A Salute To Senator Padavan

It was a bittersweet ending to a 38-year legislative career.

"He was a soldier, he was a senator, he was a statesman," said event organizer Dee Richard, speaking at a special tribute dinner held for Sen. Frank Padavan, R-Bellerose, at Leonard's of Great Neck.

In front of a crowd of colleagues, well-wishers and an embattled Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Richard praised the senator for always being able to work across party lines on issues of importance for northeast Queens residents.

"So long as it was good for the people of New York," Richard said. "Frank was in."

Bloomberg, who ended a busy day battling back criticism over the city's delayed response to the Christmas Blizzard, also praised Padavan, who lost his bid for reelection to former Councilman Tony Avella in November.

"He may be the best state senator this state has ever had," Bloomberg said. "And the most rational voice we could ever have … we will miss Senator Padavan up in the state senate."

Many in the room shared the mayor's sentiment at the event held Wednesday night.

"It's a great loss to Northern Queens and the state senate," said Elizabeth Berney, who was the Republican candidate for northeast Queens' 5th Congressional District in 2008.

Berney listed Padavan's legislative achievements, which included the acquisition of Fort Totten from the U.S. Department of Defense and its dedication as a public park, to illustrate exactly how the people of Queens benefited from Padavan's hard work. 

"Tonight is about showing just how much Senator Padavan has achieved, and also to let him know that the people of Queens appreciate him," Berney said.

Many of the well-wishers in attendance shared Berney's fond memories of Padavan's long tenure in Albany.

"The Queens County Farm Museum owes much of its success to the labor's of Senator Padavan who saw the importance in its preservation," said James Trent, president of the Bellerose Restoration society, the group responsible for establishing the Queens County Farm.

Still, there was was a somber air in the room Wednesday evening as attendees praised Senator Padavan while also lamenting the loss of a political dynamo.

"It's hard saying goodbye to someone who's done so much for the people of Queens," Richard said.

Perhaps it was Padavan who summarized his career the best, as he dedicated his achievements to the Queens residents he said he got to know so well.

"Serving the people of northern Queens has been an honor," Padavan said. "And northern Queens would not be what it is today were it not for the efforts of all the community leaders I had the privilege of working with through the years."

With a career characterized by his keen ability to work across party lines on key issues, it was no surprise that everyone at Wednesday night's event, regardless of party affiliation, all seemed to agree on one thing: Sen. Padavan will be missed in Albany.