NYC Council District 19 Election: Tony Avella Seeks Bayside Seat

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — Democratic voters in New York City's 19th Council district, which includes College Point, Whitestone, Malba, Bayside, Douglaston, Little Neck, North Flushing, and Auburndale, will see 6 names on their ballots when they vote in the June 22 primary election.

One of those names will be Tony Avella, a former state senator.

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

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

69

<b>Position Sought</b>

City Council - 19th District, Northeast Queens

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

Democrat

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

Whitestone

<b>Family</b>

My wife is Judith Cashman Avella

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

No

<b>Education</b>

B.A. Hunter College

<b>Occupation</b>

Prior to holding elected office I worked for two Mayors (Koch and Dinkins), two State Senators and a City Council Member.

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

Former State Senator (2011-2018) and City Council Member (2002-2009). Prior to elective office, I was president of numerous community civic organizations including the Bayside Historical Society, College Point Civic Association, Bay Terrace Civilian Patrol and North Shore Anti-Graffiti Volunteers.

<b>Campaign website</b>

tonyavellafornyc.com

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

I am frustrated with what I see as happening in New York City and in my community. Real leadership is needed now more than ever and I believe my experience and government knowledge is essential at this crucial time.

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

There are many important issues that need to be addressed. The COVID-19 pandemic will continue to the major issue for the 19th City Council District and the entire City. Even when the vaccine has been widely distributed, restoring lost jobs, and helping small businesses recover will be priorities.
For education, keeping the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) and Gifted and Talented programs are a key priority. I always have actively supported and fought for the continuation of SHSAT as well as the continuation and expansion of Gifted and Talented programs. Each school should have such a program.
One of the most serious issues facing our area is the threatened attack on one and two family home neighborhoods. Recent legislation introduced by City Council Speaker Corey Johnson is just the beginning. There is a growing development attitude to eliminate one and two family home districts. Our suburban lifestyle in Northeast Queens would forever be destroyed. This must be stopped.
Further dealing with the increased crime rate and anti-Semitic and anti-Asian hate crimes must be addressed. I oppose defunding the police and support the creation of a new precinct out of the 109th Precinct. This would increase patrol strength and response time.

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

Experience matters. None of the other candidates have ever served in public office, nor do they have my extensive knowledge and experience in City and State government or knowledge of the district.

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

The current Council Member must leave due to term limits. This is an open seat.

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

The response for dealing with the COVID-19 was mainly in the hands of the Mayor and the Governor. The initial failure in the 19th District was the lack of testing and then vaccine distribution sites. In the beginning, there were no such sites and residents had to travel great distances for a test or the vaccine when it became available. This should not have occurred and had I been in office I would have fought for these sites from the onset of the virus.

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

As mentioned before, The COVID-19 pandemic will continue to the major issue for the 19th City Council District and the entire City. Even if the vaccine has been widely distributed, restoring lost jobs, and helping small businesses recover will be priorities.
For education, keeping the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) and Gifted and Talented programs are a key priority. I always have actively supported and fought for the continuation of SHSAT as well as the continuation and expansion of Gifted and Talented programs. Each school should have such a program.
One of the most serious issues facing our area is the threatened attack on one and two family home neighborhoods. Recent legislation introduced by City Council Speaker Corey Johnson is just the beginning. There is a growing development attitude to eliminate one and two family home districts. Our suburban lifestyle in Northeast Queens would forever be destroyed. This must be stopped.
Further, dealing with the increased crime rate and anti-Semitic and anti-Asian hate crimes must be addressed. I oppose defunding the police and support the creation of a new precinct out of the 109th Precinct. This would increase patrol strength and response time.

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

As Council Member, I downzoned much of the 19th Council District to prevent over development and changed parts of the City’s zoning code that had not been changed in over 40 years. My record in both the Council and the State Senate passing important pieces of legislation demonstrate my capabilities as an effective legislator. In the 16 years I held public office, I also was known for providing strong constituent services. I was proactive in seeking out problems and residents knew they could reach out to my office for help

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

By my former boss the late Mayor Ed Koch, who said the truth is still relevant.

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

During my previous tenure as an elected official, I took a hands on approach and dealt with local issues directly. I went to people’s homes to see local problems first hand. I held regular town hall meetings and made myself available to anyone who needed my help. If re-elected to my old City Council post, I would do so again.