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The Great Political Primary Of 2001

(cont. from leadstory page 1)
Due to the imposition of term limits this year there is going to be a massive change in our city and borough governments. On Tuesday, September 11, both Democrats and Republicans will go to the polls to pick their partys candidates for mayor, comptroller, public advocate, borough president and city council.
Following are profiles and descriptions of most of those candidates who will be on the ballot next Tuesday, compiled by the Queens Courier and the New York City Campaign Finance Board. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. To find out the information on your local polling site, call the Board of Elections at (718) 392-8989.
Mayoral Democratic Primary
FERNANDO FERRER
Party Enrolled In: Democratic
Occupation: Bronx Borough President
(1987-present).
Occupational Background: City Council (1982-87); Director of Housing, Bronx Borough President’s Office; Deputy Director for Legislation, Temporary State Commission on Rental Housing; Program Director, State Assembly on Governmental Operations.
Educational Background: B.A., New York University.
PETER F. VALLONE
Party Enrolled In: Democratic
Occupation: Speaker of the New York City Council
Occupational Background: (Not supplied.)
Educational Background: Fordham College of Arts and Sciences (1956); Fordham Law School (1959), Recipient of the prestigious Francis Bacon Award
Prior Public Experience: Since 1974, I have represented the 22nd Councilmanic District in Astoria, Queens. Since 1986, I have served as the City Council’s Democratic Majority Leader and Speaker
MARK GREEN
Party Enrolled In: Democratic
Occupation: lawyer;author
Occupational Background: public interest lawyer; author/editor of 16 books on government/public affairs
Educational Background: J.D., Harvard Law School; B.A., Cornell University
Prior Public Experience: NYC Commissioner of Consumer Affairs, 1990-1993; NYC Public Advocate,1994-present
ALAN G. HEVESI
Party Enrolled In: Democrat
Occupation: Comptroller
Occupational Background: 100% pro-choice.
Comptroller. Educator. Legislator. Manager. Fiscal
Expert. Pro-gun control. Pro-tenant.
Educational Background: Ph.D. Columbia University,
Public Law and Government; B.A. Queens College; New York City Public Schools.
Prior Public Experience: Assemblymember
(1971-1993); Health Committee Chair; Deputy Majority Leader.
Mayoral Republican Primary
MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG  
Party Enrolled In: Republican
Occupation: Founder and CEO, Bloomberg L.P.
Occupational Background: Investment banking
Educational Background: MBA, Harvard Business School; B.S., Johns Hopkins University
Organizational Affiliations: New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund, Big Apple Circus, Randall’s Island Sports Foundation, The Jewish Museum, High School of Economics and Finance, Lincoln Center and chairman, Johns Hopkins University
HERMAN BADILLO  
Party Enrolled In: Republican Party
Occupation: Attorney
Occupational Background: Between 1951 and 1961, he was in private practice in Wall Street as a Certified Public Accountant and later as a lawyer. Mr Badillo is a Founding Partner in the law firm of Fischbein Badillo Wagner Harding, a full service law firm.
Educational Background: Educated in Puerto Rico and New York City public schools, Mr. Badillo graduated magna cum laude from City College of New York, and cum laude from Brooklyn Law School.
Organizational Affiliations: He serves on many civic and community organizations, including as President of 100 Hispanic Men, Inc.
Prior Public Experience: Mr. Badillo has served as Bronx borough President, member of congress, deputy mayor, and chairman of Board of Trustees of the City University.
Queens Borough President
CAROL GRESSER
"I would dearly love to lead the borough."
Courier: The economic future of Queens is a top priority for most of the candidates. Do you have any ideas to strengthen the economy at a time when the U.S. is beginning to experience what some are calling a recession?
Gresser: Long Island City began the renaissance in Queens. What the borough needs is an integrated economic entity steered by an economic policy board. It should generate business in areas such as Rockaway, South Jamaica and other areas. Rockaway has the greatest waterfront area in the City and should be developed to its fullest for the benefit of all of our residents. We should develop the boroughs tourism possibility with a strong tourist office in borough hall.
Courier: Whats your "wish list" for Queens schools?
Gresser: "Wish list" is the right term. We need higher salaries for teachers and more schools and smaller classrooms. In one Queens school, there are more than 2,700 students. Immigration has had a critical impact on education. We are inadequately funded. In fact, very much shortchanged. Our kids are falling through the facts of the system.
Courier: How would you attract funding to Queens?
Gresser: There are millions of available dollars in grants that the borough should tap for a multitude of purposes.
Courier: What changes would you implement at borough hall. And is the borough presidency effective and necessary.
Gresser: The borough president is not powerful. But five borough presidents can stand up to the Mayors power. I want to set up a hot line in the office so that the community can get accurate, helpful answers from trained workers.
SHELDON LEFFLER
"If elected Borough President Ill fight for necessary services. I have an expertise in government and integrity."
Courier: Why should you be elected borough president?
Leffler: I have a record of accomplishments and get things done. I have major endorsements including the Citizens Union. My integrity is unquestioned.
Courier: How are you faring in your campaign?
Leffler: My poll shows that were in a very close race.
Courier: How much money have you raised for your campaign?
Leffler: Between $400,000 and $600,000.
Courier: What laws are you responsible for in connection with your period on the City Council?
Leffler: Im responsible for 42 laws that have been enacted. They include laws that require locks on guns, banning the use of lawn mowers and leaf blowers between 7 p.m. or sunset and 8 a.m., requiring the NYPD to report its response times to crimes in progress and a ban on apartment house incinerators.
Courier: What are you planning to do to gain public support for your candidacy?
Leffler: I have eight different mailings ready to go and have been campaigning throughout the borough.
Courier: How do you assess the medical needs of Queens?
Leffler: We need a medical school in Queens. Thats been discussed before, but its time to bring it up again.
Courier: What strategies do you have in mind to improve the economic climate in Queens?
Leffler: The air train will open up all kind of possibilities for the borough and could open up manufacturing, commercial development, cargo firms and restaurants. We should also attract the fibre optics and cable industries.
HELEN MARSHALL
Improving public education will be my top priority;
Courier: What are your organizational affiliations?
Marshall: Endorsements from Borough President Claire Shulman, C. Virginia Fields, City Comptroller Alan Hevesi Congressmen Gregory Meeks and Joseph Crowley.
Courier: Tell us about your prior public experience?
Marshall: I have been a member of the City Council for 10 years, Assemblymember for nine years, Democratic National Committeewoman for 15 years and I served on Community Board 3 for 15 years.
Courier: Why are you running for borough president?
Marshall: Im running to bring the borough quality schools, safer streets, better mass transit and a better quality of life for all our neighborhoods.
Courier: Whats your agenda for education?
Marshall: I led the fight against cutbacks at CUNY and Ive worked hard to ease overcrowding and upgrade technology in our schools. Improving public education will continue to be a top priority for me as borough president.
Courier: Whats your position on housing?
Marshall: Ive fought to protect tenants and support rent control and rent stabilization. Ive also worked to protect homeowners.
Courier: What quality of life issues concern you?
Marshall: I’ll continue to stand up for the quality of life issues that make such a difference in our daily lives. That includes reducing noise and air pollution around our airports to improving our local parks and playgrounds to making sure theres adequate funding for senior centers and public libraries.