Party Enrolled In: Democratic
Current Occupation: Urban Planning/Historic Preservation Consultant and Advocate
Previous Occupation(s): Same
Education: M.S. in Urban Affairs - Hunter College (CUNY) 1999; B.A. in Comparative Literature, University of Massachusetts at Amherst 1993; Bronx High School of Science 1988
Organizational Affiliations: Save Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens Civic Congress, Historic Districts Council, Fort Totten Conservancy, North Flushing Civic Association
Prior Public Experience: Planning, preservation and land use consultant to then-City Councilmember/Zoning Committee Chair Tony Avella (now State Senator) as well as to the civic/homeowner associations in the 19th Council District.
1. What is the most important issue in Council District 19 you would address if elected?
The #1 issue that has affected the 19th Council District for decades: Overdevelopment, which negatively impacts our schools, infrastructure, traffic and general quality of life. As the author of the R2A "anti-McMansion" zone and designer of the neighborhood-wide downzonings that have been adopted throughout the 19th Council District since 2004, I will continue to use my expertise to protect and preserve our neighborhoods through zoning reform, landmarking and parkland acquisition.
2. What other important issues would you address if elected?
Meaningful education reform for School Districts 25 and 26. This includes an end to the Department of Education and creation of a decentralized system that will ensure parents in northeast Queens have a significant say in our children's futures. Protecting our public parkland from commercialization and public acquisition of remaining undeveloped land for parkland in northeast Queens, including wetlands in Udalls Cove, the old Flushing Airport and the remainder of Cresthaven in Whitestone, is critical. Landmarking our historic neighborhoods, such as Broadway-Flushing, Beech Court and Bellcourt. Infrastructural upgrades, including sewers, roads and (after the tornado and Superstorm Sandy) placing electrical lines underground.
3. What makes you the best candidate for this office?
During the past two decades, I've helped protect our neighborhoods from being overdeveloped by making our voices heard. I have a proven track record of being able to deliver results in a timely manner and in consultation with civic leaders - and the homeowners and residents - who live in northeast Queens.
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