Kingsbridge National Ice Center at the Armory Supported by B.P.Diaz and Others.

  With six proposals submitted in the second round to develop the Kingsbridge Armory they were reduced down to only two. One proposal for nine regulation hockey rinks led at the Armory led by  former New York Rangers superstar Mark Messier along with 2002 Olympic Gold Medalist (in women's figure skating) Sarah Hughes. The second proposal is for a variety of items including a Business Incubator that Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank said "Looks a lot like a flea market" when Mr. Axelbank did a show recently on the two proposals. 

   Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. along with several local elected officials gave their endorsement to the proposal submitted by The Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC). Diaz said that the Bronx has the  "Greatest baseball team, a top-flight golf course and tennis center under constructed, and with this plan perhaps the greatest ice sports center in the nation". Diaz spoke of a similar project done in an inner city area of Philadelphia that has resulted in better academics and positive attitudes of at risk students who have participated in the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Program. Diaz also said that KNIC has said that up to the 1,000 construction and hundreds of permanent jobs created would be "Living Wages". 

   Rangers great Mark Messier said "If approved this could change the sport as well as New York City". He also stumbled a moment as he could not remember if it was 6 or 7 years since he retired for the sport of Ice Hockey. Sarah Hughes spoke of the opportunities that the children could have like she was able to have. The local elected officials then spoke. Councilman G. Oliver Koppel who 15 years ago wanted to have a sports center at the armory said "It is almost a dream come true" to him if the KNIC proposal is chosen by the city Economic Development Corporation. Senator Gustavo Rivera said  he lives one and a half blocks away, and that he would like to be a part of the development committee if this proposal is chosen by EDC. Assemblyman Nelson Castro said that the armory may not be in his district, but it is a great opportunity for creation of new jobs. Assemblyman Jose Rivera spoke of the 27 million dollar cost to repair and renovate the armory building in 1996, and to me it seemed that the assemblyman was trying to take credit for something he didn't do.

   When asked about demand for the ice rinks B.P.Diaz told of the ice skating rink in Van Cortlandt Park, the request for one at 161st Street, Bronx schools could now have ice skating or hockey teams, and finished with the old baseball saying "If you build it they will come". Diaz then thanked the mayor, and said we should know in a month or two which proposal is chosen.

   After the press conference I was handed a sheet of paper (from a woman) with a statement from the other developer Youngwoo Associates Inc. We spoke for a few minutes and I said that the KNIC proposal does not replicate any business in the ares, and would bring new business to the area around the armory also, where as the Youngwoo proposal looks like a giant flea market, will be in direct competition with current merchants, and would not be paying living wage jobs, some thing that was on the sheet of paper she gave me. 

   I agree with B.P. Diaz on his choice of the KNIC proposal. As we mentioned above it does not replicate any business in the neighborhood, will bring new jobs along with new businesses in the area, and other new jobs.  Below are a few photos.

   

Left- BP Diaz and Mark Messier.

Right - A group shot.as BP Diaz speaks.

Left - Another group photo as BP Diaz speaks.

Eight - A mock up of what the armory would look like with this proposal.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

BRONXTALK 87th A.D. DEBATE

  You can see by the photo above Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank is on the left, with 87th A.D. candidates Daniel Figueroa III (center), and Luis Sepulveda (right) as all are smiling before the debate took place. As  the countdown to air time approached Mr. Axelbank broke the tension by telling some of the highlights of the 35 previous debates that were held on the show. No phone calls to the show are allowed during a debate, as one year there were several callers attacking one candidate in what appeared to be staged by the other candidate. 

   The first question was about being a Bronx Democrat that both candidates answered similarly. On the question of what makes a good elected official Sepulveda mentioned his good working relationship with elected officials such as Bronx B.P. Ruben Diaz Jr., Senator Jeff Klein, Councilwoman Anabel Palma all who cover parts of the 87th A.D. Figueroa countered by saying "elected officials are not doing the best job that they can". Sepulveda spoke of the 21 years of his community service helping many people at no cost in matters of law, giving the example of the renovation of the #6 Parkchester elevated subway station that was done without full handicap access, and how he is suing the MTA for an elevator. Figueroa claimed that it has been only two years that Sepulveda has been doing that.

