NYC Council District 22 Election: Nick Velkov Seeks Astoria Seat

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Democratic voters in New York City's 22nd Council district, which includes Astoria, Rikers Island, parts of Jackson Heights, Woodside and East Elmhurst, will see six names on their ballots when they vote in the June 22 primary election.

One of those names will be Nicholas 'Nick' Velkov, a small business owner.

Patch reached out to all candidates in the election to create these profiles. Velkov's responses are below.

<b>Age (as of Election Day)</b>

39

<b>Position Sought</b>

City Council

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

Democratic

<b>Neighborhood of residence (i.e., East Village, Astoria, etc.)</b>

Astoria

<b>Family</b>

Parents, sister and brother-in-law, nephews

<b>Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?</b>

No

<b>Education</b>

B.A. Journalism

<b>Occupation</b>

Small business owner, 11 years

<b>Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office</b>

N/A

<b>Campaign website</b>

nickvelkov.nyc

<b>Why are you seeking elective office?</b>

I want to increase funding for health and wellness programs

<b>The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>

Poor health. I will identify, and change, the structural policies that degrade human health, and inspire my community to promote better individual-level health.

<b>What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>

I am the only candidate who has extensively studied the ancient techniques of mindful exercise and consistent meditation practice.

<b>If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)</b>

<b>How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?</b>

Local officials performed poorly. I would have done many things differently.
First, I would have used a style of communication that avoided widespread fear. In the midst of a health pandemic stress and anxiety will only exacerbate illness, Local officials never seemed to understand that.
Second, I would have given much more thought to the designation of an "essential" business. Calling a liquor store essential while calling schools and yoga studios non-essential sends an irresponsible message to the community. It should come as no surprise that we have created for ourselves a new pandemic of alcohol-related illnesses.
Third, I would have taken some lessons from the annual heart disease pandemic, which kills over 600,000 Americans every year, and I would have treated the underlying conditions that were responsible for 78% of all Covid hospitalizations. If we had been healthier adults, we could have made our way through Covid without putting small business owners into poverty and children into stunted development.

<b>Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.</b>

Small business protection, preserving public land for public use

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>

I opened a small business in 2010 and I'm still running it..

<b>The best advice ever shared with me was:</b>

My father reminded me many times that there is no success in life without good health.

<b>What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>

I believe in workers' rights. As a small business owner, I share my profits evenly with my employees. As a candidate for public office, I have generously paid every worker on my campaign and have never relied on volunteer labor.