Candidate Profiles District 20 by Calvin Prashad

Candidate Profiles: District 20 Flushing, New York
20選區市議員候選人簡介

Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:57 API candidates District 20 Flushing

Flushing - New York's other (and way way larger) Chinatown has seen a huge spike in Asian-American candidates running to represent it in public office. With current city councilman John Liu running for the
City Comptroller position, there is now a ferocious primary fight to replace him. Although the campaigning has at times turned ugly, it seems to have calmed down now with a better focus on issues rather than attacks. The outcome is not yet apparent and no candidate will win the primary along ethnic lines. The winner will have to appeal to the large Chinese, Korean, South Asian and Jewish communities as well as offer concrete solutions to improve issues facing the community.

Here are the candidates as of today:
有纽约第二华埠（事实上比华埠大得多）之称的法拉盛市议员选区今年呈现亚裔候选人参选爆炸的现象。现任市议员刘醇逸角逐市主计长，民主党内参与初选者竞争激烈。虽然参选者一度针锋相对，现在似乎已经冷却下来，议题讨论取代相互攻讦。谁能胜出目前还无从判定，但可以确定的是没有人可以只凭藉单一族裔选民的支持而取胜，最终的胜者必须具备跨越华裔、韩裔、南亚裔以及犹太社区获取选票的能力，也必须提出具体帮助社区解决现阶段面临问题的政见，以下是目前各参选者的简介。

**All fundraising figures are available on the New York City Campaign Finance Board**
备注：所有募款数字可以在纽约市竞选财务局查询。

Democrat
民主党
周燕霞

Yen Chou - her candidacy focuses mostly on education as she was an educator and served on school boards. Also served as a liaison to API community under another city councilman.
她的政见著重于教育，因为她长期从事教育工作并曾担任学区委员，此外她也曾担任另一位市议员亚裔社区联络人。

Pro:
优势

Campaign promises include greater funding and accessibility to English and Second Language Programs, reduction of class sizes Promises to tackle traffic and pollution
Well versed and experienced in education issues
竞选时承诺增加资助英语作为第二语言课程，并降低每班学生数。
承诺改善交通与污染问题
拥有丰富的经验并了解教育问题

Con:
劣势

Unclear and limited platform; I cannot find anything more detailed than a few bullet points on her website, certain issues such as health insurance are beyond the reach of the City Council
Does not indicate how education reforms will be carried out since mayoral controls over the schools has been renewed.
Allegedly leaked campaign memo has critics accusing her of ethnic campaigning and racism
Has not garnered endorsements from teachers unions, education groups

The verdict: In a race such as this, a lengthy, solid platform is necessary in which you must be able to not only convince the voters that you can bring about what you promise. Otherwise, its just saying empty phrases like "business incentives" and "health insurance". Will need a major breakout to get support from places other than the Chinese-American community.
政策立场有限且模糊不清，我只能在她的网站上找到几个政策要点，除此之外我找不到更多细节。部分议题如医疗保险并不在市议会掌管的范畴。
并未指出市长主管教育权被延长后，教育改革将如何被实行。
外泄的竞选文件招来竞选只著重单一族裔以及宣扬种族主义的批评。
尚未得到任何工会与教育团体的背书支持。
评论：在这样的选战中，详细以及具体的政策力场是必须的，候选人一定要能说服选民其具备实现政见的能力。否则，将会只沦为谈论「商业利多」与「医疗保险」等空洞词汇。周需要在非华裔选民社区有所突破。


S.J. Jung
郑胜振

A small business owner in Flushing who is tied strongly to other Korean businesses in the area. Founder of YKASEC
一位法拉盛的小商业经营者，与选区内韩裔商业经营者关系密切，也是移民权益协会YKASEC的创办人。

Pro
优势

Platform built mostly around compromise between factions within Flushing
政策大都建立在调和法拉盛各族裔的关系。
Experience in community organization
参与社区组织的经验

Most funds among candidates
目前在各候选人中可用资金最多。

Has picked up impressive endorsements from ACORN, several labor groups and the Working Families Party (significant third party in NYC)
已经得到许多有力的背书，如ACORN、数个劳工团体与劳动家庭党（纽约市具影响力的第三大）

Con
劣势
Hard to maintain a middle ground in battle between development and anti development groups
难以在主张开发与反对开发的团体间求取平衡。

Persistent allegations that actual residence is in New Jersey
被指实际上住在纽泽西

The verdict: Even if SJ Jung does not win the Democratic Primary, he may choose to run on the Working Families ticket during the November elections. The impressive endorsements and large war chest should keep him in the race until the end. Residency rumors are persisting in that he registered to vote in Flushing earlier this year.

