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.

Percussion Group at Poe Park

Take the kids over to Poe Park this morning for a show by percussion group Mundos Ninos. It starts at 10:30 next to the park's bandstand, at East 192nd Street and the Grand Concourse. The show is one of several children's events sponsored by the CityParks Foundation.

National Weather Service: Tornado Hit the Bronx

For the first time in more than 30 years, a tornado hit the Bronx on Sunday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. The Riverdale Press reports that the eye of the storm centered around north Riverdale, but effects were felt throughout the north Bronx, including Williamsbridge Oval Park (pictured above) and Mosholu Parkway (pictured below), where police used a truck to push a tree off the road. If you know of any other downed trees causing problems in your neighborhood, send in photos and we'll follow up with city agencies.

WNYC to Feature the Bronx

On Tuesday, July 27, WNYC will feature the Bronx as part of Brian Lehrer's Census Project.  Between 11am - 12noon, Lehman College Professor WIlliam Bosworth, former borough president Fernando Ferrer, BronxTalk host Gary Axelbank, and Miquela Crator of Sustainable South Bronx will be discussing how the Bronx has changed over the past 10 years.  http://beta.wnyc.org/shows/bl/2010/jul/27/


The show can be heard on 820AM, 93.9FM, or streamed live at www.wnyc.org.

BxNN Presents: The 33rd Senate District Candidates On the Issues (Part 5)

The Bronx News Network recently asked candidates in 33rd District senate race to answer, in writing, a number of questions which we hope will shed light on where they stand politically, their position on key issues in the community, and what they would do if elected.

In the coming days we're going to post their unedited answers on this blog, a few at a time. Last week, we published Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4. Today, we are focusing on social issues and legislative reform. Tomorrow, we will conclude our series with the candidates' views on independent redistricting and member items (discretionary funds intended for local nonprofit groups).

There are four candidates in the race - Pedro Espada, Jr. (the incumbent), Daniel Padernacht, Gustavo Rivera, and Fernando Tirado - which is turning into one of the most watched in the city. Padernacht, Rivera, and Tirado got back to us with answers, but Espada didn't. In an e-mail, a staffer of his wrote: "Thank you for the survey, however we will not be participating at this time. The Senator's positions will be made available via other media, including his website and Facebook, at a later date."

Part 5

QUESTION: What’s your position on same-sex marriage? Abortion rights?

Bronx News Roundup, July 26

The so-called soda tax, which the Paterson administration estimates would add $815 million to the state's badly depleted coffers (and keep NYers healthier) will get another chance at passage in another special legislative session called for Wednesday to deal with the state budget, which is four months late. The measure hasn't fared well in either body of the legislature, but in a press release the Alliance for a Healthier New York says it's glad to see the proposal is "gaining serious momentum." In April, Montefiore Medical Center came out in favor of the tax and the Norwood News had this editorial.

Two barges carried the new Willis Avenue Bridge up the East River this morning. 

The Bronx community of Van Nest seeks some respect in a debate over a new school's name.

A quick but punishing storm took its toll on the borough yesterday. The Boogiedowner has a photo of some of the damage in Williamsbridge Oval Park.  

Watch BronxTalk tonight for discussion of the proposal to eliminate the Sheridan Expressway.

We'll have the 5th in a series of questions and answers for candidates in the 33rd Senate District up shortly.

Sheridan, Debates on BronxTalk

This Monday night, July 26, the Sheridan Expressway will be the topic of discussion on BronxTalk, the borough's flagship talk show.  Beginning at 9p on Bronxnet's channel 67, Jaime Rivera from For a Better Bronx and Julien Terrell of Youth Ministries of Peace and Justice will talk with host Gary Axelbank about whether think it ought to be removed.

Viewers can weigh in with their opinions by calling 718-960-7241 during the show.

On Monday August 2 we were to have a debate in the race for the 86th AD, but challenger Hector Ramirez declined the invitation to appear.  Therefore incumbent Nelson Castro will be the only guest.  (editorial comment:  is not strange that a challenger would turn down the opportunity to get on TV and face his opponent one-on-one?)

On Monday August 9 we will feature a debate in the race for the 76th AD between incumbent Peter Rivera and challenger Luis Sepulveda.

For more than fifteen years,  BronxTalk has been seen live each Monday night at 9:00pm on Bronxnet's Cablevision channel 67. It's also on Verizon Fios channel 33 and streamed live at bronxnet.org. Produced by Jane Folloro, BronxTalk is repeated each day at 9:30am, 3:30pm, and 9:00pm. Archives are available at blip.tv; search for "BronxTalk."

BxNN Presents: The 33rd Senate District Candidates On the Issues (Part 4)

Two weeks ago, the Bronx News Network asked candidates in 33rd District senate race to answer, in writing, a number of questions which we hope will shed light on where they stand politically, their position on key issues in the community, and what they would do if elected.

In the coming days we're going to post their unedited answers on this blog, a few at a time. Part 1 was published Tuesday. We published Part 2 Wednesday and Part 3 Thursday. Today, we are focusing on housing and crime issues. On Monday, we will center the debate on hot button social issues and on what legislative issues the candidates would prioritize if elected.

There are four candidates in the race - Pedro Espada, Jr. (the incumbent), Daniel Padernacht, Gustavo Rivera, and Fernando Tirado - which is turning into one of the most watched in the city. Padernacht, Rivera, and Tirado got back to us with answers, but Espada didn't. In an e-mail, a staffer of his wrote: "Thank you for the survey, however we will not be participating at this time. The Senator's positions will be made available via other media, including his website and Facebook, at a later date."

