Bart Didden continues to attack Lopez and Hispanics - enough is enough!

Everyone in Port CHester knows about our infamous village racist, Bart Didden, who sent out the racist flyer during the mayoral village elections last march.

The flyer, as has been mentioned before, targeted Hispanics and Ms. Lopez, then Trustee Pilla's campaign manager. The flyer was a racial appeal for all non-Hispanic voters to not vote for Pilla because of his association with Lopez and the Hispanic community.

This writer has reported previusly that everything came to light when Didden was asked to testify at the federal court about his involvement with this flyer with the participation of Trustee John Crane and then Chair of teh Board of Education, Dom Bencivenga.

But the story does not end there people. THis writer has discovered by means of the Jounal News blog that Didden continues to attack Lopez and the Hispanic community, here are some examples:

Bart writes:
"The general belief is that Ms. Lopez's focus is solely supporting Hispanics here in Port Chester and surrounding communities. Unfortunately her actions speak volumes to this statement and there is no denying it.

Our problems are simple, over crowding, schools that could and should be better and density that is beyond the community’s ability to support it which is resulting in falling property values and tax increases."

His comments suggest that lopez only supports hispanics and that by doing that she is supporting the problems "caused" by hispanics who live in Port Chester.

Here is another one:
"The other flaw in the DOJ position is that there is no country called "Hispanic". The fact is that neighboring countries in Central and South America are either warring against each other or has border disputes constantly.

If these "Hispanic" governments had concern for others and other countries they would be as tough on the drug trade as this country that we live in. Drugs rob the potential life dreams from all people that take the drugs to all the family and friends around them. Drugs terminate the lives of those who have such potential to make a difference that is hurts the community as a whole, whether its Port Chester or not.

The problem is that there is no consensus in the Hispanic community as I believe that Hispanics gravitate more to the views of the country they come from rather than "Hispanic".

Hispanic, the way it is used by the DOJ, the members of the Board of Trustees and those that write here on this page is so generic that it is really a disservice to the Latinos across the country.

Back to Ms. Lopez, during her presentation of credentials for a board appointment she stated that she “has witnessed” overcrowded apartments, illegal apartments in attics and basements and “cockroach” infested living conditions.

What has Ms. Lopez done for these people?

She should have called the Village Building Department, or her good friends Pilla and Brakewood and reported such sub-human living conditions that are code violations.

Ms. Lopez has a duty to report these conditions since she is a committee member of a Village project and an appointed member to the Master Plan Advisory Committee. Failure to report should be a violation of the Village Code of Ethics."

Obviously, Bart Didden does not know what the word Hispanic means nor where it originates. Read up on your Hispanic history Bart. These comments are full of hatred and ignorance. Maybe Bart should review American history and read up on the involvement of the U.S. goverment in Latin America and the history of drugs in this county. Blaming Hispanics in Latin AMerica for creating the so called drug problem does not cut it. Then again, Bart did not finish college, so he missed out on a lot of information.

He continues to attack Lopez about her role in helping people who live in substandard conditions, and insinuates that she did not report these findings to the Buildings Department,/ How does Bart know Lopez did not report them? Maybe Lopez should report Bart for operating his business without a Certificate of Occupancy - huge violation right there. LEt's think, if Lopez did not report these violations then why have I seen Ms. Lopez in village court and town court helping tenants who are being harrassed by landlords? why do I see Lopez advocating for affordable housing and reading about her in the JN whenever there is an issue involving housing? Bart...just stop.

These words come from a coward who wrote a flyer anonymously, got caught by the federal government, sits comfortably on the planning board, yet he has not been referred to the Ethics committe, yet ,he keeps pushing for lopez to be referred to the ethics board.....is this guy for real?

His comments are absurd. He keeps insulting people because he honestly thinks that he is in his right to do that. It is a free country and he does have the right to free speech, no matter how dumb it may sound. Yet, he has to stop. Stop insulting the Hispanic community who is hard working. Stop insulting people like Ms. Lopez who is a well-respected Hispanic woman in Port Chester and throughout Westchester County.

What has Bart Didden done for this community? He has sued the village, has bullied his way to get what he wants, and threatens people when they do not agree to what he wants or says.
YA BASTA BART!

Who won the debate?

The Republican Presidential debate which took place last night on Univision was interesting. But which candidate had the best responses or ideas for Hispanic voters?

It is the opinion of this writer that none of the candidates had any good proposals or ideas to help or represent Hispanic voters. But, I don't think that readers disagree with this opinion. However, it is a good step forward that the republican candidates have participated in this debate to share with Hispanics their ideas, beliefs, and values.

Seven of the eight Republican candidates were present at last night's debtate. The only candidate who did not participate was Congressman Tom Tancredo, who thinks that by participating in such an event, in some crazy way it is helping undocumented Hispanic immigrants. Well, if there was anybody that lost in this debate, it was certainly him. Hispanic voters would have more respect for him if he had shown up to the debate and explained his stance on illegal immigration and Hispanics. Instead, he decided not to attend, and continue his bigotted platform somewhere else...

