Politics

DCAS Announces Major Expansion of High School Equivalency & College Credit Program to All City Agencies

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and the Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) announced a major expansion of the EPIC @ MCNY program for municipal employees on Friday, May 16. Initially launched as an innovative pilot program for DCAS staff, the program will now be open to participants across all city agencies, allowing them to earn their high school equivalency and 27 college credits over the course of four semesters.

Op-Ed: Learn about “The Little Cathedral of The Bronx” during Sacred Sites Weekend

By STEPHANIE COGGINS
The New York Landmarks Conservancy will host its 15th Annual Sacred Sites Open House on May 17 & 18. This year’s theme, “Building for Eternity: Religious Architecture and Artisans,” celebrates New York State’s diverse houses of worship, inviting visitors to explore their extraordinary architecture, art, and history.

Conflicts of Interest Board Settles with De Blasio in First Enforcement Action Against an NYC Mayor

Bronx Elected Officials Back a Snowstorm Hearing
By SÍLE MOLONEY
After three years of litigation, the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB) has reached a settlement with former Democratic NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio to resolve his violations of the City’s conflicts of interest law in connection with his 2019 presidential campaign, board officials announced Wednesday, May 14. As part of the settlement, De Blasio will pay the City a total of $329,794.20 in restitution and fines. They said he has already paid $100,000 of this sum to the Board.

Bronx Man Working as Former Manhattan NYCHA Super Gets 18 Months for Bribery & Extortion

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Hector Colon, a 47-year-old Bronx man and former superintendent for the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for soliciting and accepting approximately $30,000 in bribes from contractors in exchange for awarding repair contracts or approving repair work worth at least $400,000, federal prosecutors said on Tuesday, May 6.

Norwood: Decatur Ave Home Used by Gang Broken into Again

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY
Nearly five months after federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) raided a Norwood building used by gang members at 3267 Decatur Avenue, and almost two months after federal prosecutors announced the seizure of the building through the courts, to the relief of block residents, workers were seen sealing the two-story home at the end of March. One month later, on April 30, the home was broken into and not for the first time.

Bailey Joins NBA Vet Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to Push for Insurance Coverage for Stuttering Treatment

By SILE MOLONEY
State Sen. Jamaal T. Bailey (S.D. 36), who broadly represents the Bronx neighborhoods of Woodlawn Heights, Wakefield, Edenwald, Williamsbridge, Olinville, Allerton, Pelham Gardens, Co-Op City, Baychester, Parkside Housing Project, Eastchester, Laconia, as well as Mount Vernon in Westchester County, is joining forces with stuttering champion and NBA Veteran Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to advocate for New York’s stuttering community.

Old Fordham Library Debate Heats Up

By ARIEL PACHECO
District 15 City Council Member Oswald Feliz (C.D. 15) hosted a town hall Wednesday, April 23, for residents to gather ideas and explore possibilities for the future use of the old Fordham Library building, located at 2556 Bainbridge Avenue in Fordham Manor.