By William Lewis
One of the main advocates of a new World’s Fair is John Catsimatidis, a longtime, successful, New York City businessman. He has a radio talk show on 970 AM every Sunday morning from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. involving politics and current events.
Catsimatidis points out that the means of travel were improved especially during the second World’s Fair in the city. There were improvements made in subways, highways and bridges and most other forms of public transportation.
He believes the fairs present a vision of what the future can be like. He would like to see a future fair concentrate on technology. It could bring into focus the possible achievements of the free enterprise system.
Catsimatidis indicated that a new World’s Fair would bring many thousands of jobs to the city in addition to helping the retail sales operation increase the amount of business in stores, restaurants and places of entertainment.
It will be a long time before a new World’s Fair can be put into operation, however. Estimates run as high as 10 years from now. Catsimatidis has been in touch with the governor’s staff about setting up a committee to study the possibility of a future World’s Fair.
Catsimatidis points to when in his youth he attended the second World’s Fair, in 1964-65, and how impressed he was at the time. He believes this kind of exhibit will have a positive effect on society at large.
Various European and Far Eastern countries would be sending exhibits to publicize their nations. The fair would attract millions of people from the United States and foreign lands.
It would be a huge project, but it could bring a positive result. It would need a lot of work and tremendous effort during the next 10 years, but it could be done with people like Catsimatidis helping lead the project.
Whenever there are tasks to be accomplished, the city has always risen to the occasion in the past and it can do so this time. A World’s Fair will be a shining example of what a better world we would have with an improved life for many people.
Hopefully, a spirit of optimism will prevail. Most recent surveys show that a high majority of New York citizens would favor a new World’s Fair.
There are some New Yorkers who would oppose a World’s Fair, citing loss of park space, increased traveling and financial problems that existed during the first two fairs.
A project of this magnitude is not going to be easy to put together. One thing that is true is all city residents can and will work together for the common good. That should be the case this time.
If there is some strong difference of opinion expressed by some who are inclined to oppose the fair, it can be said we can disagree without being disagreeable.
After all is said and done, there are always going to be problems in putting together this type of project, but the increased welfare of our society is the future goal of us all.
Regarding local political races, the Democratic primary election in the 11th state Senate District, between Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) and challenger former city Comptroller John Liu, is attracting a lot of attention.
In recent years there has been no such primary as this one, from the standpoint of the Queens Democratic Party running a candidate against an incumbent Democratic Senate office holder.
Four years ago, Avella was the successful Democratic candidate of the year with strong support from the Queens Democratic Party and the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee, besides strong support from labor unions, especially the teachers union.
Recently, the Democratic county executive committee voted unanimously to endorse Liu. The reason for this was Avella joining the Independent Democratic Conference, which works closely with Republicans in the Senate.
This means the Democratic Party for the most part will cut off all support to Avella and give all its financial and operational support to Liu.
This will be a political campaign long remembered.
