Youth Member Seated as Community Board 10 Holds Elections

June 20, 2015 10:00 AM·

R-L Martin Prince, Chairman, CB # 10;
Jon-Michael Provetto, Member, CB # 10; Tony Salimbene, Second Vice Chair, CB # 10

This past Thursday, Community Board 10 held it’s June meeting at Providence Rest to hold elections for officers including electing a new youth member.

The meeting began with a moment of silence in memory of the nine victims in Charleston, SC. After the gallery session along with reports from Tom Lucania, Representative for Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and District Manager, Ken Kearns, the community board conducted elections for officers.

Martin Prince was re-elected as Chairman along with Tony Salimbene who was re-elected as Second Vice Chair and Peter Cantillo as Treasurer. John Marano was re-elected as First Vice-Chair and Robert Barbelli was elected Secretary.

There was much excitement and anticipation as the first youth member was seated on Community Board 10. At the age of sixteen, Jon-Michael Provetto is a community leader and honor student at Salesian High School. Currently, Provetto joins other sixteen and seventeen year old leaders who have been appointed to Community Boards by Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and members of the New York City Council. Jon-Michael has committed himself to social justice and to advocate for community members as well as animal welfare.

Personally knowing and speaking to Provetto and Lucania, there are many similarities between the two. Both began their activities with their representative community boards at very young ages as members. At the age of seventeen, Lucania was part of the Youth Services Committee for Community Board 11 in representing Saint Lucy’s School. He went on to become a board member to go on to become an Assistant District Manager to Tom Brown, and then District Manager when Tom Brown passed away.

Peter Cantillo, Treasurer CB # 10

In addressing the board after elections, Martin Prince thanked the community, “I look forward to continuing my advocacy for Bronx Community Board 10. As we forge ahead we will look towards the future and press for the safety, welfare and progress in each of our diverse neighborhoods that constitutes this board. I thank my fellow Board members for their support and I pledge to honor the privilege they have bestowed upon me.”

Tony Salimbene said, “There’s no better award than the support and trust of neighbors and friends. I have a lot to learn but have longtime community volunteers like Diane Lock and Lew Goldstein on the board to emulate and learn from. Always a special thanks to my wife. To all on board 10, let’s have a great 2015-16 session!”

Robert Barbarelli, Secretary, CB # 10

Also giving thanks was Robert Barbarelli who said, “During my term, I intend to work closely with the other executive board members, as well as with our elected officials, to help make our community an even better place than it is today. I also look forward to working with residents, business owners and the 45th Precinct to help raise the quality of life within our neighborhoods. I will do everything that I can to accomplish these tasks, and to fulfill the responsibilities that have been entrusted to me by the community.”