Save Flushing Queens

Assemblywoman Grace Meng: Out of Touch with Community

2011-01-21T11:41:00.005-05:00

New York Observer Article:

http://www.observer.com/2011/politics/assemblywoman-calls-out-rush-limbaugh-racist-caricature-chinese-president

In a recent article on the New York Observer website, Flushing's very own Assemblywoman Grace Meng is featured discussing her "calling out" and demand for apology from Conservative Party member, Rush Limbaugh.

Assemblywoman Meng has been a relatively good representative for Flushing in Assembly and has remained as a stable representative not yet being subdued to Flushing's taboo of having a new Assembly member as what appears to be every Assembly election cycle for the 20th District.

The judgement of rather or not Rush Limbaugh comments was out of order will be tried in the court of public opinion, the concern here at Save Flushing Queens is if Assemblywoman Grace Meng is out of order?

With the New York State deficit looming in the range of $8.2-$11 billion dollars, a tanking economy, exuberant government spending and slumming revenues, countless numbers of displaced workers and to mention the least an out of control legislature; Assemblywoman Meng should hone in on issues in her own backyard.

Our once beloved Flushing has become home to illegal brothels disguised as "Massage Parlors", murders at what appeared to be on a monthly basis in 2010, increased population and decreased housing opportunities. In addition, the question of how long can Flushing's exclusive economy be sustained is brought into question.

In short, if Assemblywoman Meng is going after Rush Limbaugh for what was suppose to be seen as political satire and comedic, why not go after "Saturday Night Live" for their political satirical skits and every other late night talk show host and every Tom, Dick, and Harry with a bit of humor!

Reflecting back on an earlier article "stop the rhetoric...no, stop the non-sense", Assemblywoman Meng take your pick at the slue of problems in Flushing to tackle and leave Rush Limbaugh to the court of Public Opinion.

New Leadership in order for Community Board 7

2011-01-17T17:00:00.000-05:00

The age old argument of term limits is ushered in with each new elected official who believes they will... Change the community, stop political corruption, etc.., etc... and all that good stuff.

With a new slew of electeds throughout the State and City, Flushing being the exception I am sure the discussion of term limits will once again be rejuvenated with new life. Does term limits in fact do anything aside from limiting the political life of an elected in a particular seat?

One thing is for sure, regardless of your pro or con views on term limits one thing is for sure the effects should be tested on the members of Queens Community Board 7. Pardon me, I mean Queens Traffic Advisory Board 7.

New York Community Board's, designed to gauge the CURRENT thoughts and opinions of local residents on local and current issues pertaining to the community such as re-zoning, development, and general run of the mill business.

Most of the City's Community Board's fit into this mold, but not Flushing very own CB 7. When most retire they go to Miami in Flushing they come to Community Board 7. The issues of importance to CB7 (which are always kept at the helm by there fearless leader Chuck Apelian) are parking, parking, and parking... I forget traffic patterns. In case some didn't know, once you become a lifer of Community Board 7 you receive a degree in Traffic patterns and all things traffic germane. CB 7 concerns for the community is not economic development, housing, entrainment or anything that helps with economic growth (which usually means growth in every sector of life) in Flushing but ensuring that everyone resident, business owner and consumer has an affordable if not free parking space.

Let me not under emphasis that parking is an important issue in Flushing but, not the sole, first and foremost one!

With a new development project soon to be underway, for those of you who haven't kept up with the local papers the RKO Keith theater on Northern Blvd is finally going to be transformed from its current eye sore to rental units. This means hours upon hours of CB 7 efforts to leverage the amended approval for more parking.. and what every other amenities, services, and infrastructure that will make Flushing living more cozy for them, regardless of the price tag!

Queens Tribune, RKO article:

(http://www.queenstribune.com/deadline/Deadline_011311_RKOPlan.html )

Let's make Community Board 7:

reflective of the diversity of the district it represents
inclusive members that want to preserve the spirit of the community but understand, incorporate and advocate for its sustainability and economic growth
home to members of all ages or at least members who want to see a safe and happy flushing of today not of 19..20...30..60.. or whatever 20th century that they hold dear
One with competent leadership and not a self serving, egotistical one

Call your Borough President and local elected officials let them know... reappointment's is a choice for the community and you will stand beside them...

Let's have a Flushing of today not of yester-year...

Term limits= Community Board 7

We here at Save Flushing Queens believe in being fair...contact us members of the Board and tell us why you should stay?!

Stop the Rhetoric...Stop the NON-SENSE!!!

2011-01-16T15:01:00.000-05:00

In recent months their has been pleads by many citizens to their elected officials to stop the harsh rhetoric that takes place within Congress, Albany and City Hall. These pleads have been heightened by the tragic shooting of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford's.

By no means do I condone the acts that surround Congresswoman Gifford's shooting but we

are drawing the WRONG ASSUMPTIONS from the shooting in pushing for the elimination of the harsh rhetoric. The pleads for a cease of harsh rhetoric is exactly what is causing America's pressure cooker of tension and hostility towards elected officials.

Perhaps if we stop the "dog and pony show" as it has been called in politics and dispense with the PARTY Politics and business of Quid Pro Quo we will have a solution to the harsh rhetoric.

A prime example of this is last week's show put on by City Council... Outraged New Yorkers watched in Jaw Dropping amazement as Member after Member went up and " STOPPED THE HARSH RHETORIC" and thanked the Department of Sanitation, Mayor's office and many other "WELL DESERVING" city agencies that were absent in middle of the Blizzard of December 2010 for showing up to the hearing.

Following Council's gratitude for respective agencies being present, was their apologetic remarks that the snowstorm was out of hands and sincerest apologies that mother nature did not follow the will of City Council.

Few and I mean very few, Council members put their foot down in outrage at the failure of New York City snow removal services. Rather or not you agree with their statements their efforts are applaud by members in and out of their districts. A round of applauds is in order for the few members who did have the courage and conviction to advocate for the members of their community even after most likely a council wide briefing of what not to say and what tone to use by Speaker Quinn.

Thank you Council members:

Darlene Mealy

Daniel Hollaran

Charles Barron

Peter Koo

Daniel Dromm

Peter Vallone Jr.

The solution does not exist within dispensing with the rhetoric in politics but, exist within:

DISPENSING WITH THE NON-SENSE and the POLITICAL AND PARTY LEADERS THAT PROMOTE IT!!!

SAVE FLUSHING QUEENS SAYS " DON'T STOP THE RHETORIC, START THE HONEST DIALOGUE AND STOP THE NON-SENSE!

Under New Management

2011-01-15T18:28:00.001-05:00

Since the starting of Save Flushing Queens I have been a fervent reader of the site.

Save Flushing Queens delivered a much needed voice in the community by expressing the views and stating the often silenced or overshadowed voices in the Flushing area. Rather or not, I agreed with the views expressed in post is neither here nor there!

After noticing a lapse in the post I reached out to Save Flushing Queens to express my support for the site and urge that post resume, through such correspondence I learned that the owner of the site had a death in the family and was forced to take leave. Due to these unforeseen circumstance the owner moved from New York and no longer wishes to continue with Save Flushing Queens.

I expressed my interest in the desire to keep Save Flushing Queens alive and therefore, leads me to inform all readers that this site is under new management.

Although under new managment, this blog will remain the often lacking refreshingly honest and fair voice of the people in Flushing Queens!

Penny Pinching 109 Precinct Screws up Traffic

2010-06-14T15:01:00.000-04:00

How many times do we walk down Main Street and see the Police pulling cars over for seat belt or to check license and registration? Each time they cause back ups as evidenced by the above photo. Do you see how far the Police Car is from the curb? Do you realize the Police car and the one pulled over is in a Bus Stop? Clearly blocking traffic!

Maybe the 109 Police Precinct should really do a little soul searching...Do we need Police officers to write tickets or fight crime?

Flushing is not as safe as it once was. The local murders the drug dealing in the open the prostitution problems. Yet the NYPD seems to want to get more tickets... Don't we have enough traffic enforcement agents?

Let the Police Fight Real Crime not be Meter maids.

Isaac Sasson to Enter Senate Race?

2010-06-13T11:48:00.000-04:00

I was surprised to have learned that civic leader and perennial candidate Isaac Sasson is seeking the Democratic nomination for State Senate in our community running against Toby "Out of Touch" Stavisky.

Isaac ran a poor campaign against Yen Chou for the City Council the demographics of the race clearly favored him over his 5 minority opponents. His campaign focused on Jewish Voters and failed to encompass all the diverse constituencies that encompassed the 2oth Council District.

Isaac did show tremendous political acumen by strongly endorsing Peter Koo for Council who defeated Yen Chou. many pundits say Isaac's support tipped the scale towards Peter. So the questions of the week are.

Will Peter Koo return the Favor to Isaac?

Will Isaac run an inclusive campaign?

Will this district suit Isaac better with the strong Religious vote?

John Messer or Isaac Sasson Let us see who can win our support....clearly Save Flushing Queens can not and will not support Toby Stavisky, our community is crying for New leadership.

John Messer Dinkins Speech Writer

2010-06-11T13:26:00.000-04:00

A Painful Time in New York City History

After I Blogged how we needed to Elect someone other than Toby Stavisky...I learned that Mr. John Messer was a close confidant and Speech Writer to former Mayor David Dinkins...Ouch! A long time Korean Leader came to me and was complaining how he still remembers the hurt and pain caused by the Korean Boycott by the Radicals of the time and how David Dinkins stood idle and did nothing.

Many say that Dinkins failure to stop the violence and his support of the radicals turned the race over to Rudy Giuliani. So I wonder aloud...

Did Messer write Dinkins speech on the Korean Boycott?

Does Messer share the same failed ideology that near ruined the City?

Will he publicly denounce Dinkins his old boss for his divisive politics?

We need a true outsider for Senate... Not a Political hack since the days of Dinkins! I will still support him over Toby but not with any enthusiasm.

Mabel Law New Politician - To Empower John Liu

2010-06-08T18:21:00.000-04:00

I guess we can now understand why Community Leader and civic dynamo Mabel Law is leaving her post as Director of the Flushing BID. She has thrown her hat in the ring to become a Democratic District Leader.

John Liu may be losing some of his influence here in Flushing. Clearly this is an attempt to empower him again. Remember this past election cycle John Liu showed no coattails, as his had picked successor failed in the primary. Then he came out and endorsed Yen Chou for the General who was easily defeated by Peter Koo the Republican.

Mabel is hardworking and has a genuine interest in promoting our community. Even when she disagrees with you, we understand that she is intellectually honest.

Good Luck Mabel and after the race join John Liu in the Comptroller's office.

Stavisky Faces Primary..Who is John Messer>>> Who cares No Toby!

2010-06-07T07:58:00.000-04:00

Rumors are abound that Senator Toby Staivsky will have a true challenge this September! This is a first...Senator Staivsky has been absent from our community for years. Rumor has it she does not even reside in her district.

As a resident and activist I salivate at the chance of voting this woman out of office. Name something she has done for Flushing? She is the Poster child for Albany Term Limits! The relationship between her and her son's business is well documented, and should be subject to criminal investigation.

John Messer announced he is running I saw his Poster in the Palace Diner...Do I know him? No (which is scary), Do we know what he stands for? No. Has he ever been involved in our community? No.

If he is the only choice I am sure he is better than Senator Stavisky. Petitions will be circulated this week lets see if some other candidates jump into the Fray!

I went to his web site noticibly absent is any indication of anything he has accomplished, any civic involvement, never a member of a civic association or fraternal group. I worry that he is just another Attorney looking to Albany for Power and Influence.

If it is Toby Vs Messer Then Messer it is.....

Yen Chou Exits Race>>>> Loser!

2010-06-05T17:29:00.000-04:00

(Yen Chou with SJ Jung recently arrested and Communist sympathizer John Choe)

Say it isn't so Yen Chou the poster child for "Political Power Craving Neophyte" does not have the courage to run for District Leader... Was she afraid of Martha Flores? Was she afraid the voters would reject her again? Was she worried that all that money she paid in cash to her workers was under investigation by the New York City Campaign Finance Board?

Personally I am glad she chose not to run...I would have to spend more time making sure that Yen the idiot does not get elected to office.

Actually she had a good chance against Martha, people are still reeling from Martha's steadfast support for Former Senator turned Boxer Hiram "I have gloves instead of a glass Monsarette"

Stay Tuned the time is near for Yen to have another press conference with one of her phony groups.

SJ Arrested Now Announces Run

2010-06-05T17:16:00.000-04:00

SJ Jung under investigation and subpoenaed by the Feds was recently arrested. Jung who says SJ stands for Social Justice appears to believe that violent protest is the way to achieve attention for him.

The same SJ who failed to speak out on behalf of the Korean merchants, now decides to speak out and get arrested.

SJ seems to feed his ego by reading his press clips.

For the record this man is s selfish self promoter who moved into Flushing to run for City Council, then changes his address to run for District Leader.

Please let us have one candidate WHO IS FOR THE PEOPLE NOT FOR HIMSELF.

When SJ gets arrested again this time

lock him up and throw away the key.

I Hate Jersey.... and Our Elected Officials

2010-05-26T12:57:00.000-04:00

Am I the only one who is sitting in Flushing today unhappy about the 2014 Super Bowl being brought to the Meadowlands?

That Superbowl should be on the West Side or even here in Flushing! How dare they call it the New York Super Bowl it is the Jersey Bowl, The Swamp Bowl, rid the name of New York from the Jets and Giants...they are no longer ours.

Thank our elected idiots, who fought against the Stadium. The Super Bowl can bring in over $100 Million in Revenue that's a lot of School Teachers, a lot of Fire Houses, a lot of Senior Centers, a lot of money to give Tax rebates.

Shame on our Government Officials...... Shame on the Giants and Jets and.....Shame on us all for allowing our New York name to be used to promote New Jersey!

109 Police Precinct Ticket Monsters Not Crime Fighters

2010-05-05T11:40:00.000-04:00

All one has to do is travel up and down College Point Boulevard and see the 109th Police Precinct Police cars poised to pull you over and issue summonses! Park for 2 seconds and BAM! Ticket!

Random stops to try and find anything wrong to meet quotas! One officer blatantly told a driver "Sorry buddy command needs the numbers".

As a Flushing resident whenever I am in Downtown Flushing all I see are NYPD Traffic enforcement agents hoovering over cars waiting for the second they can pounce with a ticket...now command has our "Real Men in Blue" doing the same? Shame!!!!

