The Future of Progressive Politics in The Bronx: Ritchie Torres

Richie Torres. (William Alatriste/NYC Council)

"A Bronx councilman goes his own way"

By Gloria Pazmino (Capital NY) February 4, 2014

He's only 25 years old, but freshman councilman Ritchie Torres of the Bronx has played his political cards like a veteran.

Alone among the Bronx delegation, Torres went against the county Democratic leader to back Melissa Mark-Viverito for Council speaker. The benefits followed quickly, as Torres was appointed chairman of the Council's public housing committee and was given an important deputy leader position.

Torres knows the hard part is yet to come.

Complete article here

"Party vs. Gustavo still percolating" by Bob Kappstatter (Bronx Times)

Party vs. Gustavo still percolating

January 30, 2014

In a world full of game playing people, goes one of our favorite sayings, God took pity and invented the empty smile.

This segues to our prior column on Bronx Democratic Boss Carl Heastie and his minions being mightily ticked off at west Bronx Senator Gustavo Rivera for his over-the-top support of Melissa Mark-Viverito in the Council Speaker’s race while the party machine backed - and lost with - Manhattan’s Dan Garodnick, only to be fed crumbs by winner Melissa in chairmanships and jobs.

We wrote that Boss Carl was angry enough to talk about backing a candidate against Gustavo, but softened it to thinking about letting Gustavo face reelection without party backing. Carl, of course, was reported furious that it leaked out to your humble ink-stained wretch.

Enter Gustavo, who called us to say he and Carl met and that everything was just hunky dory with them.

READ FULL COLUMN HERE

GUSTAVO RIVERA IN HOT, HOT, HOT WATERS

Here at Changing Bronx Politics (CBP), we are not surprised to hear that the so-called 'beloved' State Senator from the NW Bronx, the Honorable Gustavo Rivera, is in hot waters with Bronx County Boss Carl Heastie and the Bronx Dems. 

BRONX DEMOCRATIC PARTY BOSS CARL HEASTIE: The Honorable Gustavo Rivera has had a tendency of going against the Party at every opportunity he gets. When Heastie and Bronx Dems. rallied behind Bill Thompson for Mayor last year, Honorable Rivera supported Christine Quinn, who came in 3rd place in the Bronx and citywide (Bill de Blasio came in first followed by Thompson). 

And as if that was not enough, Honorable Gustavo Rivera decided to 'stick his noses' in the Speaker's race and supported Melissa Mark-Viverito vs the County's pick, Dan Garodnick, who ultimately conceded to Mark-Viverito. Honorable Gustavo Rivera might have scored some brownie points with Mark-Viverito and some of the progressives who supported her candidacy but locally, he burned his bridges with Party Boss and the entire organization. And if Mayor de Blasio has any say, he might not be as nice as Speaker Mark-Viverito was with her foes.

JEFF KLEIN: As if having the Party not-against-you-but-not-with-you is not enough, the Honorable Gustavo Rivera has acted as the 'pitbull' with no mouthguard, 'el alcahuete' of the Senate Democrats, against his colleague State Senator Jeff Klein. The Honorable Gustavo Rivera may think he has more 'cojones' than Klein but he is forgetting who is Jeff Klein and the immense power and clout he has in NYS politics. As they say in his homeland Puerto Rico, Honorable Gustavo Rivera 'esta abombao'. Klein is ready to put his mighty war chest to oust the Honorable Gustavo Rivera.

REV. RUBEN DIAZ, SR.: And let us add the Honorable Gustavo Rivera's latest insult to injury by mocking the heavy accent of another of his colleagues, outspoken Reverend State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. 

JOSE RIVERA: It is no secret that former Bronx Party Chair, known to many as 'El Padrino' of Bronx politics, Jose Rivera (no relation to the Honorable) has very little, if any, interest in keeping the Honorable Gustavo Rivera acting as if he's the Godfather of the NW Bronx. 

FERNANDO CABRERA: We al know that local Councilman Fernando Cabrera is no friend of the Honorable Gustavo Rivera. Both want to have control of the NW Bronx and both see each other as a threat, whether they admit it or not. Cabrera is even rumored to be one of the possible candidates looking to oust the Honorable Gustavo Rivera. Will Party Boss Heastie stay out it in this case? Remains to be seen.

DOMINICANS: The district which the Honorable Gustavo Rivera represents has a high concentration of Dominicans and while he does not like to admit it or has no interest in acknowledging this fact, they do matter. The Honorable Gustavo Rivera relied on former Assemblyman Nelson Castro (see below) to make him appeared Dominica-friendly, the Honorable Gustavo Rivera has very little respect for this group and we believe the feeling is mutual. He takes his Puertorican pride to a level we all know as arrogant. This will come back to haunt him. 

