I was wondering how this years Bronx Democratic County dinner was going to top last years dinner. After all there was going to be no presidential candidate, no New York State Senator, or even the Governor of New York in attendance, but I like everyone else enjoyed the evening go by quickly wondering 'How did they do it again'.
The lovely Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul was on hand, and when I said to her I think the governor's plane is having a little problem, she replied 'You tried that one on me two years ago'. My former State Senator now Attorney General said hello, as did State Comptroller Tom Di Napoli. Mayor Bill de Blasio winked at me knowing that I would give him a very hard question at his next press conference. After he said hello, I was able to speak to City Comptroller Scott Stringer on one of his latest DOE audits. Public Advocate Letitia James wanted to see the photo I took of her and District Leader Eric Dinowitz, to make sure I got her better side, which I always do.
Sitting at Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz's table was an old friend the former City Comptroller John Liu. Deputy BP Aurelia Greene was stunning as usual, and it seemed to be all business for Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo made sure to announce all the elected officials on hand, even if they were not from the Bronx and did not speak. in all County Leader Crespo said that there were over 800 people at the event. In the past empty seats were not hard to find, but that was not the case last night. The man behind the county leader the Executive Director of the Bronx Democratic County Committee Mr. Anthony Perez deserves a lot of the credit for making this county dinner the huge success it was, but Anthony was humble last night from the shock of the dinner and gave all the credit to the county leader. I will have to ask Mr. Perez again next week if he deserves some credit for great Bronx Democratic County Dinner.
I almost forgot the four Honorees of the 2017 Bronx Democratic County dinner were Mr. John Crotty, Mr. Edwin Lopez, Mr. Basil Smikle, and the darling Female District Leader from the 87th Assembly District Hon. Julia Rodriguez. Julia was introduced as being someone who dates back to the John Lindsay era which began in the late 1960's. Photos of the dinner are below.
Above - Left - BDCC Executive Director Anthony Perez introduces Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo -Right.
Below - Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, State Comptroller Tom Di Napoli, and State Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
Above - Left - District Leader Eric Dinowitz, Right - Councilman Jimmy Vacca with Public Advocate Letitia James.
Below - Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul and then State Comptroller Tom Di Napoli address the packed room.
Below Left - City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Right - Public Advocate Letitia James.
Above - Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks with City Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez.
Below - The Mayor points to where Bronx BP Diaz is sitting to commend him on the fine job he is doing as Bronx BP.
Above - Another photo of Mayor Bill de Blasio. The mayor had such a good time after all the speeches were over, that he talked one on one with many of the attendees.
Below - Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie congratulates his fellow Bronx assembly members on the fine job everyone did on this years state budget, and for supporting his work as Speaker of the State Assembly.
