Tag Archive: Toby Stavisky

Feb 12 2013

The 10 Biggest Political Lies Heard in Queens

Categories:

Politics

by

February 12, 2013

Costaopa

Opaaaa!

Liar! Liar! Pants on fire!

Queens-Politics surveyed many insiders and came up with the 10 biggest lies told in Queens.

  1. LIE: Tony Avella is a reformer. FACT: Tony Avella is the protégé of Leonard and Toby Stavisky. He gets a reputation as a reformist because he inherited the same bitchy attitude as the Stavisky clan and was unable to get along with many of his colleagues in the City Council. The fact is Tony is tied to the hip with the Parkside Group and their core members (if you don’t believe me look at his voting record). It makes you wonder, does he care more about Parkside clients than North Queens residents? And in Albany when he is not catering to Stavisky’s clients he is often seen walking around bashing Queens good government watchdog Adam Lombardi.
  2. LIE: Christine Quinn is a riot around the water cooler. FACT: The madam speaker is a nasty, vindictive, power hungry, Christian bashing lunatic who is a misery to be around. If you noticed the only ones who really like her are lobbyists who need something from city government and politicos who want a job if she becomes Mayor.
  3. LIE: Parkside is a world class consulting firm. FACT: They only win elections when there’s no opposition. Parkside only takes clients that get the County nomination. To be fair, let’s see them win an election on a Republican line or as an independent insurgent then they can stand with the best. If you look at their website and their list of clients, many of them never had any real opposition. Their biggest race in years was Bob Turner vs. David Weprin, which they lost, and turned the Queens Democratic Party into a national embarrassment. Even President Obama was shaking his head.
  4. LIE: Council candidate Costa Constantinides is liked by the Greek Community. FACT: Costa is the protégé of Senator Mike Giannaris. Giannaris is known with his Parkside coconspirators to shake down Greek-American businessmen without delivering anything they promise as well as disclosing that their values are more progressive than the Greek-American community. Mike Gianaris had a phony run for Attorney General so he would have an excuse to garner checks from the Greek-American community. What makes this more repulsive is that their special friend Parkside owner, Harry Giannoulis is the Treasurer of a Greek-Orthodox senior center and is rumored to use those lists to shake down elderly religious Greek Americans without disclosing that they are among some the most nasty  pro-abortion demagogues in New York state.
  5. LIE: Austin Shafran could beat Councilman Dan Halloran. FACT: Austin Shafran is a 31-year-old neophyte who has no history of community service or business experience. Aside from that, Dan Halloran is a beloved figure in the community and has made strong ties with conservative leaning Democrats throughout the district. It will take a lot of money, a brand name, and a history of community service to even think about unseating him. Can anyone think of any candidate with those credentials?
  6. LIE: John Castimitides can’t win the Mayoralty. FACT: If he gets through the primary, he will give anyone of the Democratic candidate’s a run for their money. Not only can he self-fund, he’s known to be genuine and candid in a way we haven’t seen since Ed Koch.
  7. LIE: Joe Lhota can’t raise money. FACT: If he is able to put together the old Giuliani machine he will be able to raise just as much money as the Democratic candidates without selling his soul to every special interest group in New York City.
  8. LIE: The Public Advocate is a do nothing job. FACT: No, wait a second. My bad. It is a do nothing job other than being a publicly funded platform for future Mayoral candidates.
  9. LIE: The Board of Elections is the last outpost of patronage in NYC.  FACT: Every political job is a patronage job and those that are hired are actually appointees. Following the extensive coverage regarding the illegally appointed commissioners, people might be left with the impression that 126-6 Queens Blvd is the last bastion of the spoils system. No way no how. There’s nepotism in every political hiring decision especially staff in the elect’s office. For example some appointees are hired from a state Assembly office and magically reappear in a Congressional office, others are grandfathered in, for instance, say  if the office changes hands during an election (usually part of some horse-trading deal), then you have the family members that are hired and the phone calls where strings are pulled. At the end of the day the downside is that political appointees are not hired because they are the most qualified for the job, they are there because of politics. Hey, this is just a friendly reminder; it’s common practice. In terms of the BOE, whatever the outcome, it’s not likely the Board will be cleaned out completely. They could decapitate and do business with what’s left theoretically, but the coup will not likely survive court proceedings. Perhaps above all else, you don’t want to kick a hornet’s nest filled with the politically pissed off and then set them loose especially with an election looming. 
  10. LIE: The Queens GOP is Dead. FACT: There are a lot of young, ambitious public servants that are getting involved. Once the infighting is over. we can expect their resurgence and the do nothing Marge Marckeys of the world may actually have to fight to protect their seats.

 ###

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2013/02/ten-biggest-political-lies-in-queens-county/

Dec 18 2012

Sasson To Enter Council Race?

Categories:

Politics

by

December 18, 2012

Isaac Sasson won the lotto which tends to overshadow any of his accomplishments, but at least no one will be able to say he’s running for the paycheck.

