Shekar Krishnan is the first South Asian candidate to win the Democratic nomination for Council for the 25th district. A constituency that represents the Jackson Heights and Elmhurst neighborhoods.
And although Spanish is not his first language, Shekar points out how important it has been to connect with a primarily Latino district: “I believe that the Latino community is one of the essential communities and it has always been one of the essential communities of our town”.
Krishnan lives in Jackson Heights with his wife and two children. He is the Democratic candidate who could succeed the current councilman, Daniel Dromm, who has run out of term.
A civil rights attorney, he has represented tenants who have eviction cases. Shekar says that immigrant families in her community are facing a housing crisis as many have been left without jobs and do not qualify for federal aid.
He explains that if he achieves a position on the Council, he will propose to cancel the rent and mortgage payments for one year, as the effects of the pandemic continue to be felt.
“Now is the time for the city to invest in our communities, to provide us with the resources and services that we deserve as a neighborhood here in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst,” says Krishnan.
And for small businesses in the area, he wants to provide resources to help business owners pay their rent. It will create a relief fund that will help cover the income of each business affected by the pandemic.
Of course, all these resources will be presented in different languages: “It is important that the government now do everything it can to provide these services in our own languages.”
Krishnan has also supported the controversial proposal to convert the open streets of 34th Avenue into a linear park. He points out that the expansion would help create more green space in a neighborhood that is lacking.
He says that the design of this park will be achieved in conjunction with the neighbors and users of this avenue: “I have full confidence that we can join the community and create this avenue 34, for this linear park reflects all the preferences of the community”
Sheker Krishnan hopes to be the winner for City Council in the November general election where the majority of elected councilors have been Democrats. In Jackson Heights, EH, NY1 News.
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