Monday, March 30, 2015
Bedford Park News: NYCFC Loses First Match in its History
Bedford Park News: NYCFC Loses First Match in its History: NYCFC Loses First Match in its History By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 30- The NYCFC (1‐1‐2) lost its first match in ...
NYCFC Loses First Match in its History
NYCFC Loses First Match in its History
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 30- The NYCFC (1‐1‐2) lost its first match in its history at Yankee Stadium on Saturday night. Sporting Kansas City (1‐1‐2) was the victor by a score of 1‐0. The win was the first of the season for the visitors, and the seventh time they have handed its first defeat to a club in its new venue.
The match sold out with a crowd of 27,545 who attended the second match of the home club in the iconic Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Although the home opener drew in excess of 43,000, the seating allocated for NYCFC matches was approximately 27,000.
New York area native Chris Wingert praised the loyalty of the club’s supporters, “It was really impressive for how many people came to watch us.” The Manhattan resident spoke of his trip to the Bronx, “I took the subway. It was a nightmare. I don’t know it well enough yet.”
The only goal of the match was scored at the 12 minute mark in the first half on a throw‐in by Matt Besler, a veteran of 25 Caps for the USMNT, which was knocked into the goal on a header by KC defenseman Ike Opara, his second goal of the new season. NYCFC coach Jason Kreis described the most crucial moment of the match, “We put our tallest guy on him, but Opara just beat him to the ball.”
NYC defenseman Chris Wingert, who has started all four matches, admitted, “It was frustrating to give up a goal on a throw‐in.”
Kreis spoke of the difference of how his club fared in each half of the contest, “In the second half, they did everything they could to get the tying goal. I don’t know why it takes a whole half.” He believes the club should start with more energy from the opening moment of a match, especially in a home contest.
A disappointment to the club and the fans was the absence of Spanish superstar David Villa. After suffering an ankle injury earlier in the year, Villa missed his first contest of the season. Kreis described the situation to reporters after the contest, “Yesterday we took him [Villa] out early to the training center. We quickly decided it wasn’t going to work. He’s managed through the pain and swelling for the past three weeks.” The coach believes the bye week will allow Villa to return to action for the next NYCFC match against the Philadelphia Union on April 11.
Kreis did not believe that the absence of Villa or forward Adam Nemec, who had started the first three matches, and was representing Slovakia on the weekend, made the difference in the result of the match.
The NYCFC coach was also pleased with the three substitutes (Tony Taylor, Kwadwo Poku and Thomas McNamara) who saw action, “All three substitutions were good. I was really proud of the effort the guys put in.”
Kreis uttered a mixed summary of his club to this point in its first season, “We need to improve in all phases, [but] there are still signs that I can say we’re going to be a good team.”
The next two NYCFC matches are a home and home with the Philadelphia Union. After a road match in Philadelphia on April 11, NYCFC will return to Yankee Stadium on April 16 to face the same opponent.
#NYCFC #Soccer #YankeeStadium #Bronxnews
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Bedford Park News: Only Lap Dogs Allowed?
Bedford Park News: Only Lap Dogs Allowed?: Only Lap Dogs Allowed? Organizers block reporters who ask questions on stealth homeless Riverdale Report By Robert Press BR...
Only Lap Dogs Allowed?
Only Lap Dogs Allowed?
Organizers block reporters who ask questions on stealth homeless
Riverdale Report
By Robert Press
BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 26- Last week, the Riverdale Press reported a so called exclusive on the vacant former Montefiore Medical Center site. I call it a So-Called exclusive, because the Riverdale elected officials chose not to ask this newspaper columnist to the meeting even though I have lived in Riverdale for over 35 years.
Could it have been my reporting on the next Bronx Democratic County Leader, my reporting on the new leadership in the state senate, or perhaps commentary of a sister newspaper the City News? So Riverdale Press it was not an exclusive, just payback for honest reporting. You of all newspapers should know that from the last two Democratic primaries, but then again your reporting was not always honest. By the way the editor of the other so called Riverdale newspaper was invited so you scooped him and not me.
Let’s go over the facts. There is no way that a 14-story luxury building will be built on the former medical center site. The community will want to lower it to 8 – 10 stories at most, which will not be profitable for Simone Developers the owner of the site. Quite frankly the site may have to be broken down into the parcels it originally started from, and then be constructed on individually. As you know the elected officials were wrong before on this site.
