Breakfast With Bloomberg: Mayor Meets Queens Media

Mike Bloomberg made his way through Queens on Monday, meeting with receptive audiences from one end of the borough to the other.
The mayor began his day at the grand opening of a Jamaica branch of Carver Federal Savings Bank, the nations largest African-American operated community bank. After speaking at the ceremony it was off to breakfast in Ozone Park.
At the Esquire Diner on Crossbay Blvd., the mayor met with a small group of editors and reporters from various Queens newsweeklies to discuss issues of local concern.
Covering a variety of issues, the discussion focused at one point on the transfer of solid waste through an efficient and environmentally safe process.
The mayor outlined a series of factors which must be considered to improve solid waste management. The volume of refuse, limited waste transfer availability, and the need to use waterways for more transport are the issues that most concern the borough of Queens.
Regarding the recent Port Authority lease commitments for LaGuardia and Kennedy airports, he was obviously pleased. "This is a good deal for the city," the mayor said. Referring to Boro President Helen Marshalls role in the projected success of the agreement, Bloomberg smiled, "This borough president is a jewel," he said. "Helen works to get things done."
Mayor Bloomberg went on to explain that residents should be pleased with the more than $50 million to be given to Queens during a 5-year period.
Social promotion was another topic covered as the mayor dined on matzo with cream cheese and coffee. Asked how he feels about the new measure he remarked, "Its the best thing that ever happened. What we had been doing was wrong." To support the new plan the city has set aside $33 million for the 3rd graders who are affected. "We are doing as well as we can as fast as we can."
A more localized issue arose when asked about the opening of College Point Little League fields. "The fields will be open on April 17th, in time for the beginning of the season. Will they look as good as they will this time next year? No," he continued, "but they will be fine for now and the kids can play."
The fields will be closed again during September, approximately, so that the remaining work can be completed for the following season.
When questioned about the ever-growing population of immigrants, Mike Bloomberg is very clear about what he thinks. Although adamant about the need for the federal government to not soften regulations, Mayor Bloomberg went on to say, "We cannot stop the flood of people that come here. What we have to do is work for legal immigration for everyone. We must protect everyone here in terms of the [U.S.] Constitution. People have fought and died for the vote. America is built on that."