City & State New York 092418 by City & State

THE BRONXâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BIGGEST POWER BROKERS

LAST MACHINE STANDING MARCOS CRESPO VS. THE UPRISING

HOW ALESSANDRA BIAGGI TOPPLED JEFF KLEIN CIT YANDSTATENY.COM

@CIT YANDSTATENY

September 24, 2018

BRONX

City & State New York

EDITOR’S NOTE

JON LENTZ Editor-in-chief

The stereotype of the Bronx as a burned-out crime zone isn’t the only misconception about the borough. What many also fail to realize is that it’s no bastion of liberalism. To be sure, nearly 9 in 10 Bronx voters picked Hillary Clinton in 2016, the highest rate in the city. Add to that the recent victories by two progressive Democrats – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Alessandra Biaggi – and it would seem that the Bronx is a liberal utopia. It’s not that simple. Bronx state Sen. Jeff Klein led the Independent Democratic Conference, which empowered Republicans in Albany, and despite his loss, he retains strong support in pockets of his district. The Bronx also has many Catholics, some of whom oppose abortion rights and same-sex marriage. The evangelical movement is also rising, with two preachers – Fernando Cabrera and Rubén Díaz Sr. – representing the Bronx in the New York City Council. Even Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, the Bronx Democratic Party leader, has been dogged by questions about his socially conservative views. In this special issue on the Bronx, we delve into these tensions, with an extensive Q&A with Biaggi, who toppled Klein, and an in-depth profile of Crespo, who’s dealing with the aftermath.

POWER

50 CONTENTS

ALESSANDRA BIAGGI … 6

How she toppled state Sen. Jeff Klein

JEFF KLEIN … 8

A requiem for a political career

BUILDING THE BRONX … 10 The premier projects in the borough

MARCOS CRESPO … 14

CELESTE SLOMAN; KRISTI BLOKHIN/SHUTTERSTOCK

Can the Bronx boss weather the progressive storm?

THE BRONX 50

… 20

The influentials every politician needs to know WINNERS & LOSERS … 46 Who was up and who was down last week

CityAndStateNY.com

The

September 24, 2018

Latest COLLINS STAYS ON THE BALLOT In a surprise decision by indicted Rep. Chris Collins, the congressman will remain on the ballot. Collins had suspended his campaign and county leaders from his district were contemplating how to remove him from the ballot and who to select as his replacement. Instead, Collins is following the lead of Michael Grimm – the former Staten Island congressman who ran for re-election while under indictment – while leaving Erie County Republican Party Chairman Nick Langworthy feeling like “a jilted groom at the altar.”

MORE DRAMA IN CUOMOLAND Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s victory in the Democratic gubernatorial primary hasn’t made his mailer scandal disappear. In the latest revelations about the campaign literature that falsely painted his opponent Cynthia Nixon as an anti-Semite, the New York Post reported that two top Cuomo aides were looped in before it was sent out – campaign manager Maggie Moran and Executive Deputy Secretary Jill DesRosiers. The campaign denied their direct involvement in the language of the mailer. Cuomo’s former top aide Joseph Percoco also got sentenced to six years in prison for corruption. Cuomo himself may have avoided any repercussions, but Percoco’s judge said she hopes the sentence will serve as a warning.

Back & Forth

A Q&A with New York City Councilman

Brad Lander

The

After speculation in the media, and a pledge to spend $80 million to flip the House in the midterms, former Republican and independent New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is once again mulling a run for president – this time, as a Democrat. Bloomberg has not made any decisions, but he is actively considering the possibility. However, his favoritism toward big business and his stances on issues like the #MeToo movement and stop and frisk stand in stark contrast to the progressive movement sweeping the Democratic Party.

Are you happy with what New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Charter Revision Commission decided to propose? I strongly support all three proposals headed to the ballot in November. And I hope that New Yorkers will support all of them. I understand big-picturewise, people are cynical about politics in general. I understand some of the cynicism about the way the commission was formed. There are some areas where – look, I was very strongly supportive of instant runoff voting and I’m sorry that this commission did not propose it for the ballot. But I still think you want to take a step back and look at what they did propose, that each of these three proposals I think is a really strong one. The proposal to create an Office of Civic Engagement was one you put forward, correct?

I introduced a bill to create such an office last year. But when they launched the Charter Revision Commission, I brought the idea to them. By law, we could have established an office, but we could not have created this commission with multiple pointers in a way that you can do as part of charter revision. So it’s possible to make it stronger and more durable. Are there other things that you are disappointed didn’t make it onto the ballot? For instant runoff voting, I really do hope that the City Council’s commission will pick it up. At least the report of the mayor’s commission said this is really worthy of consideration. The other issue that I would have loved to have seen a proposal from the mayoral commission on was independent redistricting. That appeared to have broad support and I don’t know what quite happened there.

Kicker

“And this may surprise you: From time to time, we have disagreements. I know it seems unlikely.” — New York City Mayor BILL DE BLASIO, on his relationship with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, shortly before throwing his support behind the governor at a Democratic unity rally, via The New York Times Get the kicker every morning in CITY & STATE’S FIRST READ email. Sign up at cityandstateny.com.

LEV RADIN, LEE SNIDER PHOTO IMAGES, A KATZ/SHUTTERSTOCK; YAHOO; JOHN MCCARTEN/NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL

The

HE’S RUNNING (MAYBE)

September 24, 2018

NEXTPUBLIC City & State New York

NYC’S

IT’S A BIG FIELD. HERE ARE THE CONTENDERS – AND THE PRETENDERS

CELESTE SLOMAN; NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL; CITY & STATE; SEAN PRESSLEY; ARMAN DZIDZOVIC; OFFICE OF THE QUEENS BOROUGH PRESIDENT; TANIAVOLOBUEVA/SHUTTERSTOCK

New York City Public Advocate Letitia James’ victory in the Democratic state attorney general primary makes it very likely that a new public advocate will be needed come Jan. 1. Speculation on who could replace James is heating up big time, with no less than two dozen possible names in the mix.

ADVOCATE

CONSOLATION PRIZE

Jumaane Williams Fresh off winning the New York City vote in the lieutenant governor primary, the Brooklyn city councilman and “elected official/ activist” would be an early favorite if he decides to run.

SPEAKERS’ CLUB

Melissa Mark-Viverito, Christine Quinn

The former New York City Council speakers both have strong name recognition and fans across the city. But both also have more political enemies than most people, which could snuff out a campaign before it starts.

ESCAPE FROM THE COUNCIL

Robert Cornegy Jr., Rafael Espinal Jr., Brad Lander, Mark Levine, Carlos Menchaca, Antonio Reynoso, Donovan Richards, Ydanis Rodriguez, Ritchie Torres, Jimmy Van Bramer Don’t City Council members actually have more power than the public advocate? But it’s a heartbeat away from mayor, and all these members are out of a job at the end of 2021 thanks to term limits.

BLUE CITY REPUBLICANS

Eric Ulrich, Joe Borelli, Manny Alicandro

There are 3.4 million registered Democrats in the city, and about 500,000 Republicans. It’s a long shot, but as Rudy Giuliani would tell you, it’s possible.

RÉSUMÉ BOOSTERS

INEXPERIENCED PROGRESSIVES

For pols interested in higher office, public advocate is the perfect perch to boost name recognition.

None of these individuals have held elected office before, but with the office of the public advocate’s almost complete lack of responsibilities, it could be a perfect place to start.

Eric Adams, Michael Blake, Melinda Katz

Chirlane McCray, Cynthia Nixon, Zephyr Teachout

CityAndStateNY.com

September 24, 2018

Toppling a King Alessandra Biaggi on how she defeated Jeff Klein, and what comes next

By Rebecca C. Lewis

N ONE OF THE LARGEST UPSETS of New York’s Democratic primaries, state Senate candidate Alessan‑ dra Biaggi defeated Independent Democratic Conference founder state Sen. Jeff Klein. Klein, long a political pow‑ erhouse in Albany, spent over $3 million in an attempt to fend off the challenge, but Biaggi ultimately prevailed. She is one of a slate of progressive challengers, many of whom also unseated former IDC members, who are now expected to shake up Albany in January. In an interview with City & State, Biaggi discussed how she won and what she wants to see done in Albany, as well as the influence of her grandfather, the popular Rep. Mario Biaggi, who was ultimately convicted of corruption. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How did you win, despite Klein massively outspending you? The first thing is that we definitely started early enough to be able to build this ship. I got into the race in January officially, but I had been thinking about it for a little while before that. I would say one of the biggest parts, honestly, was the sheer number of grass‑roots people and volunteers who not only were with us when we got in, but had been doing the IDC awareness and campaign education almost 18 months prior. So when we got in, we had their support, and then having that really was incredibly helpful. I think one of the biggest differences between myself and my opponent was that we had over 500 volunteers and people com‑ ing from every borough, from different states, to knock on doors, make phone calls, write postcards, send text messages, in ways that were very much authentic and organic. The fact that we were able to come in and really – I mean, it was door by door. There were no shortcuts here. Every single door and every single voter, we brought to them positivity and a different approach from what has been going on previously.

Do you think this progressive movement, the anti-IDC sentiment, your victory, would have happened if Donald Trump had not been elected president? I don’t actually, I really don’t, because him winning that elec‑ tion was the catalyst for everyone mobilizing. Even though we all wished that it didn’t happen, what we’re seeing is a lot of positive that has come out of the loss. There have been so many wins in the loss of Secretary Clinton. If she had won, I don’t think I would be running for office. The talks around how Klein might run for a judgeship has brought back to the forefront the kind of machine politics that are prevalent in the Bronx. How do you plan to participate in county politics? I think one of the things that I feel proud of is that nobody chose me or anointed me to run for this seat. So that has allowed me to have an independent voice throughout this entire race as well, to stay authentic to who I am. And I think I have a mandate to be in‑ dependent. And that’s pretty remarkable, considering that so much that we see in our systems are these machines. That said, I’m look‑ ing forward to working with everybody because I know the most important thing is every single person in the district gets what they need and that our communities continue to rise and are represented by people who actually care about them and put them first. Do you think more politicians like you and the progressive movement we’re seeing will end machine politics in New York City? I do, but it’s less of an ending and more of a transforming. I don’t think that the history of politics has been one in which there has been transparency in government. I think that having this pro‑ gressive movement and having different people run and win means

September 24, 2018

City & State New York

Health Act is something I care very much about and I’m looking forward to working on that bill. Do you think your own personal name recognition helped on the campaign trail as the granddaughter of Rep. Mario Biaggi? It depended where I was, but people definitely remembered, the older population definitely remembered. And I have to say that there really wasn’t a day that went by, and I mean this, this is not an exaggeration, where someone didn’t share a story with me about something my grandpa did to help them. That was not only touching, but it was incredibly motivating because people shared things like, “One time, he changed my light bulb.” And I thought to myself, wow. No problem was too small or too big and everybody wanted to share those stories with me and the way that he made them feel. It really touched me, and it gave me the surge of energy I needed to keep going on those very difficult days. But I wasn’t running on my name.

ALESSANDRA BIAGGI FOR STATE SENATE

that not only will we change the way that government and politics are done, but we will transform machines as they are. And to be honest, hopefully encourage them to be more transparent and to be more inclusive and more diverse and compassionate, which is what we want ultimately at the end of the day. And that’s something I’m committed to doing.

Did your grandfather’s corruption conviction shape how you viewed politics before entering? Absolutely. I think one of the things that it helps me to do is to understand a few things. The first thing it helps me to do is just understand that you have to be incredibly, incredibly careful. This entire campaign and the way that I will lead will be that way, being very careful not only to understand what all of the rules are, but just to never even think about crossing the line.

Presuming you’re headed to Albany, what are your top legislative priorities? Women’s issues and the Reproductive Health Act. I know women’s issues is a very broad subject, but really it’s very important to me to pass the Reproductive Health Act and codify Roe v. Wade in New York state, as well as the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act, affordable child care, pay equity, which is really essential. And then closing the loopholes in our rent laws, making our rent laws stronger, because affordable housing is a crisis. Then public school education. The fact that we are owed $88 million in public school funding in District 34 is scary and it’s preventing our children from having a better future.

What would you say to those who might say that your win might hurt the district because Klein was able to bring back resources in a way that a freshman legislator would not? One of the first things I would say is that not only am I committed to making sure that our district gets what it needs, but I’m going to fight like hell that all of the needs of the district are met. To that end also, making sure we get a Democratic majority will mean actually that the Democrats will have more resources for their districts, much more than what Jeff Klein was able to deliver. So I think what’s really important to note here is what he did through the IDC and by empowering Republicans, we in District 34 got crumbs from the Republican plates into the district. What we can get when we have a Democratic majority will exceed that in a very significant way. He chose to have personal power over putting the interests of, quite frankly, all New Yorkers first in a way that cost us.

Is that from the Campaign for Fiscal Equity settlement? Yeah, that’s from CFE. And then health care. The New York

What did it feel like to topple a political king? It felt – I’m still feeling it, actually. What it feels like is justice.

