Primary Day 2013 Halfway Point

  Today is Primary day 2013 for Democrats and Republicans. While republicans are only choosing between three candidates for Mayor it is a different story for Democrats. Democrats have a choice of 6 candidates for Mayor 2 for City Comptroller, 5 for Public Advocate, 2 for Bronx Borough President, and from 0 - 6 candidates for various city council races. There is an added bonus election this year with the stepping down of former 86th A.D. Assemblyman Nelson Castro where 7 candidates are running. 

  The early turn out is from light to very light, and at minutes before noon time I found one Election District that had no votes cast. There seem to be little problems in using the old Lever Voting machines, unless you happen to be Joe Lhota who had to cast a paper ballot due to a Lever Voting machine breakdown. Paper ballots are on hand at all poll sites just in case any machine becomes inoperative. 

   As for my own exit polling- here in the Bronx (11th and 15th Council Districts) the two Bills are receiving the most votes for Mayor. Outside of the poll workers it was almost impossible to find any Republican voters in the 11th & 15th Council Districts. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is out and campaigning hard all over the Bronx, while I could only see signs of his opponent. The 11th Council District seems to be going the way I called it "Big for Cohen", and the 15th Council District has all 6 candidates working their strengths as you will see in the photos below. 

That's 80th A.D. Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj at the wheel of this Thompson for Mayor vehicle on the road in the 80th A.D.

 

Left - That's 15th Council District candidate Cynthia Thompkins talking to 15th Council District Raquel Batista who is driving around the district. This photo is taken outside the PS 46 poll site, a strong hold for both of these candidates.

Right - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. stopped by the Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy (one of the largest polling sites in the Bronx), and poses with his choice for the 11th Council District Andrew Cohen.

 

 Left - One sign of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.'s opponent has fallen to the bottom of the pole it is on one block from the Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy.

Right - A sign of 11th Council Candidate Andrew Cohen's opponent.

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?

Movie in The Park

   This past Saturday Senator Jeff Klein sponsored the movie "UP" that was shown on a large inflatable movie screen in Seton Park in the Riverdale section of his district. Almost 500 people gathered on the infield and short outfield area to view the movie, and listen to a musical interlude by Alma and Rale Micic.

   Since this event was taking place 2 days before Primary day 2013 the candidates were out in force. Public Advocate candidate Brooklyn State Senator Dan Squadron, and both 11th City Council candidates Andrew Cohen and Cliff Stanton got their campaigning in. Andrew Cohen with Senator Klein and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz while Cliff Stanton gave out Popsicles for votes. 

 

Left - Public Advocate candidate Senator Dan Squadron with 11th City Council candidate Andrew Cohen.

Right - Two Cliff Stanton people give out Popsicles. 

 

Left - A clip from the movie "UP" being shown on a large inflatable screen in Seton Park.

Right - Where some Popsicle wrappers and sticks wound up in the park.

 

NYPD BEE EXPERT REMOVES HIVE AT KOPPELL’S REQUEST

  

Council Member Oliver Koppell moved quickly to protect residents from being stung by bees swarming from a hive nested in a tree overlooking the playground at 3901 Independence Avenue.   A mother, whose son had been stung, indicated to Koppell that the Board President had called 311 three times about the problem but nothing had been done.

“I was concerned,” Koppell said, “because, in addition to being painful, bee stings can be extremely dangerous to people who are allergic.”

Koppell turned to the NYPD, where for the past 18 years, Officer Anthony Planakis, known as “Tony Bees,” has been charged with removing bee swarms throughout the Metro area. It’s well known throughout the city that “wherever they are, if it’s got to do with bees, you gotta call Tony Bees.” Tony, himself, is a passionate beekeeper with a bee farm in Newtown, Connecticut.   He began his beekeeping activities as a teenager, learning from his Cypress born-father, who also kept bees since he was a boy. 

“I wanted an expert to remove the bees without harming them or the people in the neighboring area,” Koppell said.  “I am happy that the NYPD was able to provide this expertise.”

It appears that that has been an increase in bee swarms in the city.  As well as Mr. Planakis, residents with a bee problem can call on two bee rescue teams: New York City Beekeeping and the New York City Beekeepers Association.

