The Paw Print

A news publication created by Baruch's College Now high school journalism class

Archives for August 2018

Proposed Construction of Nursing Home Angers Parents and Residents Alike

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As the sun rises brightly and the school day begins, hundreds of students enter Public School 163. Some of them have spent the night before studying for the very important Common Core exam, reviewing strategies and taking practice tests. Nervous, they enter their classrooms and reassure themselves that everything is going to be fine. They are about to start the exam, when suddenly, they hear an ear-splitting, deafening noise. It is the sound of construction right next door.

This is what many in the neighborhood fear would occur if a planned construction project goes forward on West 97th Street. So far, no construction has been done, because a protracted court battle has brought the project to a complete halt.

The New Jewish Home, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing healthcare to the elderly throughout New York City, is planning to build a 20-story nursing home on 97th street between Columbus and Amsterdam, adjacent to P.S. 163. The home would contain 414 beds, including 264 long-term care beds and 150 short-term rehabilitation beds. It would be built on a parking lot that the developers bought from the owners of Park West Village, a residential complex consisting of four apartment buildings on Columbus Avenue between 97th and 100th Street.

The proposed nursing home has ignited a frenzy of controversy among people, both for and against its construction. While some people argue that the New Jewish Home wants to construct this home for the safety and well-being of the elderly, others argue against its development.

An organization called No Jewish Home Lifecare at Park West Village, parents of students who attend P.S. 163, community board members, local politicians, and residents who live near the planned construction site have all criticized the nursing home’s construction.

According to Straus News, Avery Brandon, who lives close to the site and whose daughter is currently in kindergarten attending P.S. 163, strongly criticized establishment of the nursing home.  “A huge construction project like this can have untold effects on the health of our children,” she stated. “With the noise levels, and the mental stress that this construction will cause, how will our children be able to learn?” She also pointed out increased congestion, dust and debris, and restricted space for emergency vehicles in case of an accident that could emerge as a result of the construction.

Residents like Avery are not the only ones who have vehemently opposed the nursing home’s construction. According to DNAinfo, City Comptroller Scott Stringer has pledged to halt the New Jewish Home’s proposal. “I’m not going to let them do anything to harm our children or residents,” he said. “In the current proposal, we’ve already calculated that there isn’t enough public space.” He emphasized that the construction would put schoolchildren at risk.

The No JHL at PWV coalition has also harshly condemned the proposed development of the nursing home. In a 2015 interview, the coalition’s leader, Martin Rosenblatt, said that emergency response vehicle access would be impeded, long-term construction noise, dust and debris would put schoolchildren in jeopardy, and increased traffic would exacerbate congestion.

When contacted to be interviewed again, members of No JHL at PWV did not respond.

Leading figures in New Jewish Home are aware of the criticism and have responded to it. According to DNAinfo, New Jewish Home spokesman Ethan Geto said the company’s attorneys and consultants went over the proposal in extreme detail to make sure it conformed to zoning regulations regarding open space. Geto added that the project is designed to create “the leading, state-of-the-art nursing home in the U.S., that is both environmentally-friendly and maximizes the dignity and independence of residents.”

In a statement made in 2014, New Jewish Home Senior Vice President Bruce Nathanson said, “As a mission-driven nonprofit healthcare organization, Jewish Home is committed to building in the safest and most responsible manner.”

The New Jewish Home was also contacted recently, but they declined to comment.

After five years of complex litigation, no construction has been done on the planned development site, ground has not yet been broken, and the parking lot still remains vacant. In December 2017, the New Jewish Home won a lawsuit filed against them by parents and residents of the community, with the Court of Appeals ruling that the environmental impact studies conducted by the New Jewish Home to ensure safety of schoolchildren were adequate. However, the court battle still isn’t over. Litigants have also filed suit against the proposed nursing home’s zoning, which is currently being reviewed at the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division.

The controversy over the construction of this nursing home is more heated than ever, and the New Jewish Home is still facing a great deal of criticism. Residents and parents who live close to the site are very angry, and do not want to witness schoolchildren’s lives being endangered. Because of the bitter opposition to the nursing home’s development, whether a compromise can ever be reached remains to be seen.

