80th AD Candidate Robert Giuffre on the Issues

[Ed. note: a version of this first appeared in the Norwood News print edition.]

The Norwood News and the Bronx News Network sent questionnaires to the Democratic candidates of the 80th Assembly District, which includes Morris Park, Norwood and Van Cortlandt Village. Incumbent Naomi Rivera did not respond, but her upstart challenger, 27-year-old former Obama operative Robert Giuffre, did. Below is an undedited sampling of Giuffre’s answers.

Will you serve as a full-time legislator? If not, what other jobs will you also keep?

Yes, being that the annual salary is $80,000, I believe it is only fair to work full-time and to not collect outside income that could merit a conflict of interest. I would however volunteer some of my time to help other future reform-minded candidates to help implement real change in Albany.

What can you do as a state legislator to address high unemployment in the Bronx?

Experimental job sharing is a good way to not only create jobs, but also increase quality of service. Technological unemployment combined with a lackluster economy has produced a devastatingly bad job market for young people and the recently laid off. Job sharing seems like the most logical, fool-proof option that would not only create jobs, but would also increase productivity and quality of service.

State government could also offer tax incentives to industries that provide well paying jobs to lure business to New York and The Bronx. The Bronx is strategically located within the tristate area: it is close to Manhattan, New Jersey, Westchester, Connecticut and Long Island. The strategic location, coupled with tax incentives, could lead some businesses to relocate.

Name three things you would do to reform the legislative process in Albany?

I would draft or co-sponsor legislation that would emulate the NYC Campaign Finance Program at the state level.

Budget reforms like implementing GAAP (general accepted accounting principles), a five year budget plan, and creation of an independent budget board.

I would also support reforming the member item “pork” spending practices that set up situations of “horse trading” in the legislative process. Member item money could be distributed equally to all members regardless of rank or political capital.

Bronx News Roundup, Aug. 24

This week, NY1 is taking readers and viewers back in time with a series called "Once Upon a Time in the Bronx." Yesterday, the station had this piece about the history of Parkchester. Today, there's this piece about Fashion Moda, a one-time gallery and performance space on Third Avenue.

A woman wanted for a murder in Connecticut 15 years ago has turned up in the Bronx.  Patty Carrion had been living in an apartment on the Grand Concourse under an assumed name.  She was arrested on Saturday when police saw her beating up her boyfriend. Her true identity came to light when they fingerprinted her.  Carrion has previously been featured on the TV show "America's Most Wanted."

A 16-year-old cyclist was seriously injured in Fordham last night when he was hit by an unlicensed driver.

In other sad news, a 17-year-old Bronx girl was hit by a train in Bronxville, Westchester, on Sunday.  She remains in a critical condition at Jacobi Medical Center.

Jury selection has resumed for the four men accused of attempting to blow up two synagogues in Riverdale last year.

The number of shooting incidents in the Bronx may be down this year, but the murder rate is up - way up.

In today's El Diario/La Prensa, State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. and challenger Gustavo Rivera tell readers why they deserve their vote.  The articles are in Spanish, and so Google Translate may come in handy (it did for me).  Unless I'm somehow missing it, it doesn't look like Daniel Padernacht was given a similar opportunity to state his case. One more observation: In his article, Espada talks up his "free freeze" bill, and says he helped keep Tolentine Senior Center and R.A.I.N Baily Senior Center open.  For the record, he had little to do with keeping these particular centers open. 

Rivera may have secured dozens of endorsements, but the Daily News' Bob Kappstatter says Espada could still be in good shape.  That and other political news in Kappstatter's weekly column.

The big labor unions supporting Rivera say the wealthy New Roosevelt Initiative, another Rivera backer, has been a little too quiet for their liking. 

Still on Espada, Attorney general candidate Kathleen Rice believes fellow candidate Eric Schneiderman has been too soft on him.  She says Schneiderman's missed "125 opportunities" to ask Espada to relinquish his majority leader position. Schneiderman, by the way, was endorsed by The New York Times at the weekend.

Roberto Perez, host of the radio show The Perez Notes, recently interviewed Robert Giuffre, who's running against Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera. Giuffre talks about ballot access, his reasons for running, and the assemblywoman's record.

Naomi Rivera To Face Primary Opponent

Robert Giuffre sent out a press release last night saying that Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera's (and lawyer Stanley Schlein's) objections against his petition signatures had been officially dropped.

Emotions ran high during a three-day courtroom battle, said Giuffre, a 27-year-old John Jay College graduate and a Morris Park resident.

He added:

I know it is hard to believe, but I was more peeved about the awful ballot access process than my own individual campaign. I admit I probably would never have cared this much about the issue if I weren't personally involved, but the process is obviously intended to keep outsiders away from mounting challenges. Although I made the ballot – eventually – many people who would of made good candidates did not, and that is wrong. Marcy Gross, Irene Estrada, and Julio Munoz [other potential Democratic primary candidates in the 80th District] all did not make it to the official ballot – and they all are excellent, qualified candidates. Even though insiders exposed to the process understandably accept the reality for what it is, the ballot access process in New York needs to change.

Gross, for one, was furious about getting kicked off. You can read about her experiences here.

PHOTO: Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera