It's time to crown our new King of Queens Crap. We've had a Queen for 2 years out of the past 3, but due to limiting the contest to 3rd termers, this year we only had men in the running. For 2010, you have chosen the best candidate out of a field of 5. And what a doozy he is!
Winning the Queens Crap crown by the largest margin ever, the one, the only - Peter Vallone, Jr! Yes, this guy has been so bad that people now refer to Astoria as the neighborhood they don't want theirs to look like. A fellow whose overdevelopment reputation helped sink his brother's chances for the 19th Council District seat.Let's also add that Mr. Law and Order doesn't believe in feeding parking meters.
For all these reasons, and for not only helping overturn the will of the people by changing the term limits law to keep his ass on the public dole for 4 more years, but also for crossing party lines to endorse Bloomturd, it's our pleasure to crown Peter F. Vallone, Jr. the 2010 King of Queens Crap. Congratulations, it was well-deserved!
26 comments:
Mazel Tov
You should also mention his war on graffiti and his wish that kids get less homework.
http://animalnewyork.com/2008/07/vallones-graffiti-splashed-soccer-camp-marks-his-incompetence/
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/item_Qc5SmEpsYRUGvJYcd9od7I
La reggio con polititco mafiaosi...
Don "junior" Vallone...e skeevioso primo della la Famiglia Di Vallone!
HOW IN THE HELL CAN SOMEONE WHOSE FAMILY HAS A REPUTATION PERFECTLY KNOWN IN THE REST OF THE CITY (BAYSIDE AND BROTHER PAUL, HELLS KITCHEN AND PAPA PETER SR) ...
HAS PASSIVLY WATCHED SO MUCH TEARDOWNS AND RIPPING OUT OF THE COMMUNITY'S FABRIC AND SEEN ONE OF THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF UGLY NEW BUILDINGS OF ANY COMMUNITY OUTSIDE OF A GHETTO ...
HAS DONE SUCH A POOR JOB FOR THEIR COMMUNITY ( {1} CON ED BLACKOUT ANYONE?, {2} PLANNING FOR MORE DEVELOPMENT YET REMAINING MUM ON WOEFULLY INADEQUATE INFRASTUCTURE FOR THE CURRENT POPULATION) ...
IS RUMORED FROM A FAMILY OF MAJOR REAL ESTATE INVESTORS AND IS KNOWN AS CHUMMING AROUND WITH DEVELOPERS ...
IS CONSIDERED BY THE ASTORIA PRESERVATION CONTINGENT (AS IT EXISTS) AS A HERO FIGHTING DEVELOPERS?
http://www.astorians.com/community/index.php?topic=16644.0
Rally Aginst Overdelopment
When: Saturday, November 14th, 11 A.M.
Where: 30-88 36th Street (site of proposed demolition and new construction)
Who: Organized by members of the Norwood Neighborhood Association, supported by Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr. and the Long Island City Alliance
Astoria is currently in the initial stages of being rezoned. Some blocks will be zoned to facilitate higher developments, others lower.
The Norwood Neighborhood Association, a group which represents a low-rise area in Astoria, has fought to preserve their community’s unique look and prevent out-of-character developments from sprouting.
While the Department of City Planning studied Astoria and sought input on the rezoning from the community, members of the Norwood Neighborhood Association (NNA) requested even stricter height protections than were originally drafted for their area.
Days after the NNA reached a compromise with the Department of City Planning , the community was devastated to learn about two neighboring demolition and development proposals on 36th Street, which would result in 8 and 10 story-buildings on a block mostly consisting of two-family homes.
Although the property owners may technically have the right to build up to these heights, they will be violating the will of community.
This rally will serve as an appeal to the property owners, so that members of the community can express their position and perhaps come to an agreement that suits everyone involved.
Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr. will join members of the NNA, the Long Island City Alliance and other community groups at the rally. He has also written to the Department of Buildings and Department of City Planning, detailing the NNA’s position.
“You don’t need to have a skyscraper in a low-rise area to throw off the balance of a block. Even 8 and 10 story buildings can undermine this block’s careful planning and consistency,” Vallone said.
CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
Maybe this explains it.
After throwing a good chunk of the community off their eponymous website, the tired chorus stands on cue to sing their refrain in tune.
http://www.astorians.com/community/index.php?topic=16561.0
You are funny.
