Kathleen Sforza: Candidate for Council District 50 | 2021 Primary Election

BORN on Staten Island...LIVE on Staten Island...WORK on Staten Island
& 
I LOVE Staten Island!

I am running for City Council, District 50, to Represent Staten Island!

Staten Island's 50th council district is a dynamic, growing, and ever-changing area.  However, due to the events that have transpired over the past year, we are facing serious problems. We will need unique leadership to solve them. It is for that reason that I will be running for City Council 2021 District 50.

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My background as the owner of Town & Country Gifts and Crafts, Inc. for 25 years and my current position as Economic & Community Development Coordinator for Northfield Community LDC of Staten Island positions me well for problem-solving post-pandemic. I know how to create jobs, balance a budget, and forecast growth. These are important qualities for a candidate to possess, especially coming out of a post-pandemic economic crisis.

I am a determined hard worker who has the perseverance to see things through to completion. You can trust that I will always take on tough issues that face the district. I will fight for the needs of my constituents.

The government derives its power from the people. My constituents' wants and needs will be my guide. Economic development for small businesses post-pandemic, police, fire, and public safety, education that focuses on trade schools, and community colleges, affordable housing for seniors, education of our youth, opportunities for the developmentally disabled and their families, as well as the quality-of-life issues of sanitation, will be my focus.

Biography  

I am the daughter of Louis and Jeanette Sforza. My father is an FDNY member and former President and Vice President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater NY, and Jeanette Sforza (deceased) a stay-at-home mother and a partner in Town & Country Gifts and Crafts, Inc. from 1987 until her death in December 2012.

Left to Right; Louis Sforza (Dad), Kathleen Sforza, Jeanette Sforza (Mom)

My family is deeply rooted in Staten Island. I have one sister and two brothers, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. All of whom are Staten Island residents. 

(Left to Right)
Louis Sforza Sr. (Dad), Lorraine Sforza Razzano (Sister), Kathleen Sforza,
Stephen Sforza (Brother), Louis Sforza Jr. (Brother)

(Left to Right) 

Kathleen Sforza, Ashley Razzano Flores (Niece), Alyssa Razzano (Niece), Alexis Razzano Barbara (Niece)

(Left to Right) Joseph Razzano (Brother-In-Law), Louis Sforza Sr. (Dad), James McBratney (Cousin)

Staten Island's population continues to grow year after year. With this growth, there are opportunities and challenges. I want to see my hometown address its current challenges and build on its significant assets. I want to be a part of planning for the next generation who will call Staten Island their hometown.

(Circa 1968) The Sforza"s and McBratney's celebrating the 4th of July in Elm Park Staten Island

(Circa 2010) My Nieces and Nephews (Left to Right, Top to Bottom)

Jeanette Sforza, Emily Sforza, Alexis Razzano Barbara, Ashley Razzano Flores, Stephen Anthony Sforza, Jason Sforza, Alyssa Razzano, Louis Sforza III, Michael Sforza

(Circa 2019) My Great Nephews. The Next Generation to be calling Staten Island their home. (Left to Right) Salvatore Battimelli, Giovanni Battimelli, Joseph Barbara, Brandon Flores, Anthony Barbara

A family day spent at The Conference House. One of Staten Island's beautiful parks.

Due to the events that have transpired over the past year, I can no longer sit back and be a spectator. I need to be involved with the policies that will affect the future of my family, friends, and fellow residents of Staten Island. Pandemic policies enacted by Governor Cuomo, in particular Mayor DeBlasio, have made small business owners and schoolchildren the sacrificial lambs.

NYC is facing some serious problems.

It is critical that city services be maintained post-pandemic. We cannot afford to revisit the 1970's and 80's. I for one remember them well. I commuted to school from Staten Island to Manhattan every day on graffiti-ridden trains and buses.

Homelessness and loitering were everywhere.

Unfortunately, we are seeing a return of these issues. Policies that have been enacted over the past few years and especially during the pandemic are causing our quality of life to be diminished. We must do everything in our power to prevent this from happening again. We as citizens of this city have the right to live in safety. If quality-of-life issues ensue, we will see many people leaving our borough, city, and state. I will fight for our borough. I will fight for our city because...

I LOVE STATEN ISLAND AND I LOVE NY!

My LOVE for my hometown is the reason that I am running for 

City Council, District 50!

ISSUE #1 SMALL BUSINESS and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

As the owner of Town & Country Gifts and Crafts for 25 years and in my current position as Economic and Community Development Coordinator at Northfield Community LDC I know the hardship that these small businesses have been facing this past year. In good times, business is tough in New York. High taxes and overregulation burden small businesses. Fining is the NYC way! Post-Covid many small businesses and especially restaurants and businesses that were forced to close or limit capacity will never recoup the losses that they have incurred. On January 22, 2021, I gave testimony on the Mayor’s Recovery Agenda to the Small Business Committee on Oversight. Innovative strategies will be needed. The public and private sectors will need to provide cash grant programs that go directly to small businesses to assist with rent and utilities.

ISSUE #2 POLICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

I cannot imagine our borough or our city without a police presence. The mission of the New York City Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in New York City by working in partnership with the community to enforce the law, preserve peace, protect the people, reduce fear, and maintain order. The police are needed! In the past year, we have seen our police officers abused and demoralized. It is a known secret that crime statistics have been manipulated for the past 7 years. Nothing is a crime anymore! Yet the murder rate saw an increase! There is no way to hide a murder in the statistics. It is a crime that cannot be manipulated by statistics! Just look at the City of New York Policy Comp Stats for the week ending 12/27/2020. We can see a crime with our eyes. We do not need statistics. The daily news reports show shooting and killing every day. We need more police on the beat. People who know the neighborhood, who grew up in the neighborhood, should police the neighborhood.

