With an uphill legal battle underway, Councilmember Dan Halloran will not to run for re-election later this year, widening an already crowded race for his seat. A source close to Halloran originally confirmed the embattled legislator is withdrawing from the race. “Regrettably, I must now focus my attention on clearing my name and restoring my [...]
Former Republican Councilmember Thomas Ognibene says there needs to be a change-up in the Queens GOP after years of infighting and what he called a negative influence by former vice chair Vince Tabone. “I’ve believed for the last three to four years that it [leadership] had to be changed,” said Ognibene, who served in the [...]
A Flushing urban planner officially joined District 19’s City Council race while another candidate bowed out. Democrat Paul Graziano kicked off his campaign on March 25 at Bowne Park to unseat Republican incumbent Councilmember Dan Halloran. “My campaign is very simple. Protect your neighborhood. Do no harm,” said Graziano, a lifelong North Flushing resident. “It’s [...]
The votes are in on the much-debated expansions to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, and the results are mixed. Half of the six voting Community Boards are in favor of the US Tennis Association (USTA) moving 0.68 acres out of its current property — so long as the organization [...]
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is officially running for mayor. The long-term city rep kicked off her campaign Sunday, becoming the second to do so, after more than a year of speculation. “I’m about keeping New York City a place for the middle class to live and grow,” she said in a video officially announcing [...]
The lines have been drawn and they’re staying. New York City’s Districting Commission filed Monday, March 4 its final map to the City Clerk for approval. The final of three drafts had been submitted to the City Council on February 8, after which the legislature had three weeks to vote or the new districts would [...]
Landmark the park. That’s what State Senator Tony Avella wants for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park to block development in the area. These include an entertainment center at Willets Point — an area that is technically parkland — along with expansions at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and a proposed Major League Soccer (MLS) stadium. [...]
Two councilmembers, one district. Following the City Council special election late Tuesday, February 19, candidates Donovan Richards and Pesach Osina both declared victory of the 31st District. “While we are still uncertain of the total numbers, when every vote is counted, we will be victorious,” said Osina, an aide to Assemblymember Phil Goldfeder, at his [...]
Austin Shafran has gained the endorsement of UFCW Local 1500 in his bid for City Council. “This is a high-priority council race for our members, and we know that Austin is the candidate who will fight the hardest to strengthen and expand the middle class,” said Bruce Both, president of the state’s grocery workers union. [...]
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, in her final State of the City address, promised it would become more affordable to live and work in New York in the years to come. Quinn, who will be term limited out of the Council at the end of this year, is a heavy favorite on the Democratic side [...]
