Vallone For New York Fundraiser Brings In $

(L. to r.): City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., Peter Bisek, president of the Bohemian Citizens Benevolent Society and publisher of Czech community newspaper Ameritisty, Lizanne Fluxmon, acting general manager of Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, and former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr.

Hundreds of people flocked to the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden in Astoria on Tuesday, October 2 to honor the up-and-coming political career of City Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. Many elected officials, dignitaries and community leaders were on hand to celebrate the occasion, including former Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone Sr., Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (PBA) President Pat Lynch and Queens Borough President Helen Marshall.

"I've lived in this neighborhood and enjoyed the Bohemian Hall and] Beer Garden my whole life. It's a jewel of Astoria and of Queens, and I want all these people to get a chance to experience it," Vallone said of his choice of fundraiser venues. He added: "It's been an honor to serve this community and New York City these past six years, and I hope to continue my efforts as a public servant in the future."

(L. to r.): City Councilmember David Weprin, PBA President Pat Lynch, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., 114th Police Precinct Commanding Officer Inspector Brian McCarthy, City Councilmember David Yassky, Peter Bisek, president of the Bohemian Citizens Benevolent Society and publisher of Czech community newspaper Ameritisty, and Peter Vallone Sr.

More than 300 people packed the outdoor venue at the Bohemian Hall Beer Garden, where suds and sausages flowed freely among the guests. Constructed almost 100 years ago, the beer garden was once one of 800 similar venues scattered around the city. Today, only the Astoria Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden remains, drawing thousands of visitors on weekends, and Vallone wanted to bring attention to this excellent neighborhood institution.

The event is estimated to have raised almost $200,000 for Vallone for New York. Currently with roughly $250,000 in the bank, and several more fundraisers planned this quarter, including one at the mayor's residence on November 5, Vallone plans to break the halfmillion - dollar mark easily in the near future.

(L. to r.): Assemblymember Michael Gianaris, City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., Queens County Clerk Gloria D'Amico and former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr.

As chair of the council Public Safety Committee, Vallone has worked vigilantly to make New York a better place by fighting to put more cops on the street and more assistant district attorneys in the courtroom. A former prosecutor, Vallone understands the need to be tough on crimes both large and small in order to make New York City's communities better places to live.

"Even Mayor [Michael] Bloomberg said that Peter Vallone Jr. is the best friend the police ever had at City Hall," Vallone's father, Peter Vallone Sr., said. "Peter's number one concern is not to play politics, but to keep New Yorkers safe at night. That's a true civil servant."

District Attorney Brown, noting that he now has more than 300 assistant district attorneys in his office, thanked Vallone for winning badly needed funding to hire and retain the best lawyers. "Peter Vallone Jr. has helped us keep criminals off the streets," Brown said. "Even though his father and I are closer in age, I have a close relationship with Peter and I support him in whatever he does."

Dr. Wayne Seid (l.) and Dr. Gene Caiafa Jr., both of Park Dental Group of Astoria, 29-14 Ditmars Blvd., with City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr.

Other Vallone colleagues attending the event included Assemblymember Michael Gianaris, who represents Astoria, and Councilmembers David Weprin and David Yassky. Vallone has just been featured in a study showing he has introduced more laws in the past two years than any other councilmember, leading everyone present to comment on his strong work ethic.

Vallone has spread a wide net since entering public service, being a strong advocate, not just for public safety, but also for environmental and animal rights issues. His stance on animal rights drew Laurie Maxwell, a representative of the Humane Society of the United States, to travel across the country to attend the beer garden event and support Vallone's legislation.

(L. to r.): Peter Vallone Sr., Borough President Helen Marshall and City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr.

"The first Oktoberfest was celebrated in 1810, and the first stone of the beer garden here was laid in 1910. In 2010, we are going to be laying the foundation for a new leadership in New York City, and I hope I will be part of it," Vallone said. "I fight for New Yorkers every day to keep them safe and healthy, and with your help I hope to keep doing that for a long, long time."