Politics

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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Elections 2021: Eric Dinowitz on Relationships, Education & Equality

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  In politics, cultivating relationships is key. Eric Dinowitz says teaching taught him that early in his career. In 2007, at 21, he tried out for a position at John F. Kennedy High School in Marble Hill giving a demo to a class on how to create a PowerPoint presentation.   “I go to the principal’s office afterwards,” he said. “I go over the lesson and she’s like, ‘Well, the lesson was okay, but you memorized all their names, so you have a good personality’.” He got the job.   Now, having taught “thousands of students over 13 years,” Dinowitz


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Elections 2021: John Sanchez Aims to Harness Bronx Power  

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  John Sanchez said there’s a role for everyone to play in changing society. One of six remaining candidates aiming to replace newly elected Congressman, Ritchie Torres, in the 15th District City Council race, Sanchez is focused on reducing unemployment, expanding affordable housing, and investing in municipal broadband services as one way to address education inequality in the Bronx.   Ever the optimist, he said campaigning in a borough with a large non-voting population is not disheartening. “Even if people can’t vote, they know people in their neighborhood that can vote, and even if people are unable to vote, they’re


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NYC Democratic Socialists Endorse Adolfo Abreu in 14th District City Council Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Candidate for New York City Council’s 14th District, Adolfo Abreu, announced Nov. 14, his campaign’s endorsement from the New York City Democratic Socialists (NYC-DSA), a self-described, people-powered force for working-class communities and democratic socialism across the five boroughs. Since announcing his candidacy in August, Abreu has also received the endorsement of Tenants PAC and, according to his campaign, continues to garner support from an array of community leaders and activists. They say he is well-positioned to be the front runner in this race.   “I am honored to receive the endorsement of NYC-DSA,” Abreu said via a written press release.


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Cabrera Organizes Relief Drive for Victims of Hurricane Eta in Honduras

Councilman Fernando Cabrera Looks to Unseat AOC
By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Councilman Fernando Cabrera is organizing a relief drive for victims of Hurricane Eta, which hit Honduras last week. The drive will take place on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 at 9.30 a.m., at Bronx Community College, Hall of Fame Terrace.   He will be joined by Bronx Community College leadership, Sociedad Hondurena Activa De New York, and the Sergeants Benevolent Association.   “Our Honduran neighbors are many of the essential workers that kept New York and the Bronx going in the darkest days of COVID-19, taking risks that allowed others to continue going about their daily lives,” Cabrera said in


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Mino Lora, Bronx District 11 City Council Candidate Releases Campaign Launch Video

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Friday, Nov. 13, Mino Lora, artist, educator, and co-founder and executive director of People’s Theatre Project (PTP), a citywide social justice arts organization, released her campaign launch video for her bid to win the District 11 City Council seat in the Northwest Bronx. In the 48-second video, Lora says, “This pandemic continues to make clear who actually rises to the occasion in times of crisis – it’s us, the people. We are a community of dreamers and doers, and we keep this city running.” She continues, “I’m a Latina immigrant. This is not a unique experience in District 11,


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