Goldfeder Has Inside Track to Fill Pheffer's Vacant Seat by Howard Koplowitz -YourNabe.com

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Y. Philip Goldfeder, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) director of intergovernmental affairs, is expected to run for the seat vacated by former state Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Beach) and has the inside track to become the Democratic nominee in the yet-to-be announced race, a source close to Goldfeder told TimesLedger Newspapers.

Goldfeder, who declined to comment, has been Schumer’s director of intergovernmental affairs for 2 1/2 years and previously worked as the Queens director of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Community Assistance Unit.

Pheffer’s seat became vacant after she accepted the position of Queens county clerk last month.

Political insiders say Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants the special election to replace Pheffer to take place on Primary Day, Sept. 13, which means he is expected to announce the contest June 24 at the earliest.

Under previous law, special elections had to be held within 30 to 40 days of the governor’s announcement, but the law was tweaked to 70 to 80 days in order to accommodate ballots from overseas.

Before his position with Bloomberg, Goldfeder, a Rockaway resident, worked for City Councilmen James Sanders (D-Laurelton) and James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows).

Democratic district leaders in the Assembly district decide who makes it on the ballot as a Democrat, with two of the leaders — Lew Simon and Geraldine Chapey — expected to run in the race.

But the source close to Goldfeder said he is expected to be supported by the other two district leaders — Jo Ann Shapiro and Frank Gulluscio — which would be enough backing for Goldfeder to make the ballot on the Democratic line.

Jo Ann Shapiro, who was Pheffer’s chief of staff, declined to run and Gulluscio is also not expected to be a candidate.

The source said Goldfeder is close to Shapiro and noted he worked on Gulluscio’s failed Council campaigns and the two district leaders are said to be backing him.

On the Republican side, district leader Jane Deacy is a candidate for the seat and she has the backing of Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park).

The source said Ulrich’s criticism of Goldfeder — he said Goldfeder is virtually unknown outside of Rockaway — was a “silly statement,” pointing to Goldfeder’s career working for two councilmen, Bloomberg and Schumer.

“Phil has spent his entire career working from within the diverse borough of Queens,” the source said.

Audrey Pheffer Aide's Out Of Assembly Race by Lisa L. Colangelo -| New York Daily News

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The scramble to fill the seat of former Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer has taken another turn, with her longtime aide announcing she will not run for the post.

Our Lisa L. Colangelo reports:

That clears the deck for Phillip Goldfeder, an aide to U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer. Goldfeder is being touted as the Queens Democratic Party's pick to replace Pheffer, who recently stepped down from her legislative post to become the Queens County Clerk.

The district includes parts of Ozone Park, Howard Beach and the Rockaways.

"I've been very blessed being able to work with Audrey for all those years," said Joann Shapiro. "It allowed me to serve at a certain level, and I think I did it well."

Shapiro said she made the decision not to run after having discussions with her family. "I don't plan on leaving the community," she said. "I will continue to serve in a different capacity and am looking forward to it."

Goldfeder, a Far Rockaway native, has worked for both Republicans and Democrats, including a stint on Mayor Bloomberg's 2005 campaign and City Councilman Simcha Felder's unsuccessful campaign for state Senate. He could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The seat will be filled by a special election, possibly on Primary Day in September.

The four Democratic district leaders - Shapiro, Frank Gulluscio, Lew Simon and Geraldine Chapey - will decide who runs on the party line for that race.

Former Police Officer Jane Deacy is the likely candidate on the Republican ballot.

Supporters said Goldfeder's connections in Far Rockaway could help bring out the important Jewish vote.

Others said he has few community ties outside of Far Rockaway and only recently started attending local civic and political club meetings.

"I think Jane's chances have gotten better," said City Councilman Eric Ulrich, a Republican who is touting Deacy as a candidate. "Outside of Far Rockaway, Phil is virtually unknown."

And he pointed out that political connections can only go so far during an election.

"At the end of the day, political capital is not transferrable," Ulrich said. "They don't care who you work for and who you know. They will vote for the candidate who will do the best job."

Disney's Aladdin on Stage at St Mary Gate of Heaven in Ozone Park this Weekend

What:  Disney's Aladdin

Directed by Frank Gulluscio and Vinny Napolitano

When: Friday, May 7th and Saturday, May 8th

Time: 7:30 pm

Where: Saint Mary Gate of Heaven,  103-12 101st Avenue, Ozone Park

Audrey Pheffer Resigns District Leader Position - Long Time Chief of Staff Jo Ann Shapiro Voted in By 23rd AD Committee

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Assembly Member Audrey I. Pheffer resigned her position as female District Leader last night during a meeting of the 23^rd Assembly District Committee held at Carosello Restaurant in Howard Beach. She will accept the position of Queens County Clerk on May 12th.

A new female District Leader, Jo Ann Shapiro was elected by an unanimous decision by the Committee.

The committee was chaired by Assembly Member Vivian Cook, and Queens Democratic Party officials Michael Reich and Frank Bolz, Jr..

In attendance and speaking in favor of Shapiro's nomination were state committee member for the 23^rd, Joseph P. Addabbo and, male District Leader Frank Gulluscio.

Also in attendance were City Council members Leroy Comrie and Ruben Wills.

CB 6 Wants to Be Briefed by City Before DOT Proposes Bike Lanes by Joe Anuta - YourNabe.com

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A man rides down 108th Street in Rego Park, where bike lanes are scarce. Photo by Joe Anuta

Community leaders in Forest Hills and Rego Park are already preparing for a contentious addition to the neighborhood — bike lanes — though a single line has yet to be planned or painted.

On Feb. 10, the Community Board 6 sent a letter to city Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan requesting that “all proposals to establish new bicycle lanes on NYC streets shall be submitted to the affected Community Board(s) prior to their implementation.”

After the proposal, the boards would have 60 days to review the plan and submit an advisory recommendation, according to the resolution. In addition, the DOT would need to respond to any of the board’s concerns.

The measure was proposed by John Dereszewski, chairman of the board’s Transportation Committee.

“I am a bike lane supporter,” Dereszewski said. But despite his affinity for the roadside additions, which have sparked heated debate in other boroughs, he still wanted to be kept in the loop when and if the lanes ever come to the neighborhood.

Currently, the area is nearly devoid of bike lanes.

The DOT did not respond to questions about the bikes lanes.

The resolution, in addition to providing the board with information, was also designed to assist the DOT.

Several board members listed streets that might seem like good bike routes but pose specific problems for additional lanes. For example, Yellowstone Boulevard would be good for a bike lane, one member said, except for the area underneath the Long Island Rail Road tracks, where the road narrows considerably.

Other members wanted advance notice, claiming the lanes were painted without consulting anyone.


“The DOT is out there painting bike lanes without coming to any community,” said CB 6 Chairman Joseph Hennessy. “In fairness to the community, [the DOT] should have to bring it before the board.”

But Frank Gulluscio, district manager for the board, said the proposal is about the city and the community staying in touch.

“It’s all about communication from one agency to another,” he said. “As long as the lines are open, then you can’t say the good, the bad and the ugly.”

The proposal is not designed to be for or against the lanes.