Local schools fare well

In the New York Post's ranking of the top 50 high schools, which uses DOE data, the Bronx High School of Science came in at 12. The school received high praise for having 34 Advanced Placement classes and offering nine foreign languages. The school's history includes seven Nobel Prize winners who attended the school and the record for the most Intel Talent Search finalists. 

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/item_yz76eFTA2ru9kr6UYKSnaK/0

The David A. Stein Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy, MS/HS 141, made the list at 37 and was singled out by The Post for having a teen theater, poetry cafe and future businessperson program, "which preps kids on resume writing and interview techniques." 

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/item_yfrXcaoDGJD37U7zP28vmK/4 

The Marble Hill High School for International Studies came in at 45. With an average class size of 25, the small school has opportunities for foreign exchange, a Saturday program, peer tutoring and teachers who have worked over seas as Peace Corps volunteers. http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/item_I0CqtmJ05x1uKVXyFNl41K/1

Citizens Union endorses Espaillat

Citizens Union of New York endorsed Adriano Espaillat’s candidacy for State Senate in the 31st District.

The campaign describes Citizens Union as an “independent, nonpartisan, civic organization of members who promote good government and advance political reform.”

Address change for Rivera endorsements

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz will endorse Gustavo Rivera for state Senate at 11 a.m., at Bronx Borough Hall today.

A previous post said the event would take place at City Hall. The address was changed.

Two big endorsements Rivera

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz will endorse Gustavo Rivera for the 33rd District state Senate seat Monday.

Mr. Diaz indicated he would likely be endorsing Mr. Rivera when he met the candidate for lunch recently. Mr. Dinowitz's Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club has also endorsed Mr. Rivera, but Mr. Dinowitz has been silent about his support until now.

Earlier this summer state party leaders asked Mr. Dinowitz as chair of the Bronx Democratic Committee, to hold hearings to oust Mr. Espada from the party. He never ruled out the option, but indicated it would be unlikely before the primary.

“It would have been unseemly at that point to publicly become a partisan in the primary," he said.

But now, with a few weeks to go until September 14th, he has made his choice known.

"The only thing that’s changed is the lapse of time. Meaning the issue hasn’t gone away but the importance of taking a position on this overrides that issue,” he said, adding, “Given that, I refuse to be muzzled ... I have a very strong opinion on that race.”

Mr. Diaz, who said he was willing to sit down with the other contender in the race against Pedro Espada Jr. — Dan Padernacht — never did.

The pair plan to endorse Mr. Rivera at 11 a.m. Monday, on the steps of City Hall.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and City Comptroller John Liu also endorsed Mr. Rivera today.

Anger at Espaillat campaigners

A You Tube video posted yesterday, shows people screaming at Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat campaigners. Mr. Espaillat is campaigning for the 31st District state Senate seat. It is not clear when the video was shot.

New Roosevelt releases anti-Espada ad

The New Roosevelt Initiative just released a You Tube ad taking jabs at state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr.

As the song "We're not gonna take it" plays in the background, the video shows clips of apparent passersby disparaging the incumbent's record.

Between people talking smack about Mr. Espsada is a checklist of what it says are his priorities — getting sued for "looting" health clinics, "pocketing" money for job training, voting against renter's rights and betraying the Democrats by switching parties.

The ad, according to New Roosevelt, is the first in a series created by staff and volunteers. The organization, founded by Bill Samuels, has pledged at least $250,000 toward ensuring Mr. Espada is not re-elected. New Roosevelt has endorsed Mr. Espada's main opponent, Gustavo Rivera, in the Democratic primary for the 33rd District state Senate seat.

Espada's accidental endorsement

Thanks to an astute reader, we realized that the Latin/African-American Chaplain's Association, which state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr.'s campaign said endorsed him yesterday, is actually a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

Um ... they're not allowed to endorse candidates for election.

When asked about the possible conflict, President Bishop Fernando Rodriguez, who had previously endorsed the candidate at The Church of the Mediator, said the endorsement was not intended to be from the organization.

“We’re gonna correct that,” he said.

He said about 3oo Bronx members of LACA, out of 523 members borough-wide, however, had endorsed Mr. Espada.

“I organized that through myself, not my nonprofit,” he said in response to an inquisitive reporter.

--By Kate Pastor

Endorsement for Espaillat

State Sen. Tom Duane, who respresents the 29th District and was the Senate's first openly-gay and first openly HIV-positive member, has endorsed Adriano Espaillat in his bid for the 31st state Senate seat.

More unions support Rivera

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) and the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) have endorsed Gustavo Rivera in his bid for the 33rd State Senate Seat.

Chaplains Association endorses Espada

The Latin/African American Chaplains Association has endorsed Pedro Espada Jr.'s bid for re-election to the 33rd District state Senate seat.

