Emmanuel Martinez

1199SEIU Endorses George Alvarez, A.D. 78 Democratic Nominee, in General Election

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The powerful healthcare workers’ union, 1199SEIU, has endorsed George Alvarez in his candidacy for the 78th Assembly District in the upcoming general election. The union represents some 450,000 members across the east coast, including 300,000 members in New York.   “George is the real deal,” said Dell Smitherman, 1199SEIU downstate political director. “We can say, unequivocally, that he brings the leadership we need right now in The Bronx.” Smitherman added, “George has been a fighter for Bronx families, advocating for public safety, better education, affordable housing, and for good pay jobs. We, today, face uncertain times in New York, and we


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Elections 2022: Candidates Face Off at NWBCCC Forum Ahead of June Primary Assembly Elections

By EMILY SAWAKED  
The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.    The Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) hosted a candidates’ forum at Monroe College on Wednesday, May 26, for candidates running in the 78th and the 81st Assembly Districts in the upcoming June Democratic primaries. Both Assemblyman José Rivera (A.D. 78), who was not present on the night, was re-elected to his seat in 2000, having previously served in the Assembly from 1982 to 1987 and who won in 2020 with over 86 percent of the vote, and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81),


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Elections 2022: Louella Hatch Democratic Club Presents Candidates Forum on Tuesday, May 24

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  The Louella Hatch Democratic Club announced that it will be interviewing 6 candidates running for office in separate, upcoming elections during a candidates’ forum on Tuesday May 24.   “The Bronx is in a critical stage of transition, and it is important for residents to know the candidates who will be leading the community,” the club members said. Candidates in attendance will be: State Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia (86th AD), State Committeeman Emmanuel Martinez (78th AD), State Assembly Candidate Pooi Stewart (86th AD), Bronx Civil Court judicial candidates, Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor, Taisha L. Chambers, and Sophia Hershman.   The event will take


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Kingsbridge Armory Back to Square One, as Annexes See $10 Million Renovation for Military Use

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT & SÍLE MOLONEY
The following is an extended version of the story that recently appeared in our latest print edition.   Big news about what’s going to happen to the Kingsbridge Armory is nothing new at Community Board 7 (CB7) meetings. Discussions on the seemingly ill-fated development have been dragging on for years. At a recent CB7 general board meeting held on Feb. 22, Emmanuel Martinez, chairman of CB7, announced plans to gather input, once again, from the community on what will happen to the landmark building located on Jerome Avenue and West Kingsbridge Road.   “I want to make the board aware


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Fordham Landing Developer Discusses $2 Billion Mega-Development in University Heights

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The following article is an updated version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. Since we went to press, we had the opportunity to speak further with Brad Zackson, director of development at Dynamic Star LLC, the developer behind the Fordham Landing project.     Steps for the planned, billion-dollar “Fordham Landing” mixed use, real estate development in the University Heights neighborhood advanced further last week amid news that developer, Dynamic Star LLC, had filed construction applications with New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) for a 17-story, mixed-use building at 320 West Fordham Road, a site


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New Committee Elected to Bronx CB7 for Upcoming Year

By SARAH HUFFMAN
The election of the various officer positions to Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) for the upcoming year took place at the last general board meeting of the year on June 23. Most of the incumbent officers were re-elected, apart from one. In addition, four motions were passed on various, different matters. Most had already been reviewed at the board’s June 17 meeting, as reported.   Nominating committee chair, Sandra Erickson, gave each candidate a chance to pitch their candidacy to the board members at the beginning of the meeting before voting took place. Most positions ran uncontested, except for second


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Op-Ed: Why Veterans’ Issues Matter

  Veterans make up one of the most vital demographics within our local community. Many of us may have heard about our veterans, or know someone who is a veteran, but how much do we really know about our veteran colleagues, friends and neighbors, and the challenges they face?   Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7)’s Veterans Affairs Committee dug deeper into this topic by seeking feedback from several agencies and partners, and from veterans, themselves. To date, the committee has covered quite a few important veterans’ topics, such as the importance of accessing dental care, why caregivers are important, knowing one’s


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Bronx CB7 Addresses Rezoning Changes, Parks Projects & Traffic Concerns

  Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) held one of its last meetings before the summer break on Thursday, June 17, to discuss neighborhood updates and various motions that were due to be tabled at the Board’s executive meeting held on June 23.   It was an eventful meeting that touched upon a variety of topics and saw four motions passed. Two were presented by the housing, land use and economic development committee, one by the parks’ committee and one arose during the new business section of the meeting.   The first motion which was passed by the Board pertained to


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UPDATE: International Salsa Museum Seeks Home in the Bronx’s Kingsbridge Armory

By ARACELIS BATISTA, DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY
  The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. Music industry professionals have joined forces to form the concept for the International Salsa Museum (ISM) in The Bronx and organizers recently held a press conference in Kingsbridge Heights, outside the massive Kingsbridge Armory which they hope will, someday, be the home of “El Condado de la Salsa.”   The ISM is a non-profit which was created to educate and increase the public’s awareness of salsa and to “preserve salsa music’s rich cultural history.” It was founded by musician, music director, and producer, Willy


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