16 THE COURIER SUN • JUNE 23, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com CAMPAIGN 2016 Cambria Heights political activist looks to fi ll late assemblywoman’s seat BY ROBERT POZARYCKI rpozarycki@qns.com/@robbpoz A community activist from Cambria Heights has her sights set on succeeding the late Assemblywoman Barbara Clark. On the morning of June 23, Nantasha Williams is scheduled announce her candidacy for the vacant 33rd Assembly District seat that Clark previously held for nearly 30 years prior to the lawmaker’s death in February 2016. Williams will hold her announcement outside Clark’s former offi ce on Springfi eld Boulevard in Queens Village. “This seat was held for nearly 30 years by a woman who led us with selfl ess compassion and an unwavering commitment to our local schools and children,” Williams said a statement released by her campaign. “She was also unafraid and unapologetic about challenging the leadership and demanding more for her community.” Williams recently served as chief of staff to Brooklyn Assemblywoman Diana Richardson and was the executive director of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus. In her latter role, Williams advocated for various policies and practices designed to improve the lives of people of color and low-income New Yorkers. She is currently an active member in various political organizations such as the Queens County Young Democrats, the American Society of Public Administration, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators and the United for Progress Democratic Club. Williams is also an active member the Friends of Laurelton Playgrounds, which seeks to improve playgrounds in the area. Williams has also served on the boards of the youth empowerment group VOYCE, the Cheery Chyildren Education Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, the Young and Powerful Group, Justice League NYC and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The 33rd Assembly District covers much of Bellerose, Cambria Heights, Hollis and St. Albans. The parties will choose their nominees for the seat in the statewide primary on Sept. 13, with the nominees facing off in the Nov. 8 general election. Photo courtesy of Nantasha Williams’ campaign Retiring lawmaker is supporting a Rockaway Beach civic leader as his potential successor BY ROBERT POZARYCKI rpozarycki@qns.com/@robbpoz S o u t h e r n Queens and the Rockaways may soon be represented in Albany again by a member of the Pheffer family. O u t g o i n g Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, who announced earlier this month he would not seek r e - e l e c t i o n , announced on June 20 that he is backing Stacey Pheffer Amato as his potential successor in the 23rd Assembly District seat. Amato, who currently serves as a member of the Rockaway Beach Civic Association, is the daughter of Queens County Clerk Audrey Pheffer, whom Goldfeder succeeded in the Assembly through a 2011 special election. “Audrey Pheffer was a mentor to me, and if her experience is any indication, I have no doubt her daughter Stacey will be an equally great advocate for our community,” Goldfeder said in a statement. Springfi eld Gardens voices concerns during town hall meeting with mayor Mayor Bill de Blasio visited the Springfi eld Gardens Educational Complex on Thursday, June 16, and heard a litany of concerns from residents. More than 300 people from southeast Queens, including some who traveled from the Rockaway Peninsula, showed up and peppered the mayor with questions regarding issues including truck traffic, transportation, education and quality-oflife concerns. As with other town hall meetings across the city, de Blasio brought with him an army of city offi - cials to directly address residents’ concerns. One of these offi cials was Deputy Inspector Jeffrey Schiff, commanding offi - cer of the 105th Precinct, who spoke about commercial trucks parking on residential streets. According to Schiff, the 105th Precinct has increased enforcement by 50 percent thus far this year. De Blasio also answered questions from a local student about his struggle to get into college. Photo courtesy of Councilman Donovan Richards Mayor Bill de Blasio answering a question from the audience as Councilman Donovan Richards and others look on. The mayor explained the city’s efforts to expand education and make college more affordable for all city students. “While the mayor was not able to provide an immediate solution to every question, he was attentive to the needs of the district and representatives from all city agencies took the time to listen to residents to ensure that the city follows up on many of the local issues,” Councilman Donovan Richards said. “I’d like to thank Mayor de Blasio and all his commissioners for being amazing guests and attending to the needs of our community. I look forward to working with the administration to bring home results from a majority of these inquiries. I’d also like thank all of the District 31 residents who came out to respectfully challenge the mayor to bring more victories back to our neighborhoods. Their efforts truly make me a better representative.”
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