WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES DECEMBER 9, 2021 13
A shared vision for a better Queens and New York City
BY GEORGE ONUORAH
As a political science and journalism
major in college, I was ready to immerse
myself into a career in public service
and government and make a diff erence.
We ran a successful and high-energy
campaign for New York City Council
even though we came up short as the
incumbent prevailed. The fact that
we galvanized a lot of voters who
were deeply inspired by our vision
for a better Queens was no small feat.
Nevertheless, one always lives to fi ght
another day.
Regardless, we impacted lives by
providing specifi c guidelines on how to
safely navigate the COVID-19 pandemic
and follow CDC guidelines and local
health directives.
OP-ED
Similar to incoming mayor Eric Adams’
campaign, our campaign clearly
communicated to voters the importance
of keeping our community safe by
focusing on the public health safety
agenda and stressed the signifi cance of
law enforcement and the need to refund
NYPD (as opposed to defunding it). In
addition, we developed new strategies
to retrain police offi cers who may deviate
from established protocols.
As a consequence of our experience
dealing with COVID-19, we highlighted
the importance of a clean environment
to prevent diseases and another pandemic
and turn a healthy community
into a thriving one. We also put more
emphasis on the current health crisis
and shed light on rising disparities in
healthcare, especially in underserved
communities and communities of color.
Our campaign was instrumental
in advocating for opening more vaccination
sites in Citi Field and Flushing
Meadows Corona Park, which led to
increased vaccination rates.
Finally, we developed innovative and
impactful strategies to achieve racial
and inter-racial harmony by reminding
voters that we are created equal
and should fully focus on building “one
united community of people.”
Last but not least, the joy New Yorkers
experienced after electing the
second African American mayor of
the greatest city in the world is no doubt
immeasurable. Mayor-elect Eric Adams
will be the 110th mayor of New York City
as well as the fi rst 21st-century African
American mayor overseeing a mini
world with the United Nations under his
umbrella of leadership. Furthermore,
our new mayor Eric Adams with his
centrist vision and love for our city will
surely lead us to long-awaited economic
prosperity. No wonder I have heard him
state many times that “public safety is a
prerequisite to prosperity.”
I would like to stress the fact that
the mayor-elect’s vision aligns with
my vision. In fact, we share a similar
ideological credo, a burning desire for
creating inclusive governance and a
passion for our amazing city. We both
recognize the importance of emotional
intelligence when it comes to public
service.
To say that I am very inspired and
emboldened is an understatement. I’m
fi red up and ready to roll my sleeves to
help the next incoming mayoral administration
go to work. Together we rise!
SNAPS
PUPPIES FOR SALE!
PHOTO BY JOE ABATE
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