Lanza touts his work with Bloomingdale Park

Councilman and state Senate hopeful says project was a lost cause until he convinced city to step in

Saturday, September 02, 2006

By ROB HART

ADVANCE ALBANY BUREAU

City Councilman Andrew Lanza, standing in Bloomingdale Park yesterday, said the land under his feet was proof that he could get things done in Albany.

"You look around and you think you're in Middle America somewhere," the South Shore Republican said, as he showed off the active recreation areas and ballfields in the park, once slated for development.

Lanza, who is running to replace retiring Sen. John Marchi (R-Staten Island), said the project was almost a lost cause until he convinced the city to step in and buy the property for development as a park. (Borough President James Molinaro also had a big hand in bringing the park to fruition.)

Pointing to the groups of children and parents who were spending the afternoon in the park, undeterred by overcast skies, Lanza said it showed the importance of parks to the community.

He also cited the millions of dollars that have flowed into his district for other park projects, like the Arden Heights soccer complex, which he lobbied the city to buy and for which he secured funding.

"I want to bring that same strategy and that same passion to Albany," he said.

Lanza said that, if elected, he would identify areas suitable for acquisition and fight to procure more land for use as parks through state funding and agencies, as well as work to strengthen environmental laws meant to protect open space.

Robert Helbock, Marchi's longtime legislative counsel, is the Conservative nominee in the race and has waged a GOP primary against Lanza. Attorney Matthew Titone, son of the late Judge Vito Titone, is the Democrat.

Rob Hart covers state government for the Advance. He may be reached at rhart@siadvance.com.

 

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