Talk Bronx New York

This is the Bronx News Network’s 2,000th blog post. (Waiting for applause.)

Just to give you an idea of how we’ve grown over the last few years, consider this. In 2006, we posted just 32 times. The next year, 2007, we made a quantum leap to 329 posts. The following year, 2008, we ramped up our efforts again to the tune of 510 posts.

Then last year, we really hit our stride. Fueled by competitive Bronx Council races and the debate about development at the Kingsbridge Armory (which turned into one of the biggest stories in the city last December), we topped out at 877 posts. The Village Voice recognized us as one of the best blogs in a city teeming with them.

We’ve done this while continuing to produce quality, award-winning print journalism in all of our affiliated and associated papers. Sometimes, with all of our other responsibilities, it’s difficult to maintain a steady flow of stories and information in this space.

But, in the end, we believe in what we’re doing here and we’ve received a tremendous amount of feedback and support from all of you out there who read the blog and make it a part of your daily life. We want to thank you and encourage you to continue reading and commenting as we strive to create a dialogue about vital issues in the Bronx and beyond.

We would also like to hear from you about how we can make this site better, more enjoyable and more informative. What issues should we focus on? What kind of weekly or daily features would you like to see? What don’t you like about the site or our blog posts? Do you want more photos slide shows or more multimedia? We want to hear from you.

This is your blog as much as ours. (Applause from us.)

Stay tuned and come celebrate with us at the Bronx Ale House on Feb. 25. More details to come. Read more..

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A patient at the Bronx Psychiatric Center claims he was molested by an employee who was a registered sex offender in Florida when he was hired, the Daily News has learned.

The worker, John Washington, disclosed on his application that he was an ex-con but didn’t say he had committed a sex crime - and the state hospital never checked.

Washington worked there as a therapy aide trainee for nearly three years - until he was accused of sexually abusing a 22-year-old male patient in the middle of the night in March 2008, according to court papers.

The young man, whose name is being withheld by The News, told his mother what happened.

A probe by the NYPD and Bronx prosecutors ended with no charges filed.

“It was not a prosecutable case,” said Steven Reed, a spokesman for the Bronx district attorney, declining to elaborate.

The patient has filed a lawsuit against the state with the Court of Claims.

His lawyer, Andrea Freund, said it is “outrageous” Washington was allowed to work with such a vulnerable population.

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An embattled north Bronx neighborhood is being eyed as the site for a city-sponsored homeless shelter.

Project Renewal submitted plans to the city Department of Homeless Services and notified Community Board 12 last week of its plan to open the shelter at 4380 Bronx Blvd.

The 100-bed transitional shelter is to be located on a commercial strip mostly filled with automotive shops.

It is the second social services facility proposed for the Wakefield neighborhood.

Praxis Housing Initiatives last month said it intends to open a multistory building at 4339 White Plains Road with about 60 apartments for homeless people who have medical issues like HIV or AIDS or addiction problems.

Project Renewal’s proposal must now be reviewed by the DHS, a process that could take anywhere from weeks to months.

The DHS has recently opened several shelters and so-called “cluster sites” in the Bronx as it struggles to house large numbers of people rendered homeless by the sagging economy.

“We’re opening facilities all around the city to meet the record demand,” said DHS Commissioner Robert Hess, citing an “unparalleled demand” for homeless services across the nation.

“We’ll continue to do that to meet our legal obligations to house everyone who comes into our system every day.”

Project Renewal now operates four shelters in Manhattan.

Meanwhile, Praxis defended its proposal for the White Plains Road development.

“This is not a shelter. It’s permanent supportive housing,” said spokeswoman Jolie Milstein.

“This could turn around the neighborhood and be the beginning of the revitalization of upper White Plains Road.” Read more..

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