Tag Archive: District Leader

Dec 18 2012

Taylor Considered Frontrunner For Party Endorsement

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December 18, 2012

District Leader Martha Taylor is widely considered the frontrunner for the Party nod.

Joe Crowley will visit Rory Lancman’s announcement tonight, but it’s District Leader Martha Taylor who has the one up when it comes to the Party’s endorsement for City Council District 24, according to insiders.

Ask any activist in the community and they will most assuredly recognize her name. Taylor, who worked in the Comptroller’s office as the Director of Affirmative Claims from 2002-2011 (and is currently an attorney by trade), has a distinguished record of community service that is well-known by constituents  and among political circles.

During her run in 2009, early support from big political dynamos was recognized here and will likely continue into 2013. The endorsement is likely to go to Taylor considering her opponent, Rory Lancman, has fallen into disfavor with the Party as key decision makers will recall his insurgent (and costly) primary against Congresswoman Grace Meng.

Since her run for Jim Gennaro’s seat in 2009, Taylor made the most of out of her Democratic District Leader position (24th A.D Part A) by aiding constituents and being a central figure in civic activism. Her visibility in the comunity is aided in part by her work experience in the Mayor’s Community Affair’s unit under the Dinkin’s administration.

Isaac Sasson is also expected to announce a run, but it is not likely he will be considered for the endorsement.

Years of coalition building, and a very helpful Party nod, might bring her one step closer to victory for Jim Gennaro’s term limited Council seat in 2013.

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* Note: Martha Taylor did not run against Jim Gennaro in 2009. A committee was filed, but was later dissolved. 

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Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/12/martha-taylor-considered-frontrunner-for-party-endorsement/

Sep 20 2012

Absentee ballots could deliver a victory for Martha Flores Vazquez

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September 20, 2012

Martha could still take the cake.

Tomorrow is the official count of absentee ballots and nobody is more excited than Martha Flores Vazquez who is anticipating a victory for the District Leader post in AD 40 Part B located in Flushing.

While Vazquez lost her bid for Grace Meng’s vacated Assembly seat with just 521 votes, hope is not lost for the longtime community service advocate whose name appeared on the ballot for two different offices.

Unofficial results were not available to the public according to the BOE and will not be made available until next week however, unofficial tallies indicate with 862 votes for the District Leader position, Vazquez could find the extra four votes she needs to win with 316 absentee ballots and 50 emergency ballots yet to be counted.

“I believe the absentees will go in my favor because of my name recognition,” said Vazquez. “In the meantime, I’ve jumped right back on track with working and dealing with the issues.  I’m dedicating myself to the community because for the past two years the District Leader has been absent…she’s just a district leader by title and people don’t like that, the people are upset because she doesn’t do any outreach. She doesn’t do anything.”

Ironically, Vazquez said she was already sent a letter requesting her presence to a special meeting hosted by the Democratic Party normally reserved for elected officials.

On Primary Day voters may have been confused. Vazquez made it on the ballot for both Assembly and District Leader slots, which she believes confused voters as to which office they were actually voting her in for. The total of her votes for both Assembly and District Leader surpass those of the winning Assembly candidate Ron Kim, a former Parkside employee,as sort of a feather in her cap.

While the election has yet to be certified, Vazquez remains confident.

“Technicality she [Vazquez] got more votes than every candidate that ran and a lot were not duplicates – they voted for one or the other,” according to a source familiar with the situation.

Martha believes a strong electorate builds strong communities.

Yet low turnout still defined the races in AD 40. According to Vazquez, there was confusion and irregularities at the poll sites that may have contributed to the low turnout.

“A lot of people didn’t want to go to their new poll site and names weren’t found in the book, but I made it a point during my campaign to inform people of their new poll site to the best of my ability even though we didn’t get the new list until 4 days before the election.”

Throughout the campaign Vazquez worked with community residents whom would not be able to make it to the polls with a strong absentee ballot drive and many of the absentees informed Vazquez that they voted for her.

“In the future I will do voter education for people to understand and I wont make that mistake again and will be picking one office instead of two.”

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Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/09/absentee-ballots-could-deliver-a-victory-for-martha-flores-vazquez/

Jul 29 2012

Sengupta Fraud Creates Uproar in Stavisky-Messer Primary

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July 29, 2012

She took advantage of the people.

