Pre-K teach saves a life; instructor keenly detects pupil’s brain tumor
Kathryn Rivera (c) presented $1,480 to Joshua’s grandmother Maria Felix (l) and his mother Yesenia Aponte for Christmas.
Photo courtesy of Kathryn Rivera
Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj gets ‘Black Whale Sign’ bill approved
The Black Whale. Schneps Community News Group/ Alex Mitchell
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J BTR ANUARY 11-17, 2019 51
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Should the tumor spread to the spinal
cord, symptoms may include back
pain, trouble walking and problems
controlling bladder and bowels movements.
Joshua received immediate surgery
at the Children’s Hospital at Montefi
ore to remove a majority of the tumor,
however a portion remains due to
the risk of its removal causing permanent
brain damage.
Rivera visited Joshua and Yesenia
at the hospital and presented him
with several gifts for the holiday season.
Following surgery, Joshua is undergoing
six weeks of radiation and 45
weeks of chemotherapy treatments.
He has been using a walker to assist
with his mobility.
Despite what he’s experienced,
Joshua remains a vibrant and happy
child who enjoys riding his bike, painting,
sports, dancing and listening to
music.
“He’s doing much better now, he’s
talking more and even trying to walk
on his own and ride his bike,” expressed
Yesenia. “I’m very happy and
appreciate everything Ms. Rivera has
done to help my son.”
Rivera spearheaded a collection
with the support of some of her colleagues,
friends and Joshua’s classmates’
parents.
They raised $1,480 that was pre-
sented to Joshua and Yesenia for
Christmas which they celebrated at
home.
An additional $1,880 was raised
through the efforts of Rivera and the
P.S. 93 community, but has yet to been
distributed.
The additional funds will be used
for Joshua’s medical treatments.
From page 1
shop’s name.
“When these laws were put in effect
years and years ago it wasn’t a
big problem, there were no email addresses,”
Gjonaj said, adding his sentiment
on how outdated legislation in
general is harming small mom and
pop shops throughout the Bronx.
There’s another issue with the policy
that concerns Gjonaj as well.
He asked, why would a restaurant
like The Black Whale, which opened
over 50 years ago, suddenly be busted
for its handmade sign for the fi rst time
in 2018?
Using 311, business competitors
and sign makers have been reporting
shops that aren’t in compliance, according
to the councilman.
“A sign maker will go into a store
and say “This sign doesn’t comply
with the city’s code but I can fi x it for
you at a price. If the owner says ‘no’,
then suddenly that store is reported to
the city,” Gjonaj said, calling it a mobster
like shakedown tactic.
As a matter of fact, citywide 311
complains over signage have risen
1,533% since 2011.
“No small business can take a
$20,000 hit like that. If that’s not extortion
then I don’t know what is,” Gjonaj
added.
His legislation, which has passed
through committee would reinstate
Bloomberg’s moratorium immediately,
rolling back all subsequent
fi nes issued to businesses from 2006
onward, until a new task force is set
up to determine a more reasonable
code for the millions of signs across
the city.
“This is about putting tens of thousands
of dollars back into the hands of
small businesses,” Gjonaj said to The
Black Whale’s owner, Richard DePierro.
As of press time the City Council
passed the aptly named ‘Black Whale
Bill’. Gjonaj is confi dent that it will become
law even if the mayor vetoes the
bill.