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By Alex Mitchell

TimesLedger Newspapers

“It’s time to put the working class first” was Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s message to Washington after pulling off one of the biggest political upsets in history.

Ocasio-Cortez, a 28-year-old neophyte aligned with the progressive Democratic Socialists of America, took down 10-term incumbent Joseph Crowley in a primary day romp to become the next Democratic Party candidate to run for the 14th Congressional seat in November’s general election. She rolled up 15,897 votes to 11,761 for Crowley in the district, which straddles Queens and the Bronx.

When she first learned that the race was called in her favor, she let out a gasp heard around the political world.

“Every person out here changed America tonight,” she said while standing atop a barstool in the crowded Bronx pool hall that hosted her election watch party. “This victory tonight belongs to every person in this room.”

While only 13 percent of the registered Democratic Party voters cast ballots, Ocasio-Cortez won both the Bronx, which accounts for 36 percent of the district, and the Queens portion.

A Bronx community organizer and veteran of Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign, Ocasio-Cortezshe demolished the man everyone was touting as the next speaker of the House in his home borough, where he is also the Democratic Party machine leader.

The insurgent’s campaign that started with clipboards in plastic bags overcame being outspent 18 to one per vote from the establishment-based Crowley, who raised $1.485,633 for the race, according to Ballotpedia. Ocasio-Cortez brought in $39,024.

“It’s no secret he’s very well financed,” Ocasio-Cortez said days before her first primary election. “But people don’t know him, especially the Bronx, so we aren’t scared of big money because we have big people.”

Without the funds available to take out major ads like Crowley, the Parkchester native turned to social media.

She ended up running a cost-efficient, savvy social media campaign that went viral, catching the attention of both her district and the nation.

Ocasio-Cortez has lived a humble life. Her father died during the Great Recession that began in 2008, so it was up to her and her mother to find ways to get by.

“I had to bartend, I had to wait tables, I know what it’s like to be a working class New Yorker,” Ocasio-Cortez said as she criticized Crowley for not even living within his district any more. “I grew up uninterested in politics, I thought it was just a local political machine.”

She graduated from Boston University with a degree in economics and international relations and worked in U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy’s (D-Mass.) office.

“Now we’re going to organize the community. We will have town halls, focus on housing improvement, stop foreclosures, rent increases and forced rezoning,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “We can’t wash our hands of these local issues, it’s time we bring the fight home.”

While Ocasio-Cortez and her crew were celebrating her dramatic victory Tuesday, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon came to congratulate her win.

“I think she’s an amazing human, I think she’s run an amazing race. She shows that when you oppose the status quo even when it seems like a mountain, what matters in the end is how you speak to voters and that they can put their trust in you,” Nixon said. “It makes me feel doubly excited for my own campaign and makes me excited for New York and the United States that we have so many progressive women running for office and being embraced.”

Her platform included the abolishment of ICE, Medicare expansion, free tuition and immigration reform.

Come this November, Ocasio-Cortez will face GOP candidate Anthony Pappas in the general election in hopes of completing one of the most unexpected political upsets in recent American history.

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By Mark Hallum

TimesLedger Newspapers

Latina women running for office in Queens have been inspired by the stunning victory of newcomer Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over 10-term veteran U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) in Tuesday’s primary with all its national implications

Crowley, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and the fourth most powerful Democrat in the Congress, was unseated by the 28-year-old grassroots activist from the Bronx who was waiting tables just eight months prior to her victory. He was considered a likely contender for speaker of the House if the Democrats wrested control in November.

With 98 percent of the precincts counted, Ocasio-Cortez commanded 57.5 percent of the vote to 42.5 percent for Crowley in his district, which covers western Queens and the Bronx, according to unofficial results from NY1.

Jessica Ramos, who is challenging state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) in the Sept. 13 state primary, called Crowley’s defeat “a resounding victory for progressive women in Queens.”

