Kicking Over a Political Hornets Nest

Kicking Over a Political Hornets Nest

100 Percent 

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 22- It looks like my past two columns on the subject of the 36th State Senate district race in 2016 has stirred up a 'Hornet's Nest'. 

Recently elected New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie had a few words for me about what I wrote, and I wrote last week that he should look in a mirror and repeat those words to himself. That seems to be the problem that has gotten many elected officials in trouble in the first place, and it can be summed up in one word, GREED. Last week I also wrote that I know more than the former Bronx Democratic County Leader thinks I know, and that I have been on his side since he took over as the county leader, but Carl you know that I have to do what I have to do.

In speaking with several voters of the 36^th State Senate District (and some from the 83^rd Assembly District) almost all told me they are not happy with the 'Politics as Usual' that seems to be going on. Most did not know who Heastie’s candidate was, and said they want no part of him. There was mention of the foreclosed homes, poor schools, high crime, and how the city is just invading the community with criminals who are scaring the community as they commit crimes and drain the precious resources of the area. They also wanted to know where the elected officials were.

In looking closely at the 36^th State Senate District there has been a somewhat major change to the district during the last redistricting. No the Wakefield and Co-op City areas have not changed, but the district has picked up more of the 80^th and 81^st Assembly districts. This got me thinking, and Assemblyman Jose Rivera here is my little surprise for you that I promised you in last week’s column.

It appears Assemblyman Rivera that your 2012 challenger in the 78^th A.D. Mr. Ricky Martinez, gave you the toughest primary in a long while. Mr. Martinez won all the poll sites in the 36^th State Senate district portion of the 78^th A.D. In checking the 2000 primary election for the 80^th Assembly District, Mr. Martinez gave then 80^thAssemblyman Jeff Klein a big scare when he garnered 25 percent of the vote. Assemblyman Klein had Mr. Martinez redistricted to the 78^th A.D. in the 2002 redistricting. As for the 81^stA.D. The Norwood section of the district was given to the 36^th State Senate District in the recent redistricting, and that is where Mr. Martinez grew up, and pulled his strength when he ran for School Board 10. My advice to Mr. Ricky Martinez would be not to run this year against Assemblyman Jose Rivera, but instead look at the 36^th State Senate district where your strength is. You can come into the 36^th State Senate race with over 1,500 votes that you have already shown you can get. I can not see anyone coming into the race with nearly 1,000 votes, and that includes Mr. Jerome Bailey, even with the help of Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. There is a high negative vote against incumbents, and with the current climate in Albany the help of Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie could wind up a liability to candidate Bailey. Take it from me Mr. Bailey you would really look bad as well as would Speaker Heastie when you come in third place. 

To prove my point just look at the 2013 race for the 15^th City Council seat of former City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera. Albert Alvarez who was not just a staffer, but the Chief of Staff to City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera, and candidate Alvarez wound up coming in 4^th place in that Democratic primary. Sorry Jose. More on the 36^th State Senate 2016 primary in my next column. It seems that there will be some jockeying for the 13^th City Council seat, as well as maybe some other seats in 2016. By the way Assemblyman Heastie why do you think 33^rd State Senator Gustavo Rivera's Chief of Staff Katrina Asante is running for the Riverbay Board? The next move is that she will be Senator Rivera's candidate in the 2016 36^thState Senate District, that is if she can get elected to the Riverbay board.

Lastly, Happy Birthday to Adam Clayton Powell, and he is having his party on May 27th at the Rio II Gallery located at 583 Riverside Drive @ 135th Street. Tickets start at $53.00 (I guess that must mean he will be 53 years old), and you can call 646-707-3632. At least Congressman Rangel has committed to this being his last term in office, but I look for Manhattan Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Keith Wright to be the favorite in the 15th congregational race in 2016. Also don't forget to check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.comfor photos of the Bronx Week Parade

If you have any political information that you want to share or have checked out, 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.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Teen Gunned Down Near School

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Teen Gunned Down Near School: Teen Gunned Down Near School (Facebook photos) BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 22- Anguish filled the Grand Concourse after a teenager was gunned do...

Teen Gunned Down Near School

Teen Gunned Down Near School

(Facebook photos)

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 22- Anguish filled the Grand Concourse after a teenager was gunned down near a school. Cops say an argument led to the teen being shot repeatedly.

