A Big Day for Sliwa From Breezy to Far Rock
By Rockaway Republican Club
Saturday, August 2, was a successful day in Rockaway for Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, with two registration/volunteer drives on the west end and an appearance at the Pretty Rick’s Memorial in O’Donohue Park.
Starting at 8 a.m., members of the Rockaway Republican Club (RRC) set up tables near Deirdre Maeve’s Supermarket in Breezy Point and near Callie’s on Beach 129th Street. (The RRC also assisted a similar effort in Lindenwood Village.) The main purpose of these drives was to register college age students and to provide absentee ballot applications before they leave for campus. However, the combined effort also netted 30 new volunteers for the Sliwa for Mayor campaign. Dozens of lawn signs were distributed.
“The enthusiasm for Curtis in Rockaway and Howard Beach was impressive,” RRC President Mary Glynn said. “You can see why he is surging in the polls.”
The RRC, which will meet via Zoom on the evening of Wednesday, August 20, wants to remind Rockaway “snowbirds” that they also need absentee ballot applications if they will not be on the peninsula on Election Day (November 4).
On Saturday evening, Mr. Sliwa attended the 10th Annual Pretty Rick’s Memorial Barbeque. The event, run by community leader Amira Chantel Beatty, honors her brother Jovan who died young due to an undetected medical condition. Ms. Beatty implored people to trust their bodies. “If something feels wrong, get it checked out,” she said.
Although all four leading candidates for mayor were invited, only Mr. Sliwa attended. He addressed the crowd, took questions and walked the boardwalk to speak with more Far Rockaway locals. During his remarks, Mr. Sliwa stressed his Far Rockaway ties. He lived in Ocean Village (now Arverne View), patrolled Hammel and Redfern Houses as a Guardian Angel, and frequently rode the A train from Rockaway to the Bronx.
After the Memorial, Mr. Sliwa visited the beach where he voiced concern about children swimming with no lifeguards on duty.
