Bronx Borough President Carrión Joins Obama Administration

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Phil Velez

I am extremely proud to see a fellow Nuyorican appointed to a senior position in the Obama administration. After months of rumors that Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión Jr. may be offered a seat within President Barack Obama’s administration, last night I was excited to learn the buzz became reality. President Barack Obama tapped Carrión to be Director of the White House Office of Urban Policy.

Since Carrión became Bronx Borough President in 2001 over 2.2 billion dollars has been invested in residential real estate – resulting in 25,000 new units being built. He has directed 40% of his 2007 capital funding to housing development.

Carrión was born in Lower Manhattan and is of Puerto Rican heritage. 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. In 1997 Carrión ran and won a seat on the New York City Council. Prior to his role as City Council Member he served as District Manager for Community Board 5 in the Bronx.

Carrión graduated from Kings College, a Christian liberal arts college in Westchester County and earned his Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from Hunter College of the City University of New York. He lives with his wife and four children on City Island in the Bronx.

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Posted in latino, new york, news, politics | 3 Comments

From Favorite Links to a Blogroll

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Phil Velez

I have decided to change the name of my favorite links to the traditional “blogroll.” In the blog world favorite links and/or exchanges are generally called blogrolls. Of course a blogger can title this feature anything he/she wishes. In addition to changing the name, I have edited the list to only include blogs that have agreed or chosen to add a mutual link to my blog. Nothing personal to those sites that were previously listed. A blog exchange is a valuable way to promote blogs that in turn assist in promoting your blog. This cooperative approach between bloggers helps us all. So, I would like to thank those who have added my blog to their blogrolls/favorite sites. I also encourage readers to take a moment to browse through my blogroll.

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Posted in blogging | 3 Comments

Will the Stimulus Package Save Us?

Posted on February 15, 2009 by Phil Velez

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama will sign the $787 billion dollar stimulus package approved last week. Republicans are not happy, calling the package unlimited wasteful spending. However they did not offer a timely realistic alternative that would save homeowners, schools, and health care.

Pundits are pondering whether or not the package is enough or the right approach to fixing our broken and bleeding economy. The package is not going to get the country back on our financial feet right away, but it is something. Republicans may see it as a very expensive band-aid, however something needed to be done.

The approved stimulus package will help all of us. The financial government package will help the unemployed and the uninsured. Most working people will see a small tax cut that will show up as a few extra bucks in their paychecks. A large amount of money will go towards continuing and extending some unemployment benefits. And for the first time ever, the government will contribute to COBRA health insurance benefits for non-working people.

So will the plan save us from collective financial ruin? Maybe not right away, but it is a good start. Economists predict we will be in this miserable monetary situation for about two years. For now, we all need to continue watching every dollar, but keep buying what we need wisely to keep the economy moving.

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Posted in barack obama, news, politics | Leave a comment

Coldplay and Adele Should Be Big Grammy Winners Tonight

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Phil Velez

I think Coldplay and Adele will be winners at tonight’s 51st Annual Grammy Awards. Coldplay is up for album and record of the year, as well as best rock band and pop group performance. I listened to this British band’s album all last fall and enjoyed it greatly. It did have to grow on me, however when it did I appreciated the band’s overall talent. I’ve heard of the group before this album, but now I’m a fan.

One of my favorite soulful singing divas these days is British singer Adele. Her voice is rhythmically rich and strong and her album has some wonderfully written songs. Adele performed last fall on The View and Saturday Night Live and should hopefully win either song of the year and/or best new artist. My favorite song is Cold Shoulder. It has a really cool beat and stands apart from the rest of the ballads on her album.

The Brits may make their powerful presence felt widely if Leona Lewis wins best record with her gigantic hit Bleeding Love. I won’t predict a winner in every category, however there is one that is tough to forecast. Best pop collaboration might be a nail biter. I’m leaning toward either Alicia Keys and John Mayer for Lesson Learned or Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown for No Air, however this category is really a toss-up.

Lastly, I have to root for Jennifer Hudson to win best R&B Album. This lady can sing and is the epitome of a soulful singer. I have not heard the full album but I think she is the one to beat. And after the horrific personal year she has had, my heart and soul hopes for win for Ms. Hudson.

So I’m done. Let’s see how well or bad I do with my predictions. Some choices seem like no-brainers but you never know with award shows. In any event, even if I get them all wrong, these artists are winners with me.

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Posted in music, television | 1 Comment

We Need This Stimulus Package Now!

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Phil Velez

How much longer must we wait before our elected leaders approve the desperately needed stimulus package? The present economy is extremely weak, however how bleak does it need to be before our fearless leaders decide to get their collective act together? More and more companies are laying off thousands of people, interest rates are going up, and mail for the first time ever may now only be delivered five days a week. Imagine, no mail on Saturdays? If that’s not a sign things are getting bad, I don’t know what is. I do now that if something is not done soon we may begin seeing public hospitals, schools, and libraries close. Democrats and Republicans must come to an agreement real soon before a national financial panic grips our land from sea to shiny sea.

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Posted in job loss, news, politics | Leave a comment