- See more at: http://blogtimenow.com/blogging/automatically-redirect-blogger-blog-another-blog-website/#sthash.Q6qPkwFC.dpuf Questions Raised Again About Bronx Councilman Cabrera's Residency | Bronx News Networkbronx

Monday, March 21, 2011

Questions Raised Again About Bronx Councilman Cabrera's Residency

Cabrera at his Kingsbridge Heights apartment in 2009. (File photo)
An article in today's Daily News, one in a series the paper is running that chronicles the misdeeds of City Council members, reports that Bronx City Councilman Fernando Cabrera claimed a home he owns in Westchester County as his "primary residence" on tax forms.

The move scored Cabrera a $1,513 tax break via a property tax credit known as School Tax Relief, according to the article, which names three other council members from other boroughs as having done the same.

Although Cabrera himself would not comment about the finding, his office confirmed its accuracy. Cabrera's camp told us the listing of the Westchester property as his primary residence was an "honest oversight" and that Cabrera did not know the tax relief credit would be automatically renewed each year. They said the councilman is in the process of paying the money back and that he does, indeed, live in his Bronx district, as required by law. They couldn't say who lived in the Westchester home. 

Legitimate residency was a hot-button issue in 2009 when Cabrera was running for City Council against then-incumbent Maria Baez. His opponents sought to portray him as a Bronx outsider and "Pelham Republican," chastising him for having been formerly registered with the Republican Party.

Though he had lived in Pelham, Cabrera maintained Bronx connections: he founded New Life International Church on Morris Avenue two decades ago, and served for a few years as a member of Community Board 7. He officially moved into his Bronx home, on Sedgwick Avenue near 197th Street, back in July 2008, a few months before he announced his intentions to run for Baez' seat.

During his campaign, Cabrera gave one of our reporters a tour of his home, which appeared legitimately lived-in. At the time, he said that he still owned his home in Westchester and that his daughter and her family lived there.

15 comments:

  1. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone...there were many questions surrounding his residency. I'm sure that if one of the so-many great reporters at BNN or any other news outlet, was to follow him late night, he will probably end up in his Westchester home. Or spend his weekends up there. And I have a simple question: WHAT HAS HE DONE? He talks a good game, BUT WHERE'S THE BEEF?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oliver Koppell was also featured in Daily News Article, how come no comment. It seems that like the Daily News and Post BxNN is only interested in attacks on Black and Latino Leaders.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous,

    Reading, my friend, is fundamental. One of the reporters DID follow him, he invited them into his home, and it was lived in. Read. And if he wanted to spend his weekends in Westchester, he could, it's his primary residence that has to be in the district, duh. Regardless, it is not his residency that is in question as the Bxnn has errantly suggested. The controversy is in the fact that he lives in the Bronx but gets a tax break in Westchester. If he lived in Westchester, there would be no controversy. Let's exercise a little mental activity when breaking this down folks. You can't have your cake and eat it to--either he lives in Westchester and represents the Bronx (as you foolishly contend) or he lives in the Bronx and gets a break in Westchester (which as was reported, was an honest oversight that has already been rectified).

    And to your "simple" question, let's see here:

    http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=275820&position=1&news_type=news

    http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=274070&position=1&news_type=news

    http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=273598&position=1&news_type=news

    http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=253533&position=1&news_type=news

    http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=245406&position=1&news_type=news

    http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=242204&position=1&news_type=news

    http://www.ny1.com/content/134062/proposed-law-would-have-landlords-post-tenants--bill-of-rights

    http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2011/02/16/2011-02-16_doing_right_by_tenants_pol_wants_to_protect_renters.html

    http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2010/06/23/2010-06-23_seniors_in_protest_center_closings_a_hot_topic_across_city.html

    http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2010/01/20/2010-01-20_bronx_turns_out_to_aid_quake_vics.html

    http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/16/texting-advising-and-making-matters-simpler/?scp=1&sq=fernando%20cabrera&st=cse

    http://www.bronxnewsnetwork.org/2010/12/education-of-councilman-bronxs-cabrera.html

    http://www.bronxnewsnetwork.org/2010/12/in-wake-of-bronx-bias-attacks.html

    http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/united-states/councilman-cabrera-introduces-tenants-bill-of-rights-51422.html

    http://www.bronx.com/news/local/827.html?print

    http://techpresident.com/category/categories/fernando-cabrera

    http://thebronxfreepress.com/archives/2011/0223/we_are_talking_the_bronx.html

    And that's to say nothing of the $4 million he brought back to the district, senior centers he saved last year, anti-graffiti initiative, homeowner and tax events for the community, more cops on the street, and more constituents served in his first year than all eight years of his predecessor.

