January 20, 2021

BRONX VOICE

FREE

BLOOD, BOOZE & BOTTLED WATER

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4th Year, No.13

January 20 - 26, 2021

Deranged attackers slash people over beer and water Page 4

Senator Sepulveda Domestic Violence Shocker

Surrenders to NYPD, Says HE is Victim of Domestic Violence Page 12

Hoorah for Hip Hop Housing Page 8

Photo by David Greene State Senator Luis Sepulveda speaks to a judge from 'Interview Booth 5G' after his arrest for allegedly choking his wife on January 12, 2021

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2• BRONX VOICE• January 20 - 26, 2021

Bx. Congressman tests positive for covid after Capitol Hill riot

By David Greene New York Congressman Adriano Espaillat has announced on Twitter that he has tested positive for the virus and is now under quarantine.

In the first of three Tweets Espaillat posted at approximately 9:30 a.m. on January 14, he stated, "I am following the guidance from my physician and quarantining at home after having tested positive for COVID-19.”

Moments later Espaillat added, "I received Photo by David Greene the second dose of the Congressman Adriano Espaillat (Left) purchases his new Af- COVID-19 vaccine last rican mask.

week and understand the effects take time.

I have continued to be tested regularly, wear my mask and follow the recommended guidelines.”

He concluded in a third message, "I will continue my duties representing New York's 13th Congressional District remotely until I have received clearanc-

es from my doctor. I will encourage all residents to follow public health guidelines for the safety of our community.”

Espaillat is believed to be the fourth elected official to test positive for COVID-19, since house and senate members were ordered to shelter in place, when the deadly riot broke out at the U.S. Capital on January 6. The riot was blamed for the deaths of 4 protesters and one Capital Police

officer.

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4• BRONX VOICE• January 20 - 26, 2021

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Blood, booze and bottled water Deranged attackers slash people in Bx, Qns for beer and water

By Dan Gesslein Police are looking for two men in connection with a pair of unrelated and unhinged stabbings in Queens and the Bronx. One shocking attack was caught on video.

Police are looking for this man in connection with a stabbing in the Bronx on Christmas morning.

Police released surveillance video of a brutal attack taken inside a Queens hotel in which a worker was slashed repeatedly after handing the man a bottle of water.

At around 6:15 am on January 10, a 33-year-old worker at the La Quinta Inn on Queens Boulevard confronted a man who was loitering in the hotel’s lobby. The loiterer asked for a bottle of water. When the clerk came out from behind the desk to hand him the water, the man pounced.

The lobby video shows the man pull-

ing out a large knife and using it to stab and slash the clerk.

The worker tries to flee but is cornered and falls to the floor.

The attacker stands over him repeatedly trying to slash him.

Finally the clerk breaks free and runs into the office and slams the door closed.

The attacker is then seen calmly walking out of the hotel.

The NYPD says the attacker slashed the clerk’s hands and left ear. The victim was treated at New York Health + Hospitals/ Elmhurst.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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Deranged attackers slash people in Bx, Qns for beer and water CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

In another senseless attack, a Bronx man had his nose slashed for not giving a man a beer. Cops say a man wearing a pink fur coat slashed and stabbed a Bronx man on Christmas morning.

At around 4 am on Christmas, a 25-yearold man was walking in Crotona carrying a shopping bag containing beer he recently bought. At the corner of East Tremont Avenue and Marmion Avenue, a man approached

him and asked for some beer. When the shopper refused, the other man pulled out a knife and slashed the victim’s nose and stabbed him in the abdomen.

The victim was rushed to nearby St. Barnabas Hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

The NYPD released surveillance video of a man wanted in connection with the stabbing.

The video was taken from a nearby bodega.

The man in the video wanted for questioning

is seen wearing a pink fur coat, with a blue hoodie, chains and a Yankee cap.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDC R I M E S TO P P E R S .

COM, on Twitter @ NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Police released surveillance video of a man wanted in connection with a stabbing inside a La Quinta Inn in Queens. Cops say the suspect slashed a hotel employee after the man handed him bottled water.

Arsenal found in car 6• BRONX VOICE• January 20 - 26, 2021

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Cops recover guns, high-capacity magazines during traffic stop

A routine traffic ticket led cops to discover a cache of weapons including high capacity magazines and a drum feeder. Prosecutors announced that the driver has been indicted on multiple charges of gun posession.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man has been indicted on multiple weapons possession charges for illegally having five handguns, an ammunition feeding device, and high-capacity magazines in his car.

