The Gothamist Guide To The Queens Borough President Race

Aug. 22, 2013, 4 p.m.

Melinda Katz or Peter Vallone: Who should be the next Queens Borough President?

<span class="photo_caption">Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/intexp7/8567119608/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IntExp7</a> on Flickr</span>

Just like the other borough presidents, the Queens Borough President has very little real power within the city government. Instead, the office acts as an advisor to the Mayor, the City Council and other government groups that do have the power to make big changes to the city. They help dictate land usage, working with developers while protecting the character of their boroughs. The borough president also receives a percentage of the capital budget to distribute as they see fit.

During her 12 years as Queens BP, Helen Marshall increased tourism to the borough, expanded cultural programs, and dedicated millions of dollars to improving parks and playgrounds. Going forward, recovery and rebuilding for the Hurricane Sandy-ravaged borough—including the Rockaways and Breezy Point—rezoning proposals and the development of Willets Point are a few of the big issues facing the future president.

2013 Queens Borough President Candidates:

Melinda Katz (D): Former City Council member who represented Rego Park, Kew Gardens and parts of Maspeth, South Elmhurst and Richmond Hill from 2002 to 2009. Was born in and has lived in Forest Hills her entire life.

Peter Vallone, Jr. (D): Former prosecutor for the Manhattan District Attorney's office and current City Council member representing Astoria and its surrounding communities.

We asked each candidate for Queens Borough President to answer a questionnaire for their positions on issues facing the borough, as well as some personal information relevant to the job. We'll be doing the same for other races, including Public Advocate, Comptroller and Mayor, as soon as we receive responses from each candidate.

Mouse-over icons for quotes from the candidates and more details about the questions.

	Do you rent?	Do you have a pet?	Do you bike?	Do your kids attend public school?	Have you been the victim of a crime?
Melinda Katz Former City Councilmember
Peter Vallone City Council Member

New York City Campaign Finance Board numbers put Peter Vallone in the lead with $1,047,443.37 in contributions to date; Melinda Katz trails with $690,256.05. Katz has secured endorsements from a number of elected officials, including current QBP Helen Marshall, late Mayor Ed Koch and former QBP candidates Leroy Comrie and Jose Peralta. Vallone received endorsements from Mayor Bloomberg and the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.

Change stop and frisk?

Legalize marijuana?

Inspector general for NYPD?

More bike lanes?

Congestion pricing?

Ban chain stores?

Luxury buildings in projects?

Public-private parks?

Floral Park / Glen Oaks Rezoning?

Develop Willets Pt.t?

Redevelop Hunters Pt.?

Racino at Aqueduct?

Change judge system?

Clean up Queens corruption?

Katz
Former City Councilmember

"It needs to be changed to ensure that it is used much more sparingly, and only in true cases of suspicion. We need to implement better training, clearer parameters and better community relations to make the program one that actually makes New York safer."

"I am open to considering the deciminalization of marijuana, but would like to know more about the consequences of that action before supporting it."

""The NYPD is in desperate need of more oversight, but I am not convinced the current inspector general proposal is the right way to do it."

"I support bike lanes where there is significant community support for them."

"I believe that congestion pricing needs more study of its effect before I would support it."

"I have consistently opposed introducing Walmart to Queens."

"We should explore any proposal that would expand parkland in Queens...but privately developed parks should be held to the same standards for access and community planning input as public parks."

"I support rezonings that protect low-density residential neighborhoods to preserve the character of communities."

"It will create more thatn 20,000 construction jobs, 6,100 new permanent jobs and will bring an estimated $1.5 billion into the citys economy. I applaud the smart development it will bring to Queens."

"It is a prime example of development that will attract families to Queens, while giving them the amenities and housing options to make it affordable enough to raise their kids."

"I am in favor of full tabling gaming at Racino at Aqueduct, and will work to make sure the surrounding neighborhood has the infrastructure to support to increased traffic."

"The current process has nominated well-qualified and experienced judges;if that cases to be the case I would be open to other methods."

"I have worked...to created coalitions that achieve results for the people of Queens and as Borough President I will continue to create partnerships that will best serve the people of Queens."

Vallone
City Councilmember

"I would like to see stop and frisk reformed, but not abolished."

"I support the decriminalization of marijuana in plain view."

"I believe it is a serious policy issue and it should be given consideration."

"I support expanding the number of bike lanes in appropriate locatiosn after it has been reviewed and approved by the community board."

"I do not support a ban on chain stores as it helps support the economy. But I will entertain limits of certain chain stores, especially in areas that are inundated with only chain stores."

"I do not support the loss of any green space especially in dense housing communities such as NYCHA."

"It has been effective;if a private entity occupies a park, it should be responsible for maintaining that park."

"I will continue to work for rezoning which will protect the character of our Queens neighborhoods by preventing overdevelopment and out of character develpment."

"It is a unique circumstance due to lack of infrastrcutre and neglect. I support development of this area but...believe it should come before the City Council again."

"All communities need green space, schools, libraries and community centers for high density developments to be ideal."

"If a full legal gambling casino were to come to Queens, the Aqueduct would be the appropriate place...I will request more police and emergency services to address the large amount of people attending."

"Propoed legislation banning any public funding to organlizations which employ any family or governments staffers. The Vallones will never abuse the publics trust."

To read the candidates full responses to our questionnaire, click below:

Melinda Katz

Peter Vallone

Election charts designed by Aaron Marks

Previously: The Gothamist Guide To The Manhattan Borough President Race

Gothamist and our partners, NY1 News, NY1 Noticias, WNYC, Citizens Committee for New York City, Citizens Union, Hispanic Federation, and Transportation Alternatives, are sponsoring official Campaign Finance Board debates, including the official Democratic mayoral debate on August 21.

The Gothamist Guide To The Queens Borough President Race

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