Adolfo Carrión Jr.

Adolfo Carrion, Jr. is a Democratic politician from City Island, located in New York City, New York. He has served for six and a half years as the 12th Borough President of the Bronx, the Chief Executive of the Borough. He is the highest ranking Latino elected official in the State of New York and also serves as the President of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) [cite web|last =Carrion|first =Adolfo|authorlink =|coauthors =|title =Message From Adolfo Carrion, NALEO President|work =|publisher =|date =|url =http://www.naleo.org/aboutnaleo.html|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] .

Background

Adolfo Carrion was born in Manhattan in 1961, but his family moved to the Baychester section of the Northeast Bronx when he was in fourth grade. He attended public school at John Philip Sousa Middle School and Harry S. Truman High School in the Bronx. Later, he graduated from Kings College, a Christian liberal arts college in Westchester County at the time, where he majored in world religions. He followed in the footsteps of his father, a Protestant minister, and became an associate pastor at a Bronx church.

Carrion went on to serve as a public school teacher in the West Bronx at IS 115 and CIS 234. Eventually, he went back to school to earn his Master's Degree in Urban Planning from Hunter College, part of the City University of New York. Upon graduating, Carrion worked for three years at the Bronx office of the New York City Department of City Planning.

He later served as [http://www.nyc.gov/html/cau/html/cb/cb_district.shtml District Manager] for Community Board 5 in the Bronx , was hired as Vice President of Human Services and Community Outreach at [http://www.promesa.org/ Promesa] , a community development organization, and served as Chairman of the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade.

He currently lives with his wife Linda, his three daughters Raquel, Sara, and Olivia, and his son Adolfo James (A.J.) on City Island [cite web|last =Bronx Borough President's Office|first =|authorlink =|coauthors =|title =Bronx Borough President's Official Biography|work =|publisher =|date =|url =http://bronxboropres.nyc.gov/en/gv/president/presidentBio.html|format =| doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] .

Borough Presidency

Adolfo Carrion, Jr. (b.1961) is the 12th Chief Executive of The Bronx, since municipal incorporation in 1898. The Borough President works with the Mayor to prepare the annual executive budget submitted to the City Council and is allotted a portion of City’s Capital Expense budget to run the borough of the Bronx.

Because he has the authority to recommend rejection or approval of all public and private land use projects, the authority to appoint the members of the Community Boards and is the Chairperson of both the Borough Board and the Borough Service Cabinet, the Borough President has an enormous sway in land use projects. In addition, he monitors the administration of City services and engages in strategic planning for the economic development of the borough.

The Borough President's Office also houses the Borough's Topographical Bureau, which is responsible for maintaining the borough's official maps and assigning street addresses.He appoints a representative to the City Department of Education's Panel for Educational Policy and the New York City Planning Commission. He also sits on the New York City Off-Track Betting Site Selection Board, and is a trustee of the [http://www.nycers.org/(4gijt1f5ryzuxiy5iqnmau45)/index.aspx New York City Employees' Retirement System] .

Political career

Adolfo Carrion’s background in church coupled with his professional life as a teacher and city planner deeply rooted him in the community. It was a natural progression that he sought a greater responsibility as the [http://www.nyc.gov/html/cau/html/cb/cb_district.shtml District Manager] for Community Board 5 where he was responsible for overseeing the delivery of services to 150,000 residents within his district. It was in this role, and as the Vice President of Human Services and Community Outreach at [http://www.promesa.org/ Promesa] , that he began to see how he could directly affect his community in a bigger way.

Carrion decided to run for City Council in 1997. He won the election and served one four-year term representing the [http://www.nyccouncil.info/images/pictures/discrtict_map_lrg.jpg14th Council District] , which includes the West Bronx neighborhoods of University Heights, Morris Heights, Kingsbridge, and Fordham. While in the Council, Carrion sat on the Economic Development, Education, Higher Education, Environmental Protection, Governmental Operations and Land Use committees. He also served as chairman of the Special Subcommittee on the 2000 Census.