District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant was double parked on a bus lane in a crowded area when NYPD officers found a loaded pistol under the driver’s seat and four semi-automatic pistols and ammunition feeding devices in the trunk of the car. These weapons were packaged and ready to sell, but thankfully the defendant was apprehended. We will not tolerate anyone bringing guns into

Police recovered a slew of handguns, high capacity magazines and a drum feeder during a routine traffic stop.

the Bronx. We have suffered far too many shootings this year and we must do all it takes to prevent gun violence in the Bronx.”

Clark said the defendant, Tyrell Livingston, 28, was arraigned on six counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, 15 counts of third-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, five counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, five counts of fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, third-degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Violations of the Vehicle and Traffic Law and Possession of Ammunition before Bronx Supreme Court

Justice George Villegas. The defendant was remanded and is due back in court on March 22, 2021.

According to the investigation, on November 18, 2020 in front of 436 East 149th Street, Livingston was in a 2007 Mercedes Benz with dark tinted windows that was double-parked in an active bus lane when NYPD Officers approached him and told him to move the car. The defendant told them he did not have his license on him and that it was suspended for failing to answer a summons. As Officers proceeded to arrest him, they found under the driver’s seat a .45 caliber semi-au-

tomatic pistol, loaded with seven rounds. The defendant’s vehicle was taken to the 40th Precinct and during an inventory search, officers found one .9 mm Taurus Pistol with three magazines, a .9 mm Glock with 15 cartridges in the magazine, a .9 mm Taurus pistol containing two magazines, and a .9mm Millennium pistol inside a backpack in the trunk of defendant’s car. Officers also found a drum feeder with 41 .40 mm cartridges, 14, .9mm cartridges, one magazine, and one high-capacity magazine.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

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8• BRONX VOICE• January 20 - 26, 2021

Affordable Housing, Hip Hop Museum coming to waterfront

A public-private partnership of L+M Development Partners, Type A Projects, BronxWorks and the City of New York closed Tuesday on financing for the first phase of Bronx Point, a much-anticipated mixed-use development coming to the Harlem River waterfront in the South Bronx. Bronx Point’s first phase will deliver 542 units of permanently affordable housing to the Lower Concourse neighborhood, along with approximately 2.8 acres of public open space and an array of cultural and community-focused programming, including a permanent home for the Universal Hip-Hop Museum, an early childhood space run by BronxWorks, and outdoor science programming run by the Billion Oyster Project.

Along with its affordable housing opportunities, Bronx Point will serve as a new civic and cultural hub for the borough in close proximity to the new home of the Bronx Children’s Museum, Hostos Community College and the

Bronx Terminal Market. The 25 percent WBE-developed project is aligned with Mayor de Blasio’s broader Where We Live NYC initiative, an inclusive process to ensure widespread community participation in shaping the City’s strategies to address fair housing barriers.

In addition to meeting a 35% M/WBE participation goal, the development team will participate in HireNYC. In 2016, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and HPD released a Request for Expressions of Interest for the Bronx Point site and selected the L+M/ Type A/BronxWorks partnership in 2017 upon the completion of the site’s rezoning.

Bronx Point is located on City-owned land and is being financed through a combination of public and private capital, including financing from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), Empire State Development, Wells Fargo, and additional private funding. The overall funding includes $323.5 million for the building, along with

$25.5 million for the waterfront esplanade’s construction from the NYCEDC. “This public-private partnership will deliver high quality affordable housing, a beautifully restored esplanade connecting the community to the waterfront, and a unique cultural institution that highlights the historic contributions the vibrant South Bronx community has made to music” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. “Community-based projects like Bronx Point are critical to this Administration’s goal of bringing affordable housing & investment to communities that have been historically left behind.”

“For years, we've wanted a permanent home in The Bronx—the birthplace of hip hop—and we are proud to be a part of Bronx Point, which will be one of the great new destinations of the borough,” said Kurtis Blow, hip hop legend and Chairman Emeritus of the Universal Hip Hop Museum. “Hip hop grew from a seed that was planted at a house party on Sedgwick Avenue into a global movement, and our museum will celebrate that journey and the Bronx's place in its history. For all those who rose with us and followed in our footsteps: this museum will be for you, forever. We can't wait to open our doors and welcome visitors from around the borough, the city and world to Bronx Point and the new home of hip hop!"

“It’s been an honor to be part of an incredible team that spearheaded a project we believe the community

will truly be proud of. Being born and raised in the South Bronx, it’s particularly meaningful,” said Josue Sanchez, Senior Director at L+M Development Partners. “At a moment when New Yorkers continue to struggle through the impacts of the pandemic, it’s even more critical for us to begin work on a project that will serve so many in a way that’s true to the borough - from high-quality affordable housing and community programming, to much-needed open space along the Harlem River, to a permanent home for the Universal Hip Hop Museum.

