Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr Insults Mott Haven/Port Morris; Says There’s Nothing There, It’s Morbid
Welcome2TheBronx
By News 12 Staff
“Right now, that area is dark, it’s dormant, it’s just a very morbid place,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr of the thriving Port Morris/Mott Haven area where FreshDirect wants to set-up shop during an interview on BronxTalk last night. He went on to say that FreshDirect would liven up an otherwise empty area.
Are we talking about the same area? The same area that was declared by NYC & Company — New York City’s official marketing and tourism agency — as one of the ‘Neighborhood x Neighborhood‘ as a destination for tourists to explore outside of Manhattan?
Local residents and business owners are not only disappointed but also upset with Diaz Jr’s comments.
“I think Mott Haven/Port Morris is rich, dynamic and full of life. Unfortunately, this community has had to defend negative stereotypes for decades,” said Mychal Johnson, resident of Mott Haven and member of South Bronx Unite, which is against the FreshDirect move. Johnson, who was a former Community 1 Board member, added, “It is these types of “leaders” that perpetuate our community having some of the worst air quality in New York City. We need true leaders who understand this history and defend the community against the onslaught of projects like FreshDirect that add 1,000 additional diesel trucks through our community every day.”