评论：
即使郑胜振没有在民主党初选中胜出，仍可能在11月的大选中以劳动家庭党的身分参选。上述有力的背书与旺盛的战斗力将让他在最后的仍具竞争力，居住地址的传言将会持续跟著他，据说他今年稍早才登记在法拉盛投票。


James Wu
吴明晓

One of the current district leaders in District 20, Flushing. Also served in Marines and is a member of his civic association

Pro
优势

Has made digital textbooks major campaign issue. Claims that city can negotiate a lower price with manufacturer and give every student digital textbooks rather than traditional paper ones. Will reduce strain on students and help environment Extensive knowledge of community due to his work as a civic and district leader Strong record of reinforcing voting rights, opening new polling sites
已经把电子教科书当成竞选的主要政见之一。宣称市政府可以向制造商争取更低的价格，让每个学生都能拥有电子教科书取代传统教科书，以减轻他们的负担，并且减少对环境的伤害。
因为长期领导公民运动并担任党职，对社区有深刻的了解与认识。
拥有争取投票权与争取新投票站的优良记录。

Con
劣势
Has run a very quiet, low key campaign (signs were posted only this week)
以安静低调的方式竞选（本周才开始张贴海报）

Needs to assert himself, lack of presence allows opponent Yen Chou to convince the Chinese-American community that she is the only Chinese candidate running The centerpiece of the campaign, digital textbooks may become a logistical nightmare for the schools and bureaucracy
必须展现竞选的决心，太少出现的结果造成对手周燕霞得以说服华裔社区她是唯一的华裔候选人。
竞选的中心—电子书可能成为学校与教育官员的梦魇。

The verdict: He needs to make some noise and be heard or will be overshadowed be other candidates. His knowledge of the community is among the best among the candidates and has a long record of civic leadership in regards to parks, voting stations and youth sports.

评论
必须要吸引更多的注意，才不致于被其他候选人的阴影所掩盖，他对社区的了解是所有候选人中最深的，他也拥有公园、投票站与青年运动的公民领袖记录。

Isaac Sasson
沙颂

A former cancer researcher and lottery winner
癌症研究者与乐透中奖者

Pro:
优势
Has won the lottery so will likely not accept donations from third parties
赢过乐透所以无需为募款而担心

Con
劣势
Has engaged in ethnic campaigning in the past
过去的竞选曾牵涉到种族议题

condemned by Congressman Gary Ackerman
曾被联邦众议员艾克曼谴责

Allies include anti-Asian former city councilwoman Julia Harrison,
other district leader Martha Flores Vasquez
支持者包括与过去反亚裔的前市议员哈里森与民主党地区领导玛莎。

"Rude merchants and criminal smugglers" - Julia Harrison
哈里森：「无礼的购物者与犯罪走私者」

"The district can have a qualified candidate or an Asian candidate" -
Martha Flores Vasquez
玛莎：「这个选区可以从合格的候选人与亚裔候选人中择一」

Represents the older residents of Flushing, most of which resent the
new immigrants
代表法拉盛地区的旧住民，这些人大都讨厌新移民。

Strongly anti-development platform leaves no room for new families
强烈反对开发，新移民将无法迁入。

Engaged in vicious lawsuit to knock another candidate off ballot
牵涉多起试图排除其他候选人的官司。

Known for refusing to compromise, often out of touch with needs of community wanted Flushing hospital closed, defeated in vote 39 – 1
以拒绝妥协闻名，当社区有需要时常常找不到他
提议关闭法拉盛医院，以39票对1票的悬殊差距被否决。

The verdict: In spite of the fact that he immigrated to America, Sasson clearly sides with the anti-Asian faction with Flushing. Regardless of the ethnic support he may receive, he is clearly banking his roots in the Jewish community and xenophobia to win the office. I've tried to be fair to all candidates but this individual and his views are reprehensible and it is undeniable that he is trying to play among ethnic lines.

