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Volume XX • Number 34 • August 15 - 21, 2013 •
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Residents fight South Bronx strip club sign Gives added momentum to ‘Strip Club’ Stanton foes
By the RIVERDALE REVIEW STAFF A billboard advertising the controversial Gentlemen’s Club known as “Scores” has caused an uproar in a south Bronx neighborhood that has long fought against the proliferation of socalled “strip clubs” in their neighborhood. This is taking place as a candidate for City Council in a north Bronx district, Clifford Stanton, has come under severe criticism for accepting large campaign contributions from the owner of the club, Robert Gans, and other individuals with ties to Gans or the controversial “jiggle joint” “The uproar is only over a sign,” noted Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, a key backer of Stanton’s opponent, attorney Andrew Cohen. “Now you can see why so many people in our communities are upset with the possibility of such clubs actually opening here. People who care about our children and our communities don’t want to see big time strip club operators wheeling and dealing with local public officials. It should cause concern that the Bronx is being targeted even for advertising. Perhaps the intent is to build local demand. Can we afford to take that chance?” Cohen has demanded that Stanton return the tainted funds. Stanton has refused, calling Gans, the club operator a “philanthropist,” and the club itself as merely a “cabaret.” Jose Rodriguez, the District
A storm of protest has erupted over the erection of this billboard on 161st Street not far from Yankee Stadium. So toxic are strip clubs considered that even a relatively tame billboard such as this meets with widespread community objections. Manager of Community Board Four, which covers much of the south Bronx, had nothing but warnings for his north Bronx neighbors. In a letter to OTR Me-
dia. the owner of the billboard, he charged that he has already “received several complaints regarding the choice of advertisement” currently displayed above
cause “proficiency is now based on the Common Core—a more demanding set of knowledge and skills necessary for 21st century college careers.” That said, the percentage of students performing at or above grade level at the local schools was in most cases more than 20 points lower this year than last in ELA and around 30 points lower in math. In ELA, P.S. 24 had 48.5 percent of all students performing at or above grade level—the highest percentage in the Riverdale schools—compared with 74.6 percent in 2012—also the highest locally. P.S. 81 had 39.7 percent at or above grade level this year,
down from 62.7 last year. M.S. 141 had 29.6 this year, down from 50.5 last year. Riverdalians handily outperformed the rest of the borough, which averaged 14.2 percent at or above grade level in 2013 and 33.2 in 2012. In math, P.S. 24 also topped the other schools with 51.6 percent at or above grade level in 2013 and 83.6 in 2012. P.S. 81 came in second with 41.5 at or above grade level this year and 68.8 last year. M.S. 141 had 33.2 at or above grade this year and 66.9 last year. Boroughwide, only 15.8 percent of students scored at or above grade level in 2013 and 46.6 did in 2012. “It doesn't mean that your Continued on Page 13
Local schools shocked by poor test results
By PAULETTE SCHNEIDER New York City students in the third through eighth grades struggled this past April with state standardized tests that were, by all accounts, the most difficult ever, requiring more analytical thinking and more writing. Last week the disappointing scores were released—after much buffering by school and city administrators. “The only way you improve is to tell the truth,” U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said. “And sometimes that's a brutal truth.” The DOE’s statistics come with a note warning against the direct comparison of current scores with those from prior year be-
103-107 East 161st Street. “While we respect their right to contract and post advertisements, we feel this particular ad is simply not appropriate for the area and not the image that we have fought hard to change.” “While the ad itself is not overtly suggestive, we believe this to be an issue of image and mindset not morality. We respectfully ask for the removal of said advertisement and place one that does not directly contradict the change and changes we envision for the area.” It was noted that if Stanton is elected, he will nominate members of Community Boards that will have considerable zoning power for future development in the district, which includes Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Woodlawn and Wakefield. He will also have standing before the State Liquor Authority in approving liquor licenses for the area.
Candidate Cohen noted that “this is why accepting major contributions from persons connected with strip clubs, like those owned and operated by Mr. Gans, is so dangerous. Does Stanton think that we were ‘born yesterday’ and can’t understand that thousands of dollars in contributions can only lead to unwelcome influence by such people? I demand that he return this money and disassociate himself from anyone connected with Scores or any other strip club. They have no place in our neighborhoods. I totally understand and support my neighbors who want the sign taken down, and will work with the rest of the City Council to prevent the spread of this plague to our communities.” The sign incident has been covered on News 12 and New York One as well. Stanton’s strip club contributions have received extensive coverage in the New York Daily News.