Can this middle class family find a home in Little Neck?

Hello, fans and friends of The Unpolitician! I'm Carrie, wife of The Unpolitician himself! Periodically, I'll be posting about issues that matter to me, and to other young parents in our district. The first issue I'd like to discuss is our search for a new home.

2 years ago, we moved into Deepdale Gardens. It is a lovely community of relatively small garden apartments, and we have had a nice time here. But, with the birth of our second daughter, combined with my husband's love for saving and collecting everything, we feel that we're ready to take the next step and get some more space--our own HOUSE!!!

First-- a little background for you. Most of my friends from Queens all got married, grew up, and high-tailed it to Long Island-- in search of green grass and great school districts. Dave and I always laughed at them--- there is green in Queens, and you cannot beat some of the schools! Plus, you have the high Long Island taxes, and a lack of diversity that we always wanted to avoid. We knew that Little Neck was where we would end up. We knew that we wanted our girls to go to PS 221. And, so, in that sense, on my search for homes, I am limited within not just our own political district, but our school district.

Growing up on the sixth floor of an apartment building in urban Briarwood, NY, I am equally excited and nervous about my own home. My Deepdale garden apartment was a great first step. I have lots of ideas about what I want my home to look like...it should be a pretty, relatively small, tudor. That's what feels like home to me. Of course, I'm not REALLY picky-- just a nice place in good shape with a lawn, at least three bedrooms, and a basement.

And so, I began the search. I was surprised to see that ranch homes that CLEARLY were in horrible shape were selling in the 700K range. With these homes being relatively untouchable, considering the amount of work we would have to put into it (and we are NOT handy), I started visiting the dozens of Open Houses in the area. Here are some pictures of what I saw:


As I look at these "McMansions", I am completely fascinated. First of all, my pretty little Tudors look so strange when sandwiched between two giant pink brick homes. Second, I am not sure how any middle class family can afford to buy a home in Little Neck....If I buy the 700-800K tudor, I could probably make it work financially (although it would really be a stretch)...but then I would have to put money into the house, and how could I possibly do that? If I bought one of these 1.3 MILLION dollar homes, I would be extending myself beyond a reasonable realm, AND I would be contributing to the crushing of my pretty tudors.

Anyway, as a homeowner, this is very troubling. Who is buying these homes? I know the developers buy the 700K fixer uppers, and then tear them down. But who is buying the McMansions? I see so many of them for sale.

As the wife of a political candidate, do my feelings change? I know it's the democratic way fight for downzoning, and to fight the proliferation of McMansions. I think, prior to the actual hunt, I really disagreed with this. If people make money, let them build homes, I thought to myself. However, now that I am in the position to buy, I agree with my husband's stance on this issue. I make a six figure salary, I work hard....how is it possible that I cannot buy a nice, midsize home in Little Neck?

My friends are all buying their homes in Nassau and Suffolk. They pay 500K for a starter home. They have higher taxes. When they walk down the street, they see people who all look the same. It's a different world in Long Island....and I want to stay here, where my kids will learn about different cultures, and experience being a positive product of the NYC public school system. Tell me how I can do it. Any ideas?

Hello all!

So this is my first blog entry here. Hi, I’m Yan Ping, and I’ve never written a regular blog before, much less a political one.

Here's something I didn't realize until now: the craziness in running for office when you still don't know who your opponents are. In fact, it's worse locally--there are only so many possible presidential candidates. Because the rumor mill has people dropping in and out, you're forced to start early. To stake out your territory, if you will. A year before the election, funding is important. It's not the sole factor, but it is a key one in deciding who will run. The idea is that if a candidate can raise a lot of money, he is popular, or can afford to make himself so. Party-happy New York supports only those who they think actually stand a chance, hedging their bets. Then everyone who's declared, or publicly spoke about declaring run around like busy bees, from one moneyed flower to the next, trying to get financial support. And you have to turn to backers; the only way to afford doing it alone is by being a multimillionaire, or related to a bunch of them.

