A few of our readers have asked for more focus on the east and south Bronx. More specifically, they want to hear about Assemblyman Jose Rivera and Councilman James Vacca. So many other politicians have stolen the spotlight with their antics during this primary season, so it's a good time to catch up with these politicos. So here you go. In case you have not heard, Jose Rivera blew out his opponent Sergio Villaverde (2100 to about 650 votes). What is shocking is that so few people voted in that district, but the old pol showed that he still has some life despite being dethroned as Bx. Boss. He did, however, side with Espada so that did not help his standing. One question is whether he will join forces with his two kids (both Bx. elected officials) and another guy named Rivera to try to wrestle power back from Bx. County. Otherwise, the future may not look too bright for the kids. Here is an interesting video of Rivera posted by Azi Paybarah on his blog The Empire, where Rivera talks about his race. It's unusal because Rivera is known for videotaping everyone else.
James Vacca did not have a race this year so he was able to keep a low profile. Known as one of the good guys in government, Vacca is chair of the transportation committee in the Council. Not much more to report here, so looking for some input from you guys.
2,100 + 650 = 2,750 votes
ReplyDeleteTo say that 2,750 is not many votes in an assembly race is an incredible understatement.
So when you think about it, who does Mr. Rivera actually represent? Certainly not the vast, vast, vast majority of our district.
Although this blog entry may be by popular demand, I can't say the same about José Rivera. With so few people actually voting, it's hard to see how popular demand had anything to do with his victory on Primary Day.
ReplyDeleteHi Tony Perez Cassino.
ReplyDeleteHere in Co-op City, our state senator is Ruth Hassell-Thompson of the Bronx and Westchester. I noticed that the latest news on her website is from AUGUST THE ELEVENTH. Before that, there was an item from the middle of July (telling us that that Gov. Paterson signed four bills into law, including legislation that will supposedly establish a level playing field for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises).
So it doesn't really look like she keeps all that busy, but there is a photo of Sen. Hassell-Thompson welcoming Montel Williams to Albany. Now that's important.
If the reader from Co-op City thinks NY State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson's website is out of date, take a look at the website of my representative from the South Bronx, NY State Assemblywoman Carmen E. Arroyo (http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=84).
ReplyDeleteHer most recent press release is from March 4, TWO THOUSAND AND NINE!
And while I'm on the topic of Arroyo, what ever happened to that guy who was charged with embezzling $200,000 from a nonprofit group closely affiliated with Assemblywoman Arroyo and her daughter, City Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo. Isn't that gentleman an Arroyo nephew? I never heard any more about that. Were those charges ever proven in court or was it all dismissed?
good catch anonymous--here is fascinating Arroyo dirt. First, as you can see from this article in the NY Post (http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bronx/bx_assemblywoman_aide_arrested_in_YQYmvPLoQzGOzu8zvsyYiI) Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo's staff member was arrested earlier this summer for impersonating a police officer and stealing $4000 from an apartment. But the more interesting one is that her grandson, Richard Izquierdo-Arroyo pleaded guilty to charges he embezzled $115,000 from a taxpayer-funded nonprofit group (where do you think that funding came from?), then shared some of the ill-gotten gains with his lawmaking kin, which included City Council member Maria del Carmen Arroyo. He got a year and a day for his good work. This stuff cries out for a more thorough investigation.
ReplyDeleteFor the district that includes Riverdale and Kingsbridge plus Van Cortlandt Village, Woodlawn, Norwood and Wakefield, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz's website is very skimpy when comes to press releases.
ReplyDeleteTake a look for yourself. As of today, his website ( http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=081&sh=press ) has ONE press release for all of 2007, ZERO for 2008, ZERO for 2009, and so far only FOUR for 2010 (and that last one was way back in June). That's a paltry FIVE press releases over the past 4 years! I guess he must be really, really busy conducting important affairs of state up in Albany.
