By Dee Richard
Another busy week has flown by. Where does the time go? I’m supposed to be completely out of my old house by May 15, having lost five weeks to sciatica. I don’t see how I can possibly do it. I hope I can negotiate a little more time with the new owner — otherwise, what do I do? Any suggestions?
The big news item this week is our heartfelt congratulations to Jim Wrynn Jr. He was appointed by Gov. David Paterson as the executive director and CEO of the state Insurance Fund. He then needed approval of the majority of the board of commissioners. His approval was unanimous.
Jim will manage 26,000 employees in offices throughout the state and oversee a budget of millions. A great honor for a great job. We are prouder of you than if we were appointed to the position ourselves. After all your years of hard work and dedication, you deserve it. In our opinion, it was long overdue.
On Wednesday, the Forest Park Republican Club had Dan Halloran and Joe Kasper as their monthly speakers. Matt Hunter made his annual request for volunteers for the upcoming election season. They have an active, civic−minded club and accomplish quite a bit in their community.
Thursday at Ricardo’s in Astoria, the Queens Flag Day Committee held its 15th Awards and Recognition Dinner. It was, sadly, a memorial dinner for John J. Farrell Sr., the founder of the QFDC, which he organized in 1994. Unfortunately, John died last year. He was one of a kind and will be missed.
When I think of some of the times and conversations we’ve had, I have to chuckle at the fond memories. This dinner was a fitting farewell to a larger−than−life man. He was a unique combination of all the qualities needed to sustain the QFDC.
But who now possesses this combination of attributes to keep it going? As a longtime member of its board of managers, I hope we can find a way to keep the tradition alive in the future. Rest in peace, John. You lived your life and did your job well.
I had to leave the QFDC dinner early, as the Queens GOP was holding its Gala Awards Reception and Dinner at the Reception House in Flushing concurrently. The evening’s honorees were former state Sen. Serf Maltese, City Councilman Eric Ulrich, Peter Koo and the Rev. Michael Faulkner.
But the show was stolen by special guest and political consultant extraordinaire Dick Morris. I’ve heard and seen him many times on TV, heard him on radio talk shows and read many of his writings. He’s a fascinating and captivating man. He should consider running for political office, as I’ve never witnessed a man work a room as professionally as he did Thursday night. Candidates in attendance, you could learn a lot from him.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg took time out of his schedule to stop by and congratulate everyone and wish the Queens GOP success in the coming year. Why does all the good stuff happen Thursdays? It makes it impossible for me to stay in place long enough to thoroughly enjoy the event.
Saturday morning was the annual Clean−Up Day sponsored by the Udalls Cove Preservation Committee. Congratulations to Walter Mugdan, his committee and all his volunteers on an excellent job. The cleanup was followed by a complementary luncheon in adjacent Memorial Field.
These people are to be admired for preserving their wetlands and wooded areas. What’s more, they do it themselves because they believe in their community. This was their 40th cleanup. If you want something done, recruit volunteers, roll up your sleeves and get to work. Under those circumstances, most things are possible. If you’re going to wait for your government to do it for you, you run the risk of dying of old age.
By the way, the UCPC sponsored a project connected with the preservation of the wetlands. The fifth−grade children of PS 94, PS 98 and St. Anastasia all participated. Savings bonds were presented to the first, second and third place winners from each school.
On Sunday, the Democrats were up at bat. State Assemblyman Mark Weprin launched his bid for the 23rd Council Seat at the TJK CafÉ on Horace Harding Expressway in Little Neck. I’d never been there before. It was an interesting place with great party food. It seemed that the entire Democratic Party turned out to show support for Mark.
Before I forget, congratulations to Mitch Schwadron on being named Employee of the Month at the Vernon C. Bain Center, a prison barge in Hunts Point. Good work, Mitch!
Till next week, Dee.
