Sam Gillian, a large man who is quick to smile, likes being terrified. He thinks you should do the same. "If you’re alive, you’re scared. That’s it," said Gillian, 66, sitting in his spacious Tracey Towers apartment.

It’s the kind of event park advocates and politicians celebrate, but like an archaeological dig, the groundbreaking for the new playground at the southeast corner of Van Cortlandt Park revealed layers of complexity below the excitement and ceremonial ritual.

Bronx tenants fed up with their landlords’ lack of action in addressing poor building conditions went over their heads on Nov. 7 to the bank that loans the owners money.

Various stories, including: Showdown for Speaker, Tenant Voting Flap, Rivera’s Queens Office, and School Funds.

The city is dragging its heels in initiating an independent evaluation of the Meals on Wheels pilot program launched in the Bronx a year ago. The city Department for the Aging (DFTA) has yet to begin the study, though it had promised to do so by now. The pilot completed its first year on Oct. 1 and is moving into its second cycle.

At the groundbreaking for the new playground in Van Cortlandt Park’s southeast corner, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe said something very interesting. The improvement of Bronx parkland in exchange for alienating a chunk of Van Cortlandt, sets a “precedent.”

Ashley Diaz is 11. Last year she missed 41 days of school. Since last December when site preparation for the Croton water treatment plant began across the street from where she lives, Ashley was admitted to the hospital to treat her asthma a dozen times.

For 10 years, Rocio Bravo sold homemade tamales and tacos outside her North Fordham apartment, just as she had done in her native Mexico. She amassed a dedicated clientele, along with plenty of summonses for running a street business.

Just because the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory is stalled indefinitely, doesn’t mean nothing can be done to give the grounds outside the armory a makeover.