Gustavo Rivera Moves Senate Back To Neighborhood

Like every New York state senator, when 33rd District representative Gustavo Rivera moved into his local office, he received two flags — the stars and stripes of the United States of America and the goddesses of Liberty and Justice of New York state — as well as a copy machine and a dated set of rectangular office furniture. “They [senate administrative staffers] told me they only had rectangular furniture,” said Rivera’s communications director Conchita Cruz, sitting in the new office on the fifth floor of the Poe Building on the Grand Concourse, across from the Loew’s Paradise Theater. “But they

The now-infamous Bronx Milbank buildings — including 2785 Sedgwick Ave., 2500 University Ave., and 2505 Aqueduct Ave., all in University Heights — were finally sold last month to a new landlord after months of local organizing and city involvement. Tenants, advocates and elected officials had fought to wrest the portfolio of 10 deeply troubled properties from irresponsible bankers and owners to a party who could afford to make them livable again.

Is Mayor Open to ‘Every Good Idea’ on Armory?

It seemed like the big freeze between the mayor and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. as it relates to the Kingsbridge Armory, was thawing just a tad. “We’re open to every good idea,” the mayor said, exhibiting none of the bitterness some have attributed to him for having his preferred plan for the facility — a mall developed by The Related Companies — killed by Diaz and many of the very same people that were at the press conference to cheer him on for the Bloomberg administration’s efforts to get a portfolio of 10 nightmare apartment buildings into the hands of a new, accountable owner.

After Deadly Fire, Koppell Bill Back in Spotlight

Local elected officials are looking for ways to crack down on illegally subdivided apartments in the Bronx and across the city after a recent fire at one such dwelling killed three members of a Belmont family. One effort, a bill sponsored by Bronx Councilman Oliver Koppell, would require the Department of Buildings to seek a warrant to gain access to properties they suspect have been illegally converted if inspectors are turned away or unable to enter a building after two attempts.

Local Officials Say ‘World a Better Place’ Without Bin Laden

As New York City and the world reacted to the recent death of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, several Bronx elected officials expressed their responses to the historic news — largely seeing the Al Qaeda leader’s death as a milestone for the city, and a means of closure for those who lost a loved one in the tragedy nearly a decade ago.

Budget Woes Will Cut Deep Into Youth Jobs

New York State’s budget woes are going to take a huge chunk out of the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program, which allows thousands of young people to get their first job experience. The program received a drastic cut in their budget, meaning fewer jobs for kids and increased competition for the jobs available.

State Budget Saves Some, Cuts Others

New Governor Andrew Cuomo and the legislature in Albany officially passed a state budget at the end of March, a day before the start of the new fiscal year. It marked the first time in five years that a budget has been approved in New York before its April 1 deadline and will eliminate a $10 billion deficit, Cuomo boasted in a press release. For the Bronx, the $132.5 million budget contains a mix of ups and downs. Certain funding that was on the chopping block was restored, while other cuts will mean major setbacks for a number of agencies, social service programs and local organizations.

Frustration Bubbles Over at Reservoir Access Meeting

After a long-delayed report that essentially denies the community greater access to the Jerome Park Reservoir was issued last week, activists and officials are feeling powerless, particularly because a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) official assigned to report to the community on its findings refused to answer any questions.

Living Wage Campaign Heats Up

The campaign that would require developers of retail projects receiving taxpayer subsidies to pay a living wage — $10 with benefits and $11.50 without — is heating up as advocates press for an April City Council hearing. Council Speaker Christine Quinn has said she would allow hearings on the bill, which has 29 supporters, including every member of the City Council except for James Vacca of the east Bronx.