GOP has faith in Halloran
Officials say candidate’s paganism will not affect race to replace Avella
By Nathan Duke
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Queens Republicans said they did not believe City Council hopeful Dan Halloran’s adherence to a pagan religion would have any affect on the Auburndale attorney’s bid to fend off Democrat Kevin Kim in the race to replace Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside).
Halloran, a partner at Long Island firm Palmieri, Castiglione & Halloran and chairman of the state Republican Liberty Caucus, has been endorsed by the Queens County Republican Party and will face off Nov .3 against Kim, who defeated his five opponents in the Sept. 15 Democratic primary with 30 percent of the vote.
But borough Republicans criticized the portrayal of Halloran’s religion in a Queens Tribune article released shortly after the primary.
“I think it’s particularly repugnant to have a religious test,” said Queens County GOP Vice Chairman Vince Tabone, who is also the spokesman for Halloran’s campaign. “We saw people trying to do that with [President Barack] Obama and Mitt Romney. Flushing is a birthplace of religious freedom. It’s part of Queens’ heritage. It’s a community where Protestants and Catholics and Sikhs live side by side.”
In the front page headline, Halloran was referred to as a “pagan lord.”
The Council contender practices Theodism, a pre-Christian pagan religion. Halloran goes by the name “Dan O’Halloran” on the Web site New Normandy, which explains the practices of Theodism. On the site, Halloran is referred to as an “atheling,” or king.
“We believe in and honor the Gods and Goddesses of the North, spirits of the land and the memories of our ancestors,” the New Normandy site says.
On the site, Halloran further explains the religion as “a cultural, religious and martial organization; dedicated to reviving the folkways of the Norman peoples of Northern Europe.”
Tabone said Halloran was raised in an Irish Catholic household and that his religion would have no bearing on the Council race.
“I don’t think it will have much resonance,” he said. “It won’t amount to a hill of beans. People in the community are concerned with their quality of life and the high unemployment rate. We have good schools that could be improved.”
State Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) said he thought Halloran’s religion was not relevant to the District 19 race.
“Queens has every conceivable religion on the face of the Earth and as long as they are honorable toward their basic goals, then that’s all anyone should be concerned about,” he said. “Our Constitution provides freedom of religion and as long as they don’t run counter to the law of the land, then it’s not something that should be at all political. Anybody who makes it political is suspect. I’d rather someone have a religion — even if it’s not a mainstream religion — than their being atheist.”
Halloran has raised a total $16,340, according to city campaign finance records. Most of the contributions to his campaign are from within the district and come from a variety of sources, including teachers, firefighters and attorneys as well as Queens Republicans such as Padavan, Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Rockaway Beach), Bart Haggerty and Phil Ragusa, the county party’s chairman.
The district covers Bayside, Auburndale, Little Neck, Douglaston, Whitestone, College Point, Malba and East Flushing.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
Halloran, a partner at Long Island firm Palmieri, Castiglione & Halloran and chairman of the state Republican Liberty Caucus, has been endorsed by the Queens County Republican Party and will face off Nov .3 against Kim, who defeated his five opponents in the Sept. 15 Democratic primary with 30 percent of the vote.
But borough Republicans criticized the portrayal of Halloran’s religion in a Queens Tribune article released shortly after the primary.
“I think it’s particularly repugnant to have a religious test,” said Queens County GOP Vice Chairman Vince Tabone, who is also the spokesman for Halloran’s campaign. “We saw people trying to do that with [President Barack] Obama and Mitt Romney. Flushing is a birthplace of religious freedom. It’s part of Queens’ heritage. It’s a community where Protestants and Catholics and Sikhs live side by side.”
In the front page headline, Halloran was referred to as a “pagan lord.”
The Council contender practices Theodism, a pre-Christian pagan religion. Halloran goes by the name “Dan O’Halloran” on the Web site New Normandy, which explains the practices of Theodism. On the site, Halloran is referred to as an “atheling,” or king.
“We believe in and honor the Gods and Goddesses of the North, spirits of the land and the memories of our ancestors,” the New Normandy site says.
On the site, Halloran further explains the religion as “a cultural, religious and martial organization; dedicated to reviving the folkways of the Norman peoples of Northern Europe.”
Tabone said Halloran was raised in an Irish Catholic household and that his religion would have no bearing on the Council race.
“I don’t think it will have much resonance,” he said. “It won’t amount to a hill of beans. People in the community are concerned with their quality of life and the high unemployment rate. We have good schools that could be improved.”
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“Queens has every conceivable religion on the face of the Earth and as long as they are honorable toward their basic goals, then that’s all anyone should be concerned about,” he said. “Our Constitution provides freedom of religion and as long as they don’t run counter to the law of the land, then it’s not something that should be at all political. Anybody who makes it political is suspect. I’d rather someone have a religion — even if it’s not a mainstream religion — than their being atheist.”