尽管他自己也是个移民，沙颂显然与法拉盛部分反亚裔人士为伍，除了可能受到部分族裔的支持，他很明显地瞄准犹太社区与仇外人士。我试著公平对待所有候选人，但此人与其观点让人难以接受，无可否认地，他正尝试利用种族界线打这场选战。

Constantine Kavadas
卡瓦德思

Recent college graduate and youngest candidate in the race
刚从大学毕业，是这场选战中最年轻的候选人。
Pro
优势

Recent Political Science degree give him great understanding of the city's political system
在大学中主修政治，对纽约市政治系统了解透彻。

Platform more extensive and organized that most opponents
政策力场比其他候选人广泛而有组织。

Lots of practical experience
实务经验丰富。

Extensive experience in affordable housing due to construction work, coordination with dept of buildings
因建筑工作以及与建筑局周旋而来经验丰富，对平价屋非常了解。

Junior port master of Chios harbor in Chios, Greece
在希腊有协助管理港口的经验。

Con
劣势
\
May be knocked off ballot due to allegedly fraudulent signatures
可能因连署签名不实而失去竞选资格。

Currently defending candidacy in court after Sasson files lawsuit against him. Lost temper at candidates forum and accused Sasson of attempting to monopolize the White vote for himself
在一场候选人论坛中情绪失控，指控沙颂企图垄断这次选战中的白人票源。

Political experience may be an issue
政治经验不足可能受到攻击
The verdict: Kavadas's campaign may or may not survive the week. Although he has the least experience in city politics, his recent political science degree indicates that he might already have a basic understanding. Fundraising is currently under severe drain due to legal defense. Should his campaign survive the legal issue he may be in a very weak position to continue. Likely has promising future in city politics nonetheless.
评论：本周可能是卡瓦德思竞选的最后一周，尽管阿的政治经验不足，但因主修政治所以至少拥有基本的了解。竞选资金因为在法院的官司而快速消耗，即便保有竞选资格，将来竞选也会面临经费不足的困难。不过，不管怎样，未来纽约市政坛一定会有他的一席之地。

John Choe
崔容准

Chief of Staff to current city councilman John Liu, civic leader
公民领袖，市议员刘醇逸前办公室主任。

Pro
优势

Worked eight years under current city councilman, extensive knowledge
of city hall and issues
为现任市议员工作八年，对市府与纽约市的各项议题非常了解。

Endorsement of many labor groups, Queens Democrats, 1199 SEIU,
Teamsters, League of Humane Voters and current councilman John Liu
得到许多劳工团体、民主党皇后区党部、1199

SEIU、Teamsters、人权选民联盟与市议员刘醇逸的背书支持。

Has worked on legislation at City Hall
有在市议会协助立法的经验

Broad ethnic coalition
支持来自各族裔社群。

Endorsements from Latino, African American and LGBT groups
受到拉丁裔社区、非裔社区与LGBT团体的背书支持。

Has coordinated with 109th Precinct on community issues
长期与109分局协调社区事务。

Police-community relations not frequently addressed by candidates
少有候选人对警民关系多加著墨

Con
劣势
Late entry into race has put him at fundraising disadvantage
较晚加入战局，筹款不易

The verdict: In spite of many citywide endorsements and the all important Democratic endorsement Choe has not been able to separate himself from the other candidates. He has chosen to files for matching funds as late as possible in order to maximize the amount he would receive. It remains to be seen if he can overtake his better funded opponents (Y Chou, Jung and Sasson).
尽管有许多全市性的大组织与所有民主党要角的支持，崔容准并没有与其他候选人拉开差距。他选择推迟申请相对基金的日程，以求得到多的补助。他仍然有机会击败其他资金充裕的候选人，如周燕霞、郑胜振与沙颂。

