Gallagher Honored As Mayor Nixes Tunnel

Councilmember Dennis Gallagher was named Juniper Park Civic Association’s “Man of the Year” and Mayor Michael Bloomberg voiced opposition to the Cross Harbor Tunnel project in front of hundreds of community residents at a busy town hall meeting last Thursday night.
As spectators filled the Our Lady of Hope auditorium in Middle Village, Gallagher praised the hard work, resolve and dedication of the community members he represents, calling them the “eyes and ears of the community” and vowed to continue to fight on their behalf.
“Tonight there are about 800 people here, but on any given night you might come and have 300 to 400 community activists on hand,” Gallagher said. “These community associations are extremely important. Whatever I do, I try to think how these people will be affected.”
Gallagher, one of only three Republicans in the Council, received the award on behalf of Middle Village, Maspeth, Ridgewood, Glendale, Woodhaven and Richmond Hill and the 160,000 community residents he represents, who have given him the nickname, “defender of the middle class.”
After the award presentation, the much anticipated appearance of Mayor Bloomberg immediately heated up the town hall meeting.
Bloomberg took approximately 10 questions from community residents, and spoke for more than an hour. The mayor listened intently to the concerns of each Queens resident and seemingly endeared himself to the vocal crowd when he voiced opposition to the controversial Cross Harbor Tunnel project.
The mayor had previously backed efforts at moving the tunnel forward, including a multi-million dollar study by the project’s main advocate, Rep. Jerrold Nadler. But on this night, he said it would “destroy neighborhoods, and we just can’t do that.”
Gallagher and other civic leaders were already on record against the plan.
“He recognizes the destruction it will do to many neighborhoods in western Queens,” Holden said of Bloomberg. “It woud be create an enormous amount of pollution by adding so many trucks. It wouldn’t be good for the city or the area.”
Other questions ranged from the infamous West Side stadium to leash laws, tax hikes for homeowners and even parking meters – to which the mayor replied jokingly, “If you get rid of the meters, where are you going to park? It’s hard enough to park in this city, [at least] the meters cause turnover.”
As the event ended, the Mayor was escorted out to a loud standing ovation, obviously fueled by his strong words for the Cross Harbor project.
And in the neighborhood where his Primary Election opponent, Tom Ognibene, resides, every standing ovation could mean a few more local votes.
editorial@queenscourier.com