Tag Archive: Eric Ulrich

Apr 18 2013

Ulrich Swindled Cash To Buy Support

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April 18, 2013

 

12155-s-pa-governor-ulrich-300x200Seniors beware! Councilman Ulrich funneled donations to a senior center to lure political support from a District Leader in charge of the operation.

Times Ledger: In 2011, Ulrich gave $5,000 to the Forest Park Senior Center run by Donna Caltabiano, a district leader in state Assemblyman Michael Miller’s (D-Woodhaven) district. But that number jumped to $55,000 in 2012 and 2013.

District leaders vote to endorse candidates and elect party leaders.

Ulrich insisted that the donation had nothing to do with politics, but rather the senior center does not get state or federal grants and instead relies on discretionary funding. State dollars had dried up in 2010 and the borough president cut her funding a year later, which is why he made up the difference, the councilman said.

[Yea right]

“I had to keep it open. It came down to me and the borough president,” Ulrich said, pointing out that Caltabiano had never voted to elect anyone from Ulrich’s faction to party leadership positions as a district leader.

Council members get a set dollar amount to fund projects for the aging. In 2013, it was about $108,000. The senior center received the most cash out of those in Ulrich’s district, with most centers getting $5,000.

For Caltabiano, the money was a vital resource, since her center gets limited funding, and she defended Ulrich’s reputation as an upstanding councilman..

She said she had never voted for anyone from Ulrich’s faction but was not fond of the opposing side either.

For full story: http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2013/16/gopfighting_all_2013_04_19_q.html

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Feb 21 2013

Jimmy Oddo’s ‘Revolution’ Blows Up In His Face

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February 21, 2013

GOP_Elephant_upside-downAs you may know Councilman Jimmy Oddo led the charge to replace the BOE commissioners. But poor Jimmy, he may not have known any better.

Questions remain like, who’s pawn is he?

Councilman Jimmy Oddo (R-Staten Island) supports the same people who a year and a half ago were rebuked by the judge for trying to set up a fraudulent meeting, that same batch of people pretended to have a meeting, and now since they cant muster the votes for a legit election of leadership of the party, they’ve managed to trick the chairmanship while Jimmy stomps around preaching about ‘reform’ over at the BOE.

No one expected them to be that deceitful, but the judge will decide in the end.

It’s a pattern of deceiving voters and trickery like whom Eric Ulrich associates with. Basically fraudsters. Judy Stupp, her failing was that she was too trusting, way too much integrity. Even most democratic commissioners, are like, this is a scam.  It’s supposed to be the party’s pick. The party is supposed to select. The section of law is meant to protect the minority party, if all else fails – not to steal the party’s perogative.

Jimmy Oddo, why involve himself in these shenanigans and become a hypocrite? He said he would approve DOI investigation of Michael Michel (who previously served as a campaign aide to Councilman Ulrich) but didn’t. There’s no way he could be approved anyway. Michel has such a speckled past, there’s just no way. If going before the council the speaker requires full DOI clearance, which Judy had, but Michel didn’t because it went through the caucus.

We think it’s overreach and the judge will decide who’s right. They should shit can their filing before it’s too late for the distinguished gentleman from Staten Island.

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Feb 17 2013

Caravan of Corruption: Ulrich, Quinn, Miller left whistleblower to rot

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February 17, 2013

It could happen to you.

SYSTEMIC FAILURE IN SOUTHEASTERN QUEENS FOR ITS CONSTITUENCY

By RICHARD C. IRITANO

 

Dear QUEENS-POLITICS Editor:

 

My name is RICHARD C. IRITANO, and I live in Ozone Park, QUEENS, New York.  For more than three years (and far longer with previous administrations), I have been unable to demand justice from my city councilman, Eric Ulrich, or state assemblyman, Michael Miller.  I have presented documented evidence to both politicians, of whom I am a constituent, regarding cover up, corruption and sabotage, where an investigation had commenced with the New York City Department of Investigations in May, 1993 that was never completed—and mysteriously and abruptly aborted without notification.  That public watchdog probe was supposed to address how the New York City Transit Authority made knowingly false, fake and inflammatory information about myself, when they chose to state in writing to the Department of Labor that I had falsified records, documents and company sign sheets.  Transit Authority management wrote to the DOL in an effort to block my entitlement to collect unemployment insurance benefits, where only days earlier, on April 18, 2013, I was told that my provisional services were no longer required—only three months after I received my fourth promotion in five years.  I was never told in person that I falsified any records, and worse, the woman who hired me in the last promotion that I was supposed to receive (but never did), had no authority to hire me, and insisted that I sign in at 8:00 a.m. daily, then disappear for the day until 4:00  p.m. when my day ended, so that management would not detect that I could be questioned if they should pay a visit to her office.  I was forced to comply but had written a daily diary about this betrayal of trust that she entangled me into.  (She retired honorably—I, the “whistleblower” was left to rot in obscurity.