Independent
独立参选人

Evergreen Chou (Green Party)
周长青（绿党）

Health care worker and leader of the Flushing Green Party
医疗保健工作者与法拉盛绿党领导人

Pro
优势
Targeted recruitment for police department extremely important
新进警察的筛选非常重要

Eco Friendly
强调环境保护

Scoutmaster of Troop 888
本地888童子军团团长

Con
劣势

Initiatives such as emphasizing Chinese medicine to fight swine flu and more cats to get rid of rats in Flushing are impractical and even a little dangerous
曾经提出以中药对抗猪流感以及在法拉盛多养猫以解决鼠患，被认为不切实际，甚至危险。

Not much is known about his candidacy
大家对其竞选的了解并不多。

Was only allowed a minute to speak at recent candidates forum
在最近的候选人论坛只得到一分钟的发言时间。

3k raised is dwarfed by all candidates
目前仅募得3000元，在所有候选人中敬陪末座。

The verdict: Although targeted recruiting of officers that represent (and speak the same language as) members of the community is exceptionally important, most of his other campaign promises seem impractical, especially using cats in traffic heavy and bustling downtown Flushing. Some ideals of the Greens will mesh well in helping to fix the severe pollution in Flushing, but as a third party candidate, his chances of winning are very slim.
评论：尽管慎选新进员警（与社区居民说一样语言）非常重要，他的其他政见并不切实际，特别是在交通繁忙的法拉盛市区养猫除鼠。绿党的政纲有助于解决法拉盛的污染问题，但身为第三政党的候选人，曹长青获胜的机率并不大。


Republican
共和党

Peter Koo
顾雅明

Small business owner and fixture in Flushing community
小商业业主与法拉盛社区活跃人士
Pro
优势

Very well known in community
在社区里拥有高知名度。

Built chain of Starside Pharmacy from scratch, self made
白手起家建立连锁的安康宁大药房。

Has worked with Business Improvement District across party lines to help attract tourism, promote events and cleanups
跨越政党界线参与商业改善区运作，帮助吸引观光客、举办活动并发起环境清洁运动。

Tough on public safety and crime
打击犯罪与维护治安的立场强硬

Has called for direct election of State Judges
曾主张纽约州法院法官直选。
Con
劣势

Republican in an overwhelmingly Democratic District
选区内民主党党员占多数

Anti-development platform may be at odds with some residents
反对开发的政策力场可能引起部分居民的反感

Residents and developers: affordable housing
居民与开发商：平价屋

Koo: quality of life and infrastructure issues
顾：生活品质与基础建设问题

The verdict: Peter Koo is probably one of the nicest people you will ever meet, but his political party puts him at a distinct disadvantage. In his previous campaign against the incumbent
Democratic State Senator, he was crushed by a wide margin even withhis community ties and popularity. However, if the Democratic party cannot get its house in order by November, Koo may just pull off anupset. That being said, Koo is a major figure in the Business Improvement District where he worked with Democrats, business owners and community leaders to pull off some major events and benefited the community at large.
评论
顾雅明可能是你一辈子遇到过最好的人，但他的政党让他在竞选中难以发挥。先前参与州参议员选举，即使他有良好的社区关系与支持，他仍以悬殊的差距输给在任的民主党参议员。然而，若民主党在11月前无法有效整合初选留下的分歧，顾雅明将有机会吸纳不甘初选失败者的选票。说到这，顾雅明是商业改革区的重要人物，在商改区中，他与民主党员、商业经营者与社区领袖同心协力，举办许多重要的活动，对社区贡献良多。

Jerry Iannece "Political Bridezilla"

Save Flushing Queens has been organized to allow concerned citizens a voice in their community and the electoral process. Some people can sit idly by and not be concerned. Others must voice their opinion and take political action. The future of our section in Queens in local politics will be decided in September and November in the local elections for City Council.

