FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com june 13, 2013 • THE QUEENS COURIER 19 ▶politics THE COURIER/File photo Longtime community activist Isaac Sasson has dropped his bid for City Council. Council District 24 Sasson drops out BY MELISSA CHAN [email protected] A lottery millionaire from Flushing has scratched himself off the City Council ticket. Isaac Sasson, 72, has dropped his bid for the 24th District and will instead “focus his efforts on his philanthropy and his related positions in the Orthodox Jewish community,” his campaign said in a statement. The Democrat announced in January he would gamble to replace outgoing Councilmember James Gennaro in the district that stretches from Fresh Meadows to Jamaica. Sasson, a former organic chemistry professor at Queens College and retired cancer researcher, won a $13 million lottery jackpot in 2007. But his luck turned in 2009 when he lost his first bid for City Council and again in 2010 for State Senate. He is not the first to drop out of the District 24 race. Democratic District Leader Martha Taylor ended her campaign in February due to health concerns. The race’s front-runner, former Assemblymember Rory Lancman, was endorsed by the Queens Democratic Party and former Councilmember Morton Povman, who used to represent the district. According to the city’s Campaign Finance Board, candidates Alexander Blishteyn, Andrea Veras and Mujib Rahman have filed funds for the district race as of last month. ENDORSEMENTS PUBLIC ADVOCATE Brooklyn Councilmember Darlene Mealy endorsed Reshma Saujani. CITY COUNCIL Former Councilman Morton Povman endorsed former Assemblymember Rory Lancman for District 24. MAYOR Former Congressmember Bob Turner endorsed Joe Lhota. COUNCIL DISTRICT 22 BIZ OWNER JOINS CROWDED RACE BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] Longtime Community Board 1 member and small business owner Constantinos “Gus” Prentzas is looking to fill departing Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr.’s seat in the 22nd Council District. “Northwestern Queens has grown and flourished over the last 12 years,” he said. “I believe I have the right balance of private and public sector experience to continue that progress and look forward to engaging and serving the community in the City Council.” Prentzas will run as a Democrat. He believes that through his years of experience on the community board and local school boards, he will be able to bring Astoria the leadership it needs. “I have been proud to serve the community for more than a decade in many different capacities, both elected and unelected,” said Prentzas. “With the seat being vacated by Councilmember Peter Vallone, who is seeking the office of Borough President, many in the community have been urging me to run to replace him to continue the progress of our community and build on his successful record.” Prentzas faces attorney John Ciafone, Democratic District Leader Costa Constantinides, Independence Party member and Monsignor McClancy High School volleyball Coach Danielle De Stefano, Republican and former New York Young Republican Club president Daniel Peterson, and Green Party candidate Lynne Serpe. “Most mothers will never need all of Winthrop’s amazing services. But why take that chance?” Tracey had planned to deliver her baby in NY City. But when she suddenly began bleeding and went into labor at home, she and her husband rushed to Winthrop-University Hospital instead. “Winthrop is known as a leading maternity hospital,” she said. “Now I know why.” Winthrop’s Chief Ob/Gyn Resident recognized that she needed an emergency C-Section. He assembled a highly trained surgical team in minutes. The severe complications they encountered called on all their skill and teamwork. Large ‡ broids were wrapped around the uterus. The baby was positioned sideways in the womb. And Tracey’s placenta had ruptured. She was bleeding profusely. Miraculously, baby Evan was delivered safely and Tracey avoided a hysterectomy. “There’s no doubt,” said Tracey, “Winthrop’s team saved Evan’s life, and mine.” Tracey and Evan’s story shows why Winthrop is a renowned NY State-designated Regional Perinatal Center. Why our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit’s record is one of the best in the nation. And why it makes such good sense to give birth where all the world-class services you may need are standing by 24/7, just in case. Learn more at winthrop.org. Or call 1-866-WINTHROP.
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