Responses for Queens By the Minutes Social Media Debate 2017

1) Would you agree to a new law that would require all elected officials to post on all of your
governmental letterheads a list of your Top Ten Contributors to your campaign?

Certainly, there is way too much outside money influencing government decisions. The people
have a right to know who is donating to those in power.

2) A group of 8 year old children are playing during recess following a class discussion about Health
Care.
One of the children began thinking to himself 'Hey, if I can get free lifetime health care I don't
have to push myself so much in school'. Candidate: What do you Feel in Your Heart about this
child's present and future?

If this is the belief of kids after a school lesson about health care, then they didnt get a very
good education in the subject. The Affordable Care Act introduced some protections for the
insured but made premiums and deductibles a lot more expensive for much of the population.
So, yes, Johnny, you need to still push yourself.

3) Drive by any New York City building on 'recycled garbage day' and you will see hundreds of
plastic milk containers and hundreds of cans and other types of containers waiting for City
Workers to pick them up. Would you support extending deposit regulations to these type of
containers to save the City millions of dollars by permitting the city's present working Bottle
Collection population to also collect these type of containers?

I believe that the deposit on cans and bottles should be removed in NYC due to trespassing and
safety concerns and also to protect our commodities which is a source of revenue for the city.
Collectors should instead be paid by the city to clean our streets and sidewalks.

4) A child's heart beats each moment while receiving a poor education in a designated troubled
NYC school.
For these lost educational moments the child's heart will never re-beat again. Candidate: What
are your heartfelt feelings about this child? About your children?

My children attended public schools and I believe that to ease the overcrowding problem we
should offer vouchers which would allow some parents to send their children to private schools.
I also believe in school choice and guaranteed admission to the childs closest high school.

5) Which level of Government is responsible for providing Mass Transit to New Yorkers?

NYC needs to adequately fund mass transit and I believe the NYCTA should become a city agency
instead of a state agency.

6) Recently, under severe tragic circumstances, our NYC Police Commissioner declared a Police
Officer was killed in an 'Unprovoked Attack'. Do the Police Commissioner's words suggest the
possibility for a 'Provoked Attack'. Should the Police Commissioner retract/revise his statement
declaring an 'Unprovoked Attack'?

I believe those were poorly chosen words, that police officers doing their jobs do not deserve to
be attacked for any reason, and that the penalty for doing so should be severe.
 7) Should the crime of a 'Home Invasion' be elevated (at the appropriate governmental level) to a
crime punishable by the Death Penalty?

No, a home invasion, while deserving of the punishment that befits violent crime, does not rise
to the level of a capital crime.

8) Do you support making New York City a 'Sanctuary City'?

No. It has gotten to the point where the NYPD and Corrections Department have their hands tied
when it comes to working with immigration authorities. I believe that violent criminals should
be deported.

9) What do you like least about New York City and what would you do about it if elected?

The non-affordability. When I was attending college, CUNY was free if you met certain admission
standards. I think we need to bring that back. The best way to improve income inequality is
through education. There is a cap on free tuition for families making less than $125,000 but I
think that needs to be across the board for everyone because $125,000 isnt all that much if you
have 4 kids!

10) What do you like most about New York City and how would you maintain/improve it if elected.

NYC is known worldwide as a mecca for the arts. It drives our tourism industry and we should do
as much as we can to foster the creative community. I think it sends a bad message when we
decide we are going to start tearing down art that we suddenly find offensive and as a member
of the city council who is also an artist, I hope to bring a voice of reason to protect our cultural
resources.

CLOSING STATEMENT: (200 word limit):

I have been president of the Juniper Park Civic Association for 25 years. In this role, I worked on
downzoning many areas of the district. This led to a reduction in the building of out-of-character
structures. Reduction of crime has been a priority. I have a history of advocating for increases in staffing
levels at local precincts. I led the fight to prevent homeless shelters in the district. I have worked closely
with elected officials from both major parties. I am collaborating with state and federal officials on a plan
to reduce noise in the area from roadways and airports. I believe that all local students should have
admission privileges at their local schools and as council member I plan to introduce legislation to ensure
that becomes reality. My proudest achievement has been to convince Keyspan to donate the Elmhurst
gas tanks site to NYC. It has now been converted into a public park for all to enjoy. There are many
outside forces looking to profit off the people and my opponent seems to be easily influenced by them.

Visit my website at holdenforcitycouncil.com to learn more about me.

Let's take back our neighborhoods.