Zero-Tolerance Zone Designations
Designate specific areas (e.g., shopping centers, schools) as zero-tolerance zones for crime. Deploy additional officers and enforce stricter penalties for offenses in these zones. Also advocate for a Safe Streets, Safe Parks Initiative, where we light up parks and underutilized spaces with LED lighting, install cameras, and increase park patrols to deter crime and encourage family-friendly use.
Neighborhood Patrol Partnerships
Partner with civic groups to organize and train volunteer patrols, working in tandem with NYPD. Build trust and expand coverage without additional cost. Actively recruit retired police officers to provide guidance to neighborhood watch programs.
Rapid Response for Property Crime and, auto & catalytic converter theft
Implement a dedicated property crime task force to tackle thefts and burglaries swiftly, ensuring Staten Islanders feel secure in their homes and businesses. Additionally, work with the DA’s office and the local police precincts to ensure that there are checkpoints adjacent to the Outerbridge Crossing, to discourage catalytic converter theft, or auto crimes of any kind.
End NYC’s sanctuary city status
Repeal legislation that prohibits NYC from cooperating with federal law enforcement or honoring ICE detainer requests for criminals. Advocate for city agencies to work with federal law enforcements
Anti-Drug Overdose Strike Team Create a specialized team focused on preventing overdoses, including rapid naloxone deployment and targeting drug dealers with severe penalties.
Improving Democracy
Non-Partisan Municipal Elections and RCV.
Remove party labels from local elections to empower voters to choose based on character and ideas rather than partisanship. New Yorkers should also have Ranked Choice Voting for the general election.
End the costly matching funds program Do away with NYC’s matching funds program and replace it with a Democracy Voucher program, similar to what Seattle has implemented. Every voter would be given 2-4 $50 vouchers to be given to the candidate of their choice. This has shown promise where implemented and would likely be less expensive and less prone to abuse than the current system.
Civic Education Initiative
Implement a vibrant civic education curriculum in Staten Island schools, teaching students about local government, voting, and community involvement.
Mandatory Public Comment Periods
Public hearings are required for any major zoning or land-use decision, ensuring transparency and local input.
Community Board Empowerment
Provide community boards with modest discretionary budgets to fund local projects, making them more effective advocates for neighborhoods. Also allow the Community Board to hire a full time Urban Planner. Lastly, create a nonprofit group as some other Community Boards have around the city that would allow CBs 2 and 3 to raise money for initiatives. There should also be ramped up Community Board recruitment. The current language that strictly limits community boards’ power should be replaced with a broad grant of power to review executive actions that impact their communities and propose their own plans for the improvement. Also allow a portion of community board members to be elected directly by residents, increasing accountability and representation
Affordability
Tax Freeze for Senior Homeowners and municipal retirees. Maintain healthcare for municipal retirees
Freeze property taxes for homeowners over 65, and retired NYC workers to ensure they can afford to stay in their homes. Currently, the exodus of NYC residents is fueling an economic boom in Florida, Arizona, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas. Let’s keep those cashing an NYC pension in NYC. Support the efforts of municipal retirees to maintain the healthcare benefits they were promised, whether that’s through legal disputes or changes in state law. Establish a local DOGE Advisory Committee to find areas of the budget that could be put and streamline the procurement process.
NYC Citizen Utility Board
Establish a board to represent residents in utility rate cases, ensuring fairness and transparency in utility billing. This is a model that has worked well in San Diego, Oregon and Illinois
Property Tax Reform
Cap annual property tax growth to a fixed percentage to prevent skyrocketing assessments and ensure taxes reflect Staten Island’s unique housing market. Pair this with a Supermajority Requirement for Property Tax Increases, requiring a two-thirds vote in the City Council for any proposed tax hike.
Enhanced HPD Closing Cost Program
Expand HPD programs that assist first-time homebuyers with closing costs, helping more Staten Islanders achieve homeownership.
Streamlined Permits for Home Improvements
Cut red tape for homeowners looking to make upgrades or repairs, lowering costs and waiting times. We should also seek to reduce tree restitution costs for developers, which are passed on to homebuyers.
Traffic and Transportation
Improving Buses
Secure funding to build new park-and-ride facilities and revitalize existing facilities near express bus hubs to encourage transit use and reduce congestion.
In collaboration with MTA and State officials, begin a pilot program for express bus service with fewer stops, reducing commute times for Manhattan-bound workers.
Following the implementation of congestion pricing, fight for even more expanded express bus service for South Shore residents, including weekend and off-peak service for routes like the SIM22 and SIM24.
Commence a study of bus routes that include special “school trip” service to develop infrastructure and planning changes to improve service and reduce congestion.
Advocate for permanent bus-only lanes along express bus routes to and from the South Shore, including on the Verrazano Bridge, Staten Island Expressway, and along the West Shore Expressway right of way.
Neighborhood Traffic Calming
Fund local efforts to install speed bumps, signage, and traffic lights where residents identify dangerous conditions.
Fight for more sidewalks!
Push for the expansion of daylighting more dangerous intersections, to avoid pedestrian injury
Oppose Congestion Pricing
Legally and legislatively, fight against keeping Staten Islanders from getting taxed for driving to work.
Permitting Right Turns on Red Lights
Advocate for the implementation of right turns on red lights where safe, reducing traffic congestion and commute times.
