By Kathianne Boniello
It was a who’s who of Queens political leaders that turned out for a library fund-raiser in Bayside Tuesday night, including City Council Speaker Gifford Miller (D-Manhattan) and Borough President Helen Marshall.
The event, held at the Caffe on the Green restaurant, was expected to raise about $20,000 for the Queensborough Public Library’s after-school programs.
Gary Strong, director of the Queensborough Public Library, said this week’s fund-raiser reflected a strong show of support for the organization.
“I’m absolutely gratified with the number of people who came out,” Strong said. “It’s wonderful.”
Led by former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman, who was named the honorary chairwoman of the fund-raiser, notable figures in attendance included city council members Tony Avella (D-Bayside), Eric Gioia (D-Woodside), Melinda Katz (D-Forest Hills), Hiram Monserrate (D-East Elmhurst), Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria), and Helen Sears (D-Jackson Heights).
State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) was there as was Queens Board of Ed representative Terri Thomson, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Joel Miele, Queens Parks Commissioners Richard Murphy and Estelle Cooper, and former Deputy Borough President Peter Magnani.
Shulman praised the crowd.
“I’m really speechless at the marvelous turnout,” she said. “This money is for after-school programs — the library is really part of the heart and soul of this borough, and we appreciate the support.”
Miller, who arrived late but whose presence wowed the crowd, said supporting the library was crucial.
“The library is an absolutely critical part of what makes New York a great place to live and work,” he said.
Marshall also gave the audience a pat on the back.
“Thank you for doing the right thing and coming out tonight,” she said.
Joseph Ficalora, president of the Queensborough Public Library Foundation and chief executive officer of the New York Community Bank, said the borough’s public library system was hit hard by the budget deficits caused by the Sept. 11 attacks.
“The library depends greatly on public funding,” he said. “There has been a significant decrease in its funding — that means freezing salaries and discontinuing programs.”
The Queensborough Public Library has the largest circulation of any public library in the country with 16.8 million items and serves more than 156,000 children.
While Caffe on the Green Owner Joe Franco did his part by donating space for the event, several corporate sponsors also joined in, including the Bank of New York, Citibank, CLF Consulting, Inc., JPMorgan Chase, Kaufman Astoria Studios, the Mattone Group, Plaza College, and the New York Community Bank.
Reach reporter Kathianne Boniello by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 146.