While the battle lines for City Council have not yet been finalized, many candidates are already gearing up for will surely be an uncertain and competitive primary season. With the term limiting of Councilman James Gennaro, so far only two candidates have officially expressed interest including Assemblyman Rory Lancman and District Leader Martha Taylor, however the political world will be surprised to hear another familiar candidate is ready and willing for another shot at political office. That candidate is Isaac Sasson, a retired cancer researcher at Memorial Sloan-Kettering.

Sasson has been eyeing elected office for several years earning him the reputation as an independent and insurgent candidate. He ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 2003 against then City Councilman John Lui, and again for Council in 2009 and most recently for Senate in 2010 where he came close to victory each time. Having forgone the chance to rematch Senator Stavisky in 2012, Sassoon endorsed independent Democrat John Messer. But this time in 2013 it could be his year.

Since his last run, Sasson, a Sephardic Orthodox rabbi, has grown his base to absorb some moderate and conservative Dems while cornering the Jewish vote. He is often mentioned as one of the most prominent leaders in the Jewish Community – and it just so happens that the neighborhoods of District 24: Kew Garden Hills, Hillcrest, Fresh Meadows, Jamaica, Utopia, and Jamaica Estates has a large Jewish population. But Lancman and Taylor are Jewish too, so how will this play out and will it split the vote? Many conservative leaning Jews have been outraged by Lanceman’s liberal positions particularly on marriage rights – and thus feeling alienated – they’ve looked for leadership in Isaac Sasson to uphold their values. He’s also scored major points advocating for tenant’s rights plus his activism on Communty Board 7, which includes sections of District 24, has him firmly planted in the mind’s of voters outside of Flushing where he resides. His appeal also comes from his education, as those pleased with Councilman Gennaro’s scholarly approach to legislation (Gennaro is also a scientist) will appreciate the same characteristic in Sasson as he graduated from the City College of New York with a Bachelor of Science degree and earned his Ph.D. degree in chemistry from the University of Connecticut.

Even when the lines shift, the Jewish vote is historically consistent and historically Democrat with a high probability of voting in primary elections, so it will be very interesting to see how this plays out. Meanwhile, many have come to know Sasson as a scholar, a volunteer, and an independent voice in the community. His position on hyper local issues is always backed up by facts and figures – a very rare quality in the political world especially in comparison to the long history of servitude Taylor and Lanceman have to the Democratic Party. Given that, it’s not likely he’ll get the coveted endorsement, but the demographics in this race suggest Sasson will have a large enough base (and the name recognition) to potentially pull off a win in a three-way primary. His campaign war chest will surely help. But we don’t know anything for sure as both Taylor and Lancman have the experience, name recognition, and extensive resumes of service which are not to be underestimated. In the end Sassoon will likely run, but not for personal gain or prestige, he’ll run to serve the community.

###

Tags: , , , , , ,

Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/12/isaac-sasson-to-enter-council-race/

Nov 01 2012

Hurricane Sandy reveals true colors of elected officials

Categories:

Politics

by

November 1, 2012

Many politicians abandoned their constituency during the worst natural disaster in New York history while others stuck by them till the very end.

The scene was a biblical manifestation of Sodom and Gomorrah. Gusty winds howled at a hundred miles an hour, transformers exploded reigning down blue fire and brimstone, senior citizens cowered in terror clutching flashlights and ancient trees in dire need of pruning loomed over rooftops just moments away from collapse. Meanwhile the smoke and cinder billowed from Breezy Point, the acrid smell wafting into Central Queens as what was spared from the water burned to the ground. Friends, if you’re reading this you already know the danger we’ve been through in the past 72 hours but what you may not know is that your elected representative may have abandoned you.

Look, we are not asking for politicians to channel their inner Bruce Willis for every little thing and you certainly don’t need to be a superhero 24\7 when you have a family to take care of, but as an elected official they have a sacred duty to take action where it’s needed, to be a leader, and above all else to keep the public informed. Looking at four politicians we can see their true colors revealed during this storm.

Stavisky ‘surveys’ a fallen tree limb in Flushing.

Of all the ethical dilemmas and corruption I’ve uncovered regarding Senator Toby Stavisky, her absenteeism during the hurricane takes the cake. At first, I considered her absence politics as usual until I spoke with civic leaders that expressed concern of her whereabouts. Days after the disaster and they still have not seen or heard from Senator Stavisky.  A photo circulated FB of Toby gawking at a tree that crushed a car in Flushing. It looks staged and meaningless. As of now it’s the only documented instance of  her working in the district after the storm. According to several sources, she was not seen or heard from in parts of her district that were hit the hardest. Community leaders from these areas were not even contacted, and yet, the worst is still not over for them.  Was Stavisky unconcerned about these people? In politics it’s easy to spin the issue with a photo, to doctor a presence, but you can’t do it all the time. Sooner or later someone is going to call shenanigans. For example the photo caption illustrates the point. It says Stavisky was ‘surveying,’ which is pol-speak for standing around doing nothing (similar photos with politicians are popping up everywhere).  Look, we’re not expecting an octogenarian to play firefighter, but is she able to perform the duties of office especially in times of natural disaster when people look to the elects for leadership?

