What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

With Friends Like That, Who Needs Enemies?


You should know that here in Albany, you can find bookies taking and placing bets all over the place. Ever since U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara released the names of six Democratic Senators who were recorded by
disgraced Senator Shirley Huntley, Albany has become an ambulatory casino in New York State.

Senators Ruth Hassell-Thompson, Velmanette Montgomery, Eric Adams, José Peralta, John Sampson and Malcolm Smith were all recorded by Senator Shirley Huntley after she was caught with her hand in the cookie jar.  She tried to save her skin by coming to an agreement with the FBI to wear recording equipment where she secretly, hypocritically invited people who were supposed to be her friends to visit her at her house – just to record them and try to bring them down.

With friends like that, who needs enemies?

It is important for you to know that only their names were released. Nothing concrete and nothing damaging about them has ever been revealed. It is for that reason that all of the bookies and crapshooters are going
around, placing their bets and playing their games.

Some high-rollers here in the State Capitol are also betting on the odds of Assemblyman Sheldon Silver’s future as Speaker after his secret handling of sexual abuse cases in the Assembly.  It’s hard to walk in any room in Albany without hearing someone discussing the odds of how much time Assemblyman Silver has left.

Friends and foes are going all around the State Capitol wagering about who they think will be the next elected official to go down.  Some are gambling about who they think is going around wearing recording devices.  They’re also placing their odds about who is inviting their colleagues to dinners and parties under the disguise of friendship, just to put them in jail.

With friends like that, who needs enemies?

So far, the biggest surprise of all in this mess was the comment made by a Queens Senator (and Democrat) Tony Avella, to Mr. Ken Lovett from the New York Daily News when he was asked to comment.  Mr. Lovett reported: “Avella said he's not surprised that fellow Queens Democrat Sen. Jose Peralta is among the six sitting senators ex-Sen. Shirley Huntley is said to have met with at her home while wearing a wire for the FBI.”

It appears to me that Senator Tony Avella placed himself in the role judge, jury and executioner to publicly condemn Senator José Peralta to the world.

If Senator Avella does not know about actual wrong-doings by Senator Peralta, then Senator Tony Avella owes a public apology to Senator José Peralta, to Senator Peralta’s constituents, to his Democratic colleagues, to the Hispanic community – and especially to the Dominican community.

In fact, if Senator Tony Avella was bearing false witness to Mr. Ken Lovett about Senator José Peralta, I’d have to say that Senator Avella owes an apology to the entire Borough of Queens since his words may have ruined Senator Peralta’s chances of becoming the Queens Borough President. This could be true even if there are no criminal charges ever brought against Senator Peralta and even if Senator Peralta proves to be the cleanest person on the earth!

If, on the other hand, Senator Tony Avella knows something about José Peralta that I don’t know about, then I will be the one who owes an apology to Tony Avella.

“My friends are my friends with all of their virtues and all of their defects,” my father used to say to my mother when I was young.

My father, Mr. Isaac Diaz Amecquita was well-known in Puerto Rico for his virtues as a carpenter, as a dominoes player, but also by his fidelity to his friends.  To the world, he would defend his friends whenever they were criticized.  He never abandoned his friends, especially when they were down.  These childhood memories cause me to compare how friendships were valued in those days and how they are valued now.  I also remember the old saying: “A friend is a dollar in your pocket, and if the pocket is broken, there is no friend.”

So, ladies and gentlemen, with friends like Tony Avella, Senator Peralta needs no enemies.

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

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Bronx Week Parade, Food and Music Festival

  It may have rained, enough to cancel the Yankee game, but it didn't rain hard enough to damper the spirits enough to cancel the Bronx Week Parade, Food and Music Festival today on Mosholu Parkway. While some people and a few elected officials stayed away in drier places, there still were over 1,000 proud Bronxites who marched in the Bronx Week Parade on Mosholu Parkway, and then enjoyed the Food and Music Festival. The Parade was co-hosted by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and NY 1 Bronx reporter Dean Meminger.

   The Bronx Week Parade started off with the NYPD and NYFD, then came the marchers as the three Bronx Walk of Fame honorees arrived at the viewing stand. Famous actress Ellen Barkin, former NY State Attorney General and Bronx BP Robert Abrams, and musician Miguel Angel Amadeo then went onto the stage to watch the rest of the Bronx Week Parade.  As was the case in last years parade the theme again this year was all about the children and their future. 

   Parade highlights - The "Dynamic Duo" of BP Diaz and NY 1 reporter Dean Meminger, The Bronx Young Democrats, The fact that this event started under then Bronx BP Robert Abrams as "Bronx Day", Councilman Joel Rivera's Chief of staff marching four different times in the parade as was noted by BP Diaz, and of course the hundreds of children marching and performing.

