From the Queens Chronicle:
The race to replace outbound and embattled Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) heated up Tuesday night at a forum held by the Auburndale Improvement Association at St. Kevin’s Church, as candidates tried to balance staying on message while answering a battery of specific questions presented by the civic.
The group devised a strict format for the evening, allotting 15 total minutes to every candidate. The first three minutes were dedicated to introductory statements. The remaining 12 were meant to address a list of questions handed to them ahead of time, covering topics such as overdevelopment, real estate taxes and the Federal Aviation Administration’s new and disruptive flight patterns to LaGuardia. There would then be three audience-submitted questions.
The rules dictated the candidates would speak on a first-come, first-serve basis. The race’s two Pauls — Graziano and Community Board 7 member and political scion Paul Vallone — arrived two minutes apart with Vallone coming in second.
A perturbed Vallone opened his remarks by noting Graziano refused to acquiesce his opening speaking slot despite the former’s prior commitments to his daughter’s soccer team, calling it an embodiment of some of his opponent’s character, without actually naming who he was talking about.
In some cases, blatant dodges or outright lies were spoken. When asked about the source of his contributions — specifically if any of them came from lobbyists or developers — Vallone launched into a big wet kiss for the Campaign Finance Board’s work, and voters’ ability to check out his campaign funding sources themselves.
In addition to the above, Vallone also referred to a local civic organization as "the damn Broadway-Flushing Homeowners" [at 1:54 on this video]. This ridiculous lapse in judgment speaks volumes about Mr. Vallone's character as well as the Queens County Democrats that chose him as their candidate.
He also embarrassingly chided the timekeeper when the timer went off at 3:10. He demanded equal time as the previous candidate (Graziano) who he claimed was up there "for about a half hour", but apparently was ignorant of the fact that the timer went off simply to let him know that he should wrap up his opening statement. (The truth be known, each candidate was given more than 15 minutes and just about the same amount of time, as the times on these videos show.)
And then at 10:35, listen to what Vallone says about the Dilluvio decision. The Dilluvio decision, in a nutshell, is about a homeowner in the Broadway-Flushing area who erected a wall on his property. Under Rickert-Finlay restrictive covenant rules, walls are not allowed in the front yard. The Broadway-Flushing Homeowners Association sued, the court ruled in their favor and Dilluvio appealed several times. The final appeal resulted in a win for Broadway-Flushing. The attorney representing Broadway-Flushing is former assemblyman Vincent Nicolosi, not Paul Vallone. So what does Vallone mean when he says, "We won"? He said himself that he is not currently a "damn" Broadway-Flushing homeowner, and he was not involved in the case. In fact, the candidate consulting for Broadway-Flushing on deed restriction cases is actually Paul Graziano. And Nicolosi donated to him.
And below is a photo of the Dilluvio home. See anything strange here?
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| Click photo for larger version |
Well, Paul V. sure didn't say much about why he deserves to be a council member or what he would do to help the district during his time at Auburndale Improvement Association Candidates' Night. But we can always just visit his website to learn his positions on the important issues that have been brought to his attention. Astounding amount of info there.
45 comments:
The rules dictated the candidates would speak on a first-come, first-serve basis. The race’s two Pauls — Graziano and Community Board 7 member and political scion Paul Vallone — arrived two minutes apart with Vallone coming in second.
A perturbed Vallone opened his remarks by noting Graziano refused to acquiesce his opening speaking slot despite the former’s prior commitments to his daughter’s soccer team, calling it an embodiment of some of his opponent’s character, without actually naming who he was talking about.
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Vallone is a horse's ass, and that's being kind. Apparently the political event wasn't important on his personal agenda. Where are his priorities? Family is important but if you're a political candidate and hoping to be elected to office, you have to make sacrifices, especially for an official event---a candidate's night with community members.