The Transit Authority never showed up in court after their multiple allegations that I falsified records, and I therefore won my unemployment benefits retroactively.  Before I ever stepped foot into an unemployment office, I immediately complained to the MTA Office of the Inspector General (State of New York), and their General Counsel, Michael Boxer.  Mr. Boxer ignored the corruption and cover up, contradicted firmly established evidence and failed to investigate for three solid years from April, 1989 when I requested an immediate investigation.  The MTA only took action after I was forced to sue under an Article 78 Proceeding to seek, reinstatement, back pay and attorney fees, whereupon the Transit Authority admitted in court that they were not aware of my falsifying any and all documents.   For three solid years, this city agency (and inspector general’s office that is governed by New York State), continue to conceal evidence that could have restored my job, career, pension and retirement benefits, but chose to look the other way, while I had to spend tens of thousands of dollars defending myself in court for charges that never existed, and that were exposed to the MTA Inspector General after an oral argument hearing on May 9, 1991 revealed the deception and cover up.  The Appellate Court Chief Justice Rosenbaum called the actions of the Transit Authority and MTA unconsciounable, and prepared a ‘bench order’ for the Transit Authority to immediately expunge my department and central personnel files from any false and inflammatory information that suggested there was any misconduct committed by me.  The Transit Authority complied in writing on the next day, May 10, 1991, but I never was able to see my personnel files—despite several Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests that were sent by certified mail.  The corruption, cover up and sabotage were never addressed by the Transit Authority, or its parent company, the MTA and its Inspector General’s Office where General Counsel Michael Boxer has always been wholly aware of the dishonesty perpetuated by the MTA.  Whereas Michael Boxer could have recommended immediate reinstatement that could have made me “whole” again, he chose to conclude his own internal report that was three years delinquent by stating that, “Serious questions are raised about Mr. Iritano and record falsification,” which was simply not true, and firmly supported by the Transit Authority’s complete reversal of all misconduct allegations against me during oral argument in Appellate Court, Second Department, on May 9, 1991.

Council Speaker Christine Quinn (whom I contacted in writing in August, 2006), Councilman Eric Ulrich and Assemblyman Michael Miller have collectively known about these charges for more than three years.  In fact, my story has been profiled twice, on September 30, 2010 in The Queens Chronicle, and in April, 1998, in The Forum of Queens.  Ms. Quinn’s patronage mill administration has created a hostile environment with me that betrays public service, and Ms. Quinn herself has contradicted the facts and mission of the City Council in the initial letter that she sent to my home address, dated August 31, 2006, where she clearly states that, “The Council is committed to ensuring that the laws and practices of city agencies are fair and just.  This extends to the terms and conditions of employment, termination of employment, and decisions on pensions.”  Clearly, my case of dishonesty, sabotage and official city misconduct fall in line with Mr. Quinn’s written purview.  In fact, Assemblyman Michael Miller wrote a letter to Ms. Quinn in September, 2012 (and I am still waiting to see it, despite multiple requests), supposedly questioning the jurisdiction of the City Council with regard to their failure to demand a completed investigation by the Department of Investigations (that DOI investigators and officials initiated in May, 1993, but failed to complete), and Ms. Quinn’s own role to initiate her own, independent investigation, as her August, 2006 letter clearly states.  When Mr. Miller showed me the reply to his letter to Ms. Quinn, dated December 6, 22012, it yet again contradicts her initial letter to me from six years ago, suggesting that her office cannot help me, despite an incomplete investigation by DOI investigators, intimating that the Transit Authority is a state governed agency (I maintained a CITY pension with New York City Employees’ Retirement System, and the agency that I worked for is the MTA New York City Transit).  Ms. Quinn continues to ignore these firmly established facts, and Mr. Miller still hasn’t sent a rebuttal reply to her office, despite meeting with Mr. Miller on Monday, December 17, 2012, and urging him to respond, with my assisted help in composing an evidentiary letter (with document attachments).  Moreover, Mr. Ulrich’s office has repeatedly refused to meet with me (after an initial meeting that took place at his Ozone Park headquarters, on Monday, October 4, 2010, that followed my profiled story in The Queens Chronicle a few days earlier, on Thursday, Sepbember 30th), and do his job (which is a dereliction of public duty, and a clear violation of the oath of public office that he swore to uphold).  Likewise, Michael Miller is wholly aware of the evidence and Eric Ulrich’s failure to investigate by re-ordering a completed investigation by the New York City Department of Investigations, but won’t take any action of his own to help me reverse this travesty of justice and retaliatory sabotage.  Mr. Miller has accompanied me to Albany, in September, 2010, to meet with former Governor Paterson’s labor relations director, Jeffrey Mann, who squarely blamed this cover up on city government (where I once had a pension with NYCERS, before I was frozen out of the system after five inactive years).  Likewise, Eric Ulrich and his former chief of staff, Bart Haggerty (whose brother John embezzled nearly one million dollars from Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s reelection campaign (and was convicted last year followed by mandatory prison time that he will be serving this year), continued to blame the State of New York, where the MTA Office of the Inspector General has jurisdiction, (where they continue to ignore the corruption, cover up and evidence (that firmly supports my case) with impugnity.  Hence, the state blames the city; the city blames the state, and I have been left to rot for nearly 24 years, despite solid and indisputable evidence that should have been able to ascribe blame, punishment and official city and state misconduct to the management who conspired to stall, delay and ignore solid evidence that my case wholly supports—based on a body of evidence that has never changed, to my complete advantage of honesty, transparency and full disclosure.

