Community News & Notes from Assembly Member Mike Miller (District 38)

Assemblyman Miller Honors Richmond Hill Peer Tutors

Pictured are (from left): Arunan Naahanathan, Assemblyman Miller, Mr. Robert Whalen, Natasha Moses, Chante Sherwood, Janagan Naahanathan, Daisy Tenecela, and Ivan Gamba

Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Queens) met with students from Richmond Hill High School who serve as peer tutors for their fellow students struggling in Mathematics. The Assemblyman presented the students with Certificates of Merit for their service to their community.

Assemblyman Miller Announces Collegiate Scholarship Program

Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Queens) announced today that the New York Conference of Italian-America Legislators is now accepting applications for four $1,500 scholarships to be awarded in June at their Annual Conference Weekend. Scholarship winners must be present to receive their awards.

“Given the high costs of college, every opportunity must be given to local students and their working families to meet their required expenses.” Assemblyman Miller said. “I highly recommend that students from Assembly District 38 apply to the Conference for these scholarships so that they may hopefully secure as much extra help with their expenses as possible.”

This year the Italian-American State Legislators Conference will be awarding four $1,500 scholarships to four current or future college students from New York State. Eligibility will be based upon the student’s grade point average, athletic involvement, interest in pursuing a higher education, involvement in the local community as well as individual financial need. The applicants must live in the 38^thAssembly District, which includes parts of Glendale, Ridgewood, Woodhaven, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, and Richmond Hill. 


Applicants must have demonstrated a grade point average of 85 and over, have good conduct and demonstrate the dedication to pursue and complete a higher education degree, have demonstrated community service and involvement in extracurricular activities, and can demonstrate financial aid. All requests must be submitted to Assemblyman Miller no later than April 19^th, 2011.

For more information regarding the scholarship, please contact Assemblyman Mike Miller’s District Office at 718-805-0950.

Miller: Assembly Passes Pay Equity Legislative Package - Measures Would End Unfair Wage Gaps

Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Queens) announced the Assembly passed a package of bills designed to end wage discrimination throughout the state. The legislation is accompanied by a resolution proclaiming April 12, 2011, as Equal Pay Day in New York State (K.365).

“In this day and age, it’s unacceptable that some New Yorkers still aren’t earning equal pay for equal work,” Miller said. “That’s why the Assembly passed a package of bills – and has done so for over a decade – that aims to rid our state of this shameful problem.”

The legislative package passed by the Assembly would make it easier to enforce equal-pay policies and create a statewide comparable-salary policy. The bills would:

• Make it a discriminatory practice to compensate employees of different sexes differently for work that is of comparable worth (A.3690);
• Enact the New York State Fair Pay Act to address and enforce pay equity, including broadening equivalent job definitions, specifying methods to determine equivalent skill, making it unlawful for an employer to discriminate between employees on the basis of sex, race or national origin and ensuring traditional and minority jobs are not undervalued (A.6130);
• Make it a discriminatory practice for public employers to compensate employees of different sexes differently for work that is of comparable worth (A.6448); and
• Establish a statewide policy of equal pay for both sexes and comparability of value of work and ensure corrective action (A.1780).

“It’s inexcusable for New York – a state that historically has set the standards in equality leadership – to not have policies in place that grant equal pay for equal work,” Miller said. “It’s plain and simple: Wages should be based on skill, effort and experience. Ending the antiquated and unreasonable wage gap is a responsibility New York must take seriously.”

News From Assembly Member Mike Miller (38th Assembly District)

Assemblyman Helps Raise Pennies for Patients

Assemblyman Miller (D-Queens) joined PS 239 in Ridgewood for their “Pennies for Patients” initiative. The program encourages students to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. PS 239 has participated in this fund-raiser every year since 2004 and has raised over $1,000 every year.

“I am glad that in PS 239 we have a school dedicated to civic responsibility” Assemblyman Miller said. “It really is impressive what these students are capable of doing and I wanted to ensure they were properly congratulated.”

Pictured Left to Right: Principal Robin Connolly, Kate Gordon representing the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Assemblyman Mike Miller, Robert Monahan, and Parent Coordinator Gloria Morgenstern.