Speaking of our elected officials, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz was at the Riverdale Y last week with a check for $125,000 for the first 'Barrier Free Playground' in the Northwest Bronx. This will be the first all accessible playground to all children including those with special needs. This comes on top of a grant to the Y by Senator Klein to repair the entrance to the Y.
It seems that our photo last week of a Coalition for Homeless van parked in front of a rent-stabilized building in Riverdale has gotten some responses. Last week’s article (an exclusive) seems to be even more important now that Mayor Bill deBlasio has been robo-calling landlords offering a One-Thousand dollar bonus to landlords who will house the homeless. More in upcoming columns.
The March 30th meeting of the Community Board 8 Land Use meeting has five items on the agenda. Items 2 and 5 in the Fieldston Special Nature Area District, and both have to do with a change of windows or sash. Item 1 concerns the new fitness center at the West 230th Street and Broadway mall. Items 3 and 4 concern new buildings in Kingsbridge Heights. Item 3 is a discussion about a new proposal for the 3469 Cannon Place site by a new developer. Item 4 is about a 421-A application for a newly constructed 6 story 52 unit building at 3507 Fort Independence Street. There is however no mention of any proposal for the Riverdale/Oxford Avenue former Montefiore Medical Center site.
Lastly, don't forget to check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for the weekly listing of upcoming events at Wave Hill, more on what you may read in this column, and the many photos of the events that are covered.
If you have 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.
#Riverdale #Homeless #Montefiore #Bronxnews
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Bedford Park News: Fire Bug Torches Cars
Bedford Park News: Fire Bug Torches Cars: Fire Bug Torches Cars By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 25- The fire marshal and the NYPD are currently looking for the p...
Fire Bug Torches Cars
Fire Bug Torches Cars
By David Greene
BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 25- The fire marshal and the NYPD are currently looking for the person or persons who set fire to some curbside garbage that destroyed to vehicles in Norwood.
Authorities could provide few details before the police reports have been filed, but officials say both incidents took place on opposite ends of Hull Avenue, between East 209 Street and East Gun Hill Road, between 1:30 and 2 a.m. on March 19.
A mattress was set on fire at the curb where an older model black BMW caught fire outside of 3307 Hull Avenue. A red Honda Ridgeline SUV caught fire minutes later outside of 3349 Hull Avenue, after bags of garbage were torched.
Both vehicles suffered extensive damage to the passenger sides and undercarriages of both vehicles and both will likely be a total loss.
One victim was too distraught at the loss of her car to speak, but one resident of the block remarked, "I knew about this one, but now I see there's two. You never use to have this sort of thing happen here."
Fire marshals continue to investigate the cause of the fire and who set it, while the NYPD is reportedly checking surveillance video in the area.
#NYPD #Arson #Firebug #Norwood #Bronxnews
Friday, March 20, 2015
Bedford Park News: Shots ring out on St. Paddy’s Day
Bedford Park News: Shots ring out on St. Paddy’s Day: Shots ring out on St. Paddy’s Day By Aaron Carnegie BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 20- At around 10 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day, four shots ...
Shots ring out on St. Paddy’s Day
Shots ring out on St. Paddy’s Day
By Aaron Carnegie
BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 20- At around 10 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day, four shots rang out in the vicinity of 100 Erdman Place.
At least one car was hit. It had a broken windshield and a broken side window on the driver’s side.
A witness on the scene said that police and Public Safety officers were looking for two men in connection with this crime. No injuries were reported.
#NYPD #St. Patrick’s Day #Shooting
Bedford Park News: Psycho Dad Fed Kids Poisoned Pizza
Bedford Park News: Psycho Dad Fed Kids Poisoned Pizza: Psycho Dad Fed Kids Poisoned Pizza Convicted of Poisoning Son, Drowning in Tub BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 20- He laced his kids’ pi...
Psycho Dad Fed Kids Poisoned Pizza
Psycho Dad Fed Kids Poisoned Pizza
Convicted of Poisoning Son, Drowning in Tub
BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 20- He laced his kids’ pizza with rat poison. For that, Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson announced that 49-year-old Leonardo Espinal will spend 20-to-life in prison.