When clear abuses of “Taxation Without Representation” are evident, public service officials like Ulrich and Miller, of whom I am a constituent, refuse to take action and do what they are paid in a position that demands their challenge to authority, and to question, remedy and address any concern of a constituent, where does someone like me turn to for help, action, accountability and a proper, completed investigation?  My employment record has been spotty in an environment of under paid, underemployment ever since this debacle infected my life and destroyed my standards of living, without the security of my earned and deserved pension, health insurance, and independence as my family and me continue to languish in deeper levels of beggary, obscurity, quiet desperation, helplessness, hopelessness and local government anarchy.  I deserve representation from the public servants whose purview includes representation to me as a constituent with a solid cause of action.  My lawyer, Robert Ligansky, proved willful misconduct by the Transit Authority, and failure of the MTA to properly investigate, and when the MTA finally completed their intentionally delayed investigation from April, 1989 to September, 1992, there still was no firm resolve or recommendation for restitution from Michael Boxer and the MTA Inspector General’s Office, where I was a total victim of a corrupt, dishonest, dishonorable  and disloyal bureaucracy—despite a full reversal of all previous allegations against me by the Transit Authority that was revealed in Appellate Court, Second Department, on May 9, 1991, where my lawyer and me personally witnessed their on-the-record testimony and reversal.  I don’t need another lawyer—I need my local representatives to demand a fair, honest, thorough investigation without further delay, and to question both the Transit Authority and MTA Office of the Inspector General’s Office (and Michael Boxer), who don’t seem to be accountable to no one, because they appear to be exalted.

I would greatly appreciate some urgently needed help from Republican Committee Chairperson, Phil Ragusa, City Councilman Dan Halloran and anyone else who can offer reliable help, in lieu of the epic failure, apathy, arrogance and cowardice that have been solidly present throughout my debacle with Eric Ulrich and Michael Miller (and State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr., and his predecessor, Serfin Maltese).  I can be reached at my home number, 718/835-6948.  My cell telephone number is 917/837-2573.  Councilman Eric Ulrich’s office telephone number in Ozone Park is 718/641-1591; Assembly Michael Miller can be reached at his Woodhaven office at 718/805-0950.  Both representatives have offered nothing beyond neverending stress, anxiety, and a “delay, deny, and hope that you die” bureaucracy.  With so many scandals of corruption that effect and relate to constituents like me who have practically had to beg for proper representation with regard to honest, ethical city and state government leadership, I should not have to lose my pension, present and future because of false, fake and failed leadership—and the very public representatives who have collectively been the obstacle to fair labor practices and treatment, that now overshadow any corruption and misconduct by the Transit Authority and MTA.  The hurdles keep getting bigger for me to jump over, while politicians throw their hands up in the air and feign cluelessness.  I am disgusted, fed up and betrayed by corrupt, dishonest and hostile leadership.  Please respond with urgently needed help.

 

Sincerely,

 

RICHARD C. IRITANO

107-41 107th Street

Ozone Park, New York   11417

917/837-2573 (cell telephone)

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Feb 16 2013

A conversation with Eric Mingott on the GOP Proxy War

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February 16, 2013

Screen shot 2013-02-15 at 9.47.09 PM

“If you don’t like the leader you challenge them in an election – you don’t sabotage them.”

Eric Mingott is a proud Republican. He’s a former Marine and presently works as a tax accountant, but his heart is – and forever shall be – in service to the public. Mingott was a hopeful for the 35th Assembly District until his dreams were crushed after John Haggerty knocked him off the ballot, but now (as he’s eying another run for office) he’s looking to the future to rebuild a fractured Republican party.

During his campaign in 2012, Mingott had taken the time to register friends and family with the Republican Party so that they could serve as witnesses to his petitions. “Family, friends, they registered republican because of me — and we’re glad and proud — but the BOE didn’t process them in time,” he said.  Mingott said he collected 260 signatures out of the 185. “We received enough but at the end of the day, but we failed because of the witnesses.”

Then John Haggerty showed up at court.  He was one of the “perps whose hands were in it and exposed themselves to knocking me off the ballot,” said Mingott.  Haggerty, a convicted felon that specialized in the nuances of election law, challenged Mingott’s petitions. But Mingott didn’t have his own election lawyer fearing it would cost too much money and reasoned with himself that, after all, it was a Hispanic coalition and the Future Majority Project (an advocacy organization which helps Hispanics and women win public office) that had put their faith in him and propped up his grassroots campaign. However, he said for the sake of the Party, and for solidarity, he backed off when Haggerty attacked.   “We’d have been in court until after the primary,” he joked at his decision which he regrets everyday. “I am a Marine and Marines never give up.”

