Klein, Koppell Square Off

Klein, Koppell Square Off

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Riverdale Report

By Robert Press

The Great 34th Senate Debate

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 27- The race for the 34th State Senate seat is being billed as David vs. Goliath by many, and it was incumbent State Senator Jeff Klein who had the stones thrown at him by his challenger Oliver Koppell. 

Before the Bronxtalk debate host Gary Axelbank spoke with the two candidates about the format, and chatted with both as the trio waited for the 'On the Air' signal. This 

debate was taped during the afternoon to accommodate the schedules of both candidates, and shown at the shows regular 9 p.m. Monday night time slot. Host Gary Axelbank opened the show by introducing the two candidates, Incumbent 34th State Senator Jeff Klein, and challenger Oliver Koppell.

The first question about term limits was directed at the challenger who while he was in the City Council had been a part of overturning the will of the voters to set term limits on City Council members. Saying that he does not believe in term limits candidate Oliver Koppell then blasted Senator Klein for campaigning as a Democrat while making a a deal with the senate Republicans to keep the Republicans in charge of the state senate while there were more Democrats than Republicans. 

Koppell then went on the attack again on other issues such as the Dream Act, minimum wage, and campaign finance reform, claiming it was all Senator Klein's fault that these Democratic values did not get enacted in the state senate. Senator Klein rebutted Koppell's attacks by saying that he was the sponsor of the legislation, and that it was two Democrats who did not vote in favor when there was a majority to pass the legislation. Senator Klein went on to name accomplishment after accomplishment that he done as Co-Leader of the State Senate.

Senator Klein then stated that candidate Koppell had endorsed the Republicans candidate for mayor (Michael Bloomberg) over the Democratic candidate (Bill Thompson). Fighting back candidate Koppell said that Senator Klein and his Independent Democratic Conference took contributions from the former mayor, that was answered by Senator Klein as for getting the work done. Senator Klein added several items that were done including getting $300 million for UPK. Senator Klein then mentioned many of the endorsements he has received from Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, almost every Bronx elected official, and the many many unions.

Candidate Koppell was asked why he was continuing his campaign after its main reason was to have Senator Klein rejoin with the Senate Democratic Conference which has been announced by Senator Klein, Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and many other Democratic leaders. Candidate Koppell responded, “Yes I have already won with Senator Klein returning to work with the Senate Democratic Conference, but the campaign will continue as I have a good chance of winning.”

When asked about the Mooreland Commission, Senator Klein said that he was in favor of it, but that there are other bodies of law that can do the same thing. Candidate Koppell then attacked Senator Klein by saying that he was on the board of a nursing home (not saying which one), and was silent when the Mooreland Commission was disbanded, also attacking Senator Klein's disclosure statement. Senator Klein replied that the state disclosure statements are tougher than the city council disclosure ones that candidates Koppell had to fill out in the City Council.

The next subject was the proposed 11-story medical center in Community Board 8. Klein said that Councilman Koppell missed the boat when the 197A rezoning plan was done while he was in the city council. Koppell returned that the area could not be rezoned, and before Senator Klein could get a word in candidate Koppell said that his wife represented two homeowners not the developer on Tuflan Terrace where a 11-story building went up almost next to the proposed site for the medical center. Senator Klein said that he now has to fix what Councilman Koppell did not do, and mentioned the new law he enacted with Assemblyman Dinowitz (Of Riverdale) to halt the proposed 11-story medical center. Senator Klein also mentioned that Councilman Koppell was in favor of another 11-story building on Broadway in North Riverdale that was to have 25 percent of its occupants who were classified as criminally mentally disturbed. Candidate Koppell defended his decision saying 'where will we house the mentally ill?.

Senator Klein then mentioned what candidate Koppell thinks about people who live outside of Riverdale especially what candidate Koppell said at a Morris Park concert on the east side of the Bronx in the district. Fresh Direct was the next subject with candidate Koppell in opposition to the deal, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.'s support of the Fresh Direct deal saying that he did not know how there were no living wage provisions especially when the BP had fought for it. Senator Klein said that he wants to create more jobs, and that he has with the Bronx Chamber of Commerce has started 'Bronx for Hire'.

