PPNA June meeting

Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association June Meeting

By Robert Press

The Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association held its June meeting at the Destination Tomorrow building located on Barnes Avenue, before going on summer hiatus until September. Captain Gareth Kentish the commanding officer of the 49th Precinct was the opening guest who spoke about the rise in crime in the precinct, and the tough job the precinct is having due to certain laws and directives. He answered a few questions, but few people were happy with the answers they received. The audience wanted to see more police on patrol, and feel safe on the streets and in their homes. 

After Captain Kentish warmed up the crowd, new Bronx Borough President Vanesa L. Gibson was introduced as the featured guest. Borough President Gibson went over her experience in the Bronx, from being an intern in Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene’s office, becoming a District Leader, winning the Assembly seat of her mentor who became the Deputy Bronx Borough President, going to the City Council when term limits opened the seat up, and then when she was term limited out winning the Bronx Borough Presidency. 

Borough President Gibson spoke of jumping into the frying pan with a major fire that killed eighteen people, and then another tragic fire. An increase in crime and shootings with people being shot, and a few dying. Through all the tough times BP Gibson has remained positive, and hopes that she can make a difference by bringing the Bronx to a level of where it should be. After the speech BP Gibson took questions, answering what she could, and having staff members of her office get more details so they could get back to the person with an answer. 

Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association President Ms. Edith Blitzer announced that she was stepping down as the President, but would continue as an active member of the PPNA Executive Board. Mr. Steven Glosser the current Vice-President will move up to become the President, and Mr. Robert Press was voted in by the Executive Board as the new Vice-President. Before the meeting was adjourned Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson presented Ms. Blitzer with a Certificate of Merit from the Bronx Borough President’s office. 

 

(L – R) PPNA Secretary Louis Lutnick, PPNA Treasurer Elio Morales, PPNA incoming President Steven Glosser, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Retiring PPNA President Edith Blitzer, and PPNA incoming Vice-President Robert Press.