His experience is one small battle of a war that has been going on for 30 years. Most recently, insiders consider the illegal appointee just part of a ‘proxy war’ waged by southern Queens rebels Tom Ognibene and Eric Ulrich. However, Mingott does not believe that the ends justify the means.

“If you don’t like the leader you challenge them in an election – you don’t sabotage them,” said Mingott.

But Mingott, who considers himself part of the old school of gentleman politics, believes if “they said they mailed it, then they must have mailed it” and that the public humiliation of either side is ungentlemanly.

“Why would someone in that position lie,” he asked while insisting the matter be handled in-house. “Within the party, our infighting should not be public, which is the best way to go.”

It looks as if it will be a tough battle looming ahead as the Judge’s decision is appealed in court. Although Mingott doesn’t know Michael Michel, he knows Judith Stupp and said she ran the BOE to the best of her abilities. “These are pure party positions where we need good citizens because at the end of the day the American people are the ones that will be hurting. New Yorkers in general getting hurt, the voters are getting hurt — it’s not about sneaking things in at the last minute” he relented.

Mingott believes the proxy war is doing irreparable harm to the Party’s image. “We’re hoping we can move the party into a better position; it’s not about leadership, the party leadership is there…but more and more everyday people don’t want to be republicans because of the mass-media  looking at us as anti-everything. It’s not about leadership it’s about resources.”

In the 35th AD in the East Elmhurst \ Corona section of Queens with incumbent Jeffrion Aubry, the GOP are outnumbered 10 to 1 and trying to get a Republican movement in his district would be a tough undertaking. Despite the odds, Mingott seems undaunted. “People don’t want to hear us because of what the national level republicans are preaching.” Again, Mingott insisted it’s not for lack of leadership. “Our leadership is there we need younger people and fresh faces.  It’s time to focus on elections and reelecting our candidates and finding new ones. The infighting serves no purpose.”

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Nov 28 2012

Second Round Of District Lines Are Far Worse Says Civic Group

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November 28, 2012

The WRBA is calling on Crowley and Ulrich to make good on their public commentary to unite Woodhaven into one coterminous City Council District.

Press Release: The Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association blasted the New York City Districting Commission’s proposal to split Woodhaven’s representation in the City Council.

The Commission had initially proposed placing nearly all of Woodhaven in a single City Council district.  The WRBA submitted testimony to the Commission lauding this proposal, and even urged tweaks to ensure that a sliver of Woodhaven left outside the district would be incorporated.  Instead of heeding the WRBA’s testimony, the Commission did the very opposite by discarding their original plans for Woodhaven and slicing the neighborhood into three parts spread over two districts.

“The Commission decided to throw Woodhaven under the bus.  It should be embarrassed about how its final proposal treats our community,” said WRBA Director of Communications Alex Blenkinsopp.  ”Now that the final decision is in the hands of the City Council, we want all City Council Members to know that a vote in favor of this gerrymander is a vote against Woodhaven.”

Woodhaven is currently divided between two City Council districts: District 30, represented by Council Member Elizabeth Crowley; and District 32, represented by Council Member Eric Ulrich.  Instead of preserving the current division, the Commission significantly worsened the split by switching large parts of the neighborhood from Crowley to Ulrich and vice versa.  In addition, the final proposal places the far west portion of Woodaven in the same district as the extreme northeast corner, but excludes any residential area in between.

At the WRBA’s Town Hall on September 15, 2012, both Crowley and Ulrich made public statements indicating that the Commission’s original proposal was preferable for Woodhaven.

At that Town Hall, Crowley said the initially proposed lines are “good news for Woodhaven.  It actually puts you all together in one Council district.”  Ulrich said, “I think that Woodhaven, just like I think where I live in Ozone Park, should be in one district.  It should be in one district.  People ought to be able to hold their elected officials accountable.  It ought to be easy for them to know who represents them in the City Council….  I just think that’s the right thing to do.  It’s the fair thing to do.”

Now the WRBA is calling on Ulrich and Crowley to make good on their public statements and to vote in the best interest of their Woodhaven constituents.  The Block Association has written to both Council Members and urged them to vote against the final proposal.  The draft lines will be enacted unless a majority of City Council members vote to send the Commission back to the drawing board.

“We don’t know why the Commission decided to split and scramble Woodhaven’s representation, but we won’t just sit there quietly as the City Council rubber-stamps this awful proposal,” said WRBA President Edward K. Wendell.  ”This is an opportunity for City Council Members — both our current representatives, as well as those who might want Woodhaven’s support in the future — to show whether they actually care about our community.”

