DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Every year the biggest names in local politics descend on Junior’s Restaurant in Downtown Brooklyn on the Friday before Election Day. It’s a brief respite from running campaigns as even the governor and the mayor are regulars at the annual event.
Hosted by political leader Steve Cohn, formerly a District Leader in the Democratic 50th Assembly District, and a past president at the Brooklyn Bar Association, the breakfast has been going on for over 30 years now.
“We’ve been doing this for over 30 years,” Cohn said. “It’s a tremendous event, we welcome everyone and it gives us all a break from the campaigns where you can just come and be cordial to one another and share a meal and some cheesecake. It has really become a wonderful tradition in Brooklyn.”
Steve Cohn hosted Gov. Kathy Hochul, the mayor, and many other local politicians during his annual Cheesecake Breakfast held at Junior’s Restaurant. Eagle photos by Robert Abruzzese
Even though it was slowed down for two years due to COVID, the Cheesecake breakfast was as big on Friday as it has been in over a decade. Not only were the mayor and the governor both there, but Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul get along, unlike their predecessors, so there was no confusion as to which one would attend since they were both there on Friday.
“I just want to thank Steve because he’s been inviting me to this event for so long that I remember the first time I was here someone said, ‘who is Kathy Hochul?’” Governor Hochul joked. “But you knew who I was and today I’m proud to be here as the Governor.”
In addition to the mayor and the governor, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, Democratic Party Boss Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Attorney General Letitia James, Administrative Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York Justice Carolyn Walker-Diallo, and dozens of other politicians and judges were in attendance.
From left: Hon. Joanne Quinones, Hon. Craig Walker, Hon. Cheryl Gonzales, Attorney General Letitia James, and Hon. Sharen Hudson. Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese
Brooklyn’s judiciary was especially well represented. Judges who are running for election, or just wrapped up an election are allowed to attend political events such as this one, and they showed up in large numbers to show their support on Friday.
“Brooklyn’s judiciary is one of, if not the best in the country,” Cohn said. “We’re very proud of our judges and we were thrilled to see so many of them show up today.”
Cohn explained that he is serious about the event being a respite from the campaign and allows all local politicians to attend, even those going against each other. On Friday, a former member of Brooklyn’s Democratic party and current member of its Republican party was in attendance. When one attendee joked that he shouldn’t be allowed in, Cohn was quick to shut the joke down and explained that all are welcome to share in the cheesecake.
From left: Hon. Caroline Piela Cohen, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, and City Councilmember Farah Louis. Eagle photo by Robert AbruzzeseFrom left: Hemalee Patel, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, and Bruno Codispoti. Eagle photo by Robert AbruzzeseState Senator Andrew Gounardes and Hon. Joanne Quinones. Eagle photo by Robert AbruzzeseFrom left: Pamela Patton Fynes, Hon. Lisa Lewis, Salvatore Scibetta, president of the Columbian Lawyers Association, Hon. Frank Seddio, Craig Montalbano, and Congressman Jerry Nadler. Eagle photo by Robert AbruzzeseFrom left: Hon. Susan Quirk, Hon. Lorna McAllister, Hon. Carolyn Walker-Diallo, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Hon. Caroline Piela Cohen, and Steve Cohn. Eagle photo by Robert AbruzzeseFrom left: Hon. Michael Farkas, Pamela Patton Fynes, Hon. Craig Walker, and Hon. Lisa Lewis. Eagle photo by Robert AbruzzeseFrom left: Hon. Ellen Spodek, Hon. Craig Walker, and Gregory LaSpina. Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
