Editorial: De Blasio Ratchets Up Progressivism to Pad Resume Ahead of 2020

In the days leading up to his annual State of the City address, Mayor Bill de Blasio turned up the volume on Democratic progressivism, announcing NYC Care, an initiative that offers super affordable healthcare to New York City’s low-income earners, roughly 600,000 in all. Half of those New Yorkers are undocumented immigrants. The announcement happened in the Bronx. The plan will kick off in the Bronx. In his State of the City address this year, de Blasio outlined an overdue but vague plan to draw the “best and brightest” teachers to public schools. The schools to receive new teachers will

Bronx Projects Take Center Stage in State of the City

By DAVID CRUZ

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s fifth State of the City address saw the immediate creation of a Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, a plan for increased worker protections, expanded 3K program, while also promoting a plan for guaranteed healthcare and a paid two-week vacation proposal for employees. Surprisingly, there were some specifics for the Bronx, a point that was not lost on Democratic colleagues like Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who’s expressed interest in running for mayor in 2021. Still, Diaz criticized de Blasio’s proposal to take buildings away from landlords with a history of harassment and poor building management.

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID CRUZ

Blake Announces PA Run Assemblyman Michael Blake, who, along with representing the 79th Assembly District while pushing a national Democratic agenda as vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is throwing his hat into the race for New York City Public Advocate. The Public Advocate’s seat will officially be up for grabs come November since the current advocate, Letitia James, won the Democratic nomination for state attorney general. With an overwhelmingly Democratic state, James’s shot at winning the AG seat is all but secured. Should Blake win the advocate seat, it will open the door for his Assembly seat. The

Whalen Park's Official Re-Opening Draws Namesake's Family

By SOPHIA EBANKS

After one year of reconstruction, Norwood’s Whalen Park officially reopened to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials and family members of the patriarch behind the park’s name. “I couldn’t stop crying,” said Kate Armstrong, daughter of the late Henry A. Whalen, a Norwood resident and the park’s namesake. “Our father would be so proud of this. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that it would turn into this great park that it is today.” The park, located on Perry Avenue and 205th Street, has been revamped with the installation of new playground equipment, including

By JOSE A. GIRALT

Five blocks from where Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz was attacked by members of the Trinitarios gang, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced an $18.4 million investment for youth-based programs in the Bronx. Inside the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club in Belmont the governor described the initiative as “unprecedented” and revealed a multi-faceted approach to support activities for Bronx kids. The initiative, dubbed New Opportunities for Bronx Youth, will offer kids a variety of activities from academics to sports to the arts, in the hope that gang-related activities will decrease. The murder of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz was still fresh on the minds of

Clergy and Bronx Electeds Slam Trump Immigration Policy

By ANGEL MINDANAO

Clergy, community leaders and Democratic elected officials interlocked arms as they sang “We Shall Overcome” at a prayer vigil and rally on June 22, calling for the reunification of immigrant families detained at America’s southern border. The event saw legislators from the city, state and federal governments weighing in on a policy that, up until June 20, saw families of illegal immigrants separated. It was a policy done away with by an Executive Order President Donald Trump had signed. Legislators saw this as a moment to pounce on Mr. Trump despite the reversal. “There is no substitution for the care

By ANGEL MINDANAO

Calling for “much-needed reform,” borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. is hosting a prayer vigil and rally today in collaboration with clergy, community leaders, and elected officials to demand that the Trump Administration immediately return immigrant children being held in the Bronx to their parents. The event will be co-sponsored by the Bronx Clergy Task Force and will take place on the steps of The Bronx County Building, 851 Grand Concourse (at the corner of East 161st Street), at noon. According to Diaz, his office has been contact with Catholic Guardian Services and Lutheran Social Services of New York, two organizations

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

A law that offers free legal help for low-income residents fighting eviction should be expanded faster, said Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. In late May, Diaz sent a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio urging him to speed up the availability of the Right to Counsel Act, suggesting de Blasio move the provision by 2020 instead. Right to Counsel is already in effect in some parts of the Bronx. It would be in full effect by July 2022. But Diaz, an early contender for Mayor in 2021, finds the matter more pressing. “Our City’s tenants simply cannot wait,” Diaz insisted

At State of the Borough BP Highlights Fixes and the Needs (Web Picture)

By MARY MELLON

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. delivered his ninth State of the Bronx address before an audience of supporters, well-wishers, and fellow elected officials. For nearly 45 minutes, Diaz stood composed as he delivered a speech that largely underscored the borough’s positives while lambasting the city’s shortcomings. But read between the lines, Diaz’s speech also showed his sights set on higher office. “Look at how different things are in this borough today than just a decade ago,” Diaz said. “We have set the bar for the entire nation on transformative urban renewal and development. We are the new standard