South Queens Democratic Club - Meeting at Carosello Restaurant on May 25th - 7:30pm

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South Queens Democratic Club Monthly Meeting - October 20th, 2010 at Carosello Restaurant

What: South Queens Democratic Club Monthly Meeting - October 2010

When: Wednesday October 20th, 2010

Time: 7:30 pm

Where: Carosello Restaurant 162-54 Crossbay Blvd

South Queens Democratic Club Meeting - August 25th 7pm - Old Mill Yacht Club

Where: Old Mill Yacht Club 163-15 Crossbay Blvd

When: August 25th

Time: 7 pm

Charles Park Still Waiting After All These Years by Bryan Yurcan - Queens Chronicle

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Parents of the tennis students say the courts, shown below, are dangerous due to sea shells scattered about them and cracks in the pavement PHOTO BY BRYAN YURCAN

After years of hearing promises and placating answers, Howard Beach residents that have long made use of Frank M. Charles Park finally thought federal funding would became available to fix the park’s dilapidated tennis courts, baseball fields and make other improvements. Some residents say has not yet happened, though a representative from Gateway National Recreation Area said the money is in hand and on its way.

Local residents have long accused Gateway, which the park sits in, of ignoring the upkeep of Charles Park.

But in March, a community meeting was conducted where National Parks Service officials announced an appropriation of $200,000 that would be spent immediately on park repairs. Officials also vowed to form a new partnership that would ensure the community’s only green space no longer plays second fiddle to other priorities.

But those who use Charles Park regularly and live in the community say that has been just another in a long line of empty promises.

“This park is the only green space we have in this community,” said Dorothy McCloskey, director of the Friends of Charles Park Committee. “I think the National Parks Service can do a lot better. There’s a great deal of property that’s been neglected for a long time, and it’s a shame.”

McCloskey said the talk during the March meeting of an increased communication between Gateway and the community has not come to pass.

“They feel like they are not answerable to the community,” she said. “We have been trying to improve this park for years.”

Dave Taft, coordinator of the Jamaica Bay unit of Gateway, said the money is in hand and on its way.

“We do have the money, and the park is exploring the best way to spend it,” he said.

Taft added that Gateway is looking at improvements to the ballfields, and will soon be putting out a bid to renovate the tennis courts. He said Gateway is also going to be removing dead trees from the park.

Meanwhile, McCloskey is skeptical the money will be seen anytime soon.

She said current Superintendent of Gateway National Recreation Area, Barry Sullivan, is set to retire this month, and McCloskey feels the transition period during which a new director is brought in will only delay the receiving of the $200,000.

“We haven’t seen a dime of that money and I don’t know when we will,” she said.

Parents of children who use the park for recreation activities said the longer the park is allowed to fall into disrepair, the less safe it will be for kids.

“It’s dangerous, quite honestly,” said Jean Trotta, whose daughter takes tennis lessons at the park. She pointed out the array of broken seashells scattered across the tennis courts as one hazard faced by kids and adults alike.

“I’ve never, ever seen this park in good condition,” she said.

A comment from Congressman Gregory Meeks’ office could not be obtained as of press time. Meeks’ district includes Charles Park.

Frank Gulluscio, who is head of the South Queens Democratic Club and a longtime Charles Park advocate, called the neglect of the park on the part of the NPS “simply atrocious.”

Gulluscio agreed with residents who said playing in the park could become dangerous if it continues to not be kept properly.

“You take your life into your own hands running the fields in there,” he said.

Ultimately, Gulluscio believes the greatest tragedy of the park is the potential of what it could become if it received the proper care from the NPS.

“It should be a shining star for the National Parks Service to show what they can do in the middle of a city,” he said. “That is not currently the case.”

New Voting Machines Still Cause Concerns by Stephen Geffon - Queens Chronicle

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Democratic District Leader Frank Gulluscio and Community Board 10 Chairwoman Betty Braton, center, hear more information about the new voting machines from Barbara Conacchio of the city Board of Elections. Photo by Stephen Geffon

With just over five months to go before the mandated implementation of new voting machines, which will be used in the September primaries, many south Queens residents still have concerns about the new vote counters.

Barbara Conacchio, chief clerk of the city Board of Elections for Queens, sought to assure residents that the BOE had the situation under control at last Wednesday’s meeting of the South Queens Democratic Club in Howard Beach.

But many still had their doubts.