Though City Council Members are allowed to run for two terms, Carrion only ran for one. He was rumored to be a leading candidate to become the next Speaker of the City Council, but he chose instead to run in the hotly contested election to replace term-limited Freddy Ferrer as the Bronx Borough President in 2001 [cite web|last =New York City Campaign Finance Board|first =|authorlink =|coauthors =|title =Candidate Statements for 2001 Election|work =|publisher =|date =|url =http://www.nyccfb.info/debates_vg/voter_guides/general_2001/cd_statements/bxp_acarrion.htm|format = | doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] . He eked out then-Councilmembers June Eisland and Pedro Espada, Jr. for the Democratic nomination and then won the general election on November 6th, 2001 with a landslide 79% of the vote [cite web|last =Gotham Gazette|first =|authorlink =Gotham Gazette|coauthors =|title =Searchlight on Campaign 2001, The Race for Bronx Borough President|work =|publisher =Gotham Gazette|date =|url =http://www.gothamgazette.com/searchlight2001/bronx.html|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] . He easily won reelection in 2005 [cite web|last =New York City Campaign Finance Board|first =|authorlink =|coauthors =|title =2005 Voter Guide|work =|publisher =|date =|url =http://www.nyccfb.info/debates_vg/voter_guides/general_2005/cd_profile/BPX_Carrion_Jr_ED.aspx|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] with 87% [cite web|last =New York City Board of Elections|first =|authorlink =|coauthors =|title =Statement and Return Report for Certification, General Election 2005, For Borough President (BX)|work =|publisher =New York City Board of Elections|date =2007-11-28|url =http://www.vote.nyc.ny.us/pdf/results/2005/general/Bronx/Bronx%20Borough%20President%20Recap.pdf|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] [cite web|last =Gotham Gazette|first =|authorlink =Gotham Gazette|coauthors =|title =Campaign 2005 Bronx President|work =|publisher =Gotham Gazette|date =|url =http://www.gothamgazette.com/campaign2005/55|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] .

Adolfo Carrion is term limited by the City Charter from running again for Borough President. The media frequently speculated that Carrion would be a candidate for Mayor of New York City in 2009. However, on December 13, 2007, Carrion announced that he is running for New York City Comptroller in 2009.

Affiliations

Aspen Institute

Carrion was chosen by the Aspen Institute as one of 24 of America’s most promising emerging leaders to be a member of the Aspen-Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership [cite web|last =The Aspen Institute|first =|authorlink =Aspen Institute|coauthors =|title =Aspen Rodell Felowships in Public Leadership, Class II|work =|publisher =|date =|url =http://www.aspeninstitute.org/site/c.huLWJeMRKpH/b.2059015/k.69B0/Rodel_Fellows_Class_II.htm|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] . The fellowship consists of 12 Republicans and 12 Democrats and focuses on the ethics and responsibilities of public office and teaching democratic principles. This is only the second class of fellows from the Institute, and Carrion is the only member from New York.

National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO)

On July 1, 2007 Adolfo Carrion was elected president of NALEO. As President, he announced an increase in efforts to help file naturalization papers for eligible legal permanent residents before impending fee increases take effect as part of NALEO’s “ya es hora” campaign [cite web|last =Angulo|first =Javier|authorlink =NALEO|coauthors =|title =Media Advisory: Final Drive Before U.S. Citizenship Fee Increase|work =|publisher =|date =2007-07-27|url =http://www.naleo.org/pr072707.html|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] . He previously served as Vice President and Treasurer. NALEO is a national organization that offers training and technical assistance to enhance the leadership skills and political empowerment of Latino appointed and elected officials.

County Executives of America

Carrion serves as Vice-President of International Affairs for the [http://www.countyexecutives.org/index.htm County Executives of America] , an organization committed to empowering county executives by making their voices heard at all levels of government and by offering economic opportunities and programs to improve local services [cite web|last =The County Executives of America|first =|authorlink =|coauthors =|title =CEA Officers and Board of Directors|work =|publisher =|date =|url =http://www.countyexecutives.org/aboutcea/aboutcea_board.htm|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] .

New York Blood Center

Adolfo Carrion serves as the Chair of the Volunteer Leadership Team of the New York Blood Center in the Bronx [cite web|last =New York Blood Center|first =|authorlink =New York Blood Center|coauthors =|title =Leadership Team, Hudson Valley Blood Services|work =|publisher =|date =|url =http://www.nybloodcenter.org/support/leadership/index.do?sid0=4&sid1=22&page_id=55|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] . As the Bronx Chair, he helps the NY Blood Center meet its goal of closing the blood deficit that forces the New York region to rely on donations from other parts of the country.

Projects

Yankee Stadium

After years of political battles, public fights, and pointed fingers from prior administrations, the election of Adolfo Carrion to the Borough Presidency offered a new opportunity for negotiations for a new Yankee Stadium. Carrion was integral in bringing George Steinbrenner and the City to the table for negotiations.

