Tony Avella For Mayor 2009

Description:

Tony grew up in Long Island City, the son of a disabled World War II veteran and a legal secretary. His father went to work as a hot dog vendor when he came home from the war, as many vets still do today, and Tony attended Hunter College on a Regents Scholarship established for the children of veterans.

Tony knows what it’s like to be a working New Yorker—something unique among the candidates for Mayor this year. He’s fed up with a City Government that pushes us aside, prices us out, and ignores our voices to make way for the rich and powerful. He’s one of us, and he’s ready to stand up and insist that our neighborhoods are not for sale

Tony's record as a City Council member, elected in 2001, is out there for anyone to see. He’s worked hard to protect our neighborhoods from irresponsible real estate development, and he led the charge against term limit extensions in the City Council. He has stood up again and again to insist on proper funding for firehouses, schools, and police. And on labor, he has introduced legislation to end residency laws for city workers and to establish apprenticeship programs that lead to union jobs.

As Mayor, Tony will make sure that communities have a voice and a seat at the table when planning the future of our city. On education, Tony wants to open the Department of Education to parents and teachers. On city planning, he wants to give Community Boards the force of law when they build their own plans for their neighborhoods. On small business, Tony wants to regulate commercial properties to protect stores from rent hikes that force them out of business.

Tony's integrity is impeccable. As Mayor, he'll remain honest, accessible, and ready to fight for you. But we need your support. Let's stand together and send a clear message that our neighborhoods are not for sale.