By Dee Richard
Some people are gluttons for punishment or apparently cannot say “no.” Case in point: yours truly. You would think after parading all day Sunday and Monday, plus going to TimesLedger's office with my column and photo page Tuesday morning, that that would have been enough, but no. As good friend Allen Sirowitz, director of community partnership referrals and resources in Little Neck said, “If you're not doing anything Tuesday night, there is a fun event at Jillian's. It's to determine who will be the 2008 'Legislative Idol.' “
The contest started at 9 p.m. It was fun, but the only problem was that Jillian's is in Albany. Even though we were half-dead from all the weekend activities, it was off to Albany. Eight finalists competed at the event, hosted by state Sen. Joe Robach (R-Rochester). The contest's judges were Wayne Jackson, Marilee King and Paul Rapp. The finalists were state Assemblymen William Boyland Jr. (D-Brooklyn), Bill Parment (D-Jamestown), George Latimer (D-Mamaroneck), Darryl Towns (D-Brooklyn), William Scarborough (D-Jamaica), Jim Conte (R-Huntington Station), Dan Burling (R-Warsaw) and Joe Saladino (R-Massapequa).
While watching the performances, we ran into state Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D-Little Neck), who, although not a contestant, was there for the fun. Since there were five Democratic contestants and three Republicans, can this mean Democrats have more talent? Last year's winner, state Assemblyman Joe Lentol (D-Brooklyn), was on hand to pass the trophy to this year's winner. We rooted for Scarborough, the Queens entry, who has a good voice and gave a great rendition of “One in a Million.” It was a fun evening and for a good cause. The proceeds went to benefit the International Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva Association.
On Friday night, the Republican Party hosted a fund-raiser for U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. The event was a who's who of the New York Republican Party. Aside from McCain, we saw former U.S. Senator from New York Al D'Amato; U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.); Mike Long, the state Conservative Party chairman; state Sen. Serf Maltese (R-Glendale) and his wife, Constance; Frank McKay, the state Independence Party chairman; Grant Lally, a U.S. House of Representatives hopeful; Vinny Tabone; and Steve Graves.
The place was packed and was all for McCain, who apparently had a lot of support from Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties. The group was enthusiastic. The presidential race will be interesting to watch.
Saturday night, Frank Skala, president of the Bayside High School New Alumni Association, held Bayside High School's joint 50-year reunion for the 1957-58 and 1958-59 classes at the LaGuardia Marriott. The dinner was the highlight of the three-day reunion and had the largest attendance ever — between about 250 and 300 people. Congratulations to Frank Skala and his reunion committee on a job well done.
Tuesday is the day for the special election to fill the vacated seat of former City Councilman Dennis Gallagher. We are waiting to get the results. Hopefully, if the results get in before this column goes to print, we will be able to give you a postscript and let you know what happened.
That's it for this week.
I always look forward to hearing from you with information on people, parties, politics or gossip.
I also like receiving your voice mail at 718-767-6484, faxes at 718-746-0066 and e-mail at deerrichard@aol.com.
Till next week, Dee.
