Richmond Hill South Civic Association Meeting - March 24th - Photos

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Assembly Member Michelle Titus, Resorts World New York representative Patrick Jenkins and Senator Joe Addabbo representative Michael Brasky spoke to the attendees of the  Richmond Hill South Civic Association meeting on Thursday, March 2th....

Senators Addabbo & Huntley and Assemblymembers Miller & Clark Face Rivals by Howard Koplowitz - YourNabe.com

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Titus Opponent Drops Out of Race - Smith Runs Unopposed


Election season has been heating up this summer in Queens as several political hopefuls announced their challenges against incumbents in the state Legislature.

The July filing with the state Campaign Finance Board revealed that state Assemblywoman Michelle Titus (D-Far Rockaway) and state Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica) will be facing competition during this fall’s Democratic primary.

But political newcomer Okenfe Lebarty, who has been listed in the campaign finance database as Titus’ challenger for the 31st Assembly District, which includes Far Rockaway, Rosedale and parts of South Ozone Park, announced his departure from the race early Tuesday morning.

In an e-mail sent out to supporters, Lebarty, a West African immigrant who went to Far Rockaway High School and currently works as the executive director for the University Student Senate for the City University of New York, said his campaign finances had prevented him from continuing in the race.

He raised $3,385 for his campaign so far and spent $4,213, according to campaign finance records. Titus has collected $4,130 for her re-election and spent $3,188, records show.

“Due to lack of resources, we cannot maintain a vigorous and robust campaign, hence our path to victory will not be attainable,” Lebarty wrote in an e-mail.

Huntley, who was elected in 2007, has so far amassed $5,000 in contributions and spent $324 for her re-election bid for the 10th Senate District, which includes Jamaica, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park and parts of Forest Hills.

Records show Lynn Nunes, who was six votes shy of defeating City Councilman Thomas White (D-South Ozone Park) during last year’s Democratic primary, has dwarfed the incumbent in both contributions and expenditures, campaign finance records show. The 25-year-old candidate has received $155,390 in contributions and spent $29,085 on his campaign so far, according to campaign finance records.

Nunes contributed the most to his run with a $10,000 donation to his campaign, according to the records.

Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans), the only one of Queens’ five-member Senate delegation who did not have an opponent listed on the campaign finance board website as of the July 15 filing deadline, has amassed $279,150 in contributions and spent $240,441 so far. The largest contribution came from David Rich, a Manhattan lobbyist for the Greater New York Hospital Association, records show.

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Although Clyde Vanel has announced his run against Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (D-Queens Village) in the 33rd Assembly District, which includes Queens Village, Cambria Heights and parts of Bellerose, he was not listed on the campaign finance database as of press time Tuesday. The Democratic challenger said he has filed with the campaign finance board and is still committed to his run for the Legislature.

Clark has so far raised $900 for her re-election campaign and spent $1,826 so far, records show. Vanel is listed on the city Board of Elections’ list of candidates who have amassed signatures to appear on the September ballot.

In southern Queens, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) is facing a re-election challenge in the 15th Senate District from former Councilman Anthony Como, a Republican.

The district covers Ridgewood, Maspeth, Middle Village, Howard Beach, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park and South Ozone Park.

Addabbo has raised $126,355 this year while Como has raised $17,657, according to campaign finance records.

The first-term senator has spent more than $70,000 and Como has spent more than $13,000.

Assemblyman Michael Miller (D-Woodhaven), who won a special election last year to replace disgraced former Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio, is being challenged on two fronts in his quest to win re-election.

Nick Comaianni, a member of Community Board 9 and Community Educational Council 24, is running in the Democratic primary against Miller and Forest Park Senior Center Executive Director Donna Caltabiano is running as a Republican.

Miller has raised $26,655 this year and Caltabiano has raised $4,875. There were no fund-raising totals available yet for Comaianni.

Community Board 10 Public Meeting with Genting New York at Aqueduct - July 15th

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On July 15th I attended Genting New York's presentation to Community Board 10 at Aqueduct Racetrack...There was a full house of community board members and anxious area resident eager to hear what Genting New York was proposing for the long awaited casino site...During the presentation the room was filled to capacity with standing room only...Local politicians including Senator Joe Addabbo, Assemblymembers Audrey Pheffer, Michelle Titus and Michael Miller and City Councilmember Eric Ulrich were in attendance...I personally felt that Genting gave an excellent presentation and were very well received by this present at the meeting...

