Carrozza now a blogger

From Douglaston Patch:

Former northeast Queens assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza has joined the Huffington Post’s Expert Panel as a blogger.

Carrozza, who will offer advice on elder law and estate planning for Huff Post Money, served 14 years on the state Assembly and covered Douglaston, Little Neck, Bayside and Whitestone.

Her first blog entry, “Don’t Let the Government Write Your Will," can be read by clicking here.

The next cog in the Queens Machine!

From the Daily News:

The crowded field of candidates running for Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza's soon-to-be-vacant 26th District seat are furious about a flyer being mailed out by Ed Braunstein.

"Albany is an embarrassment. We deserve better," reads the colorful piece of literature, which appeared in mailboxes in northeast Queens last week. "Career politicians are completely out of touch with our values."

Braunstein, a newcomer to the local political scene, has the backing of the powerful Queens Democratic Party. He also works for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, which makes his claims questionable, according to primary opponents.

"All the candidates are running on our records," said Democratic hopeful Steve Behar. "We have a history in the district of activism. It's indefensible to call himself a reformer."

Behar pointed out that Braunstein's uncle is high-caliber lobbyist Brian Meara.

"We're outraged," said Elio Forcina, a Whitestone Democrat vying for the seat. "He is tied in with lobbyists and lobbyists are running his campaign and he works for Sheldon Silver, and he tells the public he is a reform candidate?"

Former Assemblyman John Duane, another Democratic candidate, said there is a "disconnect" between Braunstein's claim to be an agent of change and his deep connections to the Queens Democratic Party and top elected officials.

"He's running a campaign on status-quo party organization," he said, "These people haven't done anything to change Albany."

In another "Odd Couple"-like twist, Braunstein's camp sent out a press release touting endorsements by Democrats Jerry Iannece and Paul Vallone.

Vallone and Iannece faced off in a bitter Council primary battle last year. They both ended up losing to newcomer Kevin Kim, who was then defeated by Republican Dan Halloran in an even uglier general election.

Just when you thought it couldn't get worse...

From the Times Ledger:

Evan Stavisky, a spokesman for Braunstein’s campaign, pointed out that Cuomo, who is running on a campaign of reforming Albany, had thrown his weight behind Braunstein.

Crowded field for Bayside assembly race

From the Times Ledger:

The list keeps growing of potential contenders to replace state Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza (D-Bayside) after she announced in late March that she would not seek re-election this fall.

A total of nine Democrats and two Republicans have either been mentioned as potential candidates by Queens political sources or confirmed that they plan to run following Carrozza’s announcement March 26.

A source within the Queens Democratic Party listed a number of political hopefuls for the race this November, including New York State Young Democrats President Matthew Silverstein; Carol Gresser, the former city Board of Education president who challenged then-City Councilwoman Helen Marshall in the 2001 Queens borough president race; John Duane, a former assemblyman in the district during the 1980s and brother of state Sen. Tom Duane (D-Manhattan); and Whitestone attorney Elio Forcina.

Several Democrats have already announced their bids, including Community Board 11 member Edward Braunstein and newly appointed CB 11 member Steve Behar, a Bayside attorney. Others have said they are considering a run, such as Bayside’s Michael Sais, chief of staff for state Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria).

Debra Markell, district manager of Long Island City’s Community Board 2, said she is “exploring her options” in the race. She and Behar both ran in last fall’s Democratic primary to replace former Councilman Tony Avella.

Kevin Kim, who won the Democratic primary for Avella’s seat in September but lost to Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) in November, would also not divulge his plans.

CB 11 Chairman Jerry Iannece and Flushing attorney Paul Vallone, brother of Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) and son of former Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., will not run for Carrozza’s seat because neither of them live in the district, which covers Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston and Whitestone and includes District 25 and 26 schools.

Two Republicans are vying for the seat, including Vince Tabone, who works as an attorney for John Catsimatidis’ Manhattan-based Red Apple Group, and former Police Officer Rob Speranza, who challenged Carrozza in 2008.

