November 2012 One Dollar
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Periodicals Paid at Bronx, N.Y. USPS 114-590 Volume 41 Number 9 November 2012 One Dollar to reduce the number of floors or units, At the Oct. 21 meeting, the idea of a and if he obtains the variances he seeks, fund-raiser was proposed, and talented CIVIC PREPARES FOR BSA he could build any sort of large residential Islanders, including David Fletcher, magi- By KAREN NANI structure unless the BSA is prepared to cian, and Freddie Lando, singer, imme- restrict the variance in some way. At this diately offered their services to entertain time, he does not even own the property but guests. Others offered to make or bring has a contract to buy it, presumably after he food and to contribute to a silent auction, gets the variances he seeks. and within a few minutes, a fund-raising In order to raise enough money to hire event was born. The date selected is Sat- a lawyer with experience in dealing with urday, Dec. 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. probably in BSA, the Civic is asking Island residents to Trinity Methodist Church hall. For more donate toward the legal fund, SONE (Save information, call 718-885-0507. Our Natural Environment), and many have come forward with generous donations. Animals Found Darted with Blowguns in Pelham Bay Park By JACK ROTHMAN Photo by JOSEPH MORALES and GEOFFREY CROFT Patrol officers found nine dead or injured squirrels, geese and other birds in Pelham Bay Park in recent weeks.The ring-billed gull and Canadian goose shown above were shot with darts from a blow gun, prompting calls for legislation to ban the sale of toy blow- Layout of first floor of the proposed senior residence showing flood zone (indicated by guns in New York City. dotted line). About 50 Islanders attended an infor- the Civic Association and proposed this During a bird walk that I led on in New York City. mal meeting of the City Island Civic Asso- special zoning in order to enable the Island Sunday, Oct. 14, my group came upon a Council Member Jimmy Vacca plans ciation at Trinity Methodist Church hall on to preserve its historic low-rise character. ring-billed gull that had a spike or nail to introduce legislation to ban these guns Saturday, Oct. 21, which was called to dis- One of the regulations involved a restric- protruding from its neck. At first we in New York City. He said: “Toy guns are cuss issues involved in the proposed con- tion on building height, which the Com- thought that this long spike had become banned in New York City, and these blow- struction of a large assisted-living facility missioner noted should be “three stories or embedded in the bird accidentally, but as guns must be done away with, too. They on City Island Avenue at Schofield Street. 35 feet, whichever is lower.” Dr. Mignone the gull turned its head, we saw that the serve no productive purpose, especially Plans for the proposed building were plans to keep the height of his building to spike had pierced through its head. We when they are used illegally and unac- shown to those in attendance, and ques- 35 feet but he insists on four rather than also noticed a plastic fixture just below its ceptably to kill and maim animals. I ask tions regarding the problems that Island three stories. He also wants to build the eye and realized that the bird had been shot anyone with information about these ani- residents have with the project were asked structure in a flood zone and to include 214 deliberately. mal attacks to please come forward, and I and answered. The site selected by Dr. units, which is far denser than any other The bird was mobile, and although it implore the merchants in Orchard Beach to Domenico Mignone of the Italian Hos- structure on the Island. was fairly close to us, it moved toward the stop selling these blowguns immediately.” pital Society is zoned manufacturing, Dr. Mignone is also asking for a vari- water as we approached. We tried to tempt Paul Trapani, Lieutenant of Special but instead of seeking a zoning change ance to build part of the first floor a foot it with seed, but the bird did not respond. Operations for the 45th Precinct, com- through the Department of City Planning, below grade in order to keep the 35-foot Although we talked about using a coat to mented: “I plan to address the blowgun he is asking the Board of Standards and limit, but since the project would be in a try to trap the bird, we soon realized that issue while doing additional patrols through Appeals (BSA) to grant him two variances flood zone, this is not allowed in the NYC this was not a viable option. Pelham Bay Park. I will work with mem- to allow him to build a residential property. building