UFCW Local 1500 and RWDSU Local 338 Endorse Gulluscio...

Praise “Champion for Working New Yorkers”

Adding to a growing chorus of elected officials and labor unions, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 and Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union Local 338 announced their support of Frank Gulluscio in his bid to unseat Republican Eric Ulrich.

UFCW Local 1500 Director of Special Projects Pat Purcell said: “In November, voters in Queens have an important decision to make: Who will fight for us? We need Frank Gulluscio in the City Council to fight for middle class families. Frank has stood up for working people - he knows we need to keep and attract jobs to New York that offer good benefits and fair pay. He is a tireless advocate for his community - who will work hard on behalf of the families in the 32nd Council District.”

“RWDSU Local 338 is proud to endorse Frank Gulluscio for City Council. Frank is a proven leader and champion for working New Yorkers. In these tough times, we need a leader like Frank Gulluscio fighting for us in the City Council” said John R. Durso, President Local 338. “Frank understands the needs of working families and has been a good friend of the labor movement. We look forward to working with Frank to improve access to quality healthcare and attract good jobs for New Yorkers.”

“I am honored to have the support of the UFCW Local 1500 and RWDSU Local 338. If elected, I will work tirelessly with them on the issues that matter most to working families: education, healthcare, and job creation.” said Gulluscio.

Gulluscio is proud to also have the support of DC37, Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, Detectives Endowment Association, Tenants PAC, Congressmembers Anthony Weiner and Gregory Meeks, State Senators Joe Addabbo and Shirley Huntley, Assemblymembers Audrey Pheffer and Michele Titus.

Assembly Member Michelle Titus Elected to Lead Legislative Women's Caucus

New York State Assemblywoman Michele Titus (D-South Ozone Park), has been elected chairwoman of the Legislature’s Women’s Caucus. The group is made up of 52 female lawmakers from all over the state who serve in either the Assembly or Senate.

Founded in 1983, the caucus works with various women’s organizations, activists, the governor, state agencies and other lawmakers to advocate for programs and services that benefit women, while monitoring federal laws, court decisions and other policies that affect them. Members focus on issues such as violence against women, sexual harassment, pay equity, women’s health care, education, child care and elder care.

“Throughout history women have played a vital role in government,” Titus said. “My work in government and as a member of the Women’s Caucus has enabled me to promote women’s issues and improve the participation of women in all areas of government and life.”

It's An Election, But Not A Choice by Jarrett Murphy - City Limits

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Dozens of Candidates for New York State Legislative Seats Face No Opponent, Continuing a Trend that Limits Voters' Choices

This Election Day, there's no telling how the contest in the 22nd State Senate district will end up. Incumbent Senator Martin Golden could prevail on the Republican line. Or, Golden might win on the Independence party line. The dark horse? A Golden victory on the Conservative line. No one can say for sure which party will come out on top. But one thing is certain: Golden can't lose, because he has no opponent.

With a presidential race setting records for voter interest and the two major parties vying for control of the New York State Senate, it might seem strange that no one is bothering to run against a Republican senator in a southwest Brooklyn district where Democrats hold a two-to-one registration advantage. But Golden is far from alone in facing no opponent this autumn. Candidates in four other state Senate races in the city also are running unopposed: incumbents Bill Perkins in Harlem, Shirley Huntley in south Queens, and Malcolm Smith in eastern Queens, as well as newcomer Hiram Monserrate, presently a City Councilman, in the district covering Elmhurst and Jackson Heights, Queens.

Statewide, 11 Senate candidates—together representing nearly 2 million voters, or more voters than are registered in New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Idaho combined—face no opponent. Half are Democrats and half are Republicans. Another five Senate candidates statewide, including Democrats Carl Kruger, Ruben Diaz and Pedro Espada, Jr., face only lower-profile minor-party opposition.

Although New York is far from the worst state in the union when it comes to the number of unopposed contests – with 68 percent of this year's races contested, it actually ranks in the middle – the lack of competition locally is certainly noticeable, translating into less choice and lower voter turnout. On a practical level, uncontested races bother some good government advocates and politicians because, they say, opposition helps keep incumbents responsive. "I've always benefited from rough and tough elections," says Paul Feiner, a veteran Westchester County pol now serving as Greenburgh town supervisor and a longtime critic of the abundance of non-races around the state.

