I am participating in a program that a calls for MEN to participate in the the first annual “Real Men Read” initiative at PS 333 in the Bronx, New York. This initiative is to get boys interested in reading and encourage and motivate literacy in the lives of young boys.
This is the call from Luz Gerena, Parent Coordinator at PS 333 in the Bronx:
Good morning: My name is Luz Gerena, I am the Parent Coordinator at P.S. 333 in the Bronx. I would like to invite you to our first ” Real Men Read” initiative at P.S. 333.
For 30 years the Department of Education continues to research and report the following:
1- Boys score less successfully than girls in Reading tests.
2- Eighth grade boys are more likely to be held back than girls.
3- Two thirds of special education students are boys
4- Overall enrollment in college is higher for girls than for boys.
We need you to help us by joining our campaign and help empower youngsters. All we ask is 10-30 minutes of your time to read a story or a poem of your choice, Our goal for this year is to have 300 men read to our children. The campaign runs through March 7, 2014. Help assist us in redefining our students’ attitude about reading. Help our boys listen to multiple reading genres through a man’s voice. Encourage boys to read by you being a role model.
Please help our boys, our community and our families set the example that you are for all of us by coming to our school and joining this great event. I am sure that this experience will be live changing for many and will be remembered by our students for many years to come.
I hope to hear from you! Please help us make a difference! Please contact me at 718-860-3313 ext. 214 or at 347-984-7274. I really hope to hear from you! Thank You. Sincerely, Luz
Ms. Luz Gerena, Parent Coordinator
P.S. 333 The Museum School
888 Reverend James A. Polite Ave.
Bronx, New York 10459
Telephone 718-860-3313 Ext. 214
Fax 718-842-8734
If there are any MEN who would LOVE/LIKE to spend 10-30 minutes of your time to read a story or poem of your choice, then please feel free to contact Luz Gerena any time before Friday, March 7, 2014.
By DONNA KARDOS YESALAVICH
The amount of new retail space across the U.S. has remained relatively flat in recent years, but New York’s Bronx borough has emerged as a hot spot.
At least five major shopping malls or centers are under way in the Bronx that will add more than 1.4 million square feet of space, one of the largest local retail expansions in the country. Despite the swell of supply already in the pipeline, developer Equity One Inc. last week said it would increase the size of its Broadway Plaza shopping center by 33,000 square feet to 148,000 square feet at an additional cost of $13.8 million, boosting the project’s total price tag to $66.5 million.
The initial phase of the development, which the company says is 70% leased, is expected to open in the fourth quarter and will include a TJ Maxx store and Aldi, a German discount supermarket chain. The additional section will offer five to seven smaller spaces and a street presence and should be completed by the second quarter of 2015.
4,760 Solar panels at Jetro Cash and Carry largest installation in NYC of its kind.
The Bronx is greening.
One of the best practices and policies to emerge from the Bronx Borough President’s office is the administration’s fierce commitment to encourage construction of LEED certified buildings and green tech installations.
Now the Bronx can claim yet another first with the largest solar panel installation in New York City.
Jetro Cash & Carry recently expanded its headquarters in the Bronx and now is home to 4,760 solar panels soaking up the sun’s rays and expected to generate 1.6 million kilowatt hours of clean, sustainable energy.
As a lifelong Bronx resident, it’s pretty amazing to watch all these developments and firsts when oftentimes we can be last on the list in so many other areas.
So in honor of our latest accomplishment in sustainability, here’s a small list of some of the firsts in green and LEED certifications in the Bronx.
The first green roof installed on a municipal building in New York City was at the Bronx County Courthouse in 2006. The 10,000 square foot green roof was also the 2nd in the country in a municipal building.
Located in Melrose and completed in October 2009, the Eltona was the first residential building in New York State to receive Platinum LEED certification —the highest level in the program. The building is equipped with 10 windmills which help generate power for the common areas and elevators. It’s also a fully nonsmoking building.
