By Sophia Chang
On Aug. 30, Seinfeld will become the new district manager for Community Board 11, which serves Bayside, Little Neck, Oakland Gardens, Hollis Hills, Douglaston, and Auburndale. She replaces Anne Marie Boranian, who recently stepped down as district manager to spend more time with her family.”I have worked for 12 years with city councilmen, with former Councilman Sheldon Leffler and City Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis). I started doing constituent work after I graduated from graduate school, and worked for then-Congressman Benjamin Rosenthal in Flushing,” Seinfeld said in a phone interview Tuesday. “I've always liked the idea of public service, helping people negotiate the government.”Seinfeld is leaving her position with Weprin's office as director of constituent services. She was one of 17 applicants for the job, said Bernard Haber, former chairman of CB 11 and the head of the board's selection committee. “She came out on top,” he said of Seinfeld's qualifications. “She had almost 25 years experience in government, she knew the district well because she worked here for Councilman Weprin. For both councilmen she was the community relations person.”As district manager, Seinfeld will oversee the day-to-day operations at the board's headquarters at 46-21 Little Neck Parkway, working closely with board Chairman Jerry Iannece and the 47 other members. She saw the opening at CB 11 as a chance to explore another side of civic work.”I saw an opportunity to move on and do something a little different, but still use all that knowledge I have about city agencies and everything about the community,” she said. “I'll be doing a lot of the same things, but for the community and independent of a political structure.” Although Seinfeld lives in Floral Park, she said she knows the CB 11 territory well. “I have a lot of friends that live there so I know the district,” she said, adding that the board is known as one of the feistier ones in the borough. “I certainly know CB 11 very well. They're very vocal. There are lots of issues with zoning, development, traffic.”Seinfeld anticipates using her pre-political background in her new position, as well. “I was trained as a social worker, which helps you deal with people decently,” she said, an asset that may prove useful at the board. “Working with Community Board 11, you have like 50 bosses,” she said, laughing.Reach reporter Sophia Chang by e-mail at news@timesledger.com, or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
