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Far Rockaway, Rosedale, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, South Ozone
Park

GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS
Take a look at all the latest results for the November 5, 2002 general
election.
x-Michele R. Titus (Dem) 11,111 - 86 percent
Marina Rejas (Rep) 1,039 - 8 percent
Michael Duvalle (Ind) 569 - 4 percent
Bryan J. Block (Con) 174 - 1 percent
Candidates:
- Bryan Block (Con)
- Michael Duvalle (Ind)
- Marina Rejas (Rep)
- Michele R. Titus (Dem/Lib/Wor) Incumbent
BIOGRAPHIES
Michael Duvalle (Ind), a Guyanese native, has lived in the Rockaways since
1971. He received his B.A. in Biological Sciences from SUNY at Old Westbury
and is currently the President of Justice for the Wrongfully Accused.
* * * * *
Henrietta Fullard (Dem) is a native of Kingtree, South Carolina where she
graduated from Carolina State College. She later received a Master of Arts
Degree in Science Education from the Teacher's College of Columbia University
and began a lifelong career with the New York City Board of Education as a
teacher and principal. Fullard is currently serving as the pastor of the
Bethel AME Church in Arverne, New York. She is a member of numerous
community, civic and fraternal organizations including the Community Planning
Board 14, St. John's Episcopal Hospital Advisory Board, The New York
Ministerial Alliance and Habitat for Humanity Queens Chapter.
* * * * *
Charles Pringle, Jr. (Dem) received his B.A. in Criminal Justice from St.
John's University and his J.D. from CUNY School of Law. After graduating from
law school he worked for the District Attorney's Office in the Bronx. He left
the D.A.'s office in March of this year and has since been in private
practice. As a teenager, Mr. Pringle was sworn in by Mayor Dinkins to the
Youth Commission on Human Rights.
* * * * *
Taj Rajkumar (Dem) is a native of Guyana who immigrated to the United States
over 20 years ago. He obtained his undergraduate and graduate degrees from
Louisiana State University and returned to New York to begin a career in
higher education. Mr. Rajkumar was the dean of students at the New York
Institute of Technology and has been a faculty member of the Borough of
Manhattan College for 14 years.
* * * * *
Assemblymember Michele R. Titus (Dem) was raised in Southeast Queens. She attended Albany
Law School, and has served as Chief of Staff and Counsel to State Senator Ada
Smith. Titus was also the director of the New York State Black and Puerto
Rican Caucus. Titus, the incumbent in this race, has been in office since
last April when she was elected in a special election against Michael
Duvalle, running on the Independence line. She filled the unexpired term of
Pauline Rhodd-Cummings, who died earlier this year.

7 BILLS IMPORTANT TO NEW YORK CITY RESIDENTS THAT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE IS LIKELY TO VOTE ON IN THE NEXT TERM:
1. Rent Regulation: The current rent regulation laws expire in June 2003. Supporters of rent regulation hope that the current provisions will be extended for another five years and that the legislature will repeal the provision which deregulates apartments that rent for $2,000 or more a month. The State Assembly passed such a bill this year, but it died in the Senate in the face of opposition from Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. If the Legislature does not take concerted action in June, rent regulation in New York City will end.
In 2002 Assemblymember Arroyo voted in favor of repealing vacancy decontrol, the law that permits landlords to increase rent 18 percent automatically whenever a tenant moves out.
2. Commuter Tax: In 1999, when the State Legislature repealed the Commuter Tax, the city's economy was good. Reinstatement of the Commuter Tax is likely to come up again this Spring as the City's economy takes a turn for the worse.
In 1999 Assemblymember Arroyo voted in favor of repealing the commuter tax.
3. School Funding: Even with mayoral control of the school system, more than 40 percent of New York City's school funding comes from Albany. Next year's budget will determine how much money New York City's schools will get from the state.
4. Rockefeller drug laws: New York's drug laws, passed in 1973 by Governor Nelson Rockefeller, are among the harshest in the nation. The Democratic-controlled Assembly, Republican-controlled Senate, and the Governor have not been able to agree on how to reform these laws, look for renewed negotiations and new legislation in the next term.
