BP shows strength of boro and what needs to be done

By Howard Goldin 

Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. delivered the 2011 State of the Borough Address at De Witt Clinton High School. 

The front section of the crowded auditorium was filled with political figures. Among those who traveled to the Bronx to hear the speech were City Council President Christine Quinn, Comptroller John Lieu, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Manhattan Borough President Stringer and Staten Island Borough President Molinari. Also present, of course, was a plethora of current and former Bronx officeholders including Diaz’s father, State Senator Ruben Diaz. 

The focus of the borough president’s remarks was the unity of the people of the Bronx. Diaz repeatedly spoke of “one Bronx.” He explained, “One Bronx is about coming together. One Bronx is about diverse communities standing as one.” The theme reverberated throughout Diaz’s speech. It was also apparent in the earlier phase of the ceremony.  

A video entitled “X Marks the Spot” was prepared by Bronxites as an internet response to a piece on American Idol that denigrated the borough. Not only were beautiful tourist attractions like Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Botanical Garden, the Bronx Museum of Art, and its many parks shown, but famous Bronx natives of a variety of ethnic backgrounds such as Rita Moreno, Doris Roberts, Melle Mel and Cathy Moriarity-Gentile spoke with pride of their place of birth.  

The program began with three musical numbers performed by a family of African-American youngsters from the Wakefield section. The entertainers were introduced by their proud father. The invocation was given by Rabbi Barry Dov Katz of Riverdale whose words were in accord with those that would later be spoken by the borough president, “We believe in tomorrow. We believe we can make tomorrow better than today.” The Color Guard was comprised of Army ROTC students from Fordham University and the National Anthem was beautifully sung by Flora Mendoza. Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene introduced Diaz as “A visionary who gets things done.”  

In addition to reiterating his belief in the unity of the residents of the Bronx, Diaz spoke proudly of the many success stores in the borough. He cited specific examples to prove his point, MS 223 in Mott Haven, Celia Cruz High School, Discovery High School and Bronx businesses like Verdero sporting goods and Gourmet Guru.  

While Diaz’s address was optimistic in tone, it was not unrealistic. The borough president noted the needs of the Bronx population and his proposals to meet those needs. He said, “The Bronx has the highest poverty rate of any urban county in the United States.” To the change this sad fact, he strongly backed the passage of the Fair Wage Act.  

To improve the education, health and safety of children in schools and adults and children in Bronx housing, Diaz proclaimed, “There’s still a great amount of work that needs to be done. We need to do more.”  

Diaz also proposed a 200-300 room world-class hotel to be constructed in the Yankee Stadium area to create new jobs in the Bronx and build upon the growing industry of tourism. He said he was working on keeping the Hunt’s Point Market in the Bronx despite New Jersey’s attempt to lure it away. Diaz also spoke of plans to finally utilize the vacant Kingsbridge Armory.  

Unlike the recent addresses of many local, city, and state officials who spoke of gloom and doom, Diaz concluded his talk with positive words, “It’s a time to let the world know the Bronx is a place of success. We will show them the best is yet to come.’