You would think if the 109th Command would read our local papers like I do they would see that Latimer Gardens had a shooting and residents had to take to the streets to fight for Police protection, the residents are angry about illegal drug peddling, prostitution, random acts of violence against kids and families.

And what is the Police Response? Lets find more tickets! Lets harass every law abiding citizen if they park for an extra minute. God help you if your inspection is past due for 15 minutes! Be damned if your tail light is broke!

Let the Police Fight Crime! Don't use them for Tickets. The residents of our community deserve Police Protection not harassment!

Is Flushing BID Buying Influence?

2010-04-29T21:37:00.000-04:00

Is the Flushing BID (Business Improvement District) buying influence for opposition to The Popular Flushing Commons Project?

Last week I sat in the Borough Presidents Office listening to one and all on the Flushing Commons, the public topic was same old story... Korean merchants airing legitimate complaints...Unions decrying the need for jobs in this crappy economy.

But I was sitting near some folks whom I did not recognize who were talking about the BID taking an active role in opposing the project. They were talking about hiring lobbyist, raising money to halt the project and their unwavering support to Comptroller John Liu.

I didn't think a BID could hire a Lobbyist.... I thought funds would be used for improving our community? Why is the BID opposing this project does its members of the Board seek to profit if the project is not built?

Something is rotten in Flushing and the stench seems to be coming from the BID.

John Choe John Liu's Political Flunkie

2010-04-20T15:17:00.000-04:00

Each day passes I watch how John Choe carries himself and I realize why despite having the support of the Queens County Democratic Organization, The support of John Liu for City Council he still was an absolute failure and a disgrace. First I thought that maybe it was his support of communist Korea and his hatred of America. The I realized what the Voters realized

HE IS AN IDIOT!

He does not have an individual thought. If he weren't part of John Liu's little minions, he probably would not be employed.

It is easy to see why the Voters rejected him. He can not lead he will always be a follower never a leader.

Maybe John Liu should evaluate his staff and not hire Political Hacks for his Comptrollers office.

Dems at War! Chou Resurfaces!

2010-04-20T13:54:00.001-04:00

Is it true? Is Yen Chou throwing her hat back in the ring? Is she again seeking to run? This time for District leader? Will she remember to Vote?

In all my years on Gods great earth I have never seen someone so clueless as Yen Chou. She truly believes that the world revolves around her. Why would Democrats reward her with a chance to win a Democratic Leadership spot?

She failed her Party she failed her community and she proved to be a clueless empty suit put forth by powerful people to be their tool.

Her likely opponent Martha Flores Vasquez is a hard worker, and adds a little flair to the District Leadership post, but has the baggage of being a stern supporter of crazy State Senator Hiram Monsorate.

Let the war begin! This one is worth watching!

John Liu Where Were The Government Subsides On Sky View?

2010-04-09T12:55:00.000-04:00

I was driving down College Point Boulevard, when passing by the The Sky View project I was stopped by two guys with construction vest, traffic was a nightmare! These guys backed up traffic all the way back to Northern Blvd. Then I was thinking to myself: How the can a project this size be developed in Flushing without a community give back? Why did John Liu let this go? How could something this large be placed in our community without a Senior Center? Public Parking? Youth Center? Pool? Moderate income housing? Housing for Seniors?

Then it occured to me Someone must have sold out!

There is no other answer!

Here is John Liu now the Comptroller calling for prevailing wage for all projects, he considers anything with a zoning change a "public project" yet under his leadership Flushing gets Sky View and the community gets screwed.

No wonder everyone is tired of Politicians....The are full of DUNK!

Where is SJ Jung On The Commons?

2010-04-08T10:27:00.000-04:00

I for one am most interested in finding out where is SJ on the Flushing Commons? He has attended the meetings, lurched in the rear as if an FBI agent was looking to slap him with another subpoena, but never, never even came forward to speak on behalf of the Korean merchants or on behalf of the Union workers who are starving for jobs.

Why is it" Maybe, because he is in the middle of a political quagmire? SJ was a tool of the Unions and Working Families Party, he was also the wonder child of the Korean community...A white night moving in from Jersey or wherever he came from to run for City Council. Here in lies the problem it is impossible to please both sides! So what does he do? Hides like a political wannabe who has no courage.

We may not always agree with our Political Leaders or those who have run for office and are seeking to run again, but we respect those with the conviction and courage to take a stand...They are leaders! Those who act like SJ is acting now are those who go into Politics to fuel their own ego.

Mayor Mike Stop the Bleeding

2010-04-07T00:41:00.000-04:00

We in Flushing have seen our fair share of crime this year, even if the 109 th Police Precinct refuses to take reports especially from Asian residents. We still see things slipping back to the times when our city was not safe.

We are down nearly 6,000 Police Officers from just a few years ago. Gang violence is a huge problem, recreational drug use is on the rise, and people are not feeling as safe as they once did.

So what do you think Billionaire Mike Bloomberg has to say when asked about this trend: "Our Police can't be everywhere" Yeah Mike...We have a budget that has wreaked with Fraud, with both Council and Bloomy Slush Funds. We continue to fund every failed social program you can imagine and even spend millions of dollars in City Council Pork and we are willing to let Police officers go, and close firehouses.

Mark my word 2010 will be a crime filled ugly year and our Billionaire Mayor won't care. Why should he...he is protected. Mr Mayor Stop the Bleeding Hire New York City Police Officers NOW!

Queens Courier Says "Build It Now"

2010-04-01T09:46:00.000-04:00

Queens Courier editorial
http://www.queenscourier.com/articles/2010/03/30/news/opinion/editorial/doc4bb2493188168557002404.txt

Flushing Commons Must be Approved
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:24 PM EDT

Last week, Community Board 7 held a public hearing on the proposed “Flushing Commons” project. Over 70 people registered to talk about the privately funded $800 million project that would transform the five-acre Municipal Lot 1 site in the heart of Main Street Flushing into a dynamic mixed-use urban center.

The majority of those who spoke were in favor of The Flushing Commons LLC, builders – a joint venture of TDC Development & Construction Group and the Rockefeller Group Development Corporation – proceeding with the Department of City Planning certified project.

We support this project and its designers. They have carefully considered and responded to the wishes of the community and have done their homework well.

In addition to approximately 620 condominiums with a mix of unit sizes, there will be up to 275,000-square-feet of retail space for national, regional and local retail shops and restaurants and 234,000-square-feet of office space, all designed around the 1.5-acre landscaped “town square” that will include outdoor cafes and seating areas.

Parking was a major issue for local merchants and residents, and the TDC and Rockefeller groups hired parking experts to survey the lot’s current usage and project the future use, hour-by-hour and day-by-day. They asked how many spaces would make the lot the “right size.” Their experts – who surveyed over 400 people a day – came up with 1,600 spaces – 500 more than the existing lot and 900 more than required by zoning.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has already praised the project saying, “Together with the Macedonian African Methodist Episcopal Church’s affordable housing component of the development, it will create approximately 2,000 permanent jobs and 2,600 construction jobs, mostly for local residents.”

“The continued input from city representatives, local elected officials and community leaders, combined with the commitment from the developer, which is investing more than $800 million in private capital, is a great example of what can be accomplished when the public and private sector collaborate,” Bloomberg said.

This project is a win-win for all of Queens and must be approved and passed onto the Borough President for her approval as quickly as possible. The time to build it is now! We call on CB 7 for its approval now.

The Flushing Commons: No Easy Answer!

2010-03-30T15:07:00.000-04:00

I sat through hours of the Flushing Commons debate, wondering if I could be swayed. I sat hoping Mike Myers would announce a sweetening of the pot. Hoping DOT had all the answers to our traffic dilemma. Praying we found more parking. Nothing changed except people got louder maybe a bit more angry. The crowd lashed out at their Elected Officials, the Unions cried for more jobs and the rhetoric seems to get more outlandish.

Yet nothing changed. This project is by no means perfect... I am worried about its impact on Flushing. Yet I think we can withstand it. We need the jobs, we need to put people to work. We need to build Flushing in a way that paves the way to the future without destroying us today.

I for one will speak out in favor of this project not as vociferously as others but nevertheless in support, because the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. This project will improve downtown Flushing. Please God Build it but Help the Community. Maybe the Mayor will hear our call and do more to promote amenities for our community.

Grace Meng A True Leader For Flushing

2010-03-20T20:29:00.000-04:00

Grace Meng Flushings Finest

Flushing is know for its "Leaders" Every local organization has its President. If someone loses out as President then a splinter group is formed and a President is found.... it is a vicious cycle! Everyone seems to have become more active in Government and Politics perhaps because of the success of Comptroller John Liu.

Yet there is a presence in Flushing that makes a mark every day that is Assemblywoman Grace Meng. She is there on every issue, she fights for her community, she is willing to stand up for those who government seem to care less about.

The other day I was present in her office, I watched first hand how her able staff dealt with the constituents , some speaking English, most speaking Chinese. Everyone was patient and caring, clearly adopting the demeanor of their boss.

Rumors are abound of a Political challenge to Assemblywoman Meng. Its good for her to be challenged she will prove to all in Flushing how she is now the dominant Political Figure...Bye Bye John Liu Welcome Grace Meng

On Health care Is Obama Right?

2010-03-19T12:07:00.000-04:00

OK I am always a skeptic, but maybe Obama is not crazy when it comes to Health Care. Many people in this crappy economy are without insurance a friend of mine with heart disease has to choose between his medicine and food for his family and he chooses food!

Health care cost run wild! Doctors Bills are off the chart! Insurance carriers are charging a fortune! Families keep sick kids home and can't afford the Doctors bill.

Yes I am worried about socialized medical, we have seen its failure. But clearly something has to be done!

We give benefits to so many non-citizens and in many ways it is nice to help those who are trying to be new citizens and productive members of society. But we must also protect our existing citizens who need health care.

Terence Park Fighting for his Community or Fighting for Press

2010-03-10T16:10:00.000-05:00

Terence Park has been a favorite of this Blog. We have admired his independence and his willingness to put his community first over Party Politics. I have been reading with great interest Terence latest endeavor: Fighting the Development of the Municipal Lot.

I am not sure I agree. I am like Terence I believe we need to fight to get as much as we can for the community, but I am not willing to oppose this project.

As a Flushing resident I believe we need parking who wouldn't agree with that? But am I willing to tell 2,000 families that their bread winner will not have a job, and they can't put food on the table because of a few parking spots? I say no. Terence should not be willing to tell Union Labor that they can't build a $800 million dollar project because of parking.

I for one looked at the plan at the CB meeting. Yes I was disappointed about the parking but I was excited about the open space and other public amenities. Imagine free concerts in downtown Flushing under the sky with trees water fountains... sounds lovely. Should we abandon this because we came a few parking spots below what John Liu wanted?

How about a YMCA for our at risk kids to go to programs? Should we stop the project because of a few spots?

How about Doctor's offices for our underserved kids and families?

How about a development that will be the crown Jewel of downtown Flushing..Should we give up our vision because we lost a few spots?

I hope Terence is opposing this project for the right reasons I would respect that. If he is opposing it for Press that would destroy how I feel about him.

Terence please respond:

City Government Debt Addicts and Crooks!

2010-03-10T16:01:00.000-05:00

Our City and State are in such a bad way! Our Legislators are looking for additional ways to Tax our citizens. The latest "SODA TAX"!

Now they choose to promote "Health Reasons" to further Tax! Next the Ice Cream Tax??
Perhaps the "Cup Cake Tax" ?? Please maybe the "Lollipop Tax"?

Maybe if our Government officials represented us in good faith we could use real programs instead of padding the pockets of corrupt Pols. Maybe we could save money on Criminal Investigations, Slush Funds could be used to help real people!

I wonder if we could have a public accounting to determine the price tag of how much money was spent Investigating the Slush Funds and I wonder what did David Weprin and Speaker Quinn know and when did they know it?

Can you imagine if you were in charge of Finances for a Corporation and the Stock Holders found out you were misdirecting their money to a fake account to spend on programs and services that helps you. How long would you last in your job? You would be fired right away!

Yet that is what happened in this City and what did we do: We elected and promoted David Weprin the Finance Chair without putting him under subpoena.

We give Speaker Quinn a new 4 year term without making her publicly testify before the State or City to find out what she knows.

We know this Council Staffers Council members are being arrested left and right and those in charge get promoted.....WHY?

Yen Chou Holds New Position On Political Involvement

2010-02-22T14:20:00.001-05:00

I realize that some Politicians have no shame whatsoever. Hirim Menstruate is one... Jose Peralta is another...Tony Seminerio, Miguel Martinez, Larry Seabrook, Brian McLaughlin the list goes on and on!

Now it is time to add Yen Chou on the list! How dare she chose herself to lead a coalition on Political Action and Involvement. She never even voted until it was time to vote for herself.

People abhor Politics and are fighting back because people who have egos and no records seek public office. Yen Chou's ego enters a room an hour before she does.

She has never worked on behalf of the community...she never will. Running for office was about making her and her husband became rich beyond belief.

Make no mistake about it the people of Flushing dodged the political bullet on Election Day. A bullet that would have destroyed or community and its future.

Bearak Quits Civic Congress

2010-02-21T11:17:00.000-05:00

Amid Scandal Corey Bearak has resigned as President of the Queens Civic Congress. It appears that Corey approved an Anti Jewish flyer using the hateful symbol of a swastika in the recent State Assembly special election. It was bad enough to use it...then he defended it.

This clearly will not bode well for Corey, and will damage him in his career as a lobbyist.

Corey has managed to dodge the bullet while under investigation with his former boss Sheldon Leffler who was jailed on campaign finance fraud.

We at Save Flushing Queens were the first to point out the inherent conflict of interest with Corey serving as a Lobbyist, Campaign manager and President of the Civic Congress.

Fare Well Corey...Its nice to see you go!

Speaker Quinn David Weprin: Tell Us What You Knew And When You Knew It

2010-02-17T13:52:00.001-05:00

OK so while I was sunning myself in West Palm, it seems like half the City Council are either indicted or under a cloud of suspession or on the verge of getting indicted.

Am I surprised? No

Am I shocked? No

Am I appalled? Yes

But with all the media attention on disgraced Council Members Miguel Martinez and Larry Seabrook, one question calls for an answer: The two individuals most responsible for the budget Speaker Christine Quinn and Assemblyman David Weprin are silent over the scandal. The Speaker is rolling out new phony pony BS reforms... Weprin runs for his dads old Assembly seat while bragging about his service as Finance Chair. Can you imagine bragging about a record where millions of dollars are being misspent right under your nose. perhaps Davids rug blocked his vision (Sorry that was an unfair shot- but this guy must have been covering for the thieves).

