We would like to thank state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) for 38 years of selfless, tireless service to his constituents. We remember Padavan’s first campaign in 1972, when we just knew he was going to prevail over Murray Schwartz, and we also remember two years later when he was one of the few Republicans in that post-Watergate election to celebrate victory. Two decades later, when redistricting pit him against another incumbent senator, Jeremy Weinstein, he won easily.
During his years in Albany, Frank led the fight in shutting down abusive state institutions, authored many laws to battle crime, fought to protect the environment, helped our community defend against the worst aspects of the expansion of St. John’s University and refused to be seduced by the promise of gambling dollars as a fix for the state budget.
But most of all, he was about helping people, and we never heard him turn anyone down. It would be interesting to count the number of people whose lives his work improved over the years.
We are proud to call Padavan a friend and he will be missed in the state capital. We wish him the best and we only hope his successor realizes what huge shoes he has to fill. His constituents will be watching if he does not.
Cindy and Ed Leahy
Jamaica