ADRIANO ESPAILLAT: With State Senator Adriano Espaillat's likely challenge against Congressman Charles Rangel, we could safely assume that Senator Espaillat will need, seek and welcome the support of the Honorable Gustavo Rivera, who in turn, also needs Espaillat to again, re-introduce him as Dominican-friendly. In 2012, when Espaillat challenged, and almost won, Congressman Rangel, the Honorable Gustavo Rivera, once again, defied Bronx Party Boss Heastie who were supporting Rangel, and supported Espaillat for Congress. Word on the street was that the Honorable Gustavo Rivera only showed face when the candidate was in the area but the folks doing the hard work were Nelson Castro's team. We can attest that for better or worse, Castro himself was very active and visible in their efforts to elect the first Dominican-American to Congress. The Honorable Gustavo Rivera was, well, around. 

NELSON CASTRO & VICTOR 'LEVERGATE' PICHARDO: Disgraced Assemblymember, who represented the NW section of the Bronx, was Rivera's base. While the Honorable Gustavo Rivera would probably deny it,  it is of no secret that he never had or has a base established in the district he represents. The recent, and questionable, election of his protege Victor "Levergate" Pichardo means nothing since Pichardo is a newbie to Bronx politics and lacks a base as well. 

PEDRO ESPADA: The Honorable Gustavo Rivera may not like to mention his name but we all know that even if a dog ran against the former, and imprisoned Senator, he (dog) would have won. So we urge the Honorable Gustavo Rivera to not think of himself so high and to make sure he knows he walks the same streets we do and lives on the same planet. Or does he? 

It is clear that his days as the Honorable State Senator from the NW Bronx are numbered.  Maybe he should start looking at trying out for American Idol.

Honorable Gustavo Rivera, our best wishes!

Palma Betrayed by Her Own Party? King Left Out; Torres New Bronx Star

So, how did the Bronx Council delegation do with Speaker Mark-Viverito’s committee assignments? Not so good.

First, keep in mind that the Bronx Democratic Party, except freshman Councilmember Ritchie Torres, supported Mark-Viverito-s rival, Dan Garodnick.

The only two Councilmembers who did not get a piece of the pie were Andy King (Co-op City) and Annabel Palma, who also ran for Speaker.

After the assignments, Palma went on the offensive, bashing Speaker Mark-Viverito and called it “politics as usual” and stating “a blind man can see that this is political retribution.” This argument falls short as the Speaker even appointed her strongest rival (Garodnick) Chair of the powerful Economic Development Committee.  Palma further stated that “nothing has changed.” However, many political observers have commented that the new Speaker’s assignments demonstrate strong leadership on the part of Mark-Viverito.

When questioned by reporters about Palma’s comments, Speaker Mark-Viverito simply responded that “unfortunately, that’s the interpretation of our colleague. I respect the position but I differ with it.”

In his weekly appearance on NY 1’s Inside City Hall, political commentator Gerson Borrero said that Palma “was sold out by her own people” and challenged Palma to questioned “the deal” that Bronx Part Dem Chair Carl Heastie brokered with the Arroyo family. South Bronx Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo was selected to Chair the Community Development Committee.

It remains to be seen what political effect this may have on the leadership of Chairman Heastie, whose leadership has been put in question as a result of several recent political scandals in the Bronx.

Andy King, surprisingly, was also excluded from any committee chairmanship. This was a surprise to many since he was not publicly bashing Mark-Viverito during her race.

NW Bronx Councilman Fernando Cabrera was assigned Chair of Juvenile Justice. This came as a surprise given Cabrera’s opposition to Mark-Viverito’s race for Speaker. Further, minutes after Mark-Viverito’s historic election, Cabrera left a cloud of doubt when asked about Mark-Viverito’s election by Spanish newspaper (El Diario/La Prensa) and stated that “now let’s see if she really does what she said she would do and if the Council is really united under her leadership.” Seems like these comments were irrelevant to Mark-Viverito’s decision to designate Cabrera as Chair of the Juvenile Justice Committee.

The real winner in the Bronx is newly-elected Councilmember Ritchie Torres, who defied Chairman Heastie and supported Mark-Viverito early on. He will Chair the Public Housing Committee. Many observers say that Torres represents the future of Bronx politics, with a new era of progressives running for office. 

