Bronx Reps Want U.S. Out of Afghanistan
Public and Community Meetings
Yes, A Victory for Armory
While the defeat of the Related Companies’ proposal to build a giant shopping mall at the Kingsbridge Armory was not a final victory by any means for community residents, it was a victory nonetheless.
It was a victory for local residents who went to years of meetings, rallies and planning sessions and laid out their vision for a redeveloped Armory that addressed community needs like schools, recreation and community programs. Now they, and anyone else who wants to get involved, have a chance to see their collective vision realized. It’s important to remember that there would have been no new roof on the Armory, no request for proposals, and no City Council vote at all were it not for more than 16 years of local efforts to put the Armory on the radar screen of City Hall. Participation matters.
It was a victory for the political process and community organizing. Faced with a strong local coalition of residents and community leaders, Bronx politicians were encouraged and emboldened to take up this cause and bring it across the finish line. We hope this sets a precedent for the Bronx delegation whose unity convinced every other borough’s delegation to join them.
It was a victory for residents in every borough who want their voices heard in the planning of their communities. Though the city’s land use review process does not prioritize the views of the neighborhoods most affected, concerned citizens now know it’s not impossible to fight City Hall. It was a victory for workers citywide who may soon see a boost in their incomes if Bronx Council members follow through on their promise to introduce legislation to require a living wage at projects subsidized by taxpayers. It was a victory for the Bronx which has set the tone for development in Mayor Bloomberg’s third term.
It was a victory for local residents who went to years of meetings, rallies and planning sessions and laid out their vision for a redeveloped Armory that addressed community needs like schools, recreation and community programs. Now they, and anyone else who wants to get involved, have a chance to see their collective vision realized. It’s important to remember that there would have been no new roof on the Armory, no request for proposals, and no City Council vote at all were it not for more than 16 years of local efforts to put the Armory on the radar screen of City Hall. Participation matters.
It was a victory for the political process and community organizing. Faced with a strong local coalition of residents and community leaders, Bronx politicians were encouraged and emboldened to take up this cause and bring it across the finish line. We hope this sets a precedent for the Bronx delegation whose unity convinced every other borough’s delegation to join them.
It was a victory for residents in every borough who want their voices heard in the planning of their communities. Though the city’s land use review process does not prioritize the views of the neighborhoods most affected, concerned citizens now know it’s not impossible to fight City Hall. It was a victory for workers citywide who may soon see a boost in their incomes if Bronx Council members follow through on their promise to introduce legislation to require a living wage at projects subsidized by taxpayers. It was a victory for the Bronx which has set the tone for development in Mayor Bloomberg’s third term.
Council Should Endorse an Open Internet
For many of us, the diversity and abundance of information on the Internet has become part of our daily lives. We assume that we will always be able to view the Web sites of our choosing and even upload our own photos and videos onto the Internet.
However, as an organization that teaches radio journalism to immigrants and public school students, we can’t take net neutrality – the principle that prohibits discrimination of content and applications on the Internet – for granted.
However, as an organization that teaches radio journalism to immigrants and public school students, we can’t take net neutrality – the principle that prohibits discrimination of content and applications on the Internet – for granted.
Bedford Park’s New Latin Flavor
More Support for Local Business Districts
For the first time in 10 years, holiday lights can be seen running along Kingsbridge Road. With help from Senator Pedro Espada, support from local merchants, and backing from the Montefiore Medical Center (and its affiliate, the Mosholu Preservation Corporation, the publisher of the Norwood News), both Kingsbridge Road and Gun Hill Road-Jerome Avenue business districts will be receiving more resources this holiday season.