Politics

UPDDATE Eric Ulrich, Former Department of Buildings Commissioner, Resigns Amid Alleged Illegal Gambling Probe

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Following the resignation of NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) commissioner, Eric Ulrich, on Thursday, Nov. 3, after it was reported that he is under investigation over alleged illegal gambling, the mayor’s office released the following statement.   “This morning, Eric Ulrich tendered his resignation as DOB commissioner in an effort to, in his words, avoid ‘unnecessary distraction for the Adams administration.’ We have accepted his resignation, appreciate him taking this step, and wish him well. We have no further knowledge of any investigation and, out of respect for his and his family’s privacy, have nothing further to add.”   The


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Elections 2022: John Zaccaro Jr. on Quality of Life, Housing & Education

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
  In the upcoming general election on Nov. 8, voters of Assembly District 80 will decide who best represents their interests in Albany. Running for the seat on behalf of the Democratic Party is a former A.D. 80 male district leader, John Zaccaro Jr., who served in the latter role from 2018 to 2020. If elected to the assembly, he will replace incumbent assembly member, Nathalia Fernandez, who is running as the Democratic nominee in the State Senate District 34 race.   Zaccaro Jr. was selected on Sept. 7 by a Bronx Democratic Party committee as the Democratic nominee for


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Community Op-Ed: Polls are Now Open! Vote Today in this Critical Election 

By ERIC ADAMS
Tuesday, Nov. 8, is Election Day in New York City – your last chance to join millions of New Yorkers in making your voices heard and casting your ballots in these critical elections. The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. If you can’t vote on Tuesday, you can also vote early in person! Early voting polls will be open through Sunday, Nov. 6. Your poll site may have changed, so it’s important to check your poll site location and its hours [of opening] before you vote at nycvotes.org.   This year, voting is more important than


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UPDATE City Council Approves Redrawn Maps dated Oct. 6 Submitted by NYC Districting Commission

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams sent a letter on behalf of the council to New York City Districting Commission chair, Dennis Walcott, on Thursday, Oct. 27, notifying the commission of the council’s acceptance of the proposed district maps [dated Oct. 6] without objection. The proposed maps will now go to the city clerk for certification.   Adams wrote in the letter, in part, “The Council accepts the Plan without objection, noting that it was passed by 13 members of the Commission after extensive deliberation over legal considerations including the Voting Rights Act of 1965, population deviation limitations and


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UPDATE Benjamin Franklin Reform Dems Will Consider Endorsing 2023 District 11 City Council Primary Candidates

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club (BFRDC) has announced that it will “discuss and decide whether to endorse a candidate for the 2023 11th district City Council [Democratic] primary election.”   A representative for the Kingsbridge-based club said that if the club decides to go ahead with this proposal, club members will vote on any such endorsement for the council position, which is currently held by incumbent City Councilman Eric Dinowitz.   As reported, the club had been criticized by some during the 2020/2021 election cycle for the manner in which the club endorsed Dinowitz, then a candidate for the


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City Island Rising Collects 200 Donations for Asylum Seekers During Clothing Drive

By SÍLE MOLONEY
OVER 200 bags of donations were received for recently arrived asylum seekers in New York City during a clothing drive held by local organization, City Island Rising, over the weekend ending Sunday, Oct. 23, as other Bronxites took part in the annual Tour de Bronx cycle event. The organization’s representatives said the clothes and other items will be donated to those in need in the coming days. Norwood News recently reported on a dispute among City Island neighbors over a since abandoned shelter which was being built at Orchard Beach in the Northeast Bronx to house recently arrived asylum seekers. As


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Neighborhood Notes: Free Mammogram Screenings, Free English Classes, Public Safety Meeting & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Department of Buildings After Hours Do you have questions about a building project? Drop by NYC Department of Buildings After Hours event to chat one-on-one with DOB experts for solutions and guidance on your project every Tuesday night! When you need straight answers to your buildings-related questions, sometimes it is better to talk with the experts face to face. That’s why DOB introduced “Buildings After Hours,” a weekly event offering in-person advice and services to New Yorkers every Tuesday at each of its borough offices. Learn more at https://on.nyc.gov/3tm0BAB. A Kingsbridge Armory Visioning Workshop will be held on Nov.


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Torres’ Highest Priority for Small Business: Access to Capital

By JULIAN ROBERTS-GRMELA
Ahead of Election Day, Nov. 8, and in a bid perhaps to win over his future constituents in New York’s redrawn 15th Congressional District, Rep. Ritchie Torres has said one of his highest priorities is to provide small businesses with access to capital. The Democratic congressman was speaking at a virtual forum held on Thursday, Oct. 13, hosted by Biz2Credit, an NYC-based lending company for small businesses. Torres appeared as a guest alongside Long Island Republican, Rep. Andrew Garbarino.   “One of my strongest priorities is to ensure that we are doing everything we can in Congress to support the


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