Pheffer, Sullivan in 23rd Assembly clash

Next month, longtime Democratic Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer will face a challenge from Republican Gerard Sullivan for her 23rd Assembly District seat. Although both candidates agree that that the main issue on the minds of southern Queens voters is the failing economy, they differ on who would be the best person to guide the residents through these times.
“I guess the basic thing is I don’t think Audrey represents the values of the people that live in the district,” Sullivan said. “I don’t think she represents the people well.” Sullivan talked about the desire to reduce taxes, provide vouchers and school choice for parents and increased express service on the A Subway line as a few of the issues he plans to work on if he is elected.
Pheffer agreed that keeping jobs for the people in her community is the top priority, and she believes that her record in Albany speaks for itself. She talked about increasing access to quality education, expanding health care and encouraging neighborhood revitalization throughout the borough.
“I know my community and serving it for so many years I have seen some of the changes, felt some of the problems and I have seen some of the growth,” said Pheffer, who mentioned the economic progress recently made developing the Rockaways.
Pheffer trumpeted her experience as well as membership in the majority party in the Assembly - it is almost a certainty that the Democrats will retain their overwhelming majority in the Assembly this year - which allows her to sit on budget negotiating committees, economic development committees as well as chairing the Consumer Affairs committee.
However, Sullivan challenged Pheffer’s experience and voting record saying that she has not always made decisions with the best interests of her constituents in mind.
“I basically feel she represents [Assembly Speaker] Sheldon Silver more than she represents south Queens,” Sullivan said.
Prior to last week, one of the items that Sullivan said was one of his advantages was that he would be representing Albany for the two-year term, while Pheffer - who was eyeing a run for Queens Borough President in 2009 - would spend much of her time campaigning for that seat. However, now that term limits for sitting city elected officials could be extended by four years, Pheffer said she would only consider a run for Borough President if there were a vacancy for the position.
Sullivan said he plans to continue going door-to-door nightly, attending religious services on weekends and visiting other community spots spreading his message that he is the right candidate to represent them in Albany.
“Everyone has concerns right now,” Sullivan said. “It’s the responsibility of the government to protect the people and people from themselves at times.”
On the other hand, Pheffer said that she was not familiar where Sullivan stood on many issues and she was concerning herself with bringing her own message and record into the community.
“The one thing I have not done in the past 21 years I have been representing the community is feel that everyone knows me,” Pheffer said. I have been out and will continue to be out in the community wishing people a good holiday and talking to them about identity theft.”