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Q&A
Council member Riley questions claim of rushed process
0:56:48
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Council Member Kevin C. Riley asks Andrew Sokolof Diaz to clarify his statement about the Queen's Future/Metropolitan Park proposal being a rushed process, given the four-year community outreach mentioned in the presentation. Andrew responds by explaining that while there were events and meetings, many community members, especially in Corona, Queens, were unaware of the casino proposal due to the impacts of COVID-19 and the timing of the process.
- Andrew argues that the outreach primarily reached supporters, not the broader community
- He claims that many local residents and organizations are unaware of the casino plans
- Andrew emphasizes that his coalition represents the true voice of the community
Kevin C. Riley
0:56:48
Thank you.
0:56:48
I have a question, for Andrew.
0:56:51
You stated in your remarks that this was a rush process.
0:56:55
During the presentation, it stated that they did a four year outreach to the community.
0:57:00
And I know the EULA process, which is a process that we're in right now, gives the community a specific time to have outreach.
0:57:08
So I just wanted you to clarify what did you mean by this being a rush project.
Andrew Sokolof Diaz
0:57:12
Sure.
0:57:13
Thanks, council member.
0:57:14
It's a good question.
0:57:15
So we have a process that came out in the middle of COVID, right, when people were still reeling, especially corona queens, which was the epicenter of the epicenter.
0:57:25
Right?
0:57:26
So if you if you discuss any of these events and meetings and the people who were invited to those meetings, the YES people who remain part of that coalition to support it, that's one thing.
0:57:36
Sure.
0:57:37
That's that's their events.
0:57:38
Right?
0:57:38
Where they had them, not in the community per se.
0:57:42
But if you speak to us, we are the community.
0:57:45
Right?
0:57:45
We represent a coalition of people.
0:57:47
We are in your schools.
0:57:48
We are we are the community.
0:57:50
We're we're we're the nonprofits.
0:57:52
We provide the mutual aid.
0:57:53
So ask people in the hood, have they heard about this casino coming?
0:57:56
They're gonna be like, no.
0:57:56
We thought Jessica Ramos helped stop it.
0:57:58
Like, what's going on?
0:57:59
We don't want a casino.
0:58:01
What's good?
0:58:02
So that's that's the vibe, and that's the answer you get from people on the street.
0:58:06
Ask the churches, same thing.