By Nathan Duke
Como, a commissioner with the city's Board of Elections and aide to state Sen. Serphin Maltese (R-Glendale), is one of four candidates running for Gallagher's position in a special election that will be held sometime in early summer. Other candidates include former Republican City Councilman Thomas Ognibene, Gallagher's predecessor; Democrat Charles Ober, first vice president of the Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association; and Democrat Elizabeth Crowley, a cousin of U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), who ran against Gallagher in 2001.The Queens GOP voted at its monthly meeting last week to endorse Como.”In these times where voters' faith in their public officials has been shaken to the core given former Gov. [Eliot] Spitzer's corruption, Gov. [David] Paterson's disclosures and [Gallagher's] plea bargain, it is refreshing and reassuring to have someone of Anthony Como's sterling character, caliber and ability stand for office,” Queens County Republican Party Chairman Phil Ragusa said.Como said he was pleased that the county party threw its weight behind him.”It's a great honor,” he said. “I've been involved on the executive committee of the county party for many years and it is nice for the leaders to affirm their faith and trust in me. For them to give me their blessing is something I cherish and do not take lightly.”But Ognibene said he was upset that the Queens GOP Party did not give him a chance to speak to its members before endorsing Como.”This type of backroom politics is distasteful,” he said. “I'm disappointed that they didn't invite me to speak. In the 1990s, I was the minority leader and I ran for mayor in 2005. The fact that they rushed a meeting to avoid having people hear me speak was wrong. It was discourteous.”Gallagher, who would have been term limited out of office in 2009, pleaded guilty last month to sex abuse and forcible touching, both misdemeanors, and agreed to relinquish his seat. The plea was part of a deal that would keep him out of jail and off the sex offenders registry following his arrest last year for sexually assaulting a 52-year-old woman at his Middle Village district office. The councilman announced in March that he would leave office on April 18.Mayor Michael Bloomberg will have three days to set the date for a special election following Gallagher's resignation on April 18, a spokeswoman for the city's Board of Elections said. The election will take place between 45 and 60 days after the mayor's proclamation, she said.The Glendale Property Owners Association was scheduled to host a candidates' night April 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council at 62-04 Myrtle Ave. in Glendale.Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
