Ruben Diaz, Jr. For Mayor in 2021

Bronx BP Diaz, possible mayoral contender, does Staten Island homework

Diaz said that the Bronx and the Island have a lot in common.

“We do have that certain kinship,” Diaz said. “We’re two of the smaller boroughs, we always feel like we are the forgotten boroughs.”

And like the Island, the Bronx is looking to re-brand itself, tout its economic development successes and to draw tourists in by highlighting its parks, beaches and cultural attractions.

That “Bronx renaissance” will no doubt be a key part of the campaign platform should Diaz run for mayor.

Concejal Mantiene Juego con Dios y con el Diablo

El Concejal Dominico-Boricua Fernando Cabrera 

Continua Jugando con Dios y con el Diablo

El Bronx -- Las acusaciones de posible soborno contra el Concejal y Reverendo Fernando Cabrera esta 'como papa caliente' en el Bronx y en las conversaciones politicas. Cabrera, quien representa la parte Noroeste del Bronx en el Concejo Municipal, ahora cambia, de nuevo, su posicion en cuanto al proyecto de convertor el Kingsbridge Armory al Centro Nacional de Patinaje. 

Aquí una cronología de la posición del Concejal Cabrera en torno al proyecto del Kingsbridge Armory:

Primero, es el único de todos los oficiales electos que cuando anunciaron su apoyo para la construcción de un proyecto de convertir el Armory al Centro Nacional de Patinaje, estuvo aislado.

Luego, cuando vino el Alcalde Bloomberg para una firma de acuerdo, acto realizado adentro del Armory, el Concejal Cabrera estuvo allí muy sonriente ante las cámaras.

Después, surge las acusaciones que este estuvo detrás de un plan macabro para obtener una suma de $9.9 millones del grupo de inversionistas que están apoyando al proyecto, para que el pueda darle su respaldo. Claro esta, la simple intención de querer sobornar a los inversionistas es un crimen federal. Aun existe la posibilidad que el Fiscal, ya sea del Bronx o del Estado de Nueva York, puedan darle seguimiento. 

Cabrera entonces dice que no es verdad y que le preocupa el trafico de vehículos/entaponamientos en la zona para os residentes ya que como esta, los estacionamientos están muy escazos y por lo tanto, no apoya al proyecto.

El 21 de Noviembre, Cabrera cambia de posición, de nuevo. En la Junta del Condado del Bronx, la cual es presidida por el Presidente del Bronx, Ruben Diaz, Jr., Cabrera apoya el proyecto. 

El Presidente Diaz, Jr. estuvó contento pues pensó que ya Cabrera estaba respaldando el proyecto. 

Sorpresa que se llevo Diaz, Jr. cuando el pasado jueves 5 del presente, Cabrera lo enfrenta (a Diaz, Jr.) en una audiencia realizada por el Sub-Comité del Uso de Tierra del Concejo Municipal. Cabrera incluso ataco a los activistas comunitarios que se unieron al proyecto y concluyo exhortandole a sus colegas en el Consejo a no aprobar el proyecto de patinaje. 

Nadie sabe que decisión tomaría el Concejal Cabrera el día de mañana pero si de algo se esta seguro es que su futuro político desde ya esta en peligro de extinción. Los comentarios entre los políticos del Bronx es que "ya la maquinaria esta buscando a quien apoyar para que se postule contra un traicionero" en las elecciones municipales del 2017. Aun es muy temprano para decir quien seria pero entre los que mas suenan están los activistas Yudelka Tapia y Hector Ramirez, ambos que ya se han postulados en reiteradas ocasiones a varias posiciones pero no han podido lograrlo. También suele a sonar Steve Santana, actual Líder Distrital, quien era y se mantiene como la mano derecha del ex-Asambleísta Nelson Castro. Claro esta, el Partido Demócrata del Bronx y el Presidente del Condado Ruben Diaz, Jr serán los que decidirán quien seria el contrincante con mejores posibilidades de enfrentar al Concejal Cabrera en el 2017.

