Rivera Faces Challenger in 78th Assembly District

By DAVID CRUZ At the Sea Shore Restaurant in City Island, a medium-size crowd turned up for Assemblyman Jose Rivera’s fundraiser on March 7. Rivera took to the dance floor, ushered in his daughter, former Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera, and even schmoozed with her opponent, current Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj. He was in his comfort zone, engaging with supporters bearing donations. For nearly 50 years, Rivera has stood virtually untouchable. He shattered racial barriers in a Bronx legislative caucus that was largely white, serving as a power groomer for rising Puerto Rican legislators like him, reflecting the changing demographics of the Bronx.

By DAVID CRUZ

by David Cruz When Eva Bornstein was asked to describe the atmosphere at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts prior to becoming its executive director, she turned to her secretary who knew the history beforehand. “Very dead, very sparse,” the secretary said bluntly. “We had no movement.” That was nearly 10 years ago. These days, Bornstein has inspired the borough’s cultural jewel to get its second wind, showcasing some big names in its theater while also shattering borough stereotypes. Not bad, considering performers often prefer to showcase their talents at Madison Square Garden or Radio City rather than a venue

NCBH will Deliver Late on Maternity Ward

By Justin McCallum NOTE: Community members are welcome to voice their concerns of the closure at a meeting with HHC, elected officials and advocates on Tuesday, March 18 at North Central Bronx Hospital at 6:30p.m. Amid growing unrest over closure of their maternity ward, North Central Bronx Hospital officials assured the community of their ongoing commitment to reopening the ward.

Activists Urge Klein To See The Sign On Campaign Finance Reform

by David Cruz “The cops are coming, let’s go!” said Matt Edge, head of the grassroots group Money Out of Politics (MOP), shouting to his accomplice as they scurried out of Fordham Plaza. In guerilla fashion, the activists hoisted a burlap sign in mid-afternoon with painted words that read “Klein, No More Empty Promises on Fair Elections #99.13%.” Six other banners were scattered throughout Klein’s 34th Assembly District, hung visibly around several overpasses along the Henry Hudson Parkway.

Taking Charge of the Parkway, Advocates Pick Up After Polluters

By Justin McCallum With warmer weather approaching, the many snowbanks along Mosholu Parkland are melting to reveal not budding flowers but heaps of trash discarded over the winter months. A walk along just ten concrete slabs of park sidewalk finds used cigarette boxes, a tomato sauce can, shattered beer bottles, motor oil and a moldy box of coffee along with paper cups. A felled “No Litter” sign lays discarded alongside debris, adding irony to a prairie that’s often treated like a wasteland. More trash lines the street, sidewalk, in the roadway and between cars.

Business Beat – Belmont BID: Selling Authentic Italian Traditions

By JUSTIN MCCALLUM For Bronxites and beyond, traveling to the Bronx’s Little Italy is often compared to a trek to the old country. It’s a destination. The smell of seasoned Italian sausage, blended with sights of Italian-named eateries and singers greeting its customers make the area a must-see. And behind a push to attract visitors to the destination is the Belmont Business Improvement District, the agency tasked to promote the epicenter for Italian fare. Unlike most BIDs, which usually promote merchandise stores, Belmont’s marquee draw is its neighborhood, intertwined with tradition and Italian fare. After all, its woven into their sales

CB7 Shows Support for Proposed Charter School

By Shayla Love At their general meeting on Feb. 18, Community Board 7 voted to write a letter of support for Atmosphere Charter School, which hopes to open a facility in the recently closed Our Lady of Mercy School building at 2512 Marion Ave. in Fordham, foregoing any public space. The school’s founding team first met with the board in October last year to present the school’s model. Colin Greene, a founder, said that he will include CB7’s letter of support in their application along with a letter from Community 6, which serves East Tremont, Bathgate, Belmont and West Farms.

By JUSTIN MCCALLUM With a deadline approaching, hospital union leaders and their local City Councilman are pressuring the city to re-open North Central Bronx Hospital’s maternity ward on time or risk losing the medical service.

Bloomberg-era DEP Chief to Re-run Agency

By DAVID CRUZ Amid a decade of delays for the Croton Water Filtration Plant project, Mayor Bill de Blasio has re-hired the city Department of Environmental Protection commissioner largely criticized for turning the plant project into the city’s costliest endeavor. Emily Lloyd was once again tapped to run the DEP, replacing outgoing chief Carter Strickland. She was DEP boss from 2005 to 2008 under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, charged with overseeing construction of the plant. But the project gradually spiraled out of control, resulting in federal fines for slow work, federal probes into the project’s mob-connected construction firms, and audits