By Tom Momberg
New endorsements have been announced for three of the candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for Mark Weprin’s former City Council seat in eastern Queens: Bob Friedrich, Satnam Singh Parhar and Barry Grodenchik.
The Queens Coalition for Parks and Green Spacesas well as Citizens Against Graffiti Everywhere made their election recommendations for community advocate and residential co-op leader Bob Friedrich last week.
Friedrich, a former candidate for City Council and the state Assembly, made a campaign pledge to cultivate and enhance the 23rd Council District’s parks and green spaces, improving quality of life and public safety in the area around Hollis, Bellerose, Floral Park, Bayside Hills and Glen Oaks, Oakland Gardens and Hollis.
“Parks and recreation spaces are important sanctuaries and I will do what is necessary to keep them accessible and safe for the enjoyment of the public,” Friedrich said.
Friedrich was also the 2012 recipient of the Queens Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces’ annual Emerald Award, which recognized the improvements he made in the Glen Oaks Village Co-Ops.
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) publicly announced his endorsement of Satnam Singh Parhar last weekend at a campaign event.
Avella said Parhar, a Sikh from India who is one of three South Asians in the election, reflects the great diversity in the eastern Queens Council district, and best understands the issues it faces.
“Over the years that I have known him, Parhar has a strong record of getting results,” Avella said in a statement. “His commitment to serving all the constituents of District 23 makes him a fantastic advocate for this community.”
Parhar, a longtime community advocate and president of the India Association of Long Island, is running on a platform to increase economic development in support of small business, advocating for education equality, increased transportation alternatives in eastern Queens, more senior centers and a freeze on property taxes and utility rates.
The Transport Workers Union Local 100, which represents city transportation employees, endorsed Barry Grodenchik’s campaign, acknowledging his pledge to advocate for increased rail and bus service to the Council district, which is currently underserved.
A former state assemblyman, Grodenchik has already obtained an exensive number of endorsements from other Democratic elected officials. He is currently on leave from his administrative position with the borough president’s office.
“Barry Grodenchik’s record of public service and advocacy on behalf of working families’ issues in Queens is what led TWU Local 100 to support his candidacy,” John Samuelsen, the union’s president, said in a statement.
In obtaining TWU’s endorsement, Grodenchik said he would vow to work to increase bus and city select bus services, and would request to be appointed to the City Council’s transportation committee.
Reach reporter Tom Momberg by e-mail at tmomb
