Winner of
the Pulitzer Prize
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Vol. 72, No. 19
What’s inside?
PRIMARY ELECTION COVERAGE INSIDE
Opponents say Dinowitz mailer could be illegal n Campaign finance board cleared the taxpayer-funded postcard as early voting starts
‘Are you campaigning? Are you here as a councilman? It’s a blurry line.’
By MICHAEL HINMAN mhinman@riverdalepress.com
A Yang thang Mayor profile series concludes with a former presidential candidate with eye-catching ideas. Page B3
$1.00
On a morning when temperatures were a bit unseasonably cool, many visited their mailbox and likely found it crammed with election material from races ranging from city council to city comptroller to mayor. It makes sense. Friday was the start of early voting in New York City, leading up to Tuesday’s primary election. If this isn’t the time to get bombarded with campaign literature, then when? But many may have noticed one postcard that wasn’t exactly like the others. It had “ERIC DINOWITZ” in huge bold letters, dominating both sides, and even included an equally large picture of the councilman. But this wasn’t a card asking voters to cast their ballot in Dinowitz’s favor at the polls — this was a mailing directly from his council office, sharing the fact he’s here, and he’s ready to serve. Any other time, such correspondence might be welcome to many. But here? Just a couple weeks before voters would decide
ABIGAIL MARTIN city council candidate
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN
Dan Padernacht and Abigail Martin, both candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the local city council seat, said they were surprised — and appalled — to see Councilman Eric Dinowitz use taxpayer money to send out what they say looks a lot like a political mailer. if he’ll keep that seat past December? Dinowitz abused his office, at least two of his primary challengers claim, and he charged taxpayers to do it. “There’s no doubt in my mind that this was meant to campaign,” said Dan Pader-
nacht, who has been running for this city council seat slightly longer than Dinowitz, dating back to 2018. “Races like this are all about name recognition. And if somebody sees your name a certain amount of time, then they are more likely going to choose
MAKING TRANSIT ACCESSIBLE
Hero honors It might just be a day at the office, but for us, Lt. Cabanas really makes a difference. Page A5
you when they go to vote.” Dinowitz already has significant name recognition in his council district, primarily because of his father, longtime Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. Adding the mailer can only help, not hurt. But there is one small problem with what the councilman did over the weekend. At least according to city elections law, Dinowitz is not supposed to use any taxpayer money this close to an election that could essentially be construed as campaign material. Even if he’s not openly campaigning in the material. The law bans any sitting councilman or elected official to distribute mass literature within 90 days of an election they are competing in. Dinowitz sent out his mailer just 12 days before polls close — and right at MAILER, page A4
Bailey Ave bar tackles noise, car complaints n CB8 gives Tililá a reprieve after owner promises to fix issues plaguing neighbors By ETHAN STARK-MILLER estarkmiller@riverdalepress.com
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN
One last debate Candidates finally get to chat in-person, but primary election day is just next week. How will it all end? Page B1
As of right now, the West 231st Street subway station is the only handicap-accessible station on the Bronx stretch of the 1 train line — and one of only 14 in all of the Bronx. But more stations could get elevators and other accessibility improvements sooner than expected, if the Metropolitan Transportation Authority receives the funding it and other transit groups are asking for.
Small price to ‘transform transit’ n Should MTA get $20B in federal aid, accessibility may happen a lot sooner By ROSE BRENNAN rbrennan@riverdalepress.com
It’s no mean feat to recover from being $12 billion in the hole. But as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s operations slowly return to normal, some already have their sights set on improve-
ments the organization could make. The MTA’s revenue was hit particularly hard during the coronavirus pandemic as ridership on buses, subways and commuter trains plummeted due to stay-at-home orders. For many months, bus riders didn’t need to pay a fare. And it was just last month the city’s subway system returned to round-the-clock service after shutting down overnights on a regular basis for the first time in more than a century. But even with the MTA’s immediate financial needs — some of which were
addressed when President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law — some believe the city’s public transit system needs some long-overdue changes. And one of those people represents this area of the Bronx on the national stage. That man, of course, is U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman. He’s had a busy few months as a freshman congressman, caucusing with a group of progressive lawmakers in a group known as “The Squad.” But as Capitol Hill turns its atTRANSFORM TRANSIT, page A4
American Studies killed a state bar ‘mock’ingbird n Bronx school wins state top honors in mock trial tourney after COVID put it on hold last year By ROSE BRENNAN rbrennan@riverdalepress.com
For Yonah Rosenfield, winning the New York State High School Mock Trial Tournament was a long time coming. And it was the perfect way to close out his senior year at the High School of American Studies. Just two years ago, American Studies couldn’t
make it out of the earlier rounds. In Rosenfield’s junior year, however, the tournament — and the world — was put on hold indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic. But this year, Rosenfield and his team came to win. And win they did. “This year kind of felt like a redemption year and an opportunity to avenge those losses,” Rosenfield said. “And it just felt so gratifying to win, especially as I’m a senior this year, so (it’s) my last year with the team. It felt great to just win with everyone.” American Studies faced off against Augustine Classical Academy from Saratoga County and 2019’s reigning champion, Fayetteville-Manlius High MOCK TRIAL, page A4
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It’s strange to think every time someone sips on a cocktail or a beer in this corner of the Bronx, that drink was approved by Community Board 8. Well in a sense, anyway. That’s because part of the responsibility for granting and renewing restaurant liquor licenses falls on CB8 and all other community boards around the city. Each month, CB8’s public safety committee meets to review liquor licenses up for renewal, typically giving them a thumb’s up. Or in some cases, like Tililá Casa Publica y Cocina, it almost was a thumb’s down. That’s because Tililá — a Dominican restaurant at 3648 Bailey Ave. — found itself in some hot water with CB8 over a series of noise complaints. Although the full board did eventually approve Tililá’s license at last week’s full board meeting, the restaurant was indeed in real danger of losing a primary revenue source. “We’ll see what happens, we’re hoping that this doesn’t burn us,” said Ed Green, the public safety committee chair, who originally abstained from voting for the renewal. “But we’re going to continue to BAILEY BAR, page A4
tention to — and pu should re lawmaker Bowm and other believe ar nance spe this mont him there alliance’s the organ “The m to all of (t a new con HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN made man The High School of American Studies is home to several acco- yet, he sto lades, including its recently claimed first-place title at the New listened to York State High School Mock Trial Tournament. across the federal inv Like R tation was years to i asked for For sta way acces accessibil subway st as well. M lic transit especially transit to g “Congr cans who
A2 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021
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Fake FedEx call leads to attack It’s always good to doublecheck who’s at the door before you open it. Especially if the party on other side claims to be FedEx. That’s a lesson that could’ve helped three people who believed the two men at their door were delivering a package. Instead, police said they broke into their apartment on the 2800 block of Sedgwick Avenue on May 29. According to the report, one of the victims was pushed to the floor and asked, “Where’s my money?” One of the men smacked the victim in the right kneecap with a hammer, tied him up, and stole $5,000 and a credit card. Another victim also struggled with one of the attackers, until he was defended by his partner brandishing a black handgun, police said. They were all told to “shut up” with one of the victims getting a gun to the head. Both perps ran toward Reservoir and Webb avenues, leaving some of the stolen belongings behind. Police have some leads on this case, all thanks to sur-
ROSE BRENNAN rbrennan@riverdalepress.com SEAN BRENNAN sports@riverdalepress.com JOSEPH DE LA CRUZ jdelacruz@riverdalepress.com HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN hduran@riverdalepress.com MICHAEL HINMAN mhinman@riverdalepress.com ETHAN STARK-MILLER estarkmiller@riverdalepress.com
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rounding camera footage. They describe one of the attackers as a white man, 40, standing about 5-foot-8 and weighing 185 pounds. He was wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue baseball hat, black jeans and black sneakers. The second attacker was also white, 30, towering at 6-foot-8 and weighing 190 pounds. He was wearing a black sweatshirt, jeans and a red baseball hat.
Girl disappears from center again
Police are searching for Denyea Fludd, 12, who was last seen on June 5 leaving the Henry Ittleson Center at 5050 Iselin Ave. Fludd also went missing from the facility last November. She is described as a Black female with medium build, black hair, and was last seen wearing a multi-colored bonnet, multi-colored leggings, a black shirt and white socks. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (800) 577-8477, or visit NYPDCrimeStoppers.com. — Michael Hinman
CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS It is the policy of The Riverdale Press to correct errors of substance and clarify misleading stories promptly. Typically, corrections and clarifications from previous is-
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THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021 - A3
Enslaved African burial ground finally consecrated n Vannie Park Alliance, others organize ceremony in time for Juneteenth
Tune in on Juneteenth
By BRENDAN O’SULLIVAN Intern
It’s no secret the United States was one of many countries practicing slavery centuries ago — and not just in the south. Slavery was common in the Colonies before the Revolutionary War, including with the Van Cortlandt family who has leant their name to New York City’s third largest park, and the Bronx’s oldest house. The park isn’t without its own history — some of it still buried underneath. Like the Kingsbridge Burial Ground dedicated to colonists with last names like Tippett and Berrien. Yet it didn’t surprise Nick Dembowski that there would STePHAnIe be another burial ground nearby not as eHrlICH well-known, but just as important: One for enslaved Africans who worked on the property. “This is a familiar pattern in the way cemeteries were frequently operated,” said Dembowski, president of the Kingsbridge HistorinICK demBowSKI cal Society. With this in mind, the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance has taken the initiative to consecrate the enslaved African burial ground. The alliance is joined by the historical society, Van Cortlandt House Museum, and the Enslaved People Project PeTer oSTrAnder Task Force Steering Committee. The Enslaved People Project is a joint committee of the three community groups dedicated to shedding light on the contributions made by enslaved Africans in and around Van Cortlandt Park. The reason the consecration is happening now, Dembowski said, stems from the alliance and the park administration wanting to shed more light on
Courtesy of the Kingsbridge Historical Society
Van Cortlandt Park is home to at least a couple cemeteries dating back to the 17th century, including the Kingsbridge Burial Grounds where one of this area’s earliest settlers, the Berrien family, can be found. The cemetery is next to the enslaved African burial ground, which the Kingsbridge Historical Society and the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance will have consecrated in time for the Juneteenth observance on June 19. the area’s history. “This is really a feel-good moment right now, consecrating this burial ground,” Dembowski said. “It’s the work of a lot of people — community people that are interested in telling the history of the enslaved people that live there.” Stephanie Ehrlich, the park alliance executive director, says the consecration will take place on June 19, just in time for Juneteenth — the holiday celebrating the end of slavery in Texas following the Civil War. While it is not a national holiday, it is widely celebrated — including officially in New York City for the first time. This weekend’s consecration will include music from the Bronx Arts Ensemble, Ehrlich said, with Peggy King Jorde hosting. The physical event is closed to the public despite New York’s coronavirus pandemic restrictions being lifted, but anyone is free to tune in to the livestream at tinyurl. com/JuneteenthConsecrate. The consecration itself is a spiritual gathering. Ehrlich said, with songs, a libation ceremony and a blessing by the Rev. Dr. Hermon Darden of St. Ste-
‘This is really a feel-good moment right now, consecrating this burial ground.’ NICK DEMBOWSKI
Kingsbridge Historical Society president phen’s United Methodist Church. Libation ceremonies are often used in African cultures, Ehrlich said. They include the pouring of liquid or grains as an homage to ancestors, although Ehrlich didn’t specify what would be poured for this particular ceremony. Nevertheless, it’s intended to help people to connect with past relatives — spiritually. “It is a way to welcome the spirits,” Ehrlich said. “And in this location, it’s welcoming and thanking the spirits for their sacrifice, and acknowledging them in this location.” The ceremony is set for 11 a.m., on Saturday, June 19. It’s critical Juneteenth draws more attention because people should better understand the holiday, Ehrlich said. “That’s an important thing for us here in Van Cortlandt Park since — in
this iteration — it was built by enslaved people,” she said. “So, Van Cortlandt House Museum, what we now know as the lake — these were built by enslaved African people. They worked here unacknowledged, and they’re buried here.” Nobody is sure how many enslaved Africans were buried. Or their names. However, Dembowski found a newspaper story from the Port Chester Journal on Sept. 25, 1879, that confirmed slaves were buried. “In digging for gravel, human bones were found,” according to the story. “These are supposed to be remains of slaves once owned by the Van Cortlandt family.” Furthermore, then-84-year-old Caleb Van Tassel recalled building a coffin for a slave roughly 50 years prior. The ground was nearly covered by
The Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, in conjunction with the Kingsbridge Historical Society, the Van Cortlandt House Museum and the Enslaved People Project Task Force Steering Committee, will consecrate the enslaved African burial ground in Van Cortlandt Park on June 19. The event observes Juneteenth, the anniversary date of when slavery ended in Texas following the Civil War. Due to the small area of the burial ground and the capacity restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony is not open to the public. A livestream of the consecration is available starting at 11 a.m., through both the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance’s Facebook page and website. The enslaved Africans are buried near settlers such as the Tippett and Berrien families. The consecration is meant to show gratitude for enslaved Africans and the sacrifices they made to build the park. To watch, visit tinyurl.com/ JuneteenthConsecrate. — Sophia Romano tennis courts in the early 1990s, but Dembowski’s predecessor — Peter Ostrander — took the city to court in an effort to stop it. “We sued the city, and we won the first round,” Ostrander said. Henry “Stern went and started digging on the site there, so the judge said to stop.” Ostrander lost the appeal and couldn’t afford to go a second round. Nevertheless, the burial grounds are still intact, and no more legal work needs to be done, which makes Dembowski happy. Now, the focus can be on the land consecration, remembering and honoring the enslaved Africans who indirectly made Van Cortlandt Park what it is today. “I think what this is going to do is it’s going to strengthen the connection of the African-American community to this place,” Dembowski said. “Because it confirms their presence and their contributions here back to 1675, and those contributions are still visible in the park. “Everyone who sits down to watch the swans on Van Cortlandt Lake can thank a group of people that were forced to build that and make that beautiful spot possible.”
A4 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021
Am. Studies claims mock trial state title
MOCK TRIAL from page A1 School from Onondaga County. Mock trial is a competition where students simulate a courtroom trial, 0 $1.0 acting as lawyers or witnesses on either the prosecution side or the defense. And a lot goes into claiming victory at the New York State Bar Association tournament. And while the American Studies team might not be out on the football field for an early-morning or late-night practice, they’re nevertheless preparing for their competitions in their own way. That includes twice-weekly practices, one each hosted by the team’s advisers. History teacher Lauren Peterson — who was, in part, hired to lead the mock trial team — hosts one of the practices at school, or over the Zoom online videoconferencing app. It’s all part of Peterson’s job to coordinate the team’s interactions with their partnering law firm and the Justice Resource Center, who pairs schools with their respective law firms. And, of course, Peterson helps coach the team as well. And coaching them to a championship is nothing short of incredible for her — although she puts the onus of victory on the team itself. “The students … worked so incredibly hard,” Peterson said. “I have such incredible respect for their grit and determination. They’re not just really smart kids. They also are just incredibly hardworking with just amazing attitudes.” But as much as Peterson might
know and teach about the American legal and judicial system, she’s not a lawyer herself. Sharon Turret is, however. She’s the other team adviser, hailing from the Dechert law firm, which has been paired with American Studies’ mock trial team for the past several years, selected by the Justice Resource Center. “I’ve been at Dechert for almost a few years now, and I have a background in doing mock trial in high school, college and law school,” Turret said. “So when I joined at Dechert, the baton was kind of passed to me to take charge of the mock trial coaching for High School of American Studies.” Most years, the team’s Friday practice would take place at Dechert itself. But thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, that, too, moved online. Even if the team can’t practice together in-person, they’re still learning effective strategies for mock trial tournaments. And according to Turret, some of those skills — like public speaking — can translate effectively even outside of the mock courtroom. “I think public speaking is something that can be really challenging for a lot of people,” Turret said. The students “just go up in front of an unknown audience, new people, new competitors, and really present and really do a wonderful job. I think that’s a really important skill that, even if they don’t go on to be lawyers, I think in any career path you take … that’s really valuable.”
Courtesy of Yonah Rosenfield
The mock trial team at the High School of American Studies emerged victorious at the New York state tournament, surmounting unforeseen challenges to compete, including hosting practices and attending the tournament online via the Zoom videoconferencing app. For his final year on the team, Rosenfield was able to took on the coveted role of a lawyer in the tournament. That means he had to present one side’s arguments during the mock trial, rather than acting as a witness or understudy — roles generally relegated to younger, more inexperienced team members. And considering his membership on the team was hard-won during his freshman year — as only four were selected from the 40 classmates who auditioned — it was a full-circle moment for Rosenfield. Rosenfield heads to Brown University in the fall, and plans to make mock trial part of his life up in Rhode Island as well. And as of right now, he would love to become a civil rights lawyer, which might make it possible for him to transition from a mock trial to a real
one further down the line. But he’s already seeing the results of being a four-year mock trial team member. And even if he ends up not going to law school, Rosenfield plans to use those skills — like confidence, persuasive arguing and critical thinking — in other, non-lawyer aspects of his life. But one unexpected — but not unwelcome — benefit Rosenfield gained from joining the squad was the friends he made along the way. “The mock trial team has always been a great community for me to be a part of, besides the academic nature of it,” Rosenfield said. “The other members of the team are some of my best friends at school. And it genuinely was a fun experience to just go and hang out with these people, and practice mock trial twice a week after school.”
Restaurant able to hold onto liquor license BAILEY BAR from page A1 monitor them. And for now, the board approves of the renewal of their license.” Like all of CB8’s other decisions, this approval is only advisory. But it is sent to the state liquor authority, and is taken into consideration when that agency issues its final rulings. Green’s committee was ready to send a “no” vote to the state just a couple of weeks earlier, with just one person voting for renewal, while two voted against and two abstained. Green, one of the two abstentions, said the committee ultimately arrived at this decision after the 50th Precinct reported a number of 311 complaints about noise at Tililá over the past year. Additionally, some complained about the regular nightly presence of doubleparked cars in front of the restaurant, generally stretching down to West 238th Street. “I like to support our local businesses, but establishments that are seeking SLA licenses have a responsibility to operate in a respectful way that doesn’t disturb the neighborhood,” Green said. “So, the evidence we’ve obtained leads us to believe that they’re a chronic nuisance to the residents.” Green obtained 311 data from the 5-0 — which he shared with The Riverdale Press — that listed 33 complaints stretching over a 15-month period, beginning back even before the start of the coronavirus pandemic. That’s a significant number of complaints, Green said — especially because people disturbed by noise often don’t call 311 in the first place. Additionally, the public safety committee chair concluded it couldn’t just be one or two people making these calls, as they came from a variety of sources including landlines, cell phones and internet numbers. But the committee’s decision wasn’t just based on 311 calls. Barbara Joyner Heart, who lives near Tililá on West 238th, told the committee that many times, the ruckus would spill out from the bar and into the street.
