Community

NEW YEAR, NEW DEAL?

NEW YEAR, NEW DEAL? Happy New Year! It’s done! The ballots have been tallied, verified, and announced. On January 20th Biden enters as the new landlord and Trump exits as the delinquent tenant. But things seem far from over. Trump is not thinking of willfully vacating. So, forget the drama and simply unleash the marshals with a court ordered eviction for negligence.  Like any of us, should not he be subject to arrest for trespassing? More so, shouldn’t his refusal to relinquish power be considered an act of mutiny, a crime punishable by death? But let us wake up and face it; dominating the national discourse like no one before “Trump has been allowed to reshape the global office and shattered its century-old norms and traditions”. Fearing what is supposedly waiting, he even seeks pardoning himself from any pending prosecutions. Funny how they call it an “assault on the institutions of democracy” without mention of “the people these institutions are intended to protect and provide for”. So, what have we learned and what can we do from here on out? Should focus be on what is happening in the political arena? They will continue justifying what they want. Although change of command implies a change in direction and investment – do not expect a magic fix to the current social economic hardships. Rather focus on how their actions will affect community needs and resources down the road. There are too many details regarding what is happening and still to come. Clearly, things will never be the same. But, while we live within a politically charged matrix with many moving nuts and bolts, we do not have to re-invent the wheel. We just must get back to the basics and tighten the spokes. And that is what we have elected local assembly and counsel men/women for. They are the eyes, ears, and mouth to not only present and champion our needs, but to keep us informed as well. What we need are communities full of block associations to strengthen local community boards to enforce accountability. Real community change starts and ends with individual families making choices that can change the “me” to a “we” able to forge common causes, like the corona vaccine and the national relief plan, to fight for. Can it be that simple? It can be! Creating and supporting an “interactive” community newspaper like this one (Buffalo Latino Village) can go a long way. Not only would it establish a platform to exchange information, opinions, and ideas, but foster the communication and compromise necessary to maintain a focus to collectively address immediate common local concerns (e.g., loosing local small businesses not only furthers the unemployment crisis but continues to make the threat of hunger and eviction a daily reality). More so, involving residents in the operational needs of such a newspaper would not only assure circulation of pressing matters but would promote a well-needed sense of ownership, control, and personal empowerment as well. So, come on people! Trump has been just a wakeup call. Forget the debate as to whether current circumstances are coincidental or part of a well-planned design. It is time to manifest a new destiny – one family, one community, one paper at a time. Read More From This Writer All Post Food Government Health Interviews Lower West Side Business & Economic Development Peace People NEW YEAR, NEW DEAL? January 16, 2021/No Comments POST TITLE (CAPITAL) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus Read More ELECTION OR DIVINE December 16, 2020/No Comments ELECTION OR DIVINE The American President! The promise of equal protection and opportunity for all! Really? Then how is it Read More IMPEARCHMENT November 16, 2020/No Comments IMPEARCHMENT There is a breach in the system. Somebody on the ladder (counsel men -assembly men – senate and congressman Read More Load More End of Content.

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COMMUNITY SHOULD BE SUPPORTING THEIR LATINO COMMUNITY PUBLICATIONS

We are sure that each month you visit your local retail store for your shopping needs you come across our three (3) Puerto Rican/Latino papers, Panorama Hispano, La Ultima Hora, and the newest kid on the block, the Buffalo Latino Village. The work to get these publications to you is not easy, it’s a labor of love, of social sacrifice, especially when advertisers (public & private) are not knocking on their door to place an advertisement. You should know that advertisement pays for the life of the paper. If you only see a few ads, you should know the paper is investing its own money to bring you their publication every month. It’s a personal investment on their part. Besides the labor in putting the paper together, they take money out of their pocket. You should know that. Sometimes when you see an announcement, you might think it’s an ad, but it’s just an announcement, courtesy of our hard labor and kindness — published as a public service. When you read this, if you are a businessperson, work as a manager for government, or the private sector, go out of your way, use your contacts, and see what you can do to help these publications get paid advertisement.” We have many community leaders, community organizations, and community activists. We give our community a public platform. I can’t believe these publications have a hard time attracting advertisements. Where is our COMMUNITY POWER?  These Latino papers invest in you… Why not invest in them? Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics Sports LATINO COLLEGE STUDENTS FACE INEQUALITY AND CULTURAL ISOLATION AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK at BUFFALO March 25, 2023/No Comments LACK OF COLLEGE SERVICES FOR LATINO STUDENTS: This is in response to a story by UB Spectrum reporter, Kayla Estrada, Read More “GETTING VERY LITTLE FOR THE WHOLE,  BUT GETTING A LOT FOR THE FEW” WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2023 January 25, 2023/No Comments While I might appear to be biased and selective, I strongly feel the four people in the photo are the Read More The Isaías González-Soto Branch Library (formerly Niagara Branch) is a member of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System December 25, 2022/No Comments When the Hispanic Heritage Council (HHC) moved to rename the Niagara Branch Library several years ago, with the support of Read More Load More End of Content.

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THE HOMELESS VERSUS AFFORDABLE HOUSING

THE HOMELESS VERSUS AFFORTABLE HOUSING The holidays are here, and we’ll be entering 2021 along with President Biden and his Vice-President Kamala Harris when they take office in January.  Let’s hope this new administration will address the homelessness nightmare in America. The homelessness and housing situation must be resolved. It has gotten much worse, especially here in Western New York. The combination of rising and sustainable housing cost is causing an affordable housing crisis. Housing costs are wreaking havoc on families and individuals across America, especially in New York, where the cost of housing is continuously increasing. While the population in Western New York grows rapidly, more residents are becoming homeless. Statistics on homelessness in Buffalo and surrounding areas show an increase with the homelessness population by 46% between 2010 and 2017, which correlates with rapid decline in affordable housing. The cost of housing is getting much higher across America. Despite severe poverty, in the city, fair market rent for housing continues grow, driving the cost of living higher than the income level of many families.  A resident needs to make $32,400 annually  to afford a 2-bedroom apartment, but the city’s median income sits far below that at just $27,400. It has become a struggle to be able to afford housing in Western New York. About 60%  of the local renters are spending 1/3 of their income on housing, jeopardizing funds for other necessities, such as groceries, clothing and transportation. Others look for residence in the market-rate rentals, which are not restricted by affordable housing laws. Gentrification is transforming previously affordable properties into higher rental costs, creating luxury  apartments. Poverty is the root cause of homelessness. Families are being faced with the reality that they cannot find housing or afford rent. Over 45% of Buffalo residents and Erie county are living below the poverty line. Each year an estimated 5,500 individuals are homeless in Western New York, according to the Western NY Homeless Alliance of Western New York. For those affected by this reality, contact the Crisis Hotline; it operates 24-hours per day, assisting with food, clothing, and financial support. (716) 834-3131. Read More From This Writer All Post Business Culture Entertainment Food Government Health Interviews Lower West Side Business & Economic Development Medical Military & Veterans Our Community Peace People Sports THE HOMELESS VERSUS AFFORDABLE HOUSING December 25, 2020/No Comments POST TITLE (CAPITAL) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus Read More THE NEW ERA OF IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICA October 25, 2020/No Comments THE NEW ERA OF IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICA This is the new era of immigrants entering the United States! I have Read More TRUMP AND THE CORONAVIRUS IS DOING A JOB ON US! PLEASE BE CAREFUL September 25, 2020/No Comments  TRUMP AND THE CORONAVIRUS IS DOING A JOB ON US! PLEASE BE CAREFUL Did you know that crime has risen Read More Load More End of Content.

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