Shekar Krishnan He will become the first Hindu-born Democratic councilman for District 25 representing the Jackson Heights and Elmhurst neighborhoods in January.
“I am therefore totally grateful to the entire community for this support, together we made history”, says Krishnan.
Shekar lives in Jackson Heights with his wife and two children. He is the son of immigrants from South India who settled in Queens in search of a better life. He is also a civil rights attorney and has represented tenants who have eviction cases. He says he learned Spanish from his clients and with the help of his wife who is also a lawyer.
RELATED STORIES:
Now that he has won a seat on the Council, he assures that his priority will be the safety of the neighborhood; particularly at subway stops and on Roosevelt Avenue. Krishnan says there is more to invest in social services like after school youth programs.
“I believe that for us to be safer in the community we have to invest in the services that are really going to protect us. And those are social services that we have needed and deserved for years,” explains Krishnan.
For this interview, he summoned us to the open streets of 34th avenue in Jackson Heights. One of the key places for your campaign. He supported the group of activists who sought to create a linear park on this avenue, something that was not adapted by the Department of Transportation.
Now he hopes that the project will give priority to pedestrians and green spaces: “We need protection for pedestrians in this plan, less space for cars and a way to protect people and residents from cars as well,” confirms the elected councilor.
Krishnan also wants to get more funds for public hospitals. Elmhurst Hospital had a shortage of beds and staff at the beginning of the pandemic: “Now it is very important that the city government give us our resources for our immigrant community with Elmhurst Hospital and that is one of the priorities for me.”
One of the big projects he has in assuming the role of councilor is to be in charge of the construction of the first Jackson Heights community center that will begin next year.
–
– .
