Talk Bronx New York

Community Calls On City To Quickly Replace Parkland Taken By Yanks Stadium

November 15, 2007

As the Yankees move full speed ahead with construction of their new stadium, community leaders say they want the city to build parkland just as quickly to replace what was taken to make way for the ball field. NY1’s Dean Meminger has been following the stadium story and filed this report.

The Parks Department broke ground Thursday on some of the parkland that is supposed to replace Macombs Dam Park, which was destroyed to make way for the Yankees new stadium.

“Bit by bit we are keeping the promises of building the replacement parks,? said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. ?Also, this is well ahead of schedule compared to the original plans.”

Three million dollars will be spent to put in a synthetic field for baseball and soccer, along with a few other pieces of playground equipment. This new development is happening behind the West Bronx Recreation Center on Jessup Avenue.

But not everyone thinks this new park is actually a good replacement for the parkland taken by the Yankees.

“It is very far, and it is not centrally located like Macombs Dam was,” said City Councilwoman Helen Foster.

The Jessup Avenue parkland is about a mile a way from the old Macombs Dam track and field.

Park advocates say this new field is not really new. They say kids have played here for decades.

“We are obviously happy that this park is being redone, but this has been used for parkland for many years,? said Geoffrey Croft of NYC Park Advocates. ?It is disgraceful the city is trying to pass it over as replacement parkland.”

The Parks Commissioner says he is working hard to create as much parkland as possible to replace the 25 acres lost to the new stadium.

“We are going to building three baseball fields adjacent to Yankees Stadium and a soccer field adjacent to the stadium, a baseball field here and a baseball field at P.S. 29,? said Benepe. ?So, in fact, we are getting more fields than we originally had as a part of the project.”

However, residents will have to deal with fewer parks for now. Last week, the Yanks took over the softball field, basketball and paddleball courts on the side of the old stadium to make room for an underground parking garage. A new park will be built on top of it.

Community leaders say they hope the new parks are completed before the new stadium opens in the spring of 2009.

- Dean Meminger

Source: NY1 / Bronx

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Bronx Bodega Owners Get Free Check Ups, Flu Shots

November 15, 2007

There were free check ups and flu shots for some Bronx bodega owners Thursday as part of an ongoing charity program that is targeting groups that do not get regular health care.

“This is not the solution for proper health care obviously, this is a way to reach out to the population and try to work with them and try to get them to get regular health care,? said Andres Nieto of NY Presbyterian Hospital.

New York Presbyterian teamed up with several companies to bring the hospital to the community.
Organizers say the event was a success.

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Yankees, A-Rod Reportedly Outline Ten-Year Deal?

November 15, 2007

Despite opting out of his contract last month and the Yankees saying they say would no longer negotiate with him, A-Rod and the Bronx Bombers reportedly agreed Thursday to the outline of a ten-year deal that would keep the All-Star third baseman in pinstripes.

The Associated Press reports the deal would be for $275 million, which is actually less than what the Yankees planned to offer A-Rod before he opted out. The deal would also reportedly allow him to earn millions more if he sets the Major League Baseball homerun record.

Rodriguez met with Hal and Hank Steinbrenner yesterday in Tampa. A-Rod’s longtime agent Scott Boras was not involved in the meeting, but said he’s trying to work out a deal with the team.

The Yanks have made it clear that he will have to make up the $21 million subsidy they were getting from the Texas Rangers that they lost when he opted out of his contract last month.

A-Rod has yet to speak publicly about the negotiations, but he released a statement saying, “We know there are other opportunities for us, but Cynthia [Rodriguez?s wife] and I have a foundation with the club that has brought us comfort, stability and happiness. As a result, I reached out to the Yankees through mutual friends and conveyed that message.”

Most Yankee fans NY1 spoke with seem willing to welcome A-Rod back to the team, but some have mixed emotions.

“I love him and I hate him at the same time,? said one fan. ?I do still think it’s about the money. I think there’s no better person to play third base for the Yankees.”

“He’s overpaid, severely overpaid,? said another. ?Honestly, the Yankees would be better off without him.”

“I don’t think anybody’s worth $275 million to play sports,? said a third.

“I think he’s worth it,? countered a fourth. ?I don’t know about the post-season, but I know about the regular season. He did well.”

Hank Steinbrenner says he doesn’t know why Rodriguez approached them, but the past is the past and the only thing that matters now is that he wants to remain a Yankee.

Meanwhile, fellow Yankees Derek Jeter might be in hot water with the taxman.

According to published reports, Jeter has claimed residency in Florida during his career.

However, New York State tax officials reportedly want to collect back taxes and interest for the years 2001 through 2003.

Jeter does have an off-season home in Tampa, but in 2001 he bought an apartment in Trump World Towers in Manhattan. That’s also the same year he signed a $189 million contract with the Yankees.

Source: NY1 / Bronx

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