Bronx Elections: Potential Candidates Eye Peter Rivera’s Assembly Seat

Peter Rivera, who has represented the Bronx in the State Assembly for the last two decades, will be leaving his post this summer to join Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration. He will take over as head of the State Labor Department. That leaves his 76th Assembly District (to be renamed the 89th, due to legislative redistricting), up for grabs this fall. Two potential candidates have already expressed their interest in running for the seat, which covers the neighborhoods of Van Nest, West Farms, Parkchester and Castle Hill. Danny Figueroa, Rivera’s longtime chief-of-staff, is throwing his hat in the ring in an

More Bronx Political Action: Sen. Rivera Has Challenger

This from Liz Benjamin’s State of Politics blog on Friday afternoon: Bronx State Senator Gustavo Rivera (33rd District) has what appears to be his first challenger in Manny Tavarez, who “is not a well-known individual,” according to Benjamin. Tavarez worked on District Leader and Bronx Democratic Party loyalist Hector Ramirez’s failed bid to unseat Assemblyman Nelson Castro two years ago.

Morris Park Realtor to Challenge Naomi Rivera

Mark Gjonaj, who owns a real estate business in Morris Park, announced yesterday that he plans to run for the Bronx 80th Assembly District, the seat currently held by Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera, which includes Mosholou Parkway, Pelham Gardens, Pelham Parkway, Allerton and Morris Park. “In life, we have choices,” Gjonaj said in a phone interview today. “We either accept things for the way they are, or we get involved and make the changes that we feel are necessary.” The potential candidate announced his plans to run yesterday, at the site of his new campaign headquarters on Barnes Avenue in Morris

Bronx Notes: Discussion on Improving Childcare Services

Assemblyman Nelson L. Castro, in collaboration with City agencies, including the NYC Administration of Children’s Services (ACS) and the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), is hosting a town hall meeting to discuss improving childcare services in the Bronx and throughout New York City.

Bronx Links, Monday

Good afternoon, and welcome back to the work week. It’ll be cloudy and in the low 50s this Monday. Here are a few local news stories we’re following on Breaking Bronx today: A woman was arrested this weekend on animal cruelty charges for allegedly starving her two pit bulls, which were removed from a Webster Avenue apartment building by the American Society for the Prevention for Cruelty to Animal (ASPCA) back in December weighing a mere 16.4 and 15.2 pounds. Gillian Irving, 27, could face up to two years in prison if convicted. A baby born nearly four months premature,

Bronx Breakdown: Who’s the Most Popular Bronx Rapper of All-Time?

I need to take this opportunity to acknowledge the newest member of the Bronx Walk of Fame, Fat Joe.

Bronx Notes: Free Screening of Documentary about Cuban Musicians

With its 5th annual collaboration with the Havana Film Festival of New York, the Bronx Museum is presenting a screening of “Caminando Aragon, “about Cuban musicians from the group Orquesta Aragón, known as the “Kings of Cha Cha Cha.”

Norwood Merchants Association Yielding Benefits for Members

The 204th Street and Bainbridge Avenue Merchants Association meeting continues to build on momentum created during this past holiday season.

Bronx Notes: Affordable Housing Forumn at Lehman College

State Sen. Gustavo Rivera invites community leaders, homeowners, and tenants to come and exchange ideas on important housing issues on Saturday, April 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lehman College Music Hall Building’s 1st floor East Dining Room, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. For more information, call Josiris Urena at (718) 933-2034.