Candidate Profile Tom Ognibene

Tom Ognibene is looking to return to a familiar spot in city government.
The former City Councilmember, who represented District 30 for 10 years from 1991 to 2001 before term limits forced him to leave office, believes he is the best candidate to replace Dennis Gallagher and serve the community on day one.
“It’s my experience and my ability to be ready on day one, and the fact that notwithstanding three elections that I can devote my time to governmental purposes and do not have to try to balance that between campaigning,” said Ognibene referring to the June 3 special election, as well as the regularly scheduled election in 2009.
Ognibene, a Republican, was mulling a run for City Council in 2009 before the scandal involving Dennis Gallagher surfaced, and said if the people elected him in June and November, he would run again in 2009.
During the campaign, Ognibene has come under some criticism from other candidates for not playing an active role in the community since he left the City Council in 2001 - a claim that Ognibene rebuffed.
Ognibene said he kept a lower profile while Gallagher, who served as his Chief of Staff, was in office, because he didn’t want to give the appearance that he was looking over Gallagher’s shoulder.
Meanwhile, Ognibene has received the endorsement from the Queens Conservative Party; however, the Queens Republican party endorsed Anthony Como for the seat.
Ognibene cited curbing overdevelopment and mandating traffic control as two key issues he planned to focus on if elected to the council.
“The issues are similar to the issues I had to deal with over a 10-year period so I feel very confident about the race,” Ognibene said. “We are looking at this as a positive endeavor for us and also for the community if I’m elected.”
In addition, he spoke about the importance of being familiar with the budget process, which the winner of the special election will have to get involved in immediately, as well as the relationships he has developed with city officials to help get things accomplished.
As of Thursday, May 1, Ognibene said he filed more than 2,000 signatures with the Board of Elections in order to get on the ballot, and he characterized his fundraising efforts as successful.
Ognibene is a member of the Blackstone Lawyers Club, Catholic War Veterans, American Legion, Glendale Kiwanis and other organizations.
He currently lives in Middle Village with his wife of 41 years, Margaret.