On a symbolic level, uncontested races can seem distinctly undemocratic. "It does feel like you are in some unstable third world country when there's only one name in a race or if the person has been endorsed by multiple parties," says attorney Gene Russianoff of the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). Indeed, when a European Union Election Observer Mission reported on the 2005 parliamentary elections in Lebanon, it noted: "Following the withdrawal of 17 candidates, nine of 19 seats were won uncontested before election day. This limited the voters' choice."

State Assembly seats feature even less competition than the Senate. Forty-one Assembly candidates (28 Democrats, 11 Republicans and two candidates who hold both parties' lines) statewide—17 of them in the city—are guaranteed a win on November 4. These districts combined contain more registered voters than live in most U.S. states. Another 10 Assembly candidates face no major party opposition—such as like city Democrats Carmen Arroyo, Michael Benjamin, Jeffrey Dinowitz, Dov Hikind and Alan Maisel, who face only a rival from the Conservative party (which claims 170,000 members statewide and 76 current legislators using the party's designation).

Even federal offices go unthreatened: The only worry for Congressman Anthony Weiner, representing part of Brooklyn and Queens, is a Conservative challenger, and U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks of Queens faces no opponent. That's an improvement over 2006, when four of New York's representatives to Congress had no rival. There's more competition for state Senate seats this year, too: In 2006, 16 Senate races were one-person shows. But in the Assembly, things have gone in the other direction: 36 Assembly candidates ran unchallenged in '06, compared to this year's 41.

The lack of competition for different offices means that people in a particular neighborhood might cast no meaningful ballots for Assembly, state Senate or even Congress this year. For instance, if you live on Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway, Queens, Michelle Titus is going to be your assemblymember, Smith your senator and Meeks your Congressman no matter what you and your fellow voters do; none of them faces any competition. And once a person runs uncontested, they are likely to enjoy repeated cakewalks: Golden, for one, is running unchallenged in his Brooklyn district this year for the third straight time.

Many observers attribute the dearth of competitors to the daunting odds they often face. Legislative elections in New York State, especially if they feature an incumbent, tend to end lopsided. "The number of uncontested elections under-represents the gravity of the situation because in many races there's an opponent who doesn't have the faintest chance of winning," says longtime reform advocate Henry Stern, a former parks commissioner and City Councilman.

One phenomenon contributes to the other: When a candidate expends time, energy and money running for a seat and gets beat by 80 points, other potential candidates (along with would-be volunteers and donors) can’t be blamed for taking a pass in subsequent elections. And even when insurgents do step up, the role can be thankless. Democrats Nora Marino and Albert Baldeo challenged two entrenched Republican senators in Queens in 2006, posted respectable results and were promptly dumped this year by the Democratic organization for more polished candidates.

Several factors are responsible for the lack of competitive races. The way district lines are drawn helps to insulate incumbents. The vast Democratic registration advantage in many districts discourages upstarts. Party clubs are adept at carrying petitions to get their people on the ballot and challenging the petitions filed by insurgents. The petitioning rules themselves—which require three times as many signatures for an independent candidate as for one running for a political party with a ballot line—also discourage outsiders.

For voters, elections are supposed to be about options. So it's little surprise that uncontested races often draw far fewer votes than real competitions. In 2002, when Golden beat Vincent Gentile for the Senate seat, 45,859 people voted in the race—nearly one-third of voters in the district. But in 2006, when Golden ran uncontested, a mere 22,093 people—only 15 percent of the district—cast ballots.

How many will vote in this year's bout of Golden v. Golden? We won't know until after Nov. 5. So at least there's some suspense in the race.

- Jarrett Murphy

CB 10 Turns Down Proposed ‘Group Home’ by Tonia N. Cimino - Queens Courier

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At the most recent meeting of Community Board (CB) 10, a unanimous vote was cast against a proposed home for “children experiencing social and emotional difficulty” in South Ozone Park.

“The vote was unanimously against it based on saturation,” said CB 10 Chair Betty Braton. “Such a facility would only alter the fabric of the community because of the saturation of such facilities.”

The proposal for the eight-bed residence, at 126th Street off Rockaway Boulevard, was sent to the community board in mid-July by operator St. Vincent’s Youth Residential Services. The CB was required to respond within 40 days.