In the 19th District, it is a classic battle with the top 3 Democrats being Jerry Iannece, Paul Valone and Debra Markell. The winner faces a strong Republican in Dan Halloran. Frankly, Markell and Vallone are qualified, energetic and have histories in political involvement for the right reason, while Jerry Iannece will forever be a political bridesmaid and never a bride. Here’s why. Despite what appears to be an impressive display of community involvement, Iannece is a pompous, self-centered political wannabe who serves not for the feeling of satisfaction of assisting those in need, but to further pad his already bloated ego.

Those in political circles raise their eyebrows and shrug their shoulders when they hear the name Jerry Iannece. They know that he is a political self-promoter who is void of substance and lacks integrity. If you listen to Jerry Iannece speak you will immediately notice that he believes that he is the anointed one, that he is already a councilman, he even believes he can cure cancer.

Ultimately, Jerry Iannece is a jackass and Tony Avella said it best, “Jerry Iannece is unfit for public office”

The Democratic Party has much more to offer than Jerry Iannece. They have candidates who actually care. So while we set out not to endorse candidates, we certainly feel strongly that he should be denied.

Wu Slays "Queen of Mean"

Apparently, Yen Chou was giving dollar bills in exchange for individuals signing her petition sheets. This is just another example of the devilish tactics Yen Chou will use to eliminate her competition. It is clear that the demonic Yen Chou will not run a campaign based upon the issues but chooses to use dirty tricks, illegal tactics and political war to win election. She has proven to be a person who would rather divide and conquer rather than unite and win.

Thankfully, the fine people of the 20th Council District see through her devilish charade and are supporting James Wu and John Choe.

According to published reports, James Wu’s attorney Daryl Fox toldreporters that through an intensive investigation, they found out that Yen Chou’s campaign bought petition signatures from seniors inFranklin Senior Center for one dollar per signature.

Fox said, they accused Chou for petition fraud. However, all the senior witnesses were not willing to attend the hearing. In the UnitedStates a witness is only valid if he/she is voluntary. So Daryl Fox made an agreement with Yen Chou’s lawyer Lawrence Mandelker andwithdrew the motion on behalf of James Wu.

很显然，周燕霞以一元钞票换取连署单上的签名，这又是周燕霞使用不当伎俩打击竞争对手的范例。我们已经很清楚周燕霞的竞选将不是建筑在议题讨论上，而是立基于肮脏的伎俩、非法的手段与政治斗争之上以争取胜利，她的所作所为已经说明了她是个喜欢分化与征服的人，而非团结以求胜。幸亏，20选区的选民已经看穿她的真面目，所以将会群起支持吴明晓与崔容准。

据报载，吴明晓的律师告诉记者，他们发现周燕霞竞选团队以每个一元的代价从法兰克林老人中心的耆老手上购买签名。

吴明晓的律师说，他们具状控告周燕霞连署欺诈。然而，所有老人中心的证人都不愿意出庭作证，在美国，惟有证人出于自愿，作证才会成立。所以吴明晓的律师代表吴明晓与周燕霞的律师当庭达成协议，撤回对周燕霞的控诉。

James Wu Fires Back

世界日報8月11日針對有媒體報導20選區市議員周燕霞呼籲所有拿到相對基金（matchingfunds）的參選人將錢捐給社區的說法，華裔選民聯盟總顧問李瑞生10日表示，相對基金的錢按照法律規定只能用於選舉，如果用在其它方面，不僅錢會被收回，更會受到紐約市選舉財務委員會（NewYork City Campaign Finance Board）的處罰。
但周燕霞競選委員會財務長葉漢中表示，他們只是強調參選人要靠自己的能力募款，把錢還給市府，用在更需要的社區建設上。
李瑞生表示，之所以有相對基金，是為了讓籌款比較困難的參選人也有機會可以參加競選。事實上推出相對基金之後，參選人的數量明顯增加，也讓選民有了更多的選擇機會，而不是由有錢的特殊利益集團來控制選舉。此外根據法律規定，申請相對基金和使用相對基金都有嚴格的規定，只能用於選舉，而不能有其它任何用途，否則參選人就會受到處罰。
吳明曉表示，參加相對基金，證明他的經費來源和使用都是經得起考驗的。而使用相對基金是為了有一個好的政府和好的民主制度，增加民選官員工作的透明度和責任感，跟是否浪費納稅人的錢無關。
World Journal

August 11

In response to Yen Chou's press conference, which demands all the candidates return the matching fund they've got from the City,Chinese American Voters Association General Counsel Johnson Lee said,according to law matching fund can only be used on campaign expenses.If not, the Campaign Finance Board would not only take the money back,but fine the candidate.

