Fernando Cabrera's Mailers

Fernando Cabrera's mailers

Here's some hard-hitting mailers sent out last week by Fernando Cabrera's campaign to voters in the 14th District. As you can see, as the primary nears (it's tomorrow) Cabrera and his people have been really going after Councilwoman Maria Baez and her record.

The second one down seems to be reply of sorts to something Baez put out - something about Caberea's Republican past and his house in Westchester, no doubt. Does anyone have this mailer? Or any others for that matter, from Baez, Cabrera or Yudelka Tapia. If so, please send them to bronxnewsnetwork[@]gmail.com.

Thanks to the reader who sent the above ones in. To enlarge the text, click on the v in the top right hand corner.

Tapia in for August 31st Debate for Council District 14

Candidate Yudelka Tapia has confirmed that she will participate in the televised debate we are sponsoring on BronxTalk (Bronxnet, Channel 67), scheduled for the night of August 31. One of her opponents, Fernando Cabera, is also officially on board. Incumbent Maria Baez has also been invited.

Bronx News Roundup, August 11

The Daily News examines a number of questionable issues in the race for the 14th district City Council.

This Saturday and Sunday, Dexter Gardiner and the Gardiner Family Foundation will host the fourth annual Gardiner Memorial Basketball Classic Tournament at St. James Park.

The Bronx Parks Department has come under fire from the Outsiders, a Bronx youth baseball team, for not providing regular maintenance for baseball fields.

Teddy Ferrer, an employee of Tuff City, a store in the Bronx that combines graffiti, tattooing and a music studio, was recently interviewed by the New York Times about his graffiti and tattooing skills.

Police are investigating a possible series of hate crimes against West African Muslims in the Claremont neighborhood of the Bronx.

As if obtaining the position of Senate majority leader was not enough of a reward to end Pedro Espada Jr.'s June coup of the Senate, now Espada Jr.'s son will fill the newly created position as "deputy director of intergovernmental relations." Pedro G. Espada, a former city councilman, will earn $120,000 a year working for the Senate.

Yesterday, the MTA released a new $28 billion, five year plan to improve the New York City bus and subway systems. Included in the plan is the renovation of four subway stations along the 6 line in the Bronx.

BoogieDowner blogger, Erin Cicalese, contacted Community Board 7 about removing unsightly graffiti on a WWI monument on Mosholu Parkway and succeeded in getting help to clean up the monument. The New York Daily News covers Cicalese's story here.

The New York Dormitory Authority plans to spend $637 million on the construction of buildings for public and private universities and nonprofit health care facilities in the Bronx.

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."

Baez To Hold Fundraiser

The no-longer term limited Maria Baez is moving quickly in her bid to be relected. We hear she's holding her first campaign fundrasier tonight, just seven short days after the City Council voted to overhaul term limits.

As we mentioned previously, Baez could be in for a tough fight.

Term Limits Extension Doesn't Deter Candidates Running for Baez's Seat

On Nov. 4, America will elect a new president. Also that day: several hugely uncompetitive Assembly and State Senate elections in the Bronx. We'll ignore them for now, and instead look ahead at what is shaping up to be a fascinating City Council race in District 14 (which covers much of the west Bronx).

Yesterday we spoke to Fernando Cabrera, who assumed, like everyone else, that he'd be running for an empty seat. As of last week, that now looks unlikely: the no longer term-limited Maria Baez will probably seek another four years.

Cabrera, a pastor and college professor, said he was "a bit disappointed" about the term limit extension, but having Baez involved hasn't scared him off. "We're moving forward [with the campaign]" he said. "There is a need, a vacuum of leadership in District 14. This is an exiting time for someone to come in and make a difference."

Hector Ramirez, Yudelka Tapia, and (possibly) Haile Rivera are also running. So far only Tapia and Cabrera have campaign Web sites.

Cabrera says the term limits change has probably hurt Tapia the most because she was banking on the support of Jose Rivera, the party chairman, who will now likely back Baez, his former chief of staff. (We haven't heard from Tapia, but Jorge Javier, of "Friends of Yudelka Tapia," insists she hasn't gone away. "Yudelka Tapia's campaign is still going and she still plans on running for City Council in District 14," he wrote in an e-mail on Friday.)

