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Volume XXI • Number 19 • May 8 - 14, 2014 •
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Koppell finally throws hat in ring By the REVIEW STAFF Oliver Koppell has made it official. In a bizarre “stealth” announcement, the former council member and attorney general announced Monday that he will challenge State Senate Majority Co-Leader Jeff Klein in September’s Democratic primary, following months of speculation. “The moment Jeff Klein put Republicans in charge of the State Senate, he broke his word and betrayed the voters who elected him. We deserve better,” said Koppell in a statement. “Because of his actions, meaningful, progressive legislation that would improve the everyday lives of people across New York, has been watered down or blocked entirely.”
For his part Klein welcomed Koppell to the race, and said he looked forward to a frank discussion of his record and the issues facing the district. “Senator Jeff Klein looks forward to a spirited debate of ideas and is eager to address his record of legislative accomplishments and his vision for the people of his district and for the future of this state,” said a statement from Klein spokesperson Candice Giove. Koppell’s announcement curiously came with no public event, though the candidate informed this newspaper that a rally could be forthcoming. Several weeks ago, Klein made his announcement surrounded by more than 100 community leaders and district residents,
as well as virtually every Bronx elected official who touches the 34th State Senate District, which runs from Riverdale to Soundview to Throggs Neck and into Westchester. Those endorsements included Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Bronx Democratic Party Chairman Assemblyman Carl Heastie and former Council Member June M. Eisland. “it’s very interesting, and perhaps very telling, that he did not have a big launch event,” said one Bronx political insider regarding Koppell’s announcement. In his statement, Koppell said that he would fight for the progressive values he has stood for throughout his career, values he claims Klein is working against.
Senator Jeff Klein
Challenger Oliver Koppell
Photo by David Greene
Photo by David Greene
“When a real minimum wage tied to inflation, greater access
to education for immigrants, the protection of reproductive rights and meaningful ethics reform were all on the table, Jeff Klein merely paid public lip service, while privately blocking real progress on these important issues. Throughout my career, I’ve fought to improve the lives of working New Yorkers and their families, and its high time that was the mission of the Senator from the 34th district too,” said Koppell. Koppell served in the City Council until December, when term limits forced him from office. He first began his career in the New York State Assembly in 1970, and served briefly as the state’s attorney general in 1994. He was appointed to fill the vacancy by the legislature, but he failed to get elected on his own in two attempts to regain the coveted post. As for his campaign, reports indicate that Koppell has hired The Parkside Group, a consulting firm with strong ties to the State Senate’s Democratic caucus. The Parkside Group most recently did work for Jobs 4 New York, which locally was responsible for a series of negative mailers against Cliff Stanton in his unsuccessful race against Council Member Andrew Cohen. Koppell also established a committee, which is headquartered at his wife’s law office on Riverdale Avenue. Koppell will reportedly have strong support from liberal political activist Bill Samuels, who has reportedly committed to funding part of Koppell’s campaign. Samuels also funded the campaign of Continued on Page 9
THE RAID ON MARBLE HILL: On Saturday, May 3, a band of intrepid local residents marched from Kingsbridge to Marble Hill, planted the flag of The Bronx and declared the neighborhood no longer a part of Manhattan, but of the northernmost borough. “For 119 years you have been cursed with your connection to the vile island of Manhattan. With our actions here today we release you from the grotesque shame which for over a century has plagued your people,” said Isaac Moore, an organizer of the event, to the people of Marble Hill as he read the manifesto of the “Great and Glorious Grand Army of The Bronx.” The event was meant to mimic the actions of Bronx Borough President James Lyons on March 11, 1939, when he went to the same rock outcropping on West 225th Street and declared Marble Hill to belong to The Bronx. “We bring you affordable-ish rents, humanely priced coffee at old time coffee shops, good music, great food, real bars, the most parkland of any borough in New York City and direct access to the mainland of the United States of America,” said Moore at the event. “We do not bring you billionaires, television studios, fifteen dollar cocktails, and street corners clogged with slack jawed tourists. No longer must you suffer the spoiled ramblings of the effete bourgeoisie and the ever encroaching menace of hipsterism.” Organizers added that the march could become a yearly occurrence, timed to coincide with the annual Bronx Week celebrations.