Ion
politics
By John Toscano
Pols Join In Protest To ‘Tanks’ Property Development Plan

Public officials from both sides of the aisle will join with community leaders from Maspeth, Middle Village, and Elmhurst this Saturday for a massive protest rally against KeySpan Energy’s sale of the Elmhurst gas tanks and the plans for a huge development on the six-acre site.

The political contingent will consist of Congressmembers Joseph Crowley (D–Queens/Bronx) and Anthony Weiner (D–Brooklyn/Queens), state Senator Serphin Maltese (R–C, Middle Village), Assemblymembers Margaret Markey (D–Maspeth) and Michael Cohen (D–Forest Hills), and City Councilmembers Dennis Gallagher (R–C, Middle Village) and Melinda Katz (D–Forest Hills).

Crowley and Markey are Democratic District Leaders in the area and Maltese is the Queens Republican Party County Leader, so there’s plenty of political weight in this group.

Katz and Cohen’s respective legislative districts include part of Middle Village.

The lawmakers had been holding talks with KeySpan regarding the possible purchase of the tanks property, which would then be developed for community use, but this never panned out. The Community wants a park built on the site.

Subsequently, KeySpan sold the property to developers the Mattone Group and Starwood Ceruzzi (MGSC). They plan to build a big box complex that includes a Home Depot super store and a bank, which the community strongly opposes.

Robert Holden and his Juniper Park Civic Association and an ad hoc group, Community Task Force of Maspeth, Elmhurst and Middle Village, are leading the opposition to the building plans.

The two civic groups charge that not only will the development bring too much traffic to the mostly residential area, but also that the site is already contaminated with lead.

The civic groups, led by Holden, want the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to initiate a comprehensive study of lead levels, both on the KeySpan land and surrounding private residential properties.

It looks like a battle royal is in prospect. By a strange twist of political fate, it pits Joseph Mattone, head of the Mattone Group, against former friends and neighbors. Many years ago, Mattone had a law office on Grand Avenue in Maspeth. He later became one of former Governor Mario Cuomo’s most trusted supporters and then one of the most prominent developers in this area.

CROWLEY: EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: The House of Representatives is set to adjourn shortly. Under current law, unemployment benefits will expire December 31 for millions of out-of-work Americans while Congress is in recess.

Congressmember Joseph Crowley called on his colleagues in Congress last week to extend the federal benefits program for an additional six months, increase the benefits for another 26 weeks, resume coverage for about 1 million workers who have already exhausted their benefits and expand unemployment insurance to low-wage and part-time workers.

Crowley said extending the benefits and putting some money in the hands of millions of unemployed would also help to stimulate the economy.

Last year, Congress went on its year-end vacation without extending the benefits period, Crowley said. [Congress] cannot in good conscience adjourn for the year without making sure millions of unemployed workers get some help.

BUSY NIGHT: The evening of Thursday, Nov. 13 is going to be a pretty busy night in Astoria. Assemblymember Michael Gianaris (D–Astoria) is holding his annual Town Hall meeting, co-sponsored by the United Community Civic Association (UCCA) from 7 to 10 p.m. at the American Museum of the Moving Image (AMMI) at 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria.

That same night, at the same time, Gus Prentzas, 36th AD Democratic state committeeman, is holding a fundraiser at the Zodiac Restaurant, 30-15 Newtown Ave., Astoria, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Some pols may have a conflict deciding which to attend, but we don’t think this should be too much of a problem.

Gianaris said his event was planned last spring, when invitations were first sent and arrangements first made. In confirming Gianaris’ statement, Rose Marie Poveromo, UCCA president, pointed out that nine city department heads were invited to participate as well as the Port Authority, the Queens District Attorney’s office and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

Gianaris was not listed as a ceremonial host for Prentzas’ event although state Senator George Onorato, Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. and Democratic County Chairman Thomas Manton were.

But if Gianaris was left out because Prentzas was annoyed about the competition from the Town Hall meeting, then why wasn’t Poveromo also snubbed? She’s listed as being on the event committee for the fundraiser.

Prentzas’ reply as to why Gianaris wasn’t listed was simply, "Ask him." He added, "I’m pretty sure he’ll be dropping in. My relations with all the public officials are very good. There’s no friction." Gianaris said he had no idea why he was snubbed. He said there was no intention to hurt Prentzas’ fundraiser, reiterating that his meeting was planned several months ago. He said he’s been on good terms with Prentzas who, as a Democratic state committeeman, votes on designations for such statewide offices as Attorney General, which Gianaris has his eye on in the future.

"I always try to work with anyone who’s trying to help the community," said Gianaris.

Sources within the political community reported that George Delis, Community Board 1 district manager, a close friend of Prentzas and a co-chairman of his fundraising committee, influenced Prentzas to keep Gianaris off the host committee. Delis refused to discuss this with us, but our sources insisted the information we got was solid. Perhaps we’ll hear more fallout from this in the future.

ONORATO ALERT ON COP EXAM: State Senator George Onorato is encouraging any constituent interested in a career as a New York City police officer to look into four upcoming opportunities to take the entrance exam, the first step in becoming a cop. The exams will be held February 20, 21, 26 and 29. In order to take the test, aspirants must file an application with the Police Department by November 14.

Applications and more information about the exam are available by calling the Police Department recruitment unit at 1-212-RECRUIT (1-212-732-7848). Apply online at www.nyc.gov/nypd.

"These exams are a great opportunity for local people who want to serve their communities as members of the New York Police Department," Onorato concluded.