“Our Democratic Party, all I can tell you is, it went from darkness to light. It’s the best way to put it,” Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said last night as he stood before $300,000 of Christmas lights and animatronics. “And the wisdom prevailed and guess who becomes the head of one of the largest Democratic Parties in the United States of America? Our own, Frank Seddio.”
Mr. Markowitz, of course, was referring to Mr. Seddio’s ascendancy in the Kings County Democratic Party after sexual harassment allegations destroyed Assemblyman Vito Lopez’s ability to hold onto the reins of power. Now, Mr. Seddio’s annual holiday party, entitled Canarsie Christmas, is the place to be for Brooklyn pols seeking the formal backing of the borough’s Democratic establishment, as well as anyone who enjoys gigantic Christmas displays.
“Thank you for keeping this tradition done every year,” Mr. Markowitz added. “Not only is it great for those that celebrate Christmas, but a lot of us that celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas because of Frank Seddio! Happy holidays! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy–merry Christmas! Happy every holiday we celebrate in Brooklyn and then some!”
Although the rain dampened the crowd, a number of other elected officials made the trek to praise Mr. Seddio, who was dressed in a Santa costume complete with a hat encircled with blinking Christmas lights. The list of politicians in attendance included State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli making his inaugural pilgrimage to the event, likely candidates for the Brooklyn borough presidency Councilman Domenic Recchia and State Senator Eric Adams, and Councilwoman Tish James, who’s campaigning citywide for public advocate. There were also at least two mayoral counters, former Comptroller Bill Thompson and current Comptroller John Liu.
“Even when he was a nobody he used to come here,” Mr. Seddio fondly said in his introduction of Mr. Thompson, probably the favored candidate of Brooklyn’s political establishment. “It’s my hope that God gives him all of the wishes that he has.”
“Thank you Frank. If it’s wrapped up in my tree, it means I’ll be the next mayor of the City of New York,” Mr. Thompson responded as he took the stage. “Look, let me just say to everybody, the Seddio tradition–not just in Canarsie, all across of New York–people from all over the city come here during the holiday season. It makes it just a little bit more special.”
Click through the slideshow above to see pictures of Mr. Seddio’s spectacular holiday festival of lights and animatronics.
