22 The QUEE NS Courier • AUGUST 8, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com ▶politics CANDIDATES COME OUT BY BENJAMIN FANG editorial@queenscourier.com Political candidates recently spoke at the Friends of Rockaway Beach forum, where they affirmed their commitment to address the needs of the Rockaway community. Mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner headlined the forum for the district he once represented in Congress. Democratic mayoral candidates Comptroller John Liu, former Councilmember Sal Albanese and Republicans John Catsimatidis and Joe Lhota also made their cases to the voters. Borough President candidates Melinda Katz and State Senator Tony Avella, Councilmember Eric Ulrich and his challengers Lew Simon and William Ruiz, and Public Advocate candidates Letitia James and Cathy Guerriero also addressed the packed room. “We’re going to ask them to tell us their plans for our beaches, our boardwalk, our play areas,” said John Cori, co-president of Friends of Rockaway Beach and the organizer of the event. “We need to hold our elected officials accountable.” The candidates talked about greater protection for the beach, improving transportation to and from Rockaway and giving the community a greater voice in City Hall. Weiner, recently scandalized once more for “sexting,” slammed City Hall for creating “hipster-looking concessions” on the beach rather than restoring it. He also demanded extended ferry service, which is set to end by Labor Day. Katz then questioned the city’s readiness and response to Sandy, a topic the audience was hoping to discuss. She also talked about investing in the Rockaways and building it “better than it was.” Avella blasted both Katz and Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., two leading candidates for Borough President, for their voting records while in the City Council. Avella’s plan for the Rockaways includes giving the area a railroad line, getting rid of tolls and 24 hours of bus service. Ulrich touted his record in the City Council and stressed how participatory budgeting gave way to success. “In those four-and-a-half years, I’ve been able to secure, with your help, millions and millions of dollars in capital improvements and programming for senior centers, for schools, for libraries, to keep our firehouses open,” he said. His challenger, Simon, gave an impassioned speech about the devastated community and the need to rebuild it. Other candidates for mayor and public advocate also courted the Rockaway vote and spoke about focusing on the Rockaways if elected. Photo Courtesy of Andrea Veras BOARD DENIES LIU MATCHING CAMPAIGN FUNDS SAYS RUN IS ‘FULL STEAM AHEAD’ BY CRISTABELLE TUMOLA ctumola@queenscourier.com City Comptroller John Liu has vowed to go “full steam ahead” with his mayoral bid despite losing out on millions in funds. The city’s Campaign Finance Board (CFB) on Monday, August 5 denied Liu’s campaign public matching funds that could have doubled the approximately $3.5 million the candidate has raised so far. Liu’s campaign was denied the funds “because there is reason to believe that violations of the Act and Board rules have been committed by his campaign,” said CFB Chair Father Joseph Parkes in a statement. “The evidence suggests that the potential violations are serious and pervasive across the campaign’s fundraising,” he added. “The Campaign Finance Board has chosen to make certain characterizations of my campaign-- they are absolutely wrong in their characterization and we will utterly dispute and repudiate those kinds of comments,” said Liu Monday evening. In May, Jia “Jenny” Hou, who was Liu’s campaign treasurer, was found guilty of attempting to commit fraud, obstructing justice and making false statements. Xing Wu “Oliver” Pan, who was a campaign fundraiser and contribution bundler for the Liu campaign, was convicted at the same time on charges of conspiring and attempting to commit fraud. Though Liu has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection to the case, the Board said the decision to deny matching funds doesn’t require the candidate to personally engage in misconduct. “The candidate is ultimately responsible for the campaign’s compliance with the law,” said Parkes. Under the Campaign Finance Program, candidates who agree to spending limits receive $6 for each dollar a city resident contributes, for a maximum public matching funds amount of $3,534,300, which Liu was expected to receive. “Although we may not have the millions of dollars that the Campaign Finance Board has chosen to withhold from our campaign and from our donors, the strength of this campaign has never been just in the money -- it’s always been in the people” said Liu. “And we’re going to draw upon that strength over the next five weeks throughout all five boroughs.” LATEST ENDORSEMENTS MAYOR Philanthropist George Soros and State Senator Liz Krueger endorsed Bill de Blasio. Sandra Fluke, a women’s rights activist, endorsed Christine Quinn. PUBLIC ADVOCATE The Reverend Floyd Flake, the New York City Police Benevolent Association and the Uniformed Firefighters Association endorsed Cathy Guerriero. El Diario and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Workers Union endorsed Letitia James. Empire State Pride Agenda endorsed Daniel Squadron. CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Leroy Comrie, NYC Council Progressive Caucus and NYC Communities for Change endorsed Daneek Miller for District 27. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Workers Union endorsed Austin Shafran for District 19. CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 24 Veras vying for Gennaro seat City Council candidate Andrea Veras kicked off her campaign with dozens of supporters on August 3. The Briarwood activist and paralegal District 24.” Veras, a single mother of three, immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 1990. She said she wants to get youngsters interested in their education and community events and create affordable housing and healthcare programs. Veras will run against former Assemblymember Rory Lancman and Mujib Rahman in the Democratic primary on September 10. The winner will face off with Republican candidate Alex Blishteyn in the general election. If You’re Ready to Buy a Home,We are Ready to Help. The State of New York M ortgage Agency offers: Up to $15,000 Down Payment Assistance 1-800-382-HOME(4663) is vying to replace term-limited Councilmember James Gennaro in the 24th District, which stretches from Fresh Meadows to Jamaica. “Improving the living conditions of my community has always been my passion,” Veras said, “and I want to bring a fresh perspective to city management, transparency and leadership to all the communities comprised in for Housing www.sonyma.org
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