The Queens Gazette 25th Anniversary Edition 1982-2007
Then And Now

1984

1984- Elections. Early in August 1984, the Gazette's front page held stories about Congressmember Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman to run for vice president of the United States, launching her national campaign with a rally in front of Queens Borough Hall in Kew Gardens.

Also on the front page was a story of an active primary campaign season, listing major confrontations in both Democratic and Republican parties.

At the Borough Hall rally, organized by Queens Democratic Chairman, Borough President Donald R. Manes, sharing the spotlight was Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale. Other guests included Governor Mario Cuomo and Ferraro's husband, John Zaccaro.

The major primary activity centered around four Democrats seeking to succeed Ferraro in Congress: Gloria D'Amico, City Councilmember Thomas Manton, Walter Crowley and Assemblymember Clifford Wilson.

Among Republicans, Serphin Maltese, the Queens Conservative Party leader, and Sal Calise of Astoria were seeking the Congressional nomination. The GOP also represented the fight going on for Queens Republican Party control between incumbent Lilly Bachman, supporting Maltese, and Ed Coyne of Woodside, who backed Calise. An Astoria GOP leader supported Calise.

2007

Twenty-five years later, election news is again on peoples' minds, this time, it is next year's presidential election that claims attention. Among Democrats, the two main contenders appear to be two U.S. senators, Hillary Clinton of New York, and newcomer Barack Obama of Illinois. On the Republican side, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani appears to be leading the GOP pack.

Flood: In late July 1984, a major watermain break occurred on Hazen Street between 19th and 20th Avenues as a construction firm was repairing and refilling a caved-in section of the roadway. Astoria Heights Homeowners and Tenants Association President Paul Raimonda reported that about 100 homeowners were ready to sue to recover costs of damages and repairs. The accidental watermain break and sewer line collapse occurred two days before the second torrential rain would fall, which compounded the damage suffered by homeowners. In mid-February 2006, the Gazette reported that local lawmakers had secured $1.4 million in federal funding to pay for repairs of streets and sidewalks destroyed when a watermain break occurred on Ditmars Boulevard and 80th Street in Astoria Heights a year previously. About 50 homes had been flooded in the Feb. 16, 2005 main break, causing millions of dollars in damage to basements, furniture and personal belongings, Assemblymember Michael Gianaris said. The funds to repair water flooding damage had been secured by Congressmembers Anthony Weiner and Carolyn Maloney.