FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com NOVEMBER 3, 2016 • THE QUEENS COURIER 35 oped oped WHITESTONE SUNSET // PHOTO BY MADELYN DUPRE Send us your photos of Queens and you could see them online or in our paper! Submit them to us tag @queenscourier on Instagram, Facebook page, tweeting @queenscourier or by emailing editorial@qns.com (subject: Queens Snaps). letters & comments DIVERSITY TRUMPS IGNORANCE IN QUEENS It is ironic that with hard-won inclusiveness of the American dream Queens County has trumped Donald Trump in making the dream come true for a participatory sharing. Compassion and justice are the keynote to the creation of a community in which each individual can realize himself or herself not by brashly talking loudly but by the quiet voice of community. Donald Trump, will you listen? The miracle of Queens is contained in the harmonious life of its residents who have come here from the four corners of the Earth. They live a peaceful life here, in spirited celebration of their harmonious existence with their fellow travelers to this country. Most of these arrivals are the fi rst or second generation of their families to this country. They share a common experience of life being expanded by the old world values that underlie the reason for their exodus and the enhancement of their entry. Together they represent a new America premised upon respect for the freedom of their individual lives at the same time as they are living as members of groups from all parts of the world who benefi t from the American Dream. This dream provides the recognition of the success of our country in uniting the whole world within its borders and must serve as a guidepost to the world. It is the American vision that the entire world must pursue to create a state of being which provides to each individual respect for all other individuals. Sigmund R. Balka, Forest Hills TIME TO REFORM HOUSING COURT The City Council is weighing legislation that would pay lawyers to represent indigent men, women and children threatened with eviction in housing court. It’s about time. But the major fl aw with housing court is that it exists; it is a forum where society treats hapless tenants like criminals, and that won’t change if the Council’s bill becomes law. Rent disputes should be removed altogether from the court system. However, the problems confronting individuals trapped in housing court surpass their judicial travails. As matters now stand, housing court is just one shameful element in a grotesque and devious phenomenon that I call Welfare World. I don’t have the space to discuss in detail my own experiences in Welfare World. Taxpayer money and charitable donations are being squandered on the current system; what is desperately needed is a new approach to those facing eviction and poverty. Howard Schneider, Rego Park CITY SHOULD FOCUS ON THE REAL PROBLEMS Recently several members of our elected City Council proposed legislation that would ban the use of “wild and exotic animals” for shows (circuses, etc). In addition several members proposed to change the name of several NYCHA Facilities which were named after our founding fathers (Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, etc) since they were slave owners. Meanwhile the Administration for Children Services (ACS) often fails to protect innocent, defenseless children, sometimes the consequences are tragic, injury or worse ( death). In addition, the City has a homeless population of at least 60,000 according to published reports. The policies proposed by the de Blasio administration are being protested by middle class, hardworking homeowners in neighborhoods throughout the city including in Queens. When will these elected offi cials stop with their feel good activism and start addressing the real problems which exists? Thomas Murawski, Glendale The Courier recommends... We’re less than a week away from an election most people want to forget — but the one thing you shouldn’t forget to do is to vote this Tuesday, Nov. 8. Election Day gives everyone the same power to dictate the course of their government’s future, whether it’s in Washington, D.C., or in the confi nes of the State Capitol in Albany. This is the most important opportunity you have to truly speak out on what you want your government to do in the choices you make at the ballot box. It’s easy to think of the entire election coming down to the presidential race at the top of the ballot. You should know, however, that there are a number of local legislative races down-ballot that are just as important to your state’s future, your community’s future, your future. In covering these local elections, we’ve learned much about the candidates on the ballot, and we have three running in the Courier’s coverage area who we believe are worthy of your votes. Third Congressional District: Tom Suozzi More than any other candidate, former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi has worked hard to make connections to voters in the Queens portion of the Third District, which encompasses northern Nassau and northwest Suffolk counties. He’s been to debates, civic association meetings and other events shaking hands, introducing himself and pledging to be a presence in northeast Queens. That’s a complete 180 from his Republican opponent, state Senator Jack Martins, who hasn’t been as visible in this part of the district as he should have been. We’re going to hold Suozzi to the commitment he made to Queens voters, and to his pledge to open a district offi ce in our borough. 15th State Senate District: State Senator Joe Addabbo Throughout his eight years in the state Senate (and prior to that, eight years in the City Council), Joe Addabbo has lived by the credo of the late Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill: “All politics is local.” Whether it’s holding events honoring veterans to rallying against proposed homeless shelters, Addabbo is always there front and center for his constituents. His opponent, Michael Conigliaro, is a honorable man looking to make change in Albany and the district at large. It’s easy to be dissatisfi ed at the way things operate in Albany, but Addabbo is part of the solution, not the problem. 30th Assembly District: Brian Barnwell Woodside attorney Brian Barnwell was at the epicenter of a political earthquake in the September Democratic primary, when he defeated nine-term incumbent Assemblywoman Margaret Markey in a race fueled by the ongoing protests over a proposed homeless shelter in Maspeth. Barnwell deserved that victory because unlike Markey, he was out there with residents from the start of their protest, demonstrating that he was on their side and would work with them to stop this plan. He shows tremendous promise as someone who will play an active role in the community and won’t shirk from any fi ght, regardless of tenure. Barnwell deserves to prove his mettle in Albany. The choice is yours, Queens. Go vote on Tuesday, Nov. 8! SNAPS QUEENS
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