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Democrat Decision Day on June 24th

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Democrat Decision Day on June 24th

By Nayaba Arinde
Editor-At-Large
Tuesday, June 24th is Democrat Decision Day. The main mayoral primary contenders are pulling out all the stops to try and get the first and second place rank choice vote:
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Senator Zellnor Myrie, Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, former Assemblyman Michael Blake, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Comptroller Brad Lander, and former NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer.


Over 66,000 people took advantage of early voting in three days from Saturday, 14th, 2025, and over 23,000 of those had Brooklyn leading the boroughs this past weekend. The contender-heavy mayoral race may inspire voters, but there are also Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President, and City Council contests.


It is not over after Primary Day; it merely streamlines the run-up to the November 4th General Election. There, current Mayor Eric Adams will see the results of his choice to run as an independent after accusations of a quid pro quo deal with President Donald Trump, who had his federal corruption charges dropped, allegedly in exchange for support for his controversial immigration policy.


Recent polls have Mamdani leading or running a close second to Cuomo.
The governor who resigned mid-investigation in 2021 has been slammed for his past record.
Using the slogans ‘No Cuomo,’ and ‘Don’t Rank Cuomo,’ ads have repeated that taxpayers have paid millions for his legal woes, as he fought charges that his decision to return COVID positive seniors from hospitals to nursing homes led to thousands of deaths, and the 11 women who accused the then governor of sexual harassment.
Trying to double his chances, perhaps Cuomo, like incumbent Mayor Adams, announced that he, too, is running on the independent line.


Endorsed by former Governor David Paterson and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Cuomo said that he alone can tackle ongoing presidential shenanigans, saying, “I know how to deal with Donald Trump because I’ve dealt with him before…He has to know that he’s up against an adversary who can actually beat him.”


On Sunday, Blake and Mamdani announced that they are cross-endorsing each other.
“I am honored to receive the support of Michael Blake as we both seek to turn the page on the broken politics of the past and the corrupt leadership of Andrew Cuomo,” said Mamdani.

“Michael Blake is someone who leads with his values, has relentlessly exposed Andrew Cuomo’s true record of deceit and incompetence, and I am proud to rank him on my ballot. In an election that can only be won with unity, our partnership with Michael Blake is critical to the fight for a city every New Yorker can afford.”


Blake said, “To provide bold solutions to the affordability crisis amidst the continued attacks from D.C., we need change and a new generation of leadership. As a fellow Son of Immigrants, I am proud to be endorsed by Zohran Mamdani and Rank Zohran as my number 2, because together we’re both fighting for an affordable New York that we deserve.”


It is going to be an energetic political week, and then an intense five months thereafter.
“Voting is about the future, and I encourage everyone to get out and make their voices heard.”
President Antonio Reynoso told Our Time Press. “Over the last four years, I have worked tirelessly to make Brooklyn a safer, more affordable borough for all, and if I have the honor of being reelected, I look forward to doing even more.”


The Coalition for the Homeless said that this March 2025, “110,642 people slept each night in NYC shelters. Thousands more slept unsheltered in public spaces, and more than 200,000 people slept temporarily doubled-up in the homes of others. Thus, it can be estimated that more than 350,000 people were without homes in NYC in March 2025.”


Myrie’s campaign pointed out, “For many years, our city has not built enough housing…City leadership has accepted a city where families must spend more than half their paychecks on rent; where seniors carry groceries up five flights because their elevator never works; where New Yorkers hold onto their crumbling apartments, fearful that one more rent hike will mean moving to another state.”


His solution, “I propose we rebuild New York City. Rebuild NYC is a plan for building and preserving one million homes.”
“The most important issue in this race is affordability,” Speaker Adams told reporter Chantee Lans on Eyewitness News. “People are leaving the city in droves because they can’t afford to live here. That’s why I am running for mayor to keep them here.”


A late April 2025 entry into the race, not ruffled by poll numbers, endorsed by AG Letitia James, and with $2 million in recent matching funds, Speaker Adams said that she wants to become the City’s first female mayor, “I am the most experienced candidate in this race,” with “No drama, no scandal, just competence and integrity.”


She told Our Time Press, “I have actually stepped up into leadership positions as the Speaker in so many places where our mayor has kind of fallen short… I don’t need a handbook or a manual–I’ve been doing this work already.”


Brownsville City Council candidate Lawman Lynch told Our Time Press, “As we head into the final week, I can feel the heartbeat of District 41. There is a sense of hopefulness and restlessness; it is evident that the people are ready for change. Folks are casting votes for visions for safer streets, stronger families, and a city council representative who’ll stand with them, not above them – that’s the sentiment. The community is excited to build programs that give our kids safe spaces to grow, learn, and dream. Our seniors are enthusiastic about services that honor their legacy and keep them connected.”


Brooklyn Borough President candidate Khari Edwards told Our Time Press that he plans “to build a more just, sustainable, and vibrant future for all who call this borough home. We are doubling down on our commitment to proactive leadership, community engagement, and real solutions that close economic and health gaps, invest in safer schools and affordable housing, and ensure every voice is heard.”

