By Dee Richard
Of course, deny, deny was the mantra of the day. Unfortunately, there were numerous people who also heard the remarks, but Commissioner Judith Stupp owes her job as well as her son’s job to Phil Ragusa — the same Ragusa who almost secured the executive director’s position on the city Board of Elections for her husband, Herb Stupp, who was not selected.
Judith Stupp, aside from owing her job as the Queens Republican commissioner to the BOE, owes Ragusa for securing for her the position of 26th State Assembly District committeewoman, thereby making her Ragusa’s co-leader. Judith Stupp managed to acquire a few lesser titles in the Queens GOP.
Under these circumstances does it seem logical she would give any statements other than the one she did? After all, it would seem she and her family are indebted to the Ragusa faction of the Queens GOP. What sane person bites the hand that feeds him?
It was interesting to note Judith Stupp never referred to herself by her title, but chose instead to sign off as “Republican state committeewoman.” Is it because as a commissioner you are supposed to be involved in more important things of a general nature rather than local gotcha issues?
In a TimesLedger reporter’s front page March 11 article, Ragusa said former City Councilman Tom Ognibene recognized him as the Queens county chairman and congratulated him on his victory. But Ognibene said that was not the case and that he supports and recognizes Haggerty as the Queens county Republican chairman.
Judith Stupp advised all interested parties to check the GOP Web site to see Ragusa is listed as the Queens county chairman. The only problem is, when was the last time the GOP Web site was updated?
It would seem some old bromides are apropos now. For instance, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive” or how about, “Let sleeping dogs lie.” I hope this is the end of this particular “tempest in a teapot,” as there are so many other things to write about.
An updated but condensed version of this week’s activities are as follows. On Thursday, Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan had a combination fund-raiser/birthday party at Dazies Italian Restaurant in Sunnyside. She is running to be re-elected to her seat.
On Friday, Rob Speranza had a fund-raiser at Monahan and Fitzgerald’s in Bayside. Speranza intends to run for Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza’s seat.
On Saturday morning Cathy Giuliani gave a preview of her new decorating shop in Flushing. Cathy has a partner in the shop who does home and office decorative renovating. The partnership should work out well, as they both have compatible decorative skills. When they have their formal grand opening in May, I will supply you with additional information.
Later Saturday afternoon, five of us drove out to Mulcahy’s Pub in Wantagh, L.I., in a torrential downpour for a fund-raiser for U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-Massapequa Park). In spite of the weather, an army of people enough to fill a football field showed up. It would seem his election is a shoe-in judging by the enthusiastic support. How could you lose with an Irish congressman having a fund-raiser in an Irish Pub that close to St. Patrick’s Day? The corn beef and cabbage was great and the T-shirts were super. The quality was superior to the average run-of-the-mill T-shirts you pick up at these events.
On Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., state Sen. Frank Padavan held a fund-raiser at the Douglaston Club in Douglaston. It was his first fund-raiser in Queens to launch his re-election race. His keynote speaker was Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), the Senate minority leader. The fund-raising committee was comprised of Janet Malone, Sal Bacarella, Gary Bonelli and John Watch. It was a lovely brunch and the committee is to be commended on a job well done.
That’s it for this week.
I look forward to hearing from you with information on people, parties and politics or gossip.
I like receiving your voice mails at 718-767-6484, faxes at 718-746-0066 and e-mails at deerrichard@aol.com.
Till next week, Dee.
