Bronx Focus: Challenging Pedro Espada jr. (State Senate)

To complete my coverage of the challengers to some of Albany's worst State Senators we come to Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, who is challenging the gay-hating, corrupt ally of "Slasher" Monserrate: Pedro Espada, jr.

From Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter's website:

Over the past two decades, Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter has become a trusted Community Leader in the Northwest Bronx, where she fights to improve the quality of life for local residents and families.

Desiree is currently serving her third term as President of the Fordham Hill Owners Corporation, the largest privately-owned and financed cooperative apartment complex in the Bronx, valued at $30 million dollars. In 2007, Desiree led a successful campaign to replace the previous Board of Directors, after questions arose over management practices and how the cooperative’s finances were being spent. As a result of her efforts to inform residents about their rights as shareholders, Desiree was elected Board President and has since been re-elected twice. She oversees a budget of $12.5 million dollars and is widely credited with bringing a period of transparency and stable management to Fordham Hill, whose 1,119 units are spread over 10 buildings and are home to over 4,000 residents.

Desiree is a Board Member of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, a thirty-five year old grassroots organization with over 10,000 members, dedicated to social justice and leadership development. Over the years she has worked with unions to expand benefits to Bronx workers, lobbied the MTA for transportation alternatives in the West Bronx, fought to reduce school overcrowding and change Department of Education policy regarding drop-out prevention, and led a campaign to highlight the foreclosure crisis facing Bronx homeowners. She represents Fordham Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Metropolitan New York Synod.

Desiree was also the key spokesperson for the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA), a coalition comprised of elected officials, unions and community members, formed with the goal of negotiating a Community Benefits Agreement with the City of New York over the redevelopment of the landmark Kingsbridge Armory. This thirteen year campaign recently resulted in two historic 2009 City Council votes that stopped the third-largest developer in New York City from implementing its plans, after neither the city nor the developer would guarantee living-wage jobs at the Armory for Bronx workers despite millions of dollars being awarded in tax breaks and subsidies...

Desiree believes strongly in the need for a return to honest, accountable leadership in state government. Her record of service to her community has consistently put her on the side of Bronx families and strengthened her belief that elected officials should at all times put the interests and aspirations of the communities they represent first.

By contrast Pedro Espada is one of the traitors who derailed reform in Albany by temporarily defecting to the Republicans. Espada is also actively under investigation by the Bronx District Attorney, FBI, IRS, and NYS Attorney General for corruption:

The Legislative Ethics Commission is probing the hiring of Pedro G. Espada

Key Senate Coup Player Pedro Espada: Corrupt or Crazy or Both

Bronx DA and Andrew Cuomo Investigating State Senator Espada

Espada's "nonprofits" rife with "administrative deficiencies and apparent misuse of funds"

Before Defecting, Espada Sought $2 Million for Bronx Groups

And that is just a sampling of Espada's problems. Getting rid of Espada would be a GREAT help in reforming Albany, and Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter sounds like an excellent replacement. Visit her website to learn more, volunteer or donate.