“To incumbent Democrats who put wealthy donors over working families: You are on officially on notice,” Ramos said. “From Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Dana Balter to Liuba Grechen Shirley, progressive women triumphed because New Yorkers want unapologetic leaders who stand up for working families—not the Democratic establishment. Here in Queens, working families are losing affordable housing, our subway system is broken, and students attend overcrowded and underfunded schools… Enough is enough. Queens’ voters made their voices heard last night: It’s time to clean house.”

Crowley, who is chairman of the Queen Democratic Party organization, followed through on his promise on the campaign trail to back Ocasio in the general election against Republican Anthony Pappas, a St. John’s University professor, if he lost the primary.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent Queens and the Bronx. I am proud of the race we ran and, more importantly, proud of all of the work we’ve done to advance this community,” Crowley said. “The Trump administration is a threat to everything we stand for here in Queens and the Bronx, and if we don’t win back the House this November, we will lose the nation we love. This is why we must come together. We will only be able to stop Donald Trump and the Republican Congress by working together as a united Democratic Party.”

Ocasio-Cortez’s victory Party at Park Billiards and Cafe in the Bronx was crammed with supporters, including Cynthia Nixon who is challenging Gov. Andrew Cuomo as a Democrat.

Ocasio-Cortez declined to comment at her victory party and the campaign has not returned media inquiries.

In contrast, the atmosphere at Crowley’s party at The Queensboro Restaurant in Jackson Heights was tense as the numbers rolled in, with elected officials from across Queens restlessly shuffling in and out of building. Once the results were called in Ocasio-Cortez’s favor, he performed a cover of “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen on guitar, dedicated to Ocasio-Cortez.

Catelina Cruz is an attorney who is one of three Latina candidates running for the state Assembly seat recently vacated by city Councilman Francisco Moya (D-Jackson Heights) when he switched positions in 2017. Assemblywoman Ari Espinal (D-Jackson Heights) won the seat in an April special election and is fighting to keep the seat against Cruz and Yonel Letellier Sosa.

“I want to congratulate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on her successful campaign, built on grassroots energy and a people-centric platform. I also want to thank Joe Crowley for his decades of dedicated service to our community,” Cruz said.

U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) spoke well of his colleague in Congress, saying he had contributed to making housing more affordable. Ocasio-Cortez had claimed Crowley was a force behind gentrification, having alleged financial interests with luxury real estate developers.

“As a representative of a neighboring district, I’ve had the opportunity to know Joe Crowley as a champion for American families in both D.C. and at home in Queens, New York,” Meeks said. “Chairman Crowley has faithfully served his country and constituents with conviction, always working to address the issues facing everyday Americans, like making housing more affordable and fixing our health care system, or making it easier to raise a family. He has stood alongside minorities in the fight against discrimination, with immigrants against this administration, and with workers fighting for fair-wages.”

Crowley’s unexpected defeat set off a scramble among possible House contenders for the speaker’s post and the leadership of the Democratic Caucus. President Trump sent a Tweet gloating over Crowley’s demise since the Queens lawmaker had been among his fiercest critics.

“Wow! Big Trump Hater Congressman Joe Crowley, who many expected was going to take Nancy Pelosi’s place, just LOST his primary election. In other words, he’s out! That is a big one that nobody saw happening. Perhaps he should have been nicer, and more respectful, to his President!” Trump wrote.

Crowley was eclipsed by Ocasio-Cortez in his western Queens neighborhoods, where he got 8,220 votes to her 11,804 votes. In the Bronx, Ocasio’s home turf, he counted 3,541 votes to her 4,093 votes.

The district has a large Hispanic population along with immigrants from many parts of the world.

Crowley received a sharp rebuke on the New York Times editorial page for skipping a June 18 debate in the Bronx with Ocasio-Cortez and sending a Hispanic woman surrogate in his stead.

A debate in Jackson Heights on June 21 saw the congressional candidates slug it out over community issues such as a controversial housing development on 82nd Street.