The WRBA has been an extremely strong voice for Woodhaven on redistricting matters this year.  In January, it vigorously objected to the gerrymandered State Senate lines that split Woodhaven three ways.  In March, the Block Association opposed the congressional lines that divided Woodhaven into two portions and basically separated Woodhaven from the rest of Queens.

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Nov 06 2012

Eric Ulrich concedes to Addabbo?

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November 6, 2012

Eric Ulrich Daily News PhotoIt’s only 2:30 PM and whispers are flying around town that Ulrich has thrown in the towel.

According to a source close to the Ulrich campaign, in light of extremely low turnout in neighborhoods devastated by Hurricane Sandy, the momentum of the campaign and any hope of winning have been completely sapped.

As originally reported on Queens-Politics, Ulrich’s base is missing in action, presumably coping with the damage and cleanup efforts after the storm.

The source described the one term City Councilman as “going fucking nuts right now” in response to the dire circumstances in south Queens.

Polls are open until 9pm and a last minute rush could make the difference.

We cannot confirm nor deny any of this at the moment. Please stay tuned.

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Nov 05 2012

Addabbo leads by setting the example

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November 5, 2012

While some candidates were still on the campaign trail, Senator Joseph Addabbo suspended all campaign activity to help his constituents during Hurricane Sandy. Joe was on the front lines giving a hand wherever he could and deserves a round of applause. If you’re on the fence for Election Day we urge you to consider Joe Addabbo for New York State Senate.

(l to r) Lori Martini, Middle Village songwriter, actress and Mets Fan; Frank Kenna, Chief Deputy Queens County Clerk; Forest Hills, Joe Addabbo, NY State Senator, Howard Beach; Edward Wendell, President of the Woodhaven Resident’s Block Association, Woodhaven.  Frank, Joe and Ed are all Archbishop Molloy High School Graduates, Class of 1982, lending a hand by delivering food, clothing and supplies to hard hit Howard Beach, Broad Channel and the Rockaways.

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Nov 03 2012

DEMS Respond to call for help in South Queens

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November 3, 2012

Political offices are being used as supply depots and relief centers like the office of Democratic Assemblyman Mike Miller pictured above.

Several Democrats have rolled up their sleeves to pitch in and help with what is being called a war zone in Southern Queens.

Thousands are still without power, food, water, and shelter. The gas shortage is breeding tensions as patience is wearing thin. More and more people seem to be at the breaking point looking for relief. Luckily a few super Democrats have mobilized to volunteer and assist the distressed residents of the Rockaways, Broad Channel, Breezy Point, and Howard Beach.

“So far the biggest issue was getting food to the people who need it,” said Nick Roloson, President of the Queens County Young Dems. “I just came back from Rockaway and it looks like a war zone. The streets are covered in sand and mud. The air stinks of gas, and no one had food.”

Roloson has mobilized the Young Democrats and recruited friends and other elected officials to help with the disaster response. “We’ve been collecting food from all over Queens and Brooklyn making sure that these people get fed. We had pizzas, cereal, everything. It felt great when you got to see the smiles on the faces of the people who hadn’t eaten in a while.”

Democrat Steve Behar of Bayside drove his truck all the way down to the Rockaways to volunteer with City Councilman (Senator-elect) James Sanders. Together they surveyed the Rockaways helping to cut away trees and meet with people in the district. “We’re trying to get them in tough with the right people to help them,” said Behar who described a makeshift table set up in front of Sander’s office which lost power during the hurricane to help assist people. Power has not yet  been restored.

“My office literally burnt to the ground,” said Lew Simon, a District Leader from  23rd Assembly District and constituent liaison to Senator Shirley Huntley. “There’s a lot of anger and people are looting and fighting over water. It’s a war zone and people are in a total panic,” he said with a sense of exhaustion. Simon traveled to one of the worst hit areas in the Rockaways to volunteer, but said “he couldn’t be much help due to the severity of the situation and went online to assist and help people locate their loved ones.”

As far as other elected officials, many of them have taken to the Internet and social media to help spread the word, for example, posting notifications of the next available dry ice drop, or relief center stocked with donated food and cloths. But some elected officials may have been missing in action. According to Simon, “Well I have not seen or heard from Eric Ulrich, but I did hear from Joe Addabbo and Malcolm Smith.” Simon also alleged, “Eric was in the command center in Manhattan during the entire storm which is unacceptable.”

Many other pols have chipped in. City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley sent a truckload of food and Senator Jose Peralta, City Councilman Danny Dromm, and  Assembly members Michael DenDekker and  Francisco Moya were down there with rolled up sleeves lending a hand wherever they could.

Despite the dire circumstances, the disaster is bringing out the best in some people and everyone seems to be putting politics aside to pitch in to help their neighbors, even strangers.

“Hey, I run a political club but as Gov. Christie showed the other day – when people’s lives are in danger you have to rise above it and use your political skill for something greater,” said Roloson.

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Oct 30 2012

With Ulrich territory underwater, could Sandy have tipped the balance in Addabbo’s favor?

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October 30, 2012

Breezy Point is absolutely devastated after Hurricane Sandy.

