In part one of this column, I told you about residency as a way by which incumbents eliminate challengers. I also told you about the residency challenge of incumbent assembly member Noah (Nick) Perry (58thAD), against his businessman challenger Wellington Sharpe. I will get to that a bit later on. So far this year there have been quite a few casualties going the “residency” route. Let me examine some of them.
In the 55th AD in Brooklyn, Caribbean-American challenger Royston Antoine (Uncle Roy) was eliminated based on residency. In a previous “Grapevine” column of mine, I mentioned that an insurgent was running from an address outside the district; he was the insurgent. Also going down with Uncle Roy was his co-runner (Parker), who was on the ticket as male-leader. Believe me when I tell you that I tried to alert them to the problem and to the ramifications; all to no avail. I also apprised them of their options. When people refuse to take advice in this game, they pay big prices. You can ask Saquan Jones about this. He tried to run in the 43rd AD, but really didn’t understand what was being said to him about the pitfalls. He too was knocked off the ballot (signatures). Hopefully he learned and stays in the mix.
Also in Brooklyn: it seems that Neil Diamond (Ken Diamondstone) beat back the residency challenge of Senator Martin Connor. I am told that many many people were happy about this outcome. I wonder why? Could it be that Connor is that disliked? Does this mean that Diamondstone has a puncher’s chance of winning?
One of my Bronx sources (Anthony Curry) told me that they are even more brutal in the Bronx election courts than they are in Brooklyn. I shuddered. I hope that he is wrong in this assessment. He said that there were more insurgent casualties in the Bronx and Queens than in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island combined. If true, then it means that the Democratic Party county organizations in both those jurisdictions, are alive and well and kicking (off, that is).
In Queens, Gloria Meng-daughter of incumbent assembly member Jimmy Meng- withdrew her petition after a residency challenge; issuing a rather lame explanation.Gloria was favored to win her father’s old seat until a funny thing happened on the way to Albany: a residency challenge. If you ask me, it seemed that she totally contradicted herself with her lopsided spin. If you live at one address folks, then you wouldn’t have residency issues. Believe me when I say I know this first hand.
Way back in the day (somewhere in the eighties / I think), a brave lady named Joan Gill once challenged Clarence Norman and his crew in the 43rd AD. They took Joan to court based on residency-since Joan Gill with her husband Elijah were the owner of two houses. This happened whilst the Gills were in transition and awaiting sale of one of their houses. In the courtroom, plaintiff’s attorney was peppering Joan with questions while she was in the box; one of the questions then asked, must take the award as “the most obnoxious question ever asked at a residency trial”. It went like this; “Mrs. Gill, would you please tell the court, exactly when was the last time that you and your husband had sexual relations, under the roof of the address that you now claim is your primary residence?” A gasp went through the crowd. Then a hush descended because Joan was awfully quiet. Plaintiff’s attorney reiterated for emphasis-thinking of course that his question was brilliant /all things considered. He even tried to get cute; “When was the last time that the two of you got it on there? You know: did your thing; got down and dirty; did the wild thang; had sex.”
Now, those who know Joan Gill also know that she is charming, witty and quick. Upon all that, they also know that she is strong (in a totally feminine way) and doesn’t particularly like it when men try to be macho and chauvinistic. She looked at the attorney and said, “You know what, you on to something there”. Then she paused again slightly (for effect) and said; “Truly, you are”. More silence descended the court. Many must have thought that she was caught with this question. Some were even thinking that this was indeed a brilliant attorney. At least until Joan hit the ball way out of the park, scoring the winning home run.
She said to the court; “I have been spending these past few seconds, trying my best to remember when was the last time that my husband and I had sex; and I can’t”. (Then she paused again for effect). She continued; “But you know what, as soon as I get home today, I will fix that.” Then she looked over to where her husband was sitting and winked at him. The crowd started laughing like hell. Even the stoic judge cracked a smile. Must have been a fun night at the Gill house that night folks/lmao.
It didn’t end there however, since the judge then scheduled an impromptu visit to the Gill residence. Upon finding enough satisfactory evidence that they did indeed live there, he later ruled in her favor. Joan Gill went on to become the district leader of the Democratic Party in that district for quite a few years-much to Norman’s chagrin.
Another casualty of “residency” was Room 8 blogger: Maurice Gumbs. In 1986 when he challenged Marty Markowitz for the 20th senatorial seat, he was bumped off because he had tried to keep his old apartment for his graduating daughter, while moving into a new one for himself. Martin Connor was the attorney of record. Judge Gary (remember him?) was the presiding jurist. Maybe one day Gumbs will tell us the story about the unfair treatment meted out in that courtroom.
Relative to the Perry vs. Sharpe residency trial; a judge ruled for Sharpe in the first go around. Perry promptly appealed. At the Appellate level the judges voted 4-0 in favor of Perry; so Sharpe is off the ballot, and Perry is unopposed.
Stay tuned-in folks.