Dennis Saffran does campaign mailers the respectable way

If you want to strike a stark comparison between you and your opponent, there's no need to have a developer PAC set someone on fire, or to try to attach candidates to scandals with which they were not involved. Here's the right way to do it, based on the candidate's actual words taken in the appropriate context and his record:









In other words, be man enough to do it under your own name!

Paul Vallone pretends that Avella endorsed him

This was taped this past week at the College Point Civic Candidates Night.

The school in Whitestone story has grown several arms, legs and eyes. It's absolutely amazing. Every elected - including Steve Israel - all asked Paul for help according to him. The petitions have mysteriously gone from 10,000 (at Bayside Historical Society) to 2,000.

At 7:25, he alludes to Tony Avella being united with him. At 7:30, he also adds Steve Israel again. He says that they're "already with him" at about 7:50.

At 8:30, the audience asks him for an answer about a DEP project at 11th Avenue and when it will be finished. HE CALLS ON CHUCK APELIAN TO ANSWER THE QUESTION as he has no clue.

He goes on to talk about how the CB is only advisory. The funny thing is that all of the problems that are being brought up were voted in favor at CB7.

Then around 11:20, Willets Point comes up. Again, he's acting as if everything is someone else's fault, not his votes on CB7. Add to that that he talks about there is "no Councilperson to stop it" as if Willets Point isn't included in anyone's district.

Saffran starts by hitting Vallone with refusing to debate him on NY1. He then hit Vallone on the non-citizen voter bill. Discretionary funding comes up after that and how Vallone backs "needs-based" funding, and he does well, and then goes after Citizens Union. Finally hits on overdevelopment, REBNY and Graziano's endorsement as well as Tony's refusal to endorse Vallone.

Vallone refuses to appear at NY1 debate

From Saffran 2013:

City Council Candidate Dennis Saffran today learned that his opponent, Paul Vallone, is refusing to appear at the only televised debate between the two candidates, which was scheduled to be taped at 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 3rd, and to appear on NY 1’s “Road to City Hall” the following day. Vallone, who is running against Saffran in one of the few competitive Council Districts in the entire City — a district where Republicans often win — claims that the debate, which would last twenty minutes at most, does not fit in to his busy campaign schedule.

In a statement, Saffran said:

“I’m extremely disappointed by my opponent’s decision not to show up at our only debate, as well as his decision to apparently run on his connections and family legacy, as opposed to the actual issues. This seems to be a trend with my opponent, who failed to appear at a forum held during the primary that focused on preservation and land-use issues, where he knew that his strong ties to Big Developers and the Real Estate Industry would come to the fore. I can’t imagine what my opponent has planned two days before the election that would be more important than our only opportunity to reach all of the voters in the district at one time, and letting them compare the two candidates side-by-side so I urge him to release his public campaign schedule so that the voters of this district at least know why he is insulting their intelligence by refusing to debate.”

Saffran’s public campaign schedule can be found here.

Candidates speak to BFHA about airport noise

Filmed at Broadway-Flushing Homeowners Association last week.

There are some really bad jokes at ~5:20.

Paul Vallone threatens Dennis Saffran with disbarment

It happens at about 11:00 in the above video. Saffran's response is brilliant.



In the second video, Vallone claims to have met with Manhattan members of the city council in a private meeting to nix the rumored high school in Whitestone. He also claims that Bill DeBlasio sought him out to walk next to in a parade, which shows you exactly what is of utmost importance to the Vallones.

Later on in Douglaston, Vallone lied and said CB7 voted against the shopping mall in the park. They voted yes. Video coming soon.

Ask yourself who sounds more like legislative material and who sounds like a lying, raving lunatic making things up as he goes along. I think the answer is clear.

This was taped at the Bayside Historical Society's debate this past week.

Newtown mailer comes back to haunt Vallone

Oh my!

Avella not endorsing Vallone

From the Politicker:

Democratic State Senator Tony Avella is not ready to back his party’s nominee for the City Council seat he once held.

After a corruption scandal felled GOP Councilman Dan Halloran’s political career, Paul Vallone eked out a victory in his eastern Queens district’s Democratic primary contest last month. But Mr. Avella, who had endorsed another Democrat in the race, has mixed feelings about the matter.

“Paul Vallone was not my candidate, is not my candidate,” Mr. Avella told Politicker yesterday. “A lot of people are very unhappy on the Democratic side Paul Vallone won the election. A lot of of people expressed big disappointment. He got about 30 percent of the vote, which means 70 percent voted against him.”

Although Mr. Avella’s primary pick crossed party lines to endorsed Dennis Saffran, the Republican nominee, at a press conference yesterday, Mr. Avella was not willing to go that far. Still, he said he found Mr. Vallone’s candidacy distasteful, including Mr. Vallone’s suggestion that he would bring more money to the district than either Mr. Avella or Mr. Halloran.

“That a little annoying. I’m gonna take another look at this race. Comments like that do not help his cause,” Mr. Avella remarked.

