30welcome Photos by Angy Altamirano It has been a month since Councilmember Costa Constantinides (center) started representing District 22 and he plans on making sure the government works for his constituents. Constantinides is committed to community BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO Councilmember Costa Constantinides wants his constituents to know he is here for them and plans on keeping his two campaign promises – to work hard for them and never lie. It has been a month since Constantinides began his position as District 22’s newest councilmember representing Astoria and parts of Long Island City, Woodside, East Elmhurst and Jackson Heights. From moving into his brand new offi ce, located at 31-09 Newton Avenue in Astoria, to going around meeting his constituents and introducing himself to the community, Constantinides has been busy. “I understand the work the people in this district have sent me to City Hall to do and I’m making sure their voice is continually heard at City Hall and that’s my job,” he said during an interview with The Courier. The freshman legislator refers to his new offi ce as the “people’s house” and encourages his constituents to stop by. “It’s real easy to hear how I’m doing,” he said. “I take a lot of cues from my constituents on the ground as to how things are really working out in the district.” His plans for the district include working with the New York City Economic Development Corporation to bring ferry service to western Queens and also create what he calls a “multi-module transportation system,” including FEBRUARY 2014 I LIC COURIER I www.queenscourier.com bike lanes and increased bus service. Constantinides also plans to work on improving schools in the district, whether it be helping reduce subway noise congestion at P.S. 85 or discussing with the Department of Education technological upgrades to bring schools to the 21st century. Constantinides also wants to introduce a bill requiring corner garbage pickup at the end of every business day, and bring The Doe Fund to the area to help keep the community clean. “I think we have a great staff,” he said. “We’re really excited to get out to the neighborhood. We’re really going to be out in the community, hearing concerns that our neighbors have and fi nding ways to address those concerns. We’re going to be active in being out in the community and being a resource for them to make government better.” Constantinides held his inaguration ceremony on January 26 at Long Island City High School.
LIC022014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above