“This machine better be worth the change,” said Frank Dardani, president of the Ozone Tudor Civic Association, who added he feels that if the new optical scanning voting machines are perceived as too complicated, people will not come out to vote.

A Howard Beach resident identified only as Alan agreed. “One can reasonably expect a lot of confusion, along with longer wait times in line to vote,” he said.

One resident asked Conacchio if she thinks the old mechanical voting machines were better, having been used for the past 50 years without major problems.

The chief clerk noted that the change is part of the city’s compliance with the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, which mandated, among other measures, the replacement of lever machines and implementation of voting systems with a permanent paper record.

Just how the votes from the new machines would be counted was also a concern of some audience members.

Conacchio said she is not sure how the votes would be tabulated. “That’s still up for grabs,” she said, adding that one suggestion is that the optical scanner be opened up and the ballots taken out.

But Conacchio said she is not in favor of that because she does not want a “live” ballot touched by a poll worker.

Another idea being considered by the BOE is reviewing the vote count from the machine tape at the end of the night, Conacchio said. That method has a drawback, however, since the machine can run out of tape.

Residents and community officials offered their views about the new voting machines.

“In the months remaining in the run-up to the 2010 elections there is a lot of work to do to ensure voters are made familiar with the new machines and procedures,” said Community Board 10 Chairwoman Betty Braton. “I appreciate that the Board of Elections has begun coming out to communities to start providing information.”

Election poll worker Gloria Klieger of Howard Beach, who worked at John Adams High School in the last election, called the situation with the new voting machines “a big mess.” She added, “In my opinion, until it’s ironed out there will be a lot of problems.”

Last February, the city Board of Elections selected Elections Systems & Software’s DS200 Scanner and the AutoMark Ballot Marking Device to replace the Shoup 3.2 mechanical voting machine, used in city polling places for about half a century.

The ES&S DS200 scanner is a portable electronic voting system that uses an optical scanner to read marked paper ballots and tally the results. The system allows for paper ballots to be immediately tabulated at each poll site. The DS200 also notifies voters of any voting errors and allows them to immediately correct those.

The ES&S AutoMARK is a ballot marking device that allows any voter, including those with disabilities, to mark a paper ballot privately and independently by using either its touch screen, Braille-enhanced keypad, sip and puff device or rocker paddle. Voters may view the ballot on an adjustable screen or can listen to their choices being read over headphones.

The use of the optical scan voting machines the city intends to use in the September primary and November elections may be blocked if a recent lawsuit initiated by Nassau County succeeds. In court papers the county attorney said the state law requiring use of the new machines violates the state constitution.

According to court documents the county attorney said the law jeopardizes state elections by “disregarding highly regarded lever machines and substituting computerized voting technology that is notoriously vulnerable to systematic hacking, tampering, manipulation and malfunction.”

A nonprofit group called the Election Transparency Coalition says it is also preparing to file a lawsuit against the state. On its website, ETC says it “seeks a court declaration that concealed vote counting, as mandated by the Election Reform and Modernization Act, is unconstitutional” and that such a ruling would preserve the existing transparent voting system and establish a precedent for the rest of the nation.

South Queens Democratic Club March Meeting - March 24th...

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GUEST SPEAKER

BARBARA CONACCHIO,

CHIEF CLERK – QUEENS BOARD OF ELECTIONS

Date: Wednesday March 24, 2010

Time: 7:30 P.M.

Place: Carosello’s Restaurant

South Queens Democratic Club - Next Meeting January 27th at Carosello's Restaurant in Howard Beach...

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South Queens Democratic Club January 2010 Meeting

When: January 27th, 2010
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Carosello's Restaurant 163rd Ave & Crossbay Blvd, Howard Beach

Guest Speakers:

Rep Anthony Weiner and
Tracy Catapano-Fox, President - Women's Bar Association

South Queens Democratic Club Meeting Notice - September 23 - 7:30 pm

South Queens Democratic Club Meeting

When: September 23, 2009
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Carosello's Restaurant
Crossbay Blvd and 162nd Avenue, Howard Beach, NY

Gulluscio to Run for City Council in November by Lisa Fogarty - Queens Chronicle

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Frank Gulluscio certainly has the resume of a future city councilman.

The civic leader began his career as a teacher before moving into the private sector as a chief financial officer for a sales and marketing corporation. He left the corporate world to take a position as an aide to then-councilman Joseph Addabbo Jr. He now serves on Community Board 6 in Forest Hills as a district manager. Both responsibilities solidified his desire to enter public office.