In particular, Mr. Avella–who tangled with Mr. Vallone’s brother, Councilman Peter Vallone, in the Democratic borough president’s contest before dropping out–complained about the political action committee backed by the Real Estate Board of New York, which spent heavily in support of Mr. Vallone and against his opponents.

“I am concerned because of the mailings Jobs for New York did on behalf of Paul. It’s very disconcerting to see … an organization that’s basically run by REBNY, which of course, I’ve had my run-ins with,” Mr. Avella explained. “One of the big issues in this district is over development. It’s very disconcerting see a PAC put in money for a candidate like that. I don’t know what that bodes for the future.”

Well, Paul, don't despair. You can still snag the coveted Halloran endorsement!

Dennis Saffran is the only adult in the CD19 race

From the Queens Chronicle:

There’s no question that most Whitestone residents oppose a high school on the former Cresthaven Country Club property, but there is controversy over last week’s rally at the site.

Although the event was organized by Kim Cody, president of the Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association, emails and literature were sent out from the Paul Vallone campaign. Vallone is the Democratic candidate running for the 19th City Council seat being vacated by Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone), who is not seeking re-election after being indicted on federal bribery charges.

Cody is angered that Vallone turned the legitimate concerns about a proposed high school on 150th Street near Fifth Avenue into a campaign rally. “Paul’s volunteers handed out press releases and no one else spoke,” he said. “We’re a nonpolitical civic and this should not have been a political rally.”

State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) announced last week that the School Construction Authority is looking at the site, but a Department of Education spokesman said there are no definite plans, adding it was one of several locations being surveyed.

Cody said he informed Vallone about the issue and invited Dennis Saffran, the Republican candidate, to attend. “But Vallone took over at the rally and his campaign wasn’t happy Dennis showed up, although he did not speak.”


This is the text of the endorsement from Paul Graziano:

“The 19th Council District is one of the last truly livable places for the middle-class left in New York City. I have committed my life to protecting and preserving our beautiful suburban neighborhoods as a civic leader, professional urban planner and historic preservation advocate for the past two decades, and it was the main reason that I ran for office this year.

I've worked alongside Dennis during the past decade in his capacity as a longtime civic leader in Douglaston and believe that he will make an excellent Councilmember for the 19th District. He cares about the same things that the residents of our council district care most about: stopping overdevelopment of our neighborhoods, making sure our public schools remain the best in New York City and reinforcing the excellent quality-of-life that we deserve in northeast Queens.

On the contrary, Paul Vallone has had no interest or experience taking care of the issues that affect our neighborhoods, as was proven during the Primary campaign when he refused to answer even simple questions from the public at the debates that were held - and didn't even bother to show up to the one debate focused on overdevelopment issues of our Council District.

In addition, his unbelievably offensive, slanderous and negative mailings and personal attacks, which focused on character assassination of his opponents and used religious bigotry in an attempt to get Catholic parishioners to vote for him, coupled with his overwhelming funding from the real estate industry and other special interest groups, clearly show that if he is elected to the City Council, Paul Vallone will not represent the interests of the residents of our neighborhoods, only those of the real estate industry and clients of his family's lobbying firm.

This is why I am crossing party lines to support Dennis Saffran for City Council. It is not a decision I make lightly, but I have always believed that we as citizens should support the best candidate for a political office regardless of what political party they happen to be registered with. And, considering the fact that Paul Vallone almost ran on the Republican Party line and sought the Conservative Party endorsement in 2009, I believe it is a complete non-issue in this particular race.

Therefore, I urge all of my supporters, whatever your party affiliation - as well as those 70% who did not vote for Paul Vallone in the Democratic Primary - to vote for the best person to represent us in the City Council: Dennis Saffran."

Graziano endorsing Saffran in Council race

From the Daily News:

A Queens Democrat is making a bold statement in the election to succeed embattled City Councilman Dan Halloran — he's backing the Republican over the Democrat who beat him.

Paul Graziano, a civic leader, will endorse Republican Dennis Saffran Tuesday. He lost to Paul Vallone in the Democratic primary.

Graziano blamed Vallone for mud-slinging campaign literature that targeted them. The flyers were sent by Jobs for New York, a real estate industry political action committee that endorsed Vallone.

Since Vallone’s developer-aided win, Saffran, chief of the appeals bureau for the Nassau County Attorney, has hammered him as too cozy with the real estate community.

In addition, Saffran has promised to push for a law that would bar sex offenders from living within 500 feet of a playground or school — slashing the current limit in half.

“Dennis is passionately committed to ... keeping predators away from our children, and bringing serious ethics reform to the Council,” said David Zuniga, Saffran’s campaign manager. “Paul Vallone is passionately committed to getting himself elected.”

Vallone got some other bad news in the race: The narrow loser of the Democratic primary, Austin Shafran, is not making an endorsement. He was also on the receiving end of the questionable flyers.

Also got word that neither Chrissy Voskerichian nor Steve Israel nor Tony Avella are endorsing Vallone.

