Opposition to Just Home at Jacobi Hospital

A Sunday March on Jacobi Hospital Protesting the Just Home Proposal

By Robert Press

It was a hot Sunday morning when the March on Jacobi Hospital began. Morris Park Community Association President and Vice-Chair of Community Board 11 spoke to those who would join him in a march from the back of Building 2 at 1400 Pelham Parkway the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation was trying to sell as 1900 Seminole Avenue, so that Rikers Island inmates could be housed on the Jacobi Hospital campus. 

Close to two-Hundred people marched to Pelham Parkway the front of Jacobi Hospital where they were joined by current and a former elected official. Speeches were made that said that Rikers Island inmates at Jacobi Hospital will not happen including Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez who expressed that she is against the proposal. Strangely former Councilman Mark Gjonaj who admitted that he knew of the Jacobi proposal back in November of 2021 attacked current Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez for not doing anything about this proposal. Gjonaj continued his tongue lashing questioning if the councilwoman had sent Mayor Adams her disapproval of this proposal, and what else was she doing to stop this project. 

Councilwoman Velazquez returned to the microphone to repeat that she is opposed, opposed, and opposed to the Just Home proposal for Jacobi Hospital, and that she has informed Mayor Adams of her opposition. Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez who toured the area where the Just Home project is to be placed with the provider Fortune Society and News 12 to document the tour, less one day after it was announced that the Fortune Society got the contract. This reporter gave Assemblywoman Fernandez a Freedom of Information Letter on July 25, 2022 requesting any written information, emails, and texts from the Fortune Society, HHC, Jacobi Hospital, and former Councilman Mark Gjonaj the assemblywoman had with the four named principals from November 2021 the date former Councilman Gjanaj said he knew of the Just Home proposal to house Rikers Island inmates at Jacobi Hospital. As of August 7, 2022 Assemblywoman Fernandez refused to answer in the required five days if she was going to comply with the FOIL, the reason why she could not comply with the FOIL, or that she was not going to comply with the Freedom of Information Letter of July 25, 2022. She refused to reply to me at the rally and my next move is to make her comply in Bronx Supreme Court since it appears that Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez may have some knowledge of the Just Home proposal to house Rikers Island inmates at Jacobi Hospital wanting to hide it from the general public, or voters. The Freedom of Information Letter to Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez can be found at https://100percentbronx.blogspot.com/2022/07/assemblywoman-nathalia-fernandez-foiled.html .

MPCA President and Community Board 11 Vice-Chair Al D’Angelo speaks to the almost 200 people gathered behind Building 2 at 1400 Pelham Parkway which is being called 1900 Seminole Avenue, which does not exist.

The crowd of about 200 people in front of Jacobi Hospital was addressed by Al D’Angelo.

Community Board 11 Chairman Yahay Obeid lets the crowd know of the committee meeting on Tuesday August 9th and the Public hearing at Maestros on Tuesday August 16th. He said the board normally does not meet during July and August and both meeting agendas are on the CB 11 website.

City Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez stated that she is opposed to the Just Home proposal at Jacobi Hospital.

Throggs Neck Assemblyman Michael Benedetto warned of upzoning such as in going on in his assembly district.

After Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez spoke I asked her why she hasn’t answered my Freedom of Information Letter about when she knew about the Just Home proposal, and who informed her? There was no response from her. I will have to go to the Bronx Supreme Court to have the court force Assemblywoman Fernandez to answer the Freedom of Information Letter.

Former Councilman Mark Gjonaj who has admitted that he knew about the Just Home proposal in November of 2021, questioned his replacement Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez on what she was doing to stop the Just Home proposal, did you tell and write to Mayor Adams he said.

Councilwoman Velazquez returned to the microphone to let everyone know that she had informed Mayor Adams of her opposition to the Just Home proposal at Jacobi hospital.