Left - the start of the Bronx Week Parade was with Old Engine # 99.

Right - The 52nd Precinct Explorers  came next.

Left - Then came the dancers with Chief of staff to Councilman Joel Rivera Albert Alvarez (holding the umbrella).

Right - And the Martial Arts exhibition.

Left - Students from PS 94 in Norwood.

Right - The PS 211 Marching Band.

Left - More dancers and yes that's Albert Alvarez again who marched a total of four different times in the parade.
Right - Walk of Fame Honoree Robert Abrams (left), Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson (center), And Councilman Andy King (right)

Questioning Citizens Union

Here is my column "100 PERCENT" titled "Questioning Citizens Union" that appeared in this weeks Bronx News, Parkchester News, and Coop-City News.

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

Questioning Citizens Union

   Before I get into the headline Bronx Week is in full swing, and will be ending this Sunday with the 42^nd Annual Bronx Week Parade along Mosholu Parkway. Also on Mosholu Parkway will be the Bronx Week Food & Arts Festival, and the Bronx Grand Finale Concert. This event begins at 12 noon and runs to 6 PM. Don't miss a second of the events that happen right after each other.

   Last week I forgot to bid a farewell to one of the people in Albany that I knew was corruptible, that being Former Democratic Conference Leader Senator John Sampson. It looks like Sampson will be checking into Chez Federal Housing Program soon after he is convicted. It is to bad that this is happening during the Cuomo era where the current governor has said that he is going to crack down on corruption in Albany by appointing an ethics committee. So what has JCOPE done besides having people resign from it, and not be allowed to talk about the corruption that still exists in Albany.

   Former Assemblyman Peter Rivera's law partner & campaign treasurer David Griffiths has been sentenced to five months in the Chez Federal Housing Program after being convicted of mail fraud, obstruction of justice, and making false statements to the government. Griffiths was the head of the Neighborhood Enhancement for Training Services (NETS) of which it was reported that Assemblyman Peter Rivera appropriated $1.8 million dollars to, in addition to $250,000.00 from his law firm to NETS. Peter Rivera is now the commissioner of the New York State Department of Labor as appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

  

  As for our headline, Citizens Union has compiled a 122 page report titled “Hidden From View the Undisclosed Campaign Activity of Political Clubs in New York. The report states that after the conviction of former Councilman Larry Seabrook the matter of political clubs was looked into. The report does not list any wrongdoings by any of the political clubs listed, hinting only that with the recent arrests and convictions the reporting process needs to be changed which is little or none at all as mentioned. There is emphasis on the top 20 clubs with unusual data listed that makes little sense until one looks at the acknowledgments.

   There are several comments about the Ben Franklin Club and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz stating that he was the club's president three times on page 8, and repeated on page 23. On page 27 Citizens union goes after the Ben Franklin Club again saying that the club has received contributions from PACs such as Senator Jeff Klein, Senator Adriano Espaillat, Assemblyman and County Leader Carl Heastie, and even Governor Cuomo that were not reported. There is even a reference and footnote to my blog about a fundraiser I had listed on the blog for the Ben Franklin Club.

    

   As for the acknowledgment page there is one name that sounded very familiar to me that being the name Tony Cassino. Was this contributor and CU board member the same Anthony Perez Cassino that ran for city council against Councilman G. Oliver Koppell who was endorsed by the Ben Franklin Club? Was this the same Anthony Perez Cassino who has a blog that tries to berate Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and those associated with him every chance Mr. Cassino can? Also just how did a Cassino friendly Riverdale newspaper have this information about a CU report that came out the same day of the deadline of the newspaper, with details of the CU report?

   I called Citizens Union to speak to the Executive Director Dick Draddy to get answers to my questions. Mr. Draddy tried to downplay Mr. Cassino's part in the CU report, but admitted that Mr. Cassino did contribute to the CU report. I asked Mr. Draddy if he knew about the history between Mr. Cassino and the Ben Franklin Club, Assemblyman Dinowitz, and that Mr. Cassino ran unsuccessfully in 2009 against a candidate that was endorsed by both the club and assemblyman. Draddy was unfamiliar with the facts I mentioned, and could not explain how the Riverdale newspaper friendly to Mr. Cassino was able to do what it did given the very short time span to do so. I also asked why Mr. Cassino's political club that Mr. Cassino had co-founded was not listed, and was told that the report went back only to 2009, and that his club must have filed all the papers required. I also asked why the name Tony Cassino and not the name Anthony Perez Cassino that was used to run for office was listed in the CU report. I want to thank Mr. Draddy for his answers and the quick way he responded and answered my questions. I think he answered them as he thinks political clubs do.

