Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights NORWOOD NEWS Vol. 25, No. 18 ■ PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION ■ September 20 –October 3, 2012 Naomi Rivera Defeated Soundly in Assembly Primary By ALEX KRATZ The two candidates appeared togeth - er outside of the 869-unit Tracey Tow - In a stunning and convincing primary ers on Mosholu Parkway in early day upset last Thursday, Bronx Assem - August for a rally against an enormous blywoman Naomi Rivera was ousted by a rent hike. Rivera, who showed up 45 rookie, Mark Gjonaj, who outspent, out - minutes late, vowed to fight the rent maneuvered and outhustled his political - hike and made sure to point at Gjonaj ly-insulated but scandal-stricken oppo - when she talked about unscrupulous nent. and greedy landlords. (Gjonaj has Though Rivera held the advantage of strong ties to the real estate industry, incumbency in a largely Hispanic 80th but he is not a landlord. He owns a real Assembly District, that includes parts of estate brokerage firm in Morris Park Norwood, Bedford Park, Allerton, Morris and his family owns property and build - Park and Pelham Gardens, Gjonaj (pro - ings in the Bronx.) nounced Joen-eye) spared no expense and But after setting up a conference call took advantage of every opportunity to with other city officials, which didn’t defeat Rivera soundly in a four-way race. amount to anything, Tracey residents According to unofficial results said they heard nothing from Rivera. released by the Board of Elections, Gjon - Meanwhile, “Mark came through for aj won with 51.69 percent of the vote us at the eleventh hour,” said Jean Hill, (2,407 total) compared to Rivera’s 40.69 Tracey’s tenants association president. percent (1,894). The other two candidates Gjonaj hired a lawyer who filed an Photo by Alex Kratz — Adam Bermudez (222) and Irene Estra - injunction against the rent hike at the IN FRONT OF Borough Hall, Mark Gjonaj exhorts a crowd of Tracey Towers residents da-Rukaj (134) — split the remaining end of August, just days before a 16 per - who he helped fight a rent increase during the weeks leading up to his primary victory. votes. cent rent increase was to go into effect. Despite strong support for Rivera from Though tenants are still waiting on a rul - the Bronx Democratic County Commit - ing or a compromise, the injunction held tee, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz through the primary. Groups Rally Around Jr. and several labor unions, everything The act helped depict Gjonaj as a seemed to be going Gjonaj’s way in the champion of tenants and swayed a large weeks leading up to the Sept. 13 primary, voting bloc into his corner. It also fed into which was held on Thursday so it would - his narrative of Rivera as a lazy incum - Armory Principles, n’t coincide with Sept. 11. (continued on p. 7) Not Content THE SCIENCE OF SOCCER By LAUREN DUCA question, however, is not whether the Armory ought to be filled, but what For an area and a borough so notori - should fill it. ously plagued by unemployment and The Northwest Bronx Community and poverty, it seems obvious the Bronx’s Clergy Coalition, a grassroots group that long-vacant Kingsbridge Armory ought is the beating heart of the Kingsbridge to be filled with jobs, opportunities and Armory Redevelopment Alliance the promise of economic growth. The (KARA), recently hosted a candlelit vigil and press conference, hoping to ensure a positive outcome for the major changes about to take place in their neighbor - hood. As NWBCCC President Alice McIn - tosh reiterated several times during the rally, their goal was to make sure that “their voice is at the table.” Yet, even toward the end of the rally, it was unclear exactly what this meant. The figurative table made many appear - ances throughout the evening. Attendees Photo by Paul Duca echoed goals voiced by leaders, asserting Photo by Adi Talwar DURING ONE of many religious speech - they want “living wage jobs” ($10 an hour LAST FRIDAY afternoon, Sept. 14, the Bronx High School of Science girls soccer es on behalf of the NWBCCC, residents plus benefits or $11.50 an hour without team cruised to a 3-0 victory behind the play of Lydia Weiner (pictured left) and are encouraged to raise up their hands benefits) and “community space,” but no Miami Rahaman (not pictured) who scored two goals. For more fall sports action, and pray for the redevelopment of the one provided a clear view for how to incor - check out our Bronx Sports Report on norwoodnews.org. Kingsbridge Armory. (continued on p. 14 ) ■ Board Votes to Keep District Manager, p. 2 ■ Thieves Hitting