In the weeks leading up to the Sept. 13 primaries and the Nov. 6 general election, the Times Newsweekly/Ridgewood Times will feature in this column press releases and statements sent by the campaigns of the candidates on the ballot.
The statements in this column do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Times Newsweekly/Ridgewood Times or its staff. Mud-slinging statements which include personal attacks on candidates are omitted.
State Sen. 16th Dist. Stavisky Knocks On Her 50,000th Door
State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky and Assemblywoman Grace Meng knocked last Wednesday evening, Aug. 15, on the door of Silvett Garcia Tsuang on Codwise Place in Elmhurst.
This marked the 50,000th doorto door contact attempt of Stavisky’s 2012 re-election campaign for the new 16th State Senate District seat.
“I’m running for re-election to represent the entire 16th Senate District- not just one neighborhood or group,” said Stavisky. “That’s why door knocking is such an important part of our campaign. It allows me to hear the concerns of my neighbors, and see the rich diversity of Queens.”
“Knocking on doors is the most rewarding aspect of campaigning for office. It’s great to get feedback directly from the voters on the issues they care about,” added Meng. “It’s especially great to campaign with Senator Stavisky so the voters can hear firsthand how we will work together at the state and federal level to deliver for Queens’ residents.”
NY- 6 Congress Race Halloran Reports On Trip To Israel
City Council Member Dan Halloran, the Republican candidate for the new Sixth Congressional District seat, returned home from Israel last Wednesday after spending three days in the Holy Land, meeting with numerous elected officials and government leaders, and reaffirming his support for the homeland of the Jews.
Halloran received the personal endorsements of numerous elected leaders while in Israel, including Danny Danon, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset; Yaakov Katz, a member of the Knesset and leader of the National Union Party; Yuval Steinitz, the Minister of Finance; and Rabbi Nissim Zeev, founder of the Shas Party.
“Now that I’ve been to Israel, seen its sights and met its people, I have an even greater appreciation for the dangers it faces,” Halloran said. “My trip was an eye-opening experience. I was amazed by the courage of the Israeli soldeiers who face death every day, by the Israeli leaders’ love of their country, and by the rabbis’ unwavering commitment to their faith. They reminded me so much of our soldiers, the American men and women who face death every day; and of the incredible patriotism and faith that powers the United States of America.”
“Just like Americans, the Jewish people may build and live wherever they want,” Halloran added. “All free people have the right to live where they choose. I fully support Israel and the settlement in Judea and Samaria. I will never forget what I learned, saw and experienced on my trip to Israel. And when I am in Congress, I will be Israel’s most devoted advocate. The United States needs a secure, free Israel to make this world safer for all freedom-loving nations.”
Women’s Groups Supporting Meng
The leaders of prominent women’s organizations across the country have endorsed Assemblywoman Grace Meng’s candidacy for the Sixth Congressional District seat.
As announced, Meng has been endorsed by Emily’s List, the political action committees of the NYS National Organization for Women (NOW) and National NOW, NARAL Pro-Choice NY and NARAL Pro- Choice America, and the Women’s Campaign Fund.
“The political action committees of BQNOW, NOW-NYS and National NOW stand firmly behind Grace Meng for Congress,” said Sherry Rogers of Brooklyn-Queens NOW PAC, one of the groups which endorsed Meng’s candidacy. “Grace actively supports NOW’s core issues: Equality for all women; elimination of discrimination and harassment in the workplace, schools and the justice system; securing abortion, birth control and reproductive rights for all women; ending all forms of violence against women; eradicating racism, sexism and homophobia; and promoting equality and justice in our society. Grace was the lead sponsor, actively promoting and passing the Assembly’s Pay Equity legislation. She is a pragmatist: working with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass other important legislation, something we desperately need in Congress these days.
“I am incredibly proud and honored to have the support of the leading women’s organizations from across the country,” Meng said. “The women that make up these groups are on the frontlines everyday fighting to protect safe and affordable access to health care, fighting for fair and equal wages and working to elect more women to office at every level of government.”
