By Mark Hallum
City Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) announced he would be running for re-election a news conference in front of the Flushing Library Monday. The lawmaker touted his achievements over the course of his seven years in office among supporters and fellow elected officials.
“Councilman Peter Koo has always represented his district with distinction in the City Council,” Borough President Melinda Katz said. “Together we saved over 100 students and their families from losing their after-school program, made education a priority by funding vital capital improvements in our local schools, and highlighted the diversity of our borough by supporting our local cultural institutions.”
Koo said his office has addressed about 12,000 constituent cases, adding that many of them were out of his district or under the purview of the state or federal government.
He and his staff worked to direct the public to the proper recipient of their complaints.
“Peter has served our district as Council member for the past seven years, and fought for the rights of our community members. “As the “mayor of Flushing,” he has advocated fiercely on behalf of our residents, and I know he will continue to do so for the next four years. His tireless efforts have made many in our community proud,” state Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Flushing) said.
Koo has secured over $55 million funding for neighborhood programs and capital projects such as affordable housing and schools within his district. His funds also went toward the construction of a Meditation Garden in Kissena Corridor Park as well as the renovation of Murray Hill, Maple and Saul Weprin playgrounds. His office has also contributed to creating additional sanitation and anti-graffiti services.
“Councilman Koo has been a steadfast representative and someone the people of Queens can count on. He embodies the American Dream, having immigrated here in the ‘70s to attend college,” state Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing) said. “He became a small business owner and president of the Flushing Chinese Business Association before ultimately running for elected office. He knows the issues small business owners and immigrants face because he has faced them himself.”
She pointed out that he has worked to fully represent his constituents and earned the title of the mayor of Flushing.
Koo said he has co-sponsored 1,608 bills in the City Council, mentioning once piece of legislation which updated the rules for landmarking.
It was the first piece of legislation toward creating landmarks in 50 years, something he said serves the needs of modern communities.
Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhall
