Politics

Greek Heritage Month Celebrated in Kingsbridge ahead of Greek Independence Day Parade in Manhattan

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson hosted her administration’s 2nd Annual Greek Heritage Month celebration in Kingsbridge on Friday, March 24, in conjunction with sponsors, Ponce Bank and the Bronx Terminal Market. There was food, cake, musical and dance performances, as well as the presentation of proclamations to a list of honorees.   Held at St. Peter the Apostle Greek Orthodox Church, located at 3245 Kingsbridge Avenue, the event was emceed by mistress of ceremonies, Aravella Simotas, a former New York State assemblywoman who represented parts of Queens and alongside whom Gibson had previously served in the State legislature. The invocation


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Pelham Parkway: Brick Tossed Through Window during Passover, Israeli Independence Day Marked

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD Hate Crimes Unit is currently investigating an incident where a slab of concrete was tossed through the living room window of a Pelham Parkway home during the Jewish holiday of Passover. The targeted window had an Israeli flag displayed outside at the time of the incident.   Police officials say the incident occurred at 2.45 p.m. on Friday, April 7, at 2121 Matthews Avenue between Lydig Avenue and Pelham Parkway. A police official said, “There is a complaint report on file for criminal mischief within the confines of the 49th Precinct.”   The official continued, “The report states


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Best Way for the City to Respond to EDPs Who Are Armed

By DAVID GREENE
  This week, we asked readers their opinions on the best way for City officials to respond to people experiencing a mental health crisis or so-called emotionally disturbed persons (EDPs) who are armed.   “I personally feel that instead of just talking to them, I feel like [the police] should just tase them, like detain them first. I feel like you can’t talk to a person with mental illness because you need to put them in a mental illness facility or a hospital… If you have mental illness, you shouldn’t be put in jail because they won’t learn anything, and


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UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: Lost Dog, Earth Day, Gun Buyback, Safe Disposal of Electronics & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Editor’s Note: Check back for more updates as we add more events. Friendly Voices Program for Seniors If you are an older New Yorker feeling lonely or isolated, NYC Ageing can connect you with a friendly volunteer to talk with over the phone or video chat. Call (212)-Ageing-NYC (212) 244 -6469 and ask about the Friendly Voices Program.   Assembly District Redistricting  The State Assembly districts will be redrawn ahead of the 2024 primaries. Drafts of the redrawn assembly districts were released on Dec. 1, 2022 by the NY Redistricting Commission. The latest plan released April 20 can be reviewed


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Torres Issues Statement on Arrests of Alleged CCP Agents Connected to Illegal NYC Police Station

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) issued a statement on Monday, April 17, in response to news of the arrests and charging of two men, accused of conspiring as agents of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and destroying evidence in connection to an illegal police station operated in New York City.   Torres, a Democrat who represents a large section of The Bronx stretching from the north to the south of the borough, including parts of Bronx Community District 7, said of the arrests and charges, “A few weeks ago, I joined Rep. Mike Gallagher, chairman of the House Select Committee


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Riley Leads Press Conference at City Hall to Close Rikers

By SÍLE MOLONEY
District 12 City Council Member Kevin Riley and District 33 City Council Member Lincoln Restler lead a rally entitled, “A Pathway to Closing Rikers Island and Ending Mass Incarceration in NYC,” by safely reducing the jail population at City Hall in Manhattan on Tuesday, April 11,  together with other council members and advocates for the incarcerated.   As reported, Rikers Island jail has been plagued with bad press for many years due to, among other reasons, the number of people who have died while in custody, awaiting trial, and the number of violent incidents involving both detainees and NYC Department of


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DSNY Tells “Garbage” New Yorkers Where to Stick It with New We ❤️ NYC Ads

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The preponderance of litter and dog waste on the City’s sidewalks remains a scourge to residents. On Monday, April 10, New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), in collaboration with the Partnership for New York City, launched a substantial marketing campaign to shame those who they described as “garbage” New Yorkers, litterers and “dog-poopetrators,” once and for all. The campaign is the first major anti-littering campaign by DSNY in at least 15 years, officials said. “New Yorkers have had enough of litter, enough of filth on our sidewalks, and enough of feeling like there’s nothing they can do about it,”


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UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: Kingsbridge Armory Survey, Elections 2023, Summer Youth Employment Extended & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Kingsbridge Armory Survey The working group behind the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory, Together for Kingsbridge, is requesting the public to provide their input on what they would like to see in place in the armory by completing a survey which can be found here, and which is available in both English and Spanish. See also our latest story on the armory. Tours of the army are ongoing also, as below.   Yankee Youth Leadership Award The New York Yankees and Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) are looking for youth leaders who reside within the boundaries of Bronx Community District


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Elections 2023: Irene Estrada Lays Out her Case for her City Council Run in District 13

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Former Democratic female district leader for the 80th assembly district and Democratic candidate for city council in District 13, Irene Estrada, briefly broke down why she is running for the seat against incumbent, City Councilwoman Marjorie Velázquez when we spoke to her at the 25th Throggs Neck St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 12.   Estrada, whose two daughters serve with the NYPD, and who is on the clergy council of the 49th Precinct, said, “Our streets are a mess with crime.” She added, “We also need to bring back the school safety task force. They took it away after COVID.


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