Bishop Dr. Fernando Rodriguez, president of the Latin/African American Chaplains Association, had previously endorsed Mr. Espada along with other clergy members in front of The Church of the Mediator in Kingsbridge.

Koch to endorse Rivera?

Capital Tonight is reporting that former Mayor Ed Koch will endorse Gustavo Rivera for the 33rd District state Senate seat. This, even though Mr. Koch's NY Uprising PAC labelled incumbent Pedro Espada Jr., a "hero of reform."

Candidates back Rivera

State Senate candidates Joanne Yepsen and Susan Savage endorsed Gustavo Rivera for the 33rd District state Senate seat today.

The two female candidates, joined by Bill Samuels, also pledged to oppose any effort to keep incumbent Pedro Espada Jr. as majority leader if he is re-elected.

Mr. Samuels, an active candidate for Lieutenant Governor until recently, founded the New Roosevelt Initiative and has pledged at least $250,000 toward beating Mr. Espada in the coming election.

Espada stomps opponent in ad

The Borrero report posted a campaign ad for the re-election of State Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. on Friday.

The ad, which portrays Gustavo Rivera, his main opponent in the race for the 33rd District seat, as a puppet for special interests, will begin airing this week, according to the blog.

Cabrera endorsed Gustavo

Councilmember Fernando Cabrera endorsed Gustavo Rivera today, at the Kingsbridge Armory.

Mr. Cabrera is a pastor who represents Fordham, Kingsbridge, Morris Heights and the West Bronx.

Ferrer endorses Gustavo

Gustavo Rivera, candidate for the 33rd District state Senate seat, today announced the endorsement of former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer.

The state senator's new clothes

The Village Voice’s Tom Robbins reports that Pedro Espada is being sued by Custom Men, an upscale tailor in Manhattan, for never paying $7,200 for custom suits he wore.

The story goes on examine challenger Gustavo Rivera, or, in a quote by a young man from the district, “the one running against Espada.”

Rivera gets more endorsements

Gustavo Rivera, candidate for the 33rd District state Senate seat, announced new endorsements from elected officials last night:

Borough President Scott Stringer, Senator Liz Krueger, Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell and Council Members Margaret Chin, Daniel Dromm, Daniel Garodnick, Brad Lander, Jessica Lappin and Jumaane Williams.

Questioning Espada's financial reporting

In other Espada news, City Hall News is reporting that state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. failed to report contributions and expenditures for a re-election committee formed on his behalf last year.

Senior Diaz endorses Espada

New York state Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. formally endorsed state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. for re-election today at the Church of the Mediator in Kingsbridge.

Rev. Diego Delgado-Miller of The Church of the Mediator; Bishop Fernando Rodriguez, president of the Latin/African American Chaplains Association; Bishop Calixto Rodriguez of the New Jerusalem Church in White Plains; Rev. Raymond Rivera of Sanctuary Church in the Bronx and the Latino Pastoral Action Center; Daniel Valentine of the Sanctuary Church in the Bronx; and Carol Hamilton of Victory Thy Praise Evangelistic Ministries also spoke, offering their support to the incumbent.

Rev. Delgado-Miller, who recently offered his church for a town hall meeting that was canceled at the last minute, joined the clergy present in endorsing the candidate.

He said Mr. Espada has been there when he has sought help with parishioners in need, and that he is proud of Mr. Espada’s prominence as a Latino politician. Of allegations facing Mr. Espada, he said, “It doesn’t bother me.”

Poll shows crowded race helps Espada

The Daily News' Elizabeth Benjamin reports on a poll commissioned by Red Horse Strategies for the New Roosevelt Initiative, which has endorsed Gustavo Rivera's in the 33rd state Senate District race.

The poll shows Pedro Espada Jr. winning with Dan Padernacht in the race, and Mr. Rivera and Mr. Espada tying in a hypothetical head-to-head.

Gustavo Rivera officially on the ballot

Gustavo Rivera will remain on the ballot for the September 14th democratic state Senate primary in the 33rd District.

Judge Robert Seewald ruled Friday that Mr. Rivera’s campaign, which had its signatures challenged in Bronx Supreme Court by incumbent Pedro Espada Jr., had collected 2150 valid signatures — more than double the 1,000 needed to formalize his candidacy.

“In addition to the line-by-line contentions, the petitioner raised a number of other challenges to the Rivera designating petition. Chief among these arguments was the claim that the designating petition is permeated with fraud. The Referee found this contention to be totally without merit, and the Court adopts this finding,” Judge Seewald wrote.

In addition to Mr. Espada and Mr. Rivera, Dan Padernacht will also be on the ballot.

--Kate Pastor

Teacher busted with child porn

The Daily News is reporting that John E. Thomas, a teacher for the past three years at Horace Mann, was busted with CD-Roms containing "illicit images and videos of children engaged in sex acts."

