By William Lewis
Recently, I spoke to Queens Conservative Party Chairman Tom Long about the passage of the gay marriage bill. He indicated that the Conservative Party has consistently opposed it and will continue to do so. The Conservative Party State Executive Committee will be meeting soon to discuss what action will be taken to combat the new law.
First of all, Long agrees with Brooklyn Archdiocese Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, who has called for all Catholic schools to refuse any distinction or honors from the governor or lawmakers who voted for the bill. He has further called on Catholic schools not to invite state legislators who voted for the bill to attend or speak at any parish or school celebration.
There is talk of encouraging Republican primaries next year against those Republican state senators who voted for the bill and also to deny them Conservative Party endorsement. With the Republicans having such a narrow majority over the Democrats in the Senate, however, any loss of seats could possibly return control of the Senate to the Democrats.
Long pointed out that at this time all possible initiatives are on the table, including an effort to put this issue on the election ballot in the form of a referendum and have the people vote on it in the hope that the gay marriage law will be overturned.
At any rate, the Conservative Party intends to oppose the new law and seeks allies in doing so from political and religious groups. Long said, “The Conservative Party will continue to fight for family values and traditional marriage.”
Regarding special elections that will be occurring possibly in September, Long said the Conservative Party Executive Committee had interviewed Republican candidates for two open seats. State Assemblywoman vacated the 23rd District seat in Rockaway Beach and Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn vacated the 27th District seat. In the 23rd District, the party has endorsed Jane Deacy and in the 27th District Marco DeSena.
In the 9th Congressional District of Queens and Brooklyn, which has been vacated by former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, Long indicated that two possible Republican candidates, who indicated an interest in running for that seat, have contacted the Conservative Party. They are Bob Turner, who ran last year against Weiner and received about 41 percent of the vote, and Tim Cochran of Brooklyn. In the weeks ahead, all political parties will be interviewing and selecting candidates for the 9th District.
This year started out as a quiet year for Queens, with only the office of district attorney and a few judgeships on the ballot for the November election. Now we have three special elections in the near future, not to mention the Queens Republican intercounty battle for leadership. It looks like it is going to be an interesting political year after all. Political situations can and do sometimes change quickly.
Recently in Bayside, we had a demonstration and march by grammar school children from Sacred Heart School. The purpose of this was to keep FDNY Engine Co. 306 in Bayside from being closed. The question arises as to whether children that young should be participating in that type of activity no matter how noble the reason is or seems to be.
Students that young can write letters to the mayor opposing a firehouse closing, but it is something else for them to be demonstrating in the streets. It is one thing for high school or college students to be involved in political or social causes, but it is another thing for children 8 or younger to be directly involved. This type of activity should not be encouraged. Hopefully, it will not occur again in the immediate future.