   On the question of the non reappointment of 14 members of Community Board #9 Figueroa said they were active in the community who voted against a project that B.P. Diaz wanted passed. Sepulveda replied by saying that one would have to ask B.P. Diaz that question not him. Figueroa then said that Sepulvedas Communication Director Kenneth Thomas was appointed to CB9, and that would be a conflict of interest. Sepulveda countered by saying Mr. Thomas is highly qualified for the community board, sent in an application, and was placed on the board. I became a little puzzled when Figueroa reiterated that it would be a conflict of interest by Mr. Thomas, or was he saying that he knew that Sepulveda is going to win and is going to hire Mr. Thomas as an assembly staffer?

   On the question of "Gay Marriage" Sepulveda tried to skirt the question by saying that Gay Marriage is already a law in New York Where as Figueroa tried to go after Sepulveda by saying that two years ago Sepulveda did not take a position on the issue. Figueroa said that he was was Pro Gay Marriage, and Sepulveda countered that he has helped many people in the gay community, and that the Stonewall Democrats have endorsed him.

   On the question of low voter turnout Figueroa said that 9 out of 10 people in the district do not vote, and there is a huge disconnect between the voters and their elected officials. Sepulveda said that you have to register people to vote, get to know the voters in the district, and that he has knocked on over 15,000 doors.

   In what turned out to be brief closing statements Figueroa said that he has been in the district for 25 years, knows all the parts of the district, and the issues. Sepukveda said that he is a person that gets things done, mentioned some union, a few elected officials, and the Bronx Democratic organization who have endorsed his candidacy, and ended by saying that he wants to bring new jobs to the district by bringing new businesses to the district.

   It appeared to me that candidate Figueroa was more the aggressor and candidate Sepulveda was more laid back and professional, especially when Figueroa tried to go after one of Sepulveda's campaign workers by saying that he has a conflict of interest when it does not exist. After the debate I spoke to each side who felt they were the winner in the debate.

   To see the 87th A.D. debate from Monday Night click here  , and decide for yourself. 

Next Mondays debate of the candidates from the 80th A.D. has been rescheduled, and we will have the date and time for you as soon as we get it.

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CELEBRATE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

CELEBRATE THE 75^TH ANNIVERSARY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 22, 2012

10;30AM TO 12 NOON

In the Rotunda Bronx County Building

Grand Concourse at East 161st Street

(The 4 train or D train to 161st Street)

 

Light breakfast and birthday cake to be served

For More Information call:  212-807-0555

 

STATE AG & BRONX DA NOW INCESTIGATING ASSEMBLYWOMANRIVERA

The New York Post in the third straight daily story (and second front page story) now reports that Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera is being investigated by the New York Attorney General and Bronx DA concerning her ties to a  Bronx non for profit. the link to the story is below.

Tuesday's front page is titled "SHEETS HIT THE FAN", and the story is  "Naomi's Hire Love is Probed 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Is Governor Cuomo Involved in Local Bronx Politics?

You should know that Governor Andrew Cuomo has been apathetic about getting involved in the 2012 New York State political races and supporting candidates.  His indifference has gotten to the point where there are many State Senators complaining about the Governor’s refusal to support Democrats, leaving Senate Democrats in jeopardy by possibly allowing the Republicans to remain in the Senate Majority.

My question is to ask if the Governor is indirectly and perhaps surreptitiously involved in local politics by getting at least one of his Commissioners to actively support a  candidate  of his choice while the Governor remains silent.

A case that shows this point is what we see on a palm card for the Democratic Primary 2012 that shows how Peter M. Rivera, New York State Labor Commissioner, is indeed electioneering in a primary race for the seat he left open when he stepped out of the New York State Assembly and entered the Cuomo Cabinet.

As you can see on the attached palm card, Commissioner Peter M. Rivera is endorsing his longtime chief of staff, Danny Figueroa.

The questions we must ask are: Is New York State Labor Commissioner Peter M. Rivera doing this on his own or is he doing this at the behest of Governor Andrew Cuomo? Is the office of the Governor involved directly or indirectly?

