www.BXTimes.com BRONX WEEKLY July 19, 2020 2
CM Ruben Diaz announces retirement
Diaz Sr. currently trails in NY-15 congressional race in the south Bronx
BY ALEX MITCHELL
“Everything has its end” was
Hunts Point councilman Ruben
Diaz Sr.’s farewell message today
in an email to constituents — one
where Diaz formally announced
that he will retire from city politics
at the end of this year.
This comes as the Reverend
Diaz is currently trailing an insurmountable
tally in a congressional
primary to fellow Bronx
council member, Ritchie Torres
for the state’s 15th District.
“After serious analysis, of
which I spent in prayer with God,
family, ministers and after a political
analysis, I have made the decision
to follow the example of my
two sons. My biological son Ruben
Diaz Jr., and my political son Marcos
Crespo,” Diaz, Sr. wrote this
morning.
His son, Bronx Borough President
Ruben Diaz, Jr. along with
his fi gurative offspring, former
Bronx Democratic Chair and Assemblyman
Marcos Crespo had
also each announced intentions
to shift into the private sector
once their current terms are completed.
Diaz Sr.’s announcement also
comes as longtime congressman
Eliot Engel trails heavily against
progressive political newcomer,
Jamaal Bowman.
He was also accused by many
progressive groups for having
anti-gay views and faced calls to
step down from his seat in 2019
after he said that the city council
was “controlled by the homosexual
community.”
In Diaz’s parting message,
he said, “The last three years I
have served as a Member of the
City Council where I have had to
defend my principles, values and
faith, while being a “punching
bag” by friends and foes alike.”
He later added,” I remained
steadfast and brought many projects
and programs. I did so, with
my head held high, defending
those in need regardless of race,
sexual orientation, political orientation,
nationality or religion,
regardless if they resided in my
district or not, my offi ce welcomed
and served all.”
The retiring politician also
touted some of his more major
achievements for his south Bronx
district, noting three senior centers
built, immigrant job creation
through The Christian Community
Action Inc., along with multiple
affordable housing complexes
built to areas in need throughout
the borough.
“When the Bronx was burning
and everything was in ruins,
abandoned, when hopelessness
seemed to be the norm, and
the Bronx was compared to post
Second World War Germany, I remained
and decided to make a difference,”
Diaz wrote.
Elected to the city council in
2017, Diaz had been a prior member
of the State Senate since 2002.
The Bronx Times Reporter contacted
councilman Ruben Diaz,
Sr.’s offi ce but did not receive comment
prior to publication.
Councilman Ruben Diaz, Sr. (middle) announced today he will conclude his career with the City Council in December.
File photo
Williamsbridge Center celebrates zero COVID-19 patients
BY JASON COHEN
On July 3, the Williamsbridge
Center on Tomlinson
Avenue treated their
residents and staff to Mister
Softee Ice Cream after
the latest round of testing
revealed that the facility
had become COVID-19
free.
“The time has come to
exhale a bit but we cannot
get ahead ourselves,”
said Daniel Prero, administrator
at Williamsbridge
Center. “My staff worked
so hard for this to happen,
but there’s no letting up
on the front door screening,
testing and wearing of
PPE. This is a very tricky
virus so all hands are still
on deck. Not a day goes
by that we don’t thinking
of the three individuals
who have passed away.
Our hearts and prayers go
out to the families of those
loved ones.”
The facility has also recorded
62 residents and 24
staff members who have
recovered from COVID-19.
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