CB7 District Manager Joins Crowded Senate Race

On Monday, Fernando Tirado, Community Board 7’s district manager, formally announced his decision to run for State Senate in the 33rd Senate District. In doing so, Tirado joins a crowded field that now includes four Democratic contenders trying to unseat the district’s current senator, Pedro Espada, Jr., in the September primary.

Libraries Fight Biggest Cut in History

The recently proposed $37 million cut on the New York Public Library, which would be the highest cut in city history, according to Library President and CEO Paul LeClerc, could have devastating effects to libraries in the Bronx. Local branches, like the Mosholu Library, are leading the fight to prevent the cuts.

Gustavo Rivera Launches Campaign on Web

While Fernando Tirado went the traditional route of holding a press conference to announce his candidacy, Gustavo Rivera kicked off his campaign for the 33rd District Senate seat mostly on the internet.

Assembly Wants Action On Housing Bills

It’s an annual tradition in Albany as old as the budget being late. First, the Assembly passes a raft of housing bills aimed at strengthening New York’s rent laws and protecting tenant rights. Then the Senate ignores them and the bills die before ever getting out of the chamber’s housing committee.

But with Democrats in charge, it was supposed to be different. Instead, with Pedro Espada, Jr. in charge of the housing committee, it’s been more of the same.

Assembly Wants Action On Housing Bills

It’s an annual tradition in Albany as old as the budget being late. First, the Assembly passes a raft of housing bills aimed at strengthening New York’s rent laws and protecting tenant rights. Then the Senate ignores them and the bills die before ever getting out of the chamber’s housing committee. In years past, the overwhelmingly Democratic Assembly could blame Republicans. But last year, for the first time in more than 40 years, Democrats took control of the state senate. Assembly members and housing advocates thought there would finally be some action on these housing bills. But with Senate Majority


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Public and Community Meetings

•   The Croton Filtration Monitoring Committee will meet on Thursday, May 20, at 7 p.m. at the DEP’s community office, 3660 Jerome Ave. •    The Bedford Mosholu Community Association will meet at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2, at 400 E. Mosholu Parkway S. Apt. B1 (Lobby Floor). •    52nd Precinct Community Council Meeting will be on May 27 at 7 p.m. at Scott Towers Housing Corporation located at 3400 Paul Ave. Guest speaker will be Ms. Diane Brown, Sexual Assault Treatment Program. •    For all Community Board 7 committee meetings, call (718) 933-5650 or visit www.bronxcb7.info/calendar.

For Tenants in Foreclosure Limbo, A New Legal Strategy

Gloria Thomas remembers when her building at 2505 Aqueduct Ave., where she’s lived for nearly 30 years, was the envy of neighbors nearby. But the private equity firm that bought the building, defaulted on its mortgage and allow it to fall into disrepair.

Now, tenants want the bank that oversees the mortgage to step in and provide funds to help maintain the building.

52nd Precinct Grapples with Crime Spike

With robberies, assaults and rapes rising sharply and two shootings in recent weeks, Deputy Inspector John D’Adamo, the commanding officer of the 52nd Police Precinct, did not sugar coat the fact that this area of the Bronx had gone through a rough stretch of increased crime.

City-Funded Building Rises on Decatur Avenue

Residents on Decatur Avenue in Norwood have a giant new addition moving in to the neighborhood. The 13-story, burgundy and white building being constructed at 3322 Decatur Ave. dwarfs the surrounding buildings and homes on the block and will likely bring a few hundred more people into the community.