December 2008

The so called “Gang of 3″ of which two are Latinos from the Bronx, “El Condado De La Salsa” Senator Ruben Diaz and recently elected Senator, Pedro Espada Jr. continue to hold out in backing a Democratic Majority leader in the State Senate.

Read the following article that appeared in the Daily News on this topic:

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/12/outside-influences.html

We were asked to circulate the following information by Anita Antonetti:

Latinos y Latinas por Norman Siegel are holding their kick-off event for Norman on Jan 5th!  This is the first of a series events geared to the Latino community to raise awareness and support for Norman’s campaign for

Public Advocate.  Please come and meet Norman and bring your friends!

Monday, January 5th

Latinos for Norman Siegel Party on the eve of Three Kings Day

from 6:30 to 9:30 PM

at Camaradas el Barrio Bar & Restaurant
2241 First Avenue at 115th Street

Public Transportation:
By public transportation, you can take the No. 6 subway to 116 Street, or any local bus traveling on the East Side of Manhattan (116 Street is a Limited Stop).

Suggested donation of $25 will help elect Norman NYC Public Advocate!

RSVP and contribute online at our website www.normansiegel.com  or pay at the door with cash or check payable to “New Yorkers for Norman Siegel”.

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LATINOS Y LATINAS POR NORMAN SIEGEL

Amigos, familias y communidades,

Norman Siegel es nuestro People’s Advocate.  We need you to help make Norman New York City’s Public Advocate in 2009.

Norman is an activist lawyer who fights for freedom, justice and equality.  When he’s the Public Advocate, he’ll fight for a better New York — good schools, housing, public transportation, and health care for all!

Over his 40 year career, Norman has stood by our Latino community.  El Diario and Hoy endorsed Norman in 2005.  He was named “Advocate of 2008” at the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade.  Here are a few reasons why:

• He’s fighting to protect Latino families and small businesses against the use of eminent domain in West Harlem and Downtown Brooklyn.
• He defended Latino police officers’ right to march in uniform in the Puerto Rican Day Parade and spoke out when hundreds of paradegoers were    unjustly arrested.
• He assisted with the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund to secure Spanish-language ballots for New York City voters.

The Public Advocate is our voice in city government.  We need a Public Advocate who cares about Latinos and immigrant rights.  With the economy the way it is, amigos, we need a progressive who stands up for hardworking families.  And we need someone with integrity who can keep the politicians honest.

We need Norman Siegel, the Peoples’ Advocate.

We’re working together to make sure Norman is the next Public Advocate — but we can’t do it without your vote and your help.  Latinos y Latinas por Norman Siegel is reaching out to friends and neighbors and inviting you to meet Norman, discuss his vision for New York City, and support his campaign.

Join us on January 5th  for our kickoff event.  A suggested donation of $25 will really help Norman’s campaign.  We hope to see you at this exciting event.  RSVP today!

What:  Latinos y Latinas por Norman Siegel Kickoff Event
When: Monday, January 5th, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Where: Camaradas El Barrio, 2241 First Ave at 115th
RSVP: (212) 448-6271 or www.normansiegel.com

We voted for change last month…  Let’s keep it up, keep it going, and keep it strong!  VIVA EL CAMBIO!  Help make Norman Siegel the Public Advocate in 2009!

Sincerely,

The Latinos y Latinas for Norman Siegel Committee

P.S.  Help make the Peoples’ Advocate the Public Advocate.  Your $25 donation will make a big difference to Norman’s campaign.  See you on January 5th, y Feliz Navidades y prospero NuevoAno!

New Yorkers for NORMAN SIEGEL

260 Madison Avenue  *  New York, NY  10016  *  Tel:  212-448-6271  *Fax:  212-448-0066

Email: NYCNormanSiegel@aol.com  *  Website:  www.NormanSiegel.com

Brothers and Sisters:

As you may know, the workers at Stella D’Oro, on 237th St. and Broadway, have been on strike for more than 4 months, defending their right to work with the protection of a fair union contract.

We must step up our solidarity with them so that their strike does not fail. For a start, some community activists have called a meeting to build solidarity with the workers on strike.

The meeting will take place on Friday, December 26, at 3:00 PM, at the Church of the Mediator, at 260 W. 231st St. West of Broadway. [click to continue...]

Jackson Heights, Queens – Councilman Monserrate today made the following statement regarding the events of early Friday, December 19.

“As the result of an unfortunate accident involving myself and someone whom I care for deeply and love, I have been charged with offenses that I did not commit and am not capable of committing. As a son, a brother and a father, these accusations are offensive, and they are crushing on a personal level. Nonetheless I whole-heartedly look forward to all of the facts being brought to light during this legal process. [click to continue...]

The movers and shakers have diffinitely been shaking things up in Albany, NY with three New York City elected officials that are trying to force some action and as a result have caused quite a storm and are being called the “Gang Of Three.” The following article from the Village Voice might help us understand, ¿que diantre esta pasando?

Read more..

http://www.villagevoice.com/content/printVersion/784204

There is a generation of Latinos that are no longer impressed with having a “Latino” in a position simply because he/she is Latino. They want to see Latinos in positions that they are qualified to hold thus being effective in helping the very community they claim they want to represent.

The following article from the Gotham Gazette brings out some interesting points on Bronx Borough President, Adolfo Carrión’s possible cabinet level position in Housing and Urban Development.

http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2008/12/11/carrion-off-to-washington-some-hope-not/

Obama sets record for top Hispanics

By MIKE ALLEN

The Politico (December 16, 2008)

President-elect Obama has already broken White House records for the number of top Hispanic officials, and is expected to name two more in the next day or two, according to transition officials.

“Based on what I can cull from records, we have more Hispanics in senior positions in this White House than under either President Bush or President Clinton,” incoming White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said in an interview.

“Diversity wasn’t the driving force here,” Emanuel added. “I’m proud of the fact that it is a diverse staff. But most importantly, the quality is of a single standard. We wanted to make sure that we got a great staff of seasoned people — both on the policy front and on the political front — who know their stuff.”

Emanuel said that was achieved partly by drawing from a combination of the campaign, Capitol Hill and policy-development organizations.

According to research by the Obama transition:

•  The maximum number of Latino Assistants to the President at any one time was two: under President Bill Clinton in 1998 and 2000.

•  The maximum number of Latino Assistants and Deputy Assistants to the President combined at any one time was five — in the current Bush White House and in the Clinton White House in 1998.

Obama has already named these well-known Hispanics to his government:

•  New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to be secretary of commerce

•  Nancy Sutley to be Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality

•  Moises “Mo” Vela to be Director of Administration, Office of the Vice President

•  Louis Caldera to run the White House Military Office

•  Cecelia Muñoz to be director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

The following announcements are likely in the next day or two:

•  U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), for secretary of the interior

•  Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión is rumored to be the president-elect’s choice to head the new White House Office of Urban Policy.

Ever since the passing of Ramón S. Velez this last week we have seen, or heard many comments, or testamonies about him. Ramón Velez was indeed a power in the South Bronx and was responsible for much of the development that took place. However, we need to “keep it real.” When you hear a News 12 reporter state: “Mr. Velez was responsible for Bi-Lingual education” I cringe as to how history can be easily distorted. Evelina Antonetti and Antonia Pantoja were never mentioned and they were the true pioneers of Bi-Lingual education in this city and state. We can go on, but I won’t. Instead I would like to direct you to the following article written by Bronx boy, David Gonzalez of the NY Times. Regardless of what you think of Ramón Velez, we wish him peace.

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