Following a plea of guilty last month to murder in the second degree (Class A-1 Felony) and attempted murder in the second degree (Class B Felony), Espinal was sentenced by Supreme Court Justice Troy Webber to 20 years-to-life for the murder of his 5-year-old son Steward, and, concurrently, 15 years in prison plus another five years post-release supervision for the injury to his daughter Mia, who was 7-years-old at the time.
In November 2012, Espinal was having issues with his ex-wife, Rosaura Abreu, and she had kicked him out of the family apartment. When Espinal discovered Abreu was seeing another man, he carried out a callous revenge plan to poison their two children. Espinal penned a suicide note, and fed the poisoned pizza to the children, eating some as well. The little girl threw up from ingesting the rat poison; Steward soiled himself, and the father locked himself and the boy in the bathroom. Refusing to come out, Espinal's stepmother called 911 and police broke down the door to find the father dazed, but alive. The little boy was in the tub, dead from the combination of poison and being submerged in water.
The children’s mother, Rosaura Abreu, submitted a victim impact statement to the Court: “Mi querido angelito…I will never forget the last time I saw my little son…he was radiant, happy, content, and followed me all around the house. When it was time for me to leave, he followed me to the door and I knelt down to talk with him. It’s as if my heart knew that it would be the last time I would see him alive…
Noting that the tragedy impelled mother and daughter to move, “Mia suffered anxiety attacks every time I would mention going back to that apartment where she lived with her little brother. She never wanted to sleep in the same bed where she slept with her Steward, protecting him from monsters.
“Mia will have to live for the rest of her life with the horrific memory that her own father caused in attempting to kill her. Although therapy helped the both of us, Mia and I suffer every day the absence of our boy in our daily lives. Mia suffers…when she goes to parties, when she goes to bed, when she plays with other children, when she sees photos of him, when she sees another boy the same age as him, when she sees me sad because she knows I am thinking of him.
“All we can do is take it day by day.”
#Pizza #Rat Poison #Dad #NYPD #BronxDA
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Bedford Park News: Goodbye Montefiore, Hello Homeless?
Bedford Park News: Goodbye Montefiore, Hello Homeless?: Goodbye Montefiore, Hello Homeless? (Just what was this 'Coalition for the Homeless' van doing in front of a 'rent stabi...
Goodbye Montefiore, Hello Homeless?
Goodbye Montefiore, Hello Homeless?
(Just what was this 'Coalition for the Homeless' van doing in front of a 'rent stabilized' building in Riverdale? Pictured above is the van, and you can see the Whitehall in the background. The building is managed by Goodman Management, and calls to Goodman Management were answered with, 'Not in that building’.)
Riverdale Report
By Robert Press
BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 19- Two weeks ago, I mentioned that a Coalition For the Homeless van was spotted in Riverdale. That same Coalition For the Homeless van was spotted in front of one of the few remaining 'Rent Stabilized' buildings in Riverdale.
The building is managed by Goodman Management, and calls to Goodman Management were answered with not in that building. With Goodman Management managing many buildings in Riverdale and Community Board 8, my next question was are there any homeless or transition housing in any of the buildings Goodman manages? The reply here was that Mr. Goodman would have to get back to you on that.
It seems that in rebuffing the Montefiore Medical Center project, the opposition may have just opened the site up to affordable housing by Stagg Developers. Stagg has just paid $7.1 million dollars for a property on Webster Avenue for a 200-plus unit building of so called market/affordable housing. I have been told that the asking price is only $7 million for the Montefiore Riverdale/Oxford Avenue site. By the way Mr. Stagg was the first of many developers to look at that site to possibly build market/affordable housing. With new zoning changes being proposed, other bonuses to developers, and new financing to meet the deBlasio 200,000 unit affordable housing edict this site is a bargain to Mr. Stagg.
Con Edison is having their underground transformers checked, as the recent spring thaw has melted all the snow and sent the residual salt melting at their equipment. On my blog is a photo of a transformer meltdown on a recent night. The FDNY came and roped off the area until Con Edison came the next day to fix the problem.
