Ok, folks, it is time to put an end to this nonsense. The Republican Party on Staten Island has become dysfunctional and socially impaired, and it can no longer be ignored. Yesterday, I was tagged in a social media post by someone named Nicolas. I don’t know this kid and he surely doesn’t know me. So, I would have to believe that someone put him up to this little stunt.
Here is what happened: Little Nicky thought it would be a good idea to tag me, Bobby Zahn, and Brendan T. Lantry in a post that was anti-Nicole Malliotakis. He posted the picture below which is a picture of Nicole and President Obama. This picture was taken during the Hurricane Sandy aftermath when Obama visited our island and Nicole had an opportunity to speak directly to the President on behalf of her constituents. So, in my opinion, Little Nicky’s intent can be seen as nothing less than an attempt to start yet another episode of republicans cannibalizing each other on Staten Island.
Nicole Malliotakis and President Obama After Hurricane Sandy
Joe Borelli and Jumaane Williams
In fact, that raises a question about a lot of things. If we want to talk about RINOs then why don’t we speak about the ENTIRE Republican Party on Staten Island? When I say entire, I specifically mean the people in leadership who are willing to cut deals to, 1) keep their pensions going, and 2) move into new jobs like judgeships to keep their pensions going.
Yes, folks, pensions are what really drive politics for the Staten Island GOP. Not to get off track but here is just one small example – the new homeless shelter being built on Victory Blvd near Bay Street. Every single politician that allegedly took a stand opposing this shelter is in their last year of office. Debi Rose is term-limited out and needs another city job for her pension, Jimmy Oddo is term-limited out and could use another job to continue his city pension – not to mention his “close”, “bipartisan” relationship with former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn who is spearheading the project to build the shelter.
For the most part, our other electeds like Joe Borelli and Steven Matteo have had little to say, in my opinion, because silence is golden during times of city projects that “help” people, and heck, the shelter is going on the North Shore, it’s not going in my district so I will be quiet so I don’t have to take a stand.
It’s not that I think they don’t want to help people; it’s more like I think they feel protected because they shook their fists and said this is wrong while they know all along this shelter is not in their districts. The point of this, as a Republican, is that the shelter should NOT be built at all, not on the North Shore or any shore. If you want to address the root cause of homelessness then teach people how to provide for themselves; give them a hand up not a handout!
Anyway, that was just an example, in my opinion, of what goes on behind the scenes yet in plain sight; back to Little Nicky and his picture. I am publicly giving the opportunity to Joe Borelli, Vinny Ignizio, Jimmy Oddo, Andrew Lanza, Brendan T. Lantry, and any other sane republicans on Staten Island to publicly denounce this underground movement to sabotage Nicole’s campaign.
After all, you all have publicly supported Nicole, haven’t you? Joe, you are Trump’s guy on Staten Island, aren’t you going to defend Trump’s pick for Congress, or will you sit idly by and chuckle while it happens? Nicole was chosen by the SIGOP to run for congress, she SO easily defeated a misguided coup attempt and now this.
Little Nicky is a nobody who, in my opinion, was put up to this by somebody, and all of our electeds need to say that it is time to unify our party, support Nicole and stop the treachery. It’s time to stop turning a blind eye to the hypocrisy that allows Little Nicky to attack Nicole for representing her constituency during the worst natural disaster on Staten Island while not putting forth the same condemnation for other republicans on Staten Island. The SIGOP needs new leadership and new elected officials.
*The opinions and views expressed in this opinion piece do not necessarily reflect the views of StatenIslander.org or its editors. It is published with the intent of providing a voice to its author.
Assemlymember Sam Pirozzolo
Sam Pirozzolo is a native Staten Islander. He is a frequent contributor to the Staten Islander, and is well-known and loved by people on both the Right and Left, in his North Shore community. Sam brings people together, instead of dividing, by speaking common sense and analyzing our island's, and city's, issues, with intelligence and concern for all. Sam Pirozzolo was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 8, 2022. The 63rd Assembly District represents parts of Richmond County. Sam has successfully operated his family’s optical practice for 33 years. He is the past president of Community Education Council 31 where he served for seven years. Some of his most notable accomplishments include the creation of a Gifted and Talented program for middle school students, the recommendation for the NYC Department of Education to hire retired police officers as school resource officers, and the successful fight for the immediate cleanup of toxic PCBs leaking from the light fixtures in school classrooms. As an education advocate, Sam has participated in historic litigation that led to the return of more than $4 billion to New York public schools. He also fought to ensure that co-located charter schools receive the same capital funding as their host public schools. While serving in the Legislature, Sam will work to support law enforcement officers with proper funding, fix broken bail and parole policies, and help small businesses grow and thrive in a stronger, more resilient economy.