NWBxDems Facebook Group Merges Politics With Community
Where would you go when you have a neighborhood concern or want to start a conversation between your elected officials (or their staff), community activists, and other informed Bronx residents? Where can someone go to share both a productive dialogue and light-hearted banter?
For almost two years now, over 600 “Bronx Members of Influence” discuss public policy and share laughs everyday under the Facebook Group: Northwest Bronx Democrats (NWBxDems).
Members discuss the neighborhood concerns for animal rights and the need for an animal shelter in The Bronx with activists, Rosanna Delgado, Kathleen Canzoniero, Annie Boller and Milinia Marias.
NWBxDems catch community and political news briefs of the day culled from the NY Daily News, NY Times, NY Post and Newsday posted by members while also seeing posts from several Bronx weekly news sites (Buddy Stein, David Cruz of The Riverdale Press, The Norwood News and, Sal Conforto of The Bronx Chronicle).
Members can see the video travels of Assemblyman Jose Rivera, from The Bronx to Albany to the beaches of Puerto Rico to the ski slopes with his son, former City Council Majority Leader, Joel Rivera.
Where you can read and talk to, for example Councilman Andy King, and learn about his continual cleanup campaigns in Co-Op City and Baychester while getting neighborhood updates from Ronn Jordan and Daniel Johnson, chiefs of staffs for Council Members Ritchie Torres and Andrew Cohen.
Want to leave a message for the Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz, Jr? Just write a post to his communications director and NWBxDem member, John DeSio.
Do you have to be a Democrat to participate? No. Some of our members include Cathy Stewart and Michael Rendino, chairpersons of the NYC Independence Party and Bronx Republican Party, respectively.
Respect, tolerance and free speech is very important to this Facebook Group. The group, however, frowns on selling products and services on its page and cheers the promotion of community activities and free thought.
Want to know where all the Holiday parties are at? Just go inside our page and learn from Mosholu Preservation Corporation and Jerome Gun Hill BID director Marcia Cameron, 204th St/Bainbridge Merchant President Eli Garcia and Fordham Road BID director Wilma Alonzo about merchant discounts, holiday lights, and when Santa will be visiting your favorite commercial strip.
The Northwest Bronx Democrats (NWBxDems) was created in 2003 in response to politically bad deals involving the building of the Croton Water Filtration Plant in Norwood. Community activists became politically engaged and since then fought off the likes of former Senator Pedro Espada, former Councilwoman Maria Baez and former Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera. NWBx Dems have had political gains and losses.
As part of a five member “neighborhood captains” executive committee that sets direction for the NWBxDems club, I am proud to be its founder.
In 2013, the executive committee felt the need to dialogue with more members of The Bronx community. While many others preach “unity” while their doors are closed and locked, the committee believed a Facebook Group page would be the best way to be open, accessible direct–and maybe–help open those closed doors just a little.
Thank you, Facebook! Thank you, our 600 members!
Join us! Just type “Northwest Bronx Democrats” in FB search, press “Enter” and join us or click on this link.
Dialogue — with respect!
Anthony Rivieccio is a long-time northwest Bronx resident and business owner. He was President of the 204th St/Bainbridge Ave Merchant Association, Committee of 100 Democrats, former member of Community Board 7, and Founder of both the North Bronx Thinktank and the Northwest Bronx Democrats.
Anthony is a published columnist and has written for distingued newspapers like: The Norwood News, The Riverdale Press, The Bronx News, Parkchester News, The Bronx Times and this newspaper.
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