By Debbie Cohen
Democratic District Leader Frank Gulluscio held a recent end-of-the-year fund-raiser barbecue at the Ozone-Howard Little League Field in Ozone Park in support of his run for the 32nd City Council District seat in November against young GOP incumbent Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Rockaway Beach), who won the special election for the seat this past February. For now they are the only two candidates running for the seat.
Several people came out to show support and break bread with Gulluscio. Some of the supporters were state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach), state Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Beach), U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Forest Hills), Borough President Helen Marshall, Community Board 10 Chairwoman Betty Braton and Democratic District Leader Lew Simon, who decided not to run for the seat and to support Gulluscio.
Gulluscio began his career as a teacher, then became a financial officer in the corporate sector. He was an aide to Addabbo. Now he is the district manager for CB 6 in Forest Hills, heads the South Queens Democratic Club and now wants to pursue public office. If he wins, he will be serving south Queens, including Broad Channel and part of the Rockaways. Gulluscio believes he can do the job and serve the people because of his years of experience.
“It is all about the people — about everyone in the community and it is a grassroots campaign,” Gulluscio said. “I have been to Breezy Point, the Rockaways and other parts of south Queens and the support has been tremendous. It’s not just about photo-ops, but people are here tonight because they know what I can do.”
Addabbo said Gulluscio was with him on many occasions at City Hall and helped him with transportation issues along with several other community needs.
“Gulluscio has that experience and he will do the right thing,” Addabbo said. “We need a strong foundation like him.”
Weiner said Gulluscio brings the community together and he believes the most important part of government is the Council.
“Gulluscio knows when to use the velvet glove and when to use an iron fist,” Weiner said. “In other words he knows how to raise a fight and when not to.”
Braton made a point in agreement with Gulluscio that we live in a democracy and the one thing everyone agrees on is we talk to each other. She said Democrats are not socialists, they are friends of the community and that makes the Democratic Party proud.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Mayor Ed Koch are endorsing Ulrich and the Queens Democratic Party is endorsing Gulluscio.