Ocasio-Cortez claimed Crowley had taken money from developers before passing a bill in 2015 that deregulated foreign investment in luxury real estate in the United States and claimed the median price of an apartment in Queens has risen 80 percent.

“The 82nd Street rezoning is wrong,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “Even if it does get constructed, it should be 100 percent affordable housing, but we also know that when we are presiding over these important issues in this community we should not be taking money from one side and pretending we are neutral.”

Crowley also accused Ocasio-Cortez of seeking support from disgraced pol Hiram Monserrate, who not only served prison time for stealing government funds but also brutally assaulted his girlfriend on video, checkbecause she appeared at an event for the East Elmhurst Corona Democrats club, which is led by Monserrate.

“That’s a lie. I have not sought his support,” Ocasio-Cortez responded. “I was at the only Latino Democratic Club in East Elmhurst and Corona. That’s where I was.”

Peralta, who attended Crowley’s victory party, offered words of support for Ocasio-Cortez.

“It has been a privilege to work with Congressman Joe Crowley over the years in Queens. He is a good friend and colleague and his voice in Congress will be missed,” Peralta said. “I would like to congratulate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and as we move forward I am confident that she will be a strong advocate for her future constituents in Queens and The Bronx. I look forward to working together with her.”

Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhallum@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4564.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Carlotta Mohamed

TimesLedger Newspapers

Before the grand opening of Curaleaf’s Forest Hills dispensary later this summer, there will be two free “Cannabis 101” educational seminars to provide Queens patients and community members with important information about the state Department of Health’s medical cannabis program and benefits of medical marijuana.

Curaleaf was scheduled to host an afternoon session this Thursday at noon and an evening session at 5 p.m. at SpringHill Suites located at 112-15 Northern Blvd. in Corona near LaGuardia Airport.

“Medical marijuana is an important treatment option and it is vital to ensure that Queens patients suffering from cancer, chronic pain, PTSD and other qualifying conditions are aware of the benefits of medical marijuana and how it can be used in New York state,” said Michelle Bodner, CEO of PalliaTech NY, which operates dispensaries under the brand name Curaleaf New York. “We encourage patients and community members to attend these sessions to meet with our experts, ask questions and learn more about medical marijuana.”

The educational sessions are free of charge and will be led by Kunal Patel, pharmacy manager of Curaleaf’s forthcoming Forest Hills dispensary as well as Lanett Austin, Curaleaf’s community outreach manager. Patel and Austin will discuss the benefits of medical marijuana for patients, provide important information about medical cannabis products and state regulations and review the steps required to enroll in the state’s medical marijuana program.

Curaleaf New York will open a medical marijuana dispensary at 107-18 70th Road in Forest Hills sometime this summer. The dispensary will provide patients with access to medical-grade cannabis products and counseling. Patients may call (833) 470-5323 (LEAF) for more information.

In addition to its Queens location, Curaleaf New York also operates dispensaries in Plattsburgh and Newburgh and will be opening a fourth location in Carle Place on Long Island later this summer.

Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed by e-mail at cmohamed@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4526.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Mark Hallum

TimesLedger Newspapers

Until President Gerald Ford signed a 1974 bill into law lifting a ban on girls playing Little League baseball across the country, America’s greatest pastime was reserved only for the boys.

Former Bayside resident Robbin Miller was one of the first girls in northeast Queens to brush off society’s expectations and step up to bat in the mid-to-late-1970s. She is putting her story out into the world with her book “Breaking the Barriers: A Girl’s Dream to Play Little League with the Boys,” available on Amazon.

In 1975, Miller signed up for a local team in Bayside and claims she was the object of ridicule, something that persists to this day, Miller said in an interview with TimesLedger.

“Girls who play baseball and Little League, even now, by the time they get to middle school they’re discouraged from continuing and told to go into softball,” Miller said. “The law was passed in 1974 by President Ford, and here it is 40 years later and there’s still some backlash against girls who want to play Little League.”

Photos of Miller from 1975 show her in the green uniform of the Birchwood Pharmacy Team.

