Most residents of the 33rd Senate District, which stretches from Norwood to Tremont in the northwest Bronx, have heard of their representative, Pedro Espada Jr. But very few could place Espada’s two opponents in the upcoming Democratic primary, Daniel Padernacht or Gustavo Rivera, according to interviews with more than two dozen randomly selected local residents.

Despite a poll showing him in last place in the three-way race for the 33rd District Senate seat and all the endorsements and funding going to his fellow challenger, Dan Padernacht still believes he has a chance to emerge victorious in the Democratic primary on Sept. 14.

Here are three ways to find out where the candidates in the 33rd Senate District stand on the issues you care about.

One man was killed and eight others were injured on Aug. 10 when a livery taxi driver violently crashed into a bus stop after swerving to avoid a minivan making an illegal U-turn on busy West Kingsbridge Road.

•    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

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Mayor Bloomberg, in perhaps the most courageous move of his mayoralty, got it precisely right when he stood up for religious freedom to support the creation of a mosque and community center in lower Manhattan.

It’s unfortunate that we have to remind ourselves of freedoms so elemental to our Constitution and national DNA, not to mention to the gloriously diverse and tolerant city we all call home.

How can it be that we would consider depriving members of any religion the right to worship wherever they please as long as they adhere to the law?

"We would betray our values – and play into our enemies’ hands," Bloomberg said with the Statue of Liberty as his backdrop, "if we were to treat Muslims different than anyone else."

This debate has been fueled by the demagoguery of national politicians like Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich, who regularly demonize New York. It would be a grave mistake to bow to them.

Following an independent review prompted by charges of racism and discrimination by employees, Woodlawn Cemetery says it will make significant changes to employment and training practices.

Still, cemetery employees remain skeptical about the depth of the investigation and say the cemetery’s response was inadequate.

The city has authorized the closure of East 197th Street, between Decatur and Marion avenues (see map), for the next three months as John Civetta & Sons, Inc. reconstructs a retaining wall there.

SCHOOL STARTS WEDNESDAY, ­SEPTEMBER 8, 2010! 1. DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO REGISTER NEW STUDENTS Proof of home address, which can be one of the following: • An original lease agreement, deed, or mortgage statement for the residence • A current tax bill for the residence • Documentation on letterhead from a federal, state or local government agency • NYCHA document • Utility bill (gas, electric, or water) • Medical or insurance card with address • Official payroll documentation from an employer such as a form submitted for tax withholding purposes or payroll receipt. Proof of child’s immunization Child’s transcript or most recent report card Proof of child’s birth;

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