Bronx News Roundup, Oct. 27

The Bronx's first restaurant week, officially known as Savor the Bronx (we mentioned it in yesterday's roundup) is getting a shoutout from ZagatBuzz. "The borough is giving everyone an excuse to get their butts way uptown," the site says.

The Irish Echo reports that the Transportation Committee of Community Board 8 has given its OK to the naming of a street near Gaelic Park in Kingsbridge for the late human rights activist and lawyer Frank Durkan.

The Bronx Museum of Arts will screen the documentary "Garifuna Nation"on Friday at 7 p.m. (Video)

Kappstatter gives us the rundown on what the political machinations may be behind Bronx Democratic boss Carl Heastie not nominating a new executive director of the city Board of Elections for more than a year now. Also in the column, is news of the first meeting of the Bronx Young Democrats Club tomorrow night.

The New York Times Arts section reports some hard news about the new Poe Park visitors' center being shuttered and vandalized for lack of funding to staff the raven-shaped building.

City Comptroller John Liu discussed the economy with Bronx Community College students last week and made other stops in the borough. (Video)

Bronx News Roundup, July 28

The Daily News reports this morning that Bronx Democratic Committee chairman Jeff Dinowitz won't move to oust Pedro Espada, Jr. from the Democratic party before this fall's primary (state Democrats sent a letter to Dinowitz earlier this month, asking him to boot Espada). Dinowitz told the paper he might revisit the issue later (he told us in a previous interview that even if he went ahead with the motion, Espada could file an appeal, a process that would likely last much longer than the Sept 14 primary).

If you can stand the heat, the Bronx Zoo is offering discounts on certain tickets to online buyers. Zoo officials say this month's sweltering temperatures have led to a drop in attendance.

Authorities seized more than $1.5 million in cash yesterday in a huge heroin bust around the Fordham neighborhood. 

The Bronx is getting the least out of a city-wide program that places water fountains in public places, en effort to encourage residents to drink more H20 instead of sugary drinks. There's one set up every Tuesday outside Bronx Borough Hall, though other boroughs have gotten more fountains placed.

An Irish man visiting Katonah Avenue from his home in upstate New York is in a coma after he was assaulted outside of a bar. 

Two separate murders around the same intersection, within three days of one another, have one Morrisania neighborhood on edge. Troynisha Harris, an 18-year-old high school student, was stabbed to death early Saturday, and 22-year-old Fred White was found shot to death on Tuesday.

Con Edison has agreed to pay $700,000 to compensate for a 2009 explosion in Yonkers that leaked oil into the Bronx River.

Two comedians with roots in the Bronx are still in the running on NBC's reality show "Last Comic Standing."

State Dems Pushing Bronx Committee to Oust Espada, 'Complicating' Things

A letter from the State Democratic Committee asking the Bronx County Democrats to oust Senate Majoriy Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. from the party, first reported by the NY Post yesterday, has "complicated" things for Bronx Democratic leaders, who have, up until now, stayed neutral in the 33rd District senate race.

It also puts Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, the chairman of Bronx Democratic Committee, on the hot seat. If the Committee decides to act on the formal request, written by Edgard Santana, the deputy to the state Democratic party's executive director, Charlie King, Dinowitz would preside over any quasi-trial proceedings and then make a final ruling on whether Espada should remain in the party. 

"Ultimately, it's Dinowitz's decision," said Assemblyman Carl Heastie, the chairman of the Bronx committee's executive board (which makes him the borough's party boss).

Dinowitz is not taking the decision lightly. First and foremost, he says he will have to figure out whether Santana has the standing to make such a formal request. He may have to live in the district, Dinowitz said, but he's not sure. He's going to check all the party rules and by-laws before making a determination on whether to proceed or not.

"The answer is, I don't know the answer [at this point]," said Dinowitz, adding that he only received the letter this morning after first reading about it yesterday in the Post.

Espada spokesman Steve Mangione, responding to an e-mail, did not comment on the letter, but said he would get back to us with a comment as soon as possible.

Now, even if Espada is "convicted" and ousted from the party, Dinowitz said it will take time and Espada will be able to appeal any decision that is made in Bronx Supreme Court. (The Post also reported this weekend
that Espada could be facing new criminal charges for lying on a grant application for his health care clinics.)

If you've been following Bronx politics (or Espada) for the past decade, this may feel like watching re-run. 

Benjamin Considers a Run Against Serrano

Does Assemblyman Michael Benjamin want to trade Albany for Washington? Benjamin said this week that he’s leaning in the direction of a run for Congress this fall.

In a phone interview, the assemblyman said he’s still weighing his options and will make a decision in the coming weeks. Should he opt to run, Benjamin would be giving up his state Assembly post in the 79th District, where he’s been since 2003, to challenge the federal seat currently occupied by Congressman Jose E. Serrano, who’s held the position for the past two decades.

“Over the last 20 years of the congressman’s tenure the Bronx has remained [home to] the nation’s poorest congressional district,” Benjamin said of Serrano. “To me, that’s not a badge of honor.”

Benjamin said his number one priority would be to use a congressional seat to bring funding into the 16th District—which makes up large portions of the west and south Bronx—to boost the area’s economy.

Benjamin went on to praise some of Serrano’s work, like his role in funding and fighting environmental justice issues, but said it wasn’t enough.

“The congressman has done good things,” he said. “But many more Bronx residents would prefer to be working, to be able to see their families have access to good quality medical care, higher performing public schools.”

“I always believe a federal legislator has a responsibility to try to solve some of these actions,” he continued.

Patrick Jenkins, who works for Bronx Democratic Party Chairman Carl Heastie, said he’s not sure if Benjamin’s congressional ambitions are serious.

