On The Brief Side...

Maltese Presents ‘Women of Distinction’

State Senator Serphin Maltese (R–C, Elmhurst) announced that Dr. Anne Paolucci and Ms. Angelo Forte will represent his district and Queens County at the senate’s salute to "Women of Distinction."

Maltese described Dr. Paolucci as an "internationally acclaimed scholar in multicomparitive studies, Italian literature, Shakespeare" and other fields of study. She is also an award-winning playwright and has twice been nominated for a Pultitzer prize.

Ms. Forte, he said, is an immediate past president of the Mario Lanza Lodge–Order of the Sons of Italy. As president, she organized many fund-raising activities for charitable organizations.

Tena Vallone supports Animal Protection Bill

Mrs. Tena Vallone, wife of City Council Speaker Peter Vallone (D–Astoria) testified at City Hall recently on behalf of an animal protection bill which would require an animal shelter in each borough and also require animals to be spayed or neutered prior to adoption or sale. The bill, sponsored by Speaker Vallone, was passed and signed into law by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on May 12th.

McLaughlin–Avella Program Eliminates ‘Eyesore’

Through the efforts of Assemblymember Brian McLaughlin (D–Flushing) and Tony Avella of the North Shore Anti-Graffiti Volunteers, a group of volunteers was enlisted to paint over graffiti sprayed on the First Church of the Nazarene at 45-11 149th St., Flushing.

The project was part of McLaughlin’s and Avella’s efforts to fight graffiti in the lawmaker’s district in Flushing.

Maloney Sees Hope In Cyprus Talks

Hoping for peace in Cyprus, Congressmember Carolyn Maloney (D–Manhattan/Queens) said that in the upcoming third round of talks between the Cypriots and Turks "it is very important that both sides begin narrowing the different issues between them.

Maloney, co-chair of the Congressional Hellenic caucus, told Hellenic leaders recently that the United States must stay involved in the talks. Maloney also called for a halt in attack helicopter sales to Turkey by United States manufacturers.

Atlantic BankGets New President

Thomas M. O’Brien, a Long Islander formerly with North Fork Bancorp, also on L.I., has been named president and Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Bank, replacing Peter L. Venitis.

O’Brien’s appointment was made by the National Bank of Greece, Atlantic Bank’s parent company O’Brien will be based at Two World Trade Center while Atlantic Banks flagship building at 960 Avenue of the Americas undergoes a renovation.

Leffler Wants Housing Code Enforcement Funds

The Giuliani administration must provide more funds to hire housing code inspectors and improve enforcement against violators, City Councilmember Sheldon Leffler (D–Queens Village) declared last week. Joining housing advocates and other lawmakers at a City Hall rally, Leffler said more funds are also needed for anti-eviction legal services and the City-Wide Task Force on Housing Court. His purpose in demanding the increased funding was "to keep tenants in their homes."

Local Women At AARP Convention

Rosemarie E. Cola of Jackson Heights and Gwendolyn V. Vaughn of Jamaica were among 250 delegates elected nationwide to represent American Association of Retired Persons members at "AARP Celebrates 2000," the senior advocate group’s biennial convention in Orlando lest week. Both Cola and Vaughn presently serve as volunteer congressional district coordinators for AARP/VOTE, the association’s nonpartisan voter education programs.

Harrison Kin Elected To London City Council

City Councilmember Julia Harrison (D–Flushing) has been all smiles recently, bursting with pride over the election of a member of her family, Ryness Featherstone, to a seat on the London City Council. The May 4th balloting was held to choose the first democratically elected City Council in London’s history.

State Adds Funds For Urban Homeowners

Assemblymember Ivan Lafayette (D–Jackson Heights) reports that $30 million has been included in the 2000–2001 budget for emergency home repair loans for seniors, assistance for urban homeowners and funding for public housing modernization. There is also available $4 million in low-interest loans for developers seeking to gain access to federal funding for construction of affordable housing.