Like all elected officials in New York State, I am well aware of the limits we have and how we cannot use our public office for politics.  If there is any sense that we are using our public offices improperly, we run the risk of having an investigation by the Ethics Commission.

I must ask to which point is it correct for this Governor to have his Commissioner Peter M. Rivera officially involved in local politics and in a primary election?

Either/or, it doesn’t seem right.

I am State Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

Senator Ruben Diaz
whatyoushouldknow@aol.com

_____________________________________________________ 

We must add that the palm card looks like Peter Rivera is running for his old assembly seat (especially by the old photo), and could wind up confusing many voters for Mr. Figueroa as they may write in the name of Peter Rivera instead.

UPDATE 
In a statement for Commissioner Perter Rivera it is said that Peter Rivera did not authorize the use of his name or title on  the above palm card.

 

ANOTHER "BOY TOY" in the 80th A.D.

   Here we go again, here is the link to the New York Post front page story titled "SUGAR MAMA" about another "BOY TOY" of 80th A.D. Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera by Post reporter Candice Giove.

    Here is the link to the Monday follow up story  by the New York Post, which includes that the Department of Education is looking into "BOY TOY #2 as to his hours worked in the Brooklyn school.

Willie Colon Concert at Lehman College

     It was more than ten years since Bronx born Salsa star Willie Colon performed at the Lehman College Center for Performing Arts, and last night he returned to give a fantastic sold out show called "La Historia".  

    The Willie Colon concert is part of a Salsa and Jazz program that the Center has scheduled for this fall, and after a brief description of the series of concerts the show began. 

    Mr. Gerson Borrero a "Veteran Journalist", and close friend came out on stage to give the audience a little background of Mr. Willie Colon. From the days of growing up in the South Bronx (as it was called then), learning to play the trumpet at age 14, and then going on to become one of the worlds best known musicians. 

    After Mr. Borrero left the stage the curtain opened on the 16 piece Colon band, and Willie Colon came out to open the concert with one of his hit songs "I'm Dreaming". After the song Willie spoke a little about the other people that he has worked with in the past, and then told some jokes (that were really great stories) about his early days in show business. His next song was "Time to Kill" which included a vivid background on the large screen behind him and the band.

    Willie explained the next song by saying that he was an activist on issues that no one wanted to talk about at the time. He added that a lot of people were mad at him for his next song, but the song was #1 in Latin America for ten weeks in a row. The song was "Summer of Simon" about a boy who was very sick, and later died of what was found out to be AIDs.

    One of Willie's jokes (sounding much like an old vaudeville routine) was about sex. He said sex is great, but you also need romance. He went on to say that he goes out with his wife of 34 years to a charming restaurant twice a week. Willie said that she goes on Tuesdays, and he goes on Thursdays.

    After a few more songs there was a short intermission, where as Willie Colon continued his songs, jokes and remembrances. One of the famous parts of a Willie Colon concert is the "Dueling Trombones" that was done more than once last night. The last song was in memory of those who have worked with or for him that have passed away over the years. 

    I was fortunate to go backstage after the show to see Willie Colon who is an old friend of mine, and below is a photo of  another old friend of Willie, Ricardo "Ricky" Martinez.

    You van visit Willie Colon at his homepage  or tweet him at williecolon@twitter .

   

LIU STATEMENT CABLEVISION BLACKOUT

City Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following on Cablevision’s blackout of WPIX:

“These blackouts are happening all too often.  Cablevision, as a City Franchisee and service provider, should do all it can to ensure that this blackout is resolved swiftly because New Yorkers deserve to get what they pay for, not be unfairly punished because of battling corporate interests.  If a swift resolution cannot be achieved, the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications must step up to hold the provider accountable to the subscribers, who feel the brunt of this irresponsible disagreement.”

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We want to add that we can not understand why since one can can phone service from any carrier, that one can not get cable television service from any cable provider. Especially now since we can not see WPIX. We want to know if the subscribers to Cablevision will be getting a refund for the lack of service.

What's your opinion on the matter.