FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com APRIL 28, 2016 • THE COURIER SUN 3 RADIO HOST CURTIS SLIWA SAYS HE’S CHALLENGING HIS EX, KATZ, FOR BORO PREZ By Angela Matua [email protected]/@AngelaMatua Curtis Sliwa, the ex-partner of current Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and father of her two children, announced last week that he would run for her seat as a Republican in 2017. Sliwa, a talk show host on WABC-AM and founder of the international volunteer patrol organization Guardian Angels, attended the Juniper Park Civic Association in Middle Village on Thursday night, where he spoke about the “corrupt” and ineffective Democratic Party, railing on everyone from Mayor Bill de Blasio to Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley and Congressman Joe Crowley. His speech was met with cheers and claps from the packed auditorium. “What is the most corrupt Democratic county in America now?” Sliwa asked the audience. “Does anyone know? Crook sic County, Illinois? No, it pales in comparison to Queens County, the Democratic corrupt machine.” He announced the run as a possibility last week at a gala for the Queens County Republican Party, according to DNAinfo. But he made it clear last night to a full house at the Our Lady of Hope auditorium that he would look to run against Katz, with whom he has a very personal history. As documented in the Daily News, Sliwa donated his sperm to Katz, who had two sons. Sliwa and Katz were also in a personal relationship until they broke up in November 2014. Though he previously took shots at Katz at the gala, he told the audience that she was one of the only elected officials in office who was not corrupt. “I know her political bones and where they’re buried,” Sliwa said. “But I can swear to you she’s not corrupt.” In his speech, which lasted for about half an hour, he questioned the effectiveness of Queens officials on both sides of the political spectrum, mentioning the longtime dilapidation of Woodhaven Boulevard and Willets Point, and the rapid succession Civic leaders after Sliwa’s announcement of shuttered hospitals in the borough. “Queens is one of the largest, most prosperous boroughs in the city of New York with a growing population, and they’re closing your hospitals left right and every which way,” Sliwa said. “How do they get away with it? They get away with it because they can.” Sliwa would have to move from his Brooklyn home to Queens to make the run for office. Photo courtesy of Juniper Park Civic Association/Walter Karling “I will do what I have to do to make that run for office,” Sliwa said. A spokesperson for Katz said the current borough president has no comment. “The borough president’s children are now old enough to read the papers and Google their parents’ names; as such, the borough president will reserve any further comment on the father of her children at this time,” said spokesperson Sharon Lee. Man behind Jamaica mosque rampage on supervised release By Robert Pozar ycki [email protected]/@robbpoz A Jamaica man accused of beating up men at a Jamaica mosque in what is being investigated as a possible hate crime is out on supervised release. Mike Voyard, 26, of Highland Avenue allegedly walked into the Jamaica Muslim Center at 85-37 168th St. during afternoon prayers at 1 p.m. on April 19 and attacked several men. One of the witnesses to the assault caught it on video that was later posted on Facebook (scroll down to see video). Sources familiar with the incident claim that Voyard allegedly shouted anti-Muslim slurs before going on the attack. According to the criminal complaint provided by the Queens District Attorney‘s office, Voyard allegedly punched one of the worshippers repeatedly about the face and head, causing swelling and substantial pain. When another mosque member tried to come to the victim’s aid, the complaint noted, Voyard allegedly punched him about the head, causing bleeding and a laceration to his left ear. Members of the mosque eventually chased Voyard out of the location; he was subsequently arrested by 103rd Precinct officers who arrived on the scene. According to eyewitness accounts, Voyard had stripped naked in the street at the time of his arrest. Both victims were removed to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries, including one who suffered a brain hemorrhage and was listed in serious condition. Voyard, who faces multiple counts of thirddegree assault, criminal mischief and harassment, was subsequently released under supervision at his arraignment. According to a Queens DA spokesperson, the supervised release allows defendants such as Voyard “to remain at home with their families and continue working while waiting for trial” while ensuring that “the defendant returns to court without re-offending.” As the investigation into the rampage continues, numerous Queens elected officials joined members of the Jamaica Muslim Center last Friday for a press conference denouncing the attacks and calling for justice. “We come together today as one community to support Jamaica Muslim Center and those who were injured,” Councilman Rory Lancman said. “This crime, including the potential bias motive, must be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrator brought to justice. We will not stand for violence in our sanctuaries.” Mohammad W. Rahman, president of the Jamaica Muslim Center, added that “attacking innocent people is unacceptable,” and that Voyard’s assault should be considered “a hate crime that our Muslim brothers and sisters were attacked by a stranger while praying.” Photo courtesy of Councilman Rory Lancman Councilman Rory Lancman and Assemblyman David Weprin with members of the Jamaica Muslim Center at an April 22 press conference.
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