In an effort to connect with small businesses in the area, newly-elected Queens City Councilmembers recently met with members of the Queens Chamber of Commerce at the organization’s Jackson Heights headquarters.
Councilmember Danny Dromm, representing District 25, said he looks forward to working very closely with the Chamber in the near future. The newly elected Dromm, a former city teacher, was excited to introduce himself to the business community.
“I believe very much in small businesses and I know large businesses also need our support because they are major employers,” said Dromm. “What happens in the business community affects the rest of the community.”
District 20 Councilmember Peter Koo, who owns a chain of pharmacies, stressed the importance of businesses both large and small to the health of the economy at large.
“We need to create more jobs and put people back to work,” said Koo. “The cost of doing business has become too high, forcing out small businesses and entrepreneurs. We need to take action and eliminate red tape.”
Councilmember Mark Weprin of District 23 spoke with enthusiasm about his new role on the council zoning committee. Any type of development or zoning changes have to go through the City Council and this is where Weprin thinks the most impact can be felt.
“I’m a believer that people who build in this city have an obligation to make sure they do so in a way that’s both community friendly and worker friendly,” said Weprin. “On the other hand, I have nothing against people making money. I’m all for development and trying to make the city go forward.”
Some of the issues they discussed included the loss of area hospitals, the Aqueduct Racino project and the possible altering of the original Willets Point revitalization project.
When the meeting touched on the Economic Development Corporation’s possible abandoning of the proposed Willets Point convention center, Councilmember Karen Koslowitz, of District 29, said that dropping that aspect in particular would be disastrous to the local economy.
“To abandon the original plan would be terrible,” said Koslowitz. “What they are doing is taking away jobs and money from us.”
