There's pain at the pump and it seems to be spreading like wildfire across the USA. As the Obama administration begins to feel the heat, gas prices continue to rise near $4 per gallon. This increasing financial hardship threatens to undercut President Barack Obama's re-election prospects, while offering everyone of the GOP candidates an easy target to shoot at.

Historically, sitting Presidents usually receive the blame for rising prices, gas or otherwise. However, there's really not much politicians can actually do to change things.

US Congressman Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx) and NYC Councilman James Vacca have joined forces with Bronx residents for lower noise from neighboring airports. Crowley invited officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address flight traffic, noise issues, and take questions from the community. Also on hand were representatives from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), as well as numerous community groups, including the Country Club Civic Association which has been working with Rep. Crowley and Councilman Vacca to ensure these issues are addressed.

During his speech, BRONX Borough Preident Diaz highlighted his administration’s accomplishments during this past year and announced several initiatives his office will pursue in the upcoming year.

“While these projects are scattered across the borough, they work together to move the Bronx in a positive direction. We are enacting our conceptual ‘master plan,’” said Borough President Diaz. “We are balancing the needs of individual neighborhoods with the needs of the entire borough, and our development agenda is moving forward because we are attentive to those concerns.”

Cardinal Timothy Dolan visited a South Bronx senior care center as his first official appearance in NYC since he returned from his elevation in Rome.

Seniors packed CARE at San Vicente de Paúl Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Intervale Avenue facility run by the NY Archdiocese.

Dolan dedicated Care’s new Senior Life Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which is now scheduled to open March 1.

WHY IS THE BRONX "STATE OF THE BOROUGH" SPEECH NOT AVAILABLE IN REAL TIME?

The Borough President's speech in NOT being carried live on News12 The Bronx, Bronxnet, or streamed on The Web. This according to Tom Lucania, Director of Community Boards Unit and Legislative Affairs.

Mr. Luciana says it will be available on both Bronxnet and News 12 in the coming days.

The question which begs to be answered is why not? City Island Images will file a report on this important speech later this afternoon.

http://bronxboropres.nyc.gov