NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Gov. Kathy Hochul is facing backlash from the Italian community in New York after reportedly dissolving the state’s Italian-American Affairs office.
According to the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Hochul dissolved the office earlier this month when she terminated the office’s director, Dolores Alfieri.
The move sparked outrage from the group, and leaders Michele Cangiano Ment and John Fratta sent a letter to Hochul’s office expressing their anger over the decision to eliminate the office after trying to abolish Columbus Day in New York.
“It has been brought to our attention that you have done away with the Unit of Italian American Affairs,” the OSIDA wrote. “Are you aware that the Italian American community makes up 15% of the population of our state? We are concerned about your decision to do away with the Unit while keeping the Units of other ethnic and racial groups.”
Italian-American civic leaders told the New York Post that they were blindsided by the decision, saying it was an “absolute insult” to the community.
Ment and Fratta are now requesting a meeting with the governor to “mend the misunderstanding.”
“When you became governor of our state, we believed you would do good for all the residents of our state. Unfortunately, that has not been the case as you have continued to exclude Italian Americans from your agenda,” they wrote. “In the few weeks that you have assumed the position you now hold, you continually disregard the Italian-Americans that make New York their home.”
Hochul’s office confirmed to the Post that Alfieri had been dismissed from her position but insisted that their administration will continue to work to represent Italian-Americans and all other citizens.
A spokesperson told the paper that Hochul has great respect for the Italian-American community in New York State.
“Governor Hochul was proud to march in the Columbus Day Parade, and she will continue to be a strong supporter of the Italian American community throughout her administration,” the spokesperson said.
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The governor previously announced that she would be replacing many of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s appointees, including those linked to his sexual harassment scandal.
It remains unclear if Alfieri was linked to the former governor’s scandal, but she was previously appointed by Cuomo in 2017.