The brand new GOP chief on the Metropolis Council informed The Submit after her gorgeous ascension Friday that she needs to be a “hands-on” chief whereas rising the Republican presence in New York.
“We want to grow our party in the senate, in the assembly, grow our party right here in the City Council,” stated Queens Councilwoman Joann Ariola — who took the helm of the smattering of Republicans on the council in a contoversial vote Friday.
Ariola, born and raised within the thirty second District that she serves, stated her focus because the council’s GOP chief gained’t stray from her present priorities — which embrace getting unvaxxed metropolis employees who have been sacked throughout the pandemic their jobs again and ensuring “sanctuary city” legal guidelines serving even some unlawful migrants are used for his or her meant objective.
“If the president brought back the people who were in the armed forces without having to get alleged vaccine, why can’t our municipal workers come back?” Ariola stated.
“And our right-to-shelter laws in this city were meant for our homeless population,” she stated.
Such points have been debated exhaustively between the council and the Adams administration — however Ariola hopes as a GOP chief she’ll be capable of push the agenda much more with the assistance of different Republican honchos and even Democrats.
“I want this to be a working office. I want this to be an office that is active on all levels of government, from the federal government all the way to the city government,” she stated.
“I need to proceed to work with all my colleagues even on the Democratic aspect, and the speaker. It’s essential to have that relationship.
“I was also once chair of the [Queens] Republican Party, and I really had no problem backing a conservative Democrat.”
The longtime Queens civic chief gained a Republican main in June 2021 with greater than 80% of the vote and in November the identical yr was elected to the Metropolis Council in a basic election by a margin of greater than 65%.
She entered her second time period unchallenged in 2023.
She’s been behind the push to ban ski masks throughout demonstrations, which she claims “emboldens people to act out and cause chaos in our streets,” significantly given the rise in native antisemitic protests.
Ariola additionally has fought to produce all Large Apple firehouses and police precincts with “red-line” and “blue-line” American flags in response to leftists claiming they’re fascist symbols.
She is also working to assist crack down on animal abuse.
Since taking workplace, Ariola has fought for higher high quality of life within the neighborhoods of District 32, which incorporates Rockaway Seashore, Ozone Park and Howard Seashore.
However she stated your entire metropolis will reap the advantages of her new function.
“Queens is getting the recognition that it deserves. I mean, it’s been 20 years since anyone from Queens held this position, but that doesn’t matter to me,” the pol stated.
“Every single borough will get the same attention that Queens gets. I am not parochial like that.”
Ariola took the helm after a previous vote to call Staten Island’s David Carr prime canine was tossed within the trash.
She took residence three votes, a majority of the five-person delegation now that former Minority Chief Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island) has departed.
Chatting with the internal turmoil of the occasion, Ariola stated she’s not fearful.
“There is no animosity. I spoke with council member Carr last night. Our conversation ended on a positive note,” Ariola stated simply moments after the vote.
She takes the place from Borelli, a longstanding Republican voice within the council, who left workplace to take a DC lobbying gig.
He was term-limited and slated to forgo his seat come 2026.