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CityAndStateNY.com

September 24, 2018

IN MEMORIAM 19 8 4 -20 1 8

Jeff Klein’s Political Career Bronx state senator, architect of the IDC, deposed at 58

EFFREY KLEIN, A STATE SENATOR in the Democratic Party for nearly 15 years who created the Republican-aligned Independent Democratic Conference, or IDC, was defeated in the 34th state Senate District primary in the Bronx. He was 58 years old. Klein, who some called a political “chess master,” found his political fortunes reversed by progressive primary challenger Alessandra Biaggi, a 32-year-old lawyer. “We have now cut the head off the IDC snake!” Biaggi said, glorying in Klein’s defeat amid a cheering crowd at her election night party. It’s unclear if Biaggi was aware of Klein’s real affection for reptiles. He kept lizards and turtles as pets in recent years and caught snakes in the woods as a boy. Klein became an early symbol of resentment for liberal Democrats in his district, who began organizing and energizing like-minded voters in the wake of Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential election. Groups like No IDC NY, True Blue NY, Indivisible and others served to magnify and direct progressive anger, settling firmly on Klein’s Democratic cohort who were allied with Republicans. Klein became an increasingly polarizing figure in the past year, and not just for partisan reasons. A series of scandals also may have hurt the state senator’s re-election bid. A sexual harassment alle-

gation by a former Klein staffer broke early this year and remains under investigation, while the state Board of Elections found the IDC had engaged in improper campaign financing. In what was widely considered a reaction to pressure from liberal Democrats challenging veteran incumbents, including Cynthia Nixon’s gubernatorial bid, Gov. Andrew Cuomo presided over the dissolution of Klein’s IDC and the reunification of its eight members with the mainline Democrats, with Klein becoming deputy to state Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. The maneuver did not save Klein’s seat, nor did it protect most of his followers. When asked about the emerging threat of primary challengers last October, Klein derided the effort as “a circular firing squad.” Klein prided himself on being a practical lawmaker who “got things done” and whose power-sharing agreement allowed him to enrich his district. “I like bringing funding to my district,” Klein said at the time, ticking off a list of projects that ranged from after-school programs to dredging local waterways. “That’s what public service is all about, delivering for your constituency.” For a time, Klein accomplished a political feat few thought possible, standing astride a partisan chasm, brokering deals for progressive legislation with conservative lawmakers and bringing stature, influence and money to the IDC – and himself – in the process.

SASHA MASLOV

By Frank G. Runyeon

September 24, 2018

City & State New York

State Sen. Jeff Klein had derided the emerging threat of primary challengers to the IDC as “a circular firing squad.”

Klein started his political career early, as fifth-grade class president. After going on to be the first college graduate in his family, adding a master’s degree from the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, his volunteer political work had caught the eye of Democratic political operative John Sabini, who would become a New York City councilman and state senator. Coordinating a re-election project for then-Mayor Ed Koch in 1984, Sabini noticed Klein as a diligent young volunteer from the Bronx, who readily worked late nights and weekends. When Sabini began working for Rep. James Scheuer, he got the hardworking kid from the Bronx hired. In three years, Klein rose to become Scheuer’s chief of staff and started climbing the ladder of local politics. Klein displaced a long-serving Democratic committeeman in 1988 and became district leader in 1990. Klein went on to CUNY School of Law and gained admittance to the bar in 1994. Klein would work for Trolman, Glaser & Lichtman from 1994 to 1995 and later operate his own firm from 1996 until 2015. At Trolman, Glaser & Lichtman, Klein said the partners asked him not to leap into politics. But Klein was determined to take a shot at a legislative seat. He successfully challenged the local Democratic machine to get it, skipping ahead of the heir apparent.

“He visited all these little old county committee people and went to their living rooms and told them he wanted to be their assemblyman,” Sabini told City & State last year. “And the other candidate just took it for granted.” When the committee voted on the nominee, Klein won. His challenger didn’t know what hit him. “He just outworked the other guy. That was it!” Sabini said. “Ambition is a funny thing in politics. If you have too much ambition, a certain amount of people don’t like you. But you can’t fault him for ambition.” But many did, particularly after the formation of the IDC, which brought him t triple-p: titles, power, pork and patronage. “Everyone thought this was a Machiavellian move on my part,” Klein said. “But no.” When asked last October what he considers to be his biggest mistake, Klein appeared stymied by the concept. “Mistake?” Klein said. “I don’t know,” he continued. “You know, I ran for the Assembly and I won. I ran for the Senate. I won. I continued to get re-elected. Uh. You know, I flirted with higher office … I’m very happy with how we’ve conducted ourselves.” This time, it seems, the majority of Democratic voters disagreed.

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CityAndStateNY.com

September 24, 2018

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A I R D, DA N L N O U G H & R O J Y O B M CD LO U I S ANNIETINA S AIN T CH R I S

September 24, 2018

City & State New York

HE TROPE THAT the Bronx is no longer “burning” has long been played out. From its bustling commercial centers to its blooming tourism industry, it’s hard not to see the progress in the Bronx as an unmitigated success. But that doesn’t mean there’s not more work to be done. We asked some of the Bronx’s top elected officials, such as Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr., county Democratic Party Chairman Marcos Crespo and state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, about the items on the top of their to-do lists. Here’s what they had to say.

Expanding Metro-North access “IT’S A GAME-CHANGER,” said Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr., in reference to the $695 million project that will bring four new Metro-North stations to southern and eastern portions of the Bronx. Díaz hoped to see the four stations – in Hunts Point, Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park and Co-op City – open by 2022 at the latest, but the timeline depends on the redirection of Long Island Rail Road trains and ongoing negotiations with Amtrak, the current owner of the tracks. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s East Side Access project will direct some Long Island Rail Road trains to Grand Central Terminal instead of New York Penn Station in order to free up the space for Metro-North trains to come into Penn from the Bronx. According to MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan, construction of the new stations will occur concurrently with the final stages of the East Side Ac-

cess construction so that train service to the Bronx stations can begin once East Side Access is complete. Bronx residents have been waiting on improvements to their Metro-North service since 1999, when the plan was first introduced. “We’re excited about it, everyone here in the Bronx is excited about it,” Díaz told City & State. “We know that it’s going to be a boon to our local economy. It’s going to help us with the worst commutes of those who come to the Bronx, but at the same time it’s going to help us get to and from work faster.” In July, New York City launched a Bronx Metro-North Station Area Study that will coordinate holistic planning of the areas around the new stations with the MTA, New York City Department of City Planning, New York City Economic Development Corp., city Department of Transportation and the Bronx Borough President’s Office. Once completed, the MTA said the stations would reduce travel times from the East Bronx, Westchester County and Connecticut, increase economic development and improve regional connectivity.

Improving Hunts Point highways A KEY STRETCH of highway in the South Bronx could undergo massive changes in the

coming years, though there are still some uncertainties with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $1.8 billion plan to redesign the Sheridan Expressway. In 2017, Cuomo announced the plan to reduce diesel truck traffic on local roads in the Hunts Point neighborhood and increase pedestrian access to the Bronx River and its neighboring parks, but community groups have fought against parts of his proposal. Since that initial announcement, the project has been split into two parts. The first phase, which received final approval from the federal government this month, is the Arthur Sheridan Enhancement Project. This is the $75 million plan to turn the Sheridan Expressway – which cuts off several communities from the river – into a boulevard with multiple points of pedestrian access to Starlight Park and the Bronx River. Construction on the Sheridan is scheduled to break ground this month and finish in the fall of 2019. The second phase is the Hunts Point Interstate Access Improvement Project, which, if approved, is estimated to cost $1.7 billion and be completed in 2025. This project would redesign the flow of truck traffic by adding four points of access to the Bruckner Expressway and Sheridan Boulevard via Edgewater Road. The plan has drawn considerable opposition from several community groups, who argue it would decrease access to the river and parks next to Edgewater Road and increase pollution in an area they say has served as important community space for local youth.

“everyone here in the Bronx is excited about it, We know that it’s going to be a boon to our local economy.”

CityAndStateNY.com

September 24, 2018

“there will be Bronxites in the Olympics. These young people, they haven’t had the access, but they sure have the talent.” Several of these community groups formed the Southern Bronx River Watershed Alliance, which has advocated for an alternative plan that would place ramps to the Bruckner Expressway farther from residential areas. Officials from the state Transportation Department, however, have said the alternative plan would interfere with Amtrak and CSX railroad lines and would be more expensive. Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, whose district includes Hunts Point, said he would have supported the alternative plan, but understood that it presented challenges including a greater cost, a longer timeline and legal issues with Amtrak. Crespo said the current plan ultimately meets the community’s priorities of increasing access to public parks and improving air quality. “While a number of proposals and ideas had been put forward for many, many years, our community deserves action and results,” he said. “I feel very proud in having played a role in making sure that we were able to bring that commitment, and that we were able to get the governor to the table.” Approval for the project ultimately comes down to the Federal Highway Administration, which has already signed off on the state’s draft scope of the project’s second phase but has yet to approve the necessary final environmental impact statement.

Sealing Kingsbridge National Ice Center funds THE KINGSBRIDGE National Ice Center, a project more than six years in the making, looks to be nearly ready to break ground as developer Kevin Parker closes in on the project’s first phase of financing. Located in the northwest Bronx, the Kingsbridge Armory has been vacant since 1996, and plans to repurpose the historic fortress into a 750,000-square-foot ice sports complex were first announced by then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2013. So far, the developer has raised more than $35 million through private funds, and Crain’s New York Business reported that Citibank was in final negotiations to finance what remains of the projected

$170 million needed for the first phase. (The total projected cost is $350 million, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo has already pledged a $138 million loan to help secure long-term financing.) State Sen. Gustavo Rivera, whose district includes the site, told City & State that he was informed that the deal is a matter of days or weeks away from closing. The New York City Economic Development Corp. has promised to turn over the lease once this phase of financing is secured – a promise Rivera is confident will be kept. Ideas for repurposing the Kingsbridge Armory originally included a Chelsea Market-type mall, but Rivera said the good faith with which the developer, Kingsbridge National Ice Center LLC, approached its plan for an ice center instilled confidence that the community’s needs would be prioritized. A community benefits agreement included provisions for local hiring, permanent jobs within the center paying more than a living wage and priority access to the ice for local public schools. Still, Rivera acknowledged that a continuing challenge will be avoiding gentrification. While it would likely be a couple years before any portion of the nine-rink ice center will open to the public, Rivera said the impact on the community will be lasting. “When it’s finished, it’s going to be the largest ice sports facility in the world, which means that within a generation, I can almost guarantee you that there will be Bronxites that will be participating in the Olympics, that will be NHL pro players, that will be professional ice skaters,” he said. “These young people, they haven’t had the access, but they sure have the talent.”

Affordable housing at Bronx Point IF ALL GOES ACCORDING TO PLAN, the opening of Bronx Point, a mixed-use development, would bring up to 1,045 units of housing to the South Bronx. The development will be delivered in two phases. The first phase is set to include 600 units of permanent affordable housing as well as public spaces for performances, food, education and museums, which is expected to be done by 2022. The project is expected to create 915 temporary jobs and 100 permanent jobs once the site opens. The project, which is part of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s $200 million investment strategy to strengthen the infrastructure of the Bronx’s Lower Concourse neighborhood, has received support from community leaders who want an improvement of the socio-economic and cultural environment for South Bronx residents. “Bronx Point is a tremendous step forward for our borough,” Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr. said in a press release last year announcing the project. “Not only will this project create much-needed affordable housing units, it will activate underutilized space, open up more waterfront to public access, create new public spaces and retail amenities for community use and, finally, bring the Universal HipHop Museum to its rightful location in the birthplace of hip-hop, The Bronx.” Bronx Point also received a positive recommendation from Bronx Community Board 4, which approved the New York City Economic Development Corp.’s application to rezone the Harlem River Waterfront area north of the 145th Street Bridge for the project’s construction. Once new residents begin moving into Bronx Point, city officials anticipate an increase in the number of

September 24, 2018

students attending nearby schools. To mitigate the impact, the district will either restructure its existing schools, relocate administrative offices to make space for new classrooms or construct an entirely new school. Should opening a new school become necessary, the plan is to build one in the New York City Council’s 17th District after the first phase of Bronx Point is completed.

Siting a South Bronx jail ON AUG. 15, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration announced its proposal for the locations of four community-based jails that would replace the Rikers Island jail complex. A jail is planned for each of the four largest boroughs, but the Bronx location at 320 Concord Ave. in Mott Haven has drawn the most criticism. Among those raising concerns are state Sen. José M. Serrano and Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr. Although New York City Councilwoman Diana Ayala, whose district includes the site, has come out in support of the proposal, Díaz contests that the city failed to take local interests into consideration. Díaz told City & State that the proposed location chosen for the Bronx not only falls short of advancing criminal justice reform but also adversely affects Bronxites. He wants a site that is closer to the Bronx County Courthouse, if not attached, so that defense attorneys and legal aides can have better access to their clients. Considering transportation availability to the jail for

City & State New York

family members is also very important, Díaz said. The proposed location, according to Díaz, would hinder progress in a South Bronx community that has been on the rebound. Mott Haven residents persevered through poverty and soaring crime rates in the past. Now that the neighborhood is turning around, residents fear a new jail is a step backward when previous administrations promised the location would be used for something that created jobs and opportunities. “Here we have a city that just wants to reward a community by highlighting something negative like building a jail there,” Díaz said. “Look, I agree with the closing of Rikers Island – no mistake about it. Rikers Island is a stain on the soul of the city. I don’t believe that this is the right location.” The proposal still has to clear multiple community hearings before being approved.