Thank you to our partners at the City, State, and Wells Fargo for their extraordinary hard work and dedication in helping us reach this milestone through a true public-private partnership.”

“As a NYC-certified Women-owned Business, Type A Projects is grateful to NYCEDC for prioritizing M/WBEownership and participation at Bronx Point,” said Annie Tirschwell, Partner at Type A Projects.

“Initiatives like this are essential building blocks for a more equitable and inclusive city for all. We value our partnership with L+M and were honored to bring our commitment to inclusive and community-centric planning to what will be a transformative project for the South Bronx. We are deeply appreciative of the community's participation and Community Board 4’s leadership during our collaborative twoyear-long open space design process. We hope Bronx Point will become the heart of a revitalized and sustainable South Bronx waterfront community.”

"BronxWorks is thrilled to be a partner in the Bronx Point Development,” said Eileen Torres, Executive Director, BronxWorks. “By offering families and residents child care and social services right on-site, the development represents an innova-

tive and supportive approach for our Bronx neighbors. As we look to lift lives and build futures, especially post the devastating COVID pandemic, the Bronx Point is a hopeful sign of the future for our community."

“A critical component to making our city fairer is strengthening neighborhoods for all New Yorkers,” said James Patchett, president and CEO of New York City Economic Development Corporation. “Today marks a major step towards advancing the administration’s key investments in the South Bronx. By bringing affordable housing, waterfront access and a range of cultural facilities, we are creating a more equitable New York.

We are proud to be part of this effort to bring this community’s vision to life.”

“Wells Fargo is thrilled to collaborate with L+M Development Partners, Type A Projects, BronxWorks, and the City of New York to bring vital affordable housing solutions to the Harlem River waterfront in the South Bronx,” said Alan Wiener, acting Head of Community Lending and Investment for Wells Fargo Commercial Real Estate. “The Bronx Point development enhances the community in a variety of ways – from the 542 new affordable housing units for low-income residents and formerly homeless individuals to the 2.8-acre waterfront park and the Universal HipHop Museum. Wells Fargo is committed to helping finance projects like Bronx Point that drive community engagement and cultural innovation.

We look forward to the lasting, positive impact this development will have on the Bronx community.

“We are proud to be a part of the Bronx Point project through ESD’s investment in the Universal Hip Hop Museum, which will be the first museum in the world dedicated to the preservation and CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

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Affordable Housing, Hip Hop Museum coming to waterfront CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

celebration of Hip-Hop history,” said Eric Gertler, Empire State Development Acting Commissioner, President and CEO-designate.

“This project brings together arts, culture and entertainment while helping to revive the Bronx waterfront and will create jobs, stimulate private investment, provide quality affordable housing and enhance the surrounding natural environment.”

“The start of construction of Bronx Point is a tremendous milestone for our borough,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Not only will this project create much-needed affordable housing units, it will activate underutilized space, open up more waterfront to public access, create new public spaces and retail amenities for community use and, finally, bring the Universal Hip Hop Museum to the birthplace of hip hop, The Bronx. Thank you to everyone who came together to make this project come to life.”

“The need for affordable housing for Bronx residents, and for seniors and formerly homeless individuals in particular, cannot be overstated,” said Congressman-elect Ritchie Torres.

“The COVID19 pandemic, along with rising rents and stagnant wages, have exacerbated the affordable housing crisis in our city. This project will bring much needed affordable units to the Bronx and revitalize the Harlem River waterfront and the South Bronx. I look forward to seeing this project fully completed in the coming years, and thank the various partnerships, organizations and agencies for their work in pushing this forward.”

"Bronx Point will bring much needed affordable housing and community space to the South Bronx, including waterfront access for a community that has for too long been cut off from

the Harlem River and a permanent home for the Universal Hip Hop Museum,” said New York City Council Member Diana Ayala. "I am thrilled to see this project move forward, and I congratulate L+M Development Partners, Type A Projects and their partners on this historic day for not only The Bronx but all of New York City.”

“Congratulations to all our partners on reaching this significant milestone in the development of the dynamic Bronx Point project,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “In addition to the peace of mind that comes with the permanent affordability of these 542 homes, Bronx Point will ensure lasting benefits for the larger South Bronx community through a wide array of cultural and supportive services, as well as extensive outdoor waterfront space.”

