Politics

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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Julian Sepulveda Suspends Campaign in 15th City Council race, Endorses Elisa Crespo

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Julian Sepulveda announced on Friday, Nov. 13, that he will be suspending his campaign for the 15th District City Council seat and has endorsed Elisa Crespo.   In a video shared to Twitter, Sepulveda said, “Supporting Elisa was an easy decision. She is a Bronxite and a Latina, who was raised by a working-class mother. Her lived experience is rooted in the complex struggles that many in our community live day-to-day.”   Sepulveda continued, “Her campaign is an opportunity to make history by building a movement that empowers the Latinx community while building LGBTQ power in the Bronx. I know


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Reaction from Norwood Residents to the Projected Presidential Election Results

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Following reports on Saturday, Nov. 7, by various media outlets, on both sides of the political divide, that former Vice President Joe Biden was the projected winner of the 2020 presidential election, we asked residents in Norwood for their reaction to the news.   Dr. Rohit Reddy is a fourth year neurology resident at Montefiore Medical Center. He said he was just really happy that Biden won. “As a health care worker, it’s really awesome that someone who actually has a plan about dealing with the pandemic, and actually respects healthcare workers, is actually going to take office next year,”


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