By ANGELA MONTEFINISE

The tension was clear as soon as the three candidates for the 22 Council District  walked through the Tribune door. The three Democratic candidates all believe that they can do a good job, all have interesting ideas, all speak passionately about the community, and all think they are the best candidate.

And none of them are giving an inch.

With about 60 Council candidates running in primaries this September, the Tribune has set a policy of “group screening interviews” for the primaries, bringing all the candidates together by district and letting the Trib’s editorial board ask the questions.

The names on the primary ballot for what is now Councilman Peter Vallone’s seat will be Mike Zapiti, John Ciafone, and Peter Vallone, Jr. What follows is a brief look into the views and beliefs of the candidates who spoke up at the Tribune’s sceening. Each concludes with the candidate’s quick reaction to some basic questions, including where they stand on the government accountability pledge being circulated by Immigrant Advocate Bryan Pu-Folkes and a coalition of over 20 immigrant groups. The pledge calls on candidates to – once in office – hold town hall meetings, reach out for constituent concerns through a mailer, and publish reports on what they have accomplished and where they are going.

Once a Democratic candidate is selected in the primary, that person will run against Republican Sandra Vassos in the general election for the council seat.

The 22nd District, which includes the neighborhoods of Astoria, Long Island City; parts of Jackson Heights, Rikers, Randalls and Wards Islands, has been represented in the City Council by Peter Vallone since 1974.

John Ciafone

John Ciafone is a serious man who does not believe that helping his constituents is a laughing matter. Hard work is what’s most important to him, and he is extremely proud of his “grassroots campaign to reach out to the people.”

He would dedicate “every second of his time to helping his constituents,” if he is elected, and that his experience in neighborhood issues will make him “the strongest possible choice for council.”

The idea of part-time council members is a “farce” to him, and he is campaigning on vacation time from his position with the Board of Education, which he had been elected to twice. He had also been elected as a judicial delegate once, prompting him to say that, “I am the only candidate in this race who has  ran for a position and won. I have the experience and the record of getting things done.” He added, “A race is about more than name recognition.”

Ciafone was passionate about the Democratic machine, stating, “They’re not working for the public’s interest. They treat everything politically and work together. The machine leads to corruption. When people get into office through the machine, they already have someone influencing them. That’s not good for the people.”

He was also angry about the City Council members who voted to overturn the public referendums on term limits. He was part of the New 22, an organization against those that voted against the people, and worked hard to overthrow their decision.

“That was an outrage,” he said. “That’s an ideal example of dictatorship and tyranny in a democratic system.” When the topic turned to the elimination of the commuter tax, Ciafone said, “They should be dealt with severely.”

Ciafone is more sympathetic on social issues, saying that the more needy districts should get more money, people in gay unions should be given the same benefits as people in marriages, and money for schools to help children is imperative. “As an insider, let me say the Board of Education should be abolished. It’s too political now. The kids are the important thing.”

Is this a friendly campaign: “There aren’t any personal animosities. Sometimes campaigns just clash naturally. I’m not mad at any candidates, just at their campaigns.”

Government Access Pledge: Know it, signed it
Should New York City secede from the State: “It’s a possibility that should be looked at.”
Should taxes be increased for schools: “Only if the money goes straight to schools.”
Should council members be full time: “Part-time council members are a farce."
Three key issues: affordable housing, clean streets, education.

Peter Vallone, Jr.

Peter Vallone Jr. walked into the Trib office with a wink and a smile, shaking his opponents hands and joking with everyone, but he quickly got down to business once he was in the interview hot seat.

He addressed the issue of his father quickly, saying, “I think he’s the best politician and greatest man in the world. But having his name is a double-edged sword. Sure, name recognition is important, and the Vallone name helps because it is associated with honesty and integrity. But there are also people who think I’m not qualified in my own right. I have to work doubly hard to prove that I deserve to be on the council, and I think my record shows that I do.”

Council District 22

”The map is part of Searchlight on Campaign 2001 (http://www.gothamgazette.com/searchlight2001/), an online guide to the political races in what many are calling New York City’s most significant campaign season in modern history, with a separate page for each race. If you don’t know who represents you — or who wants to — simply type your name and address, and you will be taken to the appropriate page.” Map courtesy of NYPIRG/CMAP

Vallone Jr. spoke of his extensive record working against Astoria’s power plants and fighting for a higher quality-of-life in the area. He said, “I’m the only one in this race with a record of actually changing things. I have lead the fight against power plants, as a prosecutor I have put criminals in jail. I have already provided service to the community and now I want to do more.”

To improve the neighborhood, Vallone Jr. wants to eliminate all illegal conversions, stating, “We have to find these people and stop them from living illegally. I don’t support zoning changes because the community was not built to hold more people than the number zoned for it.” He added, “I accept anyone’s vote, but if I have to evict a person tomorrow, I’ll lose the vote. The neighborhood is more important.”

