12 JANUARY C R Y D E R P O I N T BY MELISSA CHAN Queens Borough President Melinda Katz was officially sworn into office last week in a star-studded political gathering. “It’s an exciting time for me,” said Katz, in front of hundreds of supporters and a lengthy list of dignitaries. “I’m humbled and I’m honored to be the Queens Borough President.” The 48-year-old Forest Hills mom of two was installed on Thursday, January 9 by Mayor Bill de Blasio, with the help of Congressmember Joe Crowley. “I have to tell you that Melinda brings so much to this job,” de Blasio said. “She has a real passion for the people she serves. She loves this borough. I can tell you that because I’ve seen her stand up for Queens many times.” The mayor said the “exemplary” and diverse borough “epitomizes the American Dream.” “Melinda Katz gets to be the person who brings all those beautiful strengths together and makes this borough work for the people,” de Blasio said. The newly elected borough president, dedicating the night to her parents, took her oath of office with her hand upon her father’s copy of the Old Testament. Crowley, citing Biblical figures, said he hoped for Katz “the wisdom of Moses, the leadership of Joshua and the valor and the strength of Esther.” “She possesses many of those qualities and more,” Crowley said. “We’re going to have the opportunity to see her grow.” The standing-room-only ceremony at Queens College’s LeFrak Concert Hall also featured U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, Public Advocate Letitia James, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and dozens of Queens legislators. Katz’s partner, Curtis Sliwa, and the couple’s two sons, Carter and Hunter, watched from the audience. Katz, a former member of the City Council and state Assembly, was elected November 5 to be the 19th borough president of Queens. She succeeds Helen Marshall, who held the seat since 2001. Her plans for the borough include making the Rockaway ferry permanent and pushing for more primary and urgent care facilities. “Let’s move it forward,” she said. “Let’s make it a place for families to have everything they need right here in the borough of Queens.” “My only wish is I never let you down,” Katz said. BY MELISSA CHAN Two newly elected northeast Queens legislators took their oaths of office last weekend before hundreds of supporters and a lengthy list of dignitaries. Councilmember Paul Vallone, 46, was sworn into the City Council in a packed ceremony January 4 at P.S. 169 in Bay Terrace. The two-hour local inauguration was attended by more than 500 people, including State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Public Advocate Letitia James and Borough President Melinda Katz. Swearing on the family’s Bible, Vallone was installed by his father, former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., to continue the 40-year family legacy in City Hall. “I believe that what you’re doing today, by bringing Paul Vallone into this very diversified and complicated district ... you will be delivering to this Council district one of the best representatives in government that this country has ever produced,” Vallone Sr. said. Vallone, who represents District 19, also gave his first official proclamation at the end of his inauguration to Kevin and Tina Lynch, who won ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight” last month and rocketed Whitestone to national stardom. Councilmember Rory Lancman took his oath of office the next day on January 5 at Queens College, in a ceremony that featured U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. New to City Hall, but not to New York politics, the former state assemblymember was sworn in by U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis to serve District 24. THE COURIER/Photo by Mike DiBartolomeo Queens Borough President Melinda Katz was sworn in by Mayor Bill de Blasio as Deputy Borough President Leroy Comrie looked on. SOLEMN OATH New councilmembers sworn in THE COURIER/Photo by Melissa Chan In a local inauguration ceremony, Councilmember Paul Vallone was installed by his father to continue the 40-year family legacy in City Hall. KATZ CARRYING THE MANTLE Officially sworn in as 19th Queens Beep 12 cryder point courier | january 2014 | WWW.QUEENSCOURIER.COM
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