In the months leading up to the citywide primary and general elections, 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.
Mayor/ Council Race
Caruana & Lhota Trade Endorsements
City Council candidate Craig Caruana (R-Middle Village) has officially endorsed Joe Lhota for Mayor.
“Lhota was responsible for implementing the ideas that proved so successful during Rudy Giuliani’s Administration. We need that leader- ship back City Hall,” said Caruana. in”I need Craig standing by me, fighting in the City Council to reduce the cost of living in New York.” Lhota stated as Caruana’s fundraiser last week.
Caruana expressed his dismay over legislation passed that limits the Department of Corrections (DOC) from sharing information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at Rikers Island Correctional Facility. New York City now releases illegal immigrants who have committed a crime in addition to being in the country illegally back onto the streets, who otherwise would have been deported before the law was passed.
“You can’t claim to support tough law enforcement and co-sponsor this type of dangerous legislation,” he said
In addition Mayoral candidate Joe Lhota, former Congressman Bob Turner, former Councilmember Tom Ognibene, and Councilmember Eric Ulrich were in attendance. They expressed their support for the two candidates.
Queens Borough President’s Race Queens Dems
Endorse Katz
I am honored, humbled and deeply grateful for the support of the Queens County Democratic Party and our great chairman, Congressman Joe Crowley. Together, we are building a campaign that will truly represent all of Queens and our wonderfully diverse communities, great neighborhoods and the limitless potential that exists in our borough. We must come together to face real challenges, whether it’s creating jobs in a changing economy, making sure our seniors can afford to live in the communities where they raised their families, improving our schools, protecting our quality of life, preserving affordable housing, or rebuilding from the still-painful devastation of Superstorm Sandy.
“As our next borough president, my only goal will be a unifying force, bringing our borough together to find solutions to these challenges. The foundation of my campaign will be laying out an aggressive agenda and detailed plans for making those solutions a reality.
“I love Queens. I grew up here, lived here all my life and now as a mom, I’m raising my kids here, too. I believe that this office, with its great tradition of electing strong women, is the best place to make the differences that will keep Queens such an amazing place to live, work, raise a family and retire.”
A Message From Barry Grodenchik
The following is an op-ed written for publication by Barry Grodenchik:
“I decided to run for Borough President because I believe that this is a pivotal moment for Queens. Just a few months after Superstorm Sandy, I knew that rebuilding stronger and smarter would require a borough president that was focused and in tune with the needs of this amazing borough. I have run a campaign on the idea of bringing people together. In the most diverse county in the world, people should feel more than just welcome, they should feel at home.campaign.
The next Borough President must focus like a laser on jobs, education, healthcare, economic development and Sandy recovery. I am proud to have brought those issues to the forefront of the debate. But at this time believe that it is in the best interest of my family, team, and party to end my candidacy.
I will continue to champion the causes of jobs, education, healthcare, economic development and Sandy recovery in the days, months and years to come. In my quarter century of public service, Queens has never let me down. I hope to keep making my home borough proud.
City Council Race
Simon Announces Bid For 32nd District
The following is an op-ed written for publication by Lew Simon:
I proudly announce my candidacy to be the next 32nd Council District City Councilmember. For the last 19 years I have served as Assembly District Leader in the 23rd Assembly District: Rockaway, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Ozone Park formerly Woodhaven.
We are demanding protection for Rockaway, Broad Channel, Breezy Point, Hamilton Beach and Lindenwood!
We support rebuilding the Boardwalk at least 10 feet high enclosed by double barrier sea walls. We need Hesco Barriers from B 73 Street to Breezy Point. We need Sea Walls and Marsh protection for Broad Channel and Howard Beach.
We have been at the forefront of reopening the Old Rockaway Beach line, and we recently received major support of the study of the line by US Sen. Charles Schumer, Congressman Gregory Meeks and Hakim Jefferies and with the outstanding leadership of Assemblyman Philip Goldfeder. It is a win, win for our District.
Small Businesses within Rockaway, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Howard Beach, Hamilton Beach and Lindenwood felt the wrath of Sandy, lost millions of dollars in inventory and property damage. They need grants, not loans; they are already in the whole. We need to make sure we assist these shopping districts to prosper!
For the past 19 years we have been very successful in getting many new traffic and street lights repaired, stop signs and speed bumps installed, water bills corrected and clogged sewers cleaned. Most of all we have provided personal service, never letting anyone down and returning calls personally, 718-945-1216!
Our community needs a real leader who understands our unique needs in wake of Hurricane Sandy and someone who understands our pain. The people of this district deserve a voice so we will no longer be forgotten our left in the dark; I want to be that voice! By electing me you will be getting service 25/7.
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.
