Monday, July 6, 2009

Meet the Assembly District 38 candidates, part 1

“I am running for the Assembly” announced Farouk Samaroo, “My experience in the Legislature, and on the battlefield make me uniquely qualified to serve the people in our neighborhoods of Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Glendale, Maspeth, Ridgewood, and Middle Village. We deserve an Assemblyman who will serve us with honor, experience and skill.”

The 38th Assembly District seat became vacant when the previous incumbent, after 30 years in office, resigned following his guilty plea to charges of influence peddling. By every objective measure, the district has suffered during his tenure. The lack of basic government services, aging or inadequate infrastructure, and absence of advocacy for economic development and revitalization of the district’s small business base have cost us dearly.

Samaroo said: “I am an ordinary Soldier, the son of working class parents, and I grew up in this district. I have had the great privilege and high honor of serving my country in battle. I found it to be the most rewarding experience of my life. Our Assemblyman resigned in disgrace, the State Legislature is failing us, and our country needs the service of committed young men and women to lead at all levels of government. I promise to serve this district well and with honor.”

He returned home after spending the past 12 months serving as a Soldier in the U.S. Army in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. For his service in Afghanistan with the storied 1st Infantry Division (the Big Red One), Farouk was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for “military merit,” as well as six other decorations. Farouk’s unit, the 3rd Infantry Brigade, saw heavy combat in the four provinces of Eastern Afghanistan which border Pakistan’s lawless frontier provinces where Taliban and al-Qaeda forces are concentrated.

Farouk Samaroo has lived in Richmond Hill for the past 19 years. He has been very active in local civic affairs. Before his Army service, Samaroo served as a Community Liaison in the New York State Assembly, and on the boards of local non-profits. He also attends Mass at St. Benedict Joseph Labre Roman Catholic Church in Richmond Hill. Farouk is a Knight of St. Peter Claver, a national Catholic fraternal organization.

Supporters of Samaroo today announced the formation of “Friends of Samaroo” to seek the Democratic Party nomination for the Assembly vacancy.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

As a veteran myself, I applaud his service in the Army, but I think it is a bit shameful to flaunt it for political gain. Yes, I know of many other politicians who rode into office on their military service, and I feel the same way about them.

Anonymous said...

I am a veteran, and was enthused by this story. But there are some serious holes in Farook's story. I checked out the associations about this guy, and nothing pans out. He is not, and never was, a member of these organizations. He is a devout Muslim. Why is he ashamed of his religion?

He has never been very active in local civic affairs, nor has he served on the boards of local non-profits-bold faced lies.

I checked the place of his alleged home on Jamiaca Avenue, and no one ever saw him there. He was shacking up with some woman three times his age outside the district. He did not attend St. John's, and was the bag man for convicted Assemblyman Brain McLaughlin.

Can his committee set the record straight on these issues here?

Anonymous said...

PS I am not implying that he wouldn't be a good candidate, I just have an issue with him using his military service to pad his credentials. Furthermore, I question his decision to display his medals on a civilian suit, again, to apparently advertise his status as a veteran, for political gain.

Anonymous said...

My name is Herman Singh, and I am a prominent real estate and mortgage broker. Farcrook is a fraud. He is not, and never was, a member of the stated organizations.

He was a bum, and a homeless alcoholic, hopeless piece of crap before Chandra Morgan and then the army rescued him.

Rose showed us proof that he fathered her child out of wedlock for him, but that he never gave her any assistance for the kids upbringing. Instead, she has several orders of protection against him. We give her charity. What a hero!

This guy's a fraud. The army probably got rid of him. He was washing tanks in Afgan, never in active combat. This guy feigned injuries with concocted medicals, to get out of the battlefields, peeliny potatoes, and mopping the floor. A smooth talker. An opportunist.

Let us pursue the truth here...

Anonymous said...

Is he using the American flag inappropriately?

Anonymous said...

His name was mentioned in the indictment against Brian McLaughlin. Was he a co-conspirator?

Uncle Sam said...

Flag Etiquette
STANDARDS of RESPECT
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:

The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose.

Anonymous said...

Furthermore, I question his decision to display his medals on a civilian suit, again, to apparently advertise his status as a veteran, for political gain.


http://www.blacktieguide.com/Supplemental/Decorations.htm

Anonymous said...

Try this:

www.blacktieguide.com/Supplemental/Decorations.htm

Anonymous said...

at least you could broadcast radio waves in a pinch off all the medals on his chest.

He looks like a 3rd world country dictator, like Pinochet.

what is so terrible about him being homeless and a drunk? Farook should be proud. Maybe he can sleep in his campaign office like lots of wanna bee politicos do.

Anonymous said...

In my long life I have never seen anyone wear their medals on their civilian suit. Where do we find these guys? Under rocks?

Anonymous said...

Where do we find these guys? Under rocks?

On the soles of our shoes?

Anonymous said...

How quick the Queens Crap Krew are to criticize a U.S. veteran!

Anonymous said...

If this guy isn't all he is cracked up to be ,then so be it.Any proof,either negative or positive?

Anonymous said...

Wasn't this guy Baldeo's campaign manager and treasurer a few years ago?

Queens Crapper said...

More about Farouk Samaroo.

Anonymous said...

How quick the Queens Crap Krew are to criticize a U.S. veteran!
-----------------------------------
It isn't his status as a veteren we are criticizing, it is his questionable agenda, his claims and his ethics as a budding politician.

Anonymous said...

He joined the Army in 2007, and now he is getting out and going into politics? I thought the standard enlistment was 4 years active duty and four years inactive service. Something stinks here.

Anonymous said...

Most vets I know don't wear their medals on a suit jacket and some of these guys have Silver Stars and other medals for heroism. Has anyone looked closely at the ones this guy is wearing and identified what they are for?

Anonymous said...

Has anyone looked closely at the ones this guy is wearing and identified what they are for?
-----------------------------------
I have. From left to right;
1. National Defense Service Medal. A general issue medal, presented to anyone serving in the military during specifically stated periods of times of emergency, including the current conflict.
2. Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Presented to any military member deployed to Afghanistan for 30 consecutive, or 60 non-consecutive days, or participated in combat in Afghanistan. Since this guy isn't displaying any actual combat medals, we can rule out the latter.
3. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. If you served in the military after 9/11 in support of any counter terrorism effort (airport security etc), you get this medal.
4. NATO Medal. If you serve in the military under a NATO supported operation, you get one.

So basically, this guy got all his medals simply for going to where he was ordered to go to. I am not knocking his military service, but if he is trying to pass himself off as a highly decorated, combat hardened warrior, he seems to be barking up the wrong tree.

Anonymous said...

He deserves thanks for his service in the military, however from your explanation of the medals it is patently obvious he is using them to deceive us by wearing them other than on his uniform. That gives rise to the question, how else will he attempt to deceive?

Anonymous said...

Are you kidding me? This guy was taught the dirty, deseptive tricks he practises to a fine art by his old "master"-Brian McLaughlin. See how he cannot avoid lying on his resume, no matter how hard he tries. SLIMEBALL?SLEEZEBALL....

Anonymous said...

As a navy veteran with 10years of service and also from guyana i have some questions about this guy,first of all why will anyone diplay thier medals while wearing your civilian clothes and second of all what is his army rank, experience and qualifications.