It remains to be seen how much ‘lulus’ each of the Bronx Councilmembers will receive when they are doled out in the new few months. Each Councilmember can receive from $200,000 to millions, depending of course, on their relationship with the Speaker.

As Assemblyman Jose Rivera, a staunch supporter of Mark-Viverito, wrote in his Facebook page that “If you were one of those who saw this train "Stop" at your local train station while the conductor was saying, "ALL ABOARD!" and did not jump on, don't blame Melissa blame yourself.”

Another Bronx Scumbag On His Way to Federal Prison

Eric Stevenson has proven, yet again, that the Bronx is in desperate need of a leadership change. If you look at a timeline of events, the Bronx has been mass-producing corrupted politicians and someone needs to stop this. Thank the Heavens for US Attorney Preet Brahara.

Check out the column from the NY Times.

Assemblyman From the South Bronx Is Convicted on Bribery and Extortion Charges

By BENJAMIN WEISER, NY Times 

January 13, 2014

Eric Stevenson

Eric A. Stevenson, a New York assemblyman, was convicted on Monday of taking more than $20,000 in bribes in return for helping four businessmen build an adult day care center in his South Bronx district.

A federal jury in Manhattan deliberated for roughly 90 minutes before returning a verdict finding Mr. Stevenson, 47, guilty of charges that included bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and extortion.

The conviction of Mr. Stevenson, a Democrat in his second term, automatically vacates his 79th District Assembly seat, an Assembly spokesman said.

Judge Loretta A. Preska of Federal District Court said Mr. Stevenson would be sentenced on May 20. Prosecutors said he faced a maximum sentence of 20 years on each of two counts and lesser maximums on the others.

After the verdict was delivered, Mr. Stevenson, standing in the courthouse lobby, said: “I want to reserve my thoughts and my feelings. I don’t feel down. We’ll see what the future brings.”

The weeklong trial was the first arising out of an Albany corruption scandal that erupted last April when, on the same day that the office of Preet Bharara, the United States attorney in Manhattan, announced charges against Mr. Stevenson, it also revealed that another Democratic assemblyman, who turned out to be Nelson L. Castro, had resigned his office and was cooperating with the authorities.

That same week, Mr. Bharara announced charges against Malcolm A. Smith, a Democratic state senator accused of trying to bribe his way onto the ballot to run for mayor of New York. He has pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Stevenson “brazenly betrayed the public that elected him,” Mr. Bharara said on Monday. “Graft and greed are intolerable in Albany, and we will go to trial as often as we have to until government in New York is cleaned up.”

Prosecutors have filed papers seeking forfeiture of any pension money related to Mr. Stevenson’s service in the Assembly.

The prosecution’s case rested largely on the testimony of Sigfredo Gonzalez, a Bronx political operative who ran unsuccessfully in 2008 for the 79th District Assembly seat. He began cooperating with the authorities after he was caught trying to bribe Mr. Castro, who was already helping the government.Prosecutors indicated that the most audacious aspect of the scheme was when

Mr. Stevenson agreed to introduce legislation that would place a three-year moratorium on competing centers opening in the city. The measure would have been worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to the businessmen, who have all since pleaded guilty to conspiracy, the prosecutors said.

Mr. Stevenson’s lawyer, Muhammad Ibn Bashir, focused his attack on Mr. Gonzalez and his questionable past, which included admissions that Mr. Gonzalez had pleaded guilty to crimes including participating in an insurance scheme and lying to government.

“Just look at him. Look at his history,” Mr. Bashir said in his summation, adding, “He has never respected the boundaries of the law.”

But the prosecutors, Paul M. Krieger and Brian A. Jacobs, said Mr. Gonzalez’s testimony was corroborated by video and audio recordings made secretly of his conversations with Mr. Stevenson, which were played at trial, in which testimony began last Tuesday.

Mr. Stevenson could be heard on the recordings using code words to discuss money, expressing concern at being found out and even making threats against those who might seek to expose him, prosecutors said.

In meetings about a year ago, Mr. Stevenson asked Mr. Gonzalez whether the businessmen were “putting together a nice little package for me.” He also told Mr. Gonzalez, “I want a blessing in place, man.”

At one point, he cautioned Mr. Gonzalez, “Be careful of no mistakes, man, those recorders and all those things, man.” And: “Make no paper trail or nothing.”

“Are these the words of an assemblyman just doing his job?” Mr. Krieger argued during his summation. “Absolutely not,” he continued. “Stevenson was doing everything he could to cover up his paper trail, to cover up his relationship with the businessmen.”