As school was getting underway at PS 90, a block away a teen was being gunned down on the street. At around 8:30 a.m., the teen was shot multiple times in front of 1174 Sheridan Avenue. Published reports have identified the victim as 14-year-old Christopher Duran.

Duran was pronounced dead at the scene. Cops say the victim suffered three gunshot wounds to the abdomen and one gunshot wound to the head.

Police say the victim had gotten into an argument with at least two boys. The area was designated an Impact Zone where additional police officers were assigned to handle the uptick in violence.

#NYPD #Shooting #Teen #ChristopherDuran #Bronxnews

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Heroin Bust was No Surprise to Neighbors

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Heroin Bust was No Surprise to Neighbors: Heroin Bust was No Surprise to Neighbors  By Robert Press B RONX, NEW YORK, MAY 21 - It appears to be the largest drug bust in New York ...

Heroin Bust was No Surprise to Neighbors

Heroin Bust was No Surprise to Neighbors 

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 21- It appears to be the largest drug bust in New York State history as Federal DEA agents arrested two people who lived in a 5th floor, three-bedroom apartment located at 210 West 251st Street. The building is called the Deauville, and the apartments are still rental apartments. 

Jose Mercedes and Yenci Cruz were identified as the two people arrested by the DEA, who said that 70 Kilos of heroin, $2 Million dollars in cash, 

and a gun were confiscated from the apartment and two vehicles that were used to transport the drugs. The heroin seiz

ed was estimated to have a street value of over $50 Million dollars. 

Local residents including the owner of a building across the street from the Deauville said this has been going on for years, a

nd wants to know why this was not stopped long ago. One woman said that the community is going downhill, while one man said that the Deauville is full of Section 8 tenants who do not care about the neighborhood. Another said that loud music comes from the nearby Van Cortlandt Park area at night, while cars park at hydrants and double park while the local police department does nothing when residents call and complain.

#NYPD #HeroinBust #DEA #Riverdale

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Little Penguins Land at Bronx Zo

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Little Penguins Land at Bronx Zo: Little Penguins Land at Bronx Zoo Photos by Julie Larson  BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 20– A colony of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) has mad...

Little Penguins Land at Bronx Zo

Little Penguins Land at Bronx Zoo

Photos by Julie Larson 

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 20– A colony of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) has made its debut in the Aquatic Bird House at WCS’s (Wildlife Conservation Society) Bronx Zoo.

Named for their small size and characteristic bluish hue, little penguins are also known as blue penguins, little blue penguins, and fairy penguins. Full-grown adults are only about 13 inches tall and weigh 2 to 3 pounds. They are the smallest of the 18 penguin species and native to coastal southern Australia and New Zealand.

These are the first little penguins to be on exhibit at the Bronx Zoo and there are only three facilities in the U.S. that currently have them.

All of the birds in the colony were hatched at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia and brought to the Bronx Zoo as part of a breeding program. Approximately 15 penguins a year hatch at Taronga, making it the most successful little penguin breeding program in the world. The Bronx Zoo penguins will help ensure continued genetic diversity in the little penguin populations in the U.S.

“The little penguins are acclimating well to their new home and are quite a sight to see,” said Jim Breheny, WCS Executive Vice President and General Director of the WCS Zoos and Aquarium. “The Bronx Zoo is focused on the conservation of the species we exhibit, and international partnerships and breeding programs like that of the little penguin are vital to ensuring the survival of the species in the wild through education, awareness, and connecting people to nature in a way that can only be accomplished through close, in-person encounters.”

Taronga Zoo Director and Chief Executive, Cameron Kerr, said: “The little penguins at the Bronx Zoo have taken on 

the role of international ambassadors for their species. Visitors to the Bronx Zoo from around the world can come to learn about these wonderful Australian marine animals. This group of little penguins will ensure a thriving population in the U.S. for many years to come.”

The species occurs in temperate marine waters and feed on fish, cephalopods and crustaceans. They nest colonially in burrows on sand dunes or rocky beach areas. Like other penguin species, they use a wide range of vocalizations to communicate with each other. In the wild, their populations are threatened by climate change and human activities.

The Bronx Zoo is supporting Taronga Zoo’s little penguin conservation programs in Sydney Harbor. The work includes monitoring, awareness campaigns, rescue and rehabilitation, breeding programs, and more. Man-made nest boxes can provide safety from introduced predators and guard dogs have been used in some places to discourage predation.

#Penguins #BronxZoo