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| July 9, 2003 | |
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Carrión hosts town hall meeting 
By
Denae Brewer It was standing room only as the Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion and several Bronx officials fielded questions from concerned residents. The officials were part of a town hall meeting and civic forum, which helped inform residents of Community Board 4 what changes were coming to the area. As well as give them an opportunity to voice their issues. “It’s good to see so many concerned citizens come out tonight,” Mr. Carrion said. Referring to the small room, they were in; he jokingly added, “Maybe next time we should rent a bigger place.” A statement that garnered an unanimous “yes” from the crowd. Held at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the crowd of over 200 stood shoulder to shoulder as they, one by one, stepped up to the microphone. One man, wanted to know why there were no activities in Joyce Kilmore Park this summer. A woman asked what the borough president intends to do to help senior citizens. Perhaps the biggest round of applause came when on man asked why Yankees fans get preferential treatment. He explained how they are allowed to park on the sidewalks, in the parks and do whatever they want without reprisal. Mr. Carrion recognized that the situation was bothersome at best. “We’re the home of the Bronx bombers, that’s a plus and a minus,” he said. “We need to enter into a partnership with the Yankees and workout a solution which will benefit both parties. A situation where the residents don’t feel burdened.” The borough president also touched upon another pressing issue for Community Board 4 residents, housing. “One if the biggest problems we have in this city is access to affordable housing,” Mr. Carrion announced. He explained how his administration intended to build more affordable housing in what was considered industrial areas, specifically in the Morrisania and Port Morris sections of the Bronx, The creation of affordable housing is indeed a step in the right direction, after all, Mr. Carrion pointed out there are currently 200,000 families on the Housing Authority’s waiting list already. However, some found flaws with the borough president’s plans. “He talks about all these new housing, but at no time did I hear anything about building new schools,” said Loretta Roddocksmith who lives on 174 Street. “He builds the housing, which will bring the people. These people have children, where will they go to school? The schools in those areas are already overcrowded.” Because of the housing shortage, there is an abundance of people in the homeless system. Right now, if someone becomes homeless they must be processed through the Emergency Assistance Unit (E.A.U.). Thee, they will receive help in acquiring temporary shelter. Overall, it’s a grand idea, in this country; everyone has a basic right for food and shelter. However, in New Yak City, there is one simple defect, there’s only one E.A.U. in the entire city. Situated on 151 street and Gerald Avenue, thousands of people form all over the city stream through that office. Mr. Carrion wants to put n end to that. “Why should the Bronx be expected to carry the burden of the city’s homeless problem?” he asked. “There should be an E.A.U. in every borough.” After a brief intermission with a performance by the Highbridge Voices, a youth choir, Mr. Carrion unveiled his plans of economic revitalization for the “downtown” Bronx. He spoke of the new High School for Law Government and Justice that will be situated in the new courthouse complex. He showed residents the plans for a new bridge on 155 Street, thus creating a new way to get cross-town. He also discussed to idea of a Yankee village. In it would sit a hotel and convention center, a ferry landing on the Harlem River waterfront and a Metro North station. For the most part, people like what they heard. “I think he’s doing a good job,” said Lillian Smith, a Bronxite for over 50 years. “He’s doing his best with what he’s got. That’s all we can ask for.”
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| All Contents Copyright 2003 Highbridge Horizon and Highbridge Community Life Center | |