Melrose Commons section of Melrose in the Bronx is the first and only LEED certified neighborhood in the entire State of New York and since it received this designation in 2010,it still remains the only one in NYS.
Back in 2009 at the ribbon cutting of the Eltona, it was revealed that 86% of all new green building initiatives were in the Bronx. Not quite sure what those numbers are today, however, all developments such as La Central and several others that have been proposed in Melrose will continue to aim for the highest levels of LEED certification. For example, La Central will dedicate 50% of its roofspace to solar panels and green roofs.
Alfred E Smith High School Image Credit: Mott Haven Herald / Alfred E. Smith Career and Technical High School is the first public school in the city with a green roof. Photo by Lisha Arino
Scene a Riverdale Country School where student Zachery Halem 18, has installed his "One Small Step"kinetic-energy harvesting tiles which convert kinetic-energy into electricity.They are in a hallway oustide the school lunchroom. Students walk on the tiles Wednesday, January 29th,, 2013 Bronx,,,New York,( Michael Schwartz/ for New York Daily News)
These are just but a few of the many developments and projects that are making the Bronx a leader not only in urban renewal but in the green sustainable industry.
This is something we as Bronxites can be very proud of and let the world know how far we’ve come.
According to The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the festival event celebrates the cultural diversity of New Orleans and the melting pot of traditions that gave rise to the city’s unique music. Featured in the festival are the music and dance of Africa, the Caribbean, the American Gulf South and beyond in this two-day, family-friendly festival.
And what an honor it is that the Bronx will be representing the diversity of our great City of New York in such an important cultural festival.
A drummer for Bombazo, Elena Marrero —a retired New York City public school teacher and affectionately known as ‘Mamarazzi’ due to her always carrying her camera and shooting pictures —is very excited.
Marrero, who started taking Bomba and drumming lessons five years ago at age 60, was spotted by Milteri at several events and was invited to drum for the dance company. Since that time Elena, who’s lived in the Bronx since 1996, has performed with Bombazo at Alvin Ailey, and at Pregones Theatre right here in the Bronx.
Marrero says she’s, “Ecstatic and honored to represent NYC and bomba culture at the World Rhythm Festival at Congo Square.”
Image Credit: Bombazo Dance Company
But in order to get there, they need our help.
The 22 member Bombazo Dance Company needs to raise $6,000 by March 2nd so that they can perform at the Congo Square Rythms Festival from March 22nd through the 23rd of this year. So far they have raised $1,090 on Go Fund Me.
Check out our interview with Bombazo founder, Milteri Tucker Concepción below and learn more about the dance company as well as the event.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in San Juan Puerto Rico and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
How long have you lived in the Bronx?
I moved to New York, fresh from high school in 2000. I’ve been a Bronx resident for 14 years.
Where did you get your professional training?
I’ve been involved in the arts since I was about 6 years old in Puerto Rico.
Seriously started training in dance and voice at the performing arts school in Ponce: Bellas Artes. I’m a classically trained dancer: ballet, ( pointe work) strong technique in Lyrical, Jazz. Also studied Puerto Rican folk dances (Bomba, Plena, Seis, Danza), coupled with Flamenco.
I moved to NYC to study dance and continued my training in other forms such as modern dance, theater, contemporary, hip hop, Afro Caribbean and Latin dances.
I have my Degrees from Hunter College in Dance, and Biology. Been working professionally in dance since I graduated, as a performer, emerging choreographer and dance educator.
When and Why did you start Bombazo?
I’ve been working on my own choreography for little over 9 years as an independent artist, but I formally started Bombazo four years ago. I am not only a Bomba dancer but a ballet and theater/jazz dancer etc.
I found my voice and become a unique performer in the NYC dance community, by bringing it back to my roots. Bombazo Dancers mirror who I am. They all have a strong dance technique and can take it back to our roots.
