Crowley Puts Community in Danger

From the Urban Elephants
http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/herd/774-crowley-puts-community-in-danger.html

City Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley intentionally withheld vital information about contamination at the proposed Maspeth high school site at the former Restaurant Depot located at 74th Street and 57th Avenue. It was reported on NY1 News that Crowley received an environmental impact report two days before the recent City Council public hearing about the high school detailing that the site is contaminated with mercury and lead.

“All children deserve a safe environment in which to learn and play. To withhold vital information about contaminants at a proposed school site is reckless and short-sighted” said Como. “The results of an environmental impact report should have been made public and issues of contamination should have been addressed at the public hearing” continued Como.

This is yet another example of how when it’s time to stand-up for our community Council Member Elizabeth Crowley prefers to sit down.

At the City Council public hearing on the planned Maspeth high school, Crowley’s fellow Councilmember and colleague, Charles Barron (D-East Flatbush), stood-up and called residents of Maspeth, Middle Village, Ridgewood, and Glendale racists for opposing the plan. Crowley could have stood-up for her constituents, but, instead, remained seated.



Crowley was silent in the face of insult and ignorance which was directed at the very people she was supposed to represent. For Crowley to remain silent when her constituents were verbally insulted by her colleague shows that she does not respect the very people she represents.

It was reported that following the hearing Crowley said only, “I’m not surprised” when asked her reaction to Barron’s comments.

Now, either Crowley agrees with Barron’s racist comments about her constituents or she doesn’t have the backbone to stand-up for our community. Either way, Crowley is simply wrong.

“What Crowley fails to realize is that the residents of this district work very hard for all they have achieved. They are proud of their community and deserve to have their voices heard on any issue that will impact their lives” said Como.

A City Council representative must first respect the people they were elected to serve. Without that respect a representative serves no one but themselves.

“If Crowley would have listened to her own constituents she would have heard that the opposition is not to a high school, per se, but to the proposed location at the former Restaurant Depot site at 74th Street and 57th Avenue. Congestion at that location already exists due to two existing schools within a three block area,” said Como.

If a high school is needed in the area, a locally zoned school at the St. Savior’s site on Rust Street is a viable solution. This site would allow for a school in the area while not negatively impacting the community.

This is no time for Crowley’s self-interested politics.