitehall Street in lower Manhattan. Clay Luraschi, vice president of product development at Topps explained what to expect in this year’ set, “This year’s series 1 set…has something for everyone, from the casual fan to the passionate collector with many surprises as well. It is a reflection of what we have seen in recent years, fans wanting a good mix of the present and the past with a little pop culture sprinkled in.”

Very appropriately to many fans, card #1 of the 350 card base set is Derek Jeter’s final regular season card that includes his lifetime statistics. Luraschi spoke on this choice of beginning next season’s card set with a player who retired after the 2014 season, “Usually card #1 is designated for somebody very special. Being a New York company and being that Derek was the captain of the New York Yankees, we felt that card # 1 should be Derek Jeter this year.”

Fans of the New York Mets should be pleased to know that the first Topps card of Jacob deGrom, listed as a Future Star, is also in this set.

There are also several subsets that have interest beyond the 2015 season and beyond the sport of baseball. There are 10 cards each dedicated to the important life and career of a baseball immortal, Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson. “Highlights”, which begins with the first day of Lou Gehrig’s consecutive game streak. “Archetypes”, whose cards include baseball greats such as Hank Aaron. “First Pitch”, including cards with such non-baseball as Jeff Bridges, 50 Cent, Eddie Vedder and 105 year old Agnes McKee throwing out a first pitch in 2014. 

There are autographs and game used memorabilia in addition to the great variety of cards included in a small number of packs.

Looking back at my childhood of collecting cards, I believe they were a tool for improving reading, bettering my facility in math through the statistics listed and  an encouragement to learning the history of people and events before my birth.

Bedford Park News: Open Season on Officers?

Bedford Park News: Open Season on Officers?: Open Season on Officers? Group Looked on as Officer Shot from Apt. Window #NYPD #CopShot #Bronxnews By Michael Horowitz BRONX,...

Open Season on Officers?

Open Season on Officers?

Group Looked on as Officer Shot from Apt. Window

#NYPD #CopShot #Bronxnews

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 5- A 38-year-old Co-op City Public Safety officer was shot in the shoulder, and a second, male officer sustained a broken ankle while trying to control a post-Super Bowl fight, late Sunday night, in the vicinity of 140 Donizetti Place, Riverbay president Cleve Taylor said Tuesday.

Orrin Bacote, 49, of Circleville, NY, was arrested and charged with assault, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct in conjunction with the melee that left one Public Safety officer hobbled with a broken ankle.

As of early this week, no arrest had been made in connection with the shooting of the female officer who was grazed in her shoulder.

The shot that grazed the female officer’s shoulder came from a window at the Donizetti Place building, police reported.

The female officer was released shortly after being taken to Jacobi Hospital for treatment, but the second officer was still hospitalized as of Tuesday morning, Taylor said.

The shooting of the female officer was publicized in the citywide media, but the injury that the second officer sustained was much more serious.

“The officer who broke his ankle trying to break up the fight was injured very seriously,” Riverbay president Taylor said this week. “The officer who was shot in her shoulder was extremely lucky.”

Taylor said that a large crowd of onlookers gathered, Sunday night, to watch the altercation that Public Safety officers were called to break up at about 11 p.m.

“We take the shooting of a Public Safety officer and the serious injury of a second officer very seriously,” Taylor stressed this week. “I assure you that we are working with the NYPD, we’re going to get to the bottom of this whole thing.”

Bedford Park News: Bad Shot Gets 25 yrs for Killing Young Mom

Bedford Park News: Bad Shot Gets 25 yrs for Killing Young Mom: Bad Shot Gets 25 yrs for Killing Young Mom #NYPD #Gunman #Bronxnews BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 5- He shot at one man, aiming to ...

Bad Shot Gets 25 yrs for Killing Young Mom

Bad Shot Gets 25 yrs for Killing Young Mom

#NYPD #Gunman #Bronxnews

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 5- He shot at one man, aiming to hit, and he did. But Jeffrey Ramirez’ bullets also took the life of an innocent bystander, young mother Yaritza Pacheco. For that, he was sentenced to 25 years behind bars, announced Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson.

Ramirez was found guilty following a jury trial of manslaughter in the first degree, attempted murder in the first degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

The 24-year-old Pacheco left behind a daughter, a little girl now seven years old, whose victim impact statement was read in Bronx Supreme Court Justice Troy Webber’s courtroom – “I love my mother and I lost her when I was four years old. I wanted her whole life. It’s really sad to lose someone in your life.

“I wish there was no death in the world.”

But death there was on August 21, 2011, as the then-19-year-old Ramirez aimed his illegally purchased Cobra .380 at homeless man Leonard Shoulders. One bullet grazed Shoulders, but another slammed straight into Yaritza Pacheco’s neck. She took but a few more steps before crumpling to the sidewalk, dead.

Video shows Ramirez walking up to a bodega on E. 174^th Street near Boston Road, where he witnessed Shoulders having a small argument with some other men about jumping a line into the store. Ramirez did not know any of the participants in the matter, but he jumped in to the fray. Shoulders took off in a run with Ramirez in pursuit, firing his gun.