Why isn't any investigative body calling these jokers in

and asking them questions under Oath?

We are Back!

2010-02-17T13:48:00.000-05:00

I just returned from Florida... taking some much needed time off and now I am ready to delve into all that I missed. Over the next few weeks I will begin to look at some of those interesting things that Queens Politics has to offer.

Until then I am going to go outside and walk in the snow!

The Politics of Terence Park

2010-01-08T10:50:00.000-05:00

As this New Year begins we at Save Flushing Queens are begining to wonder what is in store for us politically this year. We know about the State Asssembly and we are standing by Grace Meng she is a proven leader we only wish she would run for State Senate and rid us of the horror show of Toby Stavitsky. But what will become of the Democrats seeking to occupy the District Leadership positions and in particular what will happen to Terence Park?

Terence Park was chosen as on of our Political Winners for his crossing party lines to support Peter Koo over the candidacy of Yen Chou. It was a smart and courageous thing to do. It is clear this decision has revived him as a formidable community leader in Flushing. But how long can he maintain that position? Can he withstand the new leadership of SJ Jung? Time will tell.

We believe Terence is a good man who is not as politically astute as SJ. If so why would Terence speak at the Swearing In of Councilman Halloran? Terence sometimes makes decisions based solely on Politics and not always on the merit of the issue.

We watched him closely in this last City Council race and were impressed we are not so impressed with what we have seen since.

We at Save Flushing Queens hope Terence can beat Carpetbagger SJ, but if he is to be successful he must put community first and himself second. We believe he can. But decisions like fronting for Halloran are just plain stupid! Terence this is the begining of a new Political life take advantage of it! Don't ruin it!

2008 Political Winners and Losers

2009-12-24T11:12:00.000-05:00

Save Flushing Queens is proud to have stood up for what we believe in this Political year and we intend to become more vocal each and every year because an independent voice of the people is needed to help save our community. We are pleased to announce a list of some of our Political Winners and Losers for the Year 2008

Political Winners

John Liu - Did anyone ever expect that a local Chinese American would rock the Political world and surge ahead in the Polls and win the Runoff to make Political History? No! But he did and he will forever be a part of NYC History and the First Winner of Save Flushing Queens

Peter Koo - Like John Liu a Political underdog who shocked the world with his Political Victory. It proves that a nice guy can finish first. We supported him as a political novice who wants to go to City Hall and shake things up! We need a Businessman who knows how to lead!

Isaac Sasoon, Terence Park, Martha Flores, Pauline Chu, Ethel Chen - winners for showing the strength to cross party lines and put community first a rarity in today's political world, they exemplify what leadership is all about.

Grace and Jimmy Meng - For working behind the scenes to defeat Yen Chou a horrific candidate who believes only in self interest. Serving the people was last on her agenda as evidenced by her campaigns insistence that Party was more important than community.

Helen Marshall - facing a primary opponent and defeating them with ease while other incumbents fought challengers and were either toppled or barely survived.

Queens Republicans - Picked up seats in districts that were overwhelmingly Democratic. Showed some life!

Political Losers

Yen Chou - Spend money alienate and threaten people run for public office after not voting in 10 years divide community with anti white and anti Jewish rhetoric. Call yourself an "Educator" after missing 64% of CEC meetings. Becoming the First Democrat in 100 years to lose to a Republican in Flushing for a City Council Race. Need we say more.

SJ Jung - Moves to Flushing to run for office. Does will only because of the Working Families Party, now has to answer question to not only the CFB but to the Feds about Voter Fraud, Illegal Expenditures and more Social Justice Jung may now have a chance to Indict people unfortunatly it is not by his willingness to stand up but by Subpeona.

Mike Olmeda - Campaign Manager to Yen Chou a robust man full of bravado has certainly been deflated. His divide and conquer strategy failed and was rejected. He should go back to candidates school and learn how to be civil. I believe he will be a loser for years to come.

Senator Toby Stavitsky - She backed Yen Chou all while screwing up Albany at the same time. This relic of a Politician ought to be retired immediately! Stavitsky is a perfect example of the disfunction in Albany she attends no events has no base in the Asian community, and she is a complete sell out to the special interest in Albany. She a Loser for seeing 2 Council Members who she supported lose.

Tony Avella - This pompous ass thought he was above all! he ran for Mayor and was lucky if he garnered his wife's vote. He head is so high in the clouds he forgot that he represents the people and not the people must bow in his presence.

Jerry Ianacce - What can we say-if we carved a district of only his house he would probably lose. This man will never understand that public service is about exactly that serving the public not about feeding his ego!

Queens Dems - Sometimes being loyal to a Political Party is asking too much and the Queens Dems can no longer put Mickey Mouse up and expect Voters will vote for him. People want change and want elected officials who will put community before Politics. As soon as we get rid of parties we will all be better.

So for the New Year may we as citizens be able to effectuate real change to rid Albany of those who do not serve our interest! Please God help us preserve our community and City.

A Blessed Holiday Season To All!

SJ and The Feds Flim at Eleven

2009-12-21T11:34:00.000-05:00

Is This what SJ will look like when he meets the Feds and discusses his role with The Working Families Party and ACORN?

We here at Save Flushing Queens questioned SJ Jung as to why he would associate himself with Acorn and the Working Families Party some time ago in our Post we Said:

"In a recent mailer sent to voters, S. J Jung proudly announces that he has been endorsed by the notorious left wing radical group Acorn. Unfortunately for S. J, it is illegal for any candidate to be endorsed by an organization claiming to be a non-for-profit organization.

We guess that S. J Jung doesn’t care that the FBI launched an investigation into ACORN, because of allegations that the scandal scarred anti-American group has been accused of voter-registration fraud across the country.

We will give him a pass on taking the leftist Working Family Party’s line. We will even allow him to tout that he has been supported by legislators who wouldn’t know where Flushing was on a map, but those who are expected to lead with integrity and honor should be denouncing fraud not praising it."

I guess SJ will now have to sing to the Feds and talk about how a man who moves into Flushing a few days before the petition process can become such a viable candidate.

Who rasied his money?

Who ran his Field ops?

Who gave him the List?

Did he participate in scams?

Was campaign Finance Laws Violated?

Will This Damage SJ's Future?

SJ Ran for public office, now he can't hide from the Feds!

Click Here For Story on SJ and the Feds! http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/source-more-wfp-subpoenas

Hello: Toby Stavitsky Where Are You?

2009-12-16T13:18:00.000-05:00

Our State's fiscal crisis is now reached epidemic proportions, talk of school budgets being slashed, health reform stifled, taxes to increase, our Legislature is acting in a dysfunctional manner refusing to cut the pork, find the waste or eliminate the non essentials. Some crazy Senators would rather eliminate Police then their "Special Projects"

Our community expects and demands leadership, and in these trying times, and of our 4 representatives two are failing us, two are being responsible but of them all --Toby Stavitsky our Senator has become the biggest joke in all the political circles. Where is Toby? What are you doing as a member of the Senate Majority to help us close the deficit? What would you cut out of the budget? What are you doing? Besides decrying the opposition vote on gay Marriage?

Senator Stavitsky frankly is doing nothing! and why should she? She has never accomplished anything except to make sure she carried on the failed agenda of the Late Leonard Stavitsky. Toby now is Lobbied by her son for funding and finds nothing wrong with that. She collects her Salary and has raised almost $577,000 through Unions and special interest all to make sure she stays in Albany to be a "Political Puppet"

Yes Politics in Albany stinks! Why because useless legislators who have no work ethic and only show up to kiss babies and cut ribbons are re-elected without a fight.

Shame on us! We here at Save Flushing Queens are Posting this in the hopes that someone will step forward and run an aggressive campaign on the real issues against Senator "No Show" Stavitsky. The electorate is smart we want to hear about creating jobs, protecting small business, improving education and "REAL CHANGE" in government not flase promises and meaningless rhetoric from "Empty Suits"

With the New Year upon us is it to much for us to ask that our Politicians work for us instead of us working simply to to pay for their greed.

Hey Corey Bearak Ethics Reform Should Start at the Beginning

2009-12-10T15:15:00.000-05:00

Hey Corey Bearak Ethics reform Should Start at the Beginning

I recently was invited to attend the Queens Civic Congress annual event to meet and greet the Legislators of our great Borough. Now I really don’t know too much about this organization so I decided to Google and do a web search and I was shocked what I found.

Corey Bearak the President of the Queens Civic Congress is a registered Lobbyist and Political Consultant! Joe Bruno gets indicted for using his influence, Corey’s old boss Sheldon Leffler gets sent to jail abusing his Power, Assembly Members Seminerio and McLaughlin both will spend time in jail for their transgressions, and yet a community leader can use his Political clout and his community position to make a ton of money and to pad his pockets.

Now Corey is rumored to be running the election of David Weprin for State Assembly. Isn’t this a conflict? How can he purport to be a “Volunteer for the Community” as he gets paid by campaigns and Lobbies Legislators and uses his Community business card to garner entry and influence?

Yes we need to reform Albany Right Away! But we also need to reform “Civic Politics” where the corruption starts.

http://nyc.gov/lobbyistsearch/search?lobbyist=Corey+B.+Bearak

Corey B. Bearak Biography of Political Service: A professional Hack

Government & Public Affairs Counselor Attorney-At-Law

Consulting Services
Public Policy and Government Affairs
Political Consulting and Strategic Campaign Management
Media and Public Affairs Political Lobbyist

Corey Bearak provides strategic consulting services for public officials, government and community agencies, unions, institutions, private firms, individuals, and political candidates, and manages non-clinical operations of a human services agency

Corey was named Legislative Counsel to then-Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer in 1999, where he developed issues and new policy initiatives, counseled the Borough President on legislation and served as a legal, media and policy advisor. Through April 2003, Corey served Mr. Ferrer's successor, Adolfo Carrion Jr., as Director of Planning, Policy and Budget. Before heading to the Bronx, Corey served more than 16 years as Counsel/Chief of Staff to a northeast Queens City Council Member who chaired the Public Safety Committee and previously the Committee on Environmental Protection. From June 2003 through May 2005, he authored a weekly column on public policy, The Public Ought to Know. Corey also served as an Assistant to then-Secretary of State Mario Cuomo and in the Office of Bronx District Attorney Mario Merola.

Liu and Koo at Fundraiser Signals New Generation Of Leaders Who Put Community First

2009-12-09T10:50:00.001-05:00

Councilman Elect Peter Koo hosted a fundraiser just a few days ago to apparently assist in paying down debt from his successful campaign. The turnout was quite impressive, I attended as a guest of a prominent Korean leader who was a full pledged Koo fan, he is unaware of my private life as a blogger.

Well it is true Koo always stated "This is not about Republican or Democrat but Leadership and Experience" His fundraiser showed that to be true. Leaders from all Parties flocked through the door enthusiastically showing Koo's broad appeal. Senator Frank Padavan, Assemblywoman Grace Meng, Former Senator Serf Maltese, Democratic Council Candidate Isaac Sasson, Mike Niebauer Independence party Chairman, Former Republican Council Members not sure but I think Tom Ognibene, Former Assemblyman Jimmy Meng, Democratic leader Terence Park, Vince Tabone Executive Vice Chairman of the Queens GOP.

The list goes on, but perhaps even more impressive was the racial and religious and political diversity of the 350 attendees. Democrats sitting with Republicans Jews sitting with Hindus and Catholics. Chinese with Koreans, Whites with Hispanics and Blacks sitting with Indians.

The fundraiser proved one thing to me Peter Koo is a Uniter and if this is an example of how he is to govern we are in good shape!

Dan Halloran Tries to Make Peace

2009-12-04T12:52:00.000-05:00

Say what you may about:

Councilman Dan Halloran

Is he Wild? Outspoken? Crazy? Pompous? Smart?

Ambitious? Hardworking? Capable? Arrogant?

Yes to all!

Clearly, Dan Halloran is quite a character but we at Save Flushing Queens believe he may be the one leader who may surpass all of our expectations. He has to calm down and stop defending his religion and defend his community with the same vigor (all of his community including Korean Americans).

Halloran is bright, has a grasp of the issues, has a high level of energy and is battle tested. He can step in at City Hall and make a difference, so long as he does not fall into the political trap of thinking City Hall is there to serve him rather than he serving his community at City Hall.

He may be the guiding light that his community has been looking for having had 8 years of self serving ineffective leadership under Tony Avella.

I for one am hoping that Dan will be the Man.

Yen Chou Spends Most and Still a Loser

2009-12-02T11:34:00.000-05:00

Well the latest numbers are in and Yen Chou spent a remarkable $516,319 to try and get elected in a district that is near 5 to 1 Democrat to Republican and she losses! This has to be one of the worst showings in Political History.

Chou navigated her way through a crowded Democratic Primary field and escaping with a narrow win over SJ Jung a man who moved into Flushing 2 months before the petition period started (And has since moved again clearly for Political purposes).

Yen was criticized for her lack of Civic involvement, her failure to vote in an Election for 10 years, and her horrific attendance record as a member of the Community Education Council.

This race restores many peoples faith in government where money seems to buy election as evidenced by Mayor Bloomberg.

We as a community have to stand up to those empty suits who try to buy government and choose those who are right for the job.

Let this be a lesson for all those the electorate has awoken.

PS: We put this Poster Picture up just in case you missed it! After all it was everywhere and probably the reason she lost!

Grace Meng Announces Re-Election

2009-11-27T15:13:00.000-05:00

Politics in Flushing is always a step ahead then the Politics of the City. You have the Asian Media who are relentless in covering their Politicians as evidenced by the recent race for the New York City Council. Political pundits are questioning the press conference of Assembly Member Grace Meng who went out of her way to announce she is seeking Re-election. Why? Everyone seems to like Grace and she is an active Assembly Member. Clearly she is more than the odds on favorite she is the eventual winner. So why the early announcement?

Does she expect a challenge from Yen Chou? She should only pray that Yen is her opponent Grace would get 75% of the Vote.

Does she expect a challenge from SJ Jung? Maybe, but again Grace would clearly be the victor.

Grace keep up your fine work as an Assembly Member and realize you will win, because people appreciate a devoted public servant who is honorable.

A Happy Thanksgiving to All.... God Bless

2009-11-27T11:17:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving To All Bless You

I must admit I watched the entire Giant game last night and I was thinking there was not much to be Thankful for then as I opened my mail. I received a letter from Peter Koo asking my opinion on the issues of concern to the community. Imagine an Elected Official reaching out -- not for money, not for a vote but asking me what I thought!