Last February, in a special election to fill the vacant council seat left when Addabbo was elected to the Senate, Gulluscio finally got the chance to throw his hat in the political ring. But, as he discovered, a political campaign isn’t always the fairest of battlegrounds.

Gulluscio was pulled from the race for reasons that remain murky. Some accounts say his petitions featured a star and were printed on green paper, which is a Democratic trademark and not allowed in a special election. Gulluscio said one of his contenders — Democrat Geraldine Chapey — was focused on getting him off the ballot, which resulted in court visits and lost time and votes.

“It will be a couple of chapters in my book,” Gulluscio said.

The candidate, who heads the South Queens Democratic Club, said he knew even before the last race ended that he would run again in November.

“I’m running because I’m the people’s candidate,” he said. “I’ve been involved in this community my entire life. I’m a well-rounded resident. I do the job every day.”

Addabbo agreed.

“His educational background, small business background and community involvement certainly surpass that of any candidate out there,” he said.

Gulluscio’s first fundraiser was held on Thursday, April 23 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Roma View, located at 160-05 Cross Bay Blvd.

Gulluscio Hits Ground Running for 2009 by Stephen Geffon - Leader-Observer

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More than 200 enthusiastic Frank Gulluscio supporters packed the Roma View Room in Howard Beach last Thursday evening with Democratic elected legislators from the area to raise funds for Gulluscio’s upcoming City Council race in the 32nd District.

Gulluscio is expected to face some of his prior opponents in the September 2009 Democratic Primary and, if successful, the incumbent Republican Councilman Eric Ulrich in the November 2009 General Election. Speaker after speaker touted Gulluscio's night as eminently qualified to become the area's next council representative.

Congressman Gregory Meeks said Gulluscio is dedicated to the community and has made a substantial difference.

"In Frank Gulluscio, we have a man that we know we can depend upon when times are hard," said Meeks, adding, "he's ready to serve."

Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer, who is co-leader with Gulluscio of the South Queens Democratic Club and has worked with him for many years, said, "I know what Frank can do, I know what he has done, I know what he will continue to do."

Pheffer said that in his current position as district manager of Community Board 6 in Forest Hills, "he really knows what has to be done and what could be done and what should be done (in city government)."

State Senator Joseph Addabbo told the audience that when he was the area's councilman, Gulluscio was always with him when the tough financial decisions had to be made. Addabbo said it is clear, without a doubt, that Gulluscio has the best all-around qualifications to represent the area as councilman.

Coming to the podium with the theme music from Rocky playing in the background, Gulluscio received a cheering standing ovation from the audience. He told his supporters that he would be a councilman of the people, "a real person that will represent the north, the south, the east, and the west of this district."

Gulluscio also said his campaign would be a personal, grassroots, door-to-door, block-to-block effort to win the council seat and represent the community.

"I am running to ensure that all of us of this district has a voice and a strong advocate at City Hall," he said. "I pledge to work for the needs and the interests of all the residents in this district."

More good words about Gulluscio came from Lindenwood resident Joan Vasta, who said, "I trust Frank completely, he's a man of his word."

Marie Mauro, also of Lindenwood, said she is a great believer in Gulluscio and is supporting him because "I think he's going to do a great work for the community."

She said that she went out and got petitions for Gulluscio when he ran in the Special Election last February. Gulluscio was eventually tossed from the ticket over technical reasons in the nonpartisan election.

"The first time it was a disappointment,” she said, “but this time he's going to make it and we're going to make sure that he makes it."

South Queens Democratic Club Meeting Notice - Carosello's Restaurant - March 25th - 7:30 pm....

South Queens Democratic Club Meeting

March 25th - 7:30 pm

Carosello's Restaurant - Crossbay Boulevard & 163rd Avenue Howard Beach, NY

South Queens Democratic Club Meeting on October 21st at Carosello Restaurant

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South Queens Democrats Honor Local Leaders - Queens Chronicle

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For the 42nd year in a row, the South Queens Democratic Club will hold its annual Dinner Dance on Oct. 20 at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach.

The event, allows the club to honor residents who have given back to their communities, according to District Leader Frank Gulluscio.

This year, the club has chosen to honor five community leaders — people who “build and strengthen the community in every way shape and form,” according to Gulluscio.

All of this year’s honorees are residents of Howard Beach, but their leadership has extended to neighborhing communities.