   I asked Assemblyman Dinowitz about the Citizens Union report. Dinowitz said that Citizens Union did not disclose any facts about contributor and board member Anthony Perez Cassino's conflict of interest in contributing to the report. Dinowitz added that the Ben Franklin Club (to which he belongs) has done nothing wrong, has filed any and all forms that are required by the Board of Elections, and that he was president of the club about 20 years ago.

 

   Citizens Union on two pages of the report lists six different paragraphs of criteria (with several sub headings) of changes to the current required filings, which starts by saying that “the State Board of Elections should notify all political clubs of their obligation to register as a political committee and file required campaign finance reports”.

   Lastly the Bangladeshi Community for State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr. will be holding a fu8nd raiser for Senator Diaz on Saturday May 18^th from 1:30 – 3:30 PM at the Oasis Mediterranean restaurant located at 1907 White Plains Road (off Rhinelander Avenue).

   Don't forget to check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for more on these stories, any items that may come in after our deadline, and to see the many photos of the events. 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 or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press. 

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Bangladeshi-American Community Coalition

Lunch reception & Fundraising in Support of State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. at Oasis Restaurant.

  This afternoon the Bronx Bangladeshi-American Community Coalition gathered to honor State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. & help him with a fundraiser that was held at the Oasis Restaurant located at 1907 White Plains Road.

   The program opened up with a meet and greet of the over 75 people in attendance, Mr. Nazrul Haque officially started the program by introducing Community Board #9 Land Use Chair Mohammed N. Mujumder. Mr. Mujumder spoke of how Senator Diaz has helped the Bangladeshi community in the Bronx, and how it has grown in the Bronx to what it currently is. He said that the Bangladeshi community first met Senator Diaz in 1991 and have been working with him and his son Ruben Diaz Jr. who is now Bronx Borough President. He added that the community has also worked with local councilwoman Palma as well as helping to elect Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, but must also look towards the next generation. 

   The Bangladeshi movement in New York began as early as 1890 it was said, and by the 1920's Bangladeshi people began immigrating to Brooklyn. Others who spoke also had only high praise for Senator Diaz and Assemblyman Sepulveda who was in attendance. Assemblyman Sepulveda thanked the Bangladeshi community for their support in his huge victory last year, and added that he will continue to work for all of the people in his district.

   Senator Diaz thanked all in the Bangladeshi community for their continued support, especially as he mentioned that in their homeland citizens do not do such work as is being done today for him. Diaz added that this was not the first fundraiser for him by the Bangladeshi Community, but in 2001 when he was running for City Council the community held a fundraiser for him. He named several individuals in attendance, saying that he goes back a long way with them. He spoke of having the first Bangladeshi Judicial Delegate elected last year, and wants to elect a second this year. Diaz closed by saying that the main reason of the event is "to raise money to re-elect State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr.".

Left - Senator Diaz poses for photo with  prominent realtor Khalilur Rahman.

Right - Closest to the camera is Abdus Shahid President of BANDS, Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. Community Board #9 Land Use Chair Mohammed N. Mujumder, and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.

Left - Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda thanks the Bangladeshi Community for the support that he was given, and this luncheon for Sen. Diaz. 

Right - are the honorees with Senator Diaz and Assemblyman Sepulveda.

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NYC Mayor's Race Update

  As front runner Christine Quinn still keeps losing momentum, Anthony Weiner is poised to enter the Democratic primary for mayor. Weiner is expected to make an announcement early next week that he is indeed running for mayor.

  Public Advocate Bill Deblasio has received the endorsement of the powerhouse union local 1199-SEIU that represents over 200,000 health care workers. This is seen as a big blow to Speaker Quinn, and Bill Thompson who was endorsed four years ago by the union. 

  Labor in general should be split among the top three or even four candidates for mayor, and no one thinks that any Democratic candidate can reach the 40 % win level to avoid a run off election that the Board of Elections has said it would not be able to handle properly.

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BP Diaz Hosts Youth & Senior Day in Co-op City

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. dances with some of the attendees at the Bronx Week 2013 Youth & Senior Day Talent Show. The event took place on Thursday, May 16, in the Dreiser Loop Community Center in Co-op City. 

  On hand for the event was Coop-City Councilman Andy King who joined in with BP Diaz and Deputy BP Greene to help celebrate with the people who attended.

   Also on hand was Democratic mayoral candidate Bill Thompson, who BP Diaz has already endorsed as his choice for mayor. Councilman Kong told me that he has not made his choice for mayor, but may sometime soon. 

 

Left - BP Diaz dances with some of the attendees. 

Right - Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson speaks to the crowd. BP Diaz and Coop-City Councilman Andy King are in the background. While Diaz has endorsed Thompson for mayor, Councilman King has not made any endorsement for mayor yet.

 

Left & Right - Diaz and Thompson engage potential voters in discussion,and pose for photos.

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Bronx Week 2013 Grand Finale Celebration