Council Member Vickie Paladino stood before a packed auditorium at Bayside High School on Thursday evening and delivered what many attendees described as a masterful and heartfelt address on the state of New York City’s 19th Council District.
Nearly 1,000 residents, constituents, elected officials, and dignitaries gathered on May 1—not just for a political address but also to celebrate community, leadership and unwavering resolve.
The grand auditorium located at 32-24 Corporal Kennedy St. in Bayside buzzed with anticipation as a diverse audience, crossing party lines, took their seats. Among the distinguished guests were Deputy Mayors Kaz Dougherty and Tiffany Raspberry, representatives from the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association (COBA), the NYPD, and the leader of the Guardian Angels, Curtis Sliwa.
The audience reflected that this was no ordinary civic gathering; it was a powerful reflection of Paladino’s bipartisan appeal and growing influence in city politics. Paladino is the current NYC Council minority whip and a member of the Common Sense Caucus, a bipartisan group that aims to promote rational governance, fiscal responsibility and improved quality of life for all New Yorkers.
Radio talk show host Richard “Rich” Valdés, a close friend of the Council Member, served as master of ceremonies, keeping the evening flowing with charisma and reverence.
The program began with the Fort Totten Honor Guard, alongside Boy Scout Troop 235, presenting the colors and leading the pledge of allegiance. Melissa Goscinski delivered a stirring rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, and spiritual invocations followed from Father Joseph Fonti of St. Mel’s Roman Catholic Church, Reverend C. Omarr Evans of Community Baptist Church, and Rabbi Yossi Blesofsky of Congregation Chabad of Northeast Queens — a testament to the district’s faith-based unity.
Performances by the Tarumi Violinists under the direction of Yukako Tarumi and the Bayside High School Choir brought both elegance and local pride to the event, earning rounds of applause.
When Paladino finally took the podium, the room erupted in cheers. What followed was a sweeping, unapologetically candid review of her administration’s achievements—from constituent services to citywide challenges—and a passionate reaffirmation of her commitment to common-sense governance.
“I’m proud to say we’ve resolved over 4,000 constituent cases in just two years,” Paladino declared. “We’ve battled squatters, removed dead trees, implemented stop signs, and pushed back on radical progressive initiatives like unsafe bike lane expansions.” Her comments drew frequent applause and several standing ovations from the crowd, who resonated deeply with her grassroots focus and fierce defense of quality-of-life issues.
One of the most impactful victories highlighted was the establishment of a satellite precinct in College Point, alleviating pressure on the 109th Precinct and reinforcing safety. She also touched on her strategic coordination with the Mayor’s Office to remove the previously planned migrant respite center from the district — an effort that she described as a win for both residents and common-sense urban planning.
“The State of my District is strong, and I plan to keep it that way,” Paladino declared, her voice rising above the cheers. “It’s been the honor of my lifetime to serve this community, and I can’t wait to deliver even more on my promises in 2025 and beyond.”
Throughout the evening, her remarks were interspersed with warm tributes to her staff and volunteers who worked “diligently for months” to bring the event to life. She also thanked her constituents directly, saying, “This night belongs to you. Your trust and engagement fuel everything we do.”
The atmosphere was electric, not only because of the rousing speech but also because of the outpouring of support across the political spectrum. Attendees from both parties stood in solidarity with the Council Member, applauding her commitment to truth, transparency and tireless advocacy.
Several constituents shared glowing praise as they exited the venue. “Bravo to Vickie on her fabulous State of the District speech,” one attendee said. “She’s done, and will continue to do so much for her constituents.” A second participant added, “Your determination and devotion in making District 19 one of the best in Queens is exemplary.”
Accolades continued to generate social media buzz shortly after the event, with one supporter writing, “Promises made, promises kept. Keep fighting for us!” and another saying, “She knocked it out of the park!”
In a personal post-event reflection, Paladino summed up her pride: “What an extraordinary week it has been! Months of meticulous planning culminated in an unforgettable night where every detail fell perfectly into place. I’m deeply grateful for this remarkable experience… I’m equally grateful for all your support, and more determined than ever to keep fighting for you.”
With a re-election campaign now underway, Paladino is poised to build on her momentum. If the response from Thursday night is any indication, District 19 has no intention of slowing down the Paladino train.
