Six Asian candidates for New York City Council seats put forth their platforms at a news conference yesterday sponsored by the Chinese American Voters Association in Flushing. The candidates, who are vying to represent the 20th Council District in Queens, spoke on issues including the development plan for Willets Point, service changes on the number 7 subway line, public education, health care in Queens, and drug abuse prevention among teenagers.
Candidates included Democrats Yen Chou, James Wu, John Choe, S.J. Jung, Republican Peter Koo, and Green Party candidate Evergreen Chou. Only Isaac Sasson, a Jewish-American, was not present.
In his opening remarks, Chinese American Voters Association Director Wu Kai stressed that the goal of holding a political forum directed at the Chinese community is to create a fair platform for candidates of all parties to express their political opinions, allow voters to understand their platforms, and elect the candidate best able to serve the people of Flushing.
Candidates introduced themselves and answered questions in order determined by lottery. S.J. Jung spoke first, telling of how he immigrated from South Korea 23 years ago, working hard first as an entrepreneur and then for the Young Korean-American Service and Education Center. New immigrants' path is a tough one, Jung said, and it is important for them to have spokespeople to fight for their rights. Jung supports the Willets Point development plan, the Flushing River reclamation plan, affordable housing, funding to increase police presence to fight the drug problem, and programs to decrease drug abuse among high school students.
Evergreen Chou's remarks focused on improving the living environment in Flushing. He declared his support for a real estate development plan that would allocate one-third of new housing in Flushing low-income families, one-third to mid-income families, and one-third to luxury apartments. He also put forth suggestions for improving the traffic situation in Flushing and decreasing frequency of accidents.
John Choe, who immigrated from Korea at age 5 and went to college in Chicago, stressed his experience as former City Councilmember John Liu's chief of staff and his zealous service to the community, including his support for the Flushing Business Improvement District plan, Flushing beautification, street cleaning, and funding for the elderly services, park maintenance, and public security.
Yen Chou's platform focuses on education reform, immigration, affordable housing, and community service. She emphasized the importance of the number 7 subway line to Flushing's development, promising to fight for additional funding and service improvements for the train line if elected. Chou stressed the possible benefits that the Willets Point development plan could bring to Flushing's commerce, but said that the plan must be approved by all parties and take community benefit as its starting-point.
Peter Koo, who entered the pharmacist profession in 1971, worked first at Queens Hospital and then established his first pharmacy in Flushing. He now owns five pharmacies and says that he understands the appeals of small business owners. He emphasized the importance of education reform, increasing after-school tutoring opportunities, bilingual curricula to help new immigrants, and other topics.
James Wu, who was born in the United States, said that his immigrant family background has made him sympathetic to the voices of immigrants. His program centers on building solidarity between different immigrant groups to create a harmonious community. He highlighted his 20 years of community service and said that, if elected, he would hold a public hearing so that voices of all social strata could be heard and reflected in the Council, and that he would fight for resources for the community and protect its interests.