A closer look at Toby Stavisky Petitions shows potential fraud committed by District Leader Uma Sengupta – a District Leader installed by Evan Stavisky, Toby Stavisky, and disgraced former Assemblyman and District Leader Brian McLaughlin.

Recently in the Times Ledger a spokesperson for the Stavisky’s intimated that anyone who committed fraud in the petition should be prosecuted.

Well Toby, are you going to call up D.A Brown and ask for an investigation into the 25th A.D Democratic Leader, Uma Sengupta or are you going to let your political associate and close personal friend, ally, and a key member of your campaign team off the hook?

Senator, even though it’s your friend and even though you are relying on her to pull votes for you for the Primary Election, you have a moral and legal obligation to call up your friend District Attorney Richard Brown to investigate the allegations of fraud in your petition.

Look, we know it’s embarrassing. No elected official wants to wake up and read the paper in the morning only to find out that DEAD people signed their designating petition, but your time to take the moral high ground is NOW.

Our political system is sacred and when politicians violate the trust of people and stand idly by and watch people’s identity stolen and used for political purposes the people are victimized and if Toby fails to act, the people will be victimized twice.

Now is the time to prove us wrong. Everyone says that the Stavisky’s have two sets of rules: the ones they want everyone to follow and their own. Show us that you are not a self serving, selfish politician. Act now to protect the integrity of our political system.

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Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/07/sengupta-fraud-toby-stavisky-in-orange-jumpsuit/

May 31 2012

Meet the ‘Real District Leader’ of Flushing

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May 31, 2012

She’s back (but she never left).

Martha Flores Vazquez wants to be your next Assembly woman and she has the grassroots support to rival any potential challengers.

Vazquez, who has lived in the 22nd Assembly District (now the 40th) for 34 years, got her start in politics as an activist. She climbed the ropes of local politics to become District leader in 2002. Since then she has been busy building a resume of public service.

Vazquez is not a politician; she is a people person. She earned her Masters in Psychology from CUNY, and her professional experience working at a social service agency helps her to understand the inner dynamics of the neighborhood she seeks to represent.

“For me the candidates haven’t been in the district long enough. They claim a lot but in reality they are not known in the community – they disappear then reappear during election. There has to be consistency when you’re serving a community.” she said.

Vazquez has earned a reputation as a mediator, a steam valve, a shoulder to cry on. Most recently she has been in negotiation with the landlords of a building in Flushing to ensure handicap accessibility. During the week, she can be seen at all the community functions and civic meetings.

Her political tenure has not always been a slam dunk. In 2010, Vasquez was thrown off the ballot for a technicality. After receiving the support of 3,200 signatures on her petitions, the word ‘female’ was missing on the petition and the Board of Elections rendered the signatures invalid.

 

Every year at her birthday party, Martha's friends and supporters buy her a cake with the inscription, "Martha, the Real District Leader."

It was a minor setback but it did not stop Vazquez from her volunteerism. In the eyes of friends and neighbors she will always be the official District leader.

“Even though I was thrown off due to a technicality – the community still treats me as a District leader,” said Vasquez. “And I return that respect by putting others before myself.”

Vasquez will run for the 40th Assembly District in an open seat if Grace Meng – who has not ruled out running for Assembly – wins the race for the sixth Congressional District. Vasquez has already filed a committee.

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Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/05/the-district-leader-who-fought-back/

Feb 27 2012

Who is Making a Bundle and How

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February 27, 2012

Monday morning update:

