By Betsy Scheinbart
Mark Green, the Democratic nominee for mayor, gained the support Sunday of former U.S. Rep. Rev. Floyd Flake, leader of the Allen A.M.E. congregation in southeast Queens.
Flake, who was courted by Green’s Republican rival, Michael Bloomberg, after the Democratic run-off between Green and Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, said Green’s knowledge of the city and ideas for its recovery from the Sept. 11 attacks made him the best candidate for mayor.
Flake supported Ferrer over Green in the Oct. 11 run-off and made favorable comments about Bloomberg after that contest. But he ended up endorsing Green, the city’s public advocate, Sunday after services at the Greater Allen Cathedral on Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica.
“Tough challenges lie ahead for New York City, and we need a smart and experienced mayor to meet the challenge,” Flake said.
He said Green had a lifelong record of fighting for all the city’s communities and a reputation for being a good listener and a uniting force.
“Most important, we need a mayor who has the record, the plan, and the leadership to lead New York’s comeback,” Flake said. “Mark has proven he’s ready to rebuild this city, make sure we are all safe, and keep our commitments to reforming public education and creating better housing and better opportunities for all New Yorkers.”
Green said he was honored to have Flake’s support and called the minister “a symbol of strength” who has helped the city through good times and bad.
“Rev. Flake has always stood for hope and opportunity for everyone in our city,” Green said. “That’s what all of us must strive for. And that’s what a Green administration will stand for.”
Green said that after Sept. 11, it was more important than ever for the city to stand united and that Flake’s support of his candidacy would help the city become stronger than ever.
Although he continued to gain the support of Queens elected officials and visited Jamaica Sunday, Green has not been as visible in Queens as Bloomberg in the past few weeks.
While Bloomberg spoke last week at Queens College and at the Juniper Park Civic Association, Green turned down an invitation to speak at the civic association’s monthly meeting last Thursday, causing those who attended to boo when his name was mentioned during the evening.
This week Bloomberg was in Hollis Hills and scheduled to speak at the Queens County Republican annual dinner. Green was not slated to visit the borough again until Monday.
Flake’s successor in Congress, U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans), pledged to support Green last week, but made his formal endorsement of the public advocate Saturday along with several other black leaders.
“Mark has a history of fighting for every community in this city and knowing every neighborhood in New York,” Meeks said. “That’s the kind of commitment and record we need in a mayor. I’m pleased to support him and I look forward to working with him in a partnership between our delegation and City Hall that helps bring benefits to all New Yorkers.”
Green said he was grateful to have the support of elected officials like Meeks.
“We are united as Democrats ready to win this election,” Green said. “More important, we are united as New Yorkers ready to restore this city for all our communities.”
On Tuesday, 14 of the 16 state Assembly members from Queens joined state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) and announced their endorsement of Green.
Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn (D-Flushing) and Assemblyman Anthony Seminario (D-Richmond Hill) were the only members of the Queens delegation who did not join in Silver’s endorsement.
Mayersohn and Seminario were two of the three Queens Democrats who stood their ground in an attempted coup to oust Silver as Assembly speaker and have been on outs with the Queens Democratic organization ever since.
Reach reporter Betsy Scheinbart by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 138.
