You are reading

PODCAST: We Talk to Denise Keehan-Smith, Candidate for the 26th District Council Seat

Denise Keehan-Smith kicks off her campaign for the 26th Council District seat in October. The primary is schedule to take place in June (Photo: Queens Post)

Dec. 28, 2020 By Christian Murray

Nearly 20 candidates have come forward to run in next June’s Democratic primary for the 26th District Council seat currently held by Jimmy Van Bramer, who is term limited.

In today’s podcast, we talk to Denise Keehan-Smith who is one of those candidates vying for the seat that covers Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City and a portion of Astoria.

Keehan-Smith was born and raised in Woodside and currently lives in the Big Six Towers on Queens Boulevard. She was the chair of Community Board 2 from 2016 to 2020 and is a lifelong Democrat.

In the podcast, Keehan-Smith expresses her views on Amazon, the NYPD, transportation and real estate development.

She says she supported Amazon coming to Long Island City and believes that the tech-giant’s decision to abandon plans to come to Queens was a missed opportunity.

Keehan-Smith, in the podcast, also argues that the the NYPD budget should not be cut, saying that public safety is a priority.

Another topic dealt with the DOT’s redesign of Skillman Avenue in Sunnyside/Woodside in 2018. She said the project was a failure and says that there was no need for protected bicycle lanes on the avenue.

Keehan-Smith also addresses the Phipps Houses’ affordable housing development on Barnett Avenue. She says that she is opposed to the project, arguing that the developer’s track record is shoddy and that the infrastructure in the area is lacking.

She also discusses community board appointments and the role council members and borough presidents play in choosing who sits on the board.

For more information on Keehan-Smith, click on her campaign site at DeniseKeehanSmith.com.

*Listen to Queens Post podcasts on SoundCloud or view on YouTube.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Recent News

DA Katz introduces Kimi, the facility dog providing comfort to Queens crime victims

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz introduced one of the newest members of her team on Wednesday as part of her office’s public information campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Kimi, a 2-year-old golden retriever/Labrador retriever, has been appointed as a facility dog to provide comfort and companionship to crime victims and witnesses. “Kimi has been an extraordinary addition to our team here at the Queens District Attorney’s Office,” Katz said. “She’s affectionate, highly trained, and has already assisted survivors and witnesses and put them at ease.”

Mets to host playoff watch parties at Citi Field

Oct. 3, 2024 By Ethan Marshall

As the New York Mets look to clinch a trip to the National League Division Series Wednesday night in Milwaukee, the team announced that beginning as early as Thursday, Oct. 3, Citi Field will be hosting watch parties of select away games during the playoffs.

Op-ed: Time to register, license, and insure motorized two-wheelers before our streets become even more dangerous

Oct. 2, 2024 By Tom Grech, Councilmember Sandra Ung and Assemblymember Sam Berger

Businesses are feeling the impact. From Astoria to Flushing, sidewalks and streets that once allowed shoppers to stroll safely have become obstacle courses where two-wheelers zip past at alarming speeds, weaving between pedestrians and cars with little regard for the rules of the road. When customers are concerned for their safety, they are less likely to visit, which hurts both business owners and the wider local economy. Haphazardly parked two-wheelers frequently block sidewalks and parking spaces in our commercial corridors, making it more difficult for customers to access our local businesses. This is especially true for seniors and individuals with mobility issues, who now have the added challenge of navigating around e-vehicles to shop at their favorite stores or eat at their favorite restaurants.