William Horowitz, who graduated from St. John’s University last…
By Ayala Ben-Yehuda
A 23-year-old Republican running on an anti-tax platform is hoping to oust City Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis), chairman of the Council’s Finance Committee, in the November election.
William Horowitz, who graduated from St. John’s University last year with a degree in journalism, is running on the Republican and Conservative tickets to represent the 23rd Council District. The district spans an area from Hollis to Little Neck to parts of Fresh Meadows and Bayside.
“When I first entered this race, I thought I probably don’t stand a chance,” said Horowitz, who was recruited by the Queens Village Republican Club to run against the well-known incumbent.
“But as I talk to people … they are really starting to respond.”
Horowitz, who lives in Fresh Meadows with his parents, said his youth has not been a problem in his campaign, which lately has consisted of an appearance at a meeting of the Rocky Hill Civic Association and a Queens Conservative Party dinner.
“If I do get a reaction, I get a positive reaction,” said Horowitz.
The challenger said the 18.5 percent property tax increase, passed last fall under Weprin’s watch, was his No. 1 issue.
“My basic feeling about taxes is, it’s never a good time to raise (them), especially when the economy is slow,” said Horowitz, who believed the hike could have been avoided through cutting government waste.
Weprin, who won the 2001 election with 69 percent of the vote, said he “was dealt a hand I had no control over.”
Faced with an $8 billion deficit over the course of a year and a half, the city had no choice but to raise taxes to preserve senior centers, library hours and twice-weekly garbage pickup in Queens, said Weprin.
“I think I showed leadership in making some tough decisions,” said the former Wall Street attorney, who lives in Holliswood.
Weprin said he was running on his record of preserving services and fighting for his constituents, such as when he successfully fought Mayor Michael Bloomberg on East River bridge tolls. He also said he was working to get more property tax rebates for senior citizens.
The first-term councilman represents a district long held by former Councilman Sheldon Leffler, who was forced out of office by term limits.
According to Weprin’s last disclosure statement with the city Campaign Finance Board, he had raised more than $230,000 in net contributions for the 2003 election cycle. In contrast, his challenger has posted no contributions at all.
Currently unemployed, Horowitz, who had planned to join the Army but was medically disqualified from doing so, spends most of his time taking care of his 82-year-old grandmother.
He hoped the race might bring him some name recognition for either a future race or a job interview.
“If I do win, I can stop looking for a job for a little while,” he said.
Reach reporter Ayala Ben-Yehuda by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