Assemblyman Miller: Sales Tax Exemption a Welcome Relief for Consumers, Businesses

As the state grapples with passing a difficult, on-time budget, one marked by painful cuts to close a $10 billion budget gap, cash-strapped families and clothing retailers will get needed relief. Beginning April 1, clothing, footwear and related items sold for less than $55 each will be exempt from the state’s 4 percent sales tax, as well as the 0.375 percent sales tax for the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District.

The tax-free status applies to all relevant items purchased on or after the April 1 start date, whether they’re paid for in person, over the Internet, by phone or by mail. The exemption, which was set in motion last year to help taxpayers, will grow to include apparel costing less than $110 on April 1, 2012.

And the relief can’t come soon enough for our working families, who have struggled to keep afloat amid a down economy and a rising cost of living. The sales tax cut – which will save a family of four an estimated $90-$100 per year – will give those hardest hit by the regressive levy a much-needed break, helping them to better afford vital clothing and footwear.

The exemption will re-energize our economy and keep more dollars in taxpayers’ pockets at a time when it’s most critical. While this is sure to be a help for New York, particularly our communities that border New Jersey and Pennsylvania, we have more work to do if we’re to put the state back on the road to prosperity. That’s why I’ll continue exploring ways to ease the burden on hardworking taxpayers and clear a path for businesses to flourish.

For more information on the sales tax exemption, visit the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance’s website at www.tax.ny.gov.

Assemblyman Miller Holds Essay Contest for Women’s History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Queens) put a challenge out to local school children, asking them to write an essay about influential women in history. Essay submissions included a wide spectrum of influential women, including Marie Curie, Rosa Parks, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. 


Winners were presented with official citations from the Assemblyman congratulating them on their work. Schools that submitted essays included PS 108, PS 97, PS 91, PS 113, IS 77, Saint Pancras, Saint Mary Gate of Heaven, and Sacred Heart Academy.

Picture Caption, AM Miller with Saint Mary Gate of Heaven: Assemblyman Miller stands with faculty and students from Saint Mary Gate of Heaven in Ozone Park, who participated in the Women’s History Month Essay Contest.

Picture Caption, AM Miller with Saint Pancras: Assemblyman Miller stands with faculty and students from Saint Pancras in Glendale, who participated in the Women’s History Month Essay Contest.

Advisory: Miller Announces Staff Change

Assemblyman Michael Miller (D-Queens) announced today his appointment of Nicholas Roloson as his new Chief of Staff.

Nicholas previously served as Director of Communications for Assemblyman Miller as well as campaign manager for the Assemblyman’s re-election campaign. Both roles have provided him with a deep understanding and appreciation of Assembly District 38

“Nick is young and extremely capable” Assemblyman Miller said. “He has proven through hard work and dedication that he both cares about our community and has the know-how to serve us well."

In addition to his work in government, Nicholas currently serves as president of the College Democrats of New York, which includes over 30 chapters in every region of New York State.

Assemblyman Miller Calls for Cooperation in Sex Offender Case

In response to a request from police to help identify any additional potential victims of accused child molester David Hartshorn, Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Queens) called upon Hartshorn's former employer, ex-Assembly candidate Joe Fox, to begin assisting in the investigation. Hartshorn had served as Fox's campaign manager, and had brought children to campaign events with Fox.

Miller said that Fox should immediately provide police with a list of all children brought to campaign events by Hartshorn, so they can be interviewed by police and counselors to ensure that they were not also victims of abuse, and receive proper counseling if needed.

”Since I was elected to the Assembly, I have made it a priority of mine to protect our children from the dangers of sexual predators. “Miller said. “I am asking that Mr. Fox cooperate with the police in this matter to ensure that all victims receive proper treatment, and that justice is served. We must ensure the protection of our children.”

Statement from Assemblyman Miller Regarding Census Count

The 38th Assembly District is full of immigrants from the Caribbean, European, South Asian and Latin American communities. I find it to be an outrageous claim that the population of our entire borough has only increased by a thousand people when I have seen that level of growth just in my district alone. I stand with the Mayor in his call to revisit these numbers to ensure that immigrant communities receive the adequate level of services they deserve.