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN
Tililá Casa Publica y Cocina on Bailey Avenue narrowly avoided taking a big step toward losing its liquor license after a vote by Community Board 8 reflecting on some complaints against the bar. Jose Tilia, Tililá’s owner, says he’s willing to work with the Mend NYC program and the community board to address noise issues there. “My concerns are about Tililá bar and the loud volume that they play loud music,” Heart said. “They even have open singing on the sidewalk. It’s really disturbing to our community because they sing very loud. They scream right before closing time. I mean they’re screaming like they’re at Yankee Stadium.” Tililá keeping its liquor license looked grim. That is, until the full board had a chance to meet and make their own call. By then, Green said he learned there hadn’t been any new complaints against the bar since May — when restaurants were allowed to reopen indoor dining at 70 percent. And although there were many 311 complaints, Tililá never received any official violations over this time period. It’s not clear how much power the board would’ve had even if they had voted to deny the license renewal. A spokesman for the state liquor authority told The Press that while community boards’ decisions on liquor license applications hold weight, a negative ruling on a license renewal wouldn’t be
taken as seriously unless there were violations to support it. But the board only gave its approval on the condition Tililá register with Mend NYC — a city program that mediates conflicts between establishments and their neighborhoods. Jose Tilia, the bar’s owner, said he was amenable to following through and cooperating with the community board going forward. “I wanted to work with the NYPD 50th Precinct, and I wanted to work with anybody from this community,” Tilia said. “And I wanted to help the city — help the community — with the issues that we had in the past.” However, Tilia denied his restaurant played loud music outside, or that it was responsible for the doubleparked cars. “We are a family restaurant business,” he said. “This is not loud. This is not a discotheque.” Tililá has joined BAMBA — the Bailey Avenue Merchants and Business Alliance — a program run by the Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt
Development Corp., trying to build a business community in some of the underserved commercial pockets near Broadway. It’s that association that convinced Nick Fazio, another member of the public safety committee, to support Tililá’s efforts to keep its license. “That particular corridor has faced some challenges,” Fazio said. “It’s seen a little bit of a revitalization, which many of the neighbors conveyed to me that they were very happy about. Tililá is a big part of it.” Fazio believes the noise problems were a circumstance of the pandemic, because the business had to rely on outdoor dining and find creative ways to engage the community. But now that the pandemic is winding down and the business is aware of the neighborhood complaints, he hopes there won’t be any more issues. “They expressed the desire to work with the community, and to solve this issue amicably on numerous occasions,” Fazio said. “So, I hope that they follow through.”
Could subway rides become more accessible? TRANSFORM TRANSIT from page A1 tention to infrastructure, Bowman believes the MTA — and public transit systems across the country — should receive adequate attention from the nation’s lawmakers. Bowman joined forces with the Riders Alliance and other transit advocacy groups to call for what they believe are much-needed improvements and maintenance spending for the city’s subway system earlier this month at a “transform transit” rally. And having him there was a huge get for Danny Pearlstein, the alliance’s communications officer — especially given the organization’s deep roots in the Bronx. “The most remarkable thing was that he listened to all of (the activists) speak,” Pearlstein said. “He’s a new congressman, it’s right before an election, he’s made many endorsements. He has a ton to do. And yet, he stood there in the blazing heat for an hour and listened to incredibly impassioned activists from all across the city speak about why we need a renewed federal investment in transit.” Like Rome, the city’s network of public transportation wasn’t built in a day. And it will likely take many years to implement the demands transit advocates asked for during the transit rally. For starters, the groups called for enhanced subway accessibility. That not only encompasses physical accessibility — like installing and maintaining more subway station elevators — but financial accessibility as well. Many advocates believe raising the city’s public transit fare even by a quarter could be devastating, especially for low-income riders who rely on public transit to get to and from work every day. “Congress must transform transit for the Americans who rely on it all across the country — from low-
income, rural areas, to Black and brown communities like the Bronx,” said Danna Dennis, a community organizer with the Riders Alliance, at the rally. “Confronting climate change and racial injustice requires a sustained federal partnership with investment in reliable infrastructure, and in affordable transit service. “Leaders in Washington must deliver for riders, reverse generations of injustice in transportation funding, and secure the future of transit after the pandemic.” Should the Riders Alliance and similar groups receive what they’re asking for, it could very well impact this part of the Bronx. Like most of the borough, there are options for north-to-south public transit, but fewer from west-to-east. And past West 242nd Street, there is no subway service, leaving the northern area of this part of the Bronx to rely on commuter rails or buses. That is if they don’t want to shell out some cash for an Uber or Lyft. In addition, this area of the Bronx is home to only one accessible station on the 1 line — at West 231st Street. Riders at other stations like West 242nd and West 238th streets, however, must brave sets of stairs to access the elevated stations. But unfortunately, that’s largely the case across the entire borough. As of May, the Bronx as a whole is home to only 14 handicap-accessible stations, even though it has nearly 60 total subway stations to its name. And it’s not just people in wheelchairs who rely on station accessibility. Other populations who might benefit from elevators are senior citizens and people with strollers or delivery carts. But regardless of why those populations need elevators at subway stations, Access-a-Ride campaign
coordinator Eman Rimawi believes improving station accessibility can — and should — be an essential part of the city’s recovery plan. “As New York City recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic engine that is the subway system must be fully accessible to all riders,” Rimawi told those attending the rally. “Now is the time for the federal government to support New York City’s recovery by providing funding to the MTA necessary to ensure essential accessibility improvements and maintenance programs can continue.” Improving station accessibility was at the forefront of the MTA’s “Fast Forward” program, which sought to make all subway stations physically accessible by 2034. But with the potential intervention of federal aid in addition to the money the MTA already has, Pearlstein believes that day could come much sooner than anticipated. But it’s not without a hefty price tag — to the tune of $20 billion in federal money. Some might balk at such a seemingly large number, but Pearlstein noted that money would be spread out over several years, culminating in an annual price tag of around $2.5 billion. But $2.5 billion per year is a small price to pay for Pearlstein, especially if it means a plurality of the nation’s transit users can get to where they need to be as painlessly as possible. “Twenty billion is right in line with what the president has proposed in his infrastructure bill,” Pearlstein said. “That would mean the MTA would get … about 20 percent of the transit funding in the infrastructure bill. And since the MTA carries 40 percent of the nation’s transit riders, we think 20 percent is a modest ask.”
Politicos challenge Dinowitz taxpayerfueled mailings MAILER from page A1 the very beginning of early voting. When first reached about this on Monday, a spokesperson for the city’s campaign finance board said they could not comment on specific incidents, or whether a complaint has been filed or not. However, they did say that the city’s “campaign finance program encourages candidates to run for city office on the basis of small contributions. And one of the things they agree to is to abide by a spending limit. “In terms of the principles behind this part of the law, it’s to make sure all candidates are on equal footing when it comes to spending money.” Violating the “blackout” as it’s called could be punishable by fines of up to $10,000 for each violation, or even criminal misdemeanor charges. Yet, Dinowitz isn’t expected to face any of that because the campaign finance board seemingly reversed its position a short time later, saying the mailing was within the law and had even received approval from the campaign finance board itself. Lorenzo Manzano, a spokesman for Dinowitz’s council office, confirmed that approval saying it was granted because it was “ordinary correspondence” between the councilman and his constituents. “We had this ready to go for a while, but before we did anything else, we awaited approval from CFB and got it,” Manzano said. Dinowitz himself did not respond directly to reporter inquiries about this mailing as he was out at the early voting sites campaigning, despite what is typically normal business hours. And that’s another issue that seems to be overlooked by the campaign finance board, said Abigail Martin, another primary challenger to Dinowitz. “It’s a really blurry line when you’re doing outdoor office hours and doing outdoor food drives on council hours during the day, and during normal business hours,” Martin said. “Are you campaigning? Are you here as a councilman? It’s a blurry line. And again, I think that’s what happens when one family has too much political power.” One example Martin pointed out was the candidate forum filmed last weekend at the Saturday farmers market near DeWitt Clinton High School hosted by BronxNet and The Riverdale Press. Dinowitz set up a table at the market as a councilman, but then would walk away from it, put on a campaign button, and switch hats to his role as a candidate — not making it clear whether he was at Clinton as a councilman or as a candidate for his seat. In fact, a 2007 advisory opinion from the campaign finance board’s legal counsel said even distributing flyers at a table violated the “blackout” laws if you were a sitting councilman. In fact, an advisory opinion from the year before defined the intent of the “blackout” law as one that creates a “more level playing field in local elections by limiting an officeholder’s use of public resources for mass mailings in the months preceding an election.” Yet, the city council has amended this law so many times, it virtually no longer has much teeth. Something Sue Ellen Dodell, formerly general counsel to the campaign finance board, could agree with. “Although the (Dinowitz) mailer appears to fit within an exception in the charter for ‘ordinary communications’ with constituents, it provides an unfair advantage for Councilman Dinowitz to use taxpayer funds for such purposes.” Padernacht, on the other hand, doesn’t accept how the campaign finance board is interpreting the law. For him, if this law isn’t meant to block the kind of mailer Dinowitz sent out that cost taxpayers thousands of dollars, then what would it block? A spokesman for council Speaker Corey Johnson — who has endorsed Dinowitz for his seat — said primarily newsletters and such that highlight what the councilman has been doing in the district. Dinowitz’s card, on the other hand, simply provided what services the councilman’s office provided and how to reach him. All under his prominently displayed name and picture. Padernacht hinted this might not end here. In fact, he’s considering challenging the campaign finance board’s interpretation of the law — potentially in front of a judge. “I think that this is something that is the perfect cast to challenge CFB’s determination on a mass communications,” Padernacht said. “You don’t get more egregious than using taxpayer funds to mail out a promotional piece about yourself that arrives the first day of early voting. “And even if by some far-reaching interpretation, an agency determines that this is indeed legal, it’s definitely not ethical.”
THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021 - A5
Cabanas saves woman’s life, all in a day’s work n Still, that didn’t stop firefighter from showing family some extra love By BRENDAN O’SULLIVAN Intern
They’re widely considered heroes, putting their lives at risk on what seems like a daily basis to save others. Unfortunately, not all firefighters are honored for their heroics. But Gilbert Cabanas is an exception. The Ladder 52 lieutenant earned the 2020 Hispanic Society/23rd Street Fire Memorial Medal of Valor for a particular act of heroism he performed after being called to an apartment building at West 240th Street on Nov. 4, 2019. “That day showed me how dangerous this job is,” Cabanas said. There’s a “tremendous amount of responsibility. Had we not gotten to that lady … we would have been mourning the loss of three firemen.” No one expected the fire to be this deadly. It all started when Ladder 52 responded to a call of a fire on the sixth floor of a West 240th Street apartment building. Cabanas and his crew of firefighters climbed flights of stairs in search of the afflicted apartment. They were initially misled by one person in the building, and then told by another it was not a “big deal.” Nevertheless, the firefighters weren’t leaving until they saw the affected apartment themselves. When they made it to the sixth floor, Cabanas noticed no smoke in the hallway, but the apartment door began charring. “We looked at the door, and it was browning as we were looking at it,” Cabanas said. We “forced entry into the door. Once we got in, it lit up on us. We were literally engulfed in flames.” They crawled into the hallway and regrouped. Shortly after, they learned a woman was trapped by the window and ready to jump. They were trying to wait for Engine 52, the truck providing the hose, to arrive so they could pave
BRENDAN O’SULLIVAN
Lt. Gilbert Cabanas led his Ladder 52 crew into a sixth-floor apartment on West 240th Street on Nov. 4, 2019. He suffered second-degree burns to his hands and face while saving a woman’s life. That earned Cabanas the 2020 Hispanic Society/23rd Street Fire Memorial Medal of Valor for his heroics. the way toward the woman. But after hearing she was close to jumping, Cabanas knew he had to make a second push. “It’s a whip,” Cabanas said. “All right, we got to get in there. She’s going to jump. You don’t want that on your conscience.” Personnel from Engine 52 arrived and stood behind Cabanas as he pushed into the apartment. He bypassed the flames and threw himself into the door he believed she was behind. He was right. The bedroom was filled with smoke, yet Cabanas somehow saw the woman. She was by the window with a cat in her hands, ready to throw him to the street before Cabanas reached her and pulled her back.
“She seemed like she was getting to the point where she wasn’t going to be able to make it,” Cabanas said. “I knew eventually the conditions were going to start lifting.” With Engine 52 in position with the hose, the woman put her arm around Cabanas and the two safely made their way out of the apartment into the hallway. Once rescued, she was escorted downstairs while firefighters worked to put out the flames that Cabanas described were on “everything.” The floors were burned through. “It got pretty intense in there,” he said. “I got to admit, I’ve done this for 20 years — that was definitely one of the most intense fires I’ve ever been to.”
Cabanas suffered second-degree burns to his hands and face, and his equipment was burned as well. He went to the hospital for treatment. Andrew Heaphy, the firefighter who drove Ladder 52 to West 240th with Cabanas, learned how brave Cabanas was that day. “What did I learn? That he is always making sure his team is safe,” Heaphy said. “That if anyone is going to risk an injury in order to save a civilian, it’s going to be him.” While Cabanas earned the medal for his heroics, he shifted the praise to his fellow crewmates at the Henry Hudson Parkway East station. Specifically, Heaphy, who saved a man from the same apartment. Heaphy extended the outside lad-
der to its maximum height to reach the window of a man who was signaling for help. He stood on the tip of the ladder, grabbed the man, and brought him down to safety. “To me, he was the real hero,” Cabanas said. Afterward, Heaphy stayed on the ladder, keeping the woman Cabanas ultimately saved calm. Heaphy knew if he didn’t stay where he was, there was a good chance the woman would have jumped from the sixth-story window. “So he did (an) absolutely extremely heads-up move,” Cabanas said. While this may have been Cabanas’ most intense fire, it isn’t the only one he vividly recalls. He and his sister were saved by Engine 43 from Sedgwick Avenue when, as a toddler, his family’s stove went up in flames. Afterward, it seemed every school trip landed him at that fire department, which finally convinced Cabanas to become a firefighter himself. “I wanted to be a New York Yankee, but that fell through,” Cabanas said, with a laugh. “My second choice was the New York City fire department. So basically, I’m living my dream.” The favorite part of the job for Cabanas is working with everyone at the firehouse. He tries to be a friend and a boss to firefighters like Miguel Salazar. “He’s definitely a guy you can follow,” Salazar said. “You have confidence (with) him being up front — you’re going to get the job done. He’s definitely a boss you want to go that extra mile for.” Cabanas is back on the job after taking time off to recover from his burns. He’s enjoying each moment, but maintains his newfound understanding of the job — and the dangers that come with it. That said, as soon as he left the hospital in 2019, he went home to his family and hugged his kids. “I know that’s a sappy answer, but it’s true,” Cabanas said. “You don’t appreciate your family on a day-to-day basis until something like that happens.”
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA State Sen. Gustavo Rivera’s attempts to expand Medicaid coverage for new mothers through the first year after giving birth passed the senate, but stalled in the Assembly. Rivera called S.1411A the “Beyond the Fourth Trimester”
bill, designed to expand Medicaid coverage for new mothers from the first 60 days after giving birth, to the first 365. If it had become law, the legislation would have directed the state’s health commissioner to immediately seek approval for federal financial participation to share the costs in funding the expansion. Some of that mon-
schedule of events Music Tent: 9:30 – 11:00 Classical Instruments with David Saphra 11:30 – 2:00 Folk music with Wally and Friend Gathering Tent 9:00 – 2:00 Bring donations for the local Friendly Fridges Make Haiku and learn the facts about food and hunger Meet Phil & Friends & The Green Bicycle Local Issues Tent NW Bronx Food Justice Coalition Meet the coordinator of the Enchanted Garden and The James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center Arts Tent 10:30 – 11:00 Food Justice Crosswords with Rocky 11:00 -11:30 Play a Jeopardy with Helena 11:30 – 12:30 Art with young children 12:30 – 1:30 The Water Protectors Read A Loud and Art project with Alisha Info Tent 9:00 – 2:00 Pick up information about food insecurity issues in our neighborhood enter a raffle for prizes Study the fair map to see where the centers are located pick up a Kid’s Activity Passport Food Demonstration Tent 10:00 – 10:30 Learn to make pickles with Jerome 10:30 – 11:00 Bronx Salad with Lily 11:00 – 11:30 Bronx Eats Chef 11:30 – 12:00 Chef Rosanne from Cumpanis 12:00 – 1:30 Ceremony Cerebellum Reading Corner We will have read a louds scheduled throughout the day with guest readers Come read about Lulu and the Hunger Monster Matties Fridge The Red Bicycle One Hen
ey is available now throuh the American Rescue Plan enacted by Congress last March.
Gender identity bill heads to Cuomo A bill that would allow people more control over how their gender is identified in government documents is on its way to
the governor after passing both the Assembly and the senate. State Sen. Brad Hoylman sponsored S.4402-B/A, while Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell led the companion bill, A.5465-D, in the lower chamber. The bill, if it becomes law, is intended to make it easier for transgender, gender non-con-
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Thank You Student Coordinator Helena McHugh and Our Volunteers, Donors and Vendors. This project is partly sponsored by Art for AID, a communityrecycling project that supports local groups in need and encourages young people to develop empathy and a spirit of giving. Please stop by their table and meet Neta who is selling handmade earrings to raise funds for the Plaza Family Women’s Shelter as part of her Bat Mitzvah Project to help distribute healthy food to people In need in the Bronx.