The event had agreed upon rules when it came to speaking order. How dare Vallone chastize Paul Graziano for his own shortcoming? Vallone arrived later than Graziano. PERIOD! What kind of a city councilperson attempts to break the rules and then calls out his opponent? That's ridiculous.
Sorry I don't live in the 19th District because there is a clear choice in this election, Paul Graziano. He came to the event prepared and has demonstrated time and time again that he cares for the people and issues and will work hard to represent the 19th District. Vallone needs to put away his red nose, over-sized shoes, and clown suit and treat the election as a contest and not an entitlement.
Paul Vallone thinks he's a master debater but he's really a jerk off!
Good God this guy has borrowed daddy's mannerisms.
The cloak themselves in family, their family this, their family that.
Hogwash. Bullshit.
Their policies does everything to destroy everyone else's family by wrecking the communities they live in.
Talk to the families whose lives were ruined by that medical facility on 31st Street, or the hotels in Dutch Kills, or when an absentee landlord takes over a building next door as is now the case in so many blocks in Astoria.
Yes, Astoria was a good family community - 40 years ago. But the Vallones have ruined it.
It used to be a one of the best places to live in NYC. Now it is backward and stagnant.
All this from the Vallones.
Don't buy anything this guy says.
The Vallones are arrogant, entitled, out of touch, and act like they are better than everyone else. They walk around with a self entitled air. Their arrogant out of touch community board that they selected is a reflection of this family.
Even the people in Astoria are starting to tire of them.
Graziano is the better choice.
The reissue of my cartoon speaks for me, once again.
My opinion of Paul Vallone hasn't changed.
Thanks, "Crappy".
Maybe I'll start work on another one.
Vallone= vomit
"Hey goombah...I'm Don Paolo...
and what I sez goes, or else"!
There he is...old chrome dome Mussolini...
acting like a mafia brat!
Bad mouthing the venerable BFHA will cost you plenty of votes, you big dummy!
What a thug Vallone really is....real street trash with a law license.
Maybe what they're all saying is true...
that Paul Vallone is the dumber brother of the two.
"I'm sorry, I'd really like to chair this committee meeting about an important issue to my community, but my kid has a play date. Since I am the only person to ever have to balance work and family, you'll just have to understand."
VALLONEY-BALONEY!
I just love that drawing. It cuts through all of the Vallone horse shit!
Don't let these carpetbaggers get a foot hold in northeast Queens and ruin it like they did in Astoria.
It's the other way around.
Little Paulie Vallone's hissy fit speaks volumes for his bad character.
The Vallones really think that they're royalty and entitled to having their asses kissed by their voter-slaves.
I say kick their asses! (Which just happened).
Remember that you voters are the Vallone's bosses!
How come that impish looking page boy, Adam Lombardi, wasn't there to hold up the train of "King Vallone's" ermine robe?
Counselor Vallone,
I'm one of those "damn" Broadway Flushing Homeowners' Association members.
My wife is currently, and has served on their board, numerous times.
NOBODY, to the best of my knowledge, at BFHA has ever disrespected you for living 30 feet outside of our association's official perimeter.
You were warmly received and were served coffee and cake at the end of meeting. We all talked together--cordially exchanging stories, etc.
THERE IS NO HAIR SPLITTING OR SNOBBERY GOING ON HERE--FOR WE ARE STILL NEIGHBORS!
I'M NO LIAR!
So, here's the truth--as many in the community know I often speak.
I rarely witnessed you attending numerous BFHA general meetings, except around the time you were running for office.
Please explain that!
I, for one, CANNOT TRUST a lobbyist who WORKS FOR DEVELOPERS.--and (nothing personal intended here) YOU ARE one of them--despite your disclaimers to the contrary.
Many voters out there, are feeling the same mistrust.
Therefore, I'm sorry I cannot vote for you.
My money, vote and support goes to the other Paul--GRAZIANO!
Him, I can trust to do the right thing for the sake of the community not the builders. I've worked with him on neighborhood preservation and quality of life issues for about 2+ decades.