En el 2014, se realizaran las elecciones Congresionales y como ya se ha publicado, el Senador Estatal del Alto Manhattan buscara de nuevo este escaño con el propósito de convertirse en el primer Congresista de origen Dominicano electo en la historia de los EEUU. Dichas elecciones se llevaran a cabo en Junio 2014, y el papel del Cabrera en esa contienda estaría por verse. En el 2012, cuando Espaillat se postuló para ese escaño en contra del actual Congresista Charlie Rangel, Cabrera le dio una 'galleta sin mano' a la candidatura de Espaillat ya que se esperaba que Cabrera respaldaría a quien le confirmo su Dominicanidad. Pero no fue así. Cabrera, y ya vemos que para este es una rutina, de ultimo minuto, respaldó a Rangel.

Según nos informan, el Senador Estatal Gustavo Rivera, quien si respaldo a Espaillat en el 2012, pueda que no este de su lado en esta ocasión pues de hacerlo, corre el peligro que el Partido Demócrata y el Presidente Ruben Diaz, Jr. no respalden su re-elección en Septiembre, cuando es muy probable que este (Gustavo Rivera) tenga un contrincante 'de peso fuerte'. 

Así que aun esta por verse que sucederá con el Concejal Y PASTOR Cabrera pero claro esta, sabemos que no puede seguir con Dios y con el Diablo! 

NY Daily News: "Councilman dodges allegations he tried to secure money from Kingsbridge Armory developer"

Councilman dodges allegations he tried to secure money from Kingsbridge Armory developer

Rejects developer's charge that he pegged support for Kingsbridge National Ice Center to $100,000 a year, for 99 years, for a former nonprofit associated with his church.

BY JENNIFER H. CUNNINGHAM / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

The developers, through their attorney, said the councilman did try to secure such a deal as part of a community benefits agreement that the developer negotiated with an alliance composed of 27 local organizations.

Under that deal, the developer promised to set aside $1 million each year for 99 years to provide ice time to needy residents and groups, but the councilman was alleged to have demanded $100,000 of that money be redirected each year.

“A request from Councilman Cabrera, coming as it did from a sitting city council member who would ultimately vote on this project, was inappropriate in our view,” said William Brewer III, who is the lead counsel to KNIC Partners. He added that because Cabrera was affiliated with the group, and because it had lost its non-profit status, “the request was rejected out of hand.”

Cabrera, a minister, wouldn’t acknowledge that he made the request...

'Fiercely Independent Democrat' Sepulveda Wins - Heastie Looses - with de Blasio Victory

de Blasio Bronx Campaign Headquarters with wife on board.
Photo courtesy of 100percentbronx.blogspot.com

Bronx, New York --- On July 18th, Bill de Blasio, who was trailing in every poll in the Democratic Mayoral race, officially set up shop here in the Bronx. Campaign headquarters was located at 1512 Castle Hill Avenue, also the home of the Roselyn Johnson Democratic Club of the 87th Assembly District. As you may know, the 87th Assembly District is represented by the 'fiercely independent' Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, who was also the first elected, and of the very few, Bronx elected officials to not fall in line with the Bronx Democratic Party and endorsed de Blasio early (April 21st, 2013 to be exact).

To many, including some of us here at CBP, it was a surprise that Bill Thompson, the candidate of the Bronx Dems., lost in pretty much every Assembly District, including in the AD that is represented by the Chair of the Bronx Dems. Honorable Carl Heastie, where Thompson lost by 1,068 votes. No doubt this was an embarrassment for Heastie and the Bronx Democratic Party. This is not the first time they rally behind a loosing candidate. 

We must congratulate the Bronx Dems. for getting behind Letitia James for Public Advocate and Scott Stringer for Comptroller (both won the Democratic primaries). 

Over in the NW Bronx, State Senator Gustavo Rivera (surprisingly) endorsed Christine Quinn for Mayor. We say surprisingly because if he was as smart as he sometimes professes, he would have known that Quinn never stood a chance of winning, in the Bronx or citywide. In his district, she came a very distant 3rd. This is definitely not a good sign of Senator Rivera's 'leadership" and one wonders if the fact that he no longer has former and now-disgraced Assemblyman Nelson Castro by his side reflects the Senator's real lack of leadership in his district. We will have to wait and see as his re-election nears in 2014.