Today, Bombazo is growing into an organization, where we not only create a new dance vocabulary with our fusions, but maintain traditional folkloric dances such as Bomba alive for future generations. We do this by giving Bomba Dance workshops, drumming workshops, community Bombazos, lecture demonstrations.
How many people are in your company?
We are currently 25 members.
How can someone become part of Bombazo?
Every one in the company has auditioned. I also have worked and choreographed for the Bronx community in collaboration with other organizations, where those interested have participated in events as community dancers.
Do you offer classes and if so, what type and where do you offer them?
Every Spring I offer a free dance workshops for the Bronx Community in different dance genres, including Bomba Dance. Currently I am giving affordable Bomba dance classes every Sunday at BAAD.
We understand that you make your own skirts for your performances as well as make them for sale. What are they called? How can customers get in touch with you if they want to place an order?
Yes, my skirt line is called BOMBAZO WEAR by Milteri® Customers can visit our website: www.bombazodanceco.com and click on the tab that says Bombazo WEAR and or they can email at bombazowearskirts@gmail.com
Tell us more about New Orleans and how Bombazo ended up being the only group from New York City to be invited.
I have roots in New Orleans. That was my father’s birth place before he moved to Puerto Rico. I attended and performed at conferences, where the arts community in New Orleans have seen my choreography and work with Bombazo. I am humbled and very excited that Bombazo Dance Co was invited to perform at the festival and honored to be the first Bronx based company to represent and perform in my second home!
For the first time Traditional Bomba will be seen! I’m excited to share a part of me and my culture with the New Orleans Congo Sq. Community.
Where have you or Bombazo performed?
As a performer I’ve been blessed to have performed in so many great venues in NYC and the tri-state Area. Some highlights are: as Josephine Baker, Tribute to the First Diva at Macy’s Herald Square, Easter Bonnet at the Minksoff Theater on Broadway and recently at the Latin Billboards as a highlighted dancer for Don Omar.
Bombazo Dance Co has performed at Lincoln Center, Summer Stage, Alvin Ailey Citi Group Theater, Pregones Theater, BAAD, Casita Maria center for Arts Education, At the Bronx County Courthouse where Honorable Ruben Diaz Jr. gave the company a proclamation.
We showcased for the first time Bomba at the New York International Salsa Congress, been featured on Bronx Net’s Open with Rhina Valentin and performed at the Puerto Rican Day Parade, Hispanic Day Parade and Three Kings Day parade hosted by El Museo Del Barrio.
Where do you see yourself and Bombazo in 5 years?
I see myself continuing my legacy and sharing my voice with the community at large as a performer, choreographer and dance educator. Bombazo Dance Co will continue to grow, collaborating with artists to create and present unique productions, while maintaining traditions alive through workshops for future generations.
Presently, I would like to invite the Bronx Community to participate of our fundraiser event titled: Bombazo in the Bronx!™
Held on Sunday, March 9th at BAAD. 4-6pm. $10.00 Adults and $5 dollars children. I encourage musicians to bring their drums and join our drum circle!!! More info: www.bombazodanceco.com
A big slice from Dominick's Pizza on Allerton / Photo Credit: Robin Lee/Daily Slice on seriouseats.com
The best pizza conversation in New York City is one of those hot topics that can often get a very heated discussion going, like real estate and the best borough (obviously the Bronx) in the city.
Now the article is obviously biased and seems to have been written by Fordham University student since there was no other mention of the many pizzerias that dot our awesome borough of The Bronx.
Growing up and living in Melrose for almost my entire life, my hands down favorite still remains to be Yolanda’s on East 149th Street between Morris and Courtlandt Avenues. Sal’s pizza shop across the street (closed decades ago) was a close second in my book.
So what we want to know is what is your favorite pizza joint (past or present, we really wanna hear from Bronxites who no longer live here too!) and why you love them so much! What makes a great slice of pizza so great?
