By Phil Orenstein
Our city is in peril and we need a change, of course. This epic battle will play out Nov. 3 when voters make their feelings known.
Although we don’t expect a huge voter turnout, since there are no big national, congressional or state races this year, this coming election is nevertheless very critical for the future of New York City. This general election is a referendum on Bill de Blasio.
Just last weekend 19 people were shot in Brooklyn and residents place the blame squarely on de Blasio’s police bashing campaign and curbs on the NYPD’s practice of stop, question and frisk. Others were shot and three murdered in different parts of the city. Violent muggings have doubled this year in Central Park. There were shootings and robberies in Bellerose, Queens Village and other once quiet, peaceful towns. Homeless vagrants are proliferating throughout the city’s parks, streets and sidewalks. Public urination, defecation and drug deals are taking place even in classy neighborhoods as the City Council pushes to decriminalize low-level offenses and misdemeanors. On top of that, the City Council wants taxpayers to pay the bail of those accused of some misdemeanor crimes.
Mayor de Blasio is bringing back the second Dinkins administration. While our once safest big city in America returns to the bad old days of rampant crime and chaos, de Blasio is traveling across the country and the world preaching the gospel of climate change and income inequality. Republican District Leader Scherie Murray, who is running for the 29th Assembly District seat, puts it this way: “The community is crying and calling for stop, question and frisk. I think it’s ironic to take away a useful tool and then, when crime goes up, ask for more officers. Now the gangs feel comfortable because they know they won’t get stopped.”
Many Democrats and those of other party affiliations will likely be voting for Republican candidates in this election.
Phil Orenstein
President, Queens Village Republican Club
