100 PERCENT
By Robert Press
Since my deadline is before Election Day I can not give you the results until next week where I will try to explain why it happened. Our headline was sung by newly elected Public Advocate Letitia James who was on hand with local Councilman Andy King, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Congressman Eliot Engel, Assemblyman Carl Heastie, and others on Monday November 4th when Bill deBlasio visited the Bay Eden Senior Center in the Edenwald section of the Bronx. This was a multi-part visit as the local elected officials warmed up the crowd of seniors before deBlasio arrived. Once Bill deBlasio arrived he was whisked to the front where the elected officials were speaking to give a last day reason why the voters at the senior center should vote for him. Deblasio said that people should not take his large lead in the polls as an excuse not to come out and vote, but urged all present to go vote on Tuesday November 5th. DeBlasio once again went through all the reasons why people should vote for him and not one of his opponents.
After deBlasio finished speaking he went around the room shaking hands with as many seniors as he could, and then went outside to hold a press conference. “The road to City Hall runs right through the Bronx” deBlasio said. He thanked Bronx Councilman Andy King for his support from the beginning when he announced that he was running for Mayor, and also said that he had supported Andy King in his special election race after the removal of former Councilman Larry Seabrook. After also thanking Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie, and Congressman Eliot Engel deBlasio took a few questions from the reporters gathered, and then left for another engagement.
After the press conference, I was able to catch BP Diaz and Assemblyman Heastie and ask them what they are expecting from new Mayor Bill deBlasio. Diaz said that he expects a fair shake from Mayor deBlasio on the problems of the Bronx. Diaz went into the subjects of schools, housing, senior services, and rattled off a few more areas that it seems the Bronx did not get enough services or aid. When I asked if he was worried about the Fresh Direct and Kingsbridge armory deals that were done through Mayor Bloomberg. Diaz replied that those projects are already in the pipeline.
As for just how the Mayor's race will go has to be explained in two different ways. First citywide the vote should be 65 – 70 percent for Bill deBlasio, 27 – 35 percent for Joe Lhota with up to 3 percent for all other candidates including 1 - 1.5 percent for Adolfo Carrion citywide. The Bronx vote is harder to gauge since Carrion is the former Bronx Borough President. I would have to guess 67 – 77 percent for Bill deBlasio, 10 – 15 percent for Joe Lhota, and 8 – 16 percent for the other candidates. It is most likely that Adolfo Carrion could finish second in the Bronx.
You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to read more and see photos of the “Shop and Frisk” demonstration that was held last Friday in front of the Macy's store in Parkchester. The demonstration was organized by Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, with help from Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo. 35 police officers were on hand to pen in the 75 protesters in the intersection opposite Macy's on Metropolitan Avenue. It was said that most Macy stores have jails (cells) to intimidate minority shoppers that Macy security have followed and accuse of shoplifting. Senator Diaz said that this is illegal and has introduced legislation to stop this “Shop and Frisk” of minority shoppers. 86 A.D. Assemblyman Elect Victor Pichardo was on hand to tell of his story as a teenager of this treatment that he went through. The chant of the crowd ended up “Shame on You Macy's”.
The Bronx Young Democrats had a hand here in the Bronx with the Bill deBlasio campaign. Several members of BYD were manning the offices that were used by the deBlasio campaign here in the Bronx. Look for some of these BYD's to be running for office soon, that is District Leader or State Committee party positions as a start next year maybe.
One famous South Park line is “They Killed Kenny”, and is it possible that the political life of Kenny Agosto is now dead. Kenny who was once considered a challenger to former Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera was thrown off the ballot in this year's 15th City council race. He then threw his support behind Albert Alvarez who finished a distant fourth in the council race. Kenny also was redistricted out of the 80th A.D. into the 78th A.D., so he will no longer be the Male District Leader of the 80th A.D. Also look for some other changes in the Liberty Democratic Association after Ritchie Torres has been elected to the City Council.
While I am on the subject of the city council could it be that councilwoman Melissa Mark-Vittero is the choice for speaker by Mayor Bill deBlasio when he gets elected. More next week.
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.