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A6 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021
City’s media funding could be permanent
SCHOOL DESK
n Broad support could turn what was once an executive order into law
Mount appoints new dean, nursing prof
By ETHAN STARK-MILLER estarkmiller@riverdalepress.com
More than 800 different languages are spoken in New York City, home to a number of diverse ethnic and racial groups. And then there are the neighborhoods themselves in each of the boroughs — many of which find their news from more than 300 media outlets, including The Riverdale Press. While the news industry at large has faced hard times financially for the last decade — many of the city’s communityand ethnic-focused media in particular have struggled with bringing in advertising revenue. It’s not their fault, says Darlie Gervais, the advertising boost coordinator at CUNY’s Center for Community Media. These outlets are often very small and rely on advertising from local businesses which might not have the extra money to buy space, or fully recognize the value of neighborhood journalism. “Sometimes they publish for a really small demographic,” Gervais said. “So, in those local areas, you have small business owners as well, they cannot afford to place advertising in those newspapers. So, publishers were always struggling, struggling to find a way to survive or to sustain themselves.” Those struggles prompted Mayor Bill de Blasio to issue a 2019 executive order mandating all city agencies spend at least 50 percent of their print and digital advertising budgets in community and ethnic media. And it’s made a difference, Gervais said. Her center reports higher revenue from city agencies to these outlets since the executive order went into effect, including a number of publications that had never carried city ads before. “There were at least 25 first-time recipients of advertising because of Mayor de Blasio’s executive order,” Gervais said. “Because of that redistribution of government advertising spending.” In fact, city agencies spent $9.9 million — out of their combined $11.8 million advertising budget — on print and digital ads in local media. That was especially important as the coronavirus pandemic started punching death blows to many businesses, including news outlets. For many, this expanded advertising was a lifeline. A survey the center conducted at the beginning of the pandemic revealed 84 percent of those responding lost up to 75 percent of their ad revenue from local
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN
Mayor Bill de Blasio passed an executive order in 2019 requiring all city agencies to direct half of their advertising budgets to community and ethnic media outlets — a program that many of those outlets say was a resounding success. Now, Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez is pushing a bill intended to make this advertising mandate permanent in newspapers like these found at Te-Amo Convenience Store at West 231st Street, and establish an office to oversee it. businesses. Much of those funds, however, were replaced by city advertising that continued through the pandemic. But how much longer will this policy continue? That’s a good question because the executive order continues at the pleasure of the mayor, and de Blasio’s days at City Hall are numbered thanks to term limits. His successor will most likely be picked in a June 22 primary, and de Blasio will have moved out of Gracie Mansion by the end of the year. “The main concern is, what is the next mayor going to do?” said Councilman Fernando Cabrera, who represents part of Kingsbridge Heights. “Because the next mayor could just eliminate this executive order.” That’s why Cabrera — who is running for Bronx borough president — supports a bill sponsored by Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez that would turn this executive order into law. Rodriguez says the bill is vital because it increases investment in ethnic communities that are often left behind. “It will expand this executive order,” Rodriguez said. “It will empower community and ethnic media to have access to some of those millions of dollars that the city has been spending directly or through agencies that sometimes doesn’t get to the local communities where the money should also be spent.” The bill is backed by others seeking new jobs, like mayoral candidate and Brooklyn borough president Eric Adams and council Speaker Corey Johnson, who wants to become the city’s next
not to go forth and arrive on time.” At a recent council committee hearing for the bill, Gail Smith — publisher of the Spanish-language outlet Impacto Latino — shared how ethnic media “connects migrants that are culturally and linguistically diverse with their own local communities.” “We provide information on city services, health, migrant’s rights, and other types of information to live and thrive in New York City.” The bill also would establish an office of community and ethnic media responsible for coordinating such advertising in local media outlets across the city. The office would be tasked to ensure agencies meet the 50 percent advertising mandate, Rodriguez said. It also would gather data on the city’s community media outlets to better target their advertising campaigns. Rodriguez is confident the bill will pass, saying it has broad support in the council. Although it’s still in committee, Cabrera believes it could be brought up for a floor vote very soon. It’s really important that this bill pass, Gervais said, because of the central role these outlets play in informing ethnic and geographic communities. “There is a critical need for more public funding,” she said. “It is important that city agencies’ advertising budgets go toward community media, because the community media will be there as a resource. Community media will reach these diverse communities.”
comptroller. It’s also backed by Councilman Oswald Feliz, who won the seat formerly held by now-U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres back in April. The legislation would mandate city agencies continue to spend 50 percent of their advertising budgets with community and ethnic news outlets. But it also expands that mandate from print and digital advertising to also include television and radio. In addition to helping local publications financially, Rodriguez said, placing more city ads in community and ethnic outlets will make it easier for the city to get important information out to communities that speak other languages. Like details about coronavirus vaccinations and explainers on how to fill out a ranked-choice voting ballot. “This city is not an only Englishspeaking city,” Rodriguez said. “Or this city is not only a city where people are informed through the mainstream media. Sometimes people follow a Dominican television program that has been here since before I arrived in New York City in 1983. There’s a generation of those residents of (the city) who are loyal to those programs.” And it’s not just important these communities get this critical information, Cabrera said, but that it’s also delivered in a timely manner. “That is the significant piece,” Cabrera said. “It’s not that they get their information, but it’s that they get it at the same time as other groups. Because it’s critical information that we can’t allow
By ROSE BRENNAN
Nursing and similar majors are among some of the most popular at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. And the college recently appointed someone new to lead those programs. Susan Apold, who will now serve as both a nursing dean and professor, has held a few positions of esteem at The Mount before. She began as a nursing instructor back in 1989, and held various administrative positions after that including graduate nursing programs chair, academic affairs vice president, and faculty dean. Apold is both an adult and geriatric nurse practitioner, receiving her post-master’s certificate in advanced nursing from The Mount. She also holds a bachelor’s degree from Holy Family College in Philadelphia, a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D from Adelphi University. Most recently, Apold served as the founding director of Iona College’s bachelor of science degree program for nursing. She has also maintained a clinical practice in New Rochelle for the past 20 years.
SAR junior awarded Bronfman fellowship
Seemingly most fellowships occur during undergraduate or post-graduate study. But one local student is getting one under her belt before she even graduates high school. Yona Sperling-Milner, a junior at SAR High School, is one of among 26 students in the Bronfman Fellowship’s 35th cohort. The yearlong fellowship program focuses on pluralism, social responsibility and Jewish texts. The fellows also interact with Israeli students selected for the same program, known as “Amitei Bronfman.” The fellowship usually entails a summer excursion to Israel itself. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the fellowship program made the decision to travel to Connecticut instead.
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Board Certified Physiatrist • Pain Management • Sports Injuries • EMG’s Holistic Management of Musculuskeletal Conditions 545 West 236th Street, Suite C, 718.884.8115 30 W. 60 Street Suite 1C, between Broadway & Columbus Ave. Website: www.judithkahn.com
PoDiAtrists Michael L. Merenstein, dpm Board Certified - American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics. Surgical, geriatric, diabetic shoes. Pediatric, whirlpool & orthotic treatments. Medicare, Oxford, HIP & most insurance. Day & evening appts. HOuSE CALLS AVAILABLE 3636 Fieldston Rd. (W. 236 St.) 718.548.6732
Cambridge Podiatry Center Dr. Donald Spector Board Certified, Diplomate in ABPOPPM Practicing over 30 years Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Laser treatments available Medicare/Most Insurances Accepted 259 W. 231st Street, Bronx, NY 10463 718.548.3080
PsychotherAPy Leslie R. Blumgold, lcsw-r
In/out of Home Counseling/Telehealth Individuals, Couples, Adolescents and Families. Areas of Expertise - Drug Treatment, Adolescents, LGBTQIA+, Family Work and Geriatric Populations. Excellent Outcomes and Engagement Skills. 20 Years of Experience. 646-496-2032 LRB4u7@aol.com
Tara Fitzgerald Quimby, lcsw-r PM&R, Physical Medicine & Rehab Center
Comprehensive Spine, Sports & Occupational Center JOE LEIBOWITz, MSPT MADELEINE LAxAMANA, PT, DPT BRYAN DAGARAGA, PT, DPT LALAINE YAP, PTA MONIkA DWORAkOWSkI, M.S. OTR/L Pain Management • Physical Therapy Occupational & Certified Hand Therapy 6132 Riverdale Avenue (718) 884-1200 www.Rehabmed.net
Teens - Adults - Couples M. 917.273.6995 A. 3600 Fieldston Road, Suite 2G Riverdale, NY 10463 E. TaraQuimbyLCSW@gmail.com Evening and weekend hours available
tutoring Professional Home Tutor Tutoring available in all general subject areas. Grade Levels k-12 VIRTUAL TUTORING AVAILABLE
Riverdale Sports Physical Therapy
• Certified NYS Teacher in Childhood Education
pc
ALExANDER SHERMAN, P.T. •Orthopedic Injuries • Post Surgical Rehab •Arthritis • Pain Management • Sports Injuries THE PROFESSIONAL BuILDING 531 W. 235th Street, 718.432.1323
(General Education and Special Education, 1-6) • MS in Childhood Education (1-6) • Dual Certification in General Education and students with Disabilities Call zach 917.667.7185 zNilva1@gmail.com
THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021 - A7
HEALTH NOTES NYC Hospitals finds ways to stay green, and earn the green
Con Edison has paid out $1.4 million to NYC Health + Hospitals for what the utility says is a reflection of how successful the medical chain’s green projects have been reducing electricity demand during extreme temperatures last summer. This money will be re-invested in additional projects to address decarbonization and sustainability, hospital officials said, in a release. That includes a series of energy audits that will help identify future opportunities to further tackle and reduce its carbon footprint. Overall, the medical group has set goals to reduce its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050, and to decrease electric grid consumption by more than 50 percent over the next 10 years.
By Michael hinMan Not the diet for most? Many of us have heard of the Mediterranean diet that consists of many of the foods from that part of the world. But not everyone is convinced it’s ready to top sliced bread among the worldchanging events. Lehman College dietitian and assistant professor Kate Gardner Burt has published a paper in the Journal of Critical Dietetics that claims the Med diet excludes people of color and vulnerable populations. Burt argues the hyperfocus on the diet downplays other culinary traditions. And since the diet is so expensive to adopt, it leaves low-income people out. It’s those communities, she says, that are disproportionately at risk for hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Burt’s research appears in Vol. 5, Issue 2.
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Contemporary Seafood Restaurant Causal Fine Dining Atmosphere Contemporary Seafood Restaurant Metro Chic Bar/Lounge Causal Fine Dining Atmosphere Metro Chic Bar/Lounge Alla Fresco Dining Overlooking The Hudson River Alla FrescoParties Dining Overlooking The200 Hudson River Private from 15 to Guests Private Parties from 15 to 200 Guests
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These full and part-time positions are perfect for someone in the retail world or service industry. If you have the desire to succeed, are trustworthy, motivated, dependable, have strong communication skills and can manage your own time, we would love to hear from you. We offer training, a strong team environment, paid sick/personal days, vacation and paid holidays. Base salary with commission plan. Sales experience is a plus but we will train the right person to learn the industry.
Contemporary Seafood Restaurant Causal Fine Dining Atmosphere Metro Chic DeaDline for the July Directory is WeDnesDay, JuneBar/Lounge 23rD @ 2 pm. Alla Fresco Dining Overlooking The Hudson River Contemporary Seafood Restaurant Call 718.543.6065 ext. 3 orParties from 15 to 200 Guests Causal Fine Dining Atmosphere Private
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Physicians Ser vices Director y indEx Cardiology ENT - Adult & Pediatric Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatric Medicine Internal Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology
Ophthalmologists Pediatricians Pediatric Subspecialty Care Pulmonary Medicine Psychiatry Rheumatology
CaRdiOlOgy
EndOCRinOlOgy ColumbiaDoctors Sophia hu, md Sees general endocrinology; specializes in thyroid disease including thyroid cancer, diabetes, weight management, women’s health, osteoporosis, adrenal disease, and pituitary disease/tumors. Speaks conversational Spanish and fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
ColumbiaDoctors gerald neuberg, md, fAcc
3050 Corlear Avenue, Suite 204 Bronx, NY 10463 Now accepting new patients For appointments, please call: 646.317.0129 Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital and
Kung-Ming Jan, md
NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
For appointments, please call: 646.317.0130 For appointments, please call: 718.601.4800
david i. Sahar, md
For appointments, please call: 718.601.3700 3050 Corlear Avenue, Suite 204 Bronx, NY 10463 Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital
EaR, nOSE and thROat adult & PEdiatRiC ColumbiaDoctors Justin golub, md
• Otology, Neurotology, Skull base Surgery • Adult and Pediatric
gaStROEntEROlOgy ColumbiaDoctors ava B. anklesaria, mbbs Jennifer Caceres, md david S. lee, md
3050 Corlear Avenue, Suite 204 Bronx, NY 10463 For appointments, please call: 212.932.4534 Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital
Carolina Mora, np
• Adult and Pediatric Otolaryngology
Flora holderbaum, Aud
• Audiology (hearing aids, hearing testing, evaluation and rehabilitation) • Adult and Pediatric 3050 Corlear Avenue, Suite 202 Bronx, NY 10463 For appointments, please call: 212.305.8555 Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
The deadline for any additions, changes or cancellations for the July Directory is Wednesday, June 23rd at 2pm.
Call 718.543.6065 ext. 3 or email advertising@riverdalepress.com to get in touch with our marketing team who can help you reach out to your clients.
The Century, 2600 Netherland Avenue, Suite 125 Bronx, NY 10463 For appointments, please call: 718.601.7505 NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital 5141 Broadway @ 220th Street Suite 3-152 New York, NY 10034 For appointments, please call: 212.932.4564 Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital
Stuart R. Framm, md
• Travel Vaccines NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital 5141 Broadway @ 220th Street Suite 3-152 New York, NY 10034 For appointments, please call: 212.932.5190
Sherry R. Kohn, np NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital 5141 Broadway @ 220th Street Suite 3-152 New York, NY 10034 For appointments, please call: 212.932.5190 Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital
aaron Manson, md The Century, 2600 Netherland Avenue, Suite 125 Bronx, NY 10463 For appointments, please call: 212.305.3804 Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital
OBStEtRiCS & gynECOlOgy
• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Adult and Pediatric Otolaryngology
ColumbiaDoctors nydia E. Providence, md
Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital
Susannah hills, md
Elliot Regenbogen, md
intERnal MEdiCinE
gERiatRiC MEdiCinE ColumbiaDoctors Bindhu thomas, md xiaoshuang yin, md nana Makalatia, md deborah Smyth, gnp NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital 5141 Broadway @ 220th Street Suite 3-159 New York, NY 10034 For appointments, please call: 212.932.6036 or 212.932.4080
nana Makalatia, md
Now also at a convenient Riverdale Location The Century, 2600 Netherland Avenue, Suite 125 Bronx, NY 10463 For appointments, please call: 718.543.3031 Now accepting new patients. All clinical staff are Board Certified in Geriatric Medicine Medicare and most major insurance plans accepted. Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital
ColumbiaDoctors anita holman, md doreen Kramer, cnm Reyna E. Payero, md, fAcog tali Sarig-Meth, md • Board Certified Physicians • Comprehensive Gynecologic, prenatal and obstetric care 270 West 231st Street, 1st floor, Suite 101A Bronx, NY 10463 Now accepting new patients For appointments, please call: 212.305.9779 www.columbiaobgyn.org Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital
OPhthalMOlOgiStS Jonathan d. Boniuk, md, pc Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Eye MD •Catering to all ages & eye problems including eye surgery, routine and preventive eye care. • Board Certified • El Medico Habla Español The Riverstone, 3220 Arlington Avenue, Suite 7 Call 718.432.2299 Fax 718.432.2069 Office Hours: Monday - Friday, including eves.
PEdiatRiCianS Riverdale Pediatrics BaRBaRa E. StRaSSBERg, M.D., F.A.A.P. CaRlyn a. OPPEdiSanO, M.D., F.A.A.P. MaRtin ROdRiguEz-EMa, M.D., F.A.A.P. Pediatric & adolescent medicine. Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. The Century, 2600 Netherland Ave., Suite 120 By App’t, 718.796.3580
PEdiatRiC SuBSPECialty CaRE ColumbiaDoctors andrei Constantinescu, md, phd Pulmonary Medicine
Catherine Kavanagh, md Nephrology
anu Mallapaty, md
Allergy and Immunology (through Adult)
Patricia M. Vuguin, md Camila Pereira-Eshraghi, md Endocrinology
ali Mencin, md Gastroenterology
270 West 231st Street Bronx, NY 10463 For appointments, please call: 855.550.KIDS Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital
PulMOnaRy MEdiCinE ColumbiaDoctors Manuel R. Cabrera, md
For appointments, please call: 646.317.0127 3050 Corlear Avenue, Suite 204 Bronx, NY 10463 Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital
RhEuMatOlOgy ColumbiaDoctors teja M. Kapoor, md Specializing in Lupus, sees general rheumatology patients & performs musculoskeletal joint injections. 3050 Corlear Avenue, Suite 204 Bronx, NY 10463 Now accepting new patients For appointments, please call: 212.3054308 Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
A8 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021 ue Torah-Tr orting, est Rep er • Hon Newspap Jewish Trusted ’s Most New York -0771
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June 11,
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5781 • Korach
Vol 20, No
21
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Shabbat Shalom, Riverdale!
What’s on? Fight hunger at Sunday Market
The Riverdale Y Sunday Market — located at 4845 Independence Ave. — sponsors a food justice family educational activity fair on Sunday, June 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair is designed to raise awareness and motivate action on hunger and poor access to healthy foods that remains a problem throughout the Bronx. Activities include cooking demonstrations, information sharing, read-alouds, art projects, games and music. For more information, or a complete schedule of events, email rdfeld@aol.com, or sundaymarket@riverdaley.org.
Friday June 18
Candle lighting 8:12
Torah reading: Chukat Shabbos ends 9:15
ue Torah-Tr orting, est Rep er • Hon Newspap ’s BEST New York Orthodox
Riverdale times from calendar of The Bayit
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TheJewishStar.
Editor@
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TheJew
June 4, 2021
• 24 Sivan
5781 • Sh’lach
Vol 20, No
20
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Count on The Jewish Star for real news about Israel, and a carefully curated menu of opinion, in a compact format every week.
Music and burgers
Horowitz
Singer and songwriter Jack De Pietro headlines “Make Music” on Monday, June 21 beginning at noon in front of Yo-Burger, 3726 Riverdale Ave. The performance is part of a joint initiative with Brush the Bronx, the Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corp., and the city’s cultural affairs department. There is no cost to attend.
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2021 • 17
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Vol 20, No
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19
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TheJewishStar.com
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May 28,
Proud supporters of Zionism, the national liberation movement of the Jewish people.
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Community Board 8 continues to meet via the Zoom online videoconferencing app. For links or how to access those meetings, visit NYC.org/ CB8. Upcoming meetings include: • Traffic and transportation committee on Thursday, June 17 at 7 p.m. • Youth committee on Monday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. • Education, libraries and cultural affairs committee on Tuesday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. • Parks and recreation committee on Wednesday, June 23 at 7 p.m. • Economic development committee on Thursday, June 24 at 7 p.m.
Visiting Untermyer Gardens in June
One touch of a button sends help fast, 24/7.
FREE
CB8 meetings continue into June
Batteries Never Need Charging.
For a FREE brochure call:
1-800-404-9776
Untermyer Gardens is open once again seven days a week from 9 a.m., to an hour before sunset at 945 N. Broadway in Yonkers. No reservations are necessary, and admission is free. Tours are scheduled each Sunday beginning at 11 a.m., with costs ranging between $10 and $25. Saturday tours are available on June 26 at 10 a.m. Cost is $20. Advanced reservations are available through UntermyerGardens.org. Family adventure tours are available Sundays at 10 a.m., for kids between 7 and 12 with an accompanying parent. Cost is $10 for each kid, but parents and anyone younger than 2 can join for free. These adventure tours will cover the Walled Garden on June 26, and the Temple of Love and Dell on June 20. Kids between 2 and 5 can enjoy storytime in the garden Sundays at 11 a.m. Cost is $5 per child, with accompanying adults and younger kids free.
Email your upcoming events to whatson@riverdalepress.com
Classes are also available most weekends in June, with prices ranging from $20 to $50, covering drawing and tree tours, among others. Advanced registration is required. Upcoming concerts include: • Voices of Ascension choral music on Saturday, June 18 at 5 p.m. Cost is $50 For more information, visit UntermyerGardens.org.
Celebrating LGBTQ pride month
It’s pride month, and several LGBTQ-friendly groups in the Bronx and surrounding city suburbs are offering ways to celebrate with a series of virtual events. The programs — sponsored by Bronx Parents of Pride, PFLAG Rockland and Mid-Hudson Proud Families — include: • A journey through LGBTQ history with Debra Fowler, co-founder and executive director of History UnErased on Wednesday, June 23 at 7 p.m. To learn more about participating in these and other events, email bxpop1@gmail.com.
Trolley tours continue at Woodlawn Conservancy
Woodlawn Conservancy continues its summer trolley tours at its cemetery, 4199 Webster Ave., throughout June. Upcoming theme tours include: • Woodlawn’s greats of jazz and vaudeville on Sunday, June 27 at 11 a.m., and 2 p.m., visiting the final resting places of many greats in the area. Stops include George M. Cohan, Nora Bays, Duke Ellington, and more. Listen to all their music played on a Victrola. Tickets are $25 per person, and $20 for members and senior citizens. For more information, call (718) 408-5624.
