Norwood News

Rivera’s Presence Sought

Kudos to Assemblyman Jose Rivera’s office for finally answering a request for a representative to take part in the Bedford Mosholu Community Association’s monthly meetings. It did take over a year.

Rivera has missed the town hall-style forums for at least a year despite the group mailing him meeting notices. The slight resulted in endless pleading by BMCA, who early this month said Rivera’s lack of attention to Bedford Park made the leafy neighborhood “feel like orphans out here.”

Considered across the board to be an absentee politician, Rivera faced mounting pressure to attend meetings following phone calls from district leader Kenny Agosto and an inquiry from the Norwood News. Let’s see if he keeps his word. (Editor’s Note: The BMCA meets the first Wednesday of every month except July and August at 8 p.m. at 400 E. Mosholu Pkwy. So.)

Rivera vs. Klein

Moving from one Rivera to another, Sen. Gustavo Rivera did not mince words when he blasted his colleague, Independent Democratic Conference leader and Sen. Jeff Klein, for being the so-called “fourth person in the room” over Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins during budget talks.

“Not sure why Jeff Klein necessarily was brought into that conversation,” Rivera told BronxTalk host Gary Axelbank on April 13. “And by Andrea being left out the Democratic Conference was left out.” He even took jabs at Governor Andrew Cuomo for not pushing enough Democratic causes, such as the Dream Act, into the budget. Klein’s office did not return emails for rebuttal.

BP Birthday Bash

Lots of donors are slated to appear at a May 6 birthday bash for Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who’s allowed the media to run wild over his speculative run for New York City mayor.

The latest birthday comes with some big names in the host committee. They include real estate giant Joe Farkas, former Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, and Prestige Properties head Sam Shalem, all part of the committee that seeks to return the favor for Diaz for supporting their business interest in the Bronx. Interesting to note that Eva Moskowitz, the liberal leader of Success Academy Charter Schools and a strong opponent to Mayor Bill de Blasio, is among the guests.

After all, an invitation to Diaz’s party shows organizers want a $500 contribution per guest. The rich begets rich, so one can expect even more deep-pocketed donors in tow.

Presently, Diaz’s campaign cash stands at $1.2 million, according to campaign finance figures. It’s double that of his Brooklyn counterpart, Eric Adams, who currently holds about $666,000 in funds. Adams has been eyeing a run for office, so kicking up the kitty is clearly a major priority. But Diaz still has a ways to go if he were to jumpstart a serious mayoral campaign. Last check, Mayor Bill de Blasio held $10.5 million in campaign funds. (Side Note: Mayor Bill de Blasio finally made his fifth stop in the Bronx this year, pushing his affordable housing agenda on April 14.)

Politicizing Specialized HS

The fight to loosen the all important test score from the specialized high school exam kicked up a notch in Albany, when Assemblyman Charles Barron introduced a measure last month that takes into account other factors to the admissions process (i.e. body of work, attendance, etc.) besides the rigid score.

The bill is equivalent to a Senate version Senator Adriano Espaillat hocked last year in a lofty attempt to balance glaring racial inequities within the spectrum of specialized high schools. Last check, only 10 percent of black and Hispanic students made the fold. “We cannot accept this as the status quo,” Espaillat said in a statement.

But ready to fight the bill “tooth and nail” is Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, who has consistently showed a distaste for any barometer of specialized high school admission other than the test score.

The chances of this bill ever passing are 50-50 given the special interest groups behind this academic schism. Espaillat’s bill had support from the New York City Department of Education and United Federation of Teachers when he introduced it last year.

On Dinowitz’s side is the Alumni Association of the Bronx High School of Science, a mighty group given its small numbers. Jon Roberts, VP of the association, said the bill would do nothing but “dim the spotlight” over how unprepared black and Latino students are, which he said is predicated on bad schools.

Though it could be a boon to hundreds of Bronx students vying for entrance into the elite spectrum of schools, the bill could also make the admissions process highly subjective, given the varied standards of grading set by middle schools.

Rangel’s Mobile Services

Here’s a news item that’s something of a rarity for Congressman Charles Rangel–mobile constituent services in the Bronx. Rangel did so on April 10, stopping by the Bronx Library Center (their mobile office) with staffers on hand to resolve any constituent snags. Only there was one problem–the local media was kept out of it.

A staffer at Rangel’s office attests that it sent notices out via social media, though it purposely did not send one out to reporters. Still, roughly five-dozen constituents stopped by for resolutions on housing and tax matters. Said staffer also emphasized that the offices would hold constituent services regularly. That’s good news. Perhaps the press will get an invite.