At a recent public hearing in North Fordham, Jose Rivera, the 72-year-old assemblyman and embattled (perhaps deposed) boss of the Bronx Democratic Party, weighed in with his thoughts on the City Council extending term limits to include a third four-year term, something Mayor Bloomberg is pushing hard for.

“It really doesn’t matter what I think. I’m sure it’ll go through,” Rivera said, rubbing imaginary dollar bills between his fingers. “It’s all about the money and he’s got all the money.”

Well, that and the support of the Council, which is clearly conflicted about the idea. According to the NY1 running tally as of Tuesday afternoon, 19 Council members oppose the plan, 15 said they supported it and 17 were on the fence.

Council Speaker Christine Quinn recently endorsed the plan while trying to dispel rumors that she cut a backroom deal for her support. And all three Council members that represent the Norwood News coverage area — Joel Rivera, Maria Baez and Oliver Koppell — have endorsed the plan. All three were facing a job change or unemployment after 2009.

As reported two issues ago in this paper, Koppell was actually the first Council member to introduce a term-limits extension bill. Rivera, who was planning a run at the borough presidency, has said he would happily suspend his bid (and retain his Council seat) in support of another term for current BP Adolfo Carrion.

In a rare telephone interview with the Mount Hope Monitor, Baez said she’d like to see the law changed. “I’m definitely in support of it,” she said. “It gives an opportunity for members like myself to finish projects.”

For Baez, those projects include the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, currently being built in University Heights, and Mount Hope Housing Company’s new community center — efforts she helped fund.

In recent times, however, Baez is better known for what she hasn’t done. According to city records, Baez attended less than 50 percent of Council meetings in the first half of 2008, the worst attendance of any other Council member.

Of the other Bronx Council delegates, only Larry Seabrook of the east Bronx has said he supports the extension. James Vacca and Annabel Palma have voiced their opposition, while Helen Foster is still undecided.

Proponents say the extension will allow Bloomberg to see the city through the worst financial crisis it has seen in decades. Critics say the people voted twice to enforce the two-term limit and should not be overruled by the mayor and City Council, at least without a popular vote.