The 45th Precinct Community Council is looking to another successful year for its third annual breakfast.
The breakfast has been set for Wednesday, May 14 at Villa Barone Manor, from 8:30 to 11 a.m., said Bob Bieder, the council president.
Tickets cost $15 per person, and should be available soon. Last year there were about 370 attendees, and this year, the goal is to top 400, said Bieder.
“We are hoping to continue to grow,” he said. “We talk about bridging police and community, and to me the nicest thing about this event is that we have representatives from every neighborhood in our precinct. Every organization, every community group and people from every walk of life are represented.”
He praised the cultural diversity of the precinct’s service area, saying: “It is just nice to see all of the people from different cultures and neighborhoods sit down together to a celebration of the 45th Precinct and the good work that the men and women of the precinct do there.”
Captain James McGeown, 45th Precinct commanding officer, said the breakfast had tremendous turnout last year and that the community council had done a great job of putting together the event, with Villa Barone being a great host.
“This year’s honorees are well deserving of recognition for dedication to their organizations, commitment to the community, and support of the Police Department and the 45th Precinct,” said McGeown.
Honored at the breakfast will be Gerard “Skip” Giacco, president of the City Island Chamber of Commerce; Leo Johnson, director of Mosholu Montefiore Community Center in Co-op City; Sandi Lusk, one of the founders of the Westchester Square Zerega Improvement Organization; Anthony Orza, manager, Villa Barone Manor catering hall; and Anita Valenti, Pelham Bay Taxpayers and Community Association president.
Upon hearing about the honor, Lusk said that “it was a lovely surprise,” while Valenti was praised by PBCTA treasurer Joseph Oddo, who said that honoring her was long overdue, and it was something that was earned by Valenti, a community activist involved in the Pelham Bay community for 40 or so years.
So far, the first sponsors of the breakfast are Bieder’s own Westchester Square Plumbing Supply Co., at 2255 Westchester Ave., and Schuyler Hill Funeral Home at 3535 E Tremont Ave.
Please make checks payable to the “45th Precinct Community Council” and mail to Annie Boller, C/o Abalon, 1040 Home Street, Bronx, NY 10459. Boller is the precinct council treasurer. For information call: Robert Bieder at (718) 828-4400 or Joe Boiko at (718) 320-3300, ext. 3409.
