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QC11032016

20 THE QUEENS COURIER • NOVEMBER 3, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com ‘16 ELECTION GUIDE s Craziest Election, but.... BY VICTORIA SCHNEPS vschneps@qns.com Some thoughts on the election. I have been an activist for over 40 years, from my days fi ghting for my daughter Lara’s right to services, needed after she suffered devastating brain damage a few minutes after her birth, to today owning newspapers. It’s fascinating to me that the election has brought out passionate feelings on both sides. But I can’t remain silent because the election is historic on many levels. For me, to break the glass ceiling and fi nally have a woman with 30 years of public service as the leader of our great country is an amazing achievement. Hillary has been attacked her whole career, even when she was standing by her husband because she loves him. How sad that the attacks are remembered, not that none of those charges was ever substantiated. Why these witch hunts? I get it that there is a lot of anger and wish for change. That’s why we have elections. How dare Trump use the word “rigged!” Some people think having Trump in the White House will make the country “great again.” Haven’t they noticed that the stock market is up, property values are up, and educational opportunities are more abundant? Our country has offered opportunities to immigrants but, after all, we are a country founded by immigrants. Our country is on an upward path economically but it is a complicated world. I want my country in the experienced hands of someone who understands the world stage. If I were going to have open heart surgery, would I select a new surgeon or the one with years of experience? The heart of our country is at stake. It’s shocking that a candidate like Trump who has bashed and exploited women, bashed black people, Hispanic people and Muslims, and who wants to build walls between our people and the world, would be considered as a viable candidate. With the new revelations about emails, I expect that those who support Hillary will continue to want her brilliant, experienced mind leading our country. I remember the days, 40 years ago, when my organization for people with developmental disabilities was planning a group home on a beautiful, tree-lined street in Little Neck. I spent endless hours at community meetings to explain our plans and who would live there. What I found, after months of debate, is that those that supported our plans stayed loyal to us and those who were opposed, and were so angry that I had death threats and had to remove my vanity license plates that said Schneps, stayed opposed. They sued us but lost, and stayed opposed until we opened the home. Ironically, when we had an open house, those who were opposed came to see it and universally said, “Oh, this is beautiful. What a special place you created!” And so now, in this heated election, I expect few people will change their minds. But we have a country of bighearted people and I pray they will see the need to have an experienced person’s hand on the nuclear button, an experienced hand nominating centrists to the Supreme Court and a president who has a heart and history fi ghting for those in need. She is an experienced consensus builder. She will make the changes needed to keep us safe, secure and prospering. Vote for Hillary but, most importantly, VOTE! • A near 100% attendance at Albany sessions since being elected • A 24/7 live operator service for constituent services • Passed legislation protecting Jamaica Bay Opposes the removal of a lane of traffic on Crossbay and Woodhaven Boulevards for the Select Bus Service (SBS) proposal • Approved legislation to reduce the middle class income tax rate • Working towards improving transportation, including a full-time Rockaway ferry • Fighting the city administration on homeless shelter policies • Assisted in the elimination of illegal massage parlors/spas in our community • An advocate for improving services for our veterans • Works daily to help individuals in their recovery from Superstorm Sandy attendance Vote for Joe on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8th www.Addabbo2016.com - 718-322-3500 operator legislation • Opposes Approved


QC11032016
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