There is so much anger and disgust with our state legislature, perhaps the most dysfunctional in the entire country, that we often lose sight of one of the best remedies: voting.
It sounds Pollyannaish but it’s not. A tiny fraction of registered voters in this area usually vote in primaries like the upcoming one for Assembly and State Senate, particularly when there’s no Democratic primary for mayor or governor. Just a small uptick in voting would inevitably impact local elections and make our elected officials work harder.
When people stay away from the polls in droves, accountability is absent and even the best-intentioned elected official can forget who’s boss. Poor turnout also means elected officials don’t really have to care what most concerns constituents. It’s actually like having no boss at all.
State politics may not be as sexy as a presidential election but it arguably has a greater impact on the day-to-day lives of New Yorkers. In addition to making laws, state government oversees school policy and contributes to the budgets for every social service and public amenity imaginable.
The Norwood News does not make endorsements because we are published by a nonprofit, Mosholu Preservation Corporation. But we do endorse, encourage and promote participation. We hope you’ll read our articles and all other news and information regarding the election that you can get your hands on.
Hope to see you all at the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 14.
To Your Health
It’s no secret that the Bronx is home to some of the worst health stats around – from obesity and asthma to HIV and diabetes. That’s why in this issue we’re inaugurating our Be Healthy! section, a new, regular feature with news and information that can, we hope, be just one tool in helping our readers pursue an active, healthy lifestyle. If there are any health issues, programs or resources you’d like us to cover or include, please e-mail norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org. Thanks!
Toward Finish, Cash Rolling in for Espada
Public and Community Meetings
• Community Board 7 will hold its general board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 21 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The location has yet to be decided. For more information, and for details of upcoming committee meetings and other CB7 meetings and events, visit bronxcb7.info/calendar or call (718) 933-5650. • The Croton Facilities Monitoring Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday, Sept. 16, at the DEP’s community office, at 3660 Jerome Ave. Call the office nearer the time at (718) 231-8470 to confirm the day and time. • The 52nd Precinct Community Council will meet on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 7
The 33rd Senate District Candidates on the Issues
Last month, the Norwood News asked candidates in the 33rd District Senate race to answer, in writing, a number of questions concerning their political positions, their thoughts on key issues in the community, and what they would do if elected.
Daniel Padernacht and Gustavo Rivera got back to us, but State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., the incumbent, didn’t. In an e-mail, a staffer of his wrote: “Thank you for the survey, however we will not be participating at this time. The Senator’s positions will be made available via other media, including his website and Facebook.”
The accompanying grid contains a synopsis of Rivera’ answers. As Espada didn’t provide any, we’ve attempted to fill in some of the gaps for him, using his voting record and comments he’s made in the past to the press. Padernacht withdrew from the race last weeked.
Daniel Padernacht and Gustavo Rivera got back to us, but State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., the incumbent, didn’t. In an e-mail, a staffer of his wrote: “Thank you for the survey, however we will not be participating at this time. The Senator’s positions will be made available via other media, including his website and Facebook.”
The accompanying grid contains a synopsis of Rivera’ answers. As Espada didn’t provide any, we’ve attempted to fill in some of the gaps for him, using his voting record and comments he’s made in the past to the press. Padernacht withdrew from the race last weeked.
Police Called to Espada Event Fracas
Tensions were running high at a campaign event hosted by Sen. Pedro Espada, Jr. – and crashed by a group of vociferous anti-Espada protesters – on the second to last weekend before the Sept. 14 primary.
Espada was handing out free bags of groceries to residents in his district outside of the Mosholu branch of the New York Public Library, at 285 E.205th St., when the police were called to moderate a scuffle between a member of Espada’s staff and a political blogger, Rafael Martinez Alequin.
Espada was handing out free bags of groceries to residents in his district outside of the Mosholu branch of the New York Public Library, at 285 E.205th St., when the police were called to moderate a scuffle between a member of Espada’s staff and a political blogger, Rafael Martinez Alequin.
80th AD Challenger Robert Giuffre Opens Up
The Norwood News sent questionnaires to the candidates of 80th Assembly District, which includes Norwood as well as Morris Park. Incumbent Naomi Rivera did not respond, but her upstart challenger, 27-year-old former Obama operative Robert Giuffre did. Below is an undedited sampling of Giuffre’s answers.
Be Healthy: Transplant Clinic Aims to Bring Hispanics Into the Fold
As she explained the process of kidney transplants to a patient, Dr. Graciela De Boccardo mentioned that speaking about transplants is like speaking "un nuevo idioma" (a new language).
Fortunately, for Bronx Spanish speakers with severe kidney problems, doctors like De Boccardo are now speaking the "new language" of transplants to Hispanic patients in their native tongue.
Fortunately, for Bronx Spanish speakers with severe kidney problems, doctors like De Boccardo are now speaking the "new language" of transplants to Hispanic patients in their native tongue.