By Ivan Pereira
With nearly six weeks left before the general election, Republican City Council candidate Dan Halloran opened up his Bayside campaign offices Saturday to get out the vote.
Several of the Council District 19 hopeful’s supporters and volunteers gathered at 43-02 Bell Blvd. as he laid out his plan for northeast Queens.
“It’s a great location because it is the heart of the district,” Halloran said.
The candidate said having his headquarters within the busy commercial strip was essential, since several businesses in the district were suffering because of the recession.
He noted the office takes up the space that was formerly occupied by a Chase Bank but Bank of America decided to open a branch across the street because it did not have the finances to modify the office space.
“We have to find incentives for them, whether it is tax rebates or stimulus packages,” Halloran said of the area businesses.
He added that he would push for the city to create a historical district for the parts of northern Queens that are burdened by overdevelopment. Halloran also said he would continue to make sure the community’s public schools provide students with the best education.
“With mayoral control restored, our school district is in the top five in the city and we have to keep it that way,” Halloran said, referring to District 26.
He is running against Democrat Kevin Kim in November for the District 19 seat, which will be vacated by incumbent Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) and includes the neighborhoods of Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston, College Point, East Flushing, Malba and Whitestone.
Kim has the financial advantage in the race, according to the city Campaign Finance Board. The Democrat has more than $288,000 in contributions compared to Halloran’s $16,000 purse, the CFB said.
Halloran said he would continue to push on until Election Day for his shot at City Hall.
“I’m hoping the last six weeks of this election is about the issues,” he said.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
