100 PERCENT Saturday December 5th

100 PERCENT

By Robert press

Games Going on in the 78th A.D.

     Before I get into the 78th A.D. race next year, there will be a special election to replace outgoing 17th Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo. This special election will probably take place on the same day as the federal election primary day for President and Congress if there are to be any Presidential or Congressional primaries. In this special election there are going to be at least six if not seven candidates which may include the current Community Board Two District Manager Rafael Salamanca Jr. While Mr. Salamanca said to me two days ago that he has not committed to running I told him of previous Community Board District Managers who began to run for office. I reminded him of the success of a former District Manager who is in his third and last term in the City Council, but I also reminded him that there are many other former District Managers who never were elected to anything. One elected official has already told me that he is supporting Mr. Salamanca for the council seat, and I reminded that elected official that he has not endorsed a winner since 2009. I will have more on this special election in upcoming columns. 

     Speaking of upcoming columns, as of December 16th you will be able to read this column and its sister column the Riverdale Report in the new 'Bronx County News'. The Bronx County News will be a brand new newspaper that will be circulated in Riverdale, Norwood, Bedford Park, Morris Park, Soundview, and many other areas. I am pleased to be a part of the 'Bronx County News', and if you liked my columns and special coverage of other events you will like the Bronx County News which will have several unique sections. 

     The Committee of 100 Democrats will be hosting their First Annual Holiday Banquet on Tuesday December 15th at Willie's Steak House located at 1832 Westchester Avenue beginning at 6 PM and running through 11 PM. To reserve your seat or for more information you can call the Committee of 100 Democrats Executive Director Mr. John Perez at 347-338-4950. This event will be held 'In Honor and Memory' of Dominick Fusco Esq. the founder of the Committee of 100 Democrats.

     As for the 78th Assembly District there seems to be a game of which Rivera will be running. Assemblyman Jose Rivera is the current assemblyman, but it seemed that he was trying to pass on the assembly seat to his daughter Naomi Rivera the former Assemblywoman from the 80th Assembly District who had been redistricted into the 78th A.D. It seems that Naomi Rivera attended Bronx Democratic County functions with her father such as the county dinner and county barbecue, but in order to keep Naomi Rivera from running another female candidate came forward who was a member of Community Board 7 with stronger ties to the community that Ms. Rivera. 

     What was Jose to do? I have been told that he is pressuring his son and former City Councilman Joel Rivera to run for the 78th Assembly seat. During the last redistricting it seems that not only was daughter Naomi, but also son Joel (who at the time were both residing at 601 Pelham Parkway North) were redistricted from the 80th A.D. into the 78th A.D. Maybe Jose knew that his daughter would loose her assembly seat as she did to the current Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj. 

    My advice to Joel Rivera would be not to run, as we saw how your Chief of Staff Mr. Alvarez did in his race to succeed you. It appeared in the twelve years as not only a councilman, but as the council Majority Leader there was nothing to show for all those years. There are also many other things that would come out in a heated election that you would be embroiled in. Enjoy yourself as you are now, and stay out of politics as was your thought when you went into your career in Real Estate. Jose, let your children enjoy themselves, as you see what is going on in Albany now. All your old friends are either retired, getting out of or going to jail. The one who was once called 'Sterling Silver' is now 'Tarnished Silver'. Enjoy your retirement Jose, and Happy Chanukah/Merry Christmas to all. Check this blog for the listings of Menorah and Christmas tree lightings including the Bronx Menorah lighting on Tuesday afternoon December 8th or the Bronx Christmas tree lighting on Thursday night December 10th at the Bronx County building on the Grand Concourse and East 161st Street. 

     If you have any political information that you want to share or have checked out, any comments about this column, or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on this blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.