Meet Tony Avella, Candidate For City Council District 19

QUEENS, NY — Democrat Tony Avella hopes to unseat Republican City Council Member Vickie Paladino in the Nov. 7 election.

Patch has sent out questionnaires for candidates to tell voters about themselves.

Here's what Avella had to say:

Name

Tony Avella

How old will you be as of Election Day?

72

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://tonyavella2023.com/

What New York City neighborhood do you call home?

Whitestone

What office are you seeking?

City Council

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

19th District - Northeast Queens

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education.

B.A. Hunter College (CUNY) - Political Science Major

What is your occupation?

Retired - Previously served as City Council Member (2002-2009) and State Senator (2010-2018)

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

What other public offices have you held?

City Council Member (2002-2009), State Senator (2010-2018)

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

Unfortunately, the last Council election resulted in an unqualified, extreme far right Republican, Vicki Paladino, being elected to represent Northeast Queens. She has a history of making wild and racist statements. This is not who we are.

As a result, quality of life issues are not being addressed.

We have a chance to change that in 2023.
We need a leader who from day one will be ready and able to hit the ground running to work with the new administration to hold the City agencies accountable so that they work with our community and not against us. I will fight to preserve our one and two family homes, support a women’s right to choose, support the police and oppose any defunding of our police force.

We in District 19 have the best schools, cultural centers and senior centers, but we do not get the funding that we deserve. I will fight to get extra money not just for capital improvements, but for operating funds as well. We need to fight to preserve the character of our neighborhoods to make sure the Queens of the future is as bright and vibrant a place to live as the Queens we know and love. With my experience, I believe we can do that. I love our community and I hope with your support I can continue the fight at City Hall if you elect me as your Council Member.

In the greatest borough in the greatest city in the world so much more is possible.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \\_\\_\\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Although there are many issues demanding attention, one of the most important is improving public safety and addressing the crime rate, including hate crimes. I will help support our police force, work towards increasing the number of police officers in the district and city-wide. I will advocate and fund the creation of a new police precinct for College Point, Whitestone, Clearview and Bay Terrace, which will increase patrol levels and response times. I will also work to double hate crime penalties to address the anti-Asian, anti-Semitic, anti LGBTQ+, and anti Muslim attacks.

How would you address ongoing concerns about people seeking asylum in New York City?

The Mayor should be suing the Federal government, the States of Texas and Florida to recoup the costs of handling the huge number of asylum seekers in the City. I also believe we cannot guarantee housing or a job for these individuals/families. Although we want to be compassionate, we simply cannot handle this problem on our own. I also believe that at this point, the President should close the border with Mexico.

Do you believe the NYPD is funded appropriately? Please explain your answer.

I believe the NYPD needs additional funding to properly protect New Yorkers, especially with the possible threats of terrorism. People do not feel safe in their own neighborhood and they certainly do not feel safe on the subways.

What is one policy you would support to make housing more affordable in New York City?

It is essential that new affordable housing developments reflect the average income for the community in which the housing is being built. This would enable people in that neighborhood to benefit from the new housing and not simply push residents out of their own community.

What has Mayor Eric Adams gotten right and what is he doing wrong?

I believe he could be doing a much better job in addressing the migrant situation.
What work would you do for commuters in 2024?

I will work towards improving mass transit options, especially in Northeast Queens, which is a transit desert.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The major difference between myself and the extremist Republican incumbent is integrity. I always put the interests of the community first, as former Council Member and State Senator. The incumbent Vickie Paladino puts her and her families interests before her responsibilities. In addition, my extensive governmental service and community activism gives me the necessary experience to address the complex issues facing my community and the City.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

If elected, I will work to institute a City municipal bond act to 100% fund Local Law 97, saving coop and condo owners from paying for these upgrades. I will also support NYC retirees in their fight to preserve their City health benefits. Through the new "Taxpayers Unite" platform, I will work towards eliminating the huge tax inequities for small family homes, and coop and condo owners.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

During my previous tenure as Council Member and State Senator, I passed numerous pieces of legislation helping all New Yorkers and resolved countless quality of life issues and ensured the proper delivery of City/State services to my respective districts.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

I follow the advice of my former boss, Mayor Ed Koch in always doing the "right thing" regardless of the political consequences.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Voters can go to my website at tonyavella2023.com for more information or contact me at tonyavella2023@gmail.com.

You're hungry and you have $10 — where do you go?

The local pizza store.