If Facebook is our virtual town hall,  then ladies and gentleman, we’ve been jilted. But Toby is not the only absconder in times of crisis. If you live in Northeast Queens, Assemblyman Ed Braunstein didn’t do much either and he’s an able-bodied 30-year-old man without children.  His FB page posted general storm information, but that’s

Dan Halloran seen here clearing the debris from Hurricane Sandy

not the point, there’s simply no personal communication from the Assemblyman nor the Senator as to what they themselves did during the storm and it’s either because they didn’t do anything or because they don’t utilize social media.

For some elects, a staffer updates their page with generic information but the issue is that the politician in question is not the author behind their social media communications and it appears to be an accepted practice. Why is this even tolerated? Some people say they always vote for the person and not the politics. But how can you vote for the person if they are hiding behind a junior staffer impersonating the elected official? Sounds like a fraud.  Without personal updates and pictures are we to assume they were out doing their due diligence and fulfilling their obligation to the people? I don’t think so. The people want to know what did you physically do in the past 72 hours? And why weren’t they online keeping us up to date?  Don’t we pay elects to be available to us, so chosen because we believe they will hear the clarion call and rise to the occasion?

Assemblywoman Grace Meng and City Councilman Dan Halloran (both rival Congressional candidates for NY6) deserve a round of applause for their actions during the crisis. Dan Halloran was literally driving around during the brunt of the storm reporting conditions and removing debris. Grace Meng was in a constant state of communication by talking with people, keeping everyone calm, informed, and directing people in need of assistance to the appropriate services and means of relief. Both of their respective district offices were open and operating on extended hours taking calls from constituents.

During the entire storm Grace Meng posted live comforting people and keeping everyone informed with updates.

Social Media is the future of all communication, and it’s growing bigger everyday. When the power goes out, it’s also a reliable means of communication (sometimes it’s the only means for some people) and that’s why I must commend the elects who went out into the district immediately before or during the storm and utilized their personal FB posts, tweets, and emails to keep people informed and to give them a sense of comfort that help and a friendly voice was only a tweet away.

Can you have too much of a good thing? Sometimes constant updates and glory seeking action shots open up a pol to charges of political grandstanding. While this may be true in some cases, we have to look past the superficial and see it as evidence that they are doing their job. A personal FB or twitter feed should be an absolute requirement and if your elect doesn’t have one, you need to ask why not.

Both Grace Meng and Dan Halloran’s visibility during Hurricane Sandy meant a lot to the community and it should be a model for all elects to follow for future crisis. While both are candidates locked in a very tight race, Halloran and Meng stepped up to the plate way before Gary Ackerman’s retirement, unlike Braunstein and Stavisky who’s complacency in office appear to render them useless in times of tragedy.  Meng, Halloran, even Addabbo and Ulrich rose to the occasion. Their selfless actions, notifications and updates may have saved lives. Measuring the effectiveness of personal social media communication from the elects won’t be scientific, however from my personal experience and observations during the storm, it relieved tensions and the feeling of helplessness with one loud voice that stood above the rest: You are not alone. All elects should take note.

###

Tags: , , , , , ,

Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/11/applauding-meng-halloran/

Aug 30 2012

Ackerman Does Not Support Toby Stavisky

Categories:

Politics

by

August 30, 2012

“Her campaign just blatently lied,” said Michael Schenkler, publisher of the Queens Tribune.

Excerpt below:

Queens Tribune: On two occasions over the past several months, I took the Stavisky campaign to task for “being ugly.”

First, when the incumbent Senator turned her back on a couple she had known for years because he was my friend and colleague and I wrote the Senator could lose her reelection race.

Next, when a Stavisky campaign spokesperson attacked her opponent John Messer’s campaign worker, falsely calling him a convicted rapist and attempting to deflect the issue at hand and smear her opponent, resorting to false ugly guilt by association accusation.

Well, now we have Toby Stavisky ugly strike three . . . lying about an endorsement.

There it was on Toby Stavisky’s reelection website under the words “Proudly endorsed by:” on the seventh line . . . “Congressman Gary Ackerman”.

Now I don’t speak for my old friend Gary, nor do I know who he endorses or when, but the Congressman endorsing Toby really surprised me, even though she was the choice of the county organization, as all incumbents are.

So I asked: “Gary, Did you really endorse Toby?”
He responded: “No I did not.”
He continued: “She never asked me, and I’ve not made an endorsement in this race.”
I’m not going to talk about the relationship between Toby and Gary, but as a longtime observer, there is no way she could have assumed Gary would be with her.

Her campaign just blatantly lied.

No surprise, they’ve been pretty ugly so far.