Diverting offenders to drug court THE FIRST DRUG COURT of its kind in New York City may be part of the solution to the Bronx’s daunting drug overdose problem. In 2016, the Bronx had 308 documented overdose deaths – the most of any of the five boroughs – a toll that rivaled the number of murders in the entire city. In an attempt to reduce such overdoses, a new pre-plea court in the borough offers nonviolent offenders the option of treatment in lieu of incarceration. Since December, more than 100 defendants charged with low-level drug possession have gone through the new Overdose Avoidance and Recovery Diversion Program, or OAR. “It’s completely voluntary so people are not mandated to treatment at all,” said Criminal Court Judge Linda Poust-Lopez, one of the two judges who hear OAR cases. Poust-Lopez believes this encouraged treatment because it is more effective when individuals are receptive to intervention. Once in the OAR program, the public-private partnership Bronx Community Solutions helps participants gain entry into various addiction treatment programs and offers job training, housing and other ser-

“no mistake about it, Rikers Island is a stain on the soul of the city. But I don’t believe that this is the right location.”

vices. Participants have to prove “meaningful engagement” in order to complete the program and have their cases dismissed and sealed. According to Poust-Lopez, the program requires participants to demonstrate they have gotten started in a treatment program and a defendant is usually in the program for between three weeks and two months. Poust-Lopez said, “I hope that it will help the Bronx in the long term by, first of all, recognizing that addiction is a medical and social problem more than it’s a criminal problem. And in recognizing that, more people will be open to getting treatment, and I think that we will save lives and save families.” So far, 35 defendants have completed the OAR track. In the near future, the program may expand to include other offenses. The state also wants to create similar programs in the other boroughs.

CityAndStateNY.com

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September 24, 2018

CAN MARCOS CRESPO AND HIS DEMOCRATIC MACHINE SURVIVE THE PROGRESSIVE INSURGENCY?

BRONX BOSS BY DAVID CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY LOMBARD

Marcos Crespo,

the assemblyman who triples as chairman of the Assembly’s Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force and as chairman of the Bronx Democratic Party, will be the first to claim that his borough’s party is wholly progressive. Period. Even setting aside Crespo’s socially conservative views, his low-key support for the now-obliterated Independent Democratic Conference, and the general impression that parties are out of touch with regular New Yorkers, Crespo will argue that the party stands by progressive causes. Call it political survivalism for Crespo – a potential candidate for Bronx borough president in 2021 – but he stands by it. The Democratic Party faces an identity crisis ignited by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ run for president in 2016 and fueled by Donald Trump’s subsequent victory. The rising tide of progressives broke through in New York this year, with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s astonishing primary upset of Rep. Joseph Crowley, a political heavyweight who doubles as the Queens

Democratic Party boss, in a congressional district that spans Queens and the Bronx. The denunciation of established Democrats was sealed on Sept. 13 when state Sen. Jeff Klein, whose breakaway conference partnered with Republicans in Albany, lost his primary to Alessandra Biaggi, also a political newcomer. The losses by Crowley and Klein stand as a bellwether moment for progressive Democrats who, driven by outrage at Trump, seek to pull the Bronx Democratic Party to the left, calling out its leaders for excluding democratic socialists like Ocasio-Cortez. Yet the reckoning within the party – exemplified by the primaries against Klein and other former IDC members – is seemingly lost on Crespo. “It is a little disheartening when you see a group of new Democrats or ultra-progressives, or democratic socialists, or whatever term people want to use, claim that they need to change those that are in office because we need progressive values, progressive policies,” Crespo said during an extended interview. “I’m sorry, but if you take a look at what we’ve been doing, that’s exactly what we’ve been doing.”

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City & State New York

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Criminal justice reform through Raise the Age? That began with Crespo’s predecessor as county leader, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. A $15 minimum wage in New York state? That was championed by Klein. A plan to create a single-payer health care system? It has been on Democrats’ agenda long before it became a part of Ocasio-Cortez’s platform, Crespo said. “Nobody’s going to come and give us a lecture of what progressive values are,” he said. The comment points to Crespo’s propensity for institutional protectionism and defense of party members who “put in the work” to advance the agenda over newbies looking to break in. It’s a comment reminiscent of what South Bronx Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo said of the party at a 2017 fundraiser for now-New York City Councilman Rubén Díaz Sr.: “We cannot allow people to come from the outside to take over the work that we developed without the contacts that are necessary to bring money to the South Bronx.” AN APPROACHABLE POLITICO with a cheery, squinty-eyed grin, a salt-and-pepper goatee and a hint of toughness he keeps in check, Crespo, 38, is a self-made man who has led the party since 2015. He presides over a big tent of Democrats, ranging from progressives like New York City Councilman Ritchie Torres to social conservatives like Díaz Sr. His political acumen – and bulldog defense of the party – has earned him the respect of the borough’s elite Democrats, namely Heastie and Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr. A few weeks ago, I met Crespo at his district office in the Bronx’s Soundview neighborhood. It was 2 p.m., and caseworkers from Crespo’s constituent services were hard at work, ironing out issues on behalf of residents. Crespo was busy too, talking inside his back office with Bronx Democratic Party attorney Stanley Schlein, the organization’s tall, bespectacled kingmaker. He was the reason why I sat for 20 minutes inside the boxy waiting room, where Crespo’s portrait hangs just above his teller-style window. After Schlein left, Crespo waved me in. Wearing a gray three-button polo shirt with the words “Assembly District 85, Marcos Crespo,” the assemblyman took out his iPhone and began recording the conversation. It’s common for lawmakers to record conversations with the press, but not for Crespo. He later told me a recent article by The Intercept inaccurately depicted a party meeting he held at F&J Pine Restaurant four days after the congressional primary. “I was so upset at the

misrepresentation of my responses to those questions,” Crespo said. “You should put that in your piece.” Perhaps Crespo’s instinct to record the interview stemmed from his belief that the story of the Bronx Democratic Party was not accurately told. (Before even reading this piece, Crespo assumed it would be a hit piece.) To Crespo, it’s a well-oiled machine that’s worked out most of its kinks and become a model of what the party can do, even as the influence of county organizations has been weakened. He credited unity. Again, and again, and again throughout the interview. A unified party has allowed elected officials to focus on improving conditions in a borough that’s rebounded from the depths of the “Bronx is Burning” days. Deeply read on the borough’s political history, Crespo saw the results of a fractious party, alluding to the party’s history under Stanley Friedman and George Friedman, and then Assemblyman Jose Rivera. What ended all that was 2008’s so-called Rainbow Rebellion, in which disaffected party officials led by Schlein, Heastie and Díaz Jr. turned against Rivera,

“Nobody’s going to come and give us a lecture of what progressive values are.” then the party chairman, in a move that resembles the progressive movement enveloping Democratic parties across the country today. Heastie was voted the new chairman. “Before Carl, there was a lot of division, a lot of racial fights along borders, along neighborhoods, amongst elected officials, a lot of chat you would see in election time with colleagues supporting candidates against each other left and right,” Crespo said. “So, knowing that we were positioned really well politically has given us a lot of opportunities

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City & State New York

though she’s a self-described progressive and he isn’t. “He and I have clashed in those senses, but he’s somebody who always just kind of brings it back and doesn’t let politics get in the way of actually getting work done, which I actually think is important,” Reyes said. After winning the primary, Reyes has a good chance to join a growing list of female legislators representing the Bronx. The stunning rise of Ocasio-Cortez, while not officially a congresswoman yet, has diluted the argument of the party functioning as a boys’ club. With the Queens Democratic Party licking its wounds and attempting to keep the status quo with the re-election of Crowley as party chairman, the Bronx’s stability has given them a leg up to become the more relevant and powerful county party. Crespo has shown what unity can do, pointing to a picture of him and Cuomo shortly after Cuomo announced in March 2017 a major renovation for the Bruckner-Sheridan interchange. “When I put an ask in for the governor – you see the announcement there – $1.8 billion to fix the Bruckner-Sheridan Expressway. Again, that’s been talked about for 50 years. It is, I believe, the single largest transportation investment, state investment or project anywhere in the state,” said Crespo, excluding the new Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. “I think it has a lot to do with the unity overall in the Bronx. I think it has to do with the fact that people are looking at us different.” to bring more resources to get attention and to shape what is happening.” It has also helped that Heastie still represents the Bronx while ascending to the influential post of Assembly speaker, while Díaz Jr. has developed an alliance with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, ushering a kind of golden age unseen for quite some time. “They’re definitely in a very good spot. Marcos is a young, popular leader, and having Carl Heastie and Rubén Díaz Jr. makes the party very strong,” said George Arzt, a political consultant in New York City who previously worked with the Bronx Democratic Party. But in the aftermath of the Crowley and Klein upsets, the party will lean heavily on Crespo’s good-natured popularity to keep it from regressing to the days of ideological rifts and political pettiness. He’ll have to count on progressive allies to help him carry the message. And he doesn’t subscribe to the all or nothing approach on political and policy positions. “I think we have to be concerned about these lines in the sand, where if you’re not with me 100 percent of the time, then

you’re not good enough,” Crespo said. “There’s always, you know, a gray area that has to be accepted and dealt with.” CRESPO’S TENURE has coincided with an influx of young politicians: New York City Councilman Ritchie Torres, City Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner and state Sen. Jamaal Bailey. “There’s a youth movement afoot and I think that’s a good thing, right?” Crespo said. “People want to see that. Fresh voices.” His endorsement of Fernandez impressed some critics. Fernandez succeeded her former boss, Mark Gjonaj, who was elected to the New York City Council last year. “That’s a plus all the way around,” said Michael Benjamin, a former Bronx assemblyman who has called the party a “boys’ club.” Crespo also backed Karines Reyes, the Democratic nominee for the 87th Assembly District seat left vacant by state Sen. Luis Sepulveda. At a county-sponsored barbecue and baseball game, I ran into Reyes, who spoke highly of Crespo’s character even

BACK IN 2002, thoughts of vetting candidates and cutting deals would never have crossed Crespo’s mind, let alone a career as an assemblyman. But perhaps it was a matter of fate. While enrolled at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Crespo painted homes and offices alongside his father, an undocumented Peruvian immigrant. His mother hails from Puerto Rico. Crespo, who was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico, was uncertain of his plans. His future stood before him like one of those blank walls he and his father were hired to paint. After prematurely skipping out on an internship for a Bronx judge, a move that would prove serendipitous, Crespo wised up and applied for the only internship he was eligible for: one in the state Legislature. In Albany, he met Díaz Jr., then representing the 85th Assembly District. The two men instantly clicked. “I saw somebody that I could be myself with, talk sports and hip-hop and the things that I enjoyed, and was relatable. But then I also saw somebody put on a suit and go into meetings with lobbyists and Harvard-graduated lawyers,” Crespo said. He later added, “Ruben was

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exactly the kind of man I wanted to be like.” When the internship ended, Crespo headed back to familiar turf. It was 2004 and Crespo, on the cusp of earning a bachelor’s degree in government, was painting a kitchen inside a Connecticut home with his dad when his phone rang. It was Díaz Jr. “‘Hey, do you want a job?’” Crespo remembers him asking. “I said, ‘Sure.’ So, I just hung up the phone and he’s like, ‘All right, great, I’ll see you on Monday.’ ‘Great.’” The job wasn’t working for the younger Díaz, but as an assistant at the office of his father, then-state Sen. Rubén Díaz Sr. Crespo recalled Díaz Jr. telling him, “But also you speak perfect Spanish and that’s helpful to my dad, and you guys are like, you know, will probably get along. You like old salsa, you’re like an old soul and he thinks he’s younger than he really is, so you guys should probably get along.” Five years later, Díaz Jr. won a special election for borough president, leaving the 85th Assembly District vacant. Crespo, by then, had learned the mechanics of Albany and the impact constituent services can have in a local community. The Assembly post was his for the taking, and technically a fallback (he was also gunning for a job in state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office). But despite pleas by Díaz Jr. and Heastie to run, Crespo, then 28, was reluctant. “I had Carl Heastie, I had Ruben, I had a number of people. No, when I tell you everyone, almost everyone I encountered felt that I should run and I was the one to say no,” Crespo said. Three weeks before the June 2 special election, Crespo finally threw his name into the ring. Crespo sought the support of the party – and he got it. He won more than 90 percent of the vote in what was a lackluster voter turnout election. It’s likely that Crespo brought up his own up-and-coming story as a way to talk about who he has supported as chairman. He said he wants doers, not people he senses just want a title. He disregards critics throwing stones from the sidelines, a trend he’s noticed recently.

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“I’m seeing a lot of people who I’ve never seen a part of the conversation, never seen involved in the community, who may have 100,000 followers (on social media). I’m not impressed,” Crespo said. “I’m impressed by people who I see at the community board meetings, or on the street, or organizing or addressing issues, or rallying with us when things happen. Like, that’s the kind of activism that’s grass-roots and

community-oriented.” He didn’t refer to her by name, but it seemed to be a dig at Ocasio-Cortez, who has more than 850,000 Twitter followers, a robust following that helped her win. Still, Ocasio-Cortez won fair and square, a fact Crespo said he respects. This may not have happened a few years ago, when the prospect of such a crushing defeat by an outsider was inconceivable. Crespo seemed to see the silver lining in Crowley’s race, particularly the idea that parties aren’t fix-

ers. “If that were true, there’s a number of colleagues today who I consider members of the organization who were not supported by us and would not have won had I had it my way,” Crespo said. Though he acknowledged Crowley’s loss was partly due to the congressman’s overall absence in his district, Crespo had no regrets backing Crowley, who, as a potential House speaker and No. 4 Democrat, “could’ve been extremely helpful to our communities in securing federal resources for things that were of value to us and important us.” Throughout the interview, it was clear Crespo preferred candidates who have not only put in the work, but brought dollars to the underserved borough. That’s why, when I shifted to questions about the now-defunct IDC, the eight-member faction of Democrats who collaborated with state Senate Republicans, Crespo appeared to be their apologist. During the interview, which was conducted before Klein lost, Crespo defended Klein’s ability to “bring millions of dollars of resources to the borough” and his ability to “be at the table as a co-leader to talk about and get the Republicans to budge on minimum wage, paid family leave and things that they had never said they would do.” If anyone is to blame for Republicans maintaining control of the state Senate, it is state Sen. Simcha Felder, a Brooklyn Democrat who also caucused with the GOP, Crespo argued. “Understand that even if the IDC had never formed, Simcha Felder is the deciding vote for the Republican Party, and if Simcha Felder, without any regard to what it did for Democrats or Republicans, said, ‘I’m going to sit with whoever that gives me, allows me to deliver for my community,’ and Simcha Felder is the vote that puts the Republicans over the top. And he … was never a member of the IDC,” Crespo said. However, Crespo’s argument ignored the fact that in 2012, when the IDC first formed a power-sharing agreement with Republicans, the breakaway group was pivotal to keep control out of the hands of state Senate Democrats.

