Bronx News Roundup, Dec. 28

Police have arrested a man in connection with the murder of Betty Williams, a Bronx woman whose body was found stuffed inside a suitcase on a Harlem Street on Dec. 22. Hassan Malik has confessed to the crime, but claims Williams attacked him first, the police say. 

Police are still hunting for the boyfriend of a Kingsbridge Heights woman who was murdered back in August. Consumed by a jealous rage, Hector Ramirez allegedly stabbed Elia Zamora to death as their young son looked on. The case was recently featured on America's Most Wanted.

A 20-year-old Harlem man was shot dead in Williamsbridge on Sunday night.

PS 83 recently donated 500 lbs of food to the 49th Precinct's annual food drive.

Syracuse and Kansas State are gearing up for the inaugural Pinstripe Bowl football game at Yankee Stadium this Thursday. Syracuse's coach, Doug Marrone, grew up in the Bronx and attended Lehman High School, so the game is a homecoming of sorts. Yankees president Randy Levine says the match-up could boost the city's economy by $30 million.

Critics of the Croton Water Filtration Plant being built in Van Cortlandt Park say they're not surprised by allegations of corruption. One contractor plead guilty to fraud last month. Another is under investigation.

Riverdale (and everywhere else for that matter) was hit hard by Sunday's snowstorm, as these photos on  the Riverdale Press' website illustrate. Click here for photos BxNN readers sent in. State Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr., meanwhile, has slammed Mayor Bloomberg and the city's lacklustre clean-up effort.

Assemblyman Castro Reflects on 'Great Victory'

Assemblyman Nelson Castro on primary day (Photo: Alma Watkins)

Last Tuesday, Assemblyman Nelson Castro fought off a primary challenge from Hector Ramirez, a district leader who'd received the support of the Bronx Democratic Party, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., and all the big unions.

In what was the tightest race in the borough, Castro secured 54 percent of the vote to Ramirez's 46, giving him a 269 vote victory margin.

While the certified results won't be released until all the absentee and affidavit ballots have been counted, and the voting machines re-canvassed, Ramirez has already called Castro to congratulate him. (The Board of Elections is expected to have these numbers tomorrow.)

Reached by phone yesterday, Castro was in high spirits. "I feel great. It's a great victory," he said. "Now going back to Albany I have a lot of expectations. I'm not a freshman anymore and so I should be able to ask for more and deliver more for my district."

Castro, who pulled in few endorsements himself, put his victory down to voters knowing him, liking him, and recognizing what he's done in the community.

While his opponent focused on attacking him (mailers were sent to voters reminding them of Castro's checkered past), Castro says he was out there talking to people.

"We put strategy over theatrics. All the negative stuff they did, they did to cover up the fact that he [Ramirez] hasn't done anything in the community," Castro said.

Sherman Browne, a primary opponent of Heastie's in 2008, and a former aide to ex-Councilwoman Maria Baez, worked on Castro's campaign and said they successfully identified his supporters and then made sure they voted. "We took a personal approach," Browne said.

Said Castro: "I myself even went out and picked up a couple of older ladies and drove them to the polls."

On primary night, Ramirez held what was supposed to be a victory party at a small restaurant on East Tremont Avenue. In the end, though, it was a rather somber occasion. With most precincts counted, the results favored Castro.

"I just want to say to Hector, no matter what happens tonight, you have always been my friend, and for that I will always be your friend," said Diaz in a brief speech.

He continued: "When it's all said and done, if you ask me as leader of this borough would I do it again, Yes! Yes! Yes!"

"Whatever happens tonight, I am not going to move from the District 86," said Ramirez. "I'm going to continue to fight to improve the quality of life for the people that live in the District 86, and the Bronx, and New York State."

Heastie added: "We need to give Hector a lot of credit, he ran tremendous race. It's tough to beat and incumbent, incumbency is a powerful tool."

Castro, who said he's spoken with Heastie and is now looking to move forward without "animosity," is holding a "community victory celebration" at the Luna Lounge on Webster Avenue this Sunday.

Candidates Hit Up Senior Centers, Campaign for Last Minute Votes

Espada near PS 33, a busy polling site. In the background is one of his bodyguards (Photos: James Fergusson)

The elderly typically vote in large numbers, and so most candidates running for election (or reelection) penciled in visits to local senior centers today.

At around 1 p.m., Senate candidate Gustavo Rivera and Councilman Fernando Rivera, who's endorsed him, spoke to seniors at Morris Senior Center on East 181st Street.

Rivera, seniors said afterwards, is a relatively new face at the center, unlike his opponent, State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. who's well known. "He [Espada] comes around, he shakes your hand, a lot of people are swayed by that," said one 80-year-old woman, who was quick to say that she, personally, "cannot stand him, because of all the things they're saying in the [news]papers."

Rivera at East Concourse Senior Center

About an hour later, at East Concourse Senior Center on East Tremont Avenue, Cabrera and Rivera repeated their message, interrupting a game of bingo in the process. "I'm here to introduce you to the man who's going to be your next state senator," said Cabrera. "We need an honest man, not crooked politicians." Then he added: "This man is going to help me bring money into this senior center."

Rivera told the group of about 60: "The main difference between my opponent and me is simple. I want to work for you. I want to be accountable to you."

For local senior Dina Alverez, Cabrera's and Rivera's message fell on deaf ears: she'd already voted, and for Espada. "I know he has a lot of problems, but I like Espada," she said. "When he talks to you, he listens to you and your problems. You can't believe all you read in the papers."

Mary Kelly, another senior, seemed bored by the whole spectacle. "People [candidates] all basically say the same thing, 'cos they know what you want to hear," she said. She voted this morning but wouldn't say for whom.

When Cabrera and Rivera were done, the bingo continued - for a minute or two. Then Hector Ramirez showed up. Ramirez, who's running against Assemblyman Nelson Castro in the 86th Assembly District, gave a brief speech, before stepping outside and talking to local residents. He got chatting to one woman, who, during her walk up the block, had been given several campaign fliers - one of Ramirez's, one of Rivera's, and one of Castro's. Smiling, Ramirez gently removed Castro's from her hand and discarded it.

In the West Bronx, Assemblyman Castro Faces a Well-Backed Opponent

Assemblyman Nelson Castro (right) at a tenant rally last month (Photo: Alma Watkins)

It's gearing up to be one of the most competitive races in the Bronx. No, not Pedro Esapda vs. Gustavo Rivera - although that's expected to be close, too. Rather, Nelson Castro vs. Hector Ramirez.

Castro, the assemblyman in the 86th AD (Mount Hope, University Heights, and parts of Fordham), has his work cut out. Ramirez, a Mount Hope resident who runs a small accountancy firm on Davidson Avenue, is being backed by just about everyone with clout (the Bronx borough president, the Bronx Democratic Party, the Work Families Party, and several unions with large local memberships).

It means Castro is in an unusual position for an uncumbent - that of the underdog.

“This is maybe the battle of David and Goliath,” said Castro in a recent interview. “[But] you know the end of the story, David prevails.”

Castro says he's well known and liked in the community, and that Ramirez, despite being a district leader since 2002, is rarely seen or heard.

During a tour of a rundown, rat-infested apartment building on Creston Avenue last month, Castro caught a reporter's attention and whispered, “Where is my opponent when things like this happen?”

Hector Ramirez campaigning in Fordham last month (Photo: James Fergusson)

Ramirez, for his part, says Castro, who has a poor attendance record at Assembly sessions in Albany, is inherently lazy, and that he's failed to build relationships with his colleagues. (Castro has his own thoughts on why his colleagues have shunned him.)

“We need somebody that has the respect of other elected officials and institutions so they feel comfortable working with that person,” says Fernando Aquino, a political operative who's working on Ramirez's campaign. “That’s not the case with Nelson Castro.”

Assemblyman Nelson Castro on the Issues

A couple of weeks ago, the BxNN asked Assemblyman Nelson Castro (86th AD) and his primary opponent, Hector Ramirez, to answer a series of questions about their political beliefs, and what they might do if elected (or reelected in Castro's case). Castro's campaign got back to us with answers, but Ramirez's didn't.

Candidates running for office in the 33rd Senate District (note: Tirado and Padernacht have dropped out) and the 80th Assembly district have filled out similar questionnaires.

Here, unedited, is what Castro had to say:

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

Since being elected in 2008 I have served as a full time legislator and I will continue to serve full time if re-elected. My job as the Assemblyman is not a part-time declaration, but a daily commitment and full time determination to represent the views, values and interest of the people in my community.

32BJ Endorses Assembly Candidate Hector Ramirez

Hector Ramirez (center), pictured here talking with local residents in a Mount Hope bodega yesterday, has picked up several important endorsements

Here's a mini-exclusive: 32BJ SEIU, the largest private-sector union in the state, has endorsed Hector Ramirez in his race against Nelson Castro, the incumbent assemblyman in the 86th Assembly District.

