Okay; so I hate political dynasties: it’s simple as that. Anything that seems to possess the trappings of royalty brings out the left-winger in me. Plus; in general, I find there is a tendency towards corruption once you allow one family to hold on to political power in any one area for too long. That’s just my suspicion; that’s all. I am making no accusations against anyone (or any group) here. Please, be mindful of that. I am just giving you a peek inside my scrambled brain that’s all -whether you want to peek in or not. LOL.
Anyway, over the years I have worked with many candidates who tackled the Boyland clan in Brownsville. At one time or another, the Boylands have simultaneously held the 55th Assembly seat; plus the 41st City Council seat; plus the district leaderships (both male and female) in the 55thAD. Plus they have even had family members on the local School Board. And they are colorful political players too. In fact, I have to admit that Brownsville has given us many colorful characters in the “game” of politics; but I will save that for another column.
BTW: when I say “game”, I mean it literally, figuratively, euphemistically and metaphorically. Okay?
So back to Brownsville’s politics. In political races over the years, I have supported Reginald (Reggie) Bowman, Abdur Farrakhan, Stan Kinard, Danny King, David Miller, Lisa Kenner, and even a few others, against some members of the Boyland clan, at some time or the other. They have all lost (except for Kenner). So when someone said to me a couple years ago, that they wanted me to work on another campaign against the Boylands, I knocked the table and passed my hand.
Plus; I think Tracey Boyland is kinda cute, and I didn’t want to be brushing up against her at the subway stations, and having to get into the kind of shouting matches that hard core political campaigning bring. NAH!
And then this year came and I am told that my buddy Tony Herbert is going to tackle Junior Boyland for the assembly seat; and I said cool. You see, I like competition in politics. I think it is really very healthy for our democracy. Then I heard that the beautiful Tulani Kinard (Stan’s wife) was also thinking about running in that race too; and Rev. Hatter also (again); and David Miller too (again); and a few other names surfaced; and I told myself I will pass this one (again). Catch me on the Jersey-shore this summer, unless I run for something again: like district leader (somewhere).
And just when I thought I had all the political news coming out of the 55th AD, I had to do another double take. You see I was sitting in a fancy restaurant in lower Manhattan last week (no, it wasn’t Caribbean), being treated to a classy dinner by Jerry (“Billy Dee”) Williams -that potent behind the scenes political operative- when I was informed that Council member Darlene Mealy is about the to tackle the Boylands one more time.
And let me tell you why this is big news: she has gone upsides Boyland heads twice -in her only two attempts. She is batting one thousand folks. She whipped Frank Boyland (senior) in 2005 -when she won the council seat (#41); and she later parlayed that into another victory last year; this time over former city council woman Tracey Boyland. And she beat the odds here folks; since Tracey was the favorite to regain her seat.
BTW: when I say fancy restaurant, I am talking about a place where the tables and chairs aren’t chained to the floor. You know; like the types I usually do my political dirty work in.
So what is Ms. Darlene Mealy thinking about running for this year? The female district leader of the 55th AD; that’s what. And who presently occupies that seat (you may ask)? None other than Junior Boyland’s wife. The assemblyman’s wife is also the daughter (or niece) of Queen’s borough president Helen Marshall (I have been told). Word on the street is that she is a no-show district leader. Word on the street also says she actually resides in Queens. (They have said this about me many times/LOL).
Look; the law allows you as many residences a you wish. Suppose I were a Muslim and had a wife in every borough, does that mean I shouldn’t run in Brooklyn? Anyway that’s not my problem right now/LOL.
I think one of the reasons that Ms. Mealy is running for female district leader here is because of what happened to her in her recent re-election bid. You see, elected officials usually take for granted that other electeds will support their re-election bid in a rather perfunctory manner; but when Darlene looked around for support last September, she found that many of the other electeds in Brooklyn were supporting one of her three opponents; or were playing coy about who they were actually supporting. Some of them weren’t even returning phone calls. Others were doing the dance; you know the one: the shuck and jive. Now, she knows that she has to cover her own back, and there is no better way to do that than to develop a few political clubs in a few target areas in her catchment area, and control at least one half of the leadership. In doing this, she has cover from the Election Day inspectors and the like. Plus, she stays on top of the local politics, from community boards, to precinct councils, to block associations, to tenant groups, et al.
Don’t underestimate this lady; she has some street smarts. She is also much more politically savvy than many give her credit for. Darlene may not be as articulate as Charles Barron, nor does she possess the academic credentials of Hakeem Jeffries, but she fought her way into this dance (with the help of Maurice Phillips, Jerry Williams and others -especially the unions), and she intends to boogey until term limit stops her. And who knows what she will do after that? She is sorta unpredictable folks.
Anyway; do stay tuned-in. I will probably revisit this story sooner than later.