S9 Architecture led the design of the 22-story project, and the open space was designed by Marvel Architects in collaboration with Abel Bainnson Butz. In recognition of its potential to serve the Lower Concourse community, Bronx Point was awarded an Award for Excellence in Public Design by the New York City Public Design Commission in November. And in May, the Waterfront Alliance named Bronx Point the first affordable housing project in the country and just the ninth overall to achieve verification for excellence in waterfront design through its Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines, a rating system to manage coastal climate risks and create resident, ecologically sound and accessible waterfronts widely accepted as the gold standard across a range of industries.

Bronx Point is a key component of a $194 million capital investment strategy for the Lower Concourse neighborhood, announced by the de Blasio Administration in 2015 and led by

NYCEDC. For more than two years, the development team and NYCEDC engaged extensively with the local community, including hosting open space design workshops and additional working group sessions with an array of local stakeholders. In the end, community members were able to directly influence the design and programming of the project's open space and provide a range of ongoing feedback as the project progressed.

Construction on phase one of Bronx Point is expected to begin in the coming weeks and be completed by late 2023. The project’s second phase is anticipated to include additional housing units along with additional retail and community space.

Overall, Bronx Point will include up to 1,045 apartment units.

Bronx Point’s central cultural component will be the first permanent home of the Universal Hip Hop Museum, just down the river from the widely recognized birthplace of hip hop at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. The museum, which currently has a pop-up space at the nearby Bronx Terminal Market, is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the history and culture of the genre. The Universal Hip Hop Museum will be home to exhibits, events and performances

and other celebrations highlighting the rise of hip hop as a global force, all from the borough where the genre was born.

Bronx Point’s apartments will be available for families earning incomes ranging from 30 percent to 120 percent of Area Median Income, along with apartments for the formerly homeless.

Apartments will include 135 studios, 192 one-bedrooms, 122 two-bedrooms and 93 three-bedrooms.

Tenant amenities will feature an outdoor terrace for residents, on-site laundry, a children’s room, community lounge, bike storage room, on-site fitness center and around-the-clock front desk security.

Public space is also a central feature of Bronx Point.

A grand staircase, designed to be a civic gathering space for the borough, will lead from the building itself down to the waterfront.

The open space, across from Bronx Terminal Market, will feature a playground and landscaped area adjacent to the existing Mill Pond Park and the Bronx Children’s Museum to the north. An esplanade along the Harlem River shoreline will include a landscaped public walkway and seating areas. The space will also feature lawns, waterfront lookouts, an extended

BBQ area, fitness zones for adults and publicly accessible bathrooms.

Collectively, these open space improvements will advance the City and community’s long-standing goal of providing access to the Harlem River waterfront and increasing public open space in the South Bronx.

Bronx Point will also include several spaces for youth and community programming and education.

Development partner BronxWorks, a venerable Bronx social service provider, will provide supportive services for tenants on the site and operate an early childhood center. At the same time, the Billion Oyster Project will run an outdoor education program that utilizes the Harlem River. In all, the 530,000 square foot-Bronx Point development will include more than 56,000 square feet of educational and community space, along with more than 12,000 square feet of retail space. The Prusik Group, L+M’s partner on Essex Crossing on the Lower East Side and the new National Urban League Headquarters in Harlem, will serve as the project’s Retail Development Advisor.

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12• BRONX VOICE• January 20 - 26, 2021

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Sepulveda stripped of committee duties

Charged with choking wife, claims he is vic of abuse

By David Greene State Senator Luis Sepulveda has been stripped of his title as Chair of the Senate Committee on Crimes, Crime Victims and Corrections and subsequently turned himself in to police after allegedly choking his wife.

According to NYPD detective and spokeswoman Sophia Mason, officers from the 48th Precinct responded to a 911 call at 5:45 a.m. on Saturday, January 9, at Sepulveda's Daily Avenue home in the West Farms section.

Mason stated, "Police were met by a 40-year-old female and a 56-year-old male who both stated the other party assaulted them.”

According to published reports, Sepulveda turned himself in at the 48th Precinct station house on January 12, where he was charged with crimes related to the incident.

At his arraignment at Bronx Criminal Court more than 12 hours later, Sepulveda wore a grey shirt with black slacks and wore a face mask as he watched a monitor of the virtual courtroom

Photos by David Greene

John Perez (2nd left) and Sammy Ravelo (2nd right) join survivors and advocates against domestic violence during a second rally and press conference on Domestic Violence at Joyce Kilmer Park on January 13, 2021.

from "Interview Booth 5G," at just after 11 p.m.

After Criminal Court Judge Beth Beller told Sepulveda he would be released and needed to

come back for his next court date, the judge warned, "You need to stay away from the complaining witness, Mrs. Sepulveda. You're not to have any contact with her by any means...