Halloran has raised a total $16,340, according to city campaign finance records. Most of the contributions to his campaign are from within the district and come from a variety of sources, including teachers, firefighters and attorneys as well as Queens Republicans such as Padavan, Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Rockaway Beach), Bart Haggerty and Phil Ragusa, the county party’s chairman.
The district covers Bayside, Auburndale, Little Neck, Douglaston, Whitestone, College Point, Malba and East Flushing.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of yournabe.com.
Steven wrote on Sep 24, 2009 1:05 PM:
" http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/component/content/1586.html?task=view#pc_5311
The Queens Tribune is not a newspaper! It is a rag that editorializes on its front cover.
The Queens Tribune was founded by unctuous Congressman Gary Ackerman in 1970. Rep. Ackerman represents the 5th Congressional District of New York. "
The Queens Tribune is not a newspaper! It is a rag that editorializes on its front cover.
The Queens Tribune was founded by unctuous Congressman Gary Ackerman in 1970. Rep. Ackerman represents the 5th Congressional District of New York. "
Sherry wrote on Sep 24, 2009 1:53 PM:
" Statements like Padavan's are why I am no longer a Republican after over 30 years in the party. There just is no longer a place for rational human beings in the GOP. "
joyce shepard wrote on Sep 24, 2009 3:45 PM:
" I think the tribune has lost any credibility after the hit they made on Halloran. Just as people were accusing Obama of being a Muslim and non-ctizen...he still won the race. I will be starting Democrats for Halloran. The person that should be ousted out of office is Congressman Ackerman. He owns the Tribune and made millions by doing nothing for us. I see his carnation wilting and shame on him and the editor of that nasty rag...the Tribune. "
Phil Konigsberg wrote on Sep 25, 2009 2:50 AM:
" Once again I will point out to the author of this article that District 19 covers the community of BAY TERRACE, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg (confirmed attendance) and Comptroller William Thompson (Invited but not yet confirmed) will have an opportunity to interact with the Bay Terrace Community Alliance and community residents on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 7 PM in the Bay Terrace Jewish Center at 13-00 209th Street by the Cross Island Parkway. The public is invited to attend. "
puzzled wrote on Sep 25, 2009 10:24 AM:
" Gee, the Party that mostly spouts about America being a "Christian Country" supports the pagan. Will wonders never cease! What a bunch of hypocrits. You could bet your last dollar the Queens GOP didn't have a clue about this guys religious views before they picked him. "
Cicero wrote on Sep 25, 2009 11:54 AM:
" "Efforts to replace Halloran on ballot fail, despite efforts of Stanley Schlein and others." What the heck is that about?
Read this:
http://cityhallnews.com/news/132/ARTICLE/2172/2009-09-24.html#
If this is accurate, then the Queens GOP leaders and committee members are fake, phony and frauds - and hypocrites! I guess all the public, official, "surface" posturing supporting Dan Halloran by the Queens GOP was false, while in "private" they wanted to dump Halloran and replace him with Paul Vallone? Queens GOP Judases!
It's a disgrace. Shame! I'm totally disgusted. I wanna vomit. The disloyal Queens GOP is just as bigoted, intolerant and moronic as the owners and editors at the Queens Tribune unctuous, smug Ackerman Democrat rag.
Read these two other recent, timely articles:
http://www.cityhallnews.com/news/132/ARTICLE/2169/2009-09-24.html
http://www.cityhallnews.com/news/132/ARTICLE/2170/2009-09-24.html
I feel like throwing my hands up in the air! I'm dismayed and chagrined. Attention Queens GOP leaders aka "Judas Iscariots'", keep your "thirty pieces of silver! and be gone from my midst.
Queens County GOP = Disloyal
** Synonyms for Disloyal are unfaithful, perfidious, and traitorous. Capecia?
Where is a libertarian minded Republican like me suppose to do? Where to go? The Queens GOP is more politics as usual!
It seems like the Queens GOP could use some change of leadership. I think reform minded Queens Republicans should consider what some rank and file GOPers are attempting right now in Brooklyn.
http://atlasshrugsinbrooklyn.wordpress.com/about-us/
http://www.rlc.org/category/states/
Although a registered Republican, I'm going to vote for Dan Halloran on the Libertarian line. The GOP line is apparently more of the same b/s!
http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/myblog/Paul-Vallone-Ending-GOP-Flirtation-Will-Endorse-Kim-For-Avella-Seat.html#readmore "
Read this:
http://cityhallnews.com/news/132/ARTICLE/2172/2009-09-24.html#
If this is accurate, then the Queens GOP leaders and committee members are fake, phony and frauds - and hypocrites! I guess all the public, official, "surface" posturing supporting Dan Halloran by the Queens GOP was false, while in "private" they wanted to dump Halloran and replace him with Paul Vallone? Queens GOP Judases!
It's a disgrace. Shame! I'm totally disgusted. I wanna vomit. The disloyal Queens GOP is just as bigoted, intolerant and moronic as the owners and editors at the Queens Tribune unctuous, smug Ackerman Democrat rag.
