Bronx Democratic County Barbecue

  Saturday September 7th was the Annual Bronx County Barbecue. Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Carl Heastie was joined by many elected officials from the Bronx and beyond. 2 candidates for Mayor showed up Bill Thompson and John Liu. Letitia James the Bronx County organization backed candidate for Public Advocate, Congressman Charlie Rangel (who now has a little part of the Bronx), and Manhattan Democratic County Leader Keith Wright were among those from outside the Bronx. 

   Willie Colon who is best known as a great Salsa singer and band leader, but who also ran for congress in 1994 gave a mini concert in favor of his candidate for Mayor Bill Thompson. Bronx County Leader Heastie said that he was going to keep the political speeches to a minimum, and kept his word as only he, BP Diaz, Bill Thompson, Letitia James, and co-host Assemblyman Marcos Crespo had the microphone other than Willie Colon. 

   Barbecue banter- On the subject of a vibrant looking Congressman Charles Rangel there was no comment by either Manhattan County leader Keith Wright or Rangel himself as to another term in Washington. Willie Colon- I crashed this party for my friend Bill Thompson. Public Advocate Letitia James- "We need to change the direction of the city". To my question of her what then has the city council been doing for the past 4 - 8 years there was no answer by Ms. James (a current councilwoman from Brooklyn), or any of the three other Bronx Council members I asked the same question. Bill Thompson- Under previous Bronx County Leadership there was fragmentation. Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr.- I do have a primary. Senator Jeff Klein- Didn't Oliver Koppell endorse Republican candidate for Mayor Michael Bloomberg? Carl Heastie- I am endorsing Jeff Klein for re-election.

Left - The Bronx Democratic County headquarters on the corner of Blondell Avenue and Eastchester Road.

Right - On the left Mr. John Zaccaro Jr. President of the Bronx Young Democrats (and Councilman Fernando Cabrera's office was in charge of the grill this year.

 

Left - Two old opponents, now friends say hello to each other.

Right - Famous Salsa singer and band leader Willie Colon listens to a woman as Bronx Democratic County Executive Director Ischia Bravo looks on.

 

Left - Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson greets some of his supporters.

Right - Mayoral candidate John Liu says hello to Bronx County Leader Heastie and others.

 

Left - Bronx County leader Heastie with Bronx County backed Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., Willie Colon, and Co-host Assemblyman Marcos Crespo.

Right - Willie Colon As he sings one of his hit songs.

 

Left - Senator Jeff Klein talking to Bronx County Leader Heastie, who later said that he was endorsing Senator Klein for re-election.

Right - Congressman Rangel talking to Bronx County Leader Heastie. Could this be for Heastie's endorsement for another term in Washington?

John Liu Endorsed by Committee of 100 Democrats

  A week after his successful Free Community Barbecue Committee of 100 Democrats Chairman Ricky Martinez announced the endorsement of current City Comptroller John Liu for Mayor. Chairman Martinez had only kind words for Mayoral candidate John Liu. In the photo above you can see Chairman Martinez hiolding up Mayoral candidate John Liu's arm in a show of the victory to come. 

 

Left - Mayoral candidate John Liu arrives and receives a warm welcome from the crowd assembled.

Right - Mayoral candidate John Liu with Committee of 100 Democrats Chairman Ricky Martinez and other members of the committee after the endorsement of John Liu for Mayor.

John Liu to Visit Tracy Towers Thursday Aug. 20

TRACEY TOWERS RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

WELCOMES 2013 MAYORAL CANDIDATE DEMOCRAT

JOHN C. LIU

Special Announcement District Leader Kenny Agosto

Date: Thursday August 22, 2013

Time: 6:30PM  

          Food and refreshments will be served                 

 2435 Jerome Avenue Bronx New York 10468   

info 646-490-9818

Hispanic Ministers of New York 25th Annual Luncheon

  Saturday afternoon was the 25th Hispanic Ministers Organization of New York luncheon. All of the candidates for mayor of New York City were invited. Democrats John Liu, Bill Thompson, & Erick Salgado, Republicans Joe Lhota & John Catsimatidis, and even third party candidate Adolfo Carrion were in attendance as well as almost 700 ministers or supporters of the clergy. U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Bronx Assembly members Marcos Crespo & Luis Sepulveda, And Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr. who was the Master of Ceremonies. City Council Speaker Christene Quinn and Public Advocate Bill Deblasio were not in attendance.

  

  There were speeches by the mayoral candidates, and here are some of their more memorable words. City Comptroller John Liu said "The city needs the Bronx", and looking at BP Diaz added "Its great to be here in God's Country". Joe Lhota spoke of his Bronx roots, and how as Deputy Mayor to Mayor Giuliani "500 jobs for Senator Diaz were created for his community". Not to be outdone John Catsimatidis spoke of being an alter boy, and how he helped build a church in the South Bronx. Former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion spoke about his job as Bronx Borough President. 

 

Left - Senator Diaz is at the microphone is about to introduce the candidates for mayor in attendance. Candidate for mayor John Liu gives the thumbs up.

Right - City Comptroller John Liu speaks to the packed room.

Left- Republican John Catsimatidis speaks to the crowd.

Right  - It was Republican Joe Lhota's turn at the Microphone.

Left - Bill Thompson speaking to the audience. 

Right - Rev. Erick Salgado Speaks with Bronx Conservative Party Leader Bill Newmark, possibly for Newmarks support for the Conservative line in the November election.

Left - New York State Comptroller Tom Di Napoli.

Right - 15th Council District candidate Reverend Joel Bauza (one of the honorees) and his wife.

Senator Diaz poses with both Republican candidates for mayor Joe Lhota (left), and John Catsimatidis (right).

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