Bronx Democratic County Dinner

  While there were many many VIP's at the 2019 Bronx Democratic County Dinner the above photo of former District Leader Kenny Agosto set the theme for last night's dinner. Agosto a loyal, proud, and openly gay person showed the many different aspects of the Bronx Democratic Party. It doesn't matter if you are White, Black, Hispanic, or what your sexual preference is, as Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo said during his speech. The Bronx Democratic Party has been all of us. 

  The five honorees came from different areas of life. Ms. Lisa Sorin, business woman, and the Executive Director of the New Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Wayne Spence of the New York State Public Employees Federation, Mr. Nick Gjelaj a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers, Mr. Mike Hellstrom of the Laborers Local Union 140, and an award to the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC. 

With Congress and the U.S. Senate in session, the prediction of heavy rain which began midway through the dinner, extra tables still had to be set up for the overflowing crowd, the largest in past years. With Mayor de Blasio on the Presidential campaign trail New York City Public Advocate was on hand to open the dinner along with current Queens Borough President (and likely Queens District Attorney) Melinda Katz. Many of the local State Senators, Assembly Members, District Leaders braved the stormy weather which caused the room to loose some power to the sound and projection system near the ending of the awards to the honorees. The last Honoree Mike Hellstrom a veteran of leading labor marches was loud enough so everyone in the room heard him when the sound went off. 

Above - Public Advocate Jumaane Williams opens the dinner.

Below - Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo with Honoree Ms. Lisa Sorin.

Above - County Leader Crespo with Honoree Wayne Spence.

Below - Honoree Nick Gjelaj.

Above- Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined County Leader Crespo to present the Stonewall Democratic Club award.

Below - Honoree Mike Hellstrom right before the sound and some of the lights went out. Everyone in the room heard him as he put down the microphone after it went out. 

Bronx Democratic County Dinner

  The above photo of former Bronx Deputy Borough President Aurila Greene standing next to a portrait of herself presented by the Bronx County organization as the Lifetime Achievement Award was the highlight of the dinner. The four Honorees of the dinner were Ms. Rella Fogliano (CEO of the MacQuesten Companies), Dr. Mario J. Garcia (Chief of Cardiology, Montefiore Einstein College of Medicine), Ms. Rosa Garcia (Owner Mott Haven Bar & Grill), and Mr. Joseph Geiger (Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Metro NYC District Council of Carpenters). 

  Elected officials on hand included Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., NYS Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochol, NYS Comptroller Tom Dinapoli, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Public Advocate Letitia James, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson, State Senator Jamaal Bailey, State Senator Jeff Klein, State Senator Jose Marcos Serrano. and various Bronx and citywide assembly and city council members. The photos below should tell the rest of the story. 

Above - Lt. Governor Kathy Hochol, 

Below - NYS Comptroller Tom Dinapoli.

Above - Mayor Bill de Blasio saying that as is well, and Bronx BP Diaz Jr. is doing a great job.

Below - Current Public Advocate (and candidate for NYS Attorney General) points towards her goal of going to Albany.

Above - Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo.

Below - State Senator Jamaal Bailru with NYS Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and the Democratic District leader from the 83rd A.D.

Above - Is State Senator Jeff Klein getting some advice from Assemblyman Michael Benedetto on Klein's current tough re-election bid?

Below - Former Bronx Deputy BP standing next to hew portrait with the artist Ms. Ayala