Saffrans are generous campaign donors

Dennis Saffran

Total $15,100 as of 5/11/13

Contribution Category                                                 #                    Amount

Total                                                                           12                 $15,100
Total Contributors                                                       11

Candidate / Family                                                        2                 $11,000

Attorneys / family (not including Saffran/family)              5                      $925

Real Estate / Developers / Construction and family         2                   $2,850

Political                                                                         1                        $50

83.3% of contributions come from these 4 categories     $14,825
81.8% of individuals come from these 4 categories         9

Other important info:

6 of 11 contributors, or 54.5%, are from the 19th Council District.
$14,050* of $15,100, or 93%, is from the 19th Council District.

*$11,000 are from the Saffrans themselves.

Some notes:

William Johnert is a Republican District Leader from Woodhaven, Queens.

Donal O'Sullivan is one of the biggest contractors in New York City. His firm, Navillus Contracting, Inc., did the concrete work at the World Trade Center site and volunteered to clear out the debris/sand in the Rockaways after Superstorm Sandy.

Queens GOP dumps Halloran, backs Saffran; 2 other candidates enter race

From Crains:

The longtime former chief-of-staff for Republican Councilman Daniel Halloran is looking to run for her old boss' seat—as a Democrat. The councilman was recently hit with bribery allegations, setting off a free-for-all for his post.

Chrissy Voskerichian, who had a reputation as extremely loyal to Mr. Halloran but quit soon after the scandal hit, registered a campaign committee Friday to raise money for a possible run. In an interesting twist, a knowledgeable Queens source said, unlike Mr. Halloran, Ms. Voskerichian is registered as a Democrat and was expected to enter a crowded Democratic primary. Her voter registration status as a Democrat was noted in a 2011 Queens Chronicle profile.

"You could say she's more of a conservative Democrat. She's probably got a good shot, since she's well respected and knows everyone in the community," said the Queens source, who is not affiliated with any Democratic campaign.

Also from Crains:

The Queens Republican Party is officially dumping embattled Republican Councilman Daniel Halloran.

A Queens GOP screening committee voted unanimously Thursday evening to instead back the candidacy of Dennis Saffran, an attorney who lost a 2001 race for the same seat by a mere 400 votes, for the northeast Queens seat held by Mr. Halloran, according to party chairman Phil Ragusa. The Queens GOP's executive committee is all but certain to follow suit next Tuesday.

"[Halloran] is a Republican, and he can decide whether or not he wants to run. I can't say whether he's innocent or guilty," said Mr. Ragusa. "But he's got a cloud hanging over his head. He's got to make up his own mind, but I don't think it would be a good idea."

The bribery scandal also ensnared former Queens GOP executive vice-chairman Vincent Tabone, who has since been replaced by former Councilman Anthony Como. Mr. Tabone is accused of accepting a cash bribe. It's unclear whether Mr. Halloran will try to run for re-election. He did not return a request for comment.

From the Queens Chronicle:

A City Council candidate’s long-rumored run was made official this week, as John Duane formally kicked off his campaign after months of fundraising and behind-the-scenes legwork.

The Little Neck resident spent one term in the state Assembly nearly three decades ago and is making a second push for public office since that initial stint in Albany. (Duane lost to Ed Braunstein for the 26th Assembly District seat in 2010.)

Duane said his drive to represent the people of Northeast Queens has not diminished since his long-ago stint in Albany, and in fact has only grown.

“I certainly know the struggles my neighbors have had, and I’ve had them as well,” the Democrat said. “I’ve spent my whole life serving my community.”

The 59-year-old often portrays his candidacy and potential stint in the City Council as a time of bridge-building and nuts-and-bolts legislating. Transportation, education and public safety top his priorities list, as well as veterans issues. The latter concern distinguishes him from his potential opponents.

Coming out of the woodwork

From The Politicker:

A name familiar to millions of New Yorkers could enter a volatile Queens City Council race.

Rudy S. Giuliani, chief of staff to Republican Councilman Eric Ulrich and second cousin to the former mayor of the same name, is mulling a run for indicted GOP Councilman Dan Halloran’s seat, multiple sources told Politicker.

Mr. Giuliani is perhaps the only candidate who could keep the seat in their party’s possession, two GOP sources argued, since Mr. Halloran was arrested two weeks ago for participating in an alleged bribery scheme and the Republican Party lacks a deep bench in the northeastern Queens district. The sources said Mr. Ulrich is encouraging Mr. Giuliani to run for the seat if Mr. Halloran does not seek re-election.

A special election, which would automatically occur if Mr. Halloran resigned or is convicted of a felony, could present a unique opportunity for a Republican candidate. A crowded field Democrats are already vying for the competitive seat, and as councilmanic special elections are non-partisan, a unified Republican front would be hard to defeat.

Dennis Saffran, a Republican who ran against Mr. Halloran’s predecessor, Democrat Tony Avella, in 2001, may also be weighing another run for the seat. Last year, Mr. Giuliani passed on his own bid against Mr. Avella, who’s now in the State Senate.