Why the Modern Day Fanfic Author Deserves Acceptance (Like Shakespeare)

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By Alyssa Chen

Fanfiction is nothing new. It’s been around since historical times – even Shakespeare wrote fanfiction – but for some reason modern day society has turned it into a shameful, unspeakable topic.

In the past few years, fanfic writing has been on the rise. On July 20, Archive of Our Own (AO3), a nonprofit site for fanfiction, reached 4 million fanfics. Fan lingo such as the word “ship” even became a trend at one point. But do fanfiction and fanfic writers really deserve this newfound appreciation?

Some authors, like Anne Rice, are bothered by fanfics. Rice sent a message for fans on her official site: “It upsets me terribly to even think about fan fiction with my characters.” Other authors, such as Diana Gabaldon and Robin Hobb, think fanfics are unoriginal and theft of an author’s ideas. If a fan wants to write, they say, then why does the fan refuse to make original characters, a new world, and a new plot but instead take ideas from published works?

Let’s take a step back and define fanfiction. Fanfiction is a work that a fan creates for other fans using characters from a specific series, TV show, anime, etc. It is a way to keep a series alive long after it has ended. It is a way to promote an ongoing series. It is a way for fans to share crazy ideas about their favorite characters and read about another fan’s crazier ideas.

It is not that fanfic writers are incapable of creating their own original fiction, but that they don’t want the other writer’s story to end. A fan’s passion for a series drives her to expand on the world the characters have already experienced. A fan’s love for the characters in a series prompts her to imagine ‘what if’ scenarios starring said characters.

After years of being underappreciated, it is high time fanfic writers be acknowledged for the effort, courage, and creativity they expend on the making and sharing of their works.

Remember Shakespeare? The fanfic writer from centuries ago whose works are read in classrooms today? One of his most famous works, Romeo and Juliet, is a fanfic of Arthur Brooke’s The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet. The plot was hardly Shakespeare’s own, yet we still celebrate the play and perform it to this day. Why do people today celebrate sixteenth century fanfic writers, yet turn up their noses at modern day fanfic writers?

Not all fanfics are unoriginal and cringeworthy. The characters and the setting may be the same as in the original, but the writing style and the plot can be uniquely the fanfic writer’s. Coming up with a new plot, putting familiar characters into unfamiliar situations while keeping them in character, exploring underdeveloped relationships – these are a fanfic writer’s challenges. And facing those challenges head-on requires the same amount of effort and creativity, or even more, than making a work of original fiction.

Sharing a fanfic for other fans to read also demands a lot of courage. It’s difficult to publicly post something that may or may not be taken well – after all, many authors don’t like getting flamed. Putting up a work of fanfiction is an invitation for others to comment, judge, and criticize. No matter how bad the work might be, the author deserves respect for gathering the courage to post her fic in the first place.

Although there are plenty of writers who litter their works with grammatical errors and wish fulfillment author inserts (when an author makes herself the main character of a story to live out her fantasies), there are quite a few talented writers on fanfic websites. Several writers of fanfics were able to become published authors, including E. L. James (Fifty Shades trilogy) and Marissa Meyer (The Lunar Chronicles). James’ book Fifty Shades of Grey began as a Twilight fanfic with the name Master of the Universe, which was immensely popular with the fan base. In 2011, James took down the story from ff.net and had it revamped for publication. Both James and Meyer support fanfiction. According to Yahoo News, E. L. James said in a statement about fanfiction, “I’m immensely flattered, and it’s humbling to know my work is inspiring others to write.”

Society’s stance on fanfiction has undergone a lot of development over the years. People, particularly newer authors, have become more accepting of fanfiction. This marks a shift in the literary world. It’s a change where some fanfic authors are recognized for their talent, respected for their writing, and in some cases even given opportunities to get published. Fanfiction was and still is a major stepping stone for many young writers, so let’s keep the practice alive for many more years to come.

The Last Straw?

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By: Devan Adegbile

 

According to USA Today, “Within the last year, cities such as San Francisco, Seattle, Fort Myers, Florida, Malibu, California, and Vancouver have banned the use of plastic straws, while others, such as New York, are moving in that direction. Companies including Starbucks, American Airlines and Disney, have announced that they’re eliminating plastic straws.” City Councilman, Rafael Espinal, has introduced a bill that will ban plastic straws in restaurants, stadiums, bars, and cafes across New York City.