Tonight Republican Presidential Debate in Spanish

On Sunday evening, Univision, the spanish -language network will be making history by broadcasting the first ever Presidential debate in spanish. The debate will be between Republican presidential hopeful who hope to steer the Latino vote starting in January during primary season.

This is the second attempt by the Spanish-speaking network to organize a debate among Republican presidential hopefuls. The first time they tried, right after the Democratic debate which was held in September, only John McCain was willing to debate. Gee, I wonder if it was because the immigration bill was still on the table, and none of them except for McCain, who at that time had co=sponsored a bipartisan immigration bill, was willing to talk about it.

So watch it, on Univision (channel 6 if you have cablevision at 7 p.m.!!) It will be great to see how they deflect the immigration question

Who is Mary Dudas?

I dont know about you, but I've been seeing the name "Mary Dudas" in various parts of Port Chester and also along I95. So who is Mary Dudas, and why is her name written in graffiti all around town, accompanied with the words, "Mary Dudas for President" or "vote for Mary Dudas."

After doing some investigating and asking several sources, the significance of her name and the reasoning for it being everywhere, especially in Port Chester, is somewhat if not very disturbing.

According to certain people, who say that they know the story behind these tags on public property, Mary Dudas was the woman who, while high on drugs, struck and killed two or three Hispanic males who were walking home from their job, at at the Port Chester Diner, late at night.

I don't have to explain the connection, as I think it is pretty self explanatory - between "mary dudas" signs all over the village and the death of two or three Hispanic men, but it is disturbing that such connection or insinuation exists - celebrating a non-Hispanic white woman for killing two or more Hispanics instantly, in a village where issues on illegal immigration and the negative stereotypes branded on Hispanics exist....

What do you think? If anyone has any other information or would like to share their conspiracy theory, please do....


Sources say that Mary Dudas, was a

Port Chester High School Receives $50,000 to renovate its library and media center

Thanks to the Tamarack Tower Foundation, a private foundation whose mission is to financially support the Port Chester schools and students, Port Chester High School will receive $50,000 to make needed repairs to its library and media center. The repairs will entail changing the carpeting, updating its furnishings, and repairing the ceiling and lights.

Funds were raised by way of an event organized by the foundation to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the high school. Congratulations PCHS!

Survey: Most adult Hispanics say they speak English well

Survey: Most adult Hispanics say they speak English well

Source: The Journal News

The majority of adult Hispanics in the United States say they speak English fluently or pretty well, according to a new survey.

"English Usage Among Hispanics in the United States" is a report released yesterday about 14,000 Hispanic adults in the United States surveyed by the Pew Hispanic Center in Washington. Besides asking Hispanics to rate their fluency in English, the survey asked about education, discrimination and bilingual abilities.....Nearly two-thirds of Hispanic immigrants with college degrees say they speak English very well. In Port Chester, Diego Telles, 35, a medical assistant, said he studied basic English in his native Panama and graphic design in college before ...

For Hispanic Immigrants, Bias isn't only barrier to housing...

There are various obstacles in trying to find decent housing, but for Hispanic immigrants, it is not only bias, but also exploitation.

The article printed on the Journal News this past Sunday, discusses exploitation faced by Hispanic immigrants while trying to rent or purchase housing.

Blanca Lopez , Program Director of the Neighborhood Preservation Co., a housing program based in Port Chester commented that there are many landlords who do not want to rent to families with children. She said, "We get families that are just astounded that owners won't rent to (families with) children." While Lopez said she has seen instances of discrimination against Hispanic immigrants, she agrees the bigger problem is exploitation. In other words, tenants put up with small apartments and astronomical rents because that's all there is. And homebuyers are misled into taking on loans they can't afford.


For Hispanic Immigrants, Bias isn't only barrier to housing...

Latest Development with Port Chester's Library

New developments with the funding and name change of the Port Chester Library. Read article for more information.

PC Elections will Proceed

Village elections in March will proceed says the BOT....unless Judge Robinson stops it....again....

So what happened with the Trustee appointments?

Many have been asking about the English translation to the last post, so nice to see that our blog is getting around...here it is:

When Mayor Dennis Pilla invited Port Chester residents to submit their letters of interests and resumes for village trustee appointments, three Hispanics answered Pilla's call...they were Rev. Ariel Acosta, Blanca Lopez, Director of a not for profit housing program, and Walter Quiroz, a tax accountant.

So what happened?
From the twelve candidates who sought appointments, the Board of Trustees appointed two African American men for the two open seats.