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FOR ALL CRESPO’S talk of unity, the concept is relative. Skeptics in the progressive Democratic wing have noted the party’s detachment from the populace, with dissenters observing a divergence from party principles and a distance from voters who put them into public office. “I think when they’re talking about this unification, I think they’re focused more on people who are in leadership or in elected positions, but that’s not necessarily the party and I like to see that really flesh out,” said Michael Beltzer, a member of the Bronx County Democratic Committee, made up of unpaid officials who hold decision-making power over the party’s direction. The committee differs from the organization’s executive committee, which is comprised of elected officials. Understanding the roles played by the two groups can seem dry, but Beltzer and Samelys Lopez, a former county committee member aiming to reclaim a seat this year, have tried to inform Bronx residents about the role of the county committee. Inclusion has been on their wish list of reforms. Lopez, a founding member of a group called the Bronx Progressives, asserted that if Crespo is a genuine unifier, he would “reach out to disaffected people who feel like it’s not as progressive, it’s not as grass-roots,” by organizing a town hall-style forum. “I would like for there to be more of a space for (that) to happen within the party without people being marginalized for it and being seen as, you know, fringe people,” Lopez said. “Because there is value in what we’re saying and our experiences have meaning.” While Beltzer and Lopez have made little progress, their goals are shared by state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, a progressive Democrat also on the outs with the party. Rivera was not invited to the F&J Pine Restaurant, which he called “disappointing.” The state senator said the party should do better in educating the Bronx electorate, which has a terrible voter turnout record. He also wanted progressive Democrats at the forefront in the party’s decision-making process. “There needs to be a real embrace, not kind of like, you know, a half-hearted embrace but a real, true embrace,” said Rivera, who noted there are progressives in the Bronx, and they’re voting for candidates like Ocasio-Cortez. “Part of the mythology is that a year before Alexandria was elected, she was a bartender. So, I’m sure there’s people right now that have her level of intelligence, her level of passion and they’re seeing themselves as being wanting to admit themselves to public service. They’re going to demand a space in the party.”

City & State New York

Díaz Jr., in a separate interview, echoed Crespo’s line: The party has been on a path of inclusiveness since Crespo got there. “Making history with Darcel Clark? That’s not inclusive?” he said, referring to the Bronx district attorney, who became the first African-American woman to hold the position. “Having more than half a dozen female judges on the bench – that’s not inclusive? You know, so, you know, having more and more men and women to (the) county committee and several judicial delegates emerging like the Bangladeshi community, like the Garifuna community, like the West African community – that’s not inclusive? That’s exactly what’s happening under the leadership of Marcos Crespo.”

Perhaps the biggest test of the party’s relevance will come three years from now if Díaz Jr. runs for mayor in what is likely to be a crowded Democratic primary field. Already, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and City Comptroller Scott Stringer are among the names batted around as likely contenders. Crespo said he’s intent on throwing the weight of the party behind Díaz Jr. “It is, to me, unconscionable that in the city of New York where the Latino community contributed so much, accomplished so much, and given back so much, and where we represent such a significant portion of the population and voting community, that we have never had a citywide Latino elected official is borderline offensive,” Crespo said. In a case of déjà vu, it seems Crespo could once again follow in Díaz Jr.’s shoes, as he’s rumored to run for the borough president seat in 2021. While Díaz is sure to endorse Crespo, giving him an advantage, Crespo may have to deal with rivals highlighting his record on social issues. Sealing his status as a social conservative was his vote against same-sex marriage in 2011, which nonetheless became law. Crespo said he now regrets voting against the bill. “Over time, what I’ve come to realize is that I was wrong. I was wrong to vote ‘no’ because whether or not you know I would choose that for my life, it doesn’t mean that I should legislate that against someone else,” Crespo said. The race between Ocasio-Cortez and Crowley demonstrated that virtual unknowns can disrupt the establishment in a matter of weeks, making three years feel like an eternity in political terms. Crespo, in the meantime, reckoned more Bronx lawmakers will step it up. “And I think that for generations to come, you’re going to hear the names of Bronx elected leaders being considered for higher office in the city of New York,” he said. “And I think that’s a measure of success of the organization to support that kind of talent.” As for dissenters, Crespo said he can’t please everyone. “You know what the joke is with being a county leader? That for every decision, you make … seven enemies and one ingrate.”

“I’m seeing a lot of people who I’ve never seen a part of the conversation, never seen involved in the community, who may have 100,000 followers on social media. I’m not impressed.” Benjamin, the former assemblyman whose relationship with the party goes back three decades, said inclusion has been talked about for years. He likened the inclusion argument to a high school student desperately attempting to be in with the cool kids. “Well, it’s not inclusive because they’re not winning; they’re not part of the ‘in’ group and so to them it’s not inclusive,” said Benjamin, of those outside the popular political circles. Benjamin continued: “That can be frustrating. But it’s also a two-way street. You have to make yourself accommodating or willing to talk to folks and not constantly bashing people. Whether it’s on Facebook or in interviews, there’s a little bit of bashing that goes on in the party and what happens locally. And when that happens, it’s human nature to dictate that you’re not necessarily going to reach out and bring those people in.”

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David Cruz is the editor-in-chief of the Norwood News. He covers the Bronx.

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September 24, 2018

POW

WER

City & State New York

OR A BOROUGH that had been all but abandoned for decades, the Bronx is bouncing back. It has new infrastructure projects in the works, major real estate developments underway and increasing attention from City Hall and in Albany. Coinciding with the borough’s resurgence is an unmistakable rise in political power. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, the city’s most influential politician in Albany, hails from the Bronx. Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr. has a shot at becoming the city’s first Latino mayor. The borough’s Democratic machine is arguably the strongest in the city. And while state Sen. Jeff Klein, the former leader of the Independent Democratic Conference, has been ousted, his victorious Democratic primary rival – Alessandra Biaggi – joins fellow Bronxite Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as two of the most prominent progressive candidates in the country who recently notched upset victories. In this special issue of City & State, we take a closer look at the lesser-known – but no less influential – movers and shakers in the Bronx. Since we cover politicians on a day-today basis, we limited this list to those who are not strictly in government but instead influence it from the outside. We reached out to insiders and experts to compile this list, ranking each person based on their accomplishments, their sway in political and policy matters, their economic clout, their philanthropic efforts, their ties to powerful politicians and the constituencies they represent. As diverse as the Bronx is, it’s worth noting that only a quarter of the people on this list are women, which reflects our best attempt at identifying the power structure as it is. We sought to balance that by presenting an additional – and more diverse – list of younger figures on the rise. We’re pleased to present the Bronx Power 50.

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STANLEY Schlein Attorney Boss, powerhouse, Democratic institution and power broker are all words that have been used to describe Stanley Schlein, who has been a fixture in the Bronx Democratic Party for more than 40 years. But if you have never heard of this Parkchester native, that is no surprise. Despite being an operative behind some of the city’s biggest political campaigns and countless major projects, Schlein is known for keeping a low profile, operating behind the scenes as an attorney, lobbyist and fixer. He currently serves

as a lawyer for the Bronx Democrats and is the former chairman of the city’s Civil Service Commission. Schlein, who practices law privately and lives on City Island, is said to have worked with nearly every mayor dating back to the 1970s. He has had ties to Assemblyman and former Bronx Democratic Party Chairman Jose Rivera, Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr. and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. To give you an idea of his reach, when the Yankees were building a new stadium and needed help with negotiations, they hired Schlein.

George Gresham George Gresham has served as the president of 1199SEIU since 2007. As head of New York City’s largest labor union, with its 400,000 health care workers, Gresham has worked to increase pay for hospital workers, save health care jobs from budget cuts and secure paid family leave for his members. An alumnus of the Bronx’s public DeWitt Clinton High School, Gresham has forged alliances with leading power brokers like Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who appointed Gresham to chair the Mario Cuomo Campaign for Economic Justice, which success-

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fully campaigned to increase the minimum wage. He also has been an ally of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, with Gresham’s union being among the first to get behind his 2013 mayoral campaign. According to a New York Times profile, Gresham’s first health care job involved cleaning floors at the then-Presbyterian Hospital. The hospital’s benefits helped pay for Gresham’s college degree and he became a radiologic technologist, doubling his salary. It was this early experience, Gresham said, that showed him the importance of labor unions.

MIRIAM QUINONES; 1199SEIU; MTA; BRONX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

President, 1199SEIU

September 24, 2018

City & State New York

CHARLES Moerdler Partner, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP Bronx resident Charles Moerdler is perhaps best known for his role on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, where he has served since 2010. But that is just one of a host of other positions that he holds. He is a longtime member of Bronx Community Board 8, where he has presided over land use and other issues affecting the northwest Bronx for decades. As co-chairman of the litigation practice at law firm Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, where he has been since 1967, Moerdler has represented real estate developers, one of the largest

hospitals in the country, a New York City newspaper and Austria’s largest bank. He has been on the board of the New York City Housing Development Corp. since 1997. He also served as a trustee at St. Barnabas Hospital and is on the editorial board of the New York Law Journal. In the 1960s, Moerdler was the commissioner of housing and buildings for New York City. He also served as a development consultant to Mayor John Lindsay. Moerdler, a Holocaust survivor, has always been extremely busy.

Nunzio Del Greco President and CEO, Bronx Chamber of Commerce Nunzio Del Greco and his family moved to the Bronx from Italy in 1958, and he was the first person in his family to graduate from college, earning a bachelor’s degree from Queens College and a master’s degree from St. John’s University. Del Greco, whose family had a history in construction, then became executive vice president of the then-Bronx Board of Realtors. The trade association later expanded its geographic scope and changed its name to the Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors. Del Greco served as its chief executive officer for more than

three decades, increasing its membership from fewer than 100 to more than 1,000 over that span. In 2010, he was named businessman of year by the Bronx County Historical Society. Since 2015, Del Greco has been the president and CEO of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Among his accomplishments are the production of the first Bronx Business Directory & Resource Guide, a listing that includes contacts for companies and public officials. He has also embraced social media, generating a large following on LinkedIn.

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September 24, 2018

JOSÉ luis cruz Luis President, Lehman College José Luis Cruz, Lehman College’s third president, took the helm in 2016 after leaving his position as provost of California State University, Fullerton. Last year, Cruz unveiled a plan to grant 90,000 degrees by 2030. Lehman had previously been on track to confer 45,000 degrees by that year. To achieve this ambitious goal, Cruz has already pledged millions of dollars toward hiring more faculty and staff, increasing class offerings and expanding infrastructure. Many students at Lehman College hail from the Bronx, where fewer than

30 percent of residents have an associate degree or higher, so the plan is seen as a major win for the borough. Cruz, who hails from Puerto Rico and lives in the Bronx, has held a host of prestigious positions in higher education. He has a doctorate in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech and has been published in academic journals. He continues to teach physics at Lehman College. He testified before Congress last year, providing recommendations on ways to increase access to higher education for low-income and minority students.

STEVEN M. SAFYER Steven M. Safyer has led Montefiore Health System, a sprawling, multibillion-dollar health care system, since 2008. This is not an easy task. Montefiore Medical Center has the country’s second-largest medical residency program and one of the busiest emergency rooms. The hospital has 93,000 admissions per year and serves hundreds of thousands more on an outpatient basis. As the borough’s largest employer, Montefiore provides not only health care, but jobs. In 2016, Safyer was recognized as one of the 50

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Most Influential Physician Executives and Leaders by Modern Healthcare. To combat obesity, he banned candy and fried potato chips from Montefiore, and sponsored health fairs offering free blood pressure readings and testing for HIV and diabetes. His track record, which includes decades at Montefiore, has earned him praise from politicians like Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr. and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who proposed his soda ban at Montefiore with Safyer at his side.

LEHMAN COLLEGE; MONTEFIORE HEALTH SYSTEM

President and CEO, Montefiore Health System

Celebrating the best and brightest. Congratulations to all the Bronx Power 50 honorees, including our very own, Steve Garibell. Well done!

Member FDIC, TD Bank, N.A.

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September 24, 2018

FERNANDO FERRER Vice Chairman, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Fernando “Freddy” Ferrer, the former Bronx borough president, serves as vice chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, a key post as New York City and state officials try to improve and upgrade the city’s beleaguered subway system. Ferrer is also co-chairman of Mercury, a public strategy firm with a major presence in New York. Ferrer was first elected to the New York City Council in 1982, when he was just 32 years old. During his fiveyear tenure in the legislative body, he authored legislation requiring interpreters in

hospital emergency rooms. Ferrer went on to serve as Bronx borough president for 14 years. He is credited with creating housing for 66,000 families. In 2005, he was the Democratic Party nominee for mayor and the first Latino to win a major-party nomination for the citywide post. Although he has retired from politics, he is still widely respected in the Bronx and a sought-after endorsement for candidates running for office there – as well as in other boroughs and in the city as a whole. He lives in Riverdale.