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio agrees that plastic straws must go as they are bad for the environment. According to Eyewitness News, Espinal referenced an incident in Spain, in April, where a whale washed up on the shore with over 60 pounds of trash inside the stomach..Espinal hopes to spread awareness about how our everyday use of plastic ends up in landfills and can wash into the waters, affecting many sea creatures such as turtles, fish and whales. If this bill is passed, anyone who acts against this bill will be fined $100. The only exception to this bill would be the people who need a straw to drink due to a disability or medical condition.

 

A young woman who works in New York City said she supports the bill. “I feel that the ban on plastic straws is a great start, especially because the concept seems to really be taking off and becoming very popular with big businesses. With that being said, I am a little skeptical because straws make up such a small amount of the plastic used overall. I definitely feel as though the ban on plastic straws is a step in the right direction and I’m hopeful that we can continue to reduce our plastic usage even more as time goes on” she said.

 

According to Eyewitness News, if we continue our plastic use, by 2050 there will be more plastic floating around our oceans than there are fish in the ocean. Only 9 percent of waste is recycled. “I don’t believe there are any huge obstacles. It’s not like plastic bags, where consumers felt it was important for them to carry out their groceries. A straw is not a necessity for most New Yorkers, so I think this is more of a change of thinking.”.

 

“Americans throw out an estimated half-billion plastic straws every single day” said Espinal in Eyewitness News.  

 

“Personally, I am all for the ban on plastic straws – it’s a small step but it’s one in the right direction. The state that our planet is in right now is scary and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. I fear for our future generations and what they will have to go through due to our carelessness in protecting our earth. I hope that this ban can bring more awareness to the subject and help to eliminate harmful products in the future.” said Sinead.

 

This proposal does not ban environmentally friendly straws such as aluminum or paper straws. According to USA Today, “Aardvark paper straws debuted in 2007, as the anti-plastic movement began to emerge. In the 10 years since reintroduction, the company has seen year-over-year growth”. “This last year’s growth, however, is beyond anything the company could have expected: 5,000 percent.” It is said that due to a bill against plastic straw use the demand for an alternative paper straw use is higher than ever before.

 

Pineapple on Pizza or Not?

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The Hawaiian pizza, which is topped with pieces of pineapple, has been the topic of internet debates for many pizza lovers: should pizza have pineapples as toppings.

Some argue that putting pineapples on pizza doesn’t make a traditional Italian pizza. But who’s to say trying something new is the worst thing ever?  In this generation, we are introduced to new things everyday, such as the taco pizza from Tony Boloney’s Pizzeria and the bacon wrapped donut from the Nickel Diner. What’s so wrong about a sweet and salty delight?

The Hawaiian pizza creates a perfect balance for those who want both. Hawaiian pizza is one of my favorites, here’s more reasons why pineapple should be on pizza.

For those who try to find a healthy balance in what they eat, pineapple is a tremendous source of Vitamin C, potassium and fiber. These vitamins and minerals benefit your overall healthy. So why hate on a pizza that can give the best of both worlds?

“Pineapple on pizza is good, you guys don’t like that?” Justin Bieber said while a guest on the Jay Leno Show in 2011. If the Biebs like it, so should you!

If you’ve ever experienced the joy of a sweet and salty snack, you’ll love this match made in heaven. Pineapples are sweet, tangy and juicy. What’s not to love?

The idea of combining fruit and meat is in no sense new. It’s also delicious. Have you ever had ham and pineapple at Thanksgiving or Christmas? It’s just like the Canadian Pizza. Pieces of smoked ham and pineapples could make anyone start mouth-watering.

On the contrary, some people argue that the sweetness of pineapple is a bad fit for the general taste of the pizza, but that’s the thing. The taste in unusual. Which is a good way of changing something you are used too.

When hearing about Pineapple pizza for the first time, I was quick to drag out the “Ewww” without even tasting it. But boy was I wrong!

Now its pineapple on pizza all day every day.

