Politics

Bronx BP Endorses Rangel; Bronx Pols Pick Sides

Last week, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. released a Bronx Week kickoff video. In it there was a not-so-subtle foreshadowing to Diaz’s press conference last Friday morning announcing his endorsement of Charles Rangel in the race for the newly created 13th Congressional District, which stretches from Harlem, through Upper Manhattan and into the northwest Bronx neighborhoods of Kingsbridge, Norwood and Bedford Park.

Cabrera Skeptical of Ice Center Plan at Armory as Alternative Emerges

When the group calling itself the Kingsbridge National Ice Center — with its ties to famous partners like ex-Rangers star Mark Messier, deep pockets and grand vision to create the greatest ice hockey complex in the history of frozen water — Bronx Councilman Fernando Cabrera seemed to be receptive to the idea. But now

Ex-Bronx Senator Pedro Espada Found Guilty of Theft

Former Bronx State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. was found guilty this morning on four counts of theft by a federal jury for stealing money from the non-profit healthcare network he helped found. Each count carries a sentence of up to 10 years.

City Council Passes Living Wage Bill, With Revisions

After nearly two years of campaigning and many significant revisions, the City Council on Monday passed a version of the controversial Living Wage bill, which was introduced by two Bronx council members and born out of a 2009 fight over wages at a shopping mall proposed to fill the Kingsbridge Armory.

Living Wage Bill Passes, Quinn Walks Out of Press Conference (Video)

After nearly two years of campaigning and many significant revisions, the City Council today passed a version of the controversial Living Wage bill, which was introduced by two Bronx council members, and born out of a 2009 fight over wage requirements at a shopping mall proposed to fill the Bronx’s Kingsbridge Armory. The bill, which Mayor Bloomberg has vowed to veto, would require developers that receive significant taxpayer subsidies to pay direct workers $10 an hour with benefits, or $11.50 without. We’ll have a more thorough look at the bill’s passage tomorrow and in this week’s print issue of Norwood


Read More

Bronx Elections: Potential Candidates Eye Peter Rivera’s Assembly Seat

Peter Rivera, who has represented the Bronx in the State Assembly for the last two decades, will be leaving his post this summer to join Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration. He will take over as head of the State Labor Department. That leaves his 76th Assembly District (to be renamed the 89th, due to legislative redistricting), up for grabs this fall. Two potential candidates have already expressed their interest in running for the seat, which covers the neighborhoods of Van Nest, West Farms, Parkchester and Castle Hill. Danny Figueroa, Rivera’s longtime chief-of-staff, is throwing his hat in the ring in an


Read More

More Bronx Political Action: Sen. Rivera Has Challenger

This from Liz Benjamin’s State of Politics blog on Friday afternoon: Bronx State Senator Gustavo Rivera (33rd District) has what appears to be his first challenger in Manny Tavarez, who “is not a well-known individual,” according to Benjamin. Tavarez worked on District Leader and Bronx Democratic Party loyalist Hector Ramirez’s failed bid to unseat Assemblyman Nelson Castro two years ago.

Morris Park Realtor to Challenge Naomi Rivera

Mark Gjonaj, who owns a real estate business in Morris Park, announced yesterday that he plans to run for the Bronx 80th Assembly District, the seat currently held by Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera, which includes Mosholou Parkway, Pelham Gardens, Pelham Parkway, Allerton and Morris Park. “In life, we have choices,” Gjonaj said in a phone interview today. “We either accept things for the way they are, or we get involved and make the changes that we feel are necessary.” The potential candidate announced his plans to run yesterday, at the site of his new campaign headquarters on Barnes Avenue in Morris


Read More