Candidates Night in Whitestone was held by the We Love Whitestone Civic Association (WLW) on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023.
19th Council District Democratic Primary Candidates Tony Avella, Christopher Bae and Paul Graziano were in attendance (Avella showed up late).
Judge George Grasso, running for Queens District Attorney on the Democratic and Public Safety lines; and Michael Mossa on the Republican line were in attendance (Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz did not attend).
William David Shanahan, running for 6th Municipal Court District Judge, was in attendance.
Introduction – WLW President, Al Centola – 0:07
Judge George Grasso Opening Statement – 9:10
Michael Mossa Opening Statement – 14:38
William David Shanahan Opening Statement – 18:20
WLW President, Al Centola – 22:55
Christopher Bae Opening Statement – 23:55
Paul Graziano Opening Statement – 28:15
Introduction – WLW Moderator Valentina Forgione Begins – 33:20
1st Audience Question and Responses (Casino/Soccer Stadium at Willets Point) – 33:40
2nd Audience Question and Responses (Asylum Seekers) – 39:04
3rd Audience Question and Responses (COVID Vaccine/City Workers) – 40:55
4th Audience Question and Responses (Drug / Addiction Crisis) – 44:10
5th Audience Question and Responses (Property Taxes/Local Law 97/Avella walks in 53:10) – 51:55
6th Audience Question and Responses (Local Law 97) – 59:05
Interlude, WLW President Al Centola – 1:06:05
7th Audience Question and Responses (Bail Reform) – 1:07:11
8th Audience Question and Responses (City Council Term Limits – Avella Only) – 1:10:40
9th Audience Question and Responses (Casino/Soccer Stadium – Avella Only) – 1:13:16
Paul Graziano, Rebuttal to Avella Response on Casino/Soccer Stadium – 1:16:15
10th Audience Question and Responses (Overdevelopment) – 1:19:25
Tony Avella, Rebuttal to Graziano – 1:27:21
11th Audience Question and Responses (County Endorsement/IDC – Avella Only) – 1:28:20
12th Audience Question and Responses (Out of Office for 5 Years/Absent – Avella Only) – 1:31:17
Paul Graziano Closing Statement – 1:33:21
Christopher Bae Closing Statement – 1:34:35
Tony Avella Closing Statement – 1:35:08
Judge George Grasso Closing Statement – 1:36:05
Michael Mossa Closing Statement – 1:36:51
William David Shanahan Closing Statement – 1:37:48
WLW End of Meeting – 1:38:21
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