Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Wrestling Returns to St. Francis

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Wrestling Returns to St. Francis: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, April 4- ECPW Wrestling returns to the St Francis Xavier School Gym located at 1711 Haigh...

Wrestling Returns to St. Francis

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, April 4- ECPW Wrestling returns to the St Francis Xavier School Gym located at 1711 Haight Avenue on Saturday April 13th at 7:30 p.m. Former WWF star Rikishi highlights this card which includes a rematch from last year between Tristen Law & Ghetto Brown in which Brown defeated Law. Rocky Jones, Gino Caruaso, and many other ECPW stars are slated to appear. Tickets to this event can be purchased at St. Francis Rectory 1703 Lurting Avenue, or at Scagliones Bakery located at 1078 Morris Park Avenue. For more information check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com or you can call 718-892-3330.

Speaking of a wrestling match, last week Mayoral candidate and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn took some shots as she tried to outmaneuver her opponents on the issue of “Stop and Frisk” by proposing that an Inspector General for the NYPD be established by her City Council. Only mayoral candidate John Liu has said that he would eliminate the police policy, and even Mayor Bloomberg (a Quinn ally?) thinks the establishment of an Inspector General would be wrong by establishing what could become an unaccountable position. I agree, and Mayor Bloomberg should know the most about unaccountable positions. Quinn is being called a bully in her role as speaker of the council, and she even admitted that she is brash at times. Some City Council members, or should I say their districts, have seen the “Wrath of Quinn” in the allotment of funding to council districts by Speaker Quinn as reported this past week.

After holding back a “Paid Sick Leave” bill Speaker Quinn gave into the political pressure of having it as a noose around her neck during the upcoming election. After being beaten up recently at a debate by her opponents on the issue for holding the bill back for almost three years, Quinn finally worked out a compromise with unions and business leaders. It was however Councilwoman (and candidate for Manhattan Borough President) Gail Brewer who received most of the credit for the “Compromise Paid Sick Leave” bill, and not Speaker Quinn. There are dates when the different parts of the bill would go into effect, and even provisions that could prevent it or parts from going into effect however. You can check my blog for some comments on the bill. More on the mayor’s race in future columns.

On Sunday April 14th Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will will join together with thousands of community and clergy members to join “Hands Across the Concourse” in opposition to gun violence and domestic violence. The event, which is co-produced by the Bronx Reentry Task Force and the Bronx Clergy Criminal Justice Roundtable, will see Bronx residents and other concerned community leaders join hands in opposition to violence along the Grand Concourse, between West Kingsbridge Road and Mosholu Parkway. The line up along the Grand Concourse begins at 3 PM, with BP Diaz joining at 4 PM at the corner of W. Kingsbridge Road & the Concourse. You can check this out on my blog or go to http://bit.ly/acrosstheconcourse.

Our friend 80th A.D. State Committeeman Joe McManus has asked us to warn you not to park or even stand in a bus stop to unload a passenger or whatever. The reason why McManus says, is that the latest version of the city bus is now equipped with a camera linked directly into the Parking Violation Bureau. The bus takes a photo of your car license plate if it is in the bus stop and you get a $165.00 ticket in the mail. McManus adds that this is similar to a red light camera ticket, and another new way for Mayor Bloomberg to raise revenue. Thanks Joe.

This Saturday is the Bronx Health & Wellness Summit being held at Fordham University from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. You can check my blog March archive section (Bronx Health & Wellness Summit) for the listing on the summit and the link for the online registration.

Don't forget that Bronx Week begins on May 9th ending on May 19th with the Bronx Walk of Fame introductions, Bronx Day Parade, and the Arts & Food Festival on Mosholu Parkway.

If you have 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.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Wakefield Area News

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Wakefield Area News: The peoples’ work By Mary V. Laura BRONX, NEW YORK, April 4- If men were angels," wrote James Madison in Federalist Paper No. 51 ...

Wakefield Area News

The peoples’ work

By Mary V. Laura

BRONX, NEW YORK, April 4- If men were angels," wrote James Madison in Federalist Paper No. 51 back in 1788, "No government would be necessary," Well and good. But does that mean they are devils?

