A Bronx Councilman Goes his Own Way

  The story in Capitol New York begins with a photo of Councilman Ritchie Torres of the 15th council district here in the Bronx. At age 25 freshman council member has played his cards as a pro. It continues he went alone against the Bronx Democratic County organization with his energetic endorsement of Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito for the position of Speaker, and now reaps the reward as the new chair of the committee that he wanted that being Public Housing. 

  Capitol New York then goes into a personal history of Ritchie Torres before he was elected to the City Council, and why Torres was for Councilwoman Mark-Viverito over the rest of the Bronx council delegation who pledged support for her opponent to become speaker.

The last line quotes a comment from Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Carl Heastie on the events of Councilman Torres. Heastie said he's currently focused on this year's election cycle.

“Councilman Torres should be focused on serving his constituents, strongly representing their interests and fighting for their needs". 

  You can find the entire Capitol New York Story on Councilman Ritchie Torres here.

 
  

In New Council, Jumaane Williams, Ritchie Torres Will Fight for Affordable Housing for Low-Income NYers

  Several top groups on the left are weighing in jointly on Jumaane and Ritchie, making it clear they want the new City Council to prioritize the preservation and expansion of permanently affordable housing for low-income New Yorkers.

 

Progressive Power Coalition Says Jumaane and Ritchie Will Help Increase Availability of Permanently Affordable Housing for Low-Income City Residents

 

    The Progressive Power Coalition, which includes several of the leading C4 advocacy organizations and community groups working to preserve and expand affordable housing for low-income New York City residents, released the following statement today:

 

“We applaud Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for appointing Council Member Jumaane Williams as the Chairman of the Housing Committee and Ritchie Torres as Chairman of the Public Housing Committee. For many years, Jumaane and Ritchie have been leading advocates for affordable housing in communities of color and immigrant communities. We know they will work together to ensure that the lowest-income city residents gain greater access to permanently affordable housing. As rents continue to skyrocket and gentrification stretches deeper into the outer boroughs, city government must do everything in its power to increase the availability of permanently affordable housing for low-wage workers and their families. We are confident that Jumaane and Ritchie will be strong, principled leaders on affordable housing in their new roles, and hold real-estate developers accountable for decisions that have harmed low-income New Yorkers in recent years.”

 

The Progressive Power Coalition includes Make The Road Action Fund, Citizens Action NY, VOCAL NY Action Fund, Community Voices Heard Power, and New York Communities for Change.