Elections 2021: Marcos Sierra on Housing, Education & Employee Protection

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following story is an extended version of the one published in our latest print edition. Marcos Sierra’s lived experience is unique compared to his fellow candidates in the 11th City Council District race. As a front-line healthcare worker, a survivor of gun violence, and a dad guiding his daughter through the trials and tribulations of remote learning, he said all these factors have helped shape his political outlook. If elected to the now, vacant 11th District seat, following the resignation of former Councilman Andrew Cohen on Dec. 31 to take up a Supreme Court judgeship in

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Last month, on Dec. 30, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) announced they were soliciting submissions from companies which could come up with alternative ways of helping renters in City and HDC-sponsored affordable housing to pay their required security deposits when signing a lease. The Security Deposit Alternatives RFEI program identifies eligible companies that could potentially offer alternate solutions to the traditional, lump-sum deposit requirement which plagues many low and medium-income renters. The program is part of the City’s broader plan to create alternate ways

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Facebook Live has been the tool of choice for many candidates running for elected office this year. For Adolfo Abreu, in his bid to win the District 14 City Council race and replace incumbent councilman, Fernando Cabrera, who is term limited, it has also proven to be a fruitful means of cultivating community conversations on each of the six specific strands of his campaign platform. Focusing his attention on a homes’ guarantee and community control of housing, just and quality education, participatory democracy and co-governance, community health and wellness, safety and dignity in communities, and economic development, Abreu has

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced that residential trash and recycling collection has resumed since Friday, Dec. 18. Residents who have placed material curbside for collection should leave that material out, and residents who have held back material should put it out for collection. The department has asked residents to clear any snow from atop or around containers to make it easier for the crews. However, residents should be mindful that once collection resumes, there will be delays as the department works to collect the backlog of material. DSNY normally collects about 12,000 tons of trash

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) has approved a class action settlement in C.W. v. The City of New York – litigation brought by The Legal Aid Society and Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, which expands access to essential, life-saving youth programs and services for runaway and homeless youth ages 16 to 20 in New York City. Under the settlement, the City will implement procedural changes regarding how city agencies manage homeless youth, improving the system for all young people ages 16 to 20 that will enter it going forward. “We are

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Monday, Nov. 30, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) released its October 2020 enforcement bulletin, which provides highlights of the agency’s actions to sanction and deter bad actors in the construction industry through the enforcement of safety laws and codes of conduct for construction professionals. The bulletin includes summaries of DOB-imposed disciplinary actions, including penalties and license suspensions and revocations. The actions below represent a portion of DOB’s overall work to enforce the City’s building codes and safety laws, in addition to the thousands of inspections conducted and violations issued by the agency each month for illegal

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City area may experience severe weather, including potential wind gusts over 40 mph, starting Monday, Nov. 30. Accordingly, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) is reminding all builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment. The department wrote it will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city. If sites are not secured, the department is expected to take immediate enforcement action, issuing violations and Stop Work Orders, where it deems it necessary. Winds may reach higher speeds, and last longer than forecast

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Throughout the northwest Bronx, various statues, plaques and memorials honor and remember those veterans who served the country, some of whom died in combat. From the Bronx Victory Memorial at the southern end of Mosholu Parkway, which honors local residents who died in World War I, to Memorial Grove in Van Cortlandt Park, which honors those who served up to, and through the Vietnam War, local neighborhoods recognize the service of men and women in the military. Of course, Woodlawn Cemetery is the final resting place for over 6,500 men and women who served in the military. Those

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City area may experience severe weather, including potential wind gusts up to 40 MPH, starting, Sunday, Nov. 15. Accordingly, the City’s Department of Buildings is reminding all builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment. The Department will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city. If sites are not secured, the Department will take immediate enforcement action, issuing violations and Stop Work Orders, where necessary. Winds may reach higher speeds and last longer than forecast in certain areas of the city. Property owners