Councilman Gjonaj’s column

On Tuesday, April 24^th, the 80^th assembly district went to the polls for the special election to fill my former assembly seat and voted overwhelmingly for my former chief of staff, and good friend, Nathalia Fernandez.

I have gotten to know Nathalia very well over the years and I know that she will work tirelessly for her constituents. With her in the assembly and Senator Klein in the state senate up in Albany combined with me down in City Hall, our community has two levels of government working together to improve the quality of life for our residents.

In Nathalia we have gained a true partner who not only knows the issues of the assembly district neighborhood by neighborhood, but as my former chief staff and active member of the community, already has the experience in addressing them head on and finding the appropriate solutions.

I am eagerly anticipating her swearing in, because having worked with her in the past I already know what she brings to the table.  She is someone who thinks outside the box and is not afraid to speak the truth no matter how unpopular it may be, and that is exactly what Albany needs.

Beyond her resume and professional accomplishments, I know that Nathalia will be an effective legislator because I know she has the personal traits it takes to be successful in Albany.

She is as kind and compassionate a person there is who will always do what is in the best interest of her community. She is a true civil servant who is doing it for the right reasons – to fight for our community’s fair share in Albany.

As a resident of the 80^th assembly district I consider myself lucky to have a woman of such character and integrity to be my representative.

Council Member Mark Gjonaj represents the 13th Council District in the Bronx, which includes the Allerton, City Island, Country Club, Edgewater Park, Ferry Point, Locust Point, Morris Park, Pelham Bay, Pelham Gardens , Pelham Parkway, Schuylerville, Silver Beach, Spenser Estates, Throggs Neck, Van Nest, Waterbury LaSalle, Westchester Square, and Zerega neighborhoods