If elected, Meng would be the first woman to represent New York’s Sixth Congressional District and the first to represent central Queens in Congress since Geraldine Ferraro in the early 1980s.
State Sen. 15th Dist. King Backs Ulrich For Republican Nod
One of the state’s top Republican officials, Rep. Pete King, has endorsed City Council Member Eric Ulrich for election to the 15th State Senate District seat.
Ulrich is running in a Republican primary and the election will be held on Sept. 13. He has also been endorsed by the Conservative and Independence Parties, as well as Queens Rep. Bob Turner and several other elected officials and organizations.
“Eric understands that the way to put New Yorkers back to work and grow our economy is by lowering taxes on families and small businesses and reigning in the reckless government spending that has created unsustainable deficits and threatens our competitiveness,” said King. “His conservative principles of limited government, safe streets and a strong quality of life will make him an excellent representative in Albany and I urge all Republicans to vote for him on Sept. 13.”
“I’m honored to receive the support of Congressman King, a true public servant who has done a great deal for the people of New York,” said Ulrich. “I look forward to working closely with him as a partner on the state level to keep New York City safe, ensure our veterans coming home from war are cared for and revive our economy.”
Addabbo Calls For New Gun Control
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo attended a press conference at City Hall last week along with The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, law enforcement officials, labor advocacy groups, and members of the State Legislature to call for stricter gun control, and to introduce a package of common sense gun laws that if implemented would make New York the nation’s toughest state on guns.
Addabbo, a co-sponsor of a number of bills addressing gun violence, is serious about fighting for and implementing the stronger gun-laws needed to make his district and New York State a safer place to live. He stated the legislature must address the issues of protecting innocent people, giving law enforcement the proper resources, deal with mentally ill individuals who own guns, out of state and online purchase of guns and ammunition.
“The recent tragic shootings in our country remind us that illegal and criminal gun violence poses a serious threat to our communities, and cannot be tolerated,” said Addabbo. “As a State Senator, it is my responsibility to do everything in my power to prevent future acts of violence and advocate against gun violence.”
At the press conference Addabbo stated, “This legislation will save lives, and does not impede upon the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment does not grant rights and protections to a person who criminally kills people in move theatres, religious sites, parks or anywhere at any time.”
Assembly 38th Dist. Stop Sign Needed On Oz. Pk. St.: Adorno
Etienne David Adorno, candidate for the 38th Assembly District seat, responded to the pleas for help from the residents of one Ozone Park community by attending their Call to Action rally last Saturday, Aug. 18.
Group Leader Julio Batista of the Association of Mutual Help, Unity and Solidarity, who represented the community, asked Adorno to attend to show his support for placing a stop sign at the dangerous intersection of 80th Street and 95th Avenue in Ozone Park.
Many car accidents have taken place there, and according to one resident who has lived nearby for almost 28 years, a girl was struck and killed by a car at the intersection seven years ago.
“We are here for the safety of our drivers and our pedestrians who cross this intersection every day,” Adorno said. “This is also a route that parents use frequently during the school year when taking their children to and from this neighborhood’s primary school, P.S. 64.”
He emphasized the fact that the intersection had too many car accidents, and that “two occurred this year alone and damaged the property of homeowners who lived nearby.”
Adorno added that “we have a simple and relatively low cost solution to this problem; simply install an additional stop sign on 80th Street going south bound,” and it will “avoid a possible fatality,” and make “our children and the elderly feel safer in the area.
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As noted, only voters who are registered with a party may vote in that party’s primary election on Sept. 13 (Democratic voters may only vote in the Democratic primary; Republican voters may only vote in the Republican primary, etc.).
For more information on voting or to obtain a voting registration application, contact the New York City Board of Elections at 1-212-VOTENYC or visit www.vote.nyc.ny.us.
Press representatives of candidates may send their information to this paper by fax to 1-718-456-0120 or e-mail to info@times newsweekly.com. All releases are subject to editing.
