Andrew Cuomo
What will Cuomo’s puertorriqueños do?
Now that Oscar López Rivera has been persuaded to decline his National Freedom Hero recognition by the board of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, the buzz in the inner sanctum of the Cuomo Kingdom is: “¿Que hacemos?” The guv’s top puertorriqueños like Budget Director Robert Mujica, Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez, Chief Diversity Officer Rose Rodríguez, acting MTA Chairman Fernando Ferrer and others are waiting for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is not marching, to tell them if they can go as individuals or if they must skip the June 11 event. “The guy (Oscar) is still marching. So, I’m betting the governor is going to tell them to do whatever they want,” one Albany bochinchero told us. I say that they’re not going to risk being there and getting caught on video standing with or greeting the Puerto Rican patriot. That would not be bueno for their jefe. Stay tuned.
No Abrazo for Melissa?
New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito has been chosen by City Councilman Rafael Salamanca as his honoree at the annual Abrazo Boricua in New York event hosted by state Sen. Rubén Díaz prior to Sunday’s National Puerto Rican Day Parade. A Bronx bochinchero told us that the selection has upset the senior Díaz. “Esta como ciempiés meado,” or he’s like a peed-on centipede, is the way the bochinchero described the polemic político’s mood with the presence of Melissa at his event. Bets are being taken as to whether Díaz gives Melissa an abrazo, or hug, on Thursday. I bet the senator is going to make a beeline for the men’s room when he sees her.
The bouncing Moya
Assemblyman Francisco Moya told our Jeff Coltin that running against state Sen. José Peralta has “never been in conversation.” When B&B wrote about that buzz, it was others in Queens County who wanted Moya to challenge Peralta for joining the IDC. Now it’s clear that the bouncing Moya is running for New York City Council District 21, which is currently occupied by Julissa Ferreras-Copeland. So far, the only announced candidate is Hiram Monserrate. A bochinchero told me, “I doubt that Hiram can beat Moya. It’s a different campaign and a more difficult one than running against Julissa.” Then again, there may be others jumping into the race. I hate coronations.