If any of you trust my reputation for the love of our community (my RKO Keith's service, etc.) for over 30 years--please follow suit--VOTE GRAZIANO!
Other than that-- I'm sure that you are a great dad and care very much for your family-- Mr. Vallone.
Therefore, I wish you well--BUT NOT in the upcoming election.
Other than that--
whomever you choose to vote for--PLEASE VOTE!
It's a great privilege to be able to do so.
Maybe what they're all saying is true...
that Paul Vallone is the dumber brother of the two.
The dumber of the three brothers. Perry must be the smartest since he's not running for office.
If we can take a moment from bashing, one thing about these debates that make us focus more on the personalities and less on what damage they will do once elected into office - is a real lack of substance in discussing issues.
Debates are held by clubs, which lob easy softballs by plants to the panel ("what is your position on hallel food for school lunches?")
or, as in this case, give them the questions early (so they figure out how to respond by looking official as they tell where you can get problems solved on line or by a phone .... just somewhere else not on their to do list.)
So in that sense, the debates are useful only in that you can see their mannerisms as if they are already in office....for what that is worth.
If walls are forbidden by the Rickert-Finlay covenant why doesn't the Broadway-Flushing group do something about the Pink Palace's wall on the southeast corner of 159th street and 32nd Avenue?
Right on target about the transparent depth of most debates.
County's pick? Sure, HE doesn't have to raise HIS kids in an area run by the Vallones.
That is YOUR problem.
As someone who has become very familiar with the Rickert-Finlay covenants in Broadway-Flushing, due to my advocacy and consulting work with the Broadway-Flushing Homeowners Association for over a decade and their past and current lawsuits to defend them, I can tell you that, unfortunately, the "Pink Palace" is outside of the covenant area.
Therefore, the restriction against walls and fences do not apply to that property.
Our goal is to get the entirety of the Broadway-Flushing neighborhood city landmark status, which would not only protect the houses from being demolished, but also allow the areas outside of the Rickert-Finlay convenant area, such as the "Pink Palace" to be regulated in a similar manner (meaning no walls, fences, etc.).
I authored the report that placed 1,330 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 in order to gain recognition that Broadway-Flushing was indeed an important historic and architectural place in New York City and deserving of protection.
As I stated on Tuesday evening, over 85% of the residents of Broadway-Flushing voted to become a National Register Historic District and wish to become a city landmark historic district to protect their neighborhood from being destroyed.
I was happy to hear that ALL of my opponents were in favor of municipal landmark status for Broadway-Flushing, even if this was at odds from positions that they took in previous years. As they have not been visible in their advocacy previous to this political campaign, I hope that this time - whoever wins - they will stick to it, because Broadway-Flushing needs our help.
Whether or not I am elected Councilmember in the 19th District, I will continue to work diligently as I have for over a decade to get Broadway-Flushing municipal landmark status. However, it would be nice if the current Councilmember would "find religion" on this issue before he leaves office permanently in December, or perhaps before.
Paul Graziano
Candidate for City Council, 19th District
www.paulgraziano.com
When referencing the Vallones, one should always use the correct longer version of their name - the Vallone Crime Family.
Go Paulie G!
Oh no - that sounds a little too Soprano-esque (RIP James Gandolfini).
Paul Graziano is a CLASS ACT! Paul Vallone is a provincial asshole.
There's no comparison. Too bad that Queens is filled with special-interest-driven morons and clueless high-school dropouts!
Ha! I can't believe that Vallone is AFRAID of Graziano!!!
Who would've thought that would be the case? He starts out his spiel with Graziano complaints and keeps referencing him throughout.
Hil-f*ck-ing-arious!
AND .... I haven't seen Vallone fight for anything in the district. What a liar.
LASTLY ... he didn't answer any of the questions. Because HE CAN'T, he's UNABLE to, he has nothing in the community to stand on of any substance. He works for the very people who want to pillage the community.