MTA not going Whitestone's way

"Hello, There is an ongoing problem on the corner of 149th street and 25th ave. Less than one year ago the MTA moved the buses that would continue heading from 149th street towards 150th street via Willets Point Blvd onto the small street (25th ave) right next to the Flushing Fields park. This has caused not only a major and severe traffic problem, but also a safety hazard to those who occupy the park and who drive down the street. The buses are going at higher speeds and also turning left onto 150th street which interferes with traffic from the nearby supermarket, Strawberry Farms, and the already existing bus route on 150th street that goes towards Beechhurst. Attention needs to be brought to this issue.

My neighbors and I have contacted everyone from Padavan, Carrozza, Halloran, and Avella. Tony Avella was responsible from moving the buses due to a resident on Willets Point complaining and in one of many letters I received from the representatives but also the MTA bus company and I quote the insane and absurd idea that the Willets Point bus stop was too "small' when they moved it to a smaller location. From a letter Via Dan Halloran's office from the MTA company: "When we reviewed the site, we determined that the layover area on Willets Point Boulevard was too small to handle the number of buses using that location. We surveyed the area for alternative locations with sufficient space, and determined the location on 25th ave, east of 149th street, was the most suitable location. We worked with the NYC Department of Transportation to implement the change."

Clearly these people have not visited the area. Come the warmer months, parking on this block is not an option. Residents are fighting with one another for parking. This issue is serious and attention needs to be brought." - annonymous

Carrozza hanging it up

From the Queens Courier:

State Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza (D-Bayside) said Friday that she would not run for re-election this fall and three northeast Queens Democrats have already been named by a source within the party as potential opponents for her seat.

Carrozza, who was first elected to the Assembly in 1996, announced in a statement that she would not make another bid to hold on to her seat in November.

The assemblywoman would have faced off against Republican attorney Vince Tabone, who has already been endorsed by the Queens County GOP.

A source within the Queens County Democratic Party said that three names that have been floated to run against Tabone are Michael Sais, who is chief of staff for state Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria); New York state Young Democrats President Matthew Silverstein; and Steve Behar, a Bayside attorney who ran for City Council but lost to Kevin Kim in the Democratic primary for District 19.

Carrozza may be faced with challengers

From City Hall:

...rumors are swirling that some within the party would prefer to see Carrozza take a pass on a re-election bid. Already, a number of potential challengers are lining up to take on the scandal-scarred incumbent.

Democrat Steve Behar, who recently finished a distant fourth in a six-person Democratic primary to replace Council Member Tony Avella, said he is strongly considering running for the Assembly seat whether Carrozza stays in the race or not.

Behar, an attorney, is not closely associated with the Queens Democratic Party and would have few qualms about running a primary against an establishment-backed incumbent.

Meanwhile, political insiders on both sides of the aisle believe that if Carrozza does not run, Michael Sais, the chief of staff for Assembly Member Michael Gianaris, is lined up as the county party’s pick to the replace her. Sais has also worked as a lobbyist for the Parkside Group, the consulting firm typically used by Queens Democratic Party candidates.

Also, Matthew Silverstein, president of the New York State Young Democrats, said that if Carrozza chooses not to run for re-election, he will definitely run for the seat.

Queens Republicans, meanwhile, are coalescing behind Vincent Tabone, executive vice-president of the Queens Republican Party.

Tabone, an attorney who has worked in both the Giuliani and Bloomberg administrations, said he would also decide whether to run sometime early next year.

Photo from the Daily News

Same tired shit may run for different offices

From the Times Ledger:

Regarding Paul Vallone’s political future, we will be finding out during the next few months whether he will run for political office in 2010. He cannot run for the state Assembly seat in the 26th Assembly District, which is currently represented by Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza (D-Bayside), since he lives in the 25th Assembly District.

Paul Vallone does live, however, in the 11th State Senate District represented by Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose). There is a possibility he may decide to run for that seat against Padavan. His campaign headquarters on Francis Lewis Boulevard is still intact and ready to go if needed. He has also indicated he intends to move his law practice to Bayside and use his former campaign headquarters as his law office.