Rank Choice Voting confidence or confusion
“This is the second time people in New York are using Rank Choice Voting in all the municipal elections. I think it will go smoothly, but I think more education is necessary for this voting system. I think it is still confusing for the average voter,” said Pamela Perkins, a former Board of Election Administrative Manager. With the idea that it might take up to seven days to calculate the actual accurate result, the wife of the late City Councilman and State Senator Bill Perkins told the paper, “I’d rather they took a week to get it right, than get it done in 24 hours, or two days–and get it wrong.”


Perkins concluded that voters “can go to Vote.NYC, to find your poll site and to take a look at your ballot.”

Cheryl Lee: NYC Department for the Aging Advises on Signs and Rights for Elder Abuse Victims

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Cheryl Lee: NYC Department for the Aging Advises on Signs and Rights for Elder Abuse Victims

Fern Gillespie
Not all older adults are able to age gracefully with their families. In New York State, it’s estimated that 300,000 older New Yorkers over age 60 are experiencing elder abuse each year. Most times from family members. In recognition of June’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, Our Time Press reached out to a leading expert in elder abuse Cheryl Lee (MSW), Elder Abuse Coordinator at the NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA) in the Elderly Crime Victims Resource Center, for insights.

OTP: In dealing with elder abuse, what are the signs that people should look out for?
CL: In cases of elder abuse, a lot of times it’s the family members who are actually the abusers. So, the majority of the referrals we get are actually from a third party, a neighbor, a friend, or relatives who are reporting that they believe their family member is being abused by another family member. By their child, their grandchild, and like that.

There are signs and symptoms of physical abuse that would be the most obvious. You would see bruises, maybe broken glasses. They’re acting differently. There’s psychological abuse. The person may be getting yelled and screamed at every day. Now, the person now may appear to someone else as being more quiet, more subdued around the person because they’re afraid to speak.

OTP: What are the major forms of elder abuse?
CL: Physical, psychological, neglect, financial and sexual. The sexual was actually our lowest form as far as prevalence. The most prevalent is financial right now. But, even if you’re financially exploited, that’s going to have a psychological impact. You want to address the cycle.

OTP: How are older adults experiencing financial abuse?
CL: In deed fraud cases, where you own your home all of these years, now of a sudden your child or siblings or someone else asks you to put their name on the deed or your bank account. Now they’ve either taken out a mortgage on the home or they’ve withdrawn the money out of the account.

Because people don’t realize once you put someone’s name on your account, despite you putting all the money in, they now have access to it. So, they can rightfully go to the bank and take it all out.

There’s smaller cases where if the only thing you have is your EBT card. But, now someone’s taking your EBT card and they’ve gone out and bought food that you can’t eat because you’re diabetic. They bought a bunch of sweets. Now, what are you going to eat because they they’re using your card?

OTP: How is the problem handled if the abuser gives the older adult a financial crisis?
CL: A lot of times people say, ohh, I just want my money back, but I don’t want the other person to go to jail. Or I don’t want the person to be arrested, I just want my money back. But unfortunately, it’s hard to do that. A lot of times the funds are just lost if you don’t want to pursue criminal charges against someone.

So you have to work with them and just try to make them safe in the home, still with the abuser, but try to put things in a place that make them a little more safer. Like maybe put a lock on the bedroom door. Maybe put give them an alarm button that they could push if they feel threatened and it’ll alert the police.

Maybe arranging for NYPD to come by for wellness checks. But in the case of deed fraud, we have some providers who have legal services. They will help them get the deed back in their name. If you’re having financial exploitation by a power of attorney, they could help the person get the power of attorney revoked so the other person no longer has access to their funds. They could help set up a more reliable power of attorney.

OTP: What impact does the psychological abuse have on older adults?
CL: Imagine if you’re getting emotionally abused every day. You’re getting screamed at every day and being belittled. It has a huge psychological impact so that’s why we offer in conjunction a program where you could go for 10 weeks of counseling regarding depression.

We offer mental health services and a social worker is working with intervention. You have to work with them and just try to make them safe in the home, still with the abuser.

OTP: The New York Police Department (NYPD) has a special program for older adults. How does this operate?
CL: In every precinct they have what we call an older adult liaison. They’re part of the Community Affairs Group Division and NYPD. The older adult may have walked into a precinct. It doesn’t just have to be about abuse. It could be about anything. You know, they’re complaining about the neighbor or they want to know something about what’s going on in the community.

They have a specific officer in each precinct or public service area to assist. They also go out into the community and they provide trainings on scams to look out for. The elder abuse cases are actually handled by the domestic violence officers in the precinct. Once they see an older adult, they will make the referrals to the community provider for them to provide follow-up services. Maybe they need counseling or Meals on Wheels or some other additional services just to address the needs of the older adult.

OTP: What was it like being a speaker at the New York City announcement on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day held at Gracie Mansion?
CL: It was a wonderful event. It was very rewarding to see the providers being honored because this is it’s a tough job to go out and investigate cases of elder abuse. It was also more rewarding to see the actual clients who came for the event. They were willing to stand up and say, yes, this is going on with me.

