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Live Blog – "Reporting on Climate Change" at the American Museum of Natural History
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The Fate of the old Fordham Library
An old library in the Bronx is an unlikely center of controversy.
The Health Department sparked the controversy when it selected a building that housed the Fordham Center Library until 2006 to become the Bronx’s first full-service animal shelter. Many community members had other plans, hoping to transform the building into a youth center.
Pastor Fernando has fought long and hard for more space for local kids, especially in this building. He helped organize a protest at the library and gather over 10,000 petition signatures. The pastor believes the location of the building, just north of Fordham Rd. on Bainbridge Ave., is the perfect place for a youth center.
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Although he hopes it isn’t in this building, Pastor Fernando still supports the opening of an animal shelter in the Bronx. He suggests another location, which he believes is more fitting — and will leave the old library available for local kids.
The possibility of an animal shelter in the Bronx is years in the making. In 2002, the city passed legislation that promised full-service shelters in the Bronx and Queens by 2006.
The ASPCA has taken an active role in pressuring the city to follow through on that promise, but doesn’t have a say in the location. As of now, the two boroughs have only pet receiving centers, which offer little service. Michelle Villagomez of the ASPCA believes this is unfair to both the animals and the residents, who should receive the same benefits as other New Yorkers.
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As the weather gets colder, both the kids without a youth center and pets without a shelter are looking for somewhere to go. Bronx parks might make do in the summer, but are nearly deserted during chilly December days.
For now, it looks like the old library will remain empty. The animal shelter proposal needs to pass community board and city council votes, and Bronx Community Board 7 chairman Greg Faulkner says that isn’t likely. Faulkner, Pastor Fernando, and other community leaders are suggesting a different spot for a shelter and continuing to push for a youth center in the old library.
Posted in Urban
Tagged animal shelters, ASPCA, Bronx, fordham road, pastor fernando, youth centers
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NYC Marathon's 20th mile through the Bronx
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Last Sunday’s NYC Marathon lead runners through all five boroughs as they completed the grueling 26.2 miles. By way of the Willis Ave. Bridge, marathoners entered the Bronx for what many feel is the toughest part of the race: the 20th mile. At this point, fatigue and cramps catch up with the athletes and take a toll on their bodies. Despite the pain, runners pushed on toward the Madison Ave. Bridge, motivated by the cheers of the Bronx spectators.
"Bail out Main Street, not just Wall Street!"
While the federal bailout for banks is in the works, homeowners and activists publicly called on the government to aid those also hurting in this economic crisis: the people in danger of losing their homes to foreclosures.
ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) organized the Monday demonstration outside 26 Federal Plaza and focused on “Hope for Homeowners,” a federal program for mortgage assistance planned to go into effect on October 1.
Several homeowners feel they were essentially tricked by banks into taking out loans with adjustable rates, rather than the fixed rates they were promised. Now, with mortgage payments through the roof, many worry they won’t be able to keep their homes.
Debbie White, one of those homeowners who is facing possible foreclosure, became emotional when describing her financial stresses:
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ACORN members stressed the importance of the federal government aggressively implementing “Hope for Homeowners” in efforts to help homeowners in need.
Tonya Slade, a Brooklyn homeowner who feels she was duped by her bank into a variable rate on her mortgage, hopes that the demonstration will bring attention to the program and encourage some action by the government:
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While this program has the potential to help several hundred thousand people, many demonstrators did not forget their frustration with the federal government, as it only recently acknowledged the homeowner crisis.
Pat Boone, the President of the NY chapter of ACORN expressed her dissatisfaction:
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As the group moved to the HUD building to present dozens of symbolic “Hope for Homeowners” applications, the shouts of “Bail out Main Street, not just Wall Street!” could be heard for blocks:
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