5. Minimum Wage: Currently set at $5.15 an hour, Democrats will likely propose raising the minimum wage to $6.75 an hour, a proposal that passed the Assembly, but failed to ever get to the floor of the Senate last year.
Raising Minimum Wage - vote on A5132 In 2002 Assemblymember Arroyo voted in favor of raising the minimum wage.
6. Sexual Orientation Non Discrimination Act: This has been floating around the New York State Legislature for 30 years, with the Governor's support, it is likely to come up for a vote again next Spring.
7. Campaign Finance Reform: Some 80 organizations have proposed a "Clean Money, Clean Elections" bill for the New York State Legislature. Like the New York City law, it would establish a system under which candidates who comply with limits on campaign spending and contributions Last year, Speaker Sheldon Silver introduced a bill to provide two-to-one public matching of campaign contributions. The bill passed the Assembly, but it died in the Senate in the face of opposition from Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.
In 2002 Assemblymember Arroyo was absent for the vote on public matching of campaign contributions.
HOW SOME ORGANIZATIONS RANKED ASSEMBLYMEMBER MICHELE R. TITUS:
EMPIRE STATE PRIDE AGENDA
Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act
The Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act adds actual or
perceived sexual orientation to the state's existing laws
which prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public
accommodations, education, and credit on the basis of age,
race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability or
marital status.
Pride Agenda's Position: SUPPORT
Michele R. Titus's Position: NO VOTE
Hate Crimes Act
The Hate Crimes Act enhances criminal penalties for a long
list of crimes in which perpetrators intentionally select a
target based on the victim's actual or perceived race,
color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion,
religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation.
The Hate Crimes Act also requires the state to collect,
analyze and annually report on data regarding hate crimes
throughout the state.
Pride Agenda's Position: SUPPORT
Michele R. Titus's Position: NO VOTE
THE BUSINESS COUNCIL OF NEW YORK STATE
Comparable Worth Bill
This bill enacts the "New York State Fair Pay Act" which
declares it unlawful to discriminate between employees of
different sexes for work that is of comparable worth.
BC of NYS Position: OPPOSITION
Michele R. Titus's Position: SUPPORT
Act to Increase State Minimum Wage
This act amends the labor law, raising state minimum wage
from $5.15 to $6.75 an hour as of January 1, 2003.
BC of NYS Position: OPPOSITION
Michele R. Titus's Position: NO VOTE
NEW YORK STATE AFL-CIO
Act to Amend the Retirement and Social Security Law
regarding Age of Retirees
This act decreases the age at which public retirees may
re-enter public employment without losing any of their
benefits from 70 to 65.
AFL-CIO's Position: SUPPORT
Michele R. Titus's Position: NO VOTE
Act to Amend the Labor Law regarding Employer Responsibilities
This act stipulates that the failure to post a statement of
wage rates and supplements at any job site shall be regarded
as a misdemeanor and subject to a civil penalty. It
requires maintenance of "sign-in" and "sign-out" sheets upon
the request of the fiscal officer.
AFL-CIO's Position: SUPPORT
Michele R. Titus's Position: NO VOTE
FAMILY PLANNING ADVOCATES OF NEW YORK STATE
Emergency Contraception for Rape Survivors Act
This act requires hospitals to provide information on
emergency contraception and, upon request of a rape
survivor, to distribute emergency contraception to rape
survivors during emergency treatment.
Family Planning Association of New York's Position: SUPPORT
Michele R. Titus's Position: NO VOTE
Contraceptive Coverage Equality Act
This act requires health and accident insurance policies
that provide coverage for prescription drugs to cover the
costs of contraceptives prescribed by a healthcare provider
authorized to prescribe drugs according to the education
laws.
Family Planning Association of New York's Position: SUPPORT
Michele R. Titus's Position: NO VOTE
Immigrant Healthcare Act
This measure allows aliens to receive medical assistance
with less difficulty and calls for state reimbursement of
certain medical assistance and family health plus costs
incurred on behalf of certain aliens.
