By Dee Richard
The big event this week was a fund-raiser for U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) at Astoria's beautiful Cavo restaurant. For those who have never been there, it has a magnificent outdoor garden. It is one of the loveliest places to eat or drink on a warm summer day. The place was filled to capacity.
As we were leaving, we ran into state Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans), who was on his way to another event. Among the faithful in attendance with whom we had time to photograph or chat with were City Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis); state Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D-Little Neck); Debbie Markell; Jim Wrynn Jr.; Nora Marino; state Assemblyman Jim Gianaris (D-Astoria); Henry McCoy; Archie Spigner; state Assemblyman Ivan Lafayette and his wife, Bertine; Rudy Greco; Martha Taylor; Ulma Sen Gupta; Gloria and Leonard D'Amico; City Councilman Peter Valone Jr. (D-Astoria); Michael McSweeney; Elizabeth Crowley; Dr. Jay Sarkar; Maureen Allen; Rosa Reyes; and others too numerous to mention. It was the best, most important party of the week.
The political candidates are still battling it out. As soon as the dust settles and we hear the results in the next week or two, we will keep you posted.
For those of you who have asked me for my opinion regarding the Padavan-Boudouvas challenge, my comment is that I have known state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) for over 20 years. He is my district's state senator. I have always liked and admired the man and considered myself not only a supporter, but also a good friend.
I have know Peter Boudouvas for over 10 years. I also like and respect Peter and consider myself an equally good friend to him, too. Whatever their differences, it is up to the men involved to resolve their differences. This past week, numerous articles appeared in local papers accusing Boudouvas of being both vengeful and spiteful due to Padavan's endorsing Queens County Republican Party Chairman Phil Ragusa for the leadership of the 26th Assembly District.
According to Boudouvas, since both he and Ragusa worked hard for many years to help get Padavan re-elected, he felt the politically correct position for the senator to have taken would have been one in which he could have stated that since both he and Ragusa had helped Padavan, he was not going to take sides. Whichever of the two men won, however, that man could count on 100 percent of the senator's support.
Even though the results may have undoubtedly been the same, the senator would have appeared under those circumstances to have been unbiased. That position would have been acceptable to all concerned.
As the senator is facing one of the most important races in his career, it would seem his position in the matter was not a prudent one at that time. Due to the strenuousness of the upcoming elections, it would seem that every candidate needs all the help he or she can get. This is not the time to discourage constituents who have been faithful workers and supporters in the past.
Sunday we were invited to Chet and Marion's Hampton Bays home for a barbecue. While driving out in Queens, the rain was very light, but as we approached eastern Nassau County and western Suffolk County, the rain was so intense that you could not see the hood of our car.
For the first two hours at Chet's, the weather was beautiful. We all enjoyed ourselves sitting on his waterfront deck, watching the boats go by. On Shinnecock Bay, there are many boats to be seen.
Two hours into the party, torrents of rain and fierce winds came by. At that time, some guests left for home, but 12 of us stayed to continue the party. The food and company were great, although a rainy day beach party does have drawbacks. For the remaining few of us, we managed to have fun.
That's it for this week.
I look forward to hearing from you with information on people, parties or politics or old-fashioned gossip.
I also like receiving voice mail at 718-767-6484, faxes at 718-746-0066 and e-mail at deerrichard@aol.com.
Till next week, Dee.
