FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM OCTOBER 29, 2020 • THE QUEENS COURIER 49
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The beach season supposedly
ends with Labor Day,
but aft er our acquisition
of Dan’s Papers, the “season” is
carrying on for me.
Th e ocean is a good place to
think, to breathe and to feel the
wind in my face. Th ere’s something
rejuvenating about having
the sand between my toes and
the sun warm my face and soul,
even if I’m bundled up!
As I walk on the empty beach,
I can hear the endless waves
crash up against the pearl white
sand and sniff the ocean breeze.
In a moment of refl ection, I am
reminded that we are all specks
of sand and better cherish the
days we walk the beach.
Th e timelessness of the ocean
makes me realize how I believe
that my footprint will not be
washed away, but rather be
embedded in what I give the
world.
In times like now, the simple
act of walking to my polling
place is impactful. A mark
in the sand.
Th ese next few days are all
about our democratic right to
vote and elect new leaders of our
political world.
As contentious as the presidential
race between Donald
Trump and Joe Biden is, I was
fascinated to learn while watching
my favorite Sunday morning
show that the race between
Rutherford B. Hayes and
Samuel J. Tilden in 1876 was
no less polarizing. In fact, the
country didn’t elect a president
until days before the inauguration
held in March. It
reminded me that
our democracy, for
better or worse, survives.
I’ve been very
impressed to see that
long lines to vote
early are appearing
daily across the
country, especially
at the 88 early voting
sites in New York
City, as well 12 sites in Suff olk
County, and 15 sites in Nassau
County on Long Island.
I’m a traditionalist so I will
wait to cast my vote until Nov. 3.
But cast my vote, I will. My footprint
will be in that “sandbox.”
Some candidates remind me
of my late, great, dear friend
and public servant Claire
Shulman. She put more shovels
in the ground and created
more projects than any other
borough president in the history
of Queens and served our borough
until her dying days at 94
years old.
Tom Suozzi, who is running
for re-election for Congress, is
made from the same cloth as
Claire and is a true public servant.
Coming from Glen Cove
on Long Island as a political
leader — both as mayor of Glen
Cove, then as Nassau County
executive — he knew little
about Queens. But he is a fast
learner and has become a great
friend and leader to the northeast
Queens communities that
he serves.
While Tom was a Nassau
County man, he reached out and
embraced the people of Queens
when he fi rst ran for Congress.
He came and conquered the
hearts and minds of his wouldbe
constituents in Queens, won
the election, and has stayed
involved over his many
years of service to us.
In addition to Tom, old
friends Rebecca Seawright,
Carolyn Maloney and
Toby AnnStavisky are running
for re-election in the
state Assembly, Congress
and state Senate, respectively.
Th ey have served
their constituents with real
results benefi ting the communities
that they represent and
beyond.
Th ese are the most challenging
times I have ever seen, and with
people like Tom Suozzi, Rebecca
Seawright, Carolyn Maloney and
Toby Ann Stavisky representing
us, I know we have dedicated
leaders who have devoted their
lives to public service and care
about making a diff erence.
On to victory!
Victoria’s
DIARY
Victoria
SCHNEPSYUNIS
tweet me @vschneps
Putting my footprint in the sand
Cherish the days we
walk the beach.
Assemblywoman
Rebecca Seawright
Congressman
Tom Suozzi
Congresswoman
Carolyn Maloney
State Senator Toby
Ann Stavisky
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