Weiner Makes Mayoral Pitch To Civic Org.
One of Ridgewood’s former representatives on Capitol Hill made his pitch to become the city’s next mayor to attendees at the Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association (RPOCA) meeting last Thursday, June 6, at I.S. 93.
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner- who resigned from office in 2011 for sending explicit images of himself to women with whom he associated on social media websites-continued his effort to move on from that scandal by putting forth his plans for the city.
Weiner stated he would work to improve the lives of middle-class New Yorkers, claiming that in recent years, increases in the costs of housing combined with reduced amounts of good-paying jobs have made it more difficult for families to remain in the city.
The former congressman also criticized the city’s property assessment system, charging that it inflated the values of homes every year in order to increase property tax revenue. He stated this system is largely the result of city lawmakers forming their budgets based on assumptions of revenue.
“If you’re voting for those budgets, you’re voting for that tax,” Weiner said. “Every year when we pass those budgets and assume that big number based on nothing, really, you have to say that either way, they’ve just raised your taxes, whether they say it or not.”
Turning to local issues, RPOCA Treasurer Peter Comber asked Weiner if he would continue to support the creation of landmark districts around Ridgewood. The former congressman stated the current process to landmark much of the neighborhood is moving “at a snail’s pace” and he would advocate for greater historic designations in the area to preserve the character of the housing stock.
John Maier asked Weiner about potentially dropping water rates. The candidate stated he would work to refinance the city’s outstanding water debt to help defray some of the increased costs of maintaining the city’s water system and reducing the burden on ratepayers.
Weiner also stated he opposed the proposed creation of an inspector general to oversee the NYPD, adding that the city has various agencies in place-including the Department of Investigation and the Civilian Complaint Review Board-to investigate police misconduct.
Questioned by local resident Tom Dowd if he would oppose former Assemblyman Vito Lopez-who resigned last month amid a sexual harassment scandal-in his run for City Council, Weiner stated he met with Lopez’s opponent in the 34th City Council District primary-Antonio Reynoso, chief of staff to City Council Member Diana Reyna-and offered to support him in any way.
“It’s ultimately your decision, that’s the beauty of elections,” Weiner said.
The congressman did touch on his own scandal during his appearance, publicly apologizing for the photo fiasco and stating he looked back on the episode with “a sense of regret.”
This was the last RPOCA meeting before the Sept. 8 primary, and other candidates for public office had been invited to attend the meeting, according to the civic group’s third vice president, Charles Ober. At the last two civic meetings, the group hosted various candidates for Queens borough president.
City Comptroller John Liu, also a mayoral candidate, and City Council Member Peter Vallone Jr., who is running for Queens borough president, had both committed to attend last Thursday’s meeting, Ober noted, but neither candidate appeared.
Sanitation
Capt. Iggy Terranova of the Sanitation Department’s Community Affairs Unit updated residents and fielded questions on the recent changes to the agency’s recycling program.
All plastic items-from bottle caps to food containers-are now recyclable, Terranova stated, noting that previously, the city only recycled soft plastic material such as soft drink bottles. Plastic bags, however, are not recyclable, as are any items which are heavily soiled, he stated.
Glass and metal items also remain recyclable, as are any paper items which can be easily torn, Terranova added.
The Sanitation Department is in the process of mailing pamphlets and distributing fliers to residents regarding the changes to the recycling program. For the time being, Terranova noted, the department’s officers are not issuing summonses for the improper disposal of recyclable items; it is expected, however, that enforcement of the law will take place within “a couple of months.”
Recyclable material should always be discarded in clear plastic bags and stored in labeled containers. Terranova stated the Sanitation Department will soon distribute new recycling can stickers reflecting the inclusion of all plastic items as recyclable material.
Asked by a resident about when to dispose of bulk garbage items such as household furniture, Terranova stated that bulk trash can be left out on any normal collection day. He did advise, however, that residents discard bulk items on the second collection day of the week, as the first is usually the heaviest for the department.
For further questions on Sanitation Department policies, call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/sanitation.
The Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association is not scheduled to meet in July and August. Their next session is set to take place on Thursday night, Sept. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at I.S. 93, located on Forest Avenue between Woodbine and Madison streets.
