One man began sharing memories of Vallone’s father, City Council Speaker Peter…
By Dustin Brown
When Peter Vallone Jr. stepped into the newly renovated second floor of the Aldos Democratic Club in Astoria last Thursday night, it looked like a reunion of old friends.
One man began sharing memories of Vallone’s father, City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr. (D-Astoria), while others exchanged hearty greetings and robust handshakes to welcome the city council candidate to the club. Vallone, who is running for his father’s seat, had been invited to present his platform before rushing off to a previously scheduled engagement.
Beneath the smiles and the handshakes, however, was the memory of a long-standing rivalry, momentarily swept away but hardly forgotten by any of those in attendance.
The Aldos Democratic Club is not officially recognized by the Queens County Democratic Party, a group widely acknowledged as one of the most formidable political forces in the state.
“The Queens County Democratic Party is one of the best-organized, most effective political organizations in the state of New York,” said Evan Stavisky, a political consultant who runs the campaigns of many Democratic candidates in this year’s elections. The organization “is known throughout the state for its effectiveness in getting its candidates elected.”
The county organization recognizes only one club in any area, and the so-called “regular” club for the northern half of the 36th Assembly district is the Taminent Regular Democratic Club, where both Vallones have their membership.
Although Aldos President Kimon Thermos said the clubs, located only a few blocks from each other, were considered sister organizations in the 1960s, a rivalry between the two has existed as long as anyone can remember — certainly since the Aldos has re-emerged under Thermos’ leadership after years of inactivity.
Considered renegades by many members of Taminent, the Aldos call themselves free-thinkers who don’t bend to the will of the party.
“They’ve chosen to be an organization that challenges the party structure in Queens, which I don’t think is very productive,” said state Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria), a Taminent.
Thermos has staged two unsuccessful attempts to win the Democratic primary for the 36th District Assembly seat, originally against incumbent Denis Butler and last year against newcomer Gianaris, who won the race.
“We’re not at the beck and call of the county,” said John Ciafone, an officer of the Aldos. “We support candidates for office based on credentials. It’s not because the county leadership tells us who to support.”
The current race for the Astoria council seat pits Ciafone against Vallone Jr. and Mike Zapiti for the Democratic primary in the district where Vallone Sr. now presides. Although neither club has officially backed a candidate, there is little doubt Taminent will endorse Vallone and Aldos will support Ciafone.
Although Vallone’s appearance at Aldos was a sign the clubs are trying to come to terms — even in an election year when they are again lining up opposing candidates — few members of Taminent have forgiven the Aldos for its endorsement of Republican Gov. George Pataki in 1998.
His opponent in that race was none other than Astoria native Peter Vallone Sr.
The night Pataki spoke at the club, located at 28-11 23rd Ave., hundreds of Vallone supporters stood outside the hall in angry protest that Astoria Democrats could betray one of their own.
In this case, party and geographic ties were not enough to bridge the rift between clubs.
Ciafone said the Aldos endorsed Pataki because he accepted its invitation to appear, while Vallone did not show up.
Vallone “didn’t want to recognize the club but Pataki did,” Ciafone said.
According to Vallone, however, the invitation to Aldos was a “cute political trick.”
“That was just a setup — knowing it would be hypocritical” for the councilman to appear at the Aldos, Vallone said. Ciafone was running against state Sen, George Onorato, a Taminent from Long Island City, for the seat of district leader, and Vallone indicated a visit to Aldos would thus betray his allegiances to Onorato.
Although pointed references were made to the clubs’ rivalries during Vallone Jr.’s short visit to the Aldos, it was not until his departure that Ciafone made a direct statement about the conflict.
“Peter Vallone Sr. refused to come to this club because he didn’t want to recognize this club,” Ciafone said when he appeared before the club membership to present his candidacy. “At least Peter Vallone Jr. has come to this club when his father chose not to.”
The endorsement of a club means different things to different political races. Some contend a club’s support is necessary for logistical purposes — having people collect signatures for a candidate and help with aspects of the campaign.
Others have said that many follow the endorsement of the Democratic county organization, led by former U.S. Rep. Tom Manton, when they enter the voting booths.
One party insider said the Taminent, as one of the oldest, largest Democratic clubs in the county, provides far more support than any other club in Queens.
Although old grievances between rivals are not easily buried, perhaps the informal truce between the Aldos and Taminent means they have simply agreed to disagree.
As Thermos said before Vallone stood up to speak, “I hope this is the beginning of some type of understanding between our two clubs.”
Reach reporter Dustin Brown by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 154.
