8 MARCH 19, 2020 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
Mayor cancels QBP special election
BY MAX PARROTT
MPARROTT@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced
on Sunday that he will be canceling
the special election for
Queens borough president scheduled
for March 24 as a part of his eff ort to
combat the spread of coronavirus.
At the press conference where he
announced that New York City public
schools will close until April, he
acknowledged that in a democracy,
canceling the election was not something
he took lightly. The mayor had
previously expressed resistance to
postponing the election, saying that
“it’s a very dangerous thing to do in a
democracy.”
Polling places opened Saturday for
an early voting period leading up to
the special election to replace former
Borough President Melinda Katz.
While Donovan Richards was the
only candidate to call for the postponement
of the election prior to
early voting, Costa Constantinides
and Elizabeth Crowley both called to
institute a borough-wide absentee ballot
program, which Gov. Cuomo then
signed into law through an executive
order on Friday.
Three of the candidates immediately
sent out statements approving the
mayor’s decision to stop the spread of
the virus.
“Today’s decision to close New York
City schools to protect our children was
a smart decision, and so was the cancellation
of the March 24 special election,”
Councilman Donovan Richards said.
“Elections are an integral part of our
Photo: Max Parrott/QNS
democracy. There is no easy way to put
one on hold, however we cannot risk
the health and safety of voters and our
poll workers in this moment.”
Councilman Costa Constantinides
said, “The health, safety and stability
of Queens is most important. While
we’re grateful to everyone who came
out to vote early this weekend, we respect
the mayor’s decision to suspend
the special election.”
Candidate Jim Quinn said he agreed
with de Blasio’s decision to suspend the
election.
“I understand the mayor’s decision to
postpone the election and believe that
it is the most prudent course of action
at this time,” he said.
Elizabeth Crowley also agreed, saying
“the health and safety of our city
and citizens is paramount.”
“We must now come together protect
ourselves and our great city. Our politics
will see another day,” she said.
Fellow candidates Anthony Miranda
and Dao Yin have yet to put out statements
regarding the cancellation.
Acting Borough President Sharon
Lee said that she is prepared to extend
her tenure of the offi ce as a result of
the suspension, and will continue to
support the borough through the
response to the pandemic.
“I made a commitment to represent
and serve the people and families of
Queens to the best of my ability and
for as long as necessary, and this commitment
still stands. Government must
not and will not shut down. Aggressively
slowing the tide of the spread of
COVID-19 is paramount, and we as public
servants must remain calm while
moving swift ly but safely with the
urgency that this situation requires,”
said Lee.
Glendale Kiwanis Club cancels all March meetings
BY MAX PARROTT
MPARROTT@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
The Kiwanis Club of Glendale voted to cancel
all its meetings until the end of March, and
possibly further.
“These are defi nitely unique and troubling times
ahead and we will act accordingly for everyone’s
safety,” President Gary Milau wrote.
The chapter’s board of directors met Sunday and
voted on the cancellations. The club is going to try
to implement a conference call for this month’s
board meeting on March 25.
The Pediatric Lyme Disease Gala has been rescheduled
to May 3. The Dance at Sacred Heart for
April 25 will be rescheduled to a later date.
With regards to the food collection and the distribution
of hams for Easter, the club is planning
to get more information to see if the pantries will
remain open.
All donations from the Glendale Division for the
Tennessee Disaster Relief can be dropped off at CB
Kueber Realty, 67-13 Myrtle Ave. in Glendale or
Greater Ridgewood Youth Council at 776 Fairview
Ave. in Ridgewood.
The Baby Shower on April 16 will be rescheduled
to May 7. All these dates could be further rescheduled
due to the severity of the pandemic.
QNS fi le photo
The $100 Raffl e event at this point is still on the
calendar to take place on Apr. 30. Please return
tickets and checks to PP Bill Maher, 7710 83rd St.,
Glendale.
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