But it is rumored they are thinking about doing a documentary on Dear Leader.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ9Ksf9Xl2c
I do not believe one word of it, but then again, who knows?
Come on guys, be balanced. This is one of the best neighborhoods in NY standing toe to toe with anything in Manhattan and that is because of Vallone's leadership!
Hell, with all the new professionals moving in -
http://www.astorians.com/community/index.php?topic=16205.0
http://www.astorians.com/community/index.php?topic=16372.0
you know, sheetrock interns from Peublo, dish sanitary techs from El Salvador, and bed bugs from around the planet.
http://www.astorians.com/community/index.php?topic=16824.0
http://www.astorians.com/community/index.php?topic=1485.0
Does the award come with a year's supply of Tidy Bowl Cleaner?
The astorians.com links really show the mindset of seemingly intelligent people who voted for him. Voting for Serpe wouldn't have made the community any better or worse but it was a chance to send a message to the Vallones. Voting is appears so futile because the bureaucracy survives no matter who is in charge but it is the one way we can say "**** you" to corrupt politicians like the Vallones. I guess even the educated class supports corruption.
Its instructive on how the newcomers respond to the challenges of the community.
Overdevelopment and and power plants making it one of the most polluted in the city? Loss of community from out of control speculation? Absentee landlords givng the Astoria a shabby image? Inadequate hospitals and schools?
Naw. Its gay marriage and bike lanes!
Unlike my parents, this group does not have long term plans for the neighborhood.
Their roots are shallow.
Lin Serpe? Please. Another Christine Quinn in the making.
TWO THREADS AND INTERESTING POSTS ON ASTORIANS.COM
The amber alert for a missing Peter Vallone
http://www.astorians.com/community/index.php?topic=16898.0
the underrepresentation of this district is serious business. Several summers ago we suffered in the sweltering heat without electricity for days on end. Anyone remember that? Anyone remember the Mayor's "response"? There was no City presence out here for nearly 36 hours after it happened. If Our Councilman had had (yes, that's right: had had) any clout, Bloomberg wouldn't have brushed the whole thing off and certainly wouldn't have had the nerve to praise Con Edison. In a nabe like Bushwick or anyplace where there is a tradition of real community activism (Ridgewood-Bushwick Senior Citizens Council, Peter Lopez), there would have been thousands of people on Bloomberg's steps, right in front of his townhouse, holding a candlelight vigil until the lights went back on with the full support and encouragement of the local politicians. But with the Vallones, we get endorsements of the Mayor. They, like him, never met a real-estate developer they couldn't "represent."
Peter Vallone calls a rally to protest subway cuts
http://www.astorians.com/community/index.php?topic=16953.0
Here is an example where leadership would have meant something: when the Triboro Bridge was renamed the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (evidently because there are not enough public structures around the city named after the Kennedy family) in late 2008 at the height of the second great depression. The bridge is managed by Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, part of the MTA.
A host of politicians, including from Astoria, spoke eloquently at the re-dedication ceremony in Astoria Park. None of them mentioned that renaming the bridge (such as replacing all the signs) costed $4 million dollars. Not one word.
The next time you are waiting in the freezing cold elevated station for the overcrowded subway to get you to work, you can feel warm and fuzzy inside knowing there is real leadership in Astoria.
Vallone fights for downzoning – a hero of the people!
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2009-11-25/Features/Norwood_Gardens_Residents_Push_For_New_Zoning_Plan.html
City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. lent his presence and his voice to the gathering in support of a new zoning plan that residents hope will stop the unwanted new buildings.
He carried a sign that read, “Astoria’s Best Kept Secret - R6 Zoning: That Means a Twelve Story Building Can Be Built ANYWHERE!”
“Everything south of the Grand Central [Parkway] is ‘R6’, meaning you can build anything! THIS IS WHY WE'RE DOING THIS REZONING. ITS NOT POPULAR. PEOPLE WANT TO GET RICH
I’m the first person to do this zoning. I’ve made enemies where I didn’t have to, but this neighborhood is why we’re doing this rezoning.
District Leader Costa Constantinides declared, “This neighborhood has spoken. The Astoria we grew up in is the Astoria we want our children to
grow up in.”