The debate continued with Senator Klein and candidate Koppell upgrading themselves on their accomplishments over their opponent, with candidate Koppell saying that he had drafted up the original Safe Act legislation, not Senator Klein.

In his closing statement candidate Koppell read from a March 2012 article that appeared in the New York Post claiming Senator Klein had gamed the system, and possibly broken the law on tax breaks and failure to disclose income. Koppell then said that Ms. Candice Giove who wrote the article was now Senator Klein's campaign spokesperson.

In his closing statement Senator Klein said that the campaign of Oliver Koppell is all personal attacks, and no record to run on. Klein added that he is proud of his record, and what he has done as an elected official.

I asked Ms. Giove for a comment about what candidate Koppell said about her, and her response was :

"It's sad that Oliver Koppell's Women's Agenda includes putting down career choices of successful media professionals like myself. While it's true that I was one of five reporters who worked on an article about Sen. Klein, I have come to know the senator as a hardworking Democrat, who truly cares about each and every one of his constituents. I cannot say the same about Oliver Koppell, who I also covered as a reporter, and who has consistently insulted the intelligence of the people of New York. During Mr. Koppell's nasty campaign, I have also been the recipient of vicious emails from his wife, Lorraine Coyle Koppell, in an attempt to intimidate me from doing a job that I believe in.Shame on the Koppells."

Go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for photos of the debate. You can catch the debate at www.bronxnet.org/ at the bronxtalk link.

If you have any comments about this column, 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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Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Joe Torre Celebrated at Yankee Stadium

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Joe Torre Celebrated at Yankee Stadium: Joe Torre Celebrated at Yankee Stadium By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 25- On August 23, Joe Torre Day was celebrated at Yankee St...

Joe Torre Celebrated at Yankee Stadium

Joe Torre Celebrated at Yankee Stadium

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 25- On August 23, Joe Torre Day was celebrated at Yankee Stadium. The 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee was given a double honor by the New York Yankees. A plaque in his honor was unveiled that will be placed in the Yankees’ pantheon of heroes, Monument Park, and Torre’s uniform, while manager of the Yankees, #6, was retired. Torre is the 18^th Yankee legend whose uniform number will never be worn again.

The baseball lifer compiled an extraordinary record in his 12 seasons at the helm of the Yankees. He led the Yanks to the playoffs in each of the one dozen years. In six of those years, the Yanks were in the World Series and four times they were the World Champions. 

Many of the players he relied upon and encouraged during his Yankee tenure returned to pay tribute to their former manager: David Cone, Hideki Matsui, Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez, Andy Pettitte and Bernie Williams. Members of Torre’s coaching staff who attended were Willie Randolph, Ron Guidry and Jose Cardenal. Mel Stottlmyre, too ill to attend, recorded a video message and the widow of Torre’s dear friend Don Zimmer came. Yankee skipper Joe Girardi and the retiring icon Derek Jeter were, of course, present also. 

Yogi Berra and Reggie Jackson, two Hall of Fame members of past generations, added the perspective of the Yankees great history by their presence. 

Many members of Torre’s immediate family, sisters, wife, children and grandchildren were present to share in his happiness.

Two contemporaries of Torre in the managerial ranks, Jim Leyland and Tony LaRussa were present to show their respect to Torre.

When giving his gracious response to the honor he received from the Yankees, Torre took time to give special words of praise to each of the individuals who attended. 

Special words were reserved for Gene “Stick” Michael, “He recommended me to George, I’ll be forever grateful.” Of Steinbrenner, he stated, “George gave me the greatest opportunity I ever had in my professional life.”

Girardi, one of Torre’s players, coaches and his successor as manager of the Yankees, expressed his feelings to reporters one day before the ceremony, “I think it’s obviously well deserved. He meant a ton to this organization. He was good at keeping the noise out letting us do our job. He had the ability to make us feel everything would be all right if we just stuck together.”

Torre explained why he chose #6 when he joined the Yankees. He and his wife turned #9, which he wore as a player, around to #6. Of it being retired on the Yankees, he commented, “When you see the neighborhood you’re in, it’s pretty cool.”

The opinion of the native of Brooklyn on his day in the Bronx, “It was every bit as special as I thought it would be.”