John Engler
St. Barnabas Boy Scouts

Throughout his 34 years as Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 237, John Engler has received many service-related awards, including The Queens Federation of Churches’ Shepherd Emblem and the Boy Scouts of America’s District Award of Merit and Silver Beaver.

Engler has served as the treasurer of Boy Scout Troop 237 for 29 years and as the vice president of the Saint Barnabas Church congregation for 15 years. The church is Engler’s second home.

One of his proudest Scouting accompishments was serving on the committee that commissioned Boy Scouting to allow Cub Scouts to camp. A pilot program was established in Queens and camping for Cub Scouts was eventually adopted nationwide.

Anthony Battaglia
Rockwood Park Basketball League

At the age of 15, Anthony Battaglia and his family moved from Park Slope, Brooklyn to Ozone Park. He brought with him his love of sports.

After serving as a New York City school bus driver for 25 years, Battaglia moved with his wife and two children to Howard Beach in 1989. Soon after arriving in the community, he was invited by former P.S. 207 Principal Guy Rossiello to organize a boys and girls basketball league.

He created the Rockwood Park Summer Basketball League, which is sponsored by the Police Athletic League. More than 500 children, ages 9 through 18, play in the league, which will begin its 20th year next summer.

Pamela Baumann
New York Families for Autistic Children

Pamela Baumann describes herself as a tireless advocate on behalf of her community and her three children.

She has served as P.T.A. president for P.S. 232 and on the board of M.S. 202’s P.T.A., and has been part of the School Leadership Team at both.

Baumann has also served as president of the District Council P.T.A. Presidents. She won the “Woman of Distinction” award for her work with children with disabilities.

She was honored by the New York City Council, Queens Borough President, New York State Senate and Assembly, and U.S. Congress for her work as the Director of Operations at New York Families for Autistic Children, which she founded with her husband, Andrew, in 1998.

Andrew Baumann
New York Families for Autistic Children

Andrew Baumann has been in the human services field for 25 years. He is the president and CEO of New York Families of Autistic Children, which he and his wife, Pamela, founded in 1998.

Baumann is an adjunct Professor of Psychology at Queens College. He serves on Gov. David Paterson’s Task Force for Autism and is a charter member of the World Autism Organization, which represents 26 countries. Baumann also sits on the Best Practices in Special Education committee of the city Department of Education.

He is also the president of the District 27 Community Education Council District and an Executive Board Member of the Howard Beach Civic Association.

In 2000 he founded the Autism Coalition of Empire State, which serves more than 50 thousand families. He has also served as chairman of the NYC Autism Task Force.

Peter Marino
Howard Beach Civic Forum

Peter Marino has been involved with the Howard Beach community since he became part of it in 1972.

Immediately after moving into the neighborhood, Marino and his wife, Irene, became involved in St. Helen R. C. Church, where he serves as the director of hospitality.

Marino is a member of the men’s prayer group and has been a member of the Holy Name Society for 26 years: he was president four times and a board member for 14 years. Marino is also a Eucharististic minister.

For the last nine years, Marino has been the chairperson for the Long Island Blood Drive.

Marino has been an active member of the Howard Beach Civic Forum since its inception. He was appointed to the board of directors for four years.

©Queens Chronicle 2008

South Queens Democratic Club Dinner Honors Local Leaders at Russo's on the Bay - Queens Chronicle

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Five community leaders were honored Monday night (October 20th) at the 42nd annual South Queens Democratic Club Dinner Dance. Elected officials joined the celebration.

From left: Congressman Anthony Weiner, Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer, Honorees Pamela Bauman, Andrew Bauman, John Engler, Anthony Battaglia and Peter Marino, City Councilman Joseph Addabbo Jr., District Leader Frank Gulluscio, Community Board 10 Chairwoman Betty Braton and Congressman Gregory Meeks.

Battaglia, left, with Gulluscio and Braton.

Gulluscio presents plaques to the Baumans.

South Queens Democratic Club Meeting - September 24th at the Old Mill Yacht Club...

District Leader Frank Gulluscio and Executive Board member Betty Braton
(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer

Councilman Joe Addabbo

The September meeting of the South Queen Democratic Club was held at the Old Mill Yacht Club on September 24th...

District Leader Frank Gulluscio speaks to the membership

CM Addabbo

The meeting was attend by about 50-60 members and was chaired by District Leader Frank Gulluscio and Executive Board member Betty Braton...The speakers were Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer and City Councilman Joe Addabbo...