At the same time Ramirez was running down Hoe Avenue, Yaritza Pacheco was just home from her job at a Bronx Applebee’s, seen on surveillance video laughing, her arm around a friend, the pair walking down 174^th Street – and right into the path of Ramirez’ bullets, as he ran down the block, chasing Shoulders.

Later that day, Ramirez attempted to flee not only the jurisdiction, but the country. He was on the jet bridge, steps away from boarding JetBlue 823 at JFK, on a one-way ticket to Santo Domingo and freedom when agents from the Department of Homeland Security detained him.

Following his incarceration, Ramirez will be deported from the country.

Bedford Park News: Who Killed Former Nurse?

Bedford Park News: Who Killed Former Nurse?: Who Killed Former Nurse? Person of Interest Sought in Melrose Homicide #NYPD #Nurse #Homicide #MelroseHouses #Bronxnews By...

Who Killed Former Nurse?

Who Killed Former Nurse?

Person of Interest Sought in Melrose Homicide

#NYPD #Nurse #Homicide #MelroseHouses #Bronxnews

By David Greene and Andre Rivera

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 4- Homicide detectives are set to release a video of a "person of interest" wanted for questioning in regards to the killing of a retired hospital worker, who died mysteriously at the Melrose Houses.

Police say Eric Simmons, 68, a retired nurse was found with serious trauma to his head in the ninth-floor stairway at 320 East 156 Street at just before 1 p.m. on January 28.

Investigators say he died from blunt force trauma to the head, but could not say if Simmons had been struck over the head or if the injuries were suffered during a fall down the stairs.

One police source stated that officials were working on releasing a video that shows Simmons walking in the courtyard of the building with an unidentified male, just shortly before he died.

Police do not believe robbery was a motive and at least one packet of heroin was found at the scene.

Friends say Simmons was a retired nurse who had worked at the psychiatric ward at Lincoln Hospital, until his retirement in 2013. Friend's also say he was a former resident of the area who often visited friends in the area.

As workers from the medical examiner's office removed Simmons' body from the building, one friend vowed, "We are going to get them."

A second police source stated that Simmons had nine arrests, including several drug charges.   

Bedford Park News: Speaker Carl Heastie?

Bedford Park News: Speaker Carl Heastie?: Speaker Carl Heastie? Why Bronx Pol is Poised to Replace Silver #CarlHeastie #SheldonSilver #BronxNews 100 PERCENT By Rob...

Speaker Carl Heastie?

Speaker Carl Heastie?

Why Bronx Pol is Poised to Replace Silver

#CarlHeastie #SheldonSilver #BronxNews

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 2- It is now a foregone conclusion that Bronx Assemblyman Carl Heastie will be the next speaker of the state assembly. Former Speaker Sheldon Silver has stepped down as of Monday 11:59 p.m. and the Interim Speaker is now Assemblyman Joseph Morelle. It is only a formality that the assembly votes in Heastie (which may have already been done by the time you read this) on or before the February 10^th mandated deadline for a vote.

As of our deadline it is only a matter of time that the only other assembly member who announced for the speaker ship role Assemblywoman Kathleen Nolan drops out to support Heastie. Nolan is from Queens where Queens Democratic County Leader Joe Crowley has announced the Queens county organization's support of Heastie to be the next speaker of the assembly.

One aftershock of Carl Heastie becoming Speaker is that he will be giving up his position of Bronx Democratic County Leader. Right now there are two friendly Bronx elected officials who might be vying for the position of Bronx Democratic County Leader. The two are the current Bronx Democratic County Committee Chairman Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo of TEAM DIAZ. That could allow a third candidate to possibly put together enough votes to become a force in the negotiations, or even become the next county leader. City Council members and the Borough President can not become the county leader because a city elected official is barred from holding that position. That is why county leaders are state or federal elected officials, as is the case in Queens with Congressman Crowley, Manhattan with Assemblyman Wright, and the Bronx with Assemblyman Heastie. Heastie does not have to step down as county leader, but he would not be able to give the proper attention to both the speaker ship and county leader position.

Go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for daily updates on the next speaker “The Bronx's Own” Carl Heastie, and for whom his replacement as Bronx Democratic County Leader might be. There is a look at Assemblyman Heastie from his days at Harry S. Truman High School circa 1985. He hasn't changed much, still with that boyish look, but he had a full head of hair in high school.

As for the U. S. Attorney's office looking into new speaker Heastie's affairs, as county leader a few years ago that was tried with an assemblyman as a mole from the U. S. Attorney's office. That assemblyman however found nothing, and was allowed to be re-elected twice after a Grand Jury found evidence of fraud. That assemblyman finally is no longer in office.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie will have a lot to do, and be pulled from all sides. He must remember what his job is, ignore lobbyists, and don't buckle under to the Governor and Senate Majority Leader. Speaker Heastie you are the hope of millions of people.

If you have any political information that you want to share or have checked out, any comments about this column, or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.