A Sunday “Meet & Greet” with Debra Markell
Candidate for NYC Council
BY JILL DAVIS It was a notable Sunday afternoon
on April 25, and not just
because the spring weather had
happily arrived.
Former NST Board Vice President
Debra Markell is running for NYC
Council District 23 and she wanted
to take an opportunity to meet with
Towers’ residents so they could get
to know her a little better. Close to
70 NST residents and invited guests
attended the late morning event,
which was held at Towers on the
Green.
“I’m elated by the turnout and the
groundswell of support,” Debra said.
And well she should be. NST Vice
President Fred Chernow addressed
the audience, explaining the importance
of North Shore Towers having
“one of our own” on the City
Council. In addition, Congressman
Tom Suozzi, who has endorsed
Debra for the seat, was in attendance.
He spoke about issues in the
district and how Debra’s experience
is vitally important to getting things
accomplished.
Among the items on her long list
of initiatives are the transit challenges
for the Towers, which still loom
over the “transit desert.” Readers
will recall that the MTA had plans
to severely reduce the already limited
bus service to the community,
and Debra was working with local
government to stop those cutbacks.
The MTA’s efforts were put on hold
amidst the pandemic, but the issue
is likely to come to emerge again,
and Debra intends to resume her
fight, hopefully as a member of the
Council. Another concern of Debra’s
is the continued issue of property tax
reform for co-ops and condos, the
need for stronger public education,
improved public safety, and support
for small local business.
Making this particular gathering
even more special was the fact that
this was the first event held at Towers
on the Green in more than a year.
The continental breakfast, which ran
from 11am until 1pm, was catered
by Buffy. Naturally, strict protocols
were in place—no walking around;
masks were mandatory; no lines
were allowed at the buffet. “Buffy
did a wonderful job,” Debra said,
“and everyone was very respectful of
the rules.” That’s a good thing, since
she is planning on holding another
event at the Towers in early June.
The date and time will be announced
as soon as possible.
In the meantime, you can learn
more about Debra, her policies,
and her many endorsements on
her website: debramarkell.com. It’s
important to be an informed voter,
so check it out!
Anthony Lemma, president of
the Saul Weprin Club, sings Frank
Sinatra’s “That’s Life”
Tom Suozzi and Debra Markel
Tom Suozzi with Debra Markell and Sheila and Joe Vass (seated) with
NST residents
Fred Chernow speaking at the event chat with guests
Congressman Tom Suozzi and
Debra Markell
NST’s volunteer”Team Debra” front l-r: Fran Gordon, Sheila Vass, Debra Debra, Tina Sapienza, Sheila
Harmon; rear l-r: Sue Beerman, Barbara Conacchio, Rhonda Schorr
May 2021 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 13
/debramarkell.com