If you have any contact with her at all, you would face contempt charges proceeding, do you understand?"

Sepulveda, an attorney whose Senate website boasts he "oversaw the historic criminal justice reform in ending cash bail" in New York City, simply responded, "Yes, your honor.”

After attempting to block the two media requests made to cover the arraignment, Sepulveda's attorney Marvin Senator Luis Sepulveda gives out toys to children in Soundview a little more than 48 hours after Ray Raskin cleverly being arrested for choking his wife in Sepulveda's West Farms home.

asked, "May I just suggest to my client your honor that he be mindful that there may be press outside and that we're sending somebody from the family, at least to try and meet him." Judge Beller replied, “Okay."

It is still unknown if the three burly men who jumped out of an SUV outside of the prisoner release exit at Bronx Central Booking on Sheridan Avenue were indeed members of "the family," but the men positioned themselves outside the door in a way that could have impeded any photographs from being taken. However, after one received a phone call, the men jumped back CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

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Health Matters

14• BRONX VOICE• January 20 - 26, 2021

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Where to get Covid-19 vaccines?

As the number of eligible New Yorkers continues to expand, Mayor de Blasio announced that the City has opened 12 additional vaccine hubs across the five boroughs. The first two 24/7 mass vaccination sites opened at Bathgate in the Bronx and Brooklyn Army Terminal in Brooklyn.

“From our 24/7 mass vaccination sites, to the Vaccine Command Center, we are building the infrastructure we need to vaccinate the highest number of highrisk New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“We’re off to a good start, but with the freedom to vaccinate more New Yorkers and the supplies to get there, we could go even further.”

Vaccine Hubs: Hillcrest High School 160-05 Highland Avenue Bronx South Bronx Educational Campus 701 St. Ann’s Avenue Additional Vaccination Photos by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office Hubs The City will open 12 Mayor Bill de Blasio tours a mass vaccination site at NYC Health + Hospitals/ Bathgate in the additional vaccine hubs Bronx. across the city beginning Saturday, January 16th.

The hubs will be open from 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, seven days a week.

tional Campus 100-00 Beach Channel Drive Queens

Hillcrest High School 160-05 Highland AveMarta Valle Second- nue Queens ary School 145 Stanton Aviation High School Street Manhattan 45-30 36th Street Queens Wadleigh Campus/I.S. Walton Educational 88 215 West 114 Street School 2780 Reservoir Manhattan Avenue Bronx August Martin High Adlai E. Stevenson High School 156-10 Baisley School 1980 Lafayette Boulevard Avenue Bronx South Bronx EducationQueens al Campus 701 Saint Beach Channel Educa- Ann's Avenue Bronx

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Pol allocates nearly $3 million to overhaul nurse call system

Council Member Rafael Salamanca announced allocation of $2.9 million in capital funding to overhaul and create a state-ofthe-art nurse call bell system at NYC Health + Hospitals/ Lincoln.

At a ceremonial check presentation, CEO Milton Nunez, Chief Nurse Executive Lillian Diaz and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lewis Marshall accepted the appropriation with much appreciation and gratitude.

“Requests for nursing assistance from the hospital bed are critical to providing timely, accurate and patient-centered care,” stated Lillian Diaz. “The technologically sophisticated Nurse Call System to be created will improve and “expedite the care a patient receives while they are in our care.”

Working with Speaker Corey Johnson, Council Member Salamanca secured the funding through the

Council Member Rafael Salamanca (Third from Left) presented a check to Lincoln Hospital for $2.9 million to create a stateof-the-art nurse call bell system.

Fiscal Year 2021 allocation process.

This funding continues a long-term commitment from Council Member Salamanca to ensure that Bronxites have the best healthcare available.

In FY20, Council Member Salamanca secured $884,000 for NYC Health + Hospitals/ Lincoln to facilitate a new digital radiology suite within the emergency department.

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Fundraising campaign for doc struck by tragedy

Although it is being done with a great deal of reluctance, Dr. Ernest Patti, who has been a familiar and caring figure at St. Barnabas Hospital for generations of emergency room victims, is asking the community for help.

This summer, his 19-year-old son Ernest had just started his freshman year at the University of Miami when he dove into a wave at a local beach and hit his head on a sandbar. He sustained a paralyzing C6 spinal cord injury that in an instant forever changed his life and that of his family.

Dr. Patti has long been a beloved physician at SBH, having

completed his emergency medicine training here in the 1990s before becoming an attending.

