Weprin Calls For Law
Thwarting Child Abductions
BY JOHN TOSCANO

A recent child abduction in California ended happily when the child was recovered with the help of an "Amber Alert," information broadcast throughout an area on the huge directional signs hanging over highways for thousands of motorists to see.

Assemblymember Mark Weprin now wants the Amber Alert adopted in New York State, authorized by legislation he sponsored which has passed the legislature and which he’s demanding that Governor George Pataki sign into law.

The Amber Alert is named after an abducted child the search for whom involved a widespread statewide abduction alert and response plan. Weprin’s bill would set up the same apparatus in this state. "The ultimate goal is to increase the opportunities for speedily recovering missing children and returning them safely to their families," explained the Bayside Democrat, the father of two small children.

Weprin says the Amber Alert plan is in use in over a dozen states and most recently was credited with the successful rescue of two teenagers in California.

CASTRO EXPOSURE: Charles Castro, a former cop who’s seeking the Democratic nomination for the new 13th state senate seat covering Jackson Heights Corona and East Elmhurst, recently got a thorough drubbing in a local daily paper. A story alleged the former 17-year cop has wildly exaggerated his career exploits in his campaign literature and was dismissed from the force for his role in a domestic violence case in which another cop killed himself after killing his girlfriend. His former wife was also dismissed from the Police Department for posing in her uniform as part of an otherwise nude Playboy spread.

Castro has also come under criticism for campaign-related activities. He has positioned his campaign posters below those of Jose Peralta, who’s seeking the Democratic nomination in the 39th Assembly District, also a new district within the state senate district where Castro is running. Peralta has the county Democrats’ support and is the favorite in a four-way race. Castro does not have the county designation and the positioning of his posters under Peralta’s makes it appear they’re running as a team, which is not the case.

Castro is one of two opponents facing former City Councilmember John Sabini in the Democratic senate primary; the other is Nestor Diaz. Last week, Sabini complained that plastering posters on poles is against the law and subject to a fine. He called on all candidates to avoid the practice.

Win or lose in the Dem primary, Castro is set to be on the ballot in the general elections on November 5 because he’s the candidate of the Liberal, Independence and Working Families parties.

McLAUGHLIN WANTS REHEARING ON PLEDGE RULING: Assemblymember Brian McLaughlin (D–Flushing) has co-sponsored legislation supporting the United States Department of Justice call for a rehearing of the case in which a federal judge ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.

McLaughlin noted that the Pledge has been changed three times "to most appropriately embody who we are as a people" and, while anyone is free to say it, those who don’t choose to recite are not forced to do so.

"Especially in these times," McLaughlin declared, "why should we as a nation shrink from a religious reference? Our country’s history is that people flocked to our shores precisely for the ability to embrace their God. Freedom of religion means we are free to practice it or not—but it is an immutable part of our heritage and should be reflected in our national identity."

AVELLA RETURNS CHAIRMAN ‘LULU’: For the second time, Councilmember Tony Avella (D–Bayside) has returned the $8,000 he receives in addition to his regular salary for serving as chairman of the Committee on Zoning and Franchises. All committee chairpersons receive the stipend to compensate for the additional hours they work as committee heads.

But Avella explained, "I think my councilmember’s salary is quite sufficient. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as chair of Zoning and Franchises. I do not need additional taxpayer dollars to do my job. It is important to assure the people of New York that we are here to pursue the cause of public service, not to collect money."

GRODENCHIK’S ANTI-GRAFFITI PUSH: Combining good citizenship with his campaigning for the 22nd AD Democratic nomination, Barry Grodenchik is calling for a cleaner Flushing and has assigned a 30-member youth squad to put muscle behind that objective by removing graffiti throughout the area.

The first of a series of graffiti cleanups will focus on the downtown Flushing area. "The area should be presentable to the throngs of people who walk there every day," Grodenchik said. Heading the Youth Squad cleanup team are Jessica Hong and Frankie Chung. The cleanup will extend throughout his district, Grodenchik said.

Grodenchik has four opponents in the primary: Ethel Chen, John P. Albert, James Meng and Richard Jannacchio.

LATINO VOTER DRIVE: Hispanic public officials gathered in Manuel de Dios Unanue Park in Jackson Heights last Saturday to launch a voter registration campaign aimed at the Latino population throughout the city.

Councilmember Hiram Monserrate (D-Corona), one of the officials behind the drive, said the six-day drive will be a final push to empower Latino communities before the August 16 Board of Elections deadline to register to vote in the September 10 primary. Monserrate said the census has "repeatedly shown a disproportionate lack of representation among New York’s diverse and growing Latino community.

Also at the event was 39th Assembly District primary candidate Jose Peralta, who stressed the importance of voting in the wake of September 11 and in immigrant communities, as well.

"It is our responsibility," he declared, "to empower all members of our community to participate in our political process and gain the representation of someone committed to protect our rights, each person’s rights equal to that of another."

Peralta is president of the Commission for Immigrants’ Dignity, a non-profit group that advocates for immigrant causes. If elected, he will become the first Latino from Queens elected to the Assembly.

On another note, Monserrate and Queens Borough Library Director Gary Strong announced on Monday that the library is getting a $500,000 grant to expand and repair the Corona branch library at 38-23 104th St.

ADDABBO TO PATAKI: SHARE BOND MONEY: Councilmember Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. (D–Ozone Park/Rockaway) said on Sunday he wants Governor Pataki to give New York City a fair share of the money that is to be raised from the Environmental Bond sale.

Addabbo maintains, "The city accounts for 40 percent of the state’s population but only receives 23 percent of the $1.75 billion fund." The council Parks and Recreation Committee chairman explained that municipalities are able to use their share of the fund for parks-related capital projects, many of which were suspended because of the city’s huge deficit.

CAMPAIGN KICKOFFS: Congressmember Joseph Crowley and state Senator Frank Padavan formally announced their bids for re-election last week.

Crowley (D–Queens/Bronx) had several elected officials on hand at the Italian Charities Building in Elmhurst for the announcement, among them Congressmember Charles Rangel (D–Manhattan), dean of the city delegation. Crowley said he’s raised nearly $750,000 for the campaign and pledged to fight to improve education, protect Social Security, and secure the city and its neighborhoods from crime and terrorism. Crowley is seeking a third term.

Citing his sponsorship of the law that gave Mayor Michael Bloomberg control of the city school system, Padavan announced he will seek his latest consecutive two-year term in a career that started in 1973. Padavan, who has already compiled an outstanding legislative record as well as benefits for his northeast Queens district, pledged to continue working in the same vein. The Bellerose Republican–Conservative is unopposed for re-election.