Assemblyman Mike Miller's Statement on the Assembly Budget

“Working off of the governor’s plan – and accepting 95.5 percent of his spending reductions – the Assembly addresses the state’s budget problems, while also protecting vital programs hardworking New Yorkers rely on. Our budget restores Title XX funding for our senior centers, funding for EPIC, and Summer Youth Employment Programs. These programs are vital to the economic recovery of our state and we believe they should be spared. The Assembly also extended the Millionaires Tax, because in these difficult economic times millionaires and billionaires should pay their fair share in this recovery. I believe it is a good budget and hope to see it approved by both the Senate and the Governor.”

Statement from Assemblyman Miller Regarding the Passing of Former Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio

Statement Regarding the Passing of Former Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio

For over 30 years Anthony Seminerio represented the 38^th Assembly District with passion and dedication. We should remember all of the good things that he has done for the community. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his wife and his children.

Statement from Assemblyman Miller Regarding City Response to Blizzard...

"During the early hours of the storm, the city did a phenomenal job of keeping the roads safe. Unfortunately, at some point during the night, they were overloaded. Our sanitation workers have been working hard, some of them pulling double shifts and putting in extra hours, but its time that the residents of Queens get the help they need.  It has been over 48 hours since the storm passed and our lives are still being disrupted by the snow. This is just another example of how Queens and the residents of my district constantly get the short end of the stick. This is a disgrace"

New York State Assembly Member Michael G. Miller’s Aqueduct Flea Market Statement...

New York State Assembly Member Michael G. Miller today issued the following statement on the decision to discontinue the Aqueduct flea market:

“I am disappointed in the Genting, NYRA, and Lottery Division decision to longer house the Flea Market at Aqueduct. Because the Flea Market has been around for over twenty-five years and provides over a thousand jobs, I am committed to working with my colleagues in government, the management of the flea market, and our community to find a suitable location for this community institution.”  

Mike Miller Wins in 38th Assembly District Race...

District 38

X Michael Miller Dem 8,514 68.79%

Donna Marie Caltabiano GOP 3,863 31.21%

68 of 68 precincts reporting (100%)

Photo by Frank Kotnik, Jr.

In the 38th Assembly District: Board of Elections Records Show Comaianni Campaign Low on Available Funds...

Click on images to enlarge...

Upon seeing this van parked in front of PC Richards in Ozone Park, it got me wondering if the Comaianni campaign was low on cash just a week before the primary, so I decided to check the Board of Elections website to see...The most recent figures show the Comaianni campaign has very little cash on hand, $1,903.05, with 11 days to go until the primary...

On the flip side, the Miller campaign for the same time period shows cash on hand in the amount of $20,920.42...

The following is directly from the BofE website...



FRIENDS OF NICK2010 11 Day Pre Primary Report Summary Page (Click)

---

Opening Balance	$3,945.61
Contributions	$2,025.00
Miscellaneous Receipts	$.00
	Total Receipts	$2,025.00
	Total Expenses	$4,067.56
	Closing Balance	$1,903.05

Report Date 09/06/10 07:09:57

FRIENDS OF MIKE MILLER FOR ASSEMBLY2010 11 Day Pre Primary Report Summary Page (Click)

---

Opening Balance	$18,063.70
Contributions	$8,700.00
Miscellaneous Receipts	$.00
	Total Receipts	$8,700.00
	Total Expenses	$5,843.28
	Closing Balance	$20,920.42

Report Date 09/06/10 07:09:50

Assembly Member Mike Miller & Nick Comaianni Debate on Queens Public Access Television with The Queens Courier...

In the race for NYS Assembly in the 38th District , the Democratic candidates -  current Assembly Member Mike Miller & challenger Nick Comaianni - will be appearing on Queens Public Access Television with Queens Courier publisher Victoria Schneps-Yunis...  

Their debate will air numerous times — here's the schedule:

September 3rd Fri. 9PM Ch. 34/82

September 4th Sat. 10:30AM Ch. 34/82

September 7th Tues. 7:30PM Ch. 34/82

September 9 Thurs. 6:30PM Ch. 34/82

September 10th Fri. 9PM Ch. 34/82

September 12th Sun. 10:30PM Ch. 57/85

Assembly Member Miller Fights Back Against Sex Offender Bill Criticisms by Howard Koplowitz - Queens Campaigner

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This seems to me to be a baseless, fact-less attack by Samaroo...