It could be that Rivera's support no longer matters: all but one of the State Senate and Assembly candidates he backed in September's primaries were defeated. Moreover, he's struggling to keep his leadership position. But, with Baez in, Tapia's campaign has probably taken an early hit.

Cabrera says he's staying out of party's leadership fight. "So far, I have taken a neutral stand," he said. "I haven't made any enemies." He said he'd welcome the endorsement of whoever wins, but that the success of his campaign doesn't depend on it, because he has a strong base, with grassroots support from churches and community groups. "I'm the only one who's truly independent," he said.

For the moment, we won't touch too heavily on what the candidates say they'd do in office. But if you're interested, visit Tapia and Cabrera's Web sites. We'll link to the others when they're up. Ramirez's is "under construction" - unless www.hectorramirez.com is for the mixed martial artist of the same name.

One piece of additional gossip: We hear that Ramirez, a district leader who's sided with the Rainbow Rebels against Rivera, once worked for Tapia, but at some stage they had a big falling out.

Fernando Cabrera also running in District 14

As several readers have pointed out, Fernando Cabrera, founder and pastor of New Life Outreach International Church (and many other things), is also running for the City Council seat in District 14.

I neglected to mention him in the original post, which was, as someone pointed out, a "huge over site." Cabrera's filed with the Campaign Finance Board, but it doesn't specify which seat he's after - hence the mistake. He does, however, have a campaign Web site (thanks to anonymous for the link) and is clearly in the running in the 14th, unless yesterday's term limits decision, and the likelihood that Maria Baez will seek another four years, has put him off. (I've left a message with the church. If and when I hear back I'll post his thoughts.)

For the record, we've mentioned Cabrera's desire to run on several prior occasions. See here, here, and here. It wasn't my intention to ignore such as "substantial factor," as one reader called him.

Cabrera's inclusion certainly makes things interesting. Baez will have her work cut out if see wants to keep the seat, especially if her biggest supporter, Party Chairman Jose Rivera, is ousted.

One more quick point. We love your comments - especially the ones that point out our mistakes - but please sign your name, even if it's just a first name. It creates a more open dialogue, and that's what we want here.

Anyway, I thought I'd post the comments readers left on the original post more prominently. Here they are:

A huge over site in this article is another candidate for District 14, community leader and Pastor Dr. Fernando Cabrera, who indeed has launched a campaign to run for District 14. Dr. Cabrera has also launched a website (www.fernandocabrera.us) and is currently on his way to raising the funds for his campaign. This is a crucial over site in that his influence and service in the community is quite possibly something that will allow him to become a crucial candidate for this up and coming election. From what I have observed not only does he complete projects within his community as a pastor in service to the community, but he has a strong backing of leadership behind him who get things done. His congregation continues to thrive as well as his connections and influence among other congregations in the Bronx area. I would check out his website... - Anonymous

I agree Dr. Cabrera has been working and reaching out to the community for the last 20 years. It's time for a change and to bring Dr. Cabrera, to take over this community. I encourage everyone to visit fernandocabrera.us and read it for yourself. SUPPORT DR. CABRERA! - Anonymous

Everybody knows Pastor Cabrera around our way. He hooks up with a synagogue every year to clean up our park and plant bulbs for the spring. He's also headed up lots of community concerts for youth, giving the neighborhood kids games, toys, bikes and even basketball courts. He's always fighting to bring good things in our community.. Fighting to bring youth centers and media labs and stuff like that. If he's running, then He's got my vote.. Thanks to Anonymous for the link.. Im going to check out that website now. - Manuel from the Bx

Like a lot of things with politics this article is missing the important issues and important pieces. It is missing one of the “the up-and-comers,” Dr. Cabrera. Dr Fernando Cabrera has been a pillar in the community where he Pastors. Since he has been there he and the people who he has behind him have worked tirelessly in effecting change to the community. The drug dealers who once owned the corners have moved away. He has organized a rally to acquire the old Fordham Library, and he is involved with the renovations of the neighborhood parks. I really don’t know how this article could miss out such an substantial factor of the 2009 election. Check out www.FernandoCabrera.us and see for yourself. - Anonymous