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Libraries Are Important

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By: Oniken J. Pereira

 

The New York Public libraries are an essential cause. People read books there, and borrow books and movies. Right now libraries are in need of support from patrons of the library branches around the city. The library sends out emails to library card holders that have started their membership, rented with them, or accessed the internet with them using a library card. They are asking to donate to $75,000 for their new English language programs and workbooks, which is a helpful benefit to people who want to learn over the summer.

Libraries are important in communities and neighborhoods. Once you have a book that you want to read and need to study from, libraries will have it for you. Different libraries are sending emails to notify members that they need help coming from us by donating to raise enough money to keep their service going, as well as add some new activities like helping people use technology, providing computers in the library as well as teaching English to non-English speakers. Another email was sent out to members so they can send out a letter to the mayor about how a library can change everybody and how important it is to have them.

Mayor Bill De Blasio then received those letters and wrote an email back to the letter’s sender:

“Thank you for writing to me about New York City’s libraries and the important role they play in your life and in your community. No matter what borough you call home, one of our three outstanding library systems is available to provide a variety of critical support and vital services that can help New Yorkers succeed in school, in their careers, and far beyond. My administration understands just how essential libraries are to people of all ages, and that’s why this year, in partnership with the City Council, $60 million was added to the library’s capital budget for projects that will ensure our libraries can continue to improve their facilities, along with an additional $35 million to support branch-specific needs. This brings my administration’s investment in capital improvements within all three of our library systems to $530 million.”

Jennifer Panicali is the organizer for the donation emails from libraries calling to all members of the NYPL to give them support through the donation, in which you can select what amount to donate and they will give you a gift in return. The possibilities of the gifts would be: library book bags with a color change pencil or a free book of your choice to take with you.

Art Installations Beautify Parkchester Library in the Bronx

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By: Jenna Song

Parkchester, Bronx – The Parkchester Library’s outdoor courtyard is being transformed this summer by vibrant art installations made by library patrons on Sundays and Mondays through the free “Art in the Air” program.

Just months ago, when people visited the library, all they saw was a bland courtyard with a large brownish T-Rex, kangaroo and tortoise statue. Now, they will notice a vibrant courtyard filled with colorful crocheted flowers knotted onto fences; knot balls and large knitted rectangles wrapped around columns; macrame braided and knotted in diamond patterns on tree trunks; vines of ivy hanging from the second floor balcony just above the library entrance; and various crocheted, knit, marcramed, and knot patterns covering the statues.

According to local artist Ruth Marshall who runs the program, the main purpose of the creative art installations is to showcase public art created by the community for its enjoyment. The program is open to people of all ages, genders and skill levels.

Nina Maness, a librarian who runs adult programming at the Parkchester Library, has seen people from nearby senior centers, as well as little kids attending the program. She was surprised to see the wide range of attendees and says, “ it’s really nice to have that intergenerational type of community.”

Ms. Shep, 70, who is a regular at the program says she comes because the projects are “very easy, very simple, very stress-free…[and] it keeps my mind busy. It [also] keeps me focused for two hours and I enjoy the people.” Another regular, 11-year-old Mar, says she came to learn how to crochet and knit.

The artist herself, who teaches newcomers how to make the crafts structured around attendees’ skill levels, has noted that it is not uncommon for people to come in knowing nothing about crocheting but leaving 2 hours later having learned three or four new stitches along with making a flower.

In addition to creating and planning the projects, Marshall is also welcome to ideas from attendees, such as adding a knit pouch made by Mar, or crocheted “glasses” made by Ms. Shep for the kangaroo statue.

All of the crafts are made using a soft, durable nylon cord called paracord. The attendees choose most of the color combinations for their crafts.

According to the library’s website, “This project is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the Bronx Council on the Arts.”

Israeli Nation-State Bill: Much Ado About Nothing

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By: Russell Stern

For the past week, there has been a heated controversy surrounding the Israeli Nation-State bill, which the Israeli parliament passed into law on July 19, 2018. Almost immediately after the bill was passed, Israel’s sworn enemies loudly denounced it as discriminatory against the country’s minorities. But all of this commotion is just another attempt to revive the slanderous accusation that Zionism is racism, a long discredited anti-Israel smear.

