Bronxtalk 78th A.D. Debate Was Lackluster

   The scheduled Bronxtalk 78th A.D. Debate between incumbent Assemblyman Jose Rivera and challenger Fernando Tirado became a one man show when Assemblyman Rivera did not show. Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank blasted Assemblyman Rivera for not showing saying that it is the responsibility of elected officials to show up and debate. Axelbank went on to say that this was not the first time Jose Rivera has not showed up to debate in Rivera's more than decade run as an elected official. The show went on with only 78th A.D. candidate Fernando Tirado, and an empty chair as you can see in the above photo to represent Assemblyman Jose Rivera.  

  Candidate Tirado who was given the entire half hour did not go over Jose Rivera's tenure as assemblyman, saying instead that people know who he is and what he has done in the district. Axelbank quickly asked about Assemblyman Rivera asking for political favors when Tirado was the District Manager at Community Board 7. Tirado talked it down like he did on many of Axelbank's questions saying that there was no meeting in his 5 year tenure as the District Manager of CB 7. Axelbank's asked why should people vote for you over Assemblyman Rivera as there have been others who were just like you in the past? A vague answer that he was better than Rivera was given. To a question as to just why he was let go as the District Manager of CB 7 Tirado answered that none of the accusations that were made are true. Tirado said that he quit when his name was being slandered and he had enough.

  Answers to other questions on the Kingsbridge National Ice Center coming to the Armory, Education, Kingsbridge Road Merchants, and more were answered in the normal way a challenger would by saying that he would try to improve or help without any real solid answers. 

  After the show I asked candidate Tirado about 33rd State Senate candidate Jose Padilla Jr. he had on his petition who was knocked of the ballot, and Padilla's claim that one of Tirado's paid consultants was also getting paid by 33rd state senate candidate Fernando Cabrera. Tirado just shrugged it off as he walked away.   

  The next Bronxtalk debate is for the 34th State Senate District seat, and Axelbank said that both incumbent Jeff Klein and challenger Oliver Koppell said they will show up. Bronxtalk is seen on Cable channell 67 or 33 (depending on your cable provider) on Monday night at 9 PM. The show is repeated several times during the week, and available at www.Bronxnet.org.