I
watched the tour de force who is a daughter of Ireland and has raised
more than twice as much money as her closest competitor in the race to
become New York City's next mayor, Christine Quinn. She is a good friend
of the sons and daughters of the Caribbean, she celebrated with CACCI
and other leaders in Caribbean communities during the annual West Indian
Day parade on Labor Day 2012; I have seen her at CACCI functions. She
understands the political process, she is popular with her peers: as a
daughter of Ireland myself I am immensely proud of Christine Quinn and
wish her well in her quest to become mayor. Her competitor John Liu is
usually at CACCI events, he is at every Caribbean event and most African events I have been to in the past 3 years, he was there Saturday: I wish him well too.
I
spoke with Hakeem Jeffries, who, like Chris Quinn, greets everyone he
meets as if they are the only person he wants to be talking to at that
time. I went to Congressman Jeffries' Brooklyn inauguration celebration
in January: he is on his way to make his mark. I have also seen him at
CACCI events.
Senator Eric Adams is another candidate for office:
he is currently a senator in the New York State Legislation and wants
to be the next Borough President of Brooklyn. I hope so. He gave a great
speech during the Martin Luther King jr celebrations that CACCI hosted
at Borough Hall hosted in January. Senator Adams was a policeman before
he became a politician. Marty Markowitz is the current Brooklyn Borough
President and is popular and effective: he has a parrot he calls his
son, and has bubbling enthusiasm for all things Brooklyn. He raised
funds for the Bed Stuy Vollies headquarters, wonderful public servant.
We are expecting continuing good stewardship by Senator Adams.
Councilmember
Leroy Comrie hosted a party that was filled with friends and supporters
who had driven from Queens to support him. I first met him in July 2012 when
Saul Joseph took me with him to a celebration of the 50th anniversary
of Jamaican independence. Where I tasted rum punch. Lord, I don't drink
alcohol, but if I start, rum punch would be why I would. He was there
too at the West Indian Day Parade. He is up for re-election to New York
City Council.
My favorite elected officials who are on the path to
great things whom I follow avidly include Rodneyse Bichotte. She always looks professional and
gorgeous, and gave a rousing speech thanking CACCI leader Dr Roy Hastick
and delighting in the democratic process. She is a district leader, and
is not a candidate in the 2013 elections, but will be in the 2014
elections.
And of course, the enormously popular Councilmember Jumaane D Williams. He is up for re-election this year, and I urge everyone in his Brooklyn district to vote for him. It is anyone's guess what he will be running for in 2017. But I know it will be something big, and his loyal supporters will follow him.
