Mount Eden News: Workers Flunk Repair

Mount Eden News: Workers Flunk Repair: Workers Flunk Repair 1 Month After it was Taken Down, Construction Scaffold Returns Overnight at P.S. 86 By David Greene BRONX...

Workers Flunk Repair

Workers Flunk Repair

1 Month After it was Taken Down, Construction Scaffold Returns Overnight at P.S. 86

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 13- A dozen burly construction workers arrived just before twilight, hours after the last child had left P.S. 86 in Kingsbridge Heights. Workers began putting up the steel and wood sidewalk-shed in the front of the school-- a month after the same workers had dismantled it.

Many of the parents of the 1,600-plus kindergarten and elementary school children who attend the Reservoir Avenue school, dubbed "The Kingsbridge Heights School," and residents of the block were surprised to see what is called a construction scaffold or sidewalk-shed, back in front of the school on the morning of May 1.

One resident recalled, "Yeah, they took it down and it went away and then it came back. It's crazy."

According to Jason Fink at the Department of Education (DOE), "This is an exterior modernization project. Some of the decorative terracotta that was part of the project had to be replaced by the manufacturer, so the contractor is going back to install the replacements."

Fink added that the contractor Vardaris Tech, Inc., was doing the work on the $4.5 million project.

Additional details were revealed when Anjaykumar Shaw of the DOE's School Construction Authority (SCA) stated, "At the time everything was fine and everything was done, but ultimately whatever winter conditions we went through, they went up there and found out what had happened."

Shaw elaborated on the problem, explaining, "Bolsters are the decorative pieces there (in the front of the building) and that bolster had some cracks in it."

Unable to provide an exact timeline, Shaw recalled, "We just realized after the winter, I would say... I don't know exactly, but in the last three or four weeks we came to know there was a problem."

Asked why the scaffolding came down in the first place, Shaw replied, "Oh, because work at the time seemed complete."

A follow up call to Shaw was re-directed to Nicole Halloway, the Bronx Community Relations Manager and the Project Support Manager for the School Construction Authority, who could not provide additional details, stating, "Because the building in question is a DOE facility, we cannot answer questions pertaining to that, only the DOE can."

Several parents stated they were very happy with the school, one believed it to be the largest public school in the borough.

One teacher called it an "A-plus" school and added, "Teacher morale here is great."

However, one parent who claimed her daughter was recommended powerful drugs for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) fumed,  "They told me I had to be sympathetic to the fact that the teacher had 37 students."

Referring to P.S. 86, that parent added, "I feel like every time I hear a teacher, there telling a parent their child has ADHD."

In a follow-up e-mail, Fink stated there would be no additional cost to the SCA, and added the completion date is not yet known.

Calls to P.S. 86 Principal Fiona Tyson and contractor Vardaris Tech were not immediately returned.   

#Schools #Construction #Education #Bronxnews

Mount Eden News: Yanks Tickled Pink

Mount Eden News: Yanks Tickled Pink: Yanks Tickled Pink Pineda Fans 16, Remains Undefeated in 2015  By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 11- Sunday’s starting p...

Yanks Tickled Pink

Yanks Tickled Pink

Pineda Fans 16, Remains Undefeated in 2015 

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 11- Sunday’s starting pitcher for the Yankees, Michael Pineda, zeroed in on the strike zone throughout his outstanding pitching performance. The Dominican native fanned 16 batters, a career high in seven innings. It is only the seventh time since 1900 that a pitcher has struck out that many in as few as seven innings.

He struck out each of the Oriole batters he faced except J. J. Hardy. It was the second highest total of strikeouts in a single game for the Yankees. He tied the mark set by perfect game pitchers, David Wells and David Cone, and has been bested only by Ron Guidry, who fanned 18 in 9 innings on June 11, 1978.

The 26 year old has exhibited an amazing control of his pitches. On Sunday, he struck out 16 without issuing a walk. The last time a major league pitcher accomplished that feat was on August 19, 2007, when Johan Santana struck out 17 without walking a batter.

