Four candidates vying to replace ex-City Councilman Dennis Gallagher pledged support for historic districts in Richmond Hill and Ridgewood during a unique debate last week that focused on preservation in Queens.
The contenders also listed historic sites they'd help landmark if they win the June 3 special election to take over for Gallagher (R-Middle Village), who resigned in April after pleading guilty to sexual abuse charges.
Democrat Elizabeth Crowley singled out Transfiguration Catholic Church in Maspeth and the Woodhaven Post Office among sites she'd help landmark, preventing developers from altering or demolishing them without city approval.
"The list could be endless," Crowley said, proposing signs at the landmarked spots to detail their history.
Republican Anthony Como heralded his bid to save Woodhaven Lanes, a Glendale bowling alley open since 1959 that was recently shuttered, and proposed yearly public forums on potential landmarks.
Democrat Charles Ober and Republican Tom Ognibene said they would reach out to local history experts to determine which sites need saving.
One of the debate's more memorable moments occurred when moderator Simeon Bankoff, executive director of the Historic Districts Council, asked if the candidates would help restore $300,000 for landmarking in the city budget.
Como and Ober vowed they would. Crowley went a step further, saying she'd look for funds from wealthy donors who typically don't view Queens as a historic area.
Ognibene, however, said he would only support increasing the budget of the city Landmarks Preservation Commission if its members promised to focus more on Queens sites.
"If they tell us they don't know if they can do it, they can only save buildings in Manhattan, I won't. That's the only leverage we have," Ognibene said.
Ober was the only candidate who vowed to hire a zoning and historic preservation expert to his Council staff.
Under city law, the June 3 special election will decide who holds Gallagher's seat only through the end of the year.
In November, voters will cast ballots for someone to hold the seat starting in 2009. And in the fall of 2009, voters will pick someone for the seat's normal four-year cycle.
Read the Historic District Council Voter Guide for Queens's 30th District
Photos courtesy of Lauren at hdc.org
