26 The QUEENS Courier • august 29, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com primary guide COMPTROLLER Editor’s Note: Requests for information from the candidates’ campaigns were not received as of press time, therefore this information was retrieved from the candidates’ campaign websites. BOROUGH PRESIDENT Name: Peter F. Vallone Jr. Party: Democrat Current Occupation: City Councilmember, Public Safety Committee Chair Personal Info: Father of two girls; former prosecutor; graduate of Fordham College and Fordham Law School Issues/Platforms: For 12 years, Peter F. Vallone Jr. has served in the New York City Council. As the head of public safety committee, he worked with Police Commissioner Ray Kelly to cut crime by 35 percent. He also worked tirelessly to pass tough laws on graffiti vandals, sex offenders and gun traffickers. As a homeowner, Vallone also knows how tough it is to own a home in Queens. That’s why he is the ONLY candidate who voted against raising property taxes and fought water rate increases. Vallone is also a small business owner. Small businesses in Queens are the backbone of the borough, which is why he worked to reduce unnecessary regulations and replace some fines with warnings so they can continue to thrive and drive the economy. As the father of two girls who went to public schools, Vallone knows the importance of a safe learning environment. He wrote the law to put security cameras in schools and sponsored legislation to allow our kids to carry cells phones to and from school to ensure their safety. Name: Melinda Katz Party: Democrat Current Occupation: Attorney, formerly of Greenberg Traurig Personal Info: Melinda Katz has been a tireless advocate for Queens and a trusted public servant for 20 years, serving as a member of the New York City Council, New York State Assembly and director of community boards for former Borough President Claire Schulman. As a legislator, Katz focused on affordable housing, improving schools and expanding healthcare services by passing the first law in the country to require HMOs to cover OBGYN services. A lifelong resident of Queens, Katz is a product of public schools. She attended college at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and St. John’s University School of Law. Currently, Katz and her family are raising their two children, Carter and Hunter, in the house where she grew up. Issues/Platforms: As borough president, Katz will work with all communities to expand access to health care, create affordable housing and stimulate economic development across Queens. To relieve overcrowding in Queens’ nine remaining hospitals, Katz has called for the opening of primary and urgent care facilities throughout the borough. To attract and strengthen local business, Katz will work with partners in government to expand tax incentives for new or expanding businesses who hire locally. Name: Everly Brown Party: Democrat Current Occupation: Real Estate Developer, Foreclosure Consultant Personal Info: Everly Brown was born in Jamaica and has been a Queens resident for 47 years. He has been a community activist for more than 30 years and has attended St. Francis College: BA, Washington Business Institute: AAS, St. John’s University: Basic Real Estate law. Issues/Platforms: Key Issues: Jobs, Education, Affordable housing, Advocacy, Equality, Transparency in Government, Transportation, Public Safety and Participatory Democracy. Platform: Reform Ballot Initiative, so that democracy can be streamlined. Name: Eliot Spitzer Party: Democrat Current Position: Former New York Governor Personal Information: Eliot Spitzer began as a prosecutor of organized crime before becoming New York State attorney general in 1998. During his time as attorney general, Spitzer cracked down on the largest firms on Wall Street. In 2006, Spitzer became governor where he helped fully fund New York City schools and reformed state health care delivery to guarantee larger access for working families. Issues/Platform: As attorney general and governor, Spitzer held Wall Street, big corporations, government and special interests accountable for their actions. He hopes to continue doing the same as comptroller. Name: Scott Stringer Party: Democrat Current Position: Manhattan Borough President Personal Information: Born and raised in Washington Heights, Scott Stringer graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. In 1992, he was elected into the New York State Assembly, representing Manhattan’s Upper West Side. In 2006, he became Manhattan Borough President where he has raised concern on issues ranging from government waste and mismanagement to creating economic opportunity for New York’s middle class. Stringer has also worked hard for equal rights and opportunities for all New Yorkers. He was one of the first co-sponsors of a 1995 bill to provide marriage equality, he passed landmark legislation protecting victims of domestic violence and helped establish a Manhattan Family Justice Center. Stringer’s Bank On program helped more than 12,000 “unbanked” people in Manhattan sign up for bank accounts and participate in the city’s economy. Issues/Platform: According to Stringer, in order for our economy to grow, the city must have a five borough transportation plan to connect residents to developing jobs and housing centers. He has promoted the integrity and professionalism of the pension fund and has worked to create more comprehensive risk assessment and management and further diversify pension investments to ensure the fund’s long term sustainability. SAVE THE DATE VOTE SEPTEMBER 10
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