Bronx News Roundup, March 3

Speed roundup this morning, as we prepare for production of the Mt. Hope Monitor, our bilingual paper that covers Community Board 5. 

Bronx weather today: Sunny. Cold.

Story of the Day:
In an update of a tragic story we were following yesterday, police say Vincent Cordero stabbed his wife, Kety Sanchez, three times in the chest before dousing their University Heights apartment with gasoline and setting the room on fire, killing Sanchez and the couple's baby girl in the process. Cordero died last night after being taken to Westchester Medical Center.

Quick Hits:
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a big heroin bust that disrupted an operation that stretched from "Valentine Avenue in the Bronx to Gill Alley in Buffalo."

David Johnson, the former aide to Governor David Paterson, pleaded guilty to harassing a Bronx woman. Last year, investigators looked into whether Paterson improperly contacted her following the harassment incidents, but the former governor was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Police are looking for two men they say have robbed seven Bronx bodegas over the past two months.

In his now-Thursday Bronx column, Kappy says Boro Prez Ruben Diaz, Jr. will fight the mayor's proposal to cut all of the borough presidents' operations budgets by 24%, which spokesman John DeSio will eliminate the staffers who provide constituent services. DeSio said some 2,000 people came into the office looking for help last year. Kappy also calls out the Bronx's "Snooki" -- Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera -- for not showing up to the BP's state of the boro speech.


Naomi Defensor, who grew up in Hunts Point, will be part of the new cast of MTV's hit reality show, "The Real World," which is set in Las Vegas and debuts next week.

The Rebel Diaz Arts Collective is still going strong after its founding as a hip hop-themed community center two years ago.

80th AD Candidate Robert Giuffre on the Issues

[Ed. note: a version of this first appeared in the Norwood News print edition.]

The Norwood News and the Bronx News Network sent questionnaires to the Democratic candidates of the 80th Assembly District, which includes Morris Park, Norwood and Van Cortlandt Village. Incumbent Naomi Rivera did not respond, but her upstart challenger, 27-year-old former Obama operative Robert Giuffre, did. Below is an undedited sampling of Giuffre’s answers.

Will you serve as a full-time legislator? If not, what other jobs will you also keep?

Yes, being that the annual salary is $80,000, I believe it is only fair to work full-time and to not collect outside income that could merit a conflict of interest. I would however volunteer some of my time to help other future reform-minded candidates to help implement real change in Albany.

What can you do as a state legislator to address high unemployment in the Bronx?

Experimental job sharing is a good way to not only create jobs, but also increase quality of service. Technological unemployment combined with a lackluster economy has produced a devastatingly bad job market for young people and the recently laid off. Job sharing seems like the most logical, fool-proof option that would not only create jobs, but would also increase productivity and quality of service.

State government could also offer tax incentives to industries that provide well paying jobs to lure business to New York and The Bronx. The Bronx is strategically located within the tristate area: it is close to Manhattan, New Jersey, Westchester, Connecticut and Long Island. The strategic location, coupled with tax incentives, could lead some businesses to relocate.

Name three things you would do to reform the legislative process in Albany?

I would draft or co-sponsor legislation that would emulate the NYC Campaign Finance Program at the state level.

Budget reforms like implementing GAAP (general accepted accounting principles), a five year budget plan, and creation of an independent budget board.

I would also support reforming the member item “pork” spending practices that set up situations of “horse trading” in the legislative process. Member item money could be distributed equally to all members regardless of rank or political capital.

Bronx News Roundup, Aug. 31

With the Bronx continuing to head many "worst of" lists, Crain's wonders who will save it.

A NY Post reporter kayaks the Bronx River, and likes what she sees.

The Bronx is home to a growing number of DVD and video stores specilizing in Nigerian-made movies. The film industry there is called "Nollywood."

Councilman Jimmy Vacca is supporting a bill which would force the city to address the rising raccoon population in the outer boroughs.

In his weekly column, the Daily News' columnist Bob Kappstatter calls out Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera for skipping a televised debate. We wonder what annoys Rivera more - the criticism of her record or being called "Snooki." Kappstatter also suggests Assemblyman Carl Heastie, the Bronx Democratic party boss, is loath to endorse Gustavo Rivera in his race against State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., in case Espada retaliates by supporting Assemblyman Nelson Castro, who faces a primary opponent in Heastie-backed Hector Ramirez.

Fight Back New York, a pro-gay marriage group, has been digging up dirt on State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. 

Dan Doctoroff, the former deputy mayor and development czar, played a key role in getting several massive construction projects off the ground, including the new Yankee Stadium and Bronx Terminal Market. City Limits looks back at his legacy.

Local residents and shoppers will be able to purchase special "parking memberships" when the Botanical Garden's new 825-spot parking garage opens in 2012.