Image credit: MICHAEL SCHWARTZ FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
The deer found its way into the upper Manhattan housing project, to the surprise of residents. (March 2012)
New York City Parks and Recreation began surveying the deer population of the Bronx yesterday and will continue to due so on a daily basis for week until this Saturday March 1st.
A single engine plane will be flying at approximately 1,000 feet over the Riverdale area of the Bronx as well as Pelham Bay and Van Cortlandt Parks between 6pm and 1am will be using infrared cameras to conduct the survey.
As the deer population has grown in Westchester County, along with human population and encroachment on their habitations, they have begun to seek out other areas to forage.
So if you hear a plane flying low going back and forth, don’t panic, the city is just checking in on our big old four legged woodland friends.
The New York Times recently published a heartwarming story and slide show in the Lens Blog on a same-sex couple in Mott Haven who have successfully raised 20 foster children — with no signs of stopping.
You may remember that a report released in 2008 showed that same-sex couples in the Bronx were more likely, than any other borough in the city and perhaps county in the nation, to have children so it shouldn’t be surprising to Bronxites.
“…Ms. Scarborough-Harris and her partner, Paris Harris, had been foster parents to some 20 girls and young women at their South Bronx home in Mott Haven. Many had some form of disability, and a few identified as L.G.B.T. Some might think the Bronx’s blue-collar and immigrant neighborhoods make it an unlikely place for a lesbian couple to help raise more than 20 children. But a 2008 report by the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, showed same-sex couples in the Bronx were actually more likely to have children than in any other New York City borough — and maybe more than in any county in the country.
According to Gary J. Gates, one of the report’s authors, black and Hispanic same-sex couples are likelier to have children than similar white couples. The Bronx’s affordability and higher percentage of black and Hispanic residents, Mr. Gates said, could account for its large number of same sex parents.
Ms. Scarborough-Harris said they felt compelled to shelter and nurture youths whose lives had already endured enough hardship and uncertainty.
“We believe the service we give is the rent we pay to stay on the planet,” Ms. Scarborough-Harris said. “It’s been 10 years and 20 kids, and it just doesn’t look like it’s going to end.”
Welcome2TheBronx encourages reader submissions for consideration for publication on our site. It is our mission to be able to provide a platform where Bronx residents can have their voices broadcasted to a wider audience.
To submit an article, email us at submissions@welcome2thebronx.com
Updated to include quote and link from Borough President’s Press Release
During Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr’s State of the Borough address today, he publicly called upon the city to issue a new Request for Proposal for PS 31 and to truly explore whether or not it needs to be demolished.
It seems the Borough President has listened to our cries for the building to be salvaged since our petition to save the building was addressed to him among others.
Diaz called it a disgrace that the city let the school fall into such repair.
The southern Grand Concourse was also discussed at length, as Borough President Diaz called on the city to issue a new request for proposals for the P.S. 31 site, and to continue to explore whether or not the existing building could be saved.
“It is an absolute disgrace that the City allowed P.S. 31, one of the most iconic school buildings in our city and my own alma mater, to fall into such disrepair that it is scheduled to be torn down,” said Borough President Diaz. “With that said, it is time for innovation. The city must issue a new RFP for the P.S. 31 site. This RFP should examine whether or not the building can be saved, and should also explore a wide variety of uses for the site in order to stimulate street life and blend in with the neighborhood.”
We made a lot of noise and the media took notice. Our petition which has been signed by almost 800 supporters (if you haven’t signed it, please do!) was instrumental in getting the attention of Landmarks Preservation Commission and used in their decision to deny Department of Building’s request to strip the beloved school of its landmark status so that it could be demolished.
The department of buildings cited safety concerns and said the building probably couldn’t withstand another weather event yet PS 31 still stands with all the record snow that had fallen this winter while buildings across the city have suffered roof collapses — newer structures which had no history of safety concerns.
Lower Concourse Waterfront District
As you know, PS 31 sits amid the rezoned Lower Concourse District which went from manufacturing to residential.