South Shore Fast Ferry
Establish a fast ferry service for the South Shore, offering Staten Islanders more commuting options.
Education
STEM on Staten Island
Establish specialized STEM academies in public schools to prepare students for high-paying tech jobs.
School Safety Officer Expansion
Place multiple safety officers in every school to protect students and staff, giving parents peace of mind. School safety agents should also remain part of the NYPD and be posted at every Universal Pre-K location.
Workforce Training Partnerships
Partner with local businesses and unions to create apprenticeship programs for carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and other skilled trades.
A New York City tax credit for private tuition, up to $1000 a year
allow those who send their children to private school to get up to $1000 a year in a NYC tax credit. Also, help the parents of special Ed students get the services they need, even if they fail to fill out a form in a timely manner.
Local History Curriculum
Develop a Staten Island history course, teaching students about the borough’s unique role in the city and the nation.
Supporting Small Business
Red Tape Reduction Office
Create an office dedicated to helping small businesses navigate city regulations and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. In the absence of a citywide position, my office would have a red tape reduction officer dedicated to helping small businesses cut through the red tape.
Fee-Free First Year
Waive permit and license fees for new small businesses during their first year of operation.
Buy Local Staten Island Campaign
Launch a borough-wide marketing effort to encourage residents to shop at local businesses.
Small Business Recovery Fund
Establish a fund to assist businesses recovering from disasters or economic downturns.
Protect Neighborhood Retail
Limit the spread of chain stores in historic neighborhoods to preserve local character and support small businesses.
Supporting and Enhancing the Spirit of Staten Island
Staten Island Flag Day
Declare an annual borough holiday to celebrate Staten Island’s unique heritage and identity.
Encourage Staten Island Spirit
Host monthly award ceremonies honoring local students and activists for achievements during events like Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Columbus Day. Establish a Christmas Parade on the South Shore. Support and encourage local media with the support of public access television, aiding in recruitment efforts for Staten Island Community Media and supporting South Shore High Schools in establishing Low Power FM radio stations. Also establish a Free Blockbuster library at the Councilman’s office to allow for the free acquiring and disposal of VHS tapes and DVDs.
Memorial for Staten Island Veterans and a rebranding of a south shore park
Establish a memorial at Bloomingdale Park honoring Staten Island veterans who perished in Iraq and Afghanistan. A south shore park should also be named for Rudy Giuliani, Staten Island’s greatest Mayor.
Borough Beautification Grants
Fund community-led beautification projects, like murals or plantings, to enhance pride in local neighborhoods.
“Staten Island First” Procurement Policy
Require city contracts for Staten Island projects to prioritize local businesses.
Sanitation and Solid Waste Management
Crackdown on Illegal Dumping
Increase enforcement to mitigate illegal dumping, but at the same time, mitigate the need for illegal dumping by hosting more e-waste recycling events and encouraging more private transfer facilities.
Composting Awareness Campaign
Emphasize public education on composting through outreach and workshops, avoiding punitive fines.
Increased Flexibility for Local Sanitation Commissioner
Grant Staten Island’s sanitation commissioner more control over snow removal and trash pickup schedules. Also allow the Borough President and/or Councilmembers a voice in the selection of Borough Commissioners. Mandatory bins should also be made optional on SI.
Large Item Pickup Expansion
Offer free curbside pickup of bulky waste (e.g., furniture) to discourage illegal dumping.
Community Cleanup Crews Fund neighborhood groups to conduct cleanups, giving locals a say in keeping their streets tidy.
Neighborhood Preservation and Quality of Life
Fight Against Battery Storage Sites
Oppose the placement of large battery storage facilities in residential areas.
Vigorously Oppose Migrant Shelters and City of Yes.
Ensure no migrant shelters are placed in South Shore neighborhoods, protecting the borough’s quality of life. Join litigation to oppose city of yes.
Noise Reduction Task Force
Crack down on illegal ATVs, excessively noisy leaf blowers, dirt bikes, and other noise nuisances that disrupt quiet neighborhoods.
Park Renovation Blitz
Modernize and upgrade every south shore park over five years, with new equipment and accessibility features. Basketball hoops should also be required to have nets.
Dark Sky Lighting Ordinance
Reduce light pollution by requiring shielded streetlights, preserving the night sky.
Public Health
South Shore Maternity Ward
Work with local hospitals to establish a maternity ward on Staten Island’s South Shore, ensuring accessible care for families.
A More proactive approach in schools
Air Quality Monitors in Schools. Install air quality sensors in all schools to ensure children are breathing clean air.
Ban High-Fructose Corn Syrup in Schools. Prohibit the use of high-fructose corn syrup in school meals, promoting healthier diets for students. A prohibition on artificial dyes in school food should also be considered.
Mobile Health Clinics
Deploy mobile units to provide screenings like thyroid cancer screenings, PSA tests and mammograms, along with vaccinations, particularly in the absence of a public hospital.
Better regulation of lithium ion batteries
Too many fires have been caused by improper use or storage of lithium ion batteries. Let’s put an end to it.
Support animal rights.
Work with animal rescue organizations to facilitate adoption and fostering of stray cats
Fund efforts to get more animals spade and neutered
Allocate funds to establish a no-kill shelter on Staten Island