  • Nicole Malliotakis, a state Assemblywoman from Brooklyn visited a Queens Tea Party revival last week where the subject of conversation was guns and the ‘new world order.’ Ardent tea party supporters were sickened by the tone of the discussion and left.
  • Matthew Silverstein, a Democratic State Committee Member from Queens was a guest on Yetta Kurland Live!, a radio show on WWRL 1600 A.M. Listen to the interview here, it’s very interesting. Josh Silverstein, President of Democracy for NYC was also a guest. No relation.
  • Also, Adam Lombardi of Queens-Politics.com was on Yetta Kurland Live! two weeks ago. He was talking about the collusion of political consulting firms that elect candidates and then lobby them on behalf of private organizations, once they get them elected. Pork runs the machine. Listen to him here.
  • Courts don’t reward chicanery in Party Elections: Councilman Eric Ulrich’s Chief of Staff, Bart Haggerty’s lost his appeal in Federal Court. On February 7, 2012 the Supreme Court of the State of New York Appellate Division –Second Dept. ruled Chairman Phil Ragusa’s “unrefuted submissions demonstrate that he was elected Chairman of the Republican Party County Committee for the County of Queens, State of New York … at its 2009 organizational meeting.”
  • John Scandalios, the owner of Crazy Scondo’s, a comic book store in Bayside is looking to primary City Councilman Peter Koo, who recently held a reelection fundraiser. He’s very serious about it.
  • Steve Behar, a former Assembly and City Council candidate continues to appear at civic meetings and political functions all over Northeast Queens. What’s he up to?
  • The Bay Terrace Community Alliance held a lovely winter dinner at Tony Roma’s in Bay Terrace. Evan Stavisky was seen, a rare occurrence, but was rumored to leave early to beat the traffic back to Clarkstown, NY.
  • Nuclear Meltdown: Senator Michael Gianaris of Astoria continues to stump for Indian Point Energy Center, the nuclear power plant in Buchanen, NY. It’s so interesting how he’s a client of The Parkside Group, the same firm that lobbies for Entergy, which runs the nuclear facility. See the facts here.
  • A Happy Birthday shout out to Martha Florez Vasquez, aka “The Real District Leader.”

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Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/02/3515/

Nov 23 2011

A Former McCarthy Era Operative Gloats

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Politics

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November 23, 2011

Xenophobia, the fear of people who are different from one’s self.

A highly illuminating article courtesy of the Daily News. This report explores the dynamics between a longtime district leader and her political rival in Flushing.

Julia Harrison is a former City Council Member. She has some harsh comments for John Liu.

Foreword: Harrison is best known for blaming the asian population for increased crime, higher real estate prices, and displacing old timers.

Her comments became the hallmark of Harrison’s political career.

The publicized slip blew up in her face as a protest took  place on the steps of City Hall.

In 1996 the protest was led by former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and former Governor George Pataki who joined more that 2,000 Asian-Americans and civic leaders to rebuke Ms. Harrison for her published comments.

In response, Harrison who is now 91, stood before her colleagues in the Council’s chamber and read an empty apology. She never meant to insult immigrants, she was misunderstood. But it’s par for the course considering Harrison is part of the old guard –  a dwindling bloc of grey haired voters who resist any type of change in a neighborhood that is predominantly asian.

Despite the controversy, Harrison ran for reelection and won another term as Councilwoman until she was eventually term limited out of office in 2001.

Since then, deep wounds have festered in the underworld of Queens politics and while her opponent is weak, Julia has returned  for a moment in the limelight.

During the last election, turnout was abysmal. But to Harrison’s credit, she pulled her base out to the polls.

As the newly minted elected District Leader, she’s feeling her oats.

Best Quote,

“If you survive long enough in the murky world of Queens politics you will see your fortunes change.”

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Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2011/11/a-former-mccarthy-operative-gloats/

Nov 11 2011

AWOL Politicians celebrate Veterans Day

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November 11, 2011

Could you imagine Evan Stavisky driving a tank? Many Queens elected officials support military service, but no one is a real combat vet.

Everyone seems to dance around Memorial and Veterans day, but who really spent there formative years in the military or at an upstate college with beer slides sitting Indian style and smoking pot? A generation ago everyone would have served, nowadays the party machine boasts that Ed Braunstein sat on the Community Board for a year. My how things have changed.

Long ago, military service was a badge of honor for elected officials but today you’ll be hard pressed to find a combat veteran in the Queens Delegation. Dan Halloran comes really close, he completed ROTC training and he was an Eagle Scout, which is like a Green Beret when compared to some of the other guys. Tony Avella honors Veterans every month, much to his credit, and Rory Lancman served in the Army as an officer.

