Frank Padavan

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Frank Padavan
Member of the New York Senate
from the 11th district
In office
January 3, 1973 – 2010
Preceded by John Santucci
Succeeded by Tony Avella
Personal details
Born (1934-10-31) October 31, 1934
Brooklyn, New York
Political party Republican
Residence Jamaica Estates, New York

Frank Padavan (born October 31, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York) is an engineer and was a Republican New York state senator representing District 11, located in Queens County. His district included the communities of Queens Village, Flushing, Bayside, Whitestone, Douglaston, Little Neck, College Point, Bellerose, Hollis, Jamaica Estates, Floral Park, and Glen Oaks.[1] Padavan lost re-election on November 2, 2010 to Democrat Tony Avella and conceded on November 8, 2010.[2]

Life and career

Padavan attended Newtown High School in Elmhurst, New York. He received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute in 1956, and went on to receive a Master's in Business Administration from New York University in 1963. Between 1955 and 1968, he worked as an engineer at Westinghouse Electric Corporation.[3]

Padavan spent 30 years as a reserve member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, attaining the rank of Colonel. During his military career, Padavan served as commanding officer of the 411th Engineer Brigade and chief of staff, 77th ARCOM, headquarters for New York State's Army Reserve. He is a graduate of the US Army Command General and Staff College and completed the Defense Strategy Course.[4]

In 1968, Padavan was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings, a position in which he remained until his election to the New York State Senate in 1972.[3] According to Senator Padavan's official biography, his over 35-year Senate career has been highlighted by work in areas of fighting crime, protecting the environment, opposing casino gambling and the state lottery, welfare and Medicaid reform, education, government reform, urban job creation, among other issues. Padavan served as the Vice-President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and he previously served as Cities Committee Chairman, and served for 10 years as Chairman of the Mental Hygiene and Addiction Control Committee.[5]

Padavan is also involved in various community activities. These include a life membership at Alley Pond Environmental Center, membership in the American Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers, American Legion, and Army Reserve Officers Association. Padavan is a member of the Board of Fellows of his alma mater, Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, and is a Past Director of the Queens Boy Scouts of America.[3]

In the November 4, 2008 election, Padavan faced a strong challenge from City Councilman James Gennaro. Preliminary election results showed Padavan with a 723 vote lead over his challenger. Following a machine recount, the margin narrowed slightly. As of late-December 2008, over 8,000 absentee and emergency ballots were being counted by the N.Y.C. Board of Elections office in Forest Hills. Attorneys for both candidates were on hand monitoring the recount, initiating challenges of ballots they did not believe met legal requirements to be counted.[6] Controversy ensued when Padavan's backers began to challenge the residency of a number of students at St. John's University, claiming that they were improperly registered as voters in the 11th Senate District.[7] On February 5, 2009, a New York State Judge (in Queens County) ruled that Padavan's 480 vote lead would stand and shortly thereafter, his opponent conceded.[8]

Padavan voted against same-sex marriage legislation on December 2, 2009, and the bill was defeated.[9]

In 2010, Padavan was defeated for re-election by Tony Avella.

Family

Frank Padavan currently resides in Bellerose, New York. A widower, he has two adult children: Scott and Alison.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gotham Gazette's Eye On Albany: New York State Senate: District 11
  2. ↑ Katz, Celeste (November 8, 2010). "State Sen. Frank Padavan Says Goodbye". Daily News. Retrieved November 8, 2010. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Votesmart.org
  4. ↑ Frank Padavan biography
  5. ↑ Padavan biodata
  6. ↑ New York Times report on Padavan v Gennaro contest
  7. ↑ New York Times report on improper votes cast in Padavan v Gennaro election
  8. ↑ New York Times report on Padavan's victory
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ Padavan's family

External links

New York State Senate
Preceded by
John Santucci		 New York State Senate, 11th District
1973–2010 		Succeeded by
Tony Avella
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