The story says Mr. Thomas was charged in Manhattan federal court with possessing child porn. He was released on $50,000 bail.

Candidate meets and greets

The Northwest Bronx Democratic Alliance held a campaign event last night for the political club’s two endorsed candidates.

Mark Levine, running for the 31st District state Senate seat, and Kathleen Rice, the front-runner in the state attorney general race, spoke to the crowd of more than 50 people gathered at Ibiza Lounge on West 242nd Street and Broadway.

They were introduced by Tony Cassino and Saul Scheinbach, both founding members of the club. Mr. Scheinbach is the current president of it. Brad Trebach, another founding member, was in attendance and said there were 70 people in all by the end of the night, which included a live jazz concert. Cori Worchel, co-president of the PS 24 Parent Association and Marvin Shelton, president of District 10’s Community Education Council, were also there. Dan Padernacht, running for the 33rd District seat against both Pedro Espada Jr. and Gustavo Rivera, also attended, though he has not been endorsed by the club.

A previous post about a meet and greet with candidate Adriano Espaillat, held in the apartment of Judy Sonnett and Joe Gordon in the Whitehall co-op Wednesday night, was mistakenly erased. Here are the stats:

Friends, neighbors and fellow members of the Benjamin Franklin Democratic Club came together with elected officials — Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, an Oliver Koppell staffer and District Leader Randi Martos — to introduce Mr. Espaillat.   

Mr. Diaz and Mr. Dinowitz offered words of support at that event, and Mr. Espaillat addressed the crowd, announcing endorsements from the New York State United Teachers — which includes The United Federation of Teachers and Professional Staff Congress — the Teamsters Joint Council 16 and the Freelancers Union. 

Both candidates have been campaigning heavily in and around Riverdale.

Tenant PAC endorses Rivera

The Bronx News Network is reporting that the Tenants Political Action Committee (PAC) endorsed Gustavo Rivera this morning.

The PAC's pledge of support comes on the heels of a slew of powerful union endorsments this week.

Mr. Rivera is hoping to unseat incumbent Pedro Espada Jr. in the 33rd state Senate District race. As the chairman of the housing committee, Mr. Espada has made tenant issues a linchpin of his campaign.

Tea time with the beep

The Bronx News Network is reporting that state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. challenger, Dan Padernacht, will meet up with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. next week.

Mr. Diaz, who has yet to endorse a candidate in the race for the 33rd District seat, met with candidate Gustavo Rivera for lunch last week.

Mr. Padernacht told The Press that he, too, would be meeting the beep for a bite. But Mr. Diaz said he planned to meet for coffee. Maybe tea.

What does it all mean? Your guess is as good as ours.

Rivera likely to remain on ballot

A special referee appointed by the Bronx Supreme Court has issued a report on the petitioning challenge waged by state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. against his opponent for the 33rd District seat, Gustavo Rivera, according to Horacio Gutierrez, Mr. Rivera’s campaign strategist.

The report says Mr. Rivera collected well over the 1,000 signatures needed to keep him on the ballot, according to Mr. Gutierrez.

“He actually called Espada’s challenge ‘frivolous,’” Mr. Gutierrez said, adding, “He called Gustavo’s petitions ‘a model example.’”

Mr. Espada’s campaign could not be reached for comment.

A judge’s decision on the report is expected later today.

-- By Kate Pastor

Voters to decide on term limits

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the city's Charter Revision Commission will put terms limits back on the ballot come November.

The commission also elected to allow sitting councilmembers up to three terms, regardless of whether voters decide to revert back to the two-year term limit that was in place before Mayor Michael Bloomberg persuaded the City Council to overturn the law two years ago.

Tony Cassino, one of the commissioners and founder of the Northwest Bronx Democratic Alliance, is a Riverdale resident who ran an unsuccessful campaign against Councilman Oliver Koppell in 2009.

Mr. Koppell, who was only able to run because of the extension, has long been an opponent of term limits and expressed strong opposition to the commission's amendment.

Union support for Espaillat

The Teamsters Joint Council 16, New York State United Teachers and the Freelancers Union have endorsed Adriano Espaillat as their candidate for the 31st State Senate seat.

Mr. Espaillat made the announcement last night at a meet and greet hosted by Riverdalians Judy Sonnet and Joe Gordon in their apartment in The Whitehall Co-op.

In attendance was Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, a representative from Councilman Oliver Koppell’s office, District Leaders Randi Martos and Bruce Feld, and Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club President Heidi Schwartz.

Rep. Eliot Engel, also a supporter, could not make it. However, members of the Ben Franklin Club, as well as the couple’s friends and neighbors totaling approximately 80 people, attended the event.

Mr. Diaz and Mr. Dinowitz offered words of support. Mr. Espaillat, who has been hitting the pavement in and around Riverdale, addressed the crowd.