And why wasn't a Hispanic appointed?
It is not that there weren't any Hispanic candidates who were not prepared for this position. It is the opinion of this writer that Ms. Lopez was the best candidate for this position, but the two Republican Trustees, Robert Sorensen and Dominick Cicatelli, and the formerly registered Republican and now Independent Trustee, John Crane decided not to vote for her. Why?...because they felt that Lopez was too involved in politics since she was the Campaingn Chair for Trustee Brakewood and former Trustee Pilla when they ran two years ago, and also Chair for Mayor Pilla, when he ran last year. So, Lopez only received votes from Mayor Pilla and Trustee Brakewood in her quest to becoming appointed.

Wow...never in the history of Port Chester, has a Hispanic woman...an immigrant woman, I should say, like Lopez been involved in promoting change for this community and in such a short time; and that is possibly why, because of her involvement, that is has also created some backlash, because we all know that when an individual or group of people advance in this social system that we live in, there will always be people who will try to stop their progress.

So, lets analyze reasons why these three Hispanic candidates were not appointed....

Early last year, Rev. Acosta ran for Trustee with the Republican team. He ran with Mr. Cicatelli, and Bart Didden, our favorite village racist who was the mastermind behind the so called anonymous flyers where he referred to Lopez as a "wolf dressed in sheep's clothing and that she was "in bed with Pilla." It was discovered that he had assistance from current Trustee John Crane and then Board of Education President Dominick Bencivenga with the planning and editing for this flyer. Everything came out in the open when the Dept. of Justice questioned Didden and he immediately vomited to the feds everything he knew and those involved.

So, it seems that although Rev. Acosta wanted to become involved in this campaign to promote Hispanic participation and most importantly, get the Hispanic vote, the Republicans used him to promote their stance with Hispanics and to show the feds that they had recruited a Hispanic to run with them. Sadly, although Rev. Acosta wanted to be appointed to one of the open trustee spots, nobody voted for him, not even his republican counterparts, Cicatelli or Sorensen. I think that the Republicans used Acosta for their own benefit, and when he needed them they left him out to dry. Poor Reverend, he did not deserve this.

Mr. Quiroz also submitted his resume like a good citizen, but I do not think that he knew much about what this position entailed.

Well, so now lets analyze why Lopez was not appointed, and this will be easy:

First, there is a rumor in PC that Trustee Sorensen wants to run for mayor in two years, and for trustee this coming March, so now he has to work very hard to please the Republican party and he needs to strenghten his position in it. The problem with Sorensen is that he owes a lot of money to the village because he has not paid his parking tickets. I do not think that PC voters will suppot a candidate who owes money to the village and who has shown to be a bad example for village voters. Maybe Sorensen should give up some or all of the $5k he gets from serving as trustee every year, and maybe that will satisfy his debt.

On the other hand. Mr. Cicatelli just looks lost....he lost the mayoral election, and now he is serving a term that has already expired. It seems that his vote against Lopez, was simply for revenge.... well, that's politics.

So what about Crane....who changed his party affiliation from Republican to Independent a couple of months ago, and who also wanted to be appointed Village justice earlier this year. Unfortunately, Crane, an attorney, represents landlords like Great American, who exploit Hispanics and rent "problematic" apartments and rooms. Seeing how Lopez works in the housing area and knows about housing policies and laws, she may have been seen as a challenge for Crane. Also, it is not surprising that he voted against her since he was involved in the creation of the flyer which was sent to every voter in Port Chester.

There are so many things going on in this little village. It reminds me of a Mexican soap called "Pueblo Chico, Infierno Grande." But, we have to recognize that the appointments made by the trustees was a slap in the face to Hispanics. How is it possible that in a community with a large Hispanic population, there is no Hispanic representative? However, it is also important to understand that if and when a Hispanic candidate runs for office, he or she must be professionally prepared and want what is best for the entire community. But that person must also know about the problems and challenges faced by immigrants as they acculturate into American society.

It is important that we as voters learn and understand each candidate's platforms and the relationship that they will have or have with the Hispanic community, in order to be assured that they will perform a responsible job once in office.

Want to support Hillary Clinton for President?

A petition signing rally to qualify New York delegates for Senator Hillary Clinton on Monday, Nov. 26 at the Port Chester Carver Center, 400 Westchester Ave., Port Chester, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. A free buffet dinner will be served.

Qualified delegates will then be on the ballot for the New York Presidential Delegate Primary Election in the 18th Congressional District on Feb. 5, 2008. To sign a petition for Senator Clinton, one must be a registered voter in the Democratic Party.

MASTER PLAN Community Meetings

Come to the meetings listed on the flyer and participate in the creation of Port Chester's master plan. The master plan is an important document for the village because it articulates a broad vision for Port Chester's future and directs all development activities. It also guides the City's capital improvement projects. Come and express your views on the strengths and challenges of this community. Let your opinion count!

WELCOME

We are excited to offer up to the minute news on Port Chester and other issues with concern to the Latino community living and working in the village. As always, we welcome comments and suggestions from our readers.