ASTORIA — Queens Community Board 1 elected its first new chair in nearly four decades Tuesday night, voting a second time to fill the post after the original election last month ended in a tie.
Joseph Risi, an Astoria attorney who's been on the board for 26 years, won with the most votes over fellow board member and first vice chairman George Stamatiades. The two were first nominated for the post at a September meeting, but the election was delayed until Tuesday after votes for both men were evenly split last month.
"Those that supported me, I thank you for your support, and those that did not support me, I hope I can earn your support," Risi said after his win.
"We have a wonderful group of specially skilled people here. Hopefully we're going to work together, we're going to make this not only Community Board 1, but the number one community board."
Risi takes over the helm at the board — which covers Astoria and parts of Long Island City and Woodside — after longtime Chairman Vinicio Donato stepped down in June. Donato had held the the position since 1976.
A longtime practicing attorney by trade, Risi has been married for more than three decades and has three adult children, he told the board last month. He started his career as a legal secretary and also worked as counsel to late State Sen. George Onorato for several years.
Risi said he's been a member of CB1 for 26 years, and has been the board's executive secretary for about 10 years. He was also most recently the chair of the board's consumer affairs committee, which oversees liquor license and restaurant seating applications.
At the board's monthly meeting in September, Risi said he would use his position as chair to get more community members involved with CB1, and to get more of its own members involved on the board's committees.
"I think we have a vibrant, diverse, beautiful community," he told his fellow board members at the time. "I wouldn’t have all the answers, but I would need your help, your input, and I want you never to be afraid to get up and ask questions."
CB1's next monthly meeting will take place Nov. 17 at the Astoria World Manor, at 25-22 Astoria Blvd. at 7 p.m.
