Van Bramer demands traffic study for Thomson Avenue
Posted by Rebecca Henely in City Council, City Offices, District 26, Governor on March 22, 2013 | No Comments
City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) called for the city Department of Transportation to do a traffic safety study of Thomson Avenue last week in light of a car crash that killed a 16-year-old boy and injured four LaGuardia Community College students. “We are here to offer condolences to the family and friends of Tenzin [...]
Simotas wants common ground on rape bills
Posted by Rebecca Henely in Assembly, District 36, State Senate on February 22, 2013 | No Comments
State Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria) is pushing a bill to expand the legal definition of rape as well as a compromise with a rival bill in the state Senate. Simotas’ “Rape Is Rape” bill, written in 2012 and re-introduced for this legislative session, was inspired by the Bronx trial of NYPD officer Michael Pena. Pena [...]
Dems cite weak leadership as they vote out Sampson
Posted by Rebecca Henely in District 12, District 14, District 15, District 16, State Senate on December 20, 2012 | No Comments
Amid the formation of a new coalition between the state Senate Republicans and the breakaway Independent Democratic Council, the Democrats voted to oust Sen. John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) as their leader in favor of Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers). Sampson, first elected to the Senate in 1997, has led the Democratic Conference since 2009. The decision makes [...]
Monserrate gets two years
Posted by Rebecca Henely in City Council, City Offices, State Senate on December 13, 2012 | No Comments
Former City Councilman and State Sen. Hiram Monserrate was sentenced to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay almost $80,000 in restitution? for fraudulently using City Council funds Tuesday to underwrite his own election campaign in the latest chapter in the East Elmhurst politician’s fall from grace. Judge Colleen McMahon delivered the sentence to [...]
Vallone challenges field for boro prez
Posted by Rebecca Henely in Borough President, City Council, City Offices, District 11, District 13, District 22, District 27, State Senate on December 13, 2012 | No Comments
Throwing his hat into a crowded field, City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) announced Tuesday he would be running for borough president. “I’d like to continue to work with you, to continue to make Queens better and better,” said Vallone, speaking at Astoria restaurant Don Coqui. Vallone declared his candidacy at his law firm’s Christmas [...]
Gianaris predicts Dems will win Senate control
Posted by Rebecca Henely in Assembly, District 12, State Senate on November 29, 2012 | No Comments
State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) was in Rhinebeck Tuesday helping out Democratic Senate hopeful Terry Gipson, who is still awaiting the results of the general election. While almost a month has passed, ballots for two upstate seats are being still counted, leaving the control of Albany’s upper house in flux. “We’re optimistic and confident,” Gianaris [...]