Nellie Santiago and daughter with Joe Addabbo...(unidentified man in rear)

Angela and Mario Russo

The two local members of Congress, Rep Gregory Meeks and Rep Anthony Weiner were scheduled to attend the meeting but were unable to leave Washington, DC due to the ongoing Wall Street bailout negotiations...

Nellie Santiago and daughter with John Marus

Dotty and Sunny

All of the speakers stressed the need to Get Out The Vote on November 4th and urged members to make sure the vote all the way down the ballot, as the most critical races to the community are at the bottom of the ballot...

Dotty and Sunny

Irving and Jennie Stuart with CM Addabbo

The members were informed that they want to vote from the bottom up on the ballot to assure that they vote in the local races...Turn out is important...bring a friend to the polls on Election Day..!

Martin Auerbach and CM Addabbo

Albert Baldeo with Joe Addabbo

South Queens Democratic Club Meeting - September 24th 7:30 pm at Old Mill Yacht Club

September 2008
South Queens Democratic Club Meeting

Invited guests:

Representative Gregory Meeks, Representative Anthony Weiner, State Senator Shirley Huntley, Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer and City Councilmember Joe Addabbo

When: Wednesday, September 24th - 7:30 pm
Where: Old Mill Yacht Club - 163-15 Crossbay Blvd - Howard Beach, NY 11414

All are welcome...light refreshments served...

Gulluscio Fundraiser A Successful Event - Queens Chronicle

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Frank and Elizabeth Gulluscio enjoy a dance together at a campaign fundraiser on June 27 at the Old Mill Yacht Club, located on Cross Bay Boulevard in Howard Beach. Calling it a successful event, Gulluscio said close to 100 people attended and there was a lot of dancing to music provided by DJ Louis.

Photo : Michael O'Kane

Fundraiser - Gulluscio for City Council June 27 at Old Mill Yacht Club, Howard Beach...

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Serf's Up With First TV Ad by Elizabeth Benjamin - The Daily Politics - NY Daily News

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Queens Republican Sen. Serphin Maltese, the Democrats' top target in their quest to take control of the Senate this fall, is up on the air with his first TV ad more than six months before the election.

According to Maltese's campaign, this is the first of a series of ads (the next will highlight his crime-fighting record) that will be running "on a heavy cable television schedule" throughout the 15th SD. Channels include everything from CNN and TNT to NY1.

The spot is scheduled to start airing tonight. The campaign would not release details about either the size of the buy or the duration of time the ad will air.

It's hard to overstate how unusual this is. Generally speaking, state lawmakers wait until at least after the legislative session ends in June to begin campaigning for re-election.

But given how Maltese came so close to losing his seat in 2006 to Democrat Al Baldeo, who received zero assistance from the Democratic Party, the Republicans are clearly giving this election the pull-court-press treatment.

Maltese recently said he has been assured by Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno that the GOP is willing to spend "as much as it takes" - the $1 million figure was bandied about - to keep him in office.

The Democrats are planning to run Councilman Joe Addabbo, who recently held a fundraiser, but Baldeo says he wants to take another crack at unseating Maltese and threatens to remain in the general election on a minor party line of his own creation even if he loses a Democratic primary.

Interestingly, the spot prominently features former Gov. Eliot Spitzer and makes no mention of the fact that he's no longer in office. No doubt the Republicans hope to remind viewers of the Democratic leader who was felled by a prostitution scandal without actually pointing that out.

Here's the script:

State Senator Serf Maltese. You see Serf in the neighborhood all the time. But did you know he works just as hard in Albany? Good thing, too.

When Gov. Spitzer tried to slash $440 million in local education funding, Serf Maltese fought back and won.

When Spitzer moved to cut $350 million from our hospitals and nursing homes. Maltese stood up for us, and saved vital services.

Serf Maltese, fighting for Queens, delivering for you.

Gulluscio Launches Campaign by Lee Landor - Queens Chronicle

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Friends of Frank Gulluscio, who is running for the 32nd District City Council seat in November 2009, held a campaign kickoff and dessert reception on Thursday, April 10 at the Roma View, a catering hall located at 160-05 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach.

More than 300 guests attended the two-hour event, which began at 7:30 p.m. and raised more than $30,000. Among the participants were St. Mary’s Gate of Heaven students, above, holding posters and throwing confetti. Many of the students are cast members of the school’s “Beauty and the Beast” show, which Gulluscio produced and directed.