Assemblyman Sepulveda Endorses de Blasio for Mayor (April 21, 2013)
Photo credit: 100percentbronx.blogspot.com

The winner here is Honorable Luis Sepulveda. He jumped on board with de Blasio very early and while many, including Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., Heastie and State Senator Gustavo Rivera (more on him below) tried in vain to change his mind, Sepulveda stuck to his guns and again, demonstrated why he has consider himself a 'fiercely independent Democrat'. Of course, once Thompson was out, Heastie and the Bronx Dems. jumped on the de Blasio victory train. 

Congrats to Sepulveda who lest we not forget might be next in line to be the Bronx Democratic Chair (definitely earned brownie points with the soon-to-be Mayor).

Dear Friends,

We are delighted to announce that after taking an extended vacation, Changing Bronx Politics (CBP) is back. 

So much to write about. From the Mayoral race to that shady race in the 86th Assembly District to the 'Derek Jeter' signature sof Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo. Uff, so much indeed!

Lets begin with the Mayoral race, who supported who and who lost/won in The Bronx.

2013 shaping to be exciting year for Bronx City Council Candidates

January 16, 2013

What do these individuals have in common: Albert Alvarez, Pedro Alvarez (not related to previous), Ralina Cardona, Walter Newsome, William Rivera, Carlos Sierra, Yudelka Tapia, Raquel Batista and Felipe De Los Santos?

In case you did not, all these individuals are registered candidates for office. While many are under "undetermined"- meaning they have not declared for which district they are running for - some have made public statements of their intentions. In some cases, it's juts what we hear on the streets.

We will do a quick rundown of who they are although we admit, some we have no idea who they are so we will just say "information not available".

Albert Alvarez: has been Chief of Staff to Councilman/Majority Leader Joel Rivera, who represents the 15th Council District since 2001. We are assuming that Albert will be seeking to replace his boss. His first reporting shows he raised $2,511 and spent $116.

William Rivera: Rivera has declared he's running for the 15th Council District, same district Albert Alvarez is seeking. His first reporting shows he raised a mere $300 and spent zero.

Ralina Cardona: Ralina is a respected community activist in the South Bronx. She's also the New York State Director of the League of United Latin American Citizens, also known as LULAC. It sis believed she will be running in the newly-ran 8th District, which is represented by Counilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito. 30% of the district are Bronx voters so given that she's a known Bronxite, she has a real shot at the seat. Her first reporting shows she raised $5,550 with $0 spent. 

Pedro Alvarez: Pedro is known in some local circles due to his support of candidates in the past. He is a tax-preparer who runs P. Alvarez & Associates located at 23 East 170th Street (corner of Townsend Ave). In 2009, Alvarez supported Carlos Sierra (see below) for City Council. From what we hear, he's running for District 15. His first reporting shows he raised $6,310 and spent $1,499.

Walter Newsome: According to his Linkedin page, Newsome served as an "Elected Official at Bronx Democratic County Committee," "Project Manager at Wilson Elser" and "Special Projects Coordinator at The Office of the District Attorney" in the Bronx.    

Like, Pedro Alvarez, he is running for the 16th Council District, which is currently    

represented by term-limited Councilwoman Helen Foster.  His first reporting shows he raised zero and spent zero.

Felipe De Los Santos: De Los Santos is Project Manager at HHH Continuum of Care. His Linkedin page also mentions he served as an "Intern/Assistant to Special Counsel at New York State Senate." De Los Santos is also running for District 16, hence his slogan "Team 16."

Last month, DNAinfo.com ran this story where De Los Santos was quoted and you can say, profiled to some extent. He has put out an 8-minute video which he discusses his campaign. You can see video here. 

According to the article on DNAinfo.com, De Los Santos is a law student at Seton Hall University, a resident of nearby Riverdale from Dominican parents. If he remains committed, and could raise some cash, De Los Santos' campaign could change how we do politics in the Bronx. He does have an uphill battle but determination is what matters. www.team16.org 

Carlos Sierra: Sierra is making a second try to represent the residents of the 16th Council District. In 2009, he ran a very low-budget campaign and despite lacking any significant support from any union, groups or elected officials, Sierra received an impressive 37% of the votes vs Councilwoman Foster. One would think that given such impressive numbers in 2009, Sierra would be the leading or favorite candidate of the Bronx Democratic Party. However, this is not the case. Unlike the last time around, there will be more than one Hispanic candidate on the ballot (assuming Pedro Alvarez, William Rivera and Felipe De Los Santos are able to get on the ballot).  In his first reporting, Sierra raised $14,805 and spent $779. We must admit, Sierra did pretty well for himself. To his benefit, there's no incumbent on the ballot so we'll see what happens in the coming months. We suggest he seeks a professional consultant, an experience and known Campaign Manager and work his neighborhood.  www.votesierra.com  

Raquel Batista: Batista served as Vice President, Corporate Responsibility and Compliance  for Vantage Properties. Prior to this position, she served as Executive Director of the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights. She's also joining the crowded field of candidates in the 15th Council District (like Albert Alvarez, William Rivera & Yudelka Tapia - see below).

