By Dee Richards
Boro primary races hotly contested, lead to general election
This past week has been beautiful weather-wise. Wouldn't it be nice to experience this weather longer, or would we get bored with it?
The two most-watched political primary races in northeast Queens are in the 16th State Senate District, between incumbent Toby Stavisky (D-Whitestone) and challenger Robert Schwartz, and the 22nd State Assembly District, between incumbent Ellen Young (D-Flushing) and challenger Grace Meng.
The other Queens race I was watching with interest was in the 15th State Senate District in southeast Queens. City Councilman Joe Addabo (D-Howard Beach) and Alberto Baldeo were competing for incumbent state Sen. Serf Maltese's (R-Glendale) seat.
But as fate would have it, Baldeo dropped out of the race last week. From the Maltese camp's perspective, this was a big disappointment, as it was counting on the two Democrats canceling each other out by siphoning votes off from each other.
The other contested race is in the 10th State Senate District between incumbent Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica) and former City Councilman Allan Jennings. We do not know much about that race.
The primaries are Sept. 9 and this column will be printed Sept. 11, so by the time you read this, you will already know the answers as to who the winners are. At that point, everyone will start gearing up to win the general election. To some, politics is as interesting a spectacle to watch as baseball.
On Tuesday, there was a fund-raiser for Tom Dooley, who is running for state Sen. George Onorato's (D-Long Island City) seat, which covers Astoria and Long Island City. The dinner was held at the Stamatis Restaurant on 23rd Avenue in Astoria. What great Greek food! If you are in that area, check out the restaurant.
On Thursday, the Jefferson Democratic Club in Flushing had its first monthly meeting after a summer hiatus. The speakers were U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside), Stavisky, state Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza (D-Bayside) and City Council hopeful Jerry Iannece.
Jim Wrynn's dad, Jim Wrynn Sr., told us he has to be admitted next week to the New York City Hospital for Special Surgery. He seems to have some sort of difficulty with his spine that requires an operation. Good luck and get well soon, Jim. We will save a seat for you in the clubhouse's front row.
The second event Thursday evening was the first fall meeting of the Queens Village Republican Club at its new meeting place, the Trattoria Lucia Restaurant on Jericho Turnpike in Bellerose. That place is quite an improvement over the club's last meeting place.
The evening's speakers were state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose), who brought everyone up to snuff on the status of the 11th State Senate District. The senator is having serious competition from City Councilman Jim Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows).
As most of you are aware, the Democrats would like to regain control of the state Senate. In order for that to happen, they are putting lots of money and manpower behind Democratic challengers aspiring to acquire whatever Republican seats they can.
The other speaker was Prof. Gerald Matacotta, who spoke about Abraham Lincoln's 1860 election and its relevance today. He also made a special announcement for a Lincoln bicentennial essay contest. More details on that to follow.
That's it for this week.
I always look forward to hearing from you with information on people, parties or politics or gossip.
I also like receiving your voice mail at 718-767-6484, faxes at 718-746-0066 and e-mails at deerrichard@aol.com.
Till next week, Dee.