I believe we will be in good hands for the next 4 years. Peter remember we here at Save Flushing Queens will be a hard group as we look for a better place to live. The issue you will have to address is Over development, Taxes, and the Economy.

I will write you at the Flushing Mall!

Peter Koo Congratulations and Good Luck

2009-11-20T13:28:00.000-05:00

The 1980 Men’s Olympic Hockey team will forever be known as “The Miracle on Ice” and the 2009 Flushing City Council race will be forever known as the “Koo Miracle Election” This is not said to disparage Peter Koo on the contrary it is intended to pay him the greatest of compliments.

With an enrollment disadvantage of five Democrats to each one Republican, no one gave Peter Koo a chance. We here at Save Flushing Queens, made a decision after the primary to support Mr. Koo, because he is a man of honor and conviction and the decision was correct. We are proud of our decision and frankly the community will be proud that they stood up for change and rejected a candidate who was an empty “Red” suit.

Since the Election things have been quiet, everyone is back to their day to day lives, the annoying phone calls have stopped, the ugly proliferation of Posters has ceased. Peter Koo has begun his graceful Transition. He is attending Civic Associations, Senior Centers, Churches, and has avoided the nonsense of boring insignificant press conferences as he prepares to represent us in the City Council.

We should all work to support Peter and offer guidance and assistance as he begins the new stage in his community service as our Council Member.

Good Luck Peter.

Your Future Depends on This Tuesday Vote Peter Koo Vs. Yen Chou

2009-10-31T14:23:00.000-04:00

With the race for City Council coming down to the last days… we here at Save Flushing Queens ask that each of our readers exercise our right to vote and make a decision! Failure to vote is abdicating your civic responsibility and only empowers others over yourself.

The choice for City Council in District 20 could never be clearer. The Choice is Peter Koo. Peter deserves a chance to represent us; he has lived in Flushing, worked in Flushing, Employs people in Flushing, and has financially supported so many charitable events and organizations in Flushing but more important he is a man of honor and unfortunately his opponent Yen Chou cannot say the same.

Yen Chou has desecrated the RKO Theatre with Illegal Posters
Yen Chou has Failed to Vote in 10 years
Yen Chou’s AIM academy failed to pay rent and was evicted having to pay $9300.00
Yen Chou Missed or was late to 70% of her official meetings and was forced to resign in disgrace.
Yen Chou used anti-Jewish propaganda in her Primary Election
Yen Chou was petitioned by 300 angry parents demanding her School Board removal accusing her of specific acts of fraud.
Yen Chou has accepted all the Special Interest money, and will be the special interest best friend
Yen Chou may face an investigation into her Campaign Finance Fraud
Yen Chou’s non-for-profit raises over 115,000 and does not show where it is spent leading to potential Fraud.

Yen Chou is simply unfit to serve. So this Tuesday Vote as if the future of our community depends upon it…because Ladies and Gentleman IT DOES!

Yen Chou Trashes Fellow Democrats

2009-10-29T18:35:00.000-04:00

Remember YEN when you point a finger 3 are pointing back at you!

In a sleazy Political attack Yen Chou has resorted to calling good loyal Democrats “Losers”

Yen Chou has attacked Terence Park, Isaac Sasson, Ethel Chen, Pauline Chu, Martha Flores-Velasquez, John Baez all as Losers and the list goes on. Who is she to label long time trailblazers and civic minded citizens as “losers”

Truth be told they are, in my mind, TRUE LEADERS! Individuals who chose by the candidate and not by the Party.

Yen Chou can not hide her feeling of hate.

Peter Koo is a good candidate and a good person and many people recognize his leadership and Experience.

Thanks Yen Chou I Needed The Laugh

2009-10-28T11:14:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I received in the mail a piece of Literature to my home from Yen Chou. Now I realize that in Politics, Politicians will say anything to get elected! No matter what! No truth? That's OK! I am Yen Chou what I saw must be true even when it is a lie.

Point One:

Yen Chou has photo's of herself with Various ethnic groups saying she is "bringing our community together" Really Yen? Then explain to the Jewish Voters why your campaign's anti-Semitic rants during the primary were made and explain to the voter why you never apologized? Maybe because you needed to divide the Community to win!

Yen why did you say this Council seat is a "Chinese Seat" are there not others who can represent this district with honor? Maybe a Korean American or a Latino American or African American or yes even a White American. Why Yen do you needed to divide our community to win the primary? Maybe you have no record of experience and the things that you do are mired in corruption and illegality or lack of civic responsibility.

Point Two:

Yen Chou shows herself with Congressman Ackerman calling him her mentor. Really Yen then explain why you never voted for your "Mentor" Is that what the Congressman teaches? Did your Mentor approve of you missing over 60 percent of all your CEC meetings? Do you make your Mentor proud? I am sure he looks at your record and is embarrassed.

Point Three:

Yen why have you accepted the endorsement of Council Speaker Christine Quinn? Do you read the papers? She had an illegal Slush Fund and is under investigation by the Federal Government for Fraud. Already Council Staffers and Council Members have been arrested and charged. Is that the leader you will support if you are elected? I say yes because you are not independent you are a tool with no original thoughts.

We need Real Change we need a Council Member who shows up for work! We need a Council Member who votes we need a leader not a tool of Politics and Special Interest.

Elect Yen Chou You Get 2 Nasty Venal Bullying Politicians For The Price Of 1

2009-10-26T10:45:00.000-04:00

I love Flushing, I have lived here my entire life, yes it has changed, sometimes for the better sometimes for the worse! I became active this year in the Primary becuase I needed to get off the sidelines and help my community. I voted for Isaac Sasson and almost voted for James Wu. I at first went to help Yen Chou but she never responded back to me. It was clear that her campaign would not care for white voters. She has shown disdain for us since day one! Her Primary remarks that this is a "Chinese Seat" and if "you wait to the General election, you help elect a Jew" are divisive statements.

As a preservationist, I was extremely angry at Yen Chou for allowing the desecration of the RKO, by her campaign team. Her Posters are illegally up everywhere! She acts as if she is Above The Law! I understand Politics is a tough business, but it does not have to be dirty! Yen Chou's camp viciously attacked James Wu with mailings at the last minute and I am sure she will try and tarnish the reputation of Peter Koo.

But now I have heard the worst of Yen Chou! Her husband is going through the Chinese papers and calling supporters of Peter Koo and threatening them. He is telling them when she gets elected that she will use her power to destroy them! Did someone empower him? Who is he? Does he still live in Bayside?

These underhanded tactics are so low that I have asked the New York City Department of Investigation to look into voter intimidation and will forward a similar complaint with the Federal Government seeking immediate actions. Yen Chou's husband has some answering to do! because some of the people who he has threatened are ready to speak. Including Presidents of non profits, small business owners and regular citizens who have felt his wrath.

We do not need people representing us who will resort to dirty tricks and intimidation to get what they want!

Yen Chou Announces Her Failure to Vote

2009-10-22T10:50:00.000-04:00

Yen Chou Announces Her Failure to Vote

A local Queens newspaper, the Queens Examiner stumbled across an interesting fact, Yen Chou has failed to vote for 10 years! When she did decide to vote it was for herself in the recent primary! Why would someone who claims to be so active in the community not participate at all in the Democratic Process? A Democratic District leader who doesn't Vote? Clearly, voting in elections is not only an honor but many feel a duty and responsibility. Our American Democracy is founded upon the ability for us to choose our leaders. What is so great about the United States is that we can change leadership with the power of a vote and not by shedding blood. It is a dishonor to all our Veterans and those who paid the supreme sacrifice to fight to protect our freedoms. Yen Chou wants the power for herself but she does not want to advance our democracy and freedom.

Last night I attended a debate Yen Chou openly admitted to the small audience that she did not Vote! She offered poor excuse after poor excuse, Instead of saying "I have failed in my civic responsibility!"

We give her credit for taking on the issue, but she deserves to lose the election for her lack of civic responsibility. Remember this is not just about voting, it is also about being appointed and accepting the responsibility of representing parents as a member of the CEC Community Education Council, she missed or was absent near 60% of the time missing votes that were urgent in the field of education and affected our community.

Please, you don't have to believe us go on-line and check the CEC for District 26, go to the minutes and see Yen's failure to Vote.

Please go on-line and check the Editorial for the Queens Examiner and read why they rejected Yen Chou
Yen Chou only cared enough to vote for herself and she will never care about you or the community when elected!

Let's Get Ready To Rumble

2009-10-20T19:50:00.000-04:00

The Race for City Council is only 13 days away and the pace is picking up with community leaders now taking sides and some jumping sides and some playing both sides. If you put your ear to the ground you can tell that people were not expecting this close of a race in Flushing. We are not surprised Peter Koo and Yen Chou are waging this epic battle what we are surprised is how many people have emailed us encouraging us to continue with our site. We admit we are angry at the way Yen Chou sent out nasty attack pieces directed at James Wu and John Choe in the primary. We are angry how Yen Chou puts posters everywhere making our community look like a slum. So we accept the criticism that we have shown anger towards Yen Chou but we challenger her to show us that she can live within the law, if she does we have less to be critical about.

Is Bena To Be Arrested?

2009-10-20T13:29:00.000-04:00

Word on the street is that the Happy Hobo of Flushing James Bena was caught red handed by Officers of the 109th Police Precinct illegally removing Peter Koo signs from private property; this comes in the wake of the Chou campaign being issued thousands of dollars in fines for their desecration of the RKO Theatre.

Finally the campaign which has been run “Above The Law” is facing the music. This restores our faith in government.

Did John Liu Really Want to Endorse Yen Chou? You Decide?

2009-10-18T13:40:00.001-04:00

John Liu and City Councilman Charles Barron at a Recent Rally for Comptroller

Yes it happened John Liu held his nose and did what people had been pressuring him to do since September 15th, the unthinkable he endorsed Yen Chou. But is he really supporting Yen Chou. Let’s look at the history and the facts and you decide.

Yen Chou in June of this year announces her support for David Weprin over John Liu in the race for Comptroller. Her announcement and comments were published on June 4th in Sing Tao Daily and the World Journal. Yen takes a few calculated shots at John Liu and opposes him in the vote for the Queens Democratic Organization nod for Comptroller.

Once John Liu becomes the choice of the Democratic Organization… does Yen Chou support him? No! She goes on to support and carry petitions for Weprin and herself against the Party.

Chou and her few supporters continue to bash John Liu in hopes of advancing Weprin.

On September 15th John Liu makes the runoff and Yen Chou narrowly escapes with a win in the Primary.

From the 15th on Yen Chou is doing all she can to get the now coveted endorsement of John Liu and Liu delays, the runoff comes and goes and Liu is the winner, our next Comptroller. Day by Day Democrats cross party lines to support Republican Peter Koo, some of John Liu’s inside power players are seen in open meetings in the Flushing Mall food mart and at the Sheraton. Koo’s campaign gains momentum. John Liu comes out and makes an endorsement for City Council yet it was not for Yen Chou it was for Kevin Kim a smack in the face for Yen Chou. Peter Tu a Liu loyalist becomes a campaign manager for Peter Koo to work on Chinese vote for Election Day.

Still no Endorsement, The Democratic Organization calls and pushes John until he plays Loyal to his party publically and he endorses Yen Chou. The next day a group of campaign strategist loyal to Liu are told to work and help Koo.

So Now one Candidate has the public endorsement and the other has the Campaign team sounds like John Liu has split loyalties. You Decide!!!

We at Save Flushing Queens feel John Liu would prefer the more experienced Peter Koo in his old Council Seat.

Yen Chou Poster Crew Caught in Action

2009-10-17T00:44:00.000-04:00

A concerned citizen who was angered with the proliferation of posters on public places has contacted Save Flushing Queens with numerous pictures and Video's of paid Chou supporters placing posters on government property and removing legally put up signs of both John Liu and Peter Koo.

We here at Save Flushing Queens will be Posting these Video's upon verification of their authenticity, for now please except these pictures as stage one.

RKO Used as Yen Chou Poster Board

2009-10-14T17:47:00.000-04:00

Yen Chou in perhaps one of the most disgusting and vile political self promotions has angered a community for her plastering her inexperienced face on our RKO Building. Clearly Yen believes that enhancing her Political Career supersedes our quality of life. She is no better than a Graffiti Vandal defacing our property and a Historic location for own Political Notoriety. Does she really believe this is how to get elected?

Yen Chou has No Respect.

Yen Chou has No Honor.

Yen Chou believes if you plaster posters you win races.

Yen Chou is void of substance.

Yen Chou should be rejected.

Yen Chou Mudslinger and Dirty Campaigner

2009-10-09T09:47:00.000-04:00

Yen Chou has become the perfect Politician in the most negative of ways. Let us for the moment forget her blind allegiance to the developer of the Caldor site Sam Chan, who continues to try and pad her pockets and allegedly makes illegal contributions for what I am sure will be future favors should the public turn a blind eye to honesty and integrity and put Chou in office.

Let us warn you she is poised to attack her opponent Peter Koo and was ready to attack SJ Jung before he pulled out of the race. Why may you ask?

Because when you can't win on substance, experience or record you lie, cheat and demean honest people!

You heard it here first.

What will she say??? She was ready to attack SJ as a candidate who can't win, who had connections to Korean leftists and just moved into the district. She will try to divide Flushing by telling Chinese you can't have a Korean representative like she did in the Primary. She will tell you that he has the support of Unions and he is a Liberal Democrat. She was going to use the politics of fear and hate.

What else will she say? She will lie and say that Peter Koo can't win despite the polls that say something else, she will spread lies about the amount of time he has represented Flushing, she will attack that he is an immigrant and he does not speak perfect English. She may even talk about how Peter was unsuccessful in his first attempt at Public office. So what?

In the Primary Yen Chou started false rumours against Isaac Sasoon a good man and leader.

Yes she will attack and attack and throw mud all so she does not have to answer questions about her own record.

Call Yen Chou ask her how many times she was late or absent from her official department of Education Position representing parents on the Community Education Council.

Call and ask Yen Chou if she has the proper license for teaching?

Call and ask Yen Chou why she did not support Flushing's own John Liu in the Primary but instead David Weprin.

Why do candidates Mudsling? Because they are hiding their own failures. Yen Chou you can run but you can't hide your record of failure and corruption follows you where ever you go.

