What You Should Know: A legacy of Andrew Cuomo, Ruben Diaz Jr., and Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr., Coming to Fruition

By Reverend Ruben Diaz

You should know that the four New Metro North Train Station recently announced by Gov. Hochul, are a direct result and fruits of the efforts and hard work of former Governor Andrew Cuomo, former Bronx President Ruben Diaz Jr., and yours truly former Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr.

It is important for you to know that (8) eight years ago, Governor Cuomo delivered his State of the State address in which he announced the funding and plans for the construction of these (4) New Metro North Stations in Bronx County.

To be exact, Gov. Cuomo’s address was held on January 21, 2015, and it was delivered before an audience of 3,000 in attendance, including many dignitaries, the news media, and reporters.

In his address he announced his plans for the development, funding, and construction of these Metro North Train Stations for Bronx County.

He stated that “We want to build (4) Metro North stations in the Bronx, to open up that side of the Bronx.”

Immediately when I heard the Governor say this, I shouted out loud “Hoo-rah!” When the Governor heard my outburst, he looked at me and said, ironically, “I have a name for one of those stations, Diaz Station, we are going to call it, Ruben Diaz Station.”

I couldn’t have imagined, my dear reader, that the Governor’s statement would have created so much rumor among the political community, where Friends and adversaries would question which Ruben Diaz was the Governor referring to. Was he referring to “Senator Ruben Diaz Sr.” or was he referring to “Ruben Diaz Jr. the Bronx Borough President”?

You should know that in an article appearing in the Gay City News, dated January 22, 2015, authored by Duncan Osborne, he questioned the Governor’s intention when he remarked about naming the “Ruben Diaz Station.” The article reports that the Governor’s office had been called for clarification about which Ruben Diaz was he referring to and “The Governor’s press office did not respond….”

This simple remark, made in jest, created needless problems for Governor Cuomo and all because his office would not respond and clarify which Ruben Diaz he had referred to. Soon after Governor Cuomo’s remark about the naming of this Metro North Station resulting from my simple outburst of “Hoo-Rah!” the news made it to the Tweeter feeds when reporters Laura Nahmias a reporter for “Capital News”, and Ms. Mona Salama from “ANM News” tweeted about it.

A simple point of information for those who care to know. There are three men in my family named Ruben Diaz. They are Ruben Diaz Sr, Ruben Diaz Jr., and Ruben Diaz III. If you were to ask me who I think Governor Cuomo was referring to, I would say that I believe he was referring to the Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., given that he was a Cuomo ally, a main supporter of the Cuomo agenda and at the time they were collaborating, working together to ensure that the plans for the Bronx Metro North would come to fruition. I in turn, often criticized the Governor and his agenda, with the obvious exception of his Bronx Transportation Plans for the Metro North which I also worked to ensure that it would receive funding.

It is important for you to know that these Metro North Train Stations are the result of the work, efforts and legacy of the former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, former Bronx Boro President Ruben Diaz Jr., and I the former NYS Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. Even though the three of us were not invited, nor were we even given an honorable mention we are happy to see that this project is coming to fruition.

I am Reverend Ruben Diaz and this is What You Should Know.

Reverend Ruben Diaz is a former NYC Councilman, Bronx County