PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by John Lynch, Member of Juniper Civic Association on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity
7:21:15
·
130 sec
John Lynch, a 71-year-old retiree from Middle Village, Queens, testifies against the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal. He expresses concerns about infrastructure capacity, community board input, and potential negative impacts on middle-class residents.
- Highlights flooding and electrical grid issues in Middle Village, Queens
- Notes that 85% of Queens community boards voted against the proposal
- Mentions a recent rally at City Hall Park with diverse opposition to the bill
- Warns about potential middle-class flight from New York City if the bill passes
- Criticizes the proposal as primarily benefiting developers
John Lynch
7:21:15
Yes.
7:21:18
Good afternoon, city council members.
7:21:20
My name is John Lynch, a retiree who has lived all of my 71 years in Middle Village Queens.
7:21:26
Today, I am speaking not only for myself, but as a member of the Juno Pacific Association, Middle Village And Mass Effect right now is success susceptible to flooding and blackouts without additional building.
7:21:41
If there were any tall apartment buildings built, the electrical grid could go out causing further blackouts.
7:21:49
Community boards have long spoke for the people of the city, getting queens alone 12 out of the 14 boards voted no or 85% on the community boards.
7:21:59
I'm willing to bet that the other boroughs, community boards also voted down.
7:22:04
But sitting, planning doesn't care.
7:22:07
They still are pushing for this.
7:22:08
It's this is this the future of community boards where the city doesn't care or listen to them.
7:22:15
Yesterday, there was a rally in city hall park against city of yes.
7:22:20
People from every borough were there.
7:22:22
There were black, brown, Asian, and white people there.
7:22:26
After the rally, I spoke to people from Jamaica's out those in Park, the Bronx and Brooklyn.
7:22:32
They were very worried about the possibility of this bill and what it could happen to their neighborhoods.
7:22:38
In the last few years, We have already lost tens of 1000 middle class New York is due to crime and high taxes.
7:22:48
If the council passes this bill, there is likely that more middle class citizens will flee the big apple.
7:22:57
Let's not forget that MTA is in the middle of doing cuts, not only to bus routes and eliminating bus stops.
7:23:04
Any additional housing built on those lines would cause problems for the people already riding crowded buses.
7:23:12
It's clear that only one business will make money on this and that would be the developers.
7:23:17
The question is, will mayor Adams still be in office to us see this to oversee this.
7:23:22
Please, I urge the city council to vote no.
Kevin C. Riley
7:23:25
Thank you, Mister Lynch.
