It’s been quite the year. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic devastation, the George Floyd protests, and the Biden-Trump face off, 2020 feels like a blur. So here’s a reminder of where we’ve been –– a review of the year, month by month, based on the stories that you, our readers, read the most.
January: You were curious about Shaniyat Chowdhury, a young progressive who unsucessfully challenged Congressman and Queens County Democratic Party Chairman Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica, Laurelton, Rosedale, Cambria Heights, Saint Albans, Springfield Gardens, The Rockaways, JFK Airport).
February: You checked out the Bangladeshi-American candidate who challenged longtime Assemblymember Catherine Nolan (D-Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Long Island City, Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Astoria, Woodside, Maspeth, Dutch Kills, Blissville) –– Mary Jobaida. Jobaida ran against Nolan and lost in the primary.
March: COVID hit the city and all anyone wanted to read were daily updates about the virus.
April: Everyone remembered that the June primary elections were coming up quickly –– pandemic or not. The candidate that stole your imagination that month was Iggy Terranova, who challenged State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside and parts of Woodside, Maspeth, Ridgewood, Woodhaven).
May: The governor held a contest for PSA videos about the importance of wearing a mask. We reviewed the finalists, you read and maybe even voted for your favorite. By the way, “We ???? NY” from Bunny Lake Films won.
June: Primaries, primaries, primaries. What you wanted to know: Who are these newbies trying to get elected so they can change the Queens County Democratic Party from within?
July: You wanted to know how Guardian Angels founder and talk show host Curtis Sliwa, who said he was running for mayor as a Republican, would use dissatisfaction with the city’s Democrats to make his way to Gracie Mansion.
August: Performative action or real change? You read about how that ongoing issue manifested in a debate over spending public funds on a Black Lives Matter mural instead of community centers in Southeast Queens.
September: The 2021 citywide and city council elections were just barely getting underway, but you still wanted to know who was starting off campaign season with the big bucks.
October: City Councilmember Barry Grodenchik (D-Bayside Hills, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Little Neck, New Hyde Park, Oakland Gardens, Queens Village) changed the nature of the City Council District 23 race by announcing that he would not run for re-election. You wanted to read what eager candidates chiming in on his retirement from the council had to say.
November: A nerve-wracking presidential election and some tight races in Queens all in the midst of an ongoing pandemic and record voter turnout. November was consumed by coverage of the general election and you wanted to know who won and who lost.
December: College freshman Seth Breland is running for a seat on the New York City Council you say? You wanted to know who this youngster is and what he has to offer the city and district 23.
