Bronx Political Buzz: Silent Serrano, OLR and more

Serrano Silent on Oscar Lopez Rivera/National  PR Parade Controversy

Oscar López Rivera breaks his silence. Fox 5 NY

Oscar López Rivera breaks his silence. Fox 5 NY

New York’s senior Puerto Rican elected official has been strangely silent about the drama surrounding the National Puerto Rican Parade’s controversial selection of ex-FALN leader Oscar López Rivera for the first-ever “National Freedom Hero” award. A number of sponsors (including Goya Foods) have pulled their support and all of New York’s statewide elected officials are boycotting the June 11 parade down Fifth Avenue. Acting Brooklyn D.A. Eric Gonzalez (who’s of Puerto Rican heritage) says he won’t be marching next Sunday. And Rep. Serrano has stayed mum.

During May, Serano’s social media posts mentioned Bronx Week celebrations, a visit to the Sharon Baptist Head Start, Puerto Rico’s fiscal crisis, and the need for a special counsel in Russia-gate. His office hasn’t respond to inquiries. In a call with state Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., one could hear his eyes rolling as he laughed in answer to an inquiry.

 

Upset at Bronx Dems Snub of Women Candidates

So far this election cycle, the Bronx Democratic County Committee has endorsed to male state lawmakers to succeed two city councilwomen and snubbed a female district leader to endorse a third male state lawmaker. Last year, the party selected former Community Board 2 district manager Rafael Salamanca, Jr. to replace CM Maria del Carmen Arroyo who resigned in December 2015 to take a position with Acacia Network. Three women replaced by three men.

Morgan Pehme, a supporter of the nonprofit group, 21 in 21 (which advocates electing, at least, 21 women out of the Council’s 51 members by 2021), says that if county leaders “don’t genuinely sign on to the goal of gender parity [and] as long as the county leaders continue to hold sway over the system there won’t be parity.”

The Bronx Council delegation, which once boasted four female Council Members (Mark-Viverito, Gibson, Arroyo, Palma), may only have one come January 1, 2018. Some women activists are vowing that they will not forget what Assemblyman Crespo and his colleagues did, if that outcome occurs.

 

J.C. Polanco Edges Closer To Announcing Public Advocate Bid 

Bronx attorney and political analyst J.C. Polanco had a great week as he secured the backing of all five GOP county leaders as well as the endorsement of the Reform Party of NYS. Polanco, the father of two children, is said to be days away from formally announcing his decision. Party insiders are keen on Polanco making a credible race against incumbent Public Advocate Letitia “Tish” James, a Democrat. Under the city’s Campaign Finance Board rules, Polanco needs to make the ballot and raise $125,000 to be eligible for public matching funds and to participate in debates.

 

Is “The Rappin’ Fireman” His Own Stalking Horse 

East Harlem tipsters say John “The Rappin’ Fireman” Ruiz sudden candidacy is geared to aid Assemblyman Robert Rodriguez by creating goodwill for Ruiz’s interest in seeking to fill Rodriguez’s Assembly vacancy (if he wins the Council seat). But a Bronx operative says Ruiz is angry that his co-district leader Speaker Mark-Viverito (AD 68, Part C) didn’t support him. Wheels within wheels.

 

Where in the World is Michael Blake

On Saturday, DNC vice chair Assemblyman Michael Blake was at Solomon and Kuff in Harlem for the DNC Resistance Summer NY launch event with special guest speakers DNC Treasurer Bill Derrough, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Speaker of the Colorado House Crisanta Duran, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and other local resistance leaders.

mikeblake1922 (Instagram)

mikeblake1922 (Instagram)

 

Best In Bronx Political Tweets

CM King_Wear Orange

 

Twitter

Twitter

Twitter

Twitter

 

#NationalCandyMonth (Twitter)

#NationalCandyMonth (Twitter)

 

Elvin Garcia_Office Opening

 

Democratic candidate John Marano quits #CD13 race and endorses Gjonaj.

Democratic candidate John Marano quits #CD13 race and endorses Gjonaj.

 

Farias_Dog Volunteer

 

Endquote

Condolences to radio personality and Reform Party state chairman Curtis Sliwa who laid his mother to rest this past Wednesday.

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