Tuesday, November 17th 2009, 4:00 AM
Mayor Bloomberg on living wage: Drop dead
Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Bob Lieber is reportedly set to oppose it today at a Council committee hearing, saying the Bloomberg camp fears a $10 an hour/and benefits wage deal would harm retail development citywide.
Developer Related Cos. calls the plan by Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and community supporters a deal breaker.
On Saturday, Related nixed a compromise by Assemblyman and Bronx Dem Boss Carl Heastie that would put community space outside the armory, and use the rent from the added retail space to offset the higher wages.
Adios, Lou
South Bronx Rep. Jose Serrano pretty much told immigrant-bashing commentator Lou Dobbs not to let the door hit him en el culo on the way out after Dobbs announced he was leaving CNN.
Officially, Jose toned it down in a press release, saying he was "not sad" to see him go.
Bernie and Stanley
Stanley Schiffman tells us he and his cousin Bernie Schwartz from Vegas caught up with each other last week.
Bernie, in this case, is former Hoe Ave. resident and act-uh Tony Curtis, now 84, here for a book signing and sale of some of his paintings.
Stanley, a retired first grade detective now with the Bronx D.A.'s office, was the NYPD's unofficial standup interrogator, working the ever-popular Interrogation Room at the 47th Precinct in Wakefield-Williamsbridge.
His routine, known among Bronx detectives as the Schiffman Shuffle, involved a seemingly endless stream of one-liners, trivia questions and card tricks that left suspects begging for mercy and ready to confess.
Being a longtime friend of Stanley's, our sympathies are with the suspects.
Adolfo job outlook
The White House has been keeping former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión under fairly tight public exposure as director of its Office of Urban Affairs while that conflict-of-interest investigation into allegedly free work on his City Island manse hangs over his head.
But he did emerge Friday at the Bloomberg Washington Summit to say the U.S. is "going to continue to see a lag" on job growth even though "economists agree that the recession is pretty much over."
Uh, dad . . .
State Sen. Ruben (The Rev) Diaz Sr. was quick to put out a press release after the election, calling "on all elected Democrats to line up to support Bill Thompson for mayor in 2013, now."
That gave his BP son Ruben Jr. a chuckle, since his name's been floated out there as a possible mayoral candidate.
Birthday cash bash
Venancio (Benny) Catala, male district leader of the 77th Assembly District in Morris Heights, celebrated his 40th birthday last week at Tah-bu/Sofa Lounge.
The birthday presents were checks to his campaign committee, insurance for next year when district leaders loyal to Party Boss Carl Heastie are likely to see challenges from the Peter and Jose Rivera camp seeking to topple Carl.
Then, again, those challenges could go both ways . . .
Good cause
Ralph Russo of the new Sonora Southwest Grill in the old Venice Restaurant on Williamsbridge Road hosted a fund-raiser last Tuesday for Calvary Hospital.
Among those schmoozing in the crowd: Calvary prexy and CEO Frank Calamari, former state Sen. Guy Velella, biz- niz/political doyenne Kathy Zamechansky, 'Don't Worry' Murray Richman, and Liberty Dem Association State Committeeman Joe McManus.
This works
The Citizens Advice Bureau, which runs a host of social service programs, officially changed its name Friday to BronxWorks at a ribbon-cutter at its new headquarters at 64 E. Tremont Ave.
And no more confusion about people thinking they're calling CAB for car service . . .
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