38th AD Race Loses Two Candidates by Lisa Fogarty - Queens Chronicle

Read original...

Democrats Lourdes Ventura, left, and Nick Comaianni will run in 2010 for a full term in the 38th District Assembly seat.

The list of candidates running for the 38th District Assembly seat dwindled further this week when Lourdes Ventura, former counsel to state Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) and counsel for Latino and Immigrant Affairs, and Nick Comaianni, Community Education Council of District 24 president, announced they are taking a rain check on campaigning until next year’s election for the full-term seat.

Ventura and Comaianni sought the Democratic endorsement in the Sept. 15 special election to fill the seat left vacant when former Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio resigned and pleaded guilty to fraud charges two months ago. When Democratic Party leaders chose Mike Miller, who has also received the Conservative and Independent Party endorsements, both candidates joined fellow Democrats Albert Baldeo and Farouk Samaroo and bowed out of the race.

All four contenders have said they will run in November 2010 for a full term, when they will face Miller or Republican candidate Donna Marie Caltabiano.

“I’m a resident in the district, have a young child and wanted to make a difference,” Ventura explained as her motivation behind running.

Prior to joining the Senate staff, Ventura worked as an associate at Ahmuty, Demers & McManus, a civil litigation firm. In addition, she served as an assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office from 2002 until 2006, where she investigated complaints and prosecuted cases involving allegations of unlawful discrimination in housing, education and places of accommodation, such as hotels.

In addition to heading CEC 24, Comaianni is a United States Navy veteran and chairman of Community Board 9’s education committee. He’s also a member of the board of directors at his Forest Park condominium complex, where he said he has witnessed firsthand the struggles seniors face fighting to maintain homes they worked hard to buy but can no longer afford to keep.

Assembly a Full-time Job for Mike Miller by Lisa Fogarty - Queens Chronicle

Read original...

The Democratic primary is two months away, but 38th District Assembly candidate Michael Miller has already earned a coveted endorsement from the Queens Conservative Party and the support of several key community leaders, including City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) and Democratic District Leader Frank Kotnik.

Considering the early fanfare and his community accomplishments, it’s little wonder the 48-year-old Community Board 5 member appeared both serene and confident at his first fundraiser, held Tuesday evening at Shiro’s in Atlas Park.

“I’ve been a community leader for a long time,” Miller said. “I saw what was going on in my district and wanted to put my two cents in. I want to be the one people come to when they need things done.”

The actions in his district Miller refers to, of course, include the recent resignation of former Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio, who pleaded guilty to fraud charges. The office has remained vacant for almost two months and six candidates — Democrats Miller, Albert Baldeo, Nick Comaianni, Farouk Samaroo, Lourdes Ventura and Republican Donna Marie Caltabiano — are vying to take the seat.

Although he’s new to campaigning, Miller has been a leader in his district for over 20 years. As a past board member of the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council, he helped the small neighborhood organization create a community center on Myrtle Avenue, where it was able to expand and eventually employ 200 workers that serve 6000 residents. He helped raise money for the Glendale Volunteer Ambulance Corps to puchase a new ambulance and has received numerous awards and citations from the Glendale Civilian Observation Patrol and the New York City Police Department for his time spent patrolling the community as a past vice president and current board member of the GCOP and for efforts in ridding the neighborhood of graffiti — which he cites as one major way to improve quality of life in a community.

The past president of the Glendale Kiwanis and past lieutenant governor of Queens West Kiwanis said he is a staunch advocate for education, seniors, war veterans and people with disabilities. He started the Forest Park Aktion Club, a Kiwanis club for adults with mental disabilities, which he considers one of his greatest achievements.

“This is a group of people that really didn’t have much,” Miller said. “They run the club themselves.”

The candidate, who is currently seeking the Democatic endorsement, supports funding for the creation of affordable housing for seniors, as well as after-school programs and technology that will allow schools to keep up with the times.

As a branch manager for Tiger Federal Credit Union’s only New York office, Miller has helped New Yorkers secure loans for their first homes, cars and college educations. He was also the bank’s community liaison, credited for maintaining relationships with companies and organizations such as the New York Racing Association and Catholic Archdiocese of New York.

“I enjoy getting that car loan for somebody,” he said. “At Christmas, I like getting them their holiday bonuses.”

Regardless of how full his schedule would become as assemblyman, Miller said his number one duty is to serve his constittuents.

“For me, it’s not a part-time job,” he said. “I’m not going to be running a business.”