Editorial

MTA Adds Insult to Injury
As if it weren’t enough that the MTA has let the 205th Street D-train station deteriorate into one of the most notoriously dilapidated stations in the subway system, the agency is now depriving the community of its token booth clerk at the 205th Street/Perry Avenue ‘D’ station.

The MTA says that roving agents will remain in the stations, but the token clerks were protected in their booths and able to alert authorities to crimes-in-progress.

Time will tell if the roving agents are really available to local straphangers, particularly the elderly, who will certainly need help in navigating the MetroCard machines. If the station is not regularly staffed, seniors and the handicapped could find themselves excluded from the subway, as the walk up the hill to the other end of the station could pose a significant barrier as could navigating the two-level staircase there.

Council Member Oliver Koppell and Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera railed against the changes at a recent press conference at the station. They also took the opportunity to upbraid the MTA for not including the station in its capital plan for station renovation.

It will take a concerted effort on the part of all our elected officials to get the MTA to do what’s right here. We hope the press conference was the beginning of such an effort.

Meals Program Threatened
Epiphany Lutheran Church in Norwood has lost its funding for a well-known local program to feed the hungry and homeless. United Way of New York City denied funding to the St. Stephen’s Meals program in a letter earlier this month. The organization’s Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program rejected the church’s application for funding for the first time in seven years.

St Stephen’s is the kind of quiet, effective local program that operates under the radar of most area residents until they or someone they know need a little help. Dozens of people come to Epiphany for sustenance and company four days a week.

It should be noted, too, that the church is a great supporter of the community, providing space to Alcoholics Anonymous and the Norwood Food Co-op, among other programs.

Epiphany’s pastor said there was a one-week delay in submitting their funding application to the United Way. But otherwise the church has provided the same critical service to the community over the last seven years.

Epiphany is formally appealing the rejection of their application. We hope the United Way will take a look at the church’s critical role in the community and reconsider their decision.

Vote Sept. 13
As usual, we encourage all of our readers to take part in the democratic process by participating in the primary on Sept. 13, where candidates for City Council, mayor and public advocate will be on the ballot. If you want information about where to vote, call (212) VOTE-NYC. If you are not already registered to vote, you won’t be able to vote in the primary, but you will be registered in time to vote in the November general election if you call the same phone number and ask them to send you a voter registration form.

Look for our next issue on Sept. 8 for more information about local races..


 

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