Queens’ Boroughwide Ballot For Nov. 8

Queens Borough President

() Helen Marshall – Democrat

Marshall is the second woman and first African-American to serve in her position. She has extensive political experience, serving five terms in the New York Assembly and 10 years as a City Councilwoman. During her first term, she has tried to combat over-development in the borough while encouraging economic development and tourism. An educator by trade, Marshall has funneled considerable funds to renovate libraries and schools.

() Philip Sica – Republican

Sica has been an investigator for several city agencies, including the Department of Finance and the Queens District At torney’s office. He is currently the president of Wise Choice Realty. His vision for the borough includes rigidly enforcing building codes and waging a war on graffiti. If elected, he hopes to work with the Public Health Association to bring health programs and affordable healthy food to city schools.

Mayor

Michael Bloomberg - Republican

Elected in 2001, Bloomberg faced a difficult task in taking over the city after September 11, but has managed to win over popular support by running the city like a business. He raised property taxes and fines to rescue the city’s fiscal health. He also created the 311 information hotline, banned smoking in bars and tried to lower unwanted noise. Raising elementary test scores and lowering crime rates are among the chief accomplishments of his first term.

Fernando Ferrer - Democrat

As former Bronx Borough President, Ferrer has been credited with bringing successful economic redevelopment to the region, generating thousands of jobs and new residences. A son of immigrants, he has pledged to help low-income and working-class New Yorkers. He argues that Bloomberg, a multibillionaire, has lost touch with the have-nots. If elected, Ferrer has promised to give tax relief to New York homeowners and build more affordable housing. There are six other mayoral candidates, the most recognizable being former Queens City Councilman Tom Ognibene, who will run on the Conservative party line. The other five are: Martin Koppel (Socialist Workers), Audrey Silk (Libertarian), Jimmy McMillan (Rent is Too Damn High), Seth Blum (Education) and Anthony Gronowicz (Green).

Public Advocate

Betsy Gotbaum - Democrat

In her first term, Gotbaum devoted much of her attention to the school system, issuing reports that condemned the Department of Education for not dealing with overcrowded classrooms and troublesome students. She was an outspoken opponent of the West Side Stadium plan. In conjunction with other politicians, Gotbaum also simplified the food stamp application process and replaced outdated MTA water pumps.

Jay Golub – Conservative

A successful dentist and Sunnyside resident, Golub is making his first run for political office, and has put together an ambitious platform of ideas. He wants to assemble a committee of policy experts that would establish a plan to cut city spending by 5 percent. He has also called for a 20,000-member police reserve force to help secure the city in case of emergencies or terrorist attacks. Two other candidates are running for Public Advocate

– Jim Lesdzynski (Liber tarian) and Bernard Goetz (Rebuild).

City Comptroller

William Thompson, Jr. – Democrat

Thompson cut his political teeth in Brooklyn as Deputy Borough President but then pursued a career in Wall Street. He later joined the Board of Education, becoming president in 1996, and was elected Comptroller in 2001. He has made strides to rein in fare increases at the MTA and develop better investment for the city’s pension fund. He has opposed the mayor on several issues, such as entering a marketing agreement with Snapple Beverages.

Ron Moore – Libertarian

Moore is founder and president of Marketing Technologies Group, a consulting company that builds computer models for financial analysis. Since 2000, he has been act ively involved in the Libertarian Par t y as director of fundraising and membership. He believes the government spends too much and the city is being shortchanged of federal funds. He advocates for less big government and more accountability. There are two other candidates for City Comptroller – Herbert Ryan (Conservative) and Daniel Fein (Working Socialist).

Questions On The Nov. 8 Ballot

Question No. 1

Amendment to Art icles IV and VII of the Constitution, in relation to the submission of the budget to the Legislature by the Governo .

The proposed amendment to Art icles IV and VII of the Constitution would change the process for enactment of the state budget by (a) providing for a contingency budget if the Legislature does not act on the Governor’s appropriation bills before the start of the fiscal year; (b) placing limits on the amount of spending during such contingency period; (c)once such contingency period begins, eliminating the requirement that the Legislature act on the Governor’s proposed appropriation bills, and instead authorizing the Legislature to end the contingency period by adopting a multiple appropriation bill making changes to the contingency budget, subject to line item veto by the Governor; and (d) authorizing the Legislature, subject to veto by the Governor, to modify the spending limits for future contingency budgets, except that such changes cannot take effect until three years after enactment.