As for Iannece’s political future, he also does not live in the 26th Assembly District, but in the 24th Assembly District, which will become an open seat leading to a special election in the early part of next year when Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D-Little Neck) resigns from that seat to take his elected position on the City Council.

His brother, Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis) is also considering running for the Senate against Padavan. If David Weprin does not run for the vacated 24th Assembly District seat, it would seem Iannece would be the leading Democratic candidate. A major factor in that selection process, however, is who the county Democratic Party endorses.

It seems like some people are set on living off the public dole as politicians no matter what capacity it may be in. You need to thoroughly understand the workings of these legislative bodies before you throw your hat in the ring, not just throw a dart at a board and see what office you're going to run for. At least that's how it should be. As we can see, it's not the case. The perks are just too lucrative and brains often are not required.

Car dealership a bad neighbor

From the Times Ledger:

Bayside residents and elected officials said they were upset that a car dealership on Northern Boulevard has long been using a residential street behind the business as well as the sidewalk adjacent to its property to park vehicles.

State Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza (D-Bayside) and state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) have both contacted the city Department of Buildings and the 111th Precinct to complain that Star Nissan, at 206-02 Northern Blvd. in Bayside, has been parking vehicles on 45th Road and along the sidewalk on 206th Street, which is also the Clearview Expressway’s service road, for a long time.

In a letter to the DOB, Padavan said the dealership’s certificate of occupancy allows the business to park 30 cars on its lot. But in a separate letter to the 111th Precinct, he said the dealership often parks unlicensed vehicles with no plates on the streets near the business.

Community activist Mandingo Tshaka, who has registered complaints about the dealership with Carrozza, Padavan, Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office and the DOB, said he consistently notices vehicles without plates parked along 45th Road between Oceania Street and 206th Street.

“That business is making millions of dollars, but it’s not contributing anything to Bayside,” he said. “It’s disrespectful to the community and denying residents on 45th Road the right to park there.”

Residents on that street said they often have to park several blocks away.

Cuomo probing Carrozza's claims

From the Daily News:

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is investigating whether Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza broke state law by living in a Long Island mansion instead of her Queens district.

Cuomo's office launched the probe in response to an exclusive Daily News report that revealed the Democratic lawmaker claimed in a mortgage document that the Glen Head, L.I., manse would be her "principal residence," sources said.

Cuomo's investigators - armed with statements Carrozza has made to The News - are focusing on whether she filed a false business document when she took out the $1 million mortgage, the sources said.

Carrozza, who has vowed to run for reelection next year, said she welcomes Cuomo's probe.

"I am confident he will find that at all times I have maintained my primary residence right here in Bayside," she said. That claim contradicts her mortgage pledge and statements she previously made to The News.

The mortgage papers Carrozza signed state the posh Gold Coast digs would be her "principal residence within 60 days" and "for at least one year" thereafter.

Cuomo's probers are examining whether Carrozza, 42, was able to obtain a more favorable interest rate with that assertion, the sources said.

Carrozza says she'll run again; tosses family into street

From the Queens Campaigner:

In a statement issued Tuesday, Carrozza said she plans to run again for her seat.

“I have every intention of running for re-election and look forward to continuing to deliver results for our community,” she said. “I’m not the kind of person who takes this job lightly. Unfortunately, over the past year a difficult personal circumstance involving the care of a loved one prevented me from being in Albany for several session days, but I have worked hard to continue to fight for my constituents and expect to be able to have excellent attendance again next year.”

Vincent Nicolosi Jr. said he, his wife and their three children rent an apartment from Carrozza at 202nd Street and 35th Avenue in Bayside. In late June, the couple received a 30-day notice to vacate the apartment.

“They never gave us a heads-up,” said Nicolosi, who is son of former state Assemblyman Vincent Nicolosi.

“I’m not going to be homeless with three kids.”
Nicolosi said he and his wife have been looking for another apartment, but both of them work full-time.

