Huntley's Candidate Goes After Meeks' Candidate
The race for the City Council seat in Queens that Leroy Comrie is vacating because of term limits in 2009 is turning contentious unusually early.
Running for the seat are Ruben Wills, executive chief of staff to Democratic state Senator Shirley Huntley, Brian Simon, chief of staff to Representative Greg Meeks, and Democratic operative Joan Flowers.
Huntley is a newly elected official in southeast Queens, where former Representative Floyd Flake helped elect Meeks and State Senator Malcolm Smith, among other of his allies.
When I asked Wills how he felt going up against the Meeks and that political machine, which will likely be supporting Simon, Wills said, “What Greg Meeks machine? Brian Simon is an executive assistant. He is not a chief of staff.” Wills went on to say, “He’s never met the responsibilities that I’ve met.”
I emailed a spokeswoman for Meeks for comment and clarification about Simon's exact title.
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 46.0
- 45.2
- Obama +0.8
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 55.8
- 35.8
- +20.0
- McCain
- 54.8
- 36.6
- +18.2
I know both of these guys and it is a hard call. They both know the community very well. So does flowers, she also has legal and policy skills and experience. Maybe after decades of male dominance in that district a woman should get a chance to lead.
Hilarious. The only name I don't know there is Ruben Wills. I guess working for a legislative dynamo like Shirley Huntley emboldens you. Flowers is a throwback. There will be 15 people running for this seat, none better than Simon. Simon will serve the district well.
Anonymous, I completely agree. Who does this idiot think he is? I'm not a Meeks fan at all, but clearly Wills hasn't weighed or calculated any decisions.
Simon is by far the best candidate in this race. Poorly executed power play by Huntley and one that will come back to hurt her.
Brian has done nothing for the community and neither has Meeks for that matter. Ruben is correct, there is no Meeks Machine, not even a pulley. People are tired of the same Settle-For-What-Massa-Wants mentality. Ruben Wills brings about an individualism and genuine concern that has not been demonstrated by any other candidate. Ruben Wills has more hands-on government experience, and knows more about the community than both candidates combined. Ruben Wills is the best choice for the 27th Council District.
Thanks PrimeVoter, aka Ruben's sole staffer.
http://www.legistorm.com/person/Brian_W_Simon/15332.html
Brian W Simon, Congressional Staffer - Salary Data
Employing Office Start date End date Position Amount
Meeks, Rep. Gregory (-New York-6th) 07/01/07 09/30/07 Community Liaison $12,999.99
Meeks, Rep. Gregory (-New York-6th) 06/01/07 06/30/07 Community Liaison $4,500.00
Meeks, Rep. Gregory (-New York-6th) 04/01/07 05/31/07 Community Liaison $8,333.34
Meeks, Rep. Gregory (-New York-6th) 01/01/07 03/31/07 Community Liaison $12,735.58
I am excited when there is competition, because people who usually do nothing try to impress us as voters to win, so for a brief period the community benefits.This seems to be a contest shaping up between Meeks and Ruben Wills,I only say this because Brian Simon is a sweet young man but has no record to stand on. While Ruben Wills has done a lot in the community. To be fair Google all 3 and see what you get.
This is district I live in and I know both candidates. Ruben Wills has served under both Councilman Comrie and Senator Huntley and has also done alot of community work. Joan Flowers is a sweet woman who is an attorney but has no experience and Brian Simon is a product of Greg Meeks, which produces nothing and shows up for vacatiosn. LOL
I have seen Brian Simon, Joan Flowers, and Ruben Wills at meetings, hearings, community affairs and rallies. But I must admit that I have seen Mr. Wills interact with the all the people. People, who vote and don't vote. People with "money/influence" and the average man. People like myself who live in the projects and people who own their homes. Mr. Wills would be my choice because he is the "MAN OF THE PEOPLE" not the "man above the people."
I have known Mr. Wills for over 15 years. He has always been a vaible force in the various youth groups in Southeast Queens. There has never been a time when he was not available to discuss the future of our generation! He was a role model in 1990's and he will be a great New York City Council Member in 2009. He's got my vote!!!
I know about 12 people seeking the position for the 27th Council District, Mr. Simon, Mr. Wills and Mrs. Flowers being among the 12. I just read the Blogs to see what the canidates' backers will be doing during the campaign. It is now confirmed which camp started the mudslinging. Let's see who will remember THIS FACT,this time... next year!
With all due respect to all the candidates, the older folks need to step aside and let some new blood in - -Brian (or some other) young person. With all the experience that some of the current council members have they still seems to lack one very important quality- ETHICS. Take, for example, in Queens we had a person who was accused to harassing and assaulting her employees and speaking to individuals any way her/or she felt. In Brooklyn, we have some money hungry folks. In Manhattan, we reportedly have a not-for profit that went from getting a very small amount of funds to getting hundreds of thousands of dollars in aid almost overnight. And, the list goes on. Ok folks, it's time for things for the YOUNG FOLKS to BREATH... I thought that's what you (older) folks want us to do anyway. STOP holding on. It does not matter if a person title is executive director, community relations,legislative aid, clerk.... it does not determine the quality of leadership and renewed sprint that the counil needs. In fact, today, many council members some unqualified employees working for them - -be it chief of staff or intern. Understand me clearly, the title of a person current position means NOTHING!. Either way, I wish all person the best!!
As a recent graduate of York College, Congressional candidate Ruben Wills personally came to York college and assembled a staff of students not for his benefit, but to provide young individuals a chance to partake in the political process that that govern our country. In addition, current elected officials (and those that show their support) have resorted solely to using smear tactics to downgrade the character of Mr. Wills. This only shows that their policies and what they stand for is insufficient to win the votes of the people. Vote for a change, Vote for Ruben WIlls.
Having the good pleasure of knowing Mr.Brian Simon, Mr.Ruben Wills, and congressman Greg Meeks I feel sufficiently qualified to speak about the political acumen of Mr. Brian Simon and Mr. Ruben Wills. Mr. Brian Simon's greatest attribute is his loyalty to his leader(cong. Greg Meeks) given the fact that there is much work to be done in south east queens Brian doesn't possess the political wherewithal that Mr. Ruben Wills has clearly demonstrated. In time I believe Brian will develop into an "independant Thinker" and not have to be coersed by others which is his greatest weakness! Mr. Ruben Wills stands head and shoulders above Brian with regards to the necessary insight and understanding of the needs of south east queens. Having said the aforementioned, people please be aware of voting your feelings as opposed to voting because of the facts! And the fact is Mr.Ruben Wills embodies what we need, vote for Mr. Ruben Wills and help S.E.Q.!
Well, I'm Ruben Wills daughter and I don't support him at all! Those of you who went to his lunch-in for women met me there. I personally just don't think that he deserves to win an election as congressman when everything he speaks about is a lie. You can't walk for single mothers working two jobs when the mother of your child is a single mother. And you can't stand for helping people pay expensives college tuitions while your own daughters mother pays a $28,000 tuition on her own only receiving child support occassionally. I just don't believe in him...