It would be remiss on an article on the Torre tribute not to give credit to Debbie Tymon,the vice president of marketing, for her thoughtfulness, intelligence and effort and that of her staff for the successful planning of each special event at Yankee Stadium. In his remarks, Torre said, “Debbie Tymon does amazing work.”

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankees showing they are not going away

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankees showing they are not going away: Yankees showing they are not going away By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 25- If the New York Yankees manage to sneak into the pos...

Yankees showing they are not going away

Yankees showing they are not going away

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 25- If the New York Yankees manage to sneak into the post season as that second wild card team, they will look at their win in extra innings Sunday afternoon against the Chicago White Sox as one that helped them get to October. This time it was a Brian McCann 10th inning walk-off three-run home run that propelled them to their fourth straight win, 7-4, and a three-game sweep of the series.

Sunday it was McCann who came off the bench and became the hero. The schedule won’t get easier during this stretch run, 22 of their next 31 games against teams with winning records. But the Yankees departed the Bronx as a confident team with momentum, after a 5-2 home stand that got off to a bad start losing their first two against the lowly Houston Astros.

There is this sudden fight that was not evident weeks ago. The Yankees are showing teams in front of them, and their fans, that they are not going away that easy. The next four games they play two of those teams with winning records, a makeup game Monday night at central division leading Kansas City and three at the Detroit Tigers.

After their Thursday afternoon finale in Detroit, perhaps there will be a better perspective regarding this Yankees late season surge for a post-season spot.

“It’s a much better feeling when we are leaving,” manager Joe Girardi said. “Consider who we were facing and were able to come back.” He was referring to the how his team coped with White Sox’ starter Chris Sale who came into the game as one of the premiere pitchers in the game at 10-3 and a 2.12 ERA.

It was to the Yankees another big win of the year, just like the one they had Friday night when newcomer Martin Prado had a walk-off game winning hit in the ninth inning. And it was a huge win to keep pace with those teams in front of them. After opposing the Royals’ James Shield (12-6) Monday night, the task is trying to beat two of the Tigers best.

Rick Porcello and David Price, both with records of 14-8, and with successful win ratios opposing the Yankees, could take  away whatever momentum was gained this week in the Bronx and over the past four games.

But don’t tell the Yankees they can’t do it. They say this is what baseball is all about and that they will be in this until the end.

“It’s what you play for,” McCann said about his sixth career “walk-off” hit, a home run that went over the 314-sign in the right field corner. It was his second dramatic game ending hit of the season that came off a change-up on a full count. The Yankees are playing their best baseball of the season right now, again also taking into the fact that these last four wins have come against two teams that are playing for next year and have nothing to lose.

And as they say in baseball, you need to get the games that are winnable, and beat teams that you are expected to handle. The Yankees have come to realize how true that is.

The enthusiasm is showing in the clubhouse. McCann, who experienced his first award winning moment as a Yankee said “The atmosphere is better, everything is better.” Winning of course will change the environment and the post game clubhouse was distinctly different from what was seen after those two let downs with Houston that started the home stand.

The lineup Girardi put on the field was also different. McCann sat and Francisco Cervelli got the start behind the plate. Derek Jeter was in the leadoff spot for the third time this season and Brett Gardner, who has been the Yankees most consistent hitter, had the day off with a bruised right ankle that was sustained in their win Saturday.

As for what McCann did off the bench, Girardi said, “It just shows you that he had stayed ready all day. Mentally, he was ready.” Girardi did say that taking four of six would be a good home stand, and that’s good enough to keep this run going, realizing that at anytime the Yankees could once again revert to losing games in the late innings as they did so often this season.

But Gardner may have said it best: “A lot of times, the team that wins the World Series isn't the best team all year, but the team that gets hot. We're good enough. We just have to play the way we're capable of playing."

It will have to be a remarkable ending though for the Yankees to be one of those post season teams, but the way schedules are structured with teams they have to bypass, this stretch run could be to their advantage. They have to keep winning and that is always the prevailing question mark with this Yankees team.

And the win was almost questionable in the ninth inning.