“Right after [Carrozza] said she was moving back to the district, we were served with a 30-day notice,” Nicolosi said. “So, put two and two together. She should have given us advance notice.”

Jersey boy wants Flushing Council seat

This filing shows that Council District 20 candidate S.J. Jung lived in Bergen, NJ until earlier this year.

So, he's in NJ; Peter Koo lives in Port Washington and has a fake address in downtown Flushing that Evan Stavisky camped out in front of for two months; and Yen Chou lives in Bayside. Bayside Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza was caught living in Nassau County and Paul Vallone can't decide whether he's from Astoria or Bayside.

That's what Queens neighborhoods are viewed as by the tweeders: Nice places to make money off of, but they wouldn't want to live there.

No show Annie

From the Daily News:

A Queens lawmaker under fire for living in a posh Long Island mansion instead of her district admits she has another problem - her "abysmal" attendance in Albany.

Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza told the Daily News Editorial Board Monday that "personal issues" led her to show up for work just 36% of the time this year.

Carrozza, who pulls in a $79,500 annual base salary plus a $16,500 stipend as deputy majority whip, has attended 25 of 69 legislative session days this year, Assembly records show.

Last year, she made it to Albany 61% of the time.

"If I had to grade it," Carrozza said of her attendance, "I would say that the last two years were abysmal."

Carrozza saga raises more questions

So Ann-Margaret Carrozza moved back to Bayside after she was caught double-dipping on a STAR rebate for her home on Long Island and the Daily News rightly called for her resignation.

But why hasn't anyone looked into the developers who do the same thing? Why do many of them list their teardowns as their home addresses on mortgage documents and building department permits? How much revenue are we losing out on because of this? Remember this when you get your next tax bill.

Barbie's coming home

From the Queens Campaigner:

The assemblywoman said she and her husband, who have two children, are planning to adopt a third child, but the Bayside home in which they had lived prior to their move to Long Island did not provide enough room for five people. Carrozza had also promised to rent that home to an Oregon couple for part of the year and did not want to renege, so she has remained in the Glen Head house for the past four months.

She said she will move back into the other Bayside home she owns Aug. 1 because it is rented out through July. The Long Island property currently serves as her husband’s primary residence, she said.

“There’s no requirement that a husband and wife have the same primary residence,” she said of her status as an elected official.

According to property records, the couple purchased the Long Island home for $1.8 million in June 2008.

Barbie's dream home is in Glen Head

From the Daily News:

Queens Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza pulled her Mercedes up to her brick mansion recently after a long day at work.

Her husband and one of her two sons were outside, along with the family's black Lab, Stanley. With the stately manse as a backdrop, the petite, blond lawmaker and her family could have been modeling for an L.L. Bean catalogue.

There was one problem with the pretty picture: Carrozza's $1.8 million home is in tony Glen Head, L.I. - 15 miles from her district in Bayside, Queens.

Carrozza, 42, who has represented the 26th Assembly District since 1997, bought the mansion on Nassau County's Gold Coast in June 2008, taking out a mortgage for $1 million, property records show.

She told the Daily News the lavish digs were supposed to be "an investment or a second residence." But she signed mortgage documents that specifically state the mansion would be her "principal residence."

When confronted outside the posh pad last week, Carrozza admitted she has lived there full-time since February.

Queens Machine vs. Paul Vallone

From City Hall:

Democratic district leaders, including political consultant Evan Stavisky, his mother, State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Queens) and Assembly Member Ann Carrozza (D-Queens), have pressured Paul Vallone, one of the race’s two presumed frontrunners in the six-way race, to drop out, Vallone said.

But Vallone is refusing.

“Three people don’t control the district,” said Vallone.

Party leaders are instead backing Jerry Iannece, a longtime community activist and chairman of Community Board 11. They maintain that Vallone, an attorney, does not have deep enough roots in the district to win a general election.

Thankfully there are still 4 others to choose from...

Park pole pol

Apparently it's ok to advertise yourself on park property if you are a pol. This one is at Golden Park in Bayside.