Cohen Picks up Endorsement of Padernacht in 11th Council District

      In front of the Shalom Aleichem Houses in the Van Cortlandt Village section of the Bronx, where Mr. Dan Padernacht both works and lives, he brought out several of his supporters to endorse the candidacy of Andrew Cohen for the 11th City Council seat. Mr. Padernacht is best known from 2010 when he entered the race for the 33rd State Senate that was occupied then by State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. Mr. Padernacht a member of Community Board 8 and has been the Chairman of the boards Traffic & Transportation Committee the past few years. It was rumored that Mr. Padernacht would be running for the 11th council seat currently occupied by term limited Councilman G. Oliver Koppel, but after speculation that Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz would run it held back Mr. Padernachts council campaign. While Padernacht felt he could easily beat the only announced candidate at the time Mr. Cliff Stanton, he had to contemplate the candidacy of Assemblyman Dinowitz.  Mr. Andrew Cohen later decided to go ahead with his campaign for city council, and started to rack up the endorsements of the local elected officials as well as many others including numerous unions. With petition gathering for the September Primary only a few weeks away it was time to decide to continue a candidacy for city council or endorse one of the announced candidates. Mr. Padernacht chose to endorse the candidacy of fellow Community Board 8 member and friend, Andrew Cohen for the 11th City Council seat citing Mr. Cohen's record of achievement and commitment to the community. 

       Candidate Andrew Cohen said  “Dan Padernacht's credentials as an activist committed to the community and city are familiar to all of us who care for the Bronx". “As the Chair of the Traffic and Transportation Committee for Community Board 8, Dan has stood up to irresponsible developers, always putting the will of the people and the betterment of our neighborhoods first. His endorsement is an important validation for my campaign and I welcome his support with enthusiasm as we work together to make the 11th Council District even better.”

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Luis Sepulveda Fundraiser

     

     Friday night there was a fundraiser held at the Pines located on Eastchester Road right across the street from the Bronx Democratic County Headquarters for 87th Assembly candidate Luis Sepulveda. This fundraiser was being hosted by Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie. The Bronx County Democratic organization has announced that they will be backing every incumbent in the Bronx this year, and since there is no incumbent in the 87th A.D. Mr. Luis Sepulveda has been endorsed by the Bronx Democratio organization and Chairman Heastie. There were many friends and supporters of 87th A.D. candidate Luis Sepulveda, but due to the high temperature outside the fund raiser was moved from the Rooftop Garden of the Pines inside to a much cooler space.

     Luis Sepulveda ran in 2010 against Assemblyman Peter Rivera loosing by only a few votes, and now that Peter Rivera has been confirmed to be the new state labor commissioner Sepulveda is campaigning each and every day as he is the underdog. Tthe Luis Sepulvedahe campaign headquarters is located at 1512 Castle Hill Avenue, or you can his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/luis.r.sepulveda.

     Here you see Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Carl Heastie on the right, 87th assembly candidate Luis Sepulveda in the center, and possible 2013 11th City Council candidate Dan Padernacht on the left.

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Ben Franklin 52nd Annual Dinner

  On Wednesday May 2nd the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club held its 52nd Annual Dinner. Club President Ellen Feld welcomed everybody, and Ms. Delores Dixon sang "God Bless America". The elected officials then came up beginning with Former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson. See the photos below for the  elected officials in attendance.

  The Honorees were Ms. Marcia Allina (former State Committeewoman) receiving the "Jonathan B. Bingham Award" presented by 81st A.D. District Leader Bruce Feld. Ms. Lillian Roberts (Executive Director of DC37) receiving the "Labor Leadership Award" presented by 81st A.D. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. Mr. Dirk McCall (Director GMHC) receiving the "Timothy R. Sullivan Community Service Award" presented by Congressman Eliot Engel. Ms. Sarah Gund (Riverdale Neighborhood House) receiving the "Lee Heimlich Community Service Award" presented by Councilman G. Oliver Koppell.

  During the evening comments ranged from Congressman Charlie Rangel's "The way the state legislature drew the district lines it did not allow for input by the people", to Rangel's opponent Current State Senator Adriano Espaillat who thanked the Ben Franklin Club for helping elect him as a state senator, and hoping that they can help him be elected to congress. The best line of the night had to belong to Manhattan Borough President (and mayoral candidate in 2013) Scott Stringer, who said that he stayed for the entire press conference that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn walked out of last week. Below are photos of the dinner. Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Left- Ms. Marcia Allina receives the Jonathan B. Bingham Award from District Leader Bruce Feld.   Right- Ms. Lillian Roberts receives the Labor Leadership Award from Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

 Left Mr. Dirk McCall receives the Timothy R. Sullivan Award from Congressman Eliot Engel.  Right Councilman G. Oliver Koppell between his wife Lorraine Coyle Koppell (left) and CB 8 member Rita Pochter Lowe (right).

Left- Congressman Eliot Engel speaking to Congressman Charlie Rangel before the dinner started.  Right- State Senator (and Congressman Rangel's opponent)  Adriano Espaillat sitting with fellow State Senator Gustavo Rivera and staff members.

Left- Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.  Right- Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz with CB 8 Traffic & Transportation Chair (and possible City Council candidate in 2013) Mr. Dan Padernacht.

Left Congressman Eliot Engel greets Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, as former District Leader Mr. Michael Heller looks on.   Right State Senator Jeff Klein poses for the photo with Manhattan Borough President Stringer, both are former colleagues in the State Assembly.

New York City Comptroller John Liu and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer (Both probable 2013 candidates for mayor) pose for photo.

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