En El Bronx Todos Se Preguntan: Donde Estuvo Adriano Espaillat?

Adriano Espaillat recientemente anunció su intención de disputar el escaño al veterano Charles Rangel y convertirse en el primer legislador federal de origen dominicano. 

La pregunta para el Senador Espaillat es la siguiente: QUE HA HECHO PARA GANAR LA CONFIANZA DE AQUELLOS QUE VIVIMOS EN EL DISTRITO CONGRESIONAL QUE ASPIRA REPRESENTAR PARA QUE NOSOTROS VOTEMOS POR USTED? 

Para nadie es un secreto que el Senador Epaillat solo ayuda a su anillo y nada mas (ojo: su equipo es muy trabajador y de nuestra admiración) pero para Espaillat, lo único que es importante para el es ADRIANO ESPAILLAT.

Ahora quiere que el Bronx le apoye y no podemos aplaudir una sola acción que sea merecedora de nuestro (la comunidad Dominicana del Bronx) apoyo.

Cuando el Dominicano Carlos Sierra se postulo para Concejal en el 2009 contra la entonces incumbente de origen afro-americana Helen Foster, donde estuvo Adriano Espaillat?

Cuando en el 2010 el también Dominicano Hector Ramirez se postulo contra el ahora ex-Asambleísta Nelson Castro, donde estuvo Adriano Espaillat?

Cuando mas reciente, en las primarias Demócratas del 10 de septiembre, se postularon varios reconocidos candidatos para el escaño de Castro, entre ellos Yudelka Tapia, Haile Rivera y el propio Hector Ramirez, donde estuvo Adriano Espaillat?

Cuando también en las pasadas primarias del Partido Demócrata, habían varios candidatos de origen Dominicano, como Manuel Lantigua, a Concejal por el Distrito 7, donde estuvo Adriano Espaillat? En este caso, Espaillat fue quien estuvo detrás del ganador, el judío Mark Levine. 

Ahora Espaillat (y sus seguidores) dicen que debemos de apoyarlo para "hacer historia," por que "nos toca" y "tener uno de los nuestros" en el Congreso. nuestra pregunta: por que Adriano Espaillat no trato de ayudar (de una u otra manera) aquellos Dominicanos que han tratado de ser Concejales y/o Asambleístas? Por que todos sabemos que a el solo le concierne a ADRIANO ESPAILLAT. 

Por este egoísmo no llegara a retirarse de la política/servicio publico de manera honrada. Es cuestión de tiempo que alguien con capacidad y apoyo diga "Espaillat, eh pa' fuera que va" por que como dice el dicho "no hay mal que dure 100 años" y en este caso, los días de espaillat están contados.

En llamadas a varias de las personas que mencionamos en esta nota, no hubo uno en confirmar su apoyo a la candidatura de Espaillat para el Congreso. Tampoco descartaron apoyarlo, si como dijo uno de los entrevistados "el le da la importancia que amerita". Otros confirmaron que aunque quizás no respalden a Espaillat, tampoco ayudarían al incumbente y legendario Congresista Charlie Rangel. En el caso de uno de los candidatos que aspiraron por el distrito 86 (donde gano el supuesto y desconocido Dominicano Victor Pichardo), la respuesta era "y que hizo Adriano por mi para apoyarlo a el? Ya con eso te dije mi respuesta." Pero si todos los entrevistados acordaron en desearle "buena suerte" para Adriano Espaillat.

También indagamos a personas cercanas al Partido Demócrata del Bronx y nos indicaron que según sus opiniones, el Partido Demócrata respaldaría nuevamente a la re-elección del Congresista Rangel.

En el 2012, cuando Espaillat se postulo en contra de Rangel por primera vez, el contó con el apoyo del entonces-Asambleísta Dominicano Nelson Castro, el Senador Estatal de origen puertorriqueño (Jose) Gustavo Rivera y la Lider Distrtital, Yudelka Tapia, tambien de origen Dominicana. Gracias a esta coalicion de apoyo, Espaillat logro ganarle a Rangel en el Bronx por 233 votos Esta por verse si estas personas estarán de nuevo con Espaillat en el 2014. 

Para culminar, 'Changing Bronx Politics' (Cambiando la Política del Bronx) decidio escribir sobre este tema por que el distrito para que aspira el Senador Espaillat esta compuesta por 30% del Bronx. 

Sin duda, el 2014 sera un año muy interesante para la política del Bronx, y en este caso, para los Dominicanos que residen aquí. 

Feliz Año Nuevo!

CBP 

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!