However, Yen Chou's campaign responded, they just emphasized candidates should raise their own money and return the matching fundto the City for the use of community establishments.

Johnson Lee pointed out, matching fund is designed to give opportunities to candidates who are not able to raise much money. In fact, after the City started providing matching fund, the number of candidates has increased tremendously. Thus, voters have gotten more choices and the rich special interest groups can no longer monopolizethe elections. Moreover, according to the law, the application and usage of matching money is strict and the matching funds can only be used for campaign purposes.

Otherwise the candidates would be punished. James Wu said, choosing to enroll in the matching fund program proves that his resourse and usage of campaign finance can stand the test.

Choosing to enrolled in matching fund program is not only for more transparacy and responsibility of elected officials, but good goverment and democratic system. This has nothing to do with wasting taxpayers'money.

Yen Chou Political Novice, Rank Amateur And Campaign Finance Fraud?

Yen Chou Political Novice, Rank Amateur And Campaign Finance Fraud?
政治新手周燕霞是否搞不清楚状况 还涉及竞选财务欺诈？

We hear that Yen Chou is calling on her opponents to give back theirmatching funds from the City. While we here at Save Flushing Queensare not the big supporters of the NYC Campaign Finance Board... but itis the Law!
我们听说周燕霞要求其他对手归还他们从纽约市所获得的相对基金，本部落格虽然对纽约市竞选财务局的许多作为并不认同，但，法律还是应该被遵守的！
In order for Yen Chou not to be considered a whiny political hypocriteshe should stand up and announce that she will not exceed the spendinglimit set forth by law. Is she willing to do that? We doubt it!
如果周燕霞不想被当成爱说大话的伪君子，她就应该站出来，并且向大家保证她的竞选支出不会超过法律限制的上限，至于她会不会如此做，我们不这么认为。
Will she be a Slave to Special Interest? Most certainly!
至于她会不会成为特殊利益的奴隶，目前看来是这样的。
Will she owe everyone under the sun if she were to get elected? Yesand when that happens it leads to corruption!
一旦当选，她会不会欠所有捐钱给她的人人情？答案是肯定的，而且这将会成为贪渎的根源！
Yen Chou is coming under scrutiny for potential campaign FinanceViolations including what some are saying may be illegal tactics.Investigators from Democratic circles are following a lead that somecontributions are illegal because someone is fronting the money fordonors. Is this true? Time will tell!
周燕霞将会受到详细的竞选财务违规调查，其中包括疑似非法的捐款技巧。民主党内的调查人员正在追查部分捐款的来源，因为其中有疑似使用人头捐款的情节。此事是否为真，时间将会证明。
One thing is for sure, those who live in glass houses should neverthrow stones. Might be wise words for Yen Chou to listen to.
有一件事是确定的，「住在玻璃屋里的人不应该扔石头」（英语谚语，喻人应有自知之明，不要五十步笑百步），这句话可以让周燕霞做参考

Mudslinging Takes Over District 20 Forum

Mudslinging Takes Over District 20 Forum20市議員選區政見會 候選人互揭瘡疤

It was billed as a debate, but it turned into an airing of dirty laundry.原該是一場辯論，卻變成一場互吐口水的烏賊戰。

The six Democratic candidates running for the seat of City CouncilmanJohn Liu (D-Flushing) participated in a candidates’ forum in FlushingMonday night, but what started as a cordial discourse on issuesaffecting District 20 quickly devolved into a fracas replete withallegations of everything from racism to planted questions.六位角逐劉醇逸市議員遺留席位的民主黨候選人，上週一參加一場候選人論壇，但原本設定位討論20選區重要議題的論壇，卻演變成候選人相互指控彼此種族主義以及問題為特定候選人量身訂做的混戰。