Family Planning Association of New York's Position: SUPPORT
Michele R. Titus's Position: NO VOTE
PRIMARY ELECTION - SEPTEMBER 10, 2002
Candidates:
- Bryan Block (Con)
- Henrietta Fullard (Dem)
- Michael Duvalle (Ind)
- Charles Pringle, Jr. (Dem)
- Taj Rajkumar (Dem)
- Marina Rejas (Rep)
- Michele R. Titus (Dem/Lib/Wor - Primary Winner) Incumbent
CAMPAIGN FEATURE
When she defeated her opponents in a special election last April to fill the
seat of the late Pauline Rhodd-Cummings, Michelle R. Titus, said she hoped
her victory would discourage other Democrats from running in this September's
primary.
It didn't work.
Five candidates are opposing her in the primary. And though this is no longer
a special-election, each of the candidates is working to establish his or her
dedication to the legacy of Assemblymember Rhodd-Cummings, who was
instrumental in securing subway and educational funding for the Far Rockaway
area, and who focused on developing a technology program in the Far Rockaway
area.
Since her election, Titus says, she has poured half her capital budget into
seeing that project, the 6200 Project, come to fruition.
But her opponents say the new incumbent has not yet proved her commitment to
the community.
"I would have been more visible in the community and accessible to its
members," said Charles Pringle Jr., of Titus's performance.
The Rev. Henrietta Fullard also questioned Titus's connections in the
community, saying she believes her own strong ties as a pastor and former
educator are what will help her in this race.
According to Titus, who ran for office during the second trimester of her
pregnancy and was elected in her ninth month, she has been as active as
possible during these four months. Since her election, she says, she has sat
down with every community-based organization in the district. Since April,
Titus has also formed a Community Advisory Board, which she hopes will give
community members a greater voice.
THE ISSUES
There is little apparent disagreement on the issues. All six candidates say
they support the reinstitution of the commuter tax, would have voted yes on
the women's health act, especially with recent studies reporting high levels
of cancer incidence in the area, and will support hate crimes legislation.
All six think the process in Albany eventually gets the job done, but could
use some tweaking to make it more efficient.
EDUCATION
The most pressing issue in the district, all six candidates say, is education
reform, with overcrowded schools, one of the largest populations of
transient students, and not enough resources.
Fullard has the strongest track record in education. She has taught
thousands of high school students in Southeast Queens, participated in the
restructuring of the former Andrew Jackson High School into four magnet high
schools, and was project director of the Mathematics, Science Research and
Technology Magnet High School. Titus points to her three years as an attorney
for the NYC Board of Education and Taj. Rajkumar to his extensive experience
in higher education.
All six support the mayor's control of schools to varying degrees.
Charles Pringle is strongly opposed to the removal of the school board and
would like to see a system put in place that would retain parents as an
integral part of the decision making process. Fullard agreed that parents
must remain an integral part of the system, saying her own efforts would have
been much more difficult had parents not played a role.
DEVELOPMENT
Far Rockaway is rapidly developing, with new homes being built and new
business coming into the community at a fervent pace.
Pringle cites partnerships between the private and public sector as one of
his major campaign goals, listing business subsidies and tax incentives as
tools for success. He also hopes to find a way to commit new businesses to
hiring from the Far Rockaway employee pool.
For the past several months, Titus says, she has been organizing a Merchant's
Association to protect the smaller businesses in the district from being
enveloped by the growth.
Michael Duvalle points to his own background as a long-time businessman in
Queens.

September
7, 2002
When Michelle R. Titus won a special election for a seat in the Assembly in April, she predicted that despite the
decisiveness of her victory, she would face tough competition later in the year in the Democratic primary. Her prediction
has come true, and then some.
(New York Times)
August
29, 2002
The race for the Assembly seat in the 31st District is beginning to heat up, with several candidates filing petitions to be on the ballot in the September Primary. The candidates vying for the seat, which is currently held by Michele Titus, are from the same field that opposed Titus in a special election that was held back on April 16 of this year.
(The Wave of Long Island)
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