    So presumably you are taking the vegan approach to the Councilman because there is plenty of beef there.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Here comes one of those Cabrera haters again. Please get your facts straight. The reason why the DN article came out is because HE DOES lives in the BRONX. Don't you get it?

    What he has done? ...my question to you is "Have you been living under a rock?" He saved two senior centers last year, fixed the problem at Mt.Hope Center so now they have C.O. for youth programs, brought more cops to the district, brought millions to the district, district office has already seen more constituants in one year than were seen in the previous 8 years by the former council member, and much more. This is filet mignon beef!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous,

    Reading, my friend, is fundamental. One of the reporters DID follow him, he invited them into his home, and it was lived in. Read. And if he wanted to spend his weekends in Westchester, he could, it's his primary residence that has to be in the district, duh. Regardless, it is not his residency that is in question as the Bxnn has errantly suggested. The controversy is in the fact that he lives in the Bronx but gets a tax break in Westchester. If he lived in Westchester, there would be no controversy. Let's exercise a little mental activity when breaking this down folks. You can't have your cake and eat it to--either he lives in Westchester and represents the Bronx (as you foolishly contend) or he lives in the Bronx and gets a break in Westchester (which as was reported, was an honest oversight that has already been rectified).

    And to your "simple" question, let's see here:

    http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=275820&position=1&news_type=news

    http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=274070&position=1&news_type=news

    http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=273598&position=1&news_type=news

    http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=253533&position=1&news_type=news

    http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=245406&position=1&news_type=news

    http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=242204&position=1&news_type=news

    http://www.ny1.com/content/134062/proposed-law-would-have-landlords-post-tenants--bill-of-rights

    http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2011/02/16/2011-02-16_doing_right_by_tenants_pol_wants_to_protect_renters.html

    http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2010/06/23/2010-06-23_seniors_in_protest_center_closings_a_hot_topic_across_city.html

    http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2010/01/20/2010-01-20_bronx_turns_out_to_aid_quake_vics.html

    http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/16/texting-advising-and-making-matters-simpler/?scp=1&sq=fernando%20cabrera&st=cse

    http://www.bronxnewsnetwork.org/2010/12/education-of-councilman-bronxs-cabrera.html

    http://www.bronxnewsnetwork.org/2010/12/in-wake-of-bronx-bias-attacks.html

    http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/united-states/councilman-cabrera-introduces-tenants-bill-of-rights-51422.html

    http://www.bronx.com/news/local/827.html?print

    http://techpresident.com/category/categories/fernando-cabrera

    http://thebronxfreepress.com/archives/2011/0223/we_are_talking_the_bronx.html

    And that's to say nothing of the $4 million he brought back to the district, senior centers he saved last year, anti-graffiti initiative, homeowner and tax events for the community, more cops on the street, and more constituents served in his first year than all eight years of his predecessor.

    So presumably you are taking the vegan approach to the Councilman because there is plenty of beef there.

    ReplyDelete
  6. A rather tepid response from BNN, who took a pretty outraged tone when Pedro was accused of the same thing. This website picks and chooses when to make residency an issue.

    Simply because Cabrera is in the pocket of the poverty lobby, this white-run blog deems him to be an acceptable and tolerable Latino. When Senator Espada disagreed with this blog and wanted to support our hardworking landlords, he was blacklisted. People were hiding outside of his second home to "catch" him. Is anyone hiding outside of Cabrera's primary residence in Pelham to catch him? Or Jose Rivera's home in Elmont? There's no accountability as long as the politician is an Tio Tomas.

