NYC Council District 22 Election: John Ciafone Seeks Astoria Seat

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Democratic voters in New York City's 22nd Council district, which includes Astoria, Rikers Island, parts of Jackson Heights, Woodside and East Elmhurst, will see six names on their ballots when they vote in the June 22 primary election.

One of those names will be John Ciafone, an attorney.

Patch reached out to all candidates in the election to create these profiles. Ciafone's responses are below.

<b>Age (as of Election Day)</b>

51

<b>Position Sought</b>

City Council District 22

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

Democrat

<b>Neighborhood of residence (i.e., East Village, Astoria, etc.)</b>

Astoria, Queens

<b>Family</b>

Wife Gina, and three children John, Anthony & Paul

<b>Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?</b>

No

<b>Education</b>

Juris Doctor St. John's University School of Law Certified NYS EMT/EMS

<b>Occupation</b>

A Trial Attorney for over 27 years winning numerous awards. An Administrative Law Judge/Hearing Officer. A NYS Certified Arbitrator and Mediator. A certified EMT/EMS winning the Covid 19 Healthcare Hero award.

<b>Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office</b>

Judicial Delegate President of Queens Community School Board 30

<b>Campaign website</b>

JohnJCiafonefornyccouncil.com

<b>Why are you seeking elective office?</b>

All the candidates running in the race want to defund the police and some want to eliminate the Police entirely. They believe hiring more social workers can solve the problem with crime. As a Certified EMT/EMS, I respond to 911 calls with dangerous persons and the Police often prevent dangerous incidents from occurring. Without Law Enforcement, the Criminals and Gangs will run our streets and crime will escalate in our communities. These candidates aggrandize the rights of criminals to the detriment of victims and community residents. These candidates want to close Jails. Where will we put violent career criminals? In hotels? All the candidates were opposed to AMAZON in Long Island City- even though we could've had over 20,000 jobs even union jobs. Amazon promised a new public school, a new park and recently provided 2.2 Billion dollars for Affordable Housing. Not to mention all the collateral businesses such as restaurants, bars cafes, delis, dry cleaners, laundromats, hair salons, pizzerias, and cabbies that could have benefited.

<b>The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>

Crime is the number one issue in this race. Our community is only as good as the safety, each and everyone of us feel at home, on the street, in the parks, in the schools and on the subways. Yet each of the candidates in the race want to defund the Police and some want to eliminate the Police-altogether. We can not demonize our Police and celebrate the criminal. Our Police are not racist, and the rank and file is the most diverse in the Country. While we have some bad police officers, there are bad Lawyers, Judges, Doctors, Teachers and Politicians. Do we eliminate all of these professions? No
Crime affects our communities in many ways: Hurting children in Schools; Destroying small business in our communities. I would refund the Police and support Law Enforcement and Crime Victims- not Criminals! I have been endorsed by all the Law Enforcement Unions.

<b>What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>

I am a Common Sense, Blue Collar Democrat. The other Candidates are all running to the far left of the other. I will support victims of crimes, Seniors and Law Enforcement, not the Criminals. I will fight for our Childrens' and Parents interests- not the Special Interests and Unions. I want to reduce taxes, fines and fees choking small businesses and homeowners -
which is chasing businesses out of our Community as the politicians did with Amazon.

<b>If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)</b>

The prior representatives have failed our community in closing or revamping the Power Plants in Astoria and Ravenswood, which continues to make this the most dangerous health environment with high asthma rates and cancer rates. The Candidates running in this race are to the extreme left and want to get rid of the Police and eliminate the Jails. Some of the Candidates want all out Communism and want to take people's property and redistribute wealth.

<b>How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?</b>

Local officials performed poorly during Covid 19. I saw it first hand as a certified EMT/EMS first Responder who was awarded the Healthcare Hero Award for being a first responder during Covid 19. We lost so many loved ones due to improper care in Hospitals and Nursing Homes. The City and State provided wrong information causing additional deaths.

<b>Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.</b>

I want to help preserve our community where I was born, raised schooled and continue to work. I will be beholden to the Community Residents, not the Politicians, political bosses, special interests and unions. I will fight for crime victims, senior citizens, Law Enforcement, Children, Parents, Small Businesses and Homeowners for their survival. I am a common sense Democrat urging our community to stand up and fight to save our community.

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>

I am an award winning Trial Attorney practicing in our community for over 25 years. I am a volunteer EMT/EMS first Responder who was awarded the Healthcare Hero award for my service in Covid 19. I was elected twice with the highest number of votes to Community School Board 30, serving as its Treasurer and President, the children and parents in Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside, Sunnyside, East Elmhurst, Corona and Jackson Heights.

<b>The best advice ever shared with me was:</b>

Work hard and be honest and represent the community in their best interests -not your own interests

<b>What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>

Our community is being destroyed by the actions and positions of elected officials who want to eliminate Police and Jails and want criminals and gangs to run our streets. They want to take out School Safety Officers and Metal Detectors in our Schools- further endangering our children and causing their destruction with the legalization of Marijuana, Prostitution and Sports Gambling.