On the brief side...
Gennaro Condemns Hate Crime

City Councilmember James F. Gennaro is offering a $1,000 reward for information regarding swastikas painted on the walls of the Young Israel of Hillcrest Synagogue in Hillcrest on October 18.

"This is a disgusting act of hate," declare Gennaro, an honorary member of the Jewish Community Relations Council. "Marring a sacred place with ugly symbols of intolerance, bigotry and prejudice is the despicable behavior of a contemptible criminal. I am appalled that in this day and age such criminals still exist, which is why I'm offering a reward to those who will not stand by quietly or withhold information that will lead to the apprehension of a hatemonger." Italian Heritage Night At City Hall

Italian Americans who have excelled in their professions and have contributed to the betterment of society were honored at Italian Heritage Night at City Hall last week.

City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. honored Robert Fonti, president of a real estate management company and a leading philanthropist. Fonti, a St. John's University graduate, serves as real estate consultant for the town of Huntington on Long Island.

"Mr. Fonti signifies the achievements of those Italian Americans who have helped make this country great," Vallone stated.

City Comptroller William Thompson honored five Italian Americans who have excelled in their fields and civic pursuits and have all made extraordinary contributions to our city:

Fonti and Vallone

•Frank Celenza Jr., D.D.S., P.C., past president of the Northeastern Society of Periodontists and associate clinical professor, NYU College of Dentistry and member of the International Team of Implantologists and his son, Vincent Celenza, D.M.D., P.C., secretary of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, diplomate American Board of Prosthodontics and past president, Northeastern Gnathological Society, Fellow of the Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics..

•Christine M. Meola, a former director of development at New York Weill- Cornell Medical Center, now executive director of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, a sponsor of the Columbus Day Parade, former assistant vice president for development at Fordham University, member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education..

•Roma Torre, anchor NY1 "News All Day" and "News All Morning" television shows, former anchor of the award-winning news program"Inside City Hall", Emmy Award winner, Red Carpet coverage of the Tony Awards and the Newswomen's Club of New York 2003 Peggy Award.

Dr. Sal Primeggia, professor of sociology at Adelphi University, co-editor of The Italian- American Experience: An Encyclopedia and The Saints in the Lives of Italian- Americans, contributor and participant in film documentary "La Festa" and WLIW 21 Public Television's "The Italian- Americans: Part 1" and the PBS Emmy-Award winning documentary "Heaven Touches Brooklyn in July. Padavan Collects Cellphones For Domestic Violence Victims

As part of a national effort to increase awareness of domestic violence, state Senator Frank Padavan is collecting used cellphones for victims as part of national and local efforts during National Domestic Violence Prevention Month.

The collection will run through Wednesday, November 14. All contributions of phones, batteries or accessories will be given to Verizon Wireless for use in their Hopeline phone recycling program, which provides used and recycled phones to domestic violence prevention organizations.

Phones can be dropped off at Padavan's district offices, 89-39 Gettysburg St., bellerose from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or 150-26 14th Ave., Whitestone from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., also Monday through Friday.

"Many of us have an old, unused cellphone that we don't know what to do with," Padavan said. "Please bring any unused cellphone to either of my district offices and make good use of them by providing a safe line of communication for victims of domestic violence." Mayor Signs Bill Creating Bayside BID

Noting that Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) provide services to the community that are essential to ensuring that small businesses and the neighborhoods in which they operate are given every opportunity to succeed, Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently signed into law a bill creating the Bayside Village BID.

The BID will serve 254 businesses in the area bounded by Northern Boulevard, 35th Avenue, Bell Boulevard and 41st Avenue. The budget for the first year will be about $80,000, the mayor said. The budget is funded by local property owners and overseen by the city Department of Small Business Services.

BIDs provide maintenance and sanitation services, security services, marketing and promotion of local businesses, holiday lighting, economic development, beautification and landscaping. Vallone Lights Up Dark Area Of Shore Boulevard

The city Department of Transportation, responding to requests from City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr and residents of the Shore Towers Apartments, has agreed to install new streetlights in front of the building at 25-40 Shore Blvd., Astoria.

Residents of Shore Towers, a large residential complex along the East River, had complained to Vallone (D- Astoria) that sidewalks were dark and dangerous at night.

"Light is the enemy of crime," chair of the council Public Safety Committee Vallone said. "More street lights not only make people feel safer, it actually makes them safer because criminals are afraid to be seen."