ADOLFO Carrión Jr. If you know Bronx politics, you know Adolfo Carrión Jr. The former Bronx borough president, Independence Party nominee for New York City mayor, city councilman and, yes, even White House official, has had his hand in some of the borough’s biggest projects. He served as borough president from 2002 through early 2009, and is credited, in part, with orchestrating negotiations that allowed the construction of the new Yankee Stadium, which opened in 2009. He was also involved in the creation of the Bronx Family Justice Center and is said

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to be at least partially responsible for creating jobs at the Bronx Terminal Market. During his time as borough president, approximately 25,000 new housing units were built in the borough. He now serves as a senior development consultant at Stagg Group, a real estate group that has long been active in the Bronx with a range of projects that include market-rate housing, affordable housing and developments to house the homeless. Carrion also founded Metro Futures LLC, a real estate development firm.

MTA; LATINO LEADERS NETWORK

Founder and CEO, Metro Futures LLC

OF THE

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK Dianne Johnson

Division Director, Community Outreach Services City and Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bronx Power 50 Honoree

PROTECTING AND NURTURING CHILDREN AND YOUTH * FEEDING THE HUNGRY AND SHELTERING THE H O M E L E S S * S T R E N G T H E N I N G FA M I L I E S A N D R E S O LV I N G C R I S E S * S U P P O R T I N G T H E P H Y S I C A L LY A N D E M O T I O N A L LY C H A L L E N G E D * W E L C O M I N G A N D I N T E G R AT I N G I M M I G R A N T S A N D R E F U G E E S

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LEARN MORE ABOUT CATHOLIC CHARITIES AND HOW YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED AT www.catholiccharitiesNY.org

Fordham University congratulates all of the

2018 Bronx Power 50 award recipients including our own

William “Bill” Aguado Graduate School of Education Class of 1973

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September 24, 2018

City & State New York

RANDY LEVINE President, New York Yankees development, planning and administration for New York City during then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s administration. And despite his conservative bona fides, he hasn’t been shy about criticizing the policies of President Donald Trump that he disagrees with, such as the sweeping tax cut legislation that went through last year. He previously served as the chief labor negotiator for Major League Baseball, negotiating a landmark labor agreement in 1996. He also served as the commissioner of labor relations in New York City, negotiating major contracts with the city’s powerful labor unions.

10.

KAREN MEYERHOFF President and Executive Director, Wave Hill As president and executive director of Wave Hill, Karen Meyerhoff oversees a 28-acre public garden and cultural center in Riverdale. Known for its sweeping views of the Hudson River, Wave Hill offers everything from year-round educational programming and classes to sunset garden parties and jazz concerts – and the historic 1843 Wave Hill House that was restored in 2013. When Meyerhoff took the reins in 2015, she came in with a strong background in nonprofit work, including stints at renowned institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art,

the Museum of Modern Art and, most recently, the Guggenheim Museum, where she served as managing director for business development. At the time of her hire, Meyerhoff said that she would focus on fundraising, increasing revenue and widening the garden’s audience – including through social media – while maintaining its status as a cherished sanctuary in the busy city. A year later, the attraction, which is only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, was voted New York City’s “Most Loved Cultural Venue” by Time Out New York.

PUBLISHER’S SECTION

JACKSON LEWIS P.C.; STEPHANIE BERGER

Randy Levine is an attorney and president of the New York Yankees, the Major League Baseball team that is a symbol of the Bronx. He also was pivotal in the creation of the lucrative Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network, or YES Network. Levine, who is also of counsel in the New York City office of Jackson Lewis, has represented clients in the entertainment, sports, manufacturing, health care, hospitality and transportation industries. He also has experience as a top government official, having served as the deputy mayor for economic

CityAndStateNY.com

September 24, 2018

Michael Brady

Sandra Lobo

Mychal Johnson

Cristián Samper & John F. Calvelli

Executive Director, Third Avenue Business Improvement District

Executive Director, Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition

Co-founder, South Bronx Unite

Michael Brady is the executive director of the Third Avenue Business Improvement District. Serving 200,000 individuals daily, the area is the Bronx’s most trafficked commercial corridor. Brady previously served as the director of special projects at the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp., leading the agency’s planning, land use and environmental departments. He has a bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College and a master’s degree in public administration from New York University.

Sandra Lobo runs the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, a member-led grass-roots social justice organization that was founded in 1974. The organization seeks economic and racial justice, with initiatives targeting health care, energy policy and economic development. Lobo has been an outspoken proponent of affordable housing and a living wage. Lobo served as the director of the Dorothy Day Center for Service and Justice at Fordham University and worked at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Ironbound.

Mychal Johnson co-founded South Bronx Unite, a coalition advocating for the South Bronx. He sits on the boards of the Bronx Council for Environmental Quality, the Mott Haven/Port Morris Community Land Stewards and the New York City Community Land Initiative. He serves on the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation’s Watershed Advisory Committee of the Harlem River Watershed and Natural Resources Management Plan. He was selected to attend the 2014 United Nations Climate Summit.

President and CEO; Executive Vice President for Public Affairs, Wildlife Conservation Society The president and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Cristián Samper oversees the Bronx Zoo, among other urban parks. He was an adviser to thenPresident Barack Obama on his Council on Wildlife Trafficking. John Calvelli is the organization’s executive vice president for public affairs. He serves on a team overseeing work in government, community affairs and public policy. Calvelli previously worked for Rep. Eliot Engel, whose district includes part of the Bronx.

The Hostos family Congratulates President David Gómez and the other distinguished honorees for their recognition as one of the

50 Most Powerful People in the Bronx

September 24, 2018

City & State New York

Abe Fernandez

John Doyle

Bill Aguado

Carrie Rebora Barratt

Co-director, South Bronx Rising Together

Associate Director of Public Affairs, NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi

Executive Director, En Foco

President and CEO, New York Botanical Garden

Abe Fernandez is the co-director of South Bronx Rising Together and the director of Collective Impact. Run by Children’s Aid, these programs focus on ensuring that kids in the South Bronx are healthy and ready for school so they can reach their academic potential and graduate from high school and go on to college. A Brown University graduate, Fernandez previously worked at the National Center for Community Schools, Union Settlement and Riverdale Country School.

Born in Pelham Bay, John Doyle has lived in the Bronx his entire life. Doyle ran for New York City Council in 2017 and previously worked for state Sen. Jeff Klein. He serves on the New York City Police Department’s 45th Precinct Community Council and the City Island Civic Association. He works as the associate director of public affairs at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, where he was instrumental in launching the Stand Up to Violence program, which aims to stop violence among youth.

Bill Aguado may be colorblind, but that has never stopped him from seeing the Bronx as a vibrant, colorful borough. Hailed by The New York Times as “arguably the Bronx’s biggest champion for the arts,” he has dedicated his career to promoting the arts in the borough. Aguado spent over 30 years as executive director of the Bronx Council on the Arts. As executive director of En Foco, he oversees an organization that aims to support artists of color in underserved communities.

Carrie Rebora Barratt is the New York Botanical Garden’s first female president. Appointed in July, Barratt oversees a storied institution that includes 250 acres, houses more than 1 million plants and hosts millions of visitors each year, including 90,000 children from the Bronx itself. Prior to taking the helm at the New York Botanical Garden, Barratt served as an associate director at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she was rumored to be in line for the directorship.

Congratulates Norwood News Editor in Chief David Cruz for placing on City & State’s 2018 “ Bronx Watchlist”

Here’s to many more successful moments! The Norwood News is celebrating its 30th anniversary on Nov. 1 at Lehman College. Go to www.norwoodnews.org for more information.

PUBLISHER’S SECTION

CityAndStateNY.com

September 24, 2018

Carla Precht

Maria Torres

John Jenik

Michael Kamber

Founding Executive Director, Bronx Children’s Museum

President and Chief Operating Officer, The Point Community Development Corp.

Vicar for the Northwest Bronx, Archdiocese of New York

Founder and Executive Director, Bronx Documentary Center

After serving for a decade as executive director of the Riverdale Neighborhood House, Carla Precht became the founding executive director of the Bronx Children’s Museum. Construction began in 2017. Under Precht’s leadership, the museum has secured millions of dollars in funding. Although there is not yet a brick-andmortar museum, the organization serves 16,000 children annually, operating out of a purple bus that functions as a mobile arts center.

Maria Torres is president and chief operating officer of The Point Community Development Corp., a nonprofit that promotes arts, culture and youth programs in Hunts Point. Torres helped found The Point in 1993. Under her leadership, The Point has won awards from major players – including the mayor’s office and the Environmental Protection Agency – helped young people through its after-school programming and successfully advocated for more green space in the South Bronx.

Bishop John Jenik has served as the vicar for the Northwest Bronx since 2006. When The New York Times profiled him in 1996, he was leading masses and vigils in a bulletproof vest on the borough’s most heavily drug-trafficked streets in an effort to reduce crime. More than 20 years later, he still fighting for the borough’s denizens. He made news last year for helping to revive the Play Streets program on some streets in the borough, closing them to cars to be used for recreation.

A former war photographer for The New York Times, Michael Kamber returned in 2011 to the Bronx and opened the 1,000-square-foot Bronx Documentary Center in an abandoned building. Located in the South Bronx, the center has showcased documentary work to more than 25,000 visitors, an estimated 70 percent of whom are from the Bronx. The center prides itself on employing Bronx residents, showing pieces that are relevant to the community and highlighting local artists.

Mercury President Kirill Goncharenko, Partners Tom Doherty, Michael McKeon, John Gallagher, Charlie King & the entire Mercury Team proudly congratulate Mercury Co-Chair Fernando Ferrer on being named to City & State’s Bronx Power 50 List.

200 Varick St., Suite 600 New York, NY 10014 (212) 681�1380

WWW.MERCURYLLC.COM

September 24, 2018

City & State New York

23 Joel Fierman, Joe Palumbo & Myra Gordon Co-Presidents; Executive Director, Hunts Point Produce Market The Hunts Point Produce Market is a vast cooperative of farmers and importers that supplies 23,000 restaurants with food, employs 10,000 people and generates more than $2 billion annually. The market is the biggest piece of the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center, which is the world’s largest. Joel Fierman and Joe Palumbo are co-presidents of the cooperative association, while Myra Gordon is executive director of the produce market.

Angelo Cabrera

Eliezer Rodriguez

Wilma Alonso

Co-founder and Board Member, Mexican American Students’ Alliance

Executive Officer, Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors

Executive Director, Fordham Road Business Improvement District

Angelo Cabrera co-founded the Mexican American Students’ Alliance in 2001 in order to assist undocumented immigrant students who were trying to qualify for in-state tuition at State University of New York and City University of New York schools. Today, MASA assists Mexican and Latino youth and their families in the South Bronx by providing a host of services aimed at ensuring that minority students have increased access to higher education and are able to succeed once enrolled in college.

Eliezer Rodriguez is the executive officer of the Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors. He is a member of Bronx Community Board 11 and has also served as chairman of the board of managers for the Bronx YMCA. A lawyer by trade, Rodriguez lives in the Bronx with his family and coaches Little League. The first person in his family to obtain a college degree, Rodriguez has dedicated his career to helping minority communities in higher education, sports and even overseas.

Wilma Alonso has been the executive director of the Fordham Road Business Improvement District since its founding in 2005. The organization is responsible for improving one of the Bronx’s busiest shopping corridors, comprising more than 300 stores on Fordham Road alone. She serves as a liaison to the community and oversees programming, planning, development and budgeting. She previously served as the executive director of the Bronx Council for Economic Development for 10 years.

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PUBLISHER’S SECTION

CityAndStateNY.com

September 24, 2018

Juan Antigua

Michael Max Knobbe and Gary Axelbank

New York City Political Director, Working Families Party Juan Antigua serves as the New York City political director for the Working Families Party. Before joining forces with the party, he served as the campaign manager for New York City Councilman Ritchie Torres and went on to become his deputy chief of staff through 2015. In addition to Torres, Antigua has also worked on campaigns for New York City Councilman Francisco Moya, Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou and state Sen. Jeff Klein, according to the New York Post’s review of filings.

Executive Director; Host of “BronxTalk,” BronxNet Born and raised in the Bronx, Michael Max Knobbe has been the executive director of BronxNet since 2002. The public access station, housed at Lehman College, informs the community and trains Bronx students. Gary Axelbank hosts the BronxNet show “BronxTalk,” on which he interviews prominent politicians and addresses the issues of the day. He also hosts “The Bronx Buzz,” and recently started the Bronx-based website thisistheBronX.

Congratulations to Marc Jerome, President, Monroe College from your friends and colleagues at the Association of Proprietary Colleges Educating New Yorkers for a lifetime of success. www.apc-colleges.org

@APCColleges

/APCColleges

Michael Benjamin

Nilka Martell

Associate Editorial Page Editor, New York Post

Founder, Loving the Bronx

Michael Benjamin is the associate editorial page editor for the New York Post, where he is responsible for writing pointed op-eds on a wide range of topics and holding politicians’ feet to the fire. Before working at the Post, he was a City & State columnist and managing editor for The Bronx Chronicle. Benjamin, a Bronx native, also represented District 79 in the Assembly from 2003 to 2010. He has worked as a public affairs consultant and as deputy chief clerk of the Bronx Board of Elections.

Nilka Martell founded Loving the Bronx to share the borough’s history, culture, architecture and character through tours, photos and articles. A licensed tour guide and advocate for Bronx parks, she is dedicated to telling the public about the borough’s important sites, such as the Bronx River. She has received numerous accolades, including being named one of 25 influential Bronx women by the Bronx Times. Martell is so involved in her neighborhood, she’s known as the “Mayor of Parkchester.”