The criticism came from the usual suspects: the New York Times, whose political articles are very hostile toward Israeli policy, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement, which seeks the elimination of the Jewish state, and Arab members of the Knesset, Israel’s legislative body.

Arab Knesset member Ahmed Tibi, a former aide to Palestinian Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat, harshly declared that the bill will cause, “the death of democracy,” in Israel. Other opposition members instantly joined Tibi in his condemnation of the bill, screaming, “Apartheid!” They blatantly accused the law of being discriminatory and racist.

But the bill does not discriminate against Israeli Arabs or other minorities in any way, shape or form. It does not revoke civil rights enjoyed by minority groups in Israel. It does not prevent them from practicing their own religion, running for political office, voting in Israeli elections, or having access to Israeli universities. Furthermore, the Nation-State law does not supersede the Israeli Declaration of Independence of 1948, which ensures, “complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex.” In fact, it was only meant to reaffirm Israel as the state of the Jewish people, and declare it the historical homeland of Jews worldwide.

The bill also reinforced Jerusalem being the official capital of Israel, and “Hatikvah” being the state’s national anthem. Not only this, but the law stressed the importance of certain Jewish holidays in Israel, such as Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Holocaust Remembrance Day. In short, this bill was not meant to have any practical impact; it was only passed into law to send a message to Israel’s foes that the Jewish state is here to stay.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the bill as, “a defining moment in the history of Zionism.” Zionism is defined as the movement for the re-establishment, development, and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel. Considering the horrifying fact that six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust, and that anti-semitism has existed for nearly 2,000 years, the Israeli government certainly had a right to pass this bill, and their reason for doing so is clear. The Jewish people originated in the land of Israel. And they have been there since the 10th century B.C.E. They were there before anyone else.

Critics, however, argue that the bill treats Arabs in Israel as second-class citizens. Specifically, they object to the clause of the bill which states, “The right to exercise national self-determination in the State of Israel is unique to the Jewish people.” However, this argument is deeply flawed because Israel was specifically created and recognized as a Jewish state by the United Nations in 1948. Of course Jews have the exclusive right to self-determination in Israel, because Israel is a Jewish state.

Critics also oppose parts of the bill which state that Hebrew is the official language of Israel and that Jerusalem is the official capital of Israel. However, the Palestinian Authority’s basic law and draft constitution includes clauses and articles that are very similar, and there has been no criticism of that document. Specifically, according to Chapter One of the 1995 Basic Law draft by the PLO, “The Palestinian people are the source of all authority which shall be exercised, through the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.” Also, Chapter Three of the draft states, “The Arabic language shall be the official language of Palestine.”

And not only that, but according to Article Two of The Constitution of Jordan, “Islam is the religion of the State and Arabic is its official language.” Article One of the constitution states, “The people of Jordan form a part of the Arab nation, and its system of government is parliamentary with a hereditary monarchy.” Egypt’s constitution proclaims that it is “an Arab republic” and “part of the Muslim world.” And the formal name for Iran is the Islamic Republic of Iran.

It is interesting that similar laws in the dozens of Muslim-ruled countries have not received any criticism whatsoever. But when the world’s only Jewish country attempts to define itself as a Jewish nation, it is viciously attacked for doing so. The inescapable conclusion to be drawn from this double-standard is that much of the world is opposed to the existence of a Jewish state, no matter how tiny.

New Building, New Neighborhood?

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Chinatown’s shops are being taken down and replaced, Midtown’s buildings are being upgraded, Washington Heights rent prices are soaring, and Astoria’s expensive new apartments are pushing some people out of their homes, according to local residents.

 

Rego Park isn’t too far behind.

 

Construction of a 23-story building on Queens Boulevard — the tallest one in the area — is underway as of late July. There used to be “several small businesses, including a bodega and a pharmacy” on the site, the Forest Hills Post reports.

 

The Forest Hills Post claims the building will have 116 apartments, 411 parking spaces, 25,000 square feet of commercial space and 30,000 square feet of community facility space. Residents will have access to a yoga studio, a teen room, a children’s room, and a rooftop terrace.

