Klein Wins Ben Franklin Endorsement BIG

  The Ben Franklin Club endorsement of Jeff Klein in the 34th state senate district over Oliver Koppel in Koppell's own club should have sent a message to Koppell. It got nasty at times as Koppell's strategy seemed to be to have his club not endorse for the 34th state senate rather than fight a battle he may not have been able to win. Long time members of the club spoke about honor and loyalty, but in the end it would be Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz that would be the last speaker and remind everyone of the night at the Paridise Theater in 2008. That night is better known as the battle for control of the Bronx Democratic County organization. Dinowitz said that as a candidate for County Committee Chair while he was being thrashed in the back of the theater Oliver Koppell was on stage supporting those who were trying to stay in power such as Jose Rivera, Larry Seabrook, and Maria Baez. Dinowitz said "Where was your loyalty then Oliver?" He continued talking about the next year in the mayors race not only did Oliver Koppell not support the Democratic candidate Bill Thompson, but Oliver Koppell supported the Republican candidate that he allowed to run for a third term by overturning the will of the people who voted two times for term limits. You could hear in his voice that Assemblyman Dinowitz's voice that he did not want to say these things, but on order to get the point across he had to. The photos below should tell the rest of the story. 

Left - Senator Jeff Klein was greeting members of the Ben Franklin Club before the meeting started.

Right - You can see the packed house.

 

Left - Lorraine Coyle Koppell seated next to her husband Oliver Koppell goes over some last minute strategy. Senator Klein is seated two rows back of the Koppell's.

Right - Candidate Oliver Koppell giving reasons why he should receive the Ben Franklin endorsement in the 34th senate district.

Left - Senator Klein speaks as to why the club should endorse him.

Right - Lorraine Coyle Koppell speaks in favor of her husband.

 

Left - Koppell is challenged by one Ben Franklin Club member as to his overturning the will of the people twice in changing the term limit law so that he and Republican Mayor Bloomberg could serve another 4 year term in office.

Right - Koppell's wife challenges Senator Klein as to him empowering Republicans to be in charge of the state senate.

 

Left - State Senator Gustavo Rivera from the 33rd state senate district in the Bronx asks the club to vote for Oliver Koppell over Senator Jeff Klein.

Right - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz had the final words before the club voted. Dinowitz criticized Oliver Koppell for that night in 2008 at the Paradise Theater when Koppell chose to support Jose Rivera over Dinopwitz for Bronx Democratic County Committee Chair. Jose Rivera is supporting Jeff Klein this election.

Finally the votes are counted to see if the Ben Franklin Club will endorse Senator Jeff Klein, Oliver Koppell, or not endorse in the 34th state senate district.

The results of the vote by Ben Franklin Club members were -

96 - votes to endorse Senator Jeff Klein for re-election

38 - votes to endorse Oliver Koppell 

11 - votes not to endorse 

It was a clear decisive victory for Senator Jeff Klein.

On her way out Lorraine Coyle Koppell told me " It's a sad day for the Ben Franklin Club, It has lost it's reason for it's existence".

Senator Klein was very happy to win the endorsement of the Ben Franklin Club as he told me that he now has every Democratic club in the 34th senate district behind him for re-election.

State Senate Forum and Endorsement Meeting at Ben Franklin Democtatic Club

BEN FRANKLIN CLUB HOSTS CANDIDATE FORUM AND ENDORSEMENT MEETING 

WHO: STATE SENATOR JEFF KLEIN; STATE SENATE CANDIDATE OLIVER KOPPELL; 34TH AND 36TH DISTRICTS.

THURSDAY, MAY 22ND AT 7PM

AMERICAN LEGION HALL  3035 CORLEAR AVENUE, BRONX NY 10463 BETWEEN WEST 230TH AND WEST 231ST  STREET

Patterson Dem Takover of State Senate Not High on His List of Priorities

  In a State of the Politics article new State Democratic Party leader David Patterson says that a takeover of the state senate by Democrats doesn't have to happen this year. Patterson is quoted as saying - “It’s possible, but I don’t want to raise expectations.” He noted that he lowered expectations when he took over the Democratic conference in 2002, ending the idea that the minority needed to win six seats all in one fell swoop. “I don’t necessarily think that has to happen,” the former governor continued. “…when you have less resources…you have to have a plan that’s sometimes more pragmatic than hopeful.”