In response to those councilmemebers who voted to overturn the term limit referendums, Vallone Jr. said, “I completely disagree with what they did, but it’s not an issue that will be key for me in voting for them for a higher office. You can’t ignore a politician’s entire career for one vote.”

In addition, Vallone Jr. spoke out against the Speaker giving out tax-funded tote bags with his name on them. “These abuses of public resources are not supposed to happen,” he said. “Sure, they do. The biggest culprits are Hevesi, Ferrer and Green. We should seriously consider a bill or amendment which would eliminate anyone from appearing in a commercial while holding a public office.”

Vallone Jr. does not believe that poorer districts should receive more money, saying, “Worse schools shouldn’t get more City money. As a blanket statement, you shouldn’t throw money at districts to solve their problems because it won’t work. I work for my district.”

Is this a friendly campaign: “Sure. This is fun.”

Government Access Pledge: “Know it, haven’t signed it because I’m still researching the group.”
Should New York City secede from the State: “I’m not taking a position.”
Should taxes be increased for schools: “I support no new taxes.”
Should council members be full time: “With term limits, you’re only in office eight years, so it’s hard to ask a council member to give up a career.”
Three key issues: power plants, crime, education.

Mike Zapiti

Mike Zapiti is a neighborhood man of many talents. A Greek immigrant, Zapiti owns several businesses in the Astoria area, including a driving school, a flying school, and an insurance office.

He has been a mainstay in the community for decades, and has many stories up his sleeve. He constantly has his opponents smiling, and has gotten the support of thousands of Astoria residents who signed his petitions. He said, “I am realistic. I’m a self-made man. I’m not a politician, I’m just a man who wants to help the neighborhood. I’ll do whatever it takes to help.”

Zapiti is in favor of the City seceding from the state, and although he’s against gay marriages for religious reasons, he is for gay couples having full benefits. “People are people,” he said. “They need help, too.”

He also does not believe that Peter Vallone, who he says, “Is his man for mayor,” did anything wrong when he printed publicly-funded tote bags with his name on them. Zapiti said, “Hey, I’d do it too. I approve of it.”

He did, however, protest the State’s repeal of the commuter tax and the council’s attempt to stop term limits that the people wanted. “I was there at City Hall against those things,” Zapiti said. “I had a sign that said ‘2000 People Voted For It’ you know. The people are what matter.”

Keeping with that philosophy, Zapiti also said that needy districts should receive more money. “Sure they should. It’s common sense.”

Where would he get the extra money for the poorer districts? “I’m for legalized gambling,” he said. “Only for people who can afford it, though. And I also think legalized prostitution would be good. We could tax it. They do that in Greece.”

In terms of illegal conversions, Zapiti said, “You have to understand, people come from cultures where people sleep 12 in a house. For them, it’s OK.”

Is this a friendly campaign: “Absolutely.”

Government Access Pledge: Knows it, signed it.
Should New York City secede from the State: Yes
Should taxes be increased for schools: Yes
Should council members be full time: “People should do their job and not be lawyers.”
Three key issues: education, clean air, public safety.

By ARLENE LEWIS & TAMARA HARTMAN

The candidates for the 23rd and 24th City Council Districts showed great respect for each other and for their hometown neighborhoods as they came together at the Queens Tribune to present themselves and their candidate platforms last week.

The 23rd District is currently represented by Sheldon Leffler, who has been councilman for the neighborhoods including Hollis-wood, Queens Village, Bellerose, Oakland Gardens, Hollis Hills, Floral Park, Glen Oaks, Douglaston and Little Neck since 1977.

The 24th District has had Morton Povman for its councilman since 1971. The district includes parts of south Flushing, Briarwood, Jamaica Hills, Hill-crest and Jamaica Estates.

City Council District 23

With mutual respect and personal dignity, Democratic Candidates J.D. Thakral and David Weprin spoke of their vision of the district. The two men will race each other in the Democratic primary on Sept. 11. The winner of that election will face Republican Philip Sica in the general election for the council seat.

J.D. Thakral

J.D. Thakrel, a native of India, is a “grassroots man,” whose will is with the people and whose heart is with bringing diverse peoples together.  

He came to the United States in 1971 after living in three other countries, and established himself as a family man, a CPA and an administrator with SUNY, Hospital Services and the US Embassy.

The quiet intellectual said, “I am an international man, but a proud American. I want to pay the City back for what it has given me.” He added without hestitation, “I will do what’s best for my district, not only what’s best for Indians.”

He is so keen on bringing different groups together that he disagrees with a commuter tax because it “generates territorial attitudes.”

His desire to help the people has led to a dislike of organized political parties, which he says are  self-serving and promote favoritism.

Key Issues In The District: Education, public safety for seniors, affordable housing.
Most Important Council Function: To appropriate and reappropriate, give to the districts and constitute services.

David Weprin

Candidate David Weprin proved to the Tribune that he is more than just a polticial name, flashing years of community service and financial expertise during the interview.