Assemblyman Michael Miller’s (l.) campaign says Farouk Samaroo’s criticism of his sex offender bill is “insulting” to Queens families.

State Assemblyman Michael Miller (D-Woodhaven) said an attack launched against him by a supporter of his primary opponent, Nick Comaianni, on a sex offender bill he sponsored was full of inaccuracies and denied claims that the legislation was watered down due to concerns from special interest groups.

Farouk Samaroo, who co-founded a Democratic club with Comaianni, said in a letter sent to TimesLedger Newspapers that the bill, which would require employers who hire workers who supervise or come into contact with children to run a sex offender check on prospective employees, is a “complete fraud.”

Miller’s campaign said, “Nick Comaianni’s campaign supporters should be ashamed of themselves for criticizing a bill that will protect New York’s families and children. It is a shame that Mr. Comaianni has resorted to negative campaigning and baseless attacks, which is an insult to the families of Queens.”

Comaianni said he had nothing to do with Samaroo’s statement.

Samaroo claimed the first version of the bill would have required the check to be done by all businesses, but was changed June 15 to just businesses whose workers deal with children because Miller raised “tens of thousands of dollars from his new Albany lobbyist and special interests friends.”

Campaign finance records showed Miller raised $15,000 from corporate donors and about $11,000 so far from individuals.

“It’s not like [Miller’s] getting massive corporate dollars at all,” a source with Miller’s campaign said.

The source said the bill has bipartisan support and no businesses were lobbying against the legislation.

Samaroo also claimed the bill would only affect 1 percent of businesses in the state, but he could not be reached to find out where he got that statistic.
Miller’s campaign said the bill was amended not because of special interests, but because it was “too expansive legislatively to make it work out.”

“The bill was still very vast in its scope. This was the best bill they could come up with and it’s still a groundbreaking bill,” the source said. “As far as where Farouk got the 99 percent thing, I honestly don’t know. I think he pulled it out of thin air. Farouk’s two main points, both are completely on their face invalid.”

Under the bill, which is currently in the Assembly Codes Committee, employers who do not run the sex offender registry check would be fined up to $100.

Comaianni Anti Miller Posters Not Mine by Daniel Bush - Leader-Observer

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Let the mud-slinging begin.

Nick Comaianni says his campaign is not responsible for a series of ugly attack posters that questioned his opponent Assemblyman Mike Miller's sexual orientation and legislative record in Albany.

One poster, made to look like a cover of the Daily News, accused Miller of vowing to save MTA services - then voting to cut them. Another reportedly called Miller a “fairy.”

They were distributed around the Forest Park Co-op complex where Comaianni lives, beside his own campaign posters, and hung on bus stops along Myrtle Avenue.

“Just because I'm running against Mike Miller doesn't mean I'm putting this stuff up,” said Comaianni. “I would never do that.”

He added that he doesn't condone the posters' message. “There's no place in politics for personal attack,” said Comaianni, the president of School District 24's Community Education Council.

Comaianni, whose platform is based on improving education, senior services and growing small businesses, has been critical of Miller's performance since he was elected last year.

Miller represents the 38th Assembly District, which includes the neighborhoods of Glendale, Ridgewood, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill and Ozone Park.

He said with the posters the race has taken an ugly turn, and dismissed any claims that he voted in favor of cutting MTA services. “That was done in the budget deficit reduction plan,” he said.

Miller added he isn't planning to respond with attack posters in retaliation. “I don't do negative stuff,” he said. "I'm going to let my record stand for itself.”

Weasle...by Azi Paybarah - WNYC...

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Click on image to enlarge...

My post from the other day, got picked up by political reporter Azi Paybarah from WNYC...

Is Disgraced Former Republican City Councilman Dennis Gallagher Working on Democratic Candidate Nick Comaianni's Campaign..?

The word on the street is that disgraced former Republican City Councilman Dennis Gallagher from Middle Village is advising the campaign of (??Democrat??) Nick Comaianni for State Assembly...

