1. What is the most important issue in City Council District 31 you would address if elected?
It has to be the rebuilding of the Rockaways whether it be Far Rockaway, Arverne, Bayswater or Edgemere. I cannot begin to describe what I have seen in the Rockaways, and we, as a community, must assist to rebuild those areas so that life does not become unbearable and crisis-filled. I just find it hard to accept that after 10 weeks, there are still residents without gas or electricity. We can do better. We must do better. In rebuilding the Rockaways, we have the opportunity to do it right.
2. What other important issues would you address if elected?
After-school education, which is supposed to supplement the regular education, is lacking in our community though there are many school buildings. Arts, music, and culture programs are almost nonexistent. I absolutely plan to invest a lot of my expense funding into creating such programs because they are a necessity for the total development of our children.
3. What makes you the best candidate for this office?
I do not see myself as a politician, but being involved in the community as a servant of the people - having served the youth of southeast Queens for more than 18 years through the Rosedale Soccer Club, having been PTA president at 3 different schools, having organized the fight against the “Hot Sheet” motel across from 2 schools, having prevented the expansion of the hidden federal prison in the midst of residential Springfield Gardens, having created jobs by being a business owner in the community, having provided immigration services to those less fortunate, having been chief of staff to the 31st District, and by continuing to be a grassroots community activist - has led me to this voyage. I wholeheartedly agree with the principle of self-reliance and I want to give back to the community. This is why I have taken the responsibility of making the community better. I am beholden to the people of our community. This is why so many people assisted me in the Christmas in the Rockaways event that was held to bring in some cheer to the people in the Rockaways that had been devastated by Hurricane Sandy.
(Reprinted as supplied by the candidate.)
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