One of the men on trial for allegedly trying to blow up two Riverdale synagogues last year, ranted about his hatred for Jews in secretly-recording conversations played in court yesterday.

Fordham Prep's talented soccer team has high hopes for a strong season.

Bronx Congressmen Jose Serrano and Eliot Engel, and several of their colleagues, are currently receiving hefty taxpayer-funded pensions on top of their six-figure salaries.

From last week's Village Voice: a police officer from the 41st Precinct in the Hunts Point secretly recorded his superiors demanding that he meet a quota of arrests and summonses, something the NYPD has always denies it does. These same superiors also ordered officers to downgrade crime complaints, he claims. The revelations come on the back of a four-part series in the Voice concerning a precinct in Brooklyn and another disillusioned cop with a hidden tape recorder.

Bronx News Roundup, Aug. 24

This week, NY1 is taking readers and viewers back in time with a series called "Once Upon a Time in the Bronx." Yesterday, the station had this piece about the history of Parkchester. Today, there's this piece about Fashion Moda, a one-time gallery and performance space on Third Avenue.

A woman wanted for a murder in Connecticut 15 years ago has turned up in the Bronx.  Patty Carrion had been living in an apartment on the Grand Concourse under an assumed name.  She was arrested on Saturday when police saw her beating up her boyfriend. Her true identity came to light when they fingerprinted her.  Carrion has previously been featured on the TV show "America's Most Wanted."

A 16-year-old cyclist was seriously injured in Fordham last night when he was hit by an unlicensed driver.

In other sad news, a 17-year-old Bronx girl was hit by a train in Bronxville, Westchester, on Sunday.  She remains in a critical condition at Jacobi Medical Center.

Jury selection has resumed for the four men accused of attempting to blow up two synagogues in Riverdale last year.

The number of shooting incidents in the Bronx may be down this year, but the murder rate is up - way up.

In today's El Diario/La Prensa, State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. and challenger Gustavo Rivera tell readers why they deserve their vote.  The articles are in Spanish, and so Google Translate may come in handy (it did for me).  Unless I'm somehow missing it, it doesn't look like Daniel Padernacht was given a similar opportunity to state his case. One more observation: In his article, Espada talks up his "free freeze" bill, and says he helped keep Tolentine Senior Center and R.A.I.N Baily Senior Center open.  For the record, he had little to do with keeping these particular centers open. 

Rivera may have secured dozens of endorsements, but the Daily News' Bob Kappstatter says Espada could still be in good shape.  That and other political news in Kappstatter's weekly column.

The big labor unions supporting Rivera say the wealthy New Roosevelt Initiative, another Rivera backer, has been a little too quiet for their liking. 

Still on Espada, Attorney general candidate Kathleen Rice believes fellow candidate Eric Schneiderman has been too soft on him.  She says Schneiderman's missed "125 opportunities" to ask Espada to relinquish his majority leader position. Schneiderman, by the way, was endorsed by The New York Times at the weekend.

Roberto Perez, host of the radio show The Perez Notes, recently interviewed Robert Giuffre, who's running against Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera. Giuffre talks about ballot access, his reasons for running, and the assemblywoman's record.

Naomi Rivera To Face Primary Opponent

Robert Giuffre sent out a press release last night saying that Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera's (and lawyer Stanley Schlein's) objections against his petition signatures had been officially dropped.

Emotions ran high during a three-day courtroom battle, said Giuffre, a 27-year-old John Jay College graduate and a Morris Park resident.

He added:

I know it is hard to believe, but I was more peeved about the awful ballot access process than my own individual campaign. I admit I probably would never have cared this much about the issue if I weren't personally involved, but the process is obviously intended to keep outsiders away from mounting challenges. Although I made the ballot – eventually – many people who would of made good candidates did not, and that is wrong. Marcy Gross, Irene Estrada, and Julio Munoz [other potential Democratic primary candidates in the 80th District] all did not make it to the official ballot – and they all are excellent, qualified candidates. Even though insiders exposed to the process understandably accept the reality for what it is, the ballot access process in New York needs to change.

Gross, for one, was furious about getting kicked off. You can read about her experiences here.

PHOTO: Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera

Bronx News Roundup, July 27

A new study of health violations at sports stadiums across the country found New York among the worst offenders. At Yankee Stadium this year, 48 percent of vendors were cited for unsanitary conditions.

The number of rapes in the Bronx is on the rise, while funding for rape crisis and counseling programs is being cut dramatically.

The tragic deaths of two teens who drowned in the Bronx River this month shouldn't keep residents from enjoying River Park, says Daily News columnist Patrice O'Shaughnessy, who called the park "one of the most beautiful places in the Bronx."

Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera is challenging the petitions of her primary challengers. This and more Bronx political gossip in Bob Kappstatter's weekly column.