Get your summer on at Van Cortlandt Park
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance has a number of events scheduled. Advanced registration is required by visiting VanCortlandt.org. • A Juneteenth ceremony on Saturday, June 19 at 11 a.m. consecrating the African burial ground at Van Cortlandt Park. The event includes prayers by the Rev. Hermon Dardem from St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, a libation ceremony by Chief Baba Neil Clarke, and live music from the Bronx Arts Ensemble. • A lawn party honoring parks commissioner Mitchell Silver is planned for Thursday, June 24 at 6:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $200, with more information available at GiveButter. com/VCPALawnParty • Beautify the Park Days take place every Monday at 9 a.m., through June 28
It’s the season for Wave Hill
Wave Hill, 4900 Independence Ave., has reopened for special restricted hours Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m., to 5:30 p.m. Admission requires advance ticket purchase at WaveHill.org.
THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021 - A9
Phone/fax ads in: ☎ 718-543-6200 ☎ 718-548-4038 E-mail: ø classified@riverdalepress.com Our address is: 5676 Riverdale Ave, Ste 311, Bronx, NY 10471
Real Estate Apartments for rent
Apartments for rent
231/Riverdale Ave. Beaut, gut renov 2BR, hrdwd flrs. Everything new, S/S appls, granite counters. $2200. Good credit a must. Bkr 646-345-0347
2bdrm apartment for rent with new bath and dishwasher. $2000 per month. Call 914-413-4801
W. 238th St and Graystone Ground floor studio in townhouse with private entrance. $1150. Text 917-572-8982
W 255th St 2BR, 1BTH coxy cottage with full basement. Washer/Dryer, dishwasher. $2250. Text 917-572-8982 Central Riverdale. Studio in private house. $1200/mo, utilities incl. References req. Call owner 914-645-6300
Apartments for rent
Real Estate Brokers, Agents and Management Companies
Apartments for rent
Brown Harris Stevens...........................718.878.1700 Brown Harris Stevens, ..........................212.317.7746 Tobias B. Schapiro...........................917.846.9846 Douglas Elliman...................................718.884.5815 Fieldston Properties.............................718.601.1000 Foxworth Realty, Eugenia Foxworth ...212.368.4902 HSC Management Corporation...........718.543.2800 or....................................................914.237.1600 Hudsoncreast Properties Inc, Gil Perez...................... 718.796.5022 ext. 215......www.GmcRealty.com
235/Netherland Updated beautiful Jr4 $1750 Broker 646-345-0347
For rent by owner. North Riverdale. Newly renov 3BR, 1BTH apt on 2nd flr of brick private house. Oak flrs through-out. Brand new full bath, brand new kitchen w/ Quartz countertop. Master bdrm w/ balcony. $2600/mo. Prkg space avail for extra fee. Great, quiet neighborhood. Call 347-248-3538
Parking space available 3220 Fairfield Ave. Indoor parking $215.24 includes tax. 212-721-3144
Realtors: To purchase a space in this listing, please call Cheryl Ortiz at 718.543.6200 ext. 379
Phone/fax ads in: ☎ 718-543-6200 ☎ 718-548-4038 E-mail: ø classified@riverdalepress.com Our address is: 5676 Riverdale Ave, Ste 311, Bronx, NY 10471
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COMPUTER PC, MAC EXPERT Repairs, Upgrade, Installations & Set-ups Slow computer, Virus removal, Data recovery
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by former Manhattan College Instructor. 27 Years experience. Local references available. Best Rate. Riverdale Border 914-473-3344
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Word Processor for Social Media. Part-time taking dictation, typing, posting. Entry level pay. Equal opportunity employer. Email drakbconsultancy@gmail.com
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The Jewish Star, the quality Jewish newspaper in NY metro, is considering candidates for its top editorial position. The current editor is stepping down to devote more time to the publication's business side. The position requires community news experience and familiarity with the sensitivity to Jewish issues. The editor will seek out and initiate story ideas, assign and write articles, edit staff and freelance submissions, and work with the Publisher on planning print and digital products. The Jewish Star covers Jewish news on Long Island and in New York City, with supplemental coverage of Israel and Jewish America. The Jewish Star is an 18-year old division of Richner Communications Inc, a family-owned company that publishes more than 30 community newspapers and shopping guides on Long Island and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Riverdale Press. Candidates should respond with a cover letter, resume, writing samples and salary objectives, to: Publisher@TheJewishStar.com
Home improvement
Home improvement
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Painting, Plastering, Scraping a/c installation & Handyman work. Licensed and Insured. Reasonable prices. Call for estimates. 646-526-4144
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Legal Notices Legal Notice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF THE STARK NETWORK, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/9/2021. Office location: Bronx County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/ her is: 1266 OLMSTEAD AVE APT 4F, Bronx, NY 10462. The principal business address of the LLC is: (1266 OLMSTEAD AVE APT 4F, Bronx, NY 10462. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 3522 Legal Notice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF PLANWITHJOAN LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY
(SSNY) on 01/11/2021. Office location: Bronx County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is 1116 Jackson Avenue, #1, Bronx, NY 10456. The principal business address of the LLC is 1116 Jackson Avenue, #1, Bronx, NY 10456. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 3529 Legal Notice The following vehicles will be sold on Wednesday 7/14/2021 at 9:30am at Insurance Auto Auctions, 39 Stone Castle Road, Rock Tavern, NY 12575. New York State Garageman’s Lien Law: 2020 Mazda 3 Vin 3MZBPBDM2LM116022 Re: L Schoenberg
2014 Chev Traverse Vin 1GNKVFKD1EJ244357 Re: S Pshenichnaya 2018 Toyota Highlander Vin 5TDJZRFH0JS809542 Re: Toyota Lease 2002 Subaru Forester Vin JF1SF63562H733911 Re: W Ibrahim/M Youssef. 3553 Legal Notice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Dian Nesbeth & Associates LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/24/2021. Office location: Bronx County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is 3901 Independence Avenue, 6T, Bronx, NY 10463. The prin-
Wanted to buy
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The Riverdale Press, LLC, a subsidiary of Richner Communications, Inc. reserves the right to reclassify, revise or reject any classified advertisement. Please check your advertisement each time it appears and if you find an error, report it to the classified advertising department immediately by calling 718-543-6200 or e-mailing classified@ riverdalepress.com. The Riverdale Press, LLC shall not be liable for errors or omissions in any advertisement, for which it may be responsible, beyond cost of actual space occupied or to have been occupied by item in which error or omission occurred. The Riverdale Press, LLC shall not be liable for failure, for any cause, to insert an advertisement. All claims for errors, omissions, etc. in advertising must be made within seven days of publication and claims for such will be allowed only for the first insertion. All changes and cancellations made before Monday at noon will become effective with the following publication.
Help wanted
Positions wanted
Education
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Legal Notices
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McDonagh Properties, Inc....................718.548.2828 New Bedford Management Corp.........646.453.5279 John Edwards Real Estate....................929.474.6900 OOAKB&F Inc......................................347.686.0825 Robert E. Hill, Inc ................................718.884.2200 Trebach Realty ....................................718.543.7174 Veritas Property Management, LLC.......................... Carl Borenstein...............................212.799.2365 Vivian J. Oleen ....................................917.538.9639
cipal business address of the LLC is 3901 Independence Avenue, 6T, Bronx, NY 10463. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 3565 Legal Notice The following vehicles will be sold on Wednesday 7/21/2021 at 9:30am at Insurance Auto Auctions, 39 Stone Castle Road, Rock Tavern, NY 12575. New York State Garageman’s Lien Law: 2018 Jeep Compass vin 3C4NJDCB8JT328455 Re: B Bennett 2001 Jeep Compass vin 1J4GW48S61C505268 Re: M Gonzales 2017 Chev Tahoe vin 1GNSKCKC1HR144912 Re: R Khan 2005 Volkswagen Golf vin 9BWFL61J554035876 Re: N Ortiz 2016 Nissan Altima
vin 1N4AL3AP8GC243160 Re: J Stephen 2010 Ford Explorer vin 1FMEU7EE7AUA67093 Re: C Yungaquituisaca 2009 Toyota Corolla vin 2T1BU40E49C028421 Re: H Yupa 2013 Honda Cr-v vin 2HKRM4H33DH629651 Re: l Galloway 3566 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on 6/3/2021, bearing Index Number NC-000107-21/ BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Petrushka (Last) Hernandez. My present name is (First) Petruska (Middle) Hortencia (Last) Hernandez AKA Petruska Hernandez, AKA Petrushka Hernandez. The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Manhattan, NY. The month and year of my birth are January 1970. 3567 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on 6/3/21, bearing Index Number NC-000112-21/ BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Jorge (Middle) Valentino (Last) Abinader Cabrera. My present name is (First) Jorge (Middle) Valentino (Last) Gonzalez Cabrera (infant). The city and state of my present address are New York, NY. My place of birth is Bronx, NY. The month and year of my birth are October 2011.. 3568 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on 6/3/21, bearing Index Number NC-000113-21/ BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Jorge (Middle) Rafael (Last) Abinader. My present name is (First) Jorge (Middle) Rafael (Last) Gonzalez Abinader AKA Jorge R Gonzalez-Abinader, AKA Jorge Gonzalez Abinader. The city and state of my present address are New York, NY. My place of birth is Santiage, Dominican Republic. The month and year of my birth are April 1983. 3569 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the
Civil Court, Bronx County on April 22, 2021, bearing Index Number NC-00005721/BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Edward (Middle) Michael (Last) Amadori. My present name is (First) Eduardo (Middle) Miguel (Last) Morales AKA Eduardo M. Morales. The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Bronx, NY. The month and year of my birth are April 1982. 3570 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on June 03, 2021, bearing Index Number NC-00003421/BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Kevin (Middle) Cesar (Last) Gutierrez. My present name is (First) Kevin (Middle) Cesar (Last) Montero (infant). The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Bronx, NY. The month and year of my birth are February 2008. 3571 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on 5/27/2021, bearing Index Number NC-000095-21/ BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Mayini (Last) Keita. My present name is (First) Binta (Last) Traore. The city and state of my present address are New York, NY. My place of birth is Kati, Mali. The month and year of my birth are December 1993. 3572 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that a license, number Pending for beer, cider, liquor and wine has been applied for by the undersigned* to sell beer, cider, liquor and wine at retail in a Catering Hall under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 6301 Riverdale Avenue, Riverdale, New York (Bronx County) for on premise consumption. Kevin DeGroat; The College of Mount Saint Vincent. 3573 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on 6/3/2021, bearing Index Number NC-000106-21/ BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851
Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Annie (Middle) Mariah (Last) Gomez. My present name is (First) Agnieszka (Middle) Maria (Last) Gomez AKA Aguieszka Maria Gomez Salazar, AKA Agnieszka Gomez. The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Manhattan, NY. The month and year of my birth are January 1999. 3574 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on 6/3/21, bearing Index Number NC-000115-21/ BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Maria (Last) Ferrara. My present name is (First) Maria (Last) Gersten. The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Bronx, NY. The month and year of my birth are November 1960. 3575 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on 6/10/21, bearing Index Number NC-000118-21/ BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Mohammed (Last) Drame. My present name is (First) Mohammad (Last) Drame (infant). The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Bronx, NY. The month and year of my birth are July 2003. 3576 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on 4-15-2021, bearing Index Number NC-000324-20/ BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Frances-Victoria (Middle) Olayinka (Last) ArmasEdwards. My present name is (First) Frances-Victoria (Middle) Olayinka (Last) Olajide-Villegas. The city and state of my present address are New York, NY. My place of birth is Fort Worth, Texas. The month and year of my birth are January 1985. 3577 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on 4-15-2021, bearing Index Number NC-000325-20/
BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Christina (Middle) Villegas (Last) Armas-Edwards. My present name is (First) Christina (Middle) Susana (Last) Olajide-Villegas AKA Christina Susana Villegas. The city and state of my present address are New York, NY. My place of birth is Manhattan, NY. The month and year of my birth are October 1982. 3578 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on 5/27/2021, bearing Index Number NC-000091-21/ BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Elias (Middle) Dayshawn (Last) Wright. My present name is (First) Enrico (Middle) Paul-Anthony (Last) Patterson (infant). The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Bronx, NY. The month and year of my birth are April 2020. 3579 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on 6/3/21, bearing Index Number NC-000110-21/ BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Virginia (Last) Roman Torres. My present name is (First) Cruz (Middle) Virginia (Last) Roman Torres AKA Virginia Roman Torres, AKA Virginia Roman. The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. The month and year of my birth are May 1942. 3580 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on 06/10/2021, bearing Index Number NC-000119-21/ BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Fasola (Middle) Akinyemi (Last) Oguntunde Ojeyinka. My present name is (First) Robert (Last) Vitalis (Seniority) Jr AKA Robert Vitalis. The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Manhattan, NY. The month and year of my birth are April 1972. 3581
A10 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021
Note: Each week’s featured home is chosen at random from among houses and apartments offered by Riverdale Press advertisers. The opinions expressed are those of the advertiser and not The Riverdale Press news department. For further information, write to advertising@riverdalepress.com.
Home of the Week
North Riverdale Money Maker
Alan Cutler of Douglas Elliman Real Estate
The perfect home where having a car isn’t needed I
Brick 2 family with 2-3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths duplexes plus terrace and an additional hospitality suite along with bonus rooms, office space and storage. 2-car parking.
t’s all the attributes of a pre-war buildabout it if it hadn’t. And it has a reputation ing, but filled with today’s modern for being one of the city’s best-maintained conveniences. buildings. This is, of course, The Richmond, Here you’ll find a live-in super, laundry located at 3636 Greystone Ave. It’s three room, bicycle room, a waitlisted garage, bedrooms, two bathrooms, and the very waitlisted walk-in storage lockers, beautiful co-op you’ve been waiting to spend this gardens, and an entertainment deck that’s summer in. great for outdoor dining, or just soaking up Soaring ceilings, crown moldings, the sun. decorative arches, a sunken living room, This is a pet-friendly building — no more wooden floors — it’s all here in extraordithan two dogs under 40 pounds each — nary sixth-floor living. and you can walk both of them just about The eat-in kitchen features ventilation anywhere, because your new home is so windows, a dishwasher, glass and wood perfectly located, you won’t even need a cabinets, and a grandfathered washer and car. It’s just steps from all your daily needs INVITA CONSTRUCTION AND dryer. like restaurants, coffee shops, grocery WATERPROOFING There’s also windows in bothIn-bathrooms, stores, parks and more. F REE ESTIMATES AND CONSULTATION hom e Serv and great closet space. Surely you don’t need to hear any more. ice. C B.K. The Richmond has earnedDCanguAida— but Move intoWATERPROOFING The Richmond today at a listing nce follo weheard ROOFING “Ameri of course. You wouldn’t have ever price of AND $495,000. d.
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lge For more information contact Puello Indu Manny h lf witBUYING BASEBALL CARDS e s r You erior$$$ Large & small collections. Sup ce! 646-662-0056 or 917-599-8793 i Prefer 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Serv
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Business Card Director y APPLIANCE REPAIRS REPAIRS APPLIANCE e dulg lge ith IIn ndu w h BASEBALL CARDS elf witBUYING s r lf u e o s riorr$$$ Large & small collections. Y erio YouSrupe e!! Suprvic 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. e icePrefer S Serv
Prefer pre-1980. Also buying BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL and HOCKEY cards. Also buying MAD Magazines. Call/text Henry 917-273-2353
This ad comes out to $34.40 per week. If you run it 6 times the rate goes from $4.30/line to $3.85/line. So total for 6 weeks is $184.80
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THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021 - A11
Turn What You Love Into Where You Live
4715 Independence Avenue $6,995,000 | 8 BR, 6.5 BA | Web# 20849844
525 West 256th Street $1,295,000 | 7 BR, 4.5 BA | Web# 20999943
Mary Phelan-Kavanagh: M 718.877.2686 | O 718.884.5815 Ari Susswein: M 914.450.9665 | O 718.884.5815
Mary Phelan-Kavanagh: M 718.877.2686 | O 718.884.5815
628 West 238th St, 5A $879,000 | 3 BR, 3 BA | Web# 20991838
2550 Independence Avenue, 6G $535,000 | 3 BR, 2 BA | Web# 4493327
Terhi Edwards: M 646.541.8072 | O 718.884.5815
Charles Brophy: M 646.295.6296 O 718.884.5815
750 Kappock Street, 207 $450,000 | 2 BR, 2 BA | Web# 4842203
4525 Henry Hudson Parkway, 911 $335,000 | 1 BR, 1 BA | Web# 21005560
Maria Capotorto: M 917.566.7731 O 718.884.5815
Charles Brophy: M 646.295.6296 | O 718.884.5815 Wendy M. Rodriguez: M 917.822.4786 | O 718.884.5815
5715 Mosholu Avenue, 3B $249,500 | 2 BR, 1.5 BA | Web# 21022863
629 Kappock Street, 2F $210,000 | 1 BR, 1 BA | Web# 21022823
Mary Phelan-Kavanagh: M 718.877.2686 | O 718.884.5815
Mary Phelan-Kavanagh: M 718.877.2686 | O 718.884.5815
2736 Independence Avenue, 2F $208,000 | 1 BR, 1 BA | Web# H6123564
5640 Netherland Avenue, 6D $159,000 | 1 BR, 1 BA | Web# 20923111
Ramy Rakotomalala: M 212.365.4830 | O 718.884.5815
Efrain Reyes: M 917.455.4041 | O 718.432.1175
elliman.com 575 MADISON AVENUE, NY, NY 10022. 212.891.7000 © 2021 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.