“The chairman is not convinced that there is an actual run--that Benjamin will actually be running against Congressman Serrano. Until there’s a definitive word either way, it’ll be hard to pass judgment,” Jenkins said.

“I can tell you this: the chairman unequivocally supports Congressman Serrano in an election, and would support Michael Benjamin in his re-election.”

Bronx News Roundup July 14

Judge Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings are underway and already full of controversy. Today, Sotomayor will face direct questioning about her past case rulings and public comments. Just this morning, Sotomayor admitted that she used a bad choice of words when saying that a "wise Latina woman" could reach a better conclusion than a "white man."Sotomayor went on to explain that she believes that "different life experiences" "enrich the legal system." Other issues to be discussed today include abortion, gun control and her ruling in the firefighter discrimination case. Check out the New York Times Live Blog for updates on the hearings.

In a recent article in the New York Daily News, Bob Kappstatter points out that Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. is not the only flawed member of the Bronx Democratic Party.

During the All-Star break halfway through the season, fans and players reflect on the positives and negatives of the new Yankee Stadium and Citi Field.

Tough economic times have left behind a trail of abandoned apartment buildings, many of them in the Bronx. Property owners cannot pay back their loans and apartments are falling into deplorable conditions.

Court documents recently revealed that hundreds of thousands of dollars intended for job training programs in the Bronx were diverted for unknown use in the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp. (BOEDC). Court proceedings are still going on.

Community Board 7 will vote on the redevelopment plan for the Kingsbridge Armory Tonight. For more information about the redevelopment at the Armory, view our Kingsbridge Armory Coverage Preview.

Cabrera Gets Bronx Dems Nod, Another Blow for Baez

Dr. Fernando Cabrera, a pastor for a Kingsbridge-area church and head of the Councseling department at Mercy College, continues to distinguish himself in the crowded 14th Council District race to unseat incumbent Maria Baez, as reader's of Liz Benjamin's relentless Daily Politics blog already know.

On Monday, the Working Families Party endorsed Cabrera. Then last night he was endorsed by the Bronx Democratic County Committee, who's leaders last fall overthrew former Chairman Jose Rivera, who was vigorously backed by Baez during the takeover.

This represents a huge boost for Cabrera, 44, an unpaid pastor at New Life Outreach International Church and a former member of Community Board 7. (CB7 Chairman Greg Faulkner is also a member of New Life and supports Cabrera's bid.)

Cabrera still trails fellow candidate Yudelka Tapia in fundraising as of the last reporting period on May 15. Baez is third. Former senator Israel Ruiz, who indicated he might be throwing his hat in this crowded ring, is listed as having raised more than any other District 14 candidate, but it's unclear if he's actually running or if his fundraising totals are accurate.

Yesterday, Faulkner said the endorsements show Cabrera's growing support in the community. On Memorial Day weekend, Faulkner said some 90 people showed up at a campaign meeting, which far exceeded their own expecations. He said they'd hoped to get between 20 and 30 people.

In addition to Tapia, Baez and perhaps Ruiz, other District 14 candidates include former organizer Yorman Nunez (who officially announced his candidacy yesterday), Yesenia Polanco, a former staffer for Annabel Palma and Luis Diaz, and Miguel Santana, a city consultant.

Starting June 9, all candidates must gather at least 900 valid signatures to get their names on the ballot.

The endorsements should help Cabrera in that effort. Bronx Dem Chairman Carl Heastie said in the announcement that "we look forward to working strenuously to elect him." And the Working Families Party is known for its on-the-ground campaigning efforts.

Santana, who trails all the other candidates in fund-raising, says the endorsements won't stop his underdog bid and may, in fact, help it. He said it might mean Cabrera and Baez rise to the top of the field and engage in more direct conflict.

"Maybe they go at each other and beat each other up," Santana said earlier today, "and we're able sneak in the middle."

Bronx Dems Seek Alternative to Baez

The Bronx Democratic Party is eager to see Councilmember Maria Baez (District 14) ousted this fall, but is struggling to find a viable alternative to throw its weight behind, according to an article that appeared in City Hall News last week.

Yesenia Polanco, former chief-of-staff to Councilmember Annabel Palma, was once an obvious choice, the article says, but her star seems to be waning. (More on Polanco's candidacy here.)

Daily News columnist Bob Kappstatter added to the debate on Tuesday by reporting that the party has endorsed all incumbant council members except Baez. He said Party Chairman Carl Heastie is "waiting to see which of the long list of her challengers rises to the top."

By the way, the city's Campaign Finance Board released the latest campaign filings last Friday. So far, Baez has raised more money than her nearest rivals - but only just. In the next issue of the Norwood News, there’ll be more on who’s raised what, and from whom.

Bronx News Roundup, May 4

The Daily News features a successful company in the Bronx that focuses on cleaning out the homes of hoarders.

An 84-year-old Bronx "Grandma" is one of NYC’s volunteers of the year.

Judge Sonia Sotomayor, a Bronx native, is being considered as a possible replacement for Supreme Court Justice David Souter, who announced on Friday that he will be retiring.

A new tell-all book about Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez’s alleged steroid use, A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez, hits shelves today.

The Gotham Gazette reports that the Bronx Democratic Party has announced the candidates for the two vacant State Assembly seats left by current Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and his Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene. Marcos Crespo, 28, will be their candidate to replace Diaz in the 85th Assembly District and Vanessa Gibson, 30, will be their candidate to replace Greene in the 77th Assembly District.

Audience members at the Tribeca Film Festival liked the movie “City Island,” about a troubled Bronx family, so much that it won The Heineken Audience Award, which comes with a $25,000 cash prize for writer-director Raymond De Felitta.