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Volume XX • Number 19 • May 9 - 15, 2013 •
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No Bronx office anytime soon for Rangel
By HAYDEE CAMACHO After representing Harlem for 42 years in Congress, this past fall, Rep. Charles Rangel faced a vigorous challenge in his run for a 22nd term when his congressional district was expanded upwards into sections of the Bronx that are 55 percent Latino. His most formidable challenge in winning over voters new to him came from State Senator Adriano Espaillat, whose Dominican American heritage resonated strongly with residents of the new district. In December 2010, Rangel’s career was dealt a serious blow when he was censured by the House of Representatives for ethical violations — including failing to pay taxes for 17 years on rental income from his villa in the Dominican Republic and soliciting donations from companies with business before the Ways and Means Committee while he was chairman. Despite these obstacles Rangel prevailed and he now represents Harlem and Bronx areas up to Kingsbridge and Norwood to Webster Avenue. But if you have a concern, you can e mail it or take a trip to Harlem. There will be no office in the Bronx anytime soon. For now, Rangel will instead visit the borough to get to know his newer constituents. Rangel spent the day on Monday, April 22nd meeting
with constituents in his new district areas. His first stop of the day was visiting the Mosholu Montefiore Senior Center with District 11 City Council candidate Andrew Cohen. “Right now I was successful in getting my landlord (of his Harlem office) to reduce the rent because my budget has been cut due to sequestration” he said. “What I am going to do is for staff and I to spend time at the City Council and State Assembly senator’s offices until I find something that will fit into my budget. They are going to give me a lot of flak in terms of going around. There may be complaints, but it won’t be because you won’t see me.” At Mosholu Montefiore Senior Center, Rangel’s visit was more of a campaign endorsement for Cohen than an issues session with the retirees. “I’m here with your new City Councilman and I want you all to vote for him. Andy you’re my new partner,” he said. “I want to show off all the great things being done in the 11th District and I’m excited to work hard with Congressman Rangel to make it a better place than it already is,” responded Cohen. Rangel spoke briefly with the senior citizens reaffirming his commitment to them. “Your problems are my problems. I’m with Medicaid, Medicare and Obama Care.” Referring to Republican opposition to the health care
reform law signed by President Obama in 2010” Rangel remarked, “They can say whatever they want, but come 2014, everyone is going to have health insurance.” “I don’t know how I became a senior citizen,” he quipped to the appreciative group. “We’re all in this together. At the end of the day I want to be able to say I did something to take care of this most deserving group of people who have made this country so great. “ For Hyacinth Tennant, a retired nurse, Rangel’s presence made an impression. “It means lot that he is here,” she said. “For him to make the time to come and visit us it shows he cares about the seniors.” “I’m glad to have him as part of our district,” said Edith Key. “We need someone with a lot of influence to help us.” Near Lehman College, younger constituents were less enthusiastic. "While I understand that they have budgets and having a second office would cut into it, it would just make it so much easier for everyone if they didn't have to go all the way to Harlem." said 24-year old Norwood resident Keith Mannion. Fellow Norwood resident Alejandro Smoker echoed the sentiment. “It seems shortsighted to expand his jurisdiction but make it so you can't raise important issues easily."
Exciting events planned for this year’s Bronx Week By HAYDEE CAMACHO Music, food and good spirits abounded at the kick-Off for the annual celebration of Bronx Week held at the Bronx County Building on the Grand Concourse on Monday, May 6th. Hailed as the “best of the borough,” Bronx Week will take place from May 9th through May 19th and will feature celebrations and community events throughout the borough. “Bronx Week is a time when we celebrate everything that is good in our borough,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz. “We have a rich history and we are the borough of swag and flavor,” he told the appreciative crowd. On a more serious note, Diaz ticked off indicators that are contributing to an improved living and economic climate in the borough. He cited that crime rates in the borough are at their lowest since 1963 and noted that the borough is experiencing more housing and economic development than ever before that is attracting both small business entrepreneurs as well as large corporations. “We have so many corporations and business that have said, ‘We want to make the Bronx our home,’“ he said. Diaz introduced 42 year Congressional veteran Congressman Charles Rangel, whose district was expanded to include parts
of District 11 in the Bronx with great flourish to the crowd, calling him a “walking, living legend.” “I’m proud of the leadership you have provided and for the economic incentives for business in the Bronx,” said Rangel. Rangel spoke of the importance of getting the word out to the business community about the “fine products that our small businesses are producing. The Bronx is going into a boom and will be leading in every area, in culture, in business and health care.” Bronx pride was evident among the owners of the business establishments at the event. “We had high expectations for the Bronx,” said Alex Garcia, chef of Babalu located on Tremont Avenue. The popular restaurant featuring Cuban cuisine and musical entertainment, was Garcia’s first foray into the Bronx. He has two other restaurants in Manhattan. “The neighborhood is great and the people are great.” James Langestine, owner of Bronx Alehouse, has been located on West 238th Street for the past four years and said the name for the his bar and restaurant was chosen “because we take a lot of pride in where we come from.” “We live in the Bronx and we’ve participated in Bronx Week for the past three years,” he said. “We love celebrating who we are and
where we come from.” Steve Leibowitz, unabashedly refers to himself as the “chief pickle maven” of United Pickle Products Corporation. His company’s website states that “United has made the pickles that
make New York City the pickle capital of the world!!!” “We’ve been in the Bronx for 61 years and in business 116. The Bronx has the best labor market,” boasted Leibowitz. He called his employees a family and noted
that many of them walk to work. “That is worth everything to me.” The company is working with the Bronx Economic Development Corporation to find a larger facility “in the Bronx only. “We Continued on Page 5
Babe (Clair Wegh) and Sleep-Tite pajama factory laborers at last Sunday night’s Riverdale Rising Stars performance of “The Pajama Game” at the Riverdale Y. See story on Page 5