Strike three.

###

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/08/toby-lied-about-her-supporters-ackerman-strike3/

Aug 30 2012

Messer-Stavisky Debate Coverage

Categories:

Politics

by

August 30, 2012

From the Queens Courier: State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky and opponent John Messer agreed job creation was a priority in the 16th State Senate District as the two stated their platforms and fielded questions at a Wednesday, August 29 forum before hundreds of residents in the district.

Despite agreeing on general issues such as employment, energy and bilingual signage, the six-time incumbent and Senate hopeful found themselves on opposite sides on gay marriage and charter schools.

The forum, held at New York Hospital Queens, was co-moderated by a Courier reporter and a TimesLedger reporter.

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/08/messer-stavisky-debate-coverage/

Aug 21 2012

Messer-Stavisky Debate August 29th 7pm

Categories:

Politics

by

August 21, 2012

At what might be the most exciting candidates forum in recent history, John Messer and Toby Stavisky will debate at New York Hospital Queens on August 29th.

The forum will be hosted by the Queensboro Hill Neighborhood Association and a large turnout is expected, so get there early. Details below:

 

 

Candidates Forum – Democratic  Primary

NYS Senate 16th District

—————-—————-

Q&A with Media and  Audience

——————————–     

WHO:     Mr.  John Messer and Toby Ann Stavisky       

WHAT:   reporters’ and  audience questions / candidates’ answers  

WHEN:   Wednesday, August 29th, 7pm

WHERE: New York Hospital Queens;  56-45 Main Street; Flushing, NY  11355

                 (follow  lobby signs)

All welcome.  Candidates’ attendance confirmed.

    ###

Tags: , , , , , ,

Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/08/messer-stavisky-debate-august-29th-7pm/

Aug 08 2012

The politics of unfair play, and perhaps a corruption investigation

Categories:

Politics

by

August 8, 2012

Toby Stavisky's staff dirty campaigning.

Here is more proof of Senator Stavisky and her team playing dirty politics.

First, the Stavisky team accepts dead people and their signatures on her nominating petition, then her District Leaders commits Fraud and Identity theft for Stavisky’s benefit, then her volunteers commit massive fraud (as many as 500 to 1000 identities stolen for political purposes).  Now her staff is caught red-handed removing and covering the posted campaign signs of John Messer.

That is all typical Stavisky style politics, but a source close to Queens Politics has learned that the Messer Campaign may have uncovered a scheme in which Toby Stavisky is obtaining a massive amounts of free gifts from a business outside the 16th SD.

Private investigators have uncovered witnesses to Toby accepting gratuities from an employee for personal and political use…these gifts were not reported on the Senators recent Financial disclosure statement that was filed in Albany.

Stay Tuned to see what occurs, will another Queens Politician be banned for illegal measures like Brian McLaughlin, Sheldon Leffler, Tony Seminerio, and the Former Assemblyman from Flushing?

Time may tell.

###

red-handed.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/08/the-politics-of-unfair-play-and-perhaps-a-corruption-investigation-toby-stavisky-evan-stavisky-parkside/

Jul 29 2012

Sengupta Fraud Creates Uproar in Stavisky-Messer Primary

Categories:

Politics

by

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.

###

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Jun 01 2012

GOP Brown-noser Celebrates Parkside Hack

Categories:

Politics

by

June 1, 2012

Is this guy for real?

This is just silly.

Jung Dong Kim, the GOP’s choice for the 16th Senate District, pledges his allegiance to Toby Stavisky.

There’s something peculiar about a man that has never been seen in Flushing suddenly singing the praises and inviting another candidate that has never been seen in Flushing to feel at home in the Korean community - under the strictest logic of course.

PRESS RELEASE: QUEENS, NY (May 31, 2012) – In an open letter to Senator Toby Ann Stavisky and the Queens Korean Community, the Korean-American Republican Endorsed challenger for District 16 urged both sides to avoid the erection of any potential barriers that might arise due to politics.

An Open Letter to NYS Senator Toby Ann Stavisky & Residents of the Queens Korean Community

Dear Senator Stavisky and Residents of the Queens Korean Community:

First of all, Senator, I would like to state my respect and appreciation for what you have accomplished.

The reason I am writing is to try to prevent at an early stage any potential divide between you and the Queens Korean Community, a large portion of which resides in the current 16th Senate District and which will also reside in the new 16th District.

Although I am honored to be the first Korean-American candidate for this District we share in common and would personally benefit from having the Community all to myself in terms of campaign efforts, I don’t wish to put my political needs above those of the Community, which will require your diligent efforts at the very least until the end of your current term and possibly further.

Under the strictest logic, one of two candidates will become the next State Senator and regardless of who that person may be, the Korean Community will need him or her to provide dedicated and powerful representation.

Of course, also under strict logic, it is possible that neither you or I will be among the final two candidates, so I do not intend this statement as any sign of weakness on my part. And I certainly do not mean to exclude or overlook Candidate John Messer.

