By DAVID CRUZ

Executive leadership virtually stood the same at Community Board 7, with one of the more contentious and heavily watched election races this year going to the incumbent.

Adaline Walker-Santiago remained as chair of Community Board 7, clenching a win over challenger and fellow CB7 member William Francis by a slim margin–16 to 15, with four absentees. The numbers indicate a muffled divide over confidence in Walker-Santiago’s ability to lead a Board, with an underlying dynamic that threatens the Board’s functionality.

Before the vote, Francis read off a prepared speech, pointing out that the Board has “lost sight of the well being of our community.” CB7 covers Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Fordham and University Heights, neighborhoods that are now seeing a swath of development projects large and small.

Shortly after the vote, Walker-Santiago took umbrage to Francis’ public remarks on the Board, saying his words “put down everybody for the work they did.”

“Right now the Borough President [Ruben Diaz Jr.] is very pleased with us,” said Walker-Santiago. “When I have other chairs saying, ‘We’re praying for you,’ I know that we’ve done a great job.”

Winning the seat of second vice chair was Samelys Lopez, the youngest of the 36-member board, first appointed by former Councilman Oliver Koppell in 2012 and later Councilman Andrew Cohen in 2014. She won over longtime Board member and former chair Nora Feury. Sensing elections can create new wounds, Barbara Stronczer, who secured her seat as first vice chair, hoped the Board can all “work as a team” to combat the current wave of conditions in the neighborhoods.

Winners in other races included Jean Hill, who continues her role treasurer and Nilsa Cintron, who won in her bid for third vice chair. Kevin Miner won unopposed in the race for secretary, where current secretary Lowell Green, did not seek re-election. Leadership posts lasts two years.

Community boards are looked upon as advisory panels and the first line in city government, a community stronghold that logs complaints and passes them to the appropriate city agencies. The New York City Charter empowers boards to hold hearings on critical issues while serving as a voice for the constituents the body serves. There are twelve community boards across the Bronx, each with a set of bylaws and committee panels that meet monthly. Residents are routinely compelled to stop by a community board to air their grievances.

Community Board 7’s member demographics reflect the overall demographics of the neighborhoods–Hispanic, black, white with representation from the burgeoning Bangladeshi communities. In the last year, Community Board 7 has weighed in on biting issues that included overdevelopment, influx of synthetic marijuana use and a holding pattern at the Kingsbridge Armory.

With elections handled, the Board now enters into a summer hiatus that ends on Sept. 15 when the Board reconvenes for its general meeting.

Editor’s Note: The Board office, 229A E. 204th St., will remain open during the summer months. Their hours are 8am-5pm. They can be reached (718) 933-5650.