A12 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021
TrebachRealty.com
718.543.7174 pr ic e
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Family Owned & Operated Since 1972
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fieldston Web #920 Classic 4-bdrm, 3-full and 2-half bath house. Double height living rm w/ WBFP. Front terrace and rear deck. $1,995,000
spuyten duyVil Web #925 Newly built 6-bdrm, 5-full and 2-half bath house with front porch, rear deck, covered patio and level grassy yard. $2,400,000
West of pArKWAy Web #924 Classic 4-bdrm, 3.5-bath brick colonial house with WBFP in living room, formal dining room and terrace. $1,695,000
spuyten duyVil Web #922 4-bdrm, 3.5-bath house with center hall, spacious living room, windowed kitchen and finished bsmnt. $1,149,000
fieldston Web #919 Bright and open 5-bdrm, 2.5-bath with wide welcoming porch, formal entry vestibule w/ ample storage. $1,495,000
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neW exclusiVe spuyten duyVil Web #917 3-bdrm, 3.5-bath house on cul-de-sac. Center hall, sunken living rm w/ WBFP & finished walk-out basement. $1,475,000
exclusiVe West of tHe pArKWAy Web #897 Renovated 5-bdrm, 5.5-bath Tudor-style house with spacious grounds on cul-desac. Living room with frplc. $2,495,000
neW exclusiVe West of pArKWAy Web #916 Recently built 4-bdrm, 5-bath house w/ double-height center hall, living rm w/ fireplace, deck & dining rm. $2,150,000
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West of pArKWAy Web #893 Prime reno opportunity: Completely gutted 7,000-SF 5-bdrm, 6-bath house w/ pool & multi level patios. $3,450,000
spuyten duyVil Web #921 Multi-family house w/ yard. 3-bdrm, 1.5bth over 3-bdrm, 1.5-bth over 2-bdrm, 1.5-bth over 1-bdrm, 1-bth. $1,500,000
West of pArKWAy Web #915 New 4-bdrm, 5-bath house in Delafield Estates. Center hall, living room with fireplace, deck & dining rm. $2,150,000
ct co West of pArKWAy Web #755 3-bdrm, 2.5-bath center hall colonial. WBFP in living rm, open plan kitchen & dining & finished basement. $1,420,000
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exclusiVe fieldston Web #904 Spacious 4-bdrm, 5.5-bath stucco house with patio and level grassy yard. Center hall, gas fireplace and FDR. $2,350,000
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exclusiVe nortH riVerdAle Web #911 Classic 3-bdrm, 3.5-bath house features living rm with WBFP, finished attic w/ 2 rms and landscaped yard. $1,200,000
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neW exclusiVe nortH riVerdAle Web #913 3-Family townhouse with driveway, patio and garage. Laundry room in basement with coin-operated W/D. $1,350,000
fieldston Web #839 Bright 4-bdrm, 3-bath solar modern home with patio & garden. Living rm with WBFP & eat-in kitchen. $1,595,000
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exclusiVe nortH riVerdAle Web #837 Legal 2-family semi-attached townhouse. Spacious side & rear yards. Two 3-bdrms, 2-baths plus 1-bdrm suite. $1,249,000
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exclusiVe West of pArKWAy Web #882 Vacant site of approx 0.37 acres is a rare opportunity to build a home with commanding views of river. $1,495,000
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exclusiVe fieldston Web #905 Bright 3-bdrm, 2.5-bath Tudor-Style house w/ sunken living room with ceiling beams, WBFP, patios & yard. $1,700,000
West of pArKWAy Web #895 Stylish and light filled 4-bdrm, 4.5 btah house with impressive grounds and private association pool. $2,595,000
exclusiVe fieldston Web #900 6-bdrm, 5.5-bath, stucco Tudor with gracious historic interior, fireplace, rear decks and level backyard. $2,245,000
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neW exclusiVe centrAl riVerdAle Web #909 3-bdrm, 2.5-bath ranch-style house. Split-level design features, entry foyer, living rm & dining area. $1,790,000
exclusiVe fieldston Web #898 Elegant mansion overlooking a pond. 8-bdrms, 8-full & 2-half baths, living rm with marble WBFP & FDR. $4,590,000
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neW exclusiVe nortH riVerdAle Web #908 Renovated and cozy 2-bdrm, 1.5-bath brick house with private patio & garden space. Renovated kitchen. $695,000
exclusiVe fieldston Web #885 Stately, secluded georgian 6-bdrm, 6-full, 2-half bath residence. Completely wide format terrace, lrg LR. $4,900,000
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exclusiVe VAn cortlAndt crest Web #906 Spacious, handsome 5-bdrm, 4.5-bath tudor house with center hall, sunken living room, WBFP. & FDR. $925,000
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neW exclusiVe VAn cortlAndt crest Web #914 4-bdrm, 3-bath Colonial-style house with WBFP in living room, FDR with picture window and eat-in kitchen. $799,000
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soutH riVerdAle Web #910 Newly built 5-bdrm, 5.5-bath house with porch, dining patio & level grassy yard on private cul-de-sac. $1,890,000
West of pArKWAy Web #846 3-bdrm, 2.5-bath with a living room with bay windows and marble WBF, dining room w/ sliding glass doors. $1,549,000
VAn cortlAndt crest Web #899 Spacious 6-bdrm, 3-full & 2-half baths, WBF in LR, dining rm & mstr bdrm. Eatin kitchen, porches & patio. $1,195,000
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co-ops, condos and REntals
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3935 blAcKstone AVe #cc648 Spacious, light filled, low floor 3-bdrm w/ balcony & 24-hr D/M. Extra lrg foyer & dining rm with built-ins. $629,000
2727 pAlisAde AVe #cc656 Bright 2-bdrm, 2-bath with balcony, 24-hr DM & parking avail. Master BR suite & remodeled kitchen. $525,000
640 West 237tH street #cc671 Contemporary luxury 4-bdrm, 4.5bath w/ Balcony, 24-hr doormen and Dramatic River Views. $1,675,000
750 KAppocK street #cc659 Spacious and bright top-floor 2-bdrm, 2-bath with enclosed sunrise balcony, parking, & 24-hr doormen. $530,000
3850 Hudson mAnor terr #cc662 Low floor 3-bdrm, 2-bath co-op with updated kitchen, dining area, laundry in unit and p/t doorman. $465,000
609 KAppocK st #cc663 Bright & spacious 2-bdrm, 1.5-bath corner unit with a eat-in kitchen. Pool and indoor parking space. $350,000
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3475 greystone AVe cc667 Bright 2-bdrm, 2-bath with entry foyer, living rm with picture window and dining “L”. $330K
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fieldston Vic. rr642 6-bdrm, 3.5-bath, 7,500 sq. ft. house w/ Expansive wraparound porch & pool. $19,500/mo
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2711 HH pArKWAy cc666 Spacious low floor 2-bdrm, 2-bath with windowed kitchen and large dining “L”. $375K
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3601 JoHnson AVe. cc587 Walk-in level doctor’s office with seperate entrance and reception area. $295K
4555 HH pArKWAy cc665 Bright & renov Jr-4 (conv 2-BR) w/ 24-hr doorman & majestic river views. $305K
3935 blAcKstone cc652 Spacious 3-bdrm, 2-bath with sunset balcony, majestic river vus & 24-hr DM. $795K
3536 cAmbridge AVe cc660 Contemporary 3-bdrm, 2-bath condo w/bright open views & in unit lndry. $639K
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pet-friendly rentAls West of pArKWAy - Spac 3-bdrm, 2-bath, balcony, partial river views, DM & fitness rm. Dogs ok. rented $3,325/mo West of pArKWAy - 2-bdrm, 2-bath, balcony, partial river views, DM & fitness rm. Dogs ok. rented $2,550/mo West of pArKWAy - Rent stabilized 1-bdrm, parquet floors, balcony, DM & fitness room. Dogs ok. rented $2,075/mo
exclusiVe condo 3800 blAcKstone cc630 2-bdrm, 2-bath duplex penthouse w/ private roof terrace & indoor parking. $675K
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3935 blAcKstone cc646 Spacious 2-bdrm, 2-bath with open plan living, dining area and balcony. $415K
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3600 fieldston rd cc855 2-bdrm, 2-bath conv 3, 2-bath w/ balcony, updated kitchen and DM. Parking avail. $375K
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exclusiVe 3530 HH pArKWAy cc664 Renov 2-bdrm conv 3, 2-bath with dining foyer, large living rm and open views. $565K
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no fee rentAls West of pArKWAy - Large and luxurious 2-bdrm conv. 3, 2-bth with great closet space, balcony, doorman, healthclub and pool. 2 months free rent rented $4,095/mo West of pArKWAy - Large and luxurious 2-bdrm convertible to 3, 2-bath with great closet space, balcony, doorman, healthclub and pool. 2 months free rent rented $3,895/mo West of pArKWAy - Large & bright 2-bdrm w/ balcony. D/M, fitness rm, tennis courts & pool . 2 months free rent $3,495/mo West of pArKWAy - Large and luxurious Junior-4 with great closet space, balcony, doorman, healthclub and pool. 2 months free rent rented $2,695/mo West of pArKWAy - Renovated rent stabilized 1-bdrm w/ patio. D/M, fitness rm, tennis courts & pool. rented $2,044/mo
neW exclusiVe 620 West 239tH st cc668 Bright and renovated 2-bdrm, 2-bath corner unit with dining foyer. $450K
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West of pArKWAy - 3-bdrm, 2-bath, w/ balcony, L-shaped LR/DR area, DM, fitness room, private playground and childrens recreation room. Dogs OK. Indoor parking available. $525K West of pArKWAy - 3-bdrm, 2-bath, w/ balcony, L-shaped LR/DR area, DM, fitness room, private playground and childrens recreation room. Dogs OK. Indoor parking available. $515K West of pArKWAy - Top floor Junior-4 with stunning river and sunset views, doorman, fitness room, private playground and childrens recreation room. Dogs OK. sold $305K West of pArKWAy - 1-bdrm with L-shaped living/dining room area, doorman, fitness room, private playground and childrens recreation room. Dogs OK. $290K
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exclusiVe 3001 HH pArKWAy cc853 Spacious 3-bdrm, 2-bth, PT DM. Entry foyer, large entral foyer & sunken LR. $625K
exclusiVe 601 KAppocK st cc649 Mint condition, beautifully renovated 2-bdrm with doorman and pool. $284K
condo excl 3816 WAldo AVe cc643 Contemporary Condo with balcony, modern kitch, lndry in unit, DM & prkg. $640K
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290 West 232nd st cc626 2-bdrm with entry foyer, dining area and balcony. Storage area and bicycle rm in bldg. $305K
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3614 JoHnson AVe cc646 2-bdrm, 2-bth with open plan living and dining area with glass sliding doors to balcony. $425K
exclusiVe 4525 HH pArKWAy cc650 Bright & renov Jr-4 convt to 2 with open sunset views and 24-hr doorman. $329K
Trebach Realty, Inc. • 3801 Greystone Avenue, Riverdale Open 7 Days • www.TrebachRealty.com
DECISION 2021
SECTION Thursday, June 17, 2021
B
your complete guide to tuesday’s primary n full coverage n city council candidate vignettes n opinion
Council candidates spar one last time n Discussions centered on evictions, rezoning, Bronx spending practices By ETHAN STARK-MILLER estarkmiller@riverdalepress.com
I
t’s finally here. After months — even years, for some — of campaigning, next week this corner of the Bronx will finally choose its representative in City Hall for the next two years. As the sitting councilman, Eric Dinowitz must defend his seat against five challengers in the June 22 Democratic primary, although early voting is already well underway. Dinowitz won his seat in a March special election to replace Andrew Cohen, who stepped down to join the Bronx Supreme Court, and has served since mid-April. Like the special election, the primary will be yet another rankedchoice contest, where voters put their top five choices in order of preference. The council candidates join a ballot filled with citywide races for mayor, comptroller and public advocate, as well as contests for JAvIER borough president gOMEz and two civil court judgeships. And who would’ve thought the definition of “eviction” would be a point of contention for the candidates in the final stretch of this primary race. But that’s exactly what happened after MICHAEL the principals of HINMAN DeWitt Clinton High School decided to oust the James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center from the school grounds. Named for a Clinton alum who became a celebrated American writer, the learning center started with a community garden on the western side of the school in 2010, and has grown to include a number of activities ranging from agricultural programs to a Saturday farmers market. But now, volunteers are locked out of the garden after the city’s education department cited permitting issues, and could likely never be allowed to return. Airing that topic made sense at what is expected to be the final candidates forum for Cohen’s old council seat, since the farmers market and garden played host to the event that was led by The Riverdale Press and BronxNet. In what has become the only in-person forum in this particular race, all of the candidates joined the moderators — BronxNet reporter Javier Gomez and Press editor Michael Hinman — except for retired New York Police Department detective Carlton Berkley, who was out of state on a family matter. Still, the eviction — something Kingsbridge Heights attorney Dan Padernacht says concerns him very much. “I think it’s extremely horrible what the (school) administration did here,” Padernacht said. “On very little notice, they told these folks that — after years of hard work, and years of teaching students here — they had to leave right away.” The root issue is a lack of transparency from the education department, he said, and the fact that the decision to oust the garden was made without any community input. In order to save the garden, Padernacht said the area’s current elected officials — like Dinowitz — must nag schools chancellor Meisha Porter
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN / Photos
Eric Dinowitz, Mino Lora, Abigail Martin, Daniel Padernacht and Marcos Sierra debated how to tackle several issues in this corner of the Bronx at a recent candidates forum hosted by The Riverdale Press and BronxNet. This is expected to be the final time these six get to spar ahead of the June 22 Democratic primary. Below, the BronxNet crew finds a way to bring the entire on-site production together at DeWitt Clinton High School.
Want to watch? The political forum featuring five of the candidates seeking the city council seat once held by Andrew Cohen was sponsored by The Riverdale Press and BronxNet. It airs on Optimum Channel 67, and FiOS Channel 2133: • Saturday, June 19 at 11 a.m., and 6 p.m. • Sunday, June 20 at 5 p.m. • Monday, June 21 at 2 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.
Struggling to spend money in the Bronx
every day about why the garden isn’t coming back. But Dinowitz says his office already has intervened. In fact, the eviction was stopped dead in its tracks. “They were going to be evicted,” the councilman said. “They were asked to remove everything by a certain date, and that has been revoked. And we are in the process of saving the garden.” Using the power of his elected office, Dinowitz says he pulled together the school’s principals, some community members and the learning center’s leadership to discuss the issue. The problem is with the city needing to issue a new permit for the center — something the education department isn’t doing because the city agency told him they currently aren’t issuing these permits. But social worker Abigail Martin spoke up challenging Dinowitz’s assertion the problem had been solved, because the learning center’s mem-
bers are still locked out of the garden. “If kids can’t go into the garden, that means they have been evicted,” Padernacht said. “If they can’t use it, it means they have been evicted. If somebody is evicted from their apartment, and they came home and are locked out of their apartment — if they can’t get back in, that is an eviction.”
Making ‘affordable’ housing affordable On the broader topic of housing evictions, Mino Lora — a non-profit executive director from Spuyten Duyvil — described housing as a “human right,” saying it’s time to cancel apartment rent for those who found themselves financially devastated through the coronavirus pandemic. “It is unacceptable that this rent burden that we’ve been having, and the crisis that’s been exacerbated during COVID, is happening right now,”
In a lighter moment not caught on camera, Councilman Eric Dinowitz lets primary challenger Mino Lora know that a leaf had blown into her hair.
Lora said. “It points to our flaws as a society, and us prioritizing New Yorkers and Bronxites.” The city council must also think about what exactly affordable housing is by redefining what is — and isn’t — affordable. That starts with abandoning the area median income formula used to determine affordability, and replacing it with a more neighborhood-specific calculation based on income at the ZIP code level. However, Martin openly questioned Lora’s commitment to affordability. She cited claims Lora supported a controversial rezoning plan in Manhattan’s Inwood neighborhood that passed the city council in 2018. Opponents to the plan say it will gentrify the neighborhoods, pushing many out of their homes. “You’re always the one fighting for workers, yet you supported this plan that’s going to displace thousands of immigrants, thousands of residents,” Martin said. “That’s going to hurt small businesses. It’s really important for us in this district to understand what happened there. And to let us know: Is that going to happen to us?” Lora even appeared on television with Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez supporting the plan, said Norwood political activist Marcos Sierra. “You literally stood shoulder-toshoulder with Ydanis and applauded, this is a quote, ‘applauded the introduction of a theatre component in this rezoning, and that gentrification was inevitable,’” Sierra said. “It is inevitable. But for me, it’s tough to swallow that you stood fast on this development.” But Lora described all those claims as a mischaracterization. As the head of her nonprofit, the People’s Theatre Project, Lora said she was tasked with leading the arts and culture component of the rezoning plan. She crafted it based on input from many of her non-profit’s neighbors in Inwood, but ultimately opposed the plan’s final version because it ignored everything she and the neighborhood put together.
“Over three years we worked with the community, we presented a community-driven project, one that addressed the needs of our community,” Lora said. “And to be frank, the day that it was announced, the plan that was presented did not match” that. Additionally, Lora said, her campaign has taken pains to reinvest in this corner of the Bronx throughout both the special and primary elections. Lora has spent 39 percent of her campaign funds locally since March, a dollar amount higher than anyone else in the race by far. She did it by hiring her campaign staff locally. Martin says she, too, has hired locally. But when it came to some of her most expensive work like printing campaign materials, she was forced to go outside of the Bronx, claiming the Bronx Democratic Party political machine controls all printing operations in the borough. “When I was exploring running for this campaign, one of the pieces of advice that I got from multiple insiders was, ‘Do not trust any printers in the Bronx,’” Martin said. “’The Bronx machine has fingers in all of them. You have to go outside.’ And everybody knows that a bulk of candidate expenditures are in printing. So, that’s what we did. We went outside the borough for printing.” The end result was Martin spending just 7 percent of her campaign funds in the Bronx, although she says that’s not counting the $26,000 she’s paid to her campaign manager, Alexandrea Logan. Martin says Logan is temporarily living in Riverdale, despite reporting a permanent address in Illinois to the campaign finance board. And if those dollars were counted, her Bronx spending would jump to 23 percent. However, Dinowitz was the worst offender in local expenditures, spending just 2 percent of his nearly $90,000 in campaign funds in the Bronx since March. Maybe the system should be changed to incentivize local spending, the councilman said, but he’s proud most of his was directed toward individuals. “There’s always ways to go back to programs and improve them,” Dinowitz said. “But my campaign spends its money on direct voter contact to talk with as many people in the district as possible. That is almost every single dollar I spend is spent on getting my message out and talking to people.”
B2 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021
THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021 - B3
Yang looks to give everyone a seat at the table MEETthe
n Presidential run turned him into big name, ideas could make him mayor By MICHAEL HINMAN mhinman@riverdalepress.com
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obert Moses envisioned it as six lanes of concrete, stretching nearly seven miles across the Bronx. When it came to the Cross Bronx Expressway, money was no object. In fact, a small portion of it is considered one of the most expensive highway stretches of all time, costing nearly $400 million in today’s currency. Since its opening, the highway has been blamed for keeping poor neighborhoods poor, and for making it even harder to breathe in the Bronx. The expressway certainly has its uses — when it’s not clogged up — getting traffic between two bridges: the Alexander Hamilton and the George Washington. Yet one community activist, Nilka Martell, has an idea she says could fix all those problems at once. Simply “cap” the expressway — well, at least a couple miles of it — and reclaimed those caps as much-needed park land. It’s a bold idea. And an expensive one. But last week she picked up some high-powered support from the borough’s newest congressman, Ritchie Torres, and another man hoping to move his family from Queens to Gracie Mansion: Andrew Yang. “Right now, that highway, unfortunately, divides the Bronx and makes it so that certain neighborhoods that are really quite close to each other typically feel quite separated,” Yang says, just hours after publicly backing the Cross Bronx proposal. “It’s things
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MAYOR
An occasional series profiling various mayoral candidates and their plans for the Bronx.
Andrew Yang PARTY: Democratic PREVIOUS OFFICE: None FAMILY: Wife Evelyn, two sons WEB: YangForNY.com
Photos courtesy of Andrew Yang for Mayor
To describe running for New York City mayor as herculean is an understatement. But as Andrew Yang and others discovered along the way over the past several months, the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t made it any easier. Yet, it’s that very pandemic Yang fears will cause many in the city to struggle without the right leadership at Gracie Mansion. like this that gets me really excited, and it gets the people of New York excited. And it becomes where we focus.” Yang became a household name in 2019 as he was one of several candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Donald Trump for the White House. He was different from most of the other candidates. He had no government experience. But he had a rather unique idea: universal basic income.
With city council candidate Marjorie Velazquez and U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres by his side, Andrew Yang makes yet another stop in the Bronx as part of his push to become New York City’s next mayor.