It’s a frightening prospect. Just think about fighting in a hole for 30 days with Bart Haggerty and Vince Tabone right next to you, or  picture Eric Ulrich swabbing the poopdecks off of Jamaica Bay. Imagine Tom Ognibene throwing himself on a hand grenade to save Phil Ragusa. Or try storming  a hill with Leroy Comrie. Peter Vallone does a 5-mile PT workout in Astoria park every morning, while Private Silverstein thumps his chest and proclaims, “I got me 4 two years on state committee so far.” But, to Matt’s credit, he works for America Works, finding employment for Veterans.

Jerry Iannece talked about being chairman of the Community Board like he’s Dwight D. Eisenhower, and John Duane, a former Assembly Member, was on the record as a conscientious objector. All things considered, the thought of Toby Stavisky as a paratrooper jumping out of a plane into Citi field is disturbing.

Some of the biggest political takedowns were against vets. Frank Padavan is a former Colonel and Serphin Maltese served in the Korean War.  Hiram Monserratte and Tony Seminerio were veterans too. I don’t know, but I worked on Elio Forcina’s campaign, and he served in the Marine Corps and I couldn’t imagine him storming anything other than a warehouse of Krispy Kreme donuts with Rob Sperenza taking the flank.

Nonetheless, on this day I honor combat Vets like my Grandfather who stormed the beaches of Normandy with my Uncle Vito. They shared a foxhole and had a dozen confirmed Nazi kills under their belt. They traveled all the way into the beating heart of Europe to slay a dictatorship and came home heroes. Yours truly has always wanted to serve as well, I even signed myself up when I was 17 for the Marines, but the Sarge tore up my paperwork when he found out I’m diabetic.

There are some really great apples in the bunch that take care of vets and this article is not meant to diminish their efforts. Laugh a little.

Some words from my friend Bill reminded me that while no politicians are on the frontlines of war, there are those who support our troops in other noble ways.

“They also serve who only stand and wait….and work, pray and fast for peace, who see to it that those that come back wounded receive the care they deserve, who hire a vet….and who not only today but throughout the year show gratitude to those who fought to keep us free,” he wrote.

A big shout-out to my friend Gary Pace who is in Quantico Bay training for the Marine Corps Reserves as we speak.

If you know of any elected officials from Queens that served in the military email us. Info@queens-politics.com

Happy Veterans Day

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Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2011/11/awol-politicians-celebrate-veterans-day/

Oct 17 2011

Lew Simons of The World Getting Attention

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October 17, 2011

Hon. Lew Simon. Democratic District Leader 23rd A.D. Part B, best known for chasing raccoons says he will keep the mustache at all costs. This is an important man.

Shocking: Democratic clubs with ten members get to choose Mayoral Candidate.

Who’s canoodling for attention these days? I’ll tell you. The following ‘candidates’ are competing for Queens party boss Joe Crowley’s attention – and to a lesser degree Brooklyn party boss Vito Lopez.

How are they doing it? Visiting local Democratic Clubs, flirting with District Leaders, even the one’s with a few screws loose, according to insiders.

District Leaders heavily influence the Democratic party’s nomination process. In Queens, it’s tantamount to election. Political hopefuls, or more often than not, party insiders get the endorsement, which some call a corronation. Many of these clubs barely qualify as clubs. It’s pathetic, but standard procedure.

It’s that time of year. So expect a visit from these candidates at your local political club.

For those of you in multiple clubs expect to hear the same speech.

Here they are:

  1. Quinn
  2. Liu
  3. Thompson
  4. Avella
  5. de Blasio

“Joe Crowley will need disinfectant because everyone will be kissing his ring.”

What is a District Leader?

A District leader is an unpaid elected party position. District Leaders often arise from political clubs. Each Assembly District has a male and female post and they serve for two years. Republicans too. Sometimes it’s a patronage post (have this so you stop crying about wanting to run when we already picked someone) and sometimes it’s a springboard for higher office. It’s like getting your foot in the door. DL’s reward loyalty by hiring poll workers. Some DL’s are more vocal and do great things for the community while others have questionable residencies. Generally I see them as little party whips. They play a role for endorsements during campaign season, help elected judges, and are generally political insiders.

For a great article on the duties of a District Leader read M. Burgo’s blog post on How To Pick A District Leader.

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Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2011/10/lew-simons-of-the-world-getting-attention/


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