Norwood News

On Oct. 11, Bloomberg parachuted (not literally) into Morris Park for a brief march in the annual Columbus Day Parade. Thompson didn’t make it. Before the mayor jumped back into his black SUV, he was heckled by about a dozen protesters (and one dog) upset with the city’s opening (without community notification) of several new homeless shelters in the borough, according to reporter David Greene.

John Bonizio, of the Westchester Square Merchants Association, called Bloomberg a “traitor,” adding, “His coming up to this middle class neighborhood to march in a parade for votes is disrespecting us, with what he’s getting ready to do to this neighborhood.”

Bloomberg walked with Bronx GOP leader Jay Savino, just ahead of a crew of Bronx Democrats, including Councilman Joel Rivera, State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Michael Benadetto, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., and State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

Five days after passing up an opportunity to march in the same parade (in order to prepare for a televised debate, he said), Thompson joined local officials for a campaign walk through Kingsbridge

Thompson met Diaz, Jr. and Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz at West 230th Street and Broadway. The three marched up Broadway, stopping in several stores along Broadway and West 231st Street. While many responded favorably, one woman asked, “Who’s Bill Thompson?”

Speaking to a handful of reporters, Thompson hit Bloomberg on several key issues in the Bronx. He blasted the mayor for inaction regarding the closing of the Stella D’oro cookie factory just up the road, as well as the Westchester Square homeless shelter.

“Stella D’oro was a part of New York City for decades,” Thompson said. “To have them go now is just outrageous.” He added, “The Bloomberg administration has done nothing to try and keep them here. It’s just another example of failed leadership.”

Regarding the city’s proposed homeless shelter in Westchester Square, Thompson said that as the city’s Comptroller, he has joined the lawsuit challenging “the legality of the City’s recent placement of homeless families at 1564 St. Peter’s Ave.”
Bloomberg’s office released a statement regarding Stella D’oro, saying, “The mayor appointed an arbitrator to try to resolve the matter, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement. The loss of jobs is always troubling, especially during a national economic recession, where replacing them is harder than usual.”

 
CAP: On a campaign trip through Kingsbridge, Bill Thompson (center) is flanked by Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz (left) and Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. (right).    
-Photo by David Greene

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