Essentially, Yang wanted the government to send every American 18 and older $1,000. Every month. Forever. It was a way to create financial stability for every family, he said, while encouraging them to not have to kill themselves working every hour they could just to make ends meet. His “freedom dividend” attracted a lot of media attention, but not a lot of votes. Yang dropped out of the presidential race immediately after the New Hampshire primary, and instead threw his support behind Joe Biden. By the end of 2020, with the pandemic raging, Yang joined at least a dozen other serious candidates and filed all of his paperwork to run for mayor. “If you’re running a nationwide campaign, you’re not going to be talking about something that’s going to affect a community” in the way that capping the Cross Bronx could help the communities it cuts through, he says. “The issues are different and more localized. But in that way, they’re more compelling and real for it. Because if you imagine the impact on a family, for example — making the streets or subways safer — there’s nothing more impactful than that.” It requires leaders willing to listen,
Yang says. And listening is not exactly many of their strong suits. Especially if the voices trying to be heard are coming from outer boroughs like the Bronx. “We need a government that is laser-focused on making things better for us and our families,” he says. “That they don’t just take office to take office. Like the reason I’m running for mayor is to improve the lives of the people who have been forgotten and left behind.” When it comes to transportation — especially in the outer boroughs — far too many people feel left behind. Sure, Moses built a number of highways to help people get around. But most people in the Bronx don’t own a car, and they instead depend on mass transit like buses and subways. Except, using one of those services to get across the borough is quite impractical. Yang’s solution here is simple: Reclaim control of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority from the state. As a city-managed line, create a system that can get people to where they actually want to go, not just anywhere they want to go as long as it’s in Manhattan. “It’s why we’re getting frustrated, particularly if you’re in the Bronx and
you look up and say, ‘Why can’t I get from one part of the Bronx to another part of the Bronx,’” Yang says. “Right now, there’s no responsiveness or accountability on the part of the MTA, because New York City gets only four out of 21 board appointments. We have to give people better ways to get around. For sure.” Yang walked some of the streets of Riverdale just a couple weeks ago, and seeing empty storefronts — just like he’s seeing across the rest of the city — really concerned him. Many want to blame online companies like Amazon — and they certainly are a factor. But many times businesses shut down not because of invisible competitors, but instead from unyielding landlords. “Empty storefronts are bad for neighborhoods,” Yang says. “So, with a closed storefront, if you have a landlord who looks at it and says, ‘I’m going to sit on this and wait for a deal I love,’ that darkened storefront sends a negative message to people in the community, and adjacent businesses.” Instead, the city should reward landlords who do the right thing with some kind of incentive, or punishing those doing the wrong thing by levying a vacancy tax against them. Either way, Yang believes it could fill many storefronts and keep the business corridors of many neighborhoods vibrant. Latest polling doesn’t have Yang at the top of the Democratic heap for mayor as he’d like. But there’s still a long way to go between now and Tuesday, when the primary finally wraps up. In the meantime, he’s going to continue traveling around the city, and continue to listen. “This, to me, is really the purpose of my campaign,” Yang said. “It’s for us to turn the page and make it so that people in the Bronx, in Queens, and in other parts of the city actually feel like it’s our government, and that they have a seat at the table.”
B4 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021
CITY COUNCIL PRIMARY ABIGAIL MARTIN I
ERIC DINOWITZ E
t’s hard to imagine anything good coming out of the coronavirus pandemic, and really there isn’t much. But for anyone looking for a city council candidate like Abigail Martin, if it wasn’t for the craziness of the past year or so, she may have never been inspired to run. But the social worker and adjunct college professor looked around her neighborhood as it locked down last year, and decided it was time to make a difference. “In 2019, unemployment in the Bronx was 5.4 percent,” Martin said, soon after launching her campaign in Summer 2020. “And in six months, it has jumped to 20 percent. And I think people are scared about losing their homes. They’re scared about losing their jobs. Food insecurity is up. People in general just don’t know what the future is going to look like.” Yet, Martin’s journey to the June 22 Democratic primary has not been the one she expected to take. Like the other challengers looking to win a seat on the council, Martin hoped to compete in the March special election to succeed Andrew Cohen. But petitioning requirements to get on the ballot were not relaxed anywhere near like they were the summer before, and Martin was not about to expose her volunteers to the virus. And, at least from a health perspective, that might have been a good move. Both Mino Lora and Jessica Haller were among those actively petitioning and campaigning in the special election who ultimately suffered from COVID-19. Still, getting attention in a race that includes five others — most of whom had plenty of media attention in the special election race — won’t be easy for Martin. But she intends to persevere. “Our strategy from the get-go has been reaching every Democratic voter in this district,” Martin said last April. “We will continue to focus on every single neighborhood of this district, reaching as many voters as possible.” — Michael Hinman
ric Dinowitz has only been a councilman for two months, but he’ll need voters to help keep him there in the June 22 Democratic primary. The son of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, he has spent most of his life in this corner of the Bronx, hailing from Kingsbridge and attending the Bronx High School of Science. He currently lives in Riverdale with his wife and twin sons. “I learned to ride my bike in Van Cortlandt Village, in the Amalgamated,” Dinowitz said during a recent debate on BronxNet. After earning his master’s degree from CUNY’s Hunter College, Dinowitz became a special education teacher at the John F. Kennedy campus, ultimately spending the last 14 years teaching around the district. “I taught in schools in Kingsbridge, Marble Hill (and) Kingsbridge Heights,” he said. Dinowitz also was a union representative with the United Federation of Teachers. Outside the classroom, he was chair of Community Board 8’s aging committee and one of the Democratic district leaders for his father’s Assembly district — a position he still holds today. He’s run on the message that all of this experience makes him the best person to advocate for the district’s diverse neighborhoods at City Hall. With the backing of powerful political organizations — like the Bronx Democratic Party, along with one of its vessels, the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club — Dinowitz has a well-funded and far-reaching campaign apparatus that many say gives him a significant advantage in the primary. He’s also the incumbent. Dinowitz says this means he’s already gotten a head start on keeping his campaign promises. “When I say I’m going to go to City Hall to fight for people with disabilities, it means that I joined the committee of mental health, disabilities and addiction,” Dinowitz said. “And it means that when I pass legislation — like the (plastic) straw ban — it takes into account the needs of people with disabilities.” — Ethan Stark-Miller
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN / File
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN / File
THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021 - B5
CITY COUNCIL PRIMARY DANIEL PADERNACHT T
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MARCOS SIERRA
ight now, Marcos Sierra is the program coordinator for Bronx Regional Aid for Interim Needs — or RAIN — and the male district leader in Nathalia Fernandez’s 80th Assembly district. But unlike Fernandez, Sierra doesn’t want to lead the borough. He wants his decisions to impact the city as a whole. And as one of only two candidates hailing from the eastern side of the district — along with former New York Police Department detective Carlton Berkley — he hopes to provide a fresh perspective for the city council. Sierra wasn’t always seeking local elected office. He’s a former Norwood News intern, and once served on Community Board 7 in that area. All of those experiences, he feels, will serve him well on the city council. While other electeds might spend their time working at City Hall or in Albany, Sierra says he prefers to tend to his neighborhood’s needs and get things done. His campaign is built on three pillars: education, increasing worker protections, and “real” affordable housing. There’s little understanding of how the council generates ideas, Sierra says, on the level of distribution. But he believes his understanding of those inner workings are necessary to achieve his goals. And among those goals is to obtain equity on many levels for a diverse neighborhood some tend to forget is so diverse. “Equal is not equitable,” Sierra said last year. “Equal means all of the … neighborhoods have somebody in the council representing them. Equitable means all seven neighborhoods get their issues addressed in the same way, equitably.” When it comes to education, Sierra says the communities beyond Riverdale need someone who understands the importance of the public school system. “Every parent in every community should be proud and be happy and feel safe to take their child to the school that they’re going to, because they’re going to get just as good an education as someone in Riverdale,” Sierra said. — Sophia Romano
he end of the city council Democratic primary has been a long time coming for all of the candidates. But that’s especially the case for Dan Padernacht. The outgoing Community Board 8 traffic and transportation committee chair was the first to throw his hat into the ring for a special election back in 2018, when it became all but apparent that then-councilman Andrew Cohen would take a seat on the Bronx Supreme Court sooner rather than later. Shortly after, CB8’s aging committee chair — and eventual special election victor — Eric Dinowitz also threw his hat in the ring, as expected, signaling the beginning of what would become a very long trip to the finish line. Nearly three years later, voters made their decision in a March special election. Padernacht teamed up with retired New York Police Department detective Carlton Berkley, but ultimately placed fourth. Yet, Padernacht still has high hopes for the primary, especially since other races for mayor, comptroller and borough president also will appear. “Our campaign held back a little too much, particularly in challenging other candidates on issues,” Padernacht said, in a post-special election statement. “Our team is shifting strategies, and we are confident that the Democratic primary will have a different result.” Aside from college and law school, Padernacht has spent his entire life in this council district, second generation in the Shalom Alecheim community in Kingsbridge Heights where both his grandfather and father once worked. Padernacht believes his roots will serve him well in a city council seat. “My background uniquely qualifies me to represent the northwest Bronx,” Padernacht wrote in a Point of View last March. “I understand the pulse and needs of our neighborhoods, and the values that bind us.” — Rose Brennan
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN / File
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN / File
VOTE IN NEW YORK’S DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
MINO LORA I
n last March’s special election for this same city council seat, Mino Lora came the closest to overtaking Eric Dinowitz in the race to replace Andrew Cohen. The executive director of Inwood’s People’s Theatre Project ultimately garnered 33 percent of the vote in the ranked-choice contest. But Lora has a second chance June 22, running on a message of helping lower-income people of color recover from the coronavirus pandemic while addressing issues they faced even before the pandemic. These include expanding affordable housing, implementing universal child care, and moving money away from the police and instead toward education. Lora’s drive to fix broken systems and help people on the margins is tied to her personal story. She grew up in the Dominican Republic, immigrating to New York some 20 years ago. She founded the People’s Theatre Project in 2009, what she describes as a safe space for recent immigrants to connect about their experiences. “The power of stories has been very important in my life,” Lora said. “The importance of representation in leadership — whether it’s on the stage, or in a nonprofit space, or in the classroom. And now, in an elected office.” Now Lora’s ready to take on Dinowitz again in the Democratic primary for the same seat. But this time, Lora believes the multitude of races on the ballot will drive higher turnout and give her the edge she needs. “We felt, we saw, that night in the results that people are excited for an actual progressive candidate, for a grassroots candidate that represents the working families of our district,” she said soon after election night. “More people will get to see that, and more people will get out to vote for that.” — Ethan Stark-Miller
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN / File
JUNE 22 C
CARLTON BERKLEY
arlton Berkley fell short in March’s special election to replace then-councilman Andrew Cohen, but he returns to the ballot for the June 22 Democratic primary. This is a chance for redemption for Berkley after finishing last in a race ultimately won by Eric Dinowitz, who holds the position until the end of the year. However, Berkley admits he’s not trying very hard this time around. Berkley, a former New York Police Department detective, is not from Riverdale or even the western side of the district. He understands geography will play a significant role in how the voting results pan out. “Riverdale is never going to go for somebody outside of Riverdale,” he says. March’s special election wasn’t the first time Berkley lost a race. He also ran for city council twice — in 2009 and 2013 — losing both times. Additionally, he fell short on an the East Harlem Assembly seat in 2010. Berkley’s running for city council again, with a campaign focus on criminal justice reform. He spent 20 years with the NYPD, regularly fighting against the unequal treatment of officers of color. He believes the NYPD budget can be cut and repurposed into different organizations that all could lower crime. In addition to criminal justice, Berkley advocates for low-income housing. He believes families shouldn’t be spending “50 to 75 percent of their income for rent.” Instead, rent should be adjusted based on a family’s annual income. Berkley realizes his chances are slim given that he’s not from Riverdale nor did he perform well in the special election. Still, he’s not giving up on his chance to be the next councilman for this corner of the Bronx. — Brendan O’Sullivan HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN / File
B6 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021
Ranked-choice hits eye like big pizza pie n de Blasio offers voters a voting simulation letting them pick pizza toppings By JILLEEN BARRETT Intern
Politics has a way of dividing people based on their unique experiences, specific identities, and simply the way they see the world. While this may increase tensions at the polls, there is one thing that can unite Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, and really any other political belief from all walks of life: a hot slice of New York pizza. And it’s that very tomato saucedand cheese-layered pie Mayor Bill de Blasio and his chief democracy officer, Laura Wood, hope will help voters understand the city’s new ballots when they visit the polls Tuesday. It’s a demonstration of a ranked-choice voting system not to decide who will fill what office, but instead on what pizza topping is best. “This year, democracy gets an upgrade in New York City,” de Blasio told reporters. “But any new system takes time and practice to get it right. That’s why we’re calling on every New Yorker to rank their pizza toppings. It’s a fun, interactive way to demonstrate ranked-choice voting, and get New Yorkers excited to cast their ballot this year.” And for this particular vote, you don’t even have to visit a polling site. Instead, it’s as simple as logging on to NYC.gov/VotePizza, and start ranking. Choices include olives, pineapple, clams, vegan cheese, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms and green peppers. “Ranked-choice voting will give New Yorkers more of a say in elections,” Wood said. “This year, as you are making your voting plan, make sure you are prepared to vote by practicing ranked-choice voting with our pizza topping challenge, and help spread the word by sharing the ballot with your family, friends and neighbors.” de Blasio and Wood have recruited others in the mayor’s administration
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN
Broadway Joe’s owner Louis cooks the inspiration for Mayor Bill de Blasio’s voting simulation, which asks those looking to cast a ballot Tuesday to rank their top five pizza toppings. to vote. Jordan Stockdale, executive director of the Young Men’s Initiative — a city organization addressing disparities faced by young men of color — prefers sausage, peppers, onions, mushrooms and Canadian bacon — although he’ll have to write in a few of those, because they’re not on de Blasio’s ballot. But what do actual pizza shop owners think, especially much closer to
home here in the Bronx? Louis Porco owns Broadway Joe’s near the West 242nd Street stop of the 1 train. His pies commonly come with pepperoni, chicken and sausage. Just down the road, the Kingsbridge Social Club near West 238th Street also cites pepperoni as a customer favorite, although the restaurant is home to an exclusive combo pizza with raw prosciutto as well as
Courtesy of Mayoral Photography Office/ Michael Appleton
Mayor Bill de Blasio demonstrates ranked-choice voting by putting in order not political candidates for office, but instead favorite pizza toppings. It’s one way the mayor’s office hopes to educate voters about the new process.
homemade spicy honey, according to sous chef Samantha Ortiz. And while some of these toppings are not listed on de Blasio’s ballot, the choices that are there have already accumulated more than 15,000 votes in its first round as of Monday. Some critics have said the new system is too complicated, or really doesn’t make any significant changes at the polls. Ranked-choice already has been used in several special election races this year, including one for Andrew Cohen’s former council seat in March. The idea is that by asking voters to rank their choices, elected officials can be chosen by an actual majority rather than through whoever simply gets the most votes — even if it’s nowhere near an outright majority. Ballots are initially counted with all the first-choice candidates. If no winner achieves 50 percent of the vote, then precincts continue the count through elimination rounds, where the lowest vote-getters are tossed, and their ballots jump to the next highest-ranked available candidate. This continues until just two candidates are left, with one crossing the 50 percent threshold. Sean Dugar, the education campaign program director at voter education group Rank the Vote, says the new voting system not only allows the liberty to rank the candidates, but it also saves the city money. Through ranked-choice, there is no need for a run-off election, as voters make their choices known with a single trip to the polls. “The city spends anywhere from $10 to $15 million on our run-off election,” Dugar said. “And with ranked-choice voting,
run-off elections have now been eliminated.” Dugar believes ranking something like pizza toppings in the name of education can be both beneficial and entertaining. And it’s certainly helpful that some might be more passionate about pizza than a candidate for local office. “New Yorkers love pizza,” Dugar said. “Being able to find something that’s catchy and fits in with the voters is great.” But not everyone is convinced. Margaret Groarke, a political science professor at Manhattan College, does not feel de Blasio’s pizza ballot will encourage more people to vote. Still, she sees benefits to the new method — even if it might not provide the bump at turnout as some elections officials hope. “I don’t think that there’s anything about ranked-choice voting that would make people more likely to show up,” Groarke said. “There might be people who are scared off by it. I think what it could increase is the number of people who are able to do ranked-choice voting right, and the number of people who will pick more than one name.” Groarke thinks when it comes to elections for people — as opposed to pizza — voters should consider their choices carefully and rank the candidates based on their personal senses of likability. “The New York Times said the other day that people shouldn’t overthink ranked-choice voting, and I think that’s good advice,” she said. “People should rank a couple of candidates in the order that they liked them. People shouldn’t rank anybody that they wouldn’t like to see win. And that’s all there is to it.”
THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021 - B7
History repeats: Candidates won’t spend in Bronx n Eric Dinowitz directs just 2% of his spending into his own borough
Padernacht, however, still lags in overall primary fundraising with just $21,100 total, behind Lora’s $29,510. Dinowitz, on the other hand, has raised $44,746. That now exceeds even Martin — who opted out of the March special election — and was instead able to get a significant financial head start, using the money she collected before — and during — the special election. More than half of Dinowitz’s money in the past month came from political action committees and unions, while Padernacht collected a $1,000 check from Dr. Satnam Sabharwal, an anesthesiologist living in Long Island’s Oyster Bay. Lora also received a $1,000 donation, but from an aspiring Rhode Island actor named James Calabresi. He penned an opinion piece back in 2017 for the student newspaper at Connecticut’s Trinity College imploring Democatic leaders to be more like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Marcos Sierra, a political activist in Norwood, raised just $700 in the last month. But, like Martin, he skipped the special election and raised $7,000 for the primary. Yet that was enough for him to receive, after Friday’s filing deadline, more than $43,000 in city matching funds. Former New York Police Department detective Carlton Berkley picked up another $500 or so for his run, bringing his total to $2,100. But he has yet to record any expenditures, according to the campaign finance board. Early voting already is under way, with the primary election itself set for June 22. Like the March special election, this race will be decided with the ranked-choice voting system. That means voters will arrange their top five picks in order of preference, which will then be used to help get the winning candidate over 50 percent.
