Ulrich, Gulluscio cite transportation as biggest campaign issue
Posted on October 28, 2009 by Connor Adams Sheets in City Council, District 32
One of the tighter City Council races is wrapping up in District 32, where incumbent Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Rockaway Beach) is working to protect his seat from Democratic challenger Frank Gulluscio.
One of only three Republicans in the 51-member Council, Ulrich is also the youngest member at 24.
Transportation is the issue Ulrich considers most important, followed by quality-of-life concerns. He points to his success in removing graffiti from more than 400 district locations and bringing more than $1 million to local libraries as evidence he is able to produce results for residents.
The next challenges Ulrich wants to tackle are traffic congestion on Woodhaven and Cross Bay boulevards, noise nuisances and increasing the district’s police presence and security.
“In seven months we’ve done what hasn’t been accomplished in seven years in regards to cleaning things up in the neighborhoods,” he said. “… And I represent a working- and middle-class district and they deserve tax relief and they deserve it now.”
Gulluscio, 60, is looking to use his years of experience in civics, education and business to serve residents of District 32, which includes Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Hamilton Beach, Lindenwood, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Broad Channel, Rockaway, Belle Harbor and Breezy Point.
He cites transportation and quality of life as his key issues as well and points to experience in these areas going back more than two decades to when he advocated successfully to improve safety in Howard Beach by changing a number of residential streets from two-way to one-way.
He also says he is fed up with the way the middle class is “nickel and dimed” in his district.
“Everywhere we go the message is the same: People are tired of being crushed by higher taxes and rising fines,” Gulluscio said in a statement Monday. “The community needs an advocate who will address the needs of all their constituents.”
Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