In Albany, state senate dems and republicans are in disarray because the dynamics of South Queens may have been changed due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.

The Rockaways, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Howard Beach – these are the neighborhoods that helped elect Councilman Erich Ulrich but with these neighborhoods devastated and partially submerged, insiders are predicting the destruction may physically stop Ulrich’s base from voting on Election day.

Everyone is worried - what’s not on fire is underwater. Questions are being raised by both camps. Who will come back by Tuesday, and if they do will they vote? How will we perform a pull operation? By boat?

The stakes are extremely high and all eyes are on this race because this seat will decide control of the Senate and that’s why so much money has been poured into Ulrich’s and Addabbo’s campaign war chest.

If the battle shifts the fight to the northern section of the district including the neighborhoods of Maspeth, Middle Village. Glendale and Forest Hills, Ulrich could be at a major disadvantage as the conservative leaning neighborhoods that support Ulrich are unlikely to be concerned about voting when their homes have been destroyed, according to a source familiar with the situation.

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Update 12:34PM: Crain’s New York Confirms that the homes of Rep. Bob Turner and Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long have burned down.

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Oct 23 2012

Ulrich ignores a constituent’s plea for help

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October 23, 2012

Photo courtesy Juniperparkpatriots.blogspot.com

A distressed reader sent us this.

Dear Queens-Politics,

I am a constituent of Eric Ulrich. During the short span of time that Mr. Ulrich has served as my city councilman, he has proven to be corrupt, dishonest, dishonorable, disloyal as he continues to betray the public oath of office that swore to uphold. Since September, 2010, Mr. Ulrich and his former henchman, Bart Haggerty, have told be to ‘cease and desist’ from calling their office, regarding a matter involving my New York City pension and job reinstatement with the New York City Transit Authority that was illegally and unlawfully sabotaged as a result of official city (and state MTA) misconduct. The evidence has been thoroughly documented and presented to The Queens Chronicle, where reporter Bryan Yurcan profiled my story that was published on Thursday, September 30, 2010.

Within days of Mr. Yurcan’s story about systemic failure regarding my pension and city job, I was invited to Ulrich’s office for his purported help, on Monday, October 4, 2010. Instead of meeting with Ulrich and Haggerty, I was greeted by an intensely incompetent, personal friend and crony of Ulrich name Arlene Brown. This unprofessional and unethical creature jerked me around for nearly a month, claiming that she needed to do research on my case, when in fact, all of the research that I presented to her that day in a chronology of firmly established evidentiary documents was already completed. What I needed from Ulrich’s friends and family facade of what passes for credible city government, was an honest, thorough and complete investigation by the City Council to probe the New York City Department of Investigations. The DOI launched its own investigation of corruption and coverup with the Transit Authority back in 1993, after I complained to them of additional coverup and dishonesty at the MTA Office of the Inspector General (State of New York), that ignored corruption that I presented to them, and contracted firmly established evidence by continuing to ascribe blame and punishment to me for obvious misconduct committed by Transit Authority management. These charges were proven when counsel for the Transit Authority appeared in Appellate Court – Second Department, on May 9, 1991, and admitted that I was not guilty of any misconduct that caused me to lose my job and pension, thereby reversing all previous allegations against me. I strenuously complained to the MTA for an honest, above board investigation in which I was completely dismissed and ignored by this recalcitrant bureaucracy. It consumed two years of my time and personal resources to stop them from telling false, retaliatory lies about my alleged misconduct regarding falsification of company records that TA counsel completely reversed themselves on—only AFTER I filed a petition to force them to tell the truth. As a result, I lost a lucrative city job and retirement pension worth more than one million dollars. I remain scarred for life over the Transit Authority’s (and MTA Inspector General’s Office) corrupt, dishonest and unfair labor practices.

Eric Ulrich is an arrogant, depraved, predatory coward who practices selective representation regarding his constituency. It is an unlawful dereliction of public duty to deny a constituent like me the free right to an investigation that is warranted, based on a totally credible body of evidence that has cleared my name of wrongdoing. I am entitled to job reinstatement, social security contributions and pension reinstatement because I told the truth that is totally supported by decades of credible evidence.

No matter how loudly I protest, and regardless of a body of evidence that is not negotiable, no one is listening. Is this a democracy, or Communist rule and dictatorship? When is the power going to be returned to the people? According to Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who sent me a letter in August, 2006, that states “…the city is committed to fair labor practices regarding hiring, termination and pensions…” but has repeatedly refused to help me to be made “whole” again. Mayor Bloomberg’s administration is even worse, where a staffmember named Jay Kairam boldy told me that their office was not going to help me (and he wasn’t the first—or last—to make that claim).

If you are listening, Phil Ragusa, I need your urgent help in reminding recalcitrant, immature, arrogant, bottom feeder amateurs like Eric Ulrich to “cease and desist” from creating a hostile environment toward deserving constituents like me who need help in restoring every last benefit that should have made me whole again (based on solid evidence), decades ago.