Lastly, we say good-bye to a great man who not many knew of, Mr. Lorance Hockert. Larry as those who knew him called him was a member of Community Board 8 from 1990 through 2003. Larry was also the boards chair from 1998 through 2000, and was crucial in the 197A plan developed by Community Board 8. One piece of little known information was that Lorance Hockert was going to be the next councilman after June Eisland was to be term limited out of office. However for reasons known to only a few people Larry never did commit to that, and retired from Community Board 8 the following term. Lorance 'Larry' Hockert will be missed by all.
If you have 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.
#Riverdale #Montefiore #Homeless #Bronxnews
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Bedford Park News: Bloody Breakup
Bedford Park News: Bloody Breakup: Bloody Breakup Man convicted of slaughtering girlfriend and her mother BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 18- It was one of the more grues...
Bloody Breakup
Bloody Breakup
Man convicted of slaughtering girlfriend and her mother
BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 18- It was one of the more gruesome crime scenes police and the District Attorney’s office has ever dealt with – evidencing a rage borne out of a broken relationship that would leave a mother and daughter dead at the hands of the daughter’s ex-boyfriend.
Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson announces that, following a month-long trial and less than two hours of deliberation, a jury has found 24-year-old Andrew Scott guilty of the following charges in the October 1, 2013 deaths of 65-year-old Ida Randolph and her daughter, 23-year-old Jana Randolph: murder in the second degree (4 counts, Class A Felony) (2 counts Intentional Murder, 2 counts Felony Murder) robbery in the 1st Degree (2 counts, Class B Felony).
Scott bludgeoned the older woman so hard with her own baseball bat, that he crushed her skull nearly a half-dozen times, broke her arm clear through, and inflicted other injuries too horrific to describe. And, he took a sizable kitchen knife to his ex-girlfriend, stabbing her more than a dozen times, some of the cuts three-inches deep. He then bludgeoned her, the final act that caused her death.
Scott had been dating Jana Randolph for seven years and had moved into the women’s apartment at 2794 Valentine Avenue in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx a year before the killings. But he had behaved badly – in the weeks before the incident, he trashed the apartment and stole Jana’s bank card – leading the clerical worker at Montefiore to break up with him. Jana’s mother, a retired social services worker, kicked him out of the apartment.
Scott did not take it well.
On the night of October 1st, he got together two others and hatched a plot to rob the mother and daughter, get their bank cards and PIN numbers, and steal their money, all revenge for having been tossed aside. Along for the plan was 23-year-old
Brittney Austin, who was coming off a heroin addiction, and, allegedly, another friend.
The plan was for Austin and Scott to rob the women. The Randolph women fought back, but in the end they were subdued by Scott, who tied up Ida Randolph with duct tape; Austin bound Jana. A quarter-of-an-hour later, Austin left the apartment with the cards and cash. It is alleged that 26-year-old Joshua Lopez then took the cards and tried, but failed, to extract money from several ATM machines.
Scott remained in the apartment for an hour-and-a-half, during which time he not only committed the atrocities but tried to clean up the battle scene. Blood splatter was so great from the attacks it hit the ceiling. During the savage murders he also somehow injured himself, cutting his hand with the very knife he used to kill.
When he is sentenced on April 9, 2015 before Justice Margaret Clancy, Scott faces 25 years-to-life on each of the murder and another 25 years on the robbery, all to run consecutive to one another.
Austin pled guilty to murder in the 2nd degree and robbery in the 1st degree in January of this year and will be sentenced at a future date.
Joshua Lopez, pled not guilty to four counts of murder in the 2nd degree and two counts of robbery in the 1st degree. His next court appearance has been adjourned until March 24th in front of Justice Clancy, Part 79, Bronx Supreme Court. Should Lopez be convicted, he also faces 50 years to life.
The cases against Scott and Austin were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Rachel Kalman and Jennifer Cruz of Trial Bureau 30/40.
#NYPD #BronxDA #Murder
Bedford Park News: Manhattan Out!
Bedford Park News: Manhattan Out!: Manhattan Out! Jaspers End Season with a 74‐64 Loss to Hampton By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 18- The technical start ...
Bedford Park News: Manhattan Out!
Bedford Park News: Manhattan Out!: Manhattan Out! Jaspers End Season with a 74‐64 Loss to Hampton By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 18- The technical start ...
