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Tilapia Arreganata Broiled Salmon
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**Grilled Lamb Chops
**Misto di Casa (NY Strip Steak,
Veal Francese & Chicken Sorrentino)
**Combination NY Strip Steak &
Shrimp Scampi
**Broiled 8oz. Lobster Tail
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(Lobster Tail, Shrimp, Clams,
Filet of Sole & Scallops)
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$36.95 Per Person
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$14.95
**These Entrees $11.95 Extra
Come Join Us In Our Newly
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3289 Westchester Avenue
Bronx, NY 10461
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718-828-0560
BRONX TIMES R 6 EPORTER, MAY 22-28, 2015 BT
A press conference led by Councilman Diaz and others on Thursday, April 25 that involved a
protest of the plan for the shelter as it now stands was just one of several events slated to
occur regarding 2008 Westchester Avenue. Photo by Edward Watkins
Community rally opposes
Parkchester shelter plan
BY PATRICK ROCCHIO
In what was just one of several
planned events concerning a proposed
165-person men’s employment shelter
just outside of Parkchester, residents
and local clergy rallied and held
a press conference in front of the proposed
site on Thursday, April 25.
They again rallied against the shelter
site, which will be operated under
a NYC Department of Homeless Services
contract by Samaritan Daytop
Village, in a follow-up gathering on
Monday, April 29.
Additionally, Senator Luis Sepulveda
and Assemblywoman Karines
Reyes are hosting a town hall with
DHS and Samaritan scheduled to take
place on Friday, May 3 at St. Helena
Church from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Since news of the shelter, slated for
the busy commercial corridor at 2008
Westchester Avenue, became widespread
there’s been an uproar against
the ‘as-of-right’ project.
Senator Ruben Diaz, who was a central
fi gure in the April 25 protest, said
he would support a shelter for a different
population, but not one for single
men.
“We would not oppose a family shelter,
let us be clear,” said Diaz, adding
that he feels that black and Hispanic
communities in particular are oversaturated
with homeless shelters.
The senator said that he was concerned
about various schools and a library
being located nearby.
The senator said he believes that
woman and children could be especially
vulnerable, noting that it is unknown
whether the men who would
live in the employment shelter (one in
which they would be supported as they
work or seek work) would congregate,
are just out of jail, or convicted sex offenders.
The city closed 23 cluster sites in
Diaz’s Council District 18, and all were
sites for families, said Ken Burgos, an
aide to Diaz.
Since the city tries to keep families
in the same zip codes when they move
from one type of facility to another,
there should be a smooth transition to
family shelters, said Burgos.
Attendees at the April 25th rally expressed
concern about safety and quality
of life issues if the men’s shelter is
open, chanting at the rally “no shelter
here!”
Wanda Ortiz, who attended the
rally, said she comes to a adult day care
center across the street from where the
proposed men’s shelter every day, and
thinks is unfair because she believes
that a shelter for single men will jeopardize
the safety of the seniors.
She said she feels that there are so
many people in need, and that a family
shelter won’t pose a danger to the
public.
“I get chills thinking they are going
to put something like that here,”
said Ortiz of the proposed men’s shelter.
Parkchester condominium owner
Doreen Golsby said that she is concerned
it would make the value of her
property decrease, and about safety –
for both herself and the people in her
community.
“I am looking over my shoulder as
it is,” said Golsby, adding “If this is
built, a lot of people will be in danger.”
She believes that the shelter would
necessitate increased security for
Parkchester.
Samaritan Village refereed questions
about the shelter to DHS.
In a statement, DHS noted that they
would be prioritizing the placement of
individuals from the Bronx to the shelter.