Spellman students attend 2019 March for Life
On Friday, January 18,
25 Cardinal Spellman High
School students and three faculty
members participated in
the annual March for Life in
Washington, D.C. The group
arrived by bus the night before
and traveled to a Youth Rally
at EagleBank Arena on the
campus of George Mason University,
joined by thousands of
other young people. Prior to
the march on Friday morning
the students attended Mass
at St. Patrick’s Church in the
nation’s capital, celebrated by
Timothy Cardinal Dolan of
New York.
Following speeches by
a variety of offi cials near
the Washington Monument,
including an appearance
by Vice President Pence,
the Spellman contingent
marched with a crowd of at
least 100,000 people the two
miles across Constitution Avenue,
past the Capitol and to
the Supreme Court Building.
Before leaving for home, the
group also visited the Basilica
of the National Shrine of
the Immaculate Conception,
the largest Roman Catholic
Church in the United States
The trip was sponsored by
the Pro Life Club, which has
attended the March for Life
for nearly 30 years. Accompanying
the students was Michael
Borges, moderator of the
Pro Life Club, Rev. Peter Pilsner,
Cardinal Spellman High School students participated in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, F 52 EBRUARY 1-7, 2019 BTR
Director of Spiritual Activities,
and faculty member
Stephanie Irvin. Those who
participate in trip recognize
the sanctity of life from the
moment of conception to the
moment of natural death, and
were there to show their support
for the unborn.
BY GEORGE HAVRANEK
The current socio-political
climate has made a unifi
ed civic association an integral
part of the community.
Unwanted occurrences in
neighboring communities
are harsh reminders that previously
resolved issues resurrect.
The resurrection of
past problems is partially due
to opportunities related to
the recent ‘political climate
change’. In the past, our community
depended on long tenured
politicians such as Senator
Jeff Klein, Assemblyman
Michael Benedetto, Congressman
Joe Crowley, and Councilman
James Vacca.
Their staunch support was
possible because of strong
long-term relationships
forged by unifi ed members
of the Spencer Estate Civic
Association. Because of recent
political climate change
our once lush green pastures
of relationships are in dire
need of cultivations. Our association
has established a
good rapport with Councilman
Mark Gjonaj. Thus far
Gjonaj and staff have proved
to be valued friends of the
Spencer Estate community.
Until meeting with our association,
we respectfully withhold
judgments on newly
elected Senator Alesandra
Biaggi and Congresswoman
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Our intentions are to develop
healthy productive relationships
with all our state, city
and local offi cials.
A unifi ed association with
a robust membership receives
attention from politicians.
The success of our ongoing
2019 membership drive
will ensure the development
of relationships essential to
the betterment of our community.
Political support
does not guarantee victory;
however, a lack of political
support ensures defeat. The
axiom of many political winners
is “To the victor belongs
the spoils”. Our community
must unite, so their spoils do
not soil our community. Any
area resident, homeowner or
renters, interested in membership
to our all-inclusive
organization inbox George
Havranek on Facebook or
send e-mail with subject
Spencer Estate to gghh55@
aol.com
Community footnotes:
Pat Caruso, our good friend
at Community Board 10, informs
us that ‘Notice of Property
Value Sessions’ are being
held Tuesday, February
5, 10 a.m. to noon and Thursday,
February 21, 5 to 7 p.m.
at Bronx Borough Hall, 851
Grand Concourse. This event
enables residents to receive
personal assistance with
their NYC property taxes.
For additional information
regarding this very important
service contact CB 10 at
(718) 892-1161.
Telephone scams blossom
during tax season. Any telephone
calls demanding payment
of back taxes and requesting
payments by gift
card or other questionable
methods are clearly fraudulent.
In a ‘Tax Arrears’ situation,
the IRS sends multiple
notifi cations by mail before
initiating phone conversations.
Any incidence of suspected
tax fraud should be
reported to the Internal Revenue
Service at (800) 366-4484.
Do not become a victim.
Reports from the 45th
Precinct indicate that Mailbox
fi shing is on the rise. To
combat this nefarious practice
residents are advised to
bring sensitive mail directly
to their post offi ce. In addition,
report any suspicious
activities or suspected mailbox
tampering to 911 or the
police department.
Numerous residents of
Spencer Estate and Country
Club have been victims
of mail and package thefts.
Our Neighborhood Community
police offi cers from the
45th Precinct are aware of
this contemptible situation.
Thanks to an array of community
input and ongoing
creative police work, resolution
of this serious issue is
imminent.
Gjonaj is introducing legislation
requiring the etching
of serial numbers on upscale
car tire rims. If passed,
this piece of legislation could
deter their illegal resale and
substantially reduce the incidences
of rim thefts that
plague our neighborhoods.
Car vandalisms are frequent
occurrences in our community.
Individuals have been
seen on camera, during the
dark of night, checking for
unlocked cars to vandalize.
Please, remember to lock the
car and take your valuables.
Valentine’s Day is rapidly
approaching. The Sunday,
February 10 brunch hosted
by International Caterers on
Ampere Avenue from noon to
3:30 p.m. is a wonderful way
to celebrate that romantic
occasion. Fine cuisine and
quality entertainment by the
talented Bel-Aires, featuring
Joe Milazzo, a longtime resident
of Spencer Estate, adds a
special quality to this Valentine
event. For information
and/or reservations please
call International Caterers
at (718) 892-2989.
Our 2019 ‘One Hundred
for One Hundred’ membership
drive is underway. The
changing political climate
has made community involvement
more important
than ever. Any area resident,
homeowner or renters, interested
in membership to our
all-inclusive organization inbox
George Havranek on Facebook
or send e-mail with
subject Spencer Estate to
gghh55@aol.com
Remember: ‘Inclusion
brings solutions’
It is my duty, with deep regret,
to inform all the passing
of Tom Doherty, ‘Big Tom’ as
most knew him was a Korean
War vet and a proud member
of Post 620, American Legion.
He was most noted in the
neighborhood for his musical
ability and his hand crushing
hand shake, He loved to
perform at the VA Christmas
Party every year.
The Army found the perfect
job for Tom when he
landed in Korea. He was
put in charge of the E club,
which was run with his love
of music, his own unique
way of making everyone feel
welcome and his Bronx boy
background.
Hand salute Tom, carry
on.
I can’t stress enough to all
members of the Legion, Sons
and Boosters the importance
of attending meetings.
In order to continue our
mission to the veterans we
need input and participation
from every member,
don’t assume someone else
will be there. We dodged a
bullet with the last impending
storm, standing order
to all members of Post 620,
if it snows make an effort to
swing by and lend a hand to
clear the snow. AMVETS
Post is up and running after
Sandy, swing by and show
support, they had a rough
time.
We are stronger as one,
let’s work together.
God bless America.
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