Ben Franklin Democratic Club Dinner

  Last Night the Ben Franklin Democratic Club Dinner was held. In TRUE DEMOCRACY this reporter was told by 81st A.D. Female District Leader, and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz's Chief of Staff Randi Martos not to attend the club dinner even though other reporters were welcome to attend.

  It is the loss of those who were honored not to get the publicity they would have gotten here and in my column in the Bronx Voice. 

  As State Comptroller Tom di Napoli said at a recent Ben Franklin club meeting 'that political clubs are loosing the power they once had as has been evidenced by the past presidential election'. Come to think of it, the room that night was not as crowded as it has been in the past.

   I can only guess that this year's Ben Franklin dinner was not as good as last year's dinner, could that be the reason why I was kept away? 

Ben Franklin Democratic Club Dinner

UPDATED

  Thursday night was the 54th Annual Ben Franklin Democratic Club Dinner. The Ben Franklin Democratic Club covers the 81st assembly district. As usual over 200 people, all the local elected officials, and most club members were in attendance.Elected officials included Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., City Comptroller Scott Stringer, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Congressmen Eliot Engel and Charles Rangel, and several state senators and assembly members on hand to celebrate with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

  Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz received the Distinguished Public Service Award, which was presented by his son Eric. The current Male District Leader Bruce Feld announced that he would not be seeking re-election, and it is quite possible that Eric Dinowitz may seek the position. Mr. Joseph Farkas owner of the new Riverdale Crossings shopping center on the site of the old Stella Doro cookie factory received the Business Development Award. The Community Leadership Award was given to longtime Riverdale realtor Marilyn Sopher. 

  

  The Ben Franklin Dinner Co-Chairs this year were Randi Martos, Heidi Schwartz, Eric Dinowitz, and Christopher McShane. 

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz speaks about his 20 years of service in the state assembly, as BFDC President Ellen Feld is with him in this photo.

Owner of Riverdale Crossings shopping center Mr. Joesph Farkas as he was introduced by Councilman Andrew Cohen. Current 81st A.D. Male District Leader Bruce Feld is also in the photo.