By COLlive reporter
Photos: Menush Amit/COLlive
Democratic candidate for Mayor of New York City Eric Adams visited Crown Heights on Wednesday evening, making an appearance at a dinner event in his honor at Meat Restaurant on Kingston Avenue.
The event was hosted by Chanina Sperlin, Intergovernmental Liaison of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, and Danny Branover, owner of the upscale restaurant.
Guests mingled while enjoying a full spread of Meat’s delectable menu and selection of wines, mixed drinks, and cocktails.
In a short speech, Adams was candid about his gratitude to the Crown Heights community, which came out in large numbers in the last election due to a major voter drive by the Crown Heights Political Action Committee.
“I want to thank the Crown Heights community,” Adams said. “Crown Heights, [led by] Chanina Sperlin and his number one partner Rabbi Eli Cohen, you delivered in a real way,” he said.
Adams noted his long relationship with the Brooklyn Jewish community which spans many years, having served as a NY State senator and Brooklyn Borough President.
“I was the Jewish candidate in this race,” Adams quipped. “I won Flatbush, Boro Park, Williamsburg and Crown Heights.
“I used to boast to the other candidates, ‘you can run around all you want, I know at the end of the day, this community knows me. I am not a new friend, I’m an old friend.'”
“You were always there for me. The support we’ve seen from this community is just amazing. I wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Adams said.
Adams also focused on what he plans to do when he takes office on January 1st, provided he beats Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in the upcoming election.
“We have so much we have to deal with – the hate crimes in the Jewish and Asian communities, and the difficulty small businesses are experiencing, and trying to keep our city running – those days are over on January 1st.
“We are going to respect all of the city’s cultures and lifestyles, particularly those that are successful like yours, to allow you to raise your children and have your way of life,” he said.
“You believed in me, and now I am going to show you how will believe in your city once again.”
Be careful [in your dealings] with the ruling authorities for they do not befriend a person except for their own needs; they seem like friends when it is to their own interest, but they do not stand by a man in the hour of his distress.
Eric Adams or Curtis Sliwa?