Best Mayor
Michael Bloomberg, Mayor, New York City
“I believe he’s done quite a few good things for the city and for Queens.”
-Leo Dobergunskyj
“Mayor Bloomberg is the most interesting person because he is the mayor of all people, including everyone in Queens, and he is behind rebuilding the new Shea Stadium and clean-up in Willets Point.”
-Jerry Jacobs, Forest Hills
Most Ire-Inspiring Politician
Mario Cuomo, Former Governor, New York
“I love to hate Mario Cuomo, because he explains what you should understand and he seems to be an expert on everything, I love to hear him talk, and he is a self-acclaimed expert and it seems pompous.”
-Gerald Mcormick, Elmhurst
Best Beep
Helen Marshall, Borough President, Queens
“I like that she seems really down to earth. I can relate to her more than other politicians.”
-Susan Anthony, Maspeth
Best Public Standing
Melinda Katz, City Councilperson
“She’s a good politician and she stands behind people.”
-Ludmila Kandov and Rita Jacobs, Forest Hills
Councilwoman Melinda Katz takes a moment to show off her acrobatic skills at the Central Queens YM-YWHA Chocolate Festival.
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Most Visible Politician
Leroy Comrie, City Councilperson
“Leroy Comrie because I see him everywhere and his office is in Queens”
-Stephanie Court, Jamaica
Most Active Politician
Anthony Weiner, U.S. Congressman, Mayoral Candidate
“He’s the only person from Queens that I can think of who’s done anything.”
-Ricky Chen, Astoria
Best Hometown Heroine
Geraldine Ferraro
1984 Democratic Candidate For Vice President
“It was nice because she was from Queens and that made her the most interesting person.”
-Gloria Kelly, Long Island City
Best Contributor
Jam Master Jay, Musician
“He gave back to the community. He donated money to fix up parks. And that was when he shot his first music video.”
-Jeremy Diaz, Hollis
Best Billionaire
Donald Trump, Developer, Jamaica Estates Native
“Donald Trump because he seems like an all around nice guy.”
-Maureen Rice, Rego Park
Most Inspiring Musician
Charles Mallia, Music Director, Brooklyn-Queens Diocese
“He really inspired me to do music. He taught me to get up in front of people and not be afraid.”
-Scott Jensen, Forest Hills
The Phatheads get ready for a baseball game played on a concrete Queens park.
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Best Papal Visitor
Pope John Paul II
“I went to see the Pope when he came in 1995, at the Aqueduct Race Track. That’s hard to beat. And Msgr. Healy of Our Lady of Sorrows. He’s a really nice person. I’ve known him for 12 years.”
-Miriam Laterza, Ozone Park
Toughest Ballplayers
“Phatheads” Concrete Softball League
Various Queens parks
“I play every week. It’s good to see the guys and winning comes easy because when we were in school, that’s all we ever did.”
-Matt Bernet
Best Kid Stuff
“Some of my sons friends. They’re always doing unexpected things.”
-Robert Moscato, Bayside
Best Help Over The Hill
Senior Citizen Help
Agencies
“I’m going to be a senior citizen in a couple of months and senior citizen help agencies, helped me with major problems with my landlord, and situations, and helped me [realize] things that I was not aware of.”
-Ralph Thomas, Elmhurst
Simon and Garfunkel are the best.
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Most Amazin’ Met
Mike Piazza, New York Mets
“Mike Piazza is the most interesting person because he is a good player and seems like a nice guy.”
-Blanca Taveras, Forest Hills
Best Native Folkies
Simon and Garfunkel, Queens Natives
“Simon and Garfunkel bring me back to my childhood.”
-Beth Gluick, Middle Village
Best Queens Memories
Visiting Cousins, Playing Softball At Juniper Park
“It was always fun coming to Queens and watching them play. I used to envy my relatives who lived nearby because Queens was always one of my favorite places to visit.”
-Jacqueline Greco
Best Friends
“I like hanging out with my friends at their houses. It’s what we usually do after school.”
-Irene Kim
Most Meaningful Dad
“My father has meant more to me than any other person in my life.”
-John Forenelli, Middle Village
Most Fortunate Friendship
“Everybody is pretty boring around here. If I like anyone, then I guess it’s my friends.”