周燕霞最近已经把政客能做的坏事都一一做尽了。像是大开发商Sam Chan不断把钱塞进周燕霞的口袋，还非法利用人头捐款给周燕霞，我相信这些将来周燕霞要昧著良心把这些恩惠一一回报给她。

在此要警告您她已经准备好要攻击她的对手顾雅明，还有郑胜振，如果不是他半途退出选战，他也会是标靶之一。

如果比本质、经验跟记录都没办法赢，你就只剩说谎、欺骗与抹黑诚实者一途。

我们已经告诉过您了！

她将会说什么呢？她已经准备好把郑胜振描绘成「无法获胜的候选人」、「韩裔左派份子」与「刚搬到选区的人」，她将会以告诉华人您不该有一个韩裔民选官员的方式试著分裂法拉盛，她会告诉您郑有工会支持而且是个自由派的民主党员，她已经准备好要采用恐惧与仇恨政治。

她还会说什么呢？她会骗您说顾雅明选不上，尽管最新的民调看来并不是这样？她将会散布关于顾雅明无法代表社区的谎言，她会说他是个连英文都讲不好的移民。她可能还会提起顾雅明第一次竞选失败的故事。所以呢？

在初选中，周燕霞散布不实的谣言打击像沙宋这样的好人与社区领袖。

是的，她将会继续不断地攻击与抹黑，所以她将不用回答任何关于她过往记录的问题。

请打电话给周燕霞，问她担任代表家长的学区委员时，缺席过正式的会议几次。

请打电话给周燕霞，问她教学时拿的是哪一种教师证照。

请打电话给周燕霞，问她在民主党初选时，她为何没有支持法拉盛出身的刘醇逸，而是支持魏普林。

为什么一个候选人要抹黑别人？因为他们要隐藏自己的失败。周燕霞女士，您可以逃避，但不论您走到哪里，您过往的失败与腐败的记录将会一直跟著您。

Park Endorses Koo Yen Chou Weakened

2009-10-06T12:48:00.000-04:00

Terence Park a fixture in the Korean American Community has publicly crossed party lines to endorse and support Peter Koo for the race for City Council. Clearly Park long known for thinking clearly and then making an educated decision must realize that Democratic Council candidate Yen Chou is in deep trouble. Park has also made the determination that Political newcomer SJ Jung can never win on the Working Families Party Line.

As the election comes closer Political pundits are wondering why Yen Chou's opponents have yet to come out publicly to endorse her. The reason is that most of them believe that Yen Chou is incapable of leading the community. Rumor has it that most of the Democrats that sought office are working with Republican Peter Koo.

Hold tight this Election is not over yet!!!!

Yen Chou Making Flushing Look Like A Corrupt Dump

2009-10-01T12:58:00.000-04:00

We here at Save Flushing Queens recognize that putting up campaign posters is part of the Political Process. When in storefronts that is positive, when on Public property it is downright unacceptable. The above photo is a perfect example of why Yen Chou should not be elected to the New York City Council. She firmly believes she is above the law, her arrogance is her downfall.

You may think that this is petty of us but the reality is she abuses all laws and official complaints have been filed with regard to allegations of Fraud in her campaign financing, letters have been sent to the City Campaign Finance Board and she may face a legal review from the District Attorneys office right here in Queens County!

If she is elected will this mean she will have to resign if brought up on charges and if so we as a community lose.

yen Chou in Serious Trouble

2009-09-23T16:09:00.000-04:00

So the Primary is over and the results are in and Yen Chou appears to have squeaked by despite spending the most money, buying off supporters and dividing the community with racially hurtful statements and a campaign that pitted Chinese vs. Korean, Asians vs. Jews and Hispanics vs. Whites.

The Flushing campaign is an example of what we all hate and despise about politics. During the Primary season, Special interest groups came into the district and tried to buy a City Council Seat by pouring money into political coffers so that if a candidate gets elected, they are forever indebted. Yen Chou’s financial disclosures read like a who’s who in “I’m going to screw Flushing”. But the good people of the 20th Council District in the Democratic Primary manage to recognize this and 76% of all those who voted rejected Yen Chou and her politics of hate and divisiveness. A political upstart in S. J. Jung, nearly toppled Yen Chou despite having only moved into the community a mere few months ago.

Let’s review why Yen Chou should have lost this primary despite being the overwhelming favorite.

1. People rejected her politics of hate.
2. They were angered when they learned of her abysmal record as an official representative of the people for the Department of Education.
3. Her anti-Semitic statements galvanized the Jewish vote and nearly propelled Isaac Sason to victory.
4. Yen Chou’s campaign finance disclosures are under investigation and people know where there is smoke there is fire.

All the political pundits had Yen Chou walking away with this Primary race, but now she faces the fight of her life in the November election. This district was perfectly suited for a true leader like Isaac Sasson but absent that, Peter Koo, the Republican candidate may be able to overcome the enrollment differences by beating a divided Democratic ticket as S.J. Jung stays on the “working families” line.

Yen Chou’s voter base will be divided and Peter Koo with 3 lines in November may very well pull off the upset of the century in Flushing. Yen Chou can be defeated and her vile brand of politics can be eliminated.

Stay tuned folks, the fight has just begun.

Yen Chou an Educational Record of Failure for our Children and Families

2009-09-08T11:10:00.000-04:00

Yen Chou an Educational Record of Failure for our Children and Families

Yesterday, we received an email most likely from some political candidate or another giving Yen Chou a report card for her term on the CEC. We are not great fans of Yen Chou she has displayed a level of arrogance in her campaign, as a matter of fact when I tried to reach out early on to see if I could help her, I was not even afforded a return call by her. I spoke with a campaign supporter, I realized then Yen Chou had no interest in white voters or support.

Now I am glad she shunned me and my family after reading of her abysmal record as an official member of the Board of Education’s CEC… Can you imagine her being absent or late nearly 74% of the time?

How is this woman going to represent us if she can’t show up for work? Her being a member of the CEC was designed solely for her to promote herself and her business. Each advertisement in the World Journal stated her Educational background for AIM, her for profit educational center.

It is unconscionable for someone to profit off of kids, while failing to assist in enhancing education as she was sworn to do.

Yen Chou is not suitable for Public Office…As a matter of fact Yen Chou is a disgrace as a human being.

Yen Chou FAILS as Public Official

2009-09-07T21:49:00.000-04:00

Jerry Iannece Burns Kevin Kim

2009-09-07T10:55:00.000-04:00

Jerry Iannece is well known for his anger, arrogance and his notorious violent temper. This is precisely why, Jerry Iannece has been running for public office for 15 years! His abysmal political failure is a result of his haughty attitude, his abrasiveness and belief that he is better than everyone else.

His narcissistic tendencies make people feel uncomfortable and prevented them from supporting him for over 15 years. Tony Avella went so far as to state that, “Jerry Iannece is unfit for public office.”

This is precisely why we were not shocked when a concerned reader alerted us that Jerry Iannece and brainwashed members of his campaign set a Kevin Kim Poster ablaze as a stupid prank.

Well Jerry we fail to see the humor in setting things on fire. We here at Save Flushing Queens would like to hear your side of the story. Contact us Jerry.

This is why we feel that Tom Cooke, Debra Markell and Kevin Kim are better suited for public office.

Say No to Yen Chou

2009-09-04T09:45:00.000-04:00

It is not surprising that the anti-white candidate, Yen Chou, decided not to attend a debate hosted by the Flushing Jewish Community Council. It is obvious that Yen Chou is not only ignoring White, Hispanic and African American voters but she is also unwilling to defend her anti-Semitic remarks she made in the local press. Clearly she hid in fear that her agenda would be put on public inspection prior to Primary day.

周燕霞没有出席法拉盛犹太社区协会主办的候选人论坛，其实并不让人意外。很显然周燕霞不仅忽视白人、西班牙裔与非裔选票，也不愿对先前她先前在本地媒体会面时的反犹太族裔的言论有所辩解。很清楚地，周笼罩在个人意图将在初选前被摊在阳光下的恐惧中。

The 20th Council District needs a representative that unifies our diverse community and not divides us. Yen Chou will be a disaster if she is elected to any public office. As a community we need to act now and prevent her from continuing her politics of hate, prejudice and divisiveness.

选区需要的是一个能团结多元族裔的候选人，而非撕裂与分化社区者。周燕霞不管当选任何公职对社区都是一场大灾难，身为社区的一份子，我们必须有所行动，避免周燕霞将仇恨、偏见与分裂继续带到政治中。

If elected, Yen Chou will be unable to work with her fellow colleagues or the Mayor rendering her useless and ineffective thus hurting our community every other Council member will bring back the necessary funding we to support the many programs their community rely upon except Yen Chou, she will be sitting with Charles Baron wondering why hate hurts.

若周燕霞当选，她的无能与无效将无法与其他市议员和市长一起工作，进而伤害我们社区的权益。每位市议员都会分配到一定的政府经费，资助本地的各项计画所需，她将会跟坐在一起，然后还不知道仇恨带来的伤害。

As a community, we need to say NO to Yen Cho.

作为社区的一份子，我们必须跟周燕霞说不。

S.J Jung Steps in Acorn Dung

2009-09-01T20:28:00.000-04:00

In a recent mailer sent to voters, S. J Jung proudly announces that he has been endorsed by the notorious left wing radical group Acorn. Unfortunately for S. J, it is illegal for any candidate to be endorsed by an organization claiming to be a non-for-profit organization.

Candidate Profiles District 20 by Calvin Prashad

2009-08-20T11:52:00.001-04:00

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"

2009-08-14T11:07:00.000-04:00

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"

2009-08-13T18:08:00.000-04:00

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

2009-08-11T11:27:00.000-04:00

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?

2009-08-10T16:37:00.000-04:00

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

2009-08-10T11:28:00.000-04:00

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

2009-08-05T15:52:00.000-04:00

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

2009-08-03T21:08:00.000-04:00

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!

Avella seat candidates blast petition challenges

2009-07-23T13:52:00.000-04:00

By Stephen StirlingThursday, July 23, 2009 9:14 AM EDT

The campaigns of five Democratic candidates vying for City Councilman Tony Avella’s (D-Bayside) soon-to-be vacated seat called for a moratorium on petition challenges, but were all subsequently challenged by the supporters of the one candidate who declined to enter the agreement.

Tom Cooke, Kevin Kim, Steve Behar and a representative for Debra Markell stood outside the headquarters for the Queens County Democratic Party Friday morning to ask for the campaigns of Paul Vallone and Jerry Ianecce to join them in agreeing not to challenge the signature petitions each had filed with the city Elections Board by yesterday.

“We’re doing this not because our petitions are weak, but because they want to tie up our limited resources by taking our campaigns to court,” Cooke said.

Each of the four campaigns present said they filed more than 2,500 valid signatures with the board, well over the required 900.

Vallone’s campaign later agreed and said it could not attend the news conference because the real estate attorney was receiving the endorsement of Mayor Michael Bloomberg in Flushing at the time.

But Richard Rapp, an associate of CB 11 Chairman Jerry Ianecce’s campaign, filed an objection to all five who entered the agreement, drawing the ire of several of the candidates.

“I respect the New York State Election Law and the safeguards in place to ensure that the democratic process is protected from abuse and fraud,” Markell said. “It should not be used as a political tool, I believe that’s what Jerry Ianecce is doing here.”

Ianecce and his campaign declined to comment.

Challenges to petition signatures are not uncommon, however, and can often be tied up in courts for weeks. In many cases, the fields in highly contested primary races are whittled down as successful challenges toss would-be candidates from the official ballot.

Behar blasted the Democratic Party-backed campaign of Ianecce and Vallone, an attorney who hails from one of the most politically powerful families in Queens, for declining to enter into such an agreement.

“Sometimes you use the system to its advantage even though it’s not the right thing to do,” Behar said. “So when challenges begin to come in, we’ll know where they’re coming from.”

Although one of the campaigns, Vallone’s, said it will not be from its end.

Vallone Campaign Manager Chuck Apelian said his campaign does not plan on issuing any challenges, but could not join the coalition in Forest Hills, and questioned why Cooke and Behar were critical.

“We agree with them. We told them we just couldn’t get there because of the timing,” Apelian said. “I don’t know why they’re saying that. Now they’re the ones playing the negative card.”

Vallone received the endorsement of Mayor Michael Bloomberg in Flushing — an event that took place at the same time.

Ianecce could not immediately be reached for comment.

Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at sstirling@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.

Time to Play Nice Ladies and Gentleman

2009-07-17T21:05:00.000-04:00

The time for all the shenanigans is about to begin! Lets hope that when the candidates for the 19th and 20th Council District file for public office that they think about the voters rather than their self interest.

You see each year one candidate or another is thrown off the ballot by their opponent. Why because these candidates are afraid to face a real challenge, afraid to let the public make the determination of who should represent them.

Well Save Flushing Queens has purchased an email list of 5,000 households off a Political List Broker and are poised to do weekly updates. We will be sure to include all those who are going to waste our courts time with law suits and waste taxpayer money by frivolously challenging an opponent, we will oppose anyone who denies someone the right to seek to represent us!

We as private citizens are seeking a choice, a real choice and this year we have that, if candidates use our archaic system of “Petitioning” to limit our choice we will work hard to oppose said candidates.

This Post will be sent to all the candidates Please tell us if you plan on Challenging your opponent or if you believe in true Democracy!

Tribune Questions Yen Chou

2009-07-17T21:00:00.000-04:00

Campaign Refutes Tie To Anti-Semitic Slur

By Brian M. Rafferty

The campaign of Council candidate Yen Chou was hit last week of rumors that it supported an anti-Semitic position in helping Chinese-Americans retain the seat set to be vacated by John Liu.

Liu (D-Flushing) is the first Asian-American elected to the City Council, and Chou had met with supporters a couple of weeks ago to discuss strategy for maintaining a Chinese presence in the Council.

According to Chou’s Campaign Manager Carlos Olmeda, Chou met with a group of Chinese business and social leaders who had cobbled together notes that discussed the nationalities and ancestry of the candidates in the race - two of whom are Chinese, two of whom are Korean and one of whom is Jewish, of Lebanese descent.

Identical copies of those notes were obtained by a local blog, saveflushingqueens, as well as local newspapers.

When translated independently, the notes read as strategy, stating that a Republican (in this case Chinese-American Peter Koo) cannot win the general election, and that the only way to ensure a Chinese American candidate would be to encourage Chinese American voters to come out in full force during the primary.

The translation, however, reads "If you waited until the general election to vote for Peter Koo and forgo the primary, you will have elected a Jewish candidate, assuming the two Korean candidates cancel each other out."

The majority of the rest of the document states the talking points for Chou, but comes back again at the end to say "We Chinese people, we usually don't participate in the primary, therefore we are helping the Jewish people win."