The total for his seven starts in 2015 are 54 strikeouts and three walks for an American League high k/bb ratio of 18.00, second only to Bartolo Colon in the majors.

He is one of only five active major league pitchers who have multiple appearances with at least seven strikeouts and zero walks.

Pineda’s catcher on Sunday, Brian McCann, was impressed, but not surprised by the pitcher’s performance, “He had all three pitches working. When you can throw three pitches for strikes whenever you want that allows the pitcher to attack the hitters. He doesn’t walk any guys. He pounds the zone. His stuff is electric every time he takes the ball.”

Yankee skipper Joe Girardi, a former catcher, described what he saw, “Location, outstanding mix of pitches, deception. A lot of things have to go right to get 16 strikeouts in 21 outs. Oh God, he was really good!”

Girardi explained why he removed Pineda from the contest after seven frames, “The time of the year, how young he is, how important he is to the team, and the pitch count (111).”

The result of Pineda’s work was another Yankee victory and the team’s continued presence in first place in the American League East. Pineda remained undefeated, 5‐0, in his seven starts this season. He is also undefeated in six contests with the Baltimore Orioles, who lost 6‐2, with a mark of 3‐0.

Pineda, naturally a happy person, was overjoyed, “Today was the best game. The weather was like the weather in the Dominican. It’s Mother’s Day.” The devout player’s reaction in general, “Thank you God.”

#Yankees #MichaelPineda #MothersDay #Bronxnews

Mount Eden News: Rivera to step down?

Mount Eden News: Rivera to step down?: Rivera to step down?  Bx. pol putting pressure in Mt. Vernon race? 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY ...

Rivera to step down?

Rivera to step down? 
Bx. pol putting pressure in Mt. Vernon race?

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 7- There are rumors that have been confirmed by several elected officials that Assemblyman Jose Rivera is going to step down right after the current session is over. I have been told that the reason is health related, and I hope only the best for a man I consider a friend Jose Rivera.

It appears to be a foregone conclusion that current State Senator Ruth Hassel-Thompson (36^th Senate District Bronx and Mount Vernon) will be elected Mayor of Mount Vernon later this year. In speaking with a high level representative from the powerful union 1199, I was told that the union 1199 has been told not to field a candidate for the open 36^th State Senate District by now Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie whose district overlaps with the 36^th State Senate District. I was also told that Speaker Heastie is urging 1199 to endorse his chosen candidate Mr. Jamal Bailey of Assemblyman Heastie's Bronx office staff, and was also told that Speaker Heastie now controls the money. I asked what exactly that meant, and was told that I know what it means.

I attempted to reach Mr. Bailey at Assemblyman Heastie's office and was told that he was unavailable. It appeared that I was being pushed to the press office by the person to whom I was transferred to. Assemblyman Heastie has been in the news lately on a variety of items, and it appears that I may have an item not for Bronx DA Robert Johnson, but for the U.S. Attorney's office if Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is allegedly trying to intimidate a large powerful union into not running a candidate, and endorsing his chosen candidate for a State Senate Seat that covers the Bronx and parts of Westchester County. More on this in the coming weeks, and Mr. Bharara are you listening?

Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. kicked off of Bronx Week 2015 this past Sunday outside the old East 149^th Street Bronx Grand Post Office. President Obama's visit to Lehman College the next day was just a coincidence, and not part of Bronx Week 2015. The presidential event is covered elsewhere in this paper.

Back to Bronx Week 2015. Thursday, May 7th the first Bronx Week 2015 event begins with the Centenarian Celebration of those Bronxites who have reached the age of 100 or more. This celebration seems to be getting larger every year now that more Bronxites are living longer lives. You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to see the Bronx Week 2015 kick off, and yes there are plenty of photos of the event. For the full listing of Bronx Week 2015 events from May 7th running through Sunday May 17th you can visit ilovethebronx,com website or just check my blog for any of the events that I am covering.

