Seddio Against Special Election
Kings County Democratic Party boss Frank Seddio said this weekend he will not advocate for special elections for the 11th Congressional district seat left vacant earlier this month after the felony conviction of former Rep. Michael Grimm or the 43rd District assembly seat from which Karim Camara will soon leave to work in the Cuomo Administration.
The governor will probably not hold a special again,” said Seddio, noting that he waited until the regular primary and general election to fill several state assembly and senate seats left open last year. And I would advocate that there be a primary (in September) and a general (November) election in both the congressional and assembly so more people have a chance to enter the race.”
Seddio also noted that in the GOP endorsed candidate in the congressional race, Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan would also be up for re-election come primary season, and would have to decide if he wants to give up the DA position to risk running for congress.
“If Donovan gets out of the race, the Democrats have a much better shot. Why give Donovan a free ride,” Seddio said.
Meanwhile Staten Island Assemblyman Michael Cusick, initially considered a favorite in obtaining the Democratic nod in the congressional race announce yesterday he will not be seeking the nomination.
Silver Reported to Step Down As Speaker
Embattled Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has reportedly agreed to relinquish his role as speaker of the state assembly, multiple media outlets reported yesterday.
According to the reports, Silver is set to cede power to five of the chamber’s senior members. The group would include majority leader Joe Morelle of Rochester, as well as Denny Farrell of Harlem, Joe Lentol of Brooklyn, Cathy Nolan of Queens and Carl Heastie of the Bronx.
Silver is currently free on $200,000 bail after being charged with multiple felony counts of taking bribes and political corruption.
Kings Theater Cuts Ribbon
City Councilman Mathieu Eugene joined Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President Kyle Kimball, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, and former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and a bevy of civic and business leaders for the reopening of Kings Theatre in Flatbush on Friady.
Initially constructed in 1929, and closed since 1977, Eugene worked closely with partners to restore and revitalize the historic theater, which is now the largest one in Brooklyn with more than 3,000 seats.
Primed to be a cultural hub for Flatbush and the neighborhoods that surround it, Kings Theatre will provide a wide range of theatrical, musical and artistic programming that will reflect the rich cultural diversity of the community and borough it is rooted in.
“I know that Kings Theatre is a great cultural resource for New York City and beyond, and words cannot fully express how honored I am to have this great treasure located in the district I represent,” said Eugene, adding the vast majority of its employees being tapped from local neighborhoods.
The Kings Theatre will be hosting free community events on January 27 and February 7, with the inaugural concert taking place on February 3 with what promises to be an unforgettable performance from music legend Diana Ross.
Cumbo Applauds Drug Bust At Farragut Houses
Fort Greene City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo this weekend applauded cops for last week’s at the Farragut Houses in Vinegar Hill last week that netted over a dozen alleged crack cocaine and heroin drug traffickers were busted in a massive raid in a Brooklyn housing project.
As reported in Gothamist, undercover cops purchased crack cocaine, heroin and other drugs over 100 times since March from several alleged traffickers working out of the NYCHA development.
Cops said besides out of four apartments raided, drug sales were also conducted in building lobbies, near a playground and in nearby delis and eateries. “The arrests we announce today shut down a major supplier of cocaine to gangs that traffic narcotics in Farragut Houses, and removed guns readily available to spawn violence and chaos in this community,” said Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan following the bust.
“I applaud the NYPD for dismantling a drug ring that operated within the Farragut Houses and endangered the safety of this community,” said Cumbo. “In the past year, we have seen too many incidents of violence where our youth and seniors have often been caught in the crossfire. Our families have lived in fear for far too long, afraid to walk outdoors in their own neighborhood. The arrest of the alleged suspects will hopefully result in a decline of crimes in the area to ease the fears of local residents who deserve to live in a safe environment.”