"This was not generated by the campaign," Olmeda said. "This was a compilation of someone else's ideas in response to something that Peter Koo put out in the Chinese community stating that he could win in the general election."

Attempts to reach Isaac Sasson, the Jewish candidate in the race, were not fruitful. A spokesman for the Peter Koo campaign said the Ming Pao Daily, a Chinese language paper, would be able to explain the notes, but calls to that paper were not returned.

Olmeda said that literal translation from Chinese is often difficult, noting that he has asked the Chinese campaign staff to allow him to formulate the wording of press releases going to English-speaking media to be sure that nothing gets lost in translation.

The independent translator used by the Tribune indicated that the notes appeared to be less organized than one would find in a press release, and sounded almost as if the text had been translated into Chinese from English beforehand.

Olmeda said Chou, if she were to lose the primary, would most likely put her support behind the Democratic candidate, even if it meant that the only Chinese American in the race was a Republican.

S.J Jung Shows Yen Chou that Koreans Can!

2009-07-16T09:45:00.000-04:00

We received this e-mail from one of our readers. It is obvious that Yen Chou is wrong, Korean candidates ARE formidable, capable and effective!

S.J. Jung, Democratic candidate for the 20th City Council District finished the current financial filing period outpacing all opponents in the race. Jung concluded the fundraising period with a total of $131,540 raised and $92,203 cash on hand. Having met the threshold for qualifying for matching funds, it is anticipated that Jung will receive the maximum matching grant of $107,333 from the Campaign Finance Board. When combined with funds already raised, this will place Jung at a total of $238,823, ahead of every other candidate in the Democratic primary.

S.J. Jung is participating in New York City's public campaign financing system, which gives extra financial support to candidates who agree to limit the influence of big-money contributors in their campaigns. Although the Campaign Finance Board has not yet begun disbursing matching funds, Jung's campaign filings show that he has met all requirements and raised sufficient funds from individual donors to receive the maximum matching grant of $107,333, which, when combined with funds already raised, means that he has adequate funds to reach the campaign spending limit. Jung's campaign funds are fueled by small donations, with fully two thirds of his donors giving contributions of $1 00 or less.

"I appreciate the financial contributions from my supporters, especially in these tough economic times. I'm excited by the enthusiastic reaction from community members, who are responding to my campaign because they are looking for a leader who has the skills and experience they need on the City Council," Jung explained. "In every neighborhood and at every door people are asking why we still don't have a plan for smart growth in our neighborhoods. They're frustrated by congestion and overcrowding; worried about their schools; very concerned about the economy and wondering when City government is going to start getting to work. With 20 years of experience as a business owner and Executive Director of a nonprofit, I have the real world experience that we need on the Council."

S.J. Jung has served as the executive director of a nonprofit group and a successful small businessman, working to improve the quality of life for families in the 20th City Council District for over two decades. With more leadership experience than any other candidate in the race and a proven track record of helping families, Jung is running for City Council to ensure that our community's future growth puts the needs of middle and working families first.

# # #

The following are the financial filing numbers as of the July 15th financial filing deadline according to the Campaign Finance Board:

S.J. Jung: raised $131,540 (raised $238,823 with expected matching funds), spent $38,613

Yen Chou*: raised $229,177, spent $140,292 [declined matching funds]

Isaac Sasson: raised $81,849, spent $64,534

James Wu: raised $61,828, spent $48,049J

John Choe: raised $49,399, spent $16,491

Constantine Kavadas*: raised $47,265, spent $17,792 [declined matching funds]

*Yen Chou and Constantine Kavadas will not receive public matching funds, since both candidates opted out of the New York City's public campaign financing system.

Source: http://www.nyccfb.info/VSApps/WebForm_Finance_Summary.aspx?as_election_cycle=2009&sm=press_&sm=public_h1

The 7 Line is Best in NYC

2009-07-16T09:38:00.000-04:00

If the 7 Train is the best line in NYC, I would really hate to ride the C Train!

Rating the rails: No. 7 is best and C train is worst in new subway rankings
BY Pete Donohue and Michael Roberts DAILY NEWS WRITERS

For the second year in a row, the No. 7 is the best subway line in the city, with the L coming in a close second, a new report says.

The No. 7 line took the gold in the Straphangers Campaign's annual "State of the Subways" report because it has more frequent and predictable service, fewer breakdown delays and cleaner cars.

No. 7 riders also have a fairly good shot at getting a seat, said the report, which was released Wednesday.

"I like the 7 train," Hakeem Marsh, 19, a Queens high school student, said.

The route that runs between Times Square and Flushing, Queens, earned a $1.55 score out of a possible $2 under the fare-based system used by the advocacy group.

The survey was done before the June hike adding another 25 cents to the one-way bus and subway fare. The L line earned a MetroCard rating of $1.50.

The worst line of 21 surveyed is the C line, according to the report, partly because mechanical malfunctions occur most frequently on that line.

The C is a local running between 168th St. in northern Manhattan and Euclid Ave. in East New York, Brooklyn.

It earned a score of 50 cents.

"Sometimes when you get on, it smells really bad, and it's sometimes really hard to take," said Vinnie DiChristo, 20, an actor from Manhattan and a C line rider.

The L and No. 7 lines benefited last year from a pilot program that gave them additional cleaning staff and their own general managers with more accountability, Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign said.

pdonohue@nydailynews.com

The New Power of the Asian American Vote: More Evident than Ever

2009-07-13T12:09:00.000-04:00

We have witnessed firsthand how Mike Bloomberg during his re-election bid has courted the immigrant vote. Perhaps the group he maintains has become the most influential and the most sought after is the Asian Americans. This is a clear indication that the Asian Americans have become a strong influential voting bloc not only in Flushing but in City Politics.

A prime example is a young Chinese American Councilman John Liu who catapulted himself from obscurity to become the lead candidate for citywide office, taking an early lead over veteran politicians including the powerful Weprin family and Melinda Katz a protégé of the Hevesi camp.

This year we will see a group of candidates fighting it out in Flushing in a Democratic Primary only to face off against a well respected and well financed Republican in Peter Koo. It is clear that this year seems to be the time when Asian Americans flex their Political Muscle in City Politics.

Isaac Sasson Time to Stand up and Denounce your Democratic Race Mongering Opponent Yen Chou

2009-07-09T11:18:00.000-04:00

Sometimes we expect those who wish to lead to stand up and lead! I am shocked, outraged and yes even disappointed that the despicable racial overtones of the Chou campaign have not been addressed by any of the candidates in the September primary. I am especially disappointed in the lack of courage of a man I have held in high regard, Isaac Sasson. Not a peep out of his campaign! He never even acknowledged our Post and our trying to “out” a Political agenda that is harmful to the diversity of our local political landscape.

Yen Chou statements in her press conference and in the Chinese Media are harmful for race relations and hurtful for all those who wish to live in peaceful coexistence. We thought our Political leaders had learned from Julia Harrison that hurtful vengeful race baiting is unacceptable.

We will offer space on this blog to any of the candidates in the Primary who have the moral courage to respond.

Glenhead Barbie Feels the Heat

2009-07-09T11:03:00.000-04:00

From the Queens Campaigner
http://www.yournabe.com/blogs/queenscampaigner/?p=905
by Nathan Duke

Carrozza moves back to Bayside amid GOP calls for investigation.

The Queens County Republican Party has called for an investigation of state Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza (D-Bayside) after she admitted in late June that she had been living out of the district since March. But the assemblywoman said Tuesday that she had moved back to Bayside last week.

Queens GOP Chairman Phil Ragusa said the party wants Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and the state Ethics Board to determine whether Carrozza misled her constituents by living in a Glen Head property known as “The Crossways” that she and her husband, William Duke, purchased for $1.8 million in June 2008.

“In this time, when Albany dysfunction is at an all-time high and government spending is out of control at every level of government, we need to be extremely diligent in demanding real reform from our elected officials,” Ragusa said. “And the most basic reform we should demand is that officials truly live in the districts they are elected to represent, as required by law.”

Carrozza said state law did not prohibit her from temporarily living in the Long Island house. But she said this week that she was once again living in Bayside.

“I’m back in Bayside as of last week,” she said. “This smacks of early campaigning. I think all of our efforts are best focused on issues in Albany. I view this as a waste of taxpayer resources. We’ve seen in the past when politicians misdirect resources into baseless investigations. During this time of economic hardship for so many families, that money could be better spent.”

Randolph Yunker, a spokesman for the Nassau County Assessment Department, said Carrozza’s husband applied in December 2008 for a STAR exemption on the Glen Head property.

One of Carrozza’s Bayside homes had also received the exemption and would have saved the couple $232 on their 2009-2010 tax bill in Queens, city Finance Department records show. But a spokesman for that department said a request had been made by one of the property’s owners this week to remove the School Tax Relief Program exemption. The home will not receive the benefit for the fiscal year which began July 1, he said.

The application for the Long Island property had been approved, but the Nassau department froze it when it discovered that the Bayside home already had an exemption.
STAR, which is overseen by the state’s Office of Real Property Services, gives married couples a tax break on their primary residence. But state rules stipulate that a husband and wife can have an exemption for only one residence unless they are legally separated.

The deed for Carrozza’s Bayside home lists both her and her husband’s name, a Finance Department spokesman said. But the department could not verify who applied for a STAR exemption for the home.

Mortgage papers for the Glen Head home obligate the owner to “occupy the property and use the property as [their] principal residence within 60 days.” It also requires the owner to “continue to occupy the property and use the property for at least one year.”

Yunker said the couple would only be allowed to have one home with a STAR exemption.

“Our interest is not in who applied for it, but that there was a STAR on another piece of property,” he said. “We don’t check with other municipalities when someone applies. We take people at their word when they show us proof that they are living in a home.”

The Long Island property would not receive a tax break from a STAR exemption until after October, he said. The savings for the home, under last year’s assessment, could save its owner an estimated $700. But this year’s figures have not yet been determined.

In late June, Carrozza said she and her husband had been living in an “investment property” in Glen Head as they planned to adopt a child and search for a new home in Bayside. But the Queens property in which she previously lived would not provide enough space for three children and she had already promised to rent the home to an Oregon couple for part of the year. She currently owns two homes and two sites for office space in Bayside. She has not yet decided what she will ultimately do with the Long Island property, which she said is her husband’s primary residence.

John Conklin, director of public information for the state Elections Board, said elected officials are legally allowed to live outside their district as long as they intend to return.

Yen Chou Should Apologize For Racist Politicking

2009-07-07T16:27:00.000-04:00

Yen Chou, a Democratic candidate for the 20th Council seat has caused quite a stir from her fear mongering and racist campaign tactics. Save Flushing Queens is sending this Post to her Campaign to ask her to apologize to the individuals she offended especially, Isaac Sasson.

As our previous Post reported, Chou stated in a press conference statement that failure to vote for a Chinese candidate in the primary is in fact a vote for the “Jewish” candidate, since Sasson is the only “Jewish” candidate this is a direct attack on Mr. Sasson.

Her other offensive statements toward the Korean Candidates in the race were equally disturbing. She obviously feels that a Korean cannot be a qualified candidate. It is abundantly clear that her campaign strategy is to make personal attacks, divide and conquer. We are confident that the good people of Flushing will reject her!

Chou also stated that Non Asian representatives don't really help Chinese people and this is why Chinese people look for help from local associations and the newspapers. Yen Chou is obviously unaware that non for profits are created all over this city to help ALL, notwithstanding Race Religion or Creed. Yen Chou’s statement about white representatives is a direct attack on all those in government service from our Fire Department to the Police to any White, Black, or Hispanic who seeks to represent our diverse city. Elected officials must represent all they serve and it appears that not only is Yen Chou incapable but unwilling to do this.

So all Chinese, Koreans, Indians, Hispanic, African Americans, Whites and Multi-Racial individuals must join to reject the racist political agenda of Yen Chou.

So on Primary Day September 15 as members of the community of all races and ethnic backgrounds, we should reject Yen Chou and her failed political agenda. If elected she will be shunned by the legislators, community leaders and residents she offended. Ultimately, the 20th Council District will be left with an ineffective and divisive representative with no ability to build the coalitions necessary to achieve success for our Council District!

Yen Chou Racist Diatribe Divides Community

2009-07-05T10:32:00.000-04:00

In a recent self-serving press release, Democratic Candidate Yen Chou fired some racist, inappropriate, demeaning and dishonorable shots at the rest of the candidates seeking to replace John Liu in the City Council.

In her statement Yen Chou states, she is the only one that has strength, professionalism, community service and knowledge of the inner workings of the City Council. Although she is entitled to these positions, and we vehemently disagree with her assertion, it is some of the other statements that we find repulsive, weak, unprofessional and unfitting of anyone who seeks to serve the community as an elected representative.

To state that if a person chooses to vote for someone else or fails to vote in the primary that they are helping the “Jewish” candidate is anti-Semitic and fear mongering. To say that non-Asian elected officials don’t help Chinese people is a direct attack on all the good people in Government Service.

Her press statement is a direct attack upon Korean Americans who are seeking public office. Are we to believe that Yen Chou is the only choice for Council? According to her she is, perhaps she should be spending more time taking courses on “How Not to Offend Good People”

Her press statement falsely asserts that only she has the ability to get bills passed and things done at City Hall Meanwhile John Choe has the experience as John Liu’s chief of staff and Peter Koo is needed by the Mayor for his election, both of these men will have more influence in City Hall than Yen Chou will have in a lifetime.

Marie Antoinette Carrozza Palacial Glen Head Versailles

2009-07-02T12:02:00.000-04:00

According to a recent article in the Daily News, Queens Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret (Marie Antoinette) Carrozza can’t stand to live with the all the peasants who reside in Bayside. Her royal majesty and the first family must envelope themselves in a posh mansion located in Glen Head and be saved from the slums that exist in the 26th Assembly District. “Let them eat cake” Ms. Carrozza is just another in a long list of self-interested dysfunctional embarrassments we here is Queens have sent to Albany to represent us.

Carrozza should resign immediately so she can have the time to clean that big mansion in Glen Head Long Island and leave the business of legislating to those who care about the people and not themselves.

Daily News Article by John Lauinger:

Queens Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza pulled her Mercedes up to her brick mansion recently after a long day at work.

Her husband and one of her two sons were outside, along with the family's black Lab, Stanley. With the stately manse as a backdrop, the petite, blond lawmaker and her family could have been modeling for an L.L. Bean catalogue.

There was one problem with the pretty picture: Carrozza's $1.8 million home is in tony Glen Head, L.I. - 15 miles from her district in Bayside, Queens.