-Edward Chong
Most Sarcastic Scholastic
“My cryptography professor. The class is extremely challenging, and he’s very sarcastic.”
-Jimmy Chan, Woodside
Best Inspiration
Dr. Mohammed, LaGuardia Community College
“We have known him since my son was little. He just helps kids. If you want to go to LaGuardia, he helps them with admissions. If you want to study abroad, he helps them get ready for that.”
-Patricia Fernandes, Elmhurst
Best Barbecues Around
“My aunt just bought a three-family house, and she’ll probably have a lot of barbecues this summer. It’s in East Elmhurst, on Astoria Boulevard.”
-Marduane Harati, Woodside
Best Stories From Another Perspective
“In Forest Hills, there are some odd, old-codger types. Interesting. They have all these stories to tell about their lives.”
-Ed Hertzman, Bayside
Best Boss
“When I worked for the city, my boss was easy to get along with, and he was fair with responses and in giving promotions.”
-Gerald Mcormick, Elmhurst
Best Staff
Wait Staff at Ilbacco Restaurant, Little Neck
“The people at Ilbacco Restaurant in Little Neck make you feel good.”
-Mike Rizzo, Forest Hills
Friendliest Cleaners
Famous French Cleaners
“The people there are very friendly.”
-Gloria Kelly, Long Island City
Most Likable Teachers
Francis Lewis High School
58-20 Utopia Pkwy.
“Teachers and staff you get to like.”
-Lois Curry, Fresh Meadows
Best Teacher
“Mrs. Axelrod from PS 13 in Lefrak, my 4th grade teacher, and I kept in touch for years. She was very kind and patient and gave wonderful advice.”
-Fran Kanowsky, Rego Park
Best Homecoming
Visiting Long Island City loved ones
“Coming to Long Island City is always good to get back in touch with my cousin and friends, who still live in the old neighborhood.”
-Diamanda Provenza
Best Medical Worker
Vladimir Gabay
69-30 Grand Ave.
“I have a great rapport with him and he’s given me some great tidbits of information on life.”
-M. Bierber, Forest Hills
Most Motivated Boss
Maria Lospinuso, manager of Nahoku Jewelers
“She’s my boss. She’s a sweetie pie. She is exceptionally knowledgeable about jewelry and exceptionally gifted with people and employees. She has an insight into motivating people and understanding their problems and she is very respectful of everyone’s individuality. She’s an inspiration to me personally. She has the most vibrant personality of anyone I’ve ever met.”
-Mark Baraket
Best Center For Seniors
St. Mary’s Senior Citizens Center
10-15 49th Ave.
“The people that work there are always very nice.”
-Diamanda Provenza
Best Neighborhood Hero
“Theresa, the men’s clothing store owner on Vernon Boulevard. They sell outerwear, like work clothes. She’s in with the politicians in the neighborhood. She does a lot of good things.”
-Mary Jo, Long Island City
Most Interesting Neighbors
“My neighbors on 108th Street. In the summertime, they just hang out, just along 108th Street. It seems like they have their own community.”
-Kevin Wong, Forest Hills
Best Friendly Business
Shops Along Main Street,
Flushing
“The people are so friendly, at least the ones I talk with.”
-Robert Moscato, Bayside
Sweetest Owner
“The candy store on 108th Street and 63rd Rd.-I’ve known the owners for 10 years.”
-Kevin Wong, Forest Hills
Best Friends For Rent
Bellshire Apartments
16-70 Bell Boulevard, Bayside
“They always have a smile on their face and are some of the friendliest people you could come in contact with.”
-Jacqueline Greco, Bayside
Best Coupon Checker
The Coupon Inspector
“He’s great. He rings our doorbell and makes sure we get our coupons, over on 97th Street and 101st Ave.”
-Gregory Laterza, Ozone Park
Best Folks In A Borough
“They’re all interesting people in Queens. There’s no one person. The borough has a vast variety of people.”
-Jim Higgins, Woodside
Best Father Figure
Julius Johnson
“When I was growing up, he was like a father figure to me. He is a real straight shooter.”
-Pierre Farrow, Springfield
Gardens
Most Personable Profs
The Faculty At Queensborough
Community College
Bayside
“Professors with personality.”
-Lois Curry, Fresh Meadows