And, I’m doing something about it. So that was just marvelous, because the more people that speak out about it, the more people that won’t be ashamed to come forward because of the elder abuse. There’s a lot of shame and guilt involved. You’re thinking of a family member who’s doing it.

Little wanting to admit their son, daughter or their grandchild is abusing them. But, the more people that speak out, the more it’s likely to destigmatize it.

OTP: If an older adult feels that they are being exploited with elder abuse, what can they do?
CL: Call us at Aging Connect. Here at NYC Department for the Aging, we actually have providers in the community who go out and investigate the cases and do the legwork. First, they do an assessment to find out what’s going on.

How long it’s been going on and what other services may be needed for the person to help alleviate or diminish what’s going on.

Fathers and Godfathers, Rain or Shine

Editor, Our Time Press
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Fathers and Godfathers, Rain or Shine

Cong. Hakeem Jeffries Takes P.S. 5 Student-Led Master Classes in Brooklyn

Editor, Our Time Press
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Cong. Hakeem Jeffries Takes P.S. 5 Student-Led Master Classes in Brooklyn

Ronald E McNair Public School 5 principal Lena Gates and students invited U.S. House Leader Hakeem Jeffries to join them in a showcase of their Aviation, STEM, and Urban Farm “Master Class” program, where, for a short while, the students, ages 5-11, are the teachers.
Jeffries visited the school on Tuesday. Impressed, he took something back to Washington from the experience — a glimpse into the future of technology and the young people who will be among its leaders.


He also left something behind — inspirational words, encouragement, and an invitation to walk the path he forges now and advance beyond it.
To one bright youngster, Jeffries offered a high compliment, in an acknowledgement of the student’s gift at breaking down a complex fact. He told the scholar that a future political career could be a consideration, maybe a run for office. “But one thing,” said Jeffries. “Don’t run against me.”


In the school’s innovative Master Class program, the students step into the role of classroom instructors and guides, revealing a mastery of complicated subjects at the college level and beyond.


The three programs Jeffries experienced hands-on included the Dr. Ronald E McNair Aviation Center, where the young would-be aviators participated in topflight simulation and co-piloting; STEM-related courses encompassing AI, 3-dimensional printing, and virtual technology; and urban gardening, using the latest technology to grow sustainable food for healthy cooking and eating.


The meeting mini-workshops opened Tuesday with a special presentation from the students to Jeffries, followed by the Master Classes in Aviation Flight Simulation Instructions, agriculture/Technology, and “One Planet.”
Our Time Press provides a more in-depth recap of Congressman Jeffries’ visit, P.S. 5’s Master Class experience, and the contributions of all who made it happen, next week in a story by Yvette Moore. –The Editors

The Association of Black Educators 47th Annual Scholarship & Awards Luncheon

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The Association of Black Educators 47th Annual Scholarship & Awards Luncheon

By Eulene Inniss
A Swahili proverb states that “education has no end” and this was best exemplified the 47th Annual Scholarship & Awards Luncheon of the Association of Black Educators of New York (ABENY), which was held at Antun’s, Queens, on June 14th 2025.


ABENY’s Luncheon Chairs, Past President Mellouise Murdaugh and Evelyn (Pat) Hairston , stressed the need for more community involvement and organizations such as the UFT( United Federation of Teachers, CSA (Council of Supervisors and Administrators), Eric Edwards- Cultural Museum of African Arts and Sororities responded to the clarion call to support the students.


Fourteen (14) High School graduates from High Schools across NYC were awarded scholarships ranging from $1.000.00 to $5.000.00 dollars each. Three Awards of Distinction were also presented to: Dr. Adofo Abdullah Muhammad , Educator of the Year-Principal of Brooklyn Academy; Jerema Brown, Teacher of the Year-Riverdale Middle School, Bklyn. and Dr. Temica S. Francis: Friend of Education – Monroe University Dean of the School of Education.


Dr. Francis spoke of her journey from Marcy House to Dean of Education at Monroe University, incorporating some the many pit-stops as Teacher, Principal, Associate College Professor and her role at the New York State Department of Education.

She encouraged the students to,” reject the negativity of those around them, including some educators, and remain focused on their goals because each one has unlimited potentials”. She thanked her family and community for believing in her and their never-ending support.


In this season of a National assault on Education and Educators and the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education , the New York City Council President, Adrian Adams has helped to allocate 27 million dollars to the development of the Black Studies Curriculum. The course of study is designed to give students an African Centered perspective that pre-dates Slavery.

This Education Equity Action Plan (EEAP) or Black Studies curriculum was launched on February 28th, 2025 during a Press Conference at York College, CUNY. ABENY is a co-sponsor. The President of ABENY, Adrian Straker, placed ABENY at the decision making table in developing this EEAP city-wide Black Studies Curriculum. A fitting role for ABENY since it has been leading the battle for inclusivity of Black representation in NYC schools from the 1960’s.


Past scholarship recipients returned to support the new honorees and the Luncheon’s Theme: “Recognizing the Progress made And Empowering the Next Generation”. State Senator Leroy Comrie was recognized for his continuous collaboration with ABENY. Education is Circular!

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