Old Fordham Library up for Grabs Bronx Pols Disclose Outside Gigs Filling Void, New Bronx LGBTQ Center Is up and Running
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Proudly Serving Bronx Communities Since 1988 norwoodnews.org City Council Debate Aug. 1, 7 p.m. ORWOOD EWS Bedford Park N N Details: p. 8 Vol. 26, No. 15 n PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION n July 25–August 21, 2013 SUMMER STRESS RELIEVER Old Fordham Library Up for Grabs By ALEX KRATZ Councilman Joel Rivera, who moonlights as a Bronx real estate agent, looks at the vacant old Fordham Li- brary on Bainbridge Avenue and sees a valuable com- modity that could be used in two vastly different ways. “It’s very attractive,” he said, when asked about the com- mercial or residential potential of the historic building, for which the city is now openly soliciting redevelopment pro- posals. “Given its proximity to the third largest shopping district in the city on Fordham Road and major transit sta- tions. There are colleges and the New York Botanical Gar- den nearby. On the private side, that would be huge.” But Rivera, who is leaving office at the end of the year, says the city would be shortsighted if it turned it over to a commercial developer. Instead, like many other commu- nity advocates, Rivera wants to see some type of commu- Photo by Adi Talwar nity center set up shop in the 90-year-old building. LOCAL RESIDENT and instructor Primwatee Groover, center, leads a Tai Chi class at the Poe Park Visitor’s Cen- “I’d like to see another Mary Mitchell Center,” Rivera ter on the Grand Concourse at Kingsbridge Road. To find other recreational activities happening in the Bronx said, referring to the multi-service community in Croto- this summer, check out our Out & About section starting on p. 10. na that provides programming for a wide range of resi- dents, from youth to seniors. “I think that would have the best long-term impact, especially here [in Fordham-Bed- ford] where there aren’t a lot of other options.” Filling Void, New Bronx LGBTQ On July 9, the city released a request for proposals for the old library, which has sat mostly vacant since it was Center Is Up and Running (continued on page 8) By HUGH THORNHILL rent president. Before becoming president of the center, he owned and operated a real estate company, Moss Realty, for Bronx Pols When the Bronx Community Pride Center in Longwood more than 20 years. He left the company in 2004, and in 2008, closed its doors earlier this year, the Bronx had no safe hav- went back to doing what he really loved: entertainment. en for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and question- Moss has been an actor, singer, an Internet radio show host, Disclose ing community. Fortunately, a new LGBTQ center in the and a producer for a number of years. And even though he Bronx has risen from the ashes of the old center’s demise. volunteers as the president of the LGBTQ center, he still While the new organization is gaining momentum, has time to perform even at the center’s events. Outside Gigs the center is still looking for a permanent home. Moss’ deep involvement isn’t something he envisioned “We’re trying to find one centralized place that’s con- even a year ago. By NATASHA RODRIGUEZ venient for everyone to get to,” said Fabio Cotza, a mem- “Believe it or not, last year I had no idea I was going to ber of In the Life Ministries and the new LGBTQ center. (continued on page 6) After years of criticisms about corruption and the “But hopefully if that’s successful, there will be several lack of transparency in Albany, state legislators’ outside satellite programs spread all over the Bronx.” income, investments and debts were made available on- The old Community Pride Center closed in June of line for the first time ever in accordance with the Public 2012 in the wake of the Lisa Winters scandal. Winters, Integrity Reform Act of 2011. These disclosures exposed the former executive director of the Pride Center was many interesting details about Bronx lawmakers, includ- indicted last year and convicted on April Fools Day of ing the fact that some have earned money through gam- embezzling nearly $143,000 from the organization. bling and movie roles. Though the new center does not affiliate itself with State lawmakers receive a base pay of $79,000 a year, the old center in any way, it will be providing the same according to a report by the 2012 National Conference of type of services for the LGBTQ community in the Bronx State Legislatures, making them some of the best paid and upper Manhattan. These services include an area for lawmakers in the nation. However, most of them work members of the LGBTQ community to meet and social- outside jobs. ize, receive support and services from other organiza- Photo by Hugh Thornhill The most intriguing