El Bronx Betrayal

Written for YFP by Wilfredo Sanchez, Jr.

(Rivera with microphone)

As the smoke begins to clear from the back room, the face of José Rivera Sr. begins to appear. Mr. Rivera , Bronx Democratic Party Chairman, earned a new title as the Bronx Judas when he betrayed Senator Efraín González. As late as three weeks before the election for the senate of the 33rd district, Rivera appeared at a Bronx fund raiser for González glad handing and beaming approvingly at the senator. The political "Last Supper" became apparent in a resounding defeat of González by Pedro Espada, Sr.

Insiders say that Rivera betrayed González in anticipation of his son, Joel Rivera's future candidacy for Bronx Boro President. Pedro Espada had mumbled that he would seek that office. Rivera Sr. allegedly backed Espada to enable a safe haven for the wily politician and a clear path for his son. In the interim, González was left to hang. Vulnerable from his "corruption indictment", Rivera had an excuse to abandon the Senator. As was his custom, this insured his minions of family members jobs and political favors.

One has lost count of the number of Rivera relatives that are on the City and State payroll. Rivera's support of Espada fueled the Espada campaign to parlay González's indictment into political fodder. The sole thrust of the Espada camp was González's trouble with the Feds. But, one should keep in mind that González's upcoming trial has been postponed five times. Possibly for the Feds to gather information that does not exist in reality. One only has to consider the condemnation of Richard Jewel, the alleged Atlanta, Georgia Olympics bomber and the infamous duo Sacco and Vanzetti. All who were accused and eventually cleared by an historical context.

This brings us to the discussion of who should lead the Bronx Democrats. I endorse Efraín González as Bronx Democratic Party Chairman. José Rivera Sr. has held the position for several years. He has been nothing more than a corrupt, divisive factor in that capacity. He has used the position as an employment agency for friends and family members. In addition, he has betrayed his own party by supporting a candidate, (Espada) who has espoused no allegiance to the Democrats, even threatening to ally himself with the Republican Party.

At the time when González needed Rivera's support, he pulled the plug and forsook his obligation for the political ambition's of his son. Nothing wrong with a father's allegiance, but here, it is grossly misplaced. The case for González as party chairman is as follows.

A group of dissidents within the Bronx Democratic ranks has broken away from Rivera. The Rainbow Rebellion, as they are named, are fed up with the old guard. Rivera tried to drive a wedge between Hispanics, Blacks, and Jews in the Bronx political scene. The ploy is particularly dangerous given the political stakes in the upcoming Presidential election. González is a unifying force. After several years in politics, Efraín remains calm and thoughtful. His experience in the NY State Senate and his relationship with powerful pundits could benefit the Bronx Democratic party greatly. And although his legal woes hang as a sword of Damocles, there is a general feeling that he will be vindicated.

Remember this. González's political roots began as a bus driver who became involved in his union activities. Who is better suited for the job of Bronx Democratic Party Chairman? Ralph Cramden or Pedro Espada's puppeteer?