Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr. represents Astoria and the surrounding communities and serves as Chair of the Public Safety Committee.  As Chair, he successfully led the fight against having the 9/11 terror trials in New York City, and has fought to stop cuts to the NYPD, add more officers to local precincts, and for New York City to get the money it deserves from the state and federal governments.   
  As the father of two young girls, he knows the importance of a safe learning environment.  He wrote the law that helped put security cameras in all New York City public schools.  He also sponsored legislation which would require the New York City Department of Education to provide security measures for nonpublic schools, and would allow schoolchildren to carry cellular phones to and from school. He has given millions of dollars to schools in his district to improve facilities, install computers and ensure that afterschool programming is never an afterthought.

Dubbed ‘The Man Who Hates Graffiti’ by the New York Times and ‘Graffiti Public Enemy No. 1’ by the Staten Island Advance, Vallone has waged war against graffiti vandals. Recognized worldwide as an anti-graffiti crusader, Vallone’s legislation has made it illegal to sell graffiti tools to minors and imposed a requirement that affects larger buildings and stores to clean graffiti from their property. Vallone expanded the ever-growing graffiti-fighting arsenal to include regulating the sale of etching acid and pens – often used to scratch surfaces.

Perhaps Vallone’s most lasting visible legacy is his law requiring that all new roll-down security gates be see-through. As foreboding solid gates are phased-out, canvasses for graffiti are eliminated and replaced with a vibrant streetscape.Vallone’s legislation is as varied and diverse as the community he represents – ranging from banning trans fats and establishing plastic bag recycling to his recent efforts to remove the addition of fluoride in our water supply.

He has been honored for his work to protect our most vulnerable, which includes awards from the Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City, the Immaculate Conception Youth Program (ICYP), the League of Humane Voters, and countless other organizations.

Vallone has led the fight against the proliferation of power plants and represented C.H.O.K.E.(Coalition Helping Organize a Kleaner Environment) and Astoria residents in court, winning a major victory against the New York Power Authority that lead to the closing of the Charles Poletti Power Plant in 2010, the worst polluter in the city.  Vallone got his start at the Manhattan District Attorney's office, where he successfully prosecuted thousands of criminals and compiled an impressive trial record of 40 top count convictions against one acquittal.

An accomplished athlete, Vallone was invited to play against the Chinese National Ping-Pong team on ABC's Wide World of Sports, was Co-Captain of the Astoria Civic City Champion Football and Softball teams and continues to play as much indoor and beach volleyball as his busy schedule permits. He is also a professional musician, playing four instruments, an avid scuba diver and is often seen riding his motorcycle or bicycle around Astoria, where he was born and raised. He graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Fordham College and from Fordham Law School.  He has two daughters, Catherine and Caroline.

Entered City Council: 01/02/2002
Current Term Expires: 12/31/2013

Represents: Astoria, Long Island City; parts of Jackson Heights, Rikers, Randalls and Wards Islands

Committees: Environmental Protection; Fire & Criminal Justice; Governmental Operations; Health; Public Safety, Chair; Waterfronts

Please click on the following bills to reveal their text.

Removal of Fluoride from New York City's Drinking Supply

Banning the Sale of Electronic Cigarettes to Minors

Mayoral Absence from New York City Notification

Replacement of Roll Down Gates 

Chief of Staff - Jonathan Chung

Director of Constituent Services - Jonathan Szott

Director of Communications - Tatiana Deligiannakis

Community Liaison - Daniel Macias

Legislative Director- Sally Frank

Scheduler - Brenda Andrle

Safety:

New York City Protective Services for Adults (PSA)
212.630.1853

Elderly Crime Victims Resource Center
212.442.3103

Safe Horizon
800.621.4673

Finances & Savings:

MTA Reduced Fare Line
718.243.4999

Senior Employment Services
212.442.1353

Legal Assistance Programs:

Legal Services of NY
212.431.7200

Legal Aid Society
212.577.3300

Enhanced School Tax Relief Program (STAR)
718.935.9500

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
800-772-1213

Food Stamp Program
877.472.8411

Verizon Life Line
800.799.6874

Senior Citizens Homeowner Exemption (SCHE)
212.504.4080

Health:

Alzheimer’s and Long Term Care
212.442.3086

Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC)
800.332.3742

Home Life:

Meals on Wheels
212.442.1000

Management and Home Care Services
212.442.1000

Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE)
212.442.9366

Red Cross Temporary Housing
877.733.2767

Weatherization Referral and Packaging Program (WRAP)
212.442.3055

Captioned Media Program
(materials for the hearing impaired)
800.237.6213

Lighthouse International
(materials for the vision impaired)
800.334.5497

VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
(materials for the vision impaired)
212-625-1616

VISIONS at Selis Manor
(materials for the vision impaired)
646-486-4444

The office of Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr. (D) is seeking motivated interns with a sincere interest in public service. The internship is an excellent opportunity to learn about the inside workings of city government and gain hands on experience working in politics.

Interns will assist with a variety of special projects and general office duties:

•Assisting with legislative and historical research;
•Representing the Council Member at events;

•Staffing the mobile office around the district;
•Attending hearings and briefings at City Hall;

•Updating webpages;
•Answering phones;
•Addressing constituent concerns;
•Organizing the photo archive;
•Maintaining the filing system and contact lists.

Hours: 10-15 hrs. /week
Compensation: Unpaid
Where: District 22 Office, Astoria, Queens
Qualifications: Applicant must be at least a Junior in College.

***Please email resume and cover letter to PValloneJr@Council.nyc.gov. Write "Internship" in the subject line, "Attention: Jonathan."