Gallagher, the former city councilman, resigned his seat last year after admitting he sexually assaulted a woman in his Middle Village campaign office. He most recently was employed by the campaign of Republican City Councilman Peter Koo from Flushing...

Gallagher has proven himself to be a misogynist, miscreant and a criminal...Is this the type person the people of the 38th Assembly District deserve to have advising their candidates..?

Assemblymember Michael Miller Campaign Kickoff in Glendale on Sunday June 6th...

Click here to view these pictures larger

The Michael Miller campaign for the NY State Assembly held a rally at his campaign headquarters in Glendale on Sunday June 6th, 2010...It was in preparation for the upcoming petitioning process which begins on Tuesday June 8th...The meeting was part pep rally and part informational session to prepare petition gatherers with the knowledge needed to properly obtain signatures needed for Assemblyman Miller to be placed on this years ballot...The assemblage was made up of friends, community leaders, family members and 38^th Assembly District Regular Democratic Club members...

Donna Caltabiano Candidate for Assembly District 38 by Holly Tsang - Leader-Observer

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slideshow

Donna Caltabiano has spent over 30 years working within her community, and now she’s ready to do even more as she campaigns for the chance to represent the 38th Assembly District.

For the past 15 years, she has served as the executive director of Forest Park Senior Center, and every year the center has fought to stay open, it’s taught Caltabiano a thing or two about stretching dollars.

"I’ve been able to run this senior center on less money than when I first got here,” said Caltabiano. “In Albany, they need to go on a budget and streamline their expenses, and I think I can bring the perspective that I've had over the last 30 years to this position."

Three decades of service include 12 years spent on the former Community School Board 27; 15 years on Community Board 9; and, for the last two years, as State Committee Woman of the 38th Assembly District.

If that isn’t proof enough of how hard she works, if elected, Caltabiano would propose that state legislators spend more time in Albany. She pointed to this year’s legislative schedule, noting that the total number of days lawmakers will be in Albany from January through June total up to little more than a month.

"The way it is now, we need them up there more,” she said. “How in the world can they do a multi-billion dollar budget in 31 days?"

While Caltabiano served as chairperson of CB9’s Transportation Committee, she noticed that a street she often drove on to connect to Woodhaven Boulevard was dangerous because it was on an incline and drivers would often speed down the street trying to beat the traffic lights. She proposed that it be converted into a one-way street coming from Woodhaven Boulevard, and although it was an unpopular decision that inconvenienced many drivers including herself, it was the safest option.

“As a mother you put your things off to the side and you put your children ahead of yourself,” she said. “That's what our elected officials need to do, put their constituents ahead of themselves, and they don't."

Caltabiano realizes that running as a Republican has its drawbacks, but she remains confident that it’s her record that defines her, not her party.

“If they remember the things I've done or see the things that I'm doing now, they're the people that are going to go across the lines,” said Caltabiano. “Once they meet me I think they're going to like me. That's the impression I have."

Comaianni Supporter Calls Miller Racially Insensitive - YourNabe.com...

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Ex-Candidate Samaroo Says Assemblyman's Staff Lacks Minorities, But Miller Denies the Charge

An Indo-Guyanese supporter of a candidate hoping to oust state Assemblyman Michael Miller (D-Woodhaven) is claiming Miller is insensitive to minority communities in part because he alleged the assemblyman has no minorities working in his office.

But Miller said those assertions are outright false, saying two of his eight staffers are not white and that the claims by Farouk Samaroo were made out of bitterness that the freshman legislator won the election to replace disgraced ex-Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio in September.

Samaroo is the co-founder of the Southwest Queens Democratic Club with Nick Comaianni, who intends to challenge Miller in September’s Democratic primary.

Samaroo, a former staffer to ex-Flushing Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin, was a candidate in the race to replace Seminerio until Gov. David Paterson called for a special election for the seat.

Under special election rules, only candidates supported by the borough’s political parties are guaranteed a spot on the ballot and Miller gained the support of the Democratic and Conservative parties. Others looking to get on the ballot had to amass 1,500 signatures within six days of Paterson calling the special election. Samaroo dropped his candidacy because he believed the petition process was too difficult.

“All [Samaroo is] trying to do is make an issue out of last year,” said Miller, noting he has a Latino and a black staffer in his office.