Bedford Park News: Manhattan Out!
Bedford Park News: Manhattan Out!: Manhattan Out! Jaspers End Season with a 74‐64 Loss to Hampton By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 18- The technical start ...
Manhattan Out!
Manhattan Out!
Jaspers End Season with a 74‐64 Loss to Hampton
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 18- The technical start of the NCAA National Tournament is the play of the First Four two days before the first round. The winner of each of Tuesday’s games will see action in the first round of the 64 teams that begin play on Thursday. The Manhattan Jaspers (19‐14) qualified for the tourney by defeating the favored Iona Gaels in the final of the MAAC Tournament. The Jaspers faced the Hampton Pirates (17‐17) of Virginia at the University of Dayton Arena. Despite finishing the regular season with a record under .500, the Pirates qualified by winning the MEAC Tournament.
The Pirates began by scoring the first seven points in less than three minutes. A dunk by Charles Wilson‐Fisher at 6:33 gave Hampton its first double digit lead. The advantage rose to a first half‐high 12 points, 35‐23, at 3:49. The lead was shaved by the Jaspers to seven at the end of the half, 38‐31.
In the second half, the Jaspers lowered the deficit to as low as a single point, but a comeback by the Pirates raised their lead to double figures again, 62‐52, at 5:43. Manhattan reached within single figures again, but never held the lead during the game. The Pirates were victors by a score of 74‐64.
Hampton now has to travel to Lexington, Kentucky to play the overall #1 seed Kentucky, who are undefeated this season. Manhattan’s season is over.
The Jaspers achieved every team’s goal to be in the NCAA Tournament in March, but their dream ended early.
#ManhattanCollege #Jaspers #MarchMadness #Bronxnews
Monday, March 16, 2015
Bedford Park News: Soccer Kicks Off with a Bang in the Bronx
Bedford Park News: Soccer Kicks Off with a Bang in the Bronx: Soccer Kicks Off with a Bang in the Bronx Photos by Gary Quintal By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 16- The long await...
Soccer Kicks Off with a Bang in the Bronx
Soccer Kicks Off with a Bang in the Bronx
Photos by Gary Quintal
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 16- The long awaited arrival of the first team in MLS history to represent New York City took place at Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Controversies and expectations were high as the day of the first NYC FC game in New York City approached.
To those in the stadium, except for fans of the New England Revolution, the controversies were forgotten as the expectations were more than met. After the starting lineup of the NYC FC was announced, the Revolution fans, seated behind third base chanted, “Where is Lampard?.” They were referring to English star Frank Lampard, who will remain with Manchester City, the 80 percent owner of NYC FC. He will not join NYC until July.
Another controversial issue was playing soccer in a non‐soccer dedicated stadium. The question was asked of Coach Jason Kreis and superstar David Villa after the match. Both responded with their satisfaction of the conditions on the Yankee Stadium. Villa answered thusly, “The pitch was fine today. With even better weather, we will benefit from even better conditions.”
Kreis spoke of the positives of the occasion, “It fulfilled my dreams. We couldn’t ask for a better result against a very good team, and we couldn’t ask for better support from our crowd.”
Original plans were for approximately 27,000 seats to be allocated for the crowds at NYC FC matches. The opening day crowd numbered 43,507 fans, an extremely impressive and happy surprise for the organization.
Another happy surprise was the final score of the match. To the delight of the crowd, NYC was victorious by a score of 2‐0. The shutout by veteran goalie Josh Saunders was, of course, his first of the new season and the 21st of his career. He commented, “I think we can truly give something for the fans in New York City to cheer about.”
Most of those in the stands were looking forward to watching the excellent talents of Spanish superstar David Villa, the first player signed by the club to be
Late in the second half, the 84th minute, Villa expertly set up the last goal with a pass to Patrick Mullins, who has entered the match as a substitute less than one minute earlier. Kreis remarked, “Most of the credit for that goal goes to David.” Mullins, who was drafted by New England last year, enthused over having Villa as a teammate, “The biggest thing I’ve taken from him is he’s a winner. He’s such a special player.”
The New York City team will travel to Colorado to face the Rapids on March 21 and return to Yankee Stadium for their second home match against Kansas City on Saturday evening, March 28.
