The recently installed new leadership of the Queens Republican Party, which promised it would embark on new initiatives, moved last week to revitalize the borough's Young Republican organization.

The party's new leader, Philip Ragusa, struck the right tone for the occasion as he invited the 50 young GOPers present to attend a candidates' school scheduled for next Saturday.

"More information is available on our Web site, www.qgop.com," he told them. "Like yourselves, this Web site is emblematic of a modern, forward-looking Republican Party."

Joining Ragusa in welcoming the revitalized group were the county's two state lawmakers, state Senators Frank Padavan (Bellerose) and Serphin Maltese (Middle Village).

At the event, held at the Bourbon Room on Bell Boulevard in Bayside, other leaders present were county organization officials Vice Chairman Vince Tabone and Executive Director Gloria Piekarski; Young Republican Chairman Richard A. Alicea, and the county organization's director, Daniel Egers.

The event was described by Ragusa and Alicea as part of an effort to spearhead a resurgence of the Young Republicans "in tandem with the leaders' objectives "to revitalize and rebuild the GOP's grassroots base".

YOUNG REPUBLICANS' COCKTAIL PARTY BENEFITING CITY PARKS FOUNDATION A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS: From left, Queens County Republican Party Vice Chairman Vince Tabone, State Senator Serphin R. Maltese (R-Glendale), Queens County Republican Party Executive Director Gloria Piekarski, Queens County Young Republican Chairman Richard A. Alicea, State Senator Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose), Queens County Republican Party Chairman Phil Ragusa and Queens County Republican Party Director Daniel Egers at the Queens County Young Republicans' cocktail party benefiting the City Parks Foundation, held on May 3, 2007 at Bourbon Street Restaurant in Bayside.

Part of the proceeds of the cocktail party were earmarked for the City Parks Foundation, a parks advocacy group. Egers, who doubles as the Young Republicans' vice chair, said this demonstrated that Republicans, "do, in fact care about the environment... despite whatever misconceptions people may have, as evidenced by the sterling record of environmental stewardship of Senators Padavan and Maltese".

GIANARIS FILES DNA BILL: Several bills calling for easier implementation of the use of DNA to determine a prison inmate's guilt or innocence have been filed by Assembly Democrats, among them one sponsored by Assemblymember Michael Gianaris. The Gianaris bill would establish an independent commission of government and law enforcement officials who would study wrongful convictions in New York state and seek ways to prevent them.

WEINER DRAWS OPPOSITION: Last week, an anti-car group, Transportation Alternatives, launched what it called the biggest advocacy campaign in its 34-year history in support of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's congestion pricing proposal. In doing so, it unleashed a barrage of faxes and e-mails at Congressmember Anthony Weiner (D- Queens/Brooklyn), who the group says opposes the plan which would charge a fee for cars entering Manhattan below 86th Street between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays.

Transportation Alternatives wrote Weiner: "Until you can come up with a way to pay for $30 billion in transit improvements that are vital to the future of our city and environment, please stop obstructing progress." The group added that Weiner has called for an "honest debate" on the issue. It looks like the proposal might provide opposition to Weiner if, as expected, he runs for mayor in 2009.

In another development in the mayor's grand plan to reduce automobile emissions, the non-profit group Environmental Defense (ED) hired Patricia Lynch Associates, one of Albany's top lobbying firms, to push the mayor's proposal in the state capitol, where it must receive state legislative approval. Patricia Lynch formerly served as spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

ACTIVE FUNDS RACE FOR '09: City Councilmembers and citywide officials- mayor, comptroller and public advocate- will be out of office because of term limits in 2009, but the fundraising by candidates for possible races is already well underway although the elections are more than two years into the future.

There's no dearth of candidates to succeed Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and several are already viewed as ready to go, although there's nothing official. This group includes city Comptroller William Thompson Jr., Congressmember Anthony Weiner and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, all Democrats.

There's also some stirring in the Republican camp as supermarket giant George Catsimatides has said he's given some thought to running.

Catsimatides probably will be able to fund any race, but everyone else who gets involved will be scrambling like mad to build a treasury to get them through a race.

According to recent reports, an incumbent official who hasn't made much noise about running is topping the money list. That distinction goes to Councilmember Eric Gioia (D- Long Island City) who reportedly has millions in his campaign bank account. Not far behind, according to Campaign Finance Board filings is Thompson followed by Councilmember John Liu (D- Flushing), who's expected to run for city comptroller.

Also eyeing that office is Councilmember David Weprin (D- Hollis), as well as Councilmember Melinda Katz (D- Forest Hills).

SEEK END TO BRIDGE TOLL: Councilmember John Liu recently held a Transportation Committee hearing in The Rockaways for the first time and took the occasion to call for an end to the $2.25 toll on the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge. He was joined by Councilmember Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D- Ozone Park).

However, they received little encouragement that their request would be answered. The MTA President of Bridges and Tolls said it couldn't happen because of the covenants in the bonds issued to build the structure. Presently the bond levy brings in over $3.5 million in revenue.