So Senator Stavisky, I humbly urge you to feel at home in the Korean Community whatever political activities may occur and to not let there be any barriers.

And to the Residents of our beloved Community, I sincerely ask that no one exclude Senator Stavisky and that you do not hesitate to seek her assistance and representation.

As I final note, I would once again urge that no one consider this letter as a sign of weakness on my part – I fully intend to wage the most dedicated and spirited campaign, but at the same time, one that will hopefully elevate and unite the various communities within Queens.

 

Sincerely,

 

J.D. Kim, Esq.

Republican & Conservative Party Endorsed Candidate for New York’s 16th State Senatorial District

###

Tags: , , ,

Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/06/jung-dong-kim-appreciates-tobys-corruption-weird-but-tru/

May 14 2012

Michael Gianaris Part Deux

Categories:

Politics

by

May 14, 2012

Hey Evan there's only one Mike.

A new movie is being unveiled with the same producer, the same director, but with a new star actor. Please meet Evan Stavisky’s next piston in the Parkside machine, Austin Shafran.

When Rory Lancman announced he would not run for reelection to his Assembly Seat, it started a situation where years of pent-up political ambitions are being released.

In the days following the announcement, the newspapers mentioned the name of political hopeful Austin Shafran as a prospective candidate, however major details about his political history and personal networking with Evan Stavisky were ignored.

Shafran is said to know a lot of people. He has a big Rolodex. However, little is known about Austin Shafran in the Queens community. He’s a familiar face in Albany. His mother, Phyllis Shafran, worked for Donald Manes and Brian McLoughlin, a convicted felon and ex-assemblyman that stole from a little league (Parkside ran his campaign operation). In his professional life, Shafran worked as the former spokesman for Malcolm Smith, David Weprin, and the Senate Democrats. Presently Shafran is a Cuomo aide holding a patronage post at Empire State Development as the Vice-President of Public affairs. Celeste Katz called him ESD’s ‘top mouthpiece.’

So who is the real Austin Shafran and why does he want to run in a community that he has no connection to? Is he just another perennial opportunist? Why is Shafran even mentioned in articles exploring potential candidates? Peel back the layers and it is revealed: Shafran is the epitome of an inside servant to Evan Stavisky.

Evan please make me an Assemblyman and I'll be just as good as Mike.

Shafran has been groomed to be the perfect Parkside candidate. According to some accounts he’s bright, articulate and presentable.  But behind the scenes we all know where his loyalties are. He’ll do insider bidding over constituent bidding, Parkside’s bidding over the Democratic Party’s bidding. Behind the scenes people call him a handsome hack, the Mike Gianaris of Northeast Queens.

In 2010 a contract was leaked between the DSCC and Stavisky’s Parkside consulting\lobbying firm. The contract contained heavy-handed clauses meant to ensure DSCC candidates would hire Parkside for 80% of campaign operations, or face the consequences.

According to a report in City and State, “in 2010 alone, the DSCC
reported paying Parkside $2.2 million so far during a cycle that the campaign
committee finished the cycle $2.4 million in debt while losing the majority.” Parkside also billed a total
of $500,000 to the individual campaigns of Democratic candidates David
Carlucci, Tony Avella, Toby Stavisky, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, José Peralta,
Mike Gianaris and Mike Kaplowitz.

The Parkside monopoly of political consulting fees was finally revealed.The leak set off a firestorm and the press began to scrutinize the contractual relationship. Acting as the spokesman for Senate Democrats, Shafran defended Parkside’s controversial agreement with the Senate Democrats.

“Parkside is one of the
foremost political consulting operations in the state, and their track record
is one of success,” Shafran said, explaining the contract. – CIty and State 2010.

Shafran used his bully pulpit to defend an enforced monopoly on consulting fees. He came to their rescue by pouring cold water on what should have been an investigation into a major corruption case.

Others suggest that Shafran graduated from the Hank Scheinkopf School of corruption because he worked for Scheinkopf, a notorious political operative, before becoming the spokesman for Malcolm Smith. Queenscrap called him Scheinkopf’s protégé. Maybe he’s sworn allegiance to both.

During the next couple months, don’t be surprised if Shafran finally shows up at a civic meeting. If he does, he won’t be listening to what people have to say but giggling on his blackberry with Evan Stavisky.

If Lancman doesn’t win the Congressional Primary, he will likely run for Jim Gennaro’s City Council Seat, but that’s another story. Should Shafran run for the seat, you could expect the same cliché political stances because he is an operative running for public office.

The People deserve someone better. A few noteworthy individuals were also mentioned to run for Lancman’s Assembly seat. Jerry Iannece is one of them. Although Jerry Iannece is known to be somewhat compliant with the Parkside Group, at least he’s the salt of the community; he’s the CB chairman. Dominick Panakel, Lancman’s Chief of Staff, has the energy and ambition plus grassroots experience working in constituent services. He’s also an avid campaigner. But given Rory’s current relationship with County, the decision might come down to Iannece or Shafran.

