Local politician Joseph Borelli has been in tune with the needs of South Shore residents for more than a decade

by Jessica Jones-Gorman • PHOTOS BY Amesse Photography

Even at a very young age, Joseph Borelli was enthralled by local politics.

“When I was in high school I had some really wonderful teachers who got us involved with the inner workings of community government,” Borelli explained during a recent phone interview. “I took some advanced classes on the topic, which then-Councilman Stephen Fiala and his chief of staff Vincent Ignizio visited. I was so completely fascinated by what they did for the community and the borough. I immediately fell in love with that grassroots side of government. I started interning at Councilman Fiala’s office in high school and kept in touch throughout college.”

Borelli worked for some local judges, too, while studying at Marist College, remaining active in the political circuit throughout much of his college career. In 2004, after Borelli’s graduation, Ignizio was running for the 62nd District of the New York State Assembly and the young political hopeful got involved in the campaign.

“My first job was hanging posters,” Borelli said. “It probably sounds odd, but I simply loved that type of legwork. It allowed me to get out there in the community and listen to what supporters were saying.”

Borelli parlayed his labor into a full-time position. When Ignizio was elected to office, he became the Assemblyman’s chief of staff.

“I served as his chief of staff for three years while he worked in the State Assembly and continued in that same position when he was elected to City Council,” Borelli recalled. “During that time I really considered my work hours to be nights and weekends because I would attend all types of community events and board meetings. Quite frankly if there were five people meeting somewhere on the South Shore of Staten Island, there was a good chance of me showing up. Both Vinnie and I agreed that was the best way to stay in touch with constituents and to build a solid reputation in the community.”

In 2012, when former Assembly member Lou Tobacco retired, leaving a vacant seat in the 62nd District, Borelli decided to run. He was elected to the position in November of 2012, took office in January of 2013, and has dedicated his last two years in office to the improvement of the quality of life on Staten Island. Instrumental in the movement to reduce taxes, tolls, and fees in New York City, Borelli introduced a series of bills intended to ease the financial burden and alleviate the stress of over-regulation on drivers. As a member of the Energy Committee, Borelli fought against all energy fee increases proposed in the executive budget. A strong advocate for small businesses, Borelli proposed a tax-relief program that would provide relief to small-business owners to offset the ever-increasing cost of doing business and provide meaningful
savings to the mom-and-pop shops on Staten Island. Borelli also serves as the Ranking Minority Member of the Cities Committee, and on the Committees on Health and Housing.

“We’ve advocated for changes to the Common Core curriculum and for changes in the way manufacturers pay taxes in New York City,” Borelli explained. “We’ve also been instrumental in bringing attention to some local bills, particularly one that will study the next phase of the West Shore Expressway, which looks at how additional lanes and access ramps will be added to accommodate the new shopping centers in Charleston.”

Borelli, who ran unopposed in a special election to fill the South Shore seat vacated by former Councilman Vincent Ignizio, plans to continue that same community work once he takes office.

“On the local front, we want to make sure that the widening of Arthur Kill happens,” Borelli said. “Borough President Oddo and my predecessor championed it and I will continue their work. We also plan on making a significant investment in middle schools this year and there are several parks in construction now that should be coming on line in the next 18 months that will be a huge boost to the South Shore.”

For Borelli, who was born and raised in Huguenot, a product of Our Lady Star of the Sea elementary school and St. Joseph by the Sea High School, those parks will maintain the quaint borough feel that he recalls from his childhood.

“Growing up, the woods near my house were like a home away from home where we could ride our bikes, get away from our parents for a little while, and have these little adventures without causing too much trouble,” Borelli said. “There was this abundance of fields and green space where pick-up games of football were common and you stay out until the street lights came on. That’s the type of existence that I want to preserve in Staten Island for my own children and grandchildren.”

Borelli, who welcomed a son, Joseph Jr. with his wife Rachel in September, enjoys mountain biking, fishing, and camping. He is an enthusiastic soccer and hockey fan and a self proclaimed foodie who enjoys all types of cuisine, especially Indian and Turkish. He holds an M.A. from the College of Staten Island, where he is also an adjunct professor of Political Science. As a volunteer, Borelli serves on the Development
Board of St. Joseph by the Sea High School, as well as the Friends of the College of Staten Island, which raises money for scholarships. He has guided dozens of non-profits, veterans’ organizations, and community groups in accessing government grants. He has helped raise private money for equipment to help handicapped children at Mount Loretto, and has worked with the Verdino Foundation to bring a state-of-the art little league facility to the South Shore.

And even after more than a decade of working in local government, he is still passionate about connecting with the community he serves.

“After I get off the phone with you, I’m off to a school dismissal and will then go stand outside of a supermarket, talking to constituents for another two hours or so,” Borelli said. “I feel like those meet-and-greets really enable me to know the people I’m serving. I love having conversations about everything from Little League to potholes. It’s my job to really know the people I’m serving and I wholeheartedly
enjoy every minute of it.”