Some Local Political News

Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez, seen with Mayor Eric Adams, has angered the Bronx Albanian community by blocking the renaming of a street in Morris Park after Albanian icon Fan Noli.

Not being fully trusting of the NY Post, I dropped an email to my new Councilwoman about this issue. My assemblywoman, who took over the seat of Mark Gjonaj, also tweeted concerned words about the whole thing. Being a Gjonaj supporter, her comment also came off as biased.

Gjonaj submitted the thing at the end of his term.  I think he is Albanian himself and these sort of street naming things (the street is not too far from me) are a common bit of symbolism and honoring people.  Fine enough. Albanians are a major immigrant community in this area, one of somewhat lesser known groups with growing numbers in recent years.

I have voiced my opposition to Gjonaj, including his stepping down from the NY Assembly mid-term to (by coincidence, a more lucrative position) move to the City Council.  He is more conservative than his replacement, grumpily noting that he wasn't going to run for re-election given the more liberal times.  What else did he do near the end of his term?

"Bronx Democrat Mark Gjonaj asked colleagues to delay the bill, saying it could make the city’s elections vulnerable to nefarious foreign threats or people who are “transient.”  

Charming. So while pushing for some street sign naming, he also tried to make it harder for many Albanian immigrants, legal residents if not citizens, to vote in local elections.  I'm sure THEY were not the "transients" and "nefarious foreign threats" he was worried about! 

[See also: "New York Republicans Urge Support for Ukraine Refugees, After Taking Immigration Hard Line Alongside Trump."]

Anyway, the email (basically as her statement cited in the article notes) let me know that there is nothing nefarious going on.  There is no "blocking" go on.  The process takes time and anyway it would make more sense to do it in the spring, where the warmer weather (though these days, any given day might be nice) are better for public events.  

One thing I noted in the email is that these street signs are a tad obscure. I wish there was a plaque or something on the corners.  Also, is there is a website where someone can search names and get bios? The councilwoman's aide said she did not know, but will get back to me.

Meanwhile, she is also put out as a possible replacement for Senator Biaggi, my state senator, who cannot run for re-election because state rules do not allow her to do so.  Why?  She plans to run for a new congressional district (bordering mine; I still have AOC, barely) and state law doesn't allow her to run for both the state and federal races.  

Biaggi is a bright enthusiastic progressive (she is in her 30s) and I'll miss her.  I misread an article and thought it said she couldn't stay in office while  running.  But, a request for information let me know she will stay in office to the end of her term in December.  I appreciate the reply to that email too.

I do not pay enough attention to local politics, but strong progressive voices (who at times tweet news) helps.  Local elections were last year, but will have some notable state races, including probably more than one decent option to replace Biaggi.  Primary only a few months away.