Miller said he also works with Latchman Buddhai, an Indo-Guyanese civic leader in Richmond Hill.

“I don’t exclude anybody,” the assemblyman said.

Samaroo said Miller does not have an Indian American on his staff and said it was insulting the assemblyman has a staffer with the title “envoy to the Hispanic community.”

“It shows the degree of contempt and that he’s obviously out of his element,” Samaroo said.

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But Miller spokesman Nick Roloson said there is no such title.

“They’re trying to make an issue out of things that aren’t an issue,” Roloson said.

Samaroo also criticized Miller for choosing not to retain Seminerio’s Richmond Hill office, which he said the state is still paying rent on, and moving the district space to Glendale, out of the South Asian community, but the assemblyman said that is also false.

Miller said the state has a one-month buyout of every lease it holds and that he notified the state he would not be keeping Seminerio’s Richmond Hill office as soon as he took office.

He said he then moved temporarily to Seminerio’s Glendale office, but then relocated the district office to Woodhaven.

“I wanted to make sure that my district office is in the middle of the district,” Miller said. “I knew there’d be people like Farouk making comments like that.”

The district encompasses Glendale, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Woodhaven and Ridgewood.

“If anyone has any questions about anything, please contact my office and we’ll tell you the truth,” Miller said.

How Not to Publish a Campaign Website When Citing Your Experience in Education - 38th Assembly District Version - Part 2...

Click on image to enlarge...

As stated in my previous posting, I would think that if you are running on an education platform, you might want to spell things correctly on your campaign website..!

It's nice to see that the campaign must have seen my previous posting since they corrected the spelling error...but now an egregious grammatical error has appeared on the site...The following is directly from the web site (see screen grab above)...

"Our community has been experienced Overdevelopment that is destroying the character of our communities…"

Remember, this person is the President of Community Education Council 24, and is responsible for overseeing the Department of Education for the local community...I suggest that some remedial classes in basic English composition and spelling might be necessary...

I might add that if the campaign is in need of a proofreader, I might be available...

Former Opponents Join Forces In Immigrant Primary Challenge To Mike Miller By Chris Bragg - City Hall News

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When Gov. David Paterson reversed course last summer and decided to call a special election to replace now-jailed Assembly Member Anthony Seminerio, three candidates who wanted to run in a Democratic primary for the seat were forced out of the race.

The special election instead allowed the Queens Democratic Party to get its favored candidate for the seat, Mike Miller, on the Democratic line and avoid a contested primary. Miller went on to easily win a special election victory in the southwest Queens district over a Republican opponent.

Now, two of the Democratic candidates who could not run last year are teaming up to try ousting Miller in the fall. And Miller is not the only person who has raised their ire: they claim that the circumstances surrounding the special election were all part of a political deal to help Council Member Elizabeth Crowley.

Nick Comaianni, president of Community Education Council District 24, will announce his primary challenge against Miller at a meeting of the newly-formed Southwest Queens Democratic Club on May 6, he said.

Comaianni said he would draw on support of the parents he has come to know as the local school board president, as well as the sizable Indian and Latino communities who he says felt disenfranchised by the special election maneuvering last year.

“They don’t like it when a few people out of 125,000 get to determine who represents them in Albany,” Comaianni said.

In January, Comaianni founded the Southwest Queens Democratic Club with Farouk Samaroo, a young Afghan war veteran who, like Comaianni, wanted to run to replace Seminerio. The club had some 45 people at their first meeting, a number they attributed to anger over the special election.

In fact, Samaroo said the club will try to run a candidate not only for Assembly this year, but for every district leader, state committee, judicial delegate and county committee seat in the 38^th Assembly district, which covers Glendale, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood and Woodhaven

Samaroo asserted that the minority populations who make up the majority of the primary electorate were left behind last year by a deal cut between the Queens Democratic Party and a small group of mostly white, conservative Democrats in Glendale, who wanted Miller to replace Seminerio.

In exchange, according to Samaroo, these conservative Democrats promised to support Council Member Elizabeth Crowley—who was running for re-election against Republican Tom Ognibene—and who is the cousin of Queens Democratic Party chair Joe Crowley.