Pitiful loser.
Did Vallone say that Broadway-Flushing was number 1 in home invasions?? I didn't know of any home invasions in our neighborhood.
Ha! I can't believe that Vallone is AFRAID of Graziano!!!
Who would've thought that would be the case? He starts out his spiel with Graziano complaints and keeps referencing him throughout.
Hil-f*ck-ing-arious!
AND .... I haven't seen Vallone fight for anything in the district. What a liar.
LASTLY ... he didn't answer any of the questions. Because HE CAN'T, he's UNABLE to, he has nothing in the community to stand on of any substance. He works for the very people who want to pillage the community.
Pitiful loser.
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You know it! Now convince the rest of the 19th Council District to vote for Graziano. Good luck.
No wonder Vallone talks so much about his kids. Procreation seems to be his only accomplishment.
"Paul Vallone thinks he's a master debater but he's really a jerk off!"
He really is literally holding his own! Just don't let him jerk around the community.
Moved out of Bayside because of all our useless officials defacating on our quality of life and pillaging our coffers.
Now living down south and enjoying life. I still keep tabs on my old community and visit on an almost monthly basis because of business.
Al Centola could easily walk on and beat these pathetic losers. The other genuine person seems to be Paul Graziano. I've never me him but have heard nothing but good things about him for years.
So... If Al is not running.... If Al doesn't decide to jump in soon..... I'm advocating for Paul Graziano...... As a matter of fact I'm telling my entire family ( rather large one) to vote Graziano..... They all live in the bayside Whitestone area!!!
I think we're all missing the most disturbing part of his remarks. If I hear this correctly he says
"If I'm priveleged enough to be elected, we are going to extend that 30 feet and then I'll part of the damn Broadway Flushing Homeowners"
What exactly is he implying here?
That the organization should waive its decades-old rules in honor of him if he wins elected office? Does he expect such special privelages and ass-kissing?
Or is he subtly syuggesting that he'd use his position to cajole or force them to let him in?
I'm sure he'll spin this as if he was just making a joke. But this isn't a Joke. If you watch his entire speach, one message is clear throughout: Vallone expects special treatment. From you, from me, from everyone. Organizations should acquiesce to him. His family is better than yours. His kids' soccer is more important than your neighborhood issues. And everyone should work around his schedule.
I don't know about this. It looks like an old school planting box and it MATCHES the house. At appears the homeowner gives a shit about the property and plans on sticking around.
I wouldn't F_ with him or her another fugly box could be going up.
Joe, the planting box is not the wall in question. You can see the gray post next to the house. That was part of the wall.
The Jerk Store called, they're running out of Paul Vallone.
Anonymous George Costanza said...
The Jerk Store called, they're running out of Paul Vallone.
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Not that there's anything wrong with that.
"...the "Pink Palace" is outside of the covenant area."
So what exactly is the perimeter of the covenant? The only reference I can find is from 1906 and the street names have changed.
Enough of going after this yo yo - how about his brother who has fallen under the radar - the building from on Ditmars was rammed down the community's throat, he is still making noises about pouring $4 million of our money to plug the leak in the diving pool in the park .... and its never been clear exactly what he achieved as public safety chair on city council if his own community has problems with the local precinct being responsive to complaints.
So what exactly is the perimeter of the covenant? The only reference I can find is from 1906 and the street names have changed.
Hopefully Paul G. can provide more info. But I do know that not every house in Broadway-Flushing is covered by the covenant. There's no covenant language written in the deed to my house - I live in the N.E. corner of the district.
Only about 1/4 of Broadway-Flushing is covered by the Rickert-Finlay covenant.
Queens Crapper said...
Only about 1/4 of Broadway-Flushing is covered by the Rickert-Finlay covenant.
Actually, the covenant covers quite a bit more of Broadway-Flushing than 1/4 of the area. I would definitely contact the Broadway-Flushing Homeowners Association for more information.