The proposed amendment also sets forth cer tain requirements for the operation of a fiscal stabilization reserve fund, from which money could be disbursed in a subsequent year. It would require estimates and information provided by state departments to the Governor for use in preparing the budget to be available to the public. It would provide a date certain by which the Governor must submit a budget and appropriation to the Legislature. It would reduce the time the Governor has to make changes to the budget and appropriation bills submitted to the Legislature without the Legislature’s consent from 30 days to 21 days. Shall the proposed amendments be approved?

Question No. 2

To promote and assure the preservation, renewal and improvement of the state’s roads and bridges; subways, trains and buses; waterways and airports; and other vital transportation systems, facilit ies and equipment for the benefit of the people of the state, shall section one of part 1 of 60 of the laws of 2005, enacted and constituting the “REBUILD AND RENEW NEW YORK TR ANSPORTATION BOND ACT OF 2005” authorizing the creation of a state debt in the amount of two billion nine hundred million dollars ($2,900,000,000) for the conservation, improvement, reconditioning and preservation of transportation systems and facilities, including the acquisition of equipment be approved?

Question No. 3

These changes to the City Charter, as proposed by the New York City Charter Revision Commission, would require the Mayor and the Chief Administrative Law Judge of the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings to jointly issue rules establishing a code or codes of professional conduct for the administrative law judges and hearing officers in the City’s administrative tribunals. Shall the proposed changes be adopted?

Question No. 4

These changes to the City Charter, as proposed by the New York City Charter Revision Commission, would establish as Charter requirements the following fiscal mandates that, in general, now apply to the City through a State law enacted in response to the City’s 1975 fiscal crisis. The changes would add these mandates to the City Charter so that they would continue to apply after the State law expires. The changes would:

Require that the City annually prepare a budget balanced in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and end each year not showing a deficit in accordance with those principles;

Require that the Mayor annually prepare a four-year City financial plan, to be based on reasonable assumptions and modified on at least a quarterly basis, and that the plan provide for payment of the City’s debts and a general reserve of at least $100 million to cover shortfalls;

Impose additional conditions on the Charter’s current restrictions on short-term debt (which may be issued by the City to fund a projected deficit or in anticipation of the receipt of funds from taxes, revenues, and bonds). These conditions generally limit the duration and amount of the short-term debt; and

Impose additional conditions on the annual audit of the City’s accounts that is currently required by the Charter. These conditions relate to application of generally accepted auditing standards and access by auditors to records so that the audit may be issued within four months after the close of the Cit y fiscal year.

Shall the proposed changes be adopted?

District 19: College Point, Whitestone, North Flushing, Bayside, Douglaston

Tony Avella – D, WF

Prior to his election in 2001, Council Member Tony Avella served as an aide to former Mayor Ed Koch and Chief of Staff to the late State Senator Leonard Stavisky and then to State Senator Toby Stavisky. He was also well known for his many civic volunteer activities.

1.) Would you seek to overturn term limits without getting permission from the voters?

I fully support term limits. Under no circumstances would I vote to overturn term limits without having such a proposal put before the voters of this City in a public referendum. New Yorkers have voted twice to uphold term limits and their views must be respected.

2.) If you had an extra $50,000 in discretionary funds, who would you give it to?

I would use the extra $50,000 in discretionary funds to address some of the special needs of the district schools. All too often small budget items, such as purchasing new books or office equipment, are harder to fund because they do not meet the threshold level of a capital improvement.

3.) What is the biggest issue that the City Council should tackle in the next four years, and why?

Although there are many issues that the City must address simultaneously, future budget gaps demand immediate attention. The difficult task ahead will be to identify new revenue sources without placing any additional tax burden on New Yorkers, while at the same time preserving essential City services and programs.

Peter Boudouvas – R, I, C

Hello, I am Peter Boudouvas. I am your candidate for City Council. I am an electrical engineer, a homeowner and a member of the Bayside community. I want to stand in opposition to higher taxes and eliminate wasteful government spending. Raising our taxes is not a viable solution to problems. The current City Council agenda of higher taxes, more spending will only drive the middle class out the city. We need an independent voice in the City Council to control government spending.

1.) Would you seek to overturn term limits without getting permission from the voters?