Early on, the Borough President made it clear that the construction of the Bronx must directly benefit the community by fighting for the Community Benefits Agreement. In the end, $800 million will be invested in construction of a new Yankee Stadium with at least 25% of the contracts going to Bronx businesses and at least 25% of the jobs going to residents of the Borough. In addition, $160 million will be invested in multiple public parks including a running track, tennis facilities, and softball and baseball fields on parkland around and including the current Yankee Stadium. In an effort to improve the entire community, Carrion has been an integral component of bringing in funding to improve other parts of the community, including $65 million to be invested in restoration of the pedestrian Highbridge, the oldest bridge in New York City which connects the Bronx to Manhattan, and $91 million to be invested in constructing a new Metro-North Station at the new Yankee Stadium. Also being planned in the area is a Yankee Stadium Sports Museum and a convert|30000|sqft|m2|sing=on fitness/health club.

Bronx Terminal Market

Just south of the New Yankee Stadium will be a convert|1000000|sqft|m2|sing=on mall on the Bronx Waterfront in place of a 30 year old produce market which will bring in $500 million in investment in the Borough. The Project will create 4500 new jobs, and is part of Borough President's broader vision of redevelopment of the Bronx [cite web|last =New York City Economic Development Corporation|first =|authorlink =New York City Economic Development Corporation|coauthors =|title =Our Projects: Gateway Center at Bronx Terminal Market|work =|publisher =|date =|url =http://www.nycedc.com/Web/AboutUs/OurProjects/CurrentProjects/GatewayCenteratBronxTerminalMarket.htm|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] .

Hunts Point Vision Plan

Carrion has also been working closely with Mayor Bloomberg and community leaders to re-envision convert|690|acre|km2|sing=on industrial area on the Bronx waterfront [cite web|last =New York City Economic Development Corporation|first =|authorlink =New York City Economic Development Corporation|coauthors =|title =Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Unveils Hunts Point Vision Plan At New Workforce Development Center in South Bronx|work =|publisher =|date =|url =http://www.nycedc.com/Web/PressRoom/Hunts+Point+Vision+Plan.htm|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] [cite web|last =New York City, Office of the Mayor|first =|authorlink =|coauthors =|title =Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Unveils Hunts Point Vision Plan At New Workforce Development Center in South Bronx|work =|publisher =|date =|url =http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2005a/pr089-05.html|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] . Key components of the plan include $110 million invested by the City for infrastructure improvements, $85 million development of the Fulton Fish Market at Hunts Point, $25 million development of the Produce Market, the construction of the new [http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/bronx/huntspoint/barrettopointpark/index.htm Barretto Point Park] , the South Bronx Greenway Initiative [cite web|last =New York City Economic Development Corporation|first =|authorlink =New York City Economic Development Corporation|coauthors =|title =Current Projects: South Bronx Greenway|work =|publisher =|date =|url =http://www.nycedc.com/Web/AboutUs/OurProjects/CurrentProjects/SouthBronxGreenway.htm|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] , and a re-use plan for the Marine Transfer Station which is still in negotiations.

Issues

Democrat

Carrion is term limited by the [http://www.nyc.gov/html/charter/downloads/pdf/citycharter2004.pdf City Charter] from running again for Borough President. He is currently raising money for City-wide office and it is widely speculated that he is contemplating running for Mayor of New York City. On Dec 13 , 2007 he announced that he is running in the 2009 New York City Comptroller's race to replace the existing Comptroller(William Thompson, Jr) who is term limited.

Bronx Fire Tragedy

On March 7, 2007, fire engulfed the row house at 1022 Woodycrest Ave in the Bronx, killing 8 children and one woman. The two families affected were those of Moussa Magassa, who lost four children, and Mamadou Soumare, who lost four children and his wife [cite web|last =WNYC Newsroom|first =|authorlink =WNYC|coauthors =|title =Bronx Fire Draws Thousands of Mourners and Donations|work =|publisher =|date =|url =http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/75329|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] . Carrion worked with business and community leaders to raise over $200,000 for the two families, including support from the New York Yankees who financed the cost of the funeral and the Soumare family’s travel arrangements to Mali [cite web|last =Hoch|first =Bryan|authorlink =|coauthors =|title =Yanks to pay funerals for Bronx victims|work =|publisher =MLB.com|date =2007-03-09|url =http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070309&content_id=1835261&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] [cite web|last =Meminger|first =Dean|authorlink =|coauthors =|title =Father of Bronx Fire Victims Receives Gifts from the Community|work =|publisher =NY1|date =2007-04-07|url =http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=12&aid=68841|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] . When the incident occurred, Mr. Soumare’s application for permanent residency was still pending approval, so Carrion worked with other elected officials to secure permission from immigration officials for Mr. Soumare to return to the US after burying his family in Mali [cite web|last =Fernandez|first =Manny|authorlink =|coauthors =|title =Immigrant Can Return to US After Burying his Family in Mali|work =|publisher =New York Times|date =2007-03-14|url =http://www.michaelwildes.org/ImmigrantCanReturntoU.S.AfterBuryingFamilyinMali.htm|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] . The fire was caused by a space heater and touched off a fire safety awareness campaign by Mayor Bloomberg and the FDNY.

