The meeting was called to order at 7:31 pm by Second Vice President, Kathy Lally.
Danniel Maio gave the annual President’s report. The club was incorporated in 1930, and revived in 2020. Active voters in Queens 2020 was 1,297,536, and had a net loss of 55,268 as of November 1, 2024. Registered Republicans was 126,670 in 2020. Four years later, there was a net gain of 22,189 to 148,859. Democrats, on the other hand, had a net loss of 11,373 from 766,213 in 2020 to 754,840 in 2024. Club membership was 20 in 2020. As of December 19, it totaled 87 paid members. Club hosted about 90 speakers including presidential candidates for Haiti, Jude Elie, and for Namibia, Jeremiah Kaambo. Issues discussed including City of YES, Proposition One, non-citizen voting, state budget, migrant crisis. petitioning and redistricting. Many speakers and proposed topics were recommended by members and the public.
In 2024, there was no Special Election in Queens. There was one Republican primary: Kenneth Chiu vs. Kenneth Paek in the 25th Assembly District. On the November ballot, there were 26 races from President, US Senate and Congress, Queens Surrogate Court, Civil and Supreme Court, and State Senate and Assembly that had a Republican candidate.
Martha Rowen, Chairman of the Board read names of the 2025 Officers: Danniel Maio, President; David Abraham, First Vice President; Kathy Lally, Second Vice President; Tzlil Levy, Third Vice President; David Kemp, Recording Secretary; Isaiah Vega, Corresponding Secretary; Carol Krohn, Financial Secretary; Arkadiusz Tomaszewski, Treasurer; and James Schwatzman, Sergeant-At-Arm; and the 2025-2027 Board Members: Stephen Weiner, Jim Strawhorn, Martha Rowen, Philip Grillo and Stan Norwalk. Martha opened the floor for members who have an interested to become club’s next chairman. Jonathan Rinaldi and George Stein volunteered. Election of club’s chairman will be held at the January board meeting.
Jonathan Rinaldi talked about Phil Grillo, who was incarcerated for one year on December 6, 2024 due to his January 6, 2021 involvement. Anyone who wish to help cover his expense can donate at his GiveSendGo page.
Candidates for Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate and Queens Boro President who spoke.
Candidates who spoke in order by introduction. See YouTube video.
– Marty Dolan, Public Advocate
– Collin Thompson, Mayor
– Fátimazöhra Nouinou, Mayor
– Ismael Malave Jr., Comptroller
– Theo Chino, Public Advocate
– Angela Aquino, Public Advocate
– Jean Anglade, Mayor
– Von Steven Del Valle, Mayor
– Treasure Actille, Mayor
– Elijah Diaz for Darren Aquino, Mayor
– Tabitha Ward, Mayor
– David Rem, Mayor
– George Stein, Queens Boro President
– Joe Alny, Mayor
– Javon Terell Ross, Mayor
32 mayoral, 10 public advocate, 5 comptroller, and 3 Queens Borough candidates were invited.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 pm.
The next meeting is January 16, 2025. The club will introduce candidates running for City Council, and welcome those going to the January 20 Inauguration which coincides on Martin Luther King Day!