Standing on the Fordham Road overpass to the Grand Concourse City Council members Annabel Palma, Fernando Cabrera, Andy King, Vanessa Gibson, and representatives from Andrew Cohen and Ritchie Torres said that after 10 years of budget cuts - this year in working with Speaker Mark-Viverito more money was allocated for many Bronx community organizations.
The Bronx delegation of 11 council members fought hard to get 5 new funded initiatives for the Bronx Councilwoman (and Bronx delegation leader) Palma said. She added that in working together the Bronx delegation has come through for the people of the Bronx. Councilman Fernando Cabrera said that there is now equal distribution of funds in the council to all members unlike before. Councilwoman Gibson said that it was the first time that the Bronx delegation had come together as a unit. Councilman Andy King said that he was grateful to be a part of the process that for the first time in many years brought more to the people instead of cutting services to the people.
Councilman Andy Cohen was serving jury duty, and Councilman Ritchie Torres was setting up his announcement of getting $600,000.00 to help reopen the OBGYN unit at North Central Bronx Hospital (next item on this blog), but both had representatives in attendance on Fordham Road. The spot picked for this announcement is the dividing line between the 14th and 15th council districts on the Grand Concourse.
Left - Councilwoman and Bronx council delegation leader Palma tells of gains by Bronx council members.
Right - Councilman Fernando Cabrera speaks of gains to his district, as in the background is the office of State Senator Gustavo Rivera who Councilman Fernando Cabrera is challenging in th September Primary.
Left - Councilman Andy King standing between councilwomen Palma and Gibson describes the thrill that he had being able to secure more funding rather than having to say what services were cut this year.
Right - Councilmen King and Cabrera get in a few words before the announcement.
