Op-Ed: NYC Department of Transportation, Stay Out of Parks!

By ROXANNE DELGADO

Two months after New York State legalized e-bikes and e-scooters, the City Council passed a bill, on June 5, 2020, to create a pilot program for the operation of shared electric scooters to exist for a duration of no less than one year and no more than two years. Earlier this year, NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the East Bronx as the program’s pilot zone and selected three companies, Bird, Lime and Veo, to participate in the pilot project, starting with 3,000 e-scooters. Why NYC DOT chose an area that lacks biking infrastructure is so confusing. NYC DOT proposed 24

By SARAH HUFFMAN and MIRIAM QUIÑONES

The Bronx celebrated its many residents of Dominican heritage on Sunday, July 25, at the annual Dominican Day Parade which kicked off at the Grand Concourse and 172nd Street. The celebration brought together a host of Dominican Americans and Bronxites from all walks of life, many decked out in red, white and blue to honor the colors of the Dominican flag. New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio and various elected officials, political candidates and community leaders led the parade behind a gigantic Dominican flag. Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY13), Bronx District Attorney, the Hon. Darcel Clark, State Sen. Jamaal.

By SARAH HUFFMAN

The election of the various officer positions to Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) for the upcoming year took place at the last general board meeting of the year on June 23. Most of the incumbent officers were re-elected, apart from one. In addition, four motions were passed on various, different matters. Most had already been reviewed at the board’s June 17 meeting, as reported. Nominating committee chair, Sandra Erickson, gave each candidate a chance to pitch their candidacy to the board members at the beginning of the meeting before voting took place. Most positions ran uncontested, except for second

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Bronx may have a new millionaire in its midst. The New York Lottery announced on Thursday, Aug. 5, that one second-prize ticket for the Aug. 4 Powerball drawing was sold in the borough. The ticket is worth a guaranteed $1,000,000. The ticket was purchased at Ahmon Food Inc., located at 1572 Williamsbridge Rd in Morris Park. The winning numbers for the Powerball game are drawn from a field of one to 69. The red Power Ball is drawn from a separate field of one to 26. The drawing is televised every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Dawn Brown, 60, of 162 West Kingsbridge Road, in Kingsbridge Heights in the Bronx, who was reported missing on Wednesday, Aug. 4, in the 52nd precinct. Brown was last seen on Sunday, Aug. 1, at approximately 9.30 p.m. leaving her home. She is described as being approximately 5 feet, 2 inches tall, weighs 130 pounds, has a thin build, a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing black clothing. A photo of the missing person is attached. Anyone with

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the U.S. House Select Committee that is investigating the January 6th riots and the storming of the U.S. Capitol. “I’ve been following it, and I notice the great partisanship that there is in both chambers, and it’s something that obviously needs the eyes of both parties because the interest of democracy is at stake. We notice the lack of interest that the GOP has demonstrated in these instances and it’s regrettable. It’s regrettable for our democracy, it is regrettable for the generation to come. It is regrettable for the country that our children will inherit.”

By SÍLE MOLONEY

State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34) issued a statement on Tuesday following the publication of the findings of the independent investigation carried out by Attorney General Laetitia James into allegations of sexual harassment by New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo, allegations which the governor has denied. On Tuesday, Aug. 3, Biaggi said the independent investigation concluded that the governor sexually harassed former and current staff, violating federal and state law. “The report confirms what we already knew – the Governor has sexually harassed and intimidated employees while actively silencing the victims of his abuse and fostering a toxic and

By DAVID GREENE

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Charlene McCray made a special appearance on Tuesday, June 29, at Destination Tomorrow, The Bronx’s LGBTQ+ Center, located on East 149th Street in the South Bronx, in celebration of Pride Month. McCray, the first speaker of the program, told a crowd of about 50, “This is really a wonderful day. As I look around at all of you, I feel hope, I feel possibilities, I feel dreams crackling in the air.” After watching a recent episode of the FX series “Pose,” McCray recalled, “During the show, I saw

By DAVID GREENE

Two local residents, a mother and son, have each been charged with a single count of assault after they both allegedly attempted to choke a young, female Citi Bike rider. Witnesses reported that the two claimed the Citi Bike rider scratched their ride with her bike. A video recording of the unfolding events shows that a large crowd gathered after a dispute arose between the occupants of a grey Honda Accord and one of two Citi Bike riders on Sunday, July 11 just after 4 p.m. in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx. The car driver stopped in a designated