My Wishes and Prayers in 2015 for my Friends, Colleagues and Foes

What You Should Know
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District
718-991-3161
 
My Wishes and Prayers in 2015 for my Friends, Colleagues and Foes
 
In this first week of the New Year, I would like to express my wishes, prayers and desires for my friends and foes for 2015.
 
You should know that some of my wishes and prayers will be very hard to achieve but nevertheless, there's nothing wrong with dreaming - even if those dreams might never come true.
 
My first wish is for Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver: that they be left alone by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. As I said before, this may be a more difficult prayer to be answered.
 
To the Mayor of the City of New York, the Honorable Bill de Blasio, and to the President of the Patrolman's Benevolent Association, the Honorable Patrick Lynch: I wish that the two of you would take a week and go away for a prayerful retreat. If that doesn't work, then get into a ring with boxing gloves and settle your differences once and for all.
 
To the Leader of the Senate Democratic Conference, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, to her Second in Command, Senator Mike Gianaris, and to the Senate Independent Democratic Conference Leader, Senator Jeff Klein, my wish for them is similar to my wish for Mayor Bill de Blasio and PBA President Patrick Lynch: Go on a retreat, iron out your differences, and make the Senate Democratic Conference stronger than ever!
 
To my son, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.: I wish and pray that projects such as Fresh Direct, the Marriott’s Residence Inn, the Trump Ferry Point Golf Course, the Kingsbridge National Ice Center and all of those projects that you have inspired and supported will continue to flourish and give Bronx County a good name. I also pray that the Bronx will continue in its trend of fighting crime, and that the murder rate will continue to rapidly decline.
 
To my friends Luis Sepulveda and Marcos Crespo: I pray and wish that you will get together and start to unite forces to decide what it is that you want, knowing that there will be a lot of political openings and opportunities in the future.
 
While no one knows what the future has in store for any of us, we all know that at some point, in time, the Bronx Borough President will reach term limits. We all know that at some point, the Bronx District Attorney will no longer run for office, and we all know that the Bronx County Chair will want to get out of his position, too. We also know that Congressman Jose Serrano - and even I - will not want to keep our positions forever, and because of that, there will be openings.
 
And so, I pray that Luis Sepulveda and Marcos Crespo will prepare for the future because if they don't, somebody else will eat their candies.
 
To my dear friend Freddy Perez: I pray that this summer will bring nice and sunny weather so your carnivals will make a lot of families and communities very happy.
 
To New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito: I pray that once and for all, you will place your right hand over your heart to salute the Flag of the United States of America every time you attend an event and the National Anthem is played.
 
To my friend, the Reverend Al Sharpton: I pray that you will continue to chant: "No Justice No Peace," and that you will continue to visit the White House ... and maybe, one of these days, you will bring me along with you to the White House so the President can hear the same cry for justice from two different and radical - but very Democratic - ministers.
 
To Congressman Charlie Rangel and Former Mayor David Dinkins, the last two Lions of Harlem: While my prayers are with you both, I have one word to say: Hoorah!
 
To my friends Senators John Sampson and Malcolm Smith: I wish that you could both beat the rap.
 
To Gerson Borrero: I pray that God continues to bless you and your family, and bless you in your new job as City and State's Editor-at-Large (and that you will have patience dealing with Curtis Sliwa). 

 
To the State Assembly's Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus: I pray that you will get ready for Charles Barron. 

 
For myself: I pray that a seat in the New York City Council becomes available so I can end my days in office where I started. 


 
Finally, ladies and gentlemen, I pray that the Lord continues to bless the lives of all of my dear readers and your loved ones all throughout 2015. 

 
This is State Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.