In a statement, the union said the endorsement "follows an extensive membership-screening process, in which Ramirez received overwhelming support from members for his commitment to affordable housing, creating good jobs and economic development."

Mike Fishman, 32BJ's president, said in the same release: “Through his work in the community, Hector Ramirez has shown a strong commitment to working people. 32BJ is proud to get behind candidates like Ramirez who will make New York a state that works for working people.”

The union represents security officers, doormen, porters, maintenance workers, bus drivers, window cleaners and food service workers, among others.

Ramirez has also received endorsements from the Bronx Democratic Party, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., the Working Families Party and others.

Another powerful union, 1199 SEIU, is also expected to back him.

We've been following this race closely and will have more in the coming days.

'Castro Care' Coming to the West Bronx

Move over ObamaCare.

Assemblyman Nelson Castro is hosting a spate of health fairs - called "Castro Care" - in his west Bronx district this month. 

According to a press release, the fairs will teach local residents about the importance of healthy eating and preventative health care measures. Registered nurses will also be on site checking constituents’ blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol levels.

The first fair was held last week, but the main kick off event is today at West Burnside Avenue near Davidson Avenue from 5 to 7:30 p.m.  The other days, times and locations are as follows:

• July 9, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., Creston Avenue at East Fordham Road
• July 16, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., Echo Place at Grand Concourse
• July 18, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Holy Spirit Church, 1940 University Ave.
• July 22, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., East Fordham Road at Jerome Avenue
• July 23, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., East Burnside Avenue at Walton Avenue
• July 25, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Our Lady of Mercy, 2496 Marion Ave.
• July 29, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., 174th Street at Morris Avenue
• July 30, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., University Avenue at West Tremont Avenue

For more information, call Castro's district office at (718) 933-6909.

Just to add some context, this is the first time Castro has organized such an extensive series of summer health fairs. No doubt they will help boost his visibility in the community at an important time. In September he's expected to face a tough primary challenge from Hector Ramirez, a district leader who's been endorsed by the Bronx Democratic Party. Here are their respective campaign websites:  http://www.castro2010.com/ and http://www.hectorramirez.us/.

File photo of Assemblyman Nelson Castro by Alma Watkins

Bronx News Roundup, Feb. 23

Here's some Bronx-related news from the past few days:

The city has nixed plans to move a controversial charter school into Alfred E. Smith High School, which is being phased out. See here and here.

A teenager from the Philippines is recovering in Montefiore Children's Hospital following 18-hours of spine surgery, aimed at helping him walk again.

Residents of Edgewater Park and Silver Beach Gardens, two communities in the East Bronx, are defending themselves against allegations that they tried to stop black families from moving in.

On Sunday night, police in Melrose shot dead a mentally-disturbed man who they say was attacking his mother with frying pan.

The wife of a Fordham man shot dead by police in December 2008 is suing the city for $285 million. Police say Alex Figueroa, 40, was wielding a baseball bat and refused orders to drop it. Sandra Rodriguez disputes this account. She says her husband was confronting a group of men who had harassed their daughter, but that he never threatened the cops.

Two Bronx subway stations, 161st Street-Yankee Stadium and 3rd Avenue-149th Street, are to be renovated.

Police are hunting for a Bronx woman following a hit-and-run in Brooklyn early Sunday morning.

Assemblyman Nelson Castro and Hector Ramirez, a district leader who's expected to challenge Castro in September's Democratic primary, are both after Democratic party boss Carl Heastie's support. If joint turkey giveaways are any indication, Ramirez's already has Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.'s backing.

A subsidiary of Montefiore Medical Center has received $5 million in federal stimulus money to train 1,350 health care aides.

St. Barnabas Hospital has scrapped plans to relocate a health clinic of theirs despite numerous problems with the building, including the presence of lead and asbestos. (The article in Spanish. To translate, copy and paste into here.)

The Cross Bronx Expressway is home to the worst bottleneck in the country.  But there's good news too: vehicles' average speed has increased from 9.8 mph three years ago, to a not-quite-so-sluggish 11.4 mph.

Bronx News Roundup, Jan. 29

Happy Friday everyone! Breaking news alert: It's cold! According to weather.com, it's about 19 degrees in the Bronx this morning, but should warm up to a balmy 25 sometime this afternoon. As my wife said this morning: "But it looks so nice out."

Anyway, on to the news.

Let the games begin in the 86th Assembly district where embattled incumbent Nelson Castro finds himself up against Democratic party-backed challenger and district leader Hector Ramirez. City Hall reporter Andrew Hawkins starts his story off with: "Nelson Castro is in trouble."

