DOT Comes Through for Harlem’s Dorrance Brooks Square Park

After several years of enduring ever-increasing collisions at the intersection of W. 136^th Street and Edgecombe Avenue, the Department of Transportation (DOT) installed a traffic turn signal on St. Nicholas Avenue. Following up with the DOT’s Comm. Margaret Forgione’s visit with the Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association (DBPORA) in April, the turn signal aims to deter the inclination of drivers to ignore or miss the stop light when turning left onto eastbound W. 136^th Street.  A car coming north on Edgecombe Avenue on a green light is often struck by car drivers who do not see the red signal when they turn left onto W. 136^th Street.  Accidents have occurred at all hours from early mornings when nearby Percy Sutton Educational Complex is opening, all the way to late evening hours.  Thus far no fatalities have been noted but block association members feared that was only a matter of time. At least one resident ‘s parked car was totaled in one of the accidents, and the construction overhang has been shored up at least twice since it was put up two years ago.

 

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DBPORA is pleased that the DOT took their concerns seriously and has acted so quickly after the meeting. Thanks to the careful, persistent photo documentation from Dr. Keith Taylor, president of the DBPORA and the Hon. JoLinda Ruth Cogen, association secretary, the DOT has been updated on each incident. It is understood that traffic flow on St. Nicholas Avenue will be affected by this; however the alternative is to stand by while accidents happen frequently. The DOT’s timely response is an indicator that Mayor de Blasio’s ‘Vision Zero’ is receptive to community concerns without waiting for a fatality.

It is also an example of the community’s responsibility to advise their agencies of their concerns and keeping the pressure on when the need is clear.

Read http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/301-14/mayor-de-blasio-signs-package-life-saving-traffic-safety-bills#/0

TUSKEGEE AIRMAN MONTGOMERY HONORED IN HARLEM’S DORRANCE BROOKS SQUARE PARK

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In the historic PFC Dorrance Brooks Square Park in Harlem, a living participant of African-American military history was honored for his role in WWII. Tuskegee Airman Dabney N. Montgomery was honored by the Dorrance Brooks Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 528 and the Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association (DBPORA) on Saturday, June 14, 2014. On the balmy Flag Day afternoon, Harlem took a moment to recognize and pay tribute to one of its own who braved a war on two fronts: racism and imperialism. He survived one overseas and then the other at home to become an example of the heights of heroism that African-American servicemen are capable of.

The activities began with  the mistress of  ceremonies, JoLinda Ruth Cogen of DBPORA.  Comdr. Guy deVeaux, PFC Dorrance Brooks VFW Post 528 introduced the program, followed by an invocation by Rev. Tisha Jermin of nearby St. Marks United Methodist Church. Comdr. DeVeaux led the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing (Black National Anthem) and America the Beautiful. Dr. Keith Taylor, president of DBPORA, conducted the dedication of the Dabney Garden Patch, placed with the PFC Brooks plaque at the park’s north end.  Airman Montgomery then related his experiences as a man of color in the segregated US military. His I-was-there account of fellow black soldiers’ heroism, all but erased on their return to the brutal racism at home, still hits an emotional chord  today.

Commissioner Col. Terrence Holliday of the Mayor’s Office of Veteran Affairs regaled the attendees with a talk entitled “The Importance of the Military to African-Americans.” His lighthearted commentary underscored the seriousness of the plight of men like Airman Montgomery who only sought to fight for their country – as Americans. His knowledge of African-Americans in the armed forces was broad and he encouraged everyone to find out more about the subject. The dedication ended with recorded music of the WWII era’s 369th US Infantry “Hellfighters” Band.

Dr. Keith Taylor with honoree Airman Montgomery (G Hazard)

This is the second event sponsored in the historic PFC Dorrance Brooks Square Park by the DBPORA in conjunction with the Dorrance Brooks VFW Post 528. The first, held two years ago, rededicated the Park in honor of PFC Dorrance Brooks of the US Army who served with distinction in Harlem’s 369th Infantry Regiment – The Harlem Hellfighters. DBPORA hopes to continue to honor the rich history associated with the park’s name, and keep the memory of brave African-American soldiers vibrant in the place they called home.

 

Harlem Block Associations Meet with Office of Manhattan Borough President Gail Brewer

The Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association (DBPORA), along with nearby block associations, met at Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church on Thursday, April 3, 2014 to pool their concerns about the neighborhood. Manhattan Borough President Gail Brewer was unable to attend but sent her representative, Athena B. Moore, Director of Northern Manhattan, to explain what their office does and to hear the residents’ concerns. There were some problems in common and others which were localized but could prove worrisome down the road for adjoining areas.

Harlem Block Associations listen to Athena Moore from Gail Brewer’s Office – G.Hazard

The meeting was sponsored by the Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association (DBPORA ) which invited the surrounding block associations to their monthly meeting for a get together with the new borough president. The evening was opened by DBPORA President Keith Taylor and chaired by JoLinda Ruth Cogen, treasurer. Block associations who attended were West 132nd Street (7^th-8^th Ave), W. 136th Street (7^th-8^th Ave) and W. 139th Street (Edgecombe Ave. – 8^th Ave).

Ms. Brewer was well represented by Ms. Moore who was enthusiastic and showed extensive knowledge of the borough’s ‘hot spots.’  The Borough President’s office advocates for residents who have made verifiable complaints to city agencies but their issues remain unresolved. Her examples were complaints about noise (construction, after hour’s bars, etc), the need for tree guards and traffic/pedestrian safety. Her office frequently writes letters of support for resources and action on residents’ complaints.

Issues of concern from the block associations included

1. A new SRO on 137th Street that houses addicts, draws prostitutes and vagrants, and produces litter. Nearby homeowners said they were given sanitation tickets because this residence routinely pushed their trash onto their property.
2. Warm weather brings the return of the noisy and dangerous street bikers, still at large.
3. Also the promise of unrestricted events in St. Nicholas Park with amplified music that can be heard as far as Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 139^th Street, and can span hours leading up till midnight without any response from NYPD.
4. The intersection at 136^th Street and Edgecombe Avenue has been the scene of constant car collisions. At least one of these accidents left an SUV smashed against the fence of Percy Sutton Educational Complex which fronts this street. Response from the DOT has been unhelpful.

Ms. Moore advised the groups that when making a complaint to 311 they must always record the complaint number for future reference. This number helps them to confirm a complaint was filed and gives her office something to refer to when they address the appropriate agency on citizen’s behalf. Be persistent; 311 operators can seem obstructive in their rush to handle hundreds of calls. Ms. Cogen further advised that the more people who call in the complaint, the better.

The meeting concluded with the block associations exchanging contact information and hopefully there will be more communication in the short term to keep up to date. Ms. Cogen and Mr. Taylor encouraged residents to attend the community board meetings on the first Wednesday of the month to address some of their concerns. It was a good showing of community involvement and support in a Harlem nabe under constant change.  The community must stay responsive to these changes to make sure they are for the good of all.