“We were, needless to say, very disappointed that we didn’t get the approval, primarily because it deprives the children in the area of desperately-needed services,” said Mary Louise Morgan, Managing Director for parent company St. Vincent’s Services.

Saying they have not yet decided how to move forward, Morgan continued, “[We are] considering a lot of different options.”

The next step in the procedure, under the Padavan Law, would be a Commissioner’s Hearing, in which an impartial hearing officer will listen to both sides and then make recommendations to the Commissioner of Mental Health, Michael Hogan, with whom the ultimate decision rests.

Wills, Richards Fight to Stay on Dem Primary Ballot by Ivan Periera - Howard Beach Times - YourNabe.com

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Two southeast Queens Democratic candidates are claiming that their campaigns for office have been stymied by a stubborn political machine within the borough.

Ruben Wills, state Sen. Shirley Huntley's (D-St. Albans) chief of staff, is running against U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) in the Sept. 9 primary, while Donovan Richards, a district manager for City Councilman James Sanders (D-Laurelton), hopes to get back in the race against state Assemblywoman Michelle Titus (D-Far Rockaway).

Both men are fighting to stay on the ballot after they contend their opponents unjustly challenged the voter signatures needed to stay in the contests.

"From Day One, their strategy is to knock everyone off the ballot and watch them scurry like rats. Well, we're not running," Wills said last Thursday outside Queens Civil Court, where his challenges were being reviewed by a judge as of press time.

Eric DeBerry, Titus' husband, and Meeks staffer Patsy Simmons challenged the signatures July 14 on the grounds that many of the names were not valid registered Democrats, according to Board of Elections records.

The board's rules require Assembly candidates to gather at least 500 signatures from voters registered with their party in order to be on the primary ballot, while congressional candidates must gather at least 1,250.

Richards said he had his signatures invalidated following Titus' challenge and he has sued the board to get back on the ballot. He said a Queens Civil Court judge threw out his case last week without reason and he was going to appeal the ruling in Brooklyn Appellate Court Tuesday.

Richards said he believes the Queens Democrats are being influenced by the incumbents and want to turn down any attempt at change.

"It's not the board that I'm having a problem with: It's the system," he said. "The environment in Queens is corrupt."

Titus did not return calls for comment.

Queens Democratic Party Executive Secretary Michael Reich, who is overseeing the court case against Wills, defended the signature challenges, saying Wills and Richards improperly gathered the signatures. He noted that less than half of Wills' signatures were properly validated and five of the signatures were forged.

"It was probably the worst petition drive I've ever seen," he said. "I think it shows his lack of experience as a candidate."

Mike McKay, Meeks' political director, said his office found that Wills, a Community Board 12 member, submitted thousands of invalid signatures from voters who did not live in the district or were not registered Democrats.

"If he wants to run for Congress, he needs to learn about the democratic process. It's before a court and a court will decide," McKay said.

Wills' attorney, Daniel P. Bright, refuted that claim, saying the congressman was deliberately discouraging a fair election just to stay in office.

"Even if they have the fraud that they claim, it would not be enough to devalidate the signatures," he said.

Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.

Hopefuls Cry Foul in Queens Democratic Races; 'Dirty Tactics' Involved by Brendan Brosh - NY Daily News

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The Queens Democratic Party isn't behaving very democratically, according to four party insurgents seeking office this fall.

The southeastern Queens candidates - who are running for the U.S. House of Representatives, state Assembly and two district leader positions - accused incumbents of using "dirty tactics" by challenging their signatures to get on the ballot in September.

"They want to use yesterday's politics to keep the status quo," Ruben Wills said Friday at a protest in front of the Board of Elections office on Queens Blvd.

"We've had a lack of leadership in southeast Queens for the last 10 years," said Wills, who is running against Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Far Rockaway) and currently serves as chief of staff to state Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica).

More than a dozen protesters chanted and waved signs with slogans that included "Democrats Scared of Democracy," "Let Them Run" and "This is Queens 2008 Not Florida 2000."

Donovan Richards - who is running against Assemblywoman Michele Titus (D-Queens) - had his petition signatures challenged by Eric DeBerry, who lives at the same address as Titus, according to Board of Elections records.

"Everyone who carried my petitions is a civic leader who is registered," Richards said.

"We didn't challenge Titus' petitions because we believe in the democratic process."

Richards, who works for Councilman James Sanders Jr. (D-Laurelton), said the Board of Elections rejected his petitions because it said they were collected by people with improper credentials.