September 24, 2018

City & State New York

Joe Hirsch

June Eisland

Karen Argenti

Laura Guerriero

Editor, Mott Haven Herald and The Hunts Point Express

Founder, Eisland Strategies

Board Member, Bronx Council for Environmental Quality

Publisher, Bronx Times

Joe Hirsch is the long-standing editor of the Mott Haven Herald and The Hunts Point Express, two nonprofit newspapers covering underserved neighborhoods in the borough. He is a steady presence in those communities, attending meetings and reporting stories on a range of topics. The papers and their websites are staffed by students at CUNY’s Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. Hirsch mentors the students and introduces them to the goings-on in these South Bronx neighborhoods.

June Eisland is a board vice president for the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and founder of real estate consulting firm Eisland Strategies. She also served on the New York City Council throughout the 1980s and ’90s, where she fought against rent increases and rising MetroCard fares. She also chaired Bronx Community Board 8. She was recently inducted into the Bronx Jewish Hall of Fame for her decadeslong commitment to public service that focused on transportation and land use.

Karen Argenti has spent much of her life fighting to improve water quality and reduce pollution in the borough’s waterways. She sits on the board of the Bronx Council for Environmental Quality. Argenti chaired Bronx Community Board 7 for 10 years and was a founder and board member of the Fort Independence Park Neighborhood Association, the Friends of Jerome Park Reservoir and the Jerome Park Conservancy, where she was instrumental in the fight against the Croton Water Treatment Plant.

Laura Guerriero is the publisher of the Bronx Times. The weekly local newspaper has been around since the 1980s and is an important source for news about the borough. Guerriero is a member of the Bronx YMCA Board of Managers and has been honored by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA and the Liberty Democratic Association. She also has deep roots in the community as a lifelong resident of the Throggs Neck and Country Club sections of the Bronx.

Thank you for showing us that, inside all of us, is the opportunity to realize our potential. State Farm supports City & State. ®

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PUBLISHER’S SECTION

CityAndStateNY.com

September 24, 2018

Thomas A. Isekenegbe

Marc Jerome

Dianne R. Johnson

Avi Weiss

President, Bronx Community College

President, Monroe College

Director of Community Outreach Services, Catholic Charities Community Services

Rabbi, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah

Thomas A. Isekenegbe was appointed president of City University of New York’s Bronx Community College in 2015. Located in the University Heights section of the Bronx, the college boasts an enrollment of more than 11,000 students. Isekenegbe is the sixth leader of the community college and is the first CUNY president from Africa. Previously, Isekenegbe, who was the first person in his family to attend college, held several positions at Cumberland County College in New Jersey.

Marc Jerome replaced his father, Stephen Jerome, as president of Monroe College in 2017. With seven buildings on its Bronx campus, Monroe College also has locations in New Rochelle, Queens and, yes, St. Lucia. Monroe College, the 85-year-old institution, is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the most affordable colleges, making it an important educational resource for Bronx families. Jerome has worked at Monroe for nearly a quarter century.

Bronx resident Dianne R. Johnson is the director of community outreach services for Catholic Charities Community Services, an agency of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York. Under her leadership, a food hub opened in the South Bronx in 2016. The hub serves as a distribution center for fresh produce being delivered to soup kitchens and other, smaller operations that help Bronxites in need. In 2016, Johnson spoke on a United Nations panel discussion about poverty and homelessness.

Rabbi Avi Weiss started Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in 1999 and has been its president ever since. He also helped create Yeshivat Maharat, a yeshiva for women training to be Orthodox clergy, and he co-founded the International Rabbinic Fellowship. He has authored several books, including “Women at Prayer: A Halakhic Analysis of Women’s Prayer Groups,” “Principles of Spiritual Activism,” and “Spiritual Activism: A Jewish Guide to Leadership and Repairing the World.”

We make great food easy to get.

Congratulations Larry Scott Blackmon and fellow City & State New York 2018 Bronx Power 50 Honorees @freshdirect @foodkick

September 24, 2018

City & State New York

Brad Silver

David Shuffler

Maggie Scott Greenfield

David Gómez

Executive Vice President, Bronx Jewish Community Council

Executive Director, Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice

Executive Director, Bronx River Alliance

President, Hostos Community College

Brad Silver is the executive vice president of the Bronx Jewish Community Council, a social services organization that houses one of the borough’s largest food pantries. The organization serves 12,000 people per year by providing mental health care, housing assistance and case management advocacy. He is the founder of the supportive services program for seniors at Amalgamated and Park Reservoir housing. Silver has worked at the Bronx Jewish Community Council for 34 years.

David Shuffler heads Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, an organization that has been dedicated to rebuilding the neighborhoods along the Bronx River and in the South Bronx for nearly a quarter century. The organization emphasizes political education and organizing, as well as youth and community – and spiritual – development. Shuffler’s organization, which is part of the South Bronx River Watershed Alliance, has also been outspoken about the need to overhaul the Sheridan Expressway.

Maggie Scott Greenfield, an urban planner and environmental scientist, is the executive director of the Bronx River Alliance, an organization focused on protecting and restoring the Bronx River and its surrounding areas. The Bronx River Alliance has helped create 19 new acres of parkland and worked with more than 1,000 volunteers last year to plant trees and collect trash. Greenfield is also the Bronx River administrator for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

David Gómez is the president of the City University of New York’s Hostos Community College. More than 7,000 students attend Hostos, and more than half of its students are first-generation college students. Gómez, who took the helm in 2015, previously held a number of high-ranking positions at Kingsborough Community College. He has worked for CUNY for nearly 40 years and was an early champion of community colleges, which increase access to affordable higher education.

Bronx Power 50 The Children’s Aid Board of Trustees and staff congratulate

Abelardo “Abe” Fernández Director of Collective Impact and Co-Director of South Bronx Rising Together

for his steadfast commitment to ensuring all Bronx children and youth are afforded every opportunity to reach their full potential.

www.ChildrensAidNYC.org PUBLISHER’S SECTION

CityAndStateNY.com

September 24, 2018

Ethan Geto

Raul Russi

Steven Garibell

Viviana Bianchi

Principal, Geto & de Milly

CEO, Acacia Network

Vice President for Business Development, LGBTQ2+ TD Bank

Executive Director, Bronx Council on the Arts

Bronxite Ethan Geto formed Geto & de Milly, one of the city’s top public affairs firms, in 1980. Geto has assisted numerous political campaigns as a policy adviser, press secretary and media consultant. He has worked with a wide range of politicians, from former Bronx Borough President Robert Abrams to former President Barack Obama. Geto, who has been involved in politics since his teenage years, was born and raised in the Bronx and attended DeWitt Clinton High School.

A former police officer, political activist and commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation, Raul Russi, who was also the city’s first Latino sheriff, has worn quite a number of hats. These days, he is the CEO of Acacia Network, a giant in the world of health care. Acacia operates six licensed family health centers in the Bronx, houses approximately 550 homeless adults and provides substance abuse treatment to countless individuals struggling with addiction.

Steven Garibell is vice president of business development for TD Bank’s LGBTQ2+, which offers specialized banking services to clients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. In that role, he works through small business, commercial, wealth and retail networks to serve as a financial literacy advocate and provide training in financial well-being. He previously worked at Wells Fargo Bank, as well as Gap and Aeropostale. He attended Montclair State University.

Viviana Bianchi is the fifth executive director of the Bronx Council on the Arts since its founding in 1962. One of the backbones of Bronx culture, the council helps support thousands of artists and organizations through grants, awards, advocacy and more. The organization also operates a gallery and a writers center. When she was appointed last year, Bianchi said she would focus on fundraising and meeting the arts and cultural needs of underserved Bronx communities.

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WHERE INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES FIND COMPASSIONATE, QUALITY SERVICES IN EVERY BRANCH OF OUR WORK

Congratulations to all 2018 City & State Bronx Power 50 honorees Special Congratulations to Raul Russi, CEO Acacia Network, Inc.

September 24, 2018

City & State New York

Larry Scott Blackmon

David Gonzalez

Erin Lee

Sandra Erickson

Vice President of Public Affairs, FreshDirect

Journalist, The New York Times

Board President, Women of Woodlawn

President, Sandra Erickson Real Estate

Larry Scott Blackmon is the vice president of public affairs for online grocer FreshDirect. When the company opened a facility in Port Morris, it was Blackmonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job to address the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concerns. Previously, he worked for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and for numerous politicians, including former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He also ran, unsuccessfully, for a seat on New York City Council and was an adjunct professor at the Metropolitan College of New York.

David Gonzalez is an awardwinning New York Times journalist. He is co-editor of the Timesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lens blog and worked on the biweekly Side Street photo essay feature. He has served in several roles at the Times, including as Bronx bureau chief, and he is able to land stories about the borough on the front page of the newspaper. He is also a founding member of Seis del Sur, a group of Nuyorican photographers who have documented the evolving borough.

Erin Lee is a resident of Woodlawn and board president of Women of Woodlawn. She works as an occupational therapist with a focus on geriatric care. She has a background in public policy working for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Through Women of Woodlawn, Lee wants to provide resources to the neighborhoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s older adult population and its young families while also protecting and improving the neighborhoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parks and schools.

Sandra Erickson has been active in the boroughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real estate market for decades. Apart from her own companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work in the borough, she previously served as a president of BronxManhattan North Association of Realtors. She has also been engaged on political and policy issues both locally and nationally, as a longtime member of Bronx Community Board 7, serving on the state Real Estate Board and through meeting with members of Congress in Washington, D.C.

PUBLISHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SECTION

THE STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF OF MONROE COLLEGE WARMLY CONGRATULATE

PRESIDENT MARC JEROME AND ALL OF TONIGHTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HONOREES FOR THEIR TIRELESS EFFORTS TO BUILD A BETTER BRONX

w w w. m o n r o e c o l l e g e . e d u

WATCH LIST

THE

THESE 10 PEOPLE WHO LIVE OR WORK IN THE BRONX HAVE BEGUN TO MAKE THEIR MARK ON NEW YORK’S POLITICAL WORLD – AND EACH OF THEM IS WORTH WATCHING IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

Alessandra Biaggi

Alice Fontier

Ed García Conde

Michael Hinman

David Cruz

State Senate candidate

Managing Director, Criminal Defense Practice, The Bronx Defenders

Founder and Editor, Welcome2TheBronx

Editor, The Riverdale Press

Editor-in-Chief, Norwood News

Alessandra Biaggi notched a major upset with her primary victory over state Sen. Jeff Klein, and is poised to represent the district that covers parts of Westchester and the Bronx. She previously worked as an attorney in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s counsel’s office, and as the deputy national operations director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. She worked for the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office and for Rep. Joseph Crowley.

As the managing director of The Bronx Defenders’ criminal defense practice, Alice Fontier is a major player in a nonprofit that offers criminal and civil legal assistance to 27,000 low-income Bronxites each year. Fontier has more than 12 years of experience and is a veteran criminal defense attorney. She recently testified before the New York City Council about closing the Rikers Island jail complex.

Editor Ed García Conde founded the popular blog, Welcome2TheBronx, because he was unhappy with the media’s negative coverage of the borough. These days, the blog attracts 250,000 monthly visitors and has an even wider reach on social media. In 2015, the site was awarded the Historic Districts Council’s Friend From The Media award. Prior to starting Welcome2TheBronx, he worked in marketing, public relations and real estate.

Michael Hinman has served as editor of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Riverdale Press since 2017. Hinman contributes to the Riverdale Press’ design in addition to overseeing the newspaper’s editorial content. Under his leadership, the newspaper won a first place New York Press Association prize for overall design excellence. He also takes credit for coining the term “SyFy,” which he sold to NBCUniversal.

David Cruz is the editorin-chief of the Norwood News newspaper. He has been in the news industry for over a decade. Under his leadership, the Norwood News won its first New York Press Club award for community coverage, three consecutive Ippies Awards for best small circulation publication, two Ippies Awards for investigative/ in-depth story and six New York Press Association distinctions.

Aime Rodriguez

Ralph Acevedo

Dan Padernacht

Rosa Garcia

Deborah Cullen

Multimedia Journalist, News 12

District Manager, Bronx Community Board 2

Attorney, Padernacht Law

Owner, Mott Haven Bar & Grill

Executive Director, The Bronx Museum of the Arts

Aime Rodriguez reports on the Bronx and Brooklyn for News 12. She has covered major stories, such as Superstorm Sandy and the Spuyten Duyvil train derailment. She recently directed a documentary about Hurricane Maria’s impact on Puerto Rico. Rodriguez is from Cuba, grew up in Miami, and graduated from Pace University, receiving her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in media and communication arts.

Ralph Acevedo was elected district manager of Bronx Community Board 2 in 2016. It’s a big job, as Community Board 2 encompasses the rapidly growing Hunts Point, home to the famous produce market and the site of a housing proposal that could increase the neighborhood’s population by an estimated 10 percent. Previously, Acevedo served as a program director at Breaking Ground, an organization that provides homeless services.

Dan Padernacht is a real estate attorney and the former chairman of Bronx Community Board 8, on which he has served in several capacities. He ran in the Democratic primary to unseat the now-disgraced former state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr., but he eventually dropped out of the race in 2010. He recently threw in his hat for the New York City Council seat currently occupied by Councilman Andrew Cohen.