    ReplyDelete
  7. @ Anonymous 10:17pm -- Where is the mention of Koppell in the Daily News article? Where is the attack on a "Black" or "Latino" leader by BxNN? This reads like a very straight news story. Cabrera chose not to comment for BxNN but his office confirmed the basic facts of the story -- that he got a tax benefit by claiming his home in Westchester as a primary residence. He did comment in the DN and basically admits he made a mistake. Also -- I specifically recall that Cabrera shot a video for BxNN as part of their annual appeal. If anything one might question their objectivity in reporting on a pol who urged readers to support their blog. I think they did a good job reporting a story. There is no attack. There is also no evidence of favoritism for a politician who openly supported them. There is certainly no evidence of a bias against any race or ethnicity. Good, objective journalism.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm confused. If you guys were given a tour of his home, how can you lead the story with "Questions of his residency"? Either your reporters aren't too bright or Cabrera is a magician who can make people see things that aren't there.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anon @ MARCH 21, 2011 10:17:00 PM EDT, where is Koppell mentioned? He isn't in the Daily News article linked here.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I posted my comment last night at 11 pm and it still hasn't been posted, I'm unsure as to why.

    ReplyDelete
  11. @David Norris--Sorry for the delay. For some reason your original comment was automatically sent to our spam folder (perhaps because of the links). We've published it now. Thanks for the heads up.

    ReplyDelete
  12. David (Norris), it is obvious that you're part of Cabrera's staff so I get it why you have all the press links in reference to your boss. However, he didn't save the senior centers because ultimately, Bloomberg made a decision not to. He didn't bring in million to the district because that's what every council person gets. Cabrera was actually one to get the least if I am not mistaken. And speaking up on issues is not action, that's TALKING, major difference. And didn't Espada give a tour of his place as well? There are other electeds who have more than one residence and could give a tour at any time... I could do the same of my place here on Valentine AND/OR my other "family" residence in Jersey. I applaud BxNN for bringing this to light. Their job is to investigate and inform us, the readers, the community. Do not judge them for doing their jobs...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hey David,

    I just got into this converstation and it looks interesting. First, Espada's own neighbors were the ones that blew the trumpet on how Espada did not live at the Norwood residence. Cabrera has passed every litmus test of residence and you have not come with one shred of evidence to prove otherwise, so stop the false accusation. It is obvious that you have no idea of what took place to save the senior centers. The record is clear, Cabrera secured the discritionary funding for the senior centers to stay open. Kodus to whosoever pasted the links, they don't lie like this so called "David". If you claim to be living in Valentine, you are not even from the district, so stop slandering the one leader we have been waiting for a long time. The job of BxNN is not to misinformed or misrepresent what they and even Daily News already double check when they both visited Cabrera's place. David, you sound like somebody who supported someone who lost to Cabrera. Cabrera if you are reading this, keep up the great work!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. To “For David Norris”
    It appears that you too are handicapped with a lack of mental exertion regarding this issue.
    Firstly, all it takes is 15 minutes of research (Google, News 12, Daily News, etc) to find those press links so save the presumptions for the reporters.
    Secondly, if you had any modicum of knowledge of city government you’d know that the Mayor can’t pass a budget by himself. The Charter mandates that the City Council approve the budget. Thus, there are budget items that the Mayor ultimately concedes to the Council in order to get them to approve to the budget. One of the concessions that were forced by Cabrera happen to be the senior centers in his district. Again people, read and educate yourself before spewing nonsensical platitudes.
    Thirdly, since you are so averse to doing any research of your own, here is the list (http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20100630/203/3301) of who got what in last year’s discretionary process, and if you look (which I can only assume you won’t) you’ll see that he is not at the bottom. You may also note that he got more than some of the senior members in the Council.
    Fourthly, I won’t address your willful ignorance to the links showing him doing things in the district and the other commenters who’ve detailed his service to the constituents in his community. But on your point of talking vs. action: Council Members also have a role to ADVOCATE (you see what I did there? I used caps! Just like you!) for their constituency. So yes, there are times where things are outside of the control of the Legislative Body (they are the Legislative, not the Executive—i.e Adminstration—branch of the city). It is at these times where Council members are responsible for speaking up and using the bully pulpit to spur action where they can’t directly control it. I suspect that you’d be the first to criticize if Cabrera didn’t “speak up” for his people when issues come up.
    And lastly, my comments passed no judgment on Bxnn reporting, it simply pointed out the error in the headlining.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I also posted last night and it did not go through. What's going on here? What is the point of a blog if you are filtering everything? I am going to start posting on other blogs.

    Juan

    ReplyDelete

Bronx News Network reserves the right to remove comments that include personal attacks, name calling, foul language, commercial advertisements, spam, or any language that might be considered threatening, libelous or inciting hate.

User comments are reviewed by BxNN staff and may be included or excluded at our discretion.

If what you have to say is unrelated to this particular post, please visit our readers' forum.