(so why are you planning for more development when the infrastructure is already over taxed?)
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2009-10-21/Features/Rezoning_Astoria_Vallone_Reaches_Out.html
Vallone said, “The rezoning is an effort to prevent people from tearing down existing buildings to construct new buildings that are out of character, WHILE ALLOWING HOMEOWNERS TO IMPORVE AND EXPAND THEIR PROPERTY IN CONTEXT WITH THE AREA.”
Another example of how information just doesn't get to the community.
All they hear is a steady drumbeat of prodevelopment blather.
They are totally cut off from what is happening in the rest of the city - how other communities are fighting development and how promises that are made while rezoning are empty promises for the most part.
They are doomed.
But so are we, for like a infected cell with a virus, as things fester in that little world, sooner or later things burst and the rest of us have to deal with a problem much larger.
Every architect, developer, that festers there will be in your backyard tomorrow. Every unneeded human warehouse that goes up adds to the infrastruture that you dear reader (not Vallone's barbeque buddies) will forever pay for.
Constintanople and Vallone LLC
(they are brothers in law)
TOP 10 CLIENTS FOR 2006:
Waste Management
Commerce Bank
K. Hovnanian Companies, Northeast, Inc.
T.A. Ahern Contractors Corp/Ahern Painting
Willets Point Industry & Realty, Corp.
Zar Realty Management Corp.
Boymelgreen Developers, LLC
Harlem River Yards Ventures, Inc.
Jackson Development Group, Ltd.
Coach USA; KEDC Holdings Corp.
Plaza 75 Realty, Inc.
Tan International Group
Taser International
Tully Construction.
TOTAL BILLING FOR 2006: $1,649,500.00
Veteran New York City politician and former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone, Sr. joined Constantinople Consulting three years ago, giving the long established firm a new name and some added political clout.
“We’ve noticed a jump in our retainers since then,” founder Tony Constantinople said.
The firm now ranks seventh in the city, with 23 clients. With ten of those clients real estate developers, the firm has benefited from the city’s development boom in recent years.
However, Constantinople is quick to distinguish what type of growth the firm is seeking.
“We’re not in this for revenue growth,” he said, “We’re trying to do the right thing for the city.”
“That is a big distinction,” he added. “Most of our competition is looking to build business for the sake of business, and that’s not what we’re doing.”
While development interests are a large part of Constantinople & Vallone’s clientele, the firm has also come out against eminent domain, and represents Willets Point Industry & Realty, a corporation dedicated to protecting the Willets Point area from overdevelopment.
In addition to lobbying, the firm also concentrates on fundraising for political candidates at both the city and state level, underscoring what they feel is the continued political importance of Vallone’s backing.
Vallone, who represented Astoria, Queens for 27 years before being term-limited out of office, said his lobbying work was a natural extension of his career in public office.
“All of the areas that we represent are things that, if I were in government, I would be concentrating on, and are what I did concentrate on when I was in government,” he said, pointing in particular to the firm’s work on behalf of clean energy and equitable banking practices.
Vallone also said his experience working with lobbyists when he was in office had taught him the value of his current work.
“A lobbyist is not a term to be demeaned,” he said. “It’s a good term when used properly.”
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the firm is its family ties.
Constantinople and Vallone are brothers-in-law, and the firm includes Vallone’s son, Paul, as well as Anthony Constantinople, Jr.—though as the elder Constantinople points out, there is no actual blood tie between the two families.
Nonetheless, he said he expects the firm to continue being a family affair.
“Looking down the road, we would like to develop the next generation of Constantinoples and Vallones to run the firm,” he said. “Within five years, we think you’ll see a new generation managing the business.”
http://29councilmembers.blogspot.com/2008/11/peter-vallone.html
Constantinople & Vallone
http://www.city-data.com/businesses/578877011-constantinople-vallone-llc-new-york-ny.html
http://www.nyc.gov/lobbyistsearch/search?lobbyist=Constantinople+%26+Vallone+Consulting+LLC
http://www.wheresthepaper.org/CityHallNews070716CityTopTenLobbyists.htm
http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2002/08/23/2002-08-23_watchdog_rips_vallone_lobbyi.html
http://www.villagevoice.com/2001-08-21/news/when-a-house-is-not-a-home/
My goodness, this is a must read for anyone in his district.
