As a Democrat residing in the 23rd City Council District, I take issue with Bob Friedrich’s letter “Council hopeful shuns identity politics” in the July 2 Fresh Meadows Times.
Friedrich’s comment that a Democrat accepting the Republican line is equivalent to state Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D-Little Neck) receiving the Working Families Party endorsement is absurd. The WFP primarily consists of a coalition of hard-working, middle-class labor members striving for respect, fair wages and benefits unions have struggled to maintain. The WFP has endorsed Weprin multiple times in his previous elections and he has championed labor issues.
Weprin has proved he is an excellent public servant who transcends party labels. In previous Assembly elections, the GOP approached him to receive its endorsement, but Weprin always declines because Republican ideas are contrary to his Democratic principles.
Friedrich, in the same letter, complains about Weprin’s campaign, telling constituents he himself will be running as a Republican in the general election. Friedrich also takes offense when Weprin contrasts his record on women’s issues with Republicans’. Friedrich last year campaigned to re-elect state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) and now boasts Padavan has endorsed his City Council candidacy.
Does Friedrich agree with Padavan’s vote against the Women’s Health and Wellness Acti What about Padavan’s votes to block the Emergency Contraception to Rape Survivors, aka the Date Rape Billi Padavan was one of only five conservative senators to vote against the Clinic Access and Anti-Stalking Act.
When Friedrich stood with the Queens GOP leaders at their breakfast fund-raiser at Flushing’s Reception House (“Focus on Queens,” Fresh Meadows Times, July 2), he showed where his political interests lie. The true Democrats of New York must be discerning and elect officials who stand for real Democratic values. I know there is one choice and my vote goes to Weprin.
Tammy Osherov
Fresh Meadows