During the course of the forum, held at Korea Village by TerencePark’s Our Political Coalition, candidates Yen Chou and Isaac Sassonwere openly called racists, John Choe was criticized for calling theUnited States imperialist in a 2006 speech, S.J. Jung was accused ofliving in another state and Constantine Kavadas erupted against forumpanelists whom he accused of asking questions planted by opposingcampaigns.這場論壇在韓國村舉辦，由补容範「我們的政治聯盟」所發起，周燕霞與沙頌被公開指責為種族主義者，崔容準被指稱曾於2006年一場演說中發表美國是帝國主義者的言論，鄭勝振被指居住在外州，卡瓦德斯則單挑主辦單位，指輪談的問題是為特定陣營量身打造。

“This was a zoo,” said Chou’s campaign manager, Michael Olmeda,following the event. “An absolute mess.”周燕霞的競選經理歐敏達說：「論壇就像動物園一樣」，他在論壇後指出：「根本是一陣混亂」。

The bizarre fracas started shortly after Choe left to attend a meetingof his co-op board at the Mitchell Linden Houses. As Choe left he wasaccosted by a member of the audience, who demanded he answer questionsabout his views on North and South Korean relations with the UnitedStates.這場乖誕的混亂在崔容準離席，準備去參加他所居住的大樓管委會會議後開始，一位觀眾要求他回答他對南北韓與美國關係的看法。

In his absence, Sasson and several audience members harped on theKorea point further, saying they wished he had been in attendance toanswer questions about a 2006 speech he gave on free tradenegotiations between the U.S. and South Korea, where he referred to himself as a “byproduct of U.S. imperialism.”崔容準離開後，沙頌與幾位現場觀眾繼續在韓國問題上做文章，說希望崔能在場回答觀眾對於他2006年對美韓貿易談判所發表言論的問題，他當時稱自己是「美國帝國主義的副產品」。

Reached for comment, Choe rejected the criticisms of his views on international politics.崔容準受訪時，拒絕對自己關於國際政治的評論發表意見。

“This election is about the future of Flushing, not past statementsabout Korea,” Choe said. “It is about working together toward a futurewith better schools, good jobs and improved quality of life.”崔容準說：「這場選舉是關於法拉盛的未來，而非過往對於韓國問題的評論」，他說：「選戰應該是要討論大家未來能怎麼合作，讓學校變得更好，創造更多工作機會與改善生活品質」。

Shortly after Choe left, the discourse between the remaining fivecandidates quickly deteriorated.崔容準離開後不久，其他五位候選人間的混戰越演越烈。

Kavadas was angered by the phrasing of a question about contextualrezoning and ripped moderator Richard Jannacio, accusing him andseveral of the forum’s panelists of planting questions on behalf ofSasson’s campaign — an accusation the debate’s organizers flatlydenied.卡瓦得司對主持人Jannacio問問題的用詞大表不滿，他指控這位主持人在很多論壇的問題都是為沙頌的競選團隊量身打造，辯論的主辦人斷然否認此項指控。

Not long thereafter, during a period in which the candidates wereallowed to ask questions of one another, Jung asked Kavadas “if hefelt the quality of life in the district had deteriorated during thelast eight years.”其後不久，辯論進行到候選人交互詰問，鄭勝振問卡瓦德斯，他是否覺得過去的八年來，選區內的生活品質逐年下滑。

“The reason you’re asking me that is because you just moved to thedistrict from New Jersey last Tuesday,” Kavadas said.卡瓦德斯說：「你會這樣問我是因為你上禮拜二才剛從紐澤西搬到選區裡面」

Jung responded that he “moved to the district 20 years ago” and has been serving the community ever since. City Board of Elections recordsshow Jung did vote from an address in Rivervale, N.J., in November2008, but has since moved to an apartment on Sanford Avenue inFlushing.鄭勝振表示，他在二十年前就搬到選區，並且從那時候就開始為社區服務。選舉局的資料顯示，鄭勝振去年11月大選確實在紐澤西登記投票，但其後就搬到位於法拉盛三福大道的公寓。