He is often called the face of the institution for not only showing excellent and compassionate care for thousands of patients over this time, but for representing the hospital on many television news shows in discussing a range of medical issues.

This was most evident during the spring when he spoke movingly about the hospital’s Covid-19 battle. His students at the CUNY School of Medicine, the hospital’s clinical affiliate, recently selected him “teacher of the year.”

In addition to the personal tragedy, the Patti family faces the staggering cost of Ernest’s care and recovery. Estimates from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation place Ernest’s first-year spinal cord injury expenses at over $700,000 with an additional

Dr. Ernest Patti

$120,000 in every subsequent year.

Many costs, including rehabilitation, home modifications, and caregiving, are only partially covered by insurance.

Friends and family have started a verified fundraising campaign with the national nonprofit Help Hope Live to lift the financial burden. You can make a tax deductible donation in honor of Ernest Patti and his family at https:// helphopelive.org/ campaign/18135/ or by calling 800-6428399.

All funds raised

will be managed by the nonprofit to cover only verified expenses, including the cost of an accessible van. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient.

Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized

by Help Hope Live have raised over $145 million to pay patient expenses.

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Sepulveda stripped of committee duties

Charged with choking wife, claims he is vic of abuse CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

in the vehicle and sped

around the corner towards Sherman Avenue, where it is believed Sepulveda was allowed to leave from a second exit.

"Nancy" from Concourse Village was pulling a shopping cart down Sherman Avenue around midnight when told of her senator's arrest. She recalled attending a rally in Albany on his first day in office. She stated, "We took pictures with him and everything." Asked about the job performance, she replied, "To be honest with you, I've been so caught up with the pandemic, I haven't noticed too much of what he's done.”

Nancy continued, "One thing I could say is I don't hear too much about him.

So he's like missing in action a lot of times.”

Raskin released a brief statement that claimed, "Mr. Sepulveda has been the victim of recurring physical abuse by his estranged spouse for approximately nine years. The situation he has endured because of the young child they share together. This false accusation is a calculated attempt, by a disgruntled party to leverage a divorce settlement.”

The statement added, "The senator is committed to and will proactively provide full transparency as the matter is resolved.”

The condemnation was swift and severe as the

New York State Senate quickly removed him from all committee duties while Sepulveda was still in lockup.

New York City Councilman and Majority Whip Fernando Cabrera issued a statement that read in part, "It is unconscionable that Senator Sepulveda could remain in his position as a State Senator following multiple domestic violence incidents and a charge of obstruction of justice.”

However, the criminal complaint obtained from the Bronx District Attorney charged Sepulveda with assault in the 3rd degree, criminal obstruction of breathing and harassment and makes no mention of obstruction or a second domestic violence incident.

Cabrera's statement concluded, "As a strong advocate for domestic violence victims and programs, I'm calling on Senator Sepulveda to immediately resign from the Senate.”

Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez put out a statement that claimed, "Unfortunately, this is not the first time these allegations have been brought against the Senator.”

Fernandez, who is challenging Sepulveda and a host of others for the soonto-be vacated seat of Bronx Borough President, currently held by Ruben Diaz, Jr. Fernandez added, "I am calling for the Senator to drop out of the race for Bronx Borough President

and submit his resignation from the Senate immediately.”

Bob Kappstatter, who spent time doing public relations for Sepulveda, in a January 13 telephone interview said sarcastically, "I can't think of this happening to a nicer guy like Louie." He added, "You don't know Louie's reputation?

Jesus Christ! In the four years I worked for him, I can count on one hand, not using all the fingers, how many times he said thank you to me.”

When told of a press conference being held that day

by Fernandez, Kappstatter then took a swing at Fernandez, charging, "He (Sepulveda) helped her get elected, they were joined at the hip. She can credit him with helping her get elected.”

At that January 13 press conference in Joyce Kilmer Park, where Fernandez gathered with domestic violence survivors and advocates and other officials, she was told of Kappstatter's claim and replied, "I'm sorry, what? Un, no, that's absolutely false. I've never worked with Luis Sepulveda during my time in the Assembly. I worked for (Mark) Gjonaj, how dare he say that." Fernandez later added, "That's an exact example of the toxic male masculinity, taking credit for women's achievements.

I've achieved everything I've done on my own and how dare he say that.”

According to John Perez,

the former District Leader of the 87 Assembly District, who may also have eyes on Sepulveda's Senate seat, Fernandez and Cabrera may have been referring to a 2015 incident that was referred to Family Court, where the records are sealed.