The borough president has also called for the creation of a waterfront district in the area stretching from 138th Street up to 149th Street.
Did you know that Bronx Community College occupies one of the highest points in the whole Bronx? Do you know how this school came to occupy that location? 2014 is the 40th anniversary of Bronx Community College’s (BCC) first full year at the campus we know today. A distinguished African-American educator oversaw the move from scattered buildings around Jerome Avenue to the high and architecturally distinguished place it now occupies; his name was Dr. James A. Colston!
Bronx River Sankofa believes it’s crucial to find connections among the many strands of Bronx African-American environmental history. 1974 was a year of growth and change in society. Examples connect the Bronx like a constellation:
BCC received public funds for a series of ten seminars on the Bronx River,
Bronx River Restoration Project, Inc., the first civic group since the 1920s to dedicate themselves to continuous river recreation and rehabilitation, began under the leadership of former Catholic missionary Ruth Anderberg (then recently retired from Fordham University),
Mid Bronx Desperadoes (now MBD Housing) who rebuilt much of the central Bronx began,
Jose E. Serrano first ran for elective office in the NYS legislature when Evelina Antonetty refused popular wishes she fold her successful activism into political office!
“The Commencement that will honor your graduation this year is significantly different from all previous such ceremonies in the college’s history. It will be held outdoors in a beautiful, park-like campus setting to mark a new era at Bronx Community College.
You have been fortunate to have experienced the excitement and thrill of moving to a “new” campus, and it is my sincerest wish that the uplifting experience you have had during this first year at the University Heights campus will provide the impetus to your post-BCC phase, be it at a four year college or in the world of work. I hope you will come back to visit us and bring that “special” feeling you have as the first graduates of the Heights campus to a reinvigorated Alumni Association.
Of course, we hope to welcome you back not just as alumni but as subscribers to the life-long learning process. Your degree does not close the book on benefits you can derive from BCC. There are many programs and courses, both credit and non-credit, that can help you toward a better career and a better life.
All of us cherish fond memories of the “Old Building” and the mad dashes under the Jerome Avenue El to get to class on time. In those widely separated facilities, we created an inner campus of “spirit.” Even though we now have a real campus, we have all profited from the fortitude that enabled us to transcend our surroundings and achieve education and closeness. You are special because you have experienced the best of both worlds.
If there is any lesson to be drawn from your unique experience, it could be that a consciousness of one’s past is the only reference point for determining the future. A life motivated in escaping the past, no matter how humble, will abort any real sense of purpose. We release ourselves from the enslavement of escapism by recognizing the essential connection between past, present, and future. [4/4/74]”
This story was originally published by Morgan Powell at Bronx River Sankofa on February 19th, 2014 and subsequently submitted for reprint to Welcome2TheBronx as part of African-American American History Month.
About Morgan Powell:
Morgan Powell is a Community Researcher with the Bronx African American History Project. As a landscape designer and sustainable agriculture activist for over a decade, he’s also been a volunteer on numerous environmental efforts throughout NYC, especially power point talks under the name Bronx River Sankofa.
His talks and walking tours have been received by over 1,300 New Yorkers at venues like the New York Public Library, Cornell University and the City University of New York. Morgan writes for the national website Outdoor Afro and other blogs. His on-line videos and other media celebrate the history of African-American New York beyond cliché facts, historical figures and neighborhoods with an eco-twist.
Disclaimer:
Comments, views, and opinions are that solely of the author and should never be misconstrued as that of Welcome2TheBronx or any other authors of this site. Welcome2TheBronx only edits articles submitted by readers for grammar and spelling leaving fact checking up to the author.
Welcome2TheBronx encourages reader submissions for consideration for publication on our site. It is our mission to be able to provide a platform where Bronx residents can have their voices broadcasted to a wider audience.
