Showing posts with label Congressman Charles Rangel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Congressman Charles Rangel. Show all posts

Monday, September 9, 2013

Bronx Democratic County Barbecue


  Saturday September 7th was the Annual Bronx County Barbecue. Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Carl Heastie was joined by many elected officials from the Bronx and beyond. 2 candidates for Mayor showed up Bill Thompson and John Liu. Letitia James the Bronx County organization backed candidate for Public Advocate, Congressman Charlie Rangel (who now has a little part of the Bronx), and Manhattan Democratic County Leader Keith Wright were among those from outside the Bronx. 
   Willie Colon who is best known as a great Salsa singer and band leader, but who also ran for congress in 1994 gave a mini concert in favor of his candidate for Mayor Bill Thompson. Bronx County Leader Heastie said that he was going to keep the political speeches to a minimum, and kept his word as only he, BP Diaz, Bill Thompson, Letitia James, and co-host Assemblyman Marcos Crespo had the microphone other than Willie Colon. 
   Barbecue banter- On the subject of a vibrant looking Congressman Charles Rangel there was no comment by either Manhattan County leader Keith Wright or Rangel himself as to another term in Washington. Willie Colon- I crashed this party for my friend Bill Thompson. Public Advocate Letitia James- "We need to change the direction of the city". To my question of her what then has the city council been doing for the past 4 - 8 years there was no answer by Ms. James (a current councilwoman from Brooklyn), or any of the three other Bronx Council members I asked the same question. Bill Thompson- Under previous Bronx County Leadership there was fragmentation. Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr.- I do have a primary. Senator Jeff Klein- Didn't Oliver Koppell endorse Republican candidate for Mayor Michael Bloomberg? Carl Heastie- I am endorsing Jeff Klein for re-election.












Left - The Bronx Democratic County headquarters on the corner of Blondell Avenue and Eastchester Road.
Right - On the left Mr. John Zaccaro Jr. President of the Bronx Young Democrats (and Councilman Fernando Cabrera's office was in charge of the grill this year.

 













Left - Two old opponents, now friends say hello to each other.
Right - Famous Salsa singer and band leader Willie Colon listens to a woman as Bronx Democratic County Executive Director Ischia Bravo looks on.

 













Left - Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson greets some of his supporters.
Right - Mayoral candidate John Liu says hello to Bronx County Leader Heastie and others.

 













Left - Bronx County leader Heastie with Bronx County backed Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., Willie Colon, and Co-host Assemblyman Marcos Crespo.
Right - Willie Colon As he sings one of his hit songs.

 













Left - Senator Jeff Klein talking to Bronx County Leader Heastie, who later said that he was endorsing Senator Klein for re-election.
Right - Congressman Rangel talking to Bronx County Leader Heastie. Could this be for Heastie's endorsement for another term in Washington?


Thursday, March 28, 2013

Social Security Information Fair


  On Wednesday March 27th Congressman Charles Rangel held a Social Security Information Fair at Lehman College. Over 200 people participated in the event which had welcoming remarks from Congressman Rangel. The Regional Commissioner of the Social Security New York Region Ms. Beatrice Disman gave a presentation on the Social Security program. Topics included the cutback of 9,000 SSA workers nationwide due to attrition, and the recent budget cutting by congress. There will be longer waits and shorter hours at SSA offices. Ms. Disman emphasized that there are more online services, and that over 1/3 of new applicants now enroll online.
  There was a discussion of direct deposit, and that new applicants must either have their funds direct deposited or on a Visa debit card. Questions were taken from the audience, and there were SSA specialists on hand to handle the many individual problems that came up.

Left - Congressman Rangel and Ms. Disman of the SSA.
Right - There was also sign language provided.



Left - A view of the crowd.
Right - Community Board 8 Aging Committee Chairman & City Council candidate Andrew Cohen is introduced by Congressman Rangel.