Bronx Political Buzz: Impeach President Donald Trump?

Chippewa President Ed Costa is joined by Rep. Crowley (2nd, right) and Chippewa members in honoring Chloe Strain (3rd, left), a student at the Frank Sinatra High School for the Arts, with a $500 AOH scholarship check. Credit: Robert Press

Chippewa Democratic Club Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Endorse Congressman Crowley

The Chippewa Democratic Club was established one hundred-twenty years ago in the very same place as was Saturday night’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. The political club endorsed Congressman Joe Crowley for re-election. Chippewa President Ed Costa joined with the Ancient Order of Hibernians to honor Chloe Strain, a student at the Frank Sinatra High School for the Arts (Queens), with a five-hundred dollar scholarship check.

BDCC 1st Vice Chair Benny Catala and Bronx BP Ruben Diaz, Jr.

Bronx Dems Winter Reception

Last Thursday night, Bronx Democrats led by chairman Assemblyman Marcos Crespo gathered at Billy’s Sports Bar to celebrate former city councilmembers Annabel Palma and Jimmy Vacca. Palma, looking great and stress-free, thanked BP Diaz for being among her early supporters when she began her 14-year Council career. She’s now deputy commissioner of strategis initiatives at the city Department of Social Services. The seemingly ageless Jimmy Vacca was hailed by Crespo as the “‘Benjamin Button’ of the Bronx.” Vacca, now a full-time faculty member at Queens College, recounted his fight as teenager to improve MTA bus service in his Throgs Neck community. Still Feeling The Burn: In his remarks, Assemblyman Crespo defended the party’s record in supporting countless women for judgeships (“I’m surprised that men haven’t sued the party claiming discrimation”) and public office. He introduced the Democratic party’s 80AD nominee Nathalia Fernandez, who’s running in the

Nathalia Fernandez, Community Activist and Executive Director to Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj.

Nathalia Fernandez, 80th AD Democratic nominee.

April 24 special election to fill the Gjonaj vacancy. Crespo also hinted at supporting a woman to fill a possible 87AD vacancy should Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda be elected to the Senate next month. He introduced Karina Reyes, a local comunity leader and registered nurse, as one of the many women the party is looking to promote. Last year, Crespo and his Bronx Dems took heat in the press for not supporting female candidates for vacant city council seats. Spotted: Rep. José Serrano with son, state Sen. José Marco Serrano; Rep. Eliot Engel, newbie CM Mark Gjonaj, Koch administration alum and uber lobbyist George Arzt, CM Fernando Cabrera, Stony Brook alum and Speaker Carl Heastie BFF Patrick Jenkins, party consigliere Stanley Schlein, Brooklyn CM Justin Brannan, Rev. Ray Rivera, Bronx BP Rubén Diaz Jr., CM Ritchie Torres, Assemblyman Victor Pichardo; business leader Fernando Brinn; MirRam’s Kathy Torres; former Cablevision executive, Ululy Martinez; Alberto Torres, Esq.; former insurgent Sergio Villaverde, Esq.; Council Land Use Committee chair CM Rafael Salamanca, lobbyist Michael Woloz, Benny Catala, BxDCC 1st Vice Chair; district leaders, Yudelka Tapia, Cynthia Cox, and party counsel Marissa Soto. Overheard: “I’m definitely not running for Comptroller,” Bronx beep Rubén Diaz told one attendee. Overheard, too: “I won’t be attending the State of the Union again until Trump is gone,” said legendary SOTU aisle-seat stakeout artist Rep. Eliot Engel.

Assemblyman Marcos Crespo (center) introduced community leader Karina Reyes (right) as among the many women, like Nathalia Fernandez (left), the party is looking to promote. Credit: Michael Benjamin

Crowley Looks Forward to Midterm Elections

(2nd row) Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Crowley, Councilman Ritchie Torres, John Collazzi join 82AD district leaders and St. Patrick’s Day honorees. Credit: Robert Press

On Saturday, Congressman Crowley said he is looking forward to the mid-term elections. Rep. Crowley told The Bronx Chronicle that Democrats are hoping to get a majority in the House, but not before having to win many tight battles. As far as his own personal interests, Crowley said that he’d have to see what might be available to him, including a bigger leadership role in the House. He also said that he wouldn’t seek a vote to impeach President Donald Trump until there is cold, hard factual evidence to bring such proceedings.

The Week’s Best Tweets

Where The Pols Are, March 4

11:00 AM — Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. attends the Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast. Jody’s Club Forest, 372 Forest Avenue, Staten Island.

3:00 PM – CM Vanessa Gibson holds her State of the 16th District 2018 and Community Inauguration on at the Bronx Museum. Doors open at 2pm, Program starts at 3pm.

3:30 PM — Bronx Borough President Diaz speaks at the dedication of the new home of the Bronx Christian Charismatic Prayer Fellowship. 1069 Morris Avenue, Bronx.

Monday, March 5

6:00 PM – CM Andy King and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams participate in a panel discussion at an event recognizing Three-Fifth Clause Awareness Day. The National Black Theatre, 2031-33 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan.

7:00 PM – Mayor Bill de Blasio appears live on NY1’s Inside City Hall with Errol Louis.

6:30 PM – Public Advocate Letitia James co-hosts School Safety Town Hall with the National Action Network. PS 11, 419 Waverly Avenue, Brooklyn.

9:00 PM – “Bronxtalk,” hosted by Gary Axelbank, features Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr., BronxNet.

Robert Press contributed this article.

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