By THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER PETER F. VALLONE JR.
For Immediate Release December 12, 2012
Michael Pantelidis
718-274-4500
917-881-8757
VALLONE: “I LOVE QUEENS, AND I WANT TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR OUR BOROUGH”
On December 11th, Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr. announced his candidacy for Queens Borough President, surrounded by his friends and family at the Vallone & Vallone law firm’s Christmas party. Vallone was joined by Public Advocate Bill de Blasio; former Comptroller Bill Thompson; MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota; State Senator Michael Gianaris; Council Members Dan Halloran, Mark Weprin, Elizabeth Crowley, Annabel Palma and Maria del Carmen Arroyo; and Assembly Members Aravella Simotas and Michael DenDekker. He was introduced by his father, former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., who was also celebrating his 78th birthday at the party.
Vallone began his announcement speech by jokingly asking if anyone in the room had NOT announced their intent to run for Queens Borough President, referencing the already crowded field.
The Council Member went on to say that he has the track record of leadership in fighting for Queens and the experience as a prosecutor and small business owner that no one else has. His leadership ability is evidenced by the fact that a local Council Member from Astoria has become a worldwide leader in the fight against graffiti, trans fats, the unregulated proliferation of cell towers, and the fight to remove the toxin fluoride from the City’s water.
Vallone then talked about his citywide leadership, including his fight to bring more police to our streets, remove roll down security gates, and his work with Commissioner Kelly as Public Safety Chair and a former prosecutor to bring crime down and keep the city safe from terror attacks.
On Queens issues, such as the renaming of the Queensboro Bridge, the removal of the borough’s only statue, and the fight to get an animal shelter in Queens, Vallone said he has virtually been the lone voice speaking for the county.
Perhaps more importantly, Vallone said he is the only candidate who understands the backbone of Queens – its small businesses – because he is a small business owner. The Council Member was managing partner at his family’s law firm, which has existed in its present location in Astoria since 1932, for 10 years before going into public service. Vallone continued by saying that he is the only candidate who knows firsthand the effect of big government on small businesses, and what higher taxes, overregulation and higher fines can do to our economy.
“I am the only candidate with a track record of fighting for the county that I love, keeping the people of Queens safe, and protecting my fellow small business owners, who are the backbone of the borough,” said Council Member Vallone.
Vallone was born and raised in Astoria, and currently lives around the corner from his parents’ home where he grew up. He raised both his daughters in Queens, and sent them to borough schools. The Council Member is also an avid musician, volleyball player and motorcycle rider.