JUNE 25 - JUly 1, 2014 • Vol. 15 • No. 26 washiNgtoN hEights • Inwood • haRlEM • EAST HARlEM NORTHERN MANHATTAN’S BILINGUAL NEWSPAPER EL PERIODICO BILINGUE DEL NORTE DE MANHATTAN NOW EVERY WEDNESDAY TODOS LOS MIERCOLES Decision Timep3 Adriano Espaillat Charles Rangel Hora de decisión p3 Studio p10 Graduation p4 Market p14 EXPLORING THE NEIGHBORHOOD WILL LEAVE YOU THIRSTY FOR MORE. Stop by a water fountain in Morningside Park. Staying hydrated is a small step toward a healthier you. We can help you do even more on your journey to wellness, right in the neighborhood. And we’re with you every small step of the way. smallsteps.emblemhealth.com Group Health Incorporated (GHI), HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP), HIP Insurance Company of New York and EmblemHealth Services Company, LLC are EmblemHealth companies. EmblemHealth Services Company, LLC provides administrative services to the EmblemHealth companies. Neighborhood Care is a division of EmblemHealth. ©EmblemHealth Inc. 2014, All Rights Reserved. 2 JUNE 25, 2014 • MaNhattaN tiMEs • www.manhattantimesnews.com Decision Time ONLINEin Spanish ENVea LINEA la versión Story by Erik Cuello, Gregg McQueen, en español For poll workers, Sherry Mazzocchi, and Joseph Perreaux these are long days. fter a hotly contested Shana Filion, a volunteer at PS 98 polling campaign, the Congressional site, said that her crew started the day at 5 A a.m. and would finish well after 9 p.m. race in the 13th District finally In addition to the long days, volunteers reached the end of its road as are often confronted with malfunctioning scanners or confused voters who need help the Democratic Primary was navigating the process. held this past Tues., Jun. 24th. Some workers appreciated the move to The Manhattan Times spoke the optical scanners instead of the antiquated with voters, poll workers, and lever machines. Bienvenida Vargas “I like these scanners better,” said Lorraine the principal candidates, the Perry, volunteer coordinator at PS 98 site. incumbent Rep. Charles Rangel “He’s better than Rangel for the people in “They work well, and at the end of the night and State Senator Adriano this neighborhood,” agreed voter Bienvenida everything is automatically counted.” Vargas. But at the PS 52 site on Broadway, things Espaillat throughout the day. were not as rosy. Two of the site’s four scanners broke down in the late morning, forcing a bottleneck of voters to endure an extended wait to vote. “We’re moving Site coordinator Rafael Rodríguez said that Con Curry one machine malfunctioned when a voter forward” filled in the boxes for all three candidates. “The machine is supposed to recognize that by Gregg McQueen Inwood resident Con Curry was moved by Espaillat’s call for change in Washington. and spit out the ballot, but instead it just got “It’s time for Rangel to go. We need new stuck,” said Rodríguez, who needed to call blood,” stated Curry. a technician from the Board of Elections to Jessie Smith, 99 years old and a resident resolve the situation. of Park Terrace Gardens, was brought to Rodriguez summed up the day in one word: the voting site in her wheelchair by her son “Hectic.” Russell to cast a vote for Espaillat. One poll volunteer at PS 52 voiced concern “She’s been in this neighborhood since that there were too few Spanish-speaking poll 1965,” said her son Russell. “She’s very workers to handle the predominantly Hispanic enthusiastic about politics and never misses district, an issue that caused controversy an election.” during the 2012 primary. “There are only two Spanish speakers on site,” she commented. “That’s not enough.” Daniel Boncenoor Adriano Espaillat Daniel Boncenoor explained that Espaillat n Inwood, State Senator Adriano is better equipped to serve the needs of the IEspaillat cast his personal vote Hispanic community. at his polling site at PS 98 at about “We need someone with new ideas, and preferably someone who can relate better to 10:00 a.m., followed by a crush of our culture,” said Boncenoor. reporters and camera crews. “I respect Rangel, but he’s been in his seat too long,” he added. “Espaillat is the one for He was accompanied by his family, the future.” including his mother, Melba Espaillat, his son, Though Espaillat seemed to garner heavy Adriano Espaillat, Jr., and his four-month-old support among Inwood voters, there were grandson, Ulises. some uptowners backing Rangel. Espaillat stopped to hug and kiss Ulises “I don’t trust Espaillat,” said Zelda, who before filling out his paper ballot, and then resides on the corner of Dyckman Street and Charles B. Rangel gave a thumbs-up after using the electronic Ayumi Tomari Broadway. scanner. “Dyckman has become a nightmare with Outside the school, Espaillat told reporters Ayumi Tomari said she voted for Espaillat the nightlife, and Espaillat has allowed that “One hell of a that the time had come