I am a third generation resident of this community. My grandfather, Angelo DeSimone, settled in Middle Village in about 1910, when the area was mostly farms and forest land. My mother, 87 years young, was born and raised here, attending PS 87, as did multiple generations of the family. My grandfather, grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins are buried in St. John’s cemetery, across the street from my home. I have lived on Trotting Course Lane next to the Remsen Memorial for 41 years.

I have actively opposed weakening the zoning laws and blurring the distinctions between residential and commercial neighborhoods. The disregarding of environmental studies to allow large scale, 24 hour retailing in residential neighborhoods was a serious mistake. National chain megastores receive millions in tax breaks, while their heavy trucks and incessant traffic tear up community roads and lower air quality. Because they do not pay medical benefits, their employees become wards of the taxpayers when sick. This policy needs to be revisited.

Children are our replacements in life. They must be properly trained to prosper in a fast paced Internet society. The City’s wealth and future are directly related to the citizen body turned out by our public schools. Every student must have a computer on their desk, and access to the Internet, both in school and at home. Internet mentor programs, and unlimited email support for any questions students or their families might ask, should be supplied. I would urge the BOE to adapt 21st Century curricula and teaching techniques.

I support the limited use of school vouchers given to kids in schools that do not meet minimum standards, and dissolving those schools, forcing the Board of Education to become more accountable and competitive or cease to exist.

For more discussion on the issues, please visit, WWW.TIRACO.ORG.

(Statement reprinted as supplied by the candidate.)