Court Challenges Erupt over Signatures in 76th AD Dist. Leader Part A Race

Primary kerfuffle–The District Leader race in the 76th AD, Part A is scheduled for a primary on June 27th. Could happen that it won’t happen. The two male candidates, Ben Akselrod and Todd Stein, will be filing objections to each other’s petitions. A successful objection challenge will result in either Akselrod or Stein being knocked off the ballot. The survivor will be District Leader. And what happens if both get knocked off the ballot? Will the 76th AD be district leader-less? Stay tuned.

An objection by Akselrod supporters is that Stein omitted to include an “M” (meaning Male) along with his name as it will appear on the ballot. The requirement arises from the legislation, sponsored by progressive Democrat legislators Zellnor Myrie and Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas and signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in June 2022, which amends NY’s Election Law. Prior to a change in the state law, there was one male district leader and one female district leader. The amendment requires parties to change their rules to permit people who do not identify as a binary gender to be elected to party positions. Previously party rules required candidates to select “male” or “female” when seeking office. As a result non-binary people were excluded or required to select a gender they do not identify with. The legislation ensures that non-binary New Yorkers can fully participate in the democratic system and that the state’s political parties have the opportunity to be reflective of the city’s diversity. With the change in law, two people must fill the two positions with two different identities: 1 male/1female; 1 female/1 non-binary; 1 male/1 non-binary.

Interesting that an omission based on gender would give rise to an objection by progressive Democrats. If the Akselrod-Stein DL battle wends its way through BOE (Board of Elections) and the courts, our newly appointed Court of Appeals Chief Judge Rowan Wilson will have a vote. Stay tuned.

Welcome partners - Grubhub, Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center, and the Mansion Restaurant joined together to serve 500 meals at Isaacs at the end of March. Grubhub, is an American online and mobile prepared food ordering and delivery platform that also runs the non-profit Serve the City. Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center, is a non-profit, multi-service organization located on the Upper East Side and is focused on the needs of children and low-income families, out-of-school and out-of-work youth and aging New Yorkers. The Mansion diner has been located on the corner of 86th and York since the 1940s. The Isaacs Center is a strategic partner of Goddard Riverside. Commenting on the event, Roderick L. Jones, president of the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood, said “Food is fundamental to every person’s existence. That’s why the Isaacs Center has a strong history of fighting hunger in our community for decades. We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with Grubhub and Council Member Julie Menin to offer [these meals].” And a special shout out to Khristel Simmons, Associate VP for Aging and Nutrition at the Isaacs Center, who has been with Isaacs for eight years. Simmons oversaw and coordinated the food event. A great turnout and great event.

Mrs. Maisel returns, but not forever. To kick off the fifth and final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Prime Video and Grubhub created a fun cocktail kit for purchase by Grubhub customers. Opening night has come and gone and so has delivery of the make-it-yourself Maisel Tov cocktail kit. It was kitschy fun with all the makings of a stay-at-home-and-watch opening night of the season. It’s a pretty traditional martini except for Midge Maisel’s insistence on preparing the olive by rolling it in the pastrami spice blend. Even though you can no longer get the kit from Grub Hub, you can still call up the ingredients online and make it on your own.