BY MAGGIE HAYES Before Towers residents marked their ballots, the Political Action Committee wanted to make sure voters were well informed. Board member Felice Hannah and her committee hosted a pre-election workshop to explain new proposals so voters wouldn’t be blindsided at the polls. “When people come to vote, they are not aware there are proposals. And if they are aware, the proposals are usually written so unclearly,” Hannah said. “We want to make voting a more positive experience.” Deputy Borough President Barry Grodenchik came to the event to explain the six new proposals and take any questions. “It’s really important,” he said. “I’m here to speak about this, because it’s important people understand. This is how we affect change.” The first proposal was for casino gaming in New York State. “Advocates say it’s more money for education, more jobs and it will promote locations, primarily upstate,” Grodenchik explained. “Proponents believe we should not be creating more gambling opportunities.” According to unofficial results, the proposal passed by roughly 15,000 votes. The second proposal would allow additional civil service credit for veterans with disabilities, certified post-appointment, which passed with a whopping 86 percent of votes. The third, exclusion of indebtedness contracted for sewage facilities, Grodenchik said is “important.” He said sewers are very expensive to build, and it is additionally important to make sure our waterways are clean, so pipes must be replaced on a regular basis. This proposal received about 67 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results, and passed. “I didn’t know anything about these propositions, and I wanted to make sure I knew all of the other positions,” said Jill, a resident in Building 1 during the event. Proposal 4 settled disputed title in forest reserve, which mainly affects the upstate area, and passed as well. Proposal 5 was in relation to a land exchange for state forest preserve with a mineral company, which was just barely shut down, receiving just over 50 percent of a “no” vote. The last proposal called to increase the age to which state judges can serve, so long as they are certified by a medical board. They would have been granted up to six additional years, and be certified every two years after that. At about a 52 percent to 48 percent vote, the proposition did not pass, also according to unofficial results. For the future, the Political Action Committee will have a questionnaire for residents, detailing specific issues facing the NST community. Residents are asked to fill it out and the committee will tally the highest-numbered inquiry, and will take the questions to newlyelected leaders. Political Action Committee ensured NST was well informed 16 North Shore Towers Courier n December 2013 KATZ CONQUERS Health care, rebuilding on agenda BY MELISSA CHAN Former legislator Melinda Katz will be the next Queens borough president. “We sent a message from the moment I announced my candidacy that we are a borough of diversity, and that is an asset,” Katz said. “It is not a flaw in the borough of Queens and the City of New York.” The Democrat and heavy favorite in the race trounced her two challengers on Tuesday, November 5 with 80.3 percent, according to unofficial results, as 99 percent of precincts were reporting. Republican Tony Arcabascio netted 17.1 percent and third-party candidate Everly Brown, who came in last in the Democratic primary, took in 2.6 percent on the Jobs & Education line, early tallies showed. The seat was held by Helen Marshall since 2001. The longtime incumbent and borough’s first black borough president is term-limited this year. She endorsed Katz, who served in the Assembly and City Council and was the director of community boards for former Borough President Claire Schulman. Katz will be the 19th Queens borough president. “Every borough president has their own way about them,” Katz said. “I’m excited about the future. Helen Marshall has served this borough for over 30 years as a public official, 20 years before that as a civil rights advocate and an educator. I will continue her work, but I also have my own priorities and I look forward to working for those.” As results trickled in on election night, the Forest Hills mom of two was surrounded by supporters at her victory party held at the Queens Democratic Party’s headquarters on Austin Street. “We have had a whole gamut of support,” she said, attributing her victory in major part to the County organization. “I am extremely excited to be the next borough president. I’m glad the people of Queens put faith into my candidacy, and I will be very grateful to them.” The strong finish was anticipated this time, unlike the grueling September primary election Katz faced against Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. In the contentious race, Katz beat the longtime Astoria lawmaker by about 13,000 votes, according to official Board of Elections results. Katz said her Borough Hall plans include making the Rockaway ferry permanent and creating a hotline for storm victims to get up-to-date information on the rebuilding process. She also said she will push for more primary and urgent care facilities, expand tax incentives for new or expanding businesses that hire locally and fund the growth of 1,000 more trees. Katz said it her job to “make sure that we not only get equal assets here in Queens, but we bring more money back to the borough of Queens because that is what we deserve here.” With additional reporting by Terence M. Cullen THE COURIER/Photo by Terence M. Cullen Melinda Katz won the election to be the next Queens borough president.
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