The voters have spoken twice on term limits. Their answer is no more than two consecutive four-year terms. I would never support any legislation to overturn term limits.

2) If you had an extra $50,000 in discretionary funds, who would you give it to?

If there was an extra $50,000 in discretionary funding, I would allocate the amount to after school activities (computer training, math and science training, sports activities) for the children in the district.

3) What is the biggest issue that the City Council should tackle in the next four years, and why?

The City Council’s biggest issue during the next four years is to properly distribute the education money – $2.1 billion for year 2005-2006 that our city schools are going to get due to the successful lawsuit by the Campaign for Fiscal Equity.

Then the City Council must try to eliminate wasteful government spending. We must look at programs that are underutilized and have minimal effectiveness and eliminate them. The taxpayers of our city need their taxes reduced.

District 20: Flushing

John Liu – D, I, WF

John Liu was elected to the City Council by the people of northeast Queens in the neighborhoods of Auburndale, Flushing, Fresh Meadows, Linden Hill, Queensborough, and Whitestone. It is a mind-boggling honor and privilege for John to represent his hometown at City Hall.

John and his wife Jenny are the proud parents of a terrific little boy, Joseph. They are homeowners in Flushing, living just blocks from the buildings where John grew up. Beginning with Kindergarten at PS 20, John attended local public schools and then went to on to graduate from the Bronx High School of Science and Binghamton University, where he earned a degree in Mathematical Physics.

1.) Would you seek to overturn term limits without getting permission from the voters?

No.

2.) If you had an extra $50,000 in discretionary funds, who would you give it to?

Community-based organizations providing direct services to our seniors.

3.) What is the biggest issue that the City Council should tackle in the next four years, and why?

Affordable housing. Our City has been made great by those who live here and its unconscionable that so many of our working families are being priced out. We need to regain control over our own destiny and repeal the state Urstadt Law, which restricts New York City’s ability to regulate rents. We need to reinvest City resources into building and maintaining more affordable housing. Reforming our zoning codes and land use is also crucial if we are to ensure the future growth and vitality of our City.

Raquel Lacomba Walker – C

Ms. Walker is of Cuban/Puerto Rican decent with old-fashioned professional work ethic and community spirit. She is a graduate of St. John’s University and co-owner of Jobszilla, a career-services company. As a mother of two children, she is actively involved in political, social, and educational issues that affect us all.

1.) Would you seek to overturn term limits without getting permission from the voters?

Permission from voters is vital before a change in rules. Term limits promote democracy by encouraging a wide range of candidates. Oftentimes politicians get too comfortable, and end up trading in the public’s needs, for powerful groups with deep pockets. New faces and fresh ideas usually works-out for the best.

2.) If you had an extra $50,000 in discretionary funds, who would you give it to?

I would use the funds to help single mothers and their children, by offsetting costs for after-school programs, childcare and healthcare. I would provide assistance to organizations that house and support pregnant women in need. Their hard work is noble and it saves lives.

3.) What is the biggest issue that the City Council should tackle in the next four years, and why?

Education is a top priority for me. I strongly believe that with talented New York City teachers and the right compromise, our children’s education can be No. 1. I support charter schools and voucher programs; both would ease overcrowding in public schools, and provide financial aid to families who need it.

District 24: Fresh Meadows, Kew Gardens Hills, Jamaica

Jim Gennaro –D, WF

I started my City government career in 1983 in the Koch Administration. In 1990, I became a senior advisor to City Council Speaker Peter Vallone. I also became an adjunct professor of Political Science at Queens College. Since January 2002, I have represented the 24th District in the City Council.

1.) Would you seek to overturn term limits witho ut getting permission from the voters?

Notwithstanding the fact that term limits are profoundly undemocratic and ultimately increase the power of unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats at the expense of elected officials accountable to the public, the people have affirmed term limits through two separate referenda. I accept the people’s will on this matter.

2.) If you had an extra $50,000 in discretionary funds, who would you give it to?

I have a real-world answer for this hypothetical question. For each the past four years, I fought for and actually delivered an additional $50,000 in discretionary funds for our community. I used the money to increase litter basket collections and improve sanitation services. Cleaner streets – that’s not hypothetical, that’s real.

3.) What is the biggest issue that the City Council should tackle in the next four years, and why?

Far and away the biggest issue to be faced by the Council over the next four years will be managing the multi-billion dollar budget gaps projected for each of the next several fiscal years. How this problem is resolved will make the difference between continuing economic ascendancy or fiscal decline.

