The 30th District Council candidates met for a civil meeting at I.S. 93 on Thursday.
Just as the contest seemed to be getting ugly, the 30th District Council special election turned civil last Thursday at I.S. 93.
In a candidate forum hosted by the Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association, a group of panelists questioned the hopefuls on issues from "fixing" the Department of Buildings (DOB) to education woes in Queens.
With John Seminerio failing to make the ballot by the April 30 deadline, it was left for Tom Ognibene, Liz Crowley, Joseph Suraci, Charles Ober, and Anthony Como to discuss matters.
But unlike the recent power struggle between parties, the arena was free of bitterness and angst. The issues themselves seemed more riddled with frustration than anything else.
One of those issues that dominated the meeting was the high rate of construction accidents throughout New York, and the practice of architects self-certifying plans was receiving most of the blame.
Simeon Bankoff, executive director of the Historic Districts Council, questioned if self-certification was a crisis the politicians were looking to repair. This topic - receiving widespread attention lately - motivated slightly different answers.
Ober stated the city must "scale back" on self-certification. He suggested construction companies should have policies to prevent deficiencies. Suraci, on the other hand, stated self-certification should be eradicated. "The builders would naturally approve plans despite being problematic," he said.
Crowley, who told the crowd she held a Master's Degree in urban planning, felt she had the right solutions to the growing problem. "Limit manpower by utilizing computer technology," she suggested. The hopeful also said the building process must be "better overseen."
Como had his own method. Self-certification, he insisted, should stay around. However, the DOB must get money, tools, and staffing to do a better job. He mentioned that Queens offices especially need help after being notoriously understaffed for years.
Another area covered was the higher taxes slated to hit New Yorkers in the coming year. After Michael Bloomberg's plan to roll back a seven percent tax cut and end a $400 property tax rebate for homeowners to fill a projected $3.1 billion budget gap, the elevated rates have spread worries.
Courtney Gross, City Government editor at the Gotham Gazette, asked what the candidates felt about the tax jump.
All the special election contenders were against the increased taxes except Joseph Suraci, who said the plans would eventually benefit the people of New York.
"I'm in favor of measures to return money to the people [in the long run]," he said.
In a more Queens-specific topic, candidates were asked if local stores throughout the Ridgewood area could be revived after sloping significantly in the past few years.
Ognibene said the area has a "good base of people willing to work" but that it was "impossible" for most to stay afloat with the current structure in place.
"People are overwhelmed by taxes," he said. "Small mom-and-pop shops are hit four times as hard."
Como, who has parents that have a family-run store, said the bigger chain retailers often take over and have special agreements to do so. He mentioned he would fight to change this.
“When a small community store goes under,” he said, "it's a black eye in the neighborhood."
Crowley added that local businesses are key to the economy, because local shops can hire locals and bring money back to the surrounding areas. The diverse district, she said, should preserve such places of commerce. Suraci agreed, stating, "There has to be a more favorable climate to operate in."
Ober, for his part, vowed to look into initiatives to further local businesses if elected.
Rounding off a non-combative night, education was mentioned and rallied the biggest response. Crowley with her "education first" crusade elaborated on her mission to meet with principals and improve schools in the area.
"We need to build more classrooms," she said to applause. "It's time to think outside the box."
Como said he's been meeting with a number of local principals thus far and learned students need more resources. "Without books or tools," he said, "the kids won't be the great future our great city needs." Ober spoke about zoning, overcrowding and effectuating change at the federal level.
Suraci mentioned the situation at Richmond Hill High School. He said the school was slated for 1,800 students and currently has an enrolllment double that. This means kids are being taught in trailers. It is "unconscionable," he continued to say about the current situation.
Ognibene, in the peaceful night, got the most raucous reaction after his views on education were unleashed. He said the immigration problem has led to overcrowding and that schools should aid children first.
”I want to see schools that serve neighborhood kids," he said. He added that it was a "philosophical decision" to upgrade the system and make education within the financial means of the Queens school budget.
CAPTION:
