WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES DECEMBER 9, 2021 7
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Queens residents want to see racially accurate
congressional districts as deadline looms
BY JULIA MORO
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
As the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) attempts
to draw fair congressional district maps, Queens residents are fi ghting for
accurate representation.
Every 10 years, the state must draw new district lines that accurately refl ect the
population and demographic changes reported in the most recent census. Previously,
state legislators controlled the process, making it highly political.
However, in 2014, New Yorkers voted on a referendum to give the responsibility
to a new independent committee, the IRC. Since these maps can reshape politics and
how much a single vote counts, the IRC has a big task ahead of them.
Though this committee was intended to make the process more bipartisan, Queens
residents want to see districts accurately represent the racial background of their
neighbors. On Nov. 17, the IRC held a hearing at York College in Jamaica, where many
Asian American activists spoke about keeping their communities together.
One woman, Julie Rong, told the IRC that Flushing had been split into two separate
electoral districts though they are fi rmly united communities.
“The Asian American community in Flushing is multicultural and diverse,” Rong
said. “We are all part of one Flushing community. The current state Senate map has
fractured the Asian community in a way that precludes members of the same community
from having the same representation in state politics. We must not be left
behind or split up. ”
Other advocates are pushing for areas like Richmond Hill, Ozone Park and South
Ozone Park to be united to uplift Indo-Caribbean voices. Community leader Albert
Baldeo said that unless his community is recognized as one, he will challenge the
district lines in federal court.
“It is unconscionable to continue to deprive us of our proper and rightful seat(s) at
the table of government,” Baldeo said.
The commission is expected to submit a single proposal in January. If the state
Legislature denies it, then the fi nal deadline is in February.
BY SKYE OSTREICHER
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Long Island/Queens)
wasted little time aft er announcing that he is
running in the Democratic primary for governor
next year, hacing rolled out his comprehensive
COVID-19 holiday plan for the state.
In his PowerPoint presentation during a Zoom
press conference, Suozzi laid out COVID-19 mitigation
tactics including encouraging people to get
vaccinated, communicating the importance of
booster shots, and enacting a color-coded microcluster
strategy to see where hotspots are, as well
as an aggressive testing strategy and a spike zone
contingency plan.
“The most eff ective thing you can do is talk about
what people are thinking about already,” Suozzi said.
When asked his thoughts on the current administration’s
handling of the COVID holiday plan, Suozzi
expressed that he believed Hochul could be doing a
better job, specifi cally by releasing a comprehensive
plan instead of her “piecemeal” agenda.
Suozzi stressed the need for a marketing campaign
and incentives to get vaccinated. With the highest
COVID rates currently in upstate and western New
York, Hochul’s hometown, Suozzi said this would be
the perfect time for Governor Hochul to be a leader
in her own neighborhood.
Suozzi also suggested that doctors and hospitals
should get more involved, specifi cally by promoting
vaccination and boosters to patients and their
families.
Suozzi’s introduction of a color-coded microcluster
strategy was similar to plans both former Gov.
Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio rolled
out during the tail end of the pandemic’s height. It
includes red as a “microcluster” zone, orange as a
“warning” zone, yellow as a “precautionary” zone
and green as a “normal” zone.
Suozzi said based on factors like infection rate,
the state should provide guidance to county and
local offi cials on issues like nonessential medical
procedures, mask requirements, capacity limits
and vaccination entry requirements for restaurants,
sporting and entertainment events.
Suozzi’s plan also included doubling the number of
state-run mass vaccination sites, which is currently
13; and fl ooding the state with pop-up testing sites
and vans, particularly in highly traffi cked places
like train stations and malls.
Congressman Tom Suozzi
Photo courtesy of NYSIRC
Gubernatorial candidate Suozzi rolls out COVID-19 holiday plan
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