The Whitestone Republican Club drew a sold-out crowd on Wednesday night as members, supporters and elected officials gathered at Leonard’s Palazzo in Great Neck for the club’s holiday party, a celebration that mixed festive cheer with political messaging, a slate of high-profile guest speakers and the ceremonial swearing-in of Council Member Vickie Paladino to her third term.
The annual event, featuring a three-course dinner, open bar and dancing, was emceed by Sid Rosenberg, the popular WABC radio host whose humor and blunt political commentary set an energetic tone throughout the evening. Rosenberg, moving between laughter and politics, praised Paladino as a fighter for the people and “one of the greatest ladies ever created,” drawing applause as he saluted the five-member Republican City Council delegation and warned of the “fights ahead in this city.”