Read these two other recent, timely articles:
http://www.cityhallnews.com/news/132/ARTICLE/2169/2009-09-24.html
http://www.cityhallnews.com/news/132/ARTICLE/2170/2009-09-24.html
I feel like throwing my hands up in the air! I'm dismayed and chagrined. Attention Queens GOP leaders aka "Judas Iscariots'", keep your "thirty pieces of silver! and be gone from my midst.
Queens County GOP = Disloyal
** Synonyms for Disloyal are unfaithful, perfidious, and traitorous. Capecia?
Where is a libertarian minded Republican like me suppose to do? Where to go? The Queens GOP is more politics as usual!
It seems like the Queens GOP could use some change of leadership. I think reform minded Queens Republicans should consider what some rank and file GOPers are attempting right now in Brooklyn.
http://atlasshrugsinbrooklyn.wordpress.com/about-us/
http://www.rlc.org/category/states/
Although a registered Republican, I'm going to vote for Dan Halloran on the Libertarian line. The GOP line is apparently more of the same b/s!
http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/myblog/Paul-Vallone-Ending-GOP-Flirtation-Will-Endorse-Kim-For-Avella-Seat.html#readmore "
Whitestone Larry wrote on Sep 25, 2009 4:23 PM:
" Why is it that Halloran seems to be getting a pass for lying to the Party about his religion? Or is he accusing party officials in Queens of lying when they say they knew nothing of his religious beliefs?
Either way Chistian value voters should stay home on election day to show the Queens GOP that we do not support these tactics. We should especially stay home if they replace Halloran with the Democrat Vallone. "
Either way Chistian value voters should stay home on election day to show the Queens GOP that we do not support these tactics. We should especially stay home if they replace Halloran with the Democrat Vallone. "
daniel wrote on Sep 26, 2009 10:12 AM:
" Stay home on election day. Good idea.
Then you let Kevin Kim win and he then cuts deals with the Flushing developers he's beholden to and Northern Blvd from Springfield Blvd to Glenwood St turns into another Main St.
This election is about development.
Padavan and Avella stood together opposing over-development in the area.
You elect Kim, and then you should expect to see store fronts along Norther from Cross Island to the Driving Range. Bye Bye Park land
Stay home. Let the neighborhood lose its park lands because this election wasn't important to you. Good advice "
Then you let Kevin Kim win and he then cuts deals with the Flushing developers he's beholden to and Northern Blvd from Springfield Blvd to Glenwood St turns into another Main St.
This election is about development.
Padavan and Avella stood together opposing over-development in the area.
You elect Kim, and then you should expect to see store fronts along Norther from Cross Island to the Driving Range. Bye Bye Park land
Stay home. Let the neighborhood lose its park lands because this election wasn't important to you. Good advice "
sarah alleyn wrote on Sep 28, 2009 12:56 PM:
" @ puzzled
"" You could bet your last dollar the Queens GOP didn't have a clue about this guys religious views before they picked him. "
You would lose your last dollar. GOP Party officials did know about his religion before he ran. Just not each and every GOP politician knew.
http://www.queenstribune.com/news/1253209214.html
Halloran explained that Queens GOP Chairman Phil Ragusa and the GOP executive committee were aware of his faith.
Ragusa said Wednesday that Halloran's religion is not an issue.
"If a person performs and does what he has to do for his district, then he will be a welcome breath of fresh air," Ragusa said. "
"" You could bet your last dollar the Queens GOP didn't have a clue about this guys religious views before they picked him. "
You would lose your last dollar. GOP Party officials did know about his religion before he ran. Just not each and every GOP politician knew.
http://www.queenstribune.com/news/1253209214.html
Halloran explained that Queens GOP Chairman Phil Ragusa and the GOP executive committee were aware of his faith.
Ragusa said Wednesday that Halloran's religion is not an issue.
"If a person performs and does what he has to do for his district, then he will be a welcome breath of fresh air," Ragusa said. "
Nick wrote on Sep 29, 2009 4:43 PM:
" I agree with Steven. The Tribune is not a credible source of information. it was founded by gary ackerman and is nothing more but another mouth piece for him that tries to pawn itself off as a legitimate independant source. The tribunes endoresemnt of ackermans former employee kevin kim: case and point. They're not going to drop the whole pagan asepct of Halloran's campaign because why should they report on something that actually matters. This is whiy the newspaper industry is on the brink of death and the tribune will probably be the first to go. "
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Brian Westley wrote on Sep 24, 2009 12:53 PM:
“Queens has every conceivable religion on the face of the Earth and as long as they are honorable toward their basic goals, then that’s all anyone should be concerned about,” he said. “Our Constitution provides freedom of religion and as long as they don’t run counter to the law of the land, then it’s not something that should be at all political. Anybody who makes it political is suspect. I’d rather someone have a religion — even if it’s not a mainstream religion — than their being atheist.”"
Wow, a Republican coming out in favor of religious tolerance -- except for those filthy, nasty ATHEISTS, of course.
More hypocrisy from the Republican party. "