-30-

Cohen to Win 11th Council District Easy

Here is this weeks Riverdale Report from the Bronx News.

  

Riverdale Report

By Robert Press

Cohen to Win 11^th Council District Easy

   As I wrote back in July, I still think that 11^th City council candidate Andrew Cohen will be victorious, and by a huge margin over his opponent Cliff Stanton. My prediction then was and still is that Andrew Cohen will get 83 percent of the vote recorded for the 11^th City Council race with a margin of error of 5 percent. Mr. Stanton never set the district on fire in the year advantage he had since announcing his candidacy in January of 2012. There was disappointment after disappointment during the campaign when certain people who had expressed interest in running decided not to and they then endorsed Andrew Cohen. Mr. Stanton has campaigned hard in the Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Kingsbridge Heights, and Van Cortlandt Village areas, but knocking off the ballot a Hispanic man and a Black woman might not have been the best strategy if one wants to win in minority areas of the district. I have been told by some people who might have voted for him that it is that and some of those who Mr. Stanton has aligned himself with that had turned them away from voting for him. I know that I will be voting for Andrew Cohen when I go to vote in the 11^th City Council district.

   So don't forget to go out and vote on Primary Day Tuesday September 10^th. For Republicans there is only a race for Mayor, while for Democrats it is for Mayor, City Comptroller, Public Advocate, Bronx Borough President and City Council if you live in the 8^th, 11^th, 12^th, 14^th, 15^th, 16^th, 17^th, and 18^th districts in the Bronx. Since the Primary Day results will not be in until after our publishing deadline I will have the results in two weeks for you. You can check my blog the day after election day for the results. Four years ago I called the 11^th City Council race with in one percentage point.

   Last Tuesday State Senator Jeff Klein hosted a concert in Seton Park by the wonderful Dionne Warwick. It was estimated that over 1,000 people came out to see Ms. Warwick sing her great songs in person. One could hear the sing along from many in the audience as the 72 year old Ms. Warwick kept singing hit after hit. The little longer than one hour non stop performance seemed to go by as minutes some people said to me after the concert. To see more of the concert with photos of Ms. Warwick, and the politicians who were there you can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com.

   Also on my blog is the latest listing of events that are going on at Wave Hill. The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park have a busy schedule coming up in the fall, and you can see it on my blog. Just check the archive section on the lower left and check the previous month August for the listings.

Bronx Community Board #8 is gearing up to get back into business after a short summer vacation, so you may want to go to the CB8 website to check out the meetings, dates, places, and topics of discussion as they are scheduled by the board and its committees.

   If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com .

SEPT 18 HISPANIC HERITAGE LUNCHEON

BX Chamber of Commerce

       

City Parks Foundation - Free Bronx Fitness Classes

CITY PARKS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES FALL 2013 SEASON OF CITYPARKS SENIORS FITNESS
Free Yoga and Fitness Walking Instruction in the Bronx
September 23rd - November 1st, 2013

City Parks Foundation welcomes all New Yorkers, 60 and over, to participate in CityParks Seniors Fitness. The Fall 2013 season of free fitness programs will begin the week of September 23^rd and will offer free yoga instruction and fitness walking in 3 parks throughout the Bronx.
This season, CityParks Seniors Fitness returns for six weeks to Pelham Bay Park, Soundview, and Van Cortlandt/Woodlawn Park. All activities will take place twice a week for one hour at each park through November 1, 2013. Participants are encouraged to maintain regular attendance to maximize health benefits. All equipment and instruction is provided free of charge.
CityParksSeniors Fitness has served over 5,000 participants since it began in 2006 and aims to keep neighborhood parks a great place for community activity.  The program encourages New Yorkers to maximize the health benefits of staying active at every age. Even in moderate amounts, exercise can help participants feel better, maintain or lose weight, reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, and minimize the symptoms of arthritis.
The following is a detailed schedule for CityParks Seniors Fitness in the Bronx for Fall 2013:
NOTE: Schedule subject to change. For the most up-to-date schedule visit: http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/sports/seniors-fitness.
For more information about City Parks Foundation’s free Seniors Fitness programs, please call the Sports Department at (718) 760–6999.
BRONX Pelham Bay Park Yoga – Tuesdays/Thursdays at 9 AM – Middletown Rd. and Stadium Ave.
Soundview Park Walking – Mondays/Wednesdays at 9 AM – Lafayette Ave. between Boynton Ave. and Colgate Ave.
Yoga – Mondays/Wednesdays at 10 AM – Lafayette Ave. between Boynton Ave. and Colgate Ave.
Van Cortlandt Park/Woodlawn Walking – Tuesdays/Thursdays at 9 AM – Woodlawn Tennis Courts at Jerome Ave. and E. 233^rd St. Yoga – Mondays/Wednesdays at 9 AM – Woodlawn Tennis Courts at Jerome Ave. and E. 233^rd St