Congestion Pricing

Carrion is the most vocal outer-borough supporter of Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan which would charge drivers a fee to enter Manhattan between the hours of 8am and 6pm in an effort to reduce congestion and minimize the City’s air pollution. On June 15th, 2007, Carrion held a press conference with Mayor Bloomberg and nearly a dozen other elected officials from the Bronx to announce their support for the plan, though he stressed that proposed improvements to mass transit would need to be clarified before this plan was implemented [cite web|last =Benjamin|first =Elizabeth|authorlink =|coauthors =|title =Bronx Electeds on Congestion Pricing Bus|work =|publisher =New York Daily News|date =2007-06-15|url =http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2007/06/bronx_electeds_on_congestion_p.html|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] .

Carrion’s endorsement is significant because it dispelled the myth that politicians with a large percentage of constituents who commute into Manhattan would be intrinsically against the measure.

Germany

In April, 2007 a video filmed in June 2006 surfaced on YouTube depicting a German military training exercise in which a German Army instructor orders a recruit to pretend he is in the Bronx and to fire on a van full of African-Americans who are insulting his mother in the worst way. The soldier fires and yells obscenities in English, whereupon he is instructed to yell louder next time [cite web|last =USA Today|first =|authorlink =USA Today|coauthors =Associated Press|title =German trainer told soldier to picture shooting blacks in Bronx|work =|publisher =USA Today|date =|url =http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-04-14-germany_N.htm|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] . Upon seeing the video, Carrion demanded an apology from the German government and that appropriate action be taken against the offending officer [cite web|last =Landler|first =Mark|authorlink =Mark Landler|coauthors =|title =Germany: Racial Video 'Unacceptable'|work =|publisher =New York Times|date =2007-04-17|url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9804E3D7113FF934A25757C0A9619C8B63|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] . Carrion, who had just returned from Germany on a tour to promote tourism to the Bronx, offered to return to educate officials about the Borough. He also offered to host a contingent of government and military officials to give them a tour of the area. As a result of his remarks, the German Army instructor in the video was relieved of duty and denied retirement benefits [cite web|last =NY1|first =|authorlink =NY1|coauthors =|title =German Defense Ministry Fires Instructor over Controversy|work =|publisher =NY1|date =|url =http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=68811#|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] . Mayor Andreas Breitner of Rendsburg, the town where the video originated, and German Counsel-General Hans-Jurgen Heimsoeth issued formal apologies for the incident [cite web|last =CBS|first =|authorlink =WCBS-TV|coauthors =Associated Press|title =Bronx Pres: Germans Sorry For Army Training Video|work =|publisher =WCBS|date =2007-04-18|url =http://wcbstv.com/local/bronx.borough.president.2.243750.html|format =|doi =|accessdate =2007-10-15] .

References

External links

* [http://bronxboropres.nyc.gov/index.htm Official Website of the Bronx Borough President's Office]
* [http://www.gothamgazette.com/searchlight2001/feature_carrion.html Gotham Gazette's Campaign 2001 Feature]
* [http://www.gothamgazette.com/campaign2005/55 Gotham Gazette's Campaign 2005 Feature]
* [http://www.boedc.com/ Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation Website]
* [http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/new_stadium.jsp Official Site of the New Yankee Stadium]
* [http://www.bronxgateway.com/ Official Site of the New Bronx Terminal Market (Bronx Gateway)]
* [http://ilovethebronx.com/ Official Website of the Bronx]
* [http://www.naleo.org/aboutnaleo.html Message from the President of NALEO, Adolfo Carrion]
* [http://www.countyexecutives.org/aboutcea/aboutcea_board.htm County Executives of America]
* [http://www.aspeninstitute.org/site/c.huLWJeMRKpH/b.2059015/k.69B0/Rodel_Fellows_Class_II.htm Aspen Institute-Rodel Fellows]