Ben Franklin Democratic Club 55th Annual Dinner

  Last night there was a packed room of over 200 people, with many others dropping in to the 55th Annual Ben Franklin Democratic Club Dinner and then hopping to another event that was going on at the same time. There was no shortage of elected officials with both local 81st Assembly district Congressmen Eliot Engel and Charlie Rangel in attendance. Also on hand was new Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, New Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo. Of course local 81st A.D. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, State Senator Jeff Klein, and Councilman Andrew Cohen were on hand, as well as several other elected officials. It was nice to see former Bronx Democratic County leader Assemblyman Jose Rivera, State Senator Adriano Espiallat, and of course Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. There was almost a quorum of Community Board 8 members led by CB 8's Chair Dan Padernacht. The photos below will tell the rest of the story.

 Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz is telling the packed audience that the only races this year are for Bronx DA, Judges, and Judicial Delegates and Alternates.

Assemblyman Dinowitz gives his new Speaker a gavel for use in the assembly chamber, before allowing Speaker Heastie to speak to the packed house.

 

New Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo gets to see the support that the Ben Franklin Club has as he says a few words to the audience.

Above - Bronx Chamber of Commerce President Lenny Caro (and BFRDC honoree) sits with the BCC Executive Director Michelle Dolgow Cristofaro as they wait for him to be called up.

Below - BCC President and Bronx Goodwill Ambassador Caro receives the BFRDC Timothy Sullivan Award from State Senator Jeff Klein. 

Above - Mr. Mario Cilento President N.Y.State AFL-CIO receives the BFRDC Jonathan B. Bingham Award from Congressman Eliot Engel.

Below Mr. Mario Curanaj Owner of Salvatore's of Soho and Yo Burger Restaurants receives the Lee Heimlich Community Service Award from Councilman Andrew Cohen.

Above - A group photo of elected officials BFRDC Club Officers, and Honorees to numerous to list. 

Below 81st Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz stands with the 81st A.D. Male District Leader Eric Dinowitz, and yes the two are related, as Eric Dinowitz is the son of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.