YOUTH MOVEMENT: Anthony Dedousis wants North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman's job. Photo: Mary McLoughlin
Posted on 01/02/2006 3:50:46 AM PST by Liz
YOUTH MOVEMENT: Anthony Dedousis wants North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman's job. Photo: Mary McLoughlin
EXCLUSIVE
This kid has got a prayer. Spurred on by a Long Island politician's tirade over a priest's benediction at a public Christmas tree lighting, a 16-year-old boy has thrown his hat into the ring, seeking to oust the official.
Anthony Dedousis said the reason he's planning to run against North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman "is pretty simple." "I think I can do a better job," the Manhasset HS junior said, acknowledging Kaiman's religion-neutral holiday rant was the impetus for his campaign. Dedousis will be 18 by the time the 2007 election is held.
Kaiman ignited the firestorm of resentment when he said it was "inappropriate" for a Catholic priest to utter a prayer at the tree lighting in a public park in Manhasset.
The priest, the Rev. Nick Zientarski of St. Mary's in Manhasset, sent an e-mail to his flock describing the incident, and Kaiman was besieged with messages from his constituents. And they weren't lauding Kaiman, a former judge, for preserving the separation of church and state.
Instead, they said they were frustrated at "having their own religion diminished because someone from another faith might be present," Kaiman, who is Jewish, later wrote.
Kaiman apologized to everyone, including the cleric, and they have worked out the misunderstanding — so much so that Zientarski will deliver the invocation at Kaiman's inauguration ceremony today at 2 p.m. in New Hyde Park.
Dedousis said the public-prayer issue was what made him decide to run, because he felt someone in Kaiman's position should "tolerate people who are different."
The teen....will set up a Web site and an account where supporters can send money to finance his run. He is looking for a campaign manager.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Go for it, Anthony. Kid has a bright future in politics.
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