The serious problem of New York City dumping dangerous criminal homeless people here in the Bronx came to a head last week after the director the Project Renewal Shelter Ms. Ana Charlie was killed by one of the men at the shelter. State Senators Jeff Klein (Bronx) and George Latimer (Westchester County), along with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, City Council members Andrew Cohen and Andy King, CB 12 Chairman Father Richard Gorman (who had just been released from the hospital where he had surgery on his leg), and many local community residents are up in arms that about 60 percent of the resident of Project Renewal are formerly incarcerated felons, with arrest records that include felonies, murder, rape, and criminal possession of a weapon. In addition, many have serious substance abuse issues. There are also up to 40 convicted sex offenders at the site. The reason for such a high concentration was explained that there is no other facility capable of handling those special needs services.

State Senator Jeff Klein said The Bronx should not have to bear the brunt of the city’s entire homeless population, and that he has proposed legislation in the state senate that would prevent this type of aggressive, concentrated placement of shelters and establish a stronger community review process moving forward. Senator Klein mentioned that Bronx Assemblyman Michael Benedetto is the sponsor of this legislation in the State Assembly. City Council members Cohen and King have demanded answers from the city's Commissioner of Homeless Services. It appears that after the death of the shelter's director security guards have been placed at the Wakefield Project Renewal Homeless Mens Shelter. You can go to my blog archive on the left April listings to find more details, and why the elected officials had to hold their press conference in the street rather than in front of the project renewal building where over 100 homeless advocates were standing on the sidewalk in front of Project Renewal, along with many photos of the event. It seems odd that no residents according to the elected officials, and only one of the Homeless advocates came forward to say they were from the community. As for the Bronx it was said there may be a few residents of Project Renewal from the entire borough of the Bronx, and again when I asked the over 100 homeless advocates only one person raised their hand that they were from the Bronx.

The over 100 homeless advocates were from Homeless Services United headquartered at 446 West 33^rd Street 6^th Floor Manhattan which was at the top of the letter explaining the position of HSU of the death of the director of the homeless shelter in the Wakefield section of the Bronx. By the way the letter began - To Concerned New Yorkers. That alone showed me and many members of the Wakefield community that HSU does not give a damn about the community, only their image. In the blog posting of this event is the entire letter to Concerned New Yorkers from HSU.

The Hutch Metro Tech Center just keeps growing, and with the new 911 call center almost complete, State Senator Jeff Klein and the NYCDOT have joined to do a study of the area with a possible new exit/entrance ramp from the Hutchinson Parkway to go right into the Metro Tech Center to alleviate local street traffic crowding.

5 Guys Burgers and Fries opened up last week in the new Throggs Neck Shopping Center. As one of my duties as the newspapers new Food Critic I went to the grand opening with many members of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Again go to my blog archive under 5 Guys to see the many photos of the ribbon cutting, Menu Board complete with prices and calorie count of each item, bags of specially chosen for 5 guys fresh potatoes, how your burger is prepared, and the newest choose your own flavors of soda, diet soda, and fruit sodas. My favorite was the french fries that reminded me of the number one tasting French Fry in New York, that being Nathans Famous French Fries. 5 Guys has come a close second to Nathans to me in the french fry. Prices are a little high, but the quality of the food is there especially in the French Fries.

More late breaking deadline news – It appears that I was correct in my April 17^th blog posting that State Senate Republican Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his son Adam were being investigated by U.S. Attorney Pheet Bharara for the awarding of contracts to outside companies. The following two sentences headed a press release by U.S. Attorney Prett Bharara - “New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Son Arrested on Corruption Charges” . “Dean Skelos Allegedly Used Official Position to Cause More Than $200,000 in Payments to Son.”

If you have any political information that you want to share or have checked out, any comments about this column, or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

#Politics #JoseRivera #CarlHeastie #Bronxnews

Mount Eden News: Dreamers Protest Obama’s Visit to Bronx

Mount Eden News: Dreamers Protest Obama’s Visit to Bronx: Dreamers Protest Obama’s Visit to Bronx By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 6- Nearly 50 students of Herbert H. Lehman Colleg...