 

Also in Rego Park, a house on 64-53 Ellwell Crescent received a demolition permit on July 27, according to the NYC Department of Buildings. The site is across the street from a new elaborate house the Forest Hills Post describes as having “large Greek columns and a concrete yard.” People are concerned that the replacement house may look similar. These thoughts are stirring up controversy — especially among long-time residents — over how the neighborhood may look or feel.

 

The face of this community is evolving along with so many others across New York City, and Queens residents have a lot to say about it.

 

“It’s where the world is heading,” says Yuriy, a resident of the area for over 20 years.

 

Locals see new types of people coming into the area with more convenient living, and some see a promising outlook for the community.

 

Daniel, 22, lives in nearby Fresh Meadows, but has a lot of family and friends in the area around where the 23-story building will be built. He sees the neighborhood changing demographically, reporting “more Bukharians and Kosher stores.” 14-year-old Emily Murdakhayeva reports the neighborhood around her has been growing more crowded as it becomes more diverse.

 

Daniel explains that the older generations have started to be replaced by younger generations, as even “71st Avenue [Forest Hills] is starting to get more young people.” Yuriy thinks the new housing will bring more “young professionals” and “people who used to live in the city.” He says buildings such as the 23-story one foster an “ongoing pattern of migration from the inner city to outer boroughs.”

 

While the areas’ futures are still disputed, Rego Park and Forest Hills are becoming home to more — and more diverse — people. The NYU Furman Center reports that the racial and economic diversity has increased.

 

Some locals see other positive changes with the new mixed-use 23-story building.

 

Though both Daniel and Emily expect the value of homes to increase and rent to go up, Daniel thinks the new mixed-use building will “cause more traffic.” Yuriy describes the shops in the building as a “plus” for residents who “can do grocery shopping in the lobby of the building.”

 

More residences help people stay in the area, as Daniel mentions how he could see his brother moving into such a home after getting married. He says that with the train station nearby, a new building with plenty of apartments seems to be a good reason for families like his to stay and continue growing.

 

To add to the list of changes, Yuriy brings up the end of a old establishment. He reports that as the Flagship Diner in Briarwood, a neighborhood in Queens, sees its 50-year lease coming to a close, a developer who bought the site will very likely build a residential building in its place.

Caution: Kids on the Web

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By: Lila Chen

A child on the internet is a target for online predators.
Kids on the internet are susceptible to dangers online.

 

“They’re just like kids on the internet.”

Well, in this day and age, they’re probably not like kids, they are kids.

 

Social networking businesses like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are booming— so much so that Facebook plans to remove age restrictions on users, if not for the federal law banning the collection of data on children.

 

However, this decision, would not make as significant an impact on children as many of us may think.

 

Getting an account on these popular social media platforms is undoubtedly very easy. Lying about one’s age on these platforms is even easier. Birthdates identifies the users’ ages. If kids lie about their birthdates, sites cannot confirm if their information is true. This gives kids access to age restricted sites like Vine and parts of YouTube.

 

According to The Guardian, surveys conducted by The Advertising Standards Authority showed that over 80 percent of kids between ages 11 and 15 years old lie about their age on the internet. 40 percent of kids also claim to be over 18 years old on the web.

 

With so many kids lying to access things they should not, there should be tighter regulations around age restrictions on social media sites. If an independent organization like the Advertising Standards Authority is capable of tracking down children who lie about their age, the owners of these media sites should be able to as well.

 

While sites like Instagram and Facebook allow fellow users to report on underaged members, this is not enough to stop kids from violating the age limit because they can create new accounts to replace the old ones that are blocked.

 

Unlike Facebook and Instagram, Twitter has made no major attempts to enforce its rule barring users under 13 prior to this year. In fact, users didn’t have to state their birthdates to create an account. Consequently, there is no definite way for the site to know who is underaged.

 

This is why Twitter struggled to uproot underaged users when a new law threatened to fine media outlets with members under 13. Twitter’s attempts were ineffective as users who were over the age limit were also locked from their accounts. However, the site has continued with its method of locking accounts despite its lack of success.

 

Giving underaged users access to social media sites exposes them to many things early— things that are not necessarily appropriate for their age.