There is a crisis in honest, ethical leadership in New York State. I have done everything in my power to present an honest cause of action for restitution. The false, fake and failed leadership in Queens County, along with my union (CWA Local 1180), the Queens Chronicle (where I filed a police report harassment complaint on November 4, 2010, against Editor-in-Chief, Peter Mastrosimone), and Assemblyman Michael Miller (whose tone deaf head has been firmly planted in the sand for three solid years), have retreated into collective silence, as corruption, coverup and dishonest government flourishes.

If there is anyone reading this letter who can offer their urgent help for an honest investigation (like the one recently imposed upon Assemblyman (and employed sexual predator) Vito Lopez, I would be happy to present a chronology of solid evidence to support my languishing case. I am trapped into long term unemployment because of apathy, indifference and a corrupt city councilman like Eric Ulrich who cares about his cradle-to-grave political ambitions, instead of allegiance, civics, sacrifice and public servitude to ALL of his constituents.

Thank you for listening.

 

Sincerely,

RICHARD C. IRITANO
Ozone Park, New York 11417-2316

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Oct 22 2012

Major endorsement could sway undecided voters

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October 22, 2012

With the election less than two weeks away, Chuck's endorsement could help deliver victory for Joe Addabbo.

So who had a great weekend? Last Friday, Senator Chuck Schumer finally read the writing on the wall as he whole heartedly endorsed Joseph Addabbo for state senate and effectively put to rest all hopes of Republican Councilman Eric Ulrich taking the seat.

Press Release: Today in front of the Queens Community House in Forest Hills, alongside local supporters and electeds, Senator Schumer endorsed Senator Addabbo for his third term representing New York Senate’s 15th district.

“Senator Addabbo is an experienced leader, who provides a strong voice for the working people and families of Queens,” said Senator Schumer. “I am proud to endorse Senator Addabbo as he fights for what is right—quality education for our children, affordable and accessible healthcare for the whole community, and stronger common sense gun laws to keep our children and our streets safe.”

“This race is about the working families in our community. It’s about making sure our children receive a good education, about protecting our streets from guns, and about creating jobs in this tough economy. No one knows this more than Senator Schumer, as he has been one of New York’s most loyal and committed advocates,” said Senator Addabbo.

“I am truly honored to have Senator Schumer’s support, as he exemplifies the democratic ideals I believe in so much.”

During his two terms representing New York Senate’s 15th district, Senator Addabbo has fought for the issues that matter most to his constituents including the creation of jobs, access to affordable health care, stronger gun control laws, senior services, and quality education. Senator Addabbo is one of the strongest advocates for raising the minimum wage, and consistently stands up for New York’s working men and women. He is also the ranking member of the Senate Elections Committee.

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New York Senate’s 15th district encompasses many Queens neighborhoods including Forest Hills Gardens, Glendale, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ridgewood, Woodhaven, and parts of Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Ozone Park, Rego Park, Richmond Hill, the Rockaways, and South Ozone Park

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Oct 08 2012

CUOMO ENDORSES STATE SENATOR ADDABBO FOR RE-ELECTION

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October 8, 2012

A handshake worth more than a billboard.

On Columbus Day, Governor Cuomo’s endorsement brings Senator Joseph Addabbo one step closer to reelection.

Cuomo extolled the virtues of incumbent Senator Addabbo saying he is a man of conscience,  integrity, and courage.

Press Release: Today at Columbus Citizens Foundation’s annual Columbus Day Parade, Governor Andrew Cuomo endorsed Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. for his third term representing New York Senate’s 15th district.

“Senator Addabbo has done great work. We’ve had a very productive, past two years on anyone’s book in Albany,” said Governor Cuomo. “The reason the state government has made progress is partially due to some very difficult but correct votes that the Legislature has taken. Now, a number of elected officials are in difficult elections, I believe, in part, because of votes they took.”

“Political courage, which Senator Joe Addabbo displayed, should be encouraged, not discouraged. And I want his constituents to know today that he is a man of conscience, he is a man of integrity, he is a man of courage, and that’s what you want in an elected official — especially in Albany,” said Governor Cuomo.

“Governor Cuomo’s endorsement is a true honor, as we have worked closely alongside each other to bring fiscal stability and ethics reform to Albany,” said Senator Addabbo. “I look forward to continue working with Governor Cuomo to improve educational opportunities, create jobs, fight for stronger gun control, and once again be proud of our state government.”

Governor Cuomo and Senator Addabbo have successfully worked together to create on-time budgets, and fight for important legislation to implement common sense gun laws, bring ethics reform to Albany, and expand access to quality education for New York children.

During his two terms representing New York Senate’s 15th district, Senator Addabbo has fought for the issues that matter most to his constituents including the creation of jobs, access to affordable health care, stronger gun control laws, senior services, and quality education. Senator Addabbo is one of the strongest advocates for raising the minimum wage, and consistently stands up for New York’s working men and women. He is also the ranking member of the Senate Elections Committee.

