‘Sen. Avella’ sounds sweet

Tony Avella (second from left), at a breakfast boosting his candidacy on Oct. 30, with (from left) PS 194, Queens, members James Thompson, Julie Santaniello, Lorraine Rosenquest, Chapter Leader Chris Wierzbicki and Christina Richer.

With all the statewide and local successes, perhaps the sweetest prize of the evening was former Councilman Tony Avella’s upset victory over Republican state Sen. Frank Padavan, who has held the Queens seat for 38 years.

Scores of UFT volunteers, including dozens of teachers who leafleted outside polling stations and at transportation hubs on Election Day, gave Avella the lift he needed in that hotly contested race.

“Avella’s victory and our members’ work in securing that victory is especially gratifying given that the former City Council member started the race some 25 points behind,” UFT President Michael Mulgrew said. “We’re proud to have helped make the difference.”

Mulgrew singled out the union members and leadership in Districts 25, 26 and 29 that overlap the 11th S.D., for their solid work in cementing Avella’s come-from-behind victory.

Earlier in the day, Mulgrew — surrounded by signs reading “A+ for Avella” — joined more than a dozen enthusiastic PS 186 teachers who were working outside the school’s polls for the candidate and the other union-endorsed hopefuls.

“A win for Avella means greater support to schools and help for the union from Albany with budget and policy issues,” said Hannah Fiasconaro, the PS 186 chapter leader. “Because we can’t have the same mess in Albany again this year.”

The chapter leaders and members from PS 107 and PS 226 were also out in force that afternoon.

Throughout the campaign, Queens members were busy, said borough political coordinator Dermot Smyth. Some 7,000 pieces of mail were sent to members who were residents of the district, and thousands more were distributed at transit hubs. Hundreds of members received door-knocking visits, and on several nights leading up to Nov. 2, more than 100 Queens members volunteered for phone banking.

“The reception was phenomenal,” Smyth said. “Our members were tired of the teacher bashing and tired that the state senator didn’t stand up for them and defend the profession. They felt betrayed, saying Frank Padavan was not the advocate he once was.”