A 23-year-old man was shot to death yesterday in Olinville, adding to what's been a rise in the number of homicides in the 47th Precinct. 

A group of women in the south Bronx say the process of applying for welfare is so discouraging that some opt to go without the assistance they need.

Movie on Mosholu

Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera, in conjunction with Montefiore Medical Center and Beth Abraham Family of Health Services, is sponsoring a free screening of the film, “Transformers” on Mosholu Parkway (between Van Cortlandt and Bainbridge avenues), tomorrow at 8:30 p.m., preceded by a free blood pressure screening at 7 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, call Rivera’s office at (718) 409-0109. Other sponsors of the series include Cablevision, BRONXNET, and the Bronx Council on the Arts.

Agosto Won't Challenge Rivera

Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera has one more reason to enjoy herself this holiday weekend. Kenny Agosto, a district leader in Rivera’s 80th Assembly District, has decided not to try to unseat her in the Democratic primary this fall.

Agosto, a founder of the Liberty Democratic Association, said a run this year was “not financially viable.”

“I’m a progressive, but also a pragamatist,” he told us. “I don’t want to waste people’s time.” 

Agosto, who has been mulling a run for months, said he'd consider vying for the seat again in two years. 

Term Limit "Debate" Breaks Out at Community Board Meeting

Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz started it off at the monthly meeting of Community Board 7 at Scott Tower in Bedford Park by first denouncing Mayor Bloomberg's plan to consolidate (or, as Dinowitz would say, close) senior centers throughout the five boroughs.

Speaking to a crowd of about 50 seniors, board members, meeting regulars, elected officials and politico staffers (a guy from Comptroller and mayoral hopeful Bill Thompson's staff was there, for example), Dinowitz then went on to say he also opposed the mayor's push to extend term limits without a referendum from the people, saying the people voted to enforce term limits twice (in 1993 and 1996) and should have the opportunity to do it again.

As Dinowitz began, Council majority leader Joel Rivera and his older sister Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera walked into the room. Joel, who supports the mayor's effort, took the mic next and offered his rebuttal, calling the term limits struggle "The Battle of the Benefactors," a reference to Bloomberg and fellow billionaire Ronald S. Lauder (the cosmetics heir who bankrolled the first two referendums). He then said he supported the mayor's bill because it prevents "the incapability of the voters to vote for who they want to vote for." He added that if the incumbents aren't doing their job, the voters can always "kick the bums out!"

While Naomi decided not to weigh in on the matter, later in the meeting, Kenny Agosto, the male district leader in Naomi's 80th assembly district (who is on the outs with the Rivera clan after he backed the Bronx Democratic rebellion, led by Dinowitz, among others), made a passionate speech about why the council should vote against the term limits, citing how leaders have been replaced in times of tremendous hardship in the past (like how Bloomberg replaced Giuliani shortly after 9/11).

Joel encouraged people to come down to City Hall for the coming council vote on Thursday, saying it would should be a pretty raucous affair and a chance to see "the democratic process in action."

Fun Happenings in the West Bronx this Weekend

There are some great outdoor activities happening in the Bronx this weekend:

Free Movie at Williambsbridge Oval
Friday, June 27 at 7:45pm
Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera is hosting a free movie at the Williamsbridge Oval (entrance is on Bainbridge Avenue and Reservoir Oval). Tonight's showing is "Daddy Day Care," featuring Eddie Murphy. For a full listing of the movies, concerts, and festivals being sponsored by the Assemblywoman's office click here.

SaRon Crenshaw Blues Band at Drew Gardens
Saturday, June 28 at 8pm (suggested contribution is $10)
On Saturday, the Bronx River Art Center is offering its third and final concert as part of the Bronx River Sounds June Performing Arts Festival. Drew Gardens is located on E. Tremont across from the Bronx River Art Center (1087 E. Tremont Ave between Boston Road and E. 177th Street). The performance will feature original songs and classic blues covers from SaRon Crenshaw, an old school blues player. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held at the Bronx River Art Center.

Bronx News Roundup for Sept. 26

According to the Village Voice, Highbridge residents are unimpressed with their new park, a temporary replacement for the much-loved Macombs Dam Park which was destroyed to make way for the new Yankee Stadium.

On WNYC New York Public Radio, this morning, State Senator José M. Serrano defended new DMV policies which will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for New York State driver's licenses. Listen here.

Bronx Democratic boss Assemblyman Jose Rivera, and his daughter, Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera, were in China earlier his month, with Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith. The delegation was looking at ways to encourage foreign trade, says the Associated Press.

The Bronx Institute for Career Training and Development, on Ogden Avenue, has been charged with selling fake certificates to unqualified home-health-care aides.

A man is dead and three people are injured following three separate shootings.