But Castro's not backing down and says there is nothing to the Bronx DA's investigation into charges that he lied under oath while testifying in connection with a voter fraud case in 2008 (when it was discovered that nine voters claimed Castro's apartment as their residence.)

Here's James Fergusson's 2008 story on Castro. Here's the Norwood News' story on Ramirez's challenge.

In other news:

Four bear cubs rescued in Alaska made their debut at the Bronx Zoo.

State Senate Democrats, including Bronx pols Jeff Klein and Pedro Espada, are pressuring Gov. David Paterson to collect taxes on cigarettes sold on Indian Reservations. To demonstrate how this issue affects local commerce, the Daily News reports that Espada had an aide go buy two packs of Newports for $10 (with taxes one pack of smokes in NYC is about $10). The question on smokers' minds: which bodega did they go to?

The Daily News reports that state investigators have found "credible evidence" that a 14-year-old boy was sexually assaulted at Bronx Children's Psychiatric Center.

Hector Ramirez to Challenge Nelson Castro in 86th

PHOTO: Last night in University Heights, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. handed out turkeys with District Leader Hector Ramirez.

District Leader Hector Ramirez is actively drumming up support for a 2010 run against 86th District Assemblyman Nelson Castro, the Norwood News has learned.

Though Ramirez has yet to make an official announcment, two sources close to Ramirez who requested anonymity, said that Ramirez was working to position himself for a run at Castro's seat, which he will have to defend come next election season.

The sources also said that if Ramirez does run, he will enjoy the backing of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., who was influential in Fernando Cabrera's upset primary victory over incumbent Council member Maria Baez in September.

Last night, Ramirez looked the part of campaigning candidate (see above picture) as he handed out Thanksgiving turkeys to local residents with Diaz in University Heights.

Diaz spokesperson John DeSio would only say that the borough president has handed out a lot of turkeys (some 4,000, DeSio says) and that it was Ramirez who brought the gigantic banner that prominently features both Ramirez and Diaz, Jr. Clearly, Diaz, Jr. didn't object to the photo op. But for now, DeSio said he couldn't comment further.

In August of 2008, when Castro's predecessor, Luis Diaz, left his position and took a job with Gov. David Paterson, the Bronx Democratic County Committee passed over Ramirez, a long-time party loyalist, and chose Castro, a relative new face in Bronx politics, to fill the vacancy. Many, including Luis Diaz and Castro himself, were surprised by the decision made by then-Democratic County boss Jose Rivera.

In the end, Castro, a former registered Republican who moved to the Bronx from Washington Heights a few years ago, became the first Dominican assemblyman from the Bronx, not Ramirez. (For more on Castro, read this story from the Mount Hope Monitor.)

But now, with Rivera out and Assemblyman Carl Heastie running the County party, it looks like we could be in for a serious fight between Democratic rivals in the 86th.

Stay tuned.

Bronx News Roundup: Tuesday, Nov. 18

[See update at the bottom of this post]
It's getting chilly on Bronx streets in more ways than just the temperature.

Early Monday morning in Bedford Park, police discovered a man, described as being in his 30s, shot in the stomach. Medics took him to St. Barnabas, but he was pronounced Dead on Arrival. Police say the investigation is ongoing. The Post has a small blurb about it in its Daily Blotter.

A man has been arrested in connection with a shooting on Morris Avenue (near the Cross Bronx Expressway) that left a 17-year-old girl dead and two other teenagers wounded. Late Sunday night, Brandin Santiago was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

The Daily News picked up the Norwood News' story about how the city's Dept. of Health is going to turn the old Fordham Library into an animal shelter. Here's the Norwood News story about it.

Speaking of the Health Dept., the agency has created a Web site where residents can track rat infestations and how they're being dealt with. Here's the Web site: https://gis.nyc.gov/doh/rip/.
Enjoy.

The city says it was all a big understanding that led them to build a new school on a contaminated site in Mott Haven.

Speaking of Mott Haven contamination, residents in that area are complaining that a toxic sludge is mucking up an abandoned railway.

Fordham University and Albert Einstein Medical School are teaming up to help strengthen their science and medical programs.

And for dessert, Daily New Borough Chief Bob Kappstatter's political gossip column. He says Assemblyman Jose Rivera has the Bronx Democratic party running a budget deficit; District Leader Hector Ramirez, Luis Diaz's hand-picked successor in the 86th Assembly District, says he was betrayed by two lawyers associated with Rivera's County leadership. (Rivera's man, Nelson Castro, ended up winning the seat.) And he gives Councilman Jimmy Vacca a pass for voting in favor of a term limits extension (after he initially opposed it) because he says Vacca received some concessions for his district from the mayor.

