24 The QUEE NS Courier • SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com primary guide DISTRICT 22 DISTRICT 24 Name: Rory Lancman Party: Democrat, Working Families Current Occupation: Attorney Personal Info: Prior to being elected to the New York State Assembly in 2006, Rory Lancman served on Community Board 8 for 16 years. For five years, he chaired the Queens Hospital Center Community Advisory Board, during which time he led the community’s successful fight to rebuild the hospital and stop its privatization. In the Assembly, Lancman chaired the Assembly Subcommittee on Workplace Safety, and his legislative agenda in the Assembly focused on issues related to workplace safety, homeland security, public safety and government reform. Issues/Platforms: The city faces enormous challenges in keeping the American Dream alive here in New York. Residents confront a rising cost of living and a hollowed out job market that leaves regular New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet, a hit-or-miss education system that leaves too many kids unprepared for college and the 21st century workplace, and an across-the-board increase in crime after two decades of falling rates. After six years in the State Assembly, and 16 years on the local community board before that, passing important legislation and delivering for constituents, Lancman can help meet these challenges. Name: Andrea Veras Party: Democrat Current Occupation: Legal support staff at The Legal Aid Society Personal Info: Andrea Veras arrived in the U.S. in 1990, and raised and educated three children as a single parent. After her children became independent, she followed her lifelong passion for social justice and became a paralegal in 2004. Last year, she received a Master’s Degree in Urban Affairs. As a grassroots community organizer, she has already made an impact in her community and has a proven record of producing results. Since 2010, she has brought the issues of public safety and environment to the forefront. As a direct result of her involvement, the 107th Precinct increased patrols in the neighborhood. In 2012, Veras was awarded with the John and Yolka Linakis Scholarship for Outstanding Community Service. Platforms/Issues: Veras would fight for higher wages and work to find community-based solutions to health care needs. On education issues, she supports emphasis on increased parental involvement, the expansion of Pre-K services and will motivate high school students to learn different trades. She will work to foster economic development through the expansion of tax credits to businesses and the creation of job opportunities. On affordable housing, she is committed to fight for rent regulations and create incentives to first-time home owners. Name: Mujib Rahman Party: Democrat *The campaign for this candidate did not submit a profile as of press time ASTORIA, LONG ISLAND CITY AND PARTS OF JACKSON HEIGHTS Name: Costa Constantinides Party: Democrat Current Occupation: Democratic District Leader (36 AD Part A), former Deputy Chief of Staff for Councilmember James F. Gennaro Personal Info: Costa Constantinides is a grassroots community organizer and progressive political leader who has lived in Astoria his whole life. In 2009, Constantinides was elected to serve as the Democratic District Leader for the 36th Assembly District, Part A. Constantinides also serves as a board member of the United Community Civic Association and the Asgata Association. He served as Legislative Director and Deputy Chief of Staff to Councilmember James F. Gennaro where he assisted on key legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to protect our wetlands, improve the water quality of our drinking supply, and on other important environmental measures. Issues/Platform: Constantinides’ plan for better environmental protection includes dismantling the Poletti Power Plant and cleaning up other dirty plants, reducing traffic congestion, investing in clean energy, expanding open spaces and protecting drinking water. Hurricane protection, mitigation tactics and smart building codes are central to his plan to expand open spaces. Constantinides will work to see that Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s resiliency plan is implemented. Constantinides’ plan for clean streets calls for doubling trash pickups, hiring street crews for litter removal, improving park maintenance, graffiti deterrence and better removal and doubling fines for illegal dumping. Name: John J. Ciafone Party: Democrat Current Occupation: Attorney Personal Info: John Ciafone is the only candidate born, raised and who continues to live and work in the community. He attended public schools in the Astoria neighborhood like P.S. 85, J.H.S. 141, and Long Island City High School. He is now an attorney practicing for almost 20 years and maintains an office on Steinway Street. He is married with three children. He attended NYU and St. John’s University, School of Law graduating with honors. He served as an intern for Governor Mario Cuomo and was an intern in the NYC Council’s Legal Division, where he helped draft and write law. He was also an intern to Supreme Court Justice Frederick Schmidt and was appointed a Referee in several foreclosure actions by Justices Joseph Golia and Schmidt and was appointed Administrator and Referee by Surrogate Robert Nahman. Issues/Platform: According to Ciafone the community is in a lot of trouble. There are no jobs for our children who graduate from schools. There is no affordable housing and no adequate senior housing. Senior centers, libraries, and parks are being axed. Small businesses are under attack by the city looking to generate revenue by increasing costs, fees, fines and taxes. Small homeowners can’t afford the increased taxes, water and sewer charges. He believes there is a need to hire more police and the weakening of Stop, Question, and Frisk will only increase crime in our community. There is a shortage of pre-K classes, beacon programs, and after school programs, he says. Ciafone believes the people need to elect a true independent fighter not connected with the special interests and political bosses. Editor’s Note: Requests for information from the candidate’s campaign were not received as of press time, therefore this information was retrieved from the candidate’s campaign website. Name: Constantinos “Gus” Prentzas Party: Democrat Current Occupation: Community Board 1 Co-Chair of Department of Consumer Affairs Personal Info: Gus Prentzas is a lifelong resident of Astoria. In 1991, he was elected to School Board 30 covering Astoria. He served as Vice President of School Board 30 for seven years. During that time, he proposed the adoption of Megan’s Law within the School Board. The Board accepted the proposal making Astoria’s 30th School Board the first in the city and state to enforce the law that protects students from sexual predators. Prentzas was appointed by Councilmember Peter Vallone Sr. to supervise the cleaning process of Astoria’s schools when it became obvious asbestos levels in old school buildings could be a hazard to children. Prentzas continues his tenure of 10 years on Community Board 1 serving Astoria. He is currently the co-chair of the community board’s Department of Consumer Affairs. He is also a member of the Astoria Kiwanis Club and has been honored with the award of Community Person of the Year. Issues/Platform: According to Prentzas, public safety is “the foundation of a prosperous community.” He hopes to work with the deputy inspector of the 114th Precinct to provide all resources needed to maintain the neighborhood’s level of safety. Prentzas will be a strong advocate of keeping the character of the communities. He believes tenants deserve the best care and renovation services from their landlords. He hopes to “take the delinquent NYCHA to task.” Briarwood, Fresh Meadows, Hilcrest , Hilcrest Estates , Jamaica Estates , Jamaica Hils, Kew Gardens Hils, Utopia Estates , and parts of Forest Hils, Flushing , Jamaica and Rego Park ATTENTION VOTERS Despite the fact that State Senator Tony Avella announced he was dropping out of the Queens borough president race on Wednesday, August 14, his name will still be on the ballot during the September 10 primary election.
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