Queens Tribune

Endorsing for Council is not so difficult. Each of the 14 Queens incumbents stands for re-election. In spite of our fine campaign finance system, in only six of the seats are there primary challenges. We have, in spite of a progressive campaign finance program, failed to effectively open up the system to challengers.
We’ve watched the incumbents perform for almost four years. We have rated their performance. Their challengers basically only offer promise at this point. Some of them seem to be filled with promise. However, if an incumbent’s performance was good – or better – for the past four years in office, we encourage their re-election.

Council 21st District
Hiram Monserrate has been a driven fighter for the things near and dear to his heart. He has adequately represented his community while advocating for the City’s less advantaged. He’s maintained his independence yet has demonstrated his ability to build coalitions. Performance rating: “Good.” Hiram Monserrate deserves four more years in the Council.

Council 24th District
Jim Gennaro is a bit rough around the edges at times but works hard and cares about and performs for his district. He’s a committed environmentalist. Performance rating: “Good.” His challengers, Rene Lobo and Dilip Nath have both presented competent alternative choices. We encourage them to continue to participate in the system but we endorse Jim Gennaro for re-election to the Council.

Council 25th District
Helen Sears has been working for her community as long as we remember. Her tireless energy has not abated over the years. She is as dedicated today as she was a quarter of a century ago. Performance rating: “Good.” While one of her challengers, Bryan Pu-Folkes, is a superstar in his own right – an immigrant leader of immense proportion – we believe that good performance out-trumps promise. Bryan Pu-Folkes will be a city leader in years to come and we’d like to see him in elective office – soon. While we salute Pu-Folkes, his work and his campaign, he has selected a seat that is occupied by a fine Councilmember. Her hard work and commitment to her Jackson Heights community and to our City has earned Helen Sears our endorsement for re-election.

Council 28th District
The incumbent Allan Jennings does not deserve to remain in office. His behavior, sexual harassment, misconduct and outrageous conduct have been a constant embarrassment and have cost his community significantly. Allan Jennings’ performance rating: “Failure.” The only viable alternative – the only serious opponent not arrested during a campaign that has shamed the district – is former Councilman Thomas White who has delivered in the past for his community. In the 28th District, we endorse Tom White for Council.

Council 29th District
One of the Council stars and future leaders of our city, Melinda Katz is being challenged. Ms. Katz’s hard work, principled leadership and demonstrated ability to work with others have earned a performance rating of “Superior.” Send Melinda Katz back to work for us all.

Council 31st District
James Sanders’ performance has been less than stellar; he has alienated many leaders in his community and has not built strong coalitions among Council or Southeast Queens colleagues. We rate his performance: Fair. However, his opponent, David Hooks, has sadly not demonstrated to us anything other than his ability to criticize the incumbent. Therefore, Sanders should be re-elected.

Public Advocate
This is a position that is most confusing and perhaps an unnecessary $2.5-plus million annual cost to the taxpayers. The business world does not invest in hiring and funding a “loyal opposition” – someone to play watchdog on the CEO. That’s what the office of Public Advocate has been and continues to be. With the Comptroller and the Council, there seems to be a sufficient watchdog effort in place. Other than almost ceremonial functioning, the Public Advocate sits and waits for the Mayor to die or issues releases criticizing the city’s performance. While this paper would encourage the next Charter Revision Commission to take a hard look at the position, we believe that the incumbent has managed the slippery slope of the awkward position. Betsy Gotbaum deserves to be returned to office.

Mayor
The standard has been set high by the incumbent.
Gifford Miller fails on the integrity issue having time and again used his leadership position for personal gain – most recently spending more than $1.6 million of city money for his political campaign and reporting it to the Council in a deceptive manner.

C. Virginia Fields is a wonderful spark plug to this humdrum race, having shown herself to be strong in spirit and deeply concerned about all of our city residents. But she has not satisfactorily made the case for her candidacy.
Freddy Ferrer has been a longtime city leader and fighter for the right things in our city. He continues to earn our admiration and respect. However, he has not brought much more to the table than he did four years ago.

Anthony Weiner, however, has come along and talked to this city about issues. While we don’t always agree with everything he says, Weiner has been right on most of the issues, but more importantly, he’s been on the issues – with solutions. We applaud his campaign, which has consistently put out new positions demonstrating thought and an understanding of the city and the election process.
As the candidate who has brought the debate to a constructive level, he has earned our respect and our support. We endorse the Congressman from Queens, Anthony Weiner for Mayor.