Precinct Hard, p. 4 ■ Fire at Nicky’s Coffee Shop, p. 17 www.norwoodnews.org 2 ■ September 20 –October 3, 2012 ■ Norwood News In The Public Interest Vol. 25, No. 18 Details on Rift Emerge Before Board Votes to Save District Manager Norwood News is published There was one item on the agenda for subject to “suspension or dismissal” He says the complaints from the com - bi-weekly on Thursdays by Tuesday night’s Community Board 7’s from his job if he didn’t respond ade - mittee chairs aren’t valid and that he has Mosholu Preservation Corporation monthly general board meeting at the quately. It also said this letter wouldn’t never posted a committee meeting 3400 Reservoir Oval East Bronx Library Center: a public vote on “supersede or negate” any action taken announcement less than 30 days before a Bronx, New York 10467 whether the board’s district manager, by the board. meeting. Fernando Tirado, should remain in his In August, board leaders were sup - As for his failure to engage the Clinton Phone: 718 324 4998 post. posed to meet with Tirado to discuss coach in “friendly, supporting” manner, Fax: 718 324 2917 During the last general meeting in these issues. Whatever happened at that Tirado said he did his best trying to work E-mail: [email protected] June before the summer break, a motion meeting, the vote is still on the table. around city regulations with regards to Web: www.norwoodnews.org was brought to the floor for Tirado’s Two weeks ago, Tirado sent an exten - transferring funds for athletic equipment removal. At the end of the meeting, board sive and itemized response detailing why and that, in the end, it got done. He called members held a closed-door session and Foster’s complaints are unwarranted and the accusation “false.” voted 13 to seven (with eight abstentions) to show that the move to dismiss him is The accusation that Tirado failed to Publisher CEO, Mosholu in favor of removing Tirado. But because “not based on my work performance.” inform the board in a timely manner Mosholu Preservation Preservation of City Charter regulations that say per - In the letter, Tirado says that more about events at the Armory also rings Corporation Corporation sonnel decisions must be voted on in pub - than a year ago, in August 2011, he was hollow, he said in the letter. He admits a Roberto S. Garcia Editor-in-Chief lic, the vote didn’t count. alerted by “board members, residents week went by between when he first Alex Kratz On Tuesday, the board got a do-over and a Bronx district manager regarding heard about an event possibly being held and voted to keep Tirado. Of the 28 mem - my imminent dismissal from my posi - at the Armory on Feb. 11 and when he bers in attendance, 15 voted against the tion.” When he talked to the borough told the board about it, which he claimed Classified Advertising motion to dismiss him, 10 voted for it and president’s office and Foster was alert - was still four days before the event was Dawn McEvoy three abstained. ed, Tirado said he was labeled insubor - scheduled to take place. Accounts Receivable At the time of the first vote, Board dinate. Then, in April of this year, Tira - Tirado explained that he was at a loss Dawn McEvoy Chairman Paul Foster was vague about do says he felt it would be as to how he could rectify the situation or Proofreader the reasons behind the motion calling for “irresponsible” not to report to the bor - change his behavior since these were all Judy Noy Tirado’s ouster, basically saying things ough president’s office on the alleged specific incidents at which he felt he Production weren’t working out and that several racial slur from a board member during acted appropriately during and after. He Neil deMause board members felt Tirado wasn’t being a budget meeting, which he considered said he wanted to “let it also be known” Regular Contributors responsive to their needs. District man - “highly offensive.” that he had not violated any board rules, David Greene, Adi Talwar, Ronald Chavez agers are employees of the boards they Tirado said he was allowed to speak to by-laws, the City Charter or “any other Interns serve and can be removed from their posi - the media on a case-by-case basis until agency governing the Board.” Lauren Duca tion for almost any reason. the Crain’s article was published and that In a brief interview before the vote, But two letters obtained by the Nor - he hasn’t spoken to the media since. Foster said he was eager to move on, For display advertising, call wood News, one from Foster outlining Tirado blamed the loss of the $15,000 whatever the board decides. “We don’t (718) 324-4998.