(L. to r.); Assemblymember Marge Markey, CALDC Executive Director Marie Torniali, Assemblymember Aravella Simotas, honorees DOT Commissioner Maura McCarthy and city Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski, Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., Assemblymember Cathy Nolan and CALDC President George L. Stamatiades. Area civic leaders and elected officials came to Long Island City on the evening of November 30 to honor city Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski and city Department of Transportation Commissioner Maura McCarthy. The ceremony, which was held in the top floor dining room of the Sheraton Four Points in Long Island City, was part of the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition’s (CALDC) first annual Community Celebration Dinner.

Sponsored by Astoria Federal Savings bank, the event featured many prominent business owners and elected officials including City Comptroller John Liu, state Senator Michael Gianaris, Assemblymembers Aravella Simotas, Cathy Nolan and Marge Markey, Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., as well as CALDC President George L. Stamatiades, Executive Vice President and Gazette Publisher Tony Barsamian, Executive Director Marie Torniali, Directors Linda Perno and Walter Sanchez and Treasurer Lucille T. Hartmann. Also present was Ed Babor representing Congressmember Carolyn Maloney.

(L. to r.); City Comptroller John Liu and CALDC Director and MC Walter Sanchez. Lewandowski and McCarthy were honored for their dedication toward improving the city’s parks, streets and roads.

The commissioners were honored with citations and proclamations. CALDC also presented both honorees with a special gift of recognition. Lewandowski received a flower pendant and McCarthy received a car pendant.– Jason D. Antos

(L. to r.); Lewandowski, state Senator Michael Gianaris and McCarthy.

(L. to r.); McCarthy, Ed Babor representing Congressmember Carolyn Maloney and Lewandowski.

(L. to r.); McCarthy, Executive Vice President and Gazette Publisher Tony Barsamian, Lewandowski, Stamatiades, Torniali and Sanchez. Both honorees were presented with a pair of pendents, a car and flower respectively.

Barsamian was one of the MC’s of the CALDC event.

(L. to r.); McCarthy, Simotas, Lewandowski and Vallone with citations and proclamations.