New Republican club forming in Howard Beach

By the end of the year, the Republican Party in Queens’ 23rd Assembly District will add another element to its already-strong presence in the borough.
District 23 Republican Leaders Eric Ulrich and Jane Deacy have announced the formation of the Ronald Reagan Republican Club of Howard Beach, with the first meeting planned for December 3, at Carosello Restaurant on Cross Bay Boulevard at 7:30 p.m.
The Ronald Reagan Club joins the Rockaway Republicans Club and the Angelo Graci Republican Club of Ozone Park, each of which already has widespread membership and a strong presence in District 23, said Ulrich.
Ulrich and Deacy have asked Community Board 10 member Rosemary Ciulla-Frisone to serve as president of the club, a move they say is based on Frisone’s enthusiasm and intelligence.
“She has a lot of positive energy,” said Ulrich. “She’s also competent, bright, articulate, pleasant, and genuine. Jane and I can work with her and trust her.”
“I’m very impressed with her enthusiasm,” added Deacy.
Frisone said she hopes to “strengthen our party and the 23rd Assembly District, which has been lacking leadership for some time.”
Frisone is a relatively new Republican who said she switched parties when Ulrich and Deacy were elected in September. Due to what she perceived as a lack of strong leadership in the district, Frisone said she had been “thinking about switching parties for some time and the opportunity arose for me.”
Ulrich said he expects to face resistance from some in Howard Beach about the forming of the club, but is ready for the competition.
“Competition is good,” he said. “I don’t know what everyone is afraid of.”
Ulrich added that, while his club will be “very competitive,” it will engage in “no mudslinging and no negative attacks.”
Frisone said community resistance is not a concern, least of all from local Democratic leaders.
“This has nothing to do with Democrats - it’s a Republican club,” she said.
The main goal, said Deacy, is to “add a stronger voice” to the community.
“People I’ve spoken to have wondered where [Republican Club] meetings have gone,” said Deacy, noting that the Howard Beach area once had a Republican club that ultimately folded.
While Ulrich and Deacy helped form the club, as elected party leaders, they will not be serving as members or officers. Deacy did say, however, that she plans to attend all meetings.
“As District Leaders, it would make sense for us to be there,” she said.
Ulrich said he expects a turnout of at least 50 people for the December meeting. The next six weeks, noted Deacy, will be spent marketing the club.
“We’ll be talking to people, spreading the word, and inviting people across the board to get involved,” said Deacy.