ISSUE #3 EDUCATION

This pandemic has shown us that we now live in a digital-first world. Children today will not learn the same way as we learned.

We also know that education is an investment. In most cases, it will cost us money. It will most likely cause debt for an individual or family.

Educators on every level must be allowed to teach their students life skills that foster independence.

We also need to address the education and care for our developmentally disabled. College is often not an option. Their future requires guidance, support, and services. We need to look at options that turn their disability into ability. We all have basic needs, desires, and feelings. We all have the right to be treated with respect and dignity.

ISSUE #4 SANITATION and ILLEGAL DUMPING

Illegal dumping is on an uprise on Staten Island. Just look along any highway service road and you will see black contractor bags, televisions, electronics, mattresses, etc. dumped on the side of the road. I personally have called on the Veterans Road North several times. The amount of illegal dumping that takes place is disgraceful. We are seeing a rise in this due to the pandemic budget cuts. No pickup of electronics. 

Dumping and littering are two crimes that are rarely enforced. In order for this problem to be solved, it will need the help of Staten Island residents. I am all for supporting civic groups who take the initiative to keep their neighborhoods clean.

ISSUE #5 SENIOR HOUSING/AFFORDABLE

Seniors are near and dear to my heart. My office is located at Parkside Senior Apartments and every day, pre-pandemic, I would speak with the people who live there. It saddens me that so many do not have enough money left at the end of the month. They have more month than money. We need more housing for seniors with a sliding scale (housing where the tenant pays rent based on their income). 

ISSUE #6 TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

As the forgotten borough when it comes to transportation, we must make sure that our Verrazzano Narrows Bridge Resident Discount is not lost. We do not have a subway system that connects us to other boroughs, therefore, we need to rely on our automobiles. On December 20, 2020, I gave testimony at the MTA's public hearing about proposed budget cuts among them the resident discount. On January 21, 2021, the Staten Island Advance reported that the MTA will keep the Staten Island Resident Discount for now. However, we must continue to lobby for this to become a permanent measure for Staten Islanders. Another problem is the constant increase in Express Bus Fares. We are the only borough without a subway system. Express bus fares need to be reduced. A roundtrip fare should be $5.50. The cost of a single bus fare and subway fare. 

ISSUE #7 TAXES

We are being taxed to death!  There are taxes on everything!

Real estate taxes are going through the roof. We cannot tax people to death. In the immortal words of Winston S. Churchill “We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”

What is the result of increased taxes? Those that can leave will leave, and little by little there will be fewer tax revenues. 

ISSUE #8 PARKS

Our parks are important green spaces for our borough. They bring the beauty of nature as well as recreational benefits to all Staten Island residents. They are also a source of positive economic benefits. They enhance property values, increase municipal revenue, bring in homebuyers and workers, and attract retirees.  However, they need to be maintained. Post-Covid-19, we will need to make sure that our parks are funded to maintain the positive benefits that they bring to our community.

ISSUE #9 FIRE DEPARTMENT

Staten Island’s population is increasing every year. Zoning changes on Staten Island’s North Shore will increase density. There will be a need for more firehouses to protect the people in the area.

ISSUE #10 ALL

Of course, there are a few other issues that Staten Islanders face. Issues such as infrastructure needs, roads, and zoning that if not kept in check will wreak havoc on Staten Island communities. I as NYC Council Member will always make the wants and needs of my constituency known to the appropriate agencies.

I want to see my hometown address its current challenges and build on its significant assets. I want to be a part of planning for the next generation who will call Staten Island their hometown.

So I am asking for your vote, but first I need to get on the ballot. I need to petition and collect the signatures of 900 registered Republicans in District 50 Staten Island. Here is where I need the help of my family, friends, and fellow Staten Islanders. These signatures will need to be collected in March and completed by the end of March. They will need to be witnessed by 2 people. I will be one of the people who will be witnessing the signature. Below are the neighborhoods of District 50. Please reach out to your family and friends and have them contact me. Thank you for your help!

My sister, Lorraine Sforza Razzano, came up with a tagline that my family says reminds them of a school cheer.

Hey, I love school, I love sports and the sooner we get back to school and cheer on our teams the better!

Staten Island District 50 needs me to be their CHEERLEADER!

Kathleen Sforza 
In 2021, She's the One to Get It Done!

Staten Island’s 50th Council District Neighborhoods

Arrochar

Bloomfield

Bulls Head

Castleton Corners

Chelsea

Concord

Dongan Hills

Egbertville

Emerson Hill

Fort Wadsworth

Graniteville

Grant City

Grasmere

Heartland Village

Isle of Meadows

Lighthouse Hill

Manor Heights

Meiers Corners

Midland Beach

New Dorp

New Springville

Oakwood

Ocean Breeze

Old Town

Prall’s Island

Richmondtown

Rosebank

Shore Acres

South Beach

Todt Hill

Travis

Westerleigh

Willowbrook

Kathleen Sforza

230 Crystal Avenue

Staten Island, NY 10302

Cell: 718-916-6973

Home: 718-448-6261

Email: votekathleensforza@gmail.com

Paid for by Kathleen Sforza Committee to Elect for City Council