[Update, 3:32 p.m. Thanks to Mr. Kappstatter for clearing up this last tidbit, which I misinterpretted earlier. It wasn't that Vacca received any concessions from Mayor Bloomberg for voting in favor of the term limits extension. But he could have lost some valuable goodies for his district if he didn't support the measure. It's a subtle, but substanative difference. The question remains: was it a smart move and what exactly did he protect? I think we'll see how some of this plays out during the fight over the mayor's plan to consolidate neighborhood senior centers. Vacca and others in the Bronx (like Oliver Koppell) who voted for the term limits extension have voiced their opposition to the plan. Will Bloomberg back off or roll right over them?]

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.

Term Limits and City Council District 14

The City Council will decide at 2 p.m. tomorrow whether or not to extend term limits, after a last ditch effort to derail the vote failed. The latest count by NY1 has 18 council members favoring an extension, 23 against, and 10 undecided. But supporters and opponents of the bill say Speaker Christine Quinn (who supports an extension) wouldn’t have scheduled the vote unless she was confident of securing a majority.

Here in the west Bronx, a “yes” vote would allow Council member Maria Baez (District 14) to run again, and potentially serve another four years. Baez says she’s in favor of an extension because it would “give an opportunity for members like myself to finish projects."

Predictably, the up-and-comers eyeing her seat (which under current laws would become vacant at the end of 2009) see things differently.

“I don’t think you can change them because one person wants to stay in power,” said Hector Ramirez, in reference to Mayor Bloomberg. “If you want a change you have to go again to the people [for a referendum]. If people say yes, then ok, but not because of one person.”

Ramirez, currently a district leader, is one of three individuals in the 14th District to have filed financial disclosure forms with the city’s Campaign Finance Board - the others being Yudelka Tapia and Haile Rivera. All are of Dominican origin. Never before has there been a Bronx council member from the DR.

Reached by phone earlier this week, Rivera, a community activist who suspended his campaign in June to work as field organizer for the Obama's campaign, argued against a term limit extension, saying the wishes of New Yorkers should be respected. “Twice they voted against extending them,” he said. “These votes should count, otherwise what’s the point in voting?”

Tapia didn’t respond to phone messages seeking her term limit position. But she's probably playing close attention: in many ways, her City Council campaign is further along than the others. She’s the only candidate, for example, with a campaign Web site.

According to her online biography, Tapia's a senior auditor for the city, the president of The Great Alliance Democratic Club, a Bronx State Committee member, and a tenants’ rights advocate, among other things. Politically, she's more experienced than both Rivera and Ramirez, having run for the same City Council seat in 2001, and then the 86th Assembly seat in 2002 (both unsuccessfully).

Unlike her rivals, who are supporting Carl Heastie and the "Rainbow Rebels" in their efforts to de-throne Party Chairman Jose Rivera, Tapia hasn’t taken sides – at least not publicly. One elected official told me she’s fence-sitting. But she's clearly close to the party boss, or has been in the past. In a July press release, sent out in support of Assembly candidate and fellow Dominican Nelson Castro (who defeated the Rebel-backed Mike Soto in September's primary), Tapia praised Rivera, citing his willingness to reach across racial boundaries – the very thing the Rebels say he’s failed to do. Her release said: “Mr. Rivera and other Puerto Rican Democratic Leaders in The Bronx have always acknowledged the contributions and rights of the Dominican community."

Tapia, then, could be in a tough spot. If term limits are extended (as looks likely) and Jose Rivera is ousted (also likely), she could end up facing an incumbent (Baez), as well as a candidate (either Ramirez or Haile Rivera) with backing from the party's new leadership.

Haile Rivera, it should be said, says he’s unsure if he’ll revive his campaign when he returns to the Bronx. “At the moment I’m focusing 110 percent on Obama,” he said. (So things are looking pretty good for Ramirez, as it stands.)

Of course, there’s still a long was to go: the election isn't until November 2009. But tomorrow’s term limit vote, and the outcome of the Bronx leadership battle, will play an important role in deciding District 14’s next council member.

Other term limit news: As we reported earlier, Adolfo Carrion, the borough president and former District 14 council member, has dropped his support for a term-limit extension, after billionaire Ronald Lauder told The Times the extension should only apply to council members currently serving their second term.