I suspected this, but this is the first time its all made public in one spot.
Its about time this sees the light of day, and its about time someone starts to ask them these questions in public.
Thank you Crap!
1) The baby Vallones have never won a seat outside of Astoria. Neither has Mr. Vallone senior.
2) Toupe boy Junior Vallone won because he has his fathers exact name. Whats it like to go through life being the toilet paper used to wipe your father's ass ?
3) The wife dumped one of them and married the fireman, the other one bangs the secretary for ten years, geez what a lousy family.
To the last poster:
lotso things to critique here, but that's not the way to do it. We are 3rd generation and I know their family and have spoken to every one of them face to face.
Its no secret that everyone knows they are making millions of dollars each year on real estate, while advising Astoria on zoning.
So what?
IMHO the problem is that they are doing little to stop Astoria from developmnent. Hell, we can't handle the people that live here now. What are we going to do with 1000s more?
There is a mentality that a piece of property is only worth what it can earn.
It was not always like this. Instead, every lot should be the cornerstone of a solid community made of homes where people would want to raise their family.
Reading this thread makes me feel more sad than angry.
Vallone is a lobbyist for Keyspan.
KEDC Holdings Corp. is one of their subsidiaries.
The misinformation and complete disregard for the facts is so rampant on this website, I'm not sure I can wade through all of the crap, but it's worth a try.
Ah rezoning....Vallone almost single-handedly got the downzoning of Astoria pushed forward without the help of virtually any major community group or other elected official.
No one fights harder against power plants, but like the MTA, they are controlled by the state not city officials.
Underrepresentation??? According to good government websites like Gotham Gazette, Vallone has passed more bills and brought more money and services to district than virtually any other Council Member, BECAUSE of his close relationship with Bloomberg and Quinn.
According to Crains, Astoria weathered the recession better than any other area of the city. If you want to blame him for every problem, make sure he gets some credit too!
Millionaire? I think not. Earnings are a matter of public record. Do some research and check them out, not that facts matter to you...they show he makes basically his Council salary (Guess those millions are hidden off-shore??)
Oh...and he was the only elected to have the guts to speak out AGAINST the Triboro Bridge being renamed by the state. Anything else you want to falsely blame him for?
But, you got one thing right, I met his ex-wife and she did remarry a fireman. GOOD FOR YOU, anonymous Craphead.
Hate him as much as you want, just get the facts right. Anonymous liars suck.
Spy vs Spy
(I just love doing this)
Myth
The misinformation and complete disregard for the facts is so rampant on this website, I'm not sure I can wade through all of the crap, but it's worth a try.
REALITY
YEA, SORT OF LIKE RUNNING A QUEENS WEEKLY WITHOUT THE WHORE ADS AND THE REAL ESTATE ADS AND THE PUFF PIECES FROM A POL'S DESK THAT IS A SORRY ASS SUBSTITUTE FOR NEWS.
Myth
Ah rezoning....Vallone almost single-handedly got the downzoning of Astoria pushed forward without the help of virtually any major community group or other elected official.
REALITY
BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE WOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. THE ONLY COMMUNITY IN THE CITY WITHOUT A CREDIBLE CIVIC THAT COULD DO THE HEAVY LIFTING. PRETTY SORRY ASSED THAT IT HAD TO RELY ON A POLITICAN. AS A MATTER OF FACT, ITS THE ONLY COMMUNITY THAT HAS DONE SO.
SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THE "LAND OF ONORATO".
THE COMMUNITY IS SO CUT OFF AND BACKWARD THAT IT SPAWNS ABOMBINATIONS LIKE DUTCH KILLS AND OVERTURNING LANDMARKING STEINWAY HOUSES.
A REAL LAUGHING STOCK AROUND THE CITY - THE HORROR TALE GOOD MOTHERS TELL THEIR CHILDREN TO GET THEM TO BED.
Myth
No one fights harder against power plants, but like the MTA, they are controlled by the state not city officials.
REALITY
SINCE ASTORIA AND LIC ARE ALMOST THE ONLY COMMUNITIES IN QUEENS THAT ARE BEING UPZONED WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO BUILD THE PLANTS - BAYSIDE WHERE THEY ARE DOWNZONING?
GO AHEAD, ASK THEM IF THEY WILL TAKE IT.
