Tony Avella
| Tony Avella | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New York Senate from the 11th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Padavan |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 19th District | |
| In office January 2002 – December 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Abel |
| Succeeded by | Dan Halloran |
| Constituency | Queens: Bayside, College Point, Auburndale, Beechhurst, Whitestone, Bay Terrace, Robinwood; parts of Flushing, Douglaston, Little Neck |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 27, 1951[1] Astoria, Queens[1] |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Judith |
| Residence | Whitestone, Queens, New York |
| Alma mater | Hunter College |
| Profession | politician |
| Website | Official website |
Tony Avella (born October 27, 1951)[1] is an American politician and Democratic State Senator from the 11th New York Senate district. Avella was a member of the New York City Council from the borough of Queens from 2002 to 2009. He represented the 19th Council District, which includes neighborhoods of College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston, Floral Park, Beechhurst, Malba and Auburndale.
He served as the Chair of the Zoning and Franchises Subcommittee and was a member of five other Council committees: Higher Education, Housing and Buildings, Fire and Criminal Justice Services, Land Use, and Veterans. He was the founder and Chair of the first Italian-American Caucus of the Council.
Avella opted not to run for a third term of the City Council (which was allowed by a bill passed in early 2009), in order to run in the 2009 Democratic primary for mayor of New York City. He received publicity for his stances in favor of animal rights[2] and against overdevelopment, but was defeated by Bill Thompson.[3]
He is a graduate of Hunter College of the City University of New York. A lifelong Queens resident, he currently resides in Whitestone with his wife Judith.[4]
On November 2, 2010, Avella defeated incumbent district 11 New York State Senator Frank Padavan.[5]
On November 26. 2012, Avella announced he will enter the race for Queens Borough President.[6] On August 14, 2013, he dropped out of the race.[7]
Public service history
Avella's public service career began over 20 years ago as an aide to New York City Council member Peter Vallone, Sr. He served as an aide to Mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins, and as Chief of Staff to the late State Senator Leonard Stavisky and to State Senator Toby Stavisky.
In 1997 Avella was awarded New York State's Community Service Award from nominations received across New York State for his volunteer civic endeavors on behalf of New Yorkers. In 2005, he was honored by the Garibaldi Meucci Museum on Staten Island, received the 2005 Friend In High Places Award from the Historic Districts Council, the Community Mayor's 2005 Humanitarian Award and the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award from the New York Landmarks Conservancy.[8]
Legislative concerns on the City Council
Avella's historic "Demolition by Neglect" bill was signed into law by the mayor in February 2005. This legislation enables the Landmarks Preservation Commission to prevent the destruction of New York City's landmarks by property owners. Avella's legislation was supported by 46 preservation and civic groups, including the Landmarks Conservancy, the Historic Districts Council, and the National Historic Trust.
In 2005 Avella also forwarded a bill proposing that the Department of Transportation increase the operational duration of four public bus companies operating in his area. The bill would allow for the smooth integration of the private lines with the MTA, and was signed into law in May 2005.[9]
An attack occurred in 2007 in his district (Douglaston), on four Asian males by two white males (one with a pending criminal case on charges of assaulting an elderly man with a claw hammer), in which racial slurs were used by the white males. In a news conference Avella convened with religious and community leaders, he referred to the two perpetrators as "neanderthals". "I don't think I've ever used that word before," he said. "But it fits them." Avella blamed developers for increasing the tension in his district.[10]
On December 10, 2008, Avella received the “New York City Human Rights Award” for obtaining the third highest score of elected officials in New York City on the Human Rights Project’s report cards. The Human Rights Project is the lead organization of the New York City Human Rights Initiative, a city-wide human rights coalition with over 100 groups from the City. In 2009, Tony once again received the “New York City Human Rights Award,” this time for obtaining the highest score of elected officials in New York City on the Human Rights Project’s report cards.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Legislative Preview: Meet The New Members". The Capitol. Manhattan Media. January 6, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
- ↑ Richburg, Keith B. (2007-12-17). "Bill Could Halt New York Carriage Horses". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ↑ "Tony Avella, the Anti-Overdevelopment Candidate". Brownstoner. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ↑ "New York City Council: District 19 - Tony Avella". Council.nyc.gov. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ↑ Katz, Celeste (November 8, 2010). "State Sen. Frank Padavan Says Goodbye". Daily News. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
- ↑ "Tony Avella Will Run For Queens Borough President". NY1. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
- ↑ "State Senator Tony Avella Drops Out Of Queens Borough President Race". NY1. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- ↑ "Councilman Tony Avella". NY City Council. Retrieved 2007-01-14.
- ↑ "Mayor Bloomberg Signs Legislation Extending Bus Franchise". NYC.gov. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
- ↑ Finn, Robin (2006-08-18). "PUBLIC LIVES; Whose Queens? A Councilman Reads the Signs". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Michael Abel |
New York City Council, 19th District 2002–2009 |
Succeeded by Dan Halloran |
| New York State Senate | ||
| Preceded by Frank Padavan |
New York State Senate, 11th District 2011–present |
Incumbent |