To submit an article, email us at submissions@welcome2thebronx.com
Last year there were 156 pedestrian fatalities on the streets of New York City representing an increase from 2012 as well as 2011. According to an analysis done by the Daily News of NYPD statistics, there were 7 pedestrian related deaths during the first 12 days of this year and if this trend were to continue it would put us on pace to hit well over 200 fatalities this year.
With such an alarming increase of these incidents, Mayor De Blasio and his administration has launched Vision Zero Action Plan, a massive multi-prong and interdepartmental initiative to make the streets of New York City the safest of any big city in the world. This is only the beginning steps of what will be a more comprehensive plan as time progresses and the program evolves.
In the Bronx we all know too well that many of our streets are dangerous with cars exceeding speed limits as well as poorly designed crossings across major roadways like the Grand Concourse, Fordham Road, White Plains Road, and the Bruckner Boulevard.
Data from New York City Department of Transportation collected from 2008 through 2012 revealed the following factors related to pedestrian fatalities:
—55% were a result of dangerous driver choices.
—37% were a result of dangerous pedestrian choices.
—17% were a result of dangerous driver and pedestrian choices.
nyc.gov
Vision Zero Action plan will establish a permanent Vision Zero task force at the Mayor’s office in City Hall. The plan will pool resourced from City Hall, NYPD, Department of Transportation, Taxi & Limousine Commission, Department of Citywide Administrative Services, Departament of Mental Health & Hygiene, and ultimately we the citizens of New York City to accomplish its goals of reducing pedestrian fatalities.
The Vision Zero Action Plan is only a beginning for Vision Zero in New York. It defines the initial steps that the City Police (NYPD) and Transportation Departments (DOT), Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC), the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and other agencies will take. These initiatives will be continually analyzed for their effectiveness. Other innovations will be sought and added.
City Hall
—Establish a permanent Vision Zero task force in the Mayor’s Office of Operations
—Launch a Vision Zero website to gather input from New Yorkers and coordinate information about the City’s Vision Zero plans, upcoming events and provide data
—Conduct Vision Zero presentations across the city
—Publish crash and safety data on a regular basis in user-friendly format(s)
—Partner with industry groups and vehicle manufacturers to educate fleet drivers and explore design changes to their automotive fleets
—Lead a state legislative campaign to give the City the power over the placement of speed and red-light cameras, the power to reduce the citywide speed limit to 25mph, and to increase the penalties associated with dangerous driver behavior.
Police Department
—Increase enforcement against dangerous moving violations, including speeding, failing to yield to pedestrians, signal violations, improper turns/disobeying signage, and phoning/texting while driving
—Increase speeding enforcement at the precinct level
—Purchase advanced speed detection equipment (LIDAR guns), upgrade speed detection technology available to precincts and train additional personnel
—Increase the Highway Unit to 263 personnel
—Expand Collision Investigation Squad cases to encompass all crashes with critical injuries
—Modify precinct-level traffic plans to increase focus on pedestrian safety
—Update technology for capturing crash data
—Enhance training for officers to better record and preserve crash details and site evidence
—Broaden recruiting efforts for School Crossing Guards
Police Department + Department of Transportation
—Conduct intensive street-level outreach and enforcement on safety problems and traffic laws, focused in areas with known crash histories
—Convene monthly meetings of DOT Traffic Division and NYPD Transportation Bureau to review traffic safety performance and set strategy for improvement
—Develop data-driven citywide enforcement strategy
—Develop borough-wide safety plans in close coordination with community boards, community organizations, and the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit
—Conduct targeted outreach in 500 schools each year, educating students about protecting themselves as safe pedestrians and working with their families for safer school zones
Department of Transportation
—Implement safety engineering improvements at 50 intersections and corridors
—Create 25 new arterial slow zones
—Implement eight new neighborhood slow zones
—Install speed cameras at 20 new authorized locations
—Install 250 speed bumps, including in neighborhood slow zones
—Enhance street lighting at 1,000 intersections
