As Yom Kippur came to a close this weekend, a holiday encouraging individuals to examine their actions and seek forgiveness, political personalities from all backgrounds and situations are also engaging in self-reflection and accountability to their communities… This moment in time, for a variety of reasons, invites us all to consider how we can strive for improvement, transparency, and ethical leadership, and move forward respectfully together…
Former Rep. Carolyn Maloney’s NY chief of staff, Shelby Garner, married Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright’s former chief of staff, Katarina Matic, at the University Club. Both public officials were in attendance and toasted the newlyweds with a proclamation from the NYS Assembly. Other notable guests included NYC Parks Manhattan Commissioner Tricia Shimamura and Vote Mama’s Sarah Hague…
On the Upper East Side at the home of district leader candidate, Todd “TJ” Stein, supporters came together for champagne, bagels, and lox at a fundraiser for Council Member Keith Powers in his campaign for Manhattan Borough President… In the room: Keith’s parents, Barbara and Jake Powers, former Bronx Council Member Marjorie Velazquez, Virginia Maloney, daughter of former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, as well as Faith Bondy and Lukas Florzak, both of whom are running for Powers’ City Council seat as he terms out in 2025…
The New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Benefit Dinner brought youth and adults alike into Manhattan to hear from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Dan Goldman… in attendance was Assemblywoman Monique Chandler Waterman, and NYAGV’s executive director Rebecca Fischer – who looked fabulous in a rhinestone-encrusted suit dress – alongside her husband and her parents, as well as community organizer Rachael Schienman and O’Donnell & Associates’ Alec Lewis…
Downtown at the offices of EmblemHealth, was the annual Heroes of Labor Awards, celebrating laborers who keep the city moving… CEO Karen Ignagni was joined by Councilmembers Crystal Hudson and Selvena Brooks-Powers, TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis, and LaborPress Publisher Neal Tepel
On Long Island, the Nassau County Legislature voted unanimously to approve the final scope for the draft environmental impact statement as a next step for the Sands casino and resort bid for the Nassau Coliseum. Providing testimony in support were labor leaders Matty Aracich and Ryan Stanton as well as community leader Justin Brown, who referenced 684 letters of support from community members…
Ørsted’s South Fork Wind, the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm, hosted a media tour whereby guests including Hochul’s Suffolk County rep Thalia Olaya, took a boat ride 35 miles east of Montauk to see the wind turbines…
EAC Network, a social services organization that helps 65,000 New Yorkers each year, works in partnership with government officials and agencies such as Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and her office, and Senator Monica Martinez – who was compelled to run for local office after spending most of her career in academia, learning that some of her very own Brentwood students did have have access to essential County resources… The two officials shared inspirational stories at EAC’s 4th annual benefit dinner, where board chair John Durso applauded the female lawmakers as two of the most effective in the game. The org’s CEO, Neela Lockel took selfies with community leaders around the cocktail hour as her son, Dylan, played the saxophone… DHC’s Arthur Goldstein was overheard speaking about his baby grandson with colleague Steve Malito, who is gearing up for a busy legislative session in January and currently recovering from shoulder surgery… also from DHC, Nicole Weingartner, co-founded of “Her Long Island Influence” is hosting an upcoming networking reception at the Viscardi Center – the very location we hear may be hosting a wheelchair basketball game for political personalities early next year…
This week marked the one year anniversary of the October 7th attack in Israel, which brought protestors to the streets of New York, and Israel supporters to vigils and memorial services around the state… Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman began his day at the sacred Ohel tomb of the Rebbe before hosting an outdoor service in Eisenhower Park, safely guarded by heavy police presence, including some on horseback around the park, attended by IDF soldiers, speakers and advocates, families of hostages, political personalities such as Town Supervisors Joe Saladino and Jen DeSena, Assemblyman Chuck Lavine, Rep. Tom Suozzi, Nassau Comptroller Elaine Phillips and Israeli County Legislator Mazi Pilip
You may have seen our latest political personality episode with Secretary of STate Watler Mosely… coming up… Queens DA Melinda Katz says she’s due for a fun interview because the last time someone did a fun interview was her making pancakes with her kids years ago!
Stay tuned…
Political Personality of the Week
Melinda Katz, Queens District Attorney
Melinda Katz is the first woman to serve as the District Attorney for Queens County, taking office in January 2020. Under her leadership, the DA’s office has prioritized fairness and non-discriminatory treatment for all defendants while ensuring the safety of the diverse communities it serves. Katz has restructured the office to address critical issues such as gun violence, domestic violence, human trafficking, and the pursuit of justice in cold cases, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing public safety in the borough.
One of her significant initiatives was the creation of a new Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, which combines the former Narcotics Investigations and Gang Violence Bureaus. This bureau targets the drivers of violence, including gangs and narcotics distribution networks. In March 2023, it achieved a major victory with a 151-count indictment against 33 alleged gang members in one of the largest gang takedowns in Queens history. Additionally, Katz established a Cold Case Unit and a Human Trafficking Bureau, the first of its kind in New York City, to tackle some of the borough’s oldest homicide cases and combat trafficking effectively.
Born and raised in Queens, Katz was educated in public schools and graduated with honors from the University of Massachusetts before earning her Juris Doctorate from St. John’s University School of Law. Her public service career began with her election to the New York State Assembly in 1994, followed by a tenure on the New York City Council from 2002 to 2009. Prior to her election as Queens Borough President in 2013, she practiced law as a securities litigator. Katz resides in Forest Hills with her two sons, balancing her professional responsibilities with family life.
Fast Facts:
- Experience as a an Assembly Member, City Council Member and Borough President
- Her father founded the Queens Symphony Orchestra
- Her mother founded the Queens Council on the Arts
- Mom of two