Weprin did admit that his name could help him. “Name recognition helps,” he said. “Having my brother Mark in the assembly also helps. We can work together easily. It’s an advantage.”

Another advantage is the Democratic Party’s support. He said, “Like it or not, sometimes it’s easier to work within the system.” Still, he says, he’s an independent candidate who, “Will do what’s right.”

He does not think that funds should be allocated based on need because, “We should not be penalized for excellence. There should not be disincentive for doing well. Besides, throwing money at districts doesn’t help them.”

Weprin does not believe in term limits in theory, but will “never go against the will of the people” and hope limits “keep the council ethical."

Key Issues In The District: Education, quality of life, community assistance.
Most Important Council Function: Being close to the community in handling issues.

City Council District 24

As the three candidates for this council district
sat down together, they threw around phases
about each other like “gentlemen,” “nice people”
and “qualified.” The big difference between them
was clearly the kinds of experience they bring
to their race.

The winner of this primary will face Green Party
Candidate Lori Zett in the general election.

Council District 24

”The map is part of Searchlight on Campaign 2001 (http://www.gothamgazette.com/searchlight2001/), an online guide to the political races in what many are calling New York City’s most significant campaign season in modern history, with a separate page for each race. If you don’t know who represents you — or who wants to — simply type your name and address, and you will be taken to the appropriate page.” Map courtesy of NYPIRG/CMAP

Jim Gennaro

Jim Gennaro has been a staff member at council since 1990 and emphasized his inside knowledge of how the council runs and how it should run.

“I’m the only one who has city council experience. I’ve been there 11 years as a senior policy advisor. I’m the only one who’s president of a local civic association and I think that’s great preparation for being a city councilman. And I also bring special expertise to the job in that I am a teacher . . . I think we need more teachers at City Hall, and more union members and I am a union member.” Gennaro is an adjunct professor at Queens College for night classes.

As for Speaker Peter Vallone’s use of council funds for tote bags and flags with his name on them, “The Speaker certainly has to set the standard, and to the extent that the speaker is setting a standard that people could call into question, I think it hurts him and it hurts public perception.”

He voted to work in the council for a “living wage bill and take care of working families” and as for a specialized elementary school on the campus of Queens College, he said “I support the school but with mitigation measures [to direct traffic].”

He also took a strong stance against any elected official who supported the city council attempt to overthrow the term limit referendums or eliminating the commuter tax.

Immigrant Groups’ Government Access Pledge: signed on
Key Issues In The District: Education, Public Safety, Seniors

Barry Grodenchik

“This is my community. I believe  . . . with all due respect to the other two gentlemen in the race . . . I know the district better than anybody,” Barry Grodenchik said plainly. He has “experience working for the borough president, working for Nettie Mayherson and Governor Cuomo. [I] grew up and spent my entire life in the district, I know the district pretty much like the back on my hand. I know its streets, its byways, its people and I’ve lived with them.” Now he wants to represent them in the City Council.

David Reich, Barry Grodenchik and Jim Gennaro smile before their District 24 battle. Tribune Photo by Dee Richard

He pledged his support to local education, adding “I’m going to be in all the schools. I’m going to establish a relationship with every single public school in the district and monitor them.” He also supports the new, specialized school on the Queens College campus, adding that he doesn’t believe the traffic impact will be as great as some neighbors fear.

As for the conflicts of spending and use of personnel that elected officials face in an election year, he said “Sometimes political needs and governmental needs coincide and I think people find that distasteful” but he refrained from strongly condemning or supporting recent spending by Speaker Peter Vallone, noting that his current job at Borough Hall has kept his attention elsewhere.

As for budget allocations, he vowed “I’m going to fight for every dollar I can for the district.”

Immigrant Groups’ Government Access Pledge:: read it, not signed
Key Issues In The District: Public Safety, Education, Seniors

David Reich

David Reich described his campaign as a “grassroots campaign, I don’t have staff, I have volunteers, I do a lot of it myself . . . I’m trained in the law, I’ve written laws that’s part of the job of a Councilman. I’m independent, not beholden to special interest, no political interest and I’ve working in the private sector so I have varied background.”

He stood firmly against the plan for a specialized elementary school to be built at Queens College, implying it was the wrong use for the “last developable track of land on the Queens College campus.”

As for City budget funds, he said that as a councilman he would “Try and get funding for the needer districts through non-government sources” because he believe the City’s dollars should be “split evenly” by the council district.

And with great respect for his opponents he clearly laid out why he believes he is the best man for the 24th District. “What differentiates me from the two gentlemen here is that I’m trained in the law I’ve written law. But if you have a problem with your foot you don’t go to an eye doctor you want somebody who can analyze the law you also want somebody who is independent. I am strickly independent I don’t have the endorsements of anybody.”

Immigrant Groups’ Government Access Pledge: doesn’t know it
Key Issues In The District: Education, Crime, Buildings Department problems