Riverdale Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz’s been grinning like the Cheshire Cat, keeping folks wondering if he might be want to trade Albany for term-limited City Council Ollie Koppell’s seat.
Now there’s a new rumor the consumer affairs chair’s been approached to run for Public Advocate.
No comment from Jeff, who DID list who looks good for Ollie’s seat BESIDES himself (Wink, wink, nod, nod).
That includes chief of staff and 81st A.D. female district leader Randi Martos; Dan Padernacht, potential spoiler in the Pedro Espada/Gustavo Rivera knockdown senate race, and Community Board 8 member Andrew Cohen.
Ben Bash
Speaking of Riverdale, lots of political buzz at the Ben Franklin Reform Dem club bash at the Riverdale Temple May 2.
Rep. Charlie Rangel there, using a walker after back problems. With new district lines moved into heavy Hispanic territory, he’ll face Upper Manhattan/Riverdale state Sen. Adriano Espaillat.
Beep Vs. Beep
Former Bronx BP Freddy Ferrer endorsed Espaillat at City Hall Monday, as BP Ruben Diaz Jr. said he’ll endorse Charlie – the smart thing to do unless Ruben’s plans for higher office include running against an incumbent Latino congressman….
Heastie’s Star
Bronx Dem Party Chief Carl Heastie named a rising star in Sunday NYTIMES piece on city’s powerful and soon-to-be-powerfuls. New NYT Bronx bureau chief Winnie Hu calls Carl “a consensus builder” who’s united “the famously fractious Bronx, where rival political families have taken grudge-holding to new levels.”
We’ll second that!
Maison Halal
Bronx Supreme Court Justice Doug McKeon has ruled that sex assault lawsuit by hotel maid and Bronxite Nafissatou Diallo against almost-French-president Dominique Strauss-Khan will be tried in the Bronx.
For lunchbreak dining, Dom should try the no-Michelin-star halal food wagon near the courthouse on 161st Street. We’d recommend a Cabernet Sauvignon to wash it down.
Cop Corner
Already undermanned Bronx detective squads being squeezed to give up seven detectives to Bronx District Attorney Rob Johnson’s official NYPD squad…It’s 25-and-out for Detective Billy Coakley at the 4-4 Squad in Highbridge…
Spinning Our Wheels.
Maybe it’s time someone SPOKE (ouch!) up over last Sunday’s Five Boro Bike Tour. It runs all over the other boros, but when it comes to Da Bronx, it’s gone in a flash, rolling in over the Third Ave. Bridge and zipping lickety split out over the Madison Ave. Bridge. Thankfully, there’s the annual Tour de Bronx in October which shows off the borough.