About City Parks Foundation City Parks Foundation is the only independent, nonprofit organization to offer park programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City. We work in over 750 parks citywide, presenting a broad range of free arts, sports, and education programs, and empowering citizens to support their parks on a local level. Our programs and community building initiatives reach more than 600,000 people each year, contributing to the revitalization of neighborhoods throughout New York City.
Follow City Parks Foundation via the below links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityParksFoundation
Twitter: @CPFNYC 

Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo Team Up to Rid Bronx of Violent Nightclubs

  Lawmakers Urge Governor to Sign Legislation into Law That Can Help Shut Down NYC Nightclubs with Violent Track Records

   Standing in front of the infamous nightclub, Club Eleven, in the Hunts Point area of the Bronx, Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo announced legislation passed by both houses in the state legislature that would close the information gap between the New York Police Department and State Liquor Authority when it comes to crimes committed at bars, nightclubs and restaurants with liquor licenses.

In the wake of a prolonged effort by the Hunts Point community to revoke the liquor licenses of crime-plagued nightclubs like Club Eleven, Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo successfully sponsored legislation to help shut down licensed institutions with track records of criminal activity. Under their legislation, communities would be able to recommend what types of information the NYPD provide the SLA regarding criminal activity at licensed establishments.

This legislation would also establish a systematic process for the NYPD to transfer usable information on criminal activities to the SLA. This would allow the SLA to be systematically informed of all crimes and complaints that could threaten a community’s quality of life or put residents in danger. These crimes could include, assault, prostitution, drug trafficking, unreasonable noise, littering, obstructing a pedestrian, public urination or underage drinking. With this additional information, the SLA would have a more complete profile of the frequency and types of criminal activity occurring at and around venues with liquor licenses.

Alongside community leaders from across the Bronx, Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo called on Governor Cuomo to sign this legislation into law.

Senate Majority Coalition Leader Jeff Klein said, “Establishments like Club Eleven are cesspools of violence and crime that have no place in our strong, working class communities. That’s why Assemblyman Crespo and community leaders from across the Bronx urge Governor Cuomo to immediately sign this bill into law. This law would encourage better communication between the SLA and the NYPD regarding criminal activity, allowing the SLA to better understand how certain licensed venues are putting the community’s quality of life in jeopardy. By making sure we are all on the same page, I believe we can get in front of the violence and keep our communities safe and our neighborhoods strong.”

"We have the fabric of communities all across our state being torn apart and the safety of New Yorkers threatened by establishments that abuse their privilege to hold a State liquor license. This legislation will help the State Liquor Authority (SLA) access police data on crimes committed at and around licensed businesses. It will also allow for additional community input so that the SLA will be able to make a better determination on granting or renewing liquor licenses,” said Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, member of the Assembly Standing Committee on Cities. “These changes to the law are part of the ongoing work of Senator Klein and myself to improve public safety and make our neighborhoods a safer place to live and raise our families. I urge Governor Cuomo to sign this legislation into law."

Community Board 2 Chair Dr. Ian Amritt said, "Our community board has done everything possible to protect our neighborhood from the violence and destruction that center around nightclubs like Club Eleven. While we are concerned about violent crimes that happen at venues like Club Eleven, our community is also deeply affected by other issues like noise, reckless driving and littering. This legislation would allow us to give law enforcement and the SLA a fuller picture of how certain local bars and lounges are truly compromising our quality of life. I thank Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo for their leadership on this issue and urge Governor Cuomo to sign this legislation into law.”