By MICHAEL HINMAN mhinman@riverdalepress.com
The last time this part of the Bronx had a contested primary race for city council, Oliver Koppell was gearing up for a run against state Sen. Jeffrey Klein for his role in creating an offshoot caucus of Democrats in Albany that had decided to partner up with Republicans. It was 2013, and the race was essentially down to three people: Andrew Cohen, Cliff Stanton, and someone who would face an indictment for housing fraud just a few years later: Cheryl Keeling. The three spent $364,500, but just a quarter of it — $91,000 — was paid to Bronx businesses. That wasn’t a lot of money to keep home. But it’s still more than what has stayed locally in the 2021 city council primary to fill the seat Cohen ultimately won. A lot more. In the last public filing before the start of early voting last Saturday, the six candidates looking to win — or continue holding — a seat at City Hall have now spent $259,200 since March. But just a little less than $35,000 of it — just 13 percent — remained in the Bronx. Leading the way to send as much of his money out of the borough as he can? The incumbent councilman, Eric Dinowitz. Since March, Dinowitz has spent nearly $87,000 to retain the seat he just won during a special election at the start of primary season. Of that, only $1,474 of that remained in the Bronx. All of it went to the Benjamin Frank-
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN
Mino Lora, left, and Abigail Martin are the only two women seeking the council seat currently held by Eric Dinowitz. And both are almost in a foot race to see who can spend the most money in the Bronx, compared to Dinowitz, who says he’d rather spend money on voter outreach than in the borough he represents. lin Reform Democratic Club, a group primarily controlled by his father, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and the county’s party political machine. Even when that spending is narroed to the last month or so, most of Dinowitz’s $70,000 in outgoing cash had just a single destination: A Brooklyn consulting group, Red Horse Strategies. Dinowitz isn’t alone, however. His challengers haven’t fared much better. Abigail Martin, for example, has spent more money than any other candidate in this primary race so far — nearly $97,500 since March. But just 7 percent of it — about $6,400 — was paid out locally. Martin, however, says this accounting of her spending and where the money is going isn’t accurate. She says her campaign manager, Alexandrea Logan, is a temporary resident of
Riverdale, and pays taxes to New York City, despite the city’s campaign finance board listing her home address in Illinois. Martin has paid Logan $11,500 since the special election ended. If added to her other verified Bronx spending, that would increase Martin’s local support from 7 percent to 18 percent. That would move her ahead of Dan Padernacht — who has only spent 8 percent of his funds in the Bronx — but well behind Mino Lora who has spent more money in the Bronx since March than all the other candidates combined. Lora’s $68,000 spending blitz since the beginning of the primary was third highest among the candidates, while nearly 40 percent of it remained here at home. Of course, not all the spending is
done just yet. In fact, banks are still holding more than $340,000 of campaign money for just this race alone. As of last Friday, Martin has nearly $130,000 yet to dole out, while Lora is still sitting on a little under $100,000, while Dinowitz is looking for ways to spend $90,000 more. That means there’s a good chance a little more money could find its way back to the Bronx. In fact, Dinowitz has a $3,000 payment pending to attorney — and Bronx Democrats political boss — Stanley Schlein. That would help the councilman’s local spending percentage a little bit, but not by much. All of this is after the candidates raised $23,300 over the past month and collected more than $500,000 in taxpayer-funded matching dollars. Padernacht led those fundraising efforts with $8,600, with Lora close behind at $7,840.
POLITICAL ARENA If Kathryn Garcia was able to vote in the Bronx, she says she would choose Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez as her first choice on the ballot to become borough president. Fernandez has returned the favor, saying she would indeed support Garcia in her run as mayor — but only has her second choice. That’s because she’s already backed Maya Wiley as her top pick.
Still, in a ranked-choice voting system, No. 2 isn’t bad, and Garcia says she’ll take it. “Nathalia and I share the same commitment to tackling one of New York City’s biggest threats: climate change,” Garcia said, in a release. “Nathalia is the only candidate with a detailed plan on how to address the issue head-on.” The kind words were mutual from Fernandez. “The Bronx is in crisis, and needs a leader who will make the borough a priority in New
York City’s recovery from the pandemic,” the Assemblywoman said, in a release. “Throughout her career, Kathryn has proven she knows how to diagnose and solve a crisis, ensuring that New York’s most vulnerable citizens have a seat at the table.” But the parade of endorsements didn’t stop there. Mino Lora’s city council campaign already was backed by U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman, but she now has another member of the Squad behind her: U.S. Rep. Al-
exandria Ocasio-Cortez. Lora didn’t release a public statement talking about the endorsement, but one of her challengers in the June 22 primary did. “In order to receive U.S. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement, city council candidates were asked to support a cut of at least $3 billion to the New York Police Department each year, which would slash the agency’s budget in half,” social worker Abigail Martin said, in a statement. “The candidate in
I
this race who did receive AOC’s endorsement has, on multiple occasions, said the NYPD should be abolished.” New York City’s Fire Officers Association has backed Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor for judge on the borough’s municipal court. Gonzalez-Taylor also received the backing of the Uniform Firefighters Association, which represents 11,000 uniformed firefighters, as well as the Riverdale civic group Concerned Citizens for Change.
And Sammy Ravelo’s campaign for Bronx borough president got a boost from the Police Benevolent Association, the primary union representing NYPD officers — and the same group that endorsed Donald Trump for re-election in 2020. “While other politicians demonize the police, I have stood by and supported them throughout my campaign, and through my life,” said Ravelo — who helped organize last year’s Blue Lives Matter march down Broadway — in a release.
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B8 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021
Opinion
The Riverdale Press maintains an open submission policy. Opinions expressed in this section do not necessarily represent those of this publication. Submissions can be made to letters@riverdalepress.com.
EDITORIAL
Time to pick up the gloves
J
ust minutes after taking the oath of office, President Joe Biden looked over the sparse crowd on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building, calling for healing. “History, faith and reason show the way, the way of unity. We can see each other, not as adversaries, but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. “We can join forces. Stop the shouting. Lower the temperature. For without unity, there is no peace. Only bitterness and fury. “No progress. Only exhausting outrage. No nation. Only a state of chaos. “This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward.” To say the 2020 presidential election was contentious is a serious understatement. The polarization in this country is worse than it’s ever been, and it’s doubtful we have even reached its peak. Next week, our primary elections will be finished. By this time next week we should have a clear idea of who will likely represent most of our community on the city council for the next two years. While it was certainly no presidential election, this council primary race hasn’t come without its own contention. Not just disagreements, but outright accusations. Arguments. Even anger.
But the conclusion of an election signals the conclusion of such hostilities. The man or woman elected represents not just the people who voted for them, but everyone who lives in the district. It’s important that we unite as a community behind that person, and ensure we get every ounce of support we require from City Hall. That doesn’t mean we can’t be critical, or that we can’t point out mistakes. It doesn’t mean some of us can’t file to make another run at the seat in 2023. But there is a point when the past is the past, and our focus should be turned to not just the here and now, but the future, too. Eric Dinowitz could continue in the seat he won just a couple months ago. Or we could see something new with Carlton Berkley. Or Mino Lora could take her own oath. Maybe we’ll meet Councilwoman Abigail Martin, or visit a storefront office with Dan Padernacht’s name on it. Or it could very well be the turn of Marcos Sierra to lead us locally. Whomever voters choose, they have chosen. If many don’t get out and cast a ballot, that’s on those people, not the newly elected council member. Our success hinges on the success of the person representing us. He or she may be a long way from President Biden, but they’re certainly close to establishing a unity of their own.
POINT OF VIEW
How our Assembly turns blind eye, enables rapists
By CHRIS LAKE (re: “Biaggi: Drinking or no, rape is still rape,” June 3)
I
f someone drinks too much and gets sexually assaulted, the defendant can use it against them. An Assembly bill can close this loophole. Thankfully, the Assemblyman who wrote this bill is in charge of the committee responsible for if and when A.5519 gets voted on. But after months of talking to survivor advocates, nothing has happened. Yet. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz stalled further by amending his bill for re-approval by adding one single word. Just one. This is not the only sexual violence bill his very committee is sitting on, leaving little to no chance they get passed this year. Protection for women and men from sexual violation is seen as an “issue that can wait.” Fact is, March saw a more than 30 percent increase in reported rape across New York City compared to the same time last year. April saw an increase of more than 50 percent compared to the previous year. One week in April saw an increase by more than 300 percent. The time to act is now. Patterns of behavior paint clear pictures of where a person stands. Same is true for people in an organization. A pattern of neglect to address sexual violence by the Assembly’s codes committee gives a silent nod to both would-be and repeat offenders. And they know it. A 2018 study found 46 percent of college campus rapists admitted to raping 10 or more women. In truth, the most significant concern the Assembly committee staff members have reported is that innocent men might go to jail if falsely accused. Mind you, the current false accusation rate for rape is somewhere between 2 and 10 percent — identical to almost all types of crime. The definition of “false accusation” includes if the survivor decides not to move forward with a trial, as well as if the police deem it to be “groundless” due to a delay in reporting, or insufficient evidence. Research funded by the U.S. Department of Justice further details police decision-making in groundless cases of sexual assault. This 2019 study revealed police do not consider women who were risk-takers, immoral or unfeminine to be “genuine victims.” This leaves countless guilty parties free from arrest and conviction. Last year, the National Registry of Exonerations released study findings that show 54 percent of those wrongfully convicted were put behind bars due to misconduct of police and
prosecutors. Unfortunately, New York has one of the highest wrongful conviction rates in the country. Marty Rosenbaum, the senior team counsel with the Assembly’s codes committee, has extensively studied, collected data, and wrote on wrongful convictions in New York. He noted the issue in New York with perjury, prosecutors and police misconduct in his peer-reviewed study referenced by colleagues and experts. It is admirable to ensure the justice system betrays no one innocent. But the guilty should not be getting any favors, either. The current rate of reported rape that ends in a conviction is 80 out of 1,000. The current rate of innocent men locked up for a crime they did not commit is 9 out of 1,000. This means 920 people are betrayed by justice for the protection of only nine people. This pits a “what if” scenario against “what is.” While the worry is that women could potentially weaponize a false allegation, this unicorn fear is somewhat unfounded. California made the very same drunk sex rape loophole adjustment to its penal codes five years ago. There was no magical spike in false accusations. Instead, the arrest rate the following year was identical, according to California attorney general Xavier Becerra. In fact, the National Registry of Exonerations found that since 1989, there were 52 exonerations nationwide for false accusations of rape. That same time period saw 790 exonerations for murder. This means it is 15 times more likely one would be falsely accused of murder than rape. This points more and more to an issue of applying the law in the courts, as opposed to the passing of the laws themselves. The state senate almost unanimously passed the earlier version of this bill last year, and its current version will be voted on soon, if not already. Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance fully supports the legislation. He has pushed for an end to its loophole since Summer 2019. Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled support for closing this drunk sex rape loophole as his fourth proposal of this 2020 State of the State agenda back in December 2019. However, for the third year in a row, the Assembly’s codes committee is allowing this bill to die, and with it the hope of survivors across our state. Is the Assembly’s codes committee intentionally trying to enable rapists? Likely not. But without allowing the members of the Assembly to vote on this issue for three years in a row, it certainly looks suspect. Chris Lake is executive director of Community for a Cause, a nonprofit focused on collaborating with communities and local governments to protect and provide for those in need.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Preparing for needed change
To the editor: Riverdale, and the 11th City Council District, are in need of change. The cynically timed retirement of Councilman Andrew Cohen resulted in the elevation of Eric Dinowitz to Mr. Cohen’s seat. The son of Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz had been, for years, a minor player in the team that included — and supported — then-Sen. Jeff Klein, and thus has helped block, for years, necessary change in Albany. Readers of The Riverdale Press will recall the seamy story of the Independent Democratic Conference — officials elected as Democrats, but functioning as Republicans. The election two years ago of Alessandra Biaggi resulted in positive change in Albany, and a weakening of the old guard. A high elected official told me during the Biaggi campaign that while he was not happy with Sen. Klein, he is “our guy.” This person was saying that is how politics work in the Bronx. That sentiment explains why our neighborhood — and our democracy — needs a change. Assemblyman Dinowitz has been helpful during the pandemic, but to see young Mr. Dinowitz achieve a full term on city council would be to
Lora always backed IDC To the editor:
(re: ”Lora never supported the IDC,” May 27)
I am responding to the letter of Rebecca Lish and Andrew Mutnick in which they take me to task for stating that, in addition to Eric Dinowitz — who campaigned for and strongly supported Jeff Klein — council candidate Mino Lora also supported Jeff Klein in his Independent Democratic Conference leadership. This was that group of loathsome dissident Democratic senators who joined the Republicans to control the senate, keeping the minimum wage down, opposing tenant rights, and opposing the protection of women’s rights. While Ms. Lora may not have voted for Jeff Klein, she contributed to the 2018 senate candidacy of then-state Sen. Marisol Alcantara, who had joined Klein and the IDC in the state senate. In that 2018 campaign, Alcantara was defeated by Robert Jackson, an outspoken op-
sustain the old, crony politics. A hard look at their websites show two strong candidates. Abigail Martin has strong experience in working with children, and has detailed ideas about policy. She would be a plus. Mino Lora is an immigrant from the Dominican Republic whose family had lost everything in a hurricane. She came to New York, graduated from Manhattanville College, and founded the People’s Theatre Project — now in its second decade. Her public work shows the rare mix of idealism and toughness we need in our politicians. Read more on her website. She has impressive endorsements on the local, state and national levels. Mino Lora is part of a larger movement for open and responsive politics, and would come to office with the sort of allies that allow a new member of the city council to be successful. Bronx primaries are known as fertile ground for incumbents, terrariums for the plants already inside. Electing Mino Lora would continue the revitalization that began when our community turned out, in huge numbers, to work for — and elect — Alessandra Biaggi. Kip Zegers
ponent of the IDC. As a civic leader in Inwood, Mino Lora did nothing to help Jackson, but — as admitted by Ms. Lish and Mr. Mutnick — she appeared at public events with Alcantara in addition to the campaign event to which she contributed. Ms. Lora may regret supporting the IDC, but the record indicates she did. As a side note, the referenced letter also praises the Working Families Party for leading the fight against the IDC. Phony praise indeed as this is the same Working Families Party that endorsed me against Klein in 2014, and reversed course when Klein falsely promised to rejoin the Democrats. No one who knew Klein believed that, and they were right. I don’t forget. Anyone who supported the IDC — including Eric Dinowitz and Mino Lora — has no right to the support of true Democrats in the council primary. g. Oliver KOppell The author is a former councilman, Assemblyman and state attorney general.
Reconsider gun laws To the editor: As a lifelong New Yorker, I have a full understanding of the reasoning behind the guncarry permit restrictions here. That said, political pressure from City Hall has been severely applied to the New York Police Department gun permit unit to deny carry permits to many with legitimate needs, including dealing in large sums of cash. Several such persons denied are clients and personal friends. But this issue arises more generally over genuine fear of crime. The very elected officials who will direct our legal representatives who will argue the case in the U.S. Supreme Court are the same people who have overseen the emasculation of our police, the prosecutorial discretion to not prosecute whole categories of crime, enacted the “no bail” law, and the release of repeat hard offenders. What is a law-abiding citizen to do? Jeffrey WiesenfelD
Something different this time To the editor: This spring, Eric Dinowitz won a special election for the city council seat for which his father, long-serving Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, had been grooming him for years. Now another election for the same seat is just days away, on June 22. Those wanting real change for our district might be wondering if all hope is lost. What’s different this time around? How can the Dinowitz brand of retail politics be stopped? I will tell you what’s different this time: Abigail Martin. Abigail is not a politician. She is a fellow social worker. A mother. A U.S. Navy spouse. And an advocate. It is refreshing volunteering for Abigail exactly because this is her first time running for office — she is a true political outsider. However, Abigail is not new to struggles, barriers and obstacles. She has been on the front lines fighting for New Yorkers her entire career. Perhaps most importantly for those wanting a change in leadership, Abigail is the candidate in this race who can both win and effectively govern to help our district and New York City recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is most refreshing that Abigail does not owe allegiance to anyone but the constituents of the district. She listens to voices from across the district, and has a place at the table for those left out, or those left behind. Abigail can win because she has outraised all the other candidates — Dinowitz included — and
has more donors who live right here in the northwest Bronx than anyone else on the ballot. She is not one to seek the limelight, but is someone who puts her head down to do the work in dedication and service of others. She is simply someone who fights for what’s right, and who stands up for the most vulnerable in our midst. In March’s special election, nobody challenging Dinowitz received more than 22 percent of the first-place votes. Overall, the results were discouraging, but they gave us all a real insight into how limited the other candidates were. For the upcoming Democratic primary, we finally have the chance to change course and rally behind a candidate with broad appeal throughout the district. I have been a grassroots organizer in the northwest Bronx since 2016, and have worked — up close — with many of our most promising candidates. Out of those still on the ballot in June, none shines as brightly as Abigail. She understands the way the city agencies work and how constituents can best tap into — and benefit — from them. We cannot afford to begin another new era of Dinowitz family politics, as usual. It’s time to elect a candidate who can bring new leadership to our community. That candidate is Abigail Martin. Please join me and vote No. 1 for Abigail Martin on June 22. DaviD Knapp
THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021 - B9
Op-Ed
Continues on Page B10 All six candidates filed to run in the June 22 city council primary election race were invited to submit Point of View pieces that would be published this week. Carlton Berkley chose not to participate. The other five are printed below, in random order.
POINT OF VIEW
Are you OK with how things are? Well, I’m not
By MINO LORA
W
hat kind of New York City do we want to live in? That’s the question we all need to answer on June 22. Will we work for true progress for all of us, or accept the failed policies of the past? If you’re an essential worker, a person of color, or living below the poverty line, you were more likely to have to go to work with COVID-19, more likely to get sick, and more likely to die. You are more likely to be behind on rent, have trouble putting food on the table, and have kids who weren’t able to participate in remote learning. Middle class Bronxites are falling behind, too, as everything gets more and more expensive, especially housing. And there is less opportunity for
our kids coming out of college. There’s a growing movement for change, to build a New York City for all of us. Our aim is to protect tenants, build affordable housing, provide child care, ensure access to health care, guarantee living wage jobs with paid sick leave, make every school excellent, protect our environment, create green jobs, and fix the criminal justice system so all of us are actually safe. Here in the northwest Bronx, we’ve made major contributions to that movement: Electing state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi to replace Jeff Klein, the leader of the Independent Democratic Conference, the group of fake Democrats who helped block vital legislation in the state senate. And we worked just as hard to elect Jamaal Bowman to Congress.
Both have endorsed me in this race. As your councilwoman, I will remain part of this movement. I’ll join the council’s growing Progressive Caucus, and work with others to strengthen the fight for justice for all. While many of us were suffering during the pandemic, Jeff Dinowitz was focused on doing everything in his power to see that our city council seat would be held by his son, Eric Dinowitz. Are you OK with this? I’m not. We can’t expect the same people who helped cause these problems to fix them. And we certainly can’t afford to hand over this council district to one family. That’s not a healthy democracy. I’m running to represent all of us on the city council. I’m a Dominican
mother, an immigrant who came here at 19 years old, worked minimumwage jobs with no health insurance, and out of nothing, built an arts nonprofit that organizes tenants, senior citizens and children. When my family was priced out of Washington Heights, I moved to the Bronx. It’s a familiar story: immigration and hard work. For some of us, it goes back 100 years or more. For others, it’s a more recent experience. We are the Bronx, and sharing our borough means seeing one another as equals — none more entitled to success than others. It’s much easier to vote now, thanks to laws passed by the new Democratic state senate. Early voting already started, and runs through June 20. Election Day is Tuesday, June 22.
There are only two possible winners here: Me, supported by the Working Families Party, Sen. Biaggi, Ruth Messinger, Councilman Brad Lander, and The Jewish Vote. Or the son of our 20-year incumbent Assemblyman, who is supported by real estate money, and will maintain the harmful status quo. When other candidates try to tear me down with baseless lies, they only help him. So the choice on your ballot is clear. The question is who will benefit: All of us in the Bronx? Or just the wealthy special interests? I’m committed to fighting for change that serves everyone. And I will ask that you rank me as your first choice. The author is a city council candidate in the June 22 primary.
Electing councilman with your shared experience By MARCOS SIERRA
I
am running to be your District 11 representative on the city council, and I am running because while our district is currently a “majority minority” district, it has never had a minority representing its needs and reflecting its diversity. While this may seem trivial to many, what it means to me is that our prior representatives have, for decades, not approached the allocation of resources within the district from an equitable lens. Our district’s children should not have to travel to an out-of-district school to receive a quality education. All schools within our district should have the same level of legislative support and qualified teachers to provide the same level of program access.
