Note: It was never really the intent of this site to become involved in covering politics, but it does seem unavoidable. To the extent that we will be covering it, we will try our best not to editorialize -- trying instead to just present the facts.

June's meeting took place last Wednesday (06/17) at 8 PM.  The first person to address us was Frank P. Galluscio, who will be the Democratic Party's candidate for the City Council, District 32 (see his Facebook page here).  This is the position that was long held by Joe Addabbo Jr. (who has moved up to State Senator), and is currently held by Eric Ulrich.

Mr. Gulluscio took a few moments to explain to the residents how candidates get on a ballot.  Over the next few weeks/months you may see folks walking around (or standing in well-trafficked areas) trying to get folks to sign a petition.  You need to be aware that just because you sign a petition for a person -- it does not mean you are committed to voting for them.  Here, Mr. Gulluscio explains:

Next up was Mr. Steve Addonisio, a representative for Sen. Joe Addabbo.  Steve addressed the ongoing mess in Albany and the importance of the State Senate to put aside their personal ambitions and work together. As for Senator Addabbo, Steve noted that he is currently in Albany trying to help work through this mess, and can be reached through his office at 518-455-2322. If you have questions, or comments for Senator Addabbo, call his office.  Senator Addabbo's Ozone Park Office Number is 718-738-1111.

Steve's a good spokesman at these meetings and open to taking questions from the residents and, you can understand, with everything that's going on in Albany some folks are a little frustrated. Watch the following video to see how he responds to those frustrations:

And finally, the incumbent Councilman for the 32nd District, Eric Ulrich took the microphone and addressed the residents (see Eric's Facebook page here).  Ulrich addressed the city budget, which was finally agreed upon. The three items that the Councilman felt were most important to Woodhaven residents were:

(1) The fact that all of the firehouses were saved. This is huge, and we hope it's the last we'll hear about it.

(2) Increased Library funding. As the Councilman explains, libraries are social centers -- places for the elderly to meet (and get some AC in the summer), and a place for those without access to the Internet to access the `Net.

(3) The continued funding for the Administration for Child Services. We all remember the tragedy of Nixzmary Brown -- the city got together and funded a whole bunch of extra caseworkers to ensure that we were doing our best to avoid this kind of tragedy in the future. They have been saved, for now.

The budget passed but not without some bad news. There will be an increase on Sales Tax (Clothing). Both local Council Reps. Ulrich and Crowley voted against the tax increase, but the measure passed anyway.

In this next section, Councilman Ulrich addresses home taxes and Mayoral Control of schools. 

There was a nice moment at the end of his appearance, when he pointed out his Kindergarten teacher, Margaret Marticello, who was sitting in the audience.  Here they are together, after his appearance: