OPINION: An impressive encounter with Councilmember Gentile
I have known Councilmember Vincent Gentile for many years. My wife, a pre-K teacher, has always been impressed by his initiatives in education, an area of great interest to us since we have three children growing up in his district. I have attended events at which he’s spoken and I’ve shaken his hand on numerous occasions. But that was the extent of it.
I knew enough about his political views to support his bid for councilmember by putting a Gentile sign in my front yard. It was a big sign, but that’s about as far as my involvement went.
Three years ago, my then-10-year-old son and his friend Eddie Morales were selected to paint a local shop window for Halloween. And, as luck would have it, their artwork would adorn Gentile’s former office at 8703 Third Ave.