Batista is not a party insider or soldier. She has been making the rounds of several events of the Bronx Democratic Party but our sources within the party tell us that she's really someone who they have no relationship with.  

In her first reporting, Batista raised an impressive $20,005 and spent $1,106. For someone who is said to not be known or having any relationships with the community, this is definitely an impressive amount of money raised. In fact, Batista out-raised all the other potential candidates. $20,000 makes a very strong statement and gives credibility to Batista's campaign.  www.raquelbatista.com

Yudelka Tapia: Tapia has also decided to run for the 15th Council District. Although she resides in the 14th, Tapia is taking advantage of redistricting (which permits candidates to run for any district even if they do not reside in them) and this has caused some party officials to wonder if Tapia will be seeking office every time an election comes around. This is the fourth time Tapia seeks office. She has been a candidate for Assembly once and for City Council twice. She might get lucky this time around. If she's unsuccessful, Tapia might need to consider another career in politics. 

In her first filing, she reported $16,178 in donations and spent $3,543, mostly in attorneys handling her case. As Bronx Times Boro Beat reporter Bob Kappstatter reported in his October 25th, 2012 column, "Yudelka COULD run, but without new matching funds unless she pays off $47,774 in fines and repays or accounts for $59,930 out of the original $78,828 in matching funds."

It is no doubt that Tapia is considered a loyalist of Bronx Democratic Party Chairman Carl Heastie and loyal supporter of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. However, such loyalty and friendship has not been able to elect her into office (except District Leader in the 86th Assembly District).

Tapia might want and need to ask for the endorsement of State Senator Adriano Espaillat, since she oversaw the Bronx operations for Espaillat's 2012 unsuccessful Congressional campaign. www.yudelkatapia.com

Two other individuals that did not show any filings with the Campaign Finance Board but that have surfaced as possible candidates in the 15th Council District are Radame Perez, supermarket owner/successful real-estate developer and Ischia Bravo, Executive Director of the Bronx Democratic Party

This is it folks...for now! 2013 is definitely shaping to be an exciting year for us Bronxites. We wish all candidates the best. 

Hope you found our analysis useful and if you feel we have made an error, feel free to comment. We will publish everyone's comments. 

Rangel NEVER has nor will he EVER care about The Bronx

January 10, 2013
By Bob Kappstatter - Boro Beat / Bronx Times 

Where’s Charlie? Rangel working on putting one foot in new Bronx territory

WHERE’S CHARLIE?

With a redistricted western swath of the Bronx now making up a big 26% chunk of his 15th Congressional District, you’d think Charlie Rangel might want to put down some local roots.

But he still hasn’t set up a borough district office, or designated a community representative to deal with Bronx constituents.

Even his website gives the borough short shrift, stating “Outside the borough of Manhattan, the Fifteenth stretches to include a small area of the Bronx....” READ COMPLETE COLUMN HERE

A MUST READ: This week's 'BORO BEAT'

Councilwoman behind Dem Boss downfall slapped with 73G campaign tab

By Bob Kappstatter

October 25, 2012

The woman behind Assemblyman Jose Rivera’s downfall as Bronx Democratic county leader owes the city Campaign Finance Board some big bux.

It slapped former west Bronx Councilwoman Maria Baez last week with almost $73,000 in penalties and a bill for unspent matching funds from the 2009 race she lost to current Morris Heights Councilman Fernando Cabrera.

It also hit Yudelka Tapia, female district leader in the 86th Assembly District there, with a $107,704 bill for penalties and unspent funding from that same 2009 council race.

READ COMPLETE COLUMN HERE

WHO'S REPLACING JOEL RIVERA IN THE 15TH?

