Heroes? Villains? A new book argues that Brooklyn’s “Brownstoners” were a more complex social force than you think, reflecting a post-WWII New York whose changes defied a simple narrative.
Proposed budget cuts could shut down 105 senior centers citywide this year, 22 of which are in the Bronx—and Bronx politicians are getting ready for a fight. Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. rallied today on the steps of Bronx Borough Hall (see the above video) in order to signal that this decision would not be accepted quietly.“Once again, Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg have joined forces to increase the suffering of the senior citizens in New York City who have come to rely on these centers for meals, companionship and social activities,” Diaz said in a press release.Senator Jose M. Serrano joined Diaz and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. at the rally today.”I will work diligently with my colleagues to develop a budget that is cognizant of the needs of all New Yorkers. We must be careful to develop a budget that doesn’t hurt our most vulnerable population,” Serrano said in a press release.Changes to the state’s budget have cut $25 million usually reserved for the City’s Department for the Aging (DFTA), or a third of the agency’s funding for senior centers, according to spokesman Christopher Miller.Last year, the city threatened to close 50 senior centers across the five boroughs, but many were saved after funding was restored at the last minute. In a statement, the DFTA said it is working to reverse the cuts, but that closures are certain unless the state money is somehow restored. Centers would close at the end of June if the budget gets passed as proposed, Miller said.Bronx Council Member Oliver Koppell said the closures would deal a huge blow to local seniors.“The loss of the senior centers in my district and throughout the city will have a devastating effect,” he said in a statement.
Webster Avenue could see major changes if a new rezoning plan is adopted. (Photo A. Talwar)The rezoning of a long, auto shop-strewn stretch of Webster Avenue between Fordham Road and Gun Hill Road is now moving into its final stage – scrutiny from the City Council, which must sign off on the plan. For more background on the rezoning plan, click here. But basically, over the past few years, Community Board 7 has worked with the office of City Planning to up-zone Webster Avenue to encourage more residential and retail development and, at the same time, down-zone select neighborhoods in Norwood and Bedford Park.Over the coming weeks, the Council will hold three meetings to discuss the Webster rezone plan:-March 15, 9:30 a.m., 16th Floor Hearing Room – Zoning Subcommittee (Hearing & vote)-March 16, 11 a.m., 16th Floor Hearing Room – (Full) Land Use Committee (Hearing & vote)-March 23, 1:30 PM, Emigrant Savings Bank (49-51 Chambers Street) – Stated Meeting (Vote)The public can sign up to speak at the March 15 zoning subcommittee hearing. The actual vote on the plan will be on March 23.
Happy Friday everyone! Apparently, it’s warming up just enough for it to rain all weekend. Lovely. To the news! Story of the Day:Ridiculously tragic story in the Post today about a 25-year-old Bronx woman, Lana Rosa, who was beaten into a coma, allegedly during a dispute with a man over a parking spot in the East Village.
Twenty state senators, including five representing the Bronx, are urging Gov. Cuomo to keep an income tax surcharge for wealthy New Yorkers. In a press release, they wrote …Given the fact that the federal government extended the Bush-era high-income tax cuts, it’s fair to question whether we should be giving the wealthiest New Yorkers a state tax cut too. During these difficult financial times sacrifices must be shared by all. Should wealthy New Yorkers really receive two tax cuts?The senators representing the Bronx who signed the letter are Gustavo Rivera, Jose M. Serrano, Ruth Hassell-Thompson, Adriano Espaillat and Ruben Diaz, Sr. For the full release, click here. They say keeping the tax would generate a more than $1 billion the next fiscal year, and more than $4 billion the year after.
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