It certainly seems so. Almost on a daily basis, through the news media, we learn of another elected official being accused of or indicted on criminal behavior. Wakefield has already suffered the conviction of State Senator Guy Velella. And for which we thank God, the conviction of Councilman Larry Seabrook.

The list of elected officials who are being investigated, or who leave much to be desired is long, but we concentrate on those closest to us keeping in mind that an accusation or an investigation does not mean guilt. We repeat that. An accusation does not mean guilt. On the other hand, where there is smoke, there usually is fire. We mention Pedro Espada because we had one of his clinics right here in Wakefield. He has been convicted on at least one count.

Sadly, earlier this year The New York Post ran a news story insinuating foul play by Senator Jeffrey Klein. Nothing further has been heard which is good news, more for him than for the electorate. And now, we have Congressman Engel being criticized for taking a mortgage from one of his highest donors. Not illegal, but not right. Even so and above all, let's not forget the Spitzer debacle.

When one considers that this nation was forged by men who pledged their "sacred honor," one wonders how that honor was lost in so short a time. Consider that at the urging of former Mayor Ed Koch, the majority in both houses of our state legislature pledged to reject any gerrymandering made on a partisan basis. Seventy five of those lawmakers broke their promise, four of them from New York City and one of them none other than our own Senator Klein!

The prevalence of all sorts of hanky-panky in our government led to the formation of the Center for Public Integrity which has been around for some time. This year it ranked our state government 15th from the bottom of the 50 states. Can you imagine? That is worse than getting a D. It is almost an F.

Well, it should be no surprise. We know that we have some sterling legislators working for us whether it be in the City Council, the Assembly or the Senate, but we also know we have some duds who do very little else but work on getting re-elected usually by spreading our tax dollars to reward favorite persons or causes and taking advantage of every photo opportunity. The sad thing is that, we, the voters permit this to go on. But that is another story.

In any case, we are asking all our legislators to look into three problems that the average citizen is dealing with. They should not be difficult to solve if they put their heads together. First is the parking problem. Left unchecked, road rage will take second place to parking rage. Lives will be lost. By the same token, Muni meters should be brought to the attention of the Supreme Court as a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Second, adjustment is needed in rental laws for two and three-family houses. Eviction of problematic and non-paying tenants is entirely too long, too cumbersome and costly.

And third, how about bringing some order to our zoning ordinances and our building regulations? The City is harboring hundreds of fire traps in illegal conversions.

Are these three items really so difficult to accomplish?

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham News

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham News: Meet the BID BRONX, NEW YORK, April 4- Did you know that New York’s third largest shopping district is right here in the Bronx?  The F...

Fordham News

Meet the BID

BRONX, NEW YORK, April 4- Did you know that New York’s third largest shopping district is right here in the Bronx? 

The Fordham Road Business Improvement District (BID) runs along Fordham Road from Jerome to Third Avenue and includes over 300 businesses. From small local boutiques to national chains, the wide variety of merchandise on Fordham Road makes it a popular outdoor shopping strip. 

The BID hosts events throughout the year on Fordham Road, from sidewalk sales to outdoor movies to holiday shopping discount programs to help you find that perfect bargain. And recently, the BID installed 15 benches along Fordham Road to give you a place to relax and enjoy a break from a busy day of shopping. Fordham Road is a major transportation hub with a wide variety of options to get you here quickly and easily, including the B, D and 4 NYC Transit subway lines, Metro-North Railroad Harlem line and numerous bus lines.

Be sure to check this paper every month to hear about the latest happenings on Fordham Road, including sales, BID events and promotions. This month, be sure to mark your calendar for April 26th: the BID will be hosting a free outdoor family movie at Fordham Plaza! We will be showing “The Amazing Spider-Man” at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 26th and will continue with three other movies throughout the summer. Bring a chair or a blanket and come enjoy this fun, free family event. You can check our website for more information about movie dates, times and titles.

For more information on Fordham Road events and shopping, log on to www.fordhamroadbid.org, or give us a call at (718) 562-2104 to receive a free map & shopping guide. Also if you make a purchase of $20 or more at any Fordham Road store you receive a free reusable shopping bag! We hope to see you on Fordham Road soon.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Buying City Hall

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Buying City Hall: Bx. GOP chair among those charged in attempt to buy mayoral race By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, April 3- In a six count ind...