Koppell Farewell Party

   This afternoon at the Riverdale Y current Councilman Oliver Koppell held his annual Holiday Party. This year however it was a farewell party for the term limited councilman. Over 300 of Koppells friends and acquaintances showed up to bid the good councilman a fond farewell, but was it a good-bye party or a party in preparation of Oliver Koppell annannouncement that he will be running for the 34th State Senate seat against current State Senator Jeff Klein. Recently Koppell and his wife have expressed their dismay with how Senator Klein has risen to be Co-Leader with Dean Skellows of the Republican minority in the State Senate. Both have called Klein a traitor to the Democratic Party for doing so, and it was reported that Councilman Koppell has had talks with the State Senate Democratic committee for a possible challenge to Senator Klein. While Mrs. Koppell told me two years ago that once her husband was to be term limited out of office he would not seek any other office and retire from politics. Today was another story as she told me that she is encouraging husband Oliver to stay active in the political world. In what could be another hint at a senate run in his speech Councilman Koppell said that he is known for his honesty, integrity, and for being a loyal progressive Democrat.

  Among the elected officials on hand were Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, City Controller Elect Scott Stringer, and Congressman Jerry Nadler. There were many Community Board 8 and even some Community Board 7 members who have been appointed with Councilman Koppell's stamp of approval. 

  His daughter Jackie opened up the party by asking for a moment of silence for those who were killed or injured in the mornings train derailment by the Hudson River in South Riverdale. She added that her father has been in politics longer than she has been around, and even got chocked up a bit in saying some of the many things that her father has done. 

  When he spoke Councilman Koppell told of the time he ran for Bronx Borough President in 1979 loosing and being left penny less after the election, but he said that it was his partner of over 30 years that encouraged him to continue in his pursuit of elected office. He went through a power point presentation of many of his accomplishments in the district. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz was then invited up to say a few words. Dinowitz said that he had known Oliver Koppel for over 40 years, and that Oliver could have made a lot of money if he had chosen to go into a private life. He then thanked Councilman Koppell on behalf of the community. 

  One of Oliver Koppell's most remembered moments in the State Assembly came when he introduced the Bottle Bill which became law, and he said that over100 billion bottles and cans have been recycled as of that law in New York State. 

 

Left - The Koppell's - Oliver, daughter Jackie and wife Lorraine.

Right - The power point presentation of just a few of Councilman Koppell's accomplishments.

left - Congressman Jerry Nadler and City Controller Elect Scott Stringer wait to be called to say a few words about Oliver Koppell.

Right - Herb Barrett presents Councilman Koppell with a special plaque for his help in getting the Veterans Memorial Grove in Van Cortlandt Park renovated.

CON ED MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO PREVENT POWER OUTAGES AND FAILING LINES AT KOPPELL’S REQUEST

  Con Edison is currently installing 51 high grade utility poles that can withstand 110 mph and will have switching equipment to prevent future power outages and falling lines, as requested by Council Member Oliver Koppell.  

Because of the severe power outages experienced by people in the community during Hurricane Sandy, Koppell held a series of meetings with Con Ed representatives to explore ways to improve the reliability of the greater Riverdale power grid during inclement weather. 

Subsequent to the meetings, Con Ed revealed its plan to cut the Riverdale Loop, comprised of 7.3 miles of service, into two smaller loops, which will shield each section from events that occur in the other area, making each section more reliable and resulting in quicker restorations.

By the end of December, Con Ed will have completed installing the new poles throughout the Riverdale area and in parts of Kingsbridge. Once the poles are installed, Con Ed expects to make the switch off during the first quarter of 2014. The Riverdale Loop, where everything in Riverdale is connected, will now be split into two separate loops with a Riverdale Loop and a Palisade Loop.       

“I am still hopeful that Con Ed will find a way to bury the exposed power lines, which are the cause of many storm-related outages. However, since we are being told that future storms are inevitable, I am pleased that the changes Con Edison is currently making will reduce the number of power malfunctions in the community,” Koppell said.

Editor Note - How about the mess that Con Edison or should I say their contractor has done to West 238th Street only three blocks away from Councilman Koppell's district office on the high pressure gas line installation. People have been told by the contractor " What do you want, this is the Bronx". Also go into any nearby business and see what this has done to their business.

Was the CB 8 Land Use Meeting a Preview of the Upcoming 34th State Senate Primary?

  There were over 150 people in the audience for last Thursday's Community Board 8's Land Use Meeting. Almost all were there for the third item on the agenda that being a presentation by Simone Management of demolition, construction, and development plans of property 3741 & 3735 Riverdale Avenue, and 3644 Oxford Avenue for a proposed 11 story medical facility with parking. Since Mr. Jeff Meordler the son of the Land Use Chair Mr. Charles Meordler was giving the presentation, the chair yielded the floor to the Vice Chair of the Land Use committee Mr. M. Wolpoff.  

   Mr. J. Moerdler went through the proposal for the buildings acquired by Montefiore Hospital at 3741 & 3735 Riverdale Avenue, and 3644 Oxford Avenue for a proposed 11 story medical facility with parking.He said that no approval is needed since this building would be built as of right. That means since the site is next to a current 11 story coop building on Oxford Avenue the new 11 story building would not be out of character for the area. There would be 50 doctors and ancillary services, 20 – 30 specialist would be on site with a 120 car garage.

  The building would be set back 100 feet on Oxford Avenue used as the entrance to the parking area, and the Riverdale Avenue entrance would be for patients. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said that Montefiore Hospital still has his gall bladder, and he thinks the building is good for the community, but is concerned about the height of the building. Councilman Oliver Koppell on the other hand is against the project. Koppell says the project is completely out of scale, and he is against the proposal. He said it is not needed, the population of Riverdale is only 40,000 people. 

  After a few speakers including Mr. S. Ganter President of the Fieldston Garden Apartments Coop, and Mr. Jim Grossman also of the FGA Coop who voiced their opposition to the planned building Mr. M. Blaustein of State Senator Jeff Klein's office said that Senator Klein would be working with Montifiore Hospital and the community on the proposed plan. After a few more speakers Land Use Chairman C. Moerdler tried to regain control by saying "Montifiore has agreed to back to the drawing board and come back next month with a better plan". 

  When asked if that meant will the demolition be halted until then, the answer by Montefiore was no construction would start, but that demolition work is ongoing and would continue. At that point Councilman Oliver Koppell got the loudest sound of clapping that I have ever heard him receive when he said he is an ex offico of the board and that anyone who wants to speak should. The angry criticism of Montefiore continued until the last person who wanted to speak was heard. 

  It is hard to believe that someone like Councilman Koppell who was in favor of the proposed housing project in North Riverdale that included 26 units of unknown possibly criminal emotionally disturbed adults placed in with senior housing that was stopped by Senator Jeff Klein would take such a position, unless he could be thinking of running for Senator Klein's seat. That has been suggested here recently.