The only female restaurateur in her neighborhood, Rosa Garcia owns the Mott Haven Bar & Grill. To offer her neighborhood healthy eating options, she also started Mott Haven on the Go, a popular food truck serving up organic bites. Garcia, who hails from the Dominican Republic, moved to the Bronx to attend Lehman College. She donates turkeys during the holidays and hosts food drives for various causes.

Deborah Cullen was tapped to lead The Bronx Museum of the Arts earlier this year, taking over at a time of expansion and growth for the borough’s contemporary art destination. Cullen, who came from Columbia University’s Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery, specializes in Latin, Caribbean and African art. Cullen said she plans to strengthen the Bronx Museum’s partnerships with the community, particularly local schools.

PUBLISHER’S SECTION

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September 24, 2018 For more info. 212-268-0442 Ext.2039

legalnotices@cityandstateny.com Notice of Formation of Masci Family Property Management, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with New York Secy of State (SSNY) on 8/15/18. Office location: New York County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 22 Watts St, Apt 7, NY, NY 10013. The name and address of the Reg. Agent is Colomba Masci, 22 Watts St Apt 7, NY, NY 10013. Purpose: any lawful activity. STRIVEIV MEDICINE, PLLC, a Prof. LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/27/2018. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc., 10 East 40th Street, 10th Fl, NY, NY 10016. Purpose: To Practice The Profession Of Medicine. SME Business Solutions, LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY 08/17/2018. Office loc: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, Attn: Michelle Emokpae, 15 Bailey Place, Staten Island, NY 10303. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. Notice of Formation of Eldon Group LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 07/02/18. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to LEGALINC CORPORATE SERVICE INC.1967 Wehrle Drive Suite 1 #086 Buffalo. NY 14221 Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of 200 East 62nd Street, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State on 7/30/18. Office location: NY County. Princ. bus. addr.: 200 E. 62nd St., NY, NY. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc., 10 E. 40th St., 10th Fl., NY, NY 10016. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of Milo Plastering, LLC filed with SSNY on June 22, 2018. Office: NY County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 7014 13TH Avenue, Suite 202 Brooklyn, New York, 11228 . Purpose: any lawful act or activity. Notice of Qualification of Ginkgo Tree Managing Member, LLC. Authority filed with NY Dept. of State on 5/14/18. Office location: NY County. Princ. bus. addr.: 300 Park Ave., 21st Fl., NY, NY 10022. LLC formed in DE on 5/8/18. NY Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc. (CGI), 10 E. 40th St., 10th Fl., NY, NY 10016. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CGI, 850 New Burton Rd., Ste. 201, Dover, DE 19904. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Sec. of State, Townsend Bldg., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity.

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September 24, 2018 Notice of Formation of a Limited Liability Company (LLC). The name of the LLC is: Midnight Shooters Lacrosse, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) office on: 07/20/2018. The County in which the Office is to be located: Westchester. The SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC is: Jason M. Roberts, 440 Pelham Manor Road, Pelham Manor, NY 10803. Purpose: any lawful activity. NOTICE OF FORMATION OF TACERA TRENDS LLC Arts of Org filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/16/2018. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to principal business address: 1385 BROADWAY SUITE 1003, NEW YORK, NY 10018. Purpose: any lawful act.

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NOTICE OF FORMATION of 711 BBA LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/26/18. Off. Loc.: King County. SSNY has been desig. as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy to is: The LLC, 16 West 36th Street, 11th Flr., New York, New York. Purpose: Any lawful act. Notice of Qualification of 520 WEST 43RD STREET REIT, LLC. Authority filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 7/25/18. Office location: New York County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 4/2/18. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 729 7th Ave, Fl. 15, NY, NY 10019. DE address of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Formation filed with DE Secy of State, 401 Federal St, Ste 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity.

CESURG, LLC, art of org. filed with SSNY on 4/19/18. Office location: Westchester County, SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Legalinc Corporate Services Inc. , 1967 Wehrle Drive, Suite 1#086, Buffalo, NY 14221. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. Notice of Formation of Woolley & Co., LLC filed with SSNY on July 11, 2018. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 124 West 79th Street, Apt#6B, New York, NY 10024. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. M.ECHEVARRIA, ADR LLC, a foreign LLC filed with SSNY 07/20/18. Office loc: NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, Attn: Margarita Echevarria, 2 Constitution Ct, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Purpose: Solo Practice. Notice of Qualification of LINCOLN AVENUE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/14/18. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/10/18. Princ. office of LLC: 595 Madison Ave., 16th Fl., NY, NY 10022. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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Notice of Formation of Llama San LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State on 6/20/18. Office location: NY County. Princ. bus. addr.: 359 6th Ave., NY, NY 10014. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 50 Withers St., Brooklyn, NY 11211. Purpose: any lawful activity.

BENNY PLASTERING, PAINTING & REMODELING, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Secretary of State of New York (“SSNY”) on 05/18/2018. Office: Richmond County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 141 Jackson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION of CONSULATE HOTEL ASSOCIATES, LLC. Authority filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 7/10/18. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in DE 7/3/18. SSNY designated agent upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Dahan & Nowick LLP. Attn: M. Marc Dahan, Esq., 123 Main St., 9th FL, White Plains, NY 10601. DE address of LLC: 160 Greentree Dr., Ste 101, Dover, DE 19904. Cert of Form. filed with DE SOS, 401 Federal St. Ste 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of Flower Oil LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/10/18. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 399 Lafayette St., 2nd Fl., NY, NY 10003. Purpose: any lawful activities. Notice of Qualification of IRON MOUNTAIN DATA CENTERS SERVICES, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/22/18. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 11/19/17. Princ. office of LLC: One Federal St., Boston, MA 02110. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of Seiva, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/17/18. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Mr. Michael Sloan, WG&S, LLP, 10990 Wilshire Blvd., 8th Fl., Los Angeles, CA 90024. Purpose: any lawful activities.

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NOTICE OF FORMATION of DJS 85th LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/10/18. Off. Loc.: New York County. SSNY has been desig. as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy to is: David Katzenberg, 429 East 52nd Street, Apt. 7B, New York, NY 10022. Purpose: Any lawful act . Notice of Qualification of TWA Hotel Documentary LLC. Authority filed with NY Dept. of State on 8/22/18. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in DE on 8/20/18. NY Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc., 10 E. 40th St., 10th Fl., NY, NY 10016. DE address of LLC: 850 New Burton Rd., Ste. 201, Dover, DE 19904. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Sec. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: all lawful purposes. Notice of Formation of Film Transaction LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY 8/16/2018. Office loc: NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: One World Trade Center, 44th Fl, NY NY 10007. Any Lawful Purpose. Notice of formation of Evolution Locksmith, LLC a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC). Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY on August 08, 2018. The Office of this LLC is located in Westchester County. Secretary of state is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC to 90 Stratford Ave., White Plains, NY 10605. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity. Notice of Formation of JMNY Consulting LLC filed with SSNY on July 17, 2018. Office: Kings County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 774 55th Street, Suite S1, Brooklyn, NY 11220. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. My tinker app, LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY 9/5/2018. Office loc: Westchester County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, Attn: Alvaro Rodriguez, 100 Livingston ave. Apt#2C, Yonkers, NY 10705. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

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September 24, 2018 Notice of Formation of 88-92 Atlantic Avenue Investors LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/22/18. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 20 West 22nd St., Ste. 1601, NY, NY 10010. Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice of Formation of Le Charme Fleur, LLC filed with SSNY 31/05/2018. Office: Richmond County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 425 Ridgewood Ave, Staten Island, NY, 10312. Purpose: any lawful act or activity purpose.

Notice of Qualification of BLOCK72 US LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/28/18. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/14/18. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of limited liability company (LLC). Name: MARCATO SOLUTIONS LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 8/1/2018. NY office location: Kings County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is Marcato Solutions LLC, 204 West 140th St Apt 3D, New York City, NY, 10030. Purpose/character of LLC: Any Lawful Purpose.

Chef Abyssinia LLC, Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY 07/25/2018. Office loc: Westchester County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, Attn: Abyssinia Campbell, 441 locust st, mount Vernon, NY 10552. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. NOTICE OF FORMATION of Agus 3629 Holdings LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/8/18. Off. Loc.: New York County. SSNY has been desig. as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 111 8TH AVENUE NY, NY 10011. Reg. Agent: National Registered Agents, Inc., 111 8th Ave, NY, NY 10011.. Purpose: any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of SITA International USA LLC. Art of Org. filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/20/2018. Office loc.: County of NY. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o United States Corporation Agents Inc., 7014 13th Avenue Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: any lawful act. HEY MAMA KITCHEN, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with SSNY on 6/11/2018. Office location: WESTCHESTER County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to LLC: 7 Columbus Ave#450, Tuckahoe NY 10707. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

EVERYDAY AI, LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY 6/29/2018. Office loc: Kings County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 257 Gold St, 7C, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. Notice of Formation of MAIN STREET FILMS 2 LLC, name amended to: TV Nation LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/22/17. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 1700 Broadway, 17th Fl., NY, NY 10019. Purpose: any lawful activities. Notice of Formation of DPM NYC LLC. Arts of Org. filed with New York Secy of State (SSNY) on 6/14/18. Office location: New York County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 223 W. 138th St, Ground Fl., NY, NY 10030. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of BROADWAY THE GOLDEN AGE AND BEYOND LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/25/18. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: the Company, c/o Jamie deRoy, 180 West 58 St., Ste. 10D, NY, NY 10019. Purpose: any lawful activities.

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NOTICE OF QUAL. of Meushar 34th Street Developer LLC Auth. filed Sec’y of State (SSNY) 6/6/18. Off. Loc: NY Co. LLC org. in DE 6/5/18. SSNY desig. as agent of LLC upon whom proc. against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of proc. to NRAI, 111 Eighth Ave, NY, NY 10011, the Reg. Agt upon whom proc. may be served. DE off. Addr.: 160 Greentree Dr., Ste 101, Dover, DE 19904. Cert of Form. on file: SSDE, Townsend Bldg., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Qualification of GG TWA, LLC. Authority filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/22/18. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/02/18. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: GG TWA, LLC, c/o After Midnight Company, LLC, 145 East 57th St., 12th Fl., NY, NY 10022. Address to be maintained in DE: National Registered Agents, Inc., 160 Greentree Dr., Ste. 101, Dover, DE 19904. Arts of Org. filed with the Secy. of State of DE, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activities. HUMBLE HOUSING LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/25/2018. Office loc: NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Paulson Eliancy, 65 Seminole Street, Selden, NY 11784. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. Notice of Qual. of ASSETS CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC, Authority filed with the SSNY on 09/11/2018. Office loc: NY County. LLC formed in DE on 06/29/2018. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: C/O Patrick De Lisi 1460 Broadway - Office 16-045, NY, NY 10036. Address required to be maintained in DE: Registered Agents Inc., 8 the Green, Ste. R, Dover, DE 19901. Cert of Formation filed with DE Div. of Corps, 401 Federal St., Ste 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. Notice of Qualification of 192 Lexington Avenue LLC. Authority filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 9/6/18. Office location: New York County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 8/1/18. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 8 W. 40th St, Fl. 3, NY, NY 10018. DE address of LLC: 1013 Centre Rd, Ste 403-B, Wilmington, DE 19805. Cert. of Formation filed with DE Secy of State, 401 Federal St, Ste 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity.

STORAGE NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

Midtown Moving & Storage Inc. will sell at Public Auction at 810 East 170 Street, Bronx NY 10459 at 6:00 P.M. on October 9, 2018 for due and unpaid charges by virtue of a lien in accordance with the provisions of the law and with due notice given all parties claiming an interest therein, the time specified in each notice for payment of said charges having expired household furniture & effects, pianos, trunks, cases, TV’s, radios, hifi’s, refrigerators, sewing machines, washers, air conditioners, household furniture of all descriptions and the contents thereof, stored under the following names:

Notice of formation of Limited Partnership (“L.P”). Name: BG Betances L.P. Certificate of Limited Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on September 13, 2018. N.Y. office location: New York County. The SSNY has been designated as agent of the L.P. upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to BG Betances L.P., c/o Breaking Ground II Housing Development Fund Corporation, 505 Eighth Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, New York 10018. The latest date upon which the L.P. shall dissolve is December 31, 2128 unless sooner dissolved by mutual consent of the partners or by operation of the law. Name/ address of each general partner available from SSNY. Purpose: any lawful activity.

-AGUILAR ALBERTO/AGUILAR ZELMA -SHARIFF, ABRAHAM -AGOSTO, ANA -ASSENG,KEVIN/NABIL, REGALDO -BROWN, MARY -BRADSHAW, MIKHIAL -CASTRO, PAOLO/PINEDA SHARON -CASANOVA, CRYSTAL -DURAN, MARIO -FAJARDO CRUZ JORGE -HUANG, HUIZ HENG -HIBBERT, JOY/WINT, MICHAEL -JIMENEZ, ISRAEL/RODRIGUEZ CHRISTINA -KRIEGEL, KEVIN -LACERRA, VICTORIA/ WASHINGTON, LEROY -LYNN, ASHLEY Notice of Qualification of 192 Lexington Avenue LLC. Authority filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 9/6/18. Office location: New York County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 8/1/18. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 8 W. 40th St, Fl. 3, NY, NY 10018. DE address of LLC: 1013 Centre Rd, Ste 403-B, Wilmington, DE 19805. Cert. of Formation filed with DE Secy of State, 401 Federal St, Ste 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity. PUBLIC NOTICE Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) proposes to collocate wireless communications antennas at two locations. Antennas will be installed on a rooftop with an overall height of 109 feet at the approx. vicinity of 322 East 39th Street, New York, New York County, NY, 10016. Antennas will be installed on a rooftop with an overall height of 54 feet at the approx. vicinity of 24-64 28th Street, Astoria, Queens County, NY, 11102. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Erin, e.alsop@ trileaf.com, 10845 Olive Blvd, Suite 260, St. Louis, MO 63141, 314-997-6111.

