Bronx News Roundup, April 22

Check out our BP election post if you haven't already.

New York's new Catholic Archbishop Timothy Dolan visited the Catholic Charities food pantry in west Bronx last Friday. Bronxites were excited about the visit. One person said, "Touching him is like getting some part of Jesus. It's like a blessing. I think this is the best thing I've ever seen."

A quick report from WNYC on the NYPD's gun buy-back program, which hits the Bronx Saturday.

Keeping you updated on the latest MTA rescue plan: six upstate Democrats are balking at a payroll tax. [More from Bronx State Senator Pedro Espada on this later]

Firefighters helped save a Bronx family when their Fordham-area home ignited into flames early Tuesday morning.

Speaking of fire, a fire standpipe at a Mott Haven school complex recently failed a safety test.

And finally, a new lion cub at the Bronx Zoo is shy.

Diaz Declines Public Financing

Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Jr., who is running for Bronx borough president in an April 21 special election, has decided to forgo public financing from the NYC Campaign Finance Board despite his eligibility, according to a press release issued by Diaz' campaign last night.

"While I support and believe in the City’s campaign finance system, New Yorkers’ best interests must come first. In these tough economic times, especially while confronted with a seemingly non-competitive race for Bronx Borough President, it is my hope that returning these funds to City taxpayers will assist in the retention of jobs and the continuation of vital services," said Diaz, a 7-term assemblyman representing the 85th District. in a press release.

The Daily News, however, suggests that Diaz acted now because their own editorial board indicated they would take him to task if he accepted public money during an economic meltdown, for a race many consider to be a mere formality. The other candidate in the nonpartisan race, Anthony Ribustello, a Republican actor from the County Club neighborhood in the east Bronx, is not well known and has raised virtually no money. The NYC Campaign Finance Board's Web site does not list a single contribution for Ribustello.

We'll have interviews with both in the next issue of the Norwood News.

Update: According to Eric Friedman, spokesman for the New York City Campaign Finance Board, Diaz' was eligible for approximately $220,000 in matching funds. There's a 6-to-1 match (meaning the city kicks in $6 for every $1 raised by the candidate) on the first $87 of each contribution from city residents. "Having turned down payment, he is still eligible to receive funds at a later date; this would not be true if he had taken the funds and returned them," Friedman said in an e-mail. Also, Ribustelo has raised $200 according to the CFB. You can find the totals of the two candidates' fundraising here.

Bronx News Roundup for March 9

A month and a half after we reported that State Senator Pedro Espada does not have a district office, Boogiedowner says he still doesn’t have one and that his Senate Web page has no specific contact info and a contact form that doesn't work.

The city is still set on hiring an outside contractor to oversee the Croton Filtration Plant in Van Cortlandt Park.

Two years after a horrific fire killed 9 kids and 1 adult in Highbridge, a local school and the Fire Department are focusing on fire safety. (Check your smoke detectors, everyone!)

Nick Judd at the Riverdale Press runs down the still unsettled race for borough president.

John DeSio reports that Israel Ruiz is not running for borough president, is supporting Ruben Diaz’ bid for that job, and will himself run for Council in a growing field of candidates hoping to unseat Maria Baez in District 14.

Bronx Bohemian focuses on Ghanaians in the Bronx. (via Boogiedowner)