Girardi went to his closer David Robertson for the save. He let a curve get away and was charged with his first blown save since June 1. Avisail Garcia led off the inning and on the first pitch hit a home run that cleared the right field stands, thus ending 22 straight save opportunities, second longest in baseball this season.

The manager may be using his closer at the right moment, and has been also seen again, the Yankees bullpen is overused and susceptible to the home run ball. Robertson was used a third consecutive day and gave up the game trying home run, Tuesday night to Chris Carter of the Astros.

Carlos Beltran is feeling better. The cortisone shot to a right elbow has put him back in the lineup and Beltran was a part of that inning before the McCann heroics when he doubled off losing pitcher Jake Peticka (0-3) with two outs.  Girardi said Beltran is feeling good and a healthy and productive Carlos Beltran is what the Yankees need to make this an interesting playoff run.

“We’re playing good baseball,” Beltran said. “Things are going our way.”  Six games out of first place in the division, as the made up some ground with the Orioles who hit a little struggle. That second wild card is in reach, 3.5 games separate them from Seattle and Detroit.

The late additions to this team have also made a difference. Chris Capuano made his sixth start and with the exception of giving up two home run balls, his six innings were effective. Girardi did say, the new additions make a difference because they are healthy and have experience.

But it all comes down to this: The Yankees these past four games have been a better team and this week it could determine if they are going to be playing for something down the stretch and not going away.

COMMENT RICH MANCUSO: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yanks Defeat White Sox, 5-3

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yanks Defeat White Sox, 5-3: Martin Prado Strikes Again Yanks Defeat White Sox, 5-3 By Howard Goldin BRONX, AUGUST 23- The Yankees added to their effort to reach a ...

Yanks Defeat White Sox, 5-3

Martin Prado Strikes Again
Yanks Defeat White Sox, 5-3

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, AUGUST 23- The Yankees added to their effort to reach a playoff spot this season with a 5-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday afternoon. There was some degree of pressure as they were performing in front of a sell-out crowd of 47,594 as well as in front of Yankee heroes who had earned four World Championships in five years under the direction of manager Joe Torre, who was saluted in a pre-game ceremony. In addition, Yankees Managing Partner Hal Steinbrenner was in the ballpark.

Torre threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Torre’s successor, Joe Girardi spoke of the importance of the Yankee win, “It’s nice to win on a day like this. So many [great Yankees] came back. Joe [Torre] meant a lot to a lot of people.”

Yankee pitching was again worthy of praise and worthy of securing a win. Hiroki Kuroda, the only member of the Opening Day starting rotation not to be on the disabled list this year, posted his 16th quality start, his fifth in succession. The 39 year-old yielded only five hits and two runs in his six inning stint.

Two consecutive doubles by Conor Gillespie and Alexi Ramirez to start the second brought in the first Chicago run.

The other White Sox run off Kuroda came in the fifth. Alejandro de Aza led-off by drawing a walk. He moved to second on a wild pitch and was plated on a double by Jose Abreu. The Cuban native is moving to easily capture the Rookie of the Year award. The sensation is batting .307 with 33 home runs and 94 runs batted in. Abreu still has 33 games remaining to add to his already impressive totals.

After the game, the Yankee manager stressed Kuroda’s importance as the season nears its end, “We need him down the stretch. He has the most experience out there.”

As on the previous night, Martin Prado was crucial to the win. On Friday night, Prado hit a two-run homer and a walk-off single in the ninth. He did no less on Saturday afternoon. He singled in the second with two men on base. In the fourth, he doubled in two runs. Two innings later, he again doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly.

Girardi expressed his happiness with obtaining Prado for the Yankees, “He’s a good player. He grinds it out every day. He moves around. He gives us flexibility. He’s been a good acquisition.”

Yankee starter, Brandon McCarthy, who was a teammate of Prado on Arizona expected Prado to do well as a Yankee. Shortly after the versatile player was acquired, McCarthy told reporters, “I think that [coming to the Yankees] is going to bring out the best in him [Prado]. He was discouraged in Arizona.”

Rather than take bows for his accomplishments, Prado credited the entire team, ‘It was a team win and it was a team effort.”

The three game series and the Yankee homestand will conclude with a Sunday matinee.