-- By Kate Pastor

Beep Diaz going Gustavo?

Not quite.

Gustavo Rivera, candidate for New York’s 33rd state Senate District, met Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. for lunch at Land & Sea Restaurant in Kingsbridge today. Mr. Diaz seemed to be positioning himself for a possible endorsement of Mr. Rivera, but said he would be open to a similar meeting with Community Board 8’s Dan Padernacht, another Democratic contender, should Mr. Padernacht request one.

Rabbi Weiss lets a woman lead - again

The Jewish Week is reporting the Rabbi Avi Weiss of Riverdale's HIR (Hebrew Institute of Riverdale) recently allowed a woman to lead a Friday-night service, with both men and women in the pews. This comes on the heels of Rabbi Weiss' decision to promote Sara Hurwitz to rabba, which stirred quite a storm in some corners of the Orthodox world.

Espada update

The Riverdale Press has obtained a copy of the letter that Gustavo Rivera's campaign says is being sent to the state Senate candidate's supporters in the 33rd District.

The letter, which is headlined "NOTICE OF LEGAL INFORMATION WARNING," has been received by people who signed petitions to get Rivera on the primary ballot to face off against state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. in the fall, Horacio Gutierrez, Rivera's campaign strategist said.

Those receiving the letters are asked if they signed a petition for Rivera, and if not, they are urged to call the Ballot Integrity Unit of the Concerned Citizens for Good Government. The number given to call is a cell phone number and a quick search of the Web shows no sign of the group.

At the bottom it says for the letters are being paid for by New Yorkers for Espada.

A spokesman for the Espada camp refused to comment on the letters.

If you know anything about the letters, if you've received one or if you know anything about the Concerned Citizens, please let us know.

Former Espada rival returns to Community Board 7

The Bronx News Network has reported that Fernando Tirado, who was kicked off the primary ballot because he didn't garner enough petition signatures and lost his bid to take over state Sen. Pedro Espada's seat, is returning to his old job as district manager.

Read their post for more details.

Rivera accuses Espada of trying to intimidate supporters

By Kate Pastor:

Gustavo Rivera’s campaign has sent the letter below to supporters today, saying that his opponent in the race for state Senate, Pedro Espada Jr., has been harassing people who signed petitions for Mr. Rivera.

Mr. Espada’s spokesman would not comment.

Dear Gustavo Rivera supporter:

Be aware that Pedro Espada's campaign is mailing letters using intimidating language to Gustavo Rivera supporters who signed petitions to put Gustavo on the ballot. The letters are titled "Notice of Legal Information Warning", signed using the ironic name "Concerned Citizens for Good Government" and warn that "there is reason to believe that your [petition] signature has been obtained against the law." In small letters, it is noted that the letters are "Paid for by New Yorkers for Espada".

Our office was notified about these letters following reports of individuals, described as large and "thuggish", going to the homes of petition signers to ask prying questions about their petition signatures for Gustavo Rivera.

If you have received a letter like this or been approached by strangers asking about your petition signature, please notify our office at 646-450-5429.

These actions are nothing short of harassment of thousands of Bronx voters who have loudly proclaimed that they are tired of the corruption and misrepresentation of Pedro Espada and are welcoming the positive and effective leadership of Gustavo Rivera.

Let Pedro Espada and his staff know that the good people of the Bronx will not be intimidated by cheap hoodlum tactics.

-- Horacio Gutierrez

Chief Campaign Strategist

Espada stops by at gas station to tout bill

State Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. held a press conference in front of a Mobil station in North Riverdale today, to ask Gov. Paterson to sign a bill approved by both the state Senate and Assembly, that would give gas stations the first right of refusal to buy before oil companies can sell them off.
He did not, however, answer a string of reporters’ questions about how he handled protesters in Albany yesterday, whether he was intimidating challenger Gustavo Rivera’s supporters and whether he would schedule another town-hall meeting in Kingsbridge.

Espada giving money away — in anger

Video of state Sen. Pedro Espada pulling a bill out of his wad of cash and throwing it at rent control advocates in Albany is circulating around the Web.

Watch it here.

Not-so Pleasantville for ousted JFK principal Rotunno

Former John F. Kennedy High School Principal Anthony Rotunno, who allegedly misappropriated student-raised money, just lost another job.

After resigning from JFK in June, he was hired as principal of Pleasantville High in Westchester County, where he was set to make $174,000 per year, according to an article in the New York Daily News.

When officials learned of Rotunno's scandal in the Bronx, they asked him to leave before his Aug. 1 start date. When he refused, the school board voted in favor of ousting him Monday night, according to the News.

You can learn more about what Rotunno did at JFK on our site:

Rotunno's cloud hangs over JFK's graduation

Missing sign Rotunno's revenge on Kennedy?