While most of the attention is on the candidates for Mayor in 2013, we must also remember that voters will be voting for their City Council representatives. In the Bronx, we are keeping our eyes on a few City Council races. Today, we'll focus our attention to Council District 15, currently represented by Councilman & Majority Leader Joel Rivera. 

In 2001, Joel was elected in a special election to fill the seat (formerly held by his father Jose Rivera) and became the youngest elected official in the City of New York at the age of 22. In 2009, he was rumored to be considering a run for Bronx Borough President. While he's term-limited (unable to run for the seat again), he's still sitting on a campaign war chest of $208,262.00 (as of 10/24/12). This puts him in a very comfortable position to seek Borough Hall next year. 

No, we here at CBP doubt he will challenge current Borough President Ruben "Rubencito" Diaz, Jr. This scenario is in the event that 'Rubencito' decides (finally) to seek higher office, such as Public Advocate (many political observes have publicly stated he's not ready for prime time just yet). He is sitting on $886,865 (as of 10/14/12) so he has nothing to loose and everything to gain. Did we mention that if he does decide to go for Public Advocate, he would be the only Latino on the ticket for city-wide seat? 

And yes, there's always the possibility that Joel could decide to seek his father's Assembly seat and dad will in return run for his son's seat. Gotta love Bronx politics folks. 

Now, who else would run for the 15th? Let's look at a few individuals who stand out.

Yudelka Tapia: from what our sources tell us, the perennial candidate (for almost every seat that becomes vacant) has been fundraising and telling friends she's running for Joel's district. We find that odd given she lives in Councilman Cabrera's district (who's not term-limited but, well, more on him later) and has had her base there for some time now. However, due to redistricting, she is able to run in any district (just this time).

As of today (10/24/12), she has not registered with the NYC Campaign Finance Board and thus there is no date to disclose. Yudelka is probably keeping all her options on the table. If Cabrera decides to run for Borough Hall (assuming 'Rubencito' seeks citywide office) then Yudelka MIGHT have a shot a something she has been seeking for a very long time: hold public office (being District Leader is not enough for her). 

Yudelka, in our humble opinion, is probably digging her political grave (or should we say deeper?) if she ultimately decides to run for this seat. Then again, she is an experienced, but unsuccessful, candidate. One thing we are sure is that she needs to make up her mind on which seat she ultimately wants and not be all over the place. Voters, her supporters and even the Bronx Democratic Party will eventually have wish her good luck -- on her own!

Radame Perez: Radame is the son of an influential and highly successful developer in the Bronx. They run Mastermind (they are literally all over the Bronx these days). Back in 2009, Radame was fundraising and campaigning for Joel's seat. While virtually an unknown in politics, publicly at least, Radame caught everyone's attention (particularly that of the Bronx Democratic Party) when he raised over $150,000 from June 2008 to April 2009 (yes, in only 10 months). At the end, Radame decided to hold off and while we are not sure if there was ever an agreement between him, Joel and/or Bronx Democratic Party, one thing is certain: Radame is a force to be reckoned with. 

Jose Rivera: Current Assemblyman (and former Bronx County Chair) is what many have speculated could be in the works. While we encourage everyone to seek and hold office until their bodies and minds allow them, we must also be realistic and know that those trips to Albany do take a serious toll on your body and mind when you're almost 80. 

Keep in mind that the elder Rivera held Joel's seat for more than a decade. Simply put, Jose Rivera is (or was?) a 'caudillo' in Bronx politics. Needless to say, the last name has become very familiar to older voters (especially seniors) and come election day, voters will go with the only name they have known for a very long time, for some, it has been the only name they have voted for. 

Oh, and for anyone going up against the elder Rivera, remember where he comes from: LA PERLA, Puerto Rico. And for those who know something about La Perla, we know one thing: they do not play. Want proof? When in San Juan, go, actually try, if you dare, to 'enter' La Perla. You lucky if you're allowed in and even luckier if you come out alive (of course, unless you know someone who lives there).

Tapia vs. Perez vs. Rivera: definitely worth waiting and watching how this scenario plays out in the coming months. 

UP NEXT: "Who's Replacing Helen Foster in the 16th?"

CBP will continue to keep its ears on the ground... in the meantime, let us know your thoughts. Good or not-sop good... we love democracy and freedom of speech!