Armand Miele Named Italian-American of the Year!

The Rockland County Columbus Association, which conducts the annual Columbus Day parade in Rockland County, has named Rockland County Times publisher emeritus Armand Miele “Italian-American of the Year” and has named New York State Senator David Carlucci “Grand Marshall” of this year’s Columbus Day parade.

The parade which had been in North Rockland for the past few years, will be taking place in Nanuet on October 2 at 2 p.m. The parade will start in the Pfizer parking lot and ending in the Macy’s parking lot adjacent to the Nanuet Mall, where it will be followed by additional festivities. As always the parade will feature competing floats, marching groups, and even some teen beauty queens.

Columbus Association President Sal Greco said of Armand Miele, “He’s been terrific in the community. His volunteer work, philanthropy and dedication to the community is why we chose him.”

Greco said of Carlucci, “We want to congratulate him on his success and ask him to continue to support Italian-American culture.”

The annual Columbus Association dinner will be held September 10 at the Italian-American Social Club in West Haverstraw. To request an invitation call Sal Greco at 429-2438. The cost is $75 per attendee.

ITALIAN-AMERICAN OF THE YEAR

Armand Miele, has been named Italian-American of the year by the Rockland Columbus Association. Miele is the model example of a successful immigrant son. Miele likes to call himself an American-Italian, because “America comes first.”

Born to Italian immigrant parents, Miele grew up in the heart of the Bronx in the Depression and World War II era, and used a natural business sense to build construction and real estate companies. Later in life, motivated by a sense of civic duty, Miele would become involved in local politics, running for state Assembly, Rockland County Executive and Supervisor of Ramapo.

Since the mid-1990’s, Miele has been the publisher (currently publisher emeritus) of the influential weekly newspaper Rockland County Times, est. 1888. He is a former co-host of a community radio show on WRKL dealing with local political issues of the day.

Some of Miele’s accomplishments include building the first medical plaza in the Bronx; building up several properties in downtown Nanuet; taking a lead role in the construction of a new county courthouse, a project that had stalled prior to Miele taking control; leading the effort to remove the illegal Ramapo tollbooth on the NYS Thruway; fighting unfair taxes on Rockland County from the MTA long before it was a cause-celebre; and leading a successful campaign for a vote against a hike in school taxes, to name a few.

Miele is an active philanthropist and has donated time and money to Italian-American causes including the Italian-American Scholarship Fund, the twinning of Andretta, Italy and the Town of Ramapo, and in 2009 after a major earthquake shook Italy, Miele donated relief for Campania, the region around around Naples where his family derives. Miele also promotes Italian-American cultural awareness in his Musings published in the Rockland County Times, highlighting the experiences of Italian-American laborers, the struggles of early Italian-American immigrants, and today’s prominent Italian Americans.

In his youth, Italian-Americans still faced significant prejudice from some in society. Miele overcame this negativity while still holding to a fierce love of the American way. In fact, Miele is a quintessential American who believes hard work and personal enterprise are the ultimate arbiters of one’s success in life. You can read more about Miele’s life story, as he intends to publish an autobiography later this year.

GRAND MARSHALL OF THE COLUMBUS DAY PARADE

Senator David Carlucci was elected to represent the 38th State Senate in November 2010 at age 29, making him the youngest sitting Senator in the State. He proudly serves as secretary to the New York State Italian American Legislators and co-chair of the Administrative Regulations Review Commission.

Senator Carlucci has been a strong advocate of the Italian American community and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. In addition to promoting Italian heritage and culture, he fought to continue offering Italian language studies to students in New York State.

In his role of co-chair of the Administrative Regulations Review Commission, Senator Carlucci works tirelessly to find common sense solutions that will reduce state expenditures by updating antiquated policies. In addition, Senator Carlucci serves on the following committees; Banks, Elections, High Educations and Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs.

Senator David Carlucci has been named a “Hero of Reform and is committed to restoring the public’s faith in the State Senate, the state legislature and the political process. Senator Carlucci has demonstrated this commitment to reform by sponsoring legislation that would strip pensions from those convicted to abuse in their office. He supported the Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011 which includes an ethics overhaul package that he proposed earlier this year including pension forfeitures.

Other elements in the Reform Act include creating a strong watchdog over the Legislature that does not hinge on legislators sitting in judgment of each other, shining the light on legislators’ outside activities by creating additional disclosure requirements on outside income and outside clients.

Prior to serving in the Senate, David Carlucci served as Town Clerk of Clarkstown in Rockland County. Elected in 2005, as one of the youngest in history, he was re-elected for a second and third term.

David Carlucci was born and raised in Rockland County, graduating from Clarkstown High School North and Rockland Community College where he was Student Representative to the college’s Board of Trustees. He later received a Leadership Scholarship to attend Cornell University, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Labor Relations.