Winner of Vol. 71, No. 28
the Pulitzer Prize
Thursday, August 20, 2020
$1.00
What’s inside?
Science students ready to fight a return to school
Police protest Not even cops in this part of the Bronx are immune to criticism, and some with complaints have taken to the streets. Page A3
By ROSE BRENNAN rbrennan@riverdalepress.com
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN
Joan Kenny, 87, looks out to Sylvan Avenue from a window of her home, one of many without power earlier this month because of Tropical Storm Isaias.
Elderly: Silent victims of outages By ROSE BRENNAN rbrennan@riverdalepress.com
Judging judges What goes into becoming a Bronx supreme court judge? Voters are said to decide, but do they really? Page A7
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any times, power outages start off as minor inconveniences. No electricity or internet access can be difficult and annoying, but often, after a few hours — maybe a day or two at most — the lights will flicker back on. That wasn’t the case for many when Tropical Storm Isaias hit Aug. 4. In fact, Joan Kenny lost power at her Sylvan Avenue home for eight days. She didn’t have television, internet or home phone access for an additional two. And the cherry on top? She’s 87. Power outages can be frustrating regardless of age. But especially for elderly people, losing power can be dangerous, even more so when the outages extend beyond a few days. Patricia Sweeney, the education director at RiverSpring Health Plans that oversees care for elderly in the commu-
‘We had to keep running out and charging a cell to make sure we had a phone in case, God forbid, there was an emergency.’
— Kevin Kenny
Joan Kenny’s son
nity, says while many mobility and safety devices for the elderly use battery packs and therefore wouldn’t be affected by a power outage, that doesn’t mean it’s all smooth sailing. “We usually … make phone calls to all members prior to the storm,” Sweeney said. “Do they have enough water? Do they have flashlights? (Have they) charged their phones before the storm comes? And (we) just prepare for it.”
Sweeney’s main concern for aging people’s safety during a power outage is lighting. Once the sun sets during a power outage, houses go completely dark. And if there are no battery-powered lights in the house, it can turn even a late-night trip to the restroom into potential trouble. “They have to go and find a flashlight and carry the flashlight with them,” Sweeney said. “If they have an ambulatory device, (like) a cane … or a walker — worse than that — how are they navigating the flashlight and the walker?” Refrigeration also is an issue, especially for anyone who just went grocery shopping. But many elderly people take medication, and some of those medications — like insulin — need to be refrigerated. During the eight days she had no power, Joan relied on help from two of her children, Kevin Kenny and Helen Kenny Burrows, as well as aide Vivienne Ford. Joan’s son spent much of his time trying OUTAGES, page A4
The Bronx High School of Science has more students than some New York towns have people. And that comes with the territory of being one of the most prestigious public high schools in the city. But sustaining a student population of nearly 3,000 doesn’t exactly go hand-in-hand with a pandemic which mandates social distancing — especially when the city discouraged gathering in groups larger than five just a few months ago. Now, some of Bronx Science’s students think going back to school next month isn’t the best idea. In fact, some of them even think in-person classes shouldn’t be considered — at least for high school students. Emma Nguyen, an incoming senior at Bronx Science, believes there are several obstacles in the way of returning to school safely. Many Bronx Science students use public transportation to get to school, which she believes puts them at risk for exposure to the COVID-19 virus. “My personal commute is an hour and a half to the school,” Nguyen said. “And then if health is this big thing on everyone’s mind, then how quality of an education am I going to get after taking this one-and-a-halfhour commute to school?” Nguyen believes since Bronx SCIENCE FIGHT, page A4
Keeping eateries open in wake of pandemic Collegebound Campuses are reopening at places like Manhattan College, but nothing will be the same. Page A8
By KIRSTYN BRENDLEN kbrendlen@riverdalepress.com
Few remember what the corner of Broadway and Kimberly Place was like before Land & Sea arrived. For many, the diner-style restaurant was the best place to find mini crab cakes, its seasonal grilled swordfish, or just a classic burger. Even in some of the city’s most difficult times, Land & Sea opened its doors. But in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, those doors will open no more. Without much warning, Land & Sea shut down for good last month at its 5535 Broadway location, the loss in revenue while New York was shut down just too much for the restaurant to bear. The restaurant’s owner didn’t return requests for comment, but Kingsbridge Business Improvement
District assistant manager Jennifer Sproull said the owner was in a unique position: Not only did he own the restaurant, but he also owns the property. He decided to cut his losses with the restaurant, and try renting out the space for something different. Closing locations has become more and more of a common refrain throughout not just the Kingsbridge BID, but across the city, even though many stores and restaurants have been allowed to reopen in some shape or form for weeks. Since New York City entered Phase IV of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s economic reopening plan in late July, many retailers have returned in some capacity, often with shortened hours, social distancing guidelines, and perhaps fewer employees than they had before the pandemic. One of New York’s most-beloved EATERIES, page A4
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN
Land & Sea, a staple in Kingsbridge for decades, closed abruptly last month amid the coronavirus pandemic. Restaurants are struggling while fulfilling takeout and delivery orders and constructing outdoor seating areas, and low revenues have forced dozens of bars and restaurants across the city to close their doors forever.
Nursery closes, forcing parents to explore other options By CHEYENNE R. UBIERA Special to The Riverdale Press
A beloved spot in the neighborhood has closed its doors for good. Riverdale Nursery School & Family Center, located on 3816 Waldo Ave., won’t reopen with other day cares bouncing back from the coronavirus pandemic, forcing families to look elsewhere for child care. The nursery school was part of a nonprofit formed in 2004 aimed at providing quality early childhood education for boys and girls in this part of the Bronx, as well as Westchester County and upper Manhattan. Over the years, a number of families have
sent their children to the nursery school. But that changed when the economic shutdown ordered by Gov. Andrew Cuomo kept many parents home, meaning they didn’t need day cares and nurseries for months. Danya Katok-Ahlbin, whose son attended Riverdale Nursery School for two years, says she was notified of the school’s closing through an email from Susan Smelin, its founding director. At first, Katok-Ahlbin felt a mixture of disappointment and sadness about the closing, calling Riverdale Nursery a special place for the community. “I had toured so many of the other schools in the area,” she said. “I picked
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this school specifically because I just loved it so much.” After realizing her son would have to go somewhere else for pre-K, panic began to settle in. Katok-Ahlbin would have preferred to keep her son with children from his existing class since they all have had a chance to get to know each other over the last two years. Thankfully, with some recommendations from Smelin, KatokAhlbin’s son will attend a new school with many of his old classmates. But nothing can replace the welcoming environment of Riverdale Nursery School, she said. Its shutdown is a huge loss for the neighborhood, Katok-Ahlbin added, prais-
ing the school’s inclusive environment and “green” curriculum where the kids learned how to help the Earth by recycling and living sustainable lives. The school was generally highly recommended amongst other parents who also had sent their children there. “I could mention that my son goes there, and literally everyone would have a story about that school,” Katok-Ahlbin said. “People couldn’t stop singing its praises. And now it’s gone.” The thought of a popular nursery in the area shutting down is a scary one for many parents. Xaxia Sanchez’s daughter Xyla has NURSERIES, page A4