Miller remembers the start of the season as the most intense with the crowd directing jeers at the Miller and the other girls who had also signed up to play that year.

“When I’d got booed with the three other girls during the [Bayside Little League Parade] and after the parade during the ceremony of throwing out the first ball to us with 300 boys booing at you – it was really something,” Miller said. “Here I am turning 10, you know. You just deal with it.”

Despite the shouts from crowd, Miller said none of the girls cried.

Miller attended PS 41 and says these were transformative years for the community as students and families from other nationalities and ethnicities began settling in Bayside.

The most support for Miller’s interest in playing baseball with the boys came from her mother, who championed the idea that a woman is capable of anything a man is.

Miller believes her writings on her years in Little League baseball is a good story for elementary school students to read as a work of historical importance.

“I would like girls to be inspired by my book and to stand up for themselves with grit and determination to play baseball with boys and to never let anyone tell them what they can and cannot do,” Miller said. “That’s a life lesson that I got out of [these experiences] and I want girls to get that those crucial skills of determination will help you in life.”

The former Bayside resident now lives in Massachusetts and dedicates her book to her parents, husband and son.

Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhallum@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4564.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Naeisha Rose

TimesLedger Newspapers

Tori Dajuan is a Far Rockaway author who self-published the book “You Are Not Alone,” which is about being a caregiver for her mother who lost her second battle with breast cancer last year.

“I wrote the book to give strength to people and say it is important to be there for loved ones who are going through battles like that,” said Dajuan, who frequnted the Monter Cancer Center just over the Queens border in New Hyde Park during her mother’s fight with the disease. “When I used to go to the cancer center, there were people there who were alone.”

After her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer again in 2013, Dajuan’s career as a hair stylist took a backseat as she focused on being a stay-at-home mom to her 17-year-old daughter/rapper Tyrema Mosley, homeschooling her son Tyriq Mosley, 10, and bringing her mother back and forth to doctor’s appointments.

“After she got sick again I didn’t enjoy doing it anymore,” said Dajuan about being a hairstylist. “I also didn’t have much time for it.”

Months after losing her mother, Dajuan was inspired by the Michael Jackson hit song of the same title and started to write a book in February 2018 about her experience in order to help people who find themselves taking care of a loved one.

“It was around my birthday – Feb. 9 – and the Michael Jackson song “You Are Not Alone” popped into my head and I immediately thought of my mom and decided I was going to write a book, so I wrote that down on my vision board and I started writing the book Feb. 12.”

Dajuan finished writing the book in early April and then uploaded it to CreateSpace, a self-publishing and free distribution website for books, CDs and DVDs.

On CreateSpace, Dajuan spent days proofreading, editing, creating a cover, going over font size and looking at proofs of the book that she worked on by herself. On April 19, the book was self-published on Amazon, just months before the one-month anniversary of her mother’s Aug. 28, 2017 death.

“I didn’t want to go to a company with my book, because I didn’t want anybody to change the direction I was going… so I had to do a lot of research to find out how to get it out there like places like Amazon,” said Dajuan.

Dajuan wants to use some of the royalties from her books to give back directly to cancer patients who don’t have anyone to take care of them and who are struggling with expenses not covered by their insurance.

She wants to allocate her royalties toward creating funds for co-pays, health foods and travel for cancer patients.

“I am personally donating to cancer patients,” said Dajuan. “I know personally off-hand that medical coverage doesn’t pay everything.”

While giving a copy of her book to the doctors who treated her mother, she met a cancer patient who intended to take the bus home after hours of medical care at Monter, which is located at 450 Lakeville Road, and offered her help to get back.

“I went to my mother’s doctor and took her a book,” said Dajuan. “I saw a patient there alone and I went and sat to talk to her. I gave her some money so that she can get coconut water for her electrolytes… and I gave her my book and she said it lifted her spirits.”

Writing the book was not an easy task for Dajuan, but it was therapeutic for her.

