BP and other Bronxites on "Urban Focus"

"Urban Focus," a weekly podcast from the Brooklyn-based DuBois Bunche Center for Public Policy, will feature a special Bronx episode tomorrow night called "The Many Dimensions of the Bronx." Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., will headline the show to talk about job growth and economic development in the borough.

Other guests include: BOEDC President Marlene Cintron on Bronx development, consultant and Carl Heastie advisor Patrick Jenkins with some political insights, and NY1 anchor Dean Meminger, who will talk about tourism in the borough.

The show will stream online Wednesday night from 9 to 10 p.m. here.

Benjamin Considers a Run Against Serrano

Does Assemblyman Michael Benjamin want to trade Albany for Washington? Benjamin said this week that he’s leaning in the direction of a run for Congress this fall.

In a phone interview, the assemblyman said he’s still weighing his options and will make a decision in the coming weeks. Should he opt to run, Benjamin would be giving up his state Assembly post in the 79th District, where he’s been since 2003, to challenge the federal seat currently occupied by Congressman Jose E. Serrano, who’s held the position for the past two decades.

“Over the last 20 years of the congressman’s tenure the Bronx has remained [home to] the nation’s poorest congressional district,” Benjamin said of Serrano. “To me, that’s not a badge of honor.”

Benjamin said his number one priority would be to use a congressional seat to bring funding into the 16th District—which makes up large portions of the west and south Bronx—to boost the area’s economy.

Benjamin went on to praise some of Serrano’s work, like his role in funding and fighting environmental justice issues, but said it wasn’t enough.

“The congressman has done good things,” he said. “But many more Bronx residents would prefer to be working, to be able to see their families have access to good quality medical care, higher performing public schools.”

“I always believe a federal legislator has a responsibility to try to solve some of these actions,” he continued.

Patrick Jenkins, who works for Bronx Democratic Party Chairman Carl Heastie, said he’s not sure if Benjamin’s congressional ambitions are serious.

“The chairman is not convinced that there is an actual run--that Benjamin will actually be running against Congressman Serrano. Until there’s a definitive word either way, it’ll be hard to pass judgment,” Jenkins said.

“I can tell you this: the chairman unequivocally supports Congressman Serrano in an election, and would support Michael Benjamin in his re-election.”

Bronx News Roundup, March 11

Congressman Jose E. Serrano is calling for an end to the war in Afghanistan. He spoke on the House Floor yesterday as Congress began debates on war legislation. You can watch the video of his statements here.

The Perez Notes has an interview with Patrick Jenkins, a political consultant and Carl Heastie staffer.  

A city-run apartment for homeless families in Morris Heights is under fire after its ceiling collapsed on a family of five--just days after another apartment in the same building gave a two-year-old lead poisoning.

Sen. Jeff Klein has been named chairman of a Government Efficiency Task Force that's looking to cut wasteful spending in state agencies.

A Bronx woman was arrested for the February hit-and-run accident in Brooklyn that left mayoral aide Erinn Phelan brain dead. 

The Riverdale Press has coverage of last week's state of the borough address from Ruben Diaz, Jr.

Police arrested 27 people on drug charges at the Pelham Parkway Houses yesterday. The investigation of the complex had been going on for nearly a year, according to the Daily News.

More on the demolition of the old Yankee Stadium. The borough president was on the scene as well, and posted some photos of the deconstruction.

Made your St. Patrick's Day plans yet? AmNY features some of the best Bronx spots to celebrate.

A nonprofit arts group named 1520 Sedgwick Ave. the birthplace of hip-hop.

Heastie's Right Hand

New Dem Chief Carl Heastie hires an old friend, Patrick Jenkins, to be a top aide, and "jack of all trades," reports Liz Benjamin. They attended Stony Brook together.

More from Liz on Heastie's next moves if/when B.P. Adolfo Carrion heads to Washington:

The new chairman's first test may well be a special election to replace Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, who appears poised to be appointed to a post with the Obama administration.

That race will put a number of factions against one another, including the son of the man Heastie deposed, Councilman Joel Rivera, who has made no secret of his desire for the seat.

Asked whether the party will likely endorse a candidate for borough president, Heastie replied (via his favorite mode of communication: Text message):

"Yes. I have instilled a process where candidates have to reach out to district leaders and other electeds, and we will have a consensus candidate when the process is done. This is for a more inclusive organization.