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Queens’ diversity
shown in judge picks
BY GREGORY MEEKS
Th e recent Democratic National
Convention has fi lled us with hope
for our country. In prime time, we’ve
seen the diversity of the Democratic
Party, its inclusivity and unifying
nature, and the focus on justice that
we all share. Th e historic nature of
Joe Biden selecting Kamala Harris
as his running mate shows our party
represents Americans’ views on justice and eff ective governance.
As Democrats convened nationally to set a new course
for our country, I’m reminded that all politics is local. A
few weeks earlier, I joined fellow Democrats from across
Queens to determine the future course of justice in New York
State, and nominated Democratic candidates for NY State’s
Supreme Court 11th Judicial District.
Our Queens values of progress, diversity, and inclusion
in the pursuit of justice were evident among the attending
delegates. Whether as fi rst-time delegates — like Emilia
Decaudin, who was also recently elected district leader, one
of the fi rst two transgender district leaders in Queens — or as
veteran delegates, everyone was focused fairness and equality.
I was honored to welcome delegates and introduce Hon.
Randall T. Eng as chair. He was the fi rst elected Asian-
American Supreme Court judge from Queens, and rose to
become the presiding judge of the Second Department. Th irty
years ago he’d received his own nomination to the Supreme
Court. Queens has been a hallmark of progress for decades.
Th ose values were present as candidates for nomination
were announced. Of the nine judges nominated, six are
women, four are people of color, and all collectively represent
Queens’ diversity and brilliance.
For instance, Hon. Lance P. Evans, is an Ivy League graduate,
lawyer, professor, community leader, and an example of
the excellence that comes from Queens. Or perhaps consider
Hon. Michelle A. Johnson — a fi rst-generation American,
Beach Channel High School alum, HBCU cum laude graduate,
and George Washington University Law graduate — who
shows that the promise of our country is alive and well.
Th ere’s also Hon. Karina E. Alomar, a St. John’s Law graduate,
whose career accomplishments and awards, and track
record of jurisprudence, can have anyone wondering how just
one person can do so much in the name of justice. I was humbled
to hear Hon. Mojgan C. Lancman say she feels blessed
every day to be part of a community where a political refugee
can rise to such an esteemed position.
I was equally encouraged by the nominees and delegates
that evening. Each delegate spoke with conviction in support
of these judges and each delegate showed up with a commitment
to justice.
Conversations these days can, at times, be diffi cult and
draining. Too many of us have felt the yoke of injustice for
years. Too many of us have felt it even more viscerally over the
last few months. It’s clear: justice requires constant pursuit.
It’s encouraging that no matter the diffi culty ahead, young
people will do everything they can to demand justice. We
see that no matter the diffi culty ahead, our communities
will come together to survive a crisis that the president has
failed to contain. We see that no matter the diffi culty ahead,
our party has nominated and is poised to elect an African-
American woman as our vice president.
As history talks about the Civil Rights Movement, so too
will they talk about today — what we have done to ensure
Black lives matter and that immigrants have the right to pursue
a better life in America. Th e camera of history is rolling
and the viewers of the future will analyze what we did today
to stand for liberty and justice for all.
Gregory Meeks is the chairman of the Democratic
Organization of Queens County.
MANY QUESTIONS
SURROUND
LAGUARDIA
AIRTRAIN PROJECT
A legal notice concerning the
Federal Aviation Administration
LaGuardia AirTrain Notice
of Availability of a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement
appeared in the Monday, Aug. 24
edition of Newsday. While reading
the fi ne print, I found what I
believe would give those of us who
use the Long Island Rail Road Port
Washington branch reason for
concern about potential adverse
impacts of this project.
Th e fourth paragraph begins
with the words, “Th e proposed
action also includes various connected
activities...modifi cations to
the MTA LIRR Mets Willets Point
Station, including service changes
to the LIRR Port Washington
Line.” Just how would this impact
LIRR Port Washington and other
branch customers’ access to New
York Mets games, other events at
Citi Field, the US Open, Arthur
Ash Stadium, along with Flushing
Meadow Corona Park and the
Queens Zoo?
How long would construction of
the new $2.05 billion LaGuardia
AirTrain LIRR Station take from
start to fi nish? Based upon my past
experience working for the Federal
Transit Administration in funding
previous LIRR station projects, I
would have to venture a minimum
of two years.
We will not know the details
until the Port Authority awards a
construction contract. Th is would
be followed by the contractor providing
a detailed construction
schedule for the Port Authority to
review and approve.
It would have to include agreed
upon track outages and potential
speed restrictions through the
work zone with MTA and LIRR.
Th e LIRR would have to provide
Force Account (its own employees)
to support this project. Th ey
are required to provide protection
for any contractors employees who
are working adjacent to the active
Port Washington branch tracks.
Force account employees also control
train movements through the
work zone.
How long would service be
impacted on the Port Washington
LIRR Branch? Will there be speed
restrictions for trains moving
through the work zone adjacent
to the tracks resulting in longer
commuting time? Would any rush
hour trains have to be combined
or canceled? Would any off peak
weekday and weekend service be
reduced from every 30 minutes
to every hour to accommodate
construction? Will there be any
total weekend service outages as
took place on the Main Line Th ird
Track project during installation of
overpasses?
When service disruptions
take place on the New York City
Transit Flushing No. 7 subway line,
MetroCards are cross-honored
by the MTA LIRR. Th ese MTA
NYC Transit subway riders are
allowed to ride trains on the LIRR
Port Washington branch. If there
is reduced service on the Port
Washington branch due to construction
of the new LaGuardia
Air Train Station, how would
this impact the ability of LIRR to
accommodate thousands of NYC
Transit #7 subway riders?
I wonder when project supporters
of the LaGuardia AirTrain
— including Gov. Andrew Cuomo,
Port Authority of New York and
New Jersey Executive Director
Rick Cotton, construction contractors,
labor unions and lobbyists
— will come forward and
address these vital issues to Port
Washington LIRR branch riders.
Will local village, town, county,
State Assembly and State Senate
elected offi cials speak up on behalf
of their constituents who utilize
the LIRR Port Washington branch
on this issue as well?
Larry Penner, Great Neck
REMEMBER THE
PAST GENERATIONS
ON LABOR DAY
Labor Day is soon upon us and
is a day to love all those who labor
for themselves and family. It is also
a time to be thankful for how far
we have come.
Now let’s look back and think of
all the mothers and fathers who
have worked long, hard hours so
they could better provide for their
families. Th ese Americans fought
for decent wages, hours and benefi
ts.
An example of this is my grandfather
— as told to me by my
father — who worked hard long
hours in the 1890s and early 1900s
for about $2 a day as a laborer.
He was a Civil War veteran and
fought under General Sherman to
free our brothers and sisters from
slavery.
My father was born in 1890 and
at the age of 9, he was taken out
of third grade to work because of
hard times. My grandmother had
to take in other people’s laundry
for extra income.
Fast forward to today, and people
across the country are suff ering
from the eff ects of COVID-19. We
need to pray to our higher power
for better times. But remember,
we have come a long way thanks
to those who paved the way for a
better life.
Th is Labor Day, be thankful and
pray for better days to come for all
those who work hard for the common
good of us all.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Bellerose
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