Perez said of Sepulveda, “He should resign. I've been chasing him for twoand-a-half years and I'll tell you a short thing. My daughter was sexually assaulted by a Bangaledshi individual from the district and he told me he couldn't help me because he invested so much time in fostering a relationship with the Bengali community... and that pissed me off.

So, yeah, I'm gunning for him.”

On January 14, Sepulveda attended a Three Kings Day toy and mask giveaway in the lobby of a New York City Housing Authority building at 1471 Watson Avenue, where at one point a crowd of 25 or 30 had gathered in the lobby, creating a possible dangerous condition with the pandemic. As cameras were setting up on the sidewalk to interview Sepulveda, a rep claimed that residents did not want to come outside.

A WPIX cameraman refused to go in, stating, "You want coverage, come out here, you don't want it?" The cameraman turned to a handful of other members of the media and said, "I don't know about you,

but I want to live." The Sepulveda rep that said he would try and accommodate the journalists for the interview.

Inside the lobby News 12, The Bronx reported that toy giveaway organizer Reverend Carmen Hernandez was discussing the issue of domestic violence when she seemed to indicate that Sepulveda had confessed.

Sepulveda uncomfortably responded, "First of all this is for the kids today, it's a wonderful event. I don't know if the Reverend misspoke, I have not admitted to any acts of domestic violence, I want to make that clear. I am not. We'll deal with that in another forum, but right now it's really about the children.”

Despite his lawyers vow of transparency, Sepulveda then walked directly past the cameras and headed for his car. A staffer telling him, "One day at a time.”

A News 12 reporter attempted to stop Sepulveda from driving away, telling him, "Do you want to comment? The only reason why we came is because we were told you would speak."

Sepulveda replied, "I'm sorry guys, thank you." The News 12 reporter asked, "Is this a cover up? You bring us out here for the toy drive and then you don't talk?”

Attempts to reach Elizabeth Sepulveda for comment were unsuccessful.

Senator Sepulveda is due back in court on February 24.

18• BRONX VOICE• January 20 - 26, 2021

Culinary Road

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

By Morris Gut

Kicking off 2021: Dining in, takeout ideas It’s all about take-out & delivery for NYC restaurants right now.

Indoor dining is forbidden in the 5 boroughs, while Westchester restaurants are allowed up to 50% indoor capacity. This disparity has caused Bronx diners to cross over into Westchester with greater frequency.

In the meantime, some eating places have gone to great lengths to install sophisticated outdoor tents and igloos and that is an option, too. How far can you push the customer?

Hearty winter dishes are a good respite from the cold, and restaurants throughout the Bronx & Sound Shore towns are putting out their seasonal best. Here are a few of my recent indulgences. Some old, some new. Covid protocols are in place. Stay Safe in 2021….

THE TEA EXPERIENCE! Time to relax. 2020 was quite a year, and we owe it to ourselves to find some personal nirvana. Leslie Allicks, founder of The Tea Experience, a mobile tea party catering service, may have a soothing

solution. She recently launched SimpiciTEA, an online presence for the retail sale of looseleaf teas, and a tea of the month subscription box program.

You may recall Leslie, who grew up in St. Croix where there is a history of drinking and serving tea. She operated Lola’s Tea House in Pelham from 2007 to 2012.

She honed her expertise about tea by attending tea school, visiting tea houses throughout New York and Connecticut, interviewing tea house owners, and joining the World Tea trade association. If you care to indulge, you can reach The Tea Experience and Leslie at: 914-7720126, or www.theteaexperienceny.com NEW CHEF AT ARTIE’S, CITY ISLAND! Owner Spiro Chagares and his new Executive Chef Aaron Bashy offer patrons an inspired melding of traditional and contemporary dishes served with flair.

Chef Bashy has previously worked the kitchen at Quality Meats in Manhattan. New to the menu are family style whole roasts for take

The December SimpliciTEA (tea of the month) subscription box and the Holiday Egg Nog tea.

home or delivery like Chateaubriand, Pork Loin, Virginia Ham, or Prime Rib. There are hearty Seafood Chowders; Smoked Salmon Roll-Ups; Wood Grilled Jumbo Shrimp and Scallops; hunks of tender Short Rib; a massive Zuppa Di Pesce; tender Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb; Chardonnay Poached Salmon with seafood; and fresh Lobster prepared in a variety of styles. Big combo platters. Craft beers.

Private party facilities.

Off premise catering.

