Taking the reigns as Bronx borough president, Ruben Diaz Jr. pledges focus on economic woes

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BY Bob Kappstatter
DAILY NEWS BRONX BUREAU CHIEF

Friday, May 22nd 2009, 4:00 AM

Lombard for News: Ruben Diaz Jr. swears in as Bronx borough president today at Lehman College.

• Bronx Beat: Unflattering spotlight on Bronx politicians

Hard hit by a recession that has pushed Bronx jobless numbers into the double digits and painful budget cuts to city services and his own staff, Ruben Diaz Jr. was formally sworn in Thursday as 13th Bronx borough president.

In an inaugural speech at Lehman College, Diaz, 36, pledged to "work tirelessly and without compromise ... for our seniors, our children and our hardworking families."

Gov. Paterson, Mayor Bloomberg and other elected state and city officials were on hand to extend their well-wishes.

Addressing a 10.5% local unemployment rate - the highest in the city - Diaz told the audience the most important goal on his agenda would be economic development - "and we will tackle the issue head-on."

In particular, he cited developing training programs for "green" jobs - "building green roofs, retrofitting boilers and making our existing building stock more energy-efficient."

He also cited the continuing need for improving local schools, including partnering "with community and faith-based organizations to develop after-school and arts programs in every neighborhood."

With health care the borough's single largest employer, Diaz said he would encourage the growth of new medical fields, such as bio-pharmaceuticals.

Proclaiming a theme of "One Bronx," the new borough president said he also will charge local business improvement groups with developing a strategic plan to "ensure the strength of all our business districts."

Diaz said that he will reach out to citywide leaders on issues "from business and labor to education and the environment."

"Today, I extend my hand to the mayor, and let him know that when we agree on policy, I will stand up and proudly support him. But when we disagree, I will be his fiercest critic."

Relationships between recent borough presidents and mayors have been mixed.

Diaz served 13 years representing Soundview and Hunts Point in the state Assembly. He and his father, state Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., a Pentecostal minister, have been at odds over the issues of gay marriage and abortion.

On the political front, he helped topple Bronx Democratic Party Chairman Jose Rivera last year. He and the party leadership managed to put him on the ballot in the April 21 special election to fill the remaining eight months left in Adolfo Carrión's term. Carrión stepped down to head the White House office on urban policy.

Diaz is expected to coast to victory in the November election for a full four-year term.

rkappstatter@nydailynews.com

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