Vallone Signs Books At Seaburn

Photo Rose Albergo Former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr. (r.), his son, City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. (l.) and Sam Chegwas, proprietor of Seaburn Book Store, 33-18 Broadway, Long Island City, pose at a book-signing for Vallone Sr.'s memoir of his life as a leading New York City political figure.

Former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr.'s memoir of his life and career in New York City politics was the center of attention at a book-signing event at Seaburn Book Store on Broadway in Long Island City last Thursday at 7 p.m. Some 15 people braved post-snowstorm travel inconvenience to attend the book-signing and some one-third of those present bought copies of Vallone Sr.'s Learning to Govern: My Life In New York City Politics From Hell Gate to City Hall (Richard Altschuler & Associates, Inc./Chaucer Press, 2005, 278 pp.; $20). Vallone also autographed copies of the book.

"I was honored to be their host," Sam Chegwas, Seaburn Book Store proprietor, said. He added that the former council speaker, who was accompanied by his wife, Tena, and son, Peter Jr., who presently holds the 22nd Council District seat, "was in good spirits" and thanked his audience for coming. For their part, those in attendance appreciated the opportunity to show their gratitude for Vallone Sr.'s years of service to his constituents and the city, Chegwas said. Vallone Jr. presented Chegwas with a City Council citation and Chegwas said he hoped it indicated the councilmember's willingness to assist small independent booksellers like Seaburn Book Store as well as major chain booksellers, which Vallone Jr. has said he wants to see in Astoria. "Tell us what programs we need to have in order to grow and we'll start them," Chegwas said.