He’s back. But did he ever really leave? It seems like déjà vu, but NYC Mayor Eric Adams already has competition for his 2025 mayoral run. Patriotism and community were both on full display on Sunday, July 23, for the annual Queens Village Republican Club’s Family Fun Day Barbeque once again hosted at Alley Pond Park in Oakland Gardens.
“The event included a kosher food stand with hotdogs, hamburgers, salads, and delicious snacks all making for an incredibly fun afternoon promoting the core themes of faith, family, and freedom,” noted Phil Orenstein, President of the hosting group. The afternoon included a lively deejay, music, face painting, magic show, puppet play area, storytime, game truck, races, tug-of-war, limbo contest, NYPD and FDNY youth programs, and many more surprises, including special guest speakers, making it a fun time for kids and adults - from 2 to 92 - alike. A costume contest with great prizes was held for kids who dressed up as their favorite founding father or Revolutionary War hero.
“Over 300 locals joined the program,” stated Joseph Concannon, an event organizer and head of the Queens County Republican Patriots. “It was a great day to share common values and to rear our children in.” The main attraction was Curtis Sliwa and his Guardian Angels, including his son Anthony, who recently pledged to "dare to care," becoming a full-fledged Angel. At the BBQ, Curtis announced that he will run again for mayor, continuing to fight against the Democratic establishment and never giving up, rooting for the city he cherishes, stating “Improve, don't move!”
“I am running again for mayor. We gotta save this city,” announced Sliwa to the surprised crowd. “If there are other Republicans who wanna run, great! We need primaries, we need debates, we need more discussion, and if there is a better man or better woman than Curtis Sliwa then that is the person that I will support for mayor. But we want more democracy, more candidates, more debates, we want people to be able to challenge those people who are gonna have the party designation.
"I am ready for that battle. You are always ready for that battle in the Queens Village Republican Club, so let us all join forces because our fight is against the Socialists. They are the leaders now in the Democratic Party. But most of the Democrats are moderates. They have more values that they share with you than they share with the Socialists. So let me go out there and be the warrior who leads the battle. They can shoot me, they can stab me, and they can call every day at WABC like they do - Democrats and Republicans - and say fire Sliwa, fire Sliwa. But ninety-percent of the time when I dig up the muck and the dreck I am right and oftentimes it reflects also on the Republicans. So, this isn’t about party affiliation; this is about what’s right and what’s wrong. If you wanna be a selfless service, if you wanna serve your people, then scrap the barnacles off your backside, get in the streets, go door knocking, do the lit drops, and get to know the people in your community. May the best man or best woman win, and, in this circumstance, it is our votes.”
Sliwa concluded as he regularly does: “Swagger man without a plan Eric Adams: It is gonna be round two in 2025.”
By Shabsie Saphirstein
