Shown above (from left) are: Christina Leigh-Stevens, BMNAR 2018 president; Eliezer Rodriguez, Esq, CEO of BMNAR; congressman Eliot Engel, 16th congressional district; Susan Goldy, past president of NYSAR and BMNAR; Sandra Erickson, past president of BMNAR; and Miriam Toro, VP of Bronx Residential.

April showered in a busy May for the Bronx Manhattan North Association of Realtors (BMNAR). The month started with a celebration of two of BMNAR’s family members– Sandra Erickson and Janine Mosher. Sandra is the principal owner of Sandra Erickson Real Estate and Janine is the office manager at BMNAR. Both women were honored at the Mann Charitable Foundation as “Leading Ladies.”

After the celebration, May has been busy, busy, and busy. May 10th began with a road trip to the Pelham Bay Diner where BMNAR’s Board of Governors met for their monthly meeting. At the abbreviated meeting, the governors formed the Nominating Committee to select the new leadership team for 2018-2019. The meeting was adjourned and the doors were opened to our guests and panel members attending BMNAR’s 4th Annual State Legislative Breakfast. 

The complimentary breakfast with our state elected officials was initiated in 2015 under Kathy Zamechansky’ presidency. Kathy wanted to invite our elected leaders to discuss pending legislation, policy initiatives, emerging issues, and the importance of promoting a fundamentally sound real estate market so we can build vibrant communities to live and work. The legislative breakfasts were an immediate success. 

For the fourth straight year, Gary Axelbank, the host of BronxTalk, and the creator of “thisistheBronX,”did a superb job as the moderator. This year’s panel did a fantastic job fielding questions and responding to our members’ concerns. A big BMNAR thank you to senator Jamaal Bailey, Dist. 36; senator Marisol Alcantara, Dist. 31; assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, Dist. 80; assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Dist. 81; assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Dist. 82; and assemblyman Robert Rodriguez, Dist. 68. The State Legislative Breakfast was made possible by the generous support of our sponsors: Langsam Property Services Corp.; Sandra Erickson Real Estate, Inc.; Tryax Realty Management, Inc.; Today Realty, Corp.; Laujel Realty Corp.; KZA Realty Group, Inc.; Novick, Edelstein, Lovell, Reisman, Wasserman, and Leventhal, PC and Intercontinental Capital Group. 

That evening, the road trip continued as we headed to Yankee Stadium for our Annual “A Night with the Yankees.” The entire Frank’s RedHot Terrace was reserved for our guests. Each ticket holder received a Yankee hat; all the food, drinks, and beer they could consume for 90 minutes before the game began; and great seats. Unfortunately, the Yankees lost that game, but they did win the series against the Red Sox two games to one. 

After a few days to cool off slightly, BMNAR went to Washington to fight for our members and the consumer. With my team of four powerful women, Christina Leigh-Stevens, Susan Goldy, Sandra Erickson, and Miriam Toro, we met with congressman Eliot Engel, congressman Jose Serrano, and congressman Adriano Espaillat. The congressmen were so accommodating and generous with their time. The congressmen heard the Realtor’s voice on: Supporting strong net neutrality protections; national flood insurance program; tax policy; and, equal access to housing opportunities. It was a great week at the hill.

What do you do after a busy May? You host a golf and tennis outing on June 18th! That’s right, BMNAR just keeps rolling along. You are invited to join Realtors and guests interested in the real estate trade at the 83rd Annual Golf & Tennis Outing. This year, we will tee off at the beautiful Fresh Meadows Country Club, Lake Success, NY.

This year’s honorees are: Outstanding Realtor member Stuart Ryan, and Scott Morgan from the Morgan Group; and the outstanding affiliate member, Ed Friedman, Esq. from Novick, Edelstein, Lubell, Reisman, Wasserman & Leventhal, P.C. If you are interested in being a part of this fun-filled day, get on the “ball” and make the call. Call me at 718-892-3000 to register your twosome, threesome, or foursome. I hope to see you on June 18th.

It’s all about the Bronx and Upper Manhattan! Go Realtors!

Eliezer Rodriguez, Esq. is the chief executive officer of The Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors, Bronx, N.Y.