If we had to choose, we would choose Jerry Iannece.

We also speculate if Shafran ran he wouldn’t make the same mistakes as the last Parkside golden boy, Mike Sais, and be run out of the community. Expect Assemblyman Ed Braunstein to take over his District Leader spot.

It’s depressing to say with a one party system in Queens there will not be much opposition in the race. But who knows? Shafran hasn’t been elected and may surprise us and become an effective legislator like lightning caught in a bottle. Maybe his name is passed along to the media by another nameless source to scare some folks. But Shafran’s track record suggests he won’t be held accountable to the people, he’ll be accountable to Stavisky’s Parkside Group.

While he hasn’t even announced his intentions, there’s already a whisper that Austin Shafran is Mike Gianaris Part Deux.

###

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/05/meet-michael-gianaris-part-deux/

May 07 2012

Civic Leaders to Politicians: Show Us The Money!

Categories:

Politics

by

May 7, 2012

Photo By Christina Wilkinson

Photo By Christina Wilkinson, President, Newtown Creek Historical Society.

Civic leaders are banding together to save Brinckerhoff Cemetery in Fresh Meadows and they are making a lot of noise.

The groups are calling on a cadre of local elected officials to allocate proper funding to purchase the land from a private owner that expressed interest in developing the hallowed grounds.

Empty political promises were made and then broken by Toby Stavisky and Jim Gennaro, both of whom made public pledges to restore funding, but did not allocate the money and failed to deliver on their promise.

Now the cemetery is one step closer to oblivion. But hope is not lost.

The real heros of preservation were there too. They are the unpaid and unsung civic leaders from organizations like the Fresh Meadows Homeowners Association and the Newtown and Queens historical societies that called attention to the matter and have spearheaded an initiative to raise the money to purchase the cemetery and return ownership to the City.

A public hearing is scheduled for May 15th. For full details read the release below.

PRESS RELEASE: The Newtown Historical Society stands with the Fresh Meadows Homeowners Civic Association and other civic and preservation organizations across the borough in opposition of the proposed de-calendaring of the Brinckerhoff Cemetery by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.  The cemetery holds the remains of some of the earliest settlers of Queens and, as an important historical reminder of our borough’s past, should be designated an official NYC landmark.  However, designation is not enough to ensure preservation.

Therefore, NHS calls on the elected officials representing the Fresh Meadows area, the Queens Borough President and Queens delegation of the City Council, to allocate funding toward purchase of the property and return ownership to the City.  The property cost $100,000 to purchase in 2000, but that opportunity was unfortunately not capitalized upon.  Over the course of the following 10 years, no funding was allocated for this purpose, although elected officials went on record during that time to claim that they supported public ownership of the land as a park or historic site. 

The property was sold in 2010 for $105,000 – an increase in price of only $5,000 after 10 years.  Surely, most – if not all – of this funding can be raised during the City’s upcoming June budget cycle to purchase the property from the current owner and assure that this land is forever saved from the threat of development.  The Queens delegation recently allocated a lump sum of $3M toward purchase of a schoolyard in Jackson Heights for part-time use as a park.  It is time for Queens’ elected officials to step up to the plate and put their money where their mouths are so we will not need any more hearings or rallies to push for a solution which should have come to pass decades ago.

Brinckerhoff Cemetery was also once known as “Black Stump Cemetery” and is located at 69-65 182nd Street in Fresh Meadows, Queens.

 

Rally photos:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/nutrichris/sets/72157629982556325/

Rally videos:  http://www.youtube.com/user/nutrichris/videos?query=brinckerhoff

Tags: , , , , ,

Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/05/save-brinckerhoff-cemetery-funding/

Apr 13 2012

Co-op Condo Council Meeting turns into Soapbox Theatre

Categories:

Politics

by

April 13, 2012

Photo credit: John Scandalios

Sadly, there was no popcorn.

An Oscar worthy performance by Toby Stavisky, Tony Avella, Mark Weprin, Ed Braunstein, and Bob Friedrich.

Over eight hundred condo and co-op owners packed into the North Shore towers for a meeting concerning property tax evaluation but it wasn’t long before the scene broke into chaos and Tony Avella laid the smack down on his colleagues.

Civility went out the window.

“It was very intense, but quiet…till Tony got up to speak,” said a bystander.

“Everyone here is lying to you,” Tony told the crowd as an awkward silence swept the room.

Tony was shouting, “Nothing is going to happen here!”

The audience was stunned.

Each legislator represented a different version of a bill to help condo and co-op owners through reducing tax assessments.

The Co-op Council endorsed Tony’s legislation, while Toby Stavisky and Ed Braunstein co-signed a competing bill, and Mark Weprin’s brother, David, had a bill on the floor too.

The stage was set for an inevitable confrontation and Avella set off the fireworks.