Renee Lobo – I

I am a community worker and broadcast journalist who has been active in civic, community and charitable organizations. As a TV broadcaster for 20 years both on International Television and Queens Public TV, I have highlighted on the small screen, issues that impact us on a day to day life whether it is education, housing, healthcare or senior issues. As the voice of the community, I am member of Community Board 6, secretary of 112 Precinct Community Council, member of the Queens District Attorney’s advisory council, chair of domestic violence unit- Center For Women of NY, member of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and board member of Community Understanding for Racial and Ethnic Equality.

1.) Would you seek to overturn term limits without getting permission from the voters?

I would never overturn term limits until and unless the people want it. So far term limits have been the people’s choice and also it allows change in status quo, change in ideas and perspective. Most of the present city council members got elected because of term limits in 2001 and most of them also signed a pledge to honor term limits.

2.) If you had an extra $50,000 in discretionary funds, who would you give it to?

I would give discretionary funds for after school programs for our children, to extend library hours over the weekends, for senior programs and to help victims of domestic violence.

3.) What is the biggest issue that the City Council should tackle in the next four years, and why?

The biggest issue in my mind is education along with affordable healthcare and affordable housing. Our kids are our future and they need to be healthy, educated and housed. They deserve to be in smaller size classes and in after school programs and their teachers should get higher salaries. If these critical needs are not prioritized in the next four years it will be a travesty and shame for a city that is considered the best in the world.

District 25: Jackson Heights, Rego Park

Rodolfo Flores – I

Rodolfo Flores is a long time resident of Queens County. He received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Social Science from the College of New Rochelle and his Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University. Flores is a candidate with new goals and vision for our district. In his words “the time has come for a better living.” He knows first hand what it means to be discriminated and unemployed. Rodolfo Flores came to the US during the 80’s. In Peru, his country of origin, he held substantive professional positions and upon arrival to the United States, he worked in factories, gas stations, livery car service, retail stores and real estate.

He did not respond to questions from the Queens Tribune.

Helen Sears – D

Council Member Helen Sears is a long-time community activist and has served as Democratic District Leader in the 34th Assembly District since 1978. A resident of Jackson Heights for over 35 years, she has two sons, a daughter and four grandchildren.

As a former healthcare professional, Sears is particularly sensitive to healthcare issues, having served as Director of Government and Community Affairs for the Health and Hospitals Corporation at Elmhurst Medical Center. There she gained experience managing budgets and union negotiations. As a board member of the NYC Health Systems Agency, Sears played an important role in the expansion and modernization of citywide hospitals.

She did not respond to questions from the Queens Tribune.

Masud Mohammed Rahman – R

Mr. Rahman is a mortgage banker who has been a software engineer and who holds a BS in Computer Science. He did not respond to questions from the Queens Tribune.

District 28: Richmond Hill

Tom White

I have spent almost my entire life in Southeast Queens. I am proud that I live in Rochdale Village and have served on their Board and worked hard to establish this as one of the finest Coops in Queens. I am currently CEO to Queens Village Community for Mental Health J-CAP. I have spent my adult life saving the lives of kids who have fallen into drugs. I have devoted my life to create community based programs for crime prevention and drug and alcohol treatment. I have served in City government as the former Councilman for District 28.

1.) Would you seek to overturn term limits without getting permission from the voters?

No, I wouldn’t.

2.) If you had an extra $50,000 in discretionary funds, who would you give it to?

I would give it to senior programming.

3.) What is the biggest issue that the City Council should tackle in the next four years, and why?

The biggest issue is the unemployment of African Americans and Latinos. It’s entirely too high. 45 percent of African Americans are unemployed and 33 percent of Latinos are unemployed. The increased cost of housing means they will soon not be able to afford their homes. They would have to either move or get two jobs to support the cost of housing in this city.

Quality health care is another major issue. When people are unemployed they can’t have health insurance, and even if they’re employed what kind of health insurance do they have? If they get sick their kids get sick then the teacher gets sick and they take that home and everyone gets sick.

Charles Aziz Bilal – I

An enrolled Democrat, Mr. Bilal has served as a Presently a Chaplain at the New York City Department of Corrections, Social Worker at the Lakeside Treatment Center and the Angel Guardian Society.

He did not respond to questions from the Queens Tribune.