With a vision of the future of Queens steeped in the success of the present, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall was sworn in for a third term on Tuesday, January 26.
Marshall was installed by Queens District Attorney Richard Brown in the Performing Arts Center of York College in Jamaica in front of a packed house of community members and political leaders.
The diverse crowd made a fine representative of Queens itself and of the many projects she intends to see come to fruition. Touching on everything from education to the local economy to the upcoming census, Marshall was forthright with her intentions to improve what is wrong with Queens, while promoting what is right.
“As I stand before you, I am renewed and excited, not only about the ability to complete projects underway, but to lay a new foundation for progress,” said Marshall. “I sought reelection to help fix our health care system, make certain that our schools work and provide the economic growth initiatives that ensure the future well-being of our local economy and job growth.”
Marshall thanked everyone who made the occasion possible as well as the 2.2 million borough residents she represents. She pledged the redevelopment of entire communities, while also promising to protect against overdevelopment.
She also promised to close in on her goal of providing a school seat for every student from kindergarten through high school.
“We are now working on the Department of Education’s 2010 capacity plan, which will provide our borough with more than 10,000 new school seats,” she said. “In September, we will open almost 3,000 new seats for high school students.”
Marshall also stated that simply making space for students is not enough and greater communication is needed between high schools and colleges in order to provide more professional development, mentoring and advanced courses for future local heroes.
Speaking about these local heroes, Marshall said that she finds inspiration in residents who help to augment the progress of Queens.
“It is truly individuals like these and many more who not only inspire us, but challenge us to be better,” she said. “I look forward to working with the family of Queens to make our borough even better than it is today.”
Marshall’s inaugural address will be made available on Queens Public Access Television (QPTV). Go to www.qptv.org for more information.