 

Vine, which had an age limit of 12 and up, was flooded with “pornographic clips,” in 2013, NPR reported. Even with Vine’s new age limit of 17 years old, kids who intentionally lie about their age will still have access to inappropriate content.

 

Early exposure to age-restricted content can have many harmful effects on underaged children. A 2012 study conducted in Dartmouth College, connected “movie sexual exposure” to sexual activity for children. It revealed that early exposure to sexual content increases the probability of kids having careless sex sooner in their life. This can cause not only teen pregnancy, but many additional health risks.

 

It is not just exposure to sexual content that put kids in danger. Violence on the internet is not new. Without stronger regulation on age restrictions, kids will continue to be exposed to it. In turn they will think that violence is acceptable— even cool— and become violent themselves.

 

Parents worry about this as social media sites make things more accessible to kids on the internet. Without stronger regulation of rules like age restrictions, kids growing up in this generation will wrongfully have a shorter childhood than prior generations.

Superintendent Couldn’t Care Less About Damages In Resident Homes

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By Jesica Ramirez August 9 at 10:05 AM

ELMHURST, NY— Jansinta Morelos came across a small water leakage in the pipe in her bathroom Friday morning and was worried her bathroom would flood into the neighbors’ downstairs. “It was scary because the hole could get bigger causing a bigger problem,” she said adding this isn’t the first time she came across such an issue.

“It isn’t the first time a water leakage happened,” she said. Morelos stood looking in discontent at what she saw.

Tenants on 45th Avenue reportedly find themselves faced with an issue in their own apartments that make them agitated. Dealing with their superintendent, who lives floors beneath residents, is difficult because he disregards the urgent need to fix damages. Residents say it’s complicated to do simple things such as turning on water in the sink.

“We had to complain about something almost every other day,” said a man living in the building who wished to remain anonymous. The resident commented he visits the superintendent’s office often and said, “Several times I had to personally go to the office for something bothering me. It has become a problem.”

The superintendent has told residents he would come to their apartment soon and fix damages though “he doesn’t stay true to his words,” the man said, “It’s been two weeks since I told him about a cracked wall in my living room and I see him often chilling.”

The building is constructed with wide lengthy hallways and a spacious center room extending to another side where more tenants live. People can walk through the center room to reach to the other part of the building. Both sides have a staircase and an elevator that residents use on a daily basis. However, the elevator on one side of the building has a consistent record of having technical problems while the elevator on the other side works fine.

“The amount of times this elevator keeps getting stuck is unbelievable!” said Amelia Flores, another resident of the building who uses the elevator daily.

The elevator has a button to push in case of emergency with a speaker to communicate with responders. Flores says, “I got stuck in the elevator once before for a short time before first responders came to fix the the elevator.”

The elevator rescue operators have become familiar in the building. Flores stated the elevator rescue operations operators weren’t surprised to receive a call from the building since they’ve been to it before.

“It was funny but sad,” Flores said, “when they put me on hold I heard them say, it’s the building on 45th Avenue again.”

Operators have not been seen in the building for a few months but that doesn’t mean the elevator has been working perfectly. The superintendent has been fixing the elevator!

Fixing an elevator is expensive because on average, a service call to fix an elevator is $120 and the cost for repairs is $75 per hour.

Residents are happy the superintendent fixes the elevator. Despite having the staircase as an alternative, they worry children can get hurt.

“It’s important for the people living here because most of them are elderly, parents of children, or simply need it for their folding tote,” the superintendent said adding “the staircase would give the residents a hard time bringing down their folding tote.”

Residents, though, question why the superintendent takes longer to come fix issues in their apartment.

“It doesn’t make sense,” said resident Emilio. He added last year he had a small hole on the ceiling and dust fell down onto the sink. Emilio reported it to the superintendent.

“A week went by and I even went twice to his office in case he forgot and didn’t get it fixed until almost a week later,” said Emilio.

The last two years were the busiest time for the superintendent because he received a lot of complaints from residents. “It’s hard to be in each of their apartment to fix the problem when people need me elsewhere,” the superintendent said. “Depending on what the problem is it can take a few days.”

Residents understand that the superintendent can be stressed out but they want everyone in the building to be free of harm.

“We’re all happy living here. The issues don’t always happen,” said an Indian man who recently moved in.