GRIFFIN FOSSELLA, a prospective delegate for the South Shore City Council position, has critiqued opponent Frank Morano over support he gave to an individual who was previously convicted for a fraudulent operation. Fossella, aged 27, conducted a press briefing at the 123rd Precinct police station, where he urged Morano, 40, to make public a letter he dispatched to the New York Parole Board advocating for the parole of Robert Giuliano, 49, once a name on the state’s ‘Most Wanted Fugitives’ catalogue.
Fossella, the progeny of Borough President Vito Fossella, emphasized that in the South Shore of Staten Island, it is critical to uphold the sanctity of public safety and support the police force. He pointed out that electing a representative like Frank Morano, who has openly acknowledged his efforts toward the liberation of convicts, would not be in the residents’ best interests.
Frank Morano, a seasoned radio presenter at WABC, imparted his endorsement for Giuliano during one of his ‘The Other Side of Midnight’ broadcasts on Jan. 6. Although he refrained from using the convict’s name during the show, Morano narrated that three years earlier, an anonymous party had made a plea on behalf of a convict, seeking help with their Parole Board case. He obliged by penning a letter endorsing the convict’s release.
Morano explained his decision to stand by the convict but admitted that after the latter’s discharge, he perceived several alarming signs. These suspicions were further validated toward the end of the previous year, when the state of Arizona detained Giuliano concerning additional indictments emanating from the Empire State, as reported by the Arizona Republic.
Speaking with the New York Post, who broke the news about this controversy on April 13, Morano alleged that his support for Giuliano was being exploited by Fossella and his team as a tactic for defamation. He, in turn, criticized the younger Fossella for his absence from multiple campaign events.
The electoral race in the South Shore also features Cliff Hagen, 58, a middle school instructor. The race got off the blocks with early voting that commenced last Monday. This showdown will be determined by the results that will emerge after the upcoming Tuesday’s voting.
Simultaneously, Fossella is pressing to bring Morano’s support for Giuliano to the forefront during a TV face-off on New York 1 that took place on Thursday night. In response, Morano retaliated by scrutinizing some of the previous decisions made by Borough President Fossella.
The prior congressman returned to his elected role in 2021, succeeding the ex-Borough President James Oddo. This election will mark the debut of his son in local politics. This election will operate on a ranking-based non-partisan system, wherein voters will arrange the three competitors and any potential write-in candidates in an order of preference, with no candidate having any conventional party affiliations.
The elective district spans the South Shore, encompassing Tottenville, Huguenot, Prince’s Bay, Annadale, Eltingville, Rossville, Pleasant Plains, Richmond Valley, Great Kills, Arden Heights and Charleston neighborhoods. Post the 2020 U.S. Census reshuffle, the demarcation expanded to include some areas of the Mid-Island, like New Springville.
The winner of the election slated for April 29 will remain in office through Borelli’s term that concludes at the end of the year. To maintain the role until 2026, he would need to secure victories in the June primary and November general elections. Although traditional party affiliations will be absent in the special election, the influence of political parties and the undercurrents of actual politicking cannot be dismissed.
The electorate on the South Shore might be noticeably conversant with special elections. This familiarity stems from the fact that their last two City Council representatives began their tenures via special elections. While the voting process is unique, it is reflective of the democratic landscape within the region, adhering to the preferences and beliefs of the residents.