#Soccer #NYCFC #Yankee Stadium #David Villa #Bronxnews
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Bedford Park News: Dim Bulb Pointed Laser at Cops, Planes
Bedford Park News: Dim Bulb Pointed Laser at Cops, Planes: Dim Bulb Pointed Laser at Cops, Planes By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 10- All signs point to a true dim bulb. Co...
Dim Bulb Pointed Laser at Cops, Planes
Dim Bulb Pointed Laser at Cops, Planes
By Dan Gesslein
By Dan Gesslein
BRONX,
NEW YORK, MARCH 10-
All signs point to a true dim bulb.
Cops
arrested a Pelham Bay man they said had been targeting commercial planes with a
laser pointer affecting the pilots’ vision. He was charged with assaulting
police pilots.
Members
of the NYPD Aviation Unit canvassed Pelham Bay Monday night after receiving a
report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that someone was
targeting commercial airline pilots with a laser pointer. Investigators said
that three pilots on two separate occasions suffered eye injuries. Two of those
pilots were officers operating a police helicopter. The officers were treated
for their injuries at Mount Sinai Hospital. In another incident, a pilot from
an Air Canada commercial airliner suffered eye injuries.
On
March 9, a police helicopter spotted the beam from a laser pointer from inside
2801 Coddington Avenue, Apartment 3. Officers from the 45th Precinct
responded. While conducting an investigation police observed a black tubular
device labeled "Laser 303" on top of the refrigerator. While
interviewing Frank Egan, 36, the resident of the apartment admitted the laser
pointer was his and that he had used it that night.
Police
arrested Egan and charged him with the following: assault on a police officer
(2 counts), felony assault (3 counts), menacing a police officer (2 counts),
reckless endangerment (3 counts) and three counts of criminal possession of a
weapon.
#NYPD
#LaserPointer #Airplane #Bronxnews
Monday, March 9, 2015
Bedford Park News: Support for Bam’s immigration plan here
Bedford Park News: Support for Bam’s immigration plan here: Support for Bam’s immigration plan here By Koi Germany BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 9- Bronx residents appear to support President Ob...
Support for Bam’s immigration plan here
Support for Bam’s immigration plan here
By Koi Germany
BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 9- Bronx residents appear to support President Obama’s executive order that imposes changes in the nation’s immigration policies.
Seeking to streamline the process of becoming a naturalized citizen, the President has urged those who are undocumented to step forward and pay their share.
With a plan to strengthen border security and introduce earned citizenship among other guidelines, residents were questioned on this allocation of the nation’s resources.
Some were frank about the issue, commenting on what they believe are backwards policies in the United States.
“Politicians complain about immigrants, yet they hire them,” noted Ursuline Lindsey. “They’re here, and they work; we should make a pathway for them to contribute to the tax system.” Expressing a desire for greater accommodation, she added, “We have to secure borders, but we shouldn’t be sending people back home.”
“If they want to work, they should be widely accepted and represented,” asserted G. Tanya Clarke. Positing that the influx of workers will positively affect the economy, she claimed “We can put the labor to good use.”
Erol Ford, an immigrant himself, echoed these sentiments. “Whatever we’re afraid of is already here,” he opined. “I agree with the President’s spending.”
Others were in support, albeit skeptical. “I think I need to understand more. However these are progressive statements when people are too quick to marginalize,” commented Matthew Thompkins. “I have mixed feelings. We’ll have to see.”
The policies were also met with criticism from some.
“Everybody has the right to come here, but why should they receive rights we can’t?” shareholder Sheryl Parker lamented in dissent. “We should be worried about ISIS.”
Koi Germany, a sophomore at Hunter College who lives in Coop City, is a contributing writer for the News.
#ImmigrationReform #Obama #Amnesty #Bronxnews
Friday, March 6, 2015
Bedford Park News: Fordham Loses Final Home Game
Bedford Park News: Fordham Loses Final Home Game: Fordham Loses Final Home Game By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 6- The Fordham Rams (9‐19, 4‐13) hosted their final game o...