revelation, by far, was South tions, and to educate and advocate for issues important MEMBERS OF THE new Bronx LGBTQ Center pose Bronx Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo claiming she to the LGBTQ community. during a community outreach event with Bronx Borough earned close to $30,000 in gambling this year. Arroyo did Tym Moss co-founded the center last year and is its cur- President Ruben Diaz Jr. (center). (continued on page 2) n Cast of Characters in 15th CD, p. 2 n Cold Case Conviction, p. 6 n Out & About in the Bronx, pp. 10-11 www.norwoodnews.org 2 n July 25–August 21, 2013 n Norwood News News • Politics • Policy Vol. 26, No. 15 In Wide Open Council Race, Getting to Know the Candidates By ALEX KRATZ ity. Many questions concerned health and ciety lawyer. She spoke eloquently about Norwood News is published the environment, but they veered off into empowerment, dinging on her tagline — bi-weekly on Thursdays by Ritchie Torres couldn’t hold it in any topics ranging from jobs to public safety “Poverty to Prosperity” — on several oc- Mosholu Preservation Corporation longer. All night long, the lean, composed to development. casions. 3400 Reservoir Oval East 25-year-old 15th District City Council can- For the most part, the candidates Albert Alvarez, the chief of staff for Bronx, New York 10467 didate had listened to Joel R. Rivera — the agreed, although each tried to add on Joel Rivera (the Councilman, not the can- other Joel Rivera — bash him and his fel- their own take. For the most part, aside didate), drilled home his 45 years of living Phone: 718 324 4998 low candidates throughout a forum at the from the digs thrown out by Rivera, the and working in the district and his record Fax: 718 324 2917 Bronx Library Center for not showing up mood was friendly. as Rivera’s right-hand man. E-mail: [email protected] to rallies. Really, in this wild and wide-open race, And Kenny Agosto, a kind-hearted dis- Web: www.norwoodnews.org Rivera had just delivered his closing it was a chance to get to know and see trict leader and aide to State Senator Ruth statement, ending with extended quotes some of the candidates in action. Hassell-Thompson, had so much to say, he he read from Martin Luther King Jr. and Looking only slightly uncomfortable went over his time limit during almost Publisher CEO, Mosholu then John F. Kennedy Jr. Torres found it a at almost nine months pregnant, Raquel every answer. At the end of the debate, Mosholu Preservation Preservation little much. Batista, the former housing and immigra- Agosto, who has openly struggled with Corporation Corporation “JFK for 15th Council District,” he tion rights activist, somehow managed to his weight and says he’s lost 32 pounds on Roberto S. Garcia Editor-in-Chief deadpanned. hang in there for the full two hours. She the campaign trail, stood up and let it all Alex Kratz Rivera, a stocky man with exquisitely talked strongly about the need and power hang out during his impassioned closing slicked-back hair, pencil-thin goatee and of mentorship programs for Bronx youth. statement. He was still sweating 15 min- Classified Advertising pin-striped blue suit, did his best not to The other woman in the race, Cynthia utes after the forum ended. Dawn McEvoy react. Thompkins, the president of the 46th “I just wanted to show everyone how Accounts Receivable The two sparred earlier in the night Precinct Community Council, fit in her passionate I am,” he said. Dawn McEvoy and the combative Rivera had obviously unique biography: raised in Pittsburgh, Editor’s Note: For more on the debate, Proofreader touched a nerve. Atlanta roots, became a cop, retired, including video footage, and profiles of -ev Judy Noy Afterward, the wonky, policy-heavy business owner in Hawaii, New York law ery candidate, visit norwoodnews.org over degree, Bronxite since 2009, Legal Aid So- the next few weeks. Production Torres lamented the lack of substantive di- Neil deMause alogue at the debate, saying his fellow can- didates often stuck to rhetoric, rather than Regular Contributors ideas. While not naming names, Torres, the David Greene, Adi Talwar youngest candidate in the race, said some Interns candidates resorted to juvenile tactics. Natasha Rodriguez, Hugh Thornhill, Andrea “There were a few adults in the room Cetra, Michael Brown and I was one of them,” he said. For display advertising, call (718) 324-4998. Later, Rivera wouldn’t apologize. “If I seemed a little aggressive and ag- Support Your itated, it’s because I am,” Rivera said. “I get frustrated hearing the same old lines Community Newspaper! from these guys.” The Norwood News is a not-for-profit pub- The forum on Monday night, July 22, lication and relies upon the support of its advertisers and readers to produce a quality which was co-sponsored by the Mary community newspaper.