By Dee Richard
But to fast forward, Mike Nussbaum confided in me, while it was not official yet, that it looked as though his wife Dale was going to run for David Weprin's Council seat. Mike asked me not to mention that yet, which I did not. The other day, however, when I had occasion to stop by the Queens Chamber of Commerce office in the Bulova Building to visit Sofia Gianosis and Jack Friedman, Jack asked if I knew that Dale Nussbaum was running for David Weprin's seat. I guess it's now official if people are aware of the fact and are discussing the same, which now frees me up to report it to you.Friedman also advised me that he had heard that Rene Lobo was considering running for Weprin's seat. If true, that presents a sticky wicket, as Rene is a Forest Hills resident, not exactly in Weprin's Jamaica Estate-Hollis Hills district.The only other candidate that I have heard of as being interested in Weprin's seat is a relatively unknown young man by the name of David Kerpen. David held a rather successful fund-raiser in Queens Village a few weeks ago.It has also come to my attention that there is a serious possibility that state Sen. Frank Padavan of northeast Queens may have a fellow Republican challenger for his upcoming Senate race. If so, that would necessitate a primary. How long has it been since Padavan had to run in a primary or has he ever? I really can't remember any such event. Since this is still in the rumor phase, stay tuned. If I receive any concrete information, you will be the first to know. Remember, you read it here first.On the sadder side of things, as you are all aware that Jimmy Eng, the owner of King Yum for more than 50 years, died on New Year's Eve. As a smart businessman he put in Karaoke at King Yum every Wednesday and Friday. Russell Targrove, also known as RusReQuest, and his lovely friend and companion, Dawn Marie Colon, kept everything lively and got everyone involved in having a fun time all the time. We last saw Russ and Dawn a week ago at the funeral of Mr. Eng in Chinatown. Unknown to us that would be the last time we would see Dawn. Russ received an e-mail from Dawn at 1:30 a.m. Monday morning saying she had had a wonderful weekend and she was going to sleep. It was a sleep that she never awoke from. Russ and Dawn also did private parties and we still fondly remember how they made Debbie Markell's and her husband Barry Kleinert's annual barbeque at their Whitestone home such a huge success this past summer. It was an unexpected tragic event as Dawn left two very young children without the mother whom they dearly loved. Dawn, you will be missed. Rest in Peace.Borough President Helen Marshall delivered her State of the Borough address Jan. 15 at Queens College.Marshall announced several initiatives, provided an update on multimillion-dollar capital projects around the borough and offered a blueprint for 2008 plans affecting communities from Astoria to the Rockaway's.Hundreds of guests, elected officials and community leaders were on hand for her address in the Colden Auditorium.Mayor Mike Bloomberg gave his State of the City address last Thursday at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The mayor moved forward with his aggressive agenda for schools, poverty, illegal guns, the environment and economic development while continuing his sound fiscal policies.Speaking of Mayor Mike, is he or isn't he going to allow himself to be drafted to run for president? Everyone's curiosity is at the boiling point. Come on, Mr. Mayor, give us a hint! Though in reality timing is everything, and I guess it's not the right time yet. Think about it. If that were to happen, can you imagine the chaos that would cause to all the contenders both Democrat and Republican who are vying for the prize? That's for this week. I always look forward to hearing from you directly, with information on people, party's, politics or some plain old-fashioned gossip.I also like to receive your voice mails at (718) 767-6484, your faxes at (718) 746-0066 and your e-mails at HYPERLINK “mailto:deerrichard@aol.com” deerrichard@aol.com.Till next week, Dee
