April 27-May 3, 2018 Your Neighborhood — Your News® 75 cents SERVING THROGGS NECK, PELHAM BAY, COUNTRY CLUB, CITY ISLAND, WESTCHESTER SQUARE, MORRIS PARK, VAN NEST, PELHAM PARKWAY, CASTLE HILL, ALLERTON DEADLY GERMS ATTACK CO-OP Dept. of Health to inspect hot water after 3 cases, 1 fatal BY ALEX MITCHELL tracted through person-to- disclose if one case was found Legionnaire’s disease has person contact, just through in each of the buildings or if reared its ugly head again in inhaling water vapor. some of the three were not ef- Co-op City. Residents have been urged fected, but are just at risk. The NYC Department of not to shower or inhale steam The DOH also intends to Health has confi rmed three from hot water until there are sample about a quarter to a cases of the disease since May, more answers. third of each building’s hot 2017, one of which turned fa- The symptoms are fl u-like water supply at random. tal. and those over the age of 50 Sampling the bottom and Residents of 100, 120, and are especially at risk. top stories and then some units 140 Carver Loop were notifi ed The city only sees about 300 on the middle fl oors, rather by the DOH that their build- to 400 cases per year. than every one of the nearly ings’ are considered to be at In a meeting with con- 500 apartments per building. risk for Legionnaire’s. cerned residents of Carver Those test results will take “This is just an investiga- Loop, Wong explained the na- around two to three weeks to tion right now,” said Ricky ture of the disease as well as process and culture. Wong, director of Community how it could have infi ltrated Toni Roberts has called 100 Affairs for the Health Depart- the buildings. Carver Loop her home since ment. “This is not considered This outbreak of the ‘legio- the 1970s. to be an outbreak but rather a nella bacteria’ is suspected to “I’m very concerned with cluster of cases,” he added. come from the buildings’ hot what’s going on,” she said. Legionnaire’s disease was water supply. Another resident was con- described by the department The three buildings that cerned that the meeting was as “the worst kind of pneumo- are effected all share that hot called on such short notice, nia there is.” water supply through a ‘com- Friends Of PB Park Fundraiser However, it can’t be con- mon link’. The DOH would not Continued on Page 82 The Friends of Pelham Bay Park honored a select few Bronxites promoting Orchard Beach’s future and uniqueness at its ‘Riviera Renaissance: Friends of Pelham Bay Park Spring Fundraiser’ on Leaders break ground on La Central A&B Thursday, April 19 at Pelham Split Rock Golf Course’s club house. Former FPBP president Lizbeth Gonzalez graciously accepted BY SARAH VALENZUELA in attendance at the ceremony tinued rebirth. “Victory for the south that were native to the area, La Central buildings A her award. See photo spread on page 69. Photo by Silvio Pacifi co Bronx,” Assemblywoman recalled walking past the and B, will include affordable Carmen Arroyo shouted, with site, playing on the property housing, a new YMCA facility tears of joy in her eyes, during while parents shopped on 3rd and BronxNet TV studio and the groundbreaking ceremony Avenue, waiting for the Bx15 a public rooftop farm and gar- for La Central. and BX21 across the street, or den. The groundbreaking for La when walking to school. The project in its entirety Central’s A and B buildings More than 25 years ago the will involve a complex of took place on Friday, April 20, piles of rubble and litter de- fi ve buildings, one of which a warm, sunny spring day. fi ned the rough and tough de- started in June 2017, and on The construction for the meanor of the neighborhood. the day of the A and B ground- mixed-use development lo- While the area has seen breaking, already soared 10 cated in Melrose was met with vast improvement over the stories high. rounds of applause, smiles, decades and the south Bronx The project, co-developed and lots of love for those who of today is nothing like the by the BRP, Hudson, and the could recall the former rub- one that existed in the 1970s Kretchmer Companies, ELH ble-strewed site. and 80s, La Central has been Arroyo, like many of those dubbed a major step in its con- Continued on Page 82 A CNG Publication • Vol. 38 No. 17 www.bxtimes.com GoFor To More Our Blog Information To See Our Weekly Visit Specials!Us At VistVisit Our Our New www.bronxdentistny.comNEW Web-ite: Web-Site: www.reliablebronxdentist.com www.reliablebronxdentist.com GOT IMPLANTS DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT COME SEE US (718) 547-5280 2 BRONX TIMES REPORTER, APRIL 27-MAY 3, 2018 BTR Demos celebrate victories in special elections Fernandez rides to victory, wins 80th AD seat BY SARAH VALENZUELA since last year. Democrats in the borough de- She was also the chief of staff for clared victory as Nathalia Fernandez Gjonaj who represented the 80th AD claimed the 80th Assembly District until the end of 2017. special election, for the seat formerly “Nothing makes me prouder to- held by her boss. night,” said Councilman Gjonaj, who “It is because of you and this com- was present at the celebration. “Know- munity that I am ready to take us for- ing I’m passing the torch to someone ward,” said Fernandez in her speech who’s going to carry it further than I during the celebration at Maestro’s did.” Caterers, Tuesday evening. Fernandez embraced her family, The 30-year-old becomes the fi rst friends, and fellow colleagues through person of Colombian heritage elected the evening, smiling for photos with to New York State offi ce and the young- supporters within and outside the dis- Luis Sepulveda joins Mayor de Blasio and other Bronx polticians celebrating his Senate vic- est Latina elected to the New York trict alike, and danced in celebration tory. By Miriam Quin State Assembly. of the occasion. “This community is so diverse and As her celebration was also held that is what makes us great,” contin- with the victory party for Assembly- Sepulveda sweeps 32nd SD special election ued Fernandez. man Luis Sepúlveda, she also received Several people who helped out her congratulations from Mayor de Bla- BY ALEX MITCHELL cluding Mott Haven, Melrose and campaign are expected to join her staff sio, who showed up to the gathering in Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda Hunts Point, as well as his current on her fi rst offi cial day of offi ce. support of Sepúlveda’s win in the 32nd joined Mayor de Blasio arm-in-arm to 87th Assembly District covering They include Otis Guerrero, as the Senate District. celebrate his sweeping victory in the Parkchester, Castle Hill, Soundview planned director of Operations and “It’s been such a whirlwind since special election tranistioning to the and West Farms. Forhad Rahman, as a policy analyst, day one and I can’t wait to get started,” 32nd district of the New York State “Today you have elected someone according to Dylan Tragni who di- said Fernandez. Senate. who will fi ght for you in the senate,” rected her campaign. Throughout the campaign, Nathalia The three-term assemblyman said Sepulveda. “Someone who will Rahman also worked as a legisla- promised to tackle education, housing, drew more than 2,000 votes, while two fi ght against these policies that are tive aide for Assemblyman Gjonaj. seniors care and the labor sectors. minor challengers collected less than coming from Washington and the “This is a victory for the 80th As- Fernandez, who is a resident of the 300 votes, according to preliminary leadership in the Senate currently sembly District,” Tragni declared. 80th AD, was actually raised in Rock- NYS Board of Election returns. that wants to blame our communities Fernandez worked as the Bronx The 32nd Senate District takes in representative for Governor Cuomo Continued on page 6 a large swath of the south Bronx, in- Continued on page 6 Are you, or a loved one, living with a disability? 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