Indie Party Fight Continues; Both Sides Screen Candidates

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The fight for control of the Independence Party, both at the state level and in Queens, has been going on for almost a year now, in and out of the courts and out on the streets, too, at petition time.

It’s continuing now unabated as the rival Queens factions headed by Michael Niebauer of Whitestone and Gerald Everett of Woodside are holding separate candidate screening sessions as a preliminary to designating candidates and circulating nominating petitions to get them on the ballot.

One unusual aspect of the dual screenings is that prospective candidates, accustomed to seeking support from separate parties, are in this case making their case before separate factions of the same party.

The control fight might come to an end next Tuesday, May 30th, or shortly thereafter, because there’s a hearing in the Appellate Term of state Supreme Court in Albany where a decision declaring who the state chairman is, will be rendered. The state chairman will then, under party rules, designate county chairs.

Last Thursday night, Queens party founder Niebauer presided at the sixth Annual Candidates Search at the Ranch Steak House, 31-64 21st St., Long Island City.

"We had a good turnout of candidates, although lots of Democrats didn’t show up because they were having their county dinner and Hillary Clinton was to be the guest of honor," Niebauer explained. "Many Republicans didn’t come either, because they also had a meeting."

However, state Senator Serphin Maltese, the Queens GOP leader, and state Senator Frank Padavan (R-C, Bellerose) did appear, as did Assemblymember Anthony Seminerio, a Democrat from Ozone Park. Niebauer said another screening session would be scheduled to accommodate the Democrats and Republicans who couldn’t make it Thursday night.

Niebauer, signifying that he is, according to the last court decision, the Queens party leader, billed his candidate night as "Too Legit to Quit."

Asked if his group foresaw any definite challenge to any incumbent, Niebauer singled out Assemblymember Ivan Lafayette (D–Jackson Heights) because "he represents a Latino district and a Latino should represent it."

In the opposing camp, Everett said one screening session had already been held, at which Seminerio had appeared, and another was set for last Friday, at which Padavan was scheduled to appear. Maltese had already presented his credentials, as had Assemblymember Mark Weprin (D–Bayside.

The sessions have been held at the Belaire Diner at Broadway and 21st Street in Long Island City and the last one is expected to be next Wednesday, May 31st, Everett said.

On Tuesday in Albany, the court will be hearing an appeal brought by Everett’s side, headed by Frank McKay, the Suffolk chairman. Previously, a judge ruled that at a meeting where McKay defeated Jack Essenberg for state chairman, there was not a quorum at the meeting. Essenberg challenged McKay’s election and was upheld, leading to McKay appealing the decision. This will be on the docket on Tuesday.

Who leads the party is important because the Independence Party, although only about six years in existence, occupies Line C on the ballot.

ONORATO FUNDRAISER: Continuing to build a campaign war chest as he prepares for another reelection attempt in November, state Senator George Onorato (D–Astoria) entertained about 125 supporters at a dinner on May 12th at the Crowne Plaza LaGuardia Hotel near LaGuardia Airport. The guests present contributed $250 per ticket and about another 75 supporters bought tickets but couldn’t attend. So about $50,000 was poured into Onorato’s campaign treasury.

The veteran lawmaker said another fundraiser is planned for June 28th at Riccardo’s Caterers in Astoria. To date, there’s been no announced opposition to Onorato.

HAPPY HILLARY: Eight days ago, on May 16th in Albany, Hillary Rodham Clinton experienced one of the highlights of her so far brief political career when a horde of Democrats hailed her and nominated the First Lady as the party’s candidate for the United States Senate.

Then two nights later, last Thursday evening, she received an equally warm welcome from about 500 Queens Democrats at the organization’s spring dinner–dance at Antun’s in Queens Village.

Mrs. Clinton was a late arrival at the affair, getting there about 9 p.m. as stormy weather and other campaign stops detained her. So, according to Marylou Plunkett, the gal Friday at the party’s Forest Hills headquarters, "She told the guests, after saying hello, I’m not going to stand hear and make a speech—I’m going to come down to join you, to say hello and get to know you." The crowd roared at the candidate’s friendliness and cordial attitude.

HEVESI’S AGENDA: State Senator Daniel Hevesi (D–Central Queens) said in a release there’s a lot to be thankful for in this year’s budget, but there are still programs that must be enacted. Among these are the state’s assumption of local shares of Medicaid financing elimination of the sales tax on clothing and shoes, and health and safety items and rebuilding the state’s bridges and highways with funds from the state’s treasury in case the Transportation Bond is not approved by the voters in November.

As for the budget’s accomplishments, Hevesi cited the expansion of the EPIC drug discount program for seniors, school aid, higher education funding and tax cuts.

CONLEY FOR COUNCIL: Support is building for Joe Conley, Long Island City businessman and longtime Community Board 2 chairman, to make a run for the City Council seat being vacated by Councilmember Walter McCaffrey this year or next. McCaffrey is challenging Congressmember Joseph Crowley for the 7th Congressional District seat in the Democratic primary. If he wins the primary and the general election in November, his Council seat will become vacant. If he doesn’t succeed against Crowley, next year will be his last in the Council because of term limits. In either case, Tony Mazzarella, proprietor of the Waterfront Crab House in Long Island City, thinks Conley is "extremely well qualified to succeed McCaffrey."

"He’s well informed on every issue in Woodside, Sunnyside and Long Island City both from a business and community standpoint, so you can’t match that," Mazzarella said.

Meanwhile, McCaffrey has a fundraiser planned at the Crab House toward the end of the month.

PARTY FOR GRESSER: Gerard Tully of Whitestone is hosting a fundraiser for Carol Gresser, the Douglaston education activist who has announced she will run for the Queens Borough President’s job next year when the incumbant, Claire Shulman, is forced to leave due to term limits.

In a letter to prospective guests and contributors, Tully described Gresser, the former four-time Board of Education president as "dynamic" and added:

"She wants (the B.P.’s job and, more importantly, she can do the job well."

Tully said, "Education is her strength, but she does support business and industrial development."

The fundraiser is scheduled for June 14th at Caffe on the Green in Bayside from 5 to 7:30 p.m.