The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.

 

Longtime Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) member and current chair of the CB7 Budget, Personnel & Ethics Committee, Jean Hill, was recently honored by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, receiving a certificate of recognition in acknowledgement of her “proud status as a pillar of the community.”

 

The award was presented to Hill during the most recent Bronx CB7 general board meeting, held at Monroe College in Fordham Manor, on Oct. 24, by Alina Dowe, Bronx borough director of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, in the presence of other CB7 board members, elected officials, and members of the public.

 

Addressing those gathered at the meeting, Dowe said, “The mayor has asked that…..I know they say, ‘If you see something, say something,’ but if you see someone doing something good, please let us know! The mayor is giving out community awards to people in the community and you guys have someone and actually I have someone because I live in Community Board 7.”

 

She continued, “We have somebody in Community Board 7 that has been a phenomenal pillar for years and continues to [inaudible] for us, so I wanted to take the time to present this award today to Ms. Jean Hill.” The announcement was met with generous applause. Hill, herself, appeared to want to deflect attention away from herself and was heard asking others to join her and Dowe for a photo.

 

CB7 Parks chair, Barbara Stronczer, who also heads up the Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA), said of Hill’s recognition, “Jean is an active member of CB#7. She has held various elected positions on the board, and always looks at issues from more than one perspective. Always available to help at board events, her knowledge and experience are a plus for CB#7.”

 

In addition to her current role as chair of the CB7 budget committee, Hill has also served on the board in a variety of other roles over the past 13 years, including as chair of the board itself, as treasurer, as housing committee chair, and as veterans committee chair.

Hill is also president of Tracey Towers Tenants Organization since 2010. Tracey Towers comprises two Mitchel Lama housing tower blocks comprising 871 units located in Bedford Park and is home to a mix of both longtime Bronxites and first-generation immigrants.

 

Bronx CB7 District Manager Karla Cabrera Carrera said of Hill, “Bronx CB7 is blessed to have great board members who do not only volunteer their time with us at the board but are also civically engaged and dedicated to the improvement of their respective neighborhood/block. Jean Hill’s recognition as a pillar of the community is well deserved.”

 

Earlier this year, we spoke with the honoree at a Black History Month event at Tracey Towers. Click here to read that story, and click here to read our latest story on the widespread need for food across the borough amid high food costs in the lead up to Thanksgiving, and the impact one turkey giveaway held recently at Tracey Towers had on the community.

 

As reported, the mayor has said, “The wisdom, history, commitment, and passion that so many of our residents exhibit and extend to their neighbors makes them pillars of their communities and city.” His office said that it is in this spirit that he wishes to honor those residents who have lived on the block, resided in buildings, served in a civic organization the longest. He is requesting residents to join him as he travels throughout the City to pay tribute to these pillars of the communities. Nominate a block association, civic association, homeowners association, tenant association or other here.

 

Adams recently held a roundtable with various faith and community leaders at City Hall to address the uptick in hate crimes across New York City since Oct. 7.

As reported, the mayor’s campaign finances during the 2021 election cycle are currently being investigated by the FBI. Neither the mayor nor any member of his campaign has been accused of any criminal wrongdoing.

 

As also reported, the mayor denies a recent allegation of sexual assault and battery filed in a New York court as part of a civil legal case on Nov. 22 under the New York State’s Adult Survivor Act, as reported by various media outlets on Nov. 23. Adams denies any wrongdoing in relation to the sexual assault allegation.

 

Bronx Community Board 7, in conjunction with Future of Mosholu Parkway, is hosting a holiday tree-lighting ceremony for local residents of the district on Dec. 7 from around 5.30 p.m. on Mosholu Parkway North and Bainbridge Avenue on the border of Norwood and Bedford Park, as reported.