By Dee Richard
After giving it long and hard thought on whether or not to print the following information, I decided it was better to print it and thereby kill the tiger cub before it had a chance to grow into a fully grown man-eater.
What am I talking about? A few weeks ago, I was asked by a contact if I realized someone was saying that I did not write my column. When he told me who the person was, I laughed and said, “How ridiculous!” While I have known the person for a while, we did not become friendly until the last three years. In fact, I have been writing this column for TimesLedger Newspapers since 2003. Who wrote the column for the first nine years?
Let’s look at this logically. This is an insider’s column for the politically savvy. All the movers and shakers have seen me for years trudging to their events, loaded down with photographic equipment and a pad and pen.
This person claiming to be the author of my column has been conspicuous by his absence at all the events. I also do the photojournalist page Focus on Queens, which documents the fact that I was at the events I was writing about.
This wannabe columnist asked me how I could afford to attend all these events. I replied, “I couldn’t if I weren’t compted.” He asked why I was compted. I told him, “I sing for my supper by taking their photos and writing about their events.”
He said he couldn’t afford to go to all these events either. Perhaps he thought by claiming to be the ghostwriter for my column he would also be compted. That’s not a smart conclusion, as the people in question have known me on the Queens circuit for at least 25 years.
I still like you and will continue to be friendly, and I enjoy our long conversations pertaining to Queens politics and other community events, but knock it off, as what you are doing is tantamount to potential identity theft. Let’s not go there!
Jan. 16 was sad. We attended the wake of Michael Long, father of state Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long and Queens Conservative Party Chairman Tom Long at the Denis O’Conner Funeral Home in Rockaway Beach. I never met the father, but he must have been a good man as he raised two fine sons. Rest in peace, Michael. You will join the others in our prayers. My condolences to the Long family.
Jan. 18 was a quadruple day. First was the January meeting of the Clinton Democratic Club in the law office of Paul Vallone in Whitestone/Bayside.
Second was the swearing-in of the new slate of officers of the Northeast Queens Republican Club at the Clubhouse at the Clearview Golf Club. City Councilman Dan Halloran did the honors. The gavel passed from past President Janet Malone to the new President John Watch.
Third was a visit to the new American Eagle Republican Club in Forest Hills. Ed Cox, the state Republican chairman, was the guest speaker. I believe Juan Reyes is both the founder and president of the club.
Fourth was the Queens County Young Democrats, which hosted a pizza party at Democratic county headquarters on Austin Street in Forest Hills. They are a fun and ambitious group and represent what all clubs of every persuasion need. Many young people who have the energy required to do the demanding work to move an organization forward are available. If you have a balanced membership, the older members have the wisdom to mentor them — a good mix!
Last Thursday night, the Queens Chamber of Commerce held its 99th annual Building Awards Ceremony at the Theater in the Park in Flushing Meadows. Mayor Michael Bloomberg managed to squeeze in an appearance and then left to return to his daughter’s birthday party in Manhattan. Apparently, we have many talented architects in Queens. The new buildings were just beautiful.
Congratulations to Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos. At 10 a.m. at the Nassau County Marriott in Uniondale, L.I., on Sunday morning at a Victory Brunch, Nassau Republican Chairman Joseph Mondello endorsed Maragos as the best and most qualified candidate for the U.S. Senate. I guess we are going to see the games begin. The best of luck, George, on you run against Kirsten Gillibrand.
Don’t forget Ann-Margret Carrozza’s Valentines for Vets Drive.