Millionaire or not, connections what gets you elected in New York. You don't have to be tied (closely) to the Party Machine, but you need to support of some influential people, who know other influential people that can a) keep you in the loop regarding events and power shifts b) know how and who to meet to get involved in the same power play if necessary.

Everyone wants to know everyone else's business as well—who has been meeting with whom, how much so and so has been getting, is it true that a certain person is going to run? The political gossip vine is every bit as strong as the social gossip chains dramatized and/or made fun of in the media. In the old days, the two were invariably linked. That is why the majority of prominent politicians were married, if only to get a social manager and hostess. Today, spouses are so much more than that—they are advisors and accountants and managers. Politics has gotten a lot more complicated than in those days, as well.

That is why I think Dave is very lucky to have Carrie—they are such a great couple, supportive even when separate. Carrie had a business meeting with someone yesterday, and heard that A Certain Someone with A Lot of Support from the current council member may be running against Dave, and Carrie started worrying immediately. She wants this badly because Dave does. It is this type of support that any successful politician has, and this is why I feel that Dave still has the chance.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

New Staff Gives Me New Energy

The past couple of days, I've been re-energized by a couple of young volunteers who have begun to dedicate their time to my campaign. I have been petitioning in my district for 2008 Democrats to get on the ballot- and in the process introducing myself to future voters in my district.

This has been fun, especially because I was joined each day by an intelligent and enthusiastic volunteer. Thanks so much Erika and Yan Ping- your help has reminded me why I'm doing this and has gotten me motivated to go out there and fund raise a bit more before my next filing deadline, July 10th.

Proud to Support Marriage Equality - & Danny Dromm

I am leaving for a 7 day cruise to Bermuda in a couple of hours- but I wanted to post before I left, because this issue is so important to me. I just attended Danny Dromm's first fundraiser for his City Council run - prior to Queens's gay pride parade- and I am filled with excitement, both for Danny's future, and the future of marriage equality in New York State and New York City.

This issue is gaining momentum, and with California's recent decision, New York has the opportunity to be the 3rd state to step up to the plate in this important issue of human rights, which really affects all of us. It is through the leadership of individuals such as Danny Dromm that we will accomplish these goals- and so I am proud to support him, my fellow UFT member.

Happy Memorial Day / It's Alright to Cry

I was on my way to work this morning, listening to WFAN and thinking about the sad state of my beloved New York Mets, when Boomer Esiason closed the show by saying, "This Memorial Day, when you're drinking a beer and enjoying a hot dog, take a minute to really think about what the holiday is all about."

He then played "Proud to be an American/God Bless the USA" to close out the morning sports show, and I proceeded to start bawling in my car like I had lost a puppy. Nope, I'm not embarrassed to admit it, I cried, a lot, as I listened to the song and thought about what it means to me.

I am proud to be an American, and I am proud of everyone who has fought for our country to protect the freedoms we often take for granted. Happy Memorial Day, and thanks to all who have fought and continue to fight for the USA.

Knocking on Doors - Just Not for Myself Yet

In the past couple of weeks - I have hit the streets of Queens - going door to door petitioning, chatting with people about the issues important to them, and gathering support- not for myself, but for my friend and future Council mate, Elizabeth Crowley.

Elizabeth is running in the 30th District which covers central Queens, in a special election June 3rd to replace the recently-resigned Dennis Gallagher. It has been a great experience campaigning with and for her, and has energized me in my own campaign aspirations.

Good luck, Elizabeth!

NYSUT Convention a Great Reminder of my Teaching Roots

This past weekend, I attended NYSUT's annual convention of teachers and support professionals from all over New York State. As a math teacher currently on a leave of absence, I was able to attend as a delegate, among many representing UFT at the convention.

Highlights included:

• Hearing Tom Chapin perform live his new parody "Not on the Test".
  
• Hearing David Paterson speak for the first time as Governor on New York.
• Learning officially of Randi Weingarten's candidacy for AFT President.
• Being surrounded by hundreds of teachers who work day after day at improving the lives of their students.

It made me miss being a teacher, but it reinvigorated me in my early quest to serve the city as a Councilperson.