code. As we continued walking, Marianne bers of the Parks Department to address The BSA, a board appointed by the mayor, Because the BSA might want to grant Anderson, the administrator of Pelham any “hunters” or people who possess these is said to grant about 97 percent of the the variances in order to develop an under- Bay Park, came by to greet us. We told weapons. I’m currently reviewing with the cases that come before it, so City Islanders used lot, Islanders in attendance were asked her what we had found, and it was then legal department any current laws that the who oppose the project have an uphill fight for their ideas as to what kind of facility we learned that several other animals had Police Department may enforce, while we ahead. would be welcome there. Virginia Galla- been purposefully darted in the Orchard compile a list of places where blowguns are There are several reasons why Island- gher proposed a large community building Beach parking lot as well. sold. Once the legislation becomes law we ers dislike the project, but the only one that that would include a theater, art gallery and Since that day, there have been several will be prepared to enforce the sale of these matters to the BSA is the fact that the den- other spaces for Island residents. Others news reports describing the assault on the items. To date, there have been no intel- sity of the structure, which is four stories felt that a more economically viable project animals in the parking lot. So far parks ligence gathered or incidents where people high and a block long, is out of character such as a “boutique” hotel or a smaller and patrol officers have found nine dead or were stopped with blowguns by members with the City Island Special District Zon- more attractive residence for seniors, com- injured squirrels, geese and other birds of the 45th precinct this year.” ing laws that were put in place in 1977. In plete with parking spaces available for the in Pelham Bay Park, apparently shot with Other disturbing news in the park 1975, according to The Island Current, the public, would be welcome. blowguns. Blowguns, which are considered Continued on page 3 Commissioner of City Planning addressed However, the developer has not agreed toys, are legal and readily available for sale Page Two The Island Current November 2012 a complainant retrieved his valet-parked BRIEFLY... vehicle from a restaurant parking lot. He 45 BLOTTER discovered that property had been removed CLOTHING AND COAT DRIVE, sponsored by the Bronx Masons, will Complaints reported from City Island to from the vehicle without permission. Police take place on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the City Island Masonic Temple, the 45th Precinct during the September are investigating the incident of petit larceny. 241 City Island Avenue. Please donate only winter clothes and, if possible, separate clothing and October 2012. Unfounded complaints 10/1 – Detectives from the 45th Precinct are investigating an assault on Tier Street at for men, women and children into separate bags for quicker distribution. Donations will go to are not included in the list. 11:45 p.m. During a verbal dispute, the per- POTS (Part of the Solution) and to Sister Thomas and the South Bronx Community she serves. 1 – AGGRAVATED HARASSMENT petrator struck the victim in the face. BLOOD DRIVE, 2 – ASSAULT 10/4 – An Island male, 24, was arrested held by the Bronx Masons, will take place on Tuesday, Nov. and charged with robbery on City Island Av- 13, from 3:30 to 7:45 p.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church, 113 Bay Street at City 2 – CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF enue at 4:55 a.m. A complainant working at Island Avenue. Almost anyone between the ages of 17 and 75, weighing a minimum of 110 MARIJUANA the location observed the perpetrator remov- pounds and in good general health, can be a blood donor. Photo or signature ID and Social 1 – ROBBERY ing something from the shelf. The complain- Security Number are required at the time of donation. 1 – CRIMINAL MISCHIEF ant followed the perpetrator and told him to pay for the item. The perpetrator allegedly PELHAM BAY PARK TALK AT NAUTICAL MUSEUM: On 2 – PETIT LARCENY turned and punched the complainant. Sunday, Nov. 18, Marianne Anderson, administrator of Pelham Bay Park, will give a talk Police provided details on the following 10/8 – At 12:30 a.m. on City Island Ave- at the Nautical Museum, 190 Fordham Street, at 2 p.m. She will talk about many aspects of incidents and arrests for the period from nue, an employee of a commercial establish- the park—the largest in New York City—from a history of Orchard Beach to a description Sept.