“The Hispanic and Indian populations got sacrificed for a little political deal for Liz Crowley,” Samaroo said. “Frankly, we’re a little upset about it.”

A source close to the Miller’s campaign last year echoed the idea that the special election had been called in order to help Elizabeth Crowley.

But Miller said that the accusations were false and part of a personal vendetta Comaianni has against Crowley.

“Nick has a problem with Elizabeth Crowley and every waking moment seems to think Elizabeth is doing things against him,” Miller said.

Miller said that the leadership of the South Asian community was, in fact, backing him and that he had brought on a part-time staffer to serve as an envoy to the Hispanic community.

He also said that if Samaroo and Comaianni had truly wanted to run in the special election, they could have petitioned onto the ballot and run as independents.

“The only people who were upset about the special election were Mr. Comaianni and Mr. Samaroo,” he said.

Elizabeth Crowley and Miller recently formed their own club, the 38th Assembly Regular Democratic Club, in order to mobilize a base of grassroots support.

If Albert Baldeo, another candidate knocked out by the special election last year also decides to run against Miller, it could cut into Comaianni’s support. Samaroo, however, said he had privately gotten Baldeo’s assurance several weeks ago that he would not run. Samaroo said he expected Baldeo to instead run for a district leader spot.
Reached for comment, Baldeo said he was not sure if he would run for the Assembly district, and declined to elaborate on his thinking.

If Miller makes it through the primary, he will also face a general election challenge. Republicans are running Donna Caltabiano, a party state committee member and senior center director, for the seat. Caltabiano lost the 2009 special election to Miller by 30 points.

Comaianni acknowledged that beating Miller now would be more difficult than last year, when Miller was not an incumbent.

But at the least, voters will a choice this year, he said.

“What I’m looking for is a fair election,” Comaianni said. “You’re going to have to earn it this time.”

How Not to Publish a Campaign Website When Citing Your Experience in Education - 38th Assembly District Version...

Click on image to enlarge...

I would think that if you are running on an education platform, you might want to spell things correctly on your campaign website...It's spelled Safety..!

Democrat Nick Comaianni -

Is the only candidate for Assembly with Leadership and Experience in the field of Education. Nick will put our children and families first in Albany.

First Meeting of the New 38th Assembly Regular Democratic Club at The Shops at Atlas Park - March 25th, 2010...

Goal: Push Strong Democratic Voice for All People in 38^th Assembly District

Club President Dolores (Dori) Capace address the audience.

Dozens of residents of the 38^th Assembly District showed up for the first meeting of the 38^th Assembly Regular Democratic Club last Thursday evening at the Shops at Atlas Park. Residents and Democratic Club board members talked about the importance of making sure local Democrats have a strong voice in city, state and national politics.

To start the meeting, one of the Club’s founders, Council Member Elizabeth S. Crowley said, “We need to come together as a community to support Democrats that represent our values and work to make sure our neighborhood has the voice it needs in New York City, Albany and Washington. We need to make sure our voice is heard loud and clear and we fight for people who represent our neighborhood well.”

NYC Council Member Elizabeth Crowley speaks.

Democratic District Leader Frank Kotnik talked about the importance making sure everybody had a platform to express their interests and talk about what issues area Democrats should tackle. “I want this Democratic Club to be a place where everyone can be with friends. We can talk about the issues that important to us and make sure we help elect people who share our priorities.”

The President of the 38^th Assembly Democratic Club, Dolores (Dori) Capace, said, “I have lived in this community for a long time and I believe we have a better hope for the future if we work together to bring about positive changes to our community.”

l. to r. President Dolores Capace, District Leader Frank Kotnik, Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley, Secretary Lydon Sleeper, Doris Figliola, District Leader Eleanor Errante and David Slavkin.

The 38^th Assembly Regular Democratic Club will meet the last Thursday of every month at 7:30 at the Shops at Atlas Park. All Democrats are welcome. The Democratic Club plans on having a series of speakers to talk about politics in New York City, Albany and Washington and over the course of the next year they hope to have major candidates for state and federal races visit, as well.

Representatives from State Senator Joe Addabbo and Assemblyman Mike Miller were also present at the meeting.