Carrozza, 42, who has represented the 26th Assembly District since 1997, bought the mansion on Nassau County's Gold Coast in June 2008, taking out a mortgage for $1 million, property records show.

She told the Daily News the lavish digs were supposed to be "an investment or a second residence." But she signed mortgage documents that specifically state the mansion would be her "principal residence."

When confronted outside the posh pad last week, Carrozza admitted she has lived there full-time since February.

"My primary residence is in Bayside - and we're temporarily renting that out," she said.

Carrozza and her doctor husband own four properties in Bayside - two offices, a home where her mother lives and another residence where the lawmaker is registered to vote.

State legislators are allowed to have second homes outside of their districts as long as they maintain a residence in the district, experts said.

"The issue is then, 'How do you define residence,'" said Manhattan election lawyer Henry Berger. "There is a slightly different standard between establishing a residence and maintaining a residence."

The Bronx district attorney's office is investigating a similar situation involving state Sen. Pedro Espada (D-Bronx). Espada once beat a residency challenge, but authorities decided to take a closer look following his central role in the coup that has deadlocked the Senate.

Carrozza said her family outgrew the Bayside home where she is registered to vote - a modest, three-bedroom house.

"We had a deal on a bigger house in Bayside," she explained. "I made arrangements to rent out my primary residence."
The deal fell through, so they moved to the Nassau County manse, she said, rather than renege on their tenants.

"It wasn't my intention to permanently occupy the home," she added. "We thought we would stay here temporarily."
The mortgage papers Carrozza and her husband, William Duke, signed in June 2008 say otherwise.

"I will occupy the property and use the property as my principal residence within 60 days after I sign this," the document stated. "I will continue to occupy the property and to use the property as my principal residence for at least one year."

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/06/28/2009-06-28__pol_represents_queens_but_is_living_large_on_li_gold_coast.html#ixzz0K7MCtUVe&D

Say It isnt so Choe

2009-07-01T17:06:00.000-04:00

We read that John Choe has been endorsed by the anti-human group called Animal Friendly. Animal Friendly NYC is a political action committee that endorses and works directly on campaigns of candidates who support legislation that will benefit our non-human friends.

John Choe is accused of being a North Korean sympathizer, a communist and supporter nuclear weapon proliferation. Now we learn that he is supporting legislation that benefits non-humans!

Kim Political Posters Torn Down

2009-06-30T17:31:00.000-04:00

According to the Queens Tribune the poster wars are begining in the 19th Council District. It always anmuses me when grown men act like little babies tearing each other posters down in some sensless act of defiance.

A Bayside man was caught on video tearing down campaign signs from a private construction site on Northern Boulevard – and admits to having torn signs down from the same site and others previously.

Richard Lazar ripped a full construction wall’s worth of signs down individually near midnight of June 11, and threw them over the construction wall. The site’s building manager filmed the act, and later Lazar’s erratic reaction on being caught. The footage culminated with Lazar threatening the cameraman with a broom, after he followed Lazar to his home and onto his property during their confrontation.

The entire construction wall was covered with signs for District 19 Democratic candidate Kevin Kim, the result of three hours of canvassing, said Justin Kang, the owner of the building who had previously posted Kim signs on his wall which were also torn down. The footage shows Lazar spending about 10 minutes tearing signs from the wall.

A Vallone campaign sign stood on Lazar’s lawn Friday, though he said the sign was put up by his daughter without his knowledge, and he has no stake in the race one way or another. He said he has since taken it down, and put it in the window.

“This is a community; we try to maintain it, keep the place neat,” Lazar said regarding his motivation to tear down the signs. “It is not a shanty-town. It makes the community look tacky.” He added that he didn’t mind when candidates put posters in store windows.

New Field same Shiti Mets

2009-06-29T11:31:00.000-04:00

Here at Save Flushing Queens we will often take a few moments to cry over the missed opportunity for our beloved New York Mets. This weekend was as depressing as could be as the New York Skankees swept our team. First we had to endure every radio station was playing Michael Jackson while I have to admit I love his music his personal life disgusted me and I hated seeing him idolized!

Then our Mets showed us that we are once again Pretenders rather than Contenders. Now I must focus on the things that matter this summer the 2 elections that face our section of Queens the 19th and 20th Council districts. But I am still keeping my fingers crossed that the Mets get healthy and win while the best candidates for the 19th and 20th Council districts are also victorious.

So Cry today for our Mets who had an abysmal series against that team from the Bronx and may we be continuously entertained with the Races for City Council Mayor and Comptroller.

Shocking First Political Poll Finds Flushing’s John Liu with 6 Point Lead Over Nearest Opponent Melinda Katz Second

2009-06-26T15:20:00.000-04:00

John Liu the newcomer to the citywide race for Comptroller has sent a shockwave through the city’s political clubhouses with his surprising 6 point lead in the early stages of this heated contest for one of the most coveted elected positions in New York State.

Many political pundits and junkies dismissed Liu’s chances at victory but are now singing a different song. The poll has veteran Melinda Katz running second and fellow Queensite David Weprin running last with a measly 5 percent of those surveyed.

The only real surprise is that 5 percent of those surveyed find David qualified! Although, Weprin is a nice man, he is completely inept. After all it was under his leadership as the powerful Council Finance Chair that the slush fund scandal was in full swing.

Stay tuned folks, this race is long from being over.

Debra Markell Dominates Queens Civic Congress Forum

2009-06-25T15:42:00.000-04:00

At a recent candidates’ forum hosted by the Queens Civic Congress, City Council hopefuls tried to wow the crowed with their command of the issues. From the start, it was clear that there were some who knew the issues, some who didn’t and some who could care less.

According to Queens County and government insiders it was no surprise to see that Markell was quick on her feet and knowledgeable on the issues during the Queens Civic Congress Forum. She was even humorous when she started out with “as you can see, I’m not just one of the boys” which received laugh from the crowds. Her combination of wit and poise coupled with her absolute command on the issues and her ability to articulate her beliefs made her the clear winner of the night’s forum.

Word on the street is that Markell is an extremely hard worker and has been running a very effective campaign. After the forum she has sent a clear message that she is a candidate to be reckoned with.

20th Council District Race Heats Up

2009-06-25T11:53:00.000-04:00

According to the City Hall News, the 20th Council District race is proving to be one of the most interesting races that will take place this year. In a crowded Democratic Party field things are starting to heat up and some interesting ethnic boundaries are being drawn.

By Chris Bragg
When John Choe entered the Council race to replace Council Member John Liu (D-Queens) a few weeks ago, there were two immediate opposite reactions.

The Queens Democratic Party jumped at the chance to endorse Liu’s longtime chief of staff, even though Choe had declared his candidacy only a day before the county’s endorsement meeting.

At the same time, a faction of the Korean-American population in the Flushing district strongly denounced him, even though Choe appears to have a good shot at becoming the first Korean-American elected to the Council.

The county support for Choe is easy to explain: he has the backing of the popular Liu, and Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Queens/Bronx), the Queens County chair. Similarly, Choe said that the promise of county support was one of the main factors in his decision to finally go public with his candidacy.

The big controversy, though, is not over this political maneuvering, but over a foreign policy issue half a world away.

In 1999, Choe founded a group called Nodutdol, whose stated aim is the reunification of North and South Korea. Some in Flushing, however, have labeled Choe a Communist sympathizer, since the group has arranged numerous trips to North Korea for members, and because the group’s website has featured glowing accounts of North Korea and its communist dictator.

In a district where the Falun Gong has for years protested Liu at every turn for what they believe are the councilman’s own alleged Communist leanings, Choe said similar forces are now marshalling support against him among Korean-Americans.

John Hong, of the Korean American Association of Flushing, said Koreans are likely to instead support S.J. Jung, a community organizer, who has also received the backing of the Working Families Party and 32 BJ.

Hong said he did not know what to think about Choe.

“I have heard the rumors about North Korea,” Hong said. “I don’t know if they are true. But I have heard them.”

Choe, however dismissed the whole controversy as irrelevant to his candidacy.

“I’m not running for secretary of state—I’m running to represent the 20th district in the City Council,” Choe said.

Some outsiders are also getting involved. Former Council Member Julia Harrison, who is white and preceded Liu on the Council, has been strongly expressing her concerns about Choe’s candidacy.

“I am very concerned about the perception in the community that the North Korean government has a spokesperson,” said Harrison.

But Harrison has been divisive herself. In 1996, for instance, she referred to the new immigrants in the neighborhood as “colonizers” and prompted a 2,000-person protest in front of City Hall. She later apologized. But that comment helped convince Liu to run against Harrison in 1997 (he lost) and again in 2001, when he won and became the first Asian-American elected to the Council.

Harrison had at one point discussed trying to make a political comeback this year but opted out of the race.

Choe, who was college classmates with Liu, said he also got involved in politics to bridge the divide between the older, white population and newer immigrants. With the county endorsement, and a forthcoming endorsement from Liu, Choe appears well positioned to do that.

Even if Choe did have the full support of the Korean-American community, he would still have to bridge the demographic divides. The district is roughly 10 percent Korean-American, 20 percent Chinese-American, 15 percent Hispanic and 37 percent Caucasian.

There are also two Chinese-Americans in the race: Yen Chou, a former staffer for Council Member David Weprin (D-Queens) and James Wu, a political strategist. Chou is leading the race in fundraising with over $210,000, much of it culled from Chinese-American businesses.

But what is really important about that figure, she said, is what she believes it demonstrates about her resonance in the community.

“Money is not really the point,” Chou said. “It shows that the people respect you.”
In an effort to unify the voting bloc, Chou has also recently been calling on Wu in the Chinese press to drop out of the race, Wu said. He has declined.

Two white candidates—Isaac Sasson, head of the Holly Civic Association, and Constantine Kavadas—are also running. Sasson is considered a dark horse with strong roots in the area who could win if the vote splinters on ethic lines.

Should that occur, it would set up a general election scenario in which Republican candidate Peter Koo, a wealthy Chinese-American businessman who lost a race to State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Queens) last year, could be running against a white candidate. This would force voters to choose between ethnic allegiances and party affiliation, potentially giving the GOP a chance to pick up the seat.

Many believe that after Liu’s political ascension, the Korean-American community in Flushing is now ready to elect one of its own, with money pouring into the race from around the country and first-generation immigrants giving way to a more politically sophisticated second generation.

Yet the political lines in the area remain blurred for now, as is evident in the history of the local Assembly seat, which has gone to four different people in the last four elections.
Assembly Member Grace Meng (D-Queens), who is Chinese-American, was able to beat the county party-backed candidate Ellen Young in 2008 by forming a coalition with Harrison and former Assembly candidate Terence Park, who is Korean-American.

Meng said the winner of the Council race would likely have to follow a similar strategy.

“You have to be able to build coalitions, whether you’re Korean or another ethnicity,” she said. “Just because you’re Korean-American doesn’t mean you can just stay focused on that community. You have to make other communities realize that you understand their problems and that you have been there for them in the past.”

Local businessman Peter Koo on Cutting Edge

2009-06-24T14:19:00.000-04:00

According to a recent article, local businessman Peter Koo is using the latest technology to assist his clients in understanding the medication they are being prescribed. The nice thing about this is Peter Koo is not using government resources to fund this new technology and patient service program. Kudos to Koo for using business know how instead of government hand-outs to get the job done.

June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Language is sometimes a barrier for patients when it comes to understanding instructions for taking medications. A prescription label language barrier increases the risk that a patient will use medication improperly and fail to obtain the benefit or suffer an adverse drug event.

ScriptPro robotic prescription dispensing systems incorporate technologies that translate medication instructions and drug auxiliary warnings, and print them on prescription labels in the preferred language of the patient. Languages covered include Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, Thai and Maori, in addition to English.
Navarro Discount Pharmacies, Miami, FL, prints approximately 75% of their prescriptions in Spanish. The focus of the largest Hispanic owned chain in North America is to meet the needs of and provide customer service to the Hispanic community in and around Miami, according to Albert Garcia, Executive Vice President of Pharmacy for Navarro.

Garcia says that understanding the prescription information is vital to having a successful course of drug therapy, especially when the patient is ill or nervous about receiving directions from the prescribing physician. He adds, "Having the Sig and auxiliary label in Spanish increases compliance and reduces the chance of over/under utilization of the medication or performing an activity that might be detrimental to the patient's health."

Peter Koo, R.Ph. and owner of Starside Pharmacies, built his five pharmacies to focus on the Sino-American communities in the New York City area. ScriptPro robotic and workflow systems allow his pharmacies to print prescription labels in Mandarin Chinese for his customers. According to Koo, "There are many opportunities for pharmacies to provide distinctive and valuable services to patient populations that might otherwise be challenged by language barriers." He also hires employees with strong linguistic skills.

ABOUT SCRIPTPRO: ScriptPro develops, provides and supports state-of-the-art, robotics-based management and workflow systems for pharmacies. ScriptPro is dedicated to helping pharmacies lower operating costs, reduce dispensing errors and maximize customer satisfaction. ScriptPro technology helps pharmacies operate efficiently and profitably so they can deliver the maximum contribution to the healthcare system. ScriptPro, with headquarters in Mission, Kansas, provides automation to thousands of pharmacies worldwide.

Save the RKO Keith on Facebook

2009-06-22T16:36:00.000-04:00

We encourage everyone to join the "Save the RKO Keith" facebook group.

Here is an excerpt

Friends and supporters of the Grand Lady, the famous RKO Keith's Theater in Flushing NY. Once one of the most celebrated palaces of New York City, the RKO Keith's in Flushing, Queens is only a ghost of its former self.

In 1986, after almost fifty years of showing movies, the theater was closed and sold. Soon after, its owner attempted to demolish it before a hearing could be held to decide its fate.

Having already removed its famous facade and with part of the theater already gutted, the demolition was halted by the city. The owner soon forfeited the property and the damaged and stripped RKO Keith's has sat and waited for its final demolition for over 20 years.

No one has ever decided what to do with the building and it sits to this day. Originally opened in 1928, the RKO Keith's is a 2900 seat theater that has been through some turbulent times , various owners and has sat empty and boarded up for years. Ideas for redevelopment and any ideas on who to contact to save the RKO Keith's can be noted here.

Broken Clock Avella is Right Twice a Day

2009-06-19T14:01:00.000-04:00

Iannece Unfit for Office

Councilman Tony Avella the world's largest egomaniac took time from his favorite topic ...HIMSELF to decry that Jerry Iannece is unfit for office. Avella stated in an interview with City Hall newspaper "I believe that he is inappropriate for public office,” Avella continued, “and that a lot of other people also hold that sentiment.”