On their merits, many members of the crowd favored Tony’s bill, as it was a better concept. Tony’s bill would establish a 1A designation for co-ops and condos capped at a 6% increase per year and no more than a 20% increase over five years.

The Mayor is also in favor of Tony’s Bill, but his colleagues didn’t care, they had their own bills to promote.

While most seemed to agree that Toby Stavisky and Ed Braunstein were first to respond to the issue, many owners seemed to favor Tony Avella’s proposal, however, each elect was trying to decide who had the bill that would serve the condo\co-op community best

Councilman Mark Weprin was furious with Mr. Avella’s tirade. “Tony, you’re the problem,” he said as Ed Braunstein lashed out over him, “We’ve never even see you anywhere, Tony!” and pointed his finger at Senator Avella.

The crowd began to boo and hiss while Ed Braunstein continued to slander Senator Avella.

Many attendees were disgusted with the lack of cooperation between their elected officials. After all, this wasn’t a campaign debate, this was a serious issue. Some people even walked out. And who could blame them? They just witnessed all of their elected officials fighting with one another like children and it was simulcast on a big screen projector.

Senator Toby Stavisky seemed the most composed. She had to because she’s up for a tough election- somewhere – and she needs her bill to pass to appeal to the hundreds of co-op and condo voters in either district 11 or 16. But the council endorsed Tony’s bill and Tony didn’t give Toby the opportunity to co-sign.

[UPDATE: as a matter of prestige, Toby, wishing to muscle her way into Tony's popular Bill, did in fact co-sign Tony's bill, but instead of coalescing with her colleague and finding common ground, she tried to steal the thunder as a glory hog.]

On background, Tony’s angry with Toby. Where’s Toby going to run? What’s she waiting for? You could see the frustration on Senator Avella’s face and it all came out in public.

People were somewhat surprised and taken back by Tony’s remarks and how aggressive he was. There were a lot of people who were in support of his legislation, but others felt that his conduct was no way to get anything accomplished. It was a somewhat mixed reaction but Toby and Ed were definitely upset.

The crowd began to heckle Braunstein, who was still pointing fingers.

After a while Ed relented and threw his hands up at the audience. A voice yelled from the back, “Ed, you’re not doing your job!” And another man shouted, “Maybe he’s not cut out for this!”

It must have been traumatic for Ed. The people were upset. Bob Friedrich took to the podium and began a spirited back and forth ‘dialogue’ with Braunstein.

Turning to the elected officials who were fighting like children, Friedrich pointed at them and told the audience, “This is the problem.”

Braunstein felt personally attacked by Friedrich, who insisted that the elected officials need less talk and more action. Friedrich also pointed out that the tax assessments occurred in the past two years while Braunstein was in office.

There was a deafening silence that halted the room and Braunstein abruptly stormed out of the theatre.

Eight hundred people were disappointed with the lack of cooperation between the elected officials.

They were all Democrats, all arguing, and going nowhere fast.

###

UPDATE April 13. 1:30pm:

City Councilmember Mark Weprin called to clarify his comments. Weprin felt Senator Avella’s comments at the meeting were innaccurate. “We’ve been working together for quite some time,” said Weprin, adding, “It wasn’t lip service - we’re going to get something done. Weprin explained that he did not understand why Tony would lump all of the legislators together. “It is incorrect to say we haven’t been working together, we’re going to come up with a solution not just press releases,” said Weprin.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/04/co-op-condo-council-meeting-turns-into-political-soapbox-theatre-let-the-good-times-roll/

Mar 07 2012

Rumble In The Jungle!

Categories:

Politics

by

March 7, 2012

http://newmexicoindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Foreman-v-Ali-Image.jpg

They told me you could punch, George!

Primary Fight!

Lancman announced a Congressional run against Gary Ackerman for the newly created 6th District following the release of the judicial maps on Monday afternoon.

The race has the makings of a blood feud between the Parkside Group and the Democratic Party according to the Stavisky Report.

“Either way, the establishment Democrats in Queens should have a very interesting few months. The only question is whether or not Evan’s greed will force the Democrats to attack each other rather than focus on the impending Republican challenge in a newly competitive district.”

The Stavisky report believes that the proposed elimination of Congressman Bob Turner’s district  may have influenced Lancman’s decision to run.

“…but does he really believe that the Queens Democratic Organization will push one of their own aside in Congress just because Evan tells them to?”

Congressman Ackerman is a fixture in Democratic party politics. He has served in government for over thirty years, and incumbent state Assemblyman Rory Lancman has been serving the community for over a decade.

Ackerman released a statement late Monday morning that confirmed his intention.

“The new Sixth CD is a fantastic district in Queens where I grew up, went to public school and college, and started my family and my business,” said Ackerman. “It contains my political base and longtime roots, and I have had the privilege of representing approximately 90% of it during my 34 years in the State Senate and U.S. Congress,” he added.

Lancman, with his eyes set on Capital Hill, released a statement an hour earlier.