Fordham Loses Final Home Game
Fordham Loses Final Home Game
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 6- The Fordham Rams (9‐19, 4‐13) hosted their final game of the season at the Rose Hill Gym on their campus in the Bronx on Wednesday evening. The visitors, the Duquesne Dukes (11‐17, 6‐11) were contesting Fordham for a better seeding in the following week’s Atlantic‐10 Conference Championship.
Prior to the contest’s start, Fordham’s basketball seniors were saluted on the court. Two, Halilaj and Gaitley, of the four players underwent the difficult task of making the team as walk‐ons. Erando Halilaj, a Bronx native, joined the team this year and saw action in five games. DC Gaitley, son of Fordham’s women’s coach, played in six games. The communications major suffered several injuries which curtailed his playing time at Fordham. Nihad Musovic, a Fordham Prep grad, played in 11 contests in his four years at the university.
Bryan Smith played 113 games during his career at Fordham. The Brooklyn native is completing his college career very impressively. He appeared in every game this season, and started the last 13 at guard. Smith averaged 11 points per game in his latest nine contests. He scored his season high of 17 points against Duquesne.
Seniors Lauren Hutt, student assistant, and Nick Stanaj, team manager, were also honored for their service to the basketball program.
The Rams spurted to an early 7‐2 lead during the first two minutes of action. Eight unanswered points by the visitors gave the Dukes a 10‐7 advantage two minutes later. A 16‐11 lead by Duquesne was turned around as the Rams scored 14 straight points, keeping the Dukes scoreless for nearly seven minutes to move ahead, 25‐16 at 6:56. Fordham’s first double digit lead, 29‐18, at 6:04 evaporated by the close of the first half as the Dukes outscored Fordham, 20‐6, to lead 38‐35, at the half.
The Dukes began the second stanza almost exactly as they closed the first with a 20‐7 scoring run to take their largest lead of the game, 58‐42, with 10:58 remaining in the game. The 40‐13 scoring differential those 15 minutes decided the outcome as the Rams cut the advantage to single figures only once in the final 11 minutes. The Dukes were victorious, 81‐66.
Both teams had balanced scoring. Five of the Dukes scored in double figures; each of four players netted 16 points including L. G. Hill who came off the bench and in only 18 minutes scored 16 and grabbed seven rebounds. Four of Fordham’s starters scored in double digits paced by Smith who led with 17.
Fordham’s 17 offensive rebounds gave them access to 12 second chance points contrasted to two for the Dukes. The 12 Fordham turnovers allowed the Dukes to score 17 points from turnovers while Fordham only scored two.
Fordham’s coach Tom Pecora explained his disappointment with his team’s lack of effort during their final home game of the season, “We probably lost it yesterday during practice” where he felt his players were resistant to putting in sufficient effort. He told reporters, “Whether there’s two inches or two feet of snow, we’ll practice tomorrow.”
He also noted the same insufficient effort during the contest, “They [Duquesne] went to the foul line 25 times and we went eight. That shows you who played harder. Effort should be a given.”
Another reason Pecora cited for the loss was the absence of Eric Paschall. The freshman is fourth in the conference in scoring with an average of 16.5 points per game. Pecora stated that he was not replaced, “We lost our bounce without Eric.”
Both teams play one more regular season contests before entering the Atlantic‐10 Championship on March 12 at Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn.
#Fordham #Rams #Basketball #Bronxnews
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Bedford Park News: Double Down Dimwits Nabbed for Cell Phone Stickup
Bedford Park News: Double Down Dimwits Nabbed for Cell Phone Stickup: Double Down Dimwits Nabbed for Cell Phone Stickup By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 5- One of three brazen thieves who robbed...
Double Down Dimwits Nabbed for Cell Phone Stickup
Double Down Dimwits Nabbed for Cell Phone Stickup
By David Greene
BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 5- One of three brazen thieves who robbed an AT&T store for the second time-- has been captured by police.
According to several sources, the three bandits entered the shop at 3 p.m., on Friday, February 27 at 1709 Crosby Avenue at Middletown Road.
Fleeing with an undetermined amount of cash, police spotted one of the suspects and captured him after a brief foot chase.
One AT&T employee offered, "And it was the same people this time."
The employee added, "It was pretty stupid," returning a second time and added that the NYPD currently has a copy of the store's surveillance video from the latest incident and seeks to identify the two outstanding suspects.