Well Tony it is a rare occasion that you are right! Iannece is known throughout Political circles as a hot head who involves himself in organizations so that he can get elected to the City Council. Iannece can be a raving lunatic one minute then kissing ass the next. We deserve better. After 10 years of running for office you would think he would have learned to be genuine...NOT. That’s why for the first time we can say we agree with Tony Avella... That was tough to admit!

http://www.cityhallnews.com/news/128/ARTICLE/1967/2009-06-08.html

OFFICERS SHOOT MAN WIELDING KNIFE INSIDE 109TH PCT.: POLICE

2009-06-05T12:05:00.000-04:00

The attached article our brave police articles need compensation and with lunatics like this running around we need more police on the street.

New York Post Article by BY IVAN PEREIRA AND STEPHEN STIRLING, http://www.yournabe.com/

Chaos broke out inside the 109th Precinct Thursday morning when officers opened fire at a knife-wielding man who attacked a civilian outside the Flushing station house, police said.

The incident took place shortly after 11 a.m. when Armando Torres, 38, of Northern Boulevard, approached an unidentified man who was standing outside the precinct, located at 37-05 Union St., and stabbed him in the back and slashed his left arm, police said. Torres, who has a prior police record for assaulting a police officer, then entered the station and lunged at an officer at the front desk, according to authorities.

Two 109th detectives and an officer retaliated by firing five shots, two of which struck Torres's left arm and chest, police said. Both he and the stabbing victim were taken to New York Hospital Queens. Authorities said Torres was in critical but stable condition, while the victim's condition and identity remained unknown.

Authorities said two officers were also taken to the hospital, but it remained unclear if this was precautionary or if they had been injured.

The victim was waiting at the station for an accident report, police said. It was not known where Torres was coming from or why he allegedly assaulted the man, according to police. The investigation was ongoing.

The precinct was shut down while the police conducted their investigation.
Outside of Torres' home Thursday, neighbor Florencia Serrano, who has known the 38-year-old since he moved to the United States from El Salvador eight years ago, said she was shocked at news of the incident.

"Oh, my god, I don't believe it," Serrano said.

Serrano said Torres, who lives on the fifth floor, was known to have a drinking problem but "he never caused any problems here."

Torres' apartment building played a role in another major crime in Flushing.

In January the Queens district attorney said 41 year-old David Williams, who also lived in Torres' apartment building, allegedly stabbed 78-year-old John Purcell, his 71-year-old wife Joan and 41-year-old Juhn Fook repeatedly with a large serrated knife next door at 147-15 Northern Blvd. before assaulting another man and eventually scuffling with police officers near the location.

John Purcell died of his injuries days later, and Williams is currently awaiting trial on second-degree murder charges.

James Wu is Conwused

2009-05-29T10:03:00.001-04:00

According to an article in the Queens Chronicle "James Wu says he’s the one for Liu’s council seat"

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20311356&BRD=2731&PAG=461&dept_id=574902&rfi=6

Mr. Wu feels that he is the best democratic candidate and will win the primary on September 14th. However, James Wu voted on Sunday to endorse John Choe as the winning democratic candidate. It seems a bit confusing or is it? Maybe there are some behind the scenes deals going on between Wu and Choe.

Here is what Wu had to say about some of his democratic rivals, Currently, he has five Democratic opponents running for the City Council seat which Liu is vacating to run for comptroller. Wu believes not all will get on the ballot. The ones with the least chance, according to him, are Ronald Kim, “no political organization or backing”; Constantine Kavadas, “new kid on the block and we don’t know much about him”; Yen Chou, “no election experience with her resources in Bayside”; and S.J. Jung, “an unknown who moved here from New Jersey in October, has no money and is a carpetbagger.”

Notice how he left John Choe off his hit list!

maybe we should give the new kid on the block a chance, Constatine Kavadas, looks like he may be the only one not tarnished by corrupt party politics.

Wu also forgot to mention that he recently worked for Geraldine Chappey, a candidate who used dirty politics to get candidates kicked off the ballot. Reports state that he still hasn't gotten paid for his service.

SENATOR KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND VISITS FLUSHING

2009-05-29T09:52:00.000-04:00

Today,United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will deliver the keynote address at the celebration of Asian/Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month held in the Flushing Library (Auditorium)41-17 Main Street Flushing, NY 11354., hosted by Councilmember John C. Liu. The event will highlight the struggles and achievements of APA youth in Queens, with remarks by Assemblymember Grace Meng, Senator Toby Stavisky, and community leaders.

May is Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month—a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Much like Black History and Women's History celebrations, APA Heritage Month originated in a congressional bill.

In June 1977, Representatives Frank Horton of New York and Norman Y. Mineta of California introduced a House resolution that called upon the president to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian/Pacific Heritage Week. The following month, senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both were passed. On October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating the annual celebration.

In May 1990, the holiday was expanded further when President George H. W. Bush designated May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated with community festivals, government-sponsored activities, and educational activities for students. This year's theme is "Lighting the Past, Present, and Future."

Flushing Retail Thriving

2009-05-08T09:45:00.000-04:00

NEW YORK, NY April 23, 2009 —The economic downturn which largely started on Wall street has been felt globally - and its ripples have touched shopping districts all over the world. But there seems to be one retail hub that is thriving and it's not in a far-flung corner of the planet. As part of our own Main Street series, WNYC's Richard Yeh took the 7 train out to New York's most visible Main Street... in Flushing, Queens.

Pictures, audio portraits and more in our Main Street series

REPORTER: On a recent afternoon, Fred Fu is having a coffee break at the Tai Pan Bakery on Main Street. Like many residents in Flushing, Fu moved from Taiwan as a college student in 1980, and he’s lived here since. For the last 15 years he’s run a small travel agency in downtown Flushing. He says the economic crisis that’s hitting main streets elsewhere is less acute here.

FU: Every economy is inside Flushing. For example, myself, I live in Flushing downtown. My business is in Flushing, I eat in Chinese restaurants in Flushing, Everything’s in Flushing.

REPORTER: The self-sustaining nature of its economy doesn’t make Flushing totally recession-proof, but the continued influx of new immigrants does make its small businesses more resistant to a downturn.

Peter Koo owns a small but successful chain of pharmacies called Starside Drugs. He says he saw a five to ten percent drop last year in general sales, in things like shampoos and over-the-counter medicine. But in a couple of his stores, prescription sales went up.

KOO: We can offer Chinese interpretation on doctors’ directions. We can explain to them and they’d understand. And we also do things other than filling prescriptions. If they have a bill they don’t understand, we’ll explain, “oh this is a Con Edison bill.”

REPORTER: Koo says a common language and kinship are the reason he’s been able to build a loyal customer base, even with the chain store Duane Reade just two blocks away.

KOO: They have sale prices every day, customers come in and show me their flyers. So I told my staff, I said, “Hey, a chain store moved in, how can we survive? We cannot compete with price, so we have to compete with service. If service is good, people don’t mind to pay a nickel or 10 cents more.

REPORTER: Koo’s business philosophy is what’s guided immigrant entrepreneurs here thru the last three decades. According to Census data, the number of Asian immigrants making Flushing their home has almost doubled from 1990 to 2000, with Chinese and Koreans leading that trend. After the attacks of September 11th, which devastated the local economy in Manhattan’s Chinatown, more Chinese immigrants are settling in Flushing than ever. So far this decade, at least half a dozen large Chinese supermarkets have opened in the downtown area, with each doing anywhere from one-and-a-half to three million dollars in sales every month.

Roger Lo is president of AOL Realty. He says as long as the immigrants keep coming in, the real estate market will be solid.

LO: In Flushing, especially downtown Flushing - Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue - the demand to buy commercial property or to lease a commercial store is still very very strong.

REPORTER: Lo says many immigrant families are attracted to the area by good school districts in nearby neighborhoods, like Bayside and Fresh Meadows. But the main draw for the first-generation immigrants is still the sheer amount of commerce. That’s why, Lo says the retail vacancy rate for downtown Flushing is never over five percent.

But Flushing’s Main Street hasn’t always been the flush neighborhood it is today. Wellington Chen is an urban planner and a longtime community activist. He remembers the down-and-out Flushing during New York’s economic crisis of the 1970s.

CHEN: There was a negative vacuum, lot of people left thinking in a panic that they had to get out of town. It was the town looking at it as half-empty that caused the new arrivals to come in and look at it as half-full.

REPORTER: Among the new arrival of the late 70s is Joseph Vee, who came from Hong Kong and opened an auto repair shop just steps from Main Street, in the shadow of the LIRR platform.

VEE: You want to fix your car, go there and look for that guy. Mostly they come in they always say, hey, go into the shop, look for the guy with a little mustache, that’s they guy, sure, you’re not gonna miss it.

REPORTER: Vee has seen the city’s economy go up and down. But for him business has been one steady climb, even through the current recession. Many of his customers are now keeping their cars longer, and his business is actually up a bit compared to a year ago. Vee says he’s able to have a steady stream of business because of the close-knit nature of the immigrant community, and the convenience of a sprawling mass transit network.

VEE: First, word of mouth, second, convenience, third, the public transportation is good for the customers. When they leave their car, they can get any kind of public location and come back to pick up the car.

REPORTER: It’s true - 24 bus lines, a Long Island Railroad station, and the 7 train terminal which is the busiest station outside of Manhattan – all make up the transit hub that serves nearly 100,000 people a day, according to the Flushing Business Improvement District. The massive foot traffic is attracting the attention of international retailers, like the Korean bakery chain, Paris Baguette.

SOU: Our brand is very familiar among all the Korean community, so they can feel the home, every time they go to Paris Baguette, very familiar for them.

REPORTER: Jessie Sou is the marketing director at Paris Baguette USA, which has 11 outlets.

SOU: That’s why we go to Korean market first, but that’s not our primary goal, our primary goal is to go mainstream in the U.S.

REPORTER: Sou says her company chose Flushing’s Main Street for its first store in New York City over the Korean enclave near Herald Square.in part because it needs a large location so that it can bake on-site. Plus, the company already knows the local clientele, from its experience in Asia.

SOU: This location is perfect for us because we know the Chinese population loves our product, we’ve already succeeded in China, and this area, Korean culture and Chinese culture blend well together here, so our store can be bridge to two different cultures.

Located in a brand new high rise building, complete with Times Square-style jumbotrons on its façade, Paris Baguette is just one example of new businesses trying to cash in on a neighborhood that’s bursting at the seams. A new traffic plan is being designed to address the chronic congestion. And the future build-out of nearby Willets Point, plus a large-scale project slated to replace the area’s main parking lot, are both in development. In short, New York City’s most visible Main Street is not slowing down. For WNYC, I’m Richard Yeh.

Opening Shame at Citi Field?

2009-04-13T15:45:00.000-04:00

Citi Field Is an Embarrassment
By Phil KerpenPolicy Director, Americans for Prosperity

As a die-hard New York Mets fan, Opening Day is one of my favorite days of the year. Even this year (after two heartbreaking Septembers in a row) I can’t help but be hopeful that this year might be the year. Unfortunately, the excitement of the new season-and of the new stadium-is tempered by the sense that there is something very wrong (embarrassing, even) about my team playing in a building named after a corporate failure, a company dependent on bailout after bailout of taxpayer dollars to stay in business.

The outrage over Wall Street bonuses has raised tricky issues about how much say taxpayers ought to have in the operations of companies that depend on their bailout dollars to stay in business.

The Yankees didn’t sell the name of the new Yankee Stadium, and the Mets should have had the same big-picture vision of building their own powerful brand. Jackie Robinson Field, in the long term, would likely be more economically successful than any generic corporate-named venue could be.

The seemingly common-sense idea that taxpayer ownership means political control is in conflict with the rule of law, the enforceability of contracts, and what’s left of our free market system.

There are no easy answers in a situation like that, which is why government ownership of business is so dangerous.

So what can be done about the Citi Field embarrassment? Some members of Congress, led by Democrat Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and Republic Ted Poe of Texas, want the Treasury Department to force Citi to break its naming rights contract with the Mets. But doing that would probably be illegal, breaking a valid contract that the Mets could go to court to have enforced. Far different from issuing a bonus, Citi’s stake in the deal was intended to be marketing to millions of Mets fans across the country.

Congress could step in by changing the law to prohibit that companies that receive bailout funds put their names on sports venues-but then we’d have Congress exercising political control over marketing budgets, an even further erosion of our free market economic system.

We’re in this situation as a consequence of the decision to bail out Citi and other financial companies, like AIG, instead of forcing them through a bankruptcy court where contractual obligations would have been restructured or terminated in an orderly fashion.

The best solution would be for Mets owner Fred Wilpon to sit down with Citi (and possibly with Treasury officials) and renegotiate the deal. Citi should agree to a buy out of the contract that would replace some of the short-term revenue for the Mets while allowing the Citi name to be taken off the stadium. (The Citi logo is already absent from the patch the players will wear on their uniforms this year - it literally just says “Inaugural Season.”) Doing so would free up some cash flow for cash-starved Citi while building enormous good will with Mets fans, New Yorkers, and the American people.

It would also let the Mets do what they know was really the right thing to do all along: name the stadium Jackie Robinson Field, in honor of New York’s sports hero with the most important lasting contribution not just to baseball but to American society. The façade of the stadium looks like Ebbets Field, and the homage to Robinson was long planned and expected before the Citi deal came together and money spoke more loudly than civic pride. The Yankees didn’t sell the name of the new Yankee Stadium, and the Mets should have had the same big-picture vision of building their own powerful brand. Jackie Robinson Field, in the long term, would likely be more economically successful than any generic corporate-named venue could be.

Given Citi’s implosion, the Mets have been handed a second chance to do the right thing. Just imagine the enormous goodwill and positive publicity the Mets would receive if they rebranded the stadium Jackie Robinson Field. Be a hero, Mr. Wilpon.

Mr. Kerpen is director of policy for Americans for Prosperity.

New Direction for Flushing Queens

2009-04-13T14:18:00.000-04:00

Recently Our City Councilman John Liu has decided to seek the office of City Comptroller and not seek election for the New York City Council. John had done an admirable job as our Council Representative. While we may disagree with him on taxation, we acknowledge he was a hard worker for his community! His race for Comptroller as one of the front runners could mean history for Flushing Politics as Chinese Americans could hold the positions of Assembly Member, City Council Member and maybe Comptroller.

The race to replace John Liu will be one in which we will watch closely considering how urgent the City Council seat is to our community. So Stay tuned!