  This plan of action however goes against current DSSC  Chairman Mike Gianaris who thinks that Democrats can win back the majority they lost. Patterson raises the need to unify senate Democrats, saying that he would like to see the Independent Democratic Conference members rejoin the Senate Democratic Conference, adding that they won on the Democratic Party line. Patterson adds that he has not met with Senator Klein, and a reunification looks unlikely in the short term since the State Democratic Conference has put up challengers to Klein and fellow IDC member Tony Avella. Patterson added that he wants to talk to the three statewide party candidates before he embarks on a plan of action.

David Patterson New State Democratic Party Chairman

  At the State Democratic Party convention in Melville Long Island Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that former Governor David Patterson would become the State Democratic Party Chairman. Patterson replaces Manhattan Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Keith Wright who became the sole state party leader when his co-chair Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner recently stepped down as co-chair after a battle with Governor Cuomo on certain state budget issues. 

  It is being reported that Assemblyman Wright could be under investigation for putting in for per diems when he was not in Albany. Nothing further has been reported as of now except that Assemblyman Wright said that he told the governor at the time of taking over that he would serve as state party chair for only a two year term.  

  New state democratic Party Chairman David Patterson said that he is honored to have been asked by the governor to head the state party as it prepares for victory in November. Patterson went on to say all the things that the Democratic Party in New York stands for, and that he is looking forward to working with Governor Andrew Cuomo to build on what the state party has already accomplished.

SENATOR JEFF KLEIN AND ASSEMBLYMEMBER MARK GJONAJ ENDORSE ADRIANO ESPAILLAT FOR CONGRESS

  New York State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein and New York State Assembly member Mark Gjonaj  announced their support for Adriano Espaillat in the NY-13 Congressional Primary, adding to a series of Bronx endorsements. This support comes in the wake of several major labor union endorsements including RWDSU, DC 9, UFT and HTC who announced their support earlier this month and joins a broad coalition of support for Espaillat from across the District.

“I am pleased to announce my support for my friend and longtime colleague Adriano Espaillat today,” Jeff Klein, 34^th District State Senator said. “Adriano has focused his campaign on creating opportunity for all, through smart economic development, new affordable housing initiatives and equal education options – all of which the residents of The Bronx could hugely benefit from. We need a Congress member who is focused on the next twenty years not just the next two – it is time for a new voice to represent this District and Adriano Espaillat is that voice.”

“Adriano Espaillat will bring opportunity to The Bronx and I am proud to endorse his candidacy for Congress today,” Mark Gjonaj, 80^th District State Assembly member said. “Adriano has been a fighter for affordable housing. If our communities are going to stay communities we need a voice like Adriano’s in Congress. He has a smart economic development plan that will keep our small businesses in business, our residents’ apartments affordable and our neighborhoods thriving. I look forward to working with him on his campaign and in Congress to do just that.”

“I am proud to receive the support of Senator Klein and Assembly member Gjonaj today,” Adriano Espaillat, 13^th District Congressional Candidate said. “The 13^th District spans a diverse community in Upper Manhattan and The Bronx and with their support I know I can unite the District in the fight for affordable housing, thoughtful economic development and education Opportunity for All.”

Liu to Primary State Senator Tony Avella

  Former City Comptroller and failed mayoral candidate John Liu has decided to primary State Senator Tony Avella according to a Daily New Story here. The News also says that the Queens Democratic County Organization is set to endorse the candidacy of John Liu for State Senate. This would be the second member of the Independent Democratic Conference to be challenged this year in a primary. State Senator Jeff Klein is also facing a primary challenge from former city councilman Oliver Koppell.

  It looks like all out war in the state senate between the Senate Democratic Conference and the Independent Democratic Conference members. It seems like a great time to be a Republican in the state senate since both factions of the Democratic Party are fighting. This Democratic infighting could led back to a Republican majority in the state senate.

Bronx Week Parade and Music & Food Festival 2014

  It was a beautiful sunny day for the annual Bronx Week finale. As usual the parade started a little late, but it seemed that everyone watching knew that as many came right before it started. Hundreds lined the Mosholu Parkway to get a view of the two hour event that was then capped off by the Music & Food Festival.

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was joined by Bharati S. Kernrat of Bronxnet Television as his co host of the parade. The two gave an exciting description of just who was passing the reviewing area and what they were going to do if they were to perform. The many schools in the parade stopped by the reviewing area to show off their talents as you will see in some of the photos below. 

  The Bronx Week honorees were Grammy-award winning hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz, actor and star of Showtime’s “Dexter” David Zayas, film and TV star Rachel Ticotin, New York Jets offensive lineman William M. Colon III and Tony-award winner Priscilla Lopez. Unfortunately Swizz Beatz had business to attend to, but he attended several Bronx Week events including the Bronx Week Kick off on May 8th. 

