In an age where being anywhere near someone could expose you — and the people you love — to a deadly, highly infectious disease, there’s probably no such thing as being too safe. more

In a report released by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crimes, in 2018, around 269 million people used drugs worldwide. When compared to 2009, this was a 30 percent increase. And more than 35 million people suffer from drug use disorders. more

The Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club was founded in my living room in 1959. Of all five words in that name, the most important is the word “reform,” because at the time, the Bronx Democratic Party was split between the “regular” Democrats controlled by the party boss Charlie Buckley — from the old school of machine bosses harking back to the Tammany Hall days — and the “reform” Democrats, who were the candidates and their supporters who demanded progressive reforms. more

I would like to take this opportunity to thank The Riverdale Press for the recent story on the Riverdale Art Association. I thanked Raphael Lassauze for the skillful story she wrote about the artwork that the art association has presented during these challenging times. more

Thank you for highlighting the work we are doing in the community to make sure families and older adults receive appropriate meals safely during this difficult time. When a trip to the local grocery became a health hazard, the waitlist for meals at The Y senior center grew long. more

Amid all the discussions of John Bolton’s revelations in his book, “The Room Where it Happened” — which was scheduled to arrive at bookstores on June 23 — let’s not forget that as the National Security Advisor, Bolton was instrumental in the disbanding of the pandemic response team organized during the Obama administration. more

What is happening in our republic? more

This past Fourth of July felt different. We all know it, and it would be naïve to think otherwise. more

State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi has proposed S.8676, requiring New York Police Department officers to obtain and carry personal liability insurance in the event they are civilly sued for misconduct and other civil wrongs. more

The philosopher and mystic Manly P. Hall once said “words are potent weapons for all causes, good or bad.” And it doesn’t take many words to create something good, or to destroy it all the same. more