“You can tell you’re the frontrunner in a race because your opponentsstart kicking you,” Jung said.鄭勝振說：「當你的對手開始攻擊你的時候，你就知道自己的選情越來越好」

Kavadas then accused Sasson of leading a “racist” campaign againstKavadas and unfairly taking him to court by challenging his petitionsin an effort to become the sole Caucasian in the race.卡瓦得司指控沙頌對他發起「種族主義」宣傳，並且挑戰他的連署，把他告上法庭，希望成為唯一的白人候選人。

“Absolutely untrue. I would defy anybody that would say anything likethat,” Sasson said. “Every campaign has the opportunity to challengepetitions and almost all of them did.”「這當然是不實的指控，任何人說類似這樣的話，我都會跟他們辯解」沙頌表示：「每一個競選陣營都有機會挑戰他人的選民連署，幾乎每個陣營都會這樣做！」

Next, Wu accused Chou of circulating fliers, saying he, the only otherChinese-American candidate, was not running in the race.其後，吳明曉指控周燕霞散發一份文宣，指稱他（唯一的另外一位華裔候選人）並沒有在競選。

“Why have you been telling people I’m not running?” Wu asked.吳明曉質問：「你為何不斷告訴別人我並沒有在競選？」

“Well, you’re here, you’re running and I acknowledge that. So, there’syour answer,” Chou said. Later, a volunteer for Wu, whom he said actedon her own volition, demanded an apology from Chou for allegedlycirculating what she called “racist” campaign literature callingSasson a “Jew” and contending any vote not for Chou would elect “theJewish candidate.”周燕霞說：「好吧，既然你在這，你確實在競選，我也承認，所以這就是我的答案」，稍後，一位吳明曉的女性義工要求周燕霞道歉（吳明曉說那是義工的個人行為），因為周燕霞散發一份她稱作是「種族主義」的「競選」文宣，不但稱沙頌為「猶太姥」（Jew）還說只要不把票投給周就會幫助猶太裔候選人當選。

At one point, the discourse became so heated and decentralized thatthe organizer, Park, had to remind the moderator, Jannacio, that hewas not supposed to participate in the discussion or critique thecandidate’s responses.場面到後來瀕臨失控，活動主辦人甚至還需要提醒主持人Jannacio，告訴他不應涉入候選人的討論以及評論候選人的回應。

Save Flushing Queens To Be BiLingual

Since we started our Community Site Save Flushing Queens. We have received many different emails. Some saying we are the tools for a political candidate, some saying we are ignorant, some saying we are the voice of the silent majority.

自從本部落格開張以來，我們收到許多來自各方的電郵。有些指責我們是特定候選人的工具，有些則說我們無知，但也有些說我們說出了沉默多數的心聲。

Well thanks to the offer of a trusted friend our post will now be translated into different languages. We purchased an email list from a list broker and it seems that we were attempting to reach out but some did not understand our message.

感謝一位我們信得過的朋友，今後我們的部落格將會翻譯成多種語言。我們買了一份通訊錄，但許多朋友回覆並不懂我們想要傳達的訊息。
So look for our new feature! Have a Great Day!

所以請大家拭目以待！祝大家有美好的一天！

Only the Strong Will Survive

It is my understanding that tomorrow all the "Political Wanabees" and "Political King Makers" will swarm to the Board of Elections to fight to knock candidates off the ballot and to try to stay on the ballot. You see our archaic system of operation allows for opponents to keep candidates off the ballot and deny voters the right to a real choice in September and even in November for the most minor of reasons.

Yen Chou has become the "Queen of the Political Challenge." She must have something to be fearful about after all her minions are telling the Chinese press they will get her opponents off the ballot... we will see if she does knock anyone off the voters should deny her the right to be elected. What is even more deceitful is hiding behind attorneys and "challengers" I would have more respect if Yen Chou or anyone who was challenging would put their name to the challenge.

Never they are too scared! Well we will give you an update as the decisions are rendered. Only one fact remains for sure.... Taxpayers are losing money as these self serving candidates continue to run up a bill in Board of Elections overtime and soon Court cases. Shame Shame Shame... Let the Voters decide!