NEW YORK—Council Member Daniel Dromm was elected to the New York City Council in 2010, as the representative for District 25, which includes Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, LeFrak City, Corona, Rego Park, and Woodside. Dromm was a former public school teacher for 25 years. He taught 4th grade for 18 years and then was a social studies teacher. Prior to that, he was the director of a daycare center.
What was your biggest achievement in 2013?
One of Dromm’s biggest achievements was securing the final approval for the purchase of Jackson Heights Garden School property to have an athletic field and park during off-school hours. Another green expansion was the creation of the 78th Street Plaza. According to Dromm, Jackson Heights ranks 50th out of the 51 districts when it comes to park space in New York City.
What will you be focusing on this year?
Education has always been Dromm’s passion. With some of the most crowded schools in the borough, Dromm will look into acquiring additional school seats and ensuring there’s parental and teacher involvement. He was pleased to hear that Carmen Farina was chosen as Schools Chancellor and will be working closely with her. As a member of the Education Committee he also wants to see a more multicultural curriculum. “Forcing the department of education to be a little bit more transparent has been a big issue of mine,” he said.
What are some of the issues your constituents are concerned about?
Some of the issues Dromm’s constituents are concerned about include: additional sanitation service, and good schools and safe park space for children. He paid $60,000 out of his discretionary account to clean up the commercial area in the neighborhood. Dromm says there is a large immigrant community in his district that require access to medical care. His district had two hospitals close: St. John’s, and a physician hospital. Elmhurst Hospital is the only one left and Dromm secured $2 million for its expansion.
If you had a coat of arms, what would it be, and why?
Education and immigration are Dromm’s two big passions. He wants a couple of swords, overlapping with something on both sides of them, and a statue of Liberty on one side. “The Statue of Liberty traditionally welcomed immigrants into New York City, and the saying at the bottom ‘Give me your tired, your poor, and your hungry.’ A set of books on the other side, and the New York City code (at the top), because I do love New York City.”
Epoch Times is interviewing members of the 2014 New York City Council to find out what their biggest achievements were last year and what they hope to accomplish in this one. For a list of all council member articles in this project, click here.