BESIDES, ITS ALL SO CONFUSING. IS IT TRUE THAT SOMEONE'S DADDY IS A LOBBYIST FOR KEYSPAN?
THAT CHOKE THING IS FUNNY TOO. WHO IS THE HEAD OF IT - A MAINTENANCE MAN FOR THE CITY SCHOOLS? (IF WE ARE WRONG, WE DO APOLOGISE - LET US KNOW-RUMORS WILL DO THAT YOU KNOW) LOVE THAT $100,000 GRANT FOR CHOKE.
Myth
Underrepresentation??? According to good government websites like Gotham Gazette, Vallone has passed more bills and brought more money and services to district than virtually any other Council Member, BECAUSE of his close relationship with Bloomberg and Quinn.
REALITY
YEA, $900,000 IN MONEY THEY SAY - AND HOW WAS IT SPENT?
BESIDES, IF THE PEOPLE VOTE TWICE TO OVERTURN TERM LIMITS, BIG DADDY KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM AND MONEY MAKES IT BETTER?
GREAT. NOW I KNOW WHAT A WHORE FEELS LIKE. I WANT TO TAKE A LONG SHOWER.
myth
According to Crains, Astoria weathered the recession better than any other area of the city. If you want to blame him for every problem, make sure he gets some credit too!
REALITY
LETS TAKE A WALK DOWN STEINWAY STREET AND COMPARE IT TO 50, 25, EVEN 10 YEARS AGO. LIFELONG RESIDENTS DONT EVEN SHOP THERE - 99 CENT STORES OFFERING GHETTO STYLES WILL DO THAT.
GO TO ASTORIANS.COM AND READ THEIR COMMENTS.
myth
Millionaire? I think not. Earnings are a matter of public record. Do some research and check them out, not that facts matter to you...they show he makes basically his Council salary (Guess those millions are hidden off-shore??)
REALTY
THE FAMILY IS BEING LOOKED AT AS A WHOLE. WHEN DADDY REPS DEVELOPERS, JUNIOR SHOULD RECUSE FROM ZONING ISSUES.
ALSO NOTED BY DADDY'S LOBBY FIRM THAT THE NEXT GENERATION IS BEING GROOMED TO TAKE OVER. NOW WHO MAY THAT BE?
myth
Oh...and he was the only elected to have the guts to speak out AGAINST the Triboro Bridge being renamed by the state. Anything else you want to falsely blame him for?
REALTY
HEY, HE GOT COMPLIMENTS ON HIS POSITION ON THAT STUPID DRUG PAMPHLET ON QUEENS CRAP.
GETTING ONE OUT OF NINE IS NOT TOO BAD .... I GUESS.
myth
But, you got one thing right, I met his ex-wife and she did remarry a fireman. GOOD FOR YOU, anonymous Craphead.
REALITY
THOSE COMMENTS HAD NO PLACE HERE
(ALTHOUGH MENTIONING, AS SOMEONE DID HERE, THAT A COMMUNTIY IS SOLD OUT TO A DEVELOPER FOR LESS MONEY THAN HIS DAUGHTER RUNS UP ON HER AMEX BILL WHORING ON BERMUDA ON SPRING BREAK - IS A PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE THING TO SAY.)
myth
Hate him as much as you want, just get the facts right. Anonymous liars suck.
REALTY
DEBATE, DIALOGUE, AND DISCUSSION IS A PART OF CIVIC DISCOURSE AS A MATTER OF COURSE - SOMETHING THEY SHOULD HAVE TAUGHT ASTORIANS WHEN THEY WERE TAKING CIVICS AT IMMAC.
ITS PART AND PARCEL OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY - AT TIMES A MESSY AFFAIR.
JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS A DIFFERENT OPINION THAN SOMEONE ELSE DOES NOT MEAN THEY HATE THAT PERSON OR THEY THINK THEY ARE BAD.
ITS LATE AND ITS TIME FOR BEDDY-BYE.
According to Crains, Astoria weathered the recession better than any other area of the city.
---
Really? Astoria looks run down and shabby. Absentee landlords will do that you know.
BTW, is it true that Mexicans have replaced Italians as the largest ethnic group?
Thank you steve behar for informing northeast queens of vallones ties to developers
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