Like most Bronx politicians, Assemblyman Dinowitz spends most of his time protecting his fiefdom. How do you articulate that in a press release?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see more on Jimmy Vacca. I know him in passing and know of his work. He seems to be a straight shooter, I wonder what the people in his district think.
ReplyDeleteI thought that in order to become a Bronx legislator you first need to be a cross-dressing cannibal.
ReplyDeleteBx pols seem dirtier than a sewage pit.
ReplyDeleteEver notice that a lot of these Bronx politicians don't look like the most hygienic bunch? It’s surprising so many of them managed to procreate. Oops, I just got a visual that I'd rather not have!
ReplyDeletepoliticians in the bronx are just so incredibly lame
ReplyDeleteIts so upsetting how many local politicians are involved in one type of an illegal scheme or another. The system is stacked in favor of those we need the least, the incumbents.
ReplyDeleteI like seeing all the press release counts for our do-nothing Bronx politicians.
ReplyDeleteYou can bet that if they had more to brag about then they certainly would. But the facts here speak for themselves.
Yup, the Bronx elected officials are a pretty worthless lot. If we had term limits all around, then it would open things up for new people with new ideas and, hopefully, less corruption.
ReplyDeleteWhy does incumbent so often equal corrupt?
ReplyDeleteWith that embattled Georgia mega-church pastor saying he will fight allegations that he coerced young men into sex acts, it makes me wonder how many Bronx politicians have engaged in same king of sexual abuse.
ReplyDeleteJust because someone is a Bronx politician does not mean that they are automatically skunks and scum. There must be at least one, two or maybe even three good elected officials. It's a shame that the majority of politicians mess it up for the rare few.
ReplyDeleteagreed most of these elected officials have skin like teflon and it is hard to get anything to stick. But accusing them of sexual abuse? C'mon really! Sure it's possible, but so it is with anyone in society.
ReplyDeleteOne could argue to run a fingerprint check on all elected officials and anyone running for office, but your ACLU would get their panties in a wad on that. Or worse, you wouldn't have anyone who comes out clean in the criminal background check at all. Anyone who is clean isn't stupid enough to run for any elected office. Honest people want their privacy and peace, but as they say "you get what you ask for". Other than a few posters here, your average citizen doesn't want to talk politics.
We all get distracted with sports and who's in trouble in Hollywood, etc. The Romans did the same thing. That's why the Coliseum was built, to "feed" the masses. History repeats itself.....
Bishop Eddie Long (wonder if that stands for something more than his last name *wink* *wink*)
ReplyDeleteis now asking for our prayers as he faces his demons to get through "this".
Seems there isn't much of a difference between opportunistic clergy and politicans who troll rest stop bathrooms.
We must ALL come together to put an end to the thievery and connivery. Sen. Chuck Grassly of Iowa has been investigating corrupt Pastors and various Televangelists. They are stealing from their congregation to enjoy lavish lifestyles while members of their "flock" are dining on canned beans under tin rooves. Does that sound familiar???
Every. Last. One. of our elected officials in the Bronx is corrupt. You, me, we ALL OF US need to work harder to purge the slime and restore integrity.
Pastor Eddie Long has preached against homosexuality. Only one Bronx politician I can think of, State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., even approaches such a stance on homosexuality. An ordained minister, Diaz is a staunch opponent of abortion, stem-cell research, and same-sex marriage. But that’s where the similarities end.
ReplyDeleteThe F.B.I. may be investigating allegations of corruption against the Reverend State Senator, but nobody has ever accused him of the type of things the Atlanta pastor stands accused of.
dig deeper.
ReplyDeleteyou would be horrified at what you would find.
ever notice that the ones who scream the loudest about homosexuality...usually have something atrocious hidden in their own closets?
Off the top of my head, I can think of 3 legislators from the Bronx who possess the tense creepiness that comes from having to live a public life that is against one’s true nature.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I could be wrong, since politics tends to bring out some odd birds anyway. Maybe these 3 legislators just need something unusual for sexual gratification, like a stack of designating petitions or a walking list of prime voters.
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