Richards has filed a lawsuit to get back on the ballot.

Meeks' political director said that challenges are a normal part of the primary season.

"Ruben submitted several thousand invalid signatures," Mike McKay charged.

"It's nonsense that the congressman is trying to subvert the democratic process. Those are the rules of engagement."

Democratic District Leader hopeful Erica Ford said the challenges were part of a coordinated attempt by entrenched incumbents to discourage primaries.

"I guess they don't want a race," said Ford, who is running in District 29A. "I don't know what they're scared of."

Ford's petitions were flagged by Archie Spigner, who served 28 years in the City Council and heads the Guy R. Brewer United Democratic Club. Spigner did not return a call seeking comment.

Dianne Glass, who is running for leader in District 33B, had her petitions challenged by Marilyn Wilds-Barnes, the head of the Jamaica chapter of the NAACP.

Glass said she was inspired to become politically active after her son was murdered in 2004.

"They are upset that I chose to run for office," said Glass. "My whole purpose to run was because young people need to be involved."

NY Daily News - Leaders Rally for Queens Principal by Peter Kadushin

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The controversy over a popular Queens principal accused of assaulting a student and mishandling school funds flared up recently as community leaders and elected officials rallied for the beleaguered educator.

Breakfast Queens Education Forum

During a roundtable meeting in Queens with Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, advocates of Principal Shango Blake demanded a hearing for the former head of Intermediate School 109 in Queens Village.

Shango Blake - Daily News Photo

His father, James Blake, a CUNY professor, led the offensive at the gathering - originally intended as a forum for Klein to address education issues in southern Queens.

"If my son did something wrong, I want him to be punished because that will be beneficial for him," said James Blake. "But he has to have a fair hearing first. There have only been allegations."

Chancellor Joel Klein

Blake was removed as principal of IS 109 after investigators alleged that he had "choked and punched" a 13-year-old student and misappropriated $30,000 in school graduation, lunch and snack sale funds. Blake has denied the allegations.

Congressman Gregory Meeks

"He will be charged, and he will have a chance to have a full and fair hearing," Klein said to Blake and a room packed with his son's supporters.

District 27 Council President - Seated on Dais Assemblywoman Michelle Titus, State Senator Shirley Huntley and Assemblywoman Vivian Cooke

"We are working with the union to find processes to move it more quickly."

District 27 Council President Lorraine Bridges

Since Blake's removal - announced a week before the start of the school year - scores of parents, community leaders and elected officials have come to his defense.

State Senator Malcolm Smith

"I would like to see him have due process," said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens).

"He is being held in limbo and has not had the chance to address those that accused him, and that is fundamentally wrong."

Assemblywoman Michelle Titus

Many of Blake's defenders credit the principal with increasing math and reading scores and turning around the once-failing school.

"It was like they removed the CEO of a company and replaced them with a freshman in college," said Richard Arnoux, an IS109 parent.

"Blake turned that school into a success for our children. Right now these are allegations, and all of the changes at IS 109 have been destroyed," Arnoux said.

CPAC Chair William McDonald, District 27 Council President Willie Ramos and Manhattan HS President's Council Danielle Rogers

But Blake is not without his critics. Faculty members and other parents have taken issue with his autocratic leadership style and have told the Daily News the school is functioning well without him.

Lobby Day for Education in Albany - March 27, 2007...

Lobby Day in Albany – March 27, 2007

A crew from District 27 left from the District office in Ozone Park at about 7am and returned from the state capital at approximately 6 pm...

While we were there we heard NYS Assembly Education Committee Chairperson Catherine Nolan, Chief Family Engagement Officer Martine Guerrier and Chancellor Klein speak at the appropriately named Chancellor's Hall (The NYS Education Building). Our group met with Assembly Education Chair Cathy Nolan and fellow Assembly members Audrey Pfeffer, Anthony Seminario, Michelle Titus, Rory Lancman and State Senator Shirley Huntley, all from Queens...

Among the District 27 crew were Danielle Rogers, Margarita Ayala, Connie Pafundo, Aura Fountain, Shanta Hemraj, Pamela Ramsawak, Claudia Bethea, William Ramos, Wilfredo Martinez and David M. Quintana (Me)...

It was a nice day, a safe trip and everyone had fun...I think we made a difference...click on pic to enlarge...