In a Council race, usually the mailings come fast and furious in the waning days of the election – when most people focus on the race.

But Anthony Cassino, a Riverdale resident and former chair of Community Board 8, who is running for City Coucil in the 11th District as a Democrat, is already shelling out campaign cash to land his nascent campaign in the mailboxes of local voters.

In late January, he sent out a well-designed tri-fold mailer with a tear-out-and-mail “Community Survey.” “What issues are most important to you?” it asked on top of a list of 15 issues, including everything from education and health care to over-development and senior services. It included a space for comments as well.

Cassino is challenging incumbent Oliver Koppell, who is seeking a third Council term and has represented Riverdale and parts of the northwest Bronx in one office or another since 1971. The primary is in September.

The mailer went to 18,000 consistent voters in the district. Grassroots Initiative, a non-partisan nonprofit that assists candidates with various aspects of their campaigns, helped with the design, layout, printing and mailing. The cost to Cassino? A bargain, at $10,000.

“In political circles, they’ll laugh and say, ‘that’s not possible,’” Cassino said, pointing out that Grassroots Initiative exists to “level the playing field” and ensure that public service is accessible to all, “regardless of race, creed or economic status,” as the group’s Web site explains.

Cassino got 400 responses from all over the district. He’s pleased with those results, but wished more residents had included written comments in the space provided. People from this area (outside of Riverdale) who wrote back complained of noise problems on Gun Hill Road and a resurgence of crime on East 205th Street. Dog droppings on Perry Avenue was another complaint. Cassino will respond personally to all those who shared their concerns, he said.

“You do kind of see what’s the big concern, by neighborhood,” Cassino said.