“…district six is centered around my home and communities that I have represented in the Assembly, on the community board and as a civic leader for over twenty years. I look forward to the opportunity to run for Congress when the lines are finalized.”

The Democratic party will likely not buck the trend of supporting long-standing incumbents, however their in-house consulting service through the Parkside Group is out there free lancing.

It’s going to get ugly.

###

See The Stavisky Report for more details.

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/03/rumble-in-the-jungle/

Feb 29 2012

Lancman Bill To Deter Fanatical Nazis

Categories:

Politics

by

February 29, 2012

Assemblyman Rory Lancman center with Congregation Ohr Natan in Rego Park flanked by Rabbi Nahum Kaziyev, and the archetype for political corruption Toby Stavisky (D-Queens), Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz (D-Queens), Assemblyman Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) plus members of Congregation Ohr Natan.

Lancman’s new bill will help protect houses of worship by increasing the penalties for hate crimes perpetrated by klansmen and neo-nazis. Ok, on a serious note, if the bill becomes law it should deter criminals from violently expressing religious intolerance while restoring a sense of security to shaken congregations. 

The specifics:

  • Increase the penalty for theft or the intentional damage to a scroll, vessel or any other item used in connection with religious worship in any house of worship, to a maximum of seven years in prison from four by classifying these crimes as third-degree grand larceny and second-degree criminal mischief, both Class D Felonies. Currently, these charges would only apply in cases where items worth more than $3,000 have been stolen, or where items have sustained more than $1,500 in damages.
  • Increase the penalty for theft of any scroll, religious vessel or any other item valued at more than $250 used in connection with religious worship in any house of worship to a maximum of fifteen years in prison from seven by classifying these crimes as second-degree grand larceny, which is a Class C felony.
  • Increase the penalty for any intentional damage to house of worship-owned property to a maximum of four years in prison from one year, by making it a Class E felony. Currently, this penalty applies only where the damage is worth more than $250.

###

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/02/lancman-signs-bill-to-punish-nazis/

Jan 27 2012

Queens Co-op Owners Unite To Fight Tax Increases

Categories:

Politics

by

January 27, 2012

MLSLI.Com

MLSLI.Com

From HabitatMag: In a replay of last year, when a purported computer “glitch” skyrocketed property-tax assessments with increases as high as 146 percent, a coalition of Queens co-op and condo developments is preparing to fight newly announced increases of as much as 50 percent.

Jan. 27, 2012 — Every January, the New York City Department of Finance releases preliminary figures for the coming fiscal year’s property-tax assessments. Homeowners, typically, often contest these figures, and in a standard legal process called tax certiorari eventually receive a refund. The city even offers a database of property-tax refunds. But something different happened last year, when the DoF hit some co-ops in northeastern Queens with demonstrably unrealistic, triple-digit increases that shocked all reasonable observers. Yet it took public outrage in the form of protests and a widespread tax revolt before the DoF finally begin to question figures so obviously and blatantly incorrect. And now this year, say community leaders, it’s all happening again.

Despite an average 4.1 percent increase over last year in Queens overall, according to tentative figures by the DoF, “My own properties have increased an average of 7.7 percent,” says Warren Schreiber, board president of the 200-unit Section 1 of the 12-section Bay Terrace Cooperative, who says co-ops in northeastern Queens are seeing high double-digit spikes. “At Deepdale Gardens, one of the biggest garden apartment complexes in Queens, each one of their block and lots came in at a 50 percent increase. At another Alley Pond, they came in at about 47 percent.”

We may go forward and demand the resignation of Commissioner Frankel.

Bob Friedrich, president of Glen Oaks Villageand co-president, with Schreiber, of the co-op /condo board-member group the Presidents Co-op Council, estimates the average increase at his 2,904-unit co-op complex at about 21 percent. “And we can’t forget about last year,” he says, “when we were increased 50 percent with a five-year phase-in, 10 percent a year. Now we’re seeing huge increases again. It is unsustainable, unfordable and unacceptable. They are pushing the middle class out of this city very quickly.” These are just unaffordable increases in an economic period of time that is completely unjustified.

Among the other boroughs, Brooklyn saw a 4.2 percent average increase over last year while Manhattan’s average jumped nearly five 5%, according to figures that the DoF released on Jan. 19.

And just as the Queens coalition did successfully last year (see “Finance Dept. Admits Computer ‘Glitch’ in Huge Co-op/Condo Tax Overvaluation” and related articles), Schreiber vows that co-op / condo owners in northeastern Queens will again mount a tax protest, which had involved town-hall meetings with officials, street protests and a City Hall rally.

For Full Article: http://www.habitatmag.com/Publication-Content/2012-January/Featured-Articles/Queens-NY-co-op-tax-revolt-2012#.TyMP7831jBc 


Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Permanent link to this article: http://queens-politics.com/2012/01/queens-co-op-owners-unite-to-fight-tax-increases/

Older posts «


Hit Counter provided by brochure holders