Senate Democrats Reelect Sampson as Leader

    With two State Senate seats still undecided, and a best case scenario of a 31-31 tie in the State Senate Democrats reelected Brooklyn Senator John Sampson as their Conference Leader. The State Senate is currently 31-29 in favor of the Republicans, with the two seats likely to go one to each side giving the Republicans back control of the State Senate 32-30.    

    This despite the fact that as I predicted Democrats would pick up three new seats in the State Senate which they did. Tony Avella won in Queens, David Carlucci in Hudson Valley, and Tim Kennedy in Buffalo, but Democrats  lost five other seats under John Sampson's leadership as they should go back into the minority in the State Senate by 32-30.    

    It was Senator Sampson, who was one of the people named in the investigation of the Aqueduct Racino, in a bid to put slot machines in the race track by a failed bidder that was reported to have been favored.

    So will end the Democratic control of the State Senate, unless a miracle happens that Democrats win both seats still contested resulting in a tie, give the tie breaking votes to the new Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy.

Thompson Ends Senate Race, and
Democrats Hope of Majority in State Senate

   Current Democratic Senator Antoine M. Thompson officially conceded today to his Democrat turned Republican opponent Mark Grisanti. This now means that the Republicans have a 31 to 29 lead on Democrats in the State Senate with two seats left to finish recounting. It looks like the best case scenario for Democrats would be a 31-31 tie. In that case the tie breaking vote would come from newly elected Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy.

   In the Westchester race incumbent Suzy Oppenheimer should be able to stay ahead of her Republican opponent, while on Long Island incumbent Senator Craig Johnson trail Republican Jack Martins. Democratic hopes are that even if when all the votes are counted, that a recount of the paper ballots will give the win to Johnson. The hope could be that if voters filled in more than one circle on their ballot that there was a foul up in the machine as to alter the actual voter count, thus a full ballot hand recount would give Democrat Johnson the win.

Upcoming Events

1.- Bronx Annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony

  Monday, December 6 ---      1:30 p.m.

  Bronx County Building 851 Grand Concourse 

  To RSVP, please call 718-590-3989

   Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, is a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days.  

2.- Bronx Annual Christmas  Tree Lighting    

  Wednesday, December 8 ---      5:00 p.m.

  Bronx County Building 851 Grand Concourse at 161^st Street 

  To RSVP, please send an email to lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov  or call 718-590-3522 

    The Cardinal Spellman High School’s Gospel Choir will play traditional holiday songs. 

3.- A Taste of the Bronx Food Show   

  Sunday, December 12 ---    5:00 p.m.

  Lehman Center for the Performing Arts 

  Following the Handel’s Messiah concert, taking place at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, the 5^th Annual “A Taste of The Bronx” food show will feature some of The Bronx’s most popular eateries in one room for concert goers to enjoy. 

  They will be able to sample the cuisine of top Bronx restaurants, some of them celebrated by restaurant critics and featured in dining guides like Zagat and Michelin.

  Admission to the food show is free with the purchase of a concert ticket at Lehman.  

  For further information and to find out how your restaurant can be part of A Taste of the Bronx, please contact Sara Monserrat at 718-590-2502 

 

   

 

Public Hearing Thursday December 2nd

    As it appeared in the City Record Monday November 29, 2010, there will be a Public hearing on Thursday December 2nd 2010 at 10AM in room 915 of the Bronx County Building 851 Grand Concourse by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

    The matter of the public hearing is to an application submitted by the Department of City Planning pursuant to sections 197c and 201 of the New York City charter for an amendment of the Zoning Map, Section # 1D and 3C. The zoning changes will occur in Community Boards #7 and 12.

Riverdale Review Boycott?

    It appears that there is someone or some people who are participating in the above boycott who are leaving comments that have derogatory remarks. In the matter of the boycott of the Riverdale Review this blog and my column have taken an opinion that the whole matter is none of our business. While we may have some gripes with the owner of the Review, we also have some problems with the those tactics that are being used by the anti-Review people, such as the comments being left on this and other blogs. I have not seen any of those comments on the Bronx News Network blog, and why has Gary Axelbank not done a show about it.

    I will not get into the personalities of Mr. Andrew Wolf or Mr. Anthony Perez Cassino, whom this whole boycott seems to be centering around. If you want to comment on this post you may, however please do not put any links to biased opinions, or derogatory remarks as they will be deleted.  

     
   

Assemblyman Marcos Crespo Calls Upon Cathie Black To Withdraw Her Application For School Chancellor

    Assemblyman Marcos Crespo (D-Bronx) is calling upon Cathie Black to withdraw as New York City School Chancellor Candidate. “While I respect Cathie Black’s interest in overseeing the New York City school system that serves 1.1 million children, I respectfully suggest that she withdraw her application. Ms. Black has an impressive resume that may very well be sought after by many media companies, but our education system should not be supervised by anyone who needs to be chaperoned by someone else who has the required education experience."

    “The advisory panel recommended for the State Education Department to deny the waiver for Cathie Black, even though according to reports, some of those panel members are tied to the Bloomberg Administration. 

     Like many of my colleagues and like many parents of children who attend New York City’s public schools, I urge State Education Commissioner David Steiner to deny the waiver as submitted and refuse to circumvent the waiver process by rejecting any modified waiver for Ms. Black. 

    “It is unconscionable to consider that Mayor Bloomberg would resubmit Cathie Black’s School Chancellor application with new conditions - such as being joined with a co-chancellor who has education experience.  The very suggestion that since Ms. Black’s experience does not qualify her to serve, an alternative waiver could permit her to serve with a qualified co-chair does not seem to be within the scope of the law. 

    “Just one year ago, Mayor Bloomberg emphasized why New Yorkers should have more choices when electing their mayor.  I respectfully suggest that the Mayor give himself more choice and select someone who qualifies for the position of School Chancellor and has the experience to serve as required by law.”

Will State Education Commissioner Steiner Give Cathie Black A Waiver Now That His Panel Votes Against It?

    In a four to two vote with two members abstaining the panel of experts set up by State Education Commissioner David Steiner has said no to giving a waiver to Mayor Bloomberg's choice of Hearst Publications President  Ms Cathie Black This now leaves a very big question to the fytyre of Ms. Cathie Black, and just when will Mayor Bloomberg withdraw her as his choice to replace Joel Klein as chancellor of the New York City public schools. 

    Once the panel released their decision there was no comment by Mayor Bloomberg. The two abstaining votes were said to be at this time, and Commissioner Steiner is leaning to have the application resubmitted with a Chief academic officer included.

Friends, Family, and Supporters Celebrate Kenny Agosto's Birthday

    Monday night was the celebration of 80th Assembly Male District Leader Kenny Agosto's 41th birthday. There were many friends, family, supporters, and even a few politicians on hand. New York City Comptroller John Liu said that more people like Kenny Agosto are needed in public office. 78th State Committeeman Ricky Martinez recalled the first time he met Kenny at the Board of Elections when Kenny was running against then Assemblywoman Gloria Davis. Also on hand was newly elected 79th Assemblyman Eric Stevenson, who said that his inauguration was being held on January 8th. 

    While I asked again if he was going to run for the 80th Assembly seat, Kenny again would not commit himself either way. He mentioned redistricting next year, and that he would have to see how the district changes.