Politics

Elections 2021: Elisa Crespo on the Economy, Housing & Criminal Justice

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
In her campaign to replace incumbent councilman and congressman-elect, Ritchie Torres, on the City Council, Elisa Crespo wants to focus on the issues affecting the residents of the 15th District more than on her candidacy.  Among the most pressing issues, she finds, is the high rate of unemployment.   “We are at Great Depression level [un]employment rates in the Bronx,” Crespo told the Norwood News in a phone interview. “In some parts of this council district, there’s a 30 percent unemployment rate.”   Together with her mom and siblings, Crespo, 30, experienced job and housing insecurity growing up in Brooklyn,


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Montefiore, Lehman College, Food Bank of NY Partner to Address Food Insecurity

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
  In the lead up to Thanksgiving, on Nov. 19, Lehman College partnered with the Foodbank of New York and Montefiore Health System for an annual food produce distribution event. About a dozen folding tables were set up inside the students’ parking lot at Lehman College, where volunteers filled up paper grocery bags with several thousand pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables, including apples, bananas, corn, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, onions, carrots, and zucchinis.   The produce was delivered directly from the Hunts Point Market that same morning and the bountiful grocery bags were later delivered to 20 different community groups


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Presidential Pardons

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers if they agree that presidential pardons should be given when a president leaves office. Is it right and just?   “That’s a good question. I believe that if you have a lot of proof, proof like they have on this person, Michael Flynn, there’s so much proof that this guy didn’t do anything wrong, so yeah, I believe in the pardons, even if the president is leaving office. Hey, he still has the ability. He’s still the president, yeah.”   Dawn Marie, Indian Village   “That’s a very interesting question. I don’t know if it’s


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Elections 2021: Mino Lora on Justice, Immigration & Meeting the Moment

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
The race to replace Councilman Andrew Cohen in the 11th City Council District has widened in recent months with Mino Lora making her announcement to run on Oct. 9. Lora said her platform is focused on justice for all: racial justice, justice for immigrants, health, economic, housing, education and cultural justice, as well as criminal justice reform.   Announcing her candidacy via a press release, Lora said in October, “We are a community of dreamers and doers who make the Bronx home, and keep this city running.” She added, “This campaign is fueled by our joy, our pain, and our passion.”


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Congressman Adriano Espaillat Endorses Eric Dinowitz for City Council 

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Eric Dinowitz, a special education public school teacher and candidate for City Council in the 11th District, has been endorsed by Congressman Adriano Espaillat. Espaillat is a New York City progressive, and was both the first formerly undocumented immigrant and first Dominican elected to Congress. Dinowitz had previously been endorsed by the United Federation of Teachers.   “I am excited to endorse Eric Dinowitz for City Council. As a special education public school teacher and community activist, Eric has devoted his life to bettering our neighborhoods and empowering others,” said Espaillat via a press release. “He has been a consistent


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Highbridge: Bus and Bike Lanes Added to Bronx Corridor – Hub for Cyclist Injuries

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx cyclists and bus commuters were given a boost on Friday, Nov. 20, when officials from the de Blasio administration announced that the City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) completed a major transformation of the Edward L. Grant Highway in the Highbridge section of the Bronx.   Administration officials, elected officials and advocates cut the ribbon on signature transit and bicycle safety improvements to the corridor, including a combined 2.4 miles of dedicated red, center bus lanes and green protected bike lanes (PBL). Both lane types will run in both directions and the center bus lanes will serve 56,000 riders every


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De Blasio Outlines Quarantine Enforcement, Pays Tribute to Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

By SÍLE MOLONEY
As the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 continues to rise across New York City, during a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 24, the De Blasio administration outlined the steps that will be taken in the coming months to address the increase in the context of the upcoming holidays, including the consequences for those who do not comply with quarantine restrictions if traveling.   Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi paid tribute to front line workers, asking New Yorkers to remember that those same front line workers will be working through the holiday period and will not be able to


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Cohen Reiterates Message to Prepare for Further Restrictions in December, Lists Available Help

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Councilman Andy Cohen has reiterated recent messages by the mayor and the governor that tighter restrictions may be imposed in December to curb the spread of the coronavirus.   “This is a difficult and challenging time for our educators, students, and families as the City is dealing with the unfortunate reality of having to close our public school’s to in-person learning once again,” Cohen said via a newsletter on Friday, Nov. 20. “As families transition into full-time remote learning, please know there are resources available. Please reach out to my office if you need help accessing meals, learning devices, or connecting


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New Yellow Zone COVID Clusters in the Bronx, Thanksgiving Gatherings Limited to 10

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York State continues to remain on guard as Thanksgiving approaches. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that while the State’s COVID numbers are better, relative to most of the nation, New York has, nonetheless, seen an uptick in the number of total COVID hospitalizations, and test positivity rates in many parts of the state that are higher than what he would like to see.   The State’s adopted COVID-19 micro-cluster strategy outlines the new rules and restrictions which directly target areas with the highest transmission of COVID-19 cases and surrounding communities. Now identified are two new yellow cluster zones in the


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