Bronx Political Chatter is a no holds-barred, irreverent look at politics in the Bronx. Bronxites have long lacked an independent forum to express our views about local politics and politicians. Bronx Political Chatter is a place for you to openly express your views, ideas, criticisms and suggestions, and to make our elected officials more accountable for the decisions they make. So this is your turn to be heard.
The borough presidency certainly ain't what is used to be in terms of influence and power, thanks to the end of the old Board of Estimate. But NYC Council Member James Vacca would be an excellent ceremonial leader for the Bronx. And he’s a much better choice than Ruben Diaz Jr., the disastrous and nearly incoherent political lightweight who currently holds the post.
Jimmy Vacca has got to be better than Rubén Díaz, Jr., who managed to take a pointless job and actually do serious harm to the Bronx by killing the Kingsbridge Armory Mall project.
Hey let's not forget Diaz's predecessor Aldopho (are the cameras still on) Carrion. The man who was hid in a Washington closet after suspect claims of using contractors for his own benefit.
Hows it happen? Ruben is going nowhere, he'll ride out his three terms but by then Vacca will have found a new home. I do agree he'd be a great BP in the Markowitz vein, which is what we need.
Adolfo Carrion Jr. and Fernando Ferrer were better than Stanley Simon, but they were all better than Ruben Diaz, Jr.! That armory fiasco is just too much.
Speaking of NYC Councilman James Vacca (Bronx, 13th District), we must not forget his shameful turnaround on term limits back in 2008. Remember this:
NY Daily News Monday, October 27, 2008
JIMMY VACCA’S TERM-LIMIT VOTE IS A DISAPPOINTMENT
By Bob Kappstatter Daily News Staff Writer
East Bronx City Councilman Jimmy Vacca's last-minute switch to vote for extending term limits - a bill he bitterly opposed down to the wire - has a lotta folks sadly shaking their heads. One of the most principled politicians so many of us have come to know, Jimmy faced that long, dark night of the soul and whatever the enticement or threat - Mike (Our Lord and Savior) Bloomberg personally lobbied him - traded his principles for politics. It was sad to hear his voice choking and see tears welling up as he spoke before voting Thursday. He said later his mom swayed him 'cause she wanted to vote for Bloomie, but we don't buy that. Thankfully, there is redemption and we hope Jimmy's public career is a long one. Soundview/Castle Hill Councilwoman Annabel Palma cast the boro's lone "no" vote, but it was no profile in courage. Her union mentor, SEIU 1199, opposed the bill. On the "yes" side, we expected no less of Maria Baez and Larry Seabrook, who both actually showed up to vote after having the worst Council attendance records - and no apparent talent for holding regular day jobs.
Here's the link to an interactive graphic from The New York Times showing how the City Council members voted (29 to 22) in 2008 to extend the term limit from two to three:
By undoing the result of TWO voter referendums that had imposed a limit of two four-year terms, Councilman Vacca and his colleagues betrayed the will of the people they were elected to serve.
The borough presidency certainly ain't what is used to be in terms of influence and power, thanks to the end of the old Board of Estimate. But NYC Council Member James Vacca would be an excellent ceremonial leader for the Bronx. And he’s a much better choice than Ruben Diaz Jr., the disastrous and nearly incoherent political lightweight who currently holds the post.
ReplyDeleteJimmy Vacca has got to be better than Rubén Díaz, Jr., who managed to take a pointless job and actually do serious harm to the Bronx by killing the Kingsbridge Armory Mall project.
ReplyDeleteHey let's not forget Diaz's predecessor Aldopho (are the cameras still on) Carrion. The man who was hid in a Washington closet after suspect claims of using contractors for his own benefit.
ReplyDeleteHows it happen? Ruben is going nowhere, he'll ride out his three terms but by then Vacca will have found a new home. I do agree he'd be a great BP in the Markowitz vein, which is what we need.
ReplyDeleteAdolfo Carrion Jr. and Fernando Ferrer were better than Stanley Simon, but they were all better than Ruben Diaz, Jr.! That armory fiasco is just too much.
ReplyDeleteVacca for Bronx Borough President ... Does this surprise anyone?
ReplyDeleteanything diaz can do, vacca can do better
ReplyDeleteDoes it not bother you as a city taxpayer to have to pay for all of this borough president nonsense?
ReplyDeleteJimmy Vacca is a great guy and worth ten of Baby Diaz.
ReplyDeleteI see Councilman Vacca as more of a dark-horse candidate for Boro Prez.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it time for Ruben "Armory-cito" Diaz Jr. to retire already??
ReplyDeleteHow can someone retire from a job that does essentially nothing?
ReplyDeleteA talented and hardworking man like Mr. Vacca should seek a more worthwhile office than the inconsequential job of borough president.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of NYC Councilman James Vacca (Bronx, 13th District), we must not forget his shameful turnaround on term limits back in 2008. Remember this:
ReplyDeleteNY Daily News
Monday, October 27, 2008
JIMMY VACCA’S TERM-LIMIT VOTE IS A DISAPPOINTMENT
By Bob Kappstatter
Daily News Staff Writer
East Bronx City Councilman Jimmy Vacca's last-minute switch to vote for extending term limits - a bill he bitterly opposed down to the wire - has a lotta folks sadly shaking their heads.
One of the most principled politicians so many of us have come to know, Jimmy faced that long, dark night of the soul and whatever the enticement or threat - Mike (Our Lord and Savior) Bloomberg personally lobbied him - traded his principles for politics.
It was sad to hear his voice choking and see tears welling up as he spoke before voting Thursday.
He said later his mom swayed him 'cause she wanted to vote for Bloomie, but we don't buy that.
Thankfully, there is redemption and we hope Jimmy's public career is a long one.
Soundview/Castle Hill Councilwoman Annabel Palma cast the boro's lone "no" vote, but it was no profile in courage. Her union mentor, SEIU 1199, opposed the bill.
On the "yes" side, we expected no less of Maria Baez and Larry Seabrook, who both actually showed up to vote after having the worst Council attendance records - and no apparent talent for holding regular day jobs.
Here's the link to an interactive graphic from The New York Times showing how the City Council members voted (29 to 22) in 2008 to extend the term limit from two to three:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/10/14/nyregion/20081014-council-graphic.html
By undoing the result of TWO voter referendums that had imposed a limit of two four-year terms, Councilman Vacca and his colleagues betrayed the will of the people they were elected to serve.
ReplyDeleteWhat Vacca did was spineless and disgraceful.
Jimmy Vacca's sudden and last-minute reversal on term limits showed that he is really a sneaky, untrustworthy, and insincere politician.
ReplyDeleteOh Come on People,
ReplyDeleteThe little sissy said his mother made him vote that way! Not my idea of leadership.
James Vacca is one of the most able and dedicated lawmakers in the city, but his vote on term limits showed that he's a weasel underneath it all.
ReplyDeleteRuben Diaz Jr. fundamentally miscalculated how events would unfold in terms of the Kingsbridge Armory. Now the Bronx is left with his mess.
ReplyDeleteBronx Borough President! Can it ever be right to concentrate soooo much power in the hands of one elected official?
ReplyDeleteWhat in blue blazes is that boy up to ?
ReplyDeleteIf he runs, it's up to Jimmy Vacca to explain to the voters the why and wherefore of a candidacy for a nonsensical office like boro president.
ReplyDeleteAnyone is better than the incumbent Armory-Killer!
ReplyDeleteVacca for Bx BP . . . Hooray! Hurroo! Hooray!
ReplyDelete