New York Senate’s 15th district encompasses many Queens neighborhoods including Forest Hills Gardens, Glendale, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Maspeth, Middle Village, Hamilton Beach, Ridgewood, Woodhaven, and parts of Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Ozone Park, Rego Park, Richmond Hill, the Rockaways, and South Ozone Park.

 

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Sep 28 2012

Addabbo gets UFT Endorsement

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September 28, 2012

Senator Addabbo stands with a cadre of elected officials and members of the UFT at a school named after his late father, State Senator Joseph Addabbo.

Who’s having a good week? On Tuesday State Senator Joseph Addabbo received an enormous boost to his campaign against Republican City Councilman Eric Ulrich.

A UFT endorsement carries a lot of weight and can tip the balance of an election considering the large volume of boots they can put on the ground for a candidate, not to mention an enormous sphere of influence and expansive networking prowess.

Read the full press release below.

Press Release: Queens, NY- 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 U.S. Congressman 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.”

Senator Addabbo fought to restore much-needed yellow bus services for over 4,000 7th and 8th graders in New York City, and has worked to decrease class sizes. He also supported a law in which schools have to make detailed plans to address cyberbullying, and backed the 2010 law to combat bullying and discrimination in schools among students with different backgrounds.

With two children in New York schools, Addabbo said he knows how important education is.

“Education is the key to building a better future, and ensuring the success of the next generation,” said Addabbo, a graduate of St. John’s University and Touro Law School. “All children should have the opportunity to learn and reach their full potential.”

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).

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Sep 07 2012

Ulrich makes defamatory comments to WWII Vet

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September 7, 2012

Juan Reyes says Ulrich’s ‘sleazy’ comments about Bob Dole, a World War II hero and a former GOP Presidential Nominee, prove he is unfit for public service.

Veterans should be outraged and Republicans who respect elder statesman in the GOP party should be too.

Press Release: Eric Ulrich’s rude and mocking comments about Senator Bob Dole prove that 27-year old Ulrich is unfit for public office,” said his opponent, attorney Juan Reyes.

Dole endorsed Reyes for the Queens State Senate seat earlier this week.

Reyes added that, “This sleazy and sarcastic comment about one of America’s greatest heroes is beyond contempt.”

Dole, now 89, was badly wounded in Italy during World War II and permanently lost the use of his right arm. He went on to serve five terms in the United States Senate, was Senate Majority Leader, Chairman of the Republican National Committee in the 1970s, and was the Republican Presidential candidate in 1996.

“Eric Ulrich’s lack of maturity and class is not news,” said Reyes, “but to mock a man who gave so much in World War II to free Italy from Hitler and the Nazis is just about the lowest thing I have ever seen in a political campaign.”

Reyes added, “Ulrich’s lack of respect for one of the greatest members of “the Greatest Generation” is appalling.”

“Ulrich needs to apologize immediately to Senator Dole and to the voters of our district, especially those who have served in America’s military,” said Reyes, who worked for Dole in Washington in the 1990s.

Reyes added, “Eric Ulrich may think it’s funny to ridicule Senator Dole, but Republican voters will have the last laugh on Thursday, September 13.”

Reyes noted that this is not the first time that Ulrich’s rude comments have caused a storm. In a April 12, 2009 interview with New York magazine, Ulrich said “Republicans aren’t all religious fundamentalists from Alabama; some of us are just normal” — a remark that drew a storm of criticism from conservatives and religious Republicans alike.

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Sep 04 2012

Reyes Receives Nod From Dole, Rumsfeld

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September 4, 2012

The Reyes campaign proudly announces that Juan Reyes has been endorsed by former U.S. Senator Bob Dole (pictured above with Reyes) and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Juan Reyes received an enormous boost to his campaign for State Senate after receiving the blessing of two notable GOP politicians.

Press Release: Dole, a former five-term Senator from Kansas who served as Senate Majority Leader and former Chairman of the Republican National Committee, was the Republican Presidential nominee in 1996.

Rumsfeld, a former four-term Congressman from Illinois who served as White House Chief of Staff and U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, was also Secretary of Defense under two U.S. Presidents.

Dole called Reyes, an attorney running in the September 13th Republican Primary for State Senate, “An outstanding leader who will fight for you and your family in Albany. He won’t tolerate the political nonsense that has done so much damage to New York’s economy.”

Rumsfeld said,

“Juan is smart, tough minded, decent and hardworking. He is a solid conservative who stands for lower taxes, less government spending, and a strong emphasis on economic growth in the private sector.”

Reyes, a former counsel to several city agencies in the Giuliani Administration, said he was “humbled and grateful to have the endorsement of two giants in the Republican Party.”

 “My top priority is to help get New York’s economy moving and bringing new jobs and industries to our state,” said Reyes,”Republicans understand that private sector experience like mine is invaluable with New York’s current economic condition, and I urge every Republican voter to come out on Thursday, September 13th and help me win this critical election.”

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