Elections

UPDATE “Early Vote by Mail Act” to Enable New Yorkers to Use Mail-In Ballots for Early Voting

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx Assembly Member Karines Reyes, R.N. (A.D. 87) and Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris (S.D. 12) announced on Friday, June 9, that the State Assembly passed their new legislation (S.7394/A.7632) to expand early voting options to include an early vote by mail choice for all New Yorkers. The legislation passed the State Senate earlier this week and now heads to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk for approval.   “We have seen how important it is to have access to mail-in voting,” said Reyes, who broadly represents the Bronx neighborhoods of Castle Hill, Unionport, Parkchester, West Farms and Little Yemen. “This critical


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UPDATE Elections 2023: CFB Approves Latest “Matching Funds” June Payments to City Council Candidates

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) approved on June 2 the latest public matching funds payments totaling $1,759,172 to 34 candidates running in the 2023 New York City Council elections. This total amount marks the fourth opportunity for 2023 candidates to qualify for public funding by raising small contributions from NYC residents.   To qualify for public funds, candidates must demonstrate support by raising small contributions in their communities. This encourages the candidates to spend more time speaking to voters and less time fundraising. Click here to see the exact thresholds that candidates must meet to qualify for public funds. The


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Fordham Manor: AM George Alvarez Opens New Constituency Office at 2633 Webster Avenue

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Under a dark Sunday afternoon downpour, Democratic Assembly Member George Alvarez (A.D. 78), elected as a rookie State assembly member last year after beating incumbent assemblyman José Rivera who held the seat for around two decades, opened a new, highly visible, street level constituency office at 2633 Webster Avenue in Fordham Manor on April 30.   Alvarez, a DR native, told those gathered that when he started his new role in January 2023, he inherited “an elegant, safe, cool office” on the 10th floor of a building located on Fordham Plaza. “It was safe because you had to get through


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UPDATE Elections 2023: CFB Approves May “Matching Funds” Payments to City Council Candidates

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) approved on May 15 “matching funds” payments to various 2023 city council candidates for election in the upcoming June primaries. New York City’s landmark small-dollar public matching funds program helps candidates rely on New York City residents, and not special interests, to fund their election campaigns.   The voluntary program “matches” small contributions from NYC residents paid to candidates, allowing candidates who participate in the program to receive up to $2,000 in public funds per eligible contributor.   CFB officials said the latest approved funds totaled $733,844 for 18 city council candidates citywide,


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UPDATE As Rep. George Santos is Charged with Fraud & More, Torres Gives Reaction

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE
U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), who represents parts of Bronx Community District 7, including Norwood, issued a statement on Tuesday evening, May 9, following media reports that federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York have filed criminal charges against U.S. Rep. George Santos (NY-03).   CNN reported on Tuesday, May 9, that the Republican lawmaker was expected to appear as soon as Wednesday at federal court in New York’s eastern district, where the charges had been filed under seal. The outlet reported that the exact nature of the charges couldn’t immediately be learned but that the FBI and


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Fordham Manor: At City Job Fair held at Monroe College, Mayor Says: “You’re Hired!”

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.   There were all manner of City jobs up for grabs at the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services job fair held at Monroe College in Fordham Manor on Saturday, April 22. New York City Mayor Eric Adams also showed up to encourage Bronxites, and others who had traveled to the Boogie Down, about the benefits of working for his administration.   Addressing the sizeable afternoon crowd of an estimated 350 people, which according to the fair organizers, had dwindled since the morning, Adams


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on U.S. President Joe Biden Running for a Second Term

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the recent announcement by U.S. President Joe Biden of his decision to run for reelection in 2024. If he were to win, he would be 82 years old when sworn into office.   “I think it’s fantastic. I think he’ll be a great, great president when he gets reelected. I don’t buy that [he’s too old]. I don’t believe in Fox News. I believe in facts, not fiction. The president has all his faculties, absolutely! He will run again. Against whom? No comment if you catch my drift.” Jeff Corman, Kingsbridge “Well,


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Best Way for the City to Respond to EDPs Who Are Armed

By DAVID GREENE
  This week, we asked readers their opinions on the best way for City officials to respond to people experiencing a mental health crisis or so-called emotionally disturbed persons (EDPs) who are armed.   “I personally feel that instead of just talking to them, I feel like [the police] should just tase them, like detain them first. I feel like you can’t talk to a person with mental illness because you need to put them in a mental illness facility or a hospital… If you have mental illness, you shouldn’t be put in jail because they won’t learn anything, and


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Elections 2023: Irene Estrada Lays Out her Case for her City Council Run in District 13

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Former Democratic female district leader for the 80th assembly district and Democratic candidate for city council in District 13, Irene Estrada, briefly broke down why she is running for the seat against incumbent, City Councilwoman Marjorie Velázquez when we spoke to her at the 25th Throggs Neck St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 12.   Estrada, whose two daughters serve with the NYPD, and who is on the clergy council of the 49th Precinct, said, “Our streets are a mess with crime.” She added, “We also need to bring back the school safety task force. They took it away after COVID.


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