BXN RADIO - EP 15: Henry Obispo
For our fifteenth episode we talked with Founder & CEO of BORNjuice, Henry Obispo.
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For our fifteenth episode we talked with Founder & CEO of BORNjuice, Henry Obispo.
Press play below.
Take a walk down Bronx Boulevard and you’re sure to be greeted by food wrappers, used toothpicks and most notoriously, dog feces. In fact, at the Montefiore Medical facilities between East 234th and East 236th street, lab tests placed in outside pickup bins, sit just a few feet from piles of dog waste.
There are very few public litter baskets in this North Bronx community, so pedestrians tend to throw personal garbage right on the sidewalk. Although residents have the right to request public litter baskets, a September request for a litter basket was denied by the Department of Sanitation (DSNY). “It’s a low trafficked area and placing a litter basket there would attract further dumping,” James O’Connor, a Community Associate at DSNY informed Bronx Narratives.
However, with the presence of a cardiovascular facility, an OB/GYN and Geriatrics center, along with the Metro North Railroad Woodlawn Station just two blocks away, many would argue that the area receives a moderate amount of traffic – enough traffic to deserve a garbage bin.
Although street cleaning happens here six days a week, sidewalks are not included in that process. Business owners and employees on that street gave cleanliness a poor rating. Pedestrians have also spotted rats in the daytime. “[The Department of Sanitation] should come clean the sidewalk, but they don’t,” says Tanairy Gonzalez, a medical secretary at the OBGYN facility on the block.
And that’s where finger pointing and the blame-game come to play.
Tamar, a Customer Service Representative at NYC’s 311, says the DSNY is not responsible for sidewalk cleaning. They are only held responsible for garbage removal, street cleaning and snow removal. “Residential property owners must clean the sidewalks adjoining their property and 18 inches from the curb into the street.”
As for the neighborhood’s animal waste problem, there are no “Curb Your Dog” signs to remind dog walkers of their responsibility. In fact, since 2013, there has been a cutback on more than 1,000 dog waste signs, in an attempt to clear up sign clutter across NYC. At the time, former DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan told the New York Post that, “New Yorkers know they need to clean up after their dogs, so I don’t foresee any problems....” Four years later and residents feel dog waste continues to be an ongoing issue.
Employees in the neighborhood also agree they have witnessed the DSNY police hand out more fines for parking violations than for dog waste.
According to the city’s Pooper Scooper Law, property owners are expected to clean up animal waste, even if the animal doesn’t belong to them. So when a dog litters on your sidewalk, if the dog walker doesn’t clean up, that waste becomes your responsibility. However, property owners do have the right to report any dog walkers who fail to pick up after their dogs. Property owners can call 311 or file a Dog or Animal Waste Complaint online. Violators are subject to a $250 fine. This law does not apply to Service Dogs being walked by those who have special needs.
Since Bronx Narratives began researching this story in late September, sidewalks have become visibly cleaner, proving that, neighborhood cleanliness is not just one party's responsibility. When the DSNY, property owners and pedestrians each do their part to pick up trash and properly dispose of litter, residents experience a cleaner, more improved Bronx.
An EDM version of “Treasure” by Bruno Mars blared through the speakers to pump up the crowd for the bike ride ahead. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. started the countdown and the first group of cyclists, the 40 milers, were off followed by my group, the 25 milers.
Sunday, October 22nd marked the 23rd Annual Tour de Bronx, New York State’s largest free cycling event. I joined with more than 6000 people who trekked up the steep urban terrain of the Grand Concourse to take part in Tour de Bronx. Some 2000+ avid riders tackled the scenic 40 mile route through City Island, Orchard Beach, Woodlawn Cemetery and more. While those choosing the casual 25 mile course rode through several lovely Bronx parks.
Riders from all over New York City, visitors from New Jersey, Connecticut and a few participants from out of the country were greeted by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. He spoke highly of the birthplace of doo-wop, salsa and hip hop, and also reminded us that the tour was an opportunity to make strides in #Not62, a collaborative campaign for a healthier Bronx by 2020. #Not62 was created after the release of the 2014 Robert Wood Johnson County Health Ranking Report which ranked the Bronx the unhealthiest county; last of 62 counties.
I spoke with riders who participated in Tour de Bronx for many years, one rider mentioned this was his seventh year. Another rider told me this was her comeback after a few years hiatus. For me, the novice, Tour de Bronx was an opportunity for a new experience and to view the Bronx from a new perspective.
My favorite route was the Soundview Greenway, a trail along the Bronx River. The sun bounced off the river while golden brown leaves fell from the trees, it was the perfect view to complement the unusually warm mid-October morning.
Some riders pedaled past me, the bikes they rode were as diverse as the crowd. Unicycles, bikes with the thickest tires I’d ever seen, some that looked like motorcycles, and bikes made for two, carried the young and the old, experienced and the novice. Together we shared this experience. The unity was palpable.
That feeling began for me after I carried my bike up the steps to the Lexington Avenue bound 4 train platform and spotted a few riders on their way. It grew as I exited the train at 161-Yankee Stadium and saw the sea of people rolling their bikes out of every train car. It grew even more still along the way to the finish line. Bronx residents encouraged us almost every step of the way with signs. Some shouted, “Keep going! Don't quit!” This was the fuel I needed to keep going.
I crossed the finish line and received my trophy, a t-shirt commemorating the 23rd ride. We sat in a large grassy field in The New York Botanical Garden enjoying the music festival and a free slice of pizza courtesy of Domino’s. My legs felt like jelly but It was worth it.
Putting yourself in new situations is a great way to learn about yourself and the world around you. It connects you with people you may not otherwise meet. I gained two new bike riding partners that day. They’ve invited me to do a 40 mile ride with them, my acceptance is pending. But I don’t doubt that I can do it, Tour de Bronx was a testament that I could.
For our fourteenth episode we talked with Bronx Emcee and Fitness Instructor, Efrain Opus.
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For our thirteenth episode, we took a break from our regularly scheduled program and discussed the state of Bronx Narratives, personal projects that we've been working on and injustice around the borough.
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For our twelfth episode we talked with Photographer and Visual Artist, J.Shotti and his friends.
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For our eleventh episode we talked with artist, Devon Rodriguez
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For our tenth episode we talked with Justin Mashia & Pedro Rivera of Bronx Sole.
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For our ninth episode we talked with Joel Leon, Writer, Father & Musician.
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