Tony Avella Eyes Mayoral Race
February 15, 2008
On our way to a coffee shop for an interview, City Council Member Tony Avella of Queens said, “I don’t believe in labels, but I guess you could call me a conservative Democrat.”
I said facetiously, “Gee, I thought you were all dead.”
By the end of our meeting, however, I discovered that he fit that description perfectly, and if he, as planned, does run for mayor next year, he might be able to run on the Conservative Party line as well.
Mr. Avella caught my attention when I read his comments on two issues that I believe New Yorkers should be more concerned about: eminent domain and the cable franchise battle. I initiated the meeting with him because he appears to be the maverick of the City Council, a group that I have little respect for as a whole.
This City Council approved the plan for the 17-acre expansion of Columbia University in Harlem. Columbia University representatives told The New York Sun that they aim to reach a negotiated settlement with the remaining reluctant landowners, but have made it clear they would invoke the state’s power of eminent domain to condemn the property if no agreement is reached. Mr. Avella was one of five Council members who voted against the project, and said that the use of eminent domain would jeopardize all New York property owners. Mr. Avella told me, “Nobody’s home or business is safe anymore.”
Source: NY Sun Read the full article here
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