“The reason I wrote the book was because it was a traumatic experience,” said Dajuan. “I had a hard time dealing with the loss of my mom, but when she was sick she always had someone with her.”

Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4573.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Mark Hallum

TimesLedger Newspapers

In a momentous upset with national implications, U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) has been unseated by Bronx resident Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a grassroots candidate who ran against the two-decade incumbent on issues of affordable housing and local business.

Ocasio-Cortez secured the stunning victory with 57.8 percent of the votes — compared to Crowley’s 42.2 percent — with 94 percent of the precincts reporting, according to unofficial results from NY1.

She goes on to face Republican challenger Anthony Pappas, a St. John’s University professor, in the general election.

As the fourth most powerful Democrat in Congress, Crowley was in the running to become speaker of the House if the Democrats managed to take the majority in the November elections. This was the first time in 14 years he had faced a challenger for his House seat. Crowley, who is head of the Queens Democratic Party, has been a staunch critic of President Trump and a outspoken voice defending immigrants.

Ocasio-Cortez, who is 28 and a first-time candidate, hopes to use her office to make the district more affordable by rejecting the interests of real estate developers and bringing single payer healthcare to her constituents.

“I cannot put this into words. I cannot believe these numbers. Every single person here has worked their butt off. This victory belongs to every single grassroots organizer, working mom, every member of the LGBTQ community is responsible for this,” Ocasio-Cortez said in an interview on NY1 from the Bronx. “We meet a machine with a movement. It’s surreal, I did not see these numbers until I walked in. I’m still processing a lot of this.”

She added, “Working class Americans want a champion and there is nothing radical about moral clarity in 2018.”

Crowley addressed the shocking defeat after the election was called.

“If we don’t win back the House, we will lose the nation that we love. I respect your energy and I cherish your friendship and support. It’s not about me… it’s about America,” he said. “I wish nothing but the best for Ms. Ocasio-Cortez. I want her to be victorious in the November elections.”

A debate on NY 1 June 21 saw the congressional candidates slug it out over community issues such as a controversial housing development on 82nd Street and the debate over the gun issue. Crowley declined to attend a second debate later last week and drew sharp criticism on the New York Times editorial page for sending a Latina surrogate in his place.

Crowley falsely said during the first NY1 debate that he backed the proposal to build not 10 stories, but 13 stories of housing at the 82nd Street project because Community Board 4 voted in favor of ULERP application for more housing.

In reality, CB 4 had voted in March almost unanimously against the proposal which later received a recommendation for approval from Borough President Melinda Katz.

“I misspoke when I said the community board voted in favor of it,” Crowley said. “The reality — as I look at it — is that the building itself could be built as of right for the use of the Target… Queens is changing all the time, we need to make sure that the change is being done in a way that meets the needs of our community and our citizenry.”

Ocasio-Cortez’s response claimed Crowley had taken money from developers before passing a bill in 2015 that deregulated foreign investment in luxury real estate in the United States and claimed the median price of an apartment in Queens has risen 80 percent.

“The 82nd Street rezoning is wrong,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “Even if it does get constructed, it should be 100 percent affordable housing, but we also know that when we are presiding over these important issues in this community we should not be taking money from one side and pretending we are neutral.”

Crowley also accused Ocasio-Cortez of seeking support from disgraced pol Hiram Monserrate, who not only served prison time for stealing government funds but also brutally assaulted his girlfriend on video, because she appeared at an event for the East Elmhurst Corona Democrats club, which is led by Monserrate.

“That’s a lie. I have not sought his support,” Ocasio-Cortez responded. “I was at the only Latino Democratic Club in East Elmhurst and Corona. That’s where I was.”

While Ocasio-Cortez championed a federal ban on assault weapons and requiring licenses and age restrictions, she said New York City gun laws are not compatible with states like Nebraska, where firearm ownership may be more necessary for maintaining one’s livelihood through hunting and ranching.

Crowley argued that a full ban on firearms would be the only solution to stopping mass shootings and preventing guns from making their way onto the streets of New York, where he claimed 74 percent of guns in the city are purchased legally in more lenient states before being sold in more restrictive cities.

Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhallum@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4564.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Carlotta Mohamed

TimesLedger Newspapers

U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) defeated her challenger, Suraj Patel, in Tuesday’s Democratic primary election and now will face two more opponents in the general election in November.

With 88 percent of the precincts reporting, Maloney won with 58.1 percent of votes, while Patel trailed behind with 41.9 percent, according to unofficial results from NY1.

The congresswoman is working to help pass a measure to protect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program in the House and is also involved in putting together a hearing about the separation of children from families while crossing the Mexico border into the United States.

Maloney, whose district covers part of western Queens, the East Side of Manhattan and a swath of Brooklyn, will be up against Republican Eliot Rabin and Green Party candidate Scott Hutchins in November. She played a key role in bringing federal funding to the city for the construction of the Second Avenue subway and has been a strong advocate on women’s issues in the House.

Patel, a hotel executive, ran a spirited campaign against Maloney drawing on social media to appeal to Millennial supporters. The race between Maloney and Patel became bitter as viewers watched a televised NY1 debate June 12 when the pair clashed over each other’s points of view on a number of issues.

Both candidates debated the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the legalization of marijuana, Maloney’s record on a 1994 crime bill and their positions on the oversaturation of bars in the Lower East Side.

“ICE has been operating with impunity and above the rule of law for years under multiple presidents,” Patel said during the debate. “We made it many years, 200-plus years in this country, without ICE. We can make it another 200 years without them.”

Maloney agreed ICE is “out of control,” but said some type of border patrol is necessary.

“ICE has definitely lost its way,” Maloney said, explaining that the Women’s Caucus in the House has a bill to reorganize and redirect ICE to help rather than deport people. Differences aside, both candidates came to an agreement on some issues. They both supported legalization of marijuana, but Patel added that he supported retroactively releasing people who have been incarcerated for nonviolent marijuana crimes. And they both agreed on capping the opening of new bars in the district, but said the decision should be made by the community.

Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed by e-mail at cmohamed@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4526.

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By Naeisha Rose

TimesLedger Newspapers

The three-way Democratic primary race between incumbent U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Far Rockaway), entrepreneur Mizan Choudhury and Carl Achille, a detective and Iraqi war veteran, in New York’s 5th Congressional District has led to a landslide victory for Meeks.

There is no challenger in the November general election, according to the Board of Elections. Michael O’Reilly, who tried to run on the Reform, Conservative and Republican lines, filed his petition for each party four days after the April 12 election deadline.

Despite low voter turnout Tuesday and lingering confusion about the congressional primary being switched to June from September several years ago, the constituents who did file into voting booths across southeast Queens, the Rockaway peninsula and Nassau County have elected Meeks for another term.

With 84 percent of the precincts reporting, Meeks captured 84.3 percent of the vote vs. 9.1 percent for Choudhury and 6.6 for Achille, according to unofficial results reported by NY 1.

Meeks, who lives in St. Albans, is a 20-year representative of the district and his top campaign goals included saving the protections in the Affordable Care Act, fighting for Dreamers who were brought to this country without documents as children and tightening federal laws on gun control. Choudhury and Achille, who both said Meeks, “was out of touch” with his constituents, focused on jobs and affordable housing as ways of improving the district locally.

Choudhury, a Bengali immigrant who lives in Bellerose and moved to the United States in 1997, also wanted to fight for Dreamers by helping them gain legal status in the United States and reunifying them with their families.

Achille, a resident of Elmont and a Haitian immigrant, called for improving the railways, subways and buses in the district, which he described as a “transportation desert.”

In the end voters wanted more of Meeks.

“I want to thank my constituents for their continued belief and support in that they have shown me over the last 20 years,” said Meeks. “They have been standing by my side knowing that I am going to fight for them. I thank them for the faith they have me and I will continue to work hard everyday to make their lives better.”

Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4573.

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Source: Times Ledger