VTMBH Article: Body
In his first days as councilmember of District 21 in Queens, the New Yorker-Puerto Rican Hiram Monserrate, a Democrat, presented himself as a friend of the people. However he can hardly be called that, considering he ran a nasty smear campaign with the help of Dominicans Juan Gómez and Miguel López. Moreover, Monserrate not only failed to show political effectiveness, but also has done little in favor of the community.
While López and Gómez remain loyal to the councilman, Monserrate has betrayed them through aggression against Dominican people. It is well known in Queens that during Monserrates campaign, he authorized the defacement of his opponents campaign material, especially that of Dominican Angel del Villar. It is also well known that Monserrate, a former policeman, was behind the removal of documents from a political event that was the cause of del Villars arrest. After holding a position in a Hispanic police organization (about which we will have more information in the future), Monserrate failed to honor the organization that gave him opportunity and education, and supportied subversive activities in his own department.
Monserrate is a fraud. During his campaign, he made many promises to the people of District 21, but after 120 days in office he has yet to give his first address to the community or present a political agenda for his term. There are two possible explanations for this: either the councilmember didnt know what he was getting himself into, or he is so steeped in corruption and disorganization that he do anything but maintain the status quo. One of his many campaign vows was to confront the drainage problem in District 21; however, he has yet to show any interest in the problem. The only noteworthy thing Monserrate has done so far has been to hold a meeting for 40 clergymen in a small restaurant in Queens, where they were served hot chocolate. No members of the press were invited to the meeting, further evidence of Monserrates disinterest in his position and in the community. He is so detached that he hasnt even thought about hiring a cleaning service; instead, his small staff takes care of that in his office on Northern Boulevard and 99th Street in Corona.
While López and Gómez remain loyal to the councilman, Monserrate has betrayed them through aggression against Dominican people. It is well known in Queens that during Monserrates campaign, he authorized the defacement of his opponents campaign material, especially that of Dominican Angel del Villar. It is also well known that Monserrate, a former policeman, was behind the removal of documents from a political event that was the cause of del Villars arrest. After holding a position in a Hispanic police organization (about which we will have more information in the future), Monserrate failed to honor the organization that gave him opportunity and education, and supportied subversive activities in his own department.
Monserrate is a fraud. During his campaign, he made many promises to the people of District 21, but after 120 days in office he has yet to give his first address to the community or present a political agenda for his term. There are two possible explanations for this: either the councilmember didnt know what he was getting himself into, or he is so steeped in corruption and disorganization that he do anything but maintain the status quo. One of his many campaign vows was to confront the drainage problem in District 21; however, he has yet to show any interest in the problem. The only noteworthy thing Monserrate has done so far has been to hold a meeting for 40 clergymen in a small restaurant in Queens, where they were served hot chocolate. No members of the press were invited to the meeting, further evidence of Monserrates disinterest in his position and in the community. He is so detached that he hasnt even thought about hiring a cleaning service; instead, his small staff takes care of that in his office on Northern Boulevard and 99th Street in Corona.