Talk Bronx New York

It’s time for Hiram Monserrate to take his leave.

Convicted of a misdemeanor for a vicious assault on his girlfriend, the Bronx Democrat now either needs to resign from his seat in the State Senate or be expelled by the chamber itself.

Had he been convicted of the felony he was charged with, expulsion would have been automatic. Regardless, he was convicted of a misdemeanor and the injuries are the same. “In my view, the state has clearly proven he did, indeed, cause injury to Karla Giraldo without a reasonable doubt,” said Supreme Court Justice William M. Erlbaum, who tried the case without a jury. “She’s injured and bruised, black and blue marks. There’s skin tearing. There’s already injuries and a lot of blood.”

Monserrate, a former police officer and New York City councilman, claims the injuries were caused accidentally, when he tripped while bringing her a glass of water in a dark bedroom. If a suspect gave him a story like that when he was a cop, we doubt Monserrate would hesitate in applying the cuffs. Read more..

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Many, if not all, of the Bronx’s elected officials have hosted, or attended, events and rallies designed to shed light on the crime (which is more prevalent in the Bronx than elsewhere in the city), honor the victims, and condemn the perpetrators.

It’s been interesting, then, following local pols’ reaction – or lack of reaction – to the conviction last week of State Sen. Hiram Monserrate of Queens, who was found guilty of misdemeanor assault of his girlfriend.

With the exception of Jeff Klein, not one of Monserrate’s Senate colleagues here in the Bronx have been willing to criticize him, at least publicly, let alone demand his removal from office.

State Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr., for one, seems amused, not angry. “We are still the Four Amigos!” Diaz told reporters – a reference to himself, Monserrate, Pedro Espada, and Carl Kruger – after Monserrate was found not-guilty of the more serious felony assault charge, which would have forced him to step down. Read more..

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“Art”, a newly named 3-year-old male cat, that was rescued from a car engine in the Bronx.

The miracle cat rescued from a car engine in the Bronx wasn’t exhausted Tuesday - just a little tranquilized.

The stray kitty, dubbed Art after surviving a two-mile ride Monday beneath the hood of a hybrid SUV, was recovering from his automotive ordeal at a Manhattan animal shelter.

The cat was a bit ornery as it shook off the tranquilizers used by police to pull the tan-and-white tabby from the engine.

Art nibbled from a bowl of feline food and medicine in between cat naps.

In addition to its engine wear-and-tear, the cat was suffering from fleas and badly-matted fur, said David Ziegler of the Center for Animal Care and Control.

“He seems pretty calm, like he’s not in any pain,” Ziegler said. “But he’s mean. He has been growling.”

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In an 8-4 vote, the New York City Planning Commission on Monday approved a plan that would turn the Bronx’s Kingsbridge Armory into a 575,000-square-foot mall that would now reportedly include a department store, shops and a movie theater. The proposal is now set to go before the City Council, which has 50 days to approve or reject it.

Diaz: The Kingsbridge Armory Development, which has seen community opposition and controversy over wages and another debate over grocery stores, would be a $310-million outside investment in the poorest urban county in the United States by the Related Cos.

Project opponents are asking that Related and future tenants provide living wage jobs and benefits. The hourly “living wage” for one adult in the Bronx is $11.86 per hour. However, for two adults with two children, a living wage is $30.30 per hour, according to the Living Wage Calculator developed by MIT’s Amy Glasmeier. Read more..

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The best pitch that baseball fan José Naumann has seen all year was the one that got him into Yankee Stadium yesterday for free.

Naumann said he had yet to see a game at the new ballpark because of the cost.

But as the Yankees played the Angels 3,000 miles away in California, he was one of thousands of fans allowed to watch Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on the Stadium’s giant, high-definition video screen.

“It’s a really amazing place, and it’s really great that people can come in and see it,” said Naumann, 44, a contractor, who brought his 10-year-old twins, Melissa and Chris.

“I don’t think I’d be able to come otherwise. I can’t afford it normally. It’s already been $30 for a couple of pizzas and drinks.”

In addition to chowing down on ballpark food, fans got to see 11 innings of baseball, but the Bronx Bombers lost, 5-4. They still lead the best-of-seven series, 2-1.

“Even though we lost, at least the management gave us the chance to be here,” said Albert Pergjokaj 32, of The Bronx.

“We’re gonna take it all.” Read more..

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