to vote for change. because he will be responsive to the needs situation to fester.” “This is a district that has been ignored by of Inwood, since he lives in the community Some voters refused to reveal which mistake” Washington for far too long,” said Espaillat. himself. candidate they were backing, but recognized He cited income inequality and immigration “Espaillat is one of us; he has a family in the importance of getting out to vote. By Erik Cuello reform as key issues facing people of the 13th this neighborhood.” “There is a lot at stake in this election,” said District. Tomari, who is the mother of a special needs Ann Chase. “It’s important that we make the he incumbent cast his ballot at “I believe that the people of this community child, said she wanted to elect a candidate who right decision since it affects our daily lives.” will rise and vote for change.” supported programs and services for children. Curry remarked that she thought all three TPS 175 in Harlem around 9:30 Espaillat said he had “great respect” for his “I need someone who is going to fight for candidates were strong, but did lodge one a.m., looking to win re-election to primary foe Charles Rangel but added, “He’s the families in this area,” remarked Tomari. objection. his 23rd term. part of the past and we’re part of the future. “And how can we support Rangel? I don’t “We need more females in Congress,” she We’re moving forward.” think I’ve ever seen him in this neighborhood.” said. See DECISION p16 JUNE 25, 2014 • MaNhattaN tiMEs • www.manhattantimesnews.com 3 Build it, and they will beam Story and photos by Adrian Cabreja the cooling of the city’s rooftops. The program seeks to harness and redirect the direction of low-income youth who have he caps were flying. become disengaged with traditional academic T or career development programs. Graduates are offered ongoing mentoring While graduation season is in full swing and internships. everywhere, Monday’s celebration was The program’s success was heralded particularly momentous for a group of local by Councilmember Ydanis Rodríguez on young adults. Monday. Each of the graduates of the YouthBuild “The outstanding benefits that YouthBuild program, a national initiative offered at offers young people in our community cannot the Northern Manhattan Improvement be overstated,” he said. “These skills will last Corporation (NMIC), has a unique story of a lifetime and they are earned concurrently struggle – and triumph – to share. with the vital High School Equivalency “I am proud of these young adults,” said degree, opening up them up to a world of Beth Spektor, NMIC’s Manager for Youth options.” Workforce Development. “I am proud that The graduates were no less thrilled. they made it to this point. It was a long “This program changed my whole way of journey but, they saw it through.” thinking,” said Elisa Ewan. “I feel like after YouthBuild provides nine months of coming here I have a set of training during which young adults aged 18- goals. I gained something new 24 earn their high school equivalency degrees I have direction.” (formerly known as GEDs) while learning The YouthBuild program, offered at And college, said the job skills as they build affordable housing for the Northern Manhattan Improvement budding music producer, was homeless and low-income people. Corporation (NMIC), held its graduation. now in his sights. The ceremony for this year’s class of 26 “I’m looking to first go into LaGuardia graduates took place in the auditorium of the graduates are also afforded the opportunity to income New York City residents. This year, th Community College and then possibly New Isabella Geriatric Center on Mon., Jun. 16 . complete certificate training with the Home these undertakings included painting and York University,” said Ewan. “They have During their time in the program, Builders Institute Pre-Apprenticeship, and demolition with Habitat for Humanity and great music production programs.” YouthBuild participants learn principal the federal 10-hour Occupational Safety and residential building weatherization with New There are presently 264 YouthBuild construction skills including carpentry, Health Administration (OSHA) certification. York City CoolRoofs, a collaboration between programs throughout 46 states, Washington, electricity, plumbing, maintenance, and safety. The participants apply their training to New York City Service and the New York In addition to the equivalency diplomas, the community service projects benefiting low- City Department of Buildings that promotes See BUILD IT p23 Constrúyanlo y sonreirán Historia y fotos por Adrian Cabreja June 16 – June 21 The wait is finally over. Our film,The author that knows how to spin a yarn and as gorras estaban volando. Incredibly Spectacular Dyckman entrance a reader. Please support local authors Fireworks Co., is now available online.