Mayor Bloomberg & Colin Powell Headline Caribbean Parade 2009

By Allison Skeete

Brooklyn, NY: Monday, Sept. 7, 2009 -
The Caribbean community is no stranger to political association; this year was no exception, with the many primary race candidates vying for office the parade drew politicians of every district and intent all eager to connect with a crucial voter segment before next week's Democratic primaries. The parade route was peppered with campaign signs and many candidates’ glad handed revelers to get their vote next Tuesday.

The Census 2010 group also had several booths along the parade route spreading the word for all to ensure that they fill out the form come April 2010; there was a Census float in the parade with a theme of ‘Jump for the Count,’. They’re aim was to ensure an improved count of Caribbean Americans which would improve legislative and business progress in the neighborhoods inhabited by many Caribbean-American families. An undercount of the Caribbean-American voting block in 2010 after elections would mean that many of the seats now being run for could be subject to redistricting laws.

The biggest endorsement announced this year was that of Former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell who formally voiced his support of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s re-election on Monday after having expressed the view that the Mayor had done a tremendous job in NYC when he appeared on Larry King Live about two months ago. Powell who was born in the Bronx, and now lives in Virginia told Larry King that he would vote for Bloomberg if he were still a New York resident.

“I endorse him, and I hope he’ll win,” Mr. Powell said as he appeared next to Mayor Bloomberg at a news conference before the parade. “I would encourage everybody in the crowd, all the citizens of New York not just to go with an endorsement, even though endorsements are important, but to look at the record of the individual,” said Mr. Powell. “If they do that, I think they would find that Mike is the guy who ought to be mayor for a third term.” Mr. Powell, who is of Jamaican heritage, was a grand marshal.

Mayor Bloomberg thanked Powell, calling him a "great American and a great New Yorker," Bloomberg said that the former general is a man who "calls it like he sees it" and works with officials of every party.

Presently, Mayor Bloomberg trails Democratic challenger Bill Thompson among black voters in the city, so the Powell endorsement won't hurt.