Paul Graziano
Candidate for City Council, 19th District
www.paulgraziano.com
My bad, I trust the expert.
Wait a minute.
I thought this race was for the City Council Person who would represent the entire district, not just North Flushing.
Crappy,
Your blog is beginning to be a little too narrow in its focus.
I'm not the one who was focusing on North Flushing and Broadway-Flushing: that would have been Paul Vallone on Tuesday night, where almost everything he actually DID talk about had to do with that neighborhood (hence the continued conversation and reaction). I wonder if he realized he was in Auburndale and had a number of Whitestone people in the house.
I know Malba Gardens was there because I was there and I know Al was there because I spoke to him the next day and we didn't even realize we were both going. If I'm not mistaken Mr. Kim Cody of GWTCA was also there. Good turnout from the Whitestone civics. Thank you to the host group.
I know I won't be voting for Vallone EVER!
Go Graziano.
There is some truth, I must confess, in what any of the Vallones have said about family "service" being the "Vallone tradition".
Certainly they aren't talking about the Vallones serving their old home district very well--judging from the lousy overbuilt and under served shape that Astoria is in.
Does everyone remember that great summer Astoria power blackout a few years ago? Local merchants lost fortunes! Where were the Vallones--in the Hamptons?
Apparently that power outage also launched a news
media blackout. Could it have been for the benefit of the Vallone family? The REAL news wasn't getting out.
Was there an attempt by Vallone friendly (or fearful) "journalists" to conceal the Vallone family's complicity in supporting the mega-development which was directly responsible for that power blackout?
It is clear that the heirs to the Vallone political dynasty have concentrated on serving their own family VERY WELL!
Their sense of ENTITLEMENT, when they enter a room, indicates that THEY COME FIRST.
You are are merely a second rate citizen.
Take a number and stand in line for service.
Glare at me if you wish Paul Vallone--the next time you decide to grace one of our "damn BFHA" meetings.
Family?
Don't you really mean mafia connected family...or at least political mafia family, Jerry?
No, I DID NOT say OR IMPLY that!
Watch it. You are treading on libel, fella.
The Vallone family are lawyers.
The Vallones are overbearing--and can act like political thugs on occasion--to say the least.
Now, leave it alone.
Vallone is trying to play "hide the salami" with you voters.
So don't you risk bending over at the polling place and fall for his baloney. You'll find a pepperoni up your butt if he gets elected.
Relax!
Paul wants you all to turn into stoned-out, placid, obedient, little Stepford Wives in his utopian Vallonia.
Damn,
if that goombah doesn't look like the bald Charles Foster... "Citizen Kane...in his later years.
The odd shape of his dome doesn't lend itself to shaving his hair off.
Better to wear a wig just like your daddy...unless there is some sexual play advantage to having a slick pate.
Gerrardo
The short answer to your question is, celebrities rarely sue for libel or slander because they're very unlikely to win and because it just brings more attention to the lies.
Here's the long answer—
In the U.S., anyone can sue anyone for anything. The question is never, "Can I sue?" The question is, "Can I win?"
You are correct, public figures can sue for libel or slander, but it is exceedingly difficult for them to win. The Supreme Court case New York Times v. Sullivan set the standard, called actual malice. Public figures have to prove that not only was the statement false, but also that the speaker or writer either knew the statement was false or published the statement with "reckless disregard" for whether the statement was true or false.
Since libel or slander is by definition a false statement, truth is a defense. So the plaintiff is the one who ends up on trial, because he or she has to prove the accusations against him or her are false.
For example, if Smith publishes a statement that Jones stole money, and Jones sues Smith for libel, Smith will probably defend himself by saying the statement is true; then he will put forth all of the things that make him think Jones is a thief.
Except in rare cases, court cases are on the public record. So a lot more people will find out that Smith thinks Jones is a thief because of Jones' own lawsuit. If the media cover the case, millions more people could learn about the accusations that would not have if Jones had not sued.
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