FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com JANUARY 2, 2014 • THE QUEENS COURIER 25 HALL OF SHAME 136-20 Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing BY KATELYN DI SALVO WHAT IS YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION? My New Year’s resolution is to exercise and be kind to everyone. Connie Milman My resolution is to get ripped. David Peelar I hope to enjoy my granddaughter Gianna Sophia, born on December 18, in the coming year and for many more years to come. Lori Scolaro My New Year’s resolution is to be back next year, and keep my health as is. Mel Gossett Next year I hope to go shopping less and spend less money. Roberta Black My New Year’s resolution is to have more balance between work and family. Tony Rappaport oped street talk In the coming year my husband and I hope to do more traveling. Della Silverman I hope to have a better year to come, as well as a better economy. I also hope that our new mayor will be more involved in helping small businesses. Michael Alick Bloomberg was a boon to this city BY ANDREW SANTIS Mayor Michael Bloomberg is no more. To New Yorkers who criticize and accuse Bloomberg for being ignorant and a tyrant, this is a relief. For others, like me, it is saddening to see the man responsible for today’s New York go. Bloomberg entered City Hall at a very peculiar time, as it was only four months after the 9/11 attacks. In addition, he faced three consecutive years of budget gaps and an underperforming school system. And yet, he was still very optimistic about the city’s future. On his inauguration day, he said, “New York is safe, strong, open for business and ready to lead the world in the 21st century.” He was right. Under Bloomberg’s watch, New York City became the safest large city in the country. He and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly reduced crime by 35 percent. Bloomberg also became a public opponent of guns, leading efforts to eliminate the sale and distribution of illegal guns in the city. Eight thousand guns are now off the streets of New York. Bloomberg has also devoted his efforts to making New York City’s counterterrorism programs the best in the world. To stimulate the city’s economy, Bloomberg created the Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan, which focuses on creating jobs for New Yorkers, implementing a long-term vision for growing the city’s economy and building affordable, attractive neighborhoods in every borough. As a result, areas in Coney Island were rezoned for housing and commercial use. In addition, the Lower East Side will generate more than 1 million square feet of housing, open space and shops, the West Side of Midtown Manhattan will see residential housing, offi ce buildings and the extension of the 7 line (also a Bloomberg initiative) and Willets Point in Queens will add housing, retail, entertainment, public space and much more that will transform the area around Citi Field. Among Bloomberg’s major accomplishments was making New York the healthiest city in the world. First he tackled smoking by signing the Smoke Free Air Act in 2003, making smoking in public places illegal; he raised taxes on cigarettes; started an anti-smoking campaign and recently succeeded at raising the cigarette buying age to 21. Youth smoking has decreased by 51 percent and adult smoking by one third. Obesity followed. In 2006, trans fats were banned from restaurants. In 2008, calorie counts began appearing on menus and menu boards. In 2010, he unveiled a plan to reduce salt in packaged and restaurant food. Thanks to his efforts, the city now boasts an 80.6-year life expectancy. Of course, Bloomberg has had his share of fl ops. One was appointing Cathie Black as Schools Chancellor, and another was being unprepared for the 2010 Christmas blizzard. And let’s not forget the fl awed, over-priced, revamped 9-1-1 system. However, this will not eclipse the good Bloomberg has done. There are more parks, affordable health insurance for all New Yorkers, environmentally friendly hybrid taxis, a citywide information and non-emergency service and an improved public school system. One thing is for sure: Bloomberg is leaving behind an unparalleled legacy. On his inauguration day, Bloomberg promised Rudy Giuliani he would not fail the people of New York. He did not. Mayor Bloomberg, thanks for all you have done. I will miss you. Andrew Santis is a sophomore in the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University. VISIT QueensCourier.com FOR MORE STORIES Incidents of graffi ti have risen. The Courier invites you, our readers, to submit photos of vandalism — or addresses where you see graffi ti — for our “Hall of Shame.” Conversely, if a home or business has “cleaned up their act,” submit them for induction into our “Hall of Fame.” Send all high resolution JPG images (300 DPI) to editorial@queenscourier.com with a location and a contact number. Otherwise, contact us at 38-15 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361. Help us take our borough back from the vandals!
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