Political Arena

Highlights in the city budget

Posted

Last month, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council agreed on the 2017 fiscal year budget – an $82 million spending plan that features funding for a range of projects throughout the city. 

Last week, Bronx Councilman Andrew Cohen followed up with a statement listing a range of programs that are pertinent to his 11th Council District.

There are $2.9 million in capital projects in place for Mr. Cohen’s district in 2017. These include plans to renovate the W. 262nd Street entrance to Van Cortlandt Park, buy an NYPD vehicle to patrol the same park, and spend $300,000 to install security cameras throughout the 47th, 50th and 52nd precincts.

Another $550,000 is set to go to the Mosholu branch of The New York Public Library for updates to its heating, ventilation and cooling system.

Budgetary allocations for Riverdale also include $63,000 for Riverdale Senior Services. The money is part of a more than $21 million allocation for senior citizens citywide, according to the statement. 

A total of $220,000 is set to be distributed among local public schools for after-school programs.

The Woodlawn Conservancy, Friends of Van Cortlandt Park and Emerald Isle Immigration Center are all set to receive $10,000 each for providing meals, educational and training services.

Remembering Roscoe Brown

The death of civil rights and education icon Roscoe Brown shook the hearts and sentiments of many community and political leaders in the Bronx.

Mr. Brown, a member of the historic Tuskegee Airmen – the first 450 black men admitted as pilots to the U.S. Air Force during World War II – moved to Riverdale in 1989 during his 17-year tenure at president of Bronx Community College. During his time in the Bronx, he made a lasting impact on every community he was a part of.

Outstanding as Mr. Brown’s list of accomplishments and accolades was, his daughter Doris “Bunnie” Bodine – the eldest of Mr. Brown’s four children – said she always saw him above all as “Dad.” 

“To me he was my dad and when you look at picture of him with family you think ‘he’s a dad,’” Ms. Bodine told The Press. 

“He had his public life where he was always giving speeches and talks but he was my dad, you know,” she said. “He modeled good behavior and he taught us how to set a model for how we would live our lives with integrity.”

Mr. Brown named his P-51 Mustang fighter plane for his daughter – “Bunnie.” 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., released a statement last week mourning Mr. Brown’s death on July 2.

“From his time as a Tuskegee Airman, to his service as the president of Bronx Community College and beyond, Dr. Brown was a model of service and a true friend of the Bronx,” the statement read. “Dr. Brown was a true Bronx legend, and was dedicated to serve the people of the borough he called home.”

Mr. Brown was the founding chairman of the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park and was known for his love of running. He also served on the board of BronxNet, a public access TV news channel that covers the Bronx.

“He highlighted the importance of putting in the energy to be the best you can be no matter the obstacle, and of working as a team together with pride to strive for excellence,” BronxNet executive director Michael Max Knobbe said in a statement. “He helped break down barriers and is really an American and global hero. Many of BronxNet’s public services, media education programs, and other work came to fruition with his guidance.”

BronxNet will be airing a tribute to Mr. Brown at 8 p.m. on July 14 and 15, and at 9 p.m. on July 16. The special will air on “Open,” a program that covers borough-wide news throughout the week.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz also noted Mr. Brown’s contributions to his community and education.

“The legacy of Dr. Brown, not only as a Tuskegee Airman, hero of World War Two who flew 68 combat missions, but also as an accomplished educator, college president, community leader and so much more will always live on,” he said in a statement. “The world is a better place because of him.”

Engel urges end to violence 

Rep. Eliot Engel, whose district includes Riverdale and Spuyten Duyvil, called for Americans to come together and find an end to violence in the wake of a series of deadly shootings. 

Mr. Engel issued the statement after the fatal shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by the police, and the killing of five police officers during a rally in Dallas.

“America was once again shocked and dismayed to hear and see the deaths of two black men in Minneapolis and Baton Rouge [Louisiana] and the five police officers in Dallas, Texas,” the statement read. “We must come to grips with the violence that is occurring in the streets across our nation and remember that we cannot allow violence to cause more violence.”

“In the days and weeks ahead as investigations into each of these incidents unfold it is important for our country to come together. We have to acknowledge the problems we face and not try to sweep them under the rug,” Mr. Engel said. “Our democracy is stronger when we are working together. Our politics might bring an air of dissension, but we are all human beings seeking to live our lives in a peaceful society.”

Andrew Cohen, City Council, City Budget, Elliot Engel, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Roscoe Brown, Anthony Capote

Comments