  There were many elected officials also in attendance which there is not enough room to mention them all so let's go right to the photos of the Bronx Week Parade.

Left - BP Diaz and Bharati Kernrat are at the microphones describing who is coming as the honorees sit in the front row on stage.

Left - Former Jet Willie M. Colon says a few words. 

 

Left - Bronx Historian Lloyd Ultan is seated next to Honoree Willie M.Colon.

Right - The PS 170 Steppers.

 

 Left - The Soundview Academy for Culture and Scholarship.

Right - The MS 131 Cheerleaders.

 

Left - Councilman Andy King marches with a youth group from his district.

Right - That's Miss New York State marching with the Bronx Bridges.

Left - The De Witt Clinton High School Cheerleaders.

Right - Honoree Priscilla Lopez talks to children from IS 76 about not giving up. Ms. Lopez is a graduate of IS 76.

Left - The Garifuna Coalition USA.

Right - The Bronx LGBTQ Center.

 

Left - The MTA brought one of the buses that rolled down Bronx streets 50 years ago.

Right - After the parade BP Diaz, Honoree David Zayas, Councilman Andy King with his daughter on his shoulders, Honoree Willie M. Colon and co-host Bharati Kernrat.

Upcoming Events at the Van Cortlandt Senior Center

Upcoming activities and special events at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center in late May and June 2014:

New Music & Memories class with flutist, Yael Acher, will continue on Wed. mornings at 11:00 AM.

New Ballroom Dance class with Arturo Perez will meet on Tues. June 10th and 24th at 1:00 PM.

Thurs. May 29th: The Meetles, a 6-member Rock Tribute Band will play 60’s and 70’s rock classics at 1:00 PM. Recommended senior meal contribution is $3.00 plus $2.00 for event. Non- senior meal fee is $6.15 and $3.00 for event.
Please call in special event meal reservations to the senior center office 718-549-4700 in advance.

Join us on Sunday, June 8th for a delectable lunch of Tilapia Francaise and Quinoa and dynamic entertainment by Ricky Pen, international singer/keyboard player. Recommended senior meal contribution is $3.00 plus $2.00 for event. Non-senior meal fee is $6.15 and $3.00 for event.
Please call in special event meal reservations to the senior center office 718-549-4700 in advance.

Goldman Sachs volunteers will be gardening and decorating JASA Van Cortlandt Sr. Center on Fri. June 13th. Chicken lunch will be sponsored by GS Community Team Works. After lunch entertainment by Bryan Lammers, lively R&B keyboard/vocal music. All ages are welcome. Please call the center at 718-549-4700 for advance meal reservations.

CANTANDO ASI: Lisa & Josue, Spanish Guitar Duo w/Angel Feliciano, Tenor will present romantic songs from Puerto Rico on Tues. June 17th at 1:00 PM. Honey Chicken meal will be served at 12:15 PM. Recommended senior meal contribution is $2.00 plus $2.00 for event. Non-senior meal fee is $6.15 and $3.00 for event.

Please call in meal reservations to the senior center office 718-549-4700 in advance.

Bronx Opera Company Ensemble will present a varied program of classic and Broadway favorites on Wed. June 25th at 6:30 PM. Honey lemon chicken and yams will be served at 5:30 PM. Recommended senior meal contribution is $3.00 plus $2.00 for event. Non-senior meal fee is $6.15 and $3.00 for event.

Please call in meal reservations to the senior center office 718-549-4700 in advance.

Rose and Meir Beer will present Yiddish and Hebrew songs at belated Shavuot Oneg Shabbat program on Fri. June 27th at 1:00 PM. (Roast chicken will be served at 12:15 PM.) Recommended senior meal contribution is $2.00 plus $1.00 for event.

JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center offers Senior Fitness on Mon., Exercise, Tai Chi and Ballroom Dance on Tues., Gentle Exercise and Flowing Yoga on Wed. PM, Yoga on Thurs. and Tone & Stretch on Fri. All exercise instructors are certified. Call the center at 718-549-4700 for dates and times of these classes.

All meals at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center are catered by Mauzone (kosher) Meal Service. We offer a daily alternate choice of main dish. Refreshments are served at all cultural arts events.
JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center is are located in the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center at 3880 Sedgwick Ave. (on the first floor). Take the Bronx #1, 2 or 10 bus to the intersection of Sedgwick Ave. and Van Cortlandt Ave. West. For more information, please call the center office at 718-549-4700.