Politics

Espaillat Gets Vaccinated for COVID-19, Will Serve on Influential House Appropriations Committee

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Sunday, Dec. 20, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, representing New York’s 13th congressional district which covers the north-west Bronx, Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill, released a statement, in English and in Spanish, after being vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the United States Capitol.   “Our nation’s leading scientists and researchers have developed a vaccine that has been tested and produced based on science to meet our highest standards of safety and effectiveness,” said Espaillat.   “Today, I was administered the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID19 vaccine to ensure my constituents of its safety and effectiveness.


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Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson Formally Kicks Off Borough Presidency Campaign Launch

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson formally kicked off her campaign launch for the Bronx borough presidency on Thursday, Dec. 17, issuing a press release in both English and Spanish to confirm the news. The councilwoman for Bronx’s 16th City Council district focused her message on the inequities in healthcare and food security prevalent in the Bronx, in her bid to win the hearts and minds of voters, highlighting that the last year has been especially hard for those at the lower end of the income scale, but offering hope by saying together the community would make it through the crisis and emerge


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Biaggi Celebrates New Law Limiting Hate Symbols on State Property

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi was celebrating, on Dec. 15, the signing into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo of a new bill S8298B, for which she was the lead sponsor, which prohibits the State of New York from selling or displaying symbols of hate.   The bill states that the State shall not sell or display any symbols of hate or similar image, or tangible personal property, inscribed with such an image, unless the image appears in a book, digital medium, museum, or otherwise serves an educational or historical purpose.   The term, “symbols of hate” shall include, but


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Salazar, Mark-Viverito Endorse Elisa Crespo in 15th City Council District Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Both State Sen. Julia Salazar and former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito announced on Monday, Dec. 14, that they are endorsing Elisa Crespo for the 15th District City Council seat, currently held by newly elected congressman, Ritchie Torres.   In a video shared on Twitter, Mark-Viverito said, “We need a candidate who will create pathways for unemployed workers, particularly those stigmatized by race, gender identity, or former incarceration status. We must seize upon this moment to make history, and elect bold leaders who are prepared to tackle the fights ahead. That’s why I’m proud to endorse mi hermana, a fellow Latina,


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NY Working Families Party Endorses Four Bronx City Council Candidates, including Lora & Abreu

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York Working Families Party (WFP) announced on Friday, Dec. 11, its endorsement of four 2021 New York City Council candidates in the Bronx: Adolfo Abreu for District 14, Mino Lora for District 11, Althea Stevens for District 16, and Marjorie Velázquez for District 13. The party said all four candidates are longtime community leaders, spanning all corners of the Bronx.   Sochie Nnaemeka, state director of the party, said that this year New York City voters demanded bold, progressive candidates up and down the ballot. “As we approach the 2021 elections, we must heed this mandate by electing


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Former Manhattan BP Endorses Jessica Haller in 11th City Council District Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Former Manhattan borough president and New York City councilwoman, Ruth Messinger, announced her endorsement on Thursday, Dec. 10, of Jessica Haller, Democratic candidate for New York City’s 11th Council District.   “I know firsthand what it takes to succeed in the New York City Council, and can’t think of anyone better suited to represent the people of the 11th Council District than Jessica Haller,” said Messinger via a press release. “Jessica has the experience, passion, and knowledge to get things done for our city. She is someone we can rely on to prioritize social and climate justice and have our


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Cuomo, De Blasio, NY Officials Unite in Urging Congressional Reps to Provide Fair Stimulus Funding to NY

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Mayor Bill de Blasio, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and New York labor leaders sent a letter to the New York congressional delegation on Wednesday, Dec. 9, outlining the critical need for state and local funding in any stimulus bill in order to prevent massive damage to the State of New York.   The letter was addressed to U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer, Kirstin Gillibrand and members of the New York congressional delegation. In it, officials talked about the desperate circumstances New York suffered at the outset of the COVID-19 crisis that continue today. 


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Ischia Bravo Endorsed by NYS Senators Alessandria Biaggi & Jessica Ramos for City Council

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  District manager for Bronx Community District 7, Ischia Bravo, received a boost, on Dec. 8, to her campaign to replace Councilman, and now Congressman-elect, Ritchie Torres, in the District 15 City Council race, following the endorsement of New York State Senators, Jessica Ramos and Alessandra Biaggi.   Both Ramos and Biaggi assumed office in 2019 after defeating long time incumbents, and members of the Independent Democratic Conference, a group of senate Democrats who caucused with Republicans to give the GOP a majority in the chamber. Both senators represent the new era of Democratic activism in the State Senate, ushering


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“Jashawn’s Law” Passed After 18 Years; Honors 8-Year-Old Tragically Killed in 2002 Fire

By DAVID GREENE
A pair of local, elected officials joined housing advocates and attorneys in taking a bow during a recent virtual discussion, following the passage of “Jashawn’s Law,” which establishes deadlines for landlords to make court-ordered repairs to buildings.   State Sen. Robert Jackson joined Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz in a Zoom conference call on Monday, Nov. 16, along with officials from the Legal Aid Society and housing advocacy groups, Take Root Justice and the Fordham-Bedford Housing Corporation.   The bill was put forward by Dinowitz in 2003 in response to the Aug. 6, 2002 blaze at 3569 DeKalb Avenue in Norwood that


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