By Dee Richard
A late update report on Councilman Allan Jennings’ roller coaster ride to get on the ballot for the Democratic primary.
Jennings’ petitions for a spot were tossed out by a judge in State Supreme Court in Jamaica, but he won in the Appellate Court in Brooklyn.
Will fill you in next week. It looks like the fat lady sang and what a song! The decision was unanimous with all five judges agreeing.
My sources say that one of his petitioners when questioned in court was asked “are you so-and-so?” The answer was “yes.” Next question: “Did you get the signatures for Alan Jennings on the Democratic Petition sheets?” The answer was “yes.”
Next question: “Are you a registered Democrat?” Answer: “No, I’m a registered member of the Independence Party.” Next question: Are you a notary public or a commissioner of deeds?” Answer: “no.”
That’s all she wrote — petitions invalid. It seems that according to election law, you must be a registered Democrat to seek signatures on a Democratic petition form or a notary public or a commissioner of deeds.
Hey, guys, wake up and smell the coffee. The Board of Elections publishes a thick Redbook — 493 pages to be exact, price $10 — which delineates every election law plus all the rules and regulations.
On Sunday, Aug. 17, we ran into Bill Struhs at Keith Hunter’s barbecue in Forest Hills. Bill, you remember, is Allan Jennings’ chief of staff and he was upbeat well before the Appellate Court ruled.
In view of such a high-stakes game, I can’t understand the cavalier attitudes of the participants. Otherwise it just becomes an exercise in futility. Complacency will do you in every time. Since you are outnumbered and can therefore be outspent, doesn’t it behoove you to become if not expert, at least to have a decent working knowledge of the election laws? The way you apply the laws they can be your best friend or your worst nightmare. In the final analysis, it's up to you. You live or die (politically), by the choices you make.
If these comments on the past events seem harsh they are not meant to be. They are only meant to imply if you are going to do a job, you should at least try to be thorough and do it well, to the best of your ability especially since a $10 bill spells it all out for you and your campaign staff. If you not up to it yourself, think about hiring an election law attorney and consider it an investment in your future. Enough said.
The aforementioned Forest Hills barbecue was for Keith Hunter and Mary Tschinkel’s run for county committee positions representing the 28th Assembly District in Forest Hills. Keith and his wife Cindy have the most irresistible baby girl named Maireade, which is an Irish name. The barbecue was held under a tent in the backyard of the American Legion Continental Post 1424 on Metropolitan Avenue.
When the deluge came down, the party moved inside, but the intrepid chefs — Keith’s brother Matt, his dad Matthew and Bill Bremer from the American Legion — braved the elements and continued to flip burgers and hotdogs at the barbecue pit in the pouring rain. About 60 people attended and all had fun. The weather didn’t dampened their spirits.
The American Legion wants you to know that HJR 4, the U.S. flag protection amendment, passed the house June 3 by a vote of 300 yeas to 125 nays. They are awaiting word on the Senate version, SJ 4. They would like to start a grassroots lobbying effort to get U.S. Sens. Clinton and Schumer to listen and let the people decide the fate of SJ 4.
“Old Glory” needs your support. Contact the senators and spread the word to everyone you know to get involved to protect your nation’s flag. If you allow your nation’s symbol and identity to be taken away, what’s next? A socialist country? That’s not my country, and I’m sure not yours. If this were not the great country this is, Senators Clinton and Schumer could never have run and been elected. That’s what freedom is all about.
Get involved; fly your flag daily until the flag amendment is passed. Show you're proud to be an American!
Dr. John Farrell was named “Man of the Year” by the NYPD Holy Name Society. A plaque and a life membership card was presented to him at a dinner at the Kebab House on Northern Boulevard in Little Neck on Saturday, Aug. 9. Saturday nights are the nights the Kebab House has belly dancers for entertainment. Needless to say, all the men enjoyed the dinner and think it’s a great place to give out awards.
A Mark Weprin update. As you may know, Mark was scheduled to have his annual pool party and barbecue at the Deepdale Club and as you may also remember, that was the night of the big blackout. As soon as the Deepdale Club got the word, they closed up the pool and club and sent everyone home.
Mark had all that food and all those beverages. He didn’t want to waste them by throwing everything out, so he invited the people from the Samuel Field YMHA across the street who were waiting for busloads of children to arrive from day camp. Needless to say they were all late due to the traffic tie-ups. He also invited all the members of the Glen Oaks Volunteer Ambulance Corps and all the volunteer people directing traffic out in the streets.
They all had an impromptu party downstairs lit with Citronella candles. When it got dark, the party ended. What a nice thing to do, Mark, to show your appreciation for your constituents and also not to waste all the goodies. Kudos, to Mark Weprin and all volunteers.
If you have any invitations or event information that you would care to share, fax me at 718-746-0066 or call me at 718-767-6484.
Till next week, Dee
