Tuesday, May 22, 2012
First six-candidate debate kicks off last month of primary campaign.
Six candidates vying to be the first representative from New York’s new Sixth Congressional District put themselves, and their conversational skills, on display Monday night during a debate at Flushing's Queens Library. Participating in the event were candidates Dan Halloran, a Republican, Elizabeth Crowley, Rory Lancman, Grace Meng and Robert Mittman, all Democrats, and Green Party candidate Evergreen Chou. Organized by the MinKwon Center for Community Action, the forum was designed to give candidates a straightforward platform from which to address the pressing issues on the city, state and national levels. The event stayed civil with the candidates — almost all of whom are very familiar with one another — joking together between …
Councilman seeks to stamp out unsightly fliers.
With election season in full swing, Councilman Mark Weprin D-Oakland Gardens, is tackling one of the more cosmetic blights of dirty campaining: illegal signs. Wepin wants to triple the current fines for posting signs illegally on public property. His office says they can be distracting to drivers and strain city resources to remove. Northeast Queens activists were so irritated by one large sign that remained up weeks after last election cycle that two of them wrestled a large sign down from a public post themselves. “When signs eventually fall off, they can create a hazard as the nails used to affix them are exposed. The signs litter our streets, gardens and parks," said Frederick Kress, coordinator at Citizens Against Graffiti Everywhere…
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Interested in becoming an officer in the Army, Navy or Air Force?
One of the lesser-known honors bestowed on members of Congress is actually a big responsibility: selecting deserving young men and women to attend the nation's service academies. And according to U.S. Rep. Bob Turner, R-Forest Hils, it's that time this year. Are you or is your child interested in attending one of the nation's service academies? Now's the chance. “One of the great privileges as a congressman is having the opportunity to nominate young men and women from the Ninth Congressional District to our nation’s service academies," Turner said in a statement. "I encourage all those interested in applying to a service academy and building a foundation for an exciting career as an officer in our military to begin the process by sending …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Robert Mittman makes it onto the June 26 primary ballot.
Bayside doctor Robert Mittman became the fourth Democrat to enter the Sixth Congressional District race this week after he officially made it on the ballot. Mittman, whose office is located along Bell Boulevard, will compete with state Assemblywoman Grace Meng, D-Flushing, state Assemblyman Rory Lancman, D-Fresh Meadows, and Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, D-Middle Village, in the June 26 primary. Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, is the sole Republican in the race. “I decided to run for the United States Congress because I believe that our government is no longer working in the best interest of the people,” Mittman said. “Something is wrong in Washington and as a lifelong community resident, a parent, a voter and medical doctor, I am…
Find out who's getting the nod in local electoral races.
We’ve got a smaller-than-usual group of endorsements this week, after a flurry of activity for the month of April. Assemblyman Rory Lancman Lancman, D-Fresh Meadows, picked up a handful of endorsements in the last week, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees New York chapter on Thursday. At the same event, Lancman also got the endorsement of the Civil Service Employees Association. “I’m proud to be supported by working New Yorkers looking for a champion to stand up against the Republicans’ anti-worker, anti-middle class agenda,” Lancman said last week. U.S. Rep. Bob Turner Turner, R-Forest Hills, grabbed another GOP member's backing this week in his quest to become Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's, D-N.Y., …
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Muni-meter bill would let motorists use unexpired time at another location.
The New York City Council is voting today on a number of issues affecting New Yorkers, including a change in parking laws. At issue are the following: Previous rule changes for Muni-meters addressed some complaints motorists were having, but some council members feel the city needs to go further. Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, a co-sponsor of the bill, thinks clarifying the Muni-Meter rules is a good idea. "It's a simple concept," he said, "You ought to get what you pay for. Drivers in this city have been taxed and tolled enough. This legislation makes good sense and will help drivers save a bit more of their hard-earned money."
A monthly roundup of legislation recently passed by the New York City Council
Take a look at our list of legislation passed last month by the City Council. Using Water to Generate Power - The Council passed legislation (Intro 534-A) that will require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to evaluate the potential for using the city's water supply to generate hydroelectric power. DEP will be required to assess the city's water resources, including the water supply system, waste water treatment facilities and natural bodies of water within our jurisdiction, to determine if hydro-power technologies are appropriate for each site. Followed by this assessment, DEP must also conduct an analysis of the economic feasibility to generate such power at each site. The bill is consistent with the City's goal towards …
Sen. Gillibrand is still far outpacing Queens congressman.
Forest Hills Rep. Bob Turner is having a hard time making any headway against both his Republican opponents and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, if the latest Siena College poll is to be believed. In a poll released Monday morning, which covered topics like the presidential campaign, New York’s minimum wage and more, Turner’s, R-Forest Hills, favorability ratings actually dropped four points from one month ago and most voters still have yet to form an opinion. Turner’s favorability rating was a measly 12, compared to 16 last month, and his unfavorable number was 16, while 72 percent of voters polled had yet to form an opinion. Turner’s Republican opponents George Maragos and Wendy Long fared little better, scoring an eight and a 10 …
Friday, May 11, 2012
Department of Sanitation is not seeking to refund fines, arguing that the rule was lawfully established.
The city's Department of Sanitation continues to issue tickets for a rule that was never properly established under law, Sen. Tony Avella, D-Bayside, says. Avella first raised the issue in January when he said the agency’s policy of ticketing homeowners who place trash receptacles out too early violates the City Administrative Procedure Act. The Act mandates that proposed rules must be published to give the public an opportunity to comment on them. Once the rule is adopted, it must be published in the Compilation of Rules and in the City Record. The department’s current policy stipulates that residential units should not place receptacles on the sidewalk for collection until 5 p.m. the day before the scheduled pick-up. Between Oct. 1 and …
Silverstein, Vallone and Duane are also considering runs for the seat, a Queens Democratic Party source says.
Three Democrats are already considering a run for Councilman Dan Halloran's, R-Whitestone, seat in the fall of 2013, a Queens County Democratic Party source said. John Duane, a former northeast Queens assemblyman and brother of state Sen. Tom Duane, D-Manhattan, and Matthew Silverstein, a Democratic state committeeman, have already registered campaign committees for the seat. And Paul Vallone, the brother of Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., D-Astoria, is also mulling a bid for the seat, the Democratic Party source said. "Right now, the party is focusing on the congressional race and a few Assembly races," the source said. "After that, they'll look at this race." Several other northeast Queens Democrats would likely jump into the 2013 race …
Dahlia Omega
5:33 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
It is hard not to be cynical. Clearly an incumbent benefits when additional obstacles are put in place to block challengers. more ›