#NYPD #Cellphone #Stickup
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Bedford Park News: Target Practice
Bedford Park News: Target Practice: Target Practice Passing Drivers Just Target Practice at Bronxdale Houses By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 2- Police say ...
Target Practice
Target Practice
Passing Drivers Just Target Practice at Bronxdale Houses
By David Greene
BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 2- Police say a passing motorist was a live moving target for an armed individual outside of the Bronxdale Houses in Soundview.
At 3:20 p.m. on March 1, a female driver reported that the back window of her SUV was shot out as she drove down Beach Avenue where the incident took place.
One police official stated, "We didn't find a bullet, so we think it was a B.B. gun or pellet gun that was used.”
"Whoever did this," the official continued, "was apparently just taking target practice.”
The unidentified victim was not injured and after a friend assisted her with covering the back window with a tarp, she was able to continue her journey.
The unidentified friend said the woman was too shaken up to speak about the incident.
The Soundview section is patrolled by the 43rd Precinct. According to statistics released by the NYPD, the area had five shootings reported in the first seven weeks of 2015, unchanged from the previous year.
Officials could not immediately provide any additional details on the incident or the assailant.
#Gunman #Shooter #NYPD #Bronxnews
Monday, March 2, 2015
Bedford Park News: Live Long and Prosper
Bedford Park News: Live Long and Prosper: Live Long and Prosper 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 2- One has to have been an original Trekie or fa...
Live Long and Prosper
Live Long and Prosper
100 PERCENT
By Robert Press
BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 2- One has to have been an original Trekie or fan of the original Star Trek series that aired from 1966 to 1969. Captain James Kirk (William Shatner), and others were the crew of the Star Ship Enterprise, that explored outer space representing the United Federation of Planets. Captain Kirk's second in command Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) was the only actor on the series to appear in all 80 episodes of the show. The character Mr. Spock became one of the show's biggest stars along with Captain Kirk. It may have been those pointy ears or uncanny logical reasoning of the character, or was it the great acting of Leonard Nimoy.
This was a television show in the late 1960's that already had cell phones; they were called 'communicators'. There were also weapons such as phasers to stun opponents, and proton bombs sent at enemies. This was a show ahead of its time. While many thought that Captain Kirk was the star, there were those who thought Mr. Spock was the star of the show. By the way, there were six motion pictures made, and four spin off series of the original Star Trek. However, we have lost Mr. Spock, and he will not come back to us as he did in the movie Star Trek 3. Leonard Nimoy has passed away at the age of 83. One of Mr. Spocks favorite lines was 'LIVE LONG AND PROSPER' as he raised his fingers in a special way as he said good-bye to friends. Good-bye Mr. Spock we will miss you.
Getting back to the real world, the DREAM ACT has once again been passed by the state assembly. It has died three times before in the state senate, and there is no reason why it won't a fourth time.
This year State Senator Jeff Klein is no longer Co-Leader of the state senate, but that has not stopped Governor Cuomo from bringing him back into the budget negotiations as the fourth person in the room. This has State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. so angry that he wants the Senate Democratic Conference to boycott the budget hearings. You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to read the letter he has written.
Governor Cuomo has finally called for that special election for the vacant Staten Island congressional seat. Brooklyn Democratic City Councilman Vincent Gentile will face off against Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan. Here in the Bronx who cares what is going on in Staten Island. I thought Staten Island succeeded from the city when Rudy Giuliani was mayor.
With all the chatter about Sheldon Silver in the state assembly, and rumors of possible charges coming down from the U.S. Attorney on Senate Representing Leader Dean Skelows, let's go to the City Council. Word I am getting from a very reliable source is that one of maybe two Bronx City Council members are going be named soon .by the Bronx DA or U.S. Attorney. Could it be Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo on the petition she handed in, or could it be Councilman Fernando Cabrera about the Kingsbridge National Ice Center controversy? Check my blog for the latest developments.
Lastly the Bedford Mosholu Community Association will be holding their Annual Flea Market on Saturday March 7th at the St. Mary's Orthodox Church on Bedford Park Blvd. and Decatur Ave. from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Admission is free.
If you have any political information that you may 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.
#Spock #LeonardNimoy #StarTrek #Bronxnews
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