By Sarina Trangle
City Councilman-elect Paul Vallone has signed a lease to operate his district office out of Suite 507 in Bell Plaza at 42-40 Bell Blvd.
Vallone said the location appealed to him because it was centrally located and would be convenient for a large cross-section of his constituents.
“That will be our home for the next four or hopefully eight years,” Vallone said.
Workers are just laying down the rugs and Vallone said he hopes his staff will be able to begin moving in around Christmas Eve.
Vallone said he has not met with outgoing District 19 Councilman Daniel Halloran (R-Whitestone), who has been lying low since being indicted on federal charges that he solicited bribes to help install state Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Hollis) on the Republican line during the mayoral election.
But Vallone said he and his team have been discussing the district with Halloran’s staff.
“His staff has been great,” Vallone said.
Vallone has appointed Jonathan Szott his chief of staff. Szott has worked for Vallone’s term-limited brother, Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria.)
Vito Tautonico has accepted a job as director of constituents services. He will collaborate with Michael Yon, currently a staffer for state Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Flushing), Breeana Mulligan, Ahmed Nazar and Warren Schreiber, president of the Bay Terrace Community Alliance and co-president of the Co-op and Condo Council.
Vallone said Lionel Morales has signed on as communications director.
Reach reporter Sarina Trangle at 718-260-4546 or by e-mail at strangle@cnglocal.com.