—Enhance maintenance of street markings
—Install traffic signals where needed for speed control via coordinated arterial signal time
—Additional street reconstruction safety projects
—Survey national and international best practices to expand potential strategies
—Hold workshops for major street design projects
—Undertake a high-quality ad campaign aimed at reducing speeding, failure-to-yield and other forms of reckless driving
—Increase extent of “Choices” anti-DWI campaign
—Double number of programmable speed boards for intensive education/enforcement initiative
—Make effective, age-appropriate safety curriculum available to schools throughout the city
—Partner with senior centers to increase communication and get specific feedback from aging New Yorkers about street safety improvements
—Increase the number and visibility of hands-on safety demonstrations
—Add safety flyers and messaging in DOT mailings such as Alternate Side Parking regulations and construction permits
Department of Transportation + Taxi & Limousine Commission
—Issue summonses to TLC drivers identified by red light cameras (in addition to summonses currently issued to vehicle owners)
—Update taxi school to account for new streetscape features and alert drivers to higher-crash street types
Taxi & Limousine Commission
—Create TLC safety enforcement squad, equipped with speed radar equipment, to enforce speed and safety regulations
—Pilot program to place black box data recorders in TLC-licensed vehicles
—Implement more comprehensive, taxi-specific, driving curriculum for initial licensees
—Pursue requirement of additional behind-the-wheel driving instruction for drivers involved in frequent crashes, and continued driver safety education
—Pilot technology that alerts passengers and drivers that they are traveling over the speed limit
—Explore in-car technology that limits vehicle speed, warns drivers of impending collisions or that reduces the fare when the driver speeds
—Introduce street safety PSAs on Taxi TV
—Use driver information monitors to send safety reminders to taxi drivers
—Add safety flyers and messaging in TLC mailings to drivers
—Include left turn reminder stickers in TLC-licensed vehicles
—Create publicly accessible Honor Roll of safe TLC drivers
—Enhance enforcement against drivers offering for-hire service without TLC licenses
—Explore vehicle design requirements to improve safety
Department of Citywide Administrative Services
—Ensure all City fleet vehicles are equipped with technology that record speeding and other dangerous driving behaviors, by the end of 2014
—Upgrade the collision tracking system for the citywide fleet through the new NYC Fleet Focus fleet system
—Oversee a citywide expansion of Defensive Driver training courses for all employees driving City vehicles
—Recommend safety related devices and designs, such as high visibility vehicles, back-up cameras, and rear wheel side guards, for City vehicles and other vehicles under City regulation
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
—Conduct public health surveillance on traffic-related hospitalizations and fatalities
—Provide Vision Zero task force with public health data to help target traffic safety interventions
—Include traffic fatalities and injuries and prevention messages in public health reports
—Engage community public health partners in promoting Vision Zero goals
—Promote research on walking, driving, motorcycling, and bicycling behaviors and patterns in the city
Welcome2TheBronx encourages reader submissions for consideration for publication on our site. It is our mission to be able to provide a platform where Bronx residents can have their voices broadcasted to a wider audience.
To submit an article, email us at submissions@welcome2thebronx.com
Back in 2010 during renovations at the Bronx County Courthouse, several historical murals depicting Jonas Bronck and local Lenape Native Americans were severely water damaged.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr complained to the city on numerous occasions but the years went by and the decay worsened.
Now the city finally has done right by the Bronx and the murals and work will begin to restore the historical works of art.
FLORESCU VIOREL FREELANCE NYDN
In the story reported today by the Daily News, “The murals have been languishing since the courthouse renovation; at one point, Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. accused the city of turning its back on the historic pieces. But on Monday, Diaz said he was “thrilled” that the city was moving forward with the repairs.”
As I say all the time, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Thanks to Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr, Steve Nallen and all who made noise to get these murals the proper attention they deserve.
The Bronx’s History is just as important as that of any other part of the city.