Part 4

QUESTION: What’s your position on vacancy decontrol? Any other housing legislation you would like to see moved in Albany?

Bronx News Roundup, July 23

Kenneth Clarke, 40, who worked for Con Edison, was gunned down Wednesday night in his home on Van Nest Ave. The Daily News has the story.

Crystal Reyes, one of the teens who drowned in the Bronx River on Sunday, was laid to rest yesterday morning. (Here's more on the tragedy, and its aftermath in the community).

The Times reports that only 53 people attended the Charter Revision Commission’s public session on Wednesday at Bronx Community College. The group's mission was to create proposals to put before the voters in November.

Ex-Bronx cop Juan Acosta was sentenced yesterday to 11 years in prison for aiding the distribution of cocaine and aiding the robbery a rival drug courier.

The Wall Street Journal reports today that Montefiore Medical Center, along with four other hospitals in Manhattan and Brooklyn, have agreed to a pilot program that seeks to cut medical malpractice costs. [You may need a subscription to access this story in the Wall Street Journal; another version of the article is available here.]

Following the rape of a 79-year-old Bronx woman on Monday, officials have put a $12,000 bounty on the offender's head yesterday. State Senator Pedro Espada,Jr. helped with the bill, adding $5,000 of his own money that was matched with $5,000 from the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation.

Robert Bella told indiewire.com that his well-received film, “Colin Fitz,” was largely shot in the Bronx's Woodlawn Cemetery. The film was shot on 35mm and was “in-the-can” for $150,000, he recalled.

Speaking of film, the UK's dailymail.com reviewed the flick "City Island," which was named after and filmed on Bronx turf, this morning.

In an article headlined "Ruben's No Pedro," the Albany Times-Union reports that Democratic conference leader John Sampson is co-hosting an August fundraiser for Ruben Diaz, Sr. next month in the Bronx, at Maestro's. Senior's son, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., is sharing the hosting duties with Sampson. 

Espada's Town Hall Meeting Rescheduled

[Ed. note: this post has been updated from its original version.]

The town hall-style meeting at Church of the Mediator featuring State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., which had drawn the attention of pro-tenant housing advocates who were planning to hold a protest outside of the meeting, has been rescheduled because of safety concerns, said Diego Delgado-Miller, the head pastor of the Kingsbridge area church.

A new date has not yet been determined, Delgado-Miller said.

When asked why the church had decided to reschedule the meeting, Delgado-Miller offered a short chuckle as if he was amused by all the attention the meeting was receiving. "We wanted to make sure it was more secure, more peaceful," he said. "We wanted people to feel safe."

Activists from the Real Rent Reform campaign, which includes several pro-tenant housing groups, including the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition and Housing Here and Now, had planned to protest outside of the church because the meeting was limited to an invite-only crowd and they wanted to highlight Espada's inaction on several key pieces of pro-tenant housing legislation.

Delgado-Miller said he had invited Espada to speak at his church, "Because I wanted to people to know him and what he is doing."

Michael McKee of Housing Here and Now also wanted people to know what Espada is doing, or not doing, as Chairman of the Senate's housing committee.  "He has bottled every single one of our housing bills in his housing committee," he said.

Earlier today, Espada's chief of staff, Alex Diaz, told the Daily News that they needed to limit the town hall participants to those who had registered because of space concerns.

McKee said it was because Espada only likes to participate in events that he can "tightly control" and where he can hand-pick the audience.

Espada just sent out an angry press release about the postponement. "The meeting will be rescheduled for those who registered to attend so their questions can be answered and their concerns addressed in the civil environment that was intended," he said in the release. [Update: these quotes were technically sent out in a joint statement by Espada and Diego-Miller.]

He went on to denounce the protesters as "political rabble-rousers" -- "the same people who are paid a small stipend and a food voucher to some cheap restaurant to appear at events to disrupt, spit on people, use obscene language, intimidate and push people around."

Indeed some of the protesters, including McKee (who said he was about to get on the 1-Train before learning of the cancellation) are from outside of the community, but many were from the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, which is made up of local volunteer activists, most all of whom are from Espada's 33rd District.

McKee said it is actually Espada who buses in and pays people -- such as employees and patients of his Soundview health clinics -- to show up at his events.

Espada is running for re-election this fall. 

We'll have more on this later. Stay Tuned.

BxNN Presents: The 33rd Senate District Candidates On the Issues (Part 3)

Two weeks ago, the Bronx News Network asked candidates in 33rd District senate race to answer, in writing, a number of questions which we hope will shed light on where they stand politically, their position on key issues in the community, and what they would do if elected.

In the coming days we're going to post their unedited answers on this blog, a few at a time. Part 1 was published Tuesday. We published Part 2 yesterday. For Part 3, we asked them how they would balance the state budget as well as their position on sin taxes. Tomorrow, we will publish their answers to questions about addressing crime problems and housing policy.

There are four candidates in the race - Pedro Espada, Jr. (the incumbent), Daniel Padernacht, Gustavo Rivera, and Fernando Tirado - which is turning into one of the most watched in the city. Padernacht, Rivera, and Tirado got back to us with answers, but Espada didn't. In an e-mail, a staffer of his wrote: "Thank you for the survey, however we will not be participating at this time. The Senator's positions will be made available via other media, including his website and Facebook, at a later date."

Part 3

QUESTION: How do you think the state can balance the budget this year? What do you cut? How do you raise more revenue?

What's Going On?

As we near another warm weekend, here are some events to check out across the Bronx!

Editor's note: What did we miss? Send details to bronxnewsnetwork[at]gmail.com.

And don't forget to keep an eye on our "What's Going On?" calendar for the latest happenings.