QNS Electeds Co-Names Street For Longtime Lawmaker Butler
Astoria lawmakers including U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D), State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D), Assemblywoman Aravella Simotis (D) and City Councilmember Costa Constantinides (D) today will lead an official street renaming ceremony for a portion of 30th Avenue in Astoria as Assemblyman Denis J. Butler Way.
As a full-time legislator representing Queens’ 36th Assembly District from 1976 to 2000, achieving victories in every assembly election, Butler served in various leadership capacities, including as longtime Speaker Pro-Tempore and Chairman of the Queens County legislative delegation.
From an early age his commitment to service was evident, as a 20-year volunteer with the Lighthouse for the Blind, as president of the St. Joseph’s Home School Association, a member of its Holy Name Society, Parish Council. He was also Democratic District Leader from 1970 until 2000.
As a legislator he served on many important committees overseeing labor, the state budget, economic development, higher education, and as Chairman of the Assembly Subcommittee on the Special Problems of the Aging. Through decades of advocacy and legislation, he was a staunch advocate for the elderly, disabled, unborn and military veterans.
Butler, a lifelong Astoria resident, died at 83 in 2010.
The street co-naming is slated for 11 a.m., today, Oct. 19 on 30th Avenue Between 44th & 45th Street in Astoria.
Lancman Slams Paladino For Supportive Proud Boys Comments
City Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, Fresh Meadows, Hillcrest, Jamaica Estates, Briarwood, Parkway Village, Jamaica Hills, Jamaica) yesterday slammed Republican state senate candidate Vickie Paladino comments she made in the Gothamist supporting the far-right group, Proud Boys.
Paladino is running for State Senate District 11 seat covering College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston, Floral Park, Beechhurst, and Auburndale).
“Another Republican has chosen to align herself with the Proud Boys and dabble in white supremacism, but this time she wants to be my state senator,” said Lancman. “No way and no how will voters in this state senate district legitimize the xenophobia that Republican nominee Vickie Paladino espouses by electing her as our senator. I call on her to immediately and unequivocally repudiate her expressions of support for the Proud Boys and Alt-Right bigotry, or withdraw her candidacy.”
Koo Anounces Lineup For Fall Festival
City Council Member Peter Koo (D-Downtown Flushing, Murray Hill, Queensboro Hill) today will join with community groups and sponsors to announce Flushing’s Annual Fall Festival.
The festival will include free rides, games, entertainment, popcorn, cotton candy and more.
Koo will make the announcement at 1 p.m. today, Oct. 19 at his office, 135-27 38th Avenue, Suite 388, in Flushing.
