Community Leaders Honored at Seneca

Brooklyn’s Seneca Democratic Club, the oldest democratic club in the borough, celebrated its 110th anniversary at Greenpoint’s Polonaise Terrace on Thursday night. Civic, political and business leaders received awards from Co-District Leaders Steve Cohn and Linda Minucci and mingled over Polish food and top shelf liquor in the restaurant’s reception room filled with red, white and blue balloons.

The evening kicked off with a welcome speech by Cohn and the national anthem. Political and educational luminaries were honored, among them PS 132 led by Principal Beth Lubeck-Ceffalia and MS 126 led by Principal Rosemary Ochoa. Departing CB1 Chair Vincent Abate and UJO Head Rabbi David Niederman were among the “Man of the Year” winners, along with David Schwartz, Esq., Lenny Schwartz, Steven Schwartz, Arthur Katz, Isaac Katz, Richard Drucker, Matthew Kaufman, Esq., Wilfredo “Junior” Vega, Roger Satnick and Bogden Bachorowski. Women of the year included Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez’s right hand woman Evelyn Cruz and Media Coordinator for Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, Amy Cleary, Carol DeLillo, Bella Sabel, Julie Vergara and Ramona Vergara. Several local businesses, (including the Gazette!) won “Business of the Year.” Among the winners were Palin Enterprises, Metro Fuel, Boro Recycling, Polonaise Terrace, Health Plus and Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburg, Myrdot Realty, Second Development Services, Sam the Glazer and Mancini Construction. Six power couples were awarded the “Couple of the Year Award,” including Mr. and Mrs. Guido Cianciotta, Mr. and Mrs. Moses Weiser, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Galpern, Mr. and Mrs. Nat Mosery, Mr. and Mrs. John Turis and Mr. and Mrs. William Chambers. Park Moms, Townsquare, Greenpoint Little League, GWAPP, and the John Smolenski Democratic Club received the “Carmine ‘Dusty’ DeChiara Community Award.”

But politics carried the day as elected officials and candidates for office including New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, City Comptroller and Mayoral hopeful Bill Thompson, State Senator Dan Squadron, Assemblymembers Joe Lentol, Vito Lopez and Joan Millman, and Councilmembers David Yassky, David Weprin and Melinda Katz – all candidates for Thompson’s Comptroller job and Councilmember Eric Gioia who is running for Public Advocate and Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes. 33rd City Council District candidates Evan Thies, Steve Levin and Doug Biviano were in attendance, as were Maritza Davila and Seneca President Gerry Esposito who are running in the 34th.

“Seneca Club recognizes the contribution of the local leadership,” said DiNapoli. “There is a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of devotion to community [here].” DiNapoli was not the only person who values Seneca Club’s community efforts. Cohn said he is very proud to be part of a community organization whose main purpose is to help people.

“When you see the multitude of people and the support, it is reinforcement that we are doing a good job,” said Cohn.

Cruz, who has been a community activist and a Seneca member since a young age said it was great to see such a diverse mix of Democrats.

“It is great to see Latinos, Greenpointers, African Americans, the Hasidic Community, all sharing a great evening and celebrating participation in civic government,” said Cruz. “We’re all democrats here tonight!”

Although Neiderman expressed great respect for Cohn, he admitted being at the Seneca Club Dinner for a selfish reason.

“If you want to meet someone influential, here is the place to do it,” said Neiderman. “It is a great place to do business.”