Underdog Candidate in 11th District Hypes Local Endorsement

While Andrew Cohen, the establishment favorite in the 11th District Council race, continues to trot out a cavalcade of endorsements, from the city’s most powerful labor unions to the Bronx borough president, his chief rival, Cliff Stanton, was thrilled to announce the backing of a small political club based in Norwood and Bedford Park.

Klein’s State Budget Deal Leaves Local Dems Wanting

Bronx Democrat Jeff Klein, who represents a whiff of Bedford Park and is the co-leader of the State Senate, trumpeted the state budget deal hammered out last week as the most “family friendly budget in a generation.” But many Democrats outside of Klein’s five-person Independent Democratic Conference say Klein compromised too much, to the detriment of Bronx families.

Bronx Clergy Leaders Pushing Klein on Progressive Minimum Wage

A group of Bronx clergy leaders, including some with deep ties to the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, are rallying today at noon on the steps of Bronx Borough Hall to demand that the New York State Senate adopt an Assembly-approved plan to increase the state’s minimum wage to $9 an hour and make the rate tied to inflation.

Rivera Backs Chief of Staff as Replacement

In the wild, congested race shaping up in the City Council’s 15th District, which stretches from the Fordham-Bedford area into West Farms, current seat holder Joel Rivera is backing his right-hand man, Albert Alvarez. Rivera and his longtime chief of staff were making the rounds at a recent fundraising event hosted by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, trying to drum up support.

Diaz: Registry Would Keep Gun Offenders Out of ‘Shadows’

In an effort to reduce gun violence, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. wants to publicize the names and addresses of those convicted of gun-related felonies and will introduce legislation on the city and state levels calling for the creation of an online gun offender registry.

14 Months After RFP, Silence on the Armory Project

Last week after a hearing downtown, Councilman Fernando Cabrera, whose district includes the Kingsbridge Armory, said he believes a developer will be chosen to re-invigorate the hulking empty castle. He just doesn’t know when.