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-MONZANO AMERICA -MALLEZ, STEPHEN -MARTE, EDWARD -MCKNIGHT, LATIFAH -OCONNELL, CHERYL -PEARSON, DELORES -PENA, GEORGE -RAHAMAN, SIDDIQUR -RIVERA, SAMUEL -SHAPIRO, GERMAN -UMEROUSKI, SAZIVER/ UMEROSKI, KUMET -VOYD, ROBERT -VIPUL, MEHTA DHRISTI -WEBB, WILLIAM/ WILLIAMS, RAMONA -RAMIREZ, NORBERTO -SHAW, TONYA -TURNER, TIFFANY -WALKER, GENDA

Notice of Qualification of Bloomfield Capital Holdings, LLC. Authority filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 8/17/18. Office location: New York County. LLC formed in Michigan (MI) on 11/16/11. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 25 Robert Pitt Dr., Ste 204, Monsey, NY 10952. address of LLC: 280 N. Old Woodward, Ste 104, Birmingham, MI 48009. Cert. of Formation filed with MI Secy of State, Ottowa Bldg, 611 W. Ottowa, POB 30004, Lansing, MI 48909. Purpose: any lawful activity.

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Notice of Formation of WF Industrial II LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State on 9/13/18. Office location: NY County. Princ. bus. addr.: 80 8th Ave., Ste. 1602, NY, NY 10011. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc., 10 E. 40th St., 10th Fl., NY, NY 10016. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of 7208 Management LLC. Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 8/16/2018. Office: NY County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 8016 Narrows Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Auction Notice of Auction Sale is herein given that Access Self Storage of Long Island City located at 2900 Review Avenue, Long Island City, N.Y. 11101 will take place on WWW. STORAGETREASURES . COM Sale by competitive bidding starting on October 5, 2018 and end on October 18, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. to satisfy unpaid rent and charges on the following accounts: Contents of rooms generally contain misc. Household goods and other effects. #237-John G. Pinel, #527-Robert Jeffrey Sussman, #532Daphne Cheng, #809Michael Farsetta, #3314Arnando Peralta, #2112 & 2122- Peter Hargrove, #6108-Jignesh Patel #1702Quinsessa Harrison, #4708Rhonard Bryce-Thurton. The contents of each unit will be sold as a lot and all items must be removed from the premises within 72 hours. Owners may redeem their goods by paying all rent and charges due at any time before the sale. Notice of formation of 141 DARTMOUTH LOOP LLC. Arts of Org. filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 9/14/2018. Office location: Richmond. SSNY design. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy to 141 DARTMOUTH LOOP, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10306. Purpose: any lawful activity.

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CityAndStateNY.com / PUBLIC and LEGAL NOTICES

Notice of formation of 82 DARTMOUTH LOOP LLC. Arts of Org. filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 9/13/2018. Office location: Richmond. SSNY design. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy to 82 DARTMOUTH LOOP, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10306. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Qualification of 101 WEST END REIT, LLC. Authority filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 8/14/18. Office location: New York County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 5/22/18. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 729 7th Ave, Fl. 15, NY, NY 10019. DE address of LLC: 1209 Orange St, Wilmington, DE 19801. Cert. of Formation filed with DE Secy of State, 401 Federal St, Ste 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity.

LEGAL NOTICE Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company (“LLC”). Name: BG Betances Housing LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on September 12, 2018. N.Y. office location: New York County. The SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to BG Betances Housing LLC, c/o Breaking Ground II Housing Development Fund Corporation, 505 Eighth Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, New York 10018. Notice of Formation of MELCAP ADVISORS LLC. Arts of Org. filed with New York Secy of State (SSNY) on 4/24/18. Office location: New York County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 11 Riverside Dr., Apt 16JE, NY, NY 10023. Purpose: any lawful activity. LAWRENCE LEGAL ASSISTANCE GROUP, LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY 02/15/2018. Office loc: NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 435 East 118th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10035. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose

September 24, 2018

Notice of Auction Notice of Auction Sale is herein given that Citiwide Self Storage located at 45-55 Pearson Street, Long Island City, N.Y. 11101 will take place on WWW. STORAGETREASURES.COM Sale by competitive bidding starting on October 5, 2018 and end on October 18, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. to satisfy unpaid rent and charges on the following accounts: Contents of rooms generally contain misc. #9S01-Raquel Sanchez; contains 40 plus boxes, 2 office chairs, 2 bins, 15 plus bags, 7 crates and miscellaneous items; #4Y22Ying Ho- contains 5 pieces of luggage and a few bags of clothing; #5K07 – Janet Victors – contains 6 jackets, 40 plus boxes, 40 plus bags and miscellaneous items; #1A82A – Corina Flushing/ Artesan Teas - 5 pallets of products, 1 cooler, 25 boxes, 1 shelving unit with miscellaneous items; 3L24Andres Helm-10+ bags, boxes, luggage, shopping cart, misc. furniture; #6C05Christopher MckinneyStuffed animals, living room chairs, head board, 30 boxes and a few bags. The contents of each unit will be sold as a lot and all items must be removed from the premises within 72 hours. Owners may redeem their goods by paying all rent and charges due at any time before the sale.

M31 ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY 1/05/2018. Office loc: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: US Corp Agents, INC. 7014 13th Ave, Ste 202 Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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Notice of Qualification of The TWA Hotel Collection LLC. Authority filed with NY Dept. of State on 9/13/18. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in DE on 9/7/18. NY Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc., 10 E. 40th St., 10th Fl., NY, NY 10016. DE address of LLC: 850 New Burton Rd., Ste. 201, Dover, DE 19904. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Sec. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: all lawful purposes. NOTICE is hereby given that Soleil Consults (US) LLC’s Articles of Organization were filed with the NYS Dept. of State on 09/06/18 to provide Business Support Services. The business is located in Mount Vernon, Westchester County, NY. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. Notice of Formation of L & Co Acquisitions LLC. Arts of Org. filed with New York Secy of State (SSNY) on 9/10/18. Office location: New York County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 105 Mulberry St, Ste 202, NY, NY 10013. Purpose: any lawful activity.

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FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK CITY OF NEW YORK: COUNTY OF QUEENS Summons - Docket No.: B-4331-18 ------------------------------------------------X In the Matter of Commitment of Guardianship and Custody of KING CASH YU also known as KING YU A Child under the Age of Eighteen Years ------------------------------------------------X In the Name of the People of the State of New York TO: Ming Li Yu ADDRESS: UNKNOWN A Petition having been duly filed in this Court, alleging that the above-named child in the care of THE NEW YORK FOUNDLING HOSPITAL, should be committed to the guardianship and custody of THE NEW YORK FOUNDLING HOSPITAL; a copy of said Petition being annexed hereto; 15120 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica, New York, Part 5, in front of the Hon. Joan Piccirillo on November 13, 2018 at 10:00A.M. in the forenoon of said day to Show Cause why the Court should not enter an Order committing the guardianship and custody of said child to the petitioning agency as required by law.

Notice of Qual. of WAYPOINT PARTNERS LLC FICT NAME: WAYPOINT PARTNERS (US) LLC, Authority filed with the SSNY on 09/17/2018. Office loc: NY County. LLC formed in DE on 09/06/2018. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, C/O Raich Ende Malter & Co., LLP, 1375 Broadway, 6th FL, NY, NY 10018. Address required to be maintained in DE: 310 Alder Rd, Dover, DE 19904. Cert of Formation filed with DE Div. of Corps, 401 Federal St., Ste 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that if the guardianship and custody of said child are committed to the petitioning agency, THE NEW YORK FOUNDLING HOSPITAL, said child may be adopted with consent of the petitioning agency without your consent or further notice to you. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that you have the right to be represented by a lawyer, and, if the Court finds that you are unable to pay for a lawyer, you have the right to have a lawyer assigned by the Court. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that upon failure of the person summoned to appear, all of his or her parental rights to the child may be terminated, and

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PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that his or her failure to appear shall constitute a denial of his or her interest in the child which denial may result, without further notice, in the transfer or commitment of the child’s care, custody or guardianship or in the child’s adoption in this or any subsequent proceeding in which such care, custody or guardianship or adoption be at issue. Dated: Queens, New York September 21, 2018

By Order of the Court /S/ Clerk of the Family Court

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CityAndStateNY.com

September 24, 2018

CITY & STATE NEW YORK MANAGEMENT & PUBLISHING CEO Steve Farbman, President & Publisher Tom Allon tallon@cityandstateny.com, Comptroller David Pirozzi dpirozzi@cityandstateny.com, Business & Operations Manager Patrea Patterson

Who was up and who was down last week

LOSERS

ADVERTISING Vice President of Advertising Jim Katocin jkatocin@ cityandstateny.com, Account/Business Development Executive Scott Augustine saugustine@cityandstateny.com, Event Sponsorship Strategist Danielle Koza dkoza@ cityandstateny.com, Sales Associate Cydney McQuillanGrace cydney@cityandstateny.com, Junior Sales Executive Caitlin Dorman, Junior Sales Executive Shakirah Gittens

ANDREW CUOMO Old buddy Percoco will be in prison until Cuomo’s fourth term. And further disclosures about the state Democratic Party’s controversial mailer painting Cynthia Nixon as anti-Semitic continue to trickle out, as it appears that the governor’s inner circle knew about it. All Cuomo wanted to do after a landslide victory in the primary was to gloat, but the news made it tough – as well as those pesky prognosticators and pundits who kept second-guessing his commitment to flipping the House.

THE BEST OF THE REST

THE REST OF THE WORST

NATE MCMURRAY

JOHN ALLEN

Indicted Rep. Chris Collins won’t step aside, so now his challenger has a chance.

This top state mental health official was accused of giving kids some real issues.

HIRAM MONSERRATE

BILL DE BLASIO

DIANE NEAL

NICK LANGWORTHY

ALHASSAN SUSSO

SHAWN MORSE

Voters decided to make him district leader – abuse and corruption record be damned. The ”SVU” actress won her case – to be a spoiler in the race against Rep. John Faso. He’s the first state Teacher of the Year from NYC in – how long? – two decades!

PRODUCTION creativedepartment@cityandstateny.com Art Director Andrew Horton, Senior Graphic Designer Alex Law, Junior Graphic Designer Aaron Aniton, Digital Content Coordinator Michael Filippi

New Yorkers hate Goldman Sachs and the Red Sox. And de Blasio met with both!

EVENTS events@cityandstateny.com Sales Director Lissa Blake, Events Manager Sharon Nazarzadeh, Senior Events Coordinator Alexis Arsenault, Marketing & Events Coordinator Jamie Servidio, Director of Events Research & Development Bryan Terry

Vol. 7 Issue 35 September 24, 2018 THE BRONX’S BIGGEST POWER BROKERS

LAST MACHINE STANDING MARCOS CRESPO VS. THE UPRISING

HOW ALESSANDRA BIAGGI TOPPLED JEFF KLEIN CIT YANDSTATENY.COM

@CIT YANDSTATENY

September 24, 2018

Cover photo Amy Lombard

The Erie GOP chairman is powerless to stop Rep. Chris Collins from running again. Even more domestic abuse allegations are piling up against the Cohoes mayor.

WINNERS & LOSERS is published every Friday morning in City & State’s First Read email. Sign up for the email, cast your vote and see who won at cityandstateny.com.

CITY & STATE NEW YORK (ISSN 2474-4107) is published weekly, 48 times a year except for the four weeks containing New Year’s Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas by City & State NY, LLC, 61 Broadway, Suite 1315, New York, NY 10006-2763. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to City & State New York, 61 Broadway, Suite 1315, New York, NY 10006-2763. General: (212) 268-0442, subscribe@cityandstateny.com Copyright ©2018, City & State NY, LLC

KEVIN COUGHLIN/OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR; STATE SENATE

MICHAEL GIANARIS To hear state Sen. Michael Gianaris tell it, his feud with state Sen. Jeff Klein was a petty matter that Klein just couldn’t get over. To his credit, Gianaris stepped aside for the good of the party to make way for Klein to take his No. 2 spot in the state Senate Democratic hierarchy when the IDC was ended. Gianaris made clear he wasn’t backing Klein for re-election – and now that Klein is the latest establishment figure to be toppled by the progressive insurgency, Gianaris is poised to move back up.

OUR PICK

WINNERS

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, heated adversaries, had to grit their teeth and pretend to like each other in the name of Democratic unity last week. Has de Blasio come down with Stockholm syndrome after eight years in Cuomo’s New York? Has the “Cynthia Effect” extended beyond policy and made Cuomo’s heart grow three sizes? We don’t believe it – so the new friends will battle once again on the losers list.

EDITORIAL editor@cityandstateny.com Editor-in-Chief Jon Lentz jlentz@cityandstateny.com, Managing Editor Ryan Somers, Senior Editor Ben Adler badler@cityandstateny.com, Digital Director Derek Evers devers@cityandstateny.com, Copy Editor Eric Holmberg, Staff Reporter Jeff Coltin jcoltin@cityandstateny.com, Staff Reporter Zach Williams zwilliams@cityandstateny.com, Tech and Policy Reporter Prachi Bhardwaj pbhardwaj@ cityandstateny.com, Editorial Assistant Rebecca C. Lewis rlewis@cityandstateny.com

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