Former NYS AG Oliver Koppell Endorses Jessica Haller in 11th City Council Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Wednesday, Jan. 13, former New York State Attorney General [the 61st], former Bronx City Councilman, and former State Assemblyman, Oliver Koppell, announced his endorsement of Jessica Haller, City Council candidate in the 11th District race for which a special election will be held on March 23. “Jessica Haller has the independence, experience, and commitment to policies that will improve our local communities and the whole city,” said Koppell. “She shares my commitment to open government, progressive public policies, protecting and improving the environment, and vigorously supporting public education. She is a grassroots community activist and a welcome change from

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Borough President, Ruben Díaz Jr., is once again inviting Bronx residents to make a difference in their community by applying to join their local Community Board. The Office of The Bronx Borough President will be accepting applications for all 12 Bronx Community Boards from city residents who reside, work or have professional or other significant interests in the borough. “Participation on local Community Boards can provide Bronx residents with a forum to share with their community their expertise and talents,” said Díaz. “There are great things happening in The Bronx that involve the participation of community boards. It

Bronx Teen First Vaping-Related Death in New York State

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Jan. 2, Eric Dinowitz, district leader in the 81st assembly district and Democratic candidate in the 11th District City Council race, for which a special election takes place on March 23, wrote a letter to the City’s Board of Elections to urge the adoption of what he called critical reforms ahead of upcoming elections this year to ensure voters have the resources and opportunity to safely cast their ballots. “To date, the Board of Elections has not done enough to ensure every New Yorker can easily participate in our elections,” he wrote. “Following presidential elections, New York has

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following is an extended version of the story that appeared in our latest print edition. Citing factors relating to the pandemic, on Nov. 18, the executive committee of the Ben Franklin Reform Democratic Club (BFRDC) voted on a resolution which facilitated a departure from the club’s bylaws relating to what were described in the minutes as two of the club’s “critical functions.” These were to postpone the annual vote to replace them, as members of the executive committee, a vote that would usually take place at the end of each club year, and to cede authority to the

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 DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the fact that former Councilman Andrew Cohen has stepped down from the City Council since Dec. 31, 2020, to take up a judgeship on the Supreme Court based in the Bronx, ahead of the end of his last term in the City Council, and that a special election to find his replacement will not be held until March 23, 2021. We asked readers in District 11 if they feel they will be properly represented until such time as a replacement is elected. “The majority of people in government are driven

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Newly elected Bronx congressman in the 16th congressional district, Jamaal Bowman, issued a statement on Wednesday, Jan. 6, to confirm that he was safe and secure following the breach of the Capitol by white supremacist extremists incited by President Donald Trump earlier that day. It has been reported that four people have been killed. Bowman joined Congressman Cori Bush (D-MO) in calling for the impeachment of the president and the expulsion of the Republican members of Congress who he said allegedly incited the attack on the Capitol. He also described the president’s remarks to protestors as “open sedition.” “Thank

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Standing on Fordham Road across the street from the military recruiting center where he signed up for the United States Navy more than three decades ago, Sammy Ravelo announced his candidacy for the Bronx borough presidency on Dec. 30. Before a small crowd at the busy intersection of Grand Concourse, Ravelo addressed the mostly, Spanish-language media covering the event. In reference to the building where the Bronx borough president’s office is located, speaking in Spanish, Ravelo said, “The time is now for a person who has served his community for more than 25 years, like I did in the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Mino Lora, candidate for City Council in the 11th District in The Bronx, and previously profiled by the Norwood News, issued a statement on Thursday, Jan. 7, confirming that she has contracted the coronavirus. “I tested positive for COVID-19, and am quarantining with my husband and our two children,” she said. “My symptoms are mild so far.” As reported by Norwood News, on Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio set the date for the Special Election for District 11 and District 15 as March 23, and encouraged “all the folks out there in those two districts who want

Norwood News

Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights

Politics

Former NYS AG Oliver Koppell Endorses Jessica Haller in 11th City Council Race

Bronx BP Diaz Urges Bronx Residents To Apply To Local Community Boards, Deadline Feb. 5

Eric Dinowitz Calls for Expanded Mail-In Voting, Cuomo Proposes More Election Changes

Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club Under Fire

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Interim Representation in the 11th City Council District

Congressman Jamaal Bowman Safe Following Attack on Capitol, Joins Calls for President’s Removal

Sammy Ravelo Runs for Bronx BP

Update: City Council Candidate, Mino Lora, Has COVID-19, Governor Reduces Signature Requirements