By William Lewis
With the World’s Fair anniversary at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, it is time to look at the possibility of a third world’s fair in the not too distant future.
Having a world’s fair in New York City would give all kinds of benefits to our city and state, and especially to Queens if the event was again held in Flushing Meadows.
This could lead to millions of visitors coming to New York City and tens of thousands of jobs being created. It would be a tremendous incentive for improving the city and state economies as well.
The counter-arguments against another world’s fair would be centered on the fact that the first two fairs did not do well financially. This time we could improve from the past and do better in making the event profitable and provide assistance to growing a stronger economy in New York.
If this type of event could be put in place, New York would be emphasized everywhere, nationally and internationally.
At this particular time, with the job market in question and the financial investments not where they should be, a world’s fair could stimulate our economic system throughout our city and state.
Queens and especially Flushing Meadows would become known everywhere.
Some of our news media coverage of the event would be constant and enduring. New York City will have its reputation enhanced as the great city that it is.
It is hoped that during the world’s fair anniversary period that our media, including most radio and television news broadcasts and talk shows in New York City, will call for a third world’s fair. It is also hoped that most of our city’s daily and weekly newspapers will eventually support another world’s fair.
If the function comes to pass, it could mean tremendous input by America’s large corporations displaying their latest products and inventions.
It could also mean many foreign countries setting up exhibits of their historical and cultural background as well as products that they produce economically.
This event would also feature the latest technologies for the present and future.
As indicated, this type of event would be a big help to our city’s economy. The help this would give to the Queens economy and favorable status if the event is held in Flushing Meadows would be very good.
If ever there was a time to hold this event, now is the time. If there is a united effort made, it can be successful with society at large gaining.
During the last 10 years in some New York City political circles, there has been some discussion about having legal non-citizens being able to vote in municipal city elections.
The argument is that residents of our city who are not citizens pay at least sales taxes and are affected by education, police, medical and other programs of the city government. That being the case, they should have some say in how these programs are implemented by voting in these elections for City Council and citywide races.
Voting for public officials to represent us in the executive and legislative branches of government is the right of a citizen, for if non-citizens can vote it brings into question the validity of the voting process.
From the early days of Greece to the present time, in order to vote people had to be citizens. This concept has rarely if ever been questioned anywhere.
Once a person has achieved citizenship, voting rights are obtained as they should be, but voting rights are not being used as much as they should be when we look at the low voter turnout in the last few citywide elections.
The 2014 election should bring a much larger turnout than in recent past years.
If citizens want the government to adopt certain policies, then they have to become active in politics to some extent. That includes voting in every election.
If there ever was a time to hold this event, the time is in the near future. If a united effort is made, it can be made successful with society at large gaining.