New Hours: pen daily except Monday. Free parking. Artie’s Steak

& Seafood, 394 City Island Ave., Bronx. 718885-9885 www.artiescityisland.com JACK’S OPENS IN EASTCHESTER! Partners Shane Clifford and Steven Robinson have opened Jack’s Bar & Restaurant on Main St. in Eastchester at the sight that previously housed Edmondo’s. It has been totally remodeled and offers an enhanced Irish tavern menu on steroids, is the best way to describe it. Generous specialties coming out of this Chef Brendan Donohoe’s kitchen include: Scotch Eggs, deca-

dent Short Rib Mac N’ Cheese, Smoked Seafood Chowder, a unique Shepherd’s Pie Calzone, and Smoked Chicken & Sausage Pizza out of their woodfired oven.

There is seating indoors and out following Covid guidelines. The staff could not be more friendly.

Carnivores must check out the Surf & Turf, Porterhouse Frites, and Rump of Lamb. Tennessee Thursdays offers such hearty BBQ fare as Pulled Pork and Brisket. Weekend Brunch.

Jack’s is located at 219 Main St., Eastchester.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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BRONX VOICE• January 20 - 26, 2021• 19

Kicking off 2021: Dining in, takeout ideas CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

Open daily; check website for kitchen hours.

Municipal parking; free evenings. Phone: 914652-7650 www.jackseastchester.com ‘OFF THE SMOKER’ AT KRAVE, NEW ROCHELLE! It’s on the menu Thursday thru Sunday at Krave Restaurant: house smoked meats and BBQ served with fried dumplings and pickled cucumbers, including Beef Brisket, Baby Back Pork Ribs, Jerk Sausage and delicious Pork Belly Sticky Buns. A vibrant Chyrisse Crisp and Chef Chrissy have brought Westchester an exciting new Caribbean/American/Southern restaurant loaded with colorful, comforting dishes from the islands.

There is a long sparkling bar/lounge area leading into the dining room, dramatically glass enclosed, part banquet seating.

Start with an order of Lamb Meatballs, or Cod Fish Cakes. It is a lovely modern setting for such specialties as: ‘Pass The Dutchie’, traditional foods served in Dutch pots: Dutch Pot Fried Chicken; Jerk

Pork & Jerk Chicken; Stewed Oxtail; Ackee with choice of fish; even Curry Goat on weekends. Whole fish include: Red Snapper, Salmon and Bronzini.

If you’re in a vegetarian mode, try the Tofu Chop Suey. Open Tuesday thru Sunday. Krave, 8 S. Division Street, New Rochelle. Phone: 914-740-7240. www. kravenewroc.com A TASTE OF DALMATIA AT DUBROVNIK, NEW ROCHELLE! Founded by Jerry Tomic, Dubrovnik is Westchester’s first restaurant devoted to the food and culture of Croatia, a multi-level 85-seat establishment with seasonal outdoor patio, state of the art temperature- controlled wine cellar (ask for Jerry’s wine from his family’s winery in Croatia), al fresco wood fire rotisserie BBQ, lush seasonal herb garden and bar/lounge. Talented Chef Selendic is in the kitchen and he will transport you to the beautiful Adriatic in flavorful style. Most everything is house made from the bread to desserts. Try the Warm Octopus Salad;

Pork belly sticky buns at Krave.

Steamed Mussels; Bay Scallops on the Shell; Fresh Cod Filet with grapes, olives, pearl onions; Mama Tereza’s lobster, shrimp, scallops, fish, clams and mussels steamed in a seasonal broth over pasta; Rack of Lamb; or whole roasted fish prepared out on the BBQ. Valet parking.

Dubrovnik, 721 Main St., New Rochelle.

Open daily. 914-6373777 www.durbrovnikny.com ITALY MEETS ARGENTINA AT MAGNO’S GRILL, NEW ROCHELLE! One of the best kitchens in Westchester!

Filet Mignon w portobello, Port wine sauce

& Lobster Tail stuffed with crabmeat, shrimp, scallops in scampi sauce. This talented group also serves Jurassic Tomahawk Steaks, and a fine version of Parrillada, hearty mixed grill with chimichurri sauce.

Chef/owner Angelo Magno had put his talents to work at such lauded kitchens at Tango Grill, Milonga and Gaucho Grill. He has joined forces with his family at his own 60seat spot featuring fine versions of Italian and Argentinean classics.

Look for such house specialties as: fresh Empanadas, Chicken or Veal Parmigiana, hearty Paella, and

hefty Pork Osso Buco.

Cocktail bar. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Happy Hours. Heated rear patio. Municipal parking nearby. Reservations accepted. Magno’s Grill, 108 Centre Ave., New Rochelle.

914-235-0008 www. magnosgrill.com (Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in the Bronx & Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-2356591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline. net)

20• BRONX VOICE• January 20 - 26, 2021

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