"Board changes in Bronx" Metro NY 06/28/06

Board changes in Bronx

by patrick arden / metro new york

JUN 28, 2006

MT. EDEN — Community Board 4 overwhelmingly approved last night a new executive board sponsored by Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion. The board’s previous meeting on June 6 was abruptly adjourned after members had introduced a motion to turn down Carrion’s slate.

Carrion had come under fire for dumping members who had voted against the Yankee Stadium plan, but he remained unapologetic, telling Metro, “My expectation is clear. The community boards are there to unfold the vision for a new Bronx.”

After a 23-3-1 vote, a public comment period followed, when a dozen people made impassioned speeches, each denouncing Carrion to the cheers of a crowd of 52. They were joined by several board members who had turned up late.

The new chairman is D. Lee Ezell, former head of the board’s municipal services committee. Ezell was a frequent pro-stadium speaker at public hearings.

“I tried to make them all,” she said, before turning to the gallery. “This makes me sad. I always said if you’re going to work the system, learn how the system works.”