Education is a critical requirement for an improved quality of life, and we must ensure that our children are provided with a level playing field that gives them the best chance for future success. This means that our representatives must fight to ensure that every community — especially those most underserved — receive the equity they deserve. While trailing many other communities whose indicators are considered the measures of a successful future such as adequate and affordable housing, low unemployment, healthy food options, and voter engagement and participation, the Bronx is the unfortunate leader in many areas that often reflect an adverse future for its residents. These include poor health care
access and outcomes. Inappropriate, unsafe and unaffordable living situations. Poor educational outcomes. And a disproportionate share of homeless shelters. The residents of the Bronx deserve better. Better education. Better housing. Better employment opportunities. And so much more. My mother was my first role model in public service, which started at home. As a single parent, she was involved in the tenants association, worked in my school’s parent association, and helped our neighbors at Manhattan’s Frederick Douglass Houses. I learned early on — and firsthand — about the detrimental effects that the inequitable distribution of resources has on under-represented communities.
My first exposure to community activism was back in 2009 when I helped pull weeds at the Mosholu Library right there on West 206th Street and Bainbridge Avenue. It was awesome because seeing the direct benefit from having that area cleaned out gave me a genuine sense of pride, and the great feeling of giving back to my community. In 2011, I began my work in politics on the campaign of the theninsurgent Mark Gjonaj. In 2013, I was appointed to the position of male district leader for the 80th Assembly. Acting as the bridge between community and elected officials gave me a new appreciation for the political process. Moving from grass tops to grassroots, I knew that the area of public service was where I belonged.
I love my community and all of its residents, and I want only the best for them. We have been hit hard by an unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, and economic and other challenges, the likes of which have never been seen before. As a result, I know we will need a fighter in the city council. Someone who has lived their experiences, has a firsthand understanding of their struggles, and knows what is needed to improve conditions for all of us. I am that fighter, and that is why I’m running to be your next councilman for the 11th Council District. I thank you, and would be both grateful and humbled to earn your support. The author is a city council candidate in the June 22 primary.
I’m the only candidate who vows to fight for you By ABIGAIL MARTIN
W
e want change. We want leadership. This is our chance. I’m not a politician. I’m a social worker and an adjunct professor at Columbia University. I’m also the antiparty machine candidate in this race who can win. I have been endorsed by former councilman Oliver Koppell, and by 21 in ’21 — an organization created by former city council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito to elect more women to the city council. I’ve also been endorsed by the National Association of Social WorkersNYC PAC, Vote Pro Choice, Voters for Animal Rights, the League of Humane Voters, and the NYC Kids PAC. During my career, I have led teams
of social workers and volunteers at the Bronx family court to advocate for children and families. I have fought for the rights of crime victims and those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. I have spent a career getting results for my clients and working with city agencies to get things done — from the education department to the aging department. And I have assisted children who have been involved with the child welfare system and the criminal legal system. I’m a mother of three, a public school parent, a military spouse, and a longtime Riverdale resident. My children go to school here in Riverdale. Their pediatrician is here. I’ve led several parents groups in our community. And I’m a member of my building’s co-op board.
After decades of insider politics, our community wants an outsider. I know this because of what I hear on the campaign trail, and the support you’ve given me throughout this campaign. Despite being the political outsider in this race, more people from our community have donated to my campaign than to any other candidate. Even with the help of his father and his political machine, I have outraised Eric Dinowitz. I have taken no money from real estate developers, and I’ve taken no money from the fossil fuel industry. My campaign is 100 percent grassroots, funded by you. And only you. Other candidates in this race have a history of supporting the Independent Democratic Conference — dissident Democratic senators who helped
Republicans control the state senate for years. For almost a decade, the IDC kept the minimum wage down, opposed tenants’ rights, and opposed the protection of women’s rights. I have always supported true Democrats. As your councilwoman, I will only support Democrats because I believe in Democratic Party values. As a political outsider, I will always have the independence to do what’s right. When I’m at City Hall fighting for our community, I won’t first have to check with my father or his friends in Albany before making a decision. I’ll be there fighting for you. And only you. I’ll be fighting for working families and those on fixed incomes who struggle month after month to make ends meet, making New York truly
affordable for all. I’ll be fighting for our children, to make sure each one has the opportunity to thrive. I will fight overdevelopment and ensure the voices of our community members are always heard. I will fight to protect our quality of life, and ensure nobody in our community has to fear walking down the street, or taking the train. Most importantly, I’ll be fighting to create a city that respects each and every one of us, and ensures everyone is treated equally under the law. When you head to the polls, please make me your No. 1 choice. As your councilwoman, you will be the only person I will be fighting for. The author is a city council candidate in the June 22 primary.
This councilman already hitting ground running By ERIC DINOWITZ
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n April 15, I was sworn in as your New York City councilman. That day, I took an oath to duly represent you and your interests, and be your voice in government. This has been my task every day since — to ensure that you have a strong advocate, and lead us to a fair and equitable pandemic recovery that leaves no one behind. I am inspired every day in the fight to create a better New York City for our neighbors in the north Bronx, my wife Tamar, my twin boys Alex and Jesse, and my former students. Not a moment has gone by where I have not been striving to protect and defend older adults, working families, students and people with disabilities. I have hit the ground running, and
together we have accomplished so much in a few short months. To the families struggling with food insecurity, I am here for you. My office has run food distribution events throughout the district where we have provided food for hundreds of people. And in City Hall, we have passed legislation that reduces food insecurity. To those who desire a better quality of life, I am here to listen and find solutions. I have held dozens of outdoor office hours across the entire district, speaking to you directly, and solving a wide array of constituent problems. To those affected by our housing crisis and homelessness, I am fighting for your right to a safe and comfortable home — whether through solving individual tenants’ problems, or sponsoring legislation that expands our affordable housing
stock, expands right to counsel for tenants, and increases rental vouchers. I have done the work to keep people housed. And to our older adults, I was proud to be a forceful advocate in the reopening of our senior citizen centers safely and quickly, and am excited that our older adults can soon begin much of the programming that they have missed since the pandemic began. For neighbors who want clean parks and streets, I have sponsored street and parks cleanups with community groups to beautify our neighborhood and foster a sense of community. As your councilman, I am making your voice heard in City Hall as we craft a new budget that decides investments in our future. We need a
budget that works for everyone and uplifts our most vulnerable neighbors. Too many are struggling from job loss and unpaid rent. Too many of our small businesses have been devastated. Those that survived are still reeling. We feel the effects of cuts to government services that affect our quality of life. I will not support an austerity budget that further harms our community, reduces social services, or fails to fund crucial programs. In the upcoming budget, I have already allocated funding for our schools, parks, mental health, and health care services in the north Bronx. As we negotiate the budget, some of the funding I am fighting for includes smaller class sizes and more social workers in our schools, more
litter baskets and sanitation services, and more parks enforcement officers to respond to noise and litter complaints while educating park-goers on how to enjoy and preserve outdoor space. As chair of the veterans committee, I am fighting for services to ensure that our heroes receive proper mental health care and safe housing. I have consistently fought for our community and our shared values, without regard to politics. I will continue to uplift a positive message on the future of our community, and ignore the attacks and lies that are all too common and distasteful in campaigns, to focus on what is most important: You. The author represents the 11th city council district, and is a council candidate in the June 22 primary.
Scratch surface: Choose most qualified candidate By DANIEL PANDERNACHT
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y background in economics, law and government separates me from other candidates. However, I’m not good at self-promotion, and I don’t tell fictional stories as a ploy to relate to voters. For these reasons, my campaign lacks the pizazz of others. As a candidate, it’s easy to see why our problems go unresolved. The most qualified people for public office are often overshadowed by political forces and savvy campaigns. These campaigns give you the intoxicating feel of being in a new car dealership. However, we learn too late we ended up with a lemon that we’re locked into for years because we didn’t read the fine print. If we’re not careful on June 22, that’s what will happen to us in the
northwest Bronx. Our city has faced longstanding issues that have been kicked down the road by unqualified and self-serving politicians. Over time, we have paid for their shortcomings one way or another. How does this happen? When I was in law school, there were students that spoke with such fervor that you believed they must be right — until the professor chimed in and we learned they were absolutely wrong. It was the performance that tricked us. We see similar shows in campaigns with little opportunity to fact check. Candidates supported by political organizations like the Bronx Democrats and Working Families Party tap into an existing network of elected officials and unions to endorse their candidacy. This gives the appearance of
legitimacy. Propaganda principles are implemented — including repetition of artificially bloated resumes, half-truths, and lies by candidates and their supporters. Campaign consultants create flash that diverts from substance. Questions go unanswered by candidates, who blatantly disregard them. I ask that you take the time today to research the candidates asking for your vote. Separate the marketing from the substance. Go below the surface and ask yourself a series of questions. Is the candidate well-versed in economics, housing and land use? Can they analyze complex issues and problem-solve? Does the candidate have legal experience? What has the candidate done in this community in the last 10 years? Has this person worked with city agencies? Will this
candidate support the will of our community, or put their own interests first? Is this person genuine, or just acting? I’m part of the third generation of my family to live in the council district. I went to P.S. 95 and J.H.S. 143. I’m a local attorney who represents neighbors in the purchase and sale of their homes. I interpret laws and draft documents based on those laws. I’ve been a local business owner for more than 20 years. I have provided free legal services and information to tenants who have housing disputes. I teach mock trial to seventh-graders at P.S. 95. I sued the city and a developer to stop an oversized building from being built on Giles Place. For 12 years, I have sacrificed personal and professional time to serve
you on the community board — three as board chair, eight as chair of the traffic and transportation committee, and four as vice chair of the land use committee. I’ve run nearly a thousand community meetings to work on local issues. We’re at a critical time in New York City. We need smart and genuine people committed to protecting the most vulnerable, and making your quality of life better. My lifelong ties and extensive public record show my dedication to this community. I’m the neighborhood candidate, and I’m running to solve neighborhood problems. On June 22, I ask that you elect me to the city council by selecting me as your No. 1 choice on Line 4. The author is a city council candidate in the June 22 primary.
B10 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021
Opinion POINT OF VIEW
More independent judges needed here in the Bronx
By YADHIRA GONZALEZ-TAYLOR
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n June 22, Bronx Democrats will get to choose two Democratic candidates for civil court judge. Since the Bronx is heavily Democratic, a win in the primary is most likely a win for the nominees in November, and the new ranked-choice voting does not apply for judges. I am the candidate that began the conversation about judges in my letter to the editor published in The Riverdale Press. And since the conversation has taken off, I am happy for it. An informed electorate is a powerful one. Since February, I have been speaking with my neighbors about the voter’s power to elect judges who reflect our communities in lived experience in addition to legal qualifications. Since petition time, I have traveled
the entirety of the West Bronx, from Riverdale to Port Morris. I have frequented the streets I walked as a child — like Burnside Avenue — where my mother was a laundromat attendant until she became a mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service. I’ve knocked on doors to apartments I lived in as a young child, teenager and young adult well into my 30s, and my conversation with them has revealed that voters don’t know why there is often just one choice for a judge position in November. Many said they skip the judge section because they feel the choice has already been made for them without a primary. I believe this race among five attorneys for two judgeships illustrates what a healthy democracy looks like. The voter has a choice in filling two
positions that require high trust, which will require examination of the candidates by the public — rightfully so, as it is them who will be most impacted by the decisions made by judges. We, the people, are more likely to meet a judge for just about anything than we are the President of the United States, or even the mayor of New York City. I am asking voters to elect me because I have the unique qualifications that fit the community’s highest needs. I have led a life in service in law and in service to community. This combination makes me a judge of, and for, all the people. I started my life as a 19-year-old U.S. Army soldier. Later on, in law school, with various internships at two district attorney offices and local
courts. And after law school, as a prosecutor in Bronx County. At the DA’s office, I worked my way up to the investigations division, and was assigned cases for the arson and economic crimes bureau. This included complex investigations dealing with fraud cases and public servants who used their position for self-benefit. Learning how these crimes against integrity erode public trust and contribute to our urban problems led me to become an internal prosecutor for the New York Police Department. There I prosecuted corruption and misconduct in One Police Plaza’s “trial room,” where officers accused of serious misconduct or corruption are tried and disciplined or fired. My career has centered on improving the public’s trust, and I bring the perspective of the veteran — a
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
COVID-19 exposed many problems in the Bronx To the editor: Preventing epidemics require disease detections before infections reach critical mass — the epidemic threshold. New York City’s COVID-19 case detection was mid-March 2020. Mount Sinai Medical Center recently reported mid-February blood samples containing coronavirus antibodies — a month before detection, COVID-19 had spread through Mount Sinai’s patients. Post-detection, Mayor Bill de Blasio dithered a week before taking action. Gov. Andrew Cuomo stopped all action another week. COVID-19 had reached epidemic thresholds in Queens, Brooklyn and Bronx areas before the mayor’s action. All three levels of government had pandemic response plans, but jettisoned 2020 implementation. Donald Trump lied about COVID-19 contagion and virulence, and opposed interventions. Cuomo delayed action and tainted data with his hero-posing. de Blasio berated “disobedient” sectors, but failed to engage with vulnerable communities. Disease transmission is minimized at community level. Pandemic response plans must fit communities and be created by community, health
department, and other relevant agencies’ representatives. Workers, management and health departments must create worksite plans. Health departments must hire “trusted messengers” from communities to convey information between government and community for plan implementation. Government, communities and workers must share power and leadership. State and local health departments largely failed to establish long-term relationships with communities that state and local governments oppressed. New York state neglected and denigrated rural counties for decades. New York state and New York City failed poor urban neighborhoods for decades. Discriminatory fire service, violence and corrupt discriminatory policing, underfunding of poor neighborhoods’ schools, failure to protect tenants and the like, generated animosity. These communities rejected governmental COVID-19 rules. Why cooperate with contact tracers asking police-like questions? Why rat on neighbors, family and co-workers? Why follow orders developed by and for higher classes? Why get tested by
authorities that discriminate against you and your community? Disempowered communities exercise resistance in epidemics. Failed government cannot control contagious disease. With the highest cumulative firstwave COVID-19 case and fatality rates of New York state counties, the Bronx became the epicenter of the metropolitan region, and the national epicenter. By May 31, 2020, cumulative fatality rates of 23 of 24 Bronx ZIP codes with at least 10,000 residents exceeded 150 for every 100,000. In contrast, 18 of Manhattan’s 35 ZIP codes had less than 150 fatalities for every 100,000. Median ZIP code cumulative fatality rates were 174 for Brooklyn, 189 for Queens, 117 for Manhattan, and 222 for the Bronx. Such socio-economic factors as median income, educational attainment and rent stress associated with fatality rates of three boroughs’ ZIP codes, but not the Bronx, which became one big first-wave, high-fatality conurbation — a broken borough vulnerable to contagious disease and risk behavior after decades of discriminatory public policies such as redlining, urban renewal, planned shrinkage, failed tenant protection, and under-
funded overcrowded schools. During the second wave’s crest, it had the highest borough ZIP code maximum, mean and median percent positive. The second state wave came from counties bordering New York in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Midwest ports across Lakes Erie and Ontario. On Oct. 30, nine mainly border New York state counties exceeded the 3 percent positive test threshold. By Nov. 9, 29 counties did, and the second wave raged through the state — a second government COVID-19 failure. Decades-long governmental failures opened the Bronx to consequences of short-term failures. The 1970s Bronx fire company cuts destroyed more than 50 percent of several neighborhoods’ housing, pouring refugees into adjacent neighborhoods. Socially, economically and politically disorganized and disempowered, the borough’s weakness attracted decades of attacks and neglect. The Bronx needs socio-political reorganization, economic rebuilding, and adequate municipal services such as fire control, schools, public health, and housing regulation. DeborAh WAllAce
demographic that makes up 8 percent of the incarcerated population, but it is not represented in proportion on the bench. This in addition to my perspective of years of teaching urban college students. I am asking you to vote for me because I offer the entirety of what is lacking in our city’s courts, the unique combination of a lived experience that reflects the same as many of the people who come before the court on a daily basis with an extensive legal experience that has always been rooted in service to the community. I invite you to learn more by visiting me at YGT4BronxJudge.com. Early voting started June 12, and primary election day is June 22. The author is a candidate for municipal court judge.
Blood on their hands To the editor: Even Republican legislators who know better are willing to cater to anti-scientific ignorance when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination in order to appeal to their party’s “flat Earth” ignoramuses. They remind me of characters in the film about the famous evolution trial in Tennessee — the Scopes Trial of the 1920s — starring Spencer Tracy as Clarence Darrow and Frederic March as William Jennings Bryan. Just look at the rankings of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia showing the percentages of their populations that have received at least one vaccination. As I write in early May, the top five of Vermont, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Connecticut and New Hampshiree are strongly Democratic. The bottom five — Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Wyoming and Idaho — are bastions of Republicanism. Those Republicans have a lot of blood and death on their hands. AlAn SAkS
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THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021 - B11
The Bronx Was Hit Hardest by COVID-19: Fernando Cabrera has an affordability and Opportunity Agenda to Bring Us Back COVID-19 has devastated the Bronx. It was an Angel of Death that took our neighbors, our-co-workers and our family members at a rate higher than any of the other boroughs. And we scarcely had time to dry our tears as we watched a dismal march of economic calamity seen only a few times in our history. That point was driven home in a just-released report by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Among the grim statistics, he cited our highest-in the-city unemployment rate, peaking at 24.6 percent last May, and the variety of factors that made our small businesses and labor force more vulnerable to the pandemic. Those who know me know that my campaign to be Bronx Borough President is driven by hope and the promise of tomorrow. But my Affordability & Opportunity Agenda does more than just hope-it is a policy program of concrete steps that we can take right now to ensure that the Bronx comes back stronger than ever, and in ways that will ensure a more diverse economy that is less vulnerable to future dislocations. It starts, first and foremost, with fighting and making sure that the Bronx gets its fair share, a mission I’ve pursued with great success during my time on the City Council, beginning in 2010. And it acknowledges the crisis of affordability that has made it difficult for Bronxites to stay in the homes and communities where they have built their lives. Small and minority-owned businesses are the obvious foundation for our recovery efforts, especially since the Bronx was, by and large, shamefully left out of emergency COVID-19 lending and grant programs. Currently, our borough has an overrepresented share of workers in face-to-face industries, working for substandard wages from distant and heartless corporations. Small businesses based here will build wealth right here in the Bronx and give more workers an opportunity at higher wages. And we must also demand more of those corporations who ARE doing business in the Bronx. It’s not enough to demand they pay a living wage and a union (which I wholeheartedly support). We must also require that they provide apprenticeships and training so that their workers can be on a pathway for REAL advancement opportunities. As a former public schools counselor and career educator, I know that the next Bronx economy will be built by our public schools. Right now, we also lag in resources there, a problem I have worked to fix by securing more funds for our schools than any other Council Member. As borough president, I’ll make sure that EVERY Bronx school has a fully-equipped science lab. And I support the creation of a Harbor High School, in partnership with our own SUNY Maritime College. Finally, we must unite as a borough and ensure that we have a serious emphasis on wealth creation education. If we make sure that Bronxites are informed about all the tools and pitfalls of what has become an economy of exclusion, we will be better able to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19.
Paid for by Fernando Cabrera for New York
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I joined the thousands of Bronxites whose hearts are still heavy when my mother died of COVID-19 last year. She taught me the values of faith, family and hard work. My plan embodies those virtues in a way that will build back the Bronx even better in an economy that works for EVERYONE
B12 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, June 17, 2021