After almost seven years of being in the state assembly, South Queens Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato celebrated a new beginning on Sunday, Dec. 17 with the opening of a new office in Howard Beach at 159-53 102nd St.
To celebrate the office’s grand opening, Pheffer Amato invited neighbors and local leaders to join her in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Attendees were also offered coffee and bagels inside the new space.
“We know that people need a government to work, and we know that in this community, there’s strong ties, and I’m really excited,” Pheffer Amato said. “We know that our constituency is going to be happy that we’re here.”
Pheffer Amato was previously located in a much smaller space at 162-38 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach.
Her new office is significantly larger– with its own storefront– and had been recently occupied by state Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. Addabbo was forced to move out since the office was no longer in his district, which had recently been redrawn.
Pheffer Amato’s team explored moving into the space when Addabbo announced he was moving.
Eventually, that idea became a reality and Pheffer Amato’s team had the vacant space repainted and retiled. To officially pass the torch, Addabbo joined Pheffer Amato for Sunday’s ceremony and presented her with a symbolic “key” to the office that he occupied for 20 years.
“I think it’s a win for the community, for Stacey [Pheffer Amato], and her team to be here,” Addabbo said. “It’s a great part of the community, a great part of Howard Beach,” he added. “That’s why this office is so important.”
Pheffer Amato thanked Addabbo for the gesture and joked that she’s already put her “own touch” on the space while keeping in mind its legacy.
“To take the key from you, I’m so honored,” she said to Addabbo.
“I hope the karma that we had here of helping thousands of constituents gets transferred over to you,” Addabbo replied. “I wish you all the best.”
After receiving the key, Pheffer Amato and her team joined Addabbo in front of the office with other local leaders to cut the ribbon and officially open the space.
