Bedford Park News: Armory Skates Through 1st Two Steps

Bedford Park News: Armory Skates Through 1st Two Steps: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 26- The Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) at the Kingsbridge Armory has cl...

Armory Skates Through 1st Two Steps

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 26- The Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) at the Kingsbridge Armory has cleared the first two hurdles in the land use process know as ULERP. 

Community Board 7 held a public hearing last week, and then voted 20 – 5 to approve the KNIC proposal of nine ice skating rinks and a community benefits package of $1.7 Billion. The next hurdle in the ULERP process was a public hearing by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. last Friday. BP Diaz having come out in favor of the KNIC proposal early on has now passed it to the City Planning Department. CPC has up to 60 days to either approve or disapprove the armory proposal. One would have to bet since this is a “Pet Project” of outgoing Mayor Bloomberg that CPC should not waste any time in approving the KNIC proposal. The last stop of the ULERP process is a hearing before the full City Council which votes to approve or not. The original Shops at the Armory proposal two years ago was vetoed by the City Council, and led to the fierce battle over “The Living Wage Bill”.

At both hearings local City Councilman Fernando Cabrera was not present and did not have anyone to represent him either. It is said that Councilman Cabrera is not totally in agreement with the community benefits agreement that was agreed upon, but we will have to see if Cabrera is silent when the KNIC proposal come before the City Council. It is believed that while this ULERP process could drag out into the new year under a new mayor and city council that many from Mayor Bloomberg down want this ULERP process to be finished before Mayor Bloomberg leaves office. You can go to my blog at www.100percent.blogspot.com to read more on the public hearings, see photos of New York Ranger great Mark Messier (CEO of the KNIC) as he testifies at Bronx Borough Hall, and even a photo of the Community Benefits agreement.

Last Friday was the annual Bronx Democratic County Judicial Convention. What is usually a ho-hum boring meeting was filled with excitement as Democratic Mayoral candidate Bill deBlasio showed up before the meeting to rally the Bronx troops in his support. The Bronx Democratic organization had supported Bill Thompson in the Democratic primary, but now it was full steam ahead for Bill deBlasio. To my question about former Bronx BP Adolfo Carrion stealing Democratic votes away here in the Bronx as the candidate of the Independence Party, there was a rush to the podium as current Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. got to it first. Diaz said 'Carrion is no longer a Democrat, and that he has turned his back on the Democratic Party”. Diaz added that the Bronx Democratic County organization will take care of things in the Bronx, to which Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie agreed.

In the first mayoral poll after the primary Democrat Bill deBlasio leads Republican Joe Lhota by 43 percent. It was about 65 percent for deBlasio and 22 percent for Lhota, with 3 percent for Carrion, and about 10 percent undecided. By the way, the four judges that were nominated were Justice Laura Douglas, Judge Norma Ruiz, Judge Larry Schachner, and Judge Julia Rodriguez to fill the four upcoming vacancies.

Don't forget that Tuesday October 1st is Primary Run Off Day between the two top finishers in the Democratic Public Advocate race Brooklyn State Senator Dan Squadron and Brooklyn Councilwoman Letitia James. My prediction - Squadron wins 61 percent - 39 percent.

In the 86th A.D. special election, candidate Victor Pichardo has increased his lead to 104 votes after the re-canvassing of the voter machines. There are still many paper ballots that have to be counted, but it looks like Mr. Pichardo will be the new Assemblyman from the 86th Assembly District.

Don't forget to check my blog for events that took place over the past weekend such as the Jerome-Gun Hill BID Street Festival that took place last Saturday. Also check for upcoming events such as Fordham Fever Friday's. On Friday October 4th the Fordham BID will present an “International Day Fair” from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Muller Park & Plaza located on Fordham Road by Creston Avenue.

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.

Bedford Park News: Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying

Bedford Park News: Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying: Residents on Edge as Bloody Mayhem Continues By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 4- The NYPD's own statistics show ...

Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying

Residents on Edge as Bloody Mayhem Continues

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 4- The NYPD's own statistics show that the city is on pace to have the lowest murder rate in the last 50 years, but that offers little comfort to family members of those killed or wounded by the almost daily, random street violence.

Detectives are still hunting the gunman who shot and killed Raymond Hernandez, 22, who was shot in the hallway of 2860 Grand Concourse on July 15.

On August 3, officers from the 46th Precinct reported a person shot and killed at 2377 Creston Avenue. Police were looking for two black males seen fleeing the scene.

Kahleed Adams had returned to the ruff and tumble streets of Fordham Heights where he was shot in the buttocks a week earlier. At 12:30 a.m. on August 19, he was approached by a group of men at E. 184 Street and Morris Avenue, when someone opened fire, striking Adams in the head.

Despite being in full view of an NYPD surveillance camera, installed after Adams was shot the first time, detectives continue to hunt for the young man's killer.

But the most blood-spilling, effecting the most people are the random acts of violence that often go unreported. Information can now be found on social media websites as the community seems to be trying to keep itself informed, but rumors continue to be almost as big a problem as the violence itself.

Officers from the 52nd Precinct responded to calls of a person stabbed at 12:10 a.m. on August 3. The victim was reportedly stabbed at the intersection of Morris Avenue and E. Kingsbridge Road. Police were looking for a black male wearing a white and gray shirt and dark jeans. 

