In the weeks leading up to 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.
Rockaway Group Supports Ulrich
Fresh off of City Council Member Eric Ulrich’s resounding primary victories, the Far Rockaway Jewish Alliance immediately endorsed Ulrich in his general election race against Addabbo.
The Far Rockaway Jewish Alliance is the political group of the Far Rockaway Jewish Community. A bipartisan group, the FRJA works to improve the lives of residents in the greater Far Rockaway area through outreach and advocacy. The FRJA regularly meets with legislators, attends hearings, support candidates, register voters and gets out the vote on Election Day.
Richard Altabe, a board member of the FRJA, said, “I believe that Eric Ulrich will best serve the needs of our community. Eric Ulrich has been a strong source of support for our community as a city councilman from the West End of the Rockaway Peninsula and we are confident that he will continue to serve as our advocate in the New York State Senate.”
“I’m grateful for the support of the Far Rockaway Jewish Alliance in my campaign,” said Ulrich. “Their organization is made up of people who may have different political persuasions, but they are all committed to the same goal of improving their communities. That is exactly the kind of leadership I intend to carry with me to Albany, where partisanship has hurt Queens families. I will be a strong and independent voice for the Jewish community and all of my constituents.”
State Sen. 15th Dist. Teachers Unions Like Addabbo
The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) have endorsed State Sen. Joseph Addabbo for a third term representing New York’s 15th Senate District.
“Senator Addabbo has proven time and again that he is a tireless advocate on behalf of students,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew.
The unions endorsed the Queens Democrat in front of the Joseph P. Addabbo School in Ozone Park, named after the senator’s late father, 13-term Rep. Joseph Addabbo.
“I am incredibly honored to have the endorsement of the UFT and NYSUT,” Addabbo said. “Education has always been and always will be one of my first priorities, and because of the support of organizations like the UFT and NYSUT, I have been successful in my fight for quality education for every child.”
Addabbo, a member of the Senate Education Committee, this year helped secure an extra $292 million for city schools, in addition to providing more than $31 million for community colleges, and $28 million for New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
NY- 6 Congress Race Fire Officers Back Meng For Congress
The Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) endorsed Assemblywoman Grace Meng for Congress in the newly drawn Sixth Congressional District outside of Engine 306 today in Bayside-one of a number of firehouses around New York City that faced closure earlier in the year.
The UFOA represents over 2,500 active and over 4,500 retired lieutenants, captains, battalion chiefs, deputy chiefs, supervising fire marshals and medical officers.
“As an assemblywoman, Grace Meng has been by our side every step of the way, fighting against staffing cuts and working to ensure that firehouses remain open. Grace has tremendous respect for the sacrifices our first responders make on a daily basis and she understands that fire officers must have access to the resources we need to continue to do our jobs safely and effectively,” said Fire Capt. Alexander Hagan, president of the UFOA. “Grace Meng knows that each and every member of the FDNY has earned their pensions, not only with brave service to the citizens and visitors of New York City, but sadly, often times with the sacrifice of our health. Grace can be counted on to deliver for us in Congress, just as she has as a bridge-builder in Albany.”
“I am so grateful to have the support of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association. The members of the UFOA are the everyday heroes who have long played a critical role in the safety of our communities,” said Meng. “Whether it’s improved working conditions or ensuring access to top of the line equipment and technology, I look forward to advancing the needs of fire officers as a strong voice for them in Congress. It’s the least we can do for those brave men and women who put themselves in harm’s way.”
Halloran Boosts An Environment Project
City Council Member Dan Halloran, the Republican candidate for the Sixth Congressional District seat, joined dozens of scientists, volunteers and Columbia University Students at the shoreline in McNeil Park in College Point last Saturday, Sept. 22, to show his support for the Coastal Preservation Network’s efforts to bolster the shoreline and clean the area’s environment.
Marine biologist James Cervino, head of the Coastal Preservation Network, commented, “This project focuses on sea grass restoration and oyster habitat restoration, which prevent erosion while cleaning the water, increasing species diversity and also supports educational research.”
Halloran, who helped fund the project, stated, “This project is an environmental one that reduces pollution and restores the ecosystem, but also becomes important because it can help stabilize the city’s infrastructure in a very cost-effective way. It might be a way to restore our shorelines while protecting our environment, because it continues to solidify the shoreline.”
Halloran credited his experience as an Eagle Scout for instilling in him his respect for the environment.
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.
