By Betsy Scheinbart
State Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-St. Albans) honored City Council Deputy Majority Leader Archie Spigner (D-St. Albans), Lawrence Cormier, a business and civil leader, and Barbara Morris, a community activist who writes a column in the Times-Ledger Newspapers, at a dinner Friday.
The event, held at the JFK Radisson Hotel in South Jamaica, was a fund-raiser to benefit Scarborough’s planned run for re-election in two years. U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans) was the keynote speaker.
Between speeches and before dinner, local leaders danced the Electric Slide and swayed in their chairs to the rhythm of Motown classics by the Supremes and other groups.
Democratic mayoral candidates City Council Speaker Peter Vallone (D-Astoria) and city Comptroller Alan Hevesi praised Scarborough and congratulated the honorees, while Scarborough explained why he had selected each one.
“We picked Archie because this is his last year [in the City Council] and he has been like a giant,” Scarborough said of the councilman, who was elected in 1974 and is being forced out of office this year due to the new term limits law.
Spigner, who has chaired several city council committees, including the Economic Development and Preservation Committee and the Housing and Buildings Committee, said he was particularly thrilled to be honored by Scarborough.
“I have known him for so many years, it’s a joy,” Spigner said. “He is doing an outstanding job and I am happy to be a part his efforts.”
Meeks said Spigner broke through the jungle of southeast Queens politics, clearing the way for others like himself to follow.
“The deputy majority leader had a machete,” Meek said to thunderous laughter, “and he paved the way.”
Leroy Comrie, Spigner’s district manager and a candidate for his council seat, said he was one of the beneficiaries of Spigner’s trailblazing.
“He is my mentor, my boss, my surrogate dad,” Comrie said.
Morris is a Laurelton resident who volunteers for dozens of organizations including the Red Cross, the American Automobile Association, the New York City Parks Department and the Concerned Citizens of Laurelton.
“Barbara Morris is one of the people that really make the community,” the assemblyman said. “She is very humble, she is always getting involved, getting things done.”
She also writes the column “Neighbor to Neighbor” in the Times-Ledger Newspapers.
“When you look at Barbara Morris’ resume, you will not find one group, one block association that she has not lent her hand to,” Meeks said.
According to Michelle Centeno, a field representative for the State Dormitory Authority and a longtime friend, Morris is also artistically inclined.
She designed a sign for the Laurelton Merchants Association and once created figurines out of fruit, Centeno said.
“Barbara has been selfless,” Centeno said. “She is always looking to do something for the community.”
Instead of an acceptance speech, Morris wrote a poem about Scarborough and read it to the audience.
“I am undeserving, but I feel good,” Morris said of her Community Leadership Award.
Cormier, a resident of St. Albans, is the president of the United Black Men of Queens and former president of the Jamaica branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He started Ebony Oil Company and Cormier & Ebony Trucking.
“Lawrence Cormier shows the spirit that we need in this community,” Scarborough said, “a businessman person who is also an activist.”
Cormier and his son, Mark, now distribute traffic control devices that prevent vehicles from starting if the payments have not been made. They also have a security services store in Jamaica Center.
“Lawrence Cormier is a pioneer,” Meek said of his work as an entrepreneur.
Ed Lewis, a city council candidate and friend of Cormier, said Cormier is “an active, out-front guy, not afraid to speak his mind on the issues and always willing to help. It’s been a pleasure to work with him.”
Reach reporter Betsy Scheinbart by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300 Ext. 138.
