Elections 2023: CFB Approves Final “Matching Funds” Payments to City Council Candidates

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) approved, on June 23, public matching funds payments totaling $1,316,540 in the final round of payment opportunities for 2023 City Council primaries. Board Chair Frederick Schaffer approved the payments pursuant to a delegation of authority from the Board. As reported, to qualify for public funds, candidates must demonstrate support by raising small contributions in their communities. This encourages the candidates to spend more time speaking to voters and less time fundraising. Click here to see the exact thresholds that candidates must meet to qualify for public funds. The table below lists

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

BronxNet, the public TV network which serves the borough, has expanded its operations to include a new location in the South Bronx at 441 Westchester Avenue. Officially named the BronxNet Media + Technology Studios at La Central, it is a short walk from the Hub, the commercial heart of the South Bronx at Third Avenue and East 149th Street. Elected officials joined network executives and personalities for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 11. Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined other elected officials including State Senators José M. Serrano (S.D. 29), and Luis Sepúlveda (S.D. 32), Assembly Members

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A fire at Tracey Towers housing complex, located on the Norwood-Bedford Park border, on Saturday resulted in no injuries the FDNY said. An FDNY spokesperson said the department was alerted to reports of a fire at the 871-unit complex, located at 40 West Mosholu Parkway South, at around 5.10 p.m. on Saturday, June 24. A security guard later told Norwood News the fire broke out on the 27th floor. Meanwhile, the FDNY spokesperson said the incident was caused by an “oven fire” and was contained to the stove. The spokesperson said the gas was shut down on the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

District 14 City Council Member Pierina Sanchez is pressing ahead with her reelection campaign by focusing on her accomplishments and largely ignoring the challenge to her seat in the upcoming Democratic Primary on Tuesday, June 27, by her opponent, Rachel Bradshaw, State committeewoman for Assembly District 78. Sanchez won her seat for the first time in the November 2021 general election and took office at the beginning of 2022. District 14 broadly encompasses some or all of the neighborhoods of Kingsbridge Heights, Fordham Manor, Fordham Heights, Bedford Park, University Heights, Mt. Hope and Morris Heights. It is bordered to the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Editor’s Note: Check back for more updates as we add more events. Bronx CB7 Community Coordinator Bronx Community Board 7 is hiring a community coordinator. For details, visit www.nyc.gov/jobs and search for job ID number 587540. Hot Meal Giveaway District 13 City Council Member Marjorie Velázquez is partnering with GrubHub, and Pelham Parkway Houses Tenant Association president, Oscar Grant, for the first “Serving the City” in Council District 13, on Monday, June 26, at 12:15 p.m. where hot meals will be distributed to families in Pelham Parkway Houses, in collaboration with Pelham Parkway Houses Tenant Association, at 780

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, and NYC Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kevin D. Kim announced a new action plan on Wednesday, June 21, to expedite investigations into complaints made via 311 about potentially hazardous conditions involving lithium-ion batteries at bike shops and bike repair shops within the five boroughs. As reported, another e-bike battery fire, this time inside Electric Transporters e-bike store in the Norwood section of The Bronx, broke out on June 7 and fortunately resulted in no injuries. However, a separate e-bike battery fire claimed the lives of four people at

By SÍLE MOLONEY

District 13 City Council Member Marjorie Velázquez announced on Wednesday, June 21, that she received the endorsement of the New York City Police Benevolent Association (NYC PBA) in her bid for re-election in the upcoming Democratic primary on June 27. The councilwoman won her seat in 2021. Her team said the endorsement highlights what they described as “Velázquez’s unwavering commitment to public safety and her dedication to supporting law enforcement officers who serve and protect the residents of New York City.” Representatives for the union, which represents over 24,000 active and retired police officers, said they recognize Velázquez as

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC CARSHARE OVERVIEW Video courtesy of NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) In response to some inquiries about the City’s permanent car share program, the following is a summary of the history of the initiative. Starting in 2018, New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) launched a citywide carshare pilot program in accordance with Local Law 47 of 2017 and Local Law 50 of 2017, designating over 280 parking spaces for carshare vehicles. Carsharing is a service that gives members access to an automobile for short-term use, usually by the hour, or day, at a cost that includes maintenance. Parking

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officials reminds the public that comments on proposed changes to fares and tolls can be submitted online. In addition, they said a series of four hybrid public fare hearings will be held between Thursday, June 22, and Monday, June 26. All hearings will take place in person at MTA Headquarters located at 2 Broadway, New York, on the 20th Floor in the William J. Ronan Board Room and will be streamed live via Zoom and YouTube. Members of the public who wish to speak can provide comments either in person or via Zoom, according

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Politics

Elections 2023: CFB Approves Final “Matching Funds” Payments to City Council Candidates

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UPDATE Elections 2023: Council Member Marjorie Velázquez Endorsed by NYC PBA in Re-Election BID in District 13

MTA Online Portal Now Open for Public Comment on Fare and Toll Changes