At 7 p.m. on August 4, a livery taxi driver was stabbed in the chest an neck as he sat behind the wheel at Bainbridge Avenue and E. Fordham Road. An unidentified resident of the block reportedly tossed a large rock at the car, causing the suspect to flee the stolen car.

Police reportedly discovered Luis Ferrierra, 22, hiding in a backyard. He has since been charged with felony assault and robbery--his eighth arrest for 2013.

When asked about the member of the community tossing the rock, one resident responded, "This area is flooded with crack and crime and I think the residents are fed up with it already." 

Residents near PS 8 at Mosholu Parkway South and Bainbridge Avenue reported hearing shots during the night of Friday, August 9.. Residents awoke the following morning to discover a bloody park bench. So far the incident remains a mystery.

At just before 11 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, a person was reported shot at E. Gun Hill Road and Decatur Avenue. However, this incident could not be confirmed.

Police say it was a drug dealer who shot a potential customer on August 13, outside of 2685 Valentine Avenue in Bedford Park. The 31-year old victim was shot in the left hand and right thigh and was treated and released from Jacobi Hospital.

That gunman was described as a male wearing a white shirt and blue hat.

On August 15, Yonkers police were apparently in pursuit of a vehicle that crashed as it exited the Major Deegan near the Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course, the armed suspect reportedly fired at least one shot at pursuing officers before making an escape into the woods.

On August 16 three people were shot over the period of two-hours. At 12:15 a.m. a victim was discovered inside of a building at 2725 Webb Avenue. The 19-year old victim had been shot in the hand and leg and was expected to survive.

Residents of the Fordham Manor block that intersects with W. Kingsbridge Road don't even flinch when they hear gunshots anymore. The block has had two other recent shooting's. A 51-year old man was shot in the arm back in April and two men were shot outside of a bodega on July 28.

Police were still looking for the gunman in the July 28 case, described as wearing all red and carrying a black plastic bag.

Forty-five minutes later officer's from the 46th Precinct in Fordham were called to another 24-hour deli at 375 E. 188 Street. The victim in that shooting was transported by a civilian vehicle to Jacobi Hospital and was also recovering.

At just before 2 a.m., a man was wounded outside of 2258 Grand Avenue in University Heights. The 25-year old victim suffered a gunshot to the right leg and was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was treated and released.

EMS reported the transport of a stabbing victim from the intersection of the Grand Concourse and E. 197 Street at just before 10 p.m. on August 17.

At some time after 4 a.m. on Sunday, August 18, a man was shot in the leg outside of 275 E. Gun Hill Road. The unidentified victim was transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition. Police were reportedly looking for two male Hispanics who fled the scene.

Recently police did announce an arrest in the May 29 shooting of Alex Rodriguez, who was shot in the head at the intersection of E. 184 Street and Tiebout Avenue in Fordham Heights. Rodriguez died after being taken off life support.

Jamie DeJesus has been charged with manslaughter in the case.

Outspoken Bedford Park resident Ron James Sorenson who was shot as a young man as he drove a livery taxi in the South Bronx back in the late 1960's, recently stated about the judge's recent decision to re-evaluate the NYPD's stop-and-frisk, offering, "None of these people who are against stop-and-frisk have ever been shot. I have and I think the practice saves lives."

Despite the recent surge in killing, NYPD statistics show murder is down over the same time period as last year. So far this year there were 42 homicides in the Bronx, compared with 68 last year.

Community Board # 7 is still in a transition as it's new District Manager Socrates Caba and Chairperson Adaline Walker-Santiago are in the process of taking over the day to day operations of the board. But a blind man can see they have their work cut out for them.

Anyone with any information on any violent crime are asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS. 

Bedford Park News: Bronx Week Parade

Bedford Park News: Bronx Week Parade: BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- It may have rained, enough to cancel the Yankee game, but it didn't rain hard enough to damper the ...

Bronx Week Parade

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- It may have rained, enough to cancel the Yankee game, but it didn't rain hard enough to damper the spirits enough to cancel the Bronx Week Parade, Food and Music Festival today on Mosholu Parkway. 

While some people and a few elected officials stayed away in drier places, there still were over 1,000 proud Bronxites who marched in the Bronx Week Parade on Mosholu Parkway, and then enjoyed the Food and Music Festival. The Parade was co-hosted by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and NY 1 Bronx reporter Dean Meminger.

The Bronx Week Parade started off with the NYPD and NYFD, then came the marchers as the three Bronx Walk of Fame honorees arrived at the viewing stand. Famous actress Ellen Barkin, former NY State Attorney General and Bronx BP Robert Abrams, and musician Miguel Angel Amadeo then went onto the stage to watch the rest of the Bronx Week Parade.  

As was the case in last years, parade the theme again this year was all about the children and their future. 

Parade highlights - The "Dynamic Duo" of BP Diaz and NY 1 reporter Dean Meminger, The Bronx Young Democrats, The fact that this event started under then Bronx BP Robert Abrams as "Bronx Day", Councilman Joel Rivera's Chief of staff marching four different times in the parade as was noted by BP Diaz, and of course the hundreds of children marching and performing.

Bedford Park News: What You Should Know

Bedford Park News: What You Should Know: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, February 23- If you have a computer you should check out my blog at www.100percentb...