Billy Thai Really Likes Bill Colton
The Democratic District Leader race between incumbent Charlie Ragusa and challenger Billy Thai in the 47th Assembly District gets stranger by the week.
Ragusa, an old political compadre of Assemblyman Bill Colton, has long been quiet as a church mouse, but now that Thai is in the race, he seems to be out front of every issue involving the growing Asian community of Bensonhurst.
Most recently Colton’s office even posted a picture of Ragusa looking at a Chinese language newspaper that was circulated and taken down off social media quickly,
And with every press release Colton issues now, he includes his two district leaders, Nancy Tong and especially Ragusa as a team, complete with quotes that echo each other on all issues in lockstep.
Tai, on the other hand comes under the thumb of local rabble-rouser Warren Chan, who is doing all he can to drive a wedge between Colton and the growing Asian-American demographics in Southern Brooklyn. Most recently, he did this in a KCP story where he blamed the very real need to do something about the proliferation of illegal home conversions, which does create fire traps and other safety hazards, on Chinese xenophobia.
Team Colton is also upset that Team Thai has been circulating palm cards and other election paraphernalia stating that he is part of Team Colton along with Tong instead of Ragusa. Colton, Tong and others say this is disingenuous at best and dishonest at worst because Tai is not part of their team.
But Thai this week told KCP he is on the palm cards with Colton because he really does support him, and believes in unifying the community.
“It’s not a lie. I support Bill Colton and Nancy Tong so there’s no need for me to get permission to say I support him. I’m running against Charlie Ragusa,” said Thai who was born, raised and educated through public schools in Bensonhurst. “There’s no bad intentions. It’s not like I’m bad mouthing him (Colton) or anything.”
Thai said if he’s elected he will bring an independent voice to Team Colton, which is sorely needed.
“Nancy Tong is fine but she’s under the influence of Bill Colton and has no voice of her own whatsoever. If I am elected I will have to work with him (Colton), and if there’s a disagreement we will have to compromise,” Thai said, adding he also loves the mix of Italians, Jews and Chinese and aims to represent all.
Alexander Hamilton’s Ghost Continues To Haunt
Talk about political comebacks. American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton’s popularity continues to grow more than 200 years after he was shot and killed in a dual with former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr.
Currently, the show, Hamilton, about his life and times is the toast of Broadway, tours of his old haunts are doing brisk business, and this Sunday, Flatbush City Council Member Mathieu Eugene will be one of four recipients of the Alexander Hamilton Immigrant Achievement Award.
The award is “for outstanding achievement in the spirt of America’s greatest immigrant.”
Hamilton was born in the British West Indies, but spent much of his life based out of New York City. Eugene is an immigrant of Haiti.
The event is slated for 1:30 p.m., this Sunday, July 3, at the Federal Hall National Monument on Wall and Broad Streets in Lower Manhattan with a reception to follow RSVP to Hamilton@HistoricLowerManhattan.org or call 212- 809-4615.
