Politics

Democrat, Fernandez, Runs for Biaggi’s State Senate Seat in Bronx/Westchester S.D. 34

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Your poll site may have changed. Check your voting card before you go to vote.   As expected, Bronx Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez (A.D. 80) formally announced on Thursday, June 2, her intent to run to represent the people of New York’s 34th State senate district, currently represented by Sen. Alessandra Biaggi until the end of the year, in the Democratic senatorial primary held on August 23. The senate district covers parts of both The Bronx and Westchester counties and was redrawn by a court appointed special master in May 2022. Fernandez has since won the Democratic primary nomination for redrawn


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Bronx BP Heralds Success of Bronx Week 2022 Despite Turbulent Beginning to Year for the Borough

By SÍLE MOLONEY & JULIAN NAZAR
The following is an updated version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.   Bronx Week 2022 kicked off informally on Monday, May 2, at the Northeast Bronx YMCA as its sponsors, supporters and organizers gathered to give the media a taste of what was to come, following a two-year hiatus from large-scale physical gatherings, celebrating the annual festival.   Hosted by the Bronx Tourism Council, the Office of the Bronx Borough President, and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, the 10-day festival was packed with several events relevant to every sector of the community, including senior


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Elections 2022: Biaggi Changes Course, Announces Campaign for NY Congressional District 17

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Your poll site may have changed. Check your voting card before you go to vote.   Democratic State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34) announced a change in her bid to become a New York congresswoman on Tuesday, May 24, as she unveiled that she had switched her candidacy for Congress in the upcoming New York Democratic primary from New York’s third congressional district (NY-3) to New York’s seventeenth congressional district (NY-17), setting the scene for another showdown between who some voters see as a moderate, establishment, Democratic incumbent and a progressive Democratic challenger.   The open NY-17 seat is in


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Elections 2022: Louella Hatch Democratic Club Presents Candidates Forum on Tuesday, May 24

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  The Louella Hatch Democratic Club announced that it will be interviewing 6 candidates running for office in separate, upcoming elections during a candidates’ forum on Tuesday May 24.   “The Bronx is in a critical stage of transition, and it is important for residents to know the candidates who will be leading the community,” the club members said. Candidates in attendance will be: State Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia (86th AD), State Committeeman Emmanuel Martinez (78th AD), State Assembly Candidate Pooi Stewart (86th AD), Bronx Civil Court judicial candidates, Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor, Taisha L. Chambers, and Sophia Hershman.   The event will take


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Elections 2022: AOC Endorses Jessica Altagracia Woolford in Assembly District 81

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Jessica Altagracia Woolford, Democratic candidate for New York State Assembly District 81 in the Northwest Bronx, announced on Monday, May 23, that she has received the endorsement of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) in her bid to win the upcoming primary which is currently slated to take place in June, but which may be postponed to August, depending on the outcome of a lawsuit hearing related to the recent redistricting process that took place at a Manhattan court also on Monday.   Reacting to the news, Altagracia Woolford said, “I am proud to have the endorsement of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as


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Elections 2022: Kevin Pazmino Confirms Candidacy for State Assembly in District 81

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Freelance filmmaker and former District 11 City Council candidate, Kevin Pazmino, has confirmed that he is running for office, once again, this time in Assembly District 81, currently represented by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.   Pazmino ran unsuccessfully on the Republican Party and Conservative Party tickets in the 2021 City Council general election which was ultimately won by now Councilman Eric Dinowitz. Norwood News had reported recently that Pazmino’s name was being floated in the context of the 81st Assembly race but at that point, he had not formally confirmed his candidacy, though a PAC had been created in his name.  


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Bronx City Council Members Introduce Bill Expanding Heat Sensor Program to Track Building Heat Requirements

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Following the City Council’s May 19th vote on the first package of fire safety legislation to pass in response to the Jan. 9 Twin Parks North West fire tragedy, a group of primarily Bronx council members in the form of Council Members Pierina Sanchez (C.D. 14), Althea Stevens (C.D. 16), Amanda Farias (C.D. 18) and Carmen De La Rosa (C.D. 10), have introduced a further bill which aims to to expand the city’s Heat Sensor Program (HSP). According to the councilmembers’ offices, the program identifies buildings with recurring heat violations for enhanced monitoring and enforcement.   The councilmembers said the program,


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Councilman Oswald Feliz’s First Package of Bills on Fire Safety Passes at City Council

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  New York City Council voted unanimously in the affirmative on Thursday, May 19, to pass the first package of bills sponsored by District 15 City Council Member Oswald Feliz, chair of the City Council Twin Parks Fire Safety Committee, which aim to strengthen fire enforcement and safety in New York City communities.   The various bills increase penalties and fines for self-closing door violations. As reported, the FDNY found that a self-closing door violation was a contributing factor in the occurrence of loss of life during the Twin Parks fire tragedy of Sunday, Jan. 9.   The bills also


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“Hip-Hop Fever” Sweeps Through Lehman Center

By JULIAN NAZAR
“It’s me, killer Chuck – the best MC, back in The Bronx – it’s the place to be! Tonight is the night – movin’ and groovin’! It’s also the night we say, ‘Thank you Ruben!’”   U.S. Senator and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s rap intro was one of many remarkable sights and sounds that spectators were treated to at a recent show in Jerome Park’s Lehman Center for the Performing Arts.   On Saturday, April 30, almost all 2,276 seats at the Lehman Center were filled for “Hip-Hop Fever,” a hip-hop show dedicated to former Bronx Borough President Ruben


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