Announces his son, Griffin, to run for Staten Island City Council.

0:00 Speaker 1 Sunday morning. Well, a big congratulations to Veto for Sella for the Borough President of Staten Island. His son has decided to run for City Council Viata. For Sella’s congratulations. You feel proud as a father. Yeah, I’m not proud every day of the older kids, but in this case, Griffin, I’m proud of every day he decided to jump into

0:24 the rates for city council for the South Shore of Staten Island. For those who don’t know that there’s a vacancy there now and there’s a special election will be at the end of April, and could be more proud.

0:36 He’s just a solid young man, makes us proud, works hard and cares about the people of Staten Island. He’s a young guy wants to stay on Staten Island, wants to make it better, and I think he’s doing it all for the right reasons. We had a great turnout yesterday Lafontina Restaurant. Was a tremendous vibe in the room

0:58 because they’re very supportive. Many of them have known him since he’s a child, and they know he can do a good job. And I think he was inspired in part by what President Trump has done in a few weeks.

1:12 He’s done more in a few weeks than the if he’s administration for four years, and real leadership makes a difference. And I think that’s what he wants to bring to Staten Island and the city council, and we’ll be working hard on his behalf. Well. Congratulations again, and you mentioned President Trump. I remember President Trump came to Staten Island

1:36 and you were one of his lead supporters. That’s right. We met at the Hilton. We remember that thing sold out in about three seconds. And Griffin, to his credit, when he was in college when President Trump first ran, was among the first to buy a bumper sticker, the Trump bumper sticker. He put it proudly on his car

1:55 and he’s still has a Trump bumper sticker on his car. So he really respects President Trump. And President Trump delivered big on Staten Island and for good reason. But closer to home, he’s going to take that type of I think can do attitude to make our schools better, our parks better, quality of life issues. That’s what a city

2:16 councilor does to try to improve the quality of life. But you have to believe and you have to be strong, and you have to be willing to fight. You know, we’ve had some fights over the years, John’s in the last few years, non citizen voting, migrant shelters, you name it.

2:30 But you’ve got to be willing to fight back for the people of Staten Island. And I think Griffin has uh has that never answered his body? Well, you’re you’re right, and we have to find out all the all the things that are going wrong with our with our city so we could make our city better. We’ve got to

2:48 make up you know, Staten Islandborough better and and we’re shure luck on that. And we’re sure Griffith’s luck luck. I’ve known him since he’s a child child. You know what else would you like to talk about about what’s going on in our city? Do you think we can make our city safe again? By President Trump sending injury

3:11 his troops. I think we have to make the city safer again. The perception and the actual crime that exists needs to get under control so people stop fleeing. And I think that’s one of the focuses, you know, Griffin, I think we will focus on if you’re assuming he’s elected to the city council, which I hope, and I

3:32 believe he will. But any other place around the country, John, the word is cooperation. Law enforcement at state, local, and federal level should always be cooperating to keep the people safe in this country and especially in the city. And for whatever reason, around here, there’s a belief that information on perhaps a known criminal should be embargoed. In other words,

3:58 you shouldn’t be able to share information if someone’s a violent criminal. You know, that’s sort of insane when you really think about it, and I think it has to be progress made because the whole point of government is to protect in us and people, and if everybody is not cooperating to achieve that, we’re not doing the job

4:16 that the people expect and deserve. Understood, Well, Beatle Ficella, you work very hard for your borough. You work very hard for your city and your country, and I’m sure Griffith to your son, will follow in your footsteps. Well.

4:34 Thank you, John, You and Largo have been great to Griffin over the years, and I know you’re one of his mentors. Though if everybody had a mentor like you